Kindle Carrier, Ravelry, and 1000 Books

So the last time I wanted to do a blog update my internet crapped out and for whatever reason blogger didn't save my progress. Here's a quick update about what's going on:

- I signed up for college. I graduated high school in 2007 and haven't been back to school since. It's about time, don't you think? Hehe. I'm excited and a little worried because of the little time I have now for anything.

- I've been crocheting, just not taking any pictures because my camera is stupid - and the camera phone just isn't the same. See below for reference.

It's a kindle carrier for my niece. She gets it for Christmas. She really likes the color orange, but I made her head bands out of the orange that I used for the flowers. Her second favorite color is blue, and I had a variegated yarn I had no idea what to do with, but I loved it. 

I'm debating on whether or not to line it with fabric because the base part of it is cluster stitches so it's a little gappy. I will probably make a liner if I find a fat square at the craft store that I like that goes with this. 

Also, with the carrier I have written down a pattern for it so I may offer it for free on Ravelry - or possibly on my blog. I wouldn't even care if you made it and sold it. ;)

(Do you have Ravelry? You should add me  http://www.ravelry.com/people/haileybee - I'm super nice I promise!) 

Another project I'm working on is a Hello Kitty inspired scarf for another niece. 

I just need to add her face and decide how I want the other end of the scarf to look.

In other news:

My, not so little any more, man turns 8 months on August 3rd, and we have him signed up for the 1,000 books before Kindergarten challenge at the library. I'm really excited, both me and his father love to read so I hope it's something he will enjoy too. Right now he's more interested in chewing on the book or pulling on the pages. 

Well, have a wonderful day everyone! Enjoy what's left of the summer!

Lord knows he's enjoying summer! Haha

Commissioned Pieces

Lately I've been trying to work on some Christmas gifts because I'm a slower crocheter, but I've also had some time, albeit very little, to squeeze in a commissioned piece. It was a stuffed chicken that was to be gifted to my friend's nephew. He liked it enough that she asked me to crochet her a stuffed rabbit for her other nephew. They both show their animals at events for 4H I believe? I know they do state/county fairs. I'm pretty excited about this!

Now I'm trying to find a pattern that I like or at least figure out a base pattern to change. It's hard to find one that's not too girly. So I'm looking up patterns and I'm finding perfect patterns for other people. Like a shawl/shrug for my Mom, or a funky scarf for my niece. I'm looking through Lion Brand's database of crochet patterns trying to find their bunny one, but I'm finding all these other ones that have me reaching for my hooks.

On to other news, I'm thinking of getting some of my friends together for a possible Stitch 'n Bitch. I have a friend who knits, one who embroiders, one who is trying to be multi-craftual (she wants to knit, crochet, loom knit etc...), and then my mom who enjoys many crafts but is the one who taught me  how to crochet in the first place. I also have a friend (whom I recently told about this blog -- HI APRIL!) who wants to learn to crochet or knit. She's pretty decent at knitting I haven't watched her crochet, but her practice swatches show she has promise in amigurumi. ;)

Have you ever held a Stich' n Bitch? What were some things you liked? What are things you would have done differently?

Until next naptime...

Radio Silence

My blog, aptly named Stitches During Naptime, is hard to do when the little one does not nap! I have been incredibly busy as I'm sure all of you have been too. It's so hard to keep up with work, family, etc... It's just really hard to find a balance.

Some things that have happened since I posted last: Eli is now six months old, and growing too fast. My brother is currently on treatment number 8 million for his cancer. I start school again in August. I'm currently thinking about starting an etsy store, not just for crochet but for other things too.

I'm worried about starting school and having zero time for anything/anyone. I'm thinking of only taking 2 courses at first to kind of get my toes in the water for going back. I graduated high school in 2007 and haven't continued my education since.

I'm currently working on an amigurumi commissioned piece for a friend's nephew's birthday. It's just a chicken, but it's my first commissioned piece! I also forgot the yarn for the beak... and it has to be done by tomorrow (today at 3pm...) and I will see her before she leaves to go to her sister's house the next state over. So, slightly thankful for that little piece of time. Cross your fingers it gets done. I'm sure it will, but you never know.

