It should be cold, but wait... I live in the South!

Its been some time since I have blogged, or have even had time to knit, but I was lucky enough to pick up my needles and stitch away this past week. Its getting close to Christmas so I am starting to think of gifts. This may be what the little girls get this year! What are you guys coming up with for gifts?

So much for updating!

I just realized I hadn't posted in FOREVER!

I was granted an extension for making the items for the fundraiser, by about two weeks. With one day to spare I have to design my tags for my items and they will be ready to leave my hands! I ended up making the Fall Shawl, and two matching booties and hat sets. I'm very happy to have done this for my brother, and I am thrilled with how the items have turned out! Here's to hoping they are as well received!!

Fall Shawl

 

This is my first item for the fundraiser. I LOVE how it turned out. I can't believe I'm giving this one up!!

Fundraising for Team in Training

So I'm really excited about this! My brother has been a part of Team in Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's endurace sports training program) for a few years now. He is now in his first year as a mentor, and we are all so happy and proud of him! :) He came to me this morning and asked me to help him out with an upcoming fundraising event (Silent Auction) that he is participating in. I'm really excited to be able to help him and be a part of this!!

I have exactly one day shy of two weeks to get things done, and I'm going to make as much as I can in that time frame. I'm going to start with my favorite baby booties and matching hat I made a month or so ago. I also have a really pretty/fun shawl pattern that was recommend to me that I may try. What else would be something fun to get?!

Well, I better get started ;) I will update as I go along!!

Stained Shawl

I am very excited about this one! It is my first large item I have made myself.  Its not perfect, but its imperfections add to its beauty. It reminds me of stained glass, and I LOVE it!

It took me about a month and a half to make - a few re-starts, a few weeks off to make Ella's shawl, lots of questions, and lots of trial and error moments and I have finally finished it! The yarn was gifted to me from an online friend who hand dyed the yarn into the beautiful color it is now, isn't it gorgeous?!

My Other Obsessions

I have a secret obsession for most things crafty, in case you didn't know! I have played around a little with embroidery and I really have been pulled in the direction of Jenny Hart's Stitchable Stationary, so I went ahead and got her books, and now I have decided to jump in head first! So here is my first project : Potholders : Believe me, I have MANY project ideas in mind, but I thought this would be a good place to start!

Ella's Fall Shawl

I realize its been forever since my last post!

This month was my SIL's birthday so I decided to take a jump and learn to make a shawl. I had a few hiccups, and a lot of help, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. Almost everything I did to make this shawl was new and a great learning experience! I traded the yarn with another yarnie that also uses Ravelry. It was my first time trading (a lot of first with this shawl!) and everything went super smooth, and the yarn was in exellent condition!

I had a hard time getting that great picture for the shawl so I'm not sure I was able to do it justice, but hopefully you get the idea!  ;)

Basketweave Blanket

This was my very first project I did. I took the plunge back in January, and finished just in time to give it as a gift to my second niece, who was born in Februrary. At the time I wasn't thinking how important it was to journal all of my projects so I never took a picture before I gave it away. I am now so lucky to get to babysit them everyday, with my daughter, so I was able to take a picture of it today and give it a proper post!! I got the idea from one of my favorite sites, The Purl Bee. I'm thinking I may have to do another one in the near future!

Sweet Summer Girl

These are my favorite girl slippers I have made yet, and the sizing turned out perfectly, on accident! I originally wanted to make these for my (almost) seven month old niece, but they ended up being large enough for my three year old instead. I guess I will try again with a smaller sized needle for my niece next time. Its all trial and error! Its a good thing I am loving what I am doing!!

A day at Burger Lake

We spent this past sunday with some family at a spring-fed pond. It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be, the pond was much more shallow than the spring-fed river I went to in Austin a year ago.

So I didn't get much for pictures, but I had to share my favorite.

Gift Set

I have been working for weeks to find the perfect gift set and I have FINALLY come up with something I am completely happy with! Both items were so very easy to make, and very quick, and I think they are just so adorable to boot!

Sneak Peek!

