Threaded Goodness

Dishcloth Crazy (and a pattern)

2010-01-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. I love making dishcloths. I love the feel of handmade dischloths, and in my opinion, they scrub so much better than store bought.

Here's my simple crochet dishcloth pattern. No frills, just your basic granny square cloth.

Materials:
Lilly Sugar 'n Creme cotton yarn
Smaller hook, size G or H to make a tight pattern.

Pattern:
Ch 6, join with sl st to make a ring
Round 1: ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 3, 3 dc) 3 times, ch 3, sl st in top of ch 3 to join
Round 2: sl st in next 2 dc and ch 3 sp, {ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc} in same ch 3 sp, {(ch 1, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch 3 sp} 3 times, ch 1, sl st in top of ch 3 to join. Ch 3 to begin new round.
Round 3: {2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc} in corner, *{ch 1, 3 dc} in each ch 1 sp of previous row, {3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc} in next corner*. Repeat from * to * until reaching first dc (ch 3). Join with sl st. This is your basic pattern for each additional round. Make sure to join each round before chaining 3 to start a new round

Repeat Round 2 until the dishcloth is the size you prefer. Mine consist of 9 rounds. Note that, as you add more rounds, to make {3 dc} in each {ch 1 sp} from the previous round. So, on any given side, your pattern will look similar to this:

{3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc} in corner, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1, 3dc, ch 1, {3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc} in corner

Feel free to comment if you have any questions. With any knowledge of your basic Granny Square, this should be a piece of cake! I made three in one afternoon last week. Enjoy!

A Sweater for Calvin

2010-01-22T12:38:00.000-08:00

My first knitted garment is in the works!

My little buddy needs a sweet sweater for church.

I bought 5 skeins of Patons Classic Wool before Christmas, on clearance, for $1.99 per skein. This means, his sweater will cost about $8.00 to make, not including tax of course. I like this.

So far so good. In fact, it's been much easier than I thought! Here's hoping...

KAL Update!

2010-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted week one of the KAL, so here's what's happened so far in weeks one and two. I'll be adding the clue from week three shortly!

So far, I'm really enjoying it! Looks like there's a Valentine theme going on.

It's not too late to join! Check out KrisKnits for all the info.

Calorimetry

2010-01-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

My favorite pattern of the season! Super easy to make, and it knits up in a long evening. A great way to use up small balls of yarn left over from other projects. The pattern is here.

As the pattern is written, it makes a scarf that is huge. This is what I did:

CO 80
Follow pattern as written.
Instead of 15 pattern repeats, do 12.
Follow pattern until ending.
BO in knit.

I used a lighter weight yarn for Emmie, but a worsted or aran yarn in the above pattern fits my head perfectly. It's super easy to adjust for a different head size as well.

Would love to get one for myself and one for Charity and Lottie worked up before Spring. Love, love, love this pattern!!

Capelet, Minus the Swing Cardi

2010-01-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

So I messed up, and had to redo a lot of it. I was determined to NOT let another project get the best of me. And it worked! Except, after I pulled out the part to rework, I spilt tea all over it..... Yes. So, I opted for a capelet. I LOVE it! It's my first garment, and I can't wait to wear it.

So pardon my crazy, mountain woman hair. The Mister thinks it's cute. Me? Not so much. Oh, and the pj's. Ahem... comfy clothes... Hey, at least I didn't have my bathrobe on.

Knit-Along!

2010-01-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

I'm joining a Knit-Along on KrisKnits' blog. You should too! One 10" x 10" picture dishcloth per month. They would make fabulous gifts, or you could keep them to fancy up your own dishcloth stash. I think I will use mine to get a head start on Christmas gifts for next year.. but we'll see. I may end up keeping them!

Go here for more info. I'll be sure to post my progress as I go!

