Sunday Book Review: Garlic and Sapphires

If you love food and need a book to listen to then Garlic and Shapphires is the book for you written by Ruth Reichl and read by Bernadette Dune. The books chronicles Ruth Reichl's life in New York City as the food critic for the New York Times. The narrator even reads the recipes and I never thought listening to recipes as a good thing but this was.

Ruth Reichl enlists the help an old friend of her mothers to disguise herself to eat in New York City's finest restaurants undetected. Her first incarnation is her own mother. She goes through many more and you get to travel along with her visiting fancy and not so fancy restaurants. The book includes recipes so if they sound good to you check out the book. I did and made the Spaghetti Carbonara, very yum.

WIP Wednesday

I need to get centered here. I have too many projects on the hooks and needles. At that same time I'm itching to start some new projects. It has to do with current project angst or it could also be finished project remorse, when I finished my daughters mittens. When I finish a project I feel elated and sad at the same time. I could go and work on my wips but there is something so much more exciting about starting something new.

I digress and need not digress as I have much to do.

So here's the list:

Crochet:

• I started some fingerless gloves for myself last night using some Paton's SWS leftovers in my stash.
• A thread book mark I can't find the pattern to finish so I may just need to wing it.
• A thread skull motif that my son could sew to a bag or shirt or something. Only the ends need to be woven in. I hate weaving in ends.
• A thread ornament just the last round needs doing.
• The Delightful Doily in Simply Delightful by Patricia Kristoffersen. I started few weeks ago just because. It's a bit fussy though because I'm using #20 thread and a size 9 hook and I'm not used to working that small.
• A granny babyghan for one of my nieces who is pregnant.
• Another Suzanne Sweater from Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman for dear daughter. I'm almost to the shaping on the fronts and back then plan to start on the sleeves.
• Autumn Lace Pullover for me.
• A pair of socks I frogged the cuff so I cna re-do it and it will fit better.
• A totoro hat, I need to redo the ears they are to skinny.
  

Knit:

• I just frogged the toes of my second pair of knit socks that was too short so I can make them longer and wear them.
• The Big Sack Sweater from the Stitch-N-Bitch Hand Book. I'm to the shaping of the shoulders of the back and want to cast for the front, there will be cables involved.

What do I want to do instead?

• Start on another baby blanket so I can test a baby blanket I designed. I want make a bib to match so I would work on that too.
• Go buy some lace yarn and start my first lace knit project.
• Dye the yarn I spun and make something with it.
• My son would like that I start him a hoodie and I'd like that too.
• Spin some more yarn. I did dome some this weekend. So maybe that's another wip.
• I've seen some really cute holiday patterns for ornaments and decorations that I've wanted to do too. I haven't made any crocheted snowflakes this winter, very sad.

This is just my fiber lists of to do. This doesn't count what's left to do for the holidays and the laundry that needs doing and the dishes that need washing. If you are curious you can see what I got done on my list yesterday, the things I finished are in bold.

Today there are errands and and errands to do. I better get to work. Nah, I think I'll have a cup of tea first.

Just 15 minutes

Today, I could share about the mittens I knit for the kids but I don't want to take the 15 minutes it would take to take the picture of the ones I finished yesterday for dear daughter. So I went looking though my drafts on blogger to dig out some content so I would have something to share with you today.

I found this draft about 15 minutes that I apparently didn't want to take 15 minutes to write up. This strategy is used by the Fly Lady to help keep your house cleaner and more organized and it really does work. The trick is you "have to" do 15 minutes and a few of them during the day.

I forget to use this strategy to get things done around the house. Instead I look at the dishes strewn on the counter and groan and think this will take forever. When I remember to set the timer and wash dishes for 15 minutes I find that most of the dishes have been done and I even wiped the counters down.

So go for it. Set that timer.

My list of things to do today:

Fold Laundry and put swayaway
Gifts for Hubby
Dishes as always
Sort bins and baskets from general pick up yesterday
Dust in the Family Room
wipe down tables
Vacuum in play room
Filing (done)
make grocery list for winter solstice
take photo of Jade's finished mittens
work on fingerless gloves for me and jade's sweater

Fun was had by all, even me:)

It all started with a walk to the store to buy things from the sugar food group then we made these:

Jade's


Corbin's


Mine too

Sadly my roof caved in.

Sunday Book Review: MudBound

Now for some unknown reason every time I think of this book I want to say Mudblood which I know is just wrong, wrong, wrong. Because this story has nothing to do with Harry Potter not really.

