Yarn Crawl

Mid-Week Update

My sewing class last night was very productive - I got everything constructed on my skirt and lining except for the zipper and waistband, which works out great as the instructor is demonstrating zippers next week and we have to figure out another solution for the waistband together. I also got my graded purse back and I got an A! I was so happy.

I have a question for those of you who have small children on sizing for the necks of pullover sweaters. I'm making the Cabo Hoodie for Noah, and everyone in our family notes that he has an exceptionally large head. So, we asked Tracy (his mom) to go ahead and measure his head yesterday and it's 20" around at the widest part. This sounds very large to me, especially in relation to the opening I have for the Cabo Hoodie's neck (which I don't have with me to measure, but I know it's not 20" in diameter - maybe 16".) Does this sound right? Maybe it won't matter, because the hood will be larger and what goes around his head first? If this won't work, I have to rip everything out, and do more increases for the neck before joining, then decrease them somehow, or maybe not do as many yoke increases. He just turned 3 last month, and I am already making him the size 4 as I thought I should probably go up rather than down to the 2, and his body isn't as large as his head (his father has a large head too, which is a source of jokes as well around the Thanksgiving table.)

Anyway, that is my dilemma of the day.

Hope everyone has a great Halloween! I have my MBA class tonight, and we rarely get any trick or treaters in our neighborhood anyway as most of the kids are either older teens or grown and out of the house - but I like the holiday and we have fun giving out treats to the kids who do come by.

Pictures from Yesterday and SP Package #2

Here's the sushi wallet:

I didn't have a chance to fix the underarm hole on Tempting last night, but as I had Jim take pictures of it yesterday morning before I discovered it, I thought I'd show it anyway. I was still figuring out what to do with the ribbon - that is actually "seal brown" hem tape I had in my sewing stash, but I also have some brown suede cord and may even look for a contrasting color - maybe light blue or pink? Those colors look good with chocolate brown. Any ideas are appreciated!

Here's the yarn I bought on Saturday for the kids' sweaters:

Green Malabrigo for Noah's Cabo Hoodie

and my progress on it last night (you can see why I didn't fix Tempting once I cast on for this!)

Purple Lamb's Pride for McKenna's Starsky Jr.:

and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece for Mia's Bounce skirt:

I also received my second SP package yesterday!! Check this out:

This was amazing - the package contained a beautifully made flower pin, 8 skeins of Monoprix Terra (made in Italy), L'Occitane Gelee Moussante (shower gel), L'Occitane effervescent cooling bath tablets, Lindt chocolate macaroons, and five beautiful buttons.

Take a closer look at the buttons - they are like a mother-of-pearl background and really beautiful.

Thank you so much, SP!

Weekend Update

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I have no pictures, but I did the following:

1.) finished Tempting - I was going to wear it today when I noticed that a stitch had come loose under the arm and had started to UNRAVEL. I'll take pics post-op, but I LOVE this one. It really turned out great.

2.) finished Sushi Wallet; I want to go over the zipper again with the sewing machine instead of relying solely on the hand sewing, but it's DONE! It was sooo much easier to sew on the sushi with regular sewing thread and needle than the recommended method of 1 ply of the Cascade and a yarn needle as it kept breaking. It looked a lot neater, and Marjorie - I actually DID enjoy the hand sewing! It worked very well for the sushi.

3.) ripped the Big Wool Jacket after seaming one side and deciding I didn't like the style; plus I have TONS of better alternatives for that wool from the Rowan New Shapes book.

4.) worked on cabled purse and have about 20 more rows to go until seaming the whole thing together

I also decided on my Christmas projects for McKenna, Mia and Noah. McKenna is getting Starsky Jr. (thanks Monica for the suggestion!) in purple Lambs Pride; Mia is getting Bounce in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in "Pink-A-Boo" (pale pink) and Noah is getting the Cabo Hoodie (thanks Jenny!) in green Malabrigo. Shopping photos to come as I bought these at the Yarn Exchange in DeKalb on Saturday. They have the best selection of Brown Sheep there!

