Help!!

Here's the first muslin of my coat - it's Vogue 8326. I think I figured out the under sleeve, but when I went to sew the sleeve pieces together it looked all wrong. The center fronts meet, but I'm pretty sure I need to go up at least one pattern size. The muslin fits well over the bust, but what are the funny wrinkles from the sides? Too small?

I think the problems with this view are that I'm standing entirely too stiff and straight. Although there are those wrinkles that are coming from the side seams again. And what's with the way it juts out over the rear? Is there too much room at the back neck?

From the back - wrinkles above the waist. I did no alterations to the pattern at all - just traced the tissue and put it together in muslin. This is a straight 16.

Another side view when I'm not quite so stiff.

Finally - another side with my arm out of the way. It feels like the side seam is going forward a bit.

So - how do I fix it or do I not worry about it until I try again with a size 18?

Will I Ever Learn?

So, I have been plugging away on my Koigu socks. They have a little cable up the sides only. The yarn is gifted. Currently I'm working over 80 stitches and they are a little bit big. I'm worried that there won't be enough yarn. So tonight I matched this yellow Koigu to the red and am going to rip them. Start them over - with yellow toes, heels & cuffs. Still continuing the cables up the sides but only increasing to 72 stitches. So, do you think this matches? Do you think I will ever figure out to make a freakin' swatch in the round? Will I ever figure out how far my yarn will go before I'm half-way done? Will I ever decide what I want to do before I've already jumped in? Okay - off to wind up that yellow and rip out the red. Time to start knitting them again. Good thing I'm all about the process.

she has a pocket

this photo shoot was totally staged, all because of a comment by Marjie. She said, and I quote: "Mom's so silly! Now Lucy has a purse to put her things in. We always say Thor has no money because he has no pockets - Lucy has solved the problem in a very pretty and girly way!" the next day or so I got a box from Chan and Marjie said, "Well, another gift for Lucy. Did she put her cookies in her bag?" so, we put her cookies in the bag and her favorite bo-bo toy and dropped it around her neck. she was less than impressed and it took her approximately 3 minutes to get that bag off her neck and get her toy out. she didn't even realize the cookies were in the bag. see them peaking out of the bag? thanks for the laughs Marjie. Hope Thor gets a pocket soon. for more laughs, check out the other dogs this Thursday.

Finally Finished - Take Two

These are the re-knit of the socks for Miss L. I have called her several times and had her come over and try them on several times along the way. I tried something new - I increased in the leg, but did too much too fast. But because they were longer than the last socks I knit for her, I wanted to make sure they stayed up. I think they'll be fine on, but they look kinda funky from the side. Speaking of looking funky- while I really like the after thought heel, I think they look kinda funky laid out flat. How about a close up of that texture though? I still think it's really pretty. I even made myself a pair. So - do these count as the 2nd pair of finished socks in 2009?

I Feel So Honored

This award has been making it's way around blogland. I am thrilled to say that someone (thanks Teri) nominated me by name - as well as the random if you are blogger, I'm awarding this. Here are the official rules: 1. Copy the award to your site - 2. Link to the person from whom you received the award - 3. Nominate 7 other bloggers - 4. Link to those on your blog - 5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated. This has been going around blogland for awhile now and I've been slow on posting this. So, I'm going to award to the following people, in no particular order: 1. Jessica. She is a friend in real life. We went to visit her in April and she is a lovely woman with a wicked sense of humor. She blogs about her dogs, her life in New York, and her avoidance of doing her homework. 2. Chan. Miss Chan blogs about her dogs, her knitting and everything else that composes her life. She's busy working and amazingly enough we have alot of the same thoughts on things. Although she doesn't sew or like vanilla - it's okay, we still like her :) 3. Camilla cracks me up. She has 5 children that she homeschools. Awhile ago when she couldn't find what she wanted for her crafty needs locally, she decided to mortgage her home to the hilt and without any bank loans whatsoever, she opened a fabric and yarn shop. That takes guts. 4. Golden Tracks or Miss Y. She is a knitter, weight watcher, and dog lover - not particularly in that order. She doesn't always blog regularly, she will often let life get in the way. When she does blog you can see the love for her dogs as well as her enjoyment of knitting. 5. Sue. Sue is an awesome woman. She has a passel of dogs. She is also a crafter, she knits and sews. She spends alot of her time crafting for charities, either children or dogs. You can't fault a person for that. 6. Leslie. I originally found Leslie's blog through another blogger who no longer blogs. She makes incredible knitted items, isn't afraid to figure out how to make what she sees in her head and share the instructions. There are times when she shares her cookie of the week. I have found a couple of very good recipes through her. And finally I would be in big trouble if I didn't give the last award to: 7. The Princess. Many of you have figured out she is my daughter. So, even though it's obvious I'm biased, I think she is a lovely young woman. She knits, but mostly she is a full-time live-in Nanny. She blogs about The Littles in her life and finds creative ways to show them in their activities without showing their faces. She can be funny. Okay - that was a nice way to get a blog post in when I didn't really have anything to say. Thanks so much to everyone who stops by and leaves comments. You have no idea what a difference it makes to my day.

