Little Projects

After finishing a project one of my favorite things to do is to look for little ways to use the supplies left- the scraps!

That is what happened when I had finished making this hat for my sister and had a little bit of left-over yellowish yarn. Around that same time my mom asked me to make her a bee mobile for her mother's day gift, after seeing this photo while I was looking at my favorites on flickr.

So while noticeably different from the inspiration, I quite like how it came out. The wings are made from leftovers of this shawl, the black leftover from an amigurumi I made.
After making the bees, I strung them up with fishing wire from a twig.
Easy-peasy :)

It was so quick and fun!

These bees are quite chunky, but I think endearingly so, don't you?

Hee hee :)

Then after finishing another project, my Snow Drops and Snap Peas shawl, I had a little ball of yarn left.

Oh what to do?

Well, I made a bookmark. It is from the book More Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson,called Linen-Stitch bookmark. This is the second pattern I have made from this book and this book does not disappoint. It is so easy to follow, and it really was quick. In fact I have already made four more and given them as gifts.

Yay for quick projects!

They make life great don't you think? Who doesn't need a little instant gratification now and again, I know I do sometimes.

Anyways, my summer is going to be a little busy, I am going to be working not one but two jobs. So don't be surprised if you see a lot more quick and easy projects popping up around here.

Hope your day was great, I spent mine drawing while listening to Lisa Hannigan, Fleet Foxes, Mamma Mia, and Laura Marling. It was heaven!

What did you do?

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

A Dapper Dachshund Amigurumi

My dad loves dachshunds.

They are lovable little dogs, with a stubborn streak which can be made up by their love of snuggling.

This doll was made with one of our old pets, named Wilhelm or Willie for short, in mind. He was the sweetest little dog. He passed away when I was in middle school, after having an accident. I still miss him.

Anyways, he was a playful little fellow, completely one of a kind.

So when my dad's birthday rolled around I knew just what to make him. It is kind of a tradition that I give my dad something dachshund related on his special day, and this crocheted one just had to be made. It was easy to make, and quite quick too. Loved making it.

Lily tried to snatch him while I was photographing this. Then she had the audacity to smack the camera.

She is not amused.

Happy Tuesday.

:)

xoxo, Callie

the magical bean

Noro Kirameki Scarf

A while ago,after loving virtually every pattern on Ravelry made with this tutorial, Hexagon-How To, made by Attic24 (this is seriously an amazing blog, so creative and colorful). Then several days afterward I saw this scarf on Pintrest and couldn't get it out of my mind. I put the two ideas together, coupled with a recent addition of Noro Kirameki yarn and began making a little scarf. I really shouldn't have begun another project, considering how many I have but some how this one wouldn't let me be... I just couldn't resist. :)

Anyhow, I really did need something that was portable enough that I didn't need a pattern and this one, fits smartly into my purse, and after making the second hexagon already had it memorized. As for the half hexagons, I made up my own pattern.

I really think I will add a picot border along the edges, but I am unsure of the color...

brown? black? gray? white?

Not sure yet.

It is enormously satisfying to make these little guys. They are like instant gratification, and since I have been short on time, it makes me feel like I am actually accomplishing something.

I have been doing roughly one to two a day. Little by little it is getting bigger.

:)

Hoping your life is going great.

Callie

the magical bean

Tiny Mittens

I got the idea to make these after seeing some tiny mittens on a line(they were knitted though) at Anthropologie, which I loved but didn’t want to spend the money. I have a hard time doing that when I know I can make it! I got to work on it, and made four so far, but gave one set away to my mom. I want to have enough to have a line of mittens someday… but so far this is all I have left. I didn’t use a pattern, just made it up :)

I have been thinking about sharing it as a free pattern on my blog someday; just haven’t sat down long enough to do it yet.

I thought I'd leave you with a little photo of lovely little Sheila, inside my drawer, 'hiding'.
She thinks I can't see her.
:)
Silly cat.
Happy Tuesday! I have a huge test I have been busily studying for Philosophy today. Wish me luck!
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

Doily Rug

While perusing etsy a bit ago, I stumbled across this gorgeous rug. I immediately began thinking about doily's and how they could actually function as a rug if made with large enough weight of yarn, and hook. So I could hardly contain my excitement, or hands from starting! :)

I decided to use a free pattern I have made again and again that has the shape of hearts in it, since I didn't want mine to be too holey.