No sewing progress or work on Tree Jacket, Mirepoix, Silk Slip or Indigo Ripples. I think I am going to let Indigo Ripples be a "UFO" for the winter as it really is a summer skirt and I can't get motivated to work on it. I have it at work and I just finished the first row of the lace pattern, but messed something up as I didn't end up with the right number of stitches at the end of the round. So I have to rip it back a few rounds. I also need to try it on again to see if I ended the stockinette section at an appropriate spot.

I also made up my Partylite candle order (no small task, as I had $250 of credit and 5 half price items as my sales were awesome) and can't wait to get it. I'm going to Michigan Friday afternoon, so I won't be able to go shop for fabric for my remaining sewing class projects at Vogue til next weekend. I am a little nervous at the "back-end loading" of the projects of this class as we still have three more to complete by the third week of December; my skirt, a blouse and a 4th project (a dress of some sort, not sure if my original dress idea will be approved or not; if not I'll go with a different dress.) I also have to write another current issues paper for my MBA class on Wednesday night and cut out my lining pieces for my skirt tonight for tomorrow's sewing class. Lots going on!!

I Caved...

This has been the craziest week. I just feel like I can't catch up, and I haven't really done much knitting at all. Work has been super busy, I had to write a paper for my MBA class (have another one to write for Wednesday too) and I've just been low-energy. I haven't had anything to blog either. You ever have one of those weeks where the whole thing goes by as a blur, and you don't know what you did all week? If so, you know how I feel about this week.

However, last night I had a Partylite show and it was a lot of fun. I had about 14 people over, some of whom I hadn't seen in a long time, so that was great. Oh, and contrary to my previous assertion, I will be caving in on the no-Christmas-knitting and will be knitting TWO gifts for Christmas. I found out that cousin Tracy's daughters McKenna (age 4) and Mia (age 3) have been attracting LOTS of attention with their handknit gifts when they wear them to preschool.

A little bit about each of them, as they are so different.

McKenna is totally my girl; she's super smart, alpha-girl, (not conceited either - LOL) likes wearing her handknits but apparently especially likes talking about ME and how I made them for her. Here she is wearing the Fame sweater from Rowan Babies that I made for her last year:

Tracy said that she tells all her teachers at school about me and loves wearing her sweaters and telling her teachers that I made them for her. One of her teachers came outside when Tracy picked them up from school specifically to tell her that she loved McKenna's sweater (above) and jokingly told her what size she (the teacher) was for her "sweater order".

I am a really bad second cousin though (feel more like an aunt as Tracy and her brothers are more like Jim's siblings than cousins) because Jim and I don't get over to see her too often, so I am really touched that I make this huge impression on her. It is so interesting for someone like me that isn't around kids much to see what they pick up on and how they will idolize some older people so much (in my case, undeservedly so! as I haven't seen her since last month at the 50-year anniversary celebration for my MIL/FIL - her great-aunt and uncle.) Anyway, it was very sweet to hear this so now I will definitely be making her a new sweater.

So, any suggestions for cute patterns? She just turned four and I think she is tall and average to thin for her age. Her favorite color is purple.

McKenna's younger sister, Mia, is a total girly-girl with a little tiny high voice (she used to refer to herself in the third person, like "Mia wants this" or "Mia likes this" - it was cute) and so I had made her the "Dress Me Up" dress from the Yarn Girls' Guide to Kid Knits. She is a total fashionista already and loves to wear the dress all the time, in contrast to the reaction last Christmas when she received it and didn't want to try it on for us.

So I'm thinking I may make her the Bounce skirt this year as I bought this pattern a while back. Her favorite color is pink, so I will try to find a cool pink color for her.

Anyway, this is how I came to be knitting TWO Christmas gifts this year. Mia's twin brother Noah will be getting toys, as he looked very cute in his knits as well but expressed no interest in them whatsoever.

Typical boy. I'll take just turned-three-year-old boy suggestions for toys too, if you have 'em. I'm thinking totally online shopping this year so I'm going to start early.

Anyway, didn't mean to turn this into a Christmas gift knitting/kid post, but it just kind of happened that way. I'm hoping I will get the 2nd sleeve of Tree Jacket done this weekend so I'll have a FO to show you Monday, and I finished the body of Tempting, so I will start the sleeves on that after I get my size 7 16" circulars back from Tree Jacket. I tried to sew on the sushi for the sushi wallet yesterday at lunchtime, but didn't have a lot of luck with the yarn to sew with so I'm thinking I will use sewing thread instead.

