Now I feel just like a kid again!

Meet my new project! Adult sized bunny slippers, and a matching beanie, because apparently this winter needs to test my ability to withstand frostbite...

If you want to try and make these yourself then the pattern is for sale in my Ravelry Shop! they are super easy, and super warm!

They make me feel like a little kid again, running around in bunny slippers... but they do make me miss the summer, and it being August it is supposed to be warm not almost freezing.... but being in Australia means that I get to go to the beach at Christmas instead...

On a different note, I am awaiting the start date for a new job, I got a new (well its an old desk but its new for me) which made a lot more space in my crafty room, we got our oven and hopefully it will be put in this weekend, we have started trying to teach Sade to do some tricks....  Which isn't going very well at all... apparently she thinks that "Shake!" means she should shove her face in your hand or roll over onto her back and kick you... but I'm sure we will get there in the end, and that will be one more thing I can cross off my bucket list! I wanted to put up a video of Lewy trying to teach her, but my blog is being a pain in the proverbials.... it only wants to let me do a video if I have a webcam hooked up and since the laptop died I haven't had the time to get one...

Also I have taken it upon myself to try and make backups of my stuff now, so my desktop is nice and neat and organized, all my pictures are in properly labeled folders, and my loose photos that still need to be scanned have all been filed away in what I'm hoping is chronological order... there are so many pictures I want to put up for family to see.... My cousin over at A Bookworm and a Baby is one of the ones who is in so many of these photos I have, and I'm not sure if she even would remember being in half of them.... but alas I need to get a scanner...

Here's hoping you are all having a great week!

XxX ~ Rah Rah

Canberra was Awesome!!!!!!

So I haven't been the best little blogger out there, but this time I have an excuse....

Me and Lewy went down to Canberra for the weekend to see our friends Kirstee and Aaron for their housewarming!!! This was the first time I had been down there as well so I was pretty excited!

  Lewy had to work on the Friday so I got to stay home and run around like an idiot trying to pack two peoples things... I still feel like I forgot something but I don't know if I left it here or there. By the way, that's me to the left there, sporting a brand new bulky beanie I made for myself using my easy beanie pattern but altering it slightly. It was so warm and cozy I'm happy I brought it with me because it was absolutely freezing down there!

It took us about 2.5 hours to make it from our house to their house, but that was also at night and we did stop for food, all in all we made some pretty good time! We got really lucky too because Kirstee finally got a day off work, and we got to spend some time with her =)

Now, they have a dog named Zoe, and I swear to all that's good and holy this dog is the most cutest well trained animal in existence! I can only imagine Sade or Daisy being this well trained in my dreams.... the only bad thing was her tail was freaking deadly and she beat us with it every chance she could get (she was just wagging her tail), she was also very ball oriented. She would stand there and stare at the ball, get all excited when you would play with her but she never wanted you to stop throwing it, she would grumble at you if you even looked like you wanted to go inside.... which believe me we all wanted to stay inside because it was freezing down there!

 Kirstee also gave me a great big giant present, three pairs of shoes that didn't fit her any more =) Which made me feel really really special!

Sunday morning was a bit of a hassle, we had to wake up early, Kirstee had to be at work, we had to head off home so I could buy a pair of steel cap boots that in the end I didnt even need....

We said good bye to every one, hopped in the car, and 2 hours later I fell asleep in the passenger seat, and woke up about 30 minutes from home... It was strange to fall asleep in a place I didn't know and wake up knowing exactly where I was, I kind of thought I had dreamed the whole trip!

On Sunday morning before we had to leave I was able to find enough signal on my phone to check my email, (they hadn't connected the internet yet) and was pleasantly surprised to see one from my paypal account saying that I had received a payment.... IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!!! Some one out there in the world found one of my patterns on Ravelry, and they pushed that button and bought it!!!!! I finally sold one of my patterns!!!!!!! 

Also lately I have been doing some training to get started in a new field of work. I've been trying to get out of the swimming pool for ages, I reek of chlorine all the time no matter how many showers I take.... and while I love the work, its really taking its toll on me, my hair, and my skin, not to mention that since its now winter down here I have been cut back to one shift a week... that's just not enough to survive on when I have bills and things to pay of my own.
I did my white card online, which means now I can go onto construction sites, and then I did my blue card on Monday, I had to take the train to get to the place and O-M-G I really hate the train. I wore my steel cap boots (which gave me blisters) and brought my black pen like the website told me to do, and as soon as I got there they asked if I had a blue pen, and no one else was in boots. I really wanted to crawl in a hole at that point, but I went ahead and now I am fully qualified to legally control traffic using a stop/slow sign!

Well that's been my week so far, how has yours been?

 XxX ~RahRah

Finally!!!