Anyway, I'm going to try to be more diligent with this blog. It was easier when Eli was a newborn because he would sleep for two hours like clockwork.

I hope you all have wonderful weekends!

I am currently trying my hand at knitting. I'm finding it so much harder to learn than crochet. I seriously do not feel coordinated enough to work the two needles.

I'm using two straight needles and another knitter told me that I should try it with circular needles instead, that it might be easier. I'm willing to give it a go. I'd really like to be able to crochet AND knit; there are so many crafty opportunities with both.

What are some things that you're trying to learn? Any advice for a super beginning knitter?

My cousin said she thought I took the picture because it "looked like a ballerina with a tutu on." I didn't see it at first - haha

A Friend's Benefit

So, a friend of mine asked me to make something for her aunt's benefit. I said I would try. With a baby it's harder for me to find time to crochet so I was thinking I could try to whip up some dish cloths and face scrubbies.

I already had a couple sets made so it shouldn't be too hard to get some more made up before May. Cross your fingers!

I picked up a loom and weaving set and thought I'd try my hand at weaving some pot holders - the directions that came with the loom seem a bit vague and while it seems it should be easyish I might look on Youtube for some instructional videos. (Has anyone seen any good ones?)

I'm hoping I can make some pretty knit - like things since I've tried knitting way too many times to count and can't seem to get the hang of it.

So while the baby naps I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and see if I can clean up the living room a bit. Ugh - I hate cleaning.

Snowy Sunday

I love snow storms - especially when I can sit inside and cocoon up in blankets. I've mentioned before how much I love nesting in blankets. Sundays are meant to be lazy, and so here is some things to hopefully make your day seem warm and snug - despite the blustery weather outside.

a warm mug full of hot chocolate (or cappuccino is good too!)

warm and snug blankets

Might also be a good day to catch up on cleaning, but that could just be me! Whatever your plans for the day enjoy it and take a little bit of the day to relax a bit. 

Blankets and Snuggles

I have been obsessed with crochet blankets for the last week or so. Constantly looking at patterns, and other people's projects. I think it's because it's been so cold. Yay Minnesota - it's -17 degrees outside, but with windchill really feels like -45.

So I've been dreaming about warm blankets and hot chocolate. Snuggling on the couch with the boyfriend and the baby. Probably watching a marathon of some of our favorite shows on Netflix.

I've been working on a double sided shell afghan for my brother's birthday - it'll be super warm which I hope he'll like especially when he goes and gets chemo. I'm making it in Minnesota Twin's colors for him since he's a big fan (despite how they do during the season). The border around it is going to be white.

One thing I will say about this cold weather is that it has been nice crochet (and knitting too I suppose ;]) weather. Especially when working on a blanket. When you get far enough along it covers your legs quite nicely.

This cold weather has already got me thinking about what I'm going to make everyone for Christmas already! I've got all but I think two people figured out. Most are blankets - so we'll see how ambitious I get this year (especially with a newborn) the blankets might turn into scarves, hats, and mittens!

Lazy Sunday

Today little man is full of smiles which is so much nicer than when he's being crabby baby. It's nice to get back into our routine. I've been thinking quite a bit lately about how he used to be so little, fitting in the middle of the Boppy pillow comfortably.

Little Man - 1 week old. He'll be two months old tomorrow (1/28) Yikes.

 We're getting family pictures taken on Tuesday from a friend of ours for free, she's a photography student and wants the experience. In return I'm thinking of possibly making some baby photography props for her future business.

Little Man on Tuesday after a bath.

I've been looking more and more for patterns for little boys for toys, or possible Halloween costumes. (Really early I know, but I'm a slower crocheter) I have a pattern for a shark costume that I think I may have to make for him. We've been calling him "Shark Bait" since he was two days old. He sounded like the fish tank friends from Finding Nemo when they christened him "Shark Bait." 

