well-crafted

Cowl for me

When I bought this most wonderful yarn last spring, I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Initially I thought a shawl of some kind. Then I went a different direction and for a little while it was going to be a Peasy. When that didn't work out, I got back on Ravelry and found the Honey Cowl.

It was love at first sight.

I worked on this project for a little over three months, not including a break to work on holiday gifts. Although an easy pattern, it was slooow—especially with a sport weight yarn. Sometimes I thought it would never be finished (although I really enjoyed having a mindless project to carry with me—everywhere—for a long time). And what a spectacular result! How could it not be, with a brilliant pattern and luxurious yarn?

Wearing something this soft, cozy and beautiful makes me almost love winter.

The Tea Leaves that almost wasn’t

I finished my beloved Tea Leaves cardigan last June, enjoyed wearing it for about two weeks, and then lost it! I was so sad. Fellow knitters, I know you will understand. It was the first clothing item I had ever knit for myself and I loved it so much—even with it’s uneven front button bands. I went to (and left notes at) all the places I could remember going but had no luck. It really gnawed at me because I am not the type to lose clothing. After I truly gave up hope of ever finding it, I special ordered more of the same yarn so I could make it again.

And then, in late October, something wonderful happened: That’s right—I found it! If you can believe this, it had been smooshed under the living room sofa that whole time. It was dusty and wrinkled, but otherwise in perfect condition and I was elated, to say the least. After a good hand washing and blocking, I commenced wearing it nearly non-stop. These days, you will rarely see me in anything else.

I highly recommend Woobu. It is soft and warm and has a nice sheen and subtle drape. Because of its lighter gauge, I sized up, but wouldn’t do that again because it ended up a little big. I would also be more careful about counting the stiches picked up for the button bands—mine are a little ripply and longer on one side. But none of this stops me from wearing it with pride!

Next on my project list, a Tiny Tea Leaves for my girl.

Ravelry notes soon.

Easter Things

We did our eggs using natural dyes this year. I used this as my inspiration and loose guide. (Really missing that blog). The results thrilled me to no end! And it has got me super excited about this workshop I am taking next weekend.

Moving along…

Lauren got a soft bunny to snuggle. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Quick and fun to make!

And finally, the Easter dress.

Pattern is view 8 from this book. I modified it by making short sleeves, shortening the ruffle along the button placket and using a grosgrain ribbon for the belt instead of making one from the main fabric.

Brunch and an egg hunt at our friends’ house made for a lovely day–even though I spent a lot of it in bed with a chest cold. Poor me.

It’s time I made myself a shawl

I am now in posession of two hanks of Pashmina. So luxurious!
Now I need to decide which pattern to use. These are my top three:

1. Sugar is Sweet
2. Sugared Violets
3. Unique Melody

What do you think?

Small hands, Big needles

I know I promised to share my Mexico souvenirs with you this week, but I can’t photograph them because my camera battery has died—really died, like it won’t even take a charge anymore and I have to go buy a new one. So for today you get photos of Lauren knitting! She has been asking to learn for a while now and I was sort of putting off teaching her because I thought it would be too difficult and frustrating. But, oh boy, was I wrong. We sat down for a little lesson last Sunday and it blew my mind how quickly she got it. What a natural!

The best gift

When I was out of town visiting my parents in October, my mother-in-law was here helping Kirk take care of the kids and generally keeping things running smoothly—and she did a smashing job of it. She also did another incredible and generous thing which left me almost speechless. Do you recognize that yarn shown above?

I’ll give you a hint: it used to look like this.

Yes, she frogged that sweater. Can you believe it?! The fact that the yarn had been held double on the sweater made her effort that much more enormous, because she also separated the strands. My jaw dropped open when I saw it and I was overwhelmed with gratitude because really, I don’t know when I would have found the time or patience to do that. I was giddy!

And just like that, a Tea Leaves cardigan was born. I am so excited.

Thank you, Joella!

Nice and easy

Sweet Peasy by Heidi Kirrmaeir, knit with Louet Gems worsted. (Yes, again.)

