simi.made

Recycling or Keeping Green

2012-01-27T10:21:00.000-05:00

Going to Trader Joe's for groceries is one of my husbands tasks. Sometimes the bags are quite heavy and we always use our own bags that I either crocheted or bought. But, we also have so many plastics bags that we didn't throw out from times when we didn't have any of our bags or before we got into the being-green phase.

So then I read up on the Internet how to make a market bag out of recycled plastic bags. Here is the result. It is strong and can fit and hold 5 one-liter bottles of water. I will make another one, that is bigger.

It was difficult to make, only because it is hard to work with plastic "yarn." The process is simple. Take the bags and cut strips. Then join the strips and roll into a ball of "yarn." Finally, find a pattern and use a big crochet hook to create any design.

Panda Craze

2012-01-27T10:14:00.002-05:00

Panda Pocket Scarf

Ear Flaps Panda Hat

My friend asked me to make a panda themed set of gloves, scarf and hat for her daughter based on something she saw in a store. After a few different hats, I came up with this ear flaps hat. The yarn I used was wool/bamboo blend and a merino wool for the eyes, mouth and ears. I made the pom-poms and crocheted the eyes and mouth.

Next, I started on the Panda scarf with pockets at the end. This time I crocheted the eyes and nose within the knitted pockets and attached the pom-poms. I made the scarf long enough to wind around the neck and be able to use the pockets around the waist.

Jadyn modeling the Panda hat and scarf

Jadyn liked the scarf and hat. I also made the Panda finger-less gloves with mitten cover, but they were too small.

I have to re-do the gloves but I've included a picture of how they look when completed.

The wool/bamboo yarn is an off-white color and is soft and strong. The merino wool yarn is jet black and is soft. Both are hand washable in cold water and laid flat to dry.

If you are interested in a set, feel free to email me. I will need some measurements for the hat and the gloves. I can use different yarn. I like the wool/bamboo blend, but I usually use all merino wool for winter gear, only because I feel it will keep the wearer warmer.

Panda Fingerless Gloves with Mitten Cover (closed)

Panda Fingerless Gloves with Mitten Cover (open)

Redish Warmth

2011-11-23T08:27:00.000-05:00

This is a big-man sweater made from multi-color threaded wool yarn.

There is a rib pattern edge around the bottom, the cuffs, and the collar.

It has three buttons enclosure at the neck.

Hand or machine wash cold water and lay flat to dry.

Sexy Fingerless

2011-11-23T08:26:00.000-05:00

These hand warmers or finger-less gloves were knitted with merino wool and used a cable pattern on the top, with rib pattern around.

There are various patterns available for these types of gloves, using thinner yarn made of cotton or merino wool.

Hand wash with cold water and lay flat to dry.

A-DOLL-rable

2011-11-22T12:53:00.001-05:00

I have used this free pattern to create a variety of dolls with custom colors in different sizes. This is a Large size doll made in acrylic yarn and filled with poly fill, which makes it easy to wash in cold water and air dry. The eyes and mouth are glued on, but if they get detached, I can easily sew them. The hair color can be blond, black, or brown -- or any color you want.

The dress and shoes are removable, and I can make additional shoes or dresses for a doll. The hair is braided, but it can be combed out with your fingers to create other hair styles.

The dress and shoe buttons are made of wood, but those can also be customized for color or material.

Email me directly for additional information or to order. Please provide any custom color choices, otherwise I will use my discretion.

For Sale: large doll $60, medium doll $38, small doll $24.
I can make extra-large doll for $75.
There are discounts based on how much the material costs.

Bear in a Basket

2011-11-15T09:30:00.001-05:00

My attempts at creating more amigurumi and other items, I have found a cute bear pattern that I gave to my friend's daughter. I also attempted to create a basket, but I need to find a tougher yarn to make the basket more sturdy.

Here, Aubrey is holding the little beat that is made of pure wool and filled with poly-fill. The bear in the basket below is the same. The basket is made of mercerized cotton in a gold color. Both items are crocheted.

Butterfly in the Grass

2011-11-15T09:30:00.000-05:00

I wanted to try amigurumi and so I found a cute pattern online for this butterfly. So I created this cute crocheted butterfly with a lavender body and shinny multicolored wings. Here it is in the grassy background of my laptop desktop.

It is only about 5-6 inches high and is made with cotton yarn and thread and stuffed with poly-fill.

