a look back on 2015

December 31, 2015 by 7 Comments

2015 was a much more productive year for me than 2014 was, so that’s already awesome!  Here’s a recap of the [finished] projects from this year!

And there are a couple items I forgot to post about. I knitted a Fuego hat with some spare Berroco Vintage:

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And then there’s a secret project that I made as a Christmas gift for someone, but they might see it here so I’ve left it out and I haven’t been able to give it to them yet, so a photo will have to come later!

All in all that’s 13 crocheted projects (counting the Christmas gift) and 11 knitted projects.  Well now that I’ve totaled it up it doesn’t seem like so much, but it’s still better than 2014.

2 of those projects were my own patterns that I released, and I guess I’ve got the bug because there are SO many ideas I’ve got all of a sudden — there are definitely going to be more pattern releases in 2016!  I’ve already got the yarn and everything for almost all of my ideas, and can’t wait to get started!

Also of course there were some big life events this year!  I started working on my LPC licensure (to be a super-fancy licensed counselor) and, best of all, I got married!

I hope that 2015 was a good year for you, too, and of course I wish you the happiest of New Years and a great 2016!

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

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first knitted socks — ta-da!

February 3, 2015 by 28 Comments

If you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Ravelry, you may have noticed already that I’ve finished my first pair of knitted socks!

Hannah's first knitted socks on notyouraveragecrochet.com

And boy howdy, am I pumped about these.  According to Ravelry (and I’m a bit ashamed to admit it), they took over 2 years to complete!

Calling for worsted weight yarn, these socks feature Judy’s Magic Cast On and a Fleegle Heel.  I was supposed to do an Invisible Ribbed Bind Off but I was so excited to be done that I didn’t want to take the time to have to learn something new and I just used a regular knit bind off with large needles.  This was almost a huge mistake — I can barely get the cuff parts over my heels because of it!  They do fit, though, so that’s fantastic!

If I ever get enough motivation to make another pair of knitted socks, I think I’ll use sock-weight yarn.  This yarn is one of the softest I’ve ever felt but because the stitches are bigger (comparatively speaking, to the stitch size of sock-weight yarn), I can feel them on my heels and the balls of my feet when I walk.  It’s a bit uncomfortable — I wouldn’t go to work or anything with them, but I’ll wear them at home all the time!

Check out my Ravelry project page to see more about the yarn and needles used, etc.

Hannah's first knitted socks being all cozy on notyouraveragecrochet.com

To all you sock makers out there, I had forgotten how hard it is to take pictures of my own feet! Do you have any tips?  Also, do socks you’ve made with bigger yarn feel less comfortable when walking than socks made with thin yarn?

Well, that’s all for today.  I’m off to do a little bit of cleaning — we have friends coming over today!  Thanks so much for stopping by, see you next time!

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in the meantime…

January 19, 2013 by 4 Comments

My packages with all my sweater necessities might not all get here for another two weeks or so, so I needed something to start on now.  I have some super-soft worsted acrylic yarn that’s been chillin’ in a drawer forever, and I wanted to try something new, so…

socksI’m making two-at-a-time toe-up socks with a Fleegle heel!  If I complete these, it will be my first pair of knitted socks!

I got this method from the videos Kathryn Rubidoux is using.  Click here for the Youtube playlist, consisting of 18 explanatory videos.  You don’t even need to purchase the pattern on her website — just use size 7 or 8 needles (whichever you need for the gauge, which I believe she said is 4″).  I’m disregarding the gauge but changing the pattern accordingly, so it should be fine.

I’m really pumped about these — I hope they’re comfortable!  When I crocheted socks they made my feet hurt almost instantly, so I’m hoping these will feel better.

Well that’s all for tonight, thanks for stopping by!

 

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the end of break

March 17, 2012 by 3 Comments

I’m so sad that my spring break is almost done, especially since I wasn’t nearly as productive as I thought I would be with my yarn crafts.  I visited my parents, had a few days of doing nothing, and watched both existing seasons of Downton Abbey in the past 3 days.  It’s been great, especially with the wonderful warm weather!  Hard to believe spring is already here, but the 80 degree weather is proof!

Today I went to my favorite yarn store and picked up some new things!  First off is a new book:

This book is all about knitting socks, and I’m super excited to get started on something!  I’m a little concerned that the patterns will be too difficult for me before I get some more knitting practice in, because none of them are very basic.  They’re all so pretty though!  Here’s the Amazon link if you want to check it out.

I also got some gorgeous, soft new yarn:

This gorgeous soft stuff is Merino 5, made of 100% merino.  I got the fall herbs color, even though it’s spring now, because I just loved the brightness.  I got 2 of them, so I think if I have enough of it I’ll make a knitted hat and  a crocheted hat, just to see the difference in them when placed side by side.  I hope there’s enough of it!  If not I’ll be really sad.  It’s just so pretty!

I’ll leave you now — I must go to Wal-Mart and look for some gardening things with the boyfriend, who wants to make some planter boxes and grow different kinds of peppers on our back patio.  I’m excited!  Tata!

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made a pair!

August 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

I finished my first pair of socks!  I’m so proud of them — they fit and they’re gonna be so warm when winter comes!

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