My Mini Project for Feb

Completed my mini projects last night. I brought over my favorite crochet string from home when we went last month. It took me a bit to get around to start it.

Did the lip balm holder over the weekend but I had to pull it apart quite a few times to match the size since I really don't folllow any pattern. It's just basically do as you go. Good thing that it's small so an hour or two is all I need to complete it.

It's another story with the hand sanitizer holder. I had a jard time starting it since its a bit bigger but just pulled it apart once. It was already too late in the night and I just had to finish it however ugly it is. I also tried a few kinds of stitches but ended up doing the verticals to make it quicker. It was done and can function as it should. Not perfect but usable.

They are both hanging with my sole house key now along with the rolled measuring tape. One more missing in this bundle is the emergency whistle. It keeps getting heavy. We'll see if I decide to add it later. For now, it is as colorful as it is.

posted from Bloggeroid

Weekend Project: DIY Yoga Mat Bag

Planning about my upcoming trip made me think about yoga and my yoga mat.
I've wondered about making one myself before and I finally completed one today.

I was looking for what material that will be easy to find and work with by hand sewing. Recycling leg pants! I mentally searched my brain for any old ones we have but I didn't feel like digging up in the closet so thought how about some of the old ones I shopped off from my son's pants before. And I found these soft denims!

After measuring them, they weren't long enough so I had to add something to the middle. And guess what I found in my stash? Leftover scrap from my hand warmer project last time. 😁

The last bit of material I needed was the string. I know that I have a couple of extra shoelaces that came free with some Reebok shoes so I just have to find them somewhere. This is the best one that I found. Green ones but they will do.

Project 2. Start.

If I were to describe my hobbies lately, the list will go like this:
reading, listening to audio book, watching TV series, surfing the net for my other hobbies like baking, gardening and knitting and blogging about it.

Since I am now ready to move on to my new project, which is going to be finished by my birthday, I will have to plan what I will make with it.
I have 2 balls of dark gray yarn I got for 10K (50% discount) waiting for me.
I've been thinking about making another neck warmer but I already have a semi-gray one which I got from uniqlo so I'm reconsidering to try to venture to a a scowl or wider infinity scarf this time. But that would mean it will need more balls. Hmm..planning, planning, planning. Well let it rest at that for the time being.

Update (March 19)

So here is how far I've done as of today. 20 rows. I've only done a bit today.  I've actually done this much since last week coz I pulled it out and restarted from  zero since I found an extra row on one side but not on the other side. And when I tried to fix it, I ended up adding another one. I certainly hope it won't happen again. 

My target is to do ten rows every week. It took me almost an hour to do that last time while watching Doc Martin. With about 60 stitches per row, it's taking a little while to get through a row. I've decided to go for a wider infinity scarf for now. Or it might end up as a wider neck warmer. It depends if I get sick of working on this later that I might look for another color. I'm looking at going for 120 rows. After doing a bit of math, it should be finished ony birthday. Haha!

As for the yarn, the two balls I bought initially for a neck scarf will definitely not be enough. I may need an extra one or two which would prolly set me back another 10 k if I get it at 50% discount again. We'll see. I might change my mind half-way. 

Knitting Reboot: Picking up Where I Left Off

My first knitting project is finished! 

I was able to finally find a new ball to continue my unfinished project when my SIL dragged me at the shop (where I originally bought it) last Friday. I only needed less than a ball and luckily I found one in the discounted box. The lady gave it to me for free. I also took the chance to take a photo of the label coz I lost mine before.  

    

This is how much I've finished with the first ball that I got last year. This was my second run on the yarn before I ran out of it. It wasn't that good so I totally restarted again for the 3rd time just to make it better. It hurts to pull the strings off but it was really awful that I had to do it. If I were a teacher going to put a grade on it, it will be just around 60-70%.

I started it over the weekend, logging in long hours and really pushed it until Monday. The next day, I had to find the needle in order for me to sew it up together in a loop. And Wednesday, I was able to wash it and I'm now waiting for it to dry. I can't wait to use it tomorrow with the remaining winter-spring cold that is blowing through the peninsula this week. 

the width: showing where the ends were sewn together 

The final sewing together wasn't not good, I think. I am almost sure that I started with 40 but ended up with 43. Plus I had a really long tail to cut off! 

the length: good enough to cover my neck and nose
during the cold winter walk

That's it! My first project. I can now move on to a new one with better skills and experience. To sum up that one, here are my notes:

Project: neck warmer, that can double as a beanie

What I used: #5 wooden round needles

                    100% acrylic, 80g/3 

                    Pink Color 39, Lot 3               

How: Longcast 40 that turned out to be 43 (I think)
130 rows of garter stitch all throughout

and regular bind off

Duration: 3 Days, 4 sleepless nights :)

Now for the next one...

One Ball Done!

This week had totally been a slow one for me because I finally caught the cold/cough. I went home last Sunday from my class, did a little sweat out zumba, took a shower, went to sleep feeling cold and felt worse after it. The virus has caught up with me. I was running a fever, and the my throat was starting to hurt.

I was too sick so I decided to stay home this week. I resorted to going to the doctor's clinic by Thursday and I started feeling better after the shot. I also had enough energy to get back to knitting and finally finish the few remaining ball of my initial yarn. Even though it was already past 12, I cannot stop. I just needed to finish it. So I did!

Woke up the following morning with red scary eyes.

First Knitting Project

Seven inches! Almost two weeks after I've purchased the yarn and needles, and a lot of trial and errors with pulling out the strings and restarting all over...I have finally made it past the 6-inch-milestone. I got 1/4 done if my plan won't change on the length that I want to go. 

I initially wanted to make an infinity scarf but I might try on making it a little shorter as a neck warmer of sorts instead. It depends how it will hold up once it takes a better shape. I tried to do a knit stitch and purl combination at first but purling got me frustrated I ended up restarting a couple of times. I had to be more realistic to get down to the basics first and just try to complete a simple one for a first project. 

I may try the a project with a different knit next time once I've finished this one.