Mudbound is Hilary Jordan's first novel and it's another free early review book I received as a Librarything member. Pretty much once I started this book I couldn't put it down. I got to, for a time, be in the shoes of the main characters in the story and get a sense of what life was like for a few on a muddy farm in the south after WW II. I found a story about love, the ravages of war and racism. Mudbound is train wreck of a story showing what it was really like. How color got in the way of connection and how color and hate were hand in hand.

This kind of book has me thinking, should we write books about the past that shows such a limited view of what we, as humankind, can be? I think sharing the truth even in fiction is shocking. I'm reminded what we are capable of at our worst and that I would not want to be a part of world like that. At the same time I do not know the fear of being hated for the color of my skin. I could guess (definitely not know) that this book would be very hard to read and possibly discouraging as a person of color. This is where I was left wanting and expecting a different story. I expected seed of hope for a different world and there a were few but I mostly found was a stark account of the brutality of racism. Especially in light that so many men of color had died for our country in WW II. It was disgrace.

It has me wondering have things changed? I sure hope so. If not what do we do about it?

Socks and socks

I finally finished off my Sockotta socks about a month ago.



I finally tackled those dang short rowed heel socks. This has a bunch of firsts for me: first pair of socks on magic loop, first short rowed heel and first toe up sock. It's my own pattern too. In the sense that I did a gauge swatch and figured out what I needed in gauge taking into account some negative ease then cast on and knit.

Other specs:
US 1/ 2.25mm 32" circs - I used two circ. needles with one sock on each using magic loop
Most of the ball of Sockotta



About a week ago I finished off these socks. The main first for these is the color toes and heel and the fancier stitch pattern.

Specs:
Twist sock pattern from Hello Yarn
cuff down/heel flap
ww cascade 220 heathers in purple and green from my stash
US4/3.5mm 32" cable needles for magic loop



These are for me and they keep my feet toasty! The only thing I wish I had done differently is make the entire toe part out of green. I like this pattern it's easy to get the rhythm of it. I'm sure to make more. I still have some sweater yarn and other worsted yarn that need using up.

It's yarn!

I made it myself about 300 yards of single ply fairly fine weight yarn. My plan is to dye it and then make myself some fingerless gloves or a hat.



Before I can do that I need get some acid dye and second I want to pick up a crockpot to use to dye the yarn in. So stay tuned some time in January I plan to start.

Spiral Shawl

I started this one in April of last year. When the heat hit it went away. It's much to hot here in Kansas to crochet with alpaca. I'm so glad this is done now as it's keeping me very warm while I hangout in our cold energy conserving house.

Specs:

• Frog tree alpaca - 13 skeins - eep! In purple/lavender
• crochet hook 3.5mm
• Patchwork Shawl from Mon Tricot Knit & Crochet The Knitters' Basic Book Vol2. I'm pretty sure its also the Carnival Shawl that's in a Rowan pattern book. I lucked out and found the Mon Tricot mag at the thrift store a few weeks after someone shared her finished shawl on crochetville.
  

Other free options for the pattern:

• I found this shawl pattern here that has a similar motif but done bigger but it could be adapted.
• Another free option here that would also work.

Another view just before I added the fringe which shows how hard it is to get good color photos especially with purple. The one below gives better feel for just how beautiful this fiber is but the one above gives a bit better idea that this really is purple rather than blue.



Someday I'll make this again without the fringe. Fringe is fun but it gets in the way.

It's about time!

Yes, yes I know I have been a way for a long time. Instead of giving you lots of no good excuses let's just say I've been Lazy with a capitol "L." So there it is. As far as my fiber work goes, I just haven't wanted to take the time to get pictures of all the things I have finished over the last few months. Tonight I had the energy, maybe it was the cappuccino I had at the coffee shop this evening.

So not only is it about time I post but it's also about time that I finished the Hemp Flower Necklace that I started last year and was supposed to be a gift for one of my nieces. She will get it this year!



Specs:
Hemp Flower Necklace from Interweave Crochet, Fall 2005 - Ravelers can go here
Size C/2.75 mm hook
SWTC Bamboo

I'm alive and well

I did have a cold last week but we all get better just in time for Halloween. We didn't do much decorating like we have done in past years. I totally forgot to take picks of the kids. Jade was a with and Corbin was well something kind of scary. He was going to be a a cowboy but changes his mind at the last minute.