Happy Thanksgiving or Woof Toy

2011-11-09T10:28:00.001-05:00

Last year I was inspired and found a pattern to create a small pumpkin. I even included a squeaky so that my two doggies will enjoy. The squeaky lasted about a month. Mia's goal in life is to chew on all the squeaky's of her toys, including those hand-made with love. The toy has survived without being flattened minus the filling, however.

Made of acrylic yarn and filled with poly-fill, this toy survives at the bottom of the doggies' toy bin. It is about 4 inches tall and round. Sometimes it is used for fetch.

Wave Rave

2011-11-09T10:22:00.001-05:00

Being inspired by the fall foliage, I crocheted a throw or afghan using the red, yellow, orange and taupe colors. It was crocheted with acrylic yarn, so it is easy to wash and dry.

These vibrant colors bring about the warm colors of the fall season: ripe pumpkins, Thanksgiving, colorful leaves un-cloaking trees. And, the chill in the air gets a little more intense.

What better way to cozy up in front of a fireplace, with this warm afghan.

For Sale: $28 with additional charge for shipping.

Diamond Colors

2011-11-05T10:22:00.000-04:00

This afghan with diamond shapes was so favored by my mom, that now she uses it and lays on her bed.

Each granny square was crocheted with two triangles shapes, where one half single triangle had a single color and the other half triangle worked in contrasting stripes. Arranging these squares with the stripes together, combined as diamond shapes. After creating the 9 diamonds, I attached them together with yellow stripes.

I used bright colors and combined them in contrasting patterns. The three combinations are shown below.

The orange diamond pattern created are 4, each made up of 4 squares.

4 Orange Diamond: 4 squares/ea or 16 total squares

The yellow diamond pattern created are 4, each made up of 4 squares.

4 Yellow Diamond: 4 squares/ea or 16 total squares

Finally, one red diamond pattern made up of 4 squares. In all there are 36 squares. I arranged the diamond patterns in a diagonal order, as you can see from the picture at the top.

Red Diamond: 4 squares

The yarn used was Vanna White's acrylic yarn, which makes it easy to wash and dry, without worrying about shrinking.

Multi-color Throw

2011-10-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

This crocheted multi-color throw was created with yarn scraps from various projects. I found a granny square pattern that I liked and began to paint my canvas with the colors at my disposal. It is like a quilt and fits a queen sized bed. It is made from wool and wool blends yarns.

Here is a close-up of one square that uses two different bulky wools.

At the corners I incorporated a new granny square design, as seen here. The cross square appears in all four corners.

Price: $40

Weaving Starter

2011-10-22T15:40:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I learned how to weave while at the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. I will continue practicing to do tapestry weaving.

My first project is a small bag that measures 4.5"x 6" with a shoulder strap height of 19". It is made of acrylic yarn, black and off-white, with speckled bits of brown, and white cotton strings to hold the wefts (or horizontal yarn). I have not lined it, but it is possible. I've sewn the bottom and side with the acrylic yarn, make it quite strong and durable. The shoulder strap is crocheted with the black acrylic yarn and is half-inch thick.

To add a little more color, I have added plastic and wood beads that weight it down and makes it jingle. I tried to keep to a southwestern, Native-American look.

Also, I added my "Handmade by simi" label. What do you think? Any suggestions or comments?

Price: $10

To the market

2011-10-20T18:59:00.004-04:00

My previous Market Bag was praised, so I created another one using linen, cotton/acrylic blend and acrylic. The linen or flax yarn is quite strong and should hold a heavy load.

I also sewed in my "Handmade by simi" label. I will eventually like to order these with my logo, but until then, this will do.

Care Instructions: machine washable cold gentle cycle and line dry.

This market bag is for sale for $10.

Paws with Yarn

2011-10-11T17:28:00.004-04:00

I knitted a doggie sweater a while back for my friend's four legged buddy, Emmy. Here she is showing off the fashion in her own way, on the couch runway.

Emmy also cuddled with two other projects I worked on, a doll, based on the same pattern I have used before, and a monkey. Buddies forever.

Waste of Time

2011-10-07T07:37:00.001-04:00

I am stuck in traffic for an hour now and I don't have any project with me to work on. I could have finished a few of my smaller projects during this wasted time. Commuting is such a waste of time.

