the Akamai Knitter

I’ve been busily knitting on that stealth project that I can’t blog about, but I did take some time off to play with some wire. I probably shouldn’t have, but I stumbled upon a site with some awesome tutorials and I couldn’t resist trying my hand at one of them.

copper hoops w/ black drops

The instructions for these were clear and simple so I had no problems whipping these up. Not only do I see many more of these in my future, I can see this technique applied to other designs that are floating around in my noggin.

Once the earrings were done, I needed to get another wire project out of the way. There’s a bead show that’s coming to town this coming weekend. If I wear a Green Girl Studios bead to the show, then I get a free bead from their booth!

So I decided it was about time I actually made something with the beads that I’ve been buying from her for the past umpteen years. Seriously, I have over ten of her beads that I just fondle. Her beads are like the finest cashmere in my book.

ganesh necklace

Although the links in this piece aren’t original, this is one of the first pieces of jewelry that’s of my own design. Most of my other work has been taught to me by other designers. So this necklace feels intensely personal. Be gentle. ;-)

I chose the elephant bead because I thought it went nicely with the Bali silver beads. I think the necklace has a nice ethnic feel to it. I might still tweak the design a bit before I wear it out though.

Here are a couple of gratuitous close-up shot.

ganesh necklace close-up

ganesh necklace close-up

I hope everyone’s holidays are going nicely. It’s back to the grind for me. I might be able to wring out one more post before the new year. If not, happy new year everyone! See you in 2009!

Much of my time this weekend was devoted to stealth knitting, but I did manage to finish a project that I can share.  It’s Chubby the Fish!

Chubby the Fish

Pattern: Chubby Fish (Ravelry link) by MyGurumi

Yarn: Red Heart Classic

Hook: E / 3.5mm

Started: November 11, 2008

Finished: December 21, 2008

Chubby the Fish!

This would have been a quick project if I hadn’t lost steam once I finished the body. But i did and it ended up taking over a month to finish.

I really love MyGurumi’s patterns. Her signature eyes are really cute and very child friendly. The patterns themselves are well written and easy to follow.  I plan on making more of her fun creations.

I’d really like to make a companion seahorse in the same turquoise color, but I have obligatory knitting to do. Do you find that when you absolutely have to get a project done, you absolutely don’t feel like working on it? My inner rebel springs to the forefront when I have deadlines. So far I’ve been successful in beating it down, but it’s been quite a struggle!

Finally, I thought I’d share my second mini tree. My mom rescued this from her office before it hit the trash. The reason it looks so disreputable is that the boys (cats) think it’s their new toy. You don’t even want to know how my other tiny tree has been faring.

mini tree!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Please drive safely!

Friday couldn’t have come sooner for me this week. I’ve been down and out by a tooth extraction I had done on Monday. On Monday! So I haven’t been able to concentrate on much, but there’s a new project that’s been perfect for my brainless days.

freeform bracelet

My friend, Blogless Elaine, taught me how to make these bracelets last weekend. I haven’t been able to stop making them since.

ice queen

copper 1

copper 2

These bracelets are a great way to use up leftover beads that I have an abundance of. I’m still tweaking the general shape, but I have a feeling each bracelet will be unique.

Despite my growing collection of bracelets, I’m not prepared to try this bracelet out with my sterling silver wire. I imagine I’ll have to make a slew of copper bracelets before I gain enough confidence for that!

And can you believe Christmas is next week? Next week! I have a small gift card set aside for my mother. (She doesn’t read my blog, so she won’t find out.) Aside from that? I have no presents ready as I was going to make all my presents this past week. Hopefully I have forgiving friends.

None of the presents will be bloggable until the recipients have received them and my main knitting project is a stealth project. So I’ll be out of blog fodder for a bit. Posting may become even more erratic. I wonder if that’s even possible. O.o

Although I am looking forward to a possible visit with Kris of Bockstark Knits and KnottyNaomi. We’re hoping to have a mini spin in. Of course this means I need to clean my tiny living room up. Or I can just leave it the way it is and claim artistic license for clutter. :P

Finally, here’s a shot of my tiny, artificial tree and perpetual motion Sammy. I love the little battery powered lights!

teeny tiny tree!

Happy Aloha Friday everyone! Have a great weekend!

Because I have no words, I give you handspun yarn.

grass

fiber: merino/tencel

2ply laceweight

1,005 yards / 4.35oz / 34 wpi

fiber from Moonlight Baker

i will say this was a bitch to ply. :-P

road rage

fiber: merino

3ply fingering weight

565 yards / 4oz / 22WPI

fiber from Flawful Fibers

finally, i thought i’d share a photo taken by silas. even though i don’t know him personally, he’s incredibly talented and i’m really glad he started a blog. (it’s a long story on how i managed to get this photo and i have no words to get into it.)

diamon head sunset

happy friday everyone! hopefully i’ll be back next week with not only words, but capital letters! have a great weekend!

I have many opportunities over this past weekend to knit not only at home, but in public. The fruits of my labor are a completed pair of socks.

socks for kai

Pattern:  my own 64 st 2×2 rib

Yarn: Universal Ditto; Color No. 4813

Needles: Size US1 / 2.25mm

Started: October 20, 2008

Finished: December 6, 2008

detail shot

Although I like the colors, I’m not much of a Ditto fan. The yarn is rather scratchy and it’s also splitty. I do like the way it stripes. I don’t often get a nice stripe on self-striping yarn and I don’t like it when yarn pools.

another detail shot

I knit these socks for Kai because she likes handknit socks. Not as a birthday present or as Christmas present. This is a “because you’re my friend and you don’t have enough handknit socks and I need to not knit anymore socks for me” present.

Next on my needles are more socks for yet another friend. He picked out some Harry Potter sock yarn in the Ron colorway. I decided to change things up and do a 3×1 rib instead of my boring 2×2 rib. The reason they look small for a guy is because it’s not for him.

harry potter sock yarn in ron

So, yes. Hard to believe, but I’m still knitting. :-)

Happy Wednesday everyone!