The Whole Knit & Caboodle

Pattern Sale/Fundraiser

by wholeknitandcaboodle

A lady on my street had her vehicle broken into last night. The thief made off with a backpack that was in the van and left her with the expense of replacing her window and the University library books that were in the backpack (which are not cheap to replace).

It’s sad that this happened to such a sweet lady. She’s got two young boys and her husband is currently between jobs. Like me she has a small business- she knits and sells her items from home but because she works outside of the home as well, she doesn’t have as much time as she’d like to be knitting items to sell.

You might think we would see each other as competition but it’s not the case. She’s bought items from me and has also sent customers my way. I actually bought something from her today.

To help her out I’m having a BOGO sale on all the patterns in my Ravelry store, the proceeds going toward replacing the broken window in her van. No coupon codes needed, discounts will show up at checkout. The sale will run until the end of the day on Saturday (Pacific time).

Please head on over to my Ravelry store if you’re interested in picking up some super cute patterns for a really good cause. If you’re not in the market for new patterns or if you’re not a crocheter and would still like to help, please share and help get the word out. It doesn’t cost anything and you could help a very sweet person who is having a hard go.

Thanks <3

Crochet

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Hooked on Clay!

by wholeknitandcaboodle

The last few evenings when my hands are sore from crocheting stuffies I’ve been playing around some more with polymer clay. It’s been a nice break for my hands and it’s a lot of fun.

For the longest time I told myself that I couldn’t use a crochet hook with a handle because I bought a foam one on a whim one time and it was awful! It covered the thumb rest and part of the throat of the hook, it made holding the hook feel awkward. It was change. And I didn’t like it.

I’ve been drooling over some of the amazing hooks put out by a couple of the pages I follow on Facebook and decided that my poor Red Heart hooks needed a facelift. I decided not to sculpt anything for them- I wanted a slim, streamline handle that I would be comfortable holding for a long period of time.

After some smooshing and mashing, wrapping and rolling, here’s what I came up with:

I think I may be “hooked” on polymer clay!

I should get close-ups of some of my favourites- I really love them and they’re actually really comfortable. The designs on some of them are really pretty and I know I’ll never be able to duplicate them, they sort of fluked into existence. Maybe with a little practice I’ll be making clay canes like a master and I’ll be able to create some really remarkable ones

On another note, I released my Shy Pig (Piglet) pattern last week and the response was astounding! In my short time as a designer who sells her patterns I’ve had the pleasure of being on Craftsy’s top 20 leaderboard a couple of times. Usually around #14 or #15 but it’s always a thrill to be up there with established designers such as Bonita Patterns and Frayed Knot.

When I released Shy Pig, he was #1 for about a day and a half! #1! It was amazing. I even took a screen shot (photos or it didn’t happen, right?)

The #1 Pig! For a day and a half!

Sure, he was on intro special while he was #1 but I’m still so proud of the achievement. When hubby came home from work that evening he insisted we order sushi in celebration (though I think he just wanted sushi ).

Crochet Polymer Clay

4 Comments »

This Little Piggy..

by wholeknitandcaboodle

Amis are your friends! At least they’re my friends. I’ve been making a LOT of amigurumi lately. My most recent guy is modeled after a certain storybook pig you might recognize. It all started when I was asked by a local photographer to make a Piglet hat and diaper cover that she could use in her newborn sessions. I poked around a little and looked at some really cute sets but (and being an indie designer myself I hate to admit this) I didn’t want to buy a pattern if I could come up with my own. I was so happy with the hat that I was inspired to create a Piglet “lovie” (a mini blanket with a head and arms). ”How adorable would those cheeks be if done right?” I asked myself. SUPER ADORABLE. After I finished the lovie, I went on to write up a pattern for the rest of his body.

Pork 2 ways?

The pattern was sent off to my group of testers today and with any luck the pattern (which includes instructions to make both the lovie and the stuffie) will be up in my Ravelry and Craftsy shops around this time next week. As with any of the new patterns I release, there’ll be a chance to win a copy and I’ll have an introductory special running for a few days.

Another little friend I finished recently was Patchy Patch, the favourite stuffie of Binoo, the cat from the show Toopy & Binoo. I kinda love him too, even though we don’t often watch the show at our place.