The week before that we went camping south of Wichita It was a bit cold at night but kind of nice to get warm by a fire with s'mores and a hot cup of cocoa. We did lots of cooking over the fire and baking potatoes in the coals. The night sky was brilliant where we camped and we some shooting stars.

I've been busy getting all my wips wipped. I finally finished dear hubby's Gryfindor scarf. It make him look courageous don't you think ?



Specs:
free pattern on atypically.knit
Plymouth Encore Yarn
16" size 8 needles

This never ending scarf was not enough for me as I plan to cast on a Ravenclaw one for my son. I will cast on 70 sts instead of 90sts. So hopefully it won't take so long. I need to get a bit more yarn so I can make hubby a matching hat.

I finished sweater for me:



This is an adapted Suzanne Sweater from Cool Crochet by Melissa Leapman. It called for a hood and I made it a scooped neck cardigan instead by shaping the neck while I shaped the arm holes. I need to get some better pics and a close up if the buttons which are silvery look with a celtic design.

I used double crochet post stitch for edging around the neck and the bottom of the sweater. Then I did a crab stitch to finish it off and on the sleeves. I used about 8 skeins of Cascade Heathers and an H hook.

I ordered some yarn because dear daughter wants a cardigan like it. I got some yarn for me make another cardigan too. I don't have hardly any sweaters. So I am spoiling myself this winter.

I'd like to make a promise that I will post more often this month but I'm also trying not to spend so much time online. So we shall see.

I've been swallowed up by Ravelry

What is Ravelry you ask? It's yarn smack! I happily click, click through projects and forums and people. The more I do it the more I want to do. The simple answer Ravelry is an online community where you can organize your yarn stash, finished projects, works in progress and queue up projects you want to do someday. And more, much much more.

Right now you have to get on a waiting list to get it in. It's worth the wait, I'm just sayin.' Come on check it out you know you want to. Ravelry is here

In other news I've got some work done on my Susanne sweater I am working on from Cool Crochet. I'm at a loss with the Autumn Romance Pullover from the Fall 2007 Interweave crochet. I'm either very confused or the pattern is just wrong.

We splurged on costumes for the kids so I don't have anything to sew or make. Jade will be a Witch and Corbin will be a Cowboy, very traditional this year:)

I'm not sure what I will be but I will be wearing my Hallowi, a free patten on Knitty.


I think this looks better on my son.


Remeber that freeform doll blanket that I have been working on since forever? It's done!


I'm really pleased with how it turned out.


I'm on day 10 without coffee and doing well. The first day I had a headache but was totally able to get through it with some painkiller. The next day I had a light headache and took a little for that. I'm sleeping better at night. I don't miss the coffee in the morning per say but occasionally I'm hit with a craving for a cuppa. I think that's what I miss the most, the taste.

That's all for now. Thanks for coming by.

I'm thinking about...

Giving up coffee, again!

Yes, I have done this at least twice. I didn't drink coffee while pregnant with the first babe but I did with the second babe. He likes coffee just a little bit by the way. I quit for a short time after having babe #2 to see if that help with his gas problem. It didn't make a wit of difference so why deprive myself, right?

I quit just before we moved back to Kansas. I didn't drink any for about 2-3 months then started my daily habit again.

Lately, when I get up in the morning coffee doesn't always sound good. I've been having trouble sleeping too. I've been having light headaches more often but I haven't increased my coffee habit at all. If anything I'm not drinking my usual amount which is probably why I am having the headaches.

So here goes. When the half-n-half is gone this week so is my morning coffee habit. I'm going cold turkey. I'll think I'll go get some of that pain killer with the cafeine in it.

I'm going to focus on the pluses with this new goal of mine. I will more likely exercise. I will lose weight since I won't be using close to a quart of half-n-half a week. (I know shocking!) I will save money. Maybe to reward myself I can buy yarn with the money I save buying coffee. I can do that right? I mean I do need more fiber in my diet. No more morning coffee fits better in my local diet eating. It's not like coffee grows in Kansas.

Wish me luck and I'd love ideas how to make kicking the habit easier. I figure I will have caffeine withdrawal but I also think some withdrawal from not having the half-n-half too.

Bags!

My altered version of the Reduction Tote Bag by Anne Frost. You can find the pattern here on Crochet Me.

All the thread came from my stash and lots was picked up at the thrift store months ago.



I used the Willow square from 200 Crocheted Blocks but added a few xtra rows. I did about 10 less rows for the mesh because I find this stitch plenty stretchy so I didn't think I needed as much height as the pattern called for.



