For Sophia

Sophia is a sweet 4 year old autistic little girl who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. She has had an operation and will be starting radiation soon. They are looking for handknit hats and other things to send to Sophia. This is the hat I recently sent:

I hope to make a few of these to put up on my Etsy site to raise funds either for Sophia or for pediatric cancer research.

If anyone is interested in sending something to Sophia, or just to send here prayers and well wishes, they have set up a facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/HopeforSophia

Another Colorful Cap

Here is my newest listing, a colorful cotton hat inspired by some of the wonderful Guatemalan crocheted hats I have seen in books I have been reading lately. I've been working in cotton because - well, it is summer here and cotton is a little less hot and sticky to work with, and also I have found that some people prefer cotton anyways. I also love the colors and they way they really stay bright in cotton. I think these hats have a really fun, bright look to them! In a few months I will switch to wool and make some more winter-ish hats. But for now it's cotton.

The listing for this hat is here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51335623/colorful-cotton-cap-handknit-hat

Catching Up!

Things have been busy here, with the school year ending (and now the kids are out of school) and going away for a while, I've really fallen behind on posting! I've been redoing listings in my Etsy shop - only have done about half so far. I finally have a few new things to add as well.

The first is this cuff bracelet:

I've been hugely inspired by Native American peyote beaded bracelets. I would love to take up bead weaving, but I don't think I need another hobby right now! So I decided to create the feel
of the beaded cuffs using tiny needles and very thin mercerized cotton. I made one for myself, too. I love it - and I hope that other people will like them as well...I've got a bunch of different designs for them that I want to try! The listing for this cuff is here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51010340/handknit-cuff-bracelet

I've got a few more items almost ready to post....just need to get to all the finishing work!

Re-do

This is one of my latest re-news and re-dos:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/45606655/handknit-drawstring-bag-camden-flowers

I like the bag a lot and am trying to make the listing pop a little more. I'm not sure how well my re-doing and re-newing strategy is working. My views are up, but no sales ;-( I will keep plugging away!)

I'm working on a new idea for a knitted bracelet/cuff. I made one for myself and have been waaring it for a week and I really like it. I knitted another one and am blocking it tonight. I hope to have it listed this week!

Renewing and re-doing

Not many new items have been listed lately in my shop! I've been experimenting a little lately, also things have been crazy busy at home as the school year winds down.

I have been renewing items and re-doing photos and listings. I'm trying to have the featured photos concentrate a little more on the colorwork of my pieces since that is what makes them unique. I hoping my shop will look a little more colorful and dynamic, and therefore, visually appealing.

So far I have redone Carlisle, Springvale, Springfield and one of the bookmarks. I'm trying to do one a day, but probably not on the weekend since I usually don't get many views then anyways! The changes seem to have led to an increase in views - let's see if that translates into any sales.

I'd appreciate any opinions if anyone has any!!
http://www.shirleyknits.etsy.com/

Colorful Cotton Cap

Here is a new hat!
I was so inspired by pictures of some Guatemalan crocheted caps that I've decided to knit a series of colorful hats to put in my Etsy store. I am using 100% cotton for these, so they could really be worn almost year round. I am looking forward to playing with colors and patterns and making up a bunch of these.

Enjoy!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48600238/colorful-cotton-cap-handknit-hat

I'm so negligent!

I posted a new listing last week and never blogged about it. I finished a cute little cellphone bag. I thought about all the things I wanted on a cell phone bag - including a wrist strap and a mini-carbiner for clipping it to a belt loop or a keyring.

I snuck the listing in during a slow time and it didn't get many views. You can check it out here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/48048321/weston-handknit-cellphone-pouch

I'm working on a few brightly colored little cotton hats, inspired by some Mayan crochet I have seen pictures of. I hope to post the first one within the next two days.