So I know I am failing at this whole blog thing. But i think I have finally found a layout that I like and will not only benefit you guys but also give some insight into what is going on here at TLS. The layout is simple. First just an introduction and any new things going on. Next a featured item from the shop. Then any new items in the shop. The next section is going to be my favorite, Tips and tricks that I have. This will be tips or tricks that I have found work for me and may help you, or any that I have stumbled upon on Pinterest and have used and loved. These tips and tricks will focus on crochet, knitting, spinning, or weaving. The final section is going to be any project I am working on. Just the progress I am making, where I found the pattern, if I used one, and yarn. I think with this layout it will be easier for me to do because I am not just writing off the cuff and I know what to write about. Also, I now have a newsletter. This is actually snippets of my blog that you can get right in your inbox so you don’t need to find the site every time. I’m still working out the bugs with the button to sign up for it, but you can go to the homepage and fill out the newsletter subscription form. I am planning on doing a newsletter twice a month. I figure this way I can keep you guys informed while not filling your inbox. When you guys fill out the form and you don’t receive an email, check your spam. Here is the form to fill out if you are interested in getting the newsletter.
Well without further ado welcome to the new blog layout.
Featured Item
This week’s featured item is a stitch counter. This stitch counter is easy to use and can hang from your project bag and not get lost in your bag. You can also choose a lanyard style stitch counter and have it on you while you work. The lanyard can also hang off your bag so it too won’t get lost in your bag.
To use this stitch counter for every row or stitch, simply pull down a bead till you get to ten. Once you get to ten you pull up all the beads and pull down one bead from the other section. You choose which section is ones and which is tens.
These stitch counters come in five different colors or a mix of the five. The colors are blue, green, purple, gray, and teal. You choose which colors you would like or if you’d like a mix. Please when you checkout leave a note saying what color you would prefer. Or you can email me at lazyspinster6@gmail.com with the color you would prefer.
I personally love the lanyard stitch counter. It is so convenient to have it on my person and not go searching for my bag under the project I am working on. I also have mine dressed up with stitch markers and a pendent yarn cutter. This way I am never without a way to cut yarn and I have stitch markers on hand. These are not included with the stitch counters. Just wanted to show that these can be more than just stitch counters, that they can hold items you may need as you work and you have them wherever you may be working.
The keychain stitch counter is $5.00 and the Lanyard is $8.00. You choose the colors you would like. Come and check them out here.
New Items
This section is going to be any new items in the shop.
This week there are two new items in the shop. First item is angora wool from my sweet girl Bunny (yes, her name is really Bunny). I usually have yarn I spun from her in the shop, but this time I am putting her fiber in the shop so others can spin her beautiful wool. Bunny is a chocolate agouti angora who has bands of brown in her wool. It’s super soft and warm. This fiber is sold by the half ounce and can be found here.
Next since we are talking about Bunny is some handspun 100% angora yarn. This yarn is just like her wool, beautiful and soft. At 96 yards it would be great as a cuff or trim from any project. Or you can mix it with other yarn for your own unique project. Angora is 7 times warmer than sheep wool and will keep you warm and dry during the cold winter months.
This yarn is 2 ply Dk weight at 96 yards. Click here for listing.
Tips and Tricks
This is the part that I think I will enjoy the most, Tips & Tricks. Here I will share a tip or trick I have found or done with you guys. It’s always fun to learn something that will help or improve you and your craft in someway. These tips or tricks will range from spinning, fiber, crochet, knitting, and weaving. Here is your tip/trick for the week.
This weeks tip is a knitting tip that I found at buttonandblue.com, with How to Make a Rib Stitch Neater. I tried this tip with some socks I made over the holiday season and it made my ribbing look so good. It’s an easy trick of instead of knitting/purling in the front of the stitch like usual, you knit/purl in the back of the stitch. This will make your ribbing look neater. I’ll be honest it took a second with the purling to get used to it, but once the first round was done it got a lot easier. You can find the article for this trick here.
Projects Going On
This section is what I am currently working on at the time that I am working on this blog. I love hearing and seeing the things people are working on and I love sharing what I am working on. If you have any questions about what I am working on please don’t hesitate to message me.
The project that I have been working on for about 6 months now is a blanket that I call the Nephew Blanket. It’s real name is the Ten-Stitch Blanket with some modifications I made along the way. My baby brother and his wife are expecting their first baby literally any day now. I have made all my nieces and nephews blankets. I love making blankets, especially toddler sized blankets that a baby can grow into.
This blanket uses Lion Brand Mandala Tweed Stripes color Dragonfly. I like this yarn, especially the first skein I used. The colors faded into each other really nicely but as the skein and the other two skeins I used the colors ended up being abrupt changes. No this wasn’t a tie on color change either, this was what the colors just started doing. I don’t hate it, but I do wish the faded color change was present in the rest of the yarn. Other than that the yarn is super soft and squishy. It’s 100% acrylic yarn, so good for mamas with a new baby. Just throw it into the washer and dryer.
I’m using a size 9 circular needle. I prefer knitting with circular needles, straight needles would be fine too.
I found the pattern on Ravelry and it’s a free pattern, found here. I did have to look up how to do some of the stitches but once I got the hang of it, it was super easy. The attaching points are supposed to have a chain look to it, but I didn’t like the look so I used a wrap then knit into the next stitch pulled the previous stitch over and turned. It’s easier than it sounds. I love the look of this so much more than the chain look. This was all I changed in the pattern and I am loving it.
Well everyone this concludes the first blog of the year. I hope to keep you guys up to date better. If there is anything you would like me to talk about message me at lazyspinster6@gmail.com. Have a great week.
Categories: crochet, knit, Life, My Journey, Uncategorized
