Finished: Knit Headbands with Crochet Flowers

Once again, I've been (happily) inundated with orders for knit headbands with detachable crochet flowers. They're fast and fun, though I have to admit I'm more than tired of always making them in grey. I'm not sure what gives - is it because my main photo is grey? When I had a cream colored headbands as my default photo, the only orders I received were for cream colored headbands; I would have murdered someone for a change. Lo and behold, I'm now the same way with grey. Hmmm.

Trust me - I am thankful to be making these and they're always fun. Plus, they look amazing on everyone. I just love experimenting with color and haven't had much opportunity.

But luckily I had an orange one thrown into the mix. Not only did it provide an excellent distraction from my pile of grey fiber, but it made me feel all fall-like. We had a temporary break in the warm weather, so I enjoyed cuddling under a light blanket in my chilly craft room and working up this quick little knit. I was happy.

Both grey headbands pictured are made using Caron Simply Soft and my FREE knit headband pattern. The orange headband is Vanna's Choice in Terracotta.

Hope you're all having a great week. And brace yourselves: there are more headband photos coming your way ;)

WIPs this Week

If you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen these posted for #TGIFwipitoutwednesday. But in case you don't, here's what I've been up to this week (well, in a crafty sense - outside of knitting and crocheting, I kind of want to blow my head off because there's too much going on):

1. My CAL Mystery scarf, whose Week 3 clue I've completed since this photo was taken. It was thankfully quick, which helps give me time to focus on other projects (like gifts and shop orders), but a fun distraction from my stressful week.
    
2. My KAL Mystery scarf, that I plan on knitting more of tonight. I still haven't decided which clue to use, but I'm thinking the Russian Mosaic will be the way to go. Why? Because it'll bring some color back into the design - an important feature considering the last 16" or so are all ivory.
    
3. A knitted round dishcloth that I finished up last night while watching YouTube podcasts. Super simple and easy to memorize. My least favorite part, though, was grafting the final edges together in garter stitch. I don't hate grafting, but it takes me a few times through to remember the pattern.
    
4. Two grey knit headbands with detachable crochet flowers for custom orders in my shop. I have a third that will be knit up in a beige color, so I'll be able to finish all three this weekend for shipping out on Monday.

Anyway, Thank God It's Friday. Seriously. I've been waiting all week for this. Just to give you an idea of why, I'm managing a total of 1500 square feet of booth space at two upcoming trade shows that are happening at the same time. I actually love it, but it's a lot of work and man - I could use a nap.

Caron United CAL/KAL Progress: Week 2

So here's where I'm at with the Caron United CAL/KAL mystery scarves I've been working oh-so-diligently on. I've made more progress on the crocheted version since receiving the Week 3 clue on Tuesday, but the knitted scarf remains the same since a) I can't choose which stitch to do next and b) I think my fingers are going to fall off from making all those Cherry Blossom bobbles and traveling cables!

Interested? It's not too late to join us! Just visit the event over on my Facebook page to see what everyone else is creating and jump in whenever you're ready :) All the links for previous weeks have been posted, so you don't have to worry about catching up and not having supplies. No excuses!

Finished: Fall-Themed Crochet Flowers

If these fall-themed flowers don't get you in the mood for my favorite season, then I give up.

Last weekend, I plonked myself down in my comfy craft room chair, added a bunch of podcasts to my YouTube playlist, and crocheted 15 flowers for a custom order I received in my etsy shop. I'm pretty sure it was a weekend well spent (any day I don't have to leave the house and can just surround myself in yarn = success).

The pattern is based off the Leona Flower, which I've tweaked a little bit over the years. I love crocheting them (they're so fast) and I enjoyed being able to play with "different" colors. It's not often that someone requests a rosette in orange, brown, or even variegated shades. And the fact that fall is the best season ever made the autumnal theme even more fun to execute ;)

I used every yarn from Caron Simply Soft to I Love This Yarn. A few yarns are unidentified, though I know the orange is a Mary Maxim - I just forget which line. They range in sizes due to using some DK weights vs worsted weights, but I think the variations make it more of a party, don't you?

Hope you're all having a great week! I'm getting my hair done tonight and may or may not be blonde the next time I "see" you. Only time will tell *maniacal laughter*

PS: What are some of your favorite knitting and crochet podcasts? I'm looking for new ones to add to my list. Please let me know in the comments :)

WIPs this Week

Good Lord, is this week over yet? No? Wah. Well anyway, here are the knitting and crochet projects I've been figuratively noshing on this week:

1. My Caron United Mystery Scarf CAL. I'm about to start Week 2. What's pictured above (the brown scarf on the top left) is the arches stitch I selected for Week 1.
2. My Caron United Mystery Scarf KAL. Here, I've been able to start Week 2 and I chose the cherry branch stitch (which, of course, you can barely see in the photo, but there will be more to come!) The first section is the crown stitch.
3. Two great knit headbands with detachable crochet flowers for custom shop orders. There are two more on the way from orders placed on Tuesday night and yesterday afternoon, as well.
4. Crocheting my way through 15 fall-themed flowers for a customer order in my shop.

Combine that with working full-time while trying to get a part-time marketing agency up-and-running and, well, I kind of want to keel over and die. Thankfully, I was able to indulge in some wine and dinner with a friend last night to take the edge off. Plus, with any luck, I'll be playing with my iPhone 6 Plus tomorrow night; Happy Friday to me indeed :)

I really am a lucky girl, even when I want to pass out from mental exhaustion.

PS: Don't forget to sign up for the Caron United Mystery Scarf CAL/KAL over on my Facebook page. We've headed into Week 2, so there's plenty of time to catch up. And hey, if you don't want to join, you can still check out everyone's progress and photos.