Bolero Sweater for Neva

Bolero Sweater for Neva This is the beginning of the sewing/crafting frenzy which I'm engaging in to prepare for my dad's retirement at the end of June. I like having events to sew or knit for, and one of the treats is making Neva some stuff, including a couple of new dresses (pink, of course). I decided to knit her a little sweater to wear over these dresses in case it's cool that weekend (not likely, but still...). Anyway, this was not a hard pattern but it required a great deal of attention because every row was different, due to the shaping of the sweater. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, actually. I'd be even more pleased if it fit her. Sigh... Despite the fact that I checked my gauge and measured her and chose the appropriate size, it's a wee bit too small. We may be able to find a way to make it work, but ultimately she may not even need it, so it may be a moot point. Pattern: Sirdar Lacy Bolero Yarn: Estelle Mystik DK in Soft Rose

Battlestar Galactica Socks

Battlestar Galactica Socks Ta-dah! Finally, I have completed the very first pair of socks I ever started knitting way back in January. I think of these as my "Battlestar socks" because I started them during that week in January that I had the house to myself and I did very little except watch episodes of Battlestar Galactica. Since I took a break from knitting these to knit Jeffy's socks, they're not the first pair I've completed, but the one on the left foot is the very first sock I ever knit, and the one on the right foot is the sixth sock I've completed. (I have two more pairs on the go, if you're wondering about that math.) Pattern: Generic pattern from the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Rules! Yarn: Patons Kroy in Country Jacquard

Jeffy's Socks

Jeffy's Socks Look! My Very First Completed Socks! This was another knitting surprise for Jeffy. I know, I know -- what a treat, eh? Especially since he almost never wears socks. But his birthday was coming up, and I'm currently addicted to socks, so... These were super-fast socks to knit, which is part of the reason I chose them. The yarn is warm and relatively thick. I did something which is apparently a classic sock-knitter thing to do, which was to give him one completed sock and one sock still on the needles. I wasn't convinced that I had the sizing right, so instead of ripping two socks out, I figured I'd just rip one out if necessary. Turns out, it was necessary; the socks were too big, but if I'd gone around measuring his foot, it really would have given away the surprise. (I think they're still a bit big, but he assures me they're fine, so I'm letting it go. But if I make him more, ever, they're going to be a bit smaller.) Pattern: Knitty's Thuja Yarn: King Cole Merino Superwash Wool

Neva's Hat and Scarf When I found this yarn on sale at Wool-Tyme, I knew it was destined for Neva. The pink, the purple, the fuzziness -- it has everything she loves. I thought it might only be enough for a scarf, but there was enough for a hat as well. She's been asking when they were going to be done for some time now, and this morning she was clearly delighted to be able to wear them to school. I'm not sure how well that hat will stay on, but the wool should keep her good and warm if it manages to stay on her body. Pattern: made up from bits and pieces I picked up from samples at Wool-Tyme and from the Yarn Harlot's book, "Knitting Rules!" Yarn: Lana Gatto "Musa" (wool/acrylic blend)

Mohair Shawl

Mohair Shawl I started this shawl in August 2006 so that I'd have something to wear with the beautiful amethyst earrings Jeffy gave me for our anniversary. I finished it last night. It's cozy and warm and fuzzy, and the Dude has told me it's a "beautiful shirt, Mommy." I like it too. Pattern: Luxury Mohair Stole Yarn: Moonlight Mohair in "Purple Mountains"

Mom's Bag

Mom's Bag Here is the new school bag I made for Mom at her request. She wanted something like the one I'd made for her a good fifteen years ago, but in a quilted fabric and with pockets. Done and done. She especially likes the appliquéed flower on the front pocket. Pattern: taken from my knitting bag, which is the same as mom's 15-yr-old bag, and which originally came from Vogue Fabric: quilted poly-cotton in a batik pattern; lined in cotton

