This winter, I've been laying back with some simple, useful projects that I've been wanting to put together for a while. There is a good amount of random yarn and not-so-random fabric in my sewing room, neglected and crying out to be used. So loudly. So, while I wait for clients' fabric and apron materials (SO MUCH WAITING!) to arrive, I'm slowly crossing things off that list.

Let's get this out of the way: I'm way into making pom poms. Check out this wreath I made a couple months ago! You can crank out hoards of poms while catching up on TV shows, and trimming them is almost as satisfying as shaping overgrown hedges. They're just fun. And they make make even the most plain hats happy and jaunty! Case in point: The Purl Bee's Classic Cuffed Hat. 

I bought this yarn (Cascade 220 wool in mystic purple) on sale a couple years ago, because the color was so irresistibly pretty- these photos don't do it justice! It needed a plain pattern to showcase the color, so I think this pairing worked. Obviously, the kicker was that it wouldn't be complete without a pom!

Here's the Ravelry project page if you're interested, I'd love it if you'd be my Ravelry bud!

Yeah, so I know my outfit can't make up its mind here- bare ankles and a winter hat? Spring-y stripes and a sweater knit (but cotton) sweatshirt? Such is the weather in northwest right now, which seriously cannot make up its mind. But I love a simple two-piece outfit just as much as crazy layering, so I think I live in the right temperate place!

How's everyone else coming along on their to-make lists? I've noticed a lot of new year, refreshed productivity with many of you sewing & knitting ladies. Totally inspiring. I'd better get back to it while I still have time!

/giving handmade

Hi guys, it's been a while! It seems like every time I'd sit down with the intention of putting a blog blurb together over the last couple months, there wasn't really that thing that would warrant an entire post. No super stunner sewing projects or especially exciting life changes to note. BUT, I recently realized that I totally did make stuff- but they were all gifts so out of sight and mind! I've corralled some photos I was able to snap before gifting, but unfortunately didn't end up getting photos of everything.

As soon as I got my cousin Sarah for our family gift exchange, I knew I wanted to sew her something special. She's a kindergarten teacher, so it had to be professional but wearable and easy to care for. Also something easy to fit, because I didn't want to ruin the surprise by asking for her measurements! I decided on the Grainline Scout tee, and it fitting and looking great. I totally regret not having any photos of her modelling! I had ordered a good amount of the coordinating poly challis (was skeptical about the poly, but it's beautiful and soft enough) specifically for her before deciding what to make, so I have some bonus yardage to play with!

For my brothers-in-law (there are two of them), I was about to buy ready made dopp kits when I realized how easy it would be to make them myself. Though I really didn't need to add to the list of Christmas stuff to do, they were fun to make and finished in no time. I even made little mesh pockets inside with fold over elastic that ended up looking pretty professional!

On the other side of the family, I drew the most coveted name... the only kid! He's two, and I got a tip from his mom that his favorite things are trains and doggies. He was SO excited to find this pup in his gift that he pretty much ignored the other store-bought stuff! The pattern is the Purl Soho Pup, which you can get for free by signing up for the Purl Soho newsletter- even if you're already on the list! I had never made a stuffed animal before, and this was really enjoyable with easy to follow instructions.

Not all of these were Christmas gifts. I made this pillow with scraps leftover from an emergency Thanksgiving napkin operation my sister had me undertake in 2013. Since she bought the fabric, I thought it'd be fun to make her a pillow with the scraps and to practice making a quilt square at the same time! It was the first real quilt square I'd made, with free indispensable instruction from Craftsy. This was the LeMoyne Star from the Block of the Month 2013 class. Now that I received an invisible zip foot for Christmas, I'm sure there will be many more pillow covers to come before I tackle a big quilt.

This hat is battling the puppy for cutest gift of the year... I think it's a draw. It's another iteration of the baby aviator, but this time in infant size and with a pom pom! It's seriously about the size of my hand (see Ravelry project page). Ahhh! I really can't get over the cuteness.

 So there's a bit of a look into what I've been up to, even though there are a few substantial things I never took photos of. I'd say a six-of-nine record on gifts is pretty excellent considering all the clothes I never blogged! Hoping to get to those in the next few months... and hoping I'm not the only one with this backlog problem!