Some Days I Operate a Sweat Shop

Speaking of packages - last Friday during my work out the dogs went nuts. Keith the mailman was at the door. When I finished the workout and opened the door to walk out with Corey (my trainer) there were two boxes on my front porch. One contained this lovely fabric from Miss C (who I'm perfectly sure I'm done linking to while she has the Dorks in Forks count down on her blog). See, Miss C. owns Clementine's Dry Goods and occasionally she has me make some store samples. I think that beautiful fabric will make a lovely Sun Surf Halter from Amy Butler's pattern line. Miss C needs it for a store sample. She also sent this lovely piece of Amy Butler fabric as a thank you for sending her quilt blocks for her quilt project. Personally, I think it was rather silly of her to send fabric to replace used stash fabric, but whatever. It will make another lovely summer skirt. I guess I need to explore new full skirt patterns.

Procrastinating

Sometime earlier this month, Marjie mentioned that she had a piece of fabric she didn't love and would like to send it onto me. I looked at the photos she had of the clothing she'd made from the fabric and said "Sure, send it on over." Last Wednesday, The Musical One stopped by the house to bring some pressies (a little speaker for my shuffle) , while here, she drug the trash can in and brought in all the mail. Sometime around dinner time, JB passed by the front door and notice a package on the front bench. Inside was a lovely note from Marjie and this beautiful orange and white floral fabric. I think it will make a lovely summer skirt. Do you think I could wear it with brown? Thanks Marjie! I will make it up and think of you every time I wear it.

This is Where I Get Confused

This is a horrible picture, but this is where I'm hung up on the Great Coat Sew Along. I printed out the instructions for converting the one piece sleeve. I measures the bottom and cut the sides off the sleeve pattern. I curved the lines in on the top sleeve piece. But now? I think I just draw new grainlines from the top of the pattern to the bottom and then add the pieces cut from the top pattern? But doesn't that make the sleeve much bigger in circumference than originally planned? So, I'm going to do some research, read the instructions, see if I can borrow a drafting book, and attempt to carry on.

The Things We Do For

Laughs. That is Lucy - she is my best model. Funny story about her attire. See, we occasionally have dinner at Applebee's. Whenever we go, we sit at the bar. I always take knitting with me and JB chats with the boys around the bar. Well, a couple of years ago, one of the regulars starting asking when I was going to knit him a pair of socks. (Well the answer is when h*ll freezes.) Then he decided he wanted a pair of mitten - with a string - so he wouldn't lose them. It was then decided that they need to be rainbow mittens because of where he works. Don't ask. Finally I broke down and bought inexpensive Patons Canadiana yarn in a rainbow colorway. I knit a pair of mittens. Because I can't read - I knit for 4" after the ribbing, rather than 4 rows, so the cuffs can fold up or down. Funny how the mittens are random colors but the i-cord is rainbow stripes. I made a hat with the remaining yarn. Trust me, I didn't want any of this yarn left in the house. When the items are delivered I'll take a photo of the real recipient wearing them. Lucy did not like having a mitten on her foot! She was less than pleased being a model - but she is a good girl and choose not to eat me. Don't forget to check out the other Dogs on Thursday posts.

