Updates...

So, it's been a little while.  School has started again, and I don't have much time for crafting, but I can show you some of what I've been working on since last time.

The Etsy shop is currently closed for reorganization, but will be opening again fairly soon.  I'm working on some new gauntlets and a couple doll outfits, so expect those sometime this month or next.

I've received several questions about a crochet version of my gauntlet pattern, so I've started work on designing one, and it will be posted on Ravelry when I'm finished.

Now for some pictures!

A Case for Navi

After a little technical difficulty with the blog, I have returned!  This is one of my most recent projects, a case for my GPS.  (Her name is Navi, which is important.  You'll see.)  Hit the jump for the details...

Poor, naked Navi...

More Summer Crafts

So, I've been getting a lot done this summer (at least now that I've finished working).  Here's some of what I've been working on...

Catching Up

Well, it's been a while!  I've been unexpectedly busy for the last month or so.  I was suddenly offered a full-time research job at school for the summer (not 3 days after College for Kids ended), and have been so focused on that, I haven't been able to craft much.  We're almost done now, though-- my partner and I finished our presentation this Thursday, our mentor is on vacation for the rest of the summer, and there's just a week left of wrapping up loose ends (prettying up our code, pursuing a few last questions, that sort of thing).  So, with a little more free time now, I thought I'd share the little bit I have been up to.

Why I Love Yarn People (An Observation)

It's always great hanging out with other crafty people, especially the yarny ones.  There's just this sort of... solidarity, I guess?  Everyone understands what you're doing.  They understand which work is simple and which is worthy of praise; they know when to offer advice and what to say; they don't mind sitting quietly, listening to the yarn and hooks/needles in each other's hands.

And, one of my favorites, they always know when to make appreciative noises.  When I'm at a craft store/LYS/craft group, whenever someone mentions baby alpaca or cashmere, there's invariably a chorus of "Mmm"s and "Ah"s.  It's just the understood reaction.  The same thing goes for some of the more difficult knitting/crochet techniques-- mention one and there's always "Wow!"s and "Ooh!"s.  That's just something non-yarny people can't understand, and it's something that always makes me feel like I'm part of something special.

This is why I love helping at College for Kids in the summers-- a friend of mine that I met through the program teaches knitting, crochet, and weaving to kids in grades 3-8.  It's so exciting to help spread the yarn love to younger generations!  Every year, the kids get so into their work and learn so much-- it's just the best to see what they make and help them develop new skills.  I usually learn a lot, too.  Just today, I finger-knit for the first time.  It turned out a bit weird and loopy, but I liked it.  I've also really developed my weaving skills-- more on this later.

And also, arm knitting?  I had no idea this was a thing.

More Independent Study Gown Pictures

I got the pictures of my gown from the school photographer today!  Here's a few of them to enjoy while the sewing room is still in soggy disarray:

Rain and Renaissance Regalia

So, I've heard that the weather here in Galesburg has made national news-- especially the flooding at Carl Sandburg College.  We were pretty lucky at our house-- no major damage-- but since the sewing room is under an inch or so of water, it may be a while before I can actually get to crafting again.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you more details about my Elizabethan independent study...

The original plate next to the finished outfit.