"Shark Bait, Ooh, Ah, Ah."

When he cried he made the "Ooh, Ah, Ah," noise. He smiles a lot more lately and for that I am incredibly happy. He makes me smile so much I like knowing I make him happy too!

So this week was hectic.

Time has flown by since I last posted! We had family visit from out of town to see the Little Man for the first time. They were quite enamored with him, and he wasn't sure what to make of them. And, now he's getting to the point where he's started fighting sleep instead of embracing it so we're up with him super late trying to get him to sleep. I know this won't last long and that at some point I *will* miss our late nights, but dang I need some sleep. 

Anyway - I decided to make my boyfriend's mom a blanket - she's always cold and she liked the scarf I made her so I know she appreciates handmade things. I felt bad when she was visiting because it was our cold snap - the coldest it has been here in four years. We're talking thirty below. 

Here are the patterns I found on Ravelry that might make the cut:

This one is a baby blanket, but I like the design and shape. It would be easy to keep up with the increases and make it a bigger throw blanket too. I probably wouldn't make this blanket with pink - she likes more earthy tones and purples. 

Jacob's Ladder Blanket

She would like this blanket too. I think it would be wonderful in a white or cream instead of bright pink. It would match her living room however she decided to decorate it. 

Harmony Blanket

I really like this motif - I think it would help keep making the blanket interesting! I also love the color!

Renaissance Beauty

Scarf and some Cables

So, I finished the angel stitch scarf I was working on. It measures to be about fifty inches long. It's not a long scarf by any means, but it's not a super short one either. Either way I'm proud of it. :)

                                                     It's lacy, but the wool makes it warm. 

After finishing that I decided since it was flippin cold over here in Minnesota that I would work on an ear warmer for myself with yarn I got for Christmas from a friend of mine. Caron Simply Soft Party in the green. It's sparkly. I like it. I'm experimenting with doing cables on it. I figured since it's a smaller project that if I didn't like the cables it wouldn't be that big of a deal to frog it and start over. This will be the first project I'll have made for myself. 

I'm about halfway done with this and will probably finish it later today. Maybe I could sneak it into my work meeting and work on it there. 

After I finish this it's back to work on the citrus slice scarf for my friend's birthday. I have 5 slices out of 17 done. It doesn't sound like much is finished but the slices whip up pretty quickly. 

Saturday Six

Trying something new today. I decided today I would showcase six awesome free patterns that I would love to try. I consider myself somewhere between beginner to intermediate at crocheter, so I know some of these would be a challenge to crochet. But I would be up for it.

I've never crocheted any thing wearable that wasn't a scarf or mittens, but this cardigan looks absolutely divine and warm. I might tone down the bell of the sleeve a little bit, just because I have a habit of getting my sleeves caught on things.

 Genevieve Sweater

Now onto things for the home! I absolutely love Lucy from Attic24 and the colors she picks for her items. Always bright colors that work so well together that are happiness inducing. I love it. Eventually my home will also be filled with colorful crocheted pieces. I will start small with blooming cushions for the couch, possibly in different sizes. Yes, I can picture it now... 

Blooming Flower Cushion

This blanket goes along with my love of bright colors, but it also looks beautiful in pastel colors too! It eats up a lot of yarn, but imagine how warm it would be in the middle of winter during a blizzard... 

Wool Eater Blanket

In bright colors it's beautiful

but it's also lovely in pastels!

I want to get better at amigurumi so I can make toys for the baby boy. This dragon would be so cool. What little boy wouldn't want a dragon?! 

Chinese Dragon

I would love to learn how to do the crocodile stitch and this clutch would be a good way to learn. It's also a cute flippin' clutch. It would also be nice for going out. It would fit your wallet, cell phone, lip gloss, and your keys. Which of course is all I should bring when I go out, instead of my massive purse that has you know... all of that and a book, a crochet project, candy... among other baby items that I didn't shove in the diaper bag.