/Christmas hats

Well, hello!

It's a new year, but I am far from being caught up on the blog with all of my finished projects from 2012. For shame.

I'm continuing to knit, but have little to show for it- both of these hats were gifts.

I've also finished one sock and am about halfway done with a really pretty cowl and yes, I know that's a terrible story. (And a terrible run-on sentence.)

I made this hat for a handmade Christmas exchange party my friend Lauren hosted. I was pretty excited when it became the only gift to reach the steal limit. :) I momentarily considered stealing it too, but think that would have been against the rules.

Anyway if you want to practice cables, this pattern is the perfect way to do it!

Oh, I love this hat, and hope I get to make another for myself SOON!
This one was for my uncle, who is a fisherman. It suits him very well!
The pattern is Declan's Hat by Samantha Kirby.

Wait. I just realized I'm using the brown yarn I had wanted use for this hat on my cowl.

Good thing I also bought this yarn in black!
And burnt orange!

Yikes.
I think this is becoming a problem...

/diagonal pullover

I finished my diagonal pullover a few weeks ago and have worn it a few times. It's just alright. I sort of knew all along that I probably needed to make it a size larger to get the oversized look I like so much.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to block it a little larger, but really have no idea if that will work with this yarn. (Suggestions?)
Another thing; the sleeves are a little short. Since I naturally push everything with long sleeves up near my elbows, I'm considering adding ribbed cuffs to facilitate this and solve the scant sleeve problem.

Oops. I just realized that it's super annoying when a blogger goes on about everything that's wrong with something they just finished when they should usually be giving themselves a pat on the back!

What I do love about this sweater is the way it seams together like it's on the bias. That aspect combined with the drape of the yarn make it pretty enjoyable to wear. I would definitely consider making another sweater in this yarn (Lion Brand Cotton Ease) because it washes easily, is affordable and I am sensitive to wool.
And it's all knit in one piece, making it the perfect beginner's sweater.
I am truly a sweater beginner and never imagined I'd have the patience to finish something like this. (I started it a while ago!) It's a good feeling!

Nigel likes to interrupt when the timer is ticking and I just can't ignore him. This is the only candid shot I don't look terrifyingly insane in.

/gettin' to knittin'

So, I am super excited that it's Fall. Finally.
I'm already planning pumpkin picking, cider making (a.k.a. pulling the crank on the cider machine at the orchard, I'm not that fancy.) and knitting projects!

Though I've been sporadically knitting through the summer, now it's really time to get to business.
Shuffling through things I've favorited on Ravelry, these were the standouts:

clockwise from top: Fjord by Jenny Gordy for Brooklyn Tweed, Forester by Michele Wang for Brooklyn Tweed, Twistin' the Night Away by Susan Menashe

diagonal mesh pullover by Lion Brand, Cocoon and Me Cowl by Rose Beck

 ... and I want to make ALL OF THEM!

Full disclosure: The second sweater is here because I'm almost done with it, and I'll need to be able to say I finished something on this list. It's entirely possible that it will turn out too small, but we will see.

Notice they're ALL grey/white? I swear I'm really more exciting than this- and will make at least one item in a colour.

And on to the real reason for this post; does anyone out there have more knitting pattern suggestions? Crochet? I feel like it's so difficult to sift through and find the good ones sometimes!

/baby aviator

I made (and love) a hat.
It is mini.

Also, I've been away for far too long and wanted to say hello!
It's been a little crazy in the sewing room lately because I am into another round of bridesmaids' dresses, so I've been trying to take knitting breaks (I call them "knitting breaks" even though they are really "television breaks". This is a technicality) as often as possible.

I needed to make something for an awesome kid's first birthday, and after sifting through countless cute baby things, this is what I found.
A baby aviator hat.

The pattern: Regan Baby Aviator Hat
Note: If you are a Friday Night Lights  fan, you'll want to click and check out the pattern designer's name. Things like this entertain me.

The ravelry page: here

After sewing on the buttons, realized that I am a horrific baby project planner. This thing is for a baby, yet it has buttons (worry not, I sewed them down real tight) and is made of scratchy wool. I still need to add an organic bamboo knit lining so the baby's parents won't assume I'm trying to give the little guy a skin condition.

