Yay Handspun!

there really isn't anything more to say!

from this:

to this:

yeah, yeah - i know, could use some blocking...

Quick Projects

the heat of summer makes me want to just knit lots of quick projects. i haven't been writing about it that much - but i've got some stuff ready to show off.

e has been a freak for yo gabba gabba, so i thought it would be cute to make her a foofa - she's pink and happy... i told h of my plan and he immediately requested his favorite, plex - a magic robot. here they are - foofa and plex:

i'm quite proud. kept a picture of them on my phone and just referenced it as i knit - i think they came out cute and the kids are huge fans!

i had been wanting to make the whisper cardigan from interweave's spring issue for awhile. when i realized it was my brother's girlfriend's birthday i had found the perfect reason.

it is made from yummy malabrigo lace - you can get all the info on ravelry.

another project that i am quite proud of is my recycled pucker from norah gaughn. a few winters ago, i had made a rowan sweater out of some noro cash island. i loved the yarn but the sweater was huge and i could never wear it. i had used around 20 skeins of it, too! so for the pucker i just knit directly from the old sweater instead of frogging the whole thing.

i got this lovely little short sleeve sweater out of just the cowl and sleeves of the old sweater. i can't wait to wear it this fall and i think i can get another whole sweater out of the front and back.

A June Post?

i realized that i hadn't been posting in a while (even though i'm not really sure if anyone reads this) so i thought i would try to get something up for june...  i have been pretty productive - i've just been busy with the kids and haven't had the chance update.

first up is the amazing pie are square shawl that i made for my mother's 60th birthday.  it is made from the most luxurious cashmere from colourmart.  i used four different lace patterns and carried them over to the front.  if you are looking for more info - ravel it :)

and mom, if you are reading this - how about hooking me up with some better shots.

here is the most amazing little t-shirt for e.  i was able to use up some rainbow colored koigu from my stash and finished it in 2 days.  doesn't she look adorable?

i also finished the cutest little dress for e but it was a test knit i did for my friend and i'm not sure if i can publish any info on it yet - i promise a picture as soon as i get the ok.

i've also been doing some spinning and i've been trying to get those pictures up on flickr as soon as i can.  there are now links to my sets on the right - you can probably keep up with my knitting faster there than my posting :(    

i'm trying to only spin for projects - otherwise i could see myself ending up with a whole bunch of single skeins.  right now i'm working on a baby bog for e made out of some awesome alpaca/merino batts i bought from spinknitandlife on etsy - they are amazing!  definitely check out her stuff.

that's it for now - i'll try to update more often from now on :)

A New Purchase

i know i said i wasn't going to do it until both kids are in school but.... i bought a spinning wheel - a little ladybug!  i love it, it is so cute and i think i am really going to like spinning.  but it is definitely going to take quite a bit of practice...

here is a shot of my first skein:

i washed it to set it and will take another shot after i ball it up.  i feel like my four old after he gets a new truck!!!!

since i last posted i have a bunch of finished objects - here they are:

a clapotis for my mom for mother's day.  you can get all the details on ravelry.

a blinged out tank for myself.  details here.

some napkins for my sister's mother-in-law for mother's day. 

a cute little dress for e out of some fabulous japanese fabric.

some pants for e out of more fabulous japanese fabric.

and finally some progress on the pi are square shawl.

Smocking!!!

i have just discovered the wonderful world of smocking - what a great way to make a cute little girl dress, impress everyone, in under an hour!!  heather ross, the author of weekend sewing, came to brooklyn general to do a demo.  i wasn't planning on going but i am glad i did.  i never would have tried it - but she showed how easy it was!  here are the first smock dresses to come off my trusty little necchi:

this one was for my niece.  the fabric is a little japanese floral from purl patchwork with ribbon from brooklyn general.

this one was for my 4 year old son's future wife ;) - she picked out the fabric from brooklyn general and i picked out the matching ribbon.

i'm really happy how they turned out and see a lot more of them in my future!

