I Changed My Name...

So I just changed my blog name from The Lovely zZzs to Knot for Thought. Over the last few weeks I have had some serious reconsideration about my original name as a brand and thought it was time for a good ol' virtual makeover, rebranding myself and this blog in the process. You see, The Lovely zZzs is a personal name, and although I do like personal things (and sleeping a crap ton), the name doesn't really appeal to me as a kind of craft company thing. I am proud of the new name and will do everything I can to accurately represent what I want this blog to be about - crafts and such!

I'm learning more and more about what branding is and how to use it effectively. For instance, color plays a huge part in visually setting the mood (I already knew this but didn't really know how to appropriately apply this to my blog), and TYPOGRAPHY IS SUPER IMPORTANT. I recently learned the difference between sans serif and serif (I know I know, fashionably late to the party haha) and, more importantly, what message those types of text convey. Being cognizant of these knitty gritty details helps my understand how to make my special internet space more attractive and now that I want to take my blog seriously, I am going to continue to try to make sure I produce a look and vibe that I'm proud of.

What else to expect: New header (my current one is an eye sore, I am aware haha), new navigation links, sidebar buttons, and an overall warm vibe to the blog.

As soon as my brain can put together a look, I will get to coding, but for now this painfully-purple template will have to do.

I have been super inspired by putting together some mood boards on Pinterest. These are just so fun! I linked two of them below :D


Follow Lisa Thomas's board Mood - Relaxed on Pinterest. Follow Lisa Thomas's board Mood - Playful on Pinterest.

WIP: My Life and This Blog

So here I am, back at the ol' blog. Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I haven't been creating. I've made SO MUCH COOL STUFF and I definitely have plans to share what I've made. Truth be told I stopped blogging because I was 100% focused on applying to OT school and getting the last of my pre-requisites out of the way. But an unfortunate event happened with my application, leading it to sit in limbo for a couple months, ergo late application, ergo NOT going to grad school next year. This failure was a huge setback and took a toll on my self-confidence. But success cannot be measured without the experience of that sweet sweet failure so I am taking this as a learning experience. I have reassessed my life goals and am turning my attention to this blog to talk about things I am passionate about. Knitting, crocheting, crafting, creating in general. I like seeing things that I've made because it makes me feel useful and proud of myself that I finished something I created out of nothing (You know the feeling, finally binding/casting off or what have you, and you admire the thing you just finished creating. All that time, all that effort, and here it is laying gracefully in your lap. Awesome. You get to actually touch something that you spent hours making. Feels. DAMN. Good.).

So new focus: This will be a craft blog and I will be focusing mostly on knit and crochet. I will make garments and accessories as well as nerdy things like anime and video game fan art. I will also explore all the different fibers offered in the world of fiber crafts! I have huge expectations for where this blog is headed, so stick with me, you won't be disappointed.

Although my current blog is simple, the overall vibe is no longer appealing to me and I have since been inspired to create a space more to my liking. More awesome, more quirky, more me. More pictures (SOON I PROMISE. TEXT IS SO BORING SOMETIMES...but I'm really REALLY shy just FYI haha), more stuff that inspires me! Minor setback: I am a starving artist. I graduated college a couple of years ago but have no interest in pursuing what I actually studied. Tried it, hated it. Alas. Life. I am low on funds and this blog will undoubtedly reflect that so bear with me, please!

The internet is a wonderful place filled with so much information. I will keep researching on how to put more HTML pizzazz here. I actually enjoy learning and reading code, luckily for me in this age of seemingly endless information. Also, you can't spell pizzazz without pizza (looks like my night is set haha).

Sit tight ya'll, and may the odds be ever in my favor!!

My Weekend Was Pretty Chill

The ice skating finals in Europe was on.

Promised Pictures Part 3: The Saga of Pablo

Observing the beast in an unfamiliar habitat:

seeking refuge behind the couch

my dog was walking by at this time

sup

Promised Pictures Part 2: Cards Against Humanity

Unleash the grand experience before thine eyes!

parents

pondering father

sister with cool hair

thanks for the awesome point mom :]

Thank you based camera.

Promised Pictures Part 1: Fingerless Mitts

So let's start with my December projects. I decided to make fingerless mitts for my mother using some Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere yarn from my stash. They turned out great and they feel amazing. I designed these mitts specifically for her tiny womanly hands, and I couldn't be more excited with the results.

Materials:

2 skeins of Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere

US 8 double pointed needles

Stitch marker (or if you're like me, use the tail as an indicator of the new round)

Pattern:

Base:

Cast on 33 st onto 1 needle using long tail cast on. Divide stitches evenly among three needles making sure not to twist the stitches, then join for working in the round

Row 1: Knit 1 Purl 1, repeat to last st, then knit 1 (the first st and the last st of the round are both knit sts)

Repeat row 1 for 4 inches, then purl all stitches for 2 rows, knit 1 purl 1 rib for 3 rows, purl for 2 rows

Thumb hole:

A) Working across the same needle you just used to finish the previous row, turn the work so that the wrong side of the work (the inside of the mitt) is facing you. Then:

Purl 1 Knit 1, repeat to last st, then purl 1.

