On Nnenna's Needles #19

My Felted Slippers

These slippers are perfect for keeping the toes warm on my new hardwood floor.  As you know from my last On Nnenna's Needles post, I tend to have cold feet (literally, not figuratively! :) and these little slippers take care of that problem.  They were made using a technique called felting in which you knit the project larger than you intend it to be, then use water and agitation to shrink the stitches and create a dense type of fabric.  This pattern is really easy to follow and these would make a great gift for someone!

On Nnenna's Needles #18

Tangled Up in Green

These are the second pair of socks that I've attempted to make.  The first pair fit fairly well, but they are very bulky and definitely more suited to the winter season.  These ones, however, are lighter and airyer (is that even a word?).  I especially love the open lacy part of the sock.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm one of those people who likes having their feet in socks most of the time.  Even in the dead of summer, when the temperature is well past 100 degrees in my hometown, I often wear socks to bed.  I didn't think that was weird until I talked to some of my roommates and discovered how much they dislike socks!  One roommate told me that every time she wears socks she feels like they are suffocating her feet!  So I'd love to know how you guys feel about socks....

Tell me: Do you love socks or hate them?

On Nnenna's Needles #17

Bailando en el campo de flores

Welcome back for another installment of On Nnenna's Needles!  This time I'm sharing a project that I've been working on for the past few months- this sweater!  I was immediately drawn to the pattern because of the openness in the front and the overall fit.  I chose this color because I thought pink would be perfect for springtime and I didn't already have a pink cardigan (very surprising for someone who owns more than 20 cardigans)!  It took me several months to finish because I didn't have as much time to work on it as I would have liked, and instead had to write my two senior theses- believe me, not quite as much fun as knitting!  However, I finally had the chance to finish it last month and I love it!  I think it will be perfect for those nights that are chilly, when I'll need something to wrap myself in.  Now all I need to do is figure out my next project! ;)

On Nnenna's Needles #16

Spring Skirt

I made this springy skirt a couple of years ago.  As you can see, it's in one of my favorite colors- purple.  The inside is also lined with a cotton fabric in purple, since the lace on the skirt is sort of see-through.  So far, I've worn this skirt with a basic tee and sandals because I wanted to keep the look simple, but it might be time to try some new outfit combinations!

How has everyone's week been so far?  Things have been fairly slow around here and I just have one more final to take before I'm completely done with college!  Saturday at noon, I'll be one happy camper because I will have finished all my work and I'll be days away from my beach trip- can't wait! :)

On Nnenna's Needles #15

Sapphire Silk

 

You might remember this project from an outfit post from the beginning of the year.  I finished this vest in January, I believe, and it's a pretty cozy, thick vest.  I really love the deep blue color of the yarn and the lacework on the vest.  If this is the wintry version, then I want to make this vest's summery sister- lighter weight of yarn, more open/lacy, and looser fitting.  Now I just have to find the right pattern...

Tell me: How do you feel about the crochet/open knit looks that have popped up this season?

On Nnenna's Needles #14

Best Bunny Friends

Meet these best bunny friends!  They do everything together- eat together, shop together, and play together!  They're the bestest friends in the whole wide world! :D

P.S. I sound like such a six-year old in this post, hehe! =)

getting crafty with it

A couple of weekends ago, I was in a crafty mood, so I did a couple of DIY projects.

1. The t-shirt scarf in the middle I made through the tutorial on Made This/Love This.  If you haven't joined yet, it is really easy to do so and I'm looking forward to doing more DIY projects alongside other people.  This one only took about 15 minutes to make and the result is a very cute accessory!

2. I got the idea for this little ring from Jamie of Blog Redhead.  Also, very simple to make- take a cute button and glue it to the top of a ring band and voilà, you've made yourself a ring!  This ring band came from a ring I bought where the top fell off, but I saved the band.  The button came from my collection of buttons that I store in the tin boxes (on the left) that I decorated myself.  Easy peasy way to make a unique ring!

Also, here's an outfit I wore when we were going through a cold spell a couple of weeks ago:

sweater- thrifted, tights and skirt- forever 21, boots- Wanted

Looking at the ring again, I wish I had made it sooner because it would have looked really cute with this outfit! Oh well, next time! =)

Tell me: Would you try one of these two projects?  Share with me anything you've made recently (food, clothes, jewelry, anything)!

On Nnenna's Needles #13

Intarsia Bag

Looking back through my projects, I found this tote that I made a few years ago.  Just a simple knitted tote to hold my projects, with a little pocket I sewed on the inside for my smaller things.  Thinking about it, I realize I have a lot of fabric left over from my knitting projects...What do you think I should make with it?

