Weekly Geeks -- February 1, 2009

This week's Weekly Geek is inspired by Dewey's Knit-a-Long, a mini challenge of Dewey's Reading Challenge. Dewey had other passions besides reading and blogging. Knitting was one of them. This made me think, what are the Weekly Geek's other passions?

#1. What are you passionate about besides reading and blogging? For example, are you crafty (knitting, woodworking, scrapbooking, model building)? Do you cook? Into gaming (computer or board)? Sports (player or spectator)? Photography? Maybe you like geocaching, rock climbing? Or love attending events like renaissance fairs, concerts? Music? Dancing? You get the idea.

Tell us why you're passionate about it. Post photos of what you've made or of yourself doing whatever it is you love doing.

I love this Weekly Geek's topic! Like many bloggers that I've met, I am not only passionate about books and blogging but I am also love to make things. I go through different phases -- scrapbooking, beading, card-making -- but right now, I'm loving knitting and crocheting! For the past five years or so, I have made lots of scarves for Christmas gifts. I am a self-taught knitter so my ability is really limited at this time. I decided to join Dewey's Knit-a-Long Challenge earlier this year with the hope of expanding my knitting skills. While I did start with a few scarves, I have now expanded to felted purses. They are really easy, fun to make, and adorable!
Here are a few of things that I've made the past few weeks:

This is a crocheted potato chip scarf that I turned out pretty well. I used a different type of yarn than the pattern called for so it turned out a little shorter than I would have liked. I think it will be perfect for someone who likes to wear their scarves around the collar of their coat or just tucked inside rather than wrapping it a few times around their neck.

This was my first attempt to make a felted purse. I bought the wool yarn at a discount store because I was afraid to use what was called for in the pattern. I thought $30 was too expensive to spend when I didn't know what I was doing! I guess it turned out okay, but I'm not in love with the yarn.


This was my second attempt at a felted purse. I still didn't use the $30 yarn, but this purse is much cuter! The only problem is that I over-felted the wool and ended up with a little bag. I could fit my wallet and keys in here, but not much else. However, it is perfect for my nine year old daughter!

This was my first attempt to make a scarf out of ribbon yarn. The picture is awful, but the colors and textures are beautiful The local Dollar Trees were carrying the Lion Incredible yarn with a huge savings, so I thought I'd give it a try. I love this pattern and intend to make many more of these for gifts.

#2. Get us involved. Link to tutorials, recipes, Youtube videos, websites, fan sites, etc, anything that will help us learn more about your interest or how to do your hobby. Maybe you'd like to link to another hobbyist whose work you admire or tell us about a book or magazine related to your interest.

Since I've been making felted purses, I thought I'd give you the link to the pattern. The purse is called a Booga Bag, and they are very quick and easy to make.

Another link I'd like to share is for my Scarf Giveaway. To celebrate my One Year Blogiversary, I am giving away an adorable (if I do say so myself) crocheted scarf. I have one just like and wear it all the time! I have given many of these scarves as gifts and they are always a huge hit! Here's a link to the pattern.

#3. Visit other Weekly Geeks. Link in your post to other Geeks who've peaked your interest in their passion. Or maybe you might find a fellow afincionado among us, link to them.

It's still early in the week and I'm sure that I'll be getting lots of new pattern sites. The first post that caught my eye was book-a-rama. Chris gave links to Crochet Me and Ravelry which are both fantastic sites. I can't wait to see what else I find this week!