Creativity Blog Hop

Happy Monday, All!

I have been asked to take part in a creativity blog hop by Danielle from By DD Hines.  This is my first blog hop participation, and it is so much fun!

I am mainly going to focus on my creativity process.  For me it is less of a process, and more of chaos.  New ideas seem to always hit me very late at night, and when my to-do list is crazy long!

I find inspiration in everything. 

 I see something that I like, and my first thought is "Can I crochet that?".

Recently, I have learned to knit, sew, and cross stitch as well.  Which means my mind is constantly racing with ideas.  

My thought process:

Which projects can I combine sewing and crochet/knit?

This crochet hook book is just the first project I did combining sewing and crochet!

What song lyrics do I want to cross stitch first? 

This is my first cross stitch project for a saying - it has not been revealed yet what it will say.

That is my little secret for now!

What are my responsibilities tomorrow? Because that tells me how much sleep I need to get tonight.

Similarly, how much coffee will I be able to drink tomorrow?

Whose birthday is coming up?  What can I make them?

My friends and family only receive handmade gifts these days.  Those are the best kind of gifts, right?!?

Have I heard anything about a new cancer patient that I can contact directly and make them a custom beanie?

I am working on another crochet softie gift for a friend of friend whose cancer came back.  I already sent her a Boston Red Sox beanie, and she loves it!  I can't share photos of the new gift yet though, so you'll have to check back later!

It seems that my to-do list is always growing, and never shrinks.  I mark one thing off, and three more ideas are added. 

What I'm working on now:

Currently I have multiple headbands, beanies, brooches, and hair clips that I need to get done.  I also have a queen size crochet blanket, a full size graph blanket, a throw blanket, and a cushion cover that are at the top of my to-do list.

This is the queen-size blanket that I am currently working on.  I've been working on it for months; between getting distracted, and running out of yarn multiple times - it has take three times the amount of yarn that I thought it would.

I started this random granny stripe throw last week, and it should be finished by the end of this week.

I also have a shawl pattern that is currently out being tested, and I am polishing the wording before I get it published.

This shawl pattern should be released within the next two weeks.

Last night as I finished this scarf, I got the idea for two different scarves that I need to test out.

Hopefully, at least one of my ideas for a new scarf will come out the way I am picturing it in my head!

My biggest piece of advice for anyone that crochets or knits:

Use patterns as guidelines.  Make changes to suit what you want!  That is the best part about handmade, you can customize to fit your likes.

For example, I never use magic circles to start out projects - I only use the ch2 method.

I also never use double crochet for beanies.  I prefer the look of using hdc.  So even if there is patter I really like that uses dc, I am changing it.  These are just small basic changes, but the changes you can make are endless!  

You are spending the time to make the item anyways, so you might as well make it your own!

First Knit Project

Hello all!

So, as you know, I have recently learned how to knit.  I have completely falling in love with knitting. This new addiction has doubled my amount of WIPs.  

This post is about the first knit project I actually completed!

I had started projects before this, some of which still are not finished, and I have started/finished projects since completing this shawl.  But, this shawl will always be special to me because it is the first project that I completed!

I used two skeins of Caron Simply Soft in Gray Heather to complete this shawl.  If I knit a second shawl with this pattern, I will use more than two skeins, and make it a bit longer.

I started this shawl at one of my knitting lessons.  My wonderful teacher, Elyce, brought out a book that published this Vine-Stitch Shawl pattern.

I immediately fell in love with the pattern!

After all, I wanted to learn to knit, so that I could make some more lacy items. 

I also want to cable-knit, and learn to knit socks, but that will come later.

Watching this shawl work up was really fun!

I still cannot believe that I know how to knit!

This shawl has its fair share of mistakes, but luckily, they are not too noticeable.

I gifted the shawl to my Grandma, and she was very thankful.

She said, "I can't wait to wear it to church, because I always sit under the window and get cold."

After her first church service wearing this shawl, she made sure to tell me that she received lots of comments, and compliments, about it.  She also made sure to tell people that her granddaughter knit it for her.

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back soon!

Subscribe to this blog on the ChirpinBirdie main page, so you can keep up with all of my new projects, and new patterns!

The Elyce Knit Cowl

Hello!

I am pretty excited about this pattern!

For the reason that, it is my first knit pattern.

I have named it after my knitting teacher, Elyce.  I will never be able to thank her enough for teaching me how to knit.  She is a fabulous teacher, and has also become a great friend.

This is the first Elyce cowl I knit.

Since it turned out to be a bit too snug for an adult, I just said it is child size.  Then had my adorable little cousin, Poppy, model it for me.

I was interested in what the Elyce cowl would look like, if I made it with two different colors - not to mention I had to make an adult size version.

That's when this beauty came to be!  It is by far, one of the favorite items I have made so far.

I am lucky to come from such a good looking family - and that they are willing to model my handmade items.

My model/cousin, Alisa, will need this cowl too, when she goes back to college in Wisconsin this Fall.

Here you can see more of the detail.

This is seriously a super easy pattern, and delivers such an awesome look!

I even made one for myself with yarn I received for my birthday.

If you want to make your own Elyce cowl, you can get the pattern here.

If you want me to make an Elyce cowl for you, then click here.

Stay tuned for more patterns - coming soon!

Don't forget to subscribe to the ChirpinBirdie blog, so you get the news, and new patterns first!

Learning to Knit...Finally

So, it has finally happened - I have learned to knit!  Well, I guess I should say that I am learning to knit.

My wonderful neighbor offered to teach me, and it has been so much fun!  I have gone over for two lessons so far, and have learned more already, than I ever thought I would know.

She suggested that I practice different stitches and patterns by making little squares, and using them to make a blanket.  So, that is exactly what I am doing!  She showed me the blanket with her swatches, and it is so lovely, that I had to follow suit.  

She is letting me borrow her favorite book, errr calendar, that has 365 different stitches and patterns. 

365 Knitting Stitches a Year is a fabulous resource.  I have learned so much, and it is fun to actually make little swatches, and feel like you are actually making an item.

These are my first three squares.

The purple square is garter stitch.

The orange square was supposed to be plain stockinette, but I got turned around after 5 rows, so I went with it and made that.  One thing that I have had to comes to terms with, is that my knitting will not be as nice as my crochet - at least, not yet.

The blue is seed stitch.

My wonderful neighbor is not only teaching me to knit, she is also spoiling me with wonderful goodies!

When I arrived for my second lesson, she brought out these gifts she bought special for me - I almost cried!

In my second lesson, I learned to knit eyelets, which turned out to be much easier than I anticipated.

Oh, and this is the start of my first real knit blanket!  I am making squares with this subtle chevron pattern, and I will definitely be making a post about it once it is completed.  Of course, if you want to follow the progress in real time, you can follow me on Instagram!

That's it for now, but I will continue updating as I make for squares.

I am about to start a feather chevron swatch right now.

Best Wishes,

Alison