I still need to sew on some buttons. I am sure I have some stashed somewhere.

You can see the the flap is showing on the outside of the square. I might put the flap on the inside so when it's all folded up it doesn't cover up the pretty square.

It's a Skull Bag!



I made it for my son for his birthday. It's my own Tapestry Crochet design. I used Red Heart Super Saver in Black and White from my stash and an H hook. I bought the fabric and 9" zipper new.



The zipper is finally put in. It was a pain in the pattuty! There has got to be a better way.

I really like the border stitch I added to the top and bottom of the bag. I think it adds some interest and frames the skull nicely. I used a crossed double crochet post on a set up row of half double crochets. Then a row of sc on top of that.



I finished the edge of the bag with a crab stitch.

Another Birthday

My little one is not so little any more. he is now 9 years old. He is so many things.

Always my baby (not the baby there's a difference)


an Indian at Thanks Giving


a crocheter


the punk skate boarder


a goofball


always my sweet son


Happy Birthday Corbin!

We had a nice day together as a family. Corbin went shopping with Dad and got some lego kits and an Havoc Heli, a remote control helicopter. We went bowling and got take out Chinese. What I found interesting about the day is this is what he wanted. At first we were going to do a party then he decided he want just us and one friend if he could make it. He didn't even need a party with the grand parents.

Some of my favorite authors

The question will come up, Who are your favorite authors?, then I'm stumped. So decided to look though my library of reads and found several authors I really like.

I've recently listened to two Anita Shreve's books, Light on Snow and The Pilot's Wife. Both books are on the sad side dealing with the death of the loved one. I look forward to reading and listening to more of her novels.

Jodi Picoult is a prolific author who deals with difficult life dramas. The last two books I listened to, 19 minutes and The Tenth Circle, were like a train wrecks. They were ahrd to listen to but you had to keep going to see what would happen in the end. All I can say is that I am very happy that my kids are safe at home. A few of my favorites by Picoult and not so hard to read but still sad are Keeping the Faith and My Sisters Keeper.

On the lighter side of reading I like Jenifer Weiner author of Good in Bed and In Her Shoes also a movie.

I also enjoy Anita Diamant probably best known for her novel, The Red Tent. I also enjoyed The Last Days of Dog Town a historical fiction of the life of women in the late 18oo's.

It's rare that I find a male author I consistently enjoy. I really like William Kowlaki. My first and favorite read is The Adventures of Flash Jackson. He has written other books connected to many of the same characters in Flash Jackson.

I also like David Guttersen. I could be partial to him because he homeschools his kids too. I really like Snow Falling on Cedars and I read this book when I live in in Washington state. I have not read Our Lady of the Forest, it seems to have mixed reviews from readers. It's on my to read list.

Some of my favorite mind candy for reading or audiobooks are Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series, Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia Series, and Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series.

Happy Reading

In the beginning I had some yarn

I cast it on and did a little k2p2 rib.

Then I knit and knit and knit. Around, around I went.



Then I decided to change the colors a bit.



Then I decreased, doing some K2tog magic, in a spiral to finish it off.


So now I have a hat. You like?


Specs:
Elizebeth Zimmerman Inspired Hat from Knitting Workshop info and others.
Paton's SWS - raisin, berry, and geranium
#9 needles knit picks options needles doing a modified magic loop
k2tog decrease to make a right slanting spiral

A Bracelet

I've been messing around with some bracelet designs but not have much luck with my ideas until now.



Specs:
#10 Opera Thread
#6 steel hook
a button for the closure

Blog Contest

I was refereed by Mrs Fife about a contest on This Kitten Knits

Go ahead and head over and post comment. It could be fun.

Knitting with Wire - Really

Ever since I saw the Nancie Weissman , on Knitty Gritty, knitting with wire. I've wanted to give this a try.

So this weekend, I pulled out my wire, beading supplies and some needles that I didn't care if they got scratched up and made this lovely bracelet.





Here's the scoop if you would want to give this a try yourself. These are pretty basic as these we my first wire bracelets so keep that in mind as you follow them.

Materials Used:
#4 needles
a crochet hook of the right size
#26 gauge wire (I'm not sure how much I used, it was a left over spool from a wire kit I got)
some beads
basic clasp

General Notes:
Materials are up to you. The higher gauge wire the easier it is to work with. Often patterns suggest a smaller needle size than I used.

