Yarn Basket Bag

I've been eyeing the Basket Bag pattern by Michelle Patterns for a while.

When I saw it on sale for 25% off (still on sale as I write this blog post) I grabbed it. The cutting and sewing directions are clear and easy to follow. I cut in the morning and had a finished bag by lunch time. 

This was my test sew of the largest size and it is perfect for holding yarn and bunches of yarn at that. This would be a great little bag as a base for a gift basket. A small one with a couple hanks of yarn and some stitch markers for your favorite knitter would be great! Or filled with handmade washcloths, handmade soap, a couple bath bombs, and lotion for the friend that likes to pamper themselves. So many options!

I learned the pattern and what I might want to change when making another. That isn't a critisizm of the designer. Everyone has their own workflow and how they like their finished objects. Make as many patterns from as many designers as possible. It will help you learn what you like in construction and your favorite techniques. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Creative Grids 6.5" Square Ruler
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
Pellon Flex Foam
Craft Clips
Heat'n Bond Non-Woven Feather Weight Fusible 20"x 25 Yards-White
SF101 Shape-Flex® (I was unable to find this for a reasonable price on Amazon. I recommend checking your local big box craft/sewing store.)
Pattern storage: Plastic Envelopes, Clear Reusable Poly Envelope Waterproof File Folder with Snap Button, US Letter/A4 Size

Cranky Socks

I ordered several cones of sock yarn from CSM Supplies a few weeks back. It took forever to get here. It shipped the day after I ordered it. Thank you, Jamie! But then that box spent way more than the 3-5 days with the postal service trying to get from Missouri to Maryland. 

This one was so could make my Darling Husband some wool socks. Because everyone needs more socks. 

The first one worked up great. A test wash of the first pair and I will be cranking out his holiday socks in no time. He isn't the only one on my list getting new socks for winter. 

I won't be adding more socks to my Etsy shop until 2021. I still have a few pairs ready to ship so order soon to get them by the holidays. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram (@beccascrazyprojects) and my Etsy shop Becca's Crazy Projects to get updates on what I'm doing and when listings go live. 

Want more information about circular sock knitting machines, tools, and attachments? I recommend you head over to CSM Love. They have collected so many resources in one easy-to-use site. I used the site to find the Split Yarn Carrier by Chambord CSM. 

Hybrid Mount Mini Mast for Erlbacher Gearhart Circular Sock Machine 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Knitter's Pride Aqua Sock Blockers, Medium

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook (picking up dropped stitches)
Cable Clamp PRO Cable Management 4 Pack (used in place of weight buckle)
Brightech Lightview Pro Flex - Hands Free, Magnifying Glass Desk Lamp for Close Work (lens removed)
Zibra PB100LZR Grip-n-Glide 1-Inch Round Trim Paint Brush (to clean lint/dust from machine)
24 Pack Metal Rectangular Empty Hinged Tins (hold extra machine needles)
addi Express Hook (picking up dropped stitches, hanging setup bonnet, finishing missed stitches)
Do4U Drinking Home Office Table Desk Side Huge Clip (I use it to hold the ball/cake of yarn while I crank but it could hold your drink, too)
BLACK+DECKER WM225-A Portable Project Center and Vise (this is my machine stand, slightly modified for a larger work surface)

RuMe Bags Baggie All (Aspen) (to hold my hand-finishing supplies: yarn needle, needle threader, scissors, Kitchener directions, stitch markers, etc) 

Crochet Finish

Sometimes I start a project without really knowing where it is going. This shawl was made using Lindy Chain from Knit Picks. This is a linen and cotton blend that feels rather stiff when working with it but the resulting fabric has delightful drape. I did not use a pattern for this project. It is made primarily using the moss-stitch (single crochet one, chain one) with rows of double crochet one, chain one offset with another row of single crochet one, chain one. Check out my Etsy shop for ready-to-ship knit and crochet project bags like the one shown above.  

I decided to work through each color in turn to make one shawl. This was a great project to work on while watching television. We were watching Foyle's War (affiliate link). 

I don't think this one needs blocking. The fabric is very nice the way it is. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)

Knitter's Pride Dreamz Tunisian Crochet Hook Set

Quilt Kit Sewing

Part 3

Each block got set on point. These blocks measure 17.5" by 17.5". 

Then the block sashing. 

Then this happened. I'm not going to point it out. I'm just going to say it went into a quilt time out for about a day before I got back to work on it. 

Internal borders done. Those little setting blocks are really nice. 

Finished top with the wide outer border. I need more borders in my quilt life. I'm pretty pleased with how this one turned out. It's folded up and in the shop bag for the next time I go to the quilt shop so I can pick up backing fabric. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
Creative Grids 6.5" Square Quilting Ruler

Tucker Trimmer III
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White