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Moonlight and Animals

Moonlight and Animals is the first product in my new Cottage Core collection in Abbey & Lincoln.

This is a sweatshirt I would buy – and I probably will. I love the graphic. The woodland is vibe is something I can really get with.

In knitting news: the stash busting continues. The Dacia pattern is done and although I wasn’t thinking of making the actual scarf to sell in the shop, that decision seems to be more fluid than I thought. There’s also another Ayrshire Beanie on the needles and the next project up is a baby hat!

We had a craft show over the weekend and even though we were under a tent, the heat was above 90 and one can get exhausted doing almost nothing. The good thing: made more than double my table fee. The really good thing: the only thing I sold were scrubbies and washcloths. I feel vindicated making them now. 

We were situated by the food trucks and Mr. Honey opted for the monster gyros. That thing was $17 and between the two of us, we still couldn’t finish it and never touched the pita. It was piled with meat and delish! There was also a spot called the Lovely Lemon. We tired the lemonade which was very goo, but the blue raspberry lemonade had me praising God! It was $7 for a generous 24 ounces. 

It was the first time North Aurora Park District put on the craft show and I would probably do it again. The weather was probably the main reason the crowd was not that big but the time went fairly quickly. We definitely got our exercise in with loading and unloading. The next thing on my list to buy is a wagon. We had one but someone lifted it. 

We had a show in September but it was just cancelled so that leaves the one in November and the one in December. I think that’s probably enough. If the Oak Park Chamber of Commerce does another one, I’ll probably do that but otherwise, it’s create city over here. My list of things to make is now up to 30. No idle hands here. The devil will just have to play somewhere else.

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The Ayrshire Beanie

The Ayrshire Beanie is complete.

 

 I don’t know if I even told you guys about this hat. It’s really fun and easy to make. It’s a long tube that gets turned in on itself. So, it’s a double knit and reversible! It isn’t an original pattern and it was called Ayrshire when I saw it on television oh so many years ago on Knitting Daily. (Is that show still on?) The pattern is now behind a paywall – guess I waited too long – but I did my best with what info I could gather.

I’ve sold a couple of these and that makes the worth making again. I have a show coming at the end of this week that is going to focus mainly on the summer stuff but I am on a roll for the fall and winter for the shops and for the shows I have coming during holiday season.  The beanies will be available in person but also at designbcb online.

 

 

The beanie isn’t the only thing completed! I will post the Dacia scarf in a little bit. The pattern has been complete for some time. I just needed the sample to catch up. Last night I added the fringe which added a great BoHo vibe for me. I photographed it on my new mannequin. It would look better if I steam it – but I ain’t about that life.

What I will do is make variations of the hat with lighter colors. The original was made with 3 weight which I might try one time. I don’t have much  dk weight in the stash so I will have to see what comes up. It’s a definite keeper and fun to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Nurses Pack

The Nurses Pack is my first digital pack in a minute.  Nurse Life is a short pack of graphics and svgs that can be used on mugs, shirts, anything that printable. Take a closer look and download it here.  

I have some other goodies in the Abbey & Lincoln store. There are more shirt offerings and mugs. The goal is to have a place where you can find gifts for everyone on whatever list there is.

Speaking of gifts – there is a new section on the blog called Gift Guides. I am pulling some great offerings from Chicago and Illinois based creators from Etsy and GoImagine. The Nurses pack itself would make a great gift for that nurse who likes to journal or does sublimination for a hobby or a side hustle. 

I have to say, there is a great deal of fun to be had when creating is your job. There are so many areas to explore. I believe becoming more creative in my work is what lead me to becoming more creative in baking bread. I expanded from biscuits – and now even the biscuits are better. I had a second attempt at gingerbread after leaving the first one in too long. The second came out really well and it was a hit at the book club.

In the meantime, it is a little over 70 degrees and I have my personal heater on. I now run cold. Where 73 was just about right; it is now a little chilly. Where I used to think 80 was the suffocation index, I now find it pleasant. I could move to Florida or Arizona right now and my blood would be all set for the climate. We’re not moving any time soon. Ok, we’re not moving at all. Thank goodness for personal heaters. I will survive.

 

 

 

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Storage Wars

Storage Wars…I am having my own little storage wars.  I had to get a storage space to put the yarn for a little bit. It is relatively inexpensive and I have such a greater sense of relief because the room isn’t filled up. But I don’t want to have to rent it forever.

The idea I have is to create OOAK scarves that can go into the Etsy shop and some OOAK blankets that can go in the GoImagine shop.

I would like to not have to rent a space in 2025 so that means the next eight months will have a lot of knittin’ and crochetin’ going on. It also means another yarn giveaway starting with yarn this weekend that could go to the charity event the knit group goes to twice a year.

I have my maker’s groove going on. I have placed items in both Etsy shops and the one on GoImagine. I am on a creativity roll and I like it. I have a show coming up in two weeks. I will once again focus on the crochet towels and bags but the hats and scarves will be there. There are new digital items: patterns and POD items up as well.

Loving it when the plan works.

