I is for Ingenuity

ingenuity, noun, pl. -ties.
1. skill in planning or inventing; cleverness.
(SYN) inventiveness.
2. skillfulness of contrivance or design.

This letter ("I") had me stumped ....(hence my lack of posting here); however this morning the topic of inventiveness or ingenuity popped into my head. We are all blessed with ingenuity---I think my ability to tap into my ingenuity was honed by living in the Alaskan "bush"--with no stores (except a very small grocery store)--so one saved everything, and recycled most items---and became very inventive when one needed something not readily at hand.

Everyone in town had some area of expertise, so we also traded goods and knowledge--rarely did money change hands, but I might trade a handwoven scarf for an outboard motor repair job. Ingenuity was the key to a comfortable survival.

I think living in a larger city--with all the services readily available for money---stamps out ingenuity---unless one is seriously dedicated to recycling or buying nothing new, it is much to easy to just buy what you need (or want---there is a big diff between needs and wants, but that is another topic).

Here are some wonderful examples of ingenuity that I have recently found online:

mini paper wreaths from the blog Scrumdilly-do!



Sweater Balls
from The Sweeter Sweater
A Button Bracelet from Creative Kismet

Recycled Slippers from SEW GREEN
I am currently working on my own inventive holiday project--one that I can gift to everyone on my gift list (and that is ingenuity!)---but I can't show you it yet--that would be a gift surprise spoiler...but I will be sharing this project once the gifts are in the mail...meanwhile here are my hands clapping to making your holiday gifts or at least buying handmade. For buying handmade may I suggest HERE....and do have fun either creating or shopping.

No Idle Hands

So, even when my brain is fogged by too much mucas my hands are not still. Seriously folks, I have been rather "under the weather" but still knitting--in fact busy hands and some mundane tv help to take my mind off how lousy I feel...so enough whining ;-)

When I am not feeling well, a small project which provides instant gratification is good, so here are some baby booties for little Jasper---he is growing so fast he was out growing all his other ones.

I used some of the new chocolate brown angora for nice soft, warm booties.

I just love this simple baby bootie pattern---which is by someone named Christine or Marilyn--bless her heart! I have 2 different sources for this pattern and they have different names for the designer...?

Because I think this is such a good pattern--- I am going to post the pattern here for everyone. I have made about 8 pairs of these booties now...and they all stay on good. I vary the size by changing the size yarn and needles I use (the bigger the yarn and needles--the bigger the booties).

Needles: size 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 double pointed needles (depending on how big you want the booties to be) you need 5 needles for this pattern.
Yarn: baby fingering, up to worsted weight--again the smaller the yarn size, the smaller the booties--I like to use wool, but cotton yarn is good, also if you want them to be washable in a machine.

Cast on 10 sts. Knit 32 rows (you are making the sole)
(you should have a rectangle with 10 sts on each end and 16 sts on each side)

Count 16 ridges. Pick up 16 sts on each side of this rectangle and 10 sts on the other end. Use a separate needle for each side and end (4 needles--you need the fifth needle to knit with)

Now make the sides of the bootie:
1) Join and knit one round
2) Purl 3 rounds
3) Knit 4 rounds
4) Change color (if desired--I like them in at least 3 colors) and knit one round
5) Purl 3 rounds
6) Knit 4 rounds
7) Change color and knit 1 round
8) Purl 3 rounds
9) Knit 4 rounds

NEXT ROW (make toe):
1) change color and * Knit 9 stitches (across the 10 sts end)
2) Knit 10th st together with edge st (edged st is on the long side needle that has 16 sts on it) TURN.
3) Slip 1st st, purl 8 sts, purl 2 together (the 10th st and the edge st). TURN*
4) Repeat * to * until you have 10 sts on each needle. 40 sts total.
(you are just picking up and knitting sts on each side of the rectangle to make the toe of the bootie)

NEXT ROW (make ribbing):
1) Knit 4 rounds
2) Knit 2 sts, yarn over, k2 together entire row
3) Knit 2 rounds, 40 sts total
4) Knit 2, Purl 2 for 15 rounds (or more--depending on how high you want the bootie ribbing to go)
5) Cast off

I-Cord (knit shoe lace)
1) cast on 3 sts
2) Put all 3 sts back onto left needle
3) Knit 3 sts
4) Put all 3 sts back onto left needle
5) knit 3 sts
Repeat step 4 & 5 until your cord measure 18 ' long

NOTE: You do not turn your work. You're working yarn comes from the furthest stitch left & it feels very wrong & weird. Just do it! (and magical I-Cord will grow...)

NOTE #2 : If you are using double pointed needles--you can just slide the stitches to the other end of the needle--rather than slipping them onto the other needle--but this is NOT turning your work.

