Wedding Gift FO: Quilted Placemats

Last summer I was lucky enough to attend my friend Tara and (her now) husband Mike's wedding in Chicago.

As a fellow crafter I knew Tara would appreciate a handmade gift and I wanted to make something they could both use. Following this tutorial I made them a set of patchwork place mats.

Now I got a sewing machine a few years ago but this is the first larger project I've completed on it myself. I grew up watching my mother sew but I still feel like an absolute beginner in so many ways.

I also am not that precise in my crafting, when I make a mistake while knitting I'll only knit back and re-do it if it's absolutely necessary. When you're measuring and cutting fabric precision is a much better friend than a "whatever it works" attitude.

I'm happy to say these came out wonderfully. I love that they look homemade but still functional and usable. The tutorial was really easy to follow and I would recommend it for anyone who's looking for a place to start sewing. 

I love how great the front fabrics look together (yellow and gray, you get me every time) but I decided to back them in different colors and patterns, which gives them a fun reversible flair. 

The best part about all of this although it's taken me a LONG time to write about these here, I actually mailed them to the lucky couple two months after the wedding. I know traditionally you have a year to give gifts after a wedding, but with my track record of time keeping I think the earlier the better. 

I've been going crazy pinning sewing patterns these days and as it stops being one billion degrees below zero here in Minnesota I'm hoping to dive into some more sewing projects. 

Bitty Baby Cardigan

My friends keep announcing they're pregnant. This is the first (in many) baby sweaters that have been on my needles recently.

When my co-worker announced that she was expecting a baby boy I knew that I needed to make her a little something.

a bitty sweater! 

the sweater knit up so quickly that I decided to throw in a teeny tiny hat

the sweetest set. Something about those little buttons gets me every time. 

the proud mama.

Even cuter on the model himself!!! (look at those little legs!!)

FO: Mama's Birthday Hat

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. I picked up this skien of Malabrigo about a year ago, not knowing what I was going to make with it but I knew it was perfect for her. 

When I found Melissa LaBarre's Crooked Paths hat, I knew it was a fit.  Just a little slouchy, with a great lace pattern, I knew my mom would love it.

It came out great. The crown shaping didn't really come through but that was mostly because I was a dum dum and didn't clearly read the pattern. The body of the hat looks great though and it was nice to see how fast it knit up on size 8 needles. It's been awhile since I've worked on anything in worsted weight! A nice change from my size 4's I've been gripping onto. Luckily she loves it and I know she'll get some use out of it - we still have a couple more months of winter here in Minnesota!

Sunday Snapshot

Two for the price of one

Baby Cardigan

I've got a chili cheese fries and milkshake problem.

FO: Pity Party Socks

You may remember these from my sad sad story about losing my hat on the bus and trying to cheer myself up with a pair of socks. Imagine my heart break when I knit these socks too big for my tiny feet.

Luckily my mom had a birthday coming up so she was the lovely recipient of a pair of cushy hand knit socks.

I love how this yarn knits up! You're just knitting stockinette so it does all the work for you! It's also great motivation to keep knitting and see what pops up next. I still have a few balls of this left in my stash so I'm excited to make some for myself that actually fit. In addition after many size related issues (what do you mean I forgot to write my stitch count down?!) I'm trying my hand at two at a time knit socks soon. So keep an eye out for some soooccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkssssss!

FO: Fiona's Slouchy Socks

You might remember these socks from awhile back. I re-purposed yarn that my sister in law gave me last Christmas into a beautiful gift for my sister THIS Christmas.

Loosely basing these off a few other toe up sock patterns I've made before I learned a very important lesson about WRITING DOWN your stitch counts. One sock ended up signifigently larger than the other. Whoops!

 
I purposfully had left these large so they would be slouchy and cute to wear with boots or sneakers knowning my sister's style. So I left one slightly larger than the other knowing that she would just roll with the punches. Sizing issues aside, I love how the variegated yarn compliments but doesn't match. It was a wonderful yarn to work with and due to the generous skein size I still have a little left to play around with. There might just be a tiny pair of socks in the works to match these grownup ones.

FO: Madison Cowl

For Christmas last year I made my sister in law these cute mitts. This year I decided to make the matching cowl. I still had the yarn from the mitts left over so it truly is a matching set. These two are a great lace pattern for a beginner, or for someone who's just not that great at lace patterns ( I'm part of the second camp). They are a great gift to give, partly because they knit up so quickly. I also love how you can customize the fabric buttons.

Sweet and stylish. What more could you ask for.

Resolutions

Six days into the new year and most people have written their lists of resolutions. They have looked back on the year that has passed, reflecting on what has happened, perhaps thought about successes, assessed what they would like to differently in the future for those less successful times. This blog is no different. There are many notes that I have scribbled down over post-its on my desk or the pages of my journals and one of them dirrectly relates to my knitting.

You see, earlier this summer I had the idea to knit a sweater for a very special gentleman in my life. I worked, in secret on this sweater waiting, until I could reveal it as the perfect, well thought out, and crafted with care present I envisioned it to be. As I was knitting it, I kept having the nagging feeling that something wasn't right. But I pushed those feelings down and kept blindly following the pattern. I've been known to go rouge on patterns at times, and I was determined to put my head down and follow the pattern to the t. All of this was going fine and dandy until the gentleman opened my gift, and prompltly drowned in my sweater.

