Mateo’s Quilt

June 13, 2017June 13, 2017 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

What’s this? Another baby on the way?! Yes!

This time my cousins Oli and Matt are expecting their first – a baby boy named Mateo! I just love that name. I can’t wait for him to be here. 🙂

Typically, I stick with pretty traditional quilting. Civil War quilts are my favorite, followed closely by The Farmer’s Wife (1930s). But, I just couldn’t see myself giving Matt and Oli’s son a traditional quilt. I decided to go for something bold, modern, and way out of my comfort zone. Pretty much the entire time I made this quilt I asked two questions 1) is there something with more contrast? 2) is there something bolder? I think I finally got the questions answered with ‘no’.

Again, I didn’t use a pattern and I just used jelly rolls. It will be the last time I use jelly rolls though. They just aren’t consistent! Im pretty sure it’s the one time that a human is more consistent than a machine – plus they cut them between 2 3/4 inch and 3in and it just makes no sense. trying to match them up with anything is a nightmare. If you look close you can see I used a lot of optical illusions on this quilt to adjust or the non-standard jelly roll strips. *shakes fist* never again jelly rolls! But I’m super happy with this quilt. It’s modern, fun, and super bold. It’s perfect.

Quilt for Juanita’s daughter

June 12, 2017June 12, 2017 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

Over a week ago I got to attend my friend Juanita’s baby shower for her upcoming daughter! It was such a beautiful baby shower – the food, location and decorations were perfect! Not to mention I got to see so many people I haven’t seen in probably 5 years!

I decided to make a second version of a quilt I made my niece last summer, because I just love the pattern. This time I didn’t measure a thing – which was really dumb. But it worked out! I also used jelly rolls – thinking it would speed up my time. The thing about jelly rolls is, they don’t save time because they aren’t identical. If I had cut these strips I would have been done a day sooner, I actually had to spend an hour at least readjusting the seams in the center once I got it all pieced. Jelly rolls just aren’t predictable. The time I saved not cutting I more than spend double in the end dealing with. Long story short, I used jelly rolls on another quilt after…. more to come on that.

But!

The quilt came out super adorable – I love it!

Goes to show the things that give you the most grief are always the best.

Congrats Juanita and Mike! ❤

Baby Bobble Blanket

August 19, 2015 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

I’m sure it is obvious that I took a mini-break (cough eight months cough) from crafting during the move, job change, additional move and beginning of summer. Well, I have ended that break and I am very happy and exciting to be diving back into the craft-scene.

I crocheted an adorable baby afghan from Bernat and thought I would share:

had to test it out make sure it was soft enough for real babies.

Here is the pattern – or visit Bernat’s site for more info and more free patterns!

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

Bernat® Baby Blanket™ Yarn: 4 skeins (MC) Peachy, 1 skein White (A)
Crochet hook size M/13 [9 mm] or size for gauge
Scissors
Tape measure

SIZE:

36″x40″ [91.5 x 101.5 cm]

GAUGE:

7 sc & 8 rows = 4″ [10 cm].

DIRECTIONS:

With MC, ch 89.
Row 1: (RS). Cluster in 6th ch from hook. *Ch 1. Skip next ch. 1 dc in next ch. Ch 1. Skip next ch. Cluster in next ch. Rep from * to last 2 ch. Skip next ch. 1 dc in last ch. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc. Ch 1). *1 dc in top of next cluster. Ch 1. Cluster in next dc. Ch 1. Rep from * to last Cluster. 1 dc in last Cluster. Ch 1. 1 dc in last dc. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 4 (counts as dc. Ch 1). *Cluster in next dc. Ch 1. 1 dc in top of next Cluster. Ch 1. Rep from * to last 2 dc. Cluster in next dc. Ch 1. 1 dc in last dc. Turn.
Rep Rows 2 & 3 until blanket measures 38″ [96.5 cm]. Fasten off.

BORDER: With RS facing, join A with sl st to top right corner. Ch 3 (counts as dc). Work 1 rnd of dc evenly around all side edges, having 3 dc in each corner. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Fasten off.

ABBREVIATIONS:

Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain(s)
Dc = Double crochet
Rep = Repeat(ing)
Rnd = Round(s)
Sc = Single crochet
Sl st = Slip stitch
Yoh = Yarn over hook
Cluster = (Yoh & draw up a loop in next st. Yoh & draw through 2 loops on hook) 5 times. Yoh & draw through all loops on hook. Ch 1.

Fair Isle Goat Pillow DONE

January 21, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 6 Comments

Well, it’s done. It only took total 10-11 hours which is not that bad considering it was my first real Fair Isle project. I’m really pleased that I did NOT try this as the glove. I think it would have turned into a AMF knitting project (angry mofo), if I had tried DPNs with my first time Fair Isle. Anyways, there’s a few mistakes – it happens. I really dig this as a pillow and will be doing more pillow/tapestry designs in the future. I will however go a step further and knit in the round next time. All my mistakes were on the purl side (WS) so being able to see the knit side the entire time would aid in banishing those little flubs.

Finished pillow front being 'blocked' it's acrylic so it's not like that did anything. — Finished pillow front being ‘blocked’ it’s acrylic so it’s not like that did anything.

added some 'french knots' to cover up a missed black perrie. oops. — added some ‘french knots’ to cover up a missed black perrie. oops.

new sweater blaster - embroidered 'B" for the baby boris. — new sweater blaster – embroidered ‘B” for the baby boris.

one half of hall and oates. this is what i do on saturday nights people.

