First Project (really was!)

So I realized that the bag really wasn't my first project. My first one was this hat.


I had a friend introduce me to Firefly and I loved it so much that I decided to make him the hat that Jayne wears. It didn't look too difficult, and really it wasn't... Aside from having to work with really ugly colors to make a hat that I'd never really wear... But it was worth it! It turned out great!

Yarn

For the most part I've stuck to craft stores for my yarn. I'm not into spending a ton of money yet on the yarn or project as I have yet to make anthing that has the yarn type as extremely important to the project. However, I did come across this site which advertises yarn.
http://www.knitpicks.com
This summer I purchased some yarn from them to make two tops. I haven't used it yet, but when I got it I was extremely impressed with the quality and feel. I'll let you know how they turn out...

project one

I don't have any pictures of my bag (which will be remedied shortly) however here's my first project. I decided that since I was planning on making a bunch of stuff and would need a bag to hold all my tools and yarn in, that I should make something to hold it all. Here are a few pictures of what my bag kinda looks like :)


My bag is much larger, green and has some blue accents in it. I didn't add the flower as it didn't sound like something that would work well with always pulling yarn and needles and scissors out of it...

Where it all began

This Christmas I am knitting, crocheting and felting several projects as gifts instead of the store bought type. As I've looked at patterns, yarn and tried to work my way through deciding what to make, determine which yarn would be best, and then actually try to make the item, I've come across several blogs and looked at many a self help website for assistance. Not to mention all the people I've talked with about the projects themselves. All of this has got me thinking that I should record my "journey" somehow. So, the invention of "From the center of the skein" begins.
I remember my Mom teaching me how to crochet and knit when I was little and I used to make all my Barbie clothes, mostly tube tops and tube dresses as that's pretty much what my experience allowed for. I'd spend hours making clothing for my dolls but somewhere in high school I stopped. In college I remember knitting a few scarves for people, but for the most part I stuck to rectangles.
Two years ago I was in a book store and saw this book with a crocheted cowboy hat on the front. I picked it up and thumbed through the book. It was great! Showed me how to crochet different stitches and had several patterns in it. Since it was Christmas time and my Mom was the one to originally teach me, I asked her for the book for Christmas. I honestly didn't expect her to get it for me because of the title. "Stitch n' bitch: the Happy Hooker" wasn't the type of book she'd normally purchase.
I was pleasantly surprised when I opened up my Christmas present and found crochet hooks, yarn, and yes, the book. From that point on, I've been sold on crochet. I went out and purchased the "Stitch n' bitch" book on knitting along with the journal. Since then I've purchased several other books, all listed on the side, and I've learned a lot in my journey.
I want a place to be able to post pictures of what I've done, give feedback on things that I think work best or don't work at all, and just post thoughts about crafting in general.
I may be the only one to ever look here, but in case you stumble across this blog, welcome!