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Knitting!

Project #1: Kelly Maher's "Ribbed Lace Bolero"

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in "Terracotta"

Difficulty: 2 out of 10

Enjoyment: 9 out of 10

This is a really fun pattern; it is engagingly interesting and goes by quickly!  I want one in every color.  It's super-comfy and I completely recommend it.

Project #2: Lion Brand "Learn to Cable Scarf"

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in "Citron" and "Fisherman"

Difficulty: 3 out of 10

Fun: 8 out of 10

This was one of those satisfying-to-complete projects.  I got a little bored of repeating the cable to its long scarf length but in the end, the results were worth it.  Also, I learned how to cable!  This pattern is great for first-timers in the cable department.  Originally the pattern had one half of the scarf one color and the other half another; I changed this to add the two stripes on either end.  Unfortunately because of the cable, the stripes did not end up straight but I still like it; they lend a sporty flare to a classic scarf.

Project #3: Sundance Make-Up Bag

Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream Ombres & Prints in "Early American Ombre"

Difficulty: 4 out of 10

Enjoyment: 10 out of 10

I really loved this pattern.  I finished it in two days - the knit had two necessary components: a mindless section, you know, for watching tv and knitting at the same time; and then the interesting, engaging section, where you had to watch the pattern carefully as you learned new things and tried out some cool stitch tricks to create multiple looks.  Unfortunately, I used a variegated-colored yarn - along the diagonal stitches, there are tiny eyelets that get lost in the busyness.  

I am actually making another one of these in Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in "Lime" for the eyelet's sake.  I kinda enjoyed this pattern a little too much, too, but we'll just say it's for the eyelets.  

Meet Rachel

So I finally jumped onto the trend train so I could post all my heaps of projects I have lying around.  In a nutshell, I am an impending fashion design major with too much free time.  I thoroughly love knitting, crocheting, beading, sewing, and other old-fashioned selling points that are far underrated nowadays.  

My name is Rachel and I love to craft!  Here are among the few things I would love to accomplish this summer:

1. Learn to do intarsia knitting.

2. Learn to do stranded knitting.

3. Make an illusion scarf (with stars on it!)

4. Make a quilt for my dorm room.

5. Make two pillows for my dorm room.

6. Knit a sweater.  Like, a super-intense REAL sweater.

7. Knit a sock, since it's all the rage.  (And it probably will only be A sock ... )

8. Learn to hand-dye fabrics (and possibly to batik!)

9. Learn to spin and dye wool puffs.

10. Finish knitting my vest.

11. Knit all of those billions of patterns I have favorited on Ravelry!

12. Sew.  Sew.  Sew.

and the list goes on and on.  Obviously I won't accomplish all of these things, but it gives me something to look forward to on those rainy summer days.

As for an introduction into my life, I love stars.  I recently discovered my attraction to star-shaped things when all the fabrics and patterns and so forths I continuously saved had stars in them, and a realization was made.  So now I will take advantage of it and go all out with the stars!  My favorite color is highlighter yellow, I have a very fat cat who is my "personal assistant" in all of my crafting projects (you know, like sitting in the middle of the fabric I am using, NOT the fabric behind me that I am NOT using ... ), and I am particularly fond of Yves Saint Laurent.  I'm sure you'll learn more as I post.

So now for posting!  Since no one reads the text-filled posts anyway, only if there are pictures.