Just kidding

2010-01-06T11:49:00.000-08:00

That sweater for Monkey? Not so much. Too little yarn, translated the pattern wrong (original pattern was written for fingering weight yarn, I used DK and tried to tweak it...), plus I seriously dislike how it's turned out. I've been having an aweful time with patterns lately! Making Christmas presents was so difficult this year, due to the memory and concentration problems. Oh well. I threw it in my box for projects I don't like and need to pull out, to salvage the yarn. I'll just forget about it for awhile - shouldn't be too hard! LOL

Anyway, looking for my December issue of Crochet Today has proved to be futile... I can't find it anywhere (insert yet another memory joke here). I'll just look up the pattern on Ravelry (my ID is threadedgoodness, btw). It's for the Swing Cardi. It's super cute! And I'm in need of tops for sure. Maybe this one will work out?

Here's to fighting my way through the brain fog. One stitch at a time (hardy har harr). :)

Transformation...

2010-01-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

My current work in progress (WIP). This is Rowan Cashsoft Baby DK in this beautiful mint color. It used to be a newborn sweater I was selling on Etsy... But I pulled it out and am now making a cute little sweater or dress (depending on how long my yarn lasts!!) for Monkey. The yoke is done, just working on the bottom now (shown in the photo). This yarn really is the softest yarn ever, 57% extra fine merino, 33% acrylic microfibre, and 10% cashmere. And best of all, I didn't have to pay one red cent for this yarn... Because I paid an arm and a leg for it last year :).
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Dishcloth Success

2009-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

It's done! Blocked and drying....
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

WIP...

2009-12-27T10:06:00.000-08:00

Have I mentioned how much I love this pattern?
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Perfect Dischcloth

2009-12-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

I can't resist a beautiful pattern. It begins innocently. One look. Then another. Then another. And then I'm hooked (ahahaha... oh wait, this is a knit pattern...). It stays minimized on my toolbar for days. I keep clicking on it to view it over and over again. And then... then, it starts to become a reality. This dishcloth and I, we were meant to be.

I still haven't gotten over Calorimetry. I've already made two, and I see many more being completed before spring.

Sweet addiction.

Please check out KrisKnits. I picked up this pattern at her blog. She is one talented chick!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-26T11:36:00.001-08:00

I hope that it was a blessed Christmas, and pray that you will have a delightful New Year!

Christmas Cheer

2009-12-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

Our first Christmas with stockings for all of us! These were a really quick work-up, and fortunately I had the pattern memorized before the Adrenal Fatigue set in too bad! I just love the way they turned out! I was able to use up some scrap yarn, and had to buy only minimal amounts to finish them up. Total cost was somewhere around $10 - love it!!

These are the name tags my wonderfully crafty Mom made for each of them!

(Please pardon the picture quality. Our Mac is on the blink, so I'm stuck using the Blackberry for blogging right now.)

Customs Open!!

2009-04-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

So, Shawn ended up not going into the military. God gave us a job here! Thank you, Lord!

Custom slots are open again! You can place an order by emailing me (threaded.goodness@gmail.com) or leaving a comment below. Want a particular yarn? Let me know. I have lots of yarns to choose from, and can help you pick the fiber best suited for your order and your tastes. Have an idea of a particular product you would like? Leave a comment or shoot me an email, and I'd be glad to answer your questions and begin the creating process with you!

After 5 months of adjusting to baby and praying through Shawn's job loss, I am excited to get back to my love of creating. Lord willing, my online store will have a few more items in the weeks to come, so keep your eye out for some new products!

Signing off for awhile...

2009-02-20T21:10:00.001-08:00

I am sad to say, but I will be closing out my custom orders. My hubby is going into the Navy, and it is imperative that I have my undivided attention and full concentration on my household for the next year, as big changes are coming to our home!

So thanks to all of you who have ordered from me during the past several months. I've truly enjoyed all of the projects, but especially the looks on your faces when you receive them! It's blessed me way more than the extra money it's brought in - although that's nice too :)

The outstanding orders will be completed timely, so no worries there.

I'm keeping the Etsy shop open until I figure out what I will be doing. Perhaps a sale is in the future? :) We'll see. I'll post more news on that in the next few weeks, God willing. Thanks for the love, ya'll!

Emmie's Baby Blanket - FINALLY!!!

2009-02-15T19:06:00.001-08:00

After a long (too long!) time, this blanket is finally complete! Out of all the items I've made, this is my favorite (next to the Charlotte dress). The yarn is amazingly soft (bamboo/wool), warm and just snuggly! And Emmie seems to like it, too. What a cherub she is!