Wool Festival

2011-10-05T19:03:00.001-04:00

The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is October 15 and 16 in Rhinebeck, NY. I signed up for two workshops on Weaving. It should be fun.

I remember when I was young in Romania, I learned how to weave a small rug on a loom that my dad made from wood slats with small nails. I still have the little rug somewhere. I'll take a picture and post it when I find it.

I got a rigid frame loom kit and started creating a little rug on it. Hopefully, after these workshops I will learn how to create more intricate patterns.

Hubby Cardigan

2011-10-05T18:56:00.000-04:00

Vin volunteers at Ellis Island in the summer and sometimes on weekends during the school year. Yeah, you guessed it, he is a teacher, poor soul! He told me he only works 163 days a year, I think. But now that he is an AP, it's back to reality baby!

Anyway, for Ellis he gets one polo shirt and one long sleeve button down shirt with the patches. He bought three more polo's where I sewed the patches. He asked me to make him a wool cardigan with a shawl collar in the beige or taupe color required for the job, and once done, I can sew the patches on it, so he is warm during the winter. So here is what I have so far.

I am using chunky wool by Filatura Lanarota that is made in Peru of 100% Wool that I got at a discount from Smiley's Yarn. The back and the right front side are done. I just have to finish up the pocket on the front right side. It will have pockets on each side. I'm working on the left side, then I have to do the sleeves. I combined two free patterns and adjusted the stitches to Vin's size. I already had to take the sides apart and start over. I had put it away for a while, so now I've picked it up again to finish it. I'll keep you posted when I have it done. Hope it fits!!!

My First Sweater

2011-09-27T10:33:00.000-04:00

This first sweater I did for my friend, but the measurements didn't quite come out as expected. My knitting math has been difficult to ascertain. So, her mom is enjoying it. It is made of a very fine merino wool in a royal blue color, incorporating cables throughout. I don't know if you can see it well in these pictures. It came out really cool.

Geometric Patterns

2011-09-26T21:46:00.004-04:00

It seems sometimes I am in the mood to create afghans or dolls or scarfs or hats, and I continue to find patterns to create over and over. I usually like to apply my own color creations to a free pattern or a pattern from a book. Then I look at my stock of yarns, that I organize by color, and paint the pattern in my mind before I start the project. Here is an Afghan that I combined vibrant colors, using merino wool and alpaca wool. The colors used are brick orange, purple, dark purple, light green, golden rod yellow, brown and royal blue.

Detail of the square:

A Bag for School

2011-09-26T21:36:00.002-04:00

Jadyn uses this bag for lunch and gym things. It is made of wool, with varying colors. Most of these are left over yarns from various projects. It has a depth of about 2 inches and a long strap.

School Funds

2011-09-26T13:09:00.001-04:00

Many NJ schools need to engage the PTA in fund raises, so I have made this donation. Wool and acrylic afghan, crocheted in a hexagon granny "square" with flower pattern in the middle. I played around with various colors and added the blue to signify the sky.

Another donation for the fund raiser is this ribbon scarf made from a colorful multi-color vibrant ribbon.

Finally, this crocheted doll made from a free pattern. I create them with different colors for the hair, eyes and clothes.

Keeping Green

2011-09-25T20:46:00.001-04:00

I've been crocheting market bags for some time, mostly based on free patterns, but this last one I just made up myself. I used left over yarn from different projects. The bottom is flax yarn and the rest acrylic. The straps are long to be able to put on shoulders. It should be quite strong for heavy items.

So many crafts, so little time

2011-09-24T02:01:00.001-04:00

There is not enough time in the day to work on projects and learn new crafts, while working full time and a second part-time job. Even while working on a craft I get ideas of new projects or new crafts that I can combine to create. My dream is to be able to support myself with my creations. Until then I steal what time I can from the hustle and bustle of this typical and mediocre survival.

Logo

2011-09-22T09:20:00.001-04:00

I am working on a logo and will try to add labels with this logo to my work. Here is the first draft. What do you think?

Welcome to simi.made

2011-09-21T13:31:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the blog where I showcase my handmade crafts. I have been knitting and crocheting for over 5 years now, and I am trying new crafts, like needlepoint, weaving, Romanian Point Lace. I also do sketching, recently starting to create some ZenTangles. I will features different projects I have made or that I am working on, and give you information about each. I will link to Etsy.com for those items that I am willing to part with and you can purchase.