Heather Knits

FO: Go Pack Go! Romper

noreply@blogger.com (Nerd Momma Heather) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:06:00 +0000

Game Day! GO PACK GO!

Just in time for my (**see below) Green Bay Packers to lose their playoff game to the Giants. Luckily, it hasn't been cold enough to need this romper and its kind of big. That just makes it so I can put a onesie and britches under it, for indoor/outdoor layers. I started it at the beginning of the Packers amazing season and finished it at the end.

Go Pack Go! Romper
PATTERN: Rugby Romper by Lion Brand
YARN: Vanna's Choice Solids by Lion Brand
in Olive & Mustard
NEEDLES: US4 & US6

** My amazing husband bought me a share of the Green Bay Packers for my birthday. I am officially an NFL owner. <3 GO PACK GO! -- http://packersowner.com/

cross-posted from: http://www.nerd-momma.com

New Pattern! Binky clip for Soothie and Wubbanub

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:38:00 +0000

FO: Binky clip for Soothie and Wubbanub
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

Born of necessity! I couldn't find a pacifier clip that would work with the Pichu's Soothie and Wubbanub binkies, so I finally made one... after losing two $10 Wubbanubs in a week.

YARN: Sock Yarn
NEEDLES & HOOK: US2.5-3 Needles & Size C Hook
OTHER STUFF: Darning needle & Suspender Clip

Ravelry Linkie

CRAFTY-MOMMA: Happy Halloween and other sewing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:49:00 +0000

Our first Halloween was a lot of fun! Well, except that the Pichu decided to come down with a stomach bug. That was three days of poopie diapers and a limited diet (pedialite, water, brown rice, bananas, formula, and yo-baby yogurt). I think it bothered me more than him. It helped that we were already home for those three days with a water leak repair.

If you're wondering about our costumes, I am a Pikachu and he is, of course, a Pichu. I made both of them, with exception to Pichu's pichu hood (thanks, Laura!). I drafted my costume from a Kigurumi that I already had. I just added ears and the other Pikachu features. Pichu's costume was made with McCall's Pattern M5963 (Infants' Lined Buntings and Jackets, Jumpsuits, Pants, Reversible Blanket and Hat, All Sizes), which worked out really well! I plan on using it for a few other things. Its so versatile, that I traced the paper pattern instead of cutting it out.

Thanks to Texas weather, we were a little warm in our fleece and flannel costumes. But, we will be ready to enter the cosplay competition at YuleCon this year!

There has also been a little more sewing! I found a pattern on Etsy (evil, evil place ;op) for some Monkey Pants! I had seen them in one of my parenting magazines and thought they were adorable! Of course, I'm not going to pay $60 for one pair of pants that my pichu will only be able to wear for 3 months, at the most. There's where Etsy comes in. I could have bought some handmade ones.... or I could make them myself! (Etsy link: monkey pants pattern) The only change I would make is to draw the legs a little wider. I don't know if its my boy's chunky legs, but these ended up being just a little snug for a 6 month old, and the size I made was for 6 to 12 months. Next time, I'll do that! Also note, the monkey is on the bottom, so you can see it when he's crawling around.

And finally, a new play mat! I made this so when he goes to visit Nana or DebDeb, he has a play mat to play on. We have one in our living room that we keep a machine wash blanket on, which makes accidental spit-ups waaaaaaay easier to clean up than if they were on our rug. This was LOSELY based on McCall's Patterns M5604 (Baby Items, One Size Only). Its where I got the idea. I bought some quilt cotton that I liked (you could use whatever you want, I suggest washable) and double layered some batting in the middle. Super easy and super awesome! When Pichu gets bigger, he can use it to lay on or wrap up in for naptime!

It feels great to be crafting again, even if its only during naptime and when daddy is home on the weekend.

-- crossposted from Nerd-Momma.com

CRAFTY-MOMMA: Where did summer go?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:08:00 +0000

Yesterday, it was almost 90°. This morning it is 53°. Welcome to Texas.

