In Shining Armor

Wow...hi.  It's been over one whole year since I posted!  I have definitely done some crafty things since two Novembers ago, but I guess no crochet?  

Quick catch up:  last March my husband moved to Portland, Oregon, and I came a month later.  It has not been the easiest transition for me so I put blogging on the back-burner to prioritize figuring out my new city. 

Enough of that- CROCHET!  I got some metallic yarn, which I ADORE and made an easy circle scarf.    This is one of my favorite stitches, and with this yarn I think the effect is like knitted chainmail.  Basic pattern and materials below the photos. 

Sorry for the iPhone pics.  I think I need to redesign this blog and get better with my photo editing!

(Not pictured: sweatpants)

(The blurry details)

 (Inspiration via StyleTrove)

Materials:
Yarn: Patons Metallic in Pewter
Hook Size: H8/5.00MM
Darning Needle

Pattern overview:
This pattern is done in rounds to form a big tube and then sewed together.
Ch to desired thickness (remember it's a tube so you will want to double!).  I think I did like 55 or something?  Sl st to join.
First row: hdc around.
All subsequent rows: hdc in the back of the bottom loop - imagine blo, but going behind the bl to the next loop.  Is this a real stitch?  I have no idea, but I love the effect - kind of like bpdc, but easier, I think.  And less thick.
No slst after each row- just keep going around and around.  Once your scarf is long enough, stitch it together so it's like an inner tube!

I am also making a hat/turban thing with this yarn so hopefully I can have a really nice photo post soon.  Happy 2014!!!

Help Wanted

Lately I have been at a total loss.  I can easily come up with ideas for hats and such, but there is nothing I am really super excited about making.

So pleaaaasseeee... email/comment any ideas?  If I pick your idea, you can have what I make :-)

Thanks in advance, blog-nobbers!!!

Katiebeans & Iron Martin in Teabeans originals

Roosevelt Island

Photo: Copyright Tara 2010

Feeling Inspired

Top: Anthropologie
Mid-2: Modcloth
Bottom: BK Industries

Should I?

It's still 86 degrees out so I am not really busting out the hooks too much, but I am definitely getting some fun ideas for fall! Apparently crocheted clothes are really "in" now (??). I saw a whole spread on it in the latest dELiA's catalog?

Anyways...although they take forever and I never end up wearing them (see my first two here and here), I am thinking I may need to try to make a new dress? Check out this cute one from Anthro.

I know all my "inspiration" posts are totally boring. I will have something up soon, even if it is another bloring flower!!

Browsing...

Just doing a little online window shopping and getting some ideas for my next mini-project...

Definitely need to work on some flowers because I owe Sheetal one from like 2 years ago that she wanted to add to the Amazing Cable Hat I made for her. Now I HAVE to make it since she is moving to India in a month!!

Little Things

I need to start making little things again.

Sweater is Better

I think this would be an easy enough project. I found it here.
This reminds me of the crocheted flower cardigan I made for my sister, (crummy) detail seen here. It also reminds me of another project I want to do, which is basically flower appliques a-go-go, an example can be seen here.

Tonight goin go home... snug my cat... have some tea and a burnt grilled cheese sammy... and make something cute! Should I work on Arwen's hat... my leaf headband... a present for my mom... or a new ruffle top pattern I bought?! Maybe if the yarn has arrived I should work on Brooke's snowflake hat?! One thing is for sure... I need to update my long long list of projects!

Also, who o who will be my reader of the month in January? STAY TUNED!

Turning A Leaf

I need to make this!

I could buy the pattern here... or not.

Inspiration: It's Me, Mariobeans.

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaa this is mega bangin. Crochet Mario blanket? Key. I am putting this in the same league as the Pacman hat. Am I too old/profesh for video game themes?!

Thanks to Rachel who sent this to me. Source here. Sadly this would take me 4,000 years to make so I couldn't make it for her & her awesome hubs. Maybe one day I can make a mini one for a baby or something?