Customs Welcome!

2008-12-29T12:29:00.001-08:00

My baby hiatus is over, and although life is not quite back to normal yet, I just can't wait to get back to making things. So feel free to contact me if you are interested!

Christmas Gifts

2008-12-03T07:52:00.001-08:00

While I am taking my six week hiatus, I am working on Christmas gifts for the fam. I will be posting them as I complete them - which is totally exciting for me, since I am glad to be back to crocheting. Right now I'm working on a baby blanket for little Emilia. I am normally a totally frugal person, but this go round (and being that she is our last little one), I really wanted to make her something nice. The yarn I'm using is Baby Bamboo by Sirdar - LOVE it! Almost as much as the Maizy yarn I bought recently (which is made of CORN fiber!). You can check out the yarn for Emilia's blanket here. So check back for some photos later on in the week.

Also, if you are following this blog from the Great Marketing Exchange, and haven't seen your website featured here yet, rest assured you will be on here soon. I removed myself from the GME due to the birth of our new baby, however, I will be doing my best to get up the rest of the sites as soon as possible.

Off to make a bottle and care for my sick little babies!

Baby Hiatus

2008-11-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that Emilia is here. She completes our family in so many ways. And after four straight years of pregnancies that were physically debilitating, it is such a wonderful thing for me to be up on my feet doing things again - things that I had to rely on others' help with for most of the past few years. So praise to God for His grace, and for mercy in giving me the physical strength that I have desired for what seemed like an eternity.

So we are all adjusting to a new life now. I have a renewed passion for keeping my home and serving my family. Not to mention trying to get the rest that I need in order to do these things. So that being said, I will not be taking on any more custom orders through Christmas. I may post a few items to my Etsy store, and will continue in the free gift wrap promotion, but I will leave it there. My family needs me right now - and I need them too! - so I will gladly turn my attention to them for the next 6 weeks or so.

And I'll leave this post tonight with one of my favorite quotes, from the book Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss:

Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music with their pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!

If words could attempt to capture what my heart is dwelling on right now, those would do them the most justice.

Neato!

2008-11-15T05:25:00.000-08:00

Alright, the time has come. Today is the day. And Threaded Goodness is on the first page of Neat Stuff!! I'm stoked! Neato Stuff is a pretty rockin' website anyway, so it's worth checking out.

Back to newborn duty :)

Welcome to our world....

2008-11-14T04:33:00.001-08:00

Little Emilia was born on Tuesday, weighing a miniscule 6 lbs, 11 oz. She is such a sweet, sweet baby! Our first night home was last night, and she only ate at 11:30 and 6 am! I am loving this all over again. Believe me, it's the 4th time around and hasn't gotten old yet!

I took a break from my daily site promotion while I was in the hospital, lovin' on my sweetie. But today, check out MaryZoom . I love her stuff, but especially that art smock!

Back to baby bliss.... :)

Another great site

2008-11-11T04:04:00.001-08:00

Today, check out Craftily Charms, but specifically this item. Adorable! And yes, can you tell that I still have baby on the brain?

Custom order

2008-11-10T08:14:00.001-08:00

Over the weekend, I finished this custom order for a friend. It was a blast! The funnest part was making the roses.

I think I may start making rose hair clips..... or something like that.... we'll see. But now I want to add those little flowers to everything!

Neato Stuff

2008-11-10T04:20:00.000-08:00

Found out last night that I will be featured on Neato Stuff's website as Site of the Day on Saturday!! So excited! Of course, this is all part of the Great Marketing Exchange plan - a brilliant idea crafted to help promote some of my fellow Etsians. So check out the work on the sites listed daily here on the blog. There are some great finds, and it will be well worth the time spent. So for today: Paintings by Jude Maceren - unique paintings by a very talented painter! Have a great one!

Baby Makes Three

2008-11-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

I seriously love Baby Makes Three ! Maybe it's because I have two little girls (and another one in the cooker). But seriously, their tutus are ADORABLE! I can just see Charity and Lottie dancing around in them!

