so after getting bored with crochet because i can now do it with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back (haha what a feat), i decided to take up knitting. i've been doing it for maybe two years now, but until just now, the thought of branching out beyond scarves and hats terrified me. i taught myself how to do cables before christmas and having this week completely free of responsibilities, i decided to tackle these knit-flat fingerless handwarmers in the "101 designer one skein wonders" book - the hugs and kisses with love ones. and other than the pattern being written kind of vaguely, i'm proudly succeeding without frustration.

but i was reading ahead in the pattern and i realized that soon i'm going to have to stick the thumb stitches on a stitch holder and finish up the body of the hand part and then finish knitting the thumb. and then it occured to me... how do i start knitting with new yarn on those thumb stitches?? i'm sure the answer is plain and simple but i just can't picture it. help!!!

okay, i really don't like to knit, i prefer to crochet, but this bag is the perfect size for my laptop, and that stitch pattern makes no sense to me. does it come out the same size if you just do it in stockinette? is that stitch pattern really necessary??

okay, i work at michael's and this is the first time that i can't find something there. or anywhere. where do you guys get those metal rings, like the one in this picture: http://www.strawberrystampers.com/strawberry_stampers/images/2007/12/07/mini_scrapbook_2.jpg

help!!!! lol

i finally gave in and started buying the supplies to start scrapbooking!! i've been avoiding it for so long because i see how much some people end up spending on it and i was bad enough buying yarn all the time LOL. but it sucked me in and now i'm exploring all my options. i've been seeing some really cute handmade scrapbook albums around here, rather than the big fancy ones you can buy. i've seen the paper bag ones and heard of some cardboard ones, but i'm not sure how to do all that. what are some other materials and techniques you guys use to make your own scrapbook albums??

what colors do you guys think in the sculpeyIII would mix together and best match the color of peanut butter?

i'm still new to polymer clay but i've been experimenting lately. i've been making little animals (so far a penguin and an owl, and today hopefullya turtle!), just to see what i'm capable of so far. i work at michael's and all their little 2oz polymer clays are 99 cents this week, so of course i stocked up. i bought one sculpeyIII thing of "translucent" because i was curious, and before i destroy it LOL, i was wondering, what kind of things have you/could you do with translucent clay? how does it look when it's done? i'd love pictures!!

also, any other beginner project suggestions would be great! 

okay, probably a dumb question, but i just wanted to double check. i want to make some polymer clay magnets for my fridge, and i was wondering if it was better to just glue the magnets on after baking or if i can bake the magnets on the clay?

i want to try my hand at this and seeing as i'm still a newbie, i was wondering when the best time is to "cut the cake" haha - before you bake or after?

i saw a pasta clay machine at ac moore yesterday on sale for $10, but my fiance, who's a cook, said you can get a regular pasta machine at some places for as low as $7. how much was your pasta machine and where did you get it, or do you know of any online place to get one for cheap?

i have that really cute "cotton candy friends" flannel fabric from joann's and i'd LOVE to make a simple hobo out of it. but i've made flannel purses before and they pill so bad, i was wondering if there was anything i could do to prevent that?? and what weight of interfacing/what type do you guys think would be good??