Who? Who? Who Likes to Sew?

As soon as I received my sewing machine I ordered the most adorable owl pattern off of Etsy. It took an hour or two to make (I’m sure as I get better at cutting and sewing it will take even less time) and I think it is so darn cute! The possibilities for using different scrap fabrics are endless.

As for my next sewing project, I am going to attempt my first quilt. I’m going to use the tutorial from the Oh, Fransson! Mod Scrap Quiltalong. The fabric that I’ve chosen is some of the Erin McMorris Wildwood collection. It really goes with nothing in my home, but I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. (My cat, Laska, is skeptical). Anyone want to join me?

Here’s a less artistic, but better view of the fabric:

As for knitting, I’m finishing up one sample knit, in the middle of another, and getting ready to cast on for a very large sample knit. Busy days! I’ll get some photos of the not-so-secret sample knitting soon.

In Cori news, she is recovering very well. Now that the steri-strips have come off the incision site, her leg looks much less mangled. She doesn’t seem to notice anything has changed and is very very very active and independent (as a 15 month old should be). Here’s a picture from a rainy Saturday at the zoo. She was much more interested in the flora than the fauna.

I sew, I sew

In the days following Cori’s surgery I have done some more sewing. (She did very well. No more lump, but we still have  a long recovery ahead).

The reason I wanted to sew was because of this adorable pillow Emily of MLE Knits made for her baby boy. A year later (to the day!), I finally got my own machine and learned enough of the basics to make my own Amy Butler Gum Drop Pillow for Cori. It was a fun and easy project. I have plans for at least two more. Another in the 18 inch size (which is quite big) and one of the big ones (24 inch, I believe). This project eats fiberfill – over 72 ounces! I’m a bad sewing blogger as I don’t remember who the designer of the fabric is though I do know I got it at the Fabric Depot.

Next up, I sewed my first dress for Cori. The pattern is the Miss Madeline Dress pattern from the Handmade Dress. It is a great pattern, written for complete beginners. I learned a couple things on this project.

1) Cheap quilter’s cotton is cheap fabric. It will unravel and shred. It is most likely worth it to spend a little more and get some better fabric.

2) I’m addicted to sewing. I couldn’t stop this project. First, I was only going to cut the fabric. Then, I was only going to sew the main seams. Next, I wanted to just try the zig zagging. All of a sudden I had a finished dress!

It’s by no means perfect. Some of the seaming looks pretty crazy, but I love it! Only thing is I made it a size too big for Cori! She’ll be wearing it next summer, not this one. Oh well, guess I better get sewing on another dress for her. I already downloaded another pattern from the Handmade Dress, the Miss Molly.

On My Mind

Cori is scheduled for surgery this Thursday for the lump in her leg. I know it will all be ok, but I still wish it didn't have to happen.

Every yarn stasher's nightmare, my reality! Little moths ate through store bought sweaters, but thankfully didn't get to my yarn. Yay!

I finally got the satin binding on correctly! (Turned out my sewing machine was defective and Amazon sent me a replacement overnight)! My mitered corners came out pretty junky looking, but I have a feeling Cori won't mind.

Finishing Firestorm!

I’m over halfway through about 8 projects, both sewing and knitting, so I’m getting the wonderful pleasure of finishing up. Yesterday I completed my first big sewing project – a tote bag. I took the class at the local JoAnn’s (I’m lucky to live near one of the super-stores) and after less than 5 hours of class time I have a nifty bag. Of course, I made a few mistakes, but it’s all a learning experience. I’m excited to finally know how to make piping and I have enough of these fabrics to make another. I think next time I’ll add some interfacing to make it stiff.

My next sewing project is almost done. I’m making a super easy little blanket for Cori. I sewed on the blanket binding, but I did a pretty terrible job of it so I need to take it off and do it again. Shouldn’t take too long. One big advantage of sewing is how super quick it is compared to knitting. Practically instant gratification! Here’s a sneak peek of the blanket:

As for knitting, I finished up a lovely little sample knit for Stitchjones. The yarn was wonderful to work with and the colorway, Bollywood, is so bright and lively (though my crappy photo does not show this – I’ll take a better picture later when the light cooperates). The pattern is from Judy Becker, but not yet up on Ravelry. As soon as it is, I’ll add a link. It was a fun pattern as it was toe up with a reverse heel flap. Really interesting construction. Perhaps this technique is what Judy will be teaching in her Magic Heels class at Sock Summit? If so, I sure don’t want to miss that class.