You see, I had knit something large enough to fit not one but TWO adults. So, this sweater had to be ripped out and knit over again. I was able to save the sleeves and just rip back the shoulder caps but the entire body was a gonner.  It languished for months until I mustered up the courage to start ripping that sucker out. Over Christmas I recast on. I'm hoping to finish it by end of February hoping that it can see some sweater weather this winter.

In frogging this sweater I started to think about some of the other projects I have that don't work for me. Although I loved knitting The Dollar and Half Cardigan. I've never actually worn it. It was the first sweater I made and there are some changes I would make (like remembering I have the worlds shortest arms EVER and I need to not knit the recommended lengths, ever.) Other sweaters like The February Lady, just really aren't my style anymore. So, I have made an executive decision. I need to be using, and loving the things that are in my life. 2012 is all about making what I have work for me. The February Lady has been frogged for good, and the dollar and half is in the process of being frogged to be re-knit. Sometimes it can be hard to re-do projects, or to let go of them all together but there's no use in keeping them in my life when they aren't working for me. This year is about doing more with what I have and one of the ways to do that is to re-purpose the things that are already in my life. Sometimes that means letting go of things to make space for something new and sometimes it means starting over, and trying again. The best part of re-doing a project is getting to use the experience of making it the first time around. Thanks to Allyson for being my co-model and here's to 2012.

Sunday Snapshot: Presents

By now hopefully everyone has had a chance to celebrate their respective holidays, spend time with their loved ones and open their presents. Most people I have talked to mentioned that they tried to keep their holidays simple or scaled down this year. Whether from saving money, avoiding consumerism or focusing on minimizing the stuff in our lives, simplicity seems to be an abundant theme. I tried to focus this year on making most of the gifts I gave and now that they have been opened I will be able to share them in the coming weeks!

My favorite gift I received this year was handmade as well, and comes with quite a back story. I knit the McCarren Park Cap for myself out of leftover yarn from my Beatnik Sweater. A slouchy hat with a double layer moss stitch brim and two adorable fabric buttons. I even had some extra yarn left over that I planned on making some cute ruffle socks with. I love the idea of having a matched set!

On the first day that I wore this hat I left it on the bus accidentally. Many calls later to the lost and found number of the CTA I finally admitted it to myself that it was gone forever. To add insult to injury I hadn't even taken pictures of it before it was lost to the world.  I had never lost a handmade item before and didn't realize just how devastating it could be to lose something you've made. It was a sad sad few weeks for my head. I even drew a picture of myself wearing it for my empty raverly project page. I just couldn't take the sadness of a blank photo spot.

Fortunately, my sadness was short lived. When Allyson drew my name for The Sweatshop of Love Secret Santa she knew exactly what she was going to make me. The best part of all of this was I had NO IDEA she was making it for me. I was truly surprised and delighted by my secret santa gift. She even managed to put flower buttons I would have picked out for myself.

It's been keeping my head warm since I got it although I haven't needed it much with this lovely warm weather we've been having here in Chicago! I hope that you recived at least one gift that brought you joy and surprise. I'm very excited to start a new year and all of the new and exciting projects it will bring.

Sunday Snapshot

Today was taking instead of making. Ripping things out, or frogging, as it is called takes a fraction of the time it takes to knit something, even so. It took me a solid 3 hours to finish ripping out this puppy. Here's to second chances. ugh.

Finishing it up

For the first time this year, I feel like I actually have got a handle on the holidays. This pile of knits is ALL FINISHED. Woven ends and all, and will be getting shipped off on Saturday morning. I'm actually starting to make myself anxious because I feel like I should be more anxious or stressed out. It feels good to have completed something in a reasonable amount of time (not exactly something I'm known for around here).

Although I've still got lots of things to get on my needles and some exciting new projects in the pipes. If it feels this good to get some knitting done on time I wonder how great it will feel in the rest of my life. I've started to make some New Years resolutions already! No time like the present!!

Sunday Snapshot

Dino hat. Rwwwarrrrrr. This is headed to a very special little kid this holiday.  I've already got tons of ideas to alter this (in better!) ways next time I knit it. And there will be a next time. Lots of dino lovers in my life.

Sunday Snapshot

Working on an baby hat as a gift for one of my co-workers who's due this month. pink. pink. pink. It's a girl.

Sunday Snapshot

Just working on a little crocheted zig zag baby blanket. One of my friends has some nephews on the way so I'm getting started on some baby gifts. I started this blanket last month but its a nice thing to pick up when my hands/wrists get tired from knitting. Crochet uses slightly diffrent muscles so it's kind of like crafting cross training. I usually pick it up, work a few rows and get distracted working on something else. Its always nice to have a project you can fall back on working a little bit at a time. I'm going to have lots of knitting going on for the next couple days here as I try to catch up on my Summer Knit Along so this puppy is probably going back on the shelf soon.

