Busy Busy Bee

Just finished two small custom orders: baby boy/baby girl chucks, peach sun hat/mary janes. One of those customers also later requested a hanging towel in pink and white (for a new mommy).

I finally have all the materials I need for my swap, so I need to get moving on that. Don't want to give away details yet, but there will be an amigurumi, knit wearables, clay work, glass etching, and some embroidery going on n_n.

I've also acquired most of the supplies needed for my 2 big custom orders and 2 gifts.

I actually need two more large skeins of white (I only have the one right now), but the store was out! I could have gone with "antique white" but it looked dirty in comparison, and I do not want baby things to look dirty!

Once orders slow down and I finish these gifts, I have to catch up on all my family gifts (they always suffer...my poor family! Luckily my sister is also a knitter so is pretty understanding of the time it takes and of the fact that my business comes first, and my mom keeps sending people to me for orders so she can deal n_~). After all of that (I dream big, people!) I have a ton of socks I want to make myself, and maybe a sweater...

Swatching and Prepping

One of my orders is supposed to include a tunisian blanket, but due to my customer upping her original deadline by two months, I am unable to do the blanket as I usually would (light/fingering yarn and a size H hook). I am testing out two larger hook sizes (K and L) with heavier yarn (Aran).
I personally prefer the L hook (top of swatch). The stitches are a tad larger, but not so much that it looks loose or sloppy. This difference does make the fabric more pliable. The K hook (bottom of swatch) is a little tighter, but not so much that I think it particularly looks neater, plus this tightness makes the fabric rather stiff. Tunisian blankets tend to feel a bit dense, but I don't want it feeling solid.

I am really hoping she picks the L hook fabric as it is about 2 stitches wider and 1 row taller than the K swatch (both sections are 10 stitches wide by 9 rows tall...K produces a fabric 3x2.5 inches and L produces a fabric 3.375x2.75 inches) Over the course of the entire blanket this cuts down quite a bit of time.

36x36 inch blanket on K: 120 stitches x 130 rows 15600 stitches total Difference: 2974 stitches Equivalent of 25 L rows (work/time I could save using L)

36x36 inch blanket on L: 107 stitches x 118 rows 12626 stitches total Difference: 2974 stitches Equivalent of 28 L rows (work/time I would add using K)

We will see what the client thinks. Either way I need to order a new hook, so hopefully she chooses soon so that my hooks arrive in time to ship this out for a March 16 delivery.

Small Shop Update

Well, you all have been keeping me rather busy this past month, as well as these next two upcoming months. Not that I'm complaining--I love doing custom items, but the constant orders are keeping me from getting very far on ready-made items. I did add a few pairs of sandals, all in 12-18 month sizes.


I will always try to make a small post for shop updates. Big updates will get a notice, but smaller ones like these may sneak past on occasion. You can also find newly posted items, as well as planned items for future updates, in the New & Upcoming section of my website.

As always you can request anything you see in my shop, previous sales, and gallery (in same or different sizes, colors, etc) or contact me for your own custom item.

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I have been working on towels and washcloths as gift items, and they have been getting some attention from my local customers. I even got a request for a towel, so I am considering expanding my Skin Care shop section into a Bath & Kitchen section. This new section will still house my lotion, soap, and lip balm; but it will also house new products such as hand towels, wash cloths, scrubbies, and soap sachets. Other items may include hanging towels, potholders, and TP covers (although at this point I debate if Kitchen and Bath should be separate sections, except for the overlap of towels, scrubbies, and washcloths).

I am also toying with the idea of creating a Facebook or Google+ page for my shop. Things are still fairly small scale though, so those may be a bit further on the horizon. Regardless, changes are coming and I am excited for them!

My Latest Projects

Phew! It's be a busy last few weeks. Getting sick put me a little behind on orders (I don't like handling materials when I'm all germy...even though I wash everything before sending out anyway). However, I have completed two custom orders and a baby gift!

Recent Custom Orders

Last Month's Custom Orders

Maggie's 1st Birthday Baby Gift

Now to get moving on two larger custom orders (cocoon/hat set and blanket/booties/hat/plush set), and another baby gift for my coworker! Soon after that I'll need to start a second baby gift for another coworker--it seems everyone is expecting this spring n_n

I still haven't decided what the gifts should be yet though...they are both for little boys. For the one, I am thinking blanket/booties, and for the other who I am much closer with I am thinking overalls/booties/plush. We shall see what time allows and how busy my shop makes me, I suppose.