Winter Mini-Quilt

Winter Mini-Quilt This is the winter version of the above-the-piano mini-quilts. I used a new technique from a quilt I'd been meaning to try for some time, and added in my own tree elements. It's embellished with beads, and the fabric is all sparkly, though none of that shows up here. Pattern: adapted from Mother Earth Studios' Art Quilt: Genesis pattern Fabric: sparkly cottons from my stash; silver silk moon; seed bead embellishments; machine pieced and hand-quilted

Jeffy's Sweater

Jeffy's Sweater Victory! I finished Jeffy's sweater without him knowing. I posted all about this in the blog, but let's just say I love this sweater and am soooooo proud of it. Pattern: adapted from Patons "Weekend Retreat" book, "Easy V-Neck" Yarn: Patons Canadiana

Brad's Jacket

Brad's Jacket Brad "subtly" (subtle in the same way that a train wreck is subtle) requested that I make him a jacket exactly like the one I had made for Rick a few years back. It's always nice to know what to get Brad for his birthday/Christmas, so I was happy to oblige. He is going to get Nancy to change the cuffs and hem (which I kind of thought he might do) but other than that, he claims to be very happy with it. Pattern: Simplicity 7854 Fabric: Sherpa-backed fleece

Fall Mini-Hanging

Fall Mini-Hanging We recently adopted a piano from Jeffy's parents, and it now lives against the wall where my full-size quilts used to hang. The rod was still there, so I decided to make mini-quilts to hang above the piano. This is my first one. Pattern: adapted from the larger Hallowe'en quilt (on my main blog page) of Terri Degenkolb & Jackie Conaway's "Fall Frolic." Fabric: from my stash

Hallowe'en Costumes

Hallowe'en Costumes Yes indeed, I finished the costumes. At left, you see my "glamour-witch" costume, and at right, Neva is sporting her mermaid costume. I recognize that this is a pretty small pic, so you can click here to see a bigger picture of the two of us posing in our fancy-pants outfits. Pattern: Glamour Witch: New Look 6531; Mermaid: Simplicity 4043 and Butterick 4277 Fabric: Glamour Witch: satin and embossed organza; Mermaid: glitter knit, lurex and fleece; sequin detail on fin and metallic taffeta appliquée on top

Fall Ribbon Shawl

Fall Ribbon Shawl I fell in love with this yarn when I found it on eBay. I bought it with the intention of making a certain pattern, but when that didn't work out, I just went ahead and made something up. I think it turned out pretty well for a fly-by-night creation. (I found out later that it is the same yarn the Yarn Harlot used to make her own slinky "James Bond" shawl. We both have excellent taste.) Pattern: out of my own head. Email me if you want it. (The pattern, not the shawl. I'm definitely keeping this one.) Yarn: Plymouth Eros

Embroidered Black Skirt

Embroidered Black Skirt A super-easy circle skirt in an impulse-buy fabric from Fabricland Pattern: Simplicity 4546 Fabric: embroidered stretch cotton (photo by Neva)

Capsicum Hat

Capsicum Hat Our Kiwi friends Pip and Richard are expecting a new grandbaby this December. Since they grow and sell red peppers (or capsicums, as they're called in NZ), I thought I'd knit a little Capsicum hat for the new arrival. Pattern: Tuttie Cutie Fruity Hats by Brook Yarn: Yarn: Ella Rae Classic (100% wool) and Red Heart Kids (100% acrylic)

Ribbon Shawl and Silk Bag

Ribbon Shawl and Silk Bag Here are two projects for the price of one, both of which were used at a wedding in June 2006. The ribbon shawl is made out of yarn given to me for Christmas 2005 from Nancy, and I love the way it turned out. There were a few false starts with it while I learned how to knit with this yarn and not drop stitches, but ultimately it turned out fine. The bag I made up out of my own head to go with a dress I made to go with the shawl... Now if I could just learn how to make shoes, I wouldn't need stores for anything. Pattern: Shawl: free pattern from Wool-Tyme; Bag: out of my head Yarn: Plymouth Eros Ribbon Yarn Fabric: silk from our trip to Thailand