Cranky Socks

On the 14th I grabbed these two yarns and made an amazing pair of socks for myself. 

I used this delicious pink called Pucker for the cuffs, heels, and toes. The self-striping yarn is called Goth Kitty. Both yarns are from Knit Picks. 

These are super-cute and I'm excited about wearing them. 

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. 

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) 

Circle and Square

I've been wearing my Circle and Square hat for about a week now. I decided to make another. 

This is one of the best television knitting projects. Very little counting and loads and loads of knit stitches.

I am almost to the fun bit of this project. The construction is fun because you work ever increasing rows until you cut that in half and then decrease to the end. I love projects like that!

Pattern available on Ravelry: Circle & Square by Martina Behm

 

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
Needles: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 4-11 (Sunstruck)
Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg

Charity Quilting

 

On Saturday Annapolis Quilts for Kids was available to meet up and exchange finished quilts and pick up more. I dropped off four finished quilts and grabbed these six finished tops to quilt up. 

Sunday I cleaned the piles of stuff of my long arm frame, loaded a quilt and got it quilted. 

Then I loaded another one. It was nice to get back to charity quilting after so long. I'll work through the rest over the next few weeks. Have you found your quilting groove again? 

If you want to contribute but don't have the time or skills, you can support the national Quilts for Kids by shopping through Amazon Smile. I don't earn anything from this link. This link lets your purchases support Quilts for Kids through Amazon. I don't add affiliate links to my charity quit posts on purpose. I donate my time, my machine, my thread, and my skill to the cause. 

Here is the EpochConverter for 2021.  

2021 Charity Quilt Count: 2

Circle and Square

I finished my Circle and Square hat! I shared this about a week ago when I started. This is what I would consider the front of this hat. 

This is the back. I love working a project that decreases as you get to the finish line. It just seems to pick up speed at the end. 

I'm really pleased with how this turned out. It's warm and fun! I'm sure I'll make another one. Mostly because it was an easy knit. Also, I still have yarn.

Pattern available on Ravelry: Circle & Square by Martina Behm

 

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
Needles: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 4-11 (Sunstruck)
Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg

Skating Sugar Skulls

Last week my new skates showed up, these are Sapphire from Moonlight Rollers. I hadn't seen a comparable blue in other skates and these spoke to me. I'm super happy I decided to give them a try. These are at a higher price-point than my Moxi Beach Bunnies but less than a pair of Moxi Lollies. Unlike my Beach Bunnies these didn't come with toe caps. That got my crafty mind churning.

I used the Moxi toe cap to create a template and cut out some marine vinyl I had on hand. There are loads of tutorials on how to make your own toe caps out there on. Look around and try to find a style you like. Some are sewn, some are put together with rivets, and others are crocheted. So many options!

Then I hooped some stabilizer and took the frame to the embroidery machine.

There is a risk when cutting before embroidery but it seemed the best way. The Sugar Skull key fob design is from Designs by Little Bee. 

Then I stitched up the sides and closed the loop for the laces at the top. Time for the moment of truth. 

And there you have it! I may play with the pattern a little more to fine tune it but they fit, look cool, and should keep from scuffing the toes of my skates. 

I may use a smaller embroidery design in the future. Overall this was a great holiday project. 

Machine embroidery design: Sugar Skull key fob from Designs by Little Bee

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
Magna-Glide bobbins (absolutely the best for my embroidery machine)
Pellon Stitch-N-Tear, 20" by 30 yd, White

Fiskars curved craft scissors

Plaid-ish Quilt

I'm still working on my Plaid-ish quilt. This quilt took all week to cut and lay out. I'm sure it will all come out in the end. 

Once I had it all cut I made a few changes. 

At this point I'm not changing anything. A block put wrong will just be part of the finished quilt. I didn't assemble individual blocks. I webbed the entire quilt. It took most of Saturday. Bonnie Hunter has a blog post on webbing a quilt if you want to learn more about it. It's great! I used the technique every chance I get. 

I spent Sunday sewing those webbed rows into a finished top. I haven't decided if it needs a border yet. I'll let it hang there for a little while until I decide. I don't have backing fabric so it isn't like I can quilt it right now. 

Make your own using the free pattern Plaid-ish from Kitchen Table Quilting.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 
Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Tucker Trimmer III
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Cranky Socks

 

I knit up another pair using this fun colorway (I think it is called Circus) with contrasting cuff, heels, and toes. Both yarns are from Knit Picks. 

The contrast parts really make these socks great to me. 

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. 

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) 

Circle and Square

I wanted to try Circle & Square by Martina Behm for a couple reasons. Like Martina, I am not a fan of the purl stitch. Sure, I can do it but if I don't have to do it I am a much happier knitter. 

The self-striping yarn is doing most of the work on this one. I may have to make one using an ombre yarn. 

This picture makes it look somewhat egg-shaped. That's just how I'm holding it. It really is an oval. 

Check out socks in my Etsy shop: Socks

Check out knit/crochet project bags: Project bags

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
Needles: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 4-11 (Sunstruck)
Stitch markers: CLOVER Lock Ring Markers 20/pkg

Plaid-ish

I have so many batik fabrics. I keep making quilts and I still have so many. I decided to grab them and get to work on a new quilt. This time I'm going to use the free pattern Plaid-ish from Kitchen Table Quilting. I've had it on my list for a while. I sorted my fabrics into dark, medium, and light. 

How do you know if you have good separation between those darks, mediums, and lights? use the filter on your camera to see them in black and white. This makes it easier to see the differences without seeing the colors. 

Time to fill up this canvas. I love my design wall. 

I'm just getting started. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 
Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Tucker Trimmer III
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Cranky Socks

I was so ambitious early in the month. I made a new pair of socks on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of January. Then, playtime was over and I went back to work. Last weekend I sat down and cranked out a couple more pairs. 

Machine knit socks really are a great way to feel like I've accomplished something. I can sit down for about an hour and have an almost completely finished pair of socks. 

I purchased this yarn on a cone from Erbacher Gearhart when I ordered another cylinder for my machine. 

When I saw these Knit Picks yarns together I knew exactly how to combine them into a fun pair of socks. 

I mixed the cuffs, heels, and toes to make delightfully mismatched socks. So fun! By Sunday evening I had closed up the toes. 

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. 

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) 

Dayna Pack

I've had this amazing embroidery for a while now. I stitched it out on my embroidery machine a while back. The design is from Urban Threads Embroidery. I really like their designs and I've stitched them out successfully on two different brands of embroidery machines. They also offer their designs as hand embroidery designs for about $1. This was the perfect project to use that stitched out design. 

The Dayna Pack is a simple design that works up quickly with good results. I made mine with an adjustable strap that did not include the hardware called for in the pattern. I used what I had on hand and I really like the result. 

I used a small piece of a Halloween print in the lining. 

I really like the size of this little bag. I see more of these in my future. Pick up your own copy of the Dayna Pack on Etsy.  

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
Craft Clips
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

Time for Cake

I received a bunch of yarn from Aunt Betty last year. I decided I wouldn't use it if I didn't get it wound up into cakes so I could just grab it and get knitting or crocheting. I grabbed my swift and my ball winder and got cranking. 

I ran into one snag along the way. Straightening this one out took almost as much time as winding the entire hank into a cake. 

When I was done I had all this yarn ready to go. Now when I am inspired I can just grab and cast on. Now I just need to decide what to make. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Stanwood Needlecraft large ball winder

Knit Picks yarn swift