Seeing Red

Last year I made fingerless mitts for several of the folks I work with. I did not, however, make any for TL - boss' daughter. I didn't know she was coming back home and would be at the office again. I was on medical leave and nobody told me.

Well she was upset and asked me repeatedly to make her a pair of gloves. She was rather insistent on it and wanted a pair just like I made her mother.

Well, I don't take asked for knitting well. Oh, I'll knit for others and enjoy it, but don't tell me what to make. I'll make what I feel like making.

So, here are the darling's mitts - they are Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande, plain ribbed cuff. The pattern can be found here (rav link).

I hope she enjoys them.

Hello Pot, Kettle Calling

So, last Thursday The Princess called. She had finally got her holiday bonus and decided it was time to knit a cardigan. She asked me for ideas. I told her top down. She bought a pattern book, all the yarn, needles, etc. She said it was the most money she had spent on anything for quite awhile. Saturday morning, I asked her if she had started her cardigan yet. Click on the link above and find out about it. She said no, because it was the most she had ever spent on a knitted item and she didn't want to ruin it. I asked if she would rather have a cardigan or $150 worth of wool laying around? Hello Pot, Kettle Calling. Yep that's me. See that pile of stuff over <---- there? Well it's not quite $150, but close. There's 5 yards of red wool melton bought on sale from Gorgeous Fabrics, the lining was purchased from Denver Fabrics, today I ordered interfacing from Pam at Sew Exciting, and the pile of notions that I have no idea how to use came from Marjie as part of the Great Coat Sew Along. Today I pulled everything out of the cupboard, cleaned off my table, took fresh measurements and traced the important pieces of the pattern. I almost have the sleeve changed to a two piece sleeve, but I'm having some trouble with the under sleeve portion. I'm not sure if I'll slog through and figure it out because I don't understand why having a two piece sleeve is important. I hope to get the muslin traced and have photos of a muslin before the end of next weekend. I think I may either need a ton of adjustments or to purchase a bigger size. My measurements put me square into a size 18 and my pattern stops at a 16. But I'll continue with the muslin of this size and see what happens. Just so that I'm not telling the daughter to do something that I'm frightened of myself I will proceed with this project.

Is This Better?

Crappy Picture.

Can't tell fit.

But you can see the towel monkey critter and half of our cabin during the cruise.

Since I Haven't Done Any Sewing

How about a modeled shot of JB wearing the shirt I made him before we went on vacation?

It fits well, he wore it more than once. I washed it and it didn't fall apart (always a bonus). It did wrinkle a bit more than I am happy with, but I'm fairly certain it has some linen content.

All in all - pattern worked great for him straight out of the envelope. Now to do a muslin of the color blocked style with a yoke.

Can You Feel the Love?

Thursday evening after another long day at work, I arrived home as we all generally do at some point. I have recently smartened up and started leaving the porch light on all day so I don't have to drive up to a pitch black house. Anyway - that also means I can see when a box is left on my porch :) Which was the case last night. This box was from Chan. So before I dug in, I gathered the essentials - knife (for cutting tape), camera, and scent hounds to make sure the box was safe for opening. Inside the box looked like that. Peanuts filled with static - but that's okay, makes it fun. I didn't take photos of the stuff under the peanuts, but let me say that everything was wrapped. So - what's in the box, you ask? Gingerbread Buddy Biscuits (which they loved - by the way), a namaste buddy case and two lovely hanks of yarn. I don't know what it is about the stormy colorways - but I love them.

Here's a close up of the first hank (as you can tell, I haven't started on the goal to take better photos or edit them - sorry). Anyway, this yarn is Fibra Natura Yummy. It's 100% superwash wool and while the description says it's laceweight, it's exactly what I love to make socks out of.