Blog Nobbin'

I was flipping around some blogs, and was scanning thru The Owls Are Not What They Seem, when I came upon this post:My my but does that look like my bow headband!
Well, wouldn't you know it! Her inspiration was my inspiration:

The Owls are Not What They Seem bow is actually knit. How rare for me to see someone trying to get a crochet pattern to work for knitting! It's usually the other way around.

Crocheting and blogging are fun.

Meowzers!

Mental note: Make felted cat hat for cat.
More cute Mr. & Mrs. Kittens here!

Blog Nobber

Does everyone else read this blog? Of course of course of course you do! I am really thinking I need to make a cute piggy hat now.

Friendly suggestion/helpful tip: do not wear piggy hat if you have a piggy face.

Crochet Necklaces: The Good & The MEJOR Ugly

Just got my new issue of Crochet! Magazine, and behold the horror that lay within: Ideal for those times you want to look like your head is not attached to your body! I do love getting this mag, but, let's face it, it's not for the young, urban, and wannabe fashionable, like Katiebeans here. I guess I shoulda realized that when I saw they size everything to XXXL and the "trendy" styles just involve making your top cropped and adding more frills.

I really want to make another crochet necklace when I get a chance. Here are some cooler looking ones: Source: unknown

Source: CreativeYarn

Crazy Cat Lady

Um yeah... I went from hating cats to being borderline obsessive. Case in point, I actually purchsed this bag above from Modcloth.com because it so strikingly resembled my Mr. Kitten.

As you may or may not know, there is a lot of underground crocheted catness happening. While I am not really into crocheting household knick-knacks like the kitties pictured below, I definitely could see myeslf making this hat, a la the owl hat of last winter. Adorable, no? Hmm... maybe not.... seeing as I am not a cute 15 year old Japanese girl or a baby. Source.

Source.

Unknown Source.

Inspiration: Urban Outfitters

Well it was a rip-off filled trip to Urban Outfitters this weekend. But instead of being ripped off by an over-priced frame, I am going to be the one ripping things off! Ripping off some pillow designs! I have been wanting some pillows for our couch for a while, but I am kind of anti-traditional crochet projects. These UO pillows were looking pretty cool, but, of course, they were totally falling apart. If my pillow is going to fall apart, I want it to be because of my own shoddy workmanship. I love love this, but I cannot find a chevron stitch in rounds! Any help??

Ohhhh to have time to crochet! Work has been insane lately. Off to have some beers & watch a movie!

This Time Tomorrow...

I will hopefully have a handmade sunhat as adorable as this.
I think I pulled these pics off Anthroplogie(?).

Blogs & Knitting & Shower Curtains, o My!

Finally, finally something crochet (ish) to blog about! I was readin my fashion blogs, and I found this post by The Owls are Not What They Seem.

She is blogging about hand-knitting bath mats and bath robes -- so fun! She is obviously very talented, and I am totally jealous. But best part best: she has the same shower curtain as me!

Here is my lovely curtain. I actually posted it on Facebook with the caption, "this makes me the happiest person on earth."

Now... methinks I need to start hand-crocheting some bath mats for Kitten to pee on?!

I Could Totally Make This

But do I want to?? Spinning Jenny Vest on Modcloth.com.

Inspiration: Kansas Couture

I read a lot of fashion blogs, but sometimes they do get boring or annoying (even though I keep coming back!). One blog that I always love is Kansas Couture. Not only is her name Katy, and she lives in Kansas (fun fact: Katiebeans was born in Kansas); but she has lovely style and is a lovely girl. I asked her about sunglasses once and bought a swimsuit from her Etsy shop. She could not be sweeter (online anyways)!

Today, I have to blognob about her awesome and inspiring flower top:

Looks like crochet to me! This seems like a daring thing to crochet and to wear.

Test the Vest

I don't know that I am a vest kind of a girl, but I am definitely working on incorporating some crochet embellishements into regular tops. I am a horrid sewer, but I am testing out the waters. Check out some inspirational pieces I saw at UrbanOutfitters.com: