July and Summer Yarn

Where did June Go?  That should probably be the title to this post, but truth be known, I know exactly where my time in June went.  It's called a 'JOB', and even though I'm loving my part time job...it certainly hasn't left time to BLOG!  Sad, sad, sad...2 posts in June.  Can't promise July will be any different, but I'll try to at least log in and see what everyone else is blogging about.

So, besides the job and working/playing in Sue's Fiber Arts Studio, I've been crocheting with Summer Yarns.  They are light weight yarns and by using larger crochet hooks and patterns that have a lot of open work the result is perfect for cool summer evenings or as a cover up with Tank T's.  Course, it may be closer to start of fall before we have cool evenings here in Texas.

Here are a few of the Shawlettes...yes, a small version of a Shawl.  I've cleaned out several shelves at the LYS...local yarn shop...of Yarn Bee's Dazzling!  It was on SALE!  Notice the little white specks in the top picture...those are sparkles...so pretty when worked up and gives a bit of bling to the shawls.

Welcome July!!!

The Artisans and Crafters Gathering

And so it begins!  The holiday shopping season with the Artisans & Crafters Gathering.  I haven't participated in a show since opening a Studio at The Chicken Farm Art Center.  So, it was a different mindset in choosing what to take, planning and setting up the space, and trying to think of everything needed...like bags, change, Square Sign, and on and on.  Needless to say, I had to make several trips back and forth from the Studio to the show site.

Finally....all set after moving things around several times.  My space was 10' wide by 5' deep and fortunately I was next to my spinning group so got to spread out a bit more.  As I look at this picture, I see several things that I will not have to take back to the Studio.  Yay!  It was a good show and worth the time and effort to be there. 

This year's new line of knitted and crocheted items....Cowls and Capes.  Last year I did Shawls and Ponchos, and am in hopes they will go again this year.  I think I'm done with hooks and needles for the season....famous last words...ya know!

Will definitely have to get back to Rag Rugs...both crocheted and loomed.  Especially the loomed as I sold the last one at this show.  Have one on the loom now....time, time, time!!! 

You can see some of the ones I have made on Sue's MadeWith Fabric&Fiber website where I have a LibbyLula Custom Rug Tab.

On the DPN's...Double Pointed Nightmare!

Several years ago I began combining crochet and knitting, especially when an edging was needed on a knitted item and visa versa.  Adding a knitted band to a crocheted hat requires picking up crochet stitches with a knitting needle.  Simple enough, right!  Except when it is in the 'round' like this hat/cap. 

 

I would try every small circular needle in my arsenal before I would even think about knitting with FOUR needles...aka DPN's...double pointed needles.  Seriously, when I first started knitting, using two needles was sometimes a challenge and circulars, well, they actually are my faves.  But, I didn't have a small enough circular for this hat/cap so...DPN's...which, at one time I had nightmares over, were unearthed from the bottom of my needle bag.   So, the made with Hand Spun Yarn by Sue McPeak hat/cap required a knitted band with DPN's....there was no other choice....I had to make something with the HandSpun Yarn by Sue McPeak.

I haven't had much time of late for spinning!  Can you believe it?  Especially since February, when my wheel arrived and I was totally in the OverDoSue SpinArama mode.  However, at some point one has to take time to make something with all that 'Hand Spun Yarn' by Sue McPeak. 

The NUMBER #1 question people ask when they see the 'Hand Spun Yarn' is....

"WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT"? 

I LOVE this question as it gives me the opportunity to 'Show and Tell'.

 

I SHOW the Capes and Cowls and TELL...

"I Knit, Crochet, Weave and whatever else my

OverThinkItSue can come up with.

 

Speaking of Knit and Crochet with Hand Spun Yarn...

Here is the result of the DPN's hat Band.

Dreamy, huh!

Shameful Self Promotion...Whoop Whoop!

Here it is the MIDDLE of JULY and my Blogging Posts Count is more Shameful than this Shameful Self Promotion.  As you might imagine...if you know my work nickname of OverDoSue...I've been way OVERDOingIt these last couple of months.  And they say Summer is Vacation time!  What's that?

So, Summer is also suppose to be HOT...and it definitely is that here in Texas.  However, in my world of Fiber...yarn spinning, knitting, crocheting...summer is the time to get ready for WINTER.  Surprisingly, this HOT mess sells when temps soar in triple digits.  Go Figure!!!  I took this display shot on a 98 degree day and two days later...102 degrees...the green Caplet, Tassel Collar, Knitted Sock Bag, 2 Kimonos and 3 Headbands were gone.

Oh and have I shamefully promoted my new Rag Rugs?

I dubbed them Kaleidescope RagRugs!

Whoop Whoop!!!

WordlessWed...'Sudzy'...Rembering Retro Soap

FREE Pattern HERE 

February...Sharing the LOVE OF...

...VICTORIAN PINEAPPLE PINCUSHIONS.

 

As a pincushion collector, finding a vintage crocheted Victorian pineapple pincushion at an antique shop had me hoping it would find it's way into my collection.  It did not!  It was too pricey and although it was faded, the ribbon edging was frayed and flat, I couldn't disagree with the price...the pincushion was loaded with Victorian Hat Pins.  What was I thinking!!!!  One of those pins would have justified overspending my set budget.  Sometime later, I went back...it was gone!

It is kind of ironic how I finally was able to add one or two or three to my collection.  I purchased 'Fairs and Bazaars', an American Thread Company publication from 1955 for $3.00...$2.90 more than it's original cost of 10 cents.  That was within my budget, and made the trip back to the antique store worthwhile.

If you look closely...sitting on the center of the display table is a Pineapple Pincushion crocheted in pink with white ribbon edging.  I could hardly believe my eyes, and quickly opened the fragile booklet to page 10.  There it was, the pattern!

Ooops!  It called for that skinny thread and a tiny hook which was my one failure in Home Economics back in the day...like way back in the day.  Oh well, that was then and I am more experienced with both tiny hooks and skinny thread now. 

Needless to say, I was hooked on that heart pincushion, and made several...okay more than several.  Would you like the pattern?  HERE it is...on Sue's MadeWith Fabric&Fiber Studio's blog.

 

"Chocolate is great, it gives you energy

which can be used to

go buy more chocolate."

Erma Bombeck

February 21, 1927 - April 22, 1996

A Vintage 4R's Bucket List Bash!

As a Crochet Collector...I am beginning to feel more like a Crochet Hoarder!  Little did I realize how MANY crochet pieces have been stashed here and there.  It all came to light as I readied them for display and to join the '4R's Bucket List'...Rescue-Repurpose-Recycle-Resale.  I think I have rescued my share, repurposed them in sewing projects, recycled ones with issues in wall hangings, sun catchers and more.  NOW it is time to Resale.

It was actually fun to decorate and display them in my Studio Shop. 

They are a perfect companion group to the Vintage Quilts and my upcoming theme

'Vintage Valentines'. 

It's a Vintage 4R's Bucket List Bash!

WordlessWed...Hand Spun for Slouch Hat

Welcoming October with Pumpkin Pattern

Pumpkin Coasters....who'd thought!!!!

Not me...I usually just fold a paper towel and hope it catches my drips and spills!  That was before I was a TEA drinker and learned about  Tea Etiquette.  Now I know a folded paper towel just doesn't cut it when setting a proper Tea Party Table.

 

What can I say...Old habits are hard to break!

If you would like to make a few Pumpkin Coasters...here's the link

PUMPKIN COASTERS PATTERN

 

Welcome October!



Boomer Gloom and Doom

I thought I was done with knitting.  So done that much of my collection of 'fancy knitting yarns' are now for sale in my shop along with a good many knitting books and magazines.  I made the decision to 'NotKnit' when realizing I am better and faster at crochet.  To further justify giving up knitting and selling off  knitting stuff, I was patting myself on the back for downsizing the 'YarnArama' stash, emptying several shelves of books and magazines, and saving myself from 'Boomer Gloom and Doom'.

I am here to tell you that 'Boomer Gloom and Doom' is a real thing when you know your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends not of 'Boomer Age' DO NOT want your 'Knit Picks' or any other Pickings you have saved and treasured for....well, forever!

It's true, and I am not the only one on the planet who is facing the reality of my 'Stuff' being dismissed as Garge Sale Fodder, Craigs List Crap or even worse...Dumpster Divers Dregs!

Here I am a Boomer with Bunches, and what do I do to put off the impending Boomer G&D?

I take up knitting....again! 

Booth Aftermath and KnitWitWeaving!

