I’m not very good with my meter yet. And in my own defense, keeping those leads on the correct bits of wire is tricky.

On the plus side I got to see what happens when you blow a potentiometer up. *spiuut! zzzzz! pop.*

Back to my circuits…

Here’s pics of the first purse I’ve made.

It’s lined with cotton cloth and has a brass zipper.

I originally made a linked chain strap but lost it so I knitted up a yarn strap.
(I’m sure the chain strap will show up some time.)

Inner or otherwise.

Since I’m not able to sleep right now I’m attempting to learn “Intarsia”. It’s a knitting technique that allows many colours to be used in a piece of knitting. It’s how those beautiful Fair Isle sweaters are made.

So far I’ve had a big mess and started over once. I’ve got the general idea but implementing it without getting my yarn all tangled and knotted will be the learning curve.

Here’s the pattern I’m using.. I’m using size 4 needles and fine yarn so the size comes out to fit the dimensions of a Nook colour.

Wish me luck, I may need it for this project!

Knitting Chart for Dr. Who's Tardis

I found a white cup that works better for the photos.

The camo cozy fits larger mugs as well, hence the two buttons. It also has a base so no water rings on the table.

First, if you have an apple earbuds cluttering your junk drawers that you’d just as soon get rid of… I could use them.

Second, the reason! You all know I’m knitting. I’ve been experimenting with knitting cotton/cloth covers onto earphone cables/cords. I started the first one because I wanted to see if it would stop the tangling. It does.
The second one I thought more of matching the case. It does. 🙂

This might be an awesome seller. The only problem is that I have to knit directly onto the cord/cable. Look closely at the pink set of earbuds and you’ll see why.
So whatever I might sell has to be done in advance (though I could probably do special orders once I got established).

Someone who reads my blog suggested that I put out a call for some apple earbuds as most people don’t use them, instead using their own personal favorite set they already own from previous mp3 players/phones.

Now, stating that last paragraph might make some of you wonder why I’d ask for the earbuds that people aren’t using… because, even though people have their own favorites, the apple earbuds have a good reputation for quality. So, if it’s the hand knit cover that intrigues them, people are more likely to buy them on the spur of the moment I believe because they’re a known quality.

I think that I could match most of the Otter Box cases, then I’d go with pastels to cover as large a section of cases. Then a few brighter neon colours.

Here’s a couple photos…
The green is the first one I did. The earbuds don’t work… 😦
The second is the apple earbuds and was an experiment for covering the Y junction.

First experiment.

Second experiment, covering the Y

Cord matching the phone

I’ve been working on coming up with ideas for knitted items to sell. Something small enough I could actually make money off it.

I’ve just finished my first set of 3 dishcloths in coordinating colors.
The first one took a while but now I know the pattern and the last one went much faster.

I’ll post pictures in a bit.

I got the first of three “dishcloths” done today in a waffle pattern. This one is a variegated yarn, the other two will be solid colours contained in the variegated pattern.

It took quite a while to make this first one but now that I’ve got it I think the remaining two will knit up quite a bit faster.

I’ll take pictures this time!

I’ve also got my first “Starbucks” coffee cup sleeve done. It will fit any of those coffee cups at any of the coffee shops but the pattern called it the “Starbucks Coffee” sleeve.
It’s okay, I’m not entirely happy with it. I’ll be experimenting with various other styles for a bit.

So far in my knitting career I’ve just knit whatever I wanted, figuring out the patterns as I went along.

But, if I get into knitting seriously and people actually want to buy things then, in the interest of productivity, it would behoove me to start using existing patterns.

To that end I have been searching the web for useful free patterns.

So far the few that I’ve found and kept include the likes of…
…reversible scrubber dishclothes
…various scarves
…cases for electronic devices
…cozies for cans/cups/etc
…a few cute yet very simple hats
…string shopping bags
…simple drawstring bags

What I’m still looking for are small projects that might take a few hours but not much more.
If you were in the market for goodies what would you find interesting?
If you find your interest caught by an item at the local flea market, box store, small knick knack store.. tell me.

There is a possibility that I might be able to start selling some of my knitted products. Bags, hats, scarves, whatever I can come up with.

But I need a starting fund. I need to knit up a moderate selection of items for samples.

Alyce sent me some yarn she found on her city’s free-cycle but I’ve already gone through most of that.

Most of my projects take a full skein of 364 yards.

Some of the bags need grommets, a set per bag is $7.00; I would hope to be able to sell those bags for $20 or so.
I’m also able to make bags without metal grommets, not quite as smooth or as pretty but less expensive.

I’ve also started using some wool yarn that can be felted after its knit. I expect to be able to sell these for $30 or better as they are more durable and solid. Wool is more expensive but frequently can be found on sale and as long as the type of wool is the same I can combine different colors to make the project large enough.

So if your elderly auntie has stopped knitting family afghans and would like to donate her bits of yarn, I’d be more than grateful.
Or if your local hobby shop is having a blow-out of last decades yarns…
Or perhaps you found your old tabby’s secret stash of yarn behind the furnace ducting in the spare closet, she probably wouldn’t mind if you shared some with me..as long as you don’t tell her…cats aren’t known for being too generous though so do keep your acquisition of her stash quiet.

I’ve knitted enough projects now that I’m starting to build up a collection of yarn remnants. But I don’t know what to do with them. All different weights and colours (some of which are variegated), even different materials.

What should I do with them?