He’s a happy little guy

If I’m not careful, I’m going to become one of those old ladies who drives around with a million stuffies in their car’s back window. You know the ones I’m talking about. ;)

Patchy Patch is now available on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/the-whole-knit–caboodle

as well as in my Craftsy store: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/toy/patchy-patch/45169

I’m also running a BOGO sale over in my Ravelry store, entere the coupon code MADBOGO to take advantage of it! Sale ends Sunday night!

Crochet

4 Comments »

Liebster Award!

by wholeknitandcaboodle

Phew! Sorry I’ve been MIA for a little while! Things have been a little crazy around here the last little bit. Everyone in the house was sick, I’ve been backed up with orders- it’s just been hectic. I haven’t forgotten about my lovely little blog though and I have a bunch of tutorials and other goodies lined up for the next little while.

A little while back I was nominated for a Liebster award! I’m kind of a born-again blogger (I used to blog quite a bit, it was actually how I met my husband) so I had never heard of this Liebster thing.. but it sounds like “Lobster” so it must be a good thing, right?

From doing a little research it’s a way of helping newer blogs or blogs with smaller followings (less than 300) get some attention. A little background about the Liebster- it originated Germany (after I read this it made sense, liebe is German for love). Liebster is “dearest” in German.

When you get a liebster from another blogger, there are a few things you have to do:

-Answer 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you

-Post 11 facts about yourself

-Nominate 11 blogs

-Ask your nominees 11 questions

Here are the questions I was asked by my nominator, http://stitchscience.wordpress.com/:

1. Why did you decide to start a blog?

I started this blog to sort of go along with my Facebook business page. On my page I mainly post photos of the knitted and crocheted items I make but I also wanted a place where I could post the other crafts I’m working on as well as let people get to know the “hooker” behind the hats

2. Tea or Coffee?

Tea. Though I’m living in western Canada now, I was born and raised on the east coast. I like my tea strong (strong enough you can stand a spoon up in it is a phrase I’ve heard more times than I can count) and though I drink mainly orange pekoe, I also like green and oolong teas and have been known to sip an herbal infusion from time to time.

3. What are you proudest of?

I’m proud of a lot actually. I’m proud to be the mother of the most amazing little girl- she’s smart, polite and funny.. and just the right amount of crazy. I’m proud of the little business I’ve started and the patterns and crocheted items I make/sell, I’m proud of the person I am- mother, wife, friend.

4. What is your favourite thing in the room you are in right now?

Though not technically a “thing”- I have to give this one to my husband. We drive each other a little crazy sometimes but he’s loving and supportive and the best father I could imagine, he is tolerant of my crafting addiction and he makes me laugh a lot.

5. If you could have a super-power what would it be?

I don’t know if it counts as a super power but I’d like to have an answer to all the random questions that pop into my head at 2 am when I’m lying awake and humming Lips Inc’s Funkytown to myself. Questions like “How long would my hair be if I’d never had a hair cut?”. Not important questions, just ones I’ll never have the answer to because they’re silly.

6. What is your ideal way to spend a weekend?

Hanging out with my husband and daughter- shopping, lunch- just wandering around as a family and enjoying each other’s company.

7. What is your favourite book?

I have SO many favourites I couldn’t possibly choose just one. The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, A Moveable Feast, Roots, White Oleander.. the list goes on and on and on.

8. If you could go back in time, when would you go back to?

The late 50′s/early 60′s to hang out with Audrey Hepburn.

9. What’s your favourite season?

Fall. Hands down. I LOVE it. The coolness in the air, the smell of the leaves- I just want to fill my lungs with it. It reminds me of the nervous anticipation I had as a child starting a new school year, Halloween <3

10. Who do you admire the most?

My mother. She is one of the strongest people I know but she also has one of the softest hearts. I get my creativity from her and my love of books. When I was living at home she told me every day that she loved me and though I live across the country she still tells me every time we talk.

11. What are your aspirations for the coming year?

This WILL be the year I finally get my driver’s license. Almost 30 with no license seems a little sad, even though I’ve never really NEEDED it. I can almost feel the freedom that awaits me and can see so many opportunities to do fun things with my daughter that I can’t do right now.

I also have plans to release a bunch of awesome new patterns I’ve been working on and build my little business. Though small, it allows me to stay home with my daughter and express myself through my projects which is both fun and liberating.