After seeing the forecast, I knew I had to do some quick knitting. Again, thank you Ravelry for helping me find a quick and simple hat pattern for the Pichu. I actually stayed up late to finish it for this morning.

PATTERN: Gotcha Covered #1
SIZE: Baby with Chunky Yarn
YARN: Bernat Softee Chunky
NEEDLES: US 8 & 10

crossposted from http://nerd-momma.blogspot.com

CRAFTY-MOMMA: Bowties Are Cool

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Last week, I finished this adorable sweater vest for the Pichu's aunt's wedding. There was a little bit of panic-knitting happening. I was afraid I wouldn't get it done in time... But I did and it is soooooooooo adorable!!!!

Details?

PATTERN: Pembroke Vest (ravelry: )

YARN: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Lilac

NOTES: I did reverse the cable on the left center twist to make it symmetrical.

Of course, knitting this has really jumpstarted my knitting again, although I only get an hour or so after Pichu goes to bed. My goal is to have some cooler weather outfits ready for when it really cools down. I've cast on two more projects, Gig'Em Gameday Britches and a Go Pack Go Romper. Hook'Em Gameday Britches are planned, but not cast on yet.

CROSSPOSTED: http://nerd-momma.blogspot.com

Morgause: My Haldane Orkney

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:04:00 +0000

I received an email this morning from a fellow Haldane Orkney owner who had seen photos of my wheel and asked if I had written any articles about it. Well, I haven't, but saw this as the perfect opportunity, especially since I was probably going to write a lengthy reply! :o)

This is Morgause, named for Morgause of Orkney in Arthurian Legend. I received her for Christmas from my dad and stepmom. With the help of a Google search, I figured out how to step up the single drive, Scotch tension with this diagram. Its not for the Orkney, but worked. Within an hour, I was spinning alpaca, albeit awkwardly, that night. I will say, if I hadn't setup and spun successfully on another wheel (Babe Fiber Starter), I wouldn't have figured it out in one evening.

When I got home and after Christmas settled down, I sat down to get the feel of this wheel. I joined the Haldane Fanciers group on Ravelry, and that has been pretty helpful.

Problems and Solutions:
Problem #1) When I would spin, it felt like my wheel would slow down or stop at top center.
Solution) Weight the wheel so it wouldn't lose momentum when it reached top-center. Pictured is my weight solution. Just top right and top left of the center spoke I have attached adjustable ring-bases found in Hobby Lobby's jewelry findings aisle. So I could switch sides, depending on which way I am spinning (s or z twist), I've made removable weights from more findings from Hobby Lobby and lead fishing weights from Walmart.

Problem #2) No orifice hook!
Solution) I looked up some fancy orifice hooks on Etsy and Artfire to see what I liked. I then dug in my craft stash for something that would work. I found some fancy large gauge wire and shaped it to work. Of course, I had to make it pretty, so I picked up more jewelry goodies and beads from Michael's (on sale and with coupons, of course!). I made mine on a chain so I could keep it all together and pretty for when my wheel wasn't in use, but on display in the living room.

Problem #3) Where the heck do I find more bobbins?!?!
Solution) Since Haldane doesn't make wheels anymore AND they are even harder to find in the USA, I was a little disappointed that I couldn't find replacement bobbins. That is until I came across ONE post, deep into a Google search saying that someone *thought* they had seen someone else use modified Ashford bobbins on an Orkney. Not much to go on, right? I figured, what the hell. I found a fabulous Texas seller on Etsy that had a listing for 3 Ashford Single Drive Bobbins for $30. I figured for that price, it was worth a try. If it didn't work, I could always sell or trade the remaining unmodified bobbins to make some of my money back. When the bobbins arrived, I immediately tried them on Morgause. They fit the flyer shaft with no problems, but the smaller end rubbed the flyer. No Problemo! I pulled out my fabulous Dremel and started sanding it until it resembled my Orkney bobbin. With some fine-tuning, I had three more bobbins that worked with my wheel! HAPPY DANCE!