The Baby Moc-Socs aka GFK Stands with Fists.

October 4, 2013October 4, 2013 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

So I’ll start by saying this pattern was NOT hard or difficult or confusing. It was simple and clean and fun. I, GFK, however had a case of the butter fingers, dumb-dumbs, and tireds while trying to finish this project for the past three weeks! (THREE WEEKS? gaaaaaaawhhh!) I started the second moc-soc over and on the third time I got it right! I kept dropping stitches in the front so re-picking them up was just not a blendable option. Further, the yarn I chose, although soft and baby bootie perfect, was not very forgiving in terms of splitting. A more together fiber would make the process go way faster and smoother, especially with all those M1L in the pattern.

Knitting at lunch. Public knitting is awkward sometimes. "What are you doing? - I'm reading palms....." — Knitting at lunch. Public knitting is awkward sometimes. “What are you doing? – I’m reading palms…..”

Knitting at home is awkward too with a small kitten.

I’ll be knitting way more of these so friends and family keep popping those babies out and I’ll keep making sure they have moc-soc footwear.

Also don’t forget to enter for the COWL KNIT GIVEAWAY HERE! It ends tomorrow people!
xxxx
GFK

My Favorite Pug

Image ~ September 24, 2013October 1, 2013 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 2 Comments

My Favorite Pug

I just needed to post this photo. I love this little guy so much, even when he passes out on my patterns, knitting bags/tools, and gets my brand new expensive yarn all pug hairy. I love him. He will forever be my first furry baby.

Saturday!

September 14, 2013October 1, 2013 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 8 Comments

So I had a pretty fun Saturday! First, I took Mister Lee (Leopold) for a walk and he was super happy about it. I’m continuing to lose weight and am down about 19 pounds.

I’m feeling good. So I’ll force you to look at this selfie. LOOK! No I’m kidding. But, I’m happy that I’m successful on my eight millionth attempt to lose those last twenty-five-ish pounds. I’ll do a blog about my weightloss in a few weeks so hold tight for the details.

Then, I cleaned my living room and basically sorted all my crafts and hobbies into their designated zones…. It’s getting kind of cluttery so I NEED to address my nightmare guest room closet that I have been carelessly making more and more disorganized since I moved here in December. This week/next weekend I’ll get that all organized too. I need to think about how to organize it properly though as there is no hanging rod or built in shelf so I’m going to have to buy something to act as a structure. Any closet organizing help? I don’t wanna spend A TON, but I want it to be sturdy.

Gosh that was boring okay now onto the fun stuff!

I took a class at nina – which is a fabulous knitting and yarn shop on Division here in Chicago (right were the Renegade Craft Fair was last weekend). It was for a Chevron cowl – I mainly took it so that I could socialize with other knitters and get out of my habit of ‘solitude-knitting.’ Well it ended up I was the only one in the class which I was more than over-qualified for. The instructor who was a total sweetheart felt bad, because I knew how to knit it by just reading the pattern so she didn’t have any new information to offer. I did however have a great time chatting with her and found out they do a knitting group every Sunday so I think I’ll start going to that to make some friends. Here is the chevron pattern that I ‘learned’ how to knit. It’s actually really fun and simple. I’m always amazed at how people discovered techniques to manipulate the yarn like this. Damn knitter geniuses.

(source)

Then of course because I was there, I bought some amazing yarn from Knit Collage – which is a magical yarn company. Their yarns are just so unique and beautiful – I fell in love with them all, but chose this one.

It’s so beautiful if I had dreadlocks I would want them to look just like this yarn…. le sigh. Yes, thats a AAA magazine – didn’t know I was so cool did you? I digress….. I’m pretty sure I’m going to do something similar to their bandana pattern available on their website for only $3.

(source)

You know you all want one now…. go to their website. Do it. Do it now. You can ‘thank me’ aka ‘scold me’ for showing you this little gem later! 😉

I also started a really fun baby bootie knit project on Thursday. I did a ‘tester’ bootie as a trial run and I loved the way it turned out. I was so angry none of my mean animals would let me try it on them 😦 – what good are they if they won’t model my knits!?

Step one: knit till a little area for toes emerges….

Step two: then knit the rest of the shoe……

Step three: add the inside sock and TA-DA! A baby moc-soc!

Okay, okay, so it took more than three easy steps. It did however only take about 3 hours (I’m not a beginner though so use your own judgement here). Here is the pattern it is only $5 and there is a coupon available on that Ravelry page with the pattern. The designer is so creative and amazing! This is what her moc-socs look like. (I used left over yarn (recognize the red/white/blue from Leopold’s Sweater?!) so that is why mine is ‘crazy’.)

(source)

I’m glad I did a test run on them though. I have a few little tweeks I need to address just based on my knitting style so that it mirrors her finished product a little better. Overall it’s a wonderful pattern and I am going to love making a lot of these little guys.

Gosh I’m exhausted and it’s only 9pm! Tomorrow I’m taking Lee to a Fall Frolic with other pugs. Hopefully he can try to make some friends too. I’m not holding my breath though.

Happy Weekend Friends!