Yup, thats right! Rah Rah is back in business!! I'm very sorry it has taken me so long to get back into writing, but over the past month both my laptop and pc have died, and both me and Lewy have been sick as doggies...

But now I'm better, and while I havent gotten a replacement laptop just yet I HAVE gotten a new hard drive for my pc.... and believe it or not but when Lewy tried to put it in the old one just magically started working again. So I didnt lose any of my stuff!

So now I have all my pictures, wedding stuff, and my knitting patterns backed up on usbs and kindles XD



Now since my last post promised instructions on knitting a beanie, I will hold true to my promise.

Body of the Hat:

Cast on 84
k 8 rows in rib knit (k2, p2) * Repeat to end
Optional: Attach a different color to being new stripe
k27 rows in St. st.
Optional: Attach another color for final stripe
k13 rows in St. st, ending with a purled row
Note: If you want your hat to be longer or shorter, you can add or subtract rows here before you begin decreasing.

Decrease:

(k10, k2tog)* Repeat 7 times to end
Next Purl
(k9, k2tog)*
Purl
(k8, k2tog)*
Purl
(k7, k2tog)*
Purl
(k6, k2tog)*
Purl
(k5, k2tog)*
Purl
(k4, k2tog)*
Purl
(k3, k2tog)*
Purl
(k2, k2tog)*
Purl
(k1, k2tog)*
Purl
(k2tog)*

Finishing:

   Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull through remaining stiches, securing in first loop. Use the remaining tail to join the sides together. If you used multiple colors, use the tails from the color change to join that color's section together. Weave in any remaining ends.

Now just a side note that this beanie is made using straight needles. (I have a project in the works using circular needles but I need to finish it)

Because I have to work today, that means this blog will be sort of short and to the point. Tomorrow, however, I am off, and my only housework involves doing laundry in my brand new washing machine, and making my bed....

We have some interesting things to cover, some new patterns to put up, and lots of projects to finish so stay tuned! Also I'm sorry for the gifs, but I am super excited to be able to write on something with a real keyboard again!

Lots of Love,

*Rah~Rah*

Oh the weather outside....

It really is frightful....

It's supposed to be autumn down here and its as cold as winter normally is! This week I have done the impossible.... I finally made a beanie to fit myself!

It even has some ears!!!!This is the first one I've made that has actually fit my fat head, and it only took me two days to do it! I dont have the time to put the pattern up now because I'm only on my lunch break from work... but dont worry it will be up soon!

My cousin finally got her package in the mail, and I''m super excited to hear what she thinks of it once she gets back home to see it!!!

Other than that we have been busy little bees lately, we got tiles for our kitchen, we had a bbq and our friend Aaron got himself a new ute, and this week I have been pulling double shifts at the pool to cover some one who has been sick.... speaking of sick, I'm starting to feel that way myself, jumping in and out of the water 8 hours a day and being cold outside does not a well person make... I've been waking up feeling like I've swallowed razor blades and sand paper =(

So until the next time I can get on to update my bloggie I'll leave you guys with a "Hope you are all well, and enjoying the day!"

XxX ~Rah Rah

Let the comissions begin!!!

Squeee! We are up to 1327 views last time I checked, its moving along and I am so happy we finally passed the 1k benchmark!!!

I'm gonna shameless plug my cousin's new blog!! It's all about book reviews and she shares some of her own personal stories as well (sort of like me! but with books instead of patterns) give it a look and you might just find a new and interesting book to read!!!

Now lets get down to brass tacks (I actually have some brass tacks funnily enough)

I've got commissions!!!! I am pretty pleased with myself.... of course it's really just my family and friends asking for stuff at the moment I'm hoping the more stuff I put up on ravelry the more people will get interested in what I'm doing.

I've got one of the cutie patootie teddy bears in works for my mom, and one of my close friends has asked me to make a big version of my itty bitty punkin for a foot rest (there will be pictures of this one when its done lolz)

And for myself I'm working on a Twi'lek beanie, I'm sure most of you know what a Twi'lek is, but for those of you who dont, they are from star wars. I've found a few knitting patterns for beanies, but I'm thinking its time for me to try and make this one entirely on my own, so this pattern will be going up in my ravelry shop once its done, not sure if its gonna cost or not though.

I'm starting to feel bad for not blogging much these days, but with working on our kitchen and me finally working it's been tough to get any of my projects finished.... I'm gonna try and write a little something though at least once a week from now on. Even if all I can manage is a quick vid blog I guess it's better than nothing for a month at a time lolz

So lets keep the views coming guys, I appreciate every single one of them!!!! I haven't sold any of my patterns just yet, I'm still wondering if I have priced them too high or not.... would be nice to get some feed back on them all the same.