I know what you are thinking...and Yeeeesssss...my studio does look like a it has been 'Yarn Bombed'!  That's because it had and did...right up until I walked out with a box full of 'Neck Warmers and Fingerless Gloves' at 8 am Saturday morning.  Guess what?  The 'Yarn Fairy' did not come and rewind or restore order while I was out peddling my YarnWares.  Nope, apparently she figured even her wand was not up to the challenge. 

All in all, I'm almost glad the Yarn Fairy's wand was not up to the task.  Otherwise I might not have found the shrug pattern I used as a basis for the ones I made for the October First Saturday Show.

I'm going to need it!  The Shrugs were a big HIT...sold all but one!  The Autum Poncho I made just to see how it would be received flew off of Modela in the first hour.  I could have sold it three or four times over. 

Guess what's next on my needles?  Right...Shrugs and Ponchos!

Also sold some Cowls and Neck Warmers.  Might have sold more if I had thought to take ice pack liners.  I did think to take my camera, but was so busy peddling my 'Warm Wear Wares' I didn't get a chance to take not one picture.  Wow, it was my best day ever at The Chicken Farm Art Centers First Saturday Sale.

Once again, I have just as much, if not more fun playing with scraps and mixing fibers!

I'm going to call this 'KnitWitWeaving'!

Wordless Wed....Promoting Autum Collection

Wordless Wed...Cool Knit & Crochet for Cooler Weather

My National Sewing Month...Not Sewn Stitching

September and National Sewing Month is more than half over and I have not touched my SEWING MACHINE...not once!   I have, however, made good use of one of my SEWING BOXES and the contents including needles, thread, thread heaven, clips and scissors.

Does that count?

It should, in my way of thinking.  After all, yarn is thread and stitching seams with a blunt tapestry needle is sewing.  Right?  Then there are the clips I always use instead of pins.  Yeah, it counts as sewing.

Since I made a big deal out of September being National Sewing Month with a Sewing Header and the National Sewing Month Tag and Link on the top of my Side Bar, I thought I'd better write at least one post in acknowledgement. 

So, what have I been Not Sewing that counts as Sewing? 

What can I say...at least all this Not-Sewing was Not Sewn in my Sewing Room!

Wait...the buttons and beads were hand sewn with sharp needles and skinny thread!

Yay...It All Counts...and...adds up for Handmade items for

October's First Saturday Chicken Farm Art Center's BOOTH!

Starting September w/ 'Made In Texas' Stuff

Of course this stuff is made in Texas!  Who else but a Texan spends the August Dog Days of Summer covered up in YARN?  What sane person knits at the speed of light to make 'Neck Warmers' edged in FUR with the AC on Hi-Freeze?  Yeah...it's ME...OverDoneSue! 

Then there is this.....taking time to market these HOT Items to folks who will still be wearing flip flops, tank tops, and cutoffs while walking around with their personal fans.  Really???  Neck Warmers, Sue!!!!  Here's the thing....it's FOOTBALL SEASON in Texas.  I think these will be Really HOT Sellers!!!

GO!!! FIGHT!!! WIN!!!....w/ Made In Texas Stuff!!!

Winding Down August

Some years here on CollectInTexas Gal...there were so few posts posted that Winding Down August was more like Never Mind August.  And, although this August is not a post record setting August, it ranks right up there with enough to merit a winding down...or maybe it's just me that needs some winding down time.  After all, I have been winding, unwinding and rewinding lots of yarn for this months projects...which I am now ready to reveal....

Cowl Collars

 

Okay...now I am 'Gearing Up' for September!!!!

I LOVE THIS YARN!

I do love THIS yarn...especially for a new accessory design I'm working on that a softer yarn seems to work better...best!  Although it is a 4ply acrylic yarn, it  feels, knits and crochets more like a merino-bamboo blend...with better body.

 As you can probably guess, I have a yarn stash that can only be described as an accumulation beyond life expectancy.  Still...I did not have all the colors in THIS yarn needed for my new design line of knitted and crocheted wearables.

 

Yes, I said both knitted and crocheted.

You know of course, I am not ready to 'Show and Tell' all, but as I said, it's wearable and it is both knitted and crocheted.  My two favorite make it quick yarn thingies.  Quick is a key word for me when it comes to knitting because, I am not a fast knitter...even with over sized sticks.  Plus, I get bored with anything that takes longer than thirty or forty minutes to see some significant results.  So, I just cheat.....

...on my Bond Knitting Machine!

I Love This Yarn....and This Knitting Machine!