With the above mods/enhancements I can now spin easily on my Haldane Orkney. It makes fine singles, as opposed to the Babe Fiber Starter's more bulky single. One thing I did pick up as a 'just in case' item was a spinning wheel maintenance kit. I would hate to start spinning, have something happen, and then not be able to spin until I go buy something or track something simple down at a store completely across town.

Since there is very limited information on the interwebz about this wheel, I really hope this helps anyone that might have the same problems that I have had.

FO: TARDIS for Pug

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:16:00 +0000

TARDIS for Pug
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

I have been working on this sparingly for the past month, but I finally finished it last night.

PATTERN: TARDIS Kindle Case
NEEDLES: US7 KnitPicks Harmony Acrylic :hearts:
YARN: I Love This Yarn Sparkle in Royalty and White Sparkle

Two Dr. Seuss Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:59:00 +0000

Wednesday night, I finished these paintings for the Pichu's nursery. The fishie is from The Cat in the Hat and the other painting is Sam I Am, from Green Eggs and Ham.

FO: Ready For Spring Scarf

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:41:00 +0000

FO: Ready For Spring Scarf
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

Jimmy Lens, Pistil Film, No Flash, Taken with Hipstamatic

While I had workers at my house this morning hanging crown-molding in the PIchu's room, I had to perfect opportunity to finish this scarf! Its woven on a 7.5dpi heddle, from several yarns from my stash.

* J&P Coats Royale Classic Crochet Thread (Size 10) -- THIS IS THE WARP
* Jo-Ann Sensations Majesty
* ONline Linie 43 Punta
* Yarn Bee Elf Eyelash
* Feza Yarns Premier -- mostly this, because it changes yarns in the ball, all by itself! ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE YARNS EVAR! (and I really don't like novelty yarn!

BTW - I'm sending this one to my aunt, since she always tries to steal my Barf Scarf!

Warped: Another Ice Day Scarf

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Warped: Ready for Spring - Another Ice Day Scarf
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

So, today was another icey day at Casa de Pika. I was hoping to have my new heddles for my loom, but that didn't happen. I really wanted to start on my plarn tote bag. So I pouted and fiddled around the house this morning. I did sew two hanging pockets for my loom stand from a couple of fat quarters.

Finally, after lunch, I warped my loom for a different project. This one is called 'Ready for Spring'. It is a scarf woven from bits of novelty yarns that I have in my stash, just like my Barf Scarf and Vomit Shawl. I may even frog my (dormant) bucket blanket for more random stash scarves.

FO: A Scarf for Mimi (my first weaving project)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:51:00 +0000

FO: A Scarf for Mimi (my first weaving project)
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

Last night, I finished my first weaving project. I had thought it would be a scarf for my husband and his black pea coat. Nope. About half way through weaving, it spoke to me. It said it wanted to go to my Mimi instead. Its just too lightweight for the hubby. To cover my amateur selvages, I put a nice crochet edge along the sides.

YARN: Pagosa's Own from Firefly Ranch (50% Cotswold, 50% Alpaca)
WOVEN ON: 7.5dpi Ashford 24" Rigid Heddle Loom

Right now, it is in the dryer (I didn't wash it) for a little fluff before I take it to my Mimi. <3

My First Weaving Project - The Warping

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:51:00 +0000

Well, that went a lot easier than I expected. I really think this YouTube video helped tremendously! I'm also using Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving for reference. Right now, I don't think I would like using a warping board because I like the visual of the actual length of the warp itself.

I guess I haven't played on Ravelry much lately, because when I went to 'bend the rules' and add my weaving project there was MORE than just the option for a knitting or crochet project! There was a selection for machine knitting and WEAVING! Wow! So much for bending the rules! There aren't links to any weaving patterns... yet. But I don't think that will be too much longer.

I think I'm gong to bed now. I will start weaving my scarf tomorrow, next to the fire in the morning.