Here are 11 facts about me:

1. Chocolate + Caramel + Salt= My MOST favourite flavor combination. Ever.

2. My first name is Sarah. My middle name is Lee. I get a lot of cake jokes.

3. My favourite french words are Pamplemousse (meaning “grapefruit”) and Pantouffle (meaning “slipper”).

4. I have a beauty mark on the palm of my right hand.

5. While not completely ambidextrous, I can write pretty legibly with my non-dominant (left) hand.

6. I love owls.. and mustaches.

7. I was born on June 12 but was due on the 18th. My sister was born on September 18th but due on the 12th.

8. I am 10 years younger than my husband.

9. I can remember the lyrics to more songs than I can count but I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning.

10. I’d like to write a book someday.

11. I hoard craft supplies. If you ever hear about a woman who was buried under an avalanche of buttons and scrapbook paper, it’ll almost certainly be me.

My Nominees:

I’m not sure if I was supposed to stick with just wordpress blogs but I have friends who have blogs at blogspot and they’re really great people with really great blogs.

Anyway, without further adieu, here’s my list:

Nicole’s DIY Projects (lots of cool stuff here, some great video tutorials!) http://nicolesfunblog.wordpress.com/

The Stitch Sharer (More tutorials, can you tell I love tuts?) http://thestitchsharer.com/

Hodgepodge Crochet (Near and dear to my heart, a good friend of mine) http://hodgepodgecrochet.wordpress.com/

A New Adventure Blog (A wonderfully talented lady, make sure you check out her business page at http://www.eatprayyarn.com) http://www.anewadventureblog.com/

Wide Awake but Dreaming http://wideawakebutdreaming.wordpress.com/

Joyful Mama Designs (This talented lady REALLY makes me want to dig out my sewing machine) http://joyfulmamadesigns.wordpress.com/

Photography by Tracy Cook (One of my favourite people ever, she’s such a talented photographer) www.photographybytracycook.com

Drawings for Humans (The talent behind my gravitar, a very talented artist friend of mine) www.drawingsforhumans.blogspot.com

Jamie D Designs (More crochet yumminess!) http://jaimeddesigns.blogspot.com/

Briar Rose Photography and Boutique (Brand spankin’ new! Keep your eyes open for some great stuff here!) http://briarrosephotographyandboutique.blogspot.ca/

Tiny Styles for Tiny Smiles (She crochets AND knits and is a super lady) http://tinystylesfortinysmiles.wordpress.com

Here are my questions to my nominees:

1. What is your favourite book?

2. If you could take a vacation anywhere in the world and if money were no object, where would you go?

3. If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be?

4. What are your goals for this year?

5. If you could stay a certain age forever, what would it be?

6. What are you most proud of?

7. Got a guilty pleasure? What is it?

8. What is your favourite movie?

9. What would the movie of your life be called? Who would play you?

10. At what age did you become an adult?

11. Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
Thanks again to StitchScience for the nomination, please accept my apologies for taking so long to post!

Awards

6 Comments »

Clayin’ Around

by wholeknitandcaboodle

Heaven help us, I’ve found another crafting obsession. So many people I know are into making polymer clay handles for crochet hooks. I’ve never used one (I like my hooks naked) but I’m taking part in a gift exchange and have decided to make a set of covered hooks for my “giftee”. I watched some tutorials, harassed some people I know who are into clay and picked their brains. I went to Michaels armed with a 50% off coupon and bought a big sample pack of Primo Sculpey. I was a little scared to open it- it sat on my kitchen table for days and I’d pick it up now and then, poke at the colours through the little windows in the box and set it back down.

While I was digging through my craft stash I found a couple packages of Sculpey III I bought a few years ago for another project. They had been opened and the clay was hard and crumbly but after kneading it for a while I got it to a state where I could actually do something with it. I figured it was good enough to practice with and when I’m confident I’ll open the pretty new stuff.

The lady I’m making the set of hooks for likes things that are sort of creepy-cute so I’m going with a skeleton/skull theme. When I was in elementary school my music teacher played “Danse Macabre” for our class. This little skeleton guy makes me think of that.

Still needs to curing and a coat or two of sealant but not too bad for a first attempt!