I used (Cascade 220) leftover from my stormy turban WHICH, completely coincidentally, has been named Project of the Week over at Kollabora! There's a flattering little write-up on their blog with some suggested materials and design ideas. Thanks, Kollabora! I totally appreciate it.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and the first days of fall!

/oh hey, summer!

There's a reason people say that summer in the PNW doesn't start until July 5th,
because it's completely true.
Thankfully, everyone's favorite season (except mine) arrived an entire day early this year and the 4th was pretty spectacular too!

Not only did the sun arrive, but I also get to make my first warmer weather knitting project - thanks to kollabora! I'm starting to really dig this site. I entered their first contest and won a kit to make a great sweater! Unsure of my knitting skills and endurance, I've been afraid to invest in enough yarn for a sweater forever. Free is a pretty good reason to take the dive, I think. Here's to hoping it turns out!

/cabled hat no.2

Oh, I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Mine was really fantastic. I'll admit I have a lot of catching up do do around these parts after spending the better part of December party planning and gift making/buying, but I'll begin with...

Another cabled hat! This time I bought a skein of Cascade Magnum, for the sole purpose of making a red hat. It looked like fluffy red cotton candy before I knit it up, which is a bonus.

I made the shorter version of this pattern. It was still longer than I wanted, so I just wear it with the ribbing flipped up. Crisis averted.

I've actually been done with this for weeks, but thought I'd get better photos before posting. I should have known that would never happen with everything Christmas going on. So, you get an awkward photo of me adjusting my hat wearing a crazy looking cowl. 

Note: The cowl has since stretched out and is looking much more drapey, which convinced me to make three more of them as Christmas presents! The absolute best zone out in front of the TV project ever. I recommend.

It's been unseasonably warm here, so this hat hasn't been too useful yet. Soon I'll be going on the annual post-Christmas trip when I get to do my once a year cross country skiing adventure, and will certainly be wearing this guy. That is, if my mom doesn't steal it from me first. (I'll be watching my back, mom.)

 

/stormy turban

So, it was this past New Year's day that I sat in front of YouTube and learned how to knit (sort of), but haven't really done much about it. I believe it was in February that I decided on knitting a turban, consulted the yarn lady for needle size conversions, appropriate yarn and got knitting.

I finished a couple weeks ago.

I now understand why knitters always gripe about 'second sock syndrome', half-finished sweaters, etc. etc.
This turban is knit in two pieces; a cap and band.
Once I finished with the cap, I completely checked out from this project for the Spring & Summer.
Oops.

original leaflet, from the V&A site

I used this 1940's pattern released again by the V&A entitled Knit Yourself a Turban. Knitters can choose the stocking stitch (as I did) or the moss stitch.  Here's my ravelry page for this project.

Until next time!

/emily knits?

I've finished my first two knitting projects ever! As per Renee's suggestion, I picked up Twinkle's Town & Country Knits from the library (and finally got a library card!). I need to mention that the book is only $13 on Amazon because... srsly. That's a steal.

I knit up the New Haven Hat in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, which was really not thick enough (although very quick, indeed). Yeah, I wasn't going to spend $20 on yarn for an experiment. I was supposed to use size 19 double-pointed needles, but couldn't find them anywhere in town which was a BIG bummer. I settled on size 19 circular needles knowing they'd be a giant pain, but resolved this by figuring that if my first knitting project turned out crazy, it could only get better from there.

And it did.
(Turn out crazy, that is.)

The stitches get super warped halfway up the hat, and the cables start at different heights (I still have no idea how that happened.) I doubt that any attempt to block/steam the stitches into being normal will succeed with this blend. If not, who am I kidding - I'll still wear it! I'll need to make up some fishy fashion lingo for this one to legitimize it... estate-grunge?

Now, I'm not so sure I can count this cowl as my official second knitting project. It was made of the absolute worst yarn possible I had lying around so I could practice with circular needles. Only halfway wearable because of questionable fiber content, but I like the open look of using size 19 needles with a sport weight yarn. I want to get some of those GIANT plastic needles I've seen in craft stores - I think they were size 25?! Something like this would be pretty awesome if it were bigger and made with hand-dyed yarn... oooooh  idea!