handmade by stefanie

I'm not sure if anyone noticed, but I really haven't been promoting the affiliate programs I'm signed up for lately, and that is mostly because I feel like the main site I am an affiliate for, Craftsy, is everywhere - and people are a little fatigued with the 24/4 promotion. Also, I'm guessing most of you have probably hit a wall for how many classes you can sign up for and only watch half of, which is pretty much where I'm at right now! I hope you don't mistake this for me knocking Craftsy - I still very much love the website and do refer back to the many classes I've taken quite a bit. However, I do have a fair number of classes I've purchased and have get to find the time to watch, and that's kind of a bummer. I keep telling myself - SOMEDAY! - but then that day never comes. Having said that, I simply couldn't say no to a full free month of Creativebug. This weekend only, they are generously offering myself and all of you dear readers a Cre...

I finally have some new WIPs to share this week! While they aren't the most thrilling projects in the world, it's nice to mix it up a little - I was starting to feel like I was writing the same post over and over again!  First, I started Tyler's new scarf , which most likely won't be finished in time for this season. I am not a fan of knitting long rectangular scarves, so I'm guessing this will be a slow-burner which will hibernate every now and again. Also, it's not super-exciting to look at; while the pattern itself is fun to knit, the jet-black yarn doesn't allow for a whole lot of visual interest (plus, it's tough to photograph). For some reason, I really hate using circulars to knit a rectangular scarf, despite the fact that I'll knit plenty of other projects flat on circs. It was also the perfect excuse to give these straight Cubics needles from Knitter's Pride a test drive!  My other new project is a crocheted placemat using som...

After a month of project monogamy during October, I was pretty excited to start some new projects! I started with a pair of colorwork socks, which are a new design that I'm hoping will be out before the end of this year. Therefore, I can't show you too much of it, but here is a little sneak peek - it's being knit in Baah La Jolla Tequila Lime (my favorite!) and Night Sky. Today I am casting on for a Mystery KAL that's happening in the Bijou Basin Ranch group . Though MKALs aren't really my thing these days, I am excited about this one because it's going to have lots of options so you can customize your cowl throughout the KAL. Another bonus it that's short and sweet - there are only three weeks of clues, so it should be fairly easy to be finished before Thanksgiving! I'll be knitting mine with a skein of Bijou Bliss in Steel. Last night I finally started my first-ever crocheted socks, Spooktacular from the Rohn Strong Holiday Sock Club. It took...

Since the weather didn't  cooperate for a photo shoot yesterday, I will be sharing my finished Fleece Artist Socks  and  Elfe sweater for next week's FO Friday post. However, I do have a super-secret project that I can finally share on this blog - I crocheted a Cluck Clutch and some Tiny Chickens for my friend Leanne's birthday! The Cluck Clutch is a free crochet pattern on Ravelry. I used Malabrigo Merino Worsted  in Butter for my main color. I think this is super cute, though it would probably make a better pillow than carry-all!  Of course, it turned out to be some very cute packaging for the tiny chickens I knit from Teeny Tiny Mochimochi.   I used worsted-weight yarn instead of fingering to make a slightly larger (but still tiny) chicken. I couldn't resist putting them into an egg carton - they fit perfectly! Thanks for stopping by this week - for more FO Friday inspiration, visit the  Tami's Amis blog !  Have a crafty...

I can only share a few of my WIPs today, as we're rolling into that time of year when secrecy is of the utmost importance. As far as projects I am  at liberty to talk about goes....I haven't gotten much work done on my Shangri-La top , so I'm not sure it's worth a photo update. However, I have become addicted to making Grandma Trees for my holiday decor this year - they are so quick to crochet! I made five on my birthday and have been whipping up more whenever I have a few free moments. I am also making progress on the Fresh Stitches Archer Mystery CAL , but I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone who is just now joining the party - so click here to view my progress shots on Ravelry! I have come across some fairly hilarious turkey-themed patterns of late - so I thought I'd do something a little different today and share some of my favorites: Turkey Coasters by Joanne Loh  (free!) Thanksgiving Softies by Gari Lynn Turkey Hat by Kristin Han...