Things I would love to make if I ever had enough time

This post is dedicated to various crafting ideas that I would love to be able to undertake. As I work part-time and go to school, I don't have much leisure time. If I did this is what I would be making:

A Harry Potter inspired embroidery hoop. This one has been beautifully stitched p by The Phantom Moon. I would have to make a whole series of these!

I absolutely love this pillow by Tea Rose Home. My sister happens to love anchors, and I would love to make this for her (there is a tutorial, so I just need to find the time to make it).

This felt hot balloon mobile is just too cute, How Joyful has the tutorial!

A Nintendo Controller pillow. I don't think I need to explain this. It is just awesome. It would be easy to come up with a pattern to make my own, or I could just order one from this Etsy shop!

I only wish I had unlimited amounts of resources and time, I could really do some great things!

The perks of being a cat

I finally completed enough tiny squares to start sewing the "I-Think-I-Might-Be-Crazy" afghan I started way back in November. I have managed to put together a few rows, but it might take me just as long to sew it together as it did to crochet it. 

Of course, my cat just could not resist a big pile of yarn so this is what happened as I was laying out the pieces:

He sure made himself comfortable.

Mike

I will be starting up school again in  a couple of weeks, and I wanted to make myself something special to bring with me to the classroom. This knitted pencil-case seemed perfect for me and I thought it was adorable. This was a bonus pattern included in the Simply Knitting July 2012 issue. I had to learn a few new techniques to complete this project. I used interfacing, sewed in a zipper and put in lining, all for the first time! This project turned out to be more time-consuming then I orginally thought, but in the end it turned out great!

Mike - The Doggy Pencil Case:
Yarn: Patons Canadiana in Brown
Needle Size: Size 7 (4.5mm)
Pattern Source: Simply Knitting July 2012

I've also started knitting my 12th pair of socks in my Sock Knitting Master Class Challenge. It is the Terpander pattern, and I am knitting it in Brown. So far they are turning out really nice. 

Happy Knitting

Mr Ziggy

After completing Jason's Ribbed Socks, I had some leftover yarn, and since I love the colors and the look of these socks, what would be better then knitting a sock monkey with it? So now the boyfriend has a monkey friend to match his socks. I decided to call him Mr Ziggy, and I find him absolutely adorable!

Mr Ziggy:

Yarn:  Patons Kroy Socks Ragg Shades in Grey Brown Marl

Needle Size: US Size 3 (3.25mm) DPNs

Pattern Source:  A New Sock Monkey from the book Itty-Bitty Toys

I did not follow the pattern for the hair, and instead made him a mohawk, which seemed more suitable for his personality. This was a great, quick knit, which yielded great results. You can really customize the monkey, and give it some personality.

Another pair of Socks

I found this great yarn at Micheals, and my boyfriend absolutely loved it, but it needed a simple pattern that would not be overwhelmed by the color-changes in the yarn. I found a pattern for a simple pair of Ribbed Socks. I increased the needle size to make them slightly larger so that they would fit a man's foot. It worked great, and the socks look amazing.

Jason's Ribbed Socks:

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Ragg Shades in Grey Brown Marl

Needle Size: Size 3 (3.25mm) DPNs

Pattern Source: Knit Simple Magazine, Fall 2010

I think this project turned into a great harmony between pattern and yarn.

Sock 11

The next project from my Sock Knitting Master Class Challenge is the Mock Cables and Lace. These were a simple top-down design with lace. I enjoyed knitting them, and the pattern turned out beautifully. I made these large enough for my boyfriend to wear and they fit him perfectly. 

For the Boyfriend:

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks FX in Copper Colors

Needle Size: Size 2 (2.75mm) DPNs

Pattern Source: Sock Knitting Master Class

 A close-up of the lace pattern

I really enjoyed knitting these socks, I would recommend this pattern to anyone who wants a simple pattern that creates beautiful results.

Finished Sock # 10!

This latest sock in my Sock Knitting Master Class Challenge was fun to knit. I learned how to shadow knit (which I had never done before) and it was cool to see the pattern emerge. As this was my fourth pair of toe-up socks, I was proud of myself when I was able to do the Turkish/Eastern method for casting on without trouble. I still prefer top-down construction when knitting socks, but it's nice to know that I am able to do both! The decrease bind-off was also new to me, but was easy-peasy to learn and is very elastic. 

 I didn't get a good shot of the argyle pattern...

 A close-up

Stealth Argyles Socks:

Yarn: Red Heart Stardust in Grey and Purple (1 ball of each)

Needle Size: Size 2 (2.75mm) DPNs

Pattern Source: Sock Knitting Master Class

 I switched the colors around for the second sock. Mostly, this was because I did not want to buy an extra ball of yarn, but also, I thought it would give the socks a funky look that I like.

All-in-all this was a great pattern, that was interesting to knit and the finish product looks great.