Ice day # 4 --- now it's snowing!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:48:00 +0000

(Taken with instagram)

Icey Day #2 - Spinning And Plying

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:49:00 +0000

John S Lens, Ina's 1935 Film, No Flash, Taken with Hipstamatic

FO: Cabled Convertible Mittens -- things you do on an iceday at home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 04:46:00 +0000

(Taken with instagram)

PATTERN: Cabled Pop Up Mittens (rav link)
YARN: Patons Soy Wool Stripes in Geranium
NEEDLES: US5 DPNs

Fun Oscar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Painting With A Twist @ Grapevine, TX

FO: Prego-Legarmers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:55:00 +0000

Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky in Dark Antique Rose
Needles: US 9 & 10.5

Ravelry Pattern: Cap a Chinos Legwarmers

Bobbin Modification

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 04:54:00 +0000

Ashford standard bobbin, modified to spin on my Haldane Orkney spinning wheel! I just used my Dremel to sand down the small end into a wedge shape, like the bobbin that came with my wheel. Now I just need to stain the Ashford-Haldane bobbins. :happydance:

WIP: Cherry Surprise Shawl

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:52:00 +0000

(Taken with Instagram at McNary & Company Realtors)

NEW PATTERN: Cable Curtain Tie Backs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:33:00 +0000

MY PATTERN: Cable Curtain Tie Backs
Originally uploaded by BigPikaChica

Because I couldn't find anything at Target, Joanns, Walmart, or anywhere else that I liked. :o) I picked out a cable that I liked that wasn't too overwhelming for my sheer curtains.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-curtain-tie-back

 Ahhh Saturdays! 

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 May 2010 18:07:00 +0000

Oh how I have missed my lazy knitting days. Since Mom is at the lake and the hubby is hanging out with his brother today, I get to enjoy my day on the couch with the DVR, English breakfast tea and yarn. The dogs are hanging out too.

Just some mindless knitting, since the Greys Anatomy season finally totally thwarted any knitting progress last night.

I think I have decided to go through my WIPs and either finish what I have started or just start frogging. I've been getting distracted by shiny new projects and things are seriously starting to get neglected. So, today's DVR knitting consists of my Jaywalkers that I have been working on, correction, neglecting for a long while now... And also the project I think I had named 'Another Scarf'.

So raise your tea cups and java mugs to mindless knitting, freeing the needles, and sweatpants!! I love my DVR days!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Circle Ln,Bedford,United States

Oh hai!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:48:00 +0000

I haven't been hiding... Well, I have. It's not that I haven't been creating anything, I just haven't felt like blogging about it. We just moved into our NEW house, so I actually get my craft room back and it gets to have a serious makeover! You could almost call it my studio!

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I’ve picked up a few more hobbies, like painting with oils and acrylics. Thanks to my friends, Learn & Pug, who have inspired me to pick up a paintbrush. That lead to going to going to my first Painting With A Twist with Robyn, where we painted ‘Japanese Princess’.

Then I painted two paintings that I call “Pug’s Pugs”, because that is what they are!

Which lead to me signing up for an oil painting class at the City of Hurst. Pictures of that painting and its evolution will be posted next week, after the last class of the session.

Last week, I took Robyn to another Painting With A Twist for her birthday. This time, we painted “Ballerina” which was a lot of fun! My Aunt Peggy was in town and she joined us for a bottle of wine and some painting, too!

I even have some paintings in the works to decorate the kitchen in our new house! All three are Japanese food themed.

And finally, the last of the painting update… I created two 4x4 Fatbook Pages for two Swap-Bot swaps, from Painting With A Twist inspirations, but cropped and a much smaller scale. These were sent to the same swap partner and made me think of Gossip Girl, one of her favorite American dramas.

Swaps for pages #5 to #12 are still accepting sign-ups!