Huge Update Post

I got so much accomplished this weekend, I can't even believe it. Let me just jump right in with the pictures.

First, Knitting:

I sewed the seams on my sushi wallet and felted everything - drying now:

I started the fair isle section on Mirepoix - as this is a pretty small gauge and none of the floats are carried over more than 4 stitches, I haven't been doing anything special to strand them and I think it looks a little loose on the wrong side but still OK. I guess that is better than being too tight and puckering on the right side.

I started Tempting with my chocolate brown Cashmerino Aran and got about 5" done already! You can see a little of Monica's stitch marker in the center on this pic and also on the earlier Mirepoix pictures:

I worked on my cabled purse from Classic Elite Essentials a little and have about 14" done now (about 8" more to go until seaming up!)

I removed the blocked pieces of the Big Wool Jacket that were drying but didn't feel like sewing them together yet and doing the picking up for the ribbing around it (as it's like a shrug in its construction - lots of picking up.)

Sewing/Fabric Acquisition:

I made a pair of jammy pants:

I figured out a way to alter the back of my Cabo Halter to make the bottom fit (basically, I added another piece of fabric, so it looks like I have two "princess" seams in the back, and eliminated the zipper.) Just need to hem it!

I bought fabric for the dress pictured in this pattern:

I went with crepe-back satin as I want to practice working with this for future evening dresses.

I also picked up two remnants of leathery-looking vinyl for bags, possibly for the vinyl/leather versions shown here:

Here's the one remnant I found in dark forest green:

And the other in cream:

Other News:

Today at lunch time our fashion club at COD (where I'm taking the sewing/designing classes) is having a "learn to knit" and knitting/crocheting drive to benefit Snug Hugs for Kids. They are focusing on hats but the organization is looking for any type of warm clothing (handknit/crocheted or used, gently worn clothes) for kids. There's not really a lot of specific guidance, but I thought I'd go today and help people learn how to knit and knit along with them using some of my stash yarn. It is so cool to be involved with a group of people that are into the same things I'm into; most of them are young (late teens, early 20s) but I have so much in common with them. It should be fun! If you are interested in contributing a hat, scarf or other winter clothing, please email me as we will be collecting the items through the end of the semester (in mid-December.)

Quick Sewing News

No, I'm not getting married again! But I think this design may be what I choose for my 4th project in my sewing class. I bought this pattern yesterday and just love it!

Our teacher said that she is adding a project of our own choosing for everyone, as we are all doing so well, so I'm thinking of making something I can really use for my cruise in March. This style looks good on me, and usually when I buy dresses I have to have so many alterations (pull up straps, take in upper bodice, shorten length) that I am excited about the possibility of having one fit at the outset. Plus, to have the teacher help me with it is a huge benefit (as she sews custom made evening dresses for clients.) I looked at the instructions and it actually doesn't look too hard. I can see a trip to Vogue Fabrics in my future!

Stitches East - 2 of 2: The YARN

Jim took pics of the yarn yesterday. First he took a picture of the entire haul, just for the drama of it:

Then I broke the news to him that I needed each yarn photographed separately for Ravelry. He said he realized this (bonus points!!) but didn't realize that I would show it that way on my blog. So he dutifully went back to the wool room and took pictures of the haul separately.

First there is the Tess Cultivated Silk & Wool, along with the two Maryland souvenirs he bought (LOL). I bought all 7 skeins of this color - it actually a smoky purple/violet although it looks blue here. This way I have enough to make something cabled with it.

Next up, 5 skeins of more Cultivated Silk & Wool in the color of the season, gray.

I then bought a bag (10 skeins) of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky in black as I wanted some chunky plain black yarn - it looks chocolate in this light but it is, in fact, black.