So I'm thinking maybe for Christmas.....?? We'll see! But check them out - especially if you have a little girl!

Because I just love chocolate milk....

2008-11-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

Check this out. What I wouldn't do for some chocolate milk right now.... :)

New listing

2008-11-07T12:57:00.001-08:00

Oh it's true - finally got up a new item! Check it out here . It's so soft, and it was all I could do to not keep it for little Emilia!!!

Posting new item today!

2008-11-07T04:09:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY finished a newborn sweater I was working on - and man, do I want to keep it for my little one!!! I absolutely adore little, tiny baby things, so naturally I would gravitate towards this. Anyway, I hope to get it up and listed sometime this afternoon.

Apart from that, I've been working on custom orders this week. It's been a lot of fun, and I love the process of thinking up what I want to happen, then finding a way to make it reality. Maybe I'll post a pic of that one this afternoon as well? We'll see.

Well, in keeping with the Great Marketing Exchange I'm participating in, I'll be featuring different online shops in my blog over the next few weeks. It will be the same shop as featured on Neato Stuff's Site of the Day. And of course, I'll be posting when it's my turn to be up there :)

So today, why don't you check out go go kioko!. They have a rockin' assortment of resin jewelry - and I just love her design and the colors used!

Now it's time to get the ball rollin' for the day. Sad day here for us - it's the day that naptime dies for the older two. Yes, it's true. And my heart is mourning. But a new phase in their lives, and I'm excited about it!

Check this out

2008-11-06T05:52:00.001-08:00

Random Scraps - A totally awesome site of handmade cards. Definately worth checking out!

Sooo behind this week!

2008-11-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

I'm just going to call it what it is, and accept the fact that I will not be posting any items for a few days. I'm 36 weeks along now, and have been having contractions allllll day long. Fairly consistent, too. Tomorrow I'll be off to UVA to see the rheumatologist for some other problems I've been having - which right, it's important for me to see him before I have this baby! So suffice it to say, I will be crocheting my fingers off - but I will get to posting as soon as I get the chance.

Also, I'm devising a plan for my new-baby hiatus. I will probably not post exclusively on Saturdays, but as I complete my projects. Once the baby gets here, I won't add anything, but I'll still be open to orders (custom and not). It's always nice to have something to keep me busy during the day so I'm not falling asleep while caring for the other children!!

So we'll see where we are by this weekend, and of course, I'll keep the blog updated for sure. Can't wait to meet this little girl!

Delay

2008-11-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

I hate to do it, but I need to. I will be posting my new item on Sunday or Monday, instead of tonight at 10.

We have been going crazy here, prepping for the new little one's arrival. We figure, it's been long enough and we need to get our act together! So today Shawn's been painting, and I have been getting the bedding and all that together.

And I almost forgot to mention - I received TWO custom orders and one inquiry in two days! How exciting!

And now I have a Facebook page too: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32393827706&ref=mf . Feel free to join it!

So looking forward to tomorrow and getting my new item up. I think I'll watch SNL tonight, since John McCain will be on, and that should be pretty interesting.

Happy Saturday!

New yarn!!

2008-10-27T12:34:00.001-07:00

I can't wait to get my hands on this stuff. All for Saturday! Two baby clothing items coming up for Saturday's stocking.... hurrah!

Stocked!

2008-10-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

That's right - we are stocked for the week! And early to boot! I also shot some additional photos for the existing products, and overall I think I like the look now. Much thanks to my awesome sister, Emily, for being my fabulous hand model. You rocked!

I'm really excited about next week - I have some great, yummy yarn that I expect to arrive by mail on Monday. I can't WAIT to get my hands on it!

Shipping prices have changed, but for the better. I'm still learning the Etsy ropes, but hopefully it makes more sense now. Shipping is $5.00 for one item, and $2.50 if purchased along with something else.

Now I think I'll get back to those mittens I was planning on making for the children, and chillin' out with the hubby (my FAVORITE part of the day!). Happy weekend!

Stocking preview!