In other news, Cori has been having to undergo her first medical poking and prodding. We’ve been keeping an eye on a sizable lump that developed on the side of her knee and it is now rather big. The pediatricians we saw aren’t sure what it is though they are pretty sure it is benign, but they referred us to a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Cori had her MRI on Friday (that was an ordeal!) and we’ll meet with the surgeon on Tuesday to find out what the lump is and what choices we have. I’m definitely more upset about all of this than Cori and I will be so happy once we know more. (And as fate would have it, the only time we could meet with the surgeon this week is when Sock Summit registration goes up. Hopefully there are few classes left when I have a chance to register).

I’m Not a Quitter!

Three months ago I made up my mind to let my blog go, but for three months now I’ve been writing blog posts in my head. Sounds a little crazy, huh? I realized that I really need a place to chronicle my knitting and I miss my internet buddies.
I haven’t knit a ton in the past few months and now that I just got my first sewing machine I see that cutting into my limited crafty time. I LOVE my sewing machine. I haven’t sewn since I was 7 or something and my mom taught me to sew a pillow. That’s my whole experience. Well, I made my first project the other day and it came out pretty darn good. I have decided I have a natural proficiency for sewing! (Remind me I said that some day when I’m dealing with a dress with no armholes with thread tangled all around me). Here is my first project, a Booga Block (I used a tutorial found here - awesome!):

This one has jingle bells in it and next I’ll make one to match with little ribbon tags.

The other sewing project on the horizon is a sewing machine cover using some cool oil cloth I got. I’ll use the pattern from the Sew Everything Workshop book I have (and love!).

As for knitting, I have more items on the needles now than I have ever had. I have 7 socks on the needles, all in various stages of completion, one lace scarf, one plain scarf, one lace wrap, a bag that needs a strap, and ,waiting in the wings, at least 2 more pairs of socks and a bunch of cute things for Cori.

Knitting pictures soon, sewing pictures soon. Cori picture now! (She’s 14 months old now, walking, talking adorable gibberish, and she’s more fun than ever).

Cool Spice Girl

Spice Girl

Pattern: Spice Girl by Erika Flory

Yarn: KnitPicks Essential in Peacock Multi (1 skein) and Mermaid (2 skeins)

Size: Medium (18 month)

Start Date: February 2, 2009

End Date: February 4, 2009

Comments:

Incredibly fast and fun knit. I’ll be knitting Cori another one of these in the next size for the fall. The 18 month size fits her nicely right now (she’s almost 11 months old and in the 95th and 75th percentiles on height and weight respectively). I will add a couple more inches to the length next time too as this one hits her right at the waist.

For now I’m leaving the buttons off. She would just try to eat them and I really think this cardigan looks cute open. Tough to photograph the cardigan on her as  she is constantly in motion now.

I was pleasantly surprised at how soft and nice to knit the Essential was. Great deal to knit this sweater for $13 (3 balls of essential and $2.50 for the pattern)

Phoebo’s Pullover

Get Ziggy Cabled Sweater

Pattern: Get Ziggy cabled sweater by annypurls

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy – Romeo Blue (1.25 skeins)

Size: 12 Month

Start Date: January 15, 2009

End Date: January 20, 2009

Comments: A dear sister-like friend is expecting her baby boy in April and I couldn’t resist knitting him a little sweater. She won’t tell me his name until he’s born so I’ve been calling him Phoebo which some of you may recognize from a Friends episode (the mom-to-be and I are huge Friends fans).

I absolutely loved knitting this sweater. The pattern is very well-written and the neck is perfect for those wiggly giant baby heads. I was happy to find another project to use Dream in Color Classy. That yarn is quickly becoming my go to yarn for baby knits. I love the unique colors and it is so darn soft. It shows off cables nicely to, if I do say so myself.

Of course, I couldn’t resist trying it on Cori (had to check sizing)* and now I want to make her one!

*FYI: The 12 month size fits my 10 month old baby girl perfectly. She is in the 95th percentile for height and 75th for weight.

Raining Yarn

Here and there I’ve picked up some new yarns over the past few weeks. Even though I am sticking to a new budget, there was a little surplus with holiday money to buy a few new goodies.

