Sunday Night Etsy Site - The Chicks with Sticks

Here it is, another Sunday Night Etsy Site! This time we are looking at Sprouty25 (aka The Chicks with Sticks). I ordered some roving from the shop awhile back and it was oh so delicious. Look at some of the stuff you might find in their shop:

Beautiful colors! Soft fiber! Looks like I may need to order a little something from this shop soon!

The Chicks with Sticks Etsy shop can be found at http://sprouty25.etsy.com.

Note: Photos are from sprouty25's Etsy site.

Tempt, tempt. . . . .

Just thought I would tempt you with a little yarn today. You know, because I am evil like that. :)



As always, you can get these lovelies (and many more delicious colorways) in my etsy shop, http://knittinglikecrazy.etsy.com.

From the Queue Friday - The Quirky Kit

I don't know if anyone got their yarn pr0n this week, but I got the KnitPicks Catalog and oh boy do I want to knit one of these quirky little kits!

Seriously? A bag that looks just like an orange slice? That is about the cutest thing ever!

Photos taken from the KnitPicks website.

Just sayin, these things are making their way to my queue right now! You can get your kit from KnitPicks for $29.99.

So, what's new in your queue?

February Socks - Froot Loop

Well, I have successfully completed by second Stash Sock of the Month kit. This time, it's Froot Loop:I love these socks. They are so bright and cheery. Just lovely stuff.
And, it's a super super easy pattern. Like, you can memorize it after about one repeat. That is my kind of knitting!
These socks will be going to a person who will not be named on the blog. And, the event in which the person will receive them will not be revealed on the blog at this time either. Ah, secrets. :)
Anyway, I highly recommend this pattern.And, I highly recommend the yarn too. It's Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock. Very squooshy stuff.
The Specs:

The Pattern: Froot Loop by Kristi Geraci (Knitty Pattern)
The Yarn: Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock
The Needles: US Size 2
The Time to Knit: 15 days
The Mods: Just a minor one to the little two stitch cable. I thought it was easier to do the mock cable from my Mock Cable Rib sock pattern than the way it was in the Froot Loop pattern. I am pretty sure that means that little cable on these Froot Loop socks is reversed from what is in the actual pattern. Same effect though.

So, knit up any good sock patterns lately?

Kimi's Kids - The First Round

I recently mentioned on the blog that I started a new group on Ravelry called Kimi's Kids. You can read more about it in this post here.

So, here are the first couple of things I have to send off to Kimi to gift to the women in her class at the hospital where she works. First up, a couple hats sent to me from Karen (knitfever2 on Ravelry):Very very cute hats. I can't believe how fast she cranked those out. So very lovely hats from a very lovely lady. Next up, here is the hat I knit last night while watching the Olympics:
An Umbilical Cord hat. One of my absolute favorite baby hat patterns ever.

So far so good. I have lots of people knitting their hands off for this project. I always knew Ravelry was super full of super awesome people, but I never thought I would get the response I did for this project. Makes me so happy.

Keep those baby items coming! If you would like to join in the baby knitting (or crocheting!) fun, you can either join the group on Ravelry or just knit any baby item your little heart desires and then email me at jenATknittinglikecrazyDOTcom and I will give you my address so you can send it to me. I will then be giving them to Kimi to give to the women in the class that she teaches.

Happy knitting!

Sunday Night Etsy Site - Polpette Clay

This week's Sunday Night Etsy Site takes me to a site that has some knitting themed goodies. And, I don't know about you, sometimes it's not just about the knitting supplies, but also the random knitting themed stuff you can find.

I mean, seriously? A knitting peapod magnet!? Yes, please!


Polpette Clay specialized in clay magnets (and Christmas ornaments too!). And, she does custom orders (I know this because a couple of years ago I purchased several knitting peapod ornaments at once). She ships things quickly and carefully and her products are amazing (and inexpensive!). What's not to love!?

Polpette Clay can be found at http://polpetteclay.etsy.com.

Note: Pictures are from Polpette Clay's Etsy site.

From The Queue Friday - Some Socks

I like to knit lots of things, but if I had to try to put myself into one category, I would still say that I am a sock knitter. And so it goes there are lots and lots and lots of sock patterns in my Ravelry queue. Here are just three!

First up, it's Loksins by Cassie Thoreson:

Photo from toomuchwool's Flickr Photostream.

I have seen lots of these around Ravelry and the blogosphere. Love them all. You can get the pattern as a Ravelry download for $5.00.

Next up, it's Aquaphobia Socks:

Photo from realknitfreak's Flickr Photostream.

Clever name for a pattern that is supposed to prevent pooling. I think these socks look so cool. And, I think they are perfect for someone like me who loves to buy the crazy variegated yarn and then never knows what to knit with it. This pattern is available for free on knitfreak's website.

