52 Photos Project: Hearts

, originally uploaded by Scarlett Design.

  For this weeks 52 Photos Project, I took an instagram photo of a small doily I crocheted a few weeks ago, to decorate my house for Valentines Day. I like Valentines crafting, I think because the house always feels so empty after Ive taken down the Christmas decorations, and of course all the pretty pinks and reds add some nice color in the winter.

Christmas Snowflakes

My creation, originally uploaded by Scarlett Design.

  Each Christmas I make about 30 snowflakes for friends and family.
  The tradition started with my grandmother, who used to make beautiful crocheted snowflakes, but is now unable to, due to arthritis in her hands. When I began crocheting everyone immediately asked for snowflakes. So now I make them every year.

New Apple Cozies

Time for some shameless self promotion. Ive made some new apple cozies and added them to my Scarlett Made Etsy shop (the dark teal won't be listed until tomorrow). I know they are silly, but they're cute and fun to make.And they actually do keep apples from getting bruised when packed in a lunch bag.

This purple one I made as a custom order, and liked it so I made a few more.

Free Pattern: Watchcap Beanie

Watchcap Beanie
This is a great basic hat I designed for my boyfriend. He likes lighter weight hats with a folded brim to keep his ears warm.

Yarn: Light Fingering Weight, the yarn shown here is Lion Brand Sock Ease in the color Rock Candy. Read Heart Heart and Sole and many other sock yarn would also work. I was able to make two hats with one 100g skein of Sock Ease.

Needles: 3.25 mm dpns

Sizes: Medium 18" (will stretch to comfortably fit most women) Large 19" (will comfortably stitch to fit most men)

Cast on: Using the cast on method of your choice, I used the long tail, cast on 120 (128) sts
This hat is worked in the round. At the end of the cast on, join by knitting into the first stitch, being careful not to twist.
 rnd 1: *K2, P2, repeat from * to end of rnd.
Continue working in K2P2 rib for 2 inches.

From here knit every row until the hat measures 8.5 inches total (6.5 inches from the ribbed brim). 

Shape crown
Decrease Rnd: *K6, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 105 (112) sts
Knit 1 rnd
Decrease Rnd: *K5, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 90 (96) sts
Knit 1 rnd
Decrease Rnd: *K4, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 75 (80) sts
Knit 1 rnd
Decrease Rnd: *K3, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 60 (64) sts
Knit 1 rnd
Decrease Rnd: *K2, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 45 (48) sts
Knit 1 rnd
Decrease Rnd: *K1, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 30 (32) sts
Knit 1 rnd
Decrease Rnd: *K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd. 15 (16) sts
Decrease Rnd: *K2tog, repeat from * to the end of rnd (for medium size there will be one leftover st, knit last st). 8 (8) sts
Cut yarn, leaving a 4" tail, and thread it through all 8 sts, pull in tight and weave in ends on the wrong side.

Crocheted Nests

I found the most inspiring book last week, "76 Bugs, Butterflies, and Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet" by Lesley Stanfield. I really love how she used unexpected fibers, like raffia and sparkly yarns.

As you know I've been enjoying creating my own critters lately, my nudibranch and my urchin. I wasn't sure what I was going to make next though.
I made my own nest with hemp. When I was done crocheting my bowl, it looked more like a messy bowl than a nest, so I wove some long pieces of hemp around the outside of the nest, and intentionally left the ends sticking out, like little twigs.


Here is a super cute "Nature Walk" kit at Knit Picks.

Projects!

For the last week I've been working alot, so no pretty pictures of nature, pretty projects though.
31/365: My crocheted Nudibranch, I wrote the pattern for this myself. I've been wanting to make one of these for awhile. Not scientifically accurate, but fun!

32/365: A quick sketch I did in illustrator. I wanted to draw this by hand, but started by tracing a printout of this sketch, to keep everything balanced and symmetrical.

33-35/365: Working on the outline of my illustration



38/365: Finished! My January Christmas present (I'm trying to make 1 a month), only 7 days late. This scarf will probably be for my grandmother.
This is a free pattern, by Elisa Purnell, available here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/feather-and-fan-scarf-10

40/365: One of the notebooks I made today.