First up, I finally got my hands on some Madelinetosh Sock. I’ve only heard great things about her colors and I am very impressed. This is the pheasant colorway.

Madelinetosh Sock - Pheasant

I also found some Malabrigo Sock in the Turner colorway. The buzz on this yarn has been amazing. I wasn’t sure it would live up to the hype, but the second I saw and felt it, I was in love.

Malabrigo Sock - Turner

A couple days ago I finally made it to the local yarn store, Twisted. Everyone in my knitting group had told me how great it is and I totally agree! The selection of yarns was great and the service was very friendly. Cori didn’t have quite as much fun as I did since I wouldn’t let her pull every skein out of the cubbies. While it was hard to choose, I finally selected two different colors of Merilon sock yarn from a local yarn dyer, Black Trillium Fibre Studio.

Black Trillium Fibre Studio - Merilon Sock - Cordovan

Black Trillium Fibre Studio - Merilon Sock - Rainbow Black

Lastly, I’ve acquired a little more Dream in Color Classy as I have plans for a couple more things for Cori and a little sweater for a friend’s soon-to-arrive baby boy. I absolutely love the new solid colors of Classy. Purple Rain is an amazingly dark purple – it’s almost black. Gorgeous!

Dream in Color Classy - Purple Rain

Dream in Color Classy - Into the Mystic

Dream in Color Classy - Romeo Blue (Hard to get the blue right in the photo. Nice dark, blue).

Bang!

Gathered Scarf

Pattern: Gathered Scarf by Maryse Roudier

Yarn: Sundara Fingering Silky Merino in  Carmel Apple (less than one skein)

Needles: US 5 and 7

Start Date: December 23, 2008

End Date: January 5, 2009

Notes:

I feel like I’m starting off the new year with a bang! This scarf may be favorite of all I’ve ever knit. It’s simple, it’s silky, it was so easy, but not monotonous. Bang!

The yarn is from the last Sundara Seasons mailing. It’s the autumn season color and I’m a spring subscriber, but I couldn’t resist Carmel Apple. Thankfully I was able to get a skein from someone that wasn’t as thrilled with the color

I wanted something that would show off the texture and variegation of the yarn. This pattern did a great job of it! I think if I knit this pattern again I may extend the stockinette sections by 2 or 4 rows, though then it probably curls in too much…I’ll have to play around with that.

The only modification I made to the pattern is adding a little to the cast on. (My cast on was 60 stitches). With the yarn I have left over I bet I could have increased to 62 or 64. Maybe next time.

Even though I’m switching needles and using fingering weight yarn this scarf is knitting up so quickly!

2008 Round-up

2008 Finished Projects

1. First Hat for Corinne, 2. Lucky for Corinne, 3. Hearts and Stars Blanket for Corinne, 4. Eyelet Baby Blanket, 5. Pastel Marley Hat, 6. Solid Daisy, 7. Vertical Stripes Hat, 8. Lace Ribbon Scarf, 9. Baby Shrug, 10. Zombie Socks, 11. Little Bunny Foo Foo Socks, 12. Offset Wraplan, 13. sKnitches Rugby, 14. Yarn Chef In the Pond, 15. Ridges and Ribs Redux, 16. February Baby Sweater, 17. Placket-Neck Pullover, 18. Faggot Lace Scarf, 19. Asherton Scarf, 20. Corinne – 3 days old

This past year has been the most amazing of my life so far. Becoming a mom in March and loving every baby stage more than the last one has been more fantastic than I knew it could be. All the mommy time has taken away from knitting and reading, but over the past few months I’m starting to get into more of routine where I carve out a little time for me.

During 2009 my knitting goals are:

1) To get my knitting world organized! Books, needles, yarn everywhere – I’m losing track of it all.

2) To be more selective of what yarns join my stash. Just because it is super exclusive doesn’t mean I need it.

3) To knit daily.

My non-knitting goals for 2009 are:

1) To keep working out and eating right.

2) To read daily.

3) To get my books organized. 1/2 of them are still in boxes in the garage!

4) To start a 5 year plan to get our finances on track. This goal will definitely impact knitting purchases…:(

Tonight we are going out with another couple to a fun little cafe that has a separate, supervised play area for kiddos. Hopefully that means Matt and I will get to eat dinner at the same time!

Goodbye 2008! I will never forget you!

Happy 2009!