Thread the "shoe lace" into the holes left by your yarn over row--and there you have it! lovely baby booties! now find a baby to give them to....

***************************************************************************************
Please feel free to copy this pattern and make as many baby booties as you like...CRAFTING IT FORWARD
crafting it forward means to teach others what you know, so they can then teach others...and the traditions and stitches of knitting (or whatever art/craft you are doing) get passed down generation to generation.

Art and Inspiration

How do you become inspired to create something? When I lived in the Alaskan bush, most of my inspiration came from the nature I was surrounded by. Now that I live in a city --- I am still inspired by nature and the urban environment which surrounds me--but I find myself turning more toward books, magazines, and the net for artistic inspiration.

So, to get my creative juices flowing--I just go through my books or get online and look at other's artwork...I love both Ravelry and Etsy for inspirational websites since they are so easily searchable.....and books...

For textile design, these 3 books area great place to start:



For knitting--I love knitting stitch dictionaries....(because I like trying out new stitches and knitting swatches):





And sometimes I just look out my windows at the blue sky and fleecy clouds....daydreaming is another way to motivate the muse within.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "I have a promiscuous muse. My muse wants to own every color, work in many media, and in numerous genre." --Mary Klotz

Giant Doily Rug

I had a brilliant idea as I looked at the box of yarn (which I had totally forgot I even owned). This was FAT yarn---I hardly ever knit with FAT yarn--but I had been hauling this yarn around since the 1970's ( I kid you not---the sorry pack rat that I am) precisely because I had dyed all this yarn back in the 70's with natural dyes....all those muted natural colors--so hard to part with....

but back to my brilliant idea---I could use this yarn to quickly crochet a rug--I say "quickly" because I crochet much faster than I knit---and then in a FLASH I saw it--a crocheted rug--with this fat yarn--using a lacy doily pattern would be DiffeRent and perhaps really kind of great looking upon my nice wood flooring...so I commenced. And guess what?? I think I was correct? What do you think???

Right now this is a WIP (work-in-progress)---and only about 1/3 finished--so do check back to follow this project as it grows and changes...and I will of course post a finished photo.

holiday crafty links round-up

I have been bookmarking some links to fun crafty holiday project tutorials, so here are few last minute quick projects:

From CREATURE COMFORTS
Loverly gift wrapping idea! plus nothing to buy--just recycle your plastic bags into these POM POMS "eco happy gift toppers" to tie on your package.



From HOW ABOUT ORANGE
A FABRIC FRIDGE FRAME tutorial--so you can frame a favorite photo for a gift. She also is featuring on her blog some downloadable gift tags for you to print.



And from PINK ARGYLE a a quick last minute quick knitting project--TINY MITTEN DECORATIONS for someone's tree!


And for that child inside you or the child in your life from MAKE BABY STUFF.COM a cute MOUSE HANDPUPPET made from a felted sweater.

so--only (oh my!!!) nine days left until Christmas ---if you count today, which is 1/2 gone already--so get busy! and have a HAPPY CRAFTY HOLIDAZE.

Summer Craft-a-palooza: LINKS

I spend more time than I should surfing the crafty blogs and following links from crafty blog to crafty blog---the result is a nice list of crafty tutorials of interesting projects--items I would like to make "someday".....
(when does that someday actually arrive?)
Anyhow---here are some links to a few crafty projects I am intrigued by:

1) from the CraftyPod blog---HOW TO MAKE A BOOK WITH PLAYING CARD COVERS
so cute--a small blank book! to fit in your backpack or purse.




2) a yummy knit HOT WATER BOTTLE COZY --with a cable on it! from Yarn-A-Go-Go. This is just how I want to make that old rubber hot water bottle all comfy....




3) Great sewing pattern and instructions for that essential hippy "peasant skirt" from jcarolinecreatvie. Just like those ones I made in the '60's ! and still as comfortable in hot summer weather.



4) How about a purse made from playing cards? from the Craftbits website. A great way to use up those old worn out playing cards you have lying around.




5) How to make your own Embroidered Buttons from the Feeling Stitchy blog. These would be fun on that fabulous handknit sweater--or just to spice up a vintage thrifted blouse.



Have fun!

Tutorial conglomeration!

For months I have been bookmarking online tutorials of wonderful creative crafty projects I want to make...some day....
so here is a short list of a few crafts to make in the New Year:


1) Very Easy Pincushions here from the Purl Bee---the Purl Bee is the online journal of PURL, a shop devoted to beautiful materials and tools for knitting, sewing, quilting and other crafts located in New York. They have a whole lot more great tutorials on their blog---but this one first caught my interest.


2) tiny happy's shoulder bag tutorial---I make my own bags--but I have wanted to try this style for awhile.