And, last but not least it's Espada:

From kirstigeraci's Flickr Photostream.

These are super cute too. I love that stitch patter going up the side of the leg! This one is available as a Ravelry download for $6.00.

So, what's new in your queue?

WIP Wednesday - Baby Surprise Jacket

Well, the Ravelympics are in full swing. While I haven't been able to watch as much of the Olympics as I would like, there has been some Olympic knitting going on here. I have been diligently working on my Baby Surprise Jacket:There is something I just love about the BMFA colorways and garter stitch. This one really is rockin' my socks.
It's the colorway Downpour, in case you might be wondering.
So, how's your Olympic knitting going?

Sunday Night Etsy Site

Well, it's time for another Sunday Night Etsy Site. This time, it's ZigZagStitches!

This Etsy site is based out of Canada. I have two ZigZag bags now and I love love love them. They are my fav project bags for sure. Here is a sampling of the kind of things you can find at her shop:

The quality of the craftsmanship cannot be beat. I know there are lots of good bag makers out there (and there are def. more I want to try), but I have been loving ZigZag's bags so much I haven't found a reason to go anywhere else yet! :)

Want your own project bag? Visit the shop at http://zigzagstitches.etsy.com.

Happy Etsy Shopping! :)

Note: Pictures are from ZigZagStitches Etsy site.

Let the Knitting Olympics Begin!

So, it's that time again - Olympics time! I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics but with invent of the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics followed by the Ravelympics on Ravelry, it brings Olympic watching to a whole new level for me. Because I am trying to frantically trying to complete something by the time the Olympic flame goes out, of course. :)

So this year I decided to join up a team for the Ravelympics. I choose Team Blue Moon. Here is our little avatar:
I figure I have a whole lot of their Socks That Rock yarn and I knew I had a very specific plan for one of those skeins, so why the hell not!? What skein, you ask? Well, it's Downpour:
I bought this one a long long time ago (it's been at least two years this one has been marinating in the stash). At first I thought I wanted to knit some Rotating Rib socks (after seeing Yarn Harlot's pair out of this colorway awhile back) but then I started thinking about a Baby Surprise Jacket for the baby cooking in my sister's uterus and I saw some very pretty ones made out of Downpour on Ravelry, and I knew it was meant to be.

So there you have it. My Ravelympics plan: A Baby Surprise Jacket out of Socks That Rock. I think it is going to be just fantastic.

From the Queue Friday - V-Day Edition

Well, with Valentine's Day being this weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to share some patterns that are fitting for such a holiday.

First up, is one of craziest, most awesome knitted things I think I have ever seen. It's the Luvgun:

Photo from MochiMochiland's Flickr Photostream.

I mean, seriously!? A luvgun!? That is just flippin' awesome. I have no doubt I will knit this someday. It just has to happen. This is a Mochimochiland pattern and is available for download on Ravelry for $5.00.

Next up are some little knitted hearts:

Photo from MochiMochiland's Flickr Photostream. And, if you have never checked out these Flickr pics, you should. Her stuff is AMAZING.

These hearts are also by MochiMochiland and the pattern is available for free here.

Finally, here is the Winged Heart Tatoo:

Photo from AnnyPurl's Flickr Photostream.

You know you would love to give that to your mom. You can get this Winged Heart Tattoo pattern by AnnyPurls as a free Ravelry download.

So, what's new in your queue? Hope you have a nice Valentine's Day!

Book Review: Sock Club

This week's review brings me to a new sock knitting book: Sock Club by Charlene Schurch and Beth Parrott.The first thing that grabs me right away are those socks on the front cover. I definitely want to be knitting some of those! Once I opened the book, I found there were many more patterns that I want to knit. In fact, I counted ten patterns that on first glance I wanted to knit (Serendipity, Low Country Light, Blush, Beaded Lattice, Ariel (this is the pattern on the cover), Rainbow Swirl, Wavy, Rainbow Over Lahaina, Reims, Acorn Stash. That's a lot of patterns to love in a book of 23 patterns. Other than maybe Cookie A.'s Sock Innovation book, I can't think of another sock book I have ever seen that I have wanted to knit so much out of it. That's saying a lot, because I am kind of picky when it comes to sock patterns!


In addition to all those patterns, there is also a few pages on making socks your own size. I always appreciate this kind of this with sock patterns, because I don't think my size 11 feet are going to be shrinking any time soon! Some of the details this section goes into are changing the number of pattern repeats and adding a small motif in between pattern repeats. I also appreciate that the patterns give directions or options for making the socks bigger.