Project 365

I started January all motivated, but I've been in a funk for the last week or so. Nothing major is wrong, just little things. I haven't been feeling great, so I've just been tired. And I'm having software issues, which has been time consuming and frustrating. And the weather has been awful, cold, windy, and rainy, keeping me cooped up indoors.
Here are some photos from the last week, even though I didn't take one everyday. I guess looking at these should remind me that even when I'm feeling down there are moments of beauty.

6/365: Heart plant pot cozy

8/365: Heart pillow. Ok so I'm going a little crazy with the Valentines decorations. I think I'm overcompensating for not decorating much for Christmas this year. Some of the buttons are vintage, from my grandmother's button jar.

9/365: View of the marsh at Back Bay NWR

12/365: Linzer Tarts. I was pretty sure these cookies would be a disaster. My blender died in the middle of making them, I didn't use enough butter and had to add another half cup at the end of mixing the dough, I didn't have cinnamon so instead used apple pie spice, and the dough was very crumbly and hard to work with. But they taste great, so it was worth it.


And here is a great post I found this week
Be thankful: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/26/132263637/perfect-thank-you-notes-heartfelt-and-handwritten?sc=tw&cc=share

Knit and Crocheted Wrist Warmers

I've been making slow progress on some autumn themed illustrations, but fortunately when I'm feeling mentally blocked I can work on new items for Scarlett Made. Recently I've been working on some fingerless gloves. I love making these, because they are quick enough to allow for experimenting with new designs.

I was thinking these tan ones could be for men, as well as women, but not according to my boyfriend. Any ideas about what accessories men actually want to wear?

Summer Ankle Socks

I'm back! After 2 months of ignoring my blog. I really have no good excuse, I've just been very busy lately. One of the perks/downfalls of living at the beach is a constant stream of visitors all summer. I at least have a new knitting pattern to make up for my long absence. I made these for my Dad, who loves handknit socks. I've made him several pairs, but they were all wool blend yarns and I wanted to make something cooler for summer. This was the first time I used stretchy yarn, and I really liked it.


Summer Ankle Socks Knitting Pattern


Instructions are for Women's Small, (Men's Large) Because the yarn is stretchy, the circumference will fit most people, so to adjust for a different size foot, lengthen or shorten the foot.
For all sizes you will need 1 skein of Paton's stretch socks, and 4 3.25mm dpns
Gauge: 18 rows= 2" Be sure to check your gauge, especially if you have never worked with stretchy yarn before.

LEG:
CO 52 (60), divided evenly over 3 needles
work in k2p2 rib for 2", approx 18 rnds

HEEL, women's small
place first k stitch on needle 3, and work heel flap over next 28 sts
row 1: *sl1, k1 14 times
row 2: *sl1, p1 14 times
repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have worked 36 heel rows, or until heel flap is a square
TURN HEEL
k17, ssk k1, turn
sl1 p9 p2tog, p1, turn
sl1, k10, ssk, k1, turn
repeat last 2 rows, working 1 additional stitch each row until all heel stitches have been worked, ending on a WS row

HEEL, men's large
work heel flap over next 30 sts
row 1: *sl1, k1 15 times
row 2: *sl1, p1 15 times
repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have worked 36 heel rows, or until heel flap is a square
TURN HEEL
k18, ssk k1, turn
sl1 p7 p2tog, p1, turn
sl1, k8, ssk, k1, turn
repeat last 2 rows, working 1 additional stitch each row until all heel stitches have been worked, ending on a WS row

GUSSET
Needle 1: knit across pickup and knit 17 (18) stitches along side of heel flap, Needle 2: work instep stitches in k2p2 rib, Needle 3: pickup and knit 17 (18) stitches along side of heel flap, plus 8 (9) sts from needle 1
row 2: Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1, Needle 2: work in k2p2 rib, Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end
Row 3: work even
repeat rows 2 and 3 until only 52 (60) sts remain

FOOT
work even until foot measures 6.5 (8)" from the edge of the heel flap, this will be approximately 54 (63) rows from the stitched picked up working Round 1 of the gusset

TOE
Rnd 1: Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1, Needle 2: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1, Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end
Rnd 2: work even
repeat rnds 1 and 2 until 28 (36) sts remain
repeat rnd 1 until 8 sts remain
cut tail, and thread through remaining 8 sts, pull tight and weave in loose ends on WS

This is the first sock pattern I've written and shared, so if you find any errors or have any questing please contact me. Also, I'd love to see photos of your completed socks.