For the last few weeks I have been periodically working on something for a gal that very recently had a new baby girl. I've been having a few issues with the booty pattern, but I think I finally worked out the kinks and have a pair that will fit! In the process, I ended up with a pair perfect for my little girls' baby doll, as the first pair I made turned out to be incredibly small!

I've also recently been inspired to learn to embroider, and have decided to embellish these adorable shoes! I have practiced first on the baby doll's booty. What do ya think?! Could they use one more flower, say, on the outer side of the shoe? The booty straps are supposed to criss-cross instead of come together in the middle like they do, but I had to adjust accordingly given the small size of the shoe. For the larger shoe I have done they will criss-cross, and be attached with a lovely button. I can't wait to finish the other booties to show them off!

I'm going to make a fabulous hat to accompany these booties that I will start working on tonight! Stay tuned for an update!!

Knitting Neede Roll

Gosh it has been quite some time since I posted something new! I have a few new knitting patterns finished, I just need pictures with my models before I will post :)

The last few days I have been working on a case to hold all of my knitting needles I have accrued, plus one extra to pay forward. I have been SO fortunate to get so many free yarns, so I had to make something to give to someone else... Presenting, a knitting needle roll. I used corduroy (which I have always been in love with!), and then created a patchwork design with some scraps I had around. It was really a fun project to do! I wouldn't mind doing more in the future if anyone else was interested ;)

Slouchy Beret

So, when I originally set out to learn something I new, I picked up a set of knitting needles and taught myself to knit up a basketbeave blanket, which was given to my brother and his wife for their newest baby. I was pretty pleased with the blanket, especially given that it was my very first project, but looking back now I know my tension was very tight so it doesn't drape as well as it should. Since then I have taught myself to crochet, and, well obviously, crocheted many things. Now I have decided to dip back into knitting and test out the waters on that side of the pool more fluidly. I came up with this beret. I am super pleased with it. It took me a little under a week to complete. The yarn is super soft, and it drapes very well. Sophie is asking for one for herself now! I LOVE little girls, and how impressionable they are!!

Zoe Cocoon

I bought this pattern, and I LOVE the pictures we got of my niece in it! I'm having so much fun learning to use the camera.

My latest obsession

We got a new camera recently and I am

having a blast learning about it!

Who wouldn't have a great time with such a

beautiful child?

 

Summer is here!

It's been a while since I have posted so its time I update. I made my niece a newsboy hat a few weeks ago. It is a little long, I should have torn out one row and it would have fit perfect. She is definitely about as cute as they get :)

I also finished Sophie's summer dress, and she added her personal touch to the chest (a nice quarter-sized chocolate spot!) Thankfully I used a nice cotton so it washed out fine. I had to heavily adjust my pattern to make it come to size for her, and it turned out ok. I'm not totally pleased, but again, I'm so biased as she is cute no matter.

Last but not least, I made another pair of booties. Not sure what I will do with them yet, but I'm sure they will find a good home :)

Cable Newsboy Hat

This is my newest project. I whipped it up pretty quickly, and I love it! I'm glad to finally have found a cute adult hat.

Here is the pattern I used:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/city-girl-cap

A gift for baby Asher

When I started learning to crochet and knit, a new baby season was about to begin in my circle of friends and family. My boyfriends sister had a baby girl, my brother and his wife had their second baby girl, and now my sister-in-laws' sister just had a baby boy (today!). Since my bf's sister had her baby at the start of my new adventure I was never able to make her something that would have been  wearable/usable. For my newest niece, Zoe, I knit my first (and only) basketweave blanket. But this has been my first wearable/fitting gift yet!! I've had many attempts at the hat and shoes with my niece and I think I have finally figure out the art of the newborn hat and shoes! ;)

For the hat, and matching two pairs of shoes (lt brown pair and dk brown pair) I used Lily Sugar'n Cream in Jute and Warm Brown, respectively. For the Loafers I used Caron Simply Soft in white, and bone as the contrast color.

Sole

 Ch 5 (7, 9, 9).