A crushing blow

This sweater has been on its needles since February. A smaller version began in January, but once I realized it was going to be too small I ripped it out and before casting on again I had an earnest conversation with Will:

Me: Are you really sure you want it?
W: Yes, Mom, I really want it. Please.
Me: And you will wear it?
W: Yes, I promise.

I think you know where this is going.

Yes, seven months and 90 dollars later he doesn’t like it. Upon our return from camping I asked him to try it on so I could check the length of the sleeve. His review came quickly. “I don’t really like it that much Mom. I’m sooo sorry.”

Remorseful tears ensued (not mine, his) and my disappointment was soon replaced with trying to figure out what the hell to do with it. Some friends have advised finishing it in the hopes that he will change his mind, but I am really not very optimistic about it. Will had a suggestion: “You could put it away and save it for my son.” Oh my. I could finish it and try to sell it for the cost of the yarn. And truly, the yarn is exquisite. I am really leaning towards frogging the thing and re-using the yarn to make this or this for myself. Especially since I am almost finished with this for Lauren. The problem with frogging it is right now it’s double stranded but I would need to use it single. How am I supposed to separate and rewind all that yardage?!

What would you do?

And on a completely unrelated topic, look what I just took out of the oven! It is taking great willpower for us not to cut into it right now, slather it with butter and jam and gobble up the whole thing.

Spring Garden Tee

Although I fully expected to have, by now, delivered a post about my failures (lots!) and successes (some!) in sewing with knits, it’ll have to wait a bit longer because I’ve got no photos. Most of what I’ve been making has been for me and it’s so hard to photograph one’s self without a camera in front of the face. Soon, I promise…

Until then, I give you the Spring Garden Tee, a fantastic pattern by Alana Dakos. Finished last weekend—and worn within two hours of the last end being woven in—this latest hand-knit addition to L’s wardrobe is a winner. Knit up in Mirasol’s T’ika 100% pima cotton yarn, it is super soft and silky. I threw together another skirt from my go-to “pattern” in a sweet little Sevenberry print and my girl had a new favorite outfit to wear.

Check out Alana’s other patterns and you might notice she’s developing an adult version to be released in June available now! That will definitely go in my list of “must-makes.”

In other knitting news

I made some fingerless gloves for Will and Lauren. I used this pattern which is sized for men I think, but using a thinner-gauged yarn and smaller needles works out well for kids’ hands. They are both pretty thrilled with their mitts in theory, although I suspect they aren’t getting a lot of use—I have noticed the mitts taking up permanent residence in the side pocket of each kid’s backpack. At least this way, they may not get lost…

Aww…they are so indulgent of me.

A Shwug

Lauren enjoys correcting people when they compliment her new sweater. “It’s a shwug”, she says with great authority. Knitting Pure and Simple, Little Girl’s Shrug. Malabrigo sock (luscious) knit double-stranded. Because my yarn was lighter, I followed directions for the size 8. It fits perfectly. It occurred to me, as I was finishing this, that everything I’ve made for her is either pink or red. Bring on the spring green!

Handmade gift report: Kirk’s socks

Sadly, my honey has not—until now—been the recipient of a gift made by me. He has asked for many handmade items over the years but I’ve been reluctant to invest a lot of time and money in anything for him because he can be a little…well, picky. (Sorry babe!) These socks were the perfect thing though. I barely managed to finish them on Christmas eve and wrapped them up (their tails were still not woven in but in knitting I consider a gift finished if you can give it without its needles still attached). He loves them.

In only two weeks they are showing gentle signs of wear. I had not made socks in a while, two years actually, since I made a pair each for my parents for Christmas. My own first pair wore out prematurely and the memory of this still smarts—they were so beautiful. In hopes of saving these socks from a similar fate, I reinforced the heel and ankle with this thread. I hope it will work. The pattern is Knitting Pure and Simple’s  Men’s Heavyweight Boot Sock—a good basic pattern. The yarn is Louet Gems worsted—my most recent favorite. It’s so nice to work with and has superb stitch definition. I am planning to have a pair on needles for him at all times now.

I tried to make a pair of gloves for Will but it did not work out. I really screwed up the fingers—there were large gaps in between each one. So I unraveled them and cast off to make a fingerless glove. It’s okay. Not sure if I will make the mate or not. Again, Louet Gems worsted.