Under the Lilac Bush

Here's the infinity scarf I finished last night, that I made for my mom!  This yarn has made it twice onto the blog already, so you may recognize it.  ;)  My mom loves this yarn so much it's almost funny, and she was so excited to try it on this morning!  It may not look like it, but it is sso soft: 90% alpaca and 10% merino wool.  It was hand spun and dyed in Colorado, and this colorway is called Under the Lilac Bush.  :)

I spent this afternoon finishing a custom Etsy order, and watching a few Mythbuster episodes - ultimate relaxation!  Much needed after the stress I've been feeling the last few days about my English midterm that I took last night.  I had to watch The Fisher King (1998), which starred Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges, and respond in an essay about it.  Although I'd never heard of it, I thought it might be okay because of the awesome cast, but no.  It was honestly one of the worst movies I've ever seen.  And I had to watch it twice, so I could be sure I saw all the details, because the prompt wasn't revealed until I was ready to start the timed essay. Sooo, I wasn't too happy yesterday.  Which means lots of knitting today to make up for it!  :)  How's your Thursday been?  xx

currently listening to.... Never Too Late - Three Days Grace

DIY Tutorial: Yarn Vase

So I spent my afternoon being extremely crafty in making this vase (it isn't really, but it's much nicer to say than pens-needles-and-odds-and-ends-holder), and thought I would create a tutorial on it so you can make one (or five) too!

Here's what you're going to need:
1. //  At least two colors of yarn (I used five)
2. //  Craft glue
3. //  Your choice of container: milk carton, soup can, etc.
4. //  Scissors
5. //  Paper towels (you will end up with glue on your hands.  No doubt about it)

1. //  Begin to apply glue in a strip down one side of your container.  Conventional wisdom might tell you to apply glue everywhere, but this is really unnecessary and will only create a huge mess.

  

2. //  Begin wrapping the yarn around your container, applying glue as you go, so it doesn't start to dry before you apply the yarn on it.  Every few wraps, be sure to push the yarn up, squishing it as close together as possible.  This ensures you won't have any space between the strands, which hides the container and makes applying the dots later on easier.

3. //  Once you've wrapped the entirety of your container, cut the yarn and glue the end in place.

4. //  Apply glue onto your base yarn in approximately the size you want your dot to be.

5. //  Carefully wrap the yarn in a circle around itself, pressing it into the glue as you go.  This took me a few times before I got into a rhythm, so don't give up if it doesn't come out perfect the first time!  Create as many dots as you want, in any size you want, and you're done!
 

I hope you have as much fun with this as I did!  xx

currently listening to.... Flake - Jack Johnson

Pretty Things

Last night I celebrated my birthday with some of my dad's family!  As well as my uncle's birthday, hence the name on the cake - my name isn't secretly Bill!  ;)  It was very lovely to visit with them, as we typically only see them a few times a year.  And if your mouth is watering at the sight of the cake, it should be!  So delicious.

Anyway, I wanted to share some of the lovely gifts I was given!  My cousins up north in Washington sent down a big box of yarn!  I'm so excited!  The best thing about having a hobby is that everyone knows what to give you when your birthday rolls around, and they know you'll love it!  :)

My aunt and uncle gave me this to-die-for watch.  I typically don't like small and delicate watches, but this one is just so adorable!  I really just can't stop exclaiming over it.  :D  Lastly - this is the yarn from Colorado that my mom gave to me, which I mentioned in the post I did on my birthday.  The blends of colors in these skeins are just so fabulous that I had to share them!  If only I had another pair of hands to knit all this yarn.... Think of the possibilities!  ;)  I'm off to continue my re-reading of The Hunger Games and finish up an Etsy order.  Have a lovely evening!  xx

currently listening to.... Best Days - Matt White