on the knitting front - i have been making a lot of progress on my mother's day presents.

an hourglass sweater for my mother-in-law.  made out of some great manos silk blend.  it will pill like crazy, but how wonderful to work with and feels super soft.  all the details are here.

a clapotis for my mom - a little more than half done.  i had some noro silk garden sock left from my sister's chevron sweater and thought this was the perfect project for it.  ravel all the details.

and here is a picture of b in the finished tomten, as promised.  i love it on him and he wears it all the time!

i think i am ready to start working on some adult sewing projects. i bought some amazing vintage fabric and am going to attempt the summer shirt from weekend sewing - stay tuned!

It's Been Awhile

i know i haven't posted in quite awhile - not sure how many readers i have, but i am sorry!  the good news is i haven't had time to post because i have been finishing up a ton of projects.

the most exciting one is the "mystery surprise baby project."  it is all done and !ta da! here it is - the very first quilt i have ever made!  it is for my sister's new baby, born yesterday afternoon.  she is so adorable and i am so happy i was able to be there to be one of the first to greet her!  i hope she loves it and uses it her whole life - now i just have to make one for her sister and e!

the pattern is from a kaffe fasset book and the fabrics are either from brooklyn general or fabric.com.  i do have more information on it that i am too lazy to look up right now - so please let me know if you are interested.  there are a lot more pictures so as soon as i find the time to figure out how to make a flickr photoset - i will.

i also had the chance to finish up b's adult tomten - i know the pictures aren't of a finished object but i just bought the buttons yesterday and haven't had a chance to sew them on and take any pictures because i was at the hospital all day!  

i absolutely hated working with the yarn - rowan scottish tweed aran - a lot of breaking... but i think it looks great and b loves it.  all the info is on ravelry and i will post some pictures as soon as i get the chance. 

a few weeks ago, h got bit by a dog - not that bad but required stitches and was a pretty sad day.  during all the running around to different doctors - pediatricians and plastic surgeons - we lost his favorite alligator scarf so i whipped up this dragon scarf for him in 2 days.  he was very sad so i needed to get it done right away!

in other knitting news - it is my mother's 60th birthday this june and since she is the one who taught me to knit i wanted to make her something really special.  i decided on making ez's pi are square shawl.  my mother is always cold and i thought she could use a shawl that actually stays on.  i ordered some 100% cashmere lace weight from colourmart - and i cannot say enough good things about the yarn or the customer service!! truly excellent!

i am a little further along than the picture shows and will take some more pictures when i finish this section.  i am using 4 different lace patterns and have decided to carry them over to the front sections instead of leaving those in garter stitch.  i think it will come out very pretty and i hope she really loves it.

i know this is a pretty long post so i will leave you with these pictures of e in a new shirt i made for her last night.  the pattern is from a japanese pattern book that i can't tell you the name of because it is all in japanese! the fabric is from brooklyn general.

Little Girl Sweaters

i am sad to say that knitting was not going my way for a few weeks :(  but i think i have my mojo back and have two finished little girl sweaters to show!

first is my version of the "boheme"

i added a little flutter sleeve  and changed the lace pattern to "english mesh lace" from one of barbara walker books.  the yarn is alchemy - synchronicity in a really cool orange/pink color.  all of the details are on ravelry.

and now i am proud to announce.... drum roll... my first improvised pattern...

inspired by the february baby sweater and the boheme - this is my take on it.  i knit it top down with raglan shaping in stockinette.  the stitch count is almost doubled at the beginning of the lace parts to form a ruffling shape.  the lace is the "harebell" lace from barbara walker's book.  and lastly i did a picot edge around the entire sweater.  

as for the materials - the yarn is road to china light in aquamarine from brooklyn general and the buttons are glass with bits of pink shells from m&j trim.  the pictures don't really do the color any justice so i will post some more when it gets warmer and i can get pictures of e outside!  the rest of the details can be found here.

as for my other wips, i put aside the sweater i was working on for b and started a tomten sweater for him instead.  and the surprise mystery present is coming along...