Season of scarves and boot cuffs...

In the last year I have been busy and I love it! It's been a joy to see a skein of yarn turn into functional items. I think I get a kick out of the creative process.. I love seeing an idea in my head actually become something. Here are some of the items I have  made since Christmas 2013. 

My husband and I started dating in 1998. We got married in 2003. This past November we celebrated 10 years of marriage. I realized I had not made him a thing (minus a pair of shorts in home ec when I was in high school). Needless to say, he was due for a yarn item from me. I found this beautiful blue, fluffy yarn and knew it was going to be a scarf for my hubs. I love how it turned out!

Easy Mistake Scarf

WIP - a ribbed cowl.

Ribbed cowl up close.

The khaki ribbed cowl was a lot of fun to make! I have made a lot of cowls, and I enjoy them, but I do get bored doing the same pattern multiple times. So I do change things up for myself (hope the recipients don't mind!) This cowl was a simple knit and purl pattern that has a lot of give. This will keep the wearer cozy!

And then I found something new and simple -- Boot Cuffs! I love the look of a cuff, and I have socks, but my legs/feet get so hot when I wear boots. These are a great accessory without adding bulk or too much heat for the wearer.

Love how these look.

Two cuffs on my needles.

Completed set!

 Boot cuff progress! I enjoy working on these, plus it's a great way for me to use up my yarn stash :)

I have a two year old son. He's a great kid, but he doesn't understand the concept of how to turn a hank of yarn into a ball of yarn. A local store had Noro yarn on sale - I bought 6 hanks of the stuff. I have no idea what I'll create with it, but it's just so pretty!!!!

Mess of Noro yarn.

Boot cuff.... Ready for delivery

LOVE!

Another set ready to be worn

This is an example of 'Hey! I have already made 4 pairs and I'm bored... Plus, this yarn does not work right in the rib!' So, I found a Plan B - and I love how it turned out!!!

Kiddo sized boot cuffs!

Boots and sweats is how we roll ;)

My dear daughter would ask every time I would start a new pair, "Momma, are these for me??" Way to tug on my heartstrings, kiddo! Finally, I made her a set. She loves them. She also had no idea until they were done. I love surprising my family!

Jeans recycled!

Holes.

A few weeks ago I was doing laundry.... Before popping some of my husband's jeans in the washer I noticed two massive holes that I couldn't wand wasn't willing to repair. I started to have visions of what I could do with the LEGS of the jeans.. maybe the waistband and the pockets.... 

Progress!

Enter the vision --- a HUGE carry all bag to use when my family is together. A bag that I could put everything in for a day, my errands, coats, etc. So, I cut the legs and cut half of the legs to use as the sides and bottom. Two legs were only cut down one side to use as the front and back of the bag. 

Shorty shorts anyone?

 I quickly realized the shoulder straps I was planning to use would be WAY too short and cut into my armpits. However, the pants waist band was a great Plan B!

Bag almost complete!

Gotta love bathroom selfies! But, I told you, the bag is HUGE

When it was all together I realized that I had no pockets in this bag. Can you imagine trying to find a cell phone that is on the very bottom under coats, yarn, diapers, papers, etc? So, I had to take my trusty scissors to my husband's now useless pants again to remove the pockets.

My finished bag!!!

I had to take this bag for a test run. Best place -- church! It held -- my purse, a diaper changing pad (with diapers and wipes), a small knitting basket, my coat, Audrey's coat and Landon's coat. I felt like a bag lady, but it was a nice change to not have three coats over my arm with a purse while trying to keep an almost 2 year old in my line of vision.

Can you make 5 pairs of fingerless gloves before Christmas.....

....SURE! Ha. What was I thinking?! Around that time is when we were in middle of moving, we had finally gotten an offer about a month after we agreed on the project but I still had projects I needed to work on and deliver. I am so glad I said yes and made these gloves... I worked like a mad woman for 10 days, but was able to complete a glove a day. It's a very simple pattern from Lion Brand, but I, of course, make some changes to make the pattern unique, special and what I need. Enjoy the photos -- it really was a pleasure to create these gloves!

All 5 pairs of gloves ready for delivery!

I'm partial to these colors!

Stacked and ready to go!

Brandie's Basket

In October 2012, I realized how much I really do enjoy making items. And it's always a small perk to have some extra cash in my pocket. The idea of a 'basket' is simple - a lot of stuff can go into that basket. For me, my baskets are full of yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks, material, thread, some beads... and the list could go on. From this site I am hoping to blog about some of the creative process with making items, and also post photos of completed projects. Plus, I'd also like to know where I came from and just see where I can go. Come along on another journey with me :)