For all of you who already follow Ridiculously Awesome, I now have a new blog called The Knitting Kitty written for knitters and cat lovers!  It will feature projects, products, and piles of yarn! And like Ridiculously Awesome, I will continue to post ridiculously awesome knitting and or cat related items I find on Etsy and around the web.

Come join us at theknittingkitty.blogspot.com

The latest post: A knitting cat nightmare!

I've recently found this awesome necklace by Etsy seller jamiespinello made out of circles of oxidized copper called "Barnacle Bunches."

These necklaces are made to order, which makes each one unique! Plus they are made from reclaimed copper which makes them even more special! Each circle is formed and hammered by hand, and then set into groups. I love how the circles are all different colors! Truly ridiculously awesome.

I have such a major jones for Mystery Science Theater. I stumbled across this ridiculously awesome seller and these earrings after her storm trooper cufflinks were recommended to me on my Etsy activity page.

These "Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot" earrings were made by Etsy seller The Clay Collection, who makes all sorts of pop culture favorites as well as mini food (which is always popular with yours truly) out of clay. They're incredibly detailed, and she has so many items in her shop, I feel like I've barely scraped the awesome surface.

For any of you who appreciate 80s and 90s pop culture in even the slightest should check out her shop. I think I got lost in there today!

She also has the option to upgrade to sterling silver, which is always nice. These are definitely going on my Etsy wish list!

This is the first pattern I've written up and made available online, which I think is pretty ridiculously awesome. For those of you on Ravelry it's available through the site if you want to post your own pictures if your teeny hat and scarf! Just search for Miniature Hat and Scarf.

This super quick project was designed for a teeny little 4.5" tall artist's model, but the sizing is pretty close to 1/12th size if you are looking for something in that size range. I will be designing many more things for Jaunty Little Wooden Man in the future, so stay tuned!

**Pattern notes:**

Gauge isn't too important for this project, as long as you like the the way the fabric comes out! This is perfect for using up those little bits of sock yarn because you only need a yard or two! The best way to change the size while keeping the pattern the same would be adjusting the weight of yarn and needle size, although with the scarf it's very easy to add or subtract stitches or rows to get the size you want.

If anyone has any tips for making miniature pompoms for this hat I would love to hear from you!


PATTERN:

Finished Measurements:
Hat: about 1.5 inches or 38mm circumference and about 7/8 inch or 22mm tall
Scarf: about 4.5 inches or 114mm long and about 3/8 inch or 9mm wide

Materials:
2-3 yards fingering weight yarn (I used Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Sock in the Miriam colorway)
Size 0 double pointed needles (You will need 4 needles)
Darning needle
Stitch marker (if desired)

Gauge:
35 stitches over 4 inches (10cm)

Abbreviations:
K = knit
P = purl
St(s) = stitch(es)
Dpn(s) = double pointed needle(s)
Rnd = round
Rep = repeat
K2tog = knit two stitches together (one stitch decreased)

Hat:
Loosely cast on (or use a stretchier cast on method such as long tail) 16 stitches and divide onto 3 dpns. I had mine with 5 sts on the first 2 needles and 6 on the last. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place stitch marker to indicate beginning of round if desired.

Row 1: K to end of rnd
Row 2: P to end of rnd
Knit 5 rounds

Decreases: (You may have to shift sts around your dpns in order to work the k2togs)
Row 1: *K2, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 12 sts at end of rnd
Row 2: K to end of rnd
Row 3: *K1, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 8 sts at end of rnd

Cut yarn, leaving a 4-5 inch tail. Using your darning needle, thread yarn through remaining stitches twice to secure, removing from needles as you go. Pull tail up tight. Weave in ends.

Scarf:
Work back and forth on two of your dpns. Cast on 40 sts.

Row 1: *k1, p1, rep from * to end of rnd

Repeat row 1 twice more. Bind off loosely, and weave in ends.

And voila! A tiny little hat and scarf set! If you want your own Jaunty Little Wooden Man, I've found some on Amazon, click here to see!

Yes, that's right. I'm having a secret sale in both of my Etsy shops this weekend! I'll only be promoting it in this blog and on my twitter page.

Simply type "Secret Sale 2010" into the "comments to the seller" section when you check out, and 15% of what you paid for that purchase will be refunded to you via Paypal after you've paid (minus the cost of shipping)

The sale will ONLY be from 12:00 am EST Friday July 16 until midnight on Sunday July 18. I'm advertising early to get the ball rolling, but the sale will be this weekend only! Feel free to purchase before then, but the sale won't apply!

Plus, I'll be updating both shops with new items during this week and also during the weekend, and I'll be posting more ridiculously awesome items posts!

You can visit my Etsy shops through the links below:

VanessaMichelle (knit and crochet items and yarn)
TuttiFruttiDesign (cutesy and vintage inspired jewelry)

I'll update the blog a couple more times this week with reminders about the secret sale, so don't forget, it's this weekend only!

Sadly I haven't had time to do the daily Ridiculously Awesome posts since I started my new job, but here's a itty bitty taste of some of the ridiculous awesomeness that is the Etsy handmade market!

Check it out... it's a "one of a kind" Baby Raccoon by SteviT!

Made out of 100% alpaca fiber and it's jointed. Be sure to visit the listing page so you can see the other adorable pictures. This is certainly one raccoon that won't be eating out of your garbage!

Hey Kids!

I know I mentioned a post or two ago about how I had no internet. Well, I still don't have any internet, and I haven't for several weeks now. Boooooo. I might have it by next week, but there won't be regular updates until I do actually have it.

I look forward to future ridiculously awesome... ness.
Cheers!
Vanessa