I’ve talked about posting some pictures of what I’ve been working on over the past few months, and I’m finally getting around to doing it. I’ll start with a WIP: I’ve been wanting to learn to knit for a while, so I decided that with the laptop gone, it was as good a time as any to learn. It took a while – having learned to crochet first, I had some difficulty figuring out how to pull the yarn through without having a hook at the end of the needle. I was just about ready to give up, and then I figured out the knit stitch. Then the purl stitch was giving me a headache, and once again I was just about ready to give up – I was thinking, “I can crochet, I’ll be content with that” – but then I figured that out too. So I decided knitting a ribbed scarf would give me lots of practice with those two stitches. Next I’ll tackle increasing and decreasing, and learn some more ways to cast on; so far I only know how to do the knit cast on.

Next is my crochet hook case:
I absolutely love this case! I had crocheted a case a couple of years ago, but I was getting increasingly frustrated with it, and just didn’t like it anymore. With my limited sewing skills, I was able to finish it in a couple of hours. I plan to do one for my knitting needles as well, sometime.

Next are a pair of slippers:

I crocheted these for my husband. I’d started a pair last winter, but I really didn’t like the pattern. Now, I’ve found a pattern I really like, and these are kind of similar to ones my grandma used to make (although I have this feeling she didn’t need a pattern to crochet those, lol). They didn’t take too long to make, so I don’t think I should have a problem keeping my husband in good supply of slippers year round.

I’ve finally sewn a bag to hold my cross stitch WIPs:
I admit I love all the fabrics, I’m jut not sure I like them the way I used them for this bag. Actually, I’m only unsure I like the way the front pocket turned out. I actually had to settle for that fabric, as I’d goofed on the pocket the first time I tried it, and the white flowered fabric was the only one large enough to accommodate the pattern pieces. I should have just waited until I could get to the fabric store again, but I had the sewing bug, and really wanted to get this bag done. Oh, and I’m not sure I like the handles for this bag. I do like the handles, I’m just not sure for this bag. I plan to sew a bag for my knitting and crochet using a different pattern, so we’ll see how that turns out.

Next is something I’ve found has really come in handy while using my sewing machine: a sewing machine catch-all!
I don’t have a specific sewing area, so I spread out on the dining room table. This catch-all has been really handy for putting my bobbins and thread – they are close at hand, and I don’t have to worry about them rolling away! And, when I clean up, all I need to do is roll it up and store it with the sewing machine. Very handy!

Lastly, my scissor case:
I admit so far I have not gotten any use out of the strap. I thought it would be very handy for keeping my scissors close at hand, but safely out of reach of my son, especially if I had to step away from my stitching for a minute or two. But, if I’m going to do any needlework while my son is playing, I tend to reach for the knitting, since it’s so easy to start and stop anytime. But I’m sure this case will be especially helpful if I choose to take along some cross stitching while driving, as I’m able to keep my highlighter and pencil, as well as a package of Stitchbows in this case. It is so much nicer to look at than the Ziploc bag I was using before.

So that’s it for now. I’ve been working on some cross stitch projects as well, but no progress pics yet.