This is it (below) in regular doily size.
By now my rug has progressed to the point that I ran out of yarn. Drat! Also I am thinking I want it to be bigger so I need to get some more yarn, and am working on editing the pattern to make it larger...

I guess I will just be crocheting the day away. Wishful thinking really, I have too much homework.

I have been really sick this past week, with the flu.

No fun there.

I took quite a bit of naps like Sheila here, and even slept through all Wednesday.

I am just now feeling much better. So on to creating!

Hope you have a great Sunday!

Butterfly Pin

If you remember that crochet butterfly I showed you a while ago, in this post, that was partially finished?

Well, it has been finished for a while now and I just realized I neglected to show it here.

So ta-da here it is!

I have been wearing it on my winter coat. It really brightens up my wardrobe.


I love how it looks against the green, and with my beautiful scarf that I got for Christmas.

One more finished project.
So happy,
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

I'm back!!!!!

Why hello there! I'm back! :)

And wearing a headband no less.

My semester somehow came to an end, thank goodness, and I am able to breathe freely again. Whew!

So much work and projects one after another. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, some classes were great. Especially my drawing II class was a blast. I had probably the best art professor I've ever had. It was very inspiring to be in her class. I made some pretty nifty stuff too. I can't wait to show you!

Well the first thing up is this little cowl/ headband I made.
I improvised the pattern Alpine Scarf from Interweave Crochet Magazine, Winter 2008. All I did to make it a cowl instead of a scarf was to join the ends once casting on, and the proceed working it in the round.

I made this in between working on a school project. I really shouldn't have been working on it but how could I resist! :)
Don't worry both were finished within the weekend.
I had bought the yarn last year as a birthday gift for myself, at Hill Country Weavers in Austin. I couldn't bear the thought of not making something with it before my next one. So I got to working...
The yarn specifics:
Great Adirondack Yarn Co. in sea mist colorway
100 yards
It is really warm to wear, and so far has not been cold enough for me to use.
Oh well!
I just love this yarn! It was so soft and fuzzy, and it was a pleasure to watch the colors change, and the glittery bits merge together as I went along. The colors are what really drew me in. The greens, purples, and oranges all fit so beautifully together!

Can you see the little shimmer of the metallic thread? I love that extra little sparkle it adds.

It has such a pretty stitch pattern too.

Well, I'm happy to be back. I've missed blogging. My etsy shop has been sorely neglected and it makes me very sad. I have some great things planned for it. Including a range of new prints that I have already started on. Hope to share soon.

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean

Lace Basket

Crocheting a little basket is quite fun.

Especially when you are supposed to be doing something else :)

Still the orangy orangness of it makes me quite pleased, not to mention the little vintage yellow buttons.


It was quick and simple.

It is from my ever favorite book, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Lacy Crochet from Chronicle Books.

The only thing different I had to do was slightly starch it because it was all loose and somewhat pitifully floppy before.
Not any longer though :)

Hope your Monday was fantastic!
XOXO, Callie
the magical bean

works in progress

This is a little sampling of my projects in progress. There are many more, although I don't care to admit it, but I am finishing up more and more, so there is hope! :)

This doll was started a long time ago and finished but she never felt 'right' to me. I decided to go back and change her up a bit. I repainted her face, crocheted her a hat, and am finishing up hand sewing her dress. I also have to make her some shoes, but for the most part she is almost done.

I really like how happy she looks now :)
The next project are socks!!!

This is the shawl I am making for my mom.

I actually have more done now but you get the idea.

I really love this yarn from Sweet Georgia, so soft and the colors are so vibrant!

I bought the yarn below while living in Germany after first learning to knit and loved it.

I haven't ever used it because partly of its sentimental value. Recently however I was missing living there and decided to give it a go.

I am just making a really easy cowl....

It is so fuzzy.
Really. You have no idea how soft and fuzzy it is.

I am making some bright yellow coasters. They make me happy!
I have one side done and the second started.

And finally a crocheted butterfly!

Might make this one into a pin.

Just winged making it.

Get it?

Winged!

Heee heee :)

So many projects, but almost done with many.

Here's to a great Wednesday!

XOXO, Callie

the magical bean