Crocodile Clutch

Also, check out her blog for other amazing crochet patterns!

One thing I want to try at least once is crocheting with thread and making a doily. This one is really pretty and doesn't look like it would be that difficult to make and it looks nice in different colors. 

Pineapple Doily

There you have it! Six free patterns that I would love to try and attempt to make. One day I will. And one day my home will be filled with brightly colored crochet items! Anyways - have a lovely rest of your weekend and I should get some stitching done before baby wakes up!

Citrus Slices and a boost of Immunity

Everyone in our house is sick! Ugh! Baby boy, me, and the boyfriend. None of us are getting any sleep from it either. I came down with it first (which is strange to me, since I barely leave the apartment) then the baby got it, and then the boyfriend. Me and the baby seem to be feeling better (thanks to a special gift of yarn from the boyfriend) but now he's sick and it seems to have hit him a lot harder than me and the baby. Poor guy.

I haven't had as much time to crochet as I would have liked as I normally sneak it in during nap times. Part of me is excited to be done with maternity leave because I'll get to speak with adults and have "adult time" and I'll have just a little bit more time to crochet. However, I know I'll miss the baby more than I'm willing to admit right now. 

Here are the citrus slices I have almost finished for the birthday scarf I'm working on for my friend April. She knows I'm making it. All I have left to do is weave in ends and embroider on the slice pieces. I didn't have a lighter green so the lime is a little weird, but eh. She's ok with the weirdness. I'm using Caron Simply Soft yarn and it is making the scarf super soft - but it curls a little. I'm hoping if I wash it and dry it flat that will help with the curling.  The pattern is from Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies. 

I hope I have the scarf finished by her birthday - I should have it finished. The days I work are slow days so I'll have time to sit down, rest, and crochet.  

Scarves During Naptime

My boyfriend's parents are coming up Mid January to visit and to see the baby so I have a little bit of extra time to work on her Christmas present which happens to be an angel stitch scarf.

I'm using Lion Brand Amazing yarn in Glacier Bay. It's 53% wool and 47% acrylic so it's machine washable (but don't throw it in your dryer) I'm not sure if I like this yarn yet - if you make a mistake it's not very forgiving to go back and fix. That being said I do like the colors. I just wish there was more blue in it. However it's light weight and seems like it would be warm despite the lightness.

Using an H (5.00mm) hook and 

this pattern: Angel Stitch Scarf

His mom likes more earthy tones (I learned this after I started the scarf) so I hope she likes it. I'm also working on a scarf for a friend's birthday at the end of January. It's the grapefruit scarf in the Twinkie Chan book - but since both colors she used for the scarf are discontinued I'm trying to make it work with worsted weight yarn. Not sure how it's going to work yet but I will get it to work!

Mission Statement and New Beginnings

Hello and Happy New Year!

 I'm not a big person for keeping up with resolutions, but the one thing I wanted to try this year was to have a blog to document my crochet work and probably some life stories too.

I've tried different formats for blogs - tumblr, wordpress.... I'm trying to figure out which avenue of blog site I like best.

Some things to know about me:

I love to crochet. I know, I know... a crochet blog from a person who only just somewhat enjoys crochet would be pointless. ;)

I am a new mom - I recently had my first baby, a little boy, in the beginning of December. I love him, and I sneak in my crochet when he naps. (Blogging too!)

I'm really good at starting projects - but not so good at finishing them. I am getting better though!

Some things I really want to make but just haven't yet:

T Shirt yarn rug. I think it would be an excellent way to get rid of some old T Shirts and using them for another purpose. I've also seen scarves/cowls made out of them and I think that's a neat idea too. I just need to get a couple of bigger hooks.

I want to learn how to do some lace work crochet. It would be time consuming and detail oriented which is something I might have to wait to do until the baby is a little bit older, possibly when he's a teenager. (Haha...)

I want to design something and either sell the pattern. I also want to distribute free patterns for designs since I know how much free patterns have helped me learn and expand my crochet ability.