Fits for Mitts

Way back in March my mom had mentioned that she was having trouble writing while it was so cold because her hands would start to get cold and hurt. Minnesota winters and a drafty house are never a happy pair. Luckily I found this easy pattern for a pair of fingerless mitts and decided to knit her some up. I was hoping to give these to her for mothers day but I took too long blocking them and couldn't give them to her when she was here in Chicago.

I used Knit Picks (surprise) Gloss DK yarn in Gulf Stream, a beautiful rich blue. A blend of wool and silk these are on the softer side and still have enough heft to keep them warm. I picked up the Gloss back when they were having a sale on luxury fiber, I wanted to try it out but didn't want the expense of knitting a sweater up in it. Because these are only a two skein pattern even at its normal price these would be a very affordable project.

The edging that you see is actually a sewn down edge, I probably would opt to do a ribbed edge next time for a snugger fit but this was a quick little project and definitely a great gift to make up. I keep telling myself that I will make a set of mittens one of these days and this was a way to get me more excited about trying a pair.

Unfortunately their usefulness has passed (mostly, it was 45 degrees here in Chicago yesterday. 45 people! It is MAY!) But my complaining about the bitter cold aside I will package these puppies up soon and send them out.

Big thanks to Janella for being my model. As I discovered it's really difficult to take pictures of your own hands while trying to hold a camera.

Sunday Snapshot

Just working on a small toe up sock. If these look familiar its because I've already knit them before! This is my second pair of Twin Cities Anklet Socks I'm making. With an adorable ruffle around the edge and interesting (but not hard) double moss stitch these baby's are a breeze. It doesn't hurt that they are also knit from the toe up which always makes me feel like they are going so much faster!

It feels great to get my hands on some cotton again, for this project I'm using one of my favorite's Knit Picks Comfy Sport. I'll also be using its cousin, Comfy Fingering for a SOL Knit Along soon (more on that next week!). It feels great to start working on lighter, summer projects out of cotton, although have no fear - I still have lots of wool floating around the house and I'm getting started on some winter knitting already.

Christmas Review: 1

Well, now that the packages have been sent off and are going to be opened soon I can finally get what I've been so busy with all month up and out here!

It's been a busy busy month around here with lots and lots of changes up on the horizon. I can officially say I am college graduate (!!!) not to mention all of the fabulous projects I've got lined up for 2011. So, before 2011 begins lets recap with what I did in the end of 2010.

One of the projects I've been working on the longest has been my Nautical Nights Blanket started back in July this has been something I've pulled out every few weeks to chip away at. I can't say enough how much I love the Knit Picks Shine Worsted yarn. It is absolutely one of the softest things I've ever felt, silky and smooth to the touch. Just a delight!

I added a single crochet around the border to give it a little weight and definition. I do really enjoy the granny square technique but it feels just a touch flimsy without something to anchor it. Over all I'm very happy with how this project turned out (and to be done with it!) and hope that it brings some color and warmth to a bed or couch.

I can't wait to keep digging into all my Christmas project photos. Although I realized more as I went through them that there was more crocheting that I had thought. I've also thought of my self as just a knitter but its becoming clear I just need to update that title to crafter.

Minnesota Love

You might know that you have the bestest best friend in the world when she goes home to visit and sends you this as a suprise care package...
1.The Best Casserole Cookbook...ever
2. A Minnesota shaped cookie cutter

Man does that lady know what I love. I can't wait to crack open the casserole cook book and get cracking on some goulash asap. We did just have a hot dish night last month

What up tater tot??...and there were rumblings about another. I'm sure I can find some sweet puppy to impress even the most discerning casserole critic.

In other news, knitting related, I have FINISHED (!!!) my first sweater ever, I've just got to sew on my buttons and it will be gracing these sweet pages soon enough. I'm also about half way though my That Girl sweater and as soon as I get off my casserole obsessed butt to take some photos I will be updating about it in here as well.

flash dance

Although I have been knitting hats for years the idea of starting a project on double pointed needles terrified me. I was always intimated to try and cast onto three or four needles. I'm a surprisingly timid knitter- i don't feel comfortable trying lot of new things and I'm really nervous following patterns, it just puts me on edge. One of the reasons I started this blog was to encourage myself to try out new things.

I've realized that I need to learn how to cast on and knit on double pointed needles for quite awhile now if I ever want to learn how to make socks. (I'm planning on taking a sock class at loopy in May- hopefully with my knitting partner in crime, Janella!)

All of this brings us to my first project knit in the round exclusively on double pointed needles. I watched some youtube videos to get an idea of how to begin and have a few mess up along the way, but once I had all my stitches joined it was a breeze. I also added the stripping just to keep it interesting.

Here they are flat. I ran out of red yarn on the second one so the stripe pattern doesn't match. I think it give them character and they're a present for a person with a lot of character so it works.

Here they are on. I made them for my friend Nishi who always has a problem keeping her ankles warm in class so I thought they would well.

They are a nice medium weight wool, and in fun colors too. Next time I make leg warmers I will add some decreases to them to create a little shape. These are simply straight tubes. If they were to go any higher you would want them to be more fitted. Over all though, they were enjoyable and a nice learning project.