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I’ve also been sewing A LOT and I realized I <3 my Singer 15-91 and the way it sews so much more than my other two machines!!! It make the prettiest stitches, even if the are only straight. I finally my GMIL’s old Singer (not the 15-91) repaired and I am still having trouble with the tension. :pout: I really don’t want to take it back to the jerks at Richland Sewing Center and have them fix it again. All they do is try to up-sell me on a new machine. No, thank you. I prefer my vintage machines.

On the left is my Cherry Shirt, which just might be one of my new favorite patterns. I will note which pattern it is when I get home. On the right are some Fat Quarter Napkins from Weekend Sewing. So fun and so easy! I really need to just break down and buy this book instead of borrowing it from the library.

I’ve even been sewing some really cute dog dresses for my aunt and also my ArtFire shop!

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Knitting has been happening a little. I think I only have one FO, besides some kitchen clothes. My old bestie, Al-Breath, and I decided to do a KAL where we swapped sweaters at the end! I finished hers about a month ago and sent it!

PATTERN: Pinwheel Sweater from Elann.com (rav link)
YARN: Lion Brand Wool Ease

------------

That’s all I know for now! I really hope to start blogging my projects again… even if the posts are from my iPhone. I love being able to share what I’ve created and maybe my recent desire to begin art journaling will make me post my stuffs more often!

Hi! I'm out from under the bed!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:21:00 +0000

So, I've been attempting to hide from the holidays. Needless to say from my Twitter posts, it didn't work.

There has been a ton of gift sewing, mostly aprons and dog dresses (aka Petite Pet Pinafores by Pika -- for sale in my Artfire shop). My aunt requested some aprons for her and the kids she takes are of. I also surprised her with 6 reversible dog dresses for her bitty-little Yorkie named Izzie.

I also made Mom an apron, as well as my friend Sharrell. AJ got a handknit scarf with her initials on it. Robyn didn't request socks is this year, instead I knit her a new ponytail hat (she felted her other one). I even knit my little brother a Jayne Hat that he really didn't care for. He's three, so I will accept that for now. That is his 'happy' face in the picture.

Now I'm working on what I call The Bucket Blanket. It is pretty much 4x Autumn Shawl (my vomit shawl), stitched together in a big square. My awesome Aunt Debby found a big 'ol rubbermaid tub of yard at a garage sale and gave it to me for Christmas, which was the inspiration for this new project.

I hope to have pics of everything... Maybe. I totally forgot to take photos of everything.

Oh. And I am now a slave to the iPhone. My company Is no longer providing me with a phone, so I sold my Palm Pre (which I really liked) and moved to AT&T. -- don't tell anyone, but I really dig the iPhone more -- I <3 the knitting apps. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wreck This Journal – 04 Document Your Lunch

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Last Friday, I went to lunch with my fellow WTJers at a yummy place called Cowtown Sushi, where we decided to this page.

I believe there is some wasabi, soy sauce, spider roll, and more yummy sushi goodness!!

Yes, my WTJ smells terrible already!! But, I am saving the shower for NOLA, next month!

There has been a teeny, tiny bit of knitting in my hands this week!! I dug out my pretty NOLA (Lantern Moon) needles and my NOLA yarn and cast on “Another PROJECT?!?!?”. I am using the Lion Brand Cotton Lace Scarf pattern (rav here).

I plan on working more on it today and tonight, while I have the house all to myself! Aaaahhh! I can’t wait for the quiet! I hope I don’t try to distract myself with cleaning.

Wreck This Journal -- 03 Collect The Stamps Off Of All Your Mail & 04 Crack The Spine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

WTJ - 03 Collect The Stamps Off Of All Your Mail, 04 Crack The Spine, originally uploaded by BigPikaChica.

This one was really great! I've been collecting fun and interesting stamps off of mail for over a year. It started with my postcard collecting and some other swaps on Swap-Bot and Postcrossing. I made sure not to duplicate any stamps on this page.

My Xyron 1.5" Create-A-Sticker Machine made sticking them down SO MUCH easier!!!

And... in order to scan this page, I had to crack the spine.... CRRRRAAAAACCCCKKKk!!!!!!