2008-10-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

My goods are DONE before Saturday - can you believe it?!?! I sure can't! I suppose that's what being on bed rest will do for you :) So no pics, but the heads up is for two Girly Scarf/Hat sets (Charity LOVES them! She has them on her Christmas list!), and a couple pairs of wrist warmers.

Things have started getting pretty chilly around here, and I'm so very in the mood for working up some nice, warm, snugly items. In fact, this weekend, I think I'll be working up some quick toddler mittens for our three little ones - I worry about their cold little hands outside this week. It will make great use of all of my balls of scrap yarn! A good pattern I found is here: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-mittens.html . Since their little hands are so small, I expect them to work up quickly!

Okay, I need to go to bed now. And don't forget - stocking by 10pm Saturday night!

When inspiration comes to fruition...

2008-10-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Girly Scarf now has a matching hat! I'm so thrilled that what I had in my head actually came out into the finished product. I haven't decided whether or not the hats will be sold as a set with the scarves, or separately. Shoot me an opinion, I'd sure like to hear it! The Yarn Shoppe was closed yesterday, so I'll probably send someone out to pick up yarn tomorrow or Friday, as my doc has now restricted what I do to, well, almost nothing! Nothing except sitting, laying down, and more of the same. So needless to say, I will have lots of time for reading and crocheting on my hands!

Looking forward to getting some other hats made up for Saturday's stocking. And check out the store while you're at it, http://threadedgoodness.etsy.com . Back to work!

Looking ahead...

2008-10-20T20:18:00.001-07:00

I'm looking for inspiration everywhere these days, and the Girly Scarves keep coming back to me. Today, my mom suggested selling matching hats with the scarves. I think she's on to something! I can't really find a pattern I like, even one to alter and make my own, so I'm just going to create my own pattern to match the scarves. I started working on another scarf tonight, in an awesome heather blue wool. But tomorrow I'll be hitting the Yarn Shoppe here in town to stock up on some extra yarn, so that I have enough to make the hats to match the scarves. Charity already has requested a hat and scarf for Christmas!

So, off to bed now. Regretfully, though... I do wish sometimes that I could just keep these creative juices flowing through to the complete product - without stopping or resting!

We're Stocked!

2008-10-19T19:47:00.001-07:00

Yep, that's right. Saturday evening was our last partial stocking, and this week it was snowflake appliques and a set of four doilies. Already planning for next Saturday, so stay tuned to find out what we'll be carrying. Blessings!

New pictures are up...

2008-10-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's really warm and sunny here today, so I got the kids outside after lunch and was able to snap some updated shots of the goods. Just click on the Etsy mini at the bottom of the page to take a peak!

Still debating on what I'll be putting up for the stocking this coming Saturday. Think I'll use naptime to get my ducks in a row.

Stocked - finally!

2008-10-11T21:19:00.001-07:00

After numerous, yet inevitable, hiccups in the process, we have now stocked four new items! This week are girly scarves (3 available), and one pair of toddler mittens. Hope to get more mittens added before the weekend's over, God willing. I'm a little bummed, not being able to use my D40 for the pics this week. My memory card is MIA, so we were stuck with our old Nikon Coolpix. Definately not the quality I'm used to, so as soon as that card is located, I will be replacing those pics!

Off to bed now - Shawn's already zonked out and I won't be far behind!

Preview - Saturday Stocking

2008-10-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

I have been crocheting my hands off in preperation for Saturday's upcoming stocking at 10 pm (that's EST)! This week is gearing up for the colder weather, and would make fabulous Christmas gifts for some little people you might know!

There will be several girly scarves, made with Lamb's Pride. I just love Lamb's Pride - it is a very soft wool, made of 85% wool and 15% mohair. Yummy! Anyway, the girly scarves are pictured above, and are great for younger girls (3-6 years old). They will be available in three different colors.

In addition to the girly scarves, there will also be toddler mittens! Super cute and super warm, they are also made with Lamb's Pride, and I can't wait to get them posted!

As always, I'm open for customs. Just click on the appropriate link on the right hand side of my Etsy page: http://threadedgoodness.etsy.com/ .

Any ideas of hot items I should be carrying? Leave a comment to this post, I'd love to hear your suggestions! Happy weekend!