3) A pretty crochet flower tutorial from the blog Echoes of a Dream---I can think of many uses for these !





Rick Rack Roses from the blog Nostalgic Needle Art. Wouldn't these make cool additions to a hat?










4) A great tutorial for a button bracelet at the blog Creative Kismet. I love vintage buttons---and have made some bracelets and necklaces with them, but this is a great tutorial---with good illustrations---for a pretty bracelet of buttons which lies flat around your wrist.












5) A luggage tag tutorial from My Longest Year---just a decorative tag to help identify your luggage as it passes by on the conveyor belt....


I guess 5 projects should start the year of 2008 off just fine...more to follow soon!

Books As Gifts

Only 28 days (yikes!) until that BIG HOLIDAY. Here are some books I think would make great gifts for most Crafters/Artists (most of these are on my wish list):

Kristin Knits by Kristin Nicholas.
Ah! Color for knitters! Noted knitwear designer and color connoisseur Kristin Nicholas encourages knitters to conquer their color inhibitions, learn a little basic color theory, and create personally satisfying fiber palettes. Kristin has created 25 designs for hats, mittens, scarves, socks, and sweaters in sumptious Nashua Handknits Julia Yarn. This book is eye candy I can't wait to own!


Heirloom Buttons to Make: A gallery of decorative fabric, needle-lace, crochet, and ribbon and braid closures you can create by Nancy Nehring. The subtitle says it all here. To quote one Amazon customer review : "If you knit, crochet, or sew and like to give your garments a little extra, this book will give you lots of new ideas."


Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave by Ann Budd (Editor), Anne Merrow (Editor). These 25 sock patterns are taken from various issues of Interweave Press magazines such as "Interweave Knits" and "Piecework" and "Spin-Off." Many of the original issues of Interweave Knits have gone out of print and Favorite Socks ensures these patterns are accessible for a new generation of knitters. Besides providing many classic patterns, this collection also includes a helpful tutorial on knitting socks on two circular needles, and instructions for both toe-up and top-down knitted socks.. However, I think this sock knitting book is not for the novice sock knitter---but aimed at more veteran sock knitters--if you have never knit socks, or never used 4 double pointed knitting needles you may want to watch a video or take a class to learn to knit a basic sock.


Crochet Jewelry: 40 Beautiful and Unique Designs by Waejong Kim and Anna Pulvermakher. The 40 crochet projects range from easy to complicated. The instructions at the beginning of the book are quite thorough and cover some unusual techniques not usually found in a crochet book such as hairpin crochet and cable techniques. "Featured projects include multicolored bead and crochet necklaces, lacy spider web chokers, delicate yarn and wire bracelets, lively cherry earrings, mohair flower pins, and pretty cocktail rings embellished with beads and stones." I am an avid bead crocheter, so I am quite intrigued by this book of unusual crochet jewelry.

I have just started working in a bookstore again! so I will be blogging about the store and more crafty books soon--now back to knitting those holiday gifts.....

Knitting Notes & Truth Poem

Today I stumbled across this great website --microRevolt--- with a great tool for crafters. "KnitPro is a web application that translates digital images into knit, crochet, needlepoint and cross-stitch patterns. Just upload jpeg, gif, or png images of whatever you wish---and it will generate the image pattern on a grid sizable for any fiber project. knitPro is based on the tradition of pre-industrial craft circles who freely shared patterns and passed them down from generation to generation." I tried this out--and it generated a good grid of my image---wow! this is a versatile tool for many craft applications.

Crochet or knit for the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy.
- A local yarn shop, University City Blvd. Blacksburg, has posted a call for donations of knitted or crocheted squares to make blankets for the victims and families of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Check out the particulars at the Mosaic Yarn Shop's blog.

For me, this is one tangible way to promote healing--knitting a square or 2 with love and kindness in each stitch. I need another project like I need a hole in my head--but I cannot resist this call--I will be posting my finished square here in a few days.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: " The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary. " ~Mary Kurtz

And today's poem (don't ask me how this relates;-)

Truth Serum

by Naomi Shihab Nye

We made it from the ground-up corn in the old back pasture.

Pinched a scent of night jasmine billowing off the fence,

popped it right in.

That frog song wanting nothing but echo?

We used that.

Stirred it widely. Noticed the clouds while stirring.

Called upon our ancient great aunts and their long slow eyes

of summer. Dropped in their names.

Added a mint leaf now and then

to hearten the broth. Added a note of cheer and worry.

Orange butterfly between the claps of thunder?

Perfect. And once we had it,

had smelled and tasted the fragrant syrup,

placing the pan on a back burner for keeping,

the sorrow lifted in small ways.

We boiled down the lies in another pan till they disappeared.

We washed that pan.