There’s a pork tenderloin and some apple celery slaw waiting to be made for dinner. The choir is on hiatus so I don’t have to go anywhere this evening. The days are warmer and longer. A perfect set up for making it and shaking it. My Darcia scarf pattern is complete just need to finish the sample. I’m going to a twist to the fringe. Wait. You’ll see. 

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The Cozy Suzette Spa Cloth

The Cozy Suzette Spa cloth is the latest addition to both designbcb Etsy and designbcb GoImagine!

It is a quick and easy project put backs a texture wallop! It’s a slight derivation of the Suzette stitch. The spa cloth is available on GoImagine. The pattern will soon be available on Etsy and Ravelry.

I really love a stitch that has texture, depth and beauty. This stitch really comes through on this type of project. I don’t know that I would use this on a scarf. That might create an overload for me. But on this small, compact project it really strikes a nice, bold texture.

I made the cloth using Sugar N Cream Scrub Off and it was just as much fun. A good attitude to have when working with stitches you can hardly see. If you use the towel for body or dishes, i should perform the task beautifully.

I am whipping these up for the craft shows I have coming. I am glad to say I am on a production roll that should work for the crafts and the shops. I have uploaded new items to both Etsy and GoImagine. I am working on patterns and I’ve uploaded items to Abbey & Lincoln, so the digital is moving along as well. I’m even doing some writing!

I am going to fix myself a big salad for breakfast. Gonna use the pork that was leftover last night as my protein. Then, I have to get the bread going tat will be part of dinner! I love being this kind of creative!

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The Balmoral Pattern

The Balmoral Pattern

The Balmoral Market Bag from designbcbThis is my first attempt at doing a pattern in a post. If you want a pdf version, you can get it on Ravelry or designbcb on Etsy.

This pattern helps you create a cute and functional tote bag that will be great at the market, beach or book store. Make in any combination of colors that you want and it only takes a few fun sent hours.

You will need:

  • 2 balls of Sugar N Cream Super Size cotton. You can make it with two colors or one but you’re still gonna need two.
  • 5.00mm size H crochet hook
  • scissors
  • yarn needle

Measurements:

12×12 unstretched

Abbreviations:

ch=chain

dc=double crochet

hdc=half double crochet

sl=slip stitch

sc=single crochet

sk=skip

Notes:

The pattern assumes you know how to do the stitches, including a magic loop. If you don’t wish to do a magic loop, ch 4, sl into the first stitch to form a loop and follow the instructions from there.

Ch2 stitches don’t count as a stitch. When you join the end of the round, ignore the ch2 and slip into the dc stitch.

V stitch is dc,ch1,dc in the same space

Ready? Let’s go!

  1. Create a magic loop and place 8 dc in the circle. Sl to join, ch 2

 

 

 

 

Place 2dc in each st, join, ch 2 (16 stitches)

 

 

 

 

 

*dc in 1st stitch, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from* to end, join, ch 2 (24 stitches)

 

 

 

 

 

*2dc in 1st stitch, 1 dc in next 2 stitches. Repeat from *, join, ch 2 (32 stitches)

 

 

 

 

 

Round 4: *1 dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from *to end of round, join, ch2 (40 stitches)

Round 5: * 2dc in first stitch,  dc in next 4 stitches. Repeat from * to end of round, join, ch 2 (48 stitches)

Round 6: *1 dc in next 5 stitches, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from *to end of round, join, ch 2 (56 stitches)

Round 7:* 2dc in first stitch, 1dc in next 6 stitches. Repeat from * to end of round, join, ch 2 (64 stitches)

Round 8: *1dc in next seven stitches, 2dc in next stitch. Repeat from * to end of round, join, ch 2 (72 stitches) Change to color B

Round 9: dc in each st, join, ch2

 

 

 

 

 

Round 10: *V stitch, ch1, sk2. Repeat from *to end of round, join, ch 2

 

 

 

 

 

Round 11: Repeat V stitch row, placing a V stitch in the previous V stitch until the bag is two inches from the desired length. Change to color A

 

 

 

 

 

Round 12: Place a sc in each ch1 space and each V stitch. Sl to join ch 1

Round 13: Place a dc in each sc stitch, join, ch 1

Round 14: Place dc in each st, join, ch2

Round 15: *sk1, dc, ch1. Repeat from * to end of round. Cast off

 

 

 

 

 

Create the handle by chaining 150 or the desired length of the drawstring. Starting with the second stitch, place a hdc in each stitch to the end. Cast off

Weave the cord through the ch1 spaces on the edge. Sew the ends together. To create drawstring, pull cord on opposite sides of the bag.

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The Balmoral Bag

The Balmoral Market Bag from designbcb

 

The Balmoral Market Bag from designbcbThe Balmoral bag is done! Several of them are done! This is a pretty fast project. The project is so quick that all these bags were done before the pattern was finished.

I took step by step photos and they will be included in the pattern. The pattern for the bag spawned another pattern. There was a tiny bit of leftover yarn for each of the bags and since the body of the bag is white, I made a white spa or dishcloth rimmed in the contrasting color. I did it using a play on the Suzette stitch so the Cozy Suzette washcloth and pattern will make their debut soon.

Can you guess how many balls of yarn are in that bag? And it still isn’t heavy and was easy to carry. Fifteen. Fifteen balls of Sugar and Cream and some from Hobby Lobby. But 15. That’s not bad at all.

These are going into GoImagine shop while the pattern will be going in the Etsy and Ravelry stores.

Doing the pattern was something of a challenge because I had to translate actions into words. That’s where photos come in. You can show something and hopefully the words will make more sense. Hopefully, the words make sense on their own and the photos enhance. See? Not easy.

Be on the lookout for the pattern(s). They are both quick and cute. Start it in the morning. You can elevate your market vibe by the afternoon.

 

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The Aalborg Cowl

 

 

 

The Aalborg Cowl pattern is done. The view from the desk this morning. 

Yep. It reflects my mind. For the past few days, I’ve been waking up with the intention of doing a perfect day and it has fallen apart within the first few minutes. That cranberry red spot in upper middle is the cowl. It is the high spot within the clutter bomb.

There’s also the making of another pattern with the camo cotton yarn. That pattern isn’t going to work out because it’s taking too much of the yarn. I will have to rework the bottom. Still think it will take about three skeins of yarn which isn’t really bad – except I bought two skeins of each color. But then, the original thought was I was going to make two toned bags. So, that could still happen.

See what I mean about the state of my mind?

So, the Aalborg Cowl pattern is done and it’s in the shop.

These were taken when the desk had a bit more order. The Aalborg Cowl from designbcb I do like the way it came out. It has a very interesting texture.

I have a how coming up next month and Mr. Honey and I borrowed a tent from a friend and had a time practicing getting it all set up. They both assured me I wouldn’t need stakes to hold it to the ground but I am not that confident and am leaning towards getting some cuz it’s better to have them and not need them than the other way around.

What’s on the agenda for today? Some more knitting and crocheting. The next French lesson from Mango and some cleaning. Currently, I’m cleaning/organizing kitchen cabinets. I hate doing it but I love it when it’s done.

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Authenticity

Authenticity. I just started reading The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley and it has me feeling all the feels. I then decided instead of always trying to take photos of projectsI’m working on, it would be neat to take a photo of my work space as it is at the moment I start to write the blog post. I find it funny and alarming how my desk seems to reflect how my mind is working at the moment.

Cluttered. Not as bad as it has been but there is a lot going on all at the same time and sometimes that’s fun. Just not at this present moment.

I am still to obsessive about my diet. (Protein drink), concerned about my literal skin (lotion), designing a new cowl (yarn) and a whole bunch of other things. 

The good news is I believe I have the design down and it is going to look really good. Only took three days and a completely new design direction. I suppose the other good news is I have made my own variation of the Catherine wheel stitch which will show up in something one day.

OK, the book. The book is about this guy who starts something lie a diary and it’s left in various places for people to add their own story to. They add their passage and then leave it for someone to find. Each entry ends with a line that says what happens to the diary next is up to the person reading it. They can add to it or not, leave it or not; heck they can chuck it and end it for everyone who had it before and all the no ones after.

I’m taking 10 days to read it and right now, the ones who have found it seem to be miserable in their choices. And I found something in each of their miseries I can relate to. I suppose misery does love company. I am hoping there is someone who is more hopeful and I wonder if these folks know how not random the randomness of leaving and finding the diary really is. Only one day into reading the book and I want to start one not knowing where it may end up – if anywhere. I cannot believe how excited the idea is to me. I will never know the outcome and that’s part of the excitement. If I do this, will it have a life?

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How Fast?

How fast does time fly? Well, my last blog post was talking about how fast March got here and now it’s April. That’s how fast. Last month it seemed I had some time to get myself ready for the craft show that’s coming in under two weeks and now I don’t feel ready at all. Luckily, I do have spa cloths, scrubbies, baby hats and market bags – not a lot – but there are some. And I have begun the push towards making more. I am adding some new items and looking forward to the show.

I am also looking forward to this coming May and season 3 of Bridgerton. Yep, I was reluctant to start it when it came out but Queen Charlotte made me a real fan. To prepare, I have my list of things to knit and will start over with Season 1, then 2, then Queen Charlotte and that should take me up to the new season. 

In the meantime, I don’t think I have shared the new items I’ve been designing for Abbey & Lincoln. I have moved the digital shop to include POD items. What you see on the left is one of the blanket designs. There are four and it can be personalized with a name. The quote is from Desiderata: You are a child of the universe. No less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. It will be printed on a velveteen blanket. You can see all four here.  

the view of my desk april 4, 2024 The view from the desk shows me about to make some fur pom-poms to go on top of that teal hat on the left. The space looks so huge when it’s nice and tidy. (I remember that day.)

I have no idea how I waited to this stage in my life to do all the things. But I embrace it as my truth. I am surrounded by yarn and I believe it is my calling. Yeah, I can make that work.