The M1R, in particular, is useful almost anywhere that you encounter instructions to simply “make one.”  The M1L is also useful when you need to add a stitch at the very end of a row.

Click on each photo for a larger image.  Happy knitting! 

I hate using cable needles, as I tend to somehow let them fall off the needle!  Instead, I use a 3″ long safety pin style stitch holder.  I don’t even need to shut the pin clasp, just to move the stitches right down to the loop end of the pin and let them hang.  The tension created by the weight of the pin keeps them from falling off.

For awhile, I was knitting them right off the stitch holder; however, I’ve recently discovered that it’s sooo much easier to just move them back to the left needle when I’m ready, then knit them from there.

Click the image below for the full-sized photo:

Here’s a simple 2/2 LC using the same method:

*  Skills Sharing – What I’ve learned about knitting, crochet, sewing, and all the other crafts.  Feel free to write in and add your own tips, tricks, or insights!

*  Projects – what I’m currently working on.  Have you ever made the same thing, or something similar?  How did it go?

*  Patterns – some available for free,  some for sale in pdf format.  If you would like me to provide a link to your own free patterns, please send me a message!

I will be deleting old posts that weren’t really working for my blog.

Feel free to write to me anytime, with any contributions, tips, or comments.  The comments section is moderated, so please be patient if you’re waiting to see your post!

It still needs some side scales, but then it’s all done!

The Crocogator Scarf pattern will be available in my Etsy shop, http://weesandy.etsy.com

Please let me know what you think!

So far, I’ve managed to adapt the pattern, create needed new pieces, cut the felt, and assemble the rest of the materials.  This might not seem like a huge accomplishment, but with my severe disability this is an almost herculean event.  I’m taking a break to rest my aching hands, then I’ll spend the next few days manufacturing the little kitties. 

If you would like me to consider adapting one of my current patterns to more closely resemble your pet, send me a comment and I’ll see what I can do.

If you are reading this, please leave a comment indicating where in the world you are, so I’ll have a sense of who is out there!  I’m very new to blogging, and I would love to hear from somebody out there!

Wee Sandy

Click the link called “DPS Light Box” to see the tutorial.

Thanks to Planet June for posting the link on her craft blog! http://www.planetjune.com/blog/

Then, last month, I discovered the Rogue River vest by Green Pepper.  It uses few notions, just zippers, D-rings, webbing to hold the D-rings, velcro, and one front clasp.  I used synthetic sheepskin for the little rectangle on the left pocket, instead of the real thing.  I wanted my vest to have a little more “girly” feel than most fishing vests, so I chose some fantastic 100% cotton quilting fabrics.  They are soft, pliable, and very cool to wear.

At first I worried that the fabrics were too lightweight, but as I worked away at sewing this vest, I became more and more glad for that feature.  The vest got heavier as I added more “stuff” – those zippers and D-rings do add weight!  Also, there are points where you are stitching through several layers of fabric AND the ends of a zipper, so you’d probably need a commercial sewing machine if you were using a heavier fabric like canvas or lightweight duck.

The vest has 8 zippers and 23 pockets(!) in total.  One pocket is the entire space between the back and the back lining, with a zipper to keep it closed.  I suppose I will store a bottle of water and maybe a lightweight rain poncho in there.

After many hours and days of sewing, I finally have the finished vest.  Despite choosing size Small, which is supposed to fit me, I ended up with a fishing vest that feels more like a Medium.  If I make it again, I’ll go for the Extra Small.  One other detail is that it calls for a 12″ separating zipper for the front, but in size Small it needs only a 10″ zipper – because I live 100km from the nearest fabric store, that detail became very important!  I ended up altering the zipper by using wire clippers to cut off several of the molded teeth from the top of the zipper, then using regular yarn to form zipper stops at the top edges.

All in all, it was a fun project to make, and I now have my own homemade fishing vest that I can really use!

Here’s what we have so far:

WEE SANDY – (this site) This is the hub of activity, a place to discuss crafting of all types, to share links to other crafters, and to provide links to a wide diversity of other blogs and sites that might be quite unrelated to what we do here, but that we are also interested in! Feel free to suggest new links to almost anything at all that you have found interesting, inspiring, thought-provoking, or otherwise worth seeing!

EXPLORING HEALTH & HEALING – This is a forum to discuss health and healing on every level – physical, mental, spiritual, emotional…you name it. There will be a strong focus on alternative methods of healing, and on how to live a healthy lifestyle. This would be the place to share ideas about anything from organic gardening to natural pet care, from antibiotic-free emergency health care to natural soapmaking. Let me know what you’re interested in, and we will include anything that seems to fit the feeling we’re looking for.

WEE SANDY COLLECTIBLE MINIATURES – This will be where the collectibles can be found. I plan to have a gallery to show my bears & friends, your bears & friends, and anything related that you might be interested in seeing. Whether you are looking to adopt a collectible miniature teddy bear, find a pattern to make your own, or just enjoy viewing other people’s cute little creations, this will be a site for you!

THE SPIRIT IS WILLING – What brings you joy? What lifts your heart and soul? This site will be a place to share experiences, thoughts, poetry, art, quotations, or anything else that you have found spiritually inspirational and uplifting. Crafts may be included here, too, but they will need to be purposeful from a meditative or spiritual standpoint (otherwise, share them on the main WEE SANDY page!).

Future Blogs? – Someone suggested a scholarly page, dedicated to teaching on many levels. As I have my B.Ed (teaching degree), and have many, many years’ experience successfully homeschooling my now-adult child, this might be a good idea down the road a bit.  I consider myself a lifelong learner, and am always interested in courses, workshops, self-help books, and so on.  Maybe the blog could be called The Natural Learner, or Eternal Scholar, or…? This might also be a good place to post How To articles. Please send me input about this idea, and let me know whether it is something that might be useful and of interest to you!

Please feel free to comment, to submit ideas and articles, and to help form these blogs into communities in which you are a valued local citizen!

*Wee Sandy*

If you know of a great blog or website that you think I might like to add, please send me a link and I’ll take a look at it!