Project 365

*** I actually wrote this post and another before going away for a few days, so I could publish them while I was gone. But I was so busy I completely forgot until I got home.

87/365: My peeps
88/365: Some crocheted, then felted baskets/bowls

89/365: The notebooks I've been experimenting with making. I was going to try and sew the binding, but decided the stapled binding was just as good, and less time consuming.

90/365: I had to do some boring photo work for my boyfriend, and just wasn't motivated to take any other photos
91/365: Another shot of the sunrise reflected in the wet sand

92-93/365: Took the holiday weekend off
94/365: Some newly planted ground cover at Red Wing Park. The "spots" made me smile.

Peeps!!

Easter Peeps! I crocheted these this weekend, just in time to have colorful decorations around the house for Easter. Of course Chewie and Panzer wanted them, but these stuffies are not for the dogs to destroy. I made the basket too.


Peeps instructions:
You will need some brightly colored sport, dk or worsted weight yarn. Not much, I just used some leftovers I had lying around. Gauge is unimportant, but I recommend using a hook one size smaller than indicated on the yarn label.
This pattern is pretty easy, but the ears can be difficult because of the small size.

Body and Head (begins at bottom and works up to ears)
ch 20, sl to form ring, being careful not to twist stitches
sc in each ch around- 20 sc
sc in first 4 sts, 2 sc in 5th st, repeat 3 times- 24 sts
sc in first 5 sts, 2 sc in 5th st, repeat 3 times- 28 sts
sc in first 6 sts, 2 sc in 5th st, repeat 3 times- 32 sts
sc in first 7 sts, 2 sc in 5th st, repeat 3 times- 36 sts
work 6 rnds even
sc in first 7 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 32 sts
sc in first 6 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 28 sts
sc in first 5 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 24 sts
work 1 rnd even
sc in first 5 sts, 2 sc in 5th st, repeat 3 times- 28 sts
sc in first 6 sts, 2 sc in 5th st, repeat 3 times- 32 sts
work 4 rnds even
sc in first 6 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 28 sts
sc in first 5 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 24 sts
sc in first 4 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 20 sts
sc in first 3 sts, sc 2 tog, repeat 3 times- 16 sts
sc in first 8 sts, leaving remaining 8 sts unworked

Ears (for each ear you will be working with half of the remaining 16 sts at the top of the head)
ch 4, and sl in first st of previous round, sc in 8 sts around- 12 sts
1 sc in each ch, and each sc
sc in first 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat 1 time- 14 sts
work even for 4 rounds
sc in first 5 st, sc 2 tog, repeat 1 time- 12 sts
sc 2 tog 6 times- 6 sts
sc 2 tog 3 times- 3 sts
cut a 4" tail and pull through last st, weave in closing up any hole at the top of the ear.

for the second ear, do not chain 4, instead work one sc in bottom loop of chain made for first ear, than work the same as the first ear.

Before closing up the bottom of your Peep, stuff it with fiber-fil or batting

Bottom
work 20 sc around base of Peep
sc 2 tog, 10 times- 10 sts
sc 2 tog 5 times- 5 sts
cut a 4" tail and pull through last st, weave in closing up any hole
20 sc

Apple Cozies

You may remember a few weeks ago I had a photo of an apple cozy. Now I've made several more, in different colors to put in my Scarlett Made shop. I just love making them, quick and fun, and super cute!
Here are some free patterns on Ravelry to make your own: Crochet or Knit

What happened to February?

Seriously, how is it already a week into March?
I did pretty good at taking photos everyday, just not at remembering which photo I took on which day. It would probably be clearer to me if I had blogged them a week and a half ago, but I didn't. So, in no particular order, here are a few more February photos:

A bottle I covered with crochet, I've been wanting to try this for awhile and I'm pretty happy with it. Especially I was happy with how much quicker no. 3 thread works up compared to no. 10. I'm planning on adding this to Scarlett Made to be used a vase.