So follow this blog and keep up to date with all kinds of funky crafts, new and interesting ideas, or just because you may be bored on a rainy day and need something to do.... Comment on my posts and let me know what you think of them, I'd appreciate the feed back, let me know if you found something too hard, or if something needs to be explained a bit more and I will try my very best to get it sorted out for you!

<3 <3 <3 ~Rah-Rah

The Little Punkin' set!

Itty Bitty Baby Booties! (newborn size)

What you need: 1 pair of knitting needles (the size recommended for your yarn, I used 8ply yarn and size 4mm needles), 1 ball of yarn (or different colors if you wish to make stripy shoes), 1 yarn needle or tapestry needle.

Instructions:

• Cast on 38 stitches

• Knit 10 rows (sole of the shoe)

• Knit 16 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch, knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 16 stitches

• Purl 15 stitches, slip 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over purled stitch, purl 2 stitches, purl 2 together, purl 15 stitches

• Knit 14 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch, knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 14 stitches

• Purl 13 stitches, slip 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over purled stitch, purl 2 stitches, purl 2 together, purl 13 stitches

• Knit 12 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch, knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 12 stitches

• Purl 11 stitches, slip 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over purled stitch, purl 2 stitches, purl 2 together, purl 11 stitches

• Knit 10 stitches, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over knitted stitch, knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 10 stitches.

• purl 1 row

Eyelet Rows (if you do not want eyelets then knit/purl across the row):

• knit 2 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 3 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 3 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 3 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 2 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 3 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 3 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 3 stitches, yarn over twice, knit 2 stitches.

• purl 2 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 3 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 3 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 3 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 2 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 3 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 3 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 3 stitches, drop both yarn over stitches, purl 2 stitches.

• knit 1 row

• purl 1 row

• work 13 rows in ribbing (knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches)

• loosely cast off

• sew up edge

• flip down cuff

• using a ribbon or some yarn thread through the eyelets and tie into a bow

• put on a baby and admire your work!

Enjoy the video and have fun making your very own baby booties!!!! Please visit my ravelry shop to purchase the pattern for my adorable little punkin' beanie and make your very own set!

CTHULHU!!!!!

So it's finally here! I have decided to let it go for free!!!

Now you can find this pattern with a link to this blog in my Ravelry Shop, or on my Deviant Art Page.

And as promised the instructions to make this beautiful piece of work:

Cthulhu Ski Mask
Single needles (beginner’s ski mask)
Ski Mask:
Start with size 3 ¼ mm needles, cast on 180 stitches, stocking stitch four rows.
Switch to size 5mm needles and continue to work in stocking stitch until piece measures four to five inches long.
Switch to size 9 needles, continue to work in stocking stitch until piece measures approximately 11 inches long.
Switch back to size 5mm needles, stocking stitch two rows. Cast off 15 stitches from beginning of a wrong side row and knit to end. Turn work and cast off 15 stitches purlwise, purl to end.
Continue working in stitch for approximately 3 inches. Cast on 10 stitches at the beginning of a wrong side row, knit to end. Turn work and cast on 10 stitches purlwise and purl to end of row. (This will be the opening for the eyes in the ski mask)
Stocking stitch two rows, and then switch back to size 9mm needles. Work in stocking stitch decreasing on wrong side rows only, decrease evenly across the rows until only ten stitches remain.
Switch back to size 5mm needles and stocking stitch two rows, thread a yarn needle and pull remaining yarn through stitches on needle and pull tight. Use the yarn on the needle to stich closed from the top to the eye opening, and from the bottom of the eye opening to the end of the work.
Bridge cover (between the eyes)
Using size 5mm needles cast on 8 stitches, decreasing two stitches at a time stocking stitch until only four stitches remain, stocking stitch 3 rows, increasing 2 stitches per row stocking stitch until you have 8 stitches and cast off. This will be going in the middle of the eye opening.
Eyebrow Piece:
These are optional, you don’t have to make them if you are afraid they will obstruct your vision, or they will make the mask too uncomfortable.
Using size 5mm needles, cast on 20 stitches. Stocking stitch several rows, increasing stitches evenly across wrong side rows, increase to 40 stitches. Decrease to 10 stitches evenly across wrong side rows. Stocking stitch several rows, increase evenly to 40 stitches across wrong side rows, decrease to 20 stitches evenly across wrong side rows, stocking stitch several rows, cast off.
Fold piece in half and stitch closed all the way around. We are going to sew this over the eye opening for the eyebrows.
Tentacles!
So we will start off with some small tentacles. I used 3 ¼mm needles, casting on 10 stitches. Knit one stitch and increase 1 stitch to the end, purl one row, Knit 1 stitch and increase 1 stitch to end, purl one row, cast off. This will give you a very curly tentacle.
Repeat the same steps by casting on 20 and 30 stitches, this will give you longer versions of the tentacles.
Switch to size 5mm needles, and continue to make tentacles by casting on 10,20,30 stitches and following the same steps.
You can stop at any point when making the tentacles, because each mask will be individual, just keep increasing the size of the needles and continue to cast on 10,20,30 stitches until you have a mask which suits your tastes!