Some Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in a salmon-y color:

One of the new Rowan books - New Shapes - I like the cover jacket and a few of the other patterns - and some yarn for my SP (I guess there's a clue if she finds my blog:)

3 skeins of Rowan Calmer in bright pink for another Fifi (if I get crazy) or another summer top; here it is fraternizing with the Cotton Angora and the Tess yarn:

6 skeins of Berroco Peruvia in a green/brown (more green than it looks in the picture) heathery colorway for the Tilted Duster from the most recent IK - I've warmed up to this now. I saw the sample garment in the 2nd from the smallest size (which is what I had previously planned to make) and it was way too big for me, so I am going with the smallest one.

I also bought 2 more skeins of Berroco Peruvia in near-white as they had a sign by it that the white felts. As anyone who's ever tried to felt white yarn knows, this is an unusual beast. This is pretty light for being feltable, so I figured I would snap it up in case I want to make another Fibertrends lamb or some felted flowers.

We also bought this set of reusable, washable, non-refill-needing lint removers for $35. They are amazing. You can pick up any kind of cat hair, people hair, lint, thread, yarn, etc. with these things (including using them on the floors) and just wash them off with soap and water when they fill up with stuff. Instantly re-sticky! We kind of felt like we were on a late night infomercial when the lady was showing us how many pieces you got for $35 (three - one small, purse size one that folds to close, another regular size one for home, and a long handled one for floors, window treatments, etc.) I was getting out my money mid-demonstration. Sold! She saw us coming.

Breaking News!!

Jim made a big impression at the Stitches Market at Woolbearers - check this out!! They blogged about this on the day we were there, but I was a bit slow to find their blog. How cool is this?

Somebody was Slacking...

Jim didn't have a chance to take the pictures of the YARN yesterday, so I apologize. However, I did finish the body on Tree Jacket yesterday.

Here's some progress pics:

Front:

Side:

Back:

The reason you can see yarn poking through the holes in the lace is that I haven't woven those in yet. Also I expect this to be a little more on the drapey side and less on the clingy side when I wash and block it. Hopefully it won't be *too* much on the drapey side as I do like the fit now.

Stitches - Part 1 of 2

I am back from Stitches East and I had a BLAST. It was sooo much fun meeting my blogging friends in person. Jim is tasked with taking pictures of all of my yarn today, so I'll save that for tomorrow's post (2 of 2).

Without further ado, here are some of the pictures from the get-together. We met at DSX sports bar across from the Convention Center, and it happened to be a warm day so we could sit outside - huge plus.

First, the participants:

From left to right, me (making a stupid face as I must have been in the middle of saying something to Jim, who was taking the picture), Marjorie of Prime Time Knitter, Jenny of Jeneration-X Knit Blog, Jenny's husband Joe, and Heather of Knits-n-Things.

and not to leave Jim out, here's a pic of him (decked out in his Harley gear) that I snapped at BWI right before getting on the light rail on Saturday morning - his T-shirt is billowing out oddly - I swear he doesn't have a gut like that (or any kind of gut!!!)

He hates having his picture taken - he says he is the "taker", not the "takee" for pictures. Just like he always says "he's the rubb-er, not the rubb-ee" for massages...LOL, I think that may be TMI, moving right along...

Here's a lovely picture of Heather's sock (Jim gets right into the swing of things, 1.) noticing the sock without having to be prompted and 2.) taking a picture of the sock, also unprompted:)

Also, Heather showing off her success with the drop spindle and bag of roving (or is it "top" - we weren't sure and I couldn't remember the differentiating characteristics - blog-free Lisa?)

Here's Marjorie showing off her fabulous entrelac jacket

Here's me and Marjorie, looking as happy as can be:

Jenny, Heather and me (clutching the Corona Light bottle - classy babe that I am); Jenny is wearing her one-tone shrug from Fitted Knits and her bad-ass knitting t-shirt, which is fabulous:

Here's another picture with the same suspects except Joe also is in the picture - right before we were about to leave for dinner at the inner harbor:

We thought the Inner Harbor area of Baltimore was very pretty, and we were glad Jenny and Joe took us over there to show it to us. Jim was very impressed by the antique battleship that was in the harbor (I have no idea how to describe this - it was kind of like a huge sailboat that you could take tours of - my war history is sadly lacking, but Jim makes up for me three fold with his knowledge):

Me and Jenny sitting by the water:

and Joe, looking very serious and stern!

I think a good time was had by all, and I am really glad we went! It was so great meeting some of my online buddies in person!