What I've Been Up To

I've been making these for Christmas gifts. I'm completely enamored of the pattern because it looks so much more difficult than it is! That is, it looks really great without having to use a lot of complicated techniques. I hope to get all the gifts done and then get a pair or two on the Etsy site. And a pair for me!!

So my ears don't freeze!

The headband started it. Once I finished that, I wanted another quick project. This one was quick, but not as quick as the headband. And definitely not as simple.

I did this in a weekend, on our trip to Nashville to go to the Grand Ole Opry, which was FABULOUS, but I digress.

I had some trouble with finishing the rounds, so I plan on making another one to get the technique perfected.

I think it's pretty cute & not your typical run-of-the-mill crocheted hat. Definitely fun to make!

Crocheted headband

I couldn't stand it any more. I had to crochet something. And quick.

I generally like to crochet big projects and that means: I don't crochet anything. They take too much time and energy and I've been in short supply of those two things for quite a while. But don't worry, I have huge plans for projects after I defend my thesis!

I discovered Ravelry today, and found a super simple and quick headband pattern that I thought was just adorable! It took me a whole of, what? 20 minutes to make? 30? Enough time to watch Oprah talk about 4 millionaires.

I have been satiated. Now I'm off to the Holiday Pops Concert!

Happy Holidays!

What's in the bag, I can't read!

Yes, it's a bacon scarf. Artharpy commissioned this scarf for her father-in-law, who is a meat-judger at county fairs. I think that's how she explained it. I looked online for patterns, and what was most common was just red and white stripes. I thought I could do better than that. So I purchased off-white and "paprika" yarn, in 100% wool. I then free-handed the stripes, changing direction, using mostly single crochet, but changing it up sometimes. It took a long time, because I wanted it to have some size once I felted it. And that's the key to how great this looks, I think, because felted, the stitches aren't very visible. It was a fun project to work on, and when I look at it, I can't quit laughing!

Yarn Wreath

If you're a knitter or crocheter and are anything like us, you're probably swimming in yarn. You can make the obvious pot holder, dish rag, scarf, throw, etc. but what about something more creative? I happened upon a great use of yarn just a few minutes ago and was so excited about it, I just had to share it with our readers.

Next time you have more yarn than you know what to do with, make a yarn wreath!*




*From mintagehome.blogspot.com. A wonderful blog!

Cream Baby Blanket

This was wonderful to work up--I used a supersoft yarn. This was for a friend of mine, but I've still got the pattern, so feel free to custom order!!

Buttered bread coasters - Sylva Sis

I finally posted a new item! I really can't wait to graduate so I can have more time and energy to put into crochet projects. :o)

W00t!

The Sylva Sis' "Eternity Scarf" is our first item to hit 100 views! Very exciting to see the traffic to our shop.

Baby Dolls

I have not really been one for baby dolls. Even as a kid, if I got one as a gift, I threw it in the back of my closet. On Etsy, some of the pictures that use dolls as models look really creepy.

...but...I don't have any babies around to use as a model. We don't really specialize in baby stuff anyway. So when we need to market a baby item...well, what are ya gonna do?

So here's our new model, codename Devilbaby.

First Challenge!

I entered the Cross Body Tote in the Team Etsy Rain Challenge--Black and White. It was a lot of fun to make although it took me longer than I thought it would. Let's see if it gets picked for the Treasury...and if we can get some more attention for the shop!!

FREE SHIPPING FEBRUARY! It happens to us too. You find this thing, whatever it is, and it sparks the imagination. It's just right. It's got your name on it. And, it's a screaming deal! We're all counting those individual dollars right now. Should I? No, I need to save. But I need this. I want this. And it's a deal! So you go to "cart" or "checkout" and say, yes, this is mine. But then...SHIPPING! Add more dollars. It's 4.99 or 6.99 or 3 or 2 or whatever, just to get into your mailbox. Aaugh!

FREE SHIPPING FEBRUARY! It's a win-win, really. We want you to have our items. Really, we do. So we will cover the cost of shipping to you, within the United States and Puerto Rico. Outside those areas, convo us. We'll work it out. We're both skilled negotiators. Okay, not really, we just like working with people.

FREE SHIPPING FEBRUARY! Or if you're in Seattle or Sylva, convo us for a pickup. Why send it through the postal service when I can take a bus to you? Or you to me? Or we can meet somewhere. Okay, you can't bus a lot of places in Sylva, but the point stands. How fun would it be to meet you, anyway? Lots, I think. So let us know. Our items need a home.

Team EtsyRAIN

Two Sisters just joined Team EtsyRAIN, which will connect us to a local community of crafters as well as help us to find out best practices, local events, and more!

New Record

Sylva Sis's Eternity Scarf was the first item to break 50 views! Great! But who's looking and not buying? Hmmmmm?
:o)

Sylva Sis: Presents in the mail

I love getting things in the mail....as long as it's not bills.

I got the Panda Soy yarn in yesterday that I ordered a week or so ago. I can't wait to start the newsboy hat I am planning on making with it!

Custom Order

We got a custom order for a poncho, and I'm really pleased how it turned out. My IPhone really can't do it justice...remember take a look at our "sold items" on Etsy too, in order to see what we can make for you.

New Yarn

I got some new yarn in today, and these are the vagaries of online shopping...the yarn is lighter weight than I thought it would be, and the color is somewhat different as well. However, it's 80% sustainable bamboo fibers, so that's exciting. I suppose the fun part is that I'll have to find a great pattern to make, since the yarn is a little different than what I usually use. Also, I purchased a hat pattern on Etsy! It's a newsboy cap, and I see a lot on the site, so I may not make one for Two Sisters. But I might make one for myself!!

A classic market bag: Sylva Sis posting

I finished up a marketbag on which I had been working on the way to Columbia, SC for a surprise 30th birthday party. It took my mind off of the long drive and off of my nerves at meeting my fiance's long-time friends.

I am quite pleased with the bag. Such a quick crochet project and so very useful! I will make some adjustments with the next bag or two...maybe not so long, maybe a smaller netting effect. I plan on making several of these, just because they're so darn fun to make!

Click here for pictures

A Flurry

Yes, a snow flurry today, as well as a flurry of activity. We had our freebie claimed in the "buy two get the freebie" offer, so that sent me to packaging in recycled mailer and to the post office. That left us with a whole lot of January left to do something special, so after some negotiation, we decided on another freebie! Check it out on Etsy! Then a skein of organic cotton came in and I just had to work on something with it--I've decided to to a moebius neckwarmer and I think it will be very chic.
Not to mention I've done three hats in the same pattern. I'm going to call it "The Best Dang Hat, Period" because it's so fun to work up and makes a great looking hat. Keep an eye on the Etsy site to see them posted!

Eco friendly

We now have our first eco-friendly items up on Etsy. I washed and unraveled a wool sweater I got in Ecuador, and repurposed the yarn to make a scarf and two hats (so far.) Who would have thought it would take so long to unravel a sweater! Also, the Sylva sis showed me a way to make mailers from paper grocery bags--so obvious it's brilliant. Happy New Year!