You are no longer working in the round so as to make space for the thumb

B) Turn the work so that the right side of the work (the outside of the mitt) is facing you. Then:

Knit 1, Purl 1, repeat to last st, then knit 1.

Repeat A)

Working in this same fashion, purl 1 row then knit 1 row

Repeat B) A) B) once more and then join for working in the round

Top:

You will be working the rest of the piece with the wrong side facing you

Knit 2 rows, then:

Row 1: Purl 1, Knit 1, repeat to last st, then purl 1

Repeat Row 1 until desired coverage of fingers is achieved.

Bind off in purl

Weave in ends and then BAM done!

Here are progress phone pics:

I'm so glad I have a new camera. So glad.

2013: An Interesting Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS! During a time which we reflect and optimistically view our future, I present to you:

Reviewing 2013:
Wow. Honestly, so much has happened this past year.

Quite simply, I transitioned from depression and getting out of a bad relationship to getting into a great, positive relationship and emotional stability. Knitting and crocheting helped me through this whole process and I'm super thankful for therapeutic effects of these hobbies.

I went back to community college to complete pre-recs for the masters program to which I am applying and am currently working on my application.

I started working for Purlsoho.com, one of the coolest jobs I have ever had and the most positive work environment I could possibly imagine.

I started this blog! I have explored the blog world and have enjoyed the experience so far.

Goals for 2014:
Finish my grad school application

Redesign my blog (I have a new header in the works and I have to better organize my blog topics)

Take more pictures

Focus on continuing working with diligence, effectiveness, and efficiency. I think these qualities will help me accomplish making more knitted/crocheted pieces as well as other tasks in general. I have so many ideas on things I want to create, but if I expect to get anything done I have to make sure my project plans reflect the qualities I stated above.

Talk to my family more (because we ride together, we die together). I love my family.

Anything else?
Other than actively striving toward a positive overall well-being at all times always, I think my list is focused on good priorities. Cheers to what 2014 has to offer! Hope you have cool goals in mind for your new year as well. Best of luck and positive vibes sent your way!

Awesome December Yields Failposting Achievement

I barely posted this December and I probably deserve a medal for it, I admit, but I promise I have good reason for the afk. It's not because I don't like talking about December and all the really cool things that it entails, but because I didn't want to spoil my Christmas gifts that I made for my family and friends. December is also my birth month, so, you know, I celebrated my glorious birth into this world for the whole month. Seems perfectly reasonable.

After I finished my finals, I visited my hometown for a week where I spent quality time hanging out with my family, played Cards Against Humanity, caught up with old friends, and received amazing gifts (this activity actually happened three weeks in a row muahaha). While there I kind of disconnected from social media. Makes it easy not to get distracted by halfheartedly attempting to live vicariously through my friends Christmas pics, if that makes sense.

So, the best part about my trip home? Seeing old friends and my family. The coolest part about my trip home?! I have pictures to prove it. No more inferior iPhone camera. No. I have something so much better in store for you, friends. Now I will fill this blog with fantastically vibrant photos. Hello Canon Powershot g15 :3

Let me show you just how excited I am. Feast your eyes on this:

This picture is pretty decent considering it was taken with a phone. But still, I want to see cool things on the Internet looking colorful and gorgeous as they do irl. 

Now check this baby out:

Oh my god. Yes please! Isn't it beautiful?!?!?! :_3 AND WHERE DID ALL THAT BLUE COME FROM? F YES. The second image just looks SO much better it's remarkable.

My next few posts will be photo fusion posts, just because I took pictures with my phone up until I received my new camera for Christmas. It was a long wait, but so sooooooo worth it.

Last Week Has Been Exciting, To Say The Least

This has been my view for the last week:

Contents of this picture include: 

• My knitting, gatorade/liquid, saltines, pablo, my bed

I have not moved much from this spot. Why you ask? I had a horrible case of food poisoning which ended up getting me hospitalized with severe dehydration.

I ended up needing two bags of IV fluids without expelling much fluid of my own at the hospital. It was a grand experience.

Anyway it's safe to say that the worst has passed. Time to continue on! I'm thinking I will make that Link blanket I posted about earlier. Can't wait to start that!

Life Update

I am going to be pretty busy this week and in the many upcoming weeks! Here is what I have planned:

• move into my new apartment
• knit and crochet a bunch of cool stuff
• take more naps

not only that, but this too:

• take courses at the community college by my apartment to fulfill prereqs so I can pursue occupational therapy
• apply to masters OT program at USC for next fall
• volunteer at local OT practices

My goal is to incorporate my passion for knitting and crocheting into my OT practice and, to be quite honest, I am excited to see where the future will take me and am sure this will be a great all-around learning experience!