I choose you Pikachu!

So here's a new project for you all!

A lovely little Pikachu beanie!! Now the size of this beanie will depend of on the size of the yarn you use and the needles. This is a pattern for single needles so you will have a seam up the back. You can knit in the round if you choose however.

The pattern is basically a beanie like the one found here. It does say in the title that it is an adult size beanie but when I made the pattern it didnt fit me. I used normal 8ply yarn and size 4 needles, it ended up being more of a childs size beanie.

After you have made the beanie in yellow then you need to make the ears and the stripes for the back.

to make the ears:

Cast on 40 stitches in yellow, stocking stitch for 10 centimeters decreasing to 20 stitches along the way, switch to black yarn stocking stitch for 5 centimeters decreasing to 6 stitches along  the way. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight. Sew closed. Make two ears. Sew to the sides of the beanie.
Make the stripes for the back. Cast on 10 stitches in light brown, knit one row increasing to 20 stitches, purl one row, knit one row decreasing to 10 stitches, cast off. Make three stripes and sew to the back of the beanie over the seam to keep them in line.

Cut out two large circles in black felt and a small black triangle. Cut out two small white felt circles for the eyes, and two large pink or red circles for the cheeks. Sew the face in place and stitch a mouth using black yarn.

You can find proper patterns for sale, but this one's free!

Winter Project #1

Introducing the Harley Quinn Beanie!!!!

I got really bored and needed a break from some of my Harry Potter stuff, so I decided to take on a winter project. It is getting quite chilly down here in Aus afterall!

I decided to make a beanie for myself after my favorite character from Batman, Harley Quinn! 

I'm sure that there are a few patterns out there for this type of hat but I didn't use one this time. So here's my free pattern for it!

Step #1 measure around your head.

Step #2 divide that measurement in half (half of the hat will be red, the other half black)

Step #3 get your materials together.

I used two 50g balls each of Moda Vera Blissful of black and red, and one 50g ball of Moda Vera Blissful white, size 2 straight needles, size 4 straight needles, a yarn needle, and a pompom maker called twinkle bee.

The size of the needles will depend on the yarn you are using, but as a general note I would use one size smaller than the recommended size for the yarn, and then use the size recommended for the yarn.

Now the amount of stitches you cast on will depend on what type of yarn you are using, but just cast on enough so that when you stretch it out on the needles it is equal to the measurement of half your head. We will start with the smaller needles, and cast on your stitches, first with red. Continue in stocking stitch for about 6 rows, be sure to stop on the wrong side to change needles.

Change needles to the larger size and continue knitting for approximately 8 rows in stocking stitch.

After you have gotten this far we will start to decrease our stitches. I use the Knit 3 Knit 2 together method for decreasing my stitches. After each row of decreases continue to knit about 4 rows in stocking stitch before decreasing another row.

Once you have knitted to the desired length and have about 8 stitches remaining cut the yarn leaving a long tail, thread this tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight.

Now do the exact same thing with the Black yarn.

The next step is a bit tricky. You need to measure how far down to sew each arm of the beanie. To do this take one of the colors and place it on the side of your head, and pinch down until you have reached your scalp, remove the yarn from your head and move your fingers up approximately 1 inch. Sew the tail of yarn using the yarn needle to this point on half the beanie. Do the same with the other half.

Now using either color thread or remaining yarn sew both halves of the beanie together.

Now we make the pompoms. We will use the pompom maker from the Twinkle Bee set. If you cant get one of these then that is ok just use something small to wrap your yarn around, but be sure that you can tie some yarn around it before you have to cut it otherwise it will be very difficult!

I wrapped my yarn around this pompom maker exactly 100 times. On the large end of the maker.

Make sure when you tie your yarn around the pompom maker that it is very tight, and that you leave a long tail to use to sew the pompoms to the beanie.

On each of the arms of the beanie at the end you will need to sew the pompom using the yarn needle. I turned mine inside out, but with the yarn I used it was quite messy trying to flip it right side out once I had the pompom secured.

After the pompoms have been sewn on, try the hat on to make sure it fits! And Viola!!! You have your very own Harley Quinn beanie! Of course this doesn't have to be just a Harley Quinn beanie, you can use it as a jesters hat, add your own patterns to the knitting, add more arms, use different colors, whatever you like!