I did a backwards loop cast on and cast on 5 sts. You can see a great tutorial here on Stitch Diva and more info on knitting with wire here. Leave a good 6-8in tail so you have it ready to attach the clasp closure later.

I knit about 5 rows in garter stitch.

Then I began adding beads. The beads are added to the back of the work but really are the front of the bracelet makes sense? I hope so!

So it works like this:

R1: K2, (bring up bead, push it gently close to the previous stitch and K1), K2
R2: K across
R3: K3, (bring up bead, push it gently close to the previous stitch and K1), K1
R4: K across

Repeat R1-R4 to length desired. Do take into account some length for the clasp and decreasing. I did mine for 8.5 repeats.

Decreasing:
R1: K1, K2tog, K2
R2: K1, K2tog, K1

Now trim off the wire leaving enough to make the loop that is part of the closure. Leave a good 8in but maybe less.

Now with 3 loops still on the needle remove the needle and bring the wire around to close up the loops and pull fairly snuggly. Now you want to use a knitting needle again. I used the #4 needles I made the bracelet with.

Wrap the wire around the needle and through the 3 loops 3 times to make a loop which will be part of the closure. Then wrap the wire at the bottom of the loop under the needle, removed the needle and then weave in the wire tail where it makes sense to you. Snip off as close as you can. Hopefully the photo above will help make this more clear.

Now with a crochet hook pull up 3 loops across the beginning cast on. I just fudged this make it look good.

Then pull the wire through the loops and thread the clasp onto the wire.

Do make sure you have the clasp on in a direction that works. Don't fret if you mess up, wire is fairly forgiving and you can twist it so it works.

Keep threading it through the three loops and through the clasp a few times, then weave in the tail and snipped it off.

If you have any questions about the pattern don't hesitate to ask. Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact you.

Now put on your lovely bracelet and enjoy!

Here's another one I made on Saturday.

The Specs:
#28 or smaller gauge wire (I'm not sure what size it was as it no longer labeled in my stash)
lots and lots of seed beads
#1 needles
a clasp and jump ring



All I did for this one is cast on 7 sts and knit back and forth pushing up a bead every time.



I'm not very happy with the closure on this bracelet but I ran out of wire at the end. Because the wire is so thin I worry over time this will break. I would much rather this be closer to the knitted part of the bracelet I think it would be stronger.

Over all I am not much of a jewelry person. So I wasn't sure if I liked the looks of these bracelets but they are growing on me. I do think these might make a great gift for my teenage nieces. I just might make a few more a few for myself to get in touch with my inner diva.

Quinn Cable Bag - Progress

shows one pattern repeat

I finished one pattern repeat a few days ago and another last night. I'm using Vanna's new yarn because I really liked the color, the price was right, and I wanted to see how it would work up. It's working fine but wonder if I should have used wool so it could be blocked.

So I can keep track of my place in the pattern, I color coded the odd rows orange and the even rows green. I cut and taped the chart symbols to just below the pattern so I could refer to them. I placed the pattern in a plastic sleeve so I can use my orange and green! dry erase markers to mark of each row as I knit them.

So far so good. Oh yeah, you can find the pattern right here.

Moaning Meme

I did my best not be to be influenced by others moaning lists although I agreed with many! The only one I read was Tracy's


4 things that should go into room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth.

• racism
• rape
• chiggers - mosquitoes can stay for now
  
• Gift Giving - As much as I love receiving things and let's be honest I like getting things I like but that happens so rarely. So do we need all the things we get or give?
  

3 things people do that make you want to shake them violently.

• When people ask for links to information that is already clearly posted on the blog or forum or they ask for info w/o ever trying to google it for themselves
  
• Fear mentality
  
• Over protective parents
  

2 things you find yourself moaning about.

• That there is never enough money or if only we made ______ (insert amount needed at the time) at the time more a year.
• housework - especially the dishes
  

1 thing the above answers tell you about yourself.

• With the exception of racism and rape which ridding the planet of it would be a very good thing. After reviewing the rest of my answers I probably should get over my dang self and go do the dishes that are stacked up in the kitchen.
  

RULES

• Link to the original meme at freelancecynic.com so people know what it's all about!
  
• Be as honest as possible, This is about letting people get to know the real you!
  
• Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly!
  
• Post these rules at the end of every meme!

Consider yourself tagged if you want to moan and let me know and I can commiserate with you.

New stuff and not so new stuff

Last week I spoiled myself with lots of knitting tools and accessories.