After all the patterns in the book, there are a couple pages with techniques, useful info, and foot measurments. I was so happy to see the foot measurements in the book. I mean, when you are trying to surprise a friend with birthday socks, it kind of ruins it if you take a tape measure to his or her foot. Hooray for the chart that at least gives you some average numbers to shoot for when knitting those gift socks!

The other thing that is making me totally in love with this book is the fact that several of the patterns featured indie dyer yarns. Makes me hopeful that someone will be designing sock patterns for books with one of my yarns one day!

So, I guess it's pretty obvious that I am in love with this book, huh? :)

Sock Club is published through Martingale and Company and has a list price of $24.99. You can get yours on Amazon for $16.49. I definitely recommend that you do.

Read any good knitting books lately?

Sunday Night Etsy Site - Fat Cat Knits

Well, it's Sunday night, so you know what that means! It's time for another Sunday Night Etsy Site. This time here are some lovelies that you might find on Fat Cat Knits:I have ordered roving from Fat Cat Knits on a couple different occassions. Both times, super fast shipping and the stuff was so so nice and soft and dyed so well. Some of the color combos are ones that I would never dream of putting together and they always look so great.

Fat Cat Knits also has some patterns. Those look super cute too!

You can find Fat Cat Knits at http://fatcatknits.etsy.com

Happy Etsy shopping!

Note: Pictures are from FatCatKnits' Etsy Site.

February Socks In Progress - Froot Loop

As I talked about at the beginning of last month, I made myself a Stash Sock of the Month Club. I did well last month and managed to knit my Bellatrix socks in just about five days. This month, I am confident I will complete my Stash Sock of the Month Club kit, just probably not in five days!

So, what did I pull out of the closet this month? Why it's some Froot Loop socks!

This pattern is a free one on Knitty and one that I had been wanting to knit for a very long time. And the yarn? It's some Adorn Sock (I think, it unfortunately did not have a label when I purchased it at Sock Summit) from Three Irish Girls in the Ciara colorway.


I have been working on these for about a week now. But, as you can see above, the second sock has been started, so I think I will be able to finish these puppies before the end of the month!

So, anyone else make a Stash Sock of the Month Club for themselves? If so, how's it going?

From the Queue Friday - Baby Hats

This From the Queue Friday takes us to cute baby hats. Last week, I talked about that Pumpkin Hat I knit and how I love all baby hats that are meant to look like something else. Well, here are just a couple of my faves. First up, is the Upside-Down Daisy Hat:

Photo from sunshineyarn's Flickr Photostream.

This hat is just so adorable to me. I don't care whether my sister has a boy or a girl, I am going to need to make one of these! This pattern is by Susan B. Anderson and is available for free here.

And, here we have the Berry Baby Hat:

Photo from jessloring's Flickr Photostream.

I plan on knitting this hat in red and make a little strawberry hat! I think it just so so adorable. You can get the Berry Baby Hat by Michelle Sabatier for free on her blog here.

So there you have it. Some more very cute baby patterns. What's new in your queue?

New Ravelry Group: Kimi's Kids

So, I have this friend, Kimi, who I have known since college. Her and I were two of the founding members of the Chem Clique while at Loyola. While I have gone on to test wastewater for a living, Kimi has gone on to become a doctor. Currently she is practicing medicine at a clinic in the Chicagoland area.

Kimi is teaching classes at the clinic for women who are expecting children. Many of these women come from low income families.

She had indicated that she would really like it if she had something to give these women at the end of the class. You know, like something nice for their baby. We got to talking and she said that anything like hats, booties/socks, etc. would be good. You know, small stuff. :)

Anyway, me and some of the ladies in my knitting group are going to be knitting stuff in the next month or so to give to Kimi so she has something nice to give to these women at the end of the class. But, then I got to thinking. I know she teaches this class at least a couple times a year, and it would be nice if we could continue to give her stuff to gift to these women. Enter the Ravelry group.

So I have started a group on Ravelry called Kimi's Kids. Basically, if you are willing to knit a hat or something, just join the group and knit away. Then, when it's done, you can Rav message me for my address and you can send it along to me. I will make sure Kimi gets them.

You can find my new Ravelry group at: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/kimis-kids

And, if you are not on Ravelry and want to send a little something my way to give to Kimi that would be cool too. When you are finished with your item you can email me at jenATknittinglikecrazyDOTcom and I will send you details on where to send it.

That's it. If you are looking for a quick charity knitting project, consider knitting for Kimi's Kids. :)

Book Review: Vintage Baby Knits

It's time for another book review. This week I took a closer look at Vintage Baby Knits. It's a book I had asked for Christmas and I have to say, I am sure glad I did!

