In which I learn to knit toe-up socks.

I am very excited that I have finally learned how to do toe-up socks. I tried several times in the past but became too frustrated. I have always given up, ripped it out and started again from the top. Yesterday, I did it and it looks o.k.! Some of the stitches aren't quite even around the toe but it is passable.

I found these instructions to be helpful : Eastern cast-on.

But Lord help me, this is superfine yarn on size one needles. TINY! 72 stitches per round. This will take some time.

I have used self-stripping yarns before without success. The people I knit for have big feet and the strips usually wind up looking more like splotches or puddles. I am hopeful that this particular yarn will turn out to be stripy. So far, not too bad.

Giving up on Etsy

As you might have guessed, I have lost steam and excitement about selling on Etsy. In all honesty, I think my designs are too traditional and time-consuming to do well on this venue. I think I will be using this blog to document the crafty things I do from now on.

I am gearing up for Christmas. Traditionally I make many of the family gifts. So, I will not be able to post pictures of them until after they have been given. I have several relatively big projects planned. I am already worried about finishing on time.

365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs: Day 78 - Bleeding Heart

365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs: Day 78 - Bleeding Heart

New mittens for my kittens.

These are new pink mittens I just knit for Deborah. I washed her old ones and they shrunk.
For my birthday, my family gave me Ann Budd's book Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns . (Actually, I bought it and told them to hide it till my birthday.) This was the first project I made from the book and it turned out great. I found the book VERY easy to follow. The mitten on her right hand looks bigger because it is. I didn't follow the directions. It is actually the second one I knit and was out and about, waiting for the kids and going by my memory.... which I should know by now NOT to do!
It's only slightly longer and her hands will only grow.

Computer frustrations

I just spent and incredible amount of time trying to figure out Twitter. I have a FB page with my Etsy name which is linked to both my blog and my personal page/wall. I think what else I need is a Etsy Mini on both facebook and my blog. I'm wondering if having a separate 'page' on FB just for my Etsy stuff is too confusing. Is it confusing? Maybe it should just all go to my Etsy shop?

How to find out?

Is this why no one has been visiting my shop?

KinderRose: Toilet paper to the rescue!

KinderRose: Toilet paper to the rescue!

Toilet paper to the rescue!

Yikes! this dress was hard to photograph. All my pictures were flat and blurry. Daylight or artifical light didn't make a difference. I finally settled for laying the dress on the floor. It still looked flat. So I stuffed the sleeves and yoke with toilet paper!

I especially like this picture with the flannel pants. Looks so warm and cozy!

This close-up of the yoke turned out pretty well too.