I don't know when I will get to the lovely cables sweaters in this book but some day. This book was worth it on eye candy alone. I picked it up at Half Price books for a pretty good deal. The designs are outstanding but the sizes in the books are outdated. So to make a sweater that will fit me and not look like a tent I will make the smalls! I bought the doily booklet with a %40 off coupon at Hobby Lobby.

I tried casting on for the doily but kept losing the needles form the work and the wrap kept disappearing so I plan to use the magic loop method for this and see how it goes.

Along with the doily book I got all of the goodies below, they were all on sale %50 off. I love getting a deal. Now, I have enough double pointed needles to make anything I want. I also purchased: needle point protectors that's those little things that look like socks. The little things that look like sweaters hold your needles together when you aren't working on a project. I also picked up a row counter and cable needles.



I knit this book mark a while back ago using #2 needles and #10 thread. I found the pattern for it here. I think it's pattern #2.



The last few days I have not picked up my needles or my hooks. Yesterday, I gave finger knitting a try. Check out this you tube video here of a little girl finger knitting it's a great tutorial for the process. I didn't take pictures yet but I made a few boas using some left over fun fur type yarn I had around. They could be a great way to get in touch with you inner diva.

Then after reading yet another post about Hairpin Lace I finally picked up my hairpin lace tool and loaded up this video tutorial here and started. It took a few false starts but I got the knack of it and like how it looks. I really want to make the Seafoam Skirt here. You will need to scroll down to see it.




I plan to make a scarf with this. As long as I have enough left over I will also make a hat to go with it that will have a band or two of hairpin lace.

Bags!

Finally, some finished objects to share.



This is the Exchange Bag from Happy Hooker.
F hook
Omega Nylon N018 thread. I have some left over and think I will make a coin purse to match.

To be honest it's not officially done, done because I still need to add a snap for a closure. It's pretty enough to take a picture to share right? My daughter has adopted for herself.






My first knitted bag. I used Fortissima Cotton Sock Yarn, that's discontinued, double stranded and 4mm needles (I think). If I were to do it again I would have used slight larger needles. I combined two patterns to make it. A bag pattern on Knit Picks for the eyelet stitch of the bag and a spiral dishcloth pattern that's knit from the center out for the bottom. I liked the looks of the knit Picks bag but it called for knitting a bottom then picking up stitches and I wanted to avoid it. Then I finished up the top of the bag with garter stitch then worked the straps in garter as well.





My apologies for the blurriness. I'll try again later for something better. It does give a fairly good idea of the shape of the bag.

Reduce, Reuse, Recylce and ....

......organize my knitting and crocheting tools.

I made these two carry with you knit/crochet tool rolls from placemats I picked up at the thrift store. This one I kept for myself and did use a brand new button. The crocheted closure I used frogged yarn given to me by my Dad, so another reuse.



As you can see there is room for a gauge check tool (a small ruler), scissors, stitch markers attached with a large coilless safety pin, crochet hooks for hookin' or picking up dropped stitches, a pencil for making notes, sticky notes, and I think small calculator could fit in here as well.




The on below I made for a Knit and Crochet Goodie Bag on Craftster.



This can store all the same things but I also included a small mini m&m tube with needles for weaving in ends. I'd like to come up with some other additions to this design to create a pocket for needles. I used a crochet closure as well. The "button" is a glass bead I crocheted around with #10 thread and a #6 hook.



These are really easy to make.

Just go find the things you know you will put in your on the go project bag and fold over and pin together. I try to place things in such a way that it works easily to have it fold up like trifold book, which is why the larger pocket seem to work better on the outside and the smaller pockets on the inside

If you plan to add a pocket to hold needles take that into account when you layout how you want your tools to fit then sew that on first.

Then with a some kind of washable marking pin or even tape mark where you want the sewing lines to go.

I picked up the larger coilless safety pins at Michael's, I am sure you can find them elsewhere, to store stitch markers.

I crocheted the closure by making a chain then skipping several chains to make a loop. I just put it up against the button I planned use to make sure it was large enough. I used #5 crochet thread and fairly small hook maybe a D or an E. Then I crochet back down the opposite side and into the loop then slipped stitched to join.

You cab buy buttons for your closure but you can also crochet a cover of anything just the right size. It could be a great way to cover up a not so pretty button you have around. I use #10 thread and a #6 hook for that.

If you don't crochet I am sure you could find a way to use velcro, some kind of clasp closure or ribbons to tie.

I think more than one of these could be useful and a great gift for your fiber geek friends.