I thought you could use a smile . . .

I think we can file this post in the "Crazy Cat-Lady" category. I'll need to make a new banner for that or something. Anyway, our cats Rivey and Scully have this habit of getting into EVERYTHING. They especially enjoy yarn, as all cats do. No surprises there. But they have this keen sense of knowing the precise moment when yarn becomes accessible to them.

You can see we've had this problem before. This sloppily-wrapped skein with bits of fur tells all . . .


So, though it wasn't totally shocking to come downstairs and find this scene on Saturday afternoon. It was rather hilarious. Yeah. It never gets old . . .



Can you say G.U.I.L.T.Y.?


Well-meaning and meticulous Stephen decided the best method was to clean up as quickly as possible.


Of course, the cats only enjoyed that more . . .




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Eternity Scarf Tutorial

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm no fantastically talented knitter. The most impressive project I've completed is a pillowcase. And that not really that impressive. So, if you have two hands, basic knitting skills (know how to cast on, cast off, and knit a basic stitch), and some motivation . . . this project is totally for you.


What's so mystical about an eternity scarf? Nothing. Seriously. The "trick" is that you knit a scarf . . . and then sew it together. That's it. But I'll cover some basic knitting techniques for those of you new to the craft. (And for those of you who have no idea why I'm sharing this project -- it's because I featured my handmade creation in my latest style post: Personalize Your Style the Homespun Way.)


Step 1: Clear the area of any cats. As you'll see in my photos. I do not follow this crucial step as I begin work on yet another eternity scarf to add to my collection. But it makes for some fun photos.


Step 2: Gather Your Supplies.

• You'll need knitting needles (I recommend size 13, 9mm -- bamboo or metal or plastic, doesn't really make a difference);
• 2 skeins of some good medium to chunky weight yarn (I got mine at a local joint, but didn't save the wrapper. It's 100% wool, hand-dyed. The nicer the yarn, the nicer the scarf -- but if you're new to knitting, you might want to get some cheaper stuff to practice with first.);
• and a yarn darner is helpful (it's a big needle that you'll use to sew the two ends of the scarf together . . . but I didn't use one. I just used my fingers). 

Step 3: Cast on. If you're a visual learner, check out these step-by-step instructions -- with photos -- on how to cast on using two needles. You can also cast on with just one, as you can view in this YouTube tutorial that got rave reviews. Personally, I like the two-needle approach. But you have to do what's best for you. Anyway, cast on around 15 stitches, depending on the weight of your yarn.


Step 4: Knit away. I didn't use any fancy stitching to make my scarf. Just the basic knit stitch. If you're unfamiliar with how to do it, just view this helpful (and illustrated) tutorial. It covers both the knit and purl stitches. Despite even the best tutorials online, I have always found it helpful to ask others who knit how to do stuff. So, I'm sure you know SOMEone who knits. And that SOMEone should be willing to help you if you're confused :) Once you get the hang of it . . . it's easy. So, knit away until your scarf is long enough for you to stretch it fingertip to fingertip across your chest (or between 5 and 6 feet long).


Step 5: Cast off.  Again, this helpful (and illustrated) tutorial can give you all the tips you need, and if you're more into video, check out this great video. Once you're totally cast off and cut the umbilical cord . . . you can continue to the final step!


Step 6: Sew it up. Congrats! The "hard" part is over. Now, this is where the yarn darner comes in handy. Make a big loop with your scarf . . . and then hold the two ends together and use some leftover yarn to sew them together with a basic whipstitch (Uhm, when I say "whipstitch" it makes me feel like I'm all hardcore, like Christina from Grey's Anatomy -- sewing up people, not scarves -- photo from ABC). If you'd like to be EXTRA anal (like me), instead of it just being a whipstitch, you can also tie off each time you stitch so there's a little knot. It's hard to explain, but when you're looping around, tie the loop so it's secure and continue to your next stitch. This might not sound very technical . . . but whatever you can do to bind the two ends together securely is FINE.

And that's how you make this season's most stylish accessory -- the all-by-you, super-duper-handmade, homespun way. Feels good, right? Looks even better (the scarf, not me!) . . .


