Tuesday's Temptation

While wandering through Etsy, I saw this and I want to know how to make it.  I am intrigued and inspired.  I hope you will be too.

The artist is Radlana of Warm Hands.  Her designs are simply amazing and imaginative.  I hope you will go investigate her shop.  I know she has me investigating felting techniques.

On The Needles

I was awoken by sirens this morning.  Once I calmed down and realized that it was from the KoC (Kingdoms of Camelot) game that I play on Facebook, I nearly threw my laptop across the room.  Gaming addiction is a very sad thing.  

Once I lost about 250 thousand heavy cavalry in the game, I settled down to some serious knitting.  I had ground to make up after a big boo-boo yesterday.  Somehow, I knit my thumb gussets upside down...Silly ME!  When I realized it I had already been knitting for over an hour.  

I am thrilled with being able to knit the mittens 2-at-a-time on circular needles.  The pattern that I designed means that either mitt can be left or right, and will be double thickness.  If you are interested in making a pair of mittens you can purchase my pattern or other items through a link on my Facebook page.  I will post a picture of this pair of mittens once I finish them.  I hope that will be tomorrow, but who knows what kingdom I will have to defend tomorrow!!

Black Friday...Stop The Insanity!!!

Shoppers pepper-sprayed in California!


Shooting outside a California Walmart, 1 wounded.


Reports of gunfire at Cross Creek Mall, in Fayetteville, NC.


These are just a few of the many incidents reported in the national news today.  Who thinks this is fun?  Why is big business permitted to instigate this feeding frenzy?  Do people realize that their children see them acting like this and think it is normal or even desirable behavior?


I know that this blog is typically about my crafts, but I am so upset to think that anyone I care about might think that they should either risk their life, or commit a crime to get me or anyone else the "perfect gift".  NO!  I don't need any item in the world that much. No one should need a big screen tv, laptop, or gaming system that much.  Where are our priorities?  Have we forgotten what this season is really all about?


I must be getting old. I remember Christmas shopping as fun, not dangerous.  It didn't involve adults having tantrums or committing criminal acts.  Holiday shopping was local, and involved thoughtfulness about the people you were going to give gifts to.  It was the thought that counted, not the number of gifts or amount spent.  I knew I was going to get the hand knit mittens from my Grammie every Christmas (no surprise there) and I was taught to be grateful, say thank you for all the hard work and time that she put into making them.  They probably cost less than $2, but they meant something to me.  Why isn't this being taught to our children now?  


I'm sure that someone will tell me that Black Friday's insanity doesn't preclude children being taught appreciation of what they get, but I just can't agree.  The violence is becoming the norm.  Everyone seems to be desensitized to it and thinks "isn't that a shame", even as they make plans to participate in the insanity.  I observe on television that people are out there with their children, putting them in harms way and teaching them this so-called "competitive shopping". 


Let's try something different.  How about we all go to local small stores and casually shop while we really think about who we are buying for?  Lets make some of the gifts with our own hands or better yet, with our families!  If you really need some savings, don't pile the gifts so high.  Who says more gifts equals more love?  

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!!!

Snow + Knitting = Tranquility

This was the scene at 9:00 am this morning and the snow has been accumulating ever since.  I love to watch the snow fall while I knit.  It is so peaceful and reminds me of how much comfort and warmth my handmade items bring to others.

Currently I am working on a new design. It is a cabled hat, that I will eventually post for sale in my Etsy shop and on Ravelry.

I would really like to be spinning on my Ashford Traditional spinning wheel while I watch the snowfall, but I "tweaked" my back yesterday, when I reached a little too far for a pair of scissors at my knitting group.  So, my heating pad is keeping me company while I knit.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S.A.   I am grateful for so many things:  my incredibly supportive family;  my significant other, Ray ♥;  and my greatly improved health.   I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day in your homes with people and fur-friends that you love.  Please leave me a message about what you are grateful for and about your holiday preparations.  Above all, stay safe!!!

Tuesday's Temptation

OMG, omg, omg....I love this shop.  La Tea Da Designs is simply amazing.  I could browse all day there and totally destroy my budget while I was at it.  She offers spinning fibers, spindle kits, yarns and handmade items too.

I am having a difficult time deciding what picture(s) to feature for the shop because everything is so amazing, so I am just going to let you know that you MUST go see for yourselves.  Hurry!

Wreath Making Class

I have had a wonderful morning!  I went to our local Agway store and took a wreath making class.  I met some wonderful, talented and creative people and had a fantastic time learning how to wire the fir, pine and cedar tips to the wreath form.  Now the wreath pictured below hangs outside my apartment :)

Yesterday, a dear friend, Jo, gave me a wonderfully thoughtful gift.  She gave me some of her home made cranberry sauce that she has jarred plus, a new coffee mug.  I will save the cranberry sauce for thanksgiving, but the coffee mug was pressed into service this morning.  It will be my favorite and I will think of her each time I use it. Thank you Jo!!!

I wish I knew where she got it, because I know several people who would love to have this mug!  Happy crafting everyone!

Tuesday's Temptation!

I was perusing the treasures on Etsy and became fascinated with the ceramic yarn bowls.  I personally tend to work from center pull balls of yarn, so, with my current economic standing in mind, I wasn't inclined to invest in the beautiful works of art.  On the rare occasion that I work from a non-center-pull ball of yarn, I have a DIY containment system.  It isn't display worthy, but it is functional.

Then I came across the lovely combo at the right. The yarn bowl is made from yarn!  Perfection :)  Also, the crafts-person has cleverly included needles and a ball of yarn with a surprise in it for the lucky recipient.  What a wonderful gift this would be for either a new knitter or an experienced one.

Also, you will find a myriad of other creative and imaginative gifts that are irresistible.  I have favorited the shop and will be back there frequently, I am sure.  Please take a moment to check out Green Mountain Wee Woolies and show her some love. 

Cabled Gaiter

Do you hate cold drafts on your neck?  This cabled gaiter is a quick knit in bulky weight yarn with a crocheted edging.  Also, this is a wonderful way to show off some lovely buttons you have collected.

I have this pattern available for purchase on Ravelry or my Etsy shop.  If you are not a knitter, then please contact me to set up a custom creation!

Self Promotion

I guess it is time to do a little self promotion.  If you look at the right side of the blog you will see that I have added a mini Etsy shop to this blog.  It features items that I have made and will soon have some of my original patterns for sale.

You can also go directly to the shop by clicking:  Beverly Is Yarn Crazy

I am open to any advice that other bloggers and Etsy sellers may have to offer.  Please leave helpful comments!

Baby Booties

I love patterns that use up my little bits of leftover yarn.  These crocheted baby booties used very little sock weight yarn and worked up super fast.  The pattern is by Karen Gilson and is called Granny's Love Booties.  There are several ways to combine little bits of different colored yarn to achieve many different looks.

Tuesday's Temptation

OMG...Check out AGmode...art to glam on etsy!  I love, love, love the stitch markers.  They are simple and beautiful at the same time.  The prices are too good to pass up.