Another photo from the beach, experimenting with macro.

Panzer fighting with a stick, and apparently losing.

Recent Knitting

I've finished several knitting projects recently (and also added to my pile of WIPs).
Another pair of fingerless mitts. These are actually suprisingly warm, and of course I love the bright colored yarn (Heart and Sole, Mellow Stripe, by Red Heart). You can find the pattern free from Red Heart.

My Mitered Baby Blanket, for some friends and their new baby. I have to admit, rows and rows, and rows of garter stitch were somewhat boring to knit. I like the finished result though. I was afraid the geometric pattern wouldn't be as visible as I wanted in this yarn, but it shows up nicely.

I love my Hedgerow Tee. I wore it today. Super comfortable, I think I'll knit more vests. And much quicker to knit than a full sweater.
Made mostly from Moda Dea Silk n Wool Blend (discontinued), the contrast yarn is Cascade Wool. I actually had more Silk n Wool blend in another color, but decided I didn't like it with the grey. And I ran out of the grey too. Just a few rows short on the back, so it didn't really matter, I just switched to the blue earlier than the pattern directed. Fortunately I was anticipating that so I knit the two front sides before the back.
And in case your wondering, yes, I did consider chopping off my head in this photo because I hate pictures of myself.

More Project 365

I couldn't post all my photos for project 365 yesterday, because blogger only allows 5 photos per post. So here are the rest of my photos to get caught up.
44/365: Today I have an illustration to share, not a photo. This is my "Lunar Moth" illustration, which I started on Friday and finished Saturday

45/365: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. One of the trails leading to the beach.

46/365: I should have posted this on Valentines' Day, but I'll post it today instead. I love the red color, so bright and cheerful. I asked my boyfriend not to get me roses, and he didn't. He got my this potted tulip instead. I think its much nicer, it won't die in a week.

47/365: Its an Apple Cozy! I'm not the type to cove everything I own in crocheted cozys, but these are seriously cute.

Free Pattern: Stripey Wristwarmers

These are super easy, and only require one skein of yarn and would make a great quick gift.
I originally got this idea from one of my favorite blogs, Attic 24. I love Lucy's pattern for a crocheted pair. Instead of using multiple yarns (and weaving in multiple ends) I used a pretty multicolored sock yarn. Also, this was my project for an trip via airline so portability was definitely a factor (I made these way back in October on my trip to Las Vegas, but only finished them this week).


1 skein Patons Kroy Socks in Tangerine Jacquard) and size 3.25 DPNS
Finished size: 9 inches long, and approx. 8 inches in circumference (but stretchy)

Cast on 56 stitches.
Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work in K2 P2 rib for 5.5 inches (approx 48 rnds)
Switch to working back and forth, staying in pattern, to create thumbhole, for 2 inches (16 rows).
Switch back to working in the round for an additional 1.5 inches (12 rnds).
Bind off and weave in ends.

Project 365 (or 353?)

Earlier this week I decided to do Project 365 this year. Only because I started late I don't have photos for the first 12 days of the year. Every Sunday I'll post my photos for the week here and on my flickr.

13/365: My mom's birthday socks. I wanted to blog these as soon as I finished them, but I had to wait until she opened them. I used the Chouwa pattern from "Knitted Socks: East and West" and the yarn is Paton's Kroy Socks in Bronzed Berry.

14/365: One of the Pendant necklaces I made this week by altering store bought pendants to include miniature versions of my illustrations and photos.

15/365: Photographing into the sun is generally considered a "don't" but sometimes it can get great results when its done deliberately. I took this in a stand of bamboo in a park near my house, then desaturated it and upped the contrast.

16/365: I don't have a photo for yesterday; instead I have an illustration. I drew this Chickadee sitting in Winterberries yesterday afternoon, and it went surprisingly quick. Its rare for me to do an entire illustration in one sitting, but this one only took 3 hours. And I love it!!

17/365: Some seagluss at the boat launch in First landing State Park. Today was foggy and rainy, but sometimes bad weather presents great photo opps. no harsh shadows and interesting depth of field.