Crochet and Knitting Haul

September 6, 2021September 6, 2021 bookishluna2 Comments

Hello and welcome to a post where I am going to share some of the things I have picked up over the past few months to help with my crafting crochet and knitting wise. Yes, I did say knitting. I in the last month or so taught myself some basics and actually managed to make a sock. I am still working on the other one, lol. Anyway I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I have picked up and share what I plan on making with them or using them for.

Project Bags

I picked up a few project bags that were on the smaller side to keep my sock project, current and future. I had them in my larger project bag where I kinda keep all my WIPs they almost became unraveled so many times from being tackled. I picked these ones up from Pea Pod Threads.

Knitting Needles

As I mentioned I took up knitting and I ended up picking up a circular needle set, I really like using circular needles I have found out. I settled on Lykke Indigo Driftwood Interchangeable Set in Indigo. I currently am using it to make a cowl and I am really liking how they feel and they are sturdy. I was worried because it was interchangeable and I have only used fixed ones until this.

Notions

I picked up this really helpful item called Knit Picks Basic Knitting Chart Keeper. Pretty much it is a place to keep your pattern while you are working that folds in half and projects the paper when shoved in a bag. The patten is held to it by magnets and there are extras so you can use them to also hold your place. It almost looks and feels like a thick folder without pockets. While is is called a knitting chart keeper I use it with either knitting or crochet.

Yarn

As for yarn I picked up 4 skeins of Juniper Moon Farm’s Moonshine Fine, I ended up picking up 2 in the color Moonbeam (1003), which is an odd white and then 2 of Cocoa (1001), which is a dark gray. I decided I am going to use this yarn to make the Sonder by Expression Fiber Arts (website). I adapted the pattern to a crochet pattern because this was before I learned to knit, but I am not to far into it so I might frog it and then try it as knitting. We shall see how I am feeling when I get a chance to pick that project up again. The next yarn to make its way into my home is 3 skeins of Urth Yarns Monokrom Cotton Yarn in a gray color. Sadly, I cannot give you the color name or code because it is not on the tag on mine. I am planning on making another shawl with this one and I am for sure going to knit it. The pattern is called the Kari Shawl, which is a free pattern you can find from Sari Nordlund (Ravelry). All of this yarn was bought at local shops, which I know I am lucky to have a few around me I can support.

Sign Off 2020 — Thanks for Reading! Sincerely, Luna

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Knitting, Crochet, Crafting, Art & More

My Favorite Crochet Tools & Notions

July 8, 2021June 25, 2021 bookishluna3 Comments

Hooks

Furls Streamline Swirl, I love the Cafe and Cream collection the most. These are quite pricy, they run around $24 dollars each. The good news it they have sales frequently so if you keep your eyes open you can get a great deal. I ended up getting one a month for a while until I had the entire set. For me, these are super smooth to use with all different yarn types, but also feel really comfortable in the hand. Before I got my first one I thought it was all hype, these hooks are really amazing.

Clover Amour Crochet Hook, these hooks are also amazing. They feel great in the hand and glide easily with nearly every type of yarn I have worked with. These are a lot more affordable and come in kits or singular. The prices are generally around $8 if you buy them one at a time, but I never paid more than $4 because I always have a coupon for my local crafting store. These were the hooks I learned on and I still use them regularly. When I give people crochet starter kits, I even add these hooks to them.

Notions

Clover Darning Needle Set (Bent Tip), with every crochet project sadly, you have to weave in some ends. I think this is the worst part of crochet, but I never weave in as I go. Anyway, I found that I LOVE metal bent tip darning needles the best. These allow me to get in between the stitches at a comfortable angle for my hand and wrist.

Yarn Basket, I use Decorative Coiled Rope Baskets from Threshold™, they have quite a few sizes. I came across these when walking around target one day about a year or so ago. I loved the huge size range of these baskets and I thought the neutral coiled rope look went really well with the yarn. They even have handles so you can use these as a yarn bowl if you were so inclined. I generally just use them to hold my WIPs and a larger one to hold all my yarn…. okay some of my yarn. Yarn has its own version of a TBR pile.

Yarn Bowl from kbkilnart on etsy. I have two yarn bowls created by this shop and I love them both so much. They are heavy enough where they stay still, but not too heavy to move around with.

Stitch makers, I have a huge collection of stitch markers. I have over 100 because I use them for almost every project. I tend to buy the cheaper ones although there really are some beautiful ones I see constantly on etsy. My tried and true ones are Clover Locking Stitch Marker. I have never had one pop open on me out of no where and I have never had one snap as well.

Row counter from TwillandPrint on etsy. I have a row counter from them called Witchy Row Counter Pin. it is beautiful and functional! It is a row counter with a pin back so you can attach it to your project I also like that it is not digital and a physical counter.

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Hauls & Unboxings

Crochet Haul | The Hook Nook

December 8, 2020December 6, 2020 bookishluna5 Comments

Hello and welcome to a crochet centered post. I recently ordered from a crochet and knitting company that I have never heard of before called The Hook Nook which was founded by Jessica Carey. I will openly admit this, I am envious of her vibe and I have more outfit inspiration than I thought I could ever have found on her social media. Of course this led me to her website and I ordered quite a few things.

THN Iridescent Ends Weaver – Currently $10

Last year I made a beautiful temperature blanket and I really loved the process. That is until I have to weave in the ends of 366 ends thanks to leap year. Turns out there is a nifty little tool that can help with this process and I cannot wait to give it a try.

THN Skein Savers – Acrylic (Gold and Silver) – Currently $8

I don’t know about other crocheters, but I always end up with an open skein of yarn that I barely used in a current project. I try to put the wrapper back on, but the size is too different and the ends come loose and end up making a huge mess. This is the meant to help with that. It is a stretchy band that keeps your opened and used skein in order and stop them from making a birds nest while in storage waiting to be used in another project.

THN Designer Interchangeable Crochet Hook Set – Currently $40

Lastly, is this really nifty interchangeable crochet hook set. I have been seeing them for years, but never came across ones while I shopped in person. My go to hooks are Clover, but I really wanted a set I can easily take with me while in the car or somewhere where I have size options. Plus, they came in a really nice carrying case. I tried them out briefly and they felt great in my hand, but I suggest giving them a quick wipe down before using. They had a bit of gunk on them from manufacturing.

Some nice bonus items that they sent my way are a few branded stickers, a pin, and aa yummy serving of yogi Honey Lavender Stress Tea. All of which was a really nice touch and the branded items were adorable and I can’t wait to stick them on things.

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