On Nnenna's Needles #12: Pay it Forward 2011

Remember the Pay it Forward 2011 challenge that I wrote about here?  Well it is finally time to show you guys what I made for each of my participants!

Tied in a Bow

This bowtie scarf was made for Kel of Life as Kel Knows It.  I asked each blogger to tell me their favorite color and she chose purple.  I thought this scarf would make a cute little accessory to jazz up an outfit on a chilly day.

Night Leaves

I made this scarf for Nina of Nina Says Hello.  I noticed from browsing through Nina's blog that she seemed to like lace, so I thought she might like this pretty lace leaf pattern.  Unfortunately, however, she never received this because it got lost in the mail, so I'm definitely going to make her something new!

Pink Impression

This beret was for Jamie of Blog Redhead.  Jamie has such gorgeous hair so I thought this soft pink, fuzzy beret would look great on her!

Floating on a Cloud

Lastly, I made this scarf for Kathleen of Inspirafashion.  I noticed she likes to wear light, airy materials so I thought she might enjoy this lightweight scarf for spring.

Tell me: Are any of you participating in the Pay it Forward 2011 Challenge? 
It's not too late to join! =) {see my original post for details}

On Nnenna's Needles #11

Camera Case

Just a quick post to show you the little camera case I made a few years back.  I sized the case to fit my little point-and-shoot and I followed a chart to make the star pattern on both sides. 

Tell me: How do you store your camera?

Also, I'm going to see Cynthia Leive, Editor-in-Chief of Glamour, this afternoon at a Master's Tea!  I don't often hear about a lot of fashion-related events happening in my area, so I'm really excited for this one!

a little birdie told me

cardigan, cami, belt, shoes- forever 21, skirt- H&M

my little tattoo

handmade for me by my friend

Hope you all are having a lovely weekend! =)

On Nnenna's Needles #10

1st Cabled

This is the first cabled item that I knitted and also one of the first projects that I made.  I made this purse a few years ago, when I was just starting to branch out from knitting scarves.  This purse was given to my best friend for her birthday.  I chose black so it would complement different outfits and turquoise as an accent because it is her favorite color.

The lining was a little difficult for me to do because I had never sewn anything like that before and I'm certainly not an expert seamstress!  However, after a bit of fiddling I was able to work it out.  I really love the cables on this purse and the way that they criss-cross and intertwine.  My best friend loved the purse too- she's so great to knit things for because she is so proud of what I make =)

What sort of gifts do you all like to give your best friend?

On Nnenna's Needles #8

What's better than cozying up with a good book and a soft blanket on a gray day? :)

Spiraling Star Blanket

I made this blanket for just such days, when I'm curled up on my little couch in my dorm room reading a novel.  It's the perfect size to cover my lap and my feet and made from a soft wool blend.  I was of course immediately drawn to the star shape that radiates out from the center.  Also, due to some miscalculation on my part, I ran out of yarn at the end.  Luckily, I had some of this multicolored ribbon left over from some craft project, so I used that to finish it off and crochet a smooth edge around the border. 

On another note- in approximately one week I will be on spring break, returning to my sunny home state of CA!  Only two midterms and one paper stand in my way- let the countdown begin! :D

On Nnenna's Needles #7

Meet my good friend Grenadine!

Grenadine

Grenadine is my first (and really my only) foray into crocheting!  We had a session during my weekly knitting club meetings where we all learned the basics of crochet and this is what I decided to make.  I've made a few knitted toys in my day, but Grenadine is definitely my favorite, which I think is funny since I crochet so little!  Grenadine is usually perched on my bedpost, just as pictured, but one day I took her for a little outing to show her off to some friends.  A stranger saw her peeking out of my bag and commissioned me to make another horse for her friend's birthday!  So now meet Grenadine's friend:

same patten as above

I didn't name him because I knew I wasn't going to get to keep him, but in their short time together, he and Grenadine became fast friends! =)

On Nnenna's Needles #6

I cannot get through the winter months without my glittens.  

What are glittens, you ask?  Why, they're gloves + mittens!

Convertible Mittens

Flying Purple Glittens

The first pair I made in 2008 and they were my first attempt ever at some sort of hand covering.  I picked that yarn because I loved the combination of blue and purple, then added the cutest little star button as a closure.  The second pair came about because I had this skein of royal purple that I loved and felt would look great as glittens!  I've made two pairs because I am a firm believer that glittens are absolutely essential during the cold months!  They keep my hands warm (especially the second pair, which are really thick!) while also allowing me to use my fingers when needed.  Do any of you own a pair of glittens, or do you call them something else?