Odessa

It has been a while since I have posted. Never fear, the end of the semester is coming soon. In the meantime I have been working on mostly small items. This is a pattern that I have wanted to try for a long time, and I am so glad that I had the chance to actually do so.

Pattern: Odessa by Grumperina (now available as a free Ravelry download)
Yarn: Mind's Eye Yarns DK Merino
Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm
Beads: Size 6 from the Beadworks

One of the really fun parts of this project was trying out knitting with beads for the first time. Instead of pre-stringing them, I used the crochet hook method of adding in the beads. I really liked how the beads sit flat using this method, but found that they also sit a little lower. In doing this pattern again with this method of bead application I would do the beads one stitch earlier than suggested.

I had been looking for a pattern to use the leftovers of the giant skein of which I have made the Ashes of Roses cardigan. Seriously, Lucy's DK skeins are more than generous! Not only did I finish this had from what was left, but there is more than enough for another small coordinating project currently in the works. More on that soon!

RAOK Hufflepuff Markers

The worst part about cleaning isn't actually doing it. It is looking for things for months after they have been safely "put away." Recently, when I was ready to go out and buy another pair of round nose pliers in frustration, Salvbard pointed out that he had helpfully stored them inhis toolbox. Why in the world would I look in there for my craft supplies. Obviously our minds work fairly differently sometimes.


Despite the challenges, however, I did get this set of Hufflepuff stitch markers done to send out as a random act of kindness to a forum member over at PFW. I had picked up these gold-tone head pins at Windsor Button to better coordinate color-wise, but for some reason was not expecting how much softer they would be. While that did make it a bit easier to work with, I am a bit nervous about how well they will hold up to significant use.

Making Magic

My Ravenclaw swap pal, Olive Bladvak aka Rebecca, for the HSKS5 Exchange is back from Australia, so I can finally share photos of the fun projects that I included in her package.

There was definitely more playing with fabric this time round. I made another Charlie bag, this time adding a lining and skipping the pouch, and I really like the results. (Salvbard was a little sad that we weren't keeping this one, so I may need to make some for us.) It is reversible, with one side having magic wands and the other suns and moons.

I also made a needle case, since she had specifically requested one. I found a great free tutorial I really like the shorter pockets at the bottom for chunkier DPNs or just odds and ends.
And I even broke out some beads to make some stitch markers.
There were so many fun blue textures and prints I found to work with. I had such a great time picking out fabric and beads.

Gryffindor Stitch Markers

It is day 1 of thing-a-day, and I decided to work on a swap gift for a certain Gryffindor. As an added bonus, it is even in Project Spectrum colors.


I usually make stitch markers for other people, but rarely myself. Maybe I will have to fix that this month.

Beaded Cabochon

The other neat crafty thing that I did this past weekend was to take a beading workshop. There we learned to make beaded cabochons. These are so strangely addictive! The pink cabochon in the center is not held with any glue, just the beads around it.


I stopped by the Beadworks today to pick up some supplies for an idea I have for using this technique. I don't dare to say more until I figure out if it will work.