Is it considered Cheating?

Well  hello! It's been a while and there is a reason I haven't been posting.
I am cheating on Blogger...
One, the app for Blogger sucks. Nothing will post from there and I haven't been able to post from my computer. It gets annoying.
Two, it is harder for me to get clients from here. With no contact form, and someone told me recently, it doesn't look like a good or professional website... I still like using this platform.
So I decided to have two websites/blogs. I have this one here, easier for me to work. And I will have a Wix website for clients. I'm not sure how I feel about it but so far, so good. I plan on posting on both. I might post here and copy it there, depending on the subject. I'm really not sure yet.
All I wanted was blogger to work on my phone. I understand it is an older site, but come on... A simple update would suffice!
Anywho, I think I want to make this blog my personal one, like it has been, and the Wix site more for my business. It makes things a little easier, I hope!
I just now realized that I use a lot of commas. Hmm... well there is that. I'm a comma person.
So, what have I been working on? I need to get some pictures but my mom loves the cowl vest I made her. She said it fits much better now. I had to make it longer than what was written in the pattern. I also finished another hat for my daughter. She is getting back into wearing hats again. I am not complaining about it, I love making hats!
I have been working more on my Cricut skills(?) and we finished the prizes for the kids after the Easter Egg hunt we did. Just family but it was fun. I will post what we did. I think I need to practice more, as my niece said the writing on her shirt is coming off. I don't think we ironed it enough.
Everyone else's stayed on fine. Another adventure :)
My next projects will be Crocheting a poncho and some Amigurumi dolls for my daughter. As well as client work. I never post those, as I think the posting should be up to the client. I might post the items not being worn and just a flat layout. I would much prefer that anyways.
Well that is all for now.
I hope everyone has a great week.
Do you have any projects you are working on?? Let me know :)

Feel free to Comment, Share, Like and all that Jazz.
 

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instagram.com/rustitchknits/

My Wix:
https://rustitchbykayla.wixsite.com/rustitchknits

Test Knitting

I have been busy test knitting a new sweater. It is looking so good and I cannot wait to finish it!
I chose to do this sweater in (what I believe to be) a jewel tone blue/green color. I will post pictures once I am done and the pattern is released. I will also link the pattern and designer.
This will be my second test knit for this designer and both were sweaters.
What can I say, I love them and she's amazing at designing them.
Thew nest thing on my list to make is her Cowl vests I had planned earlier, and a basket for my daughter. Plus all the other things she wants. I will also be setting up a time to make things to sell, fingers crossed, all goes to plan. I want to partake in a couple fairs and bazaars this year, if I play my cards right. I think I have mentioned this before but it is still on the forefront of my mind.
Did that even make sense?!? I suck at words...
Luckily while I teach my daughter (home school), the school gives me all the answers and teaches the parent/learning coach how to teach! It's amazing.
Off topic I know, but we are still so happy about changing to home schooling!
Back on track, I think I will forgo the idea of making soaps with my handmade spa sets. I really want to but I think it might be a little too much for me to take on. Or just too much competition. There are so many great soap makers out there and I cannot compete with them lol
Also, I want to stick with what I am good at and go for it!
Lastly, I need to research how selling online through your own website is and if it is harder than using a site like Etsy. No clue about any of that and I really am interested in possibly making my own or selling online in general.
Thank you for visiting my blog.


Please feel free to follow, share, or head over to my Instagram.
It is appreciated :)
https://www.instagram.com/rustitchknits/

Have a great weekend
K

Matching Vests and Rainy Days

The snow is gone and we have had rain for a couple days now. We cannot wait for sunnier days and warm enough weather to play outside. My daughter is going crazy cooped up but with everyone getting sick, I'd rather not risk it. We have been keeping busy with school and extra art classes. I started a homeschooling Pinterest board for ideas and new things to try.
I knit or crochet while she works or reads. Yes, she reads and I am so proud of her!! She's excited about it too. Oh yes, back to what I am making. I have started a Cowl neck sweater/vest for myself and my mom. We are going to be so matchy, matchy! I will link it below, it is (of course) by Chantal at Knitatude. It's gorgeous and a fast, easy knit up! I am also crocheting little scrubbies right now. One, I need more. And two, my friend saw them and wanted some. They are handy!
Hmm... What else are we up to?!? Not much! Practicing my Cricut skills and making some cute stickers for school stuff and me. That sounds like a good update to me!
Have a great day!

My knit project: Chain Link Armored Cowl Vest
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chain-link-armored-cowl-vest



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Preparing for Christmas?!?

I know it seems strange to plan for Christmas in March but since I hand make my loved ones gifts, I need to plan and start them as early as I can. I won't be starting any until I'm done with my moms birthday gift, which is going to be finished soon!
I'm thinking of making my nieces and nephews pillows this year. Last year I made hats and the year before I made mittens. But, last Christmas, I helped my mom make all her grandkids the no-sew blankets and thought a pillow to match would be nice. I'd either crochet or knit them though. I still want them to match the blankets, just made differently.
My other option was scarves to match the mittens and hats. I'm not sure they would wear them, so pillows seem better!
Pillow ideas for them all are:
Owl
Puppy
Football
Soccer
Unicorn and
Square with names and favorite items embroidered on them.
I have a lot of ideas :) So many projects, so little time lol
Well that's all for today.
Have a great week!!
K

Kids Bun Hat Pattern

Patterns like this are found every where and are super easy to make. I had found one a long time ago and cannot remember from where and I didn't save it :(
So, I thought I would make a new one from what I can remember from the pattern and by making a new hat for my daughter.
Here it goes...

