I'm a Maneiac!

^ Flashorse Dance, Threadless tee design submission by Mezo

When I'm not on Ravelry, I'm on Threadless and that's where the inspiration came from for my latest project. Earlier this month, Mezo submitted a crazy awesome shirt design called Flashorse Dance. You could say it was an underground hit that deserves to be above ground — and on my body. Threadlesser Pyr4lis was entranced, too. She asked if anyone could make a pair of legwarmers based on the design. Loving the colors and buzz for a new project, I said YES. She chose the thick Wool-Ease yarn because she gets pretty cold in the office. And they are going to be warm for sure. And loooong so they can be super-scrunchy! I started the first one this week and here it is ... Hold your horses UPDATE: These crazy guys are turning into armwarmers instead. I tested them on a skinnier girl Friday night and they are a bit snug. So I'm going up in size for the legs (and I'll finish those first). But these cozy armwarmers-in-progress will be up on Etsy for anyone who wants them! Heck, I might even do the headband, too, if I have yarn left!

Now I started those just after I finished some perty wristwarmers. These are for Lily1029 from Threadless and are part of my very-first advance order for Etsy. They are a little snug on me but I know she has smaller hands so they will be just right for her. :-)

I'm also making her a Threadless tee pillow, which will be all set in a few days, too! I'm heading out to buy the pillow form tonight.

I'm gearing up to make a bunch more fingerless mittens, tee pillows and some little animals, too! The real Etsy shop launch should be next week. Really, I mean it this time. ;-)

Cozy commissions

It's been more than a week. I don't write. I don't call. How dare I?! Well, I've working hard on some advance Etsy orders that came from my some wonderful Threadless friends. Here's a sneak peek.

^ Curvy cables for a wristwarmer

^ The makings of a Threadless tee pillow

^ Crazy colors for "Maneiac" legwarmers

Etsy soft launch

And so the crazy fun begins ...

I'm now taking advance orders for my Etsy shop. What do you want? I have t-shirt pillows and handknits made to order. And with the help of my wonderful Threadless friends, I already have some pending orders! So if you want something soon, you better act fast.

Here are some pics of what I have already sold/gifted:




If you're interested in a pillow made from a Threadless tee, here are your choices. Prices will start at $25.





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You could also send me a large t-shirt and I can make a pillow from that.

See something you like? Contact me on Etsy!

February WIPs

My works in progress are starting to build again. And I was such a good girl after Christmas! After wrapping up the last knit gift, I returned to projects that I hadn't touched in months. For example, the basketweave kitchen cloth ...

It's gonna look gorgeous when I eventually finish it. It requires just enough attention so I can't work on it while I'm watching TV or chatting during knit groups. And those are exactly the two times I knit.

I have not yet returned to the summer blanket though. I have enough yarn now. But I'm worried about the "lacey" look. I'm gonna strangle one of my toes in this blanket! (If a toe could be strangled.) It is very, very soft. And a great yarn buster for all that Yarn Bee I have. I'm thinking about possibly attaching it to a blanket backing when it's all done. Just not sure how yet.

Other WIPs ...

A pair of fingerless mittens for my sister Tracy's birthday (Edit: Photo removed til she gets the gift :-P)

^ My very own pair of fingerless mittens, made from handspun Betsy Ply yarn and some Lamb's Pride for the cuffs.

^ The moss scarf, which I'm self-imposing a March deadline for. It is green, afterall.

^ And the ponchette that I started last night. It's a fun, easy knit. But if it doesn't look flattering on me, it will go in the Etsy box. I'm not sure I can pull off a poncho.

Speaking of Etsy, I'm planning to take a mini knit break next week. It's time to make some pillows for the shop launch! But the break won't be long because as of today, I also have two knit commissions to work on. Yay!!

Cowl is a weird word

Cowl (sound). It just sounds wrong whenever I say it aloud. And angry ... or shy, like trying to hide something. I guess it does hide your neck. I made a cowl on a loom this past weekend and it's soo comfy!

I learned a new stitch, too, called the mock crochet or Z stitch. I love how open it is. The pattern can be found at A Knifty Knitter's Journal. Detailed directions for the stitch are at Pieceful Creations. This is a great one-day project or if you're a little slower like me, two-day. The yarn is Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Worsted Glow. It has sparklies!

Back to weird words ... how about chenille (sound)? Everytime I say "sha-neil", I feel wrong. But it's right. "Sha-nell" is the wrong way. Oh well!

Mitten VS Mitten

Mitten fight! On the right side, there's the mitten done exactly to pattern, row for row. Who needs gauge swatches?! He's a small guy and he might not fit, but that didn't stop the knitter who spent four hours on him. His opponent on the left is a mutation of the pattern, with a longer body and garter-stitch cuff. And he's the favorite to win today.

The cozy mitts pattern is in Loom Knitting Pattern Book by Isela Phelps.