I definitely need a little more practice but I’m happy with my trial run. I’ll use this one for a little while and if I can get used to using a covered hook the next set I make will be a peacock set for myself

I also found an empty Penaten Cream can that I may cover and pretty up. Ahhh!! SO many ideas for this clay. We’re in trouble.

Crochet Polymer Clay

7 Comments »

There s’no man like our snowman!

by wholeknitandcaboodle

One of my favourite memories from childhood involves a snowman. I was probably no older than 10 or 11 and I remember having a LOT of snow that year. It was one of the first years my parents were divorced and my sister and I were at our dad’s house for his week of shared custody. My dad rented a little cottage on a lane back from the main road and behind us were other modest cottages and a few family homes, most of the cottages being vacant for the winter.

We didn’t have money for sleds or skis but you didn’t need money to have fun in the snow and my sister and I along with a couple other neighbourhood kids decided we were going to make the biggest snowman ever. It probably wasn’t the behemoth I remember but it was pretty huge- I’m pretty sure one or more of the neighbourhood dads had to help us stack the snowballs for it.

We assembled the monster of a snowman, gave him a face, arms and buttons but we didn’t have any clothes for the poor little guy. It was getting dark and frozen and wet we went inside for the night, SO proud of our masterpiece.

When we got up in the morning, there was an amazing surprise waiting for us- At some point during the night our snowman had acquired a hat and scarf and they fit our giant guy to a T!

We never found out who was behind it but not knowing made it that much more magical and I’ve loved snowmen since.

My two year old daughter is a little obsessed with snowmen herself. Today we had the perfect snowman making conditions. We’ve had a fair amount of snow fall in the last few days and it the temperature was mild enough that the snow was a sticky enough to pack it together. We got bundled up- just my little bee and I- and wandered out into the winter wonderland that is our back yard.

We worked together, adding and shaping the snow (I was surprised at how interested she was in helping, being so little) and had him put together before too long. ”How does he look?” I asked my daughter as we were shaping him. ”With a EYES” she told me matter-of-factly.

He stands about just shy of 3′ tall- about the same height as my daughter. When we finished, she gave him a hug and a kiss on the nose and said “Wuv you sooo-man” (that makes my heart ache a little).

I’m so glad we got out this afternoon. Here are a couple pictures of my girl and her new Snow friend.

A kiss on the nose <3

I’m not sure what he said but whatever it was, it was hilarious!

Family

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Just call me “Twinkle Toes”

by wholeknitandcaboodle

Along with the diamond earrings I’ve been (not-so-subtly) hinting about since we got together almost 7 years ago (!! I was SO stunned and excited!), my husband bought me this awesome little nail polish kit- the Ciaté Mini Mani Month. It’s a box that looks like an advent calendar and behind each door is a different mini nail polish (so cute!). I think he really likes going into The Bay and buying things like that for me. One year he bought me a Christian Dior makeup palette and it was one of my favourite gifts that year! It might be that he likes to step outside of his comfort zone and into the woman’s realm of potions, powders and lotions- It could also be that he loves being fawned over by the girls at the cosmetics counter at the department store.. haha.

In any case.. I love this little set and I foresee a purchase of a couple full-sized bottles in my future! It’s a nice polish, the colours I’ve tried have covered well and have been easy to remove. One of the coolest things about the kit though is that it comes with four bottles of these tiny, multi-coloured metallic beads they call “Caviar Pearls”. I painted my toenails this evening and used the caviar pearls only on my big toes.

Ciaté “Cutie Pie” with “Prom Queen” Caviar Pearls

This is the best photo I could get with the terrible light from the lamp. The caviar pearls are really quite sparkly! I might try them on my fingernails next. I’m not sure if they’ll be really amazing or really annoying- we’ll see if they pass the crochet test

Well I guess I should toddle back to bed. I hope everyone had a great New Year and I’m sure 2013 has many, many wonderful things in store. I have some really great projects to post in the next little while so keep your eyes open for them!

Nail Colour/Art

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Plastic Canvas Reindeer Basket

by wholeknitandcaboodle

Remember waaaaaay back (haha, about 11 posts ago) when I said I was one of those crafters who does anything? I come by it honestly. Take a peek at the reindeer basket my mom made and sent all the way from Nova Scotia! It’s made of plastic canvas. I don’t even know how many of these she’s made, I remember her making them when I was still living at home ten years ago. She sent it filled with chocolate and clothespin reindeer ornaments she made with my niece. <3

Plastic Canvas reindeer candy basket

This may be my last post before the New Year, I hope you all have a safe and Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday. I have so much stuff to share in the New Year, I hope you’ll drop back!