Foundation Row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across - 4 (6, 8, 8) sc.
Next 5 (6, 7, 9) Rows: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Next Row: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first sc, sc in each sc to last sc, 2 sc in last sc - 6 (8, 10, 10) sc.
Next 4 (7, 10, 12) Rows: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Place marker in last st worked. Move marker up as work progresses.
Sides:
Rnd 1: Do not turn, work 10 (14, 18, 22) sc evenly spaced down side of sole; work 4 (6, 8, 8) sc along opposite side of foundation ch (this is the heel); work 10 (14, 18, 22) sc evenly spaced along other side of sole; work 6 (8, 10, 10) sc across to marker - 30 (42, 54, 62) sc.
Next 2 (3, 4, 5) Rnds: Working in front loops only, sc in each sc around.
Top of Foot
Note: When working top of foot, do not ch 1 at the beginning of rows.
Row 1: Sc in next 1 (1, 2, 2) sc, sl st in next sc, turn, sk sl st, working in front loops only, sc in next 6 (8, 10, 10) sc; working in both loops, sl st in next 2 sc; leave remaining sts unworked.
Next 4 (8, 12, 14) Rows: Turn, sk first 2 sl sts, working in front loops only, sc in next 6 (8, 10, 10) sc across top of foot; working in both loops, sl st in next 2 sc along side of Bootie.
Next Row: Turn, sk first 2 sl sts, working in front loops only, sc in next 6 (8, 10, 10) sc across top of foot; working in both loops, sl st in next sc along side of Bootie.
Cuff
Rnd 1: Turn, sk first sl st, working through both loops, sc in each sc around entire Bootie opening; do not join - 18 (22, 26, 30) sc.
Note: If you would like cuff to be a little tighter, when working Rnd 2, work 3 decreases evenly spaced around as follows: draw up a loop in each of next 2 sts, yarnover and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around.
Rep last rnd until cuff measures 1 1/2 (2, 3, 4) in. (4 (5, 7.5, 10) cm). Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Loafers

I've had an issue with the pattern for these for some time now but I am finally figuring out the kinks. This pair turned out to be my favorite so far. Love the color. I used Lily Sugar'n Cream, in Lime Stripes for the MC, and Lily Sugar'n Cream, in white, for the contrast. With the perfect green button to finish it off.

A few notes:

I did the 12-18 month size, using a 5 mm hook, and it fits my three year old perfect.

Sole edging, Rnd 1: 6 sc across toe, 21 sc on side, 6 sc across heel, 21 sc on side

Rnd 2 & 3: ch1, sc in next stitch and the rest, slip stitch first stitch

Toe top: Edging Rnd: 4 sc across previous row, 9 sc, 4 sc, 9 sc.

Kiddos poncho

This was super easy! To start out, measure from the middle of one shoulder, across to the other and down to about the middle of the forearm (or where ever you want the poncho to fall). Times that number by 2, and that is how many inches you need to make your chain. I measured her at 18" so I chained for 36".

Row 1: hdc in the 2nd ch from hook. hdc in each ch across.
Row 2: ch 2 loosely (counts as first dc now and throughout) and turn. Dc in each hdc across.
Row 3: ch 2 loosely and turn. Dc the next dc and in each dc across. Repeat row 3 until the body measures the length you’d like it to be.

To finish, fold the body in half and match up dc of the last row made. Ch 1, turn. With the dc lined up, sl st in the dc of both thicknesses to make the seam. Continue working sl sts towards the middle until you’ve got the hole for the head the size that you’d like for it to be. Weave in ends.  http://library.ravelry.com/dandelions2/1680/Dandelion_Dreamers_Poncho.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=1YZR91QYB6WCG3PM78G2&Expires=1272575354&Signature=GJlNSEySYTot9CaOUH%2FQj5xDFQE%3D

Slippers

Here is another version of the MaryJane's I did recently. On the first one, I omitted the strap, and I did not do a contrast color around the sole.  On the other I used the contrast color on the toe only. It turns out I love this one the most!

Loafers

I have made these as a gift for a newborn. I think they could go either to a boy or a girl.

I adjust the pattern slightly, but I still think these may not fit for a few months as they are a little big. The length is good but they are quite wide for a newborn.