From The Craft Room

Archive for the ‘Products’ Category

Sorry I keep forgetting to post here. Twelve hour work days and wanting to punch co-workers to knock some sense into them makes me brain dead.

Dad and I had a blast at the Stitch ‘N’ Pitch event a couple of weekends ago. I got to sit next to a guy that wanted to actually talk about the game — the WHOLE GAME! Sadly, I didn’t get as much accomplished as I had hoped. I did add several rows to my crochet sunhat and a few rows to my alpaca scarf. I was bummed that there were going to be no “goodie bags” this year (as I didn’t even know about the event to go last year). Fortunately, since it takes Dad so long to get around, we got there really early and I got one of the leftover bags from last year. Yay! We got a copy of the Fall Interweave Knits, a nice purple Rockies cap and free yarn from Knit Knack. If only the darned Rockies would have won. Hrmph.

Well, I don’t know if it will be done by the end of the Summer Kal-Cal, but I’m finally making headway on my Market Bag. I’ll try to remember to snap some progress pics tomorrow and post them. I’ve done about a dozen of the 70 rows of knit stitch I need to do (after finishing the Intarsia arrows) until I reach the top of the bag. Then I need to make the handles, felt it and I’m all done. I looked all over town (even the army surplus store in Arvada) for the slide buckles the pattern calls for. I even was willing to use something similar, but just couldn’t find anything local. I finally ordered some online from a place called Creative Designworks. The site actually sells supplies to make pet collars. Shipping was included and they took Paypal. Hopefully they will arrive soon (at least by the time I get to making the handles).

To help out keeping track of where I am row-wise, I purchased the Clover row counter I’ve been wanting at Hobby Lobby. I’ve been waiting for what seems like weeks for Needlework stuff to be on sale so that I could get it. I splurged on the more expensive one because it has a lock button. One is supposed to wear it around one’s neck, but I put a keyring on it and attached it to the beginning row marker. Hopefully, I’ll remember to add a row as I move the marker (that’s the plan, anyway).

Speaking of Hobby Lobby, they are so stuck in the 20th century. Why in the heck would that company invest in a new cash register system, but still not take advantage of technology that uses the bar codes? Everything is still priced with price tags, all merchandise is rung up one at a time by hand and now they have to pick an appropriate department for each item. Cashiers keep asking which department you got stuff in (if they don’t know). Also, it’s getting old “reminding” the poor cashiers that certain items are on sale. If they would utilize freaking scanners and a computer database, they would have all that information at their fingertips. It’s one of the reasons that their checkout lines get so long. More than once I’ve dumped items at the front and just left rather than dealing with the checkout hassle. Lame.

Speaking of lame, I can’t remember if I already posted this, but the Hobby Lobby on Monaco/Mississippi no longer has a fabric department. What did they do with the extra space when they remodeled? Added more gaudy home decor crap. Like the world needs more of that junk.

OK, I’m super tired and can’t keep my eyes open (now who is lame?). Off to bed.

On the Ravelry boards today I was pointed to this awesome t-shirt:

It is called Mixed Martial Arts and Crafts. MUST. HAVE. THIS. SHIRT! Isn’t it awesome?

I totally forgot to mention that the ball winder I ordered on Joann.com came this last week. They had a 40% off one item special if you order through their site, donchaknow? I also threw in the Paton’s Street Smart book so I could have the “Must Have Cardigan” pattern that everyone (including The Harlot) is raving about. I’m not near skilled enough to make it yet, but I will be and when I am, I have the pattern.

Of course, Marcus wasn’t home when it arrived and I wanted to wind so badly. I’m really bad at remembering to ask to have hanks wound when I purchase them and they’re absolutely everywhere. I mounted it to the bench in the craft room, put a skein around the back of a chair and away I went. It didn’t go so well - darned chair is too heavy to turn.

I explained the dilemma when Marcus got home that evening and he offered to hold some while I wound. He makes a better swift than the chair, but still couldn’t keep up with the winder. I’ve been putting it off, but if I’m going to make use of this winder, I’m going to have to make a swift (no way I’m paying $80+ for the umbrella kind). I found a site with instructions to create your own, so tomorrow I’m off to buy wood. I’ve got a couple of modifications in mind, so we’ll see if the hardware stores carry what I think I need, or else I’ll have to take a trek to the woodworker store.

So, I knit in public yesterday (no pics) and I went up to the Estes Park Sheep and Wool Festival this morning. No time for thoughts or pics from the festival as I have to leave for work soon (danged night shifts suck much), but I’ll post a recap and pictures tomorrow. I’ve really caught the Alpaca bug and also vowed I am going to learn to spin soon.

I’ve seen some cool stitch markers out there made from felted beads. I found a tutorial today on Knitty.com on how to make felted beads. I just need to either find some roving in the color I have in mind or get some plain and learn to dye it myself.

I’ve also become rather addicted to making other felted things. I found a pattern on Ravelry for a Noni Green Earth Grocery Bag that I just have to make. I picked up the pattern during a stop today in The Knitting Habitat (they’re having their 2nd Anniversary sale this weekend) and then toodled down to my most favorite shop Purls of Wisdom down in Parker to get the yarn and to visit with Jenn. When I had finished my purchase, she found it absolutely hilarious that I asked for a plastic bag to take home the yarn for a “green” bag.

So, I need to put a little kibosh to the rampant yarn (and other item) buying I’ve been doing lately. When I’m down and trying to avoid dealing with things, I tend to participate in retail therapy and I’ve been buying A LOT of stuff lately. Time to get my butt in gear, deal with the things that are bothering me and get back to actually crafting instead of just planning and buying. That said, I’m going to go cast on my grocery bag.