Holidays

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Free Skull Appliqué Pattern

by wholeknitandcaboodle

Whoo!! Orders are finished until after Christmas! I cut it pretty close and pulled an all-nighter last night (probably the first intentional all-nighter since my University days) and powered through most of the remaining orders I had. The last stitches were sewn this afternoon. Phew!

Two of the orders I had were for hats that were Monster High themed. I’ve seen commercials for the dolls but I don’t know if there’s a show about them or if they’re just a line of toys. They seem to be really popular- even my 4-year old niece was asking for “Monster Barbies” last year for Christmas.

It took me a couple of tries but I finally came up with a design I was happy with. It works up quickly and I thought it would be a nice “first free pattern” here on my blog. If you have any issues with/questions about the pattern, please feel free to shoot me an email at thewholeknitandcaboodle@hotmail.com

Please excuse the poor artificial lighting :S

Materials Needed:

Small amounts of white and black worsted weight yarn

Ribbon/yarn in your choice of colour for accents (if desired)

Gauge: Not terribly important. With a F/3.75mm hook, my appliqué measures approx. 3″ x 2.75″

With an F/3.75mm hook and white yarn, chain 4.

Sc in second chain from hook. Sc in each of the next two chains. Finish off (I’m sure there’s a better way of doing this but because I’m running on no sleep and my brain has gone to mush from all of the orders I’ve been working on I can’t think of one right now). This is the skull’s “chin”

With a new strand of yarn, chain 3. Picking up the “chin”, work 2 sc in the stitch you worked before fastening off (joining in this stitch will allow you to use one of the ends to secure the gap that is caused by joining the two pieces). Sc in next st, 2 sc in last. Chain 4, turn.

Working into the back of the chain, sc in the second ch from the hook and each st to the end of the row. Ch 1. Turn.

Sc in first st, skip next, sc in next 7, skip next st, sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

sc in first st, skip next, sc in next 5, skip next st, sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

2 sc in first st, sc in next 5, 2 sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

2 sc in first st, sc in next 7, 2 sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

2 sc in first st, sc in next 9, 2 sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

Sc even. Ch 1. Turn.

Sc in first st, sk next st, sc in next 9, sk next, sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

Sc in first st, sk next st, sc in next 7, sk next, sc in last. Ch 1. Turn.

Sc in first st, sk next st, sc in next 5, sk next, sc in last. Ch 1. Turn. Finish off.

Weave in ends and close gap made from joining chain with chin section.

Join black in any stitch and sc evenly around appliqué. Finish off, leaving a long tail if attaching to a hat or other item.

Eyes (make 2):

Ch 3. Sc in second ch from hook. Sc in last ch. Ch 1. Turn.

Sc in both sts. Finish off.

Attach eyes. Embroider nose and add eyelashes and a bow if you’d like.

What’re you going to do with your skull(s)? I’d love to see your FOs!

Crochet Free Patterns

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Knittin’ Pretty

by wholeknitandcaboodle

I thought I’d post a Christmas stocking I made this summer (yes, this customer was proactive!). It was funny to be: a) Knitting while it was SO hot out and b) Doing Christmas orders so early but I was happy with how it turned out and the customer was SO pleased with it. I even lined it so it wouldn’t get stretched out of shape over the years. I may revisit this one when things slow down and make some for the fam

It was lots of work but so worth it!

For anyone interested in this pattern, it’s a free pattern on the Bernat website. It’s listed as an intermediate pattern which scared me a little bit (and I’ve never used so many colours at the same time!) but you never know you can do something unless you try, right?

Holidays Knitting

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The Whole Knit & Caboodle

Barely coherent ramblings of a yarn-obsessed stay at home mom

Pattern Sale/Fundraiser

Hooked on Clay!

This Little Piggy..

Liebster Award!

Clayin’ Around

There s’no man like our snowman!

Just call me “Twinkle Toes”

Plastic Canvas Reindeer Basket

Free Skull Appliqué Pattern

Knittin’ Pretty

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