The Great Pumpkin Carving

October 22, 2014October 22, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

2014 Pumpkin Carving Round 1:

Bree – Voldemort/Reaper
The Dude – Monster Trick or Treater (Winner – of course)

Honorable Mention: Boris the Spider

GHOSTFACEKNITTER

October 20, 2014October 20, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

With fall here and the holidays right around the corner, let me make your custom items/gifts! Pretty much anything you see knit/sewn/crochet I can make for you! My pricing is very affordable and I work hard to get you exactly what you dreamed!

I have done custom embroidery orders, scarf/cowl, baby bibs, kleenex coozies, crochet people/objects, dresses, skirts, blouses! Don’t forget about the pets either – I can make any costume idea or fun accessory for them too!

one of khalessi's dragons — one of khalessi’s dragons

embroidered tea-towel for my Grandma's birthday. — embroidered tea-towel for my Grandma’s birthday.

Together

February 14, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

Well it’s Valentine’s Day. It’s always a day full of such great expectations. If you have a typical Valentine good for you. I’m flying solo, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have awesome family, friends, and the tribe to send me love all year long. Plus…. Motley Crue.

Happy V Day. Whatever it means to you.

Love yourself the most.

xxxx
GFK

Outside

February 11, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

Wow already biffing it hard on this daily blog challenge, but c’est la vie. I had an exciting weekend and am working on a secret craft I’ll be able to post on Thursday so in the mean time… Outside.

I am so sick of winter, I’m sure everyone is, but especially the insane cold and snow that Chicago has been hit with every week. I took a walk up to Bloomingdale’s yesterday during lunch. I had to cross the river and I was pretty impressed and awed by the ice.

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.

Adventures in Fair Isle

January 17, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

Before the holidays, we had a secret santa at my work. Well, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a Mastering Colored Knitting book for my gift. I still in fact have no idea who gave this book to me! They won’t fess up, but when I finish my more intricate pattern I’ll send an email thanking/inquiring again. Anyways, I’ve been just practicing a few little projects and I love it. Just like most knitting techniques, I’m mad I didn’t learn this sooner. SO FUN.

First heart project on modified sweater (no cable obviously) for Boris.

Gloves have inspired a pillow 'flat/larger' project. — Gloves have inspired a pillow ‘flat/larger’ project.

Almost done. Still have 15 rows to go - adding inverted cross to top right design panel. Red to left crisscross pattern as french knots too. — Almost done. Still have 15 rows to go – adding inverted cross to top right design panel. Red to left crisscross pattern as french knots too. I’m hoping some of the gathering goes away with blocking/pressing. Damn you tension.

This is for a child. I'm thinking it would look awesome as vest. (no one wants to knit sleeves - especially for my ape like arms) — This is for a child. I’m thinking it would look awesome as vest. (no one wants to knit sleeves – especially for my ape like arms)

Pet Projects: The Animal Knit Bible

January 8, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

After my ‘finishing faux paw’ (harhar) on Boris’s new sweater of sewing the arm holes closed I realized I’ve knitted too many pet sweaters to be making such a silly mistake! So I’ve been inspired to share a few of the patterns I’ve made here.

a cat straight-jacket is okay with me too.

Obviously I knit a lot. I knit for people and of course animals. I have talked a little bit about the knitted items I’ve made for the animals before, but without a doubt all the patterns are from Pet Projects: The Animal Knit Bible. I can’t even tell you how many sweaters I’ve made for mine and others’ pets, but here are a few of the patterns and a lot of sweaters I have made from this book. (PS If you click the book link it takes you to the Ravelry page with other knitters’ works too!)

Despite his grumpy demeanor he's warm. — Despite his grumpy demeanor he’s warm.

This was for a furry friend. Too short for Vlad.

All dressed up and no where to go - also ever since I took this photo I've wanted to make an all grey 'knight' suit for Lee. — All dressed up and no where to go – also ever since I took this photo I’ve wanted to make an all grey ‘knight’ suit for Lee.

My first sweater for Vladimir then it became Leopold's. — My first sweater for Vladimir then it became Leopold’s.

Although short, he prefers this sweater because he can run around. — Although short, he prefers this sweater because he can run around and you know grab a cup of coffee.

Vladimir's favorite summer spot. — Vladimir’s favorite summer spot.

"The Anti-Firework" Balaclava..... aka "The Laugh Hysterically at Your Animal Hat" — “The Anti-Firework” Balaclava….. aka “The Laugh Hysterically at Your Animal Hat”

Again "Laugh Hysterically" — Again “Laugh Hysterically”

I modified this hat to make Lee transform into RASTA PUG MAHN.

They have a LOT of wonderful color pattern knits in this book too. I think I’m gonna turn the page from the sweater section and start making a few other fun animal items. Coveting it now? Buy it here.

SERENITY NOW!!!

January 7, 2014 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 2 Comments

Gee Whiz, it has been quite the week here in ‘Chiberia’ and it’s only Tuesday. First let’s just get it out of the way – it’s so cold I can’t even believe it. Second, Chicago has really sucked it up on being ‘prepared.’ The CTA (our transit system HA) ran yesterday with MAJOR DELAYS – that meant that instead of waiting an average of 5 minutes for a train or bus (even less most days) the wait for the bus was 15 minutes each way to work (exposed mind you) and 15 minutes for the train. The only saving grace yesterday was that a lot of people stayed home. This morning we were not so lucky because the buses are back to business as usual but the train still for some reason is running incredibly infrequent and late.

let's not even talk about this cold. — let’s not even talk about this cold.

Regardless, the crap weather didn’t stop me from taking an amazing class at The Needle Shop on Saturday to learn the famous Amy Butler Gumdrop pillow. I had a blast. I met some great women and learned some awesome new patterning and hand sewing skills.

I also started a new sweater for my sick kitten Boris.

Boris' new sweater. — Boris’ new sweater.

My neighbors and I exchange little ‘trinkets’ from time to time and this was what I made for their pup Lola.

Handkerchief for the neighbor doggie Lola.

I made some ‘winter shorts’ notice I’m wearing long underwear under them haha.

Sewing is interesting with two nosy sphynx cats.

my two 'assistants' — my two ‘assistants’

Finally – a chuckle at how ridiculous Leopold looks in his winter outfit.

2013 In Picture Collages

December 31, 2013December 31, 2013 ~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 3 Comments

Let’s see… 2013 was a HUGE transformation year for me. From weightloss, to choosing a clear path, embracing my hobbies, adding to the tribe, ditching booze, finding a job, and traveling to Thailand – it was a year full of experiences and fun too.

Here are some picture collages to show case a very very few of the THOUSANDS of moments I caught on camera.