February Blues

I've been kind of blue lately. I haven't been able to take pics of some new items for Huggermugger because it's been cloudy or my battery was dead or I needed a nap instead. I actually sold a couple items off-site... to my dad. But I just haven't had anything to write about, or motivation to find something bloggable. Must be February -- this month always makes me feel like I'm with Frodo and Sam in Mordor, wandering endlessly through a world of grey. I'm so glad it's almost March!

See a Pattern?

You know my cute little sun hats for babies? I made up that pattern myself, because I couldn't find one I liked. I've gotten lots of compliments on them, and I realized other people might like to make them too. So I am now offering my pattern as a pdf file in my store!

It's really six patterns in one, because it contains instructions for three sizes -- 0-3, 3-6, and 6-12 months -- as well as two brim styles: flat or ruffled. All for only $6.

This is a simple pattern that even newer crocheters can do -- if you can chain and do a double crochet stitch, you can make these hats!

Color Me Jazzed

Fellow Etsy Artiste Kid-N Around Creations is having a giveaway on her new blog that you totally need to sign up for. Among other things, she is offering one of her totally awesome crayon purses! I am so in love with these -- she has them for sale in her shop, along with crayon rolls for kids who aren't into purses. My 16-month-old, Daniel, could totally use one of these -- he's nuts about crayons right now (though he calls them 'pens') and colors on anything that strikes his fancy -- washable crayons are definitely a lifesaver around here. Anyway, a crayon roll or purse would be a great way to transport his artistic supplies without getting crayons broken or marking up stuff carried in the same bag. There's room in the purse for a pad of paper too -- how cool is that?

Finally Finished

I have finally finished my first real knitting project! Remember that lovely Italian yarn I picked up last month? I used the turquoise to knit a scarf for my friend Emily, who's in college in Minnesota and complained to me last month that her current scarf isn't wide enough. So I made her an 8"-wide scarf. It which covers my ears, nose, mouth, and chin, so I hope she thinks it's wide enough too!

This yarn is a wool blend from Jo-Ann's Sensations Bellezza Collection, and I had lots of fun working with it because it has a hand spun texture, with sections that are wide and thick and others that are thinner. And through it all runs a shiny silver strand to add extra glamour. The hand spun texture is what makes the edges uneven -- I'm not that bad at knitting, honest!

As for the black scarf I was knitting for my son... I ripped it all out because it got weird. So either I'll start it over, or maybe try something entirely different.

The Square Grammy

While on vacation, I helped my mom set up her own Etsy shop! She's now the proud proprietor of The Square Grammy, where she plans to sell all sorts of crocheted items made from "grammy squares." She calls herself "Grammy" instead of "Grandma," hence the wordplay. So far she has only one item listed, a beautiful white snowflake scarf modeled by someone who might look kind of familiar ;-) But she's working on listing some cute slippers she's crocheted, and has lots of ideas for other items. I hope you give one of Etsy's newest stores a warm welcome!

Praise the Lord and Pass the Baby Hats!

According to this article that Knitsational pointed me to, the CPSIA deadline for mandatory lead testing for all children's products has been pushed back a year. So I've reactivated my baby hats and can sell them legally until next February. Hooray!

In other news, the vacation is going nicely so far -- we've spent a couple days just relaxing and recuperating from the stomach ailment that laid the three of us low last week. Mmm.

TTFN and Where the Hats Went

I'm going on vacation tomorrow (I hope), so anything you order from my store won't be shipped until I get back, February 16th to be precise. And I probably won't be blogging much until then, because for part of our vacation, we're going on a cruise!

At least, I hope we're going on vacation tomorrow. On Tuesday, Daniel came down with the stomach flu. He was better on Wednesday, but I got it. Then on Thursday, my hubby and Daniel both were sick. Today, my hubby and I are both feeling better, but Daniel is still sick. We're supposed to fly to NC tomorrow, but if he's not better, we'll have to try to change our tickets.

Anyway, I'm also unlisting all my crocheted baby hats for the time being, due to a law called the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) that goes into effect on Feb. 10th and says any merchandise -- including handmade -- aimed at children 12 and under must be tested for lead and phthalates. Now, you and I both know this law is aimed at toy manufacturers in China, and that hats crocheted out of yarn bought at commercial stores like Wal-Mart. Michael's, and Jo-Ann's Fabrics isn't gonna harm your baby... but I don't want to break the law, so until they amend the law, my baby hats are off the market.

If you want to learn more about the CPSIA and what you can do to tell lawmakers to clarify this vague and broadly-worded law, click here.

Ta-ta for now!