This book has lots of cute patterns in it, and is proken down by time period. I love old timey, vintage stuff, and this book definitely has it! There are lots of super cute things in it. Things I know for sure I will be knitting in the very near future. For example, here we have the Stella Pixie Hat:

Photo from thewoolshack's Flickr Photostream.

I mean, c'mon, that has to be the cutest thing ever! There are also lots of other things in the book I would like to knit, including the Jasper Diamond Hoodie, the Frances Nursing Shawl, and the Ducky Onesie (you can see pics of these projects on the Rav page here).

If you love vintage stuff and have a baby to knit for, then I definitely recommend this book. There are a couple of items that I think look a little too dated for my tastes (the Dewey Cabled Pullover comes to mind), but overall I think these patterns would look great even today.

Vintage Baby Knits is published by STC Craft. You can get your copy on Amazon for $18.15.

So, get any good knitting books lately?

Sock Summit Stash: Status Update

So, I was just thinking the other day that it has been about six months since Sock Summit. Man, was that ever a good time. Anyway, I was thinking about all that yarn I bought and was wondering if it was all still in the stash or if I was using it up in a timely fashion. So, first up, as a reminder, here is the haul from Sock Summit:Yeah, that is the most yarn I have ever bought at once. But, it was worth it. Again, such a good time. Anyway, here is a lovely mosaic of some things I have finished with the Sock Summit Stash:So, I have used up three skeins on one skein lace shawls, two skeins on socks (which, to be honest, I knit while at SS), one skein is currently being used in some Froot Loop Socks (more on those later), and a wee bit of a skein was used for the kid socks.

If my math is right, that's six full skeins and about a 1/3 of another skein. Not too bad. About one skein a month. And, I happen to know that at least two more skeins are in my Stash Sock Yarn of the Month kits I made in January. :)

So, did you go to Sock Summit? Been knitting up that Sock Summit Stash?

Reminder for the Just Yarn Sock Yarn Club

Just a reminder that there are still 11 spots open in my Just Yarn Sock Yarn Club!

Here are the details from Etsy:

Knitting Like Crazy 3 Month Just Yarn Sock Yarn Club

Shipments are as follows:

Shipment 1: Ships March 22-26
Shipment 2: Ships May 24-28
Shipment 3: Ships July 26-30

Please Note: This means you will be getting yarn EVERY OTHER month.

The shipment will include a different base yarn each time. One shipment will contain Insanity Sock, which is a 100% superwash merino yarn, 420 yards, per 4oz skein. One shipment will contain Treehugger Sock, which is of 65% Superwash Merino /35% Bamboo, 500 yards per 100g skein. One shipment will contain my new Crazy Cash Sock, which is 80% Superwash Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon, 420 yards per 100g skein.

The first shipment will contain a variegated colorway. The second shipment will contain a semi-solid colorway. The final shipment is knitter’s choice. Please let me know in the note to buyer section when purchasing if you would prefer a variegated or a semi-solid yarn. If there is no preference listed, then it will be a surprise for you (which could be fun too!) All colorways will be new ones!

I am not sure which yarn bases will be for which shipments. That will depend on availability of the yarn.

Basically, this club is for those that just love yarn. The kit will contain yarn only. No pattern, no extras.

The cost of the club is $86, including shipping. For people within the US, your yarn will ship via USPS Priority Mail. For those in Canada, the UK, and everywhere else, your yarn will ship via USPS First Class International.

To sign up, check out my listing on Etsy: http://knittinglikecrazy.etsy.com. Or you can email me at jenATknittinglikecrazyDOTcom, and I will send you a Paypal invoice directly.

I also wanted to say to those people who I know IRL (ie my knitting group BFFs). If you ladies want to join, I will send you Paypal invoice excluding the shipping that is included in the Etsy listings. I see you once a week or more, I will hand deliver you yarn! :)

I will be closing sign ups on 2/20 or when I have the 15 spots filled, whichever comes first!

Happy knitting!

"Design Your Own Shawl" Shawl

As I discussed last Wednesday, I have been taking Stefanie Japel's online Design Your Own Shawl class. Well, last week I finished up the first shawl I have ever designed myself! I could not be more excited! I really do love how it came out. I feel like it is a very good first shawl in terms of my designing.

I have been getting good feedback from the knitters, which makes me feel good about getting it all ready to go and available as a free Ravelry download at some point in the very near future.

So, now what's on the needles, you ask? Well, a second shawl of course! I got hung up on some math with the first one, so I worked out the kinks and am knitting away on the second one. Hopefully I will have that one to show off soon too.

I have to say this online class has been such a great thing. The handouts alone are worth it. And, I will be providing a more in depth review in coming weeks (of course!).

Happy knitting! And designing!