My Favorite Things - Crafting supplies! Plus a few WIP photos snuck in!

I'm working on a couple of projects right now, and they aren't quite ready to show...maybe I'll give you a couple of pics of the afghans (yes, plural) that I'm working on soon.  Or maybe now...because I'm excited about them! Well, and maybe I could use some cheering on so I'm inspired to finish them!

This first one uses Lucy's (Attic24) ripple pattern.  I love the pattern - it's simple and straightforward, and she walks you through it with a very good tutorial.  This one is for my husband (as you can see it is nice and neutral instead of fluorescent rainbow).  I estimated wrong on the foundation chain ( I was going for a twin bedspread size), and now it's the size of a double bed. OY.  So it's taking me sooo long to finish, since each row seems to last a lifetime.
.

I started a ripple baby blanket with this pattern last night too - when I finish it, I'll give you yarn details, foundation chain numbers, and measurements, so you can make a baby one too. And not make it twice as big as you intended.

This one is an my interpretation of a pattern in a book.  A nice, normal throw sized blanket. With tons of ends to weave in.

In the meantime, I thought you might find it helpful if I show you a few of my favorite things I keep in my project box.  When I first started sewing and crocheting, I really found it helpful to see what others used successfully.

For Crocheting:

Hooks -
I have a bunch of the standard metal hooks, but I really prefer to use these Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks. They come in a set, and roll into a handy little case.  I like that I can just grab a skein of yarn and the case, throw in a pair of scissors, and be ready to make something wherever I go.

Stitch markers -
I use these split ring markers.  They work pretty well, although sometimes they slip out, especially if I'm working on something round like a hat, when I'll pass by the same area a few times.  I might try the triangle or lock ring ones soon and see if I like those better.



Yarn -
I'll usually use whatever I like, but I'm fond of using acrylic and acrylic blends because I have small children, and I need things to be washable. Usually I use Caron Simply Soft because it has a nice sheen, or Red Heart Soft, but also really like Deborah Norville yarns, in all weights..  I also love to use cotton yarn, like Sugar 'N Cream, because it's pretty washable, it's natural, comes in a wide range of colors, and is reasonably priced.  I would love to use more animal fiber and locally sourced yarn, and I plan on moving that direction as I get more comfortable with my abilities.

Scissors -
I tend to just use whatever scissors I have around...no specialty there.

I use a Chibi needle set to weave in my ends. They are enclosed in a little case and it's handy.


For Sewing:

An ergonomic seam ripper. Any one.  And make sure it's sharp.

Sharp scissors and pinking shears.

The Grabbit "pincushion".  It's basically a plastic magnetic bowl - best idea ever, and it is so much easier than a pile of pins or a traditional pin cushion.





A rotary cutter and self healing cutting mat, like these.

A clear plastic ruler.  Get a long one, or you'll think it's a pain.

A big cheap sturdy table to use to cut larger pieces of fabric. I used my bed for a while, because it was the largest surface I had...but I found a good folding table for $5 at a garage sale, and my husband doesn't complain so much about the pins on the bed every night anymore.  :)

I wish I had a machine recommendation for you, but I have a simple and cheap one, and while it usually does the trick, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and I can't wait to get one with fewer quirks.

One final picture for you:

This is what happens when I try to take pictures on the weekend. Love that guy! And now you see why I usually have photo heavy posts DURING the week. When there are fewer people about sticking their heads into photos with silly faces. Notice I said fewer. There's no shortage of little people around here with silly faces.

I'll be back tomorrow with something new!