I used a worsted weight yarn and I hook.
ch= chain
dc= double crochet
sc= single crochet
sl st= slip stitch
*.....* = repeat pattern
The pattern is written for a one color hat but I will look into suggestions for where to switch colors!

Kids Bun Hat
Row 1: Make 30 dc around a thick hair elastic (the bigger ones are best. you also might want to use 2 or 3 hair ties instead of just one, to make it thicker/stronger). sl st into the top of the first dc. Ch 2 (30)
Row 2: 1 dc into the same stitch and into the next stitch, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (40)
Row 3: 1 dc into same stitch and into the next 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch. * 1 dc into the next 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (50)
(If you want to change color, do so now. Cut yarn and weave in the ends. Join a second color and Ch 2)
Row 4: 1 dc into the same stitch and the next 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc into the next 4 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch2. (60)
(If you changed color, here you will change it again, to the first color. Cut yarn and weave in ends. Join first color and Ch 2)
Row 5: dc into each stitch. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch2. (60)
(Another color change, repeat after row 4)
Rows 6-12: dc in each stitch. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (60)
(Another color change)
Rows 13 and 14: dc in each stitch. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch1 (60)
Rows 15 and 16: sc in each stitch. sl st to the top of the first sc. Ch 1 (60)
Row 17: sc into each stitch round, sl st last stitch to the top of the first sc. Cut yarn and weave in ends. (60)

And that's it :)
It only takes a couple of hours to finish. A good movie or two!! Hope you enjoy.

What I do when I knit

Recently, I have been listening to podcasts while I knit (or crochet) and I'm addicted!
I listen every Wednesday to a knitting podcast called VeryPink Knits. I started watching her youtube videos a couple years ago. I love the videos and the podcasts! It's a great listen and they answer a bunch of viewer questions. Plus Casey goes on some amazing interviews!!
Some other podcasts I listen to are:
Daily Boost
Hay House Meditation
The Confidence Project
Deep Energy Podcast
and Passion Positivity Purpose,
just to name a few! They are almost endless options and a podcast (or more) for nearly any subject.
Audio books are a great option as well. Audible cost money but if you want to pay for it, I really enjoyed that one as well. I'm currently listening to the Harry Potter series, again :)
Let me know if you ever listen to podcasts and what you'd recommend!
Thanks for visiting.
K

Nails and Knitting

I have been doing my nails again. I had to stop for a while, they would get in the way of what I was doing. Now I can go back to doing my nails and not worry about them breaking off as easily. I also have a renewed energy to do nail art again. So that's going to happen soon.
On to what I've been crafting. I've been sewing some dresses and pants for my daughter a lot. She is at that stage that she loves dresses! I make her pants and leggings, because she has a tiny waist and long legs. It's hard to find anything in stores that fit her properly. Luckily she's only 6 years old and fabric for her isn't too expensive! And I use old leggings and shirts from me.
Knitting and Crochet wise, I made hats for my niece and nephews this year for Christmas. They match the mittens I made last year. They want scarves next. Those are so quick to knit up, I'll make a bunch and they can have them before winter this year! I crocheted a unicorn hat for my daughter. I also made my first sweater too. For her of course. I'm about to start another one in different colors. I made a couple baby blankets and stuffies (mainly bears and rabbits) for expecting moms this year. I have so many plans!!
I'm currently working on a Cardigan for my Mom in law. It's going to be a surprise!
(Don't worry, she doesn't know about this blog)
Hmmm what else have I been up to?!? Honestly, not much. I got a membership at Planet Fitness and that's been going good. And I want to meal plan this year. That's about it :)
Hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll chat with you later!!
K

Getting back into a routine?!

As everyone who has ever met me knows, I do not do routines or schedules well. I don't stick to them and all my habits are bad ones. I pick at my nails and bite them. I start new projects before finishing the previous one. So on and so forth... The list goes on. I am going to find some self help kind of books for it. I need to stick to something. I really do try!
I want to continue with my photography for sure, I will not give that up. But there is another project I want to start. I want to start my own online store for selling my crochet and knitted items I make. I don't want to start until I'm done making some example pieces and finishing my Christmas presents for our family. I want to give them their gifts early, so they can use them for winter. That will give me time to make some winter projects and start my inventory. I want to focus on winter accessories and baby items. Mainly blankets, hats, scarfs, gloves, etc... I also want to offer different materials foe the same items.
Some blankets made from wool yarn and some made with acrylic yarn. That kind of thing. When we move into our own house and have some more land, I want to go back to having some animals. Some of which I want is Sheep. You probably guessed it, to make my own yarn. I have always loved making things. And making people happy. Whether that's taking family photos to treasure or making a family tree blanket to hang on their walls for years!
I plan to start selling in December or January. I'm going into this with my head on straight (ish) and a really good attitude and outlook. May sound naive but who said being optimistic was a bad thing?!?
Hope your week goes swell. Keep on smiling!!
TTFN Kayla