And if you're a veteran knitter with some tips and tricks to share with us all -- PLEASE DO. I'd love to hear from you, so either leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker@gmail.com. Also. Today's your last day to enter our giveaway of Martha Stewart's Cooking School cookbook. The lucky winner will be announced tomorrow AM.


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Lunch Project: Knitting

Until recently, I'd leave the office for my half-hour lunch. Maybe take a walk around campus. Maybe just hit the food court to grab something to eat. But I realized this week that it's just too darn cold to venture far from my little nook . . . and it will be until March or even April.

I'm settling in for the winter. Officially.

Drinking a ridiculous amount of Red Zinger tea; feasting on my lunch of PB&J, string cheese, and my daily apple; and knitting. I'm actually quite terrible at knitting. You should see my form: I sit with one needle in between my knees and use the other to feverishly craft the same sloppy scarf over and over again. (Note: I make sure to keep my door closed during this activity -- so my coworkers, except those reading this post, won't think I'm strange.) I did learn the stocking stitch at one point . . . but it's too difficult for me to remember what row I'm on at any given time.


I've found that I enjoy spending my lunch crafting. I, like you, I'm sure, don't get much time to do it -- so it's also fulfilling in that I'm making good use of my (small) break.

My questions for you all: What do you do for lunch? Have any suggestions on how to better spend that bit of respite in the middle of a busy day? Have any projects you're working on? Any great lunch recipes -- something quick and easy -- that makes those last four hours fly by? And knitters out there . . . do you have any suggestions for me? I'd like to move beyond the scarf at some point in my life!

Also: (never home)maker is now on Twitter. Come say hi! At the present moment, we're rather lonely :)

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Crafty Ornaments: How To

I had the best of plans to make this post a video post. Not only because I'm incredibly witty and gorgeous when I'm crafting, but also because it's just plain easier to explain the whole process in moving form than it is to struggle with the written word. For some reason, though, we cannot find our Flip! How do two responsible adults lose a video camera? It's ridiculous! Some intense searching will happen tonight, I assure you.

Anyway, lots of decorating posts are floating around in blogland today, so I thought I'd add mine. We made these crafty ornaments last year. The story goes: I was browsing the net, drooling over Anthropologie, as usual, when I came upon their holiday decor section. Among the many (many, many) pretty things to bling out your tree where these artful, felt & yarn ornaments. Problem was, they were like $50 each. At that rate, our tree would get more gifts than we would on X-mas.

Unacceptable!

But after some planning and quick trip to Michael's, we were set with all we needed to make over 12 ornaments for the price (or less) than one!

What you'll need . . .

• Several skeins of yarn in different colors
• Styrofoam balls in different sizes
• Beads, sequins, buttons, etc.
• LOTS of pins (see below)
• Felt, if desired
• Ribbon
• Scissors

STEP 1: Take one styrofoam ball & wrap it with yarn.

• How? Tie one end of the yarn into a knot and use the T-shaped pin to anchor it to the styrofoam. Start at the top of the ball and wrap tightly the whole way around until it is well covered.
• Cut the yarn at the end and tie it into another knot. If you can, take out the original T-shaped pin and anchor both ends with it. If you can't, just use another pin.

STEP 2: Take the smaller pins and embellish with your buttons, sequins, and things!

• There's really no wrong way to do this part. I used the sequins to inspire the "theme" of each ornament. I used the heavier metal & stone beads to class it up. And I mostly created patterns & repeated them.
• The best part? If you don't like something you did, just take it out! And if you are using buttons and other pieces with large holes (that the pins tend to slip through), just put a sequin ahead of where the pin anchors everything.
  

STEP 3: Finish everything off with a pretty ribbon.

• Depending on the size of your ornament, take a few inches of colored ribbon and loop it at one end . . . then secure it with another T-shaped pin.
• I'm sure there are fancier ways to do this part, but our ornaments look great & were secure on our tree despite our cats' many attempts at taking them down.

This weekend, we're looking forward to breaking out the X-mas gear and going wild. I think we even have some supplies left over from last year's ornament fest. This project provided us with a great way to spend an afternoon -- and the mint-chocolate chippers and hot chocolate I made sure didn't hurt anything.

Is it Friday yet? I know I'm working for the FREEKEND!

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quick & crafty wreath

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