Spa Set

I'm going to try to catch up with some of the things I've made in the past few months.  I made a lot for Christmas, including the spa set pictured her for my niece.  She loves pink. It includes two Pampering Massage Soap Savers, a Pampering Massage Back Scrubber,  and a Pampering Picots Bath Mitt, all from mooglyblog.

The bowls are a pattern from JoAnn Fabrics.  I created the wash cloths myself, just knitting a simple square in stockinette stitch and then adding a crochet border.

I purchased soap for the soap savers from Bean Tree, and got a couple of bars for myself while I was there.

My niece really loved the gift, and that made me very happy!

Sunny Cozy

This little guy just makes me smile.  

I made this cozy for a birthday gift for my neighbor because she drinks Diet Coke a lot.  I haven't given it to her yet, so it's sitting in my pantry.  Every time I open the door, I smile.

Birthday Sweater and Barrettes

Yesterday, I went to a birthday party for my friend's 2-year-old daughter.  I decided to make her a sweater and some barrettes.  I used the Fun Time Cardigan pattern from Red Heart Yarns.  If you look at the pattern, you'll see that it is made with bright colors, but I chose lavender baby yarn and didn't change anything with the pattern.

I also made some simple bows and floers and glued them to hair clips for her,

She doesn't look very happy, but she did like the sweater a lot.  She kept trying to put her fingers in the holes.  Even though she was already wearing two barrettes, she asked her mom to put all four of the new ones in her hair.

Starfish Dishcloths

I've been making many cotton dishcloths, all with a beach theme, but these are my favorite.  I made several of these for Christmas gifts, and although those who received them don't want to use them as dishcloths, they ARE using them as pot holders and trivets.  I just think they add some nice decor to a kitchen, even if they just chill on a counter.

The pattern is on the Red Heart website, or you can find it quickly by going to my Red Heart Pinterest board:  http://pinterest.com/beachgirlvb/red-heart-yarns-free-patterns/

Hats and Scarves

My niece's birthday is December 14th.  I decided to make a hat and scarf for her because she's so cute, it's fun to make pretty things for her.  I've been doing that since she was a baby (although I mostly sewed then).

I found a pattern on the Lion Brand website called "Softly Shaded Hat and Scarf."  The suggested yarn is Lion Brand Amazing.  I chose the color "pink sands" since I live near the ocean, and my niece loves pink and the beach.  Since I was buying the yarn online, I didn't notice that it is 53% wool.  Big mistake.  I'm allergic to wool, so although the yarn is awesome, I was sick the entire time I made the hat and scarf.  I am thankful it was easy to make and didn't take long at all.

I then decided I wanted to make the same set for a friend who had stayed with me immediately after my foot surgery.  I chose Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable, color "parrot."  The yarn is even prettier in person than it was online.  I loved it!

Both my niece and my friend love their gifts.  Here is my niece modeling hers on Christmas Day:

This is what I made for my friend with the Red Heart Yarn.  I used my mannequin, which has no head, to display it, so it looks a little funny.

I had a lot of yarn left, so I decided to make a simple scarf for my brother's girlfriend for Christmas.  I wanted it to be light so that she could wear it inside, so I made it narrow and just used a simple garter stitch, but I think it looks awesome because of the yarn.

Wine Cozy

This year I was able to make a lot of gifts because of my foot surgery.  Here is one that took me less than an hour.

I made this wine cozy for my neighbors.  I didn't want to just give them a bottle of wine--I wanted to make it "fancy."

I used Red Heart Soft red yarn, which made it a little stretchy.  My friend (who was out of work because of rotator cuff surgery) and her daughter took me to Michael's so that I could find red yarn.  The only red left was that variety.  I love the feel of it, and I think that's wasted on a wine bottle, but at least it looks good.

I already had white Red Heart yarn, so I used that for the top part.

You can find the pattern here:  http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Crochet-Gift-Bags/One-Hour-Wine-Bottle-Cozy/ml/1

Introduction

Hello, anyone who might have stumbled upon my new blog.

I decided I would like to write about what I make.  I couldn't think of a title because I knit AND crochet--I don't just do one.

Then I went to my English teacher life and decided to go with a pun--"yarns."  Since I live across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, I had to include that, so I settled on "Yarns by the Sea."

As soon as I finish all my Christmas projects, I'll post what I've made lately.

I had foot surgery on November 13th and have been home from work, unable to walk, since then, so I have had a lot of time to knit and crochet.  I've had to rely on Amazon and other sites to get my yarn, which is not what I prefer because, like most people who knit and crochet, I like to feel the yarn first.

Ordering from the Internet has worked out, though, except for when I accidentally ordered yarn that is 53% wool.  It's awesome yarn, but I'm allergic to wool, so I was a bit ill during that project.

Back to knitting for me, and then soon I will add some projects that might give others some good ideas.