The second hank in the box is called Almost There byCreatively Dyed. It's part of her Ocean series and is called Seawool as it's 70% wool and 30% seacell. It feels fabulous in the hank and the colors remind me of a sunset over a rough ocean. There are all the colors of an angry day at the ocean with the pops of reds and blues of a sunset.

I recently started a Ravelry Group called the stash sock club with the goal of knitting 12 pairs of socks in 2009 from stashed sock yarn. I'm so glad I decided that while you can't purchase and knit up new yarn and count it, you can knit up gifted yarn and count it! Thank goodness for that little bit of insights since one of these beauties will be next on the needles. Thank you Chan - for the encouragement to leave gifted yarn as being okay and for sending absolutely perfect yarns. I'm not sure which will be first, but the Ocean is calling my name.

Packages for Dogs

Hey Mom - Look! Look! we got a box. Is it for me?

I don't think this is for me? Maybe there are goodies inside. Nope, it wasn't for me! It was all for mom! Starbucks knitting mug, pink "G" mirror holding key chain and a handmade swing bag from the Chocolate Lollipops line. Thanks Jess!

Parting shot: The ornament the dogs got for Christmas 2008. I love it. We now have 2 years with all 4 dogs names on them. Don't forget to check out the other DOT posts.

Do You Flannel?

So as part of the girls holiday boxes they all (Miss L, included) got flannel pants. The Princess' pants were made along the lines of the Amy Butler sheet pants from one of her books. I don't have the book, but I can figure out how to add a border at the bottom of the pants. By the time I got around to making the pants for The Musical One and Miss L it was the week we were leaving, I didn't have time to fuss with adding a border. I know it didn't add a ton of time, but . . . . What's left of Miss L's socks yesterday were photog'd on her pj pants.

The girls' pants are both from Favorite Things patterns. I don't see the pattern I used on their website and frankly I'm too lazy this morning to run downstairs and find the right pattern number. I think the pattern runs a bit large, but they are comfy and since they are flannel lounge pants and not made for public consumption (do you girls hear me?) they will be fine!

Enjoy and stay warm :)

Sad

Remember these? The Love My Charade socks I knit for Miss L? Remember that I told you they might not fit? That they might be a little bit too tight? Well. . . . . last night Miss L. came over for dinner and to get paid (finally) for watching the dogs. She brought me most of her gifts. I shortened her flannel pants by 3" in the crotch and 4" in the legs. The girls is tiny. Still, she couldn't get the socks on her feet. So last night I picked out the EZ sewn cast off edge and wound the socks into little tiny balls of yarn. I found my US0 circular needle and picked up 128 stitches. They are now back on needles in the hopes of having them finished before the end of January. On a completely different topic -- today is Fred's 6th birthday. Please rush over and wish him a happy day. (Plus his mom is fabulous and feels like she blogs for naught.)

Handknit Socks

1::12 One of my resolves this year is to knit 12 pairs of socks from stashed sock yarn. Should be easy enough. So, toward that end - here's the first pair. The yarn is hand dyed with Wilton Food Color Paste by Miss C. Socks were originally started in September 2008 and then the yarn was returned to stock in December. I took them on vacation with me, but they were not a high priority. I knit them on the first leg of our flight and then they got put away not to be taken out again until I finished a pair and didn't feel like starting the Eagles socks. These are toe up with a new to me and very easy heel gusset and flap. They fit great and feel super comfy. I truly knit until there was barely enough yarn left to bind off. The pattern is a variation on Charades - same as the socks for Miss L - which by the way are so tight she can't get them on! Thankfully, my socks don't have the same problem. I already have the next pair for 2009 on the needles and am halfway through the foot.

Are You Ready?

He is

(at time of posting, 3 minutes left, Eagles are up by 12 and they just intercepted the ball)

What's Wrong with this Picture?

Can you see it? Does anyone remember these socks? (rav link). I started them in December 2007 and finished them in January. JB picked out the yarn. It was the first time he showed an interest in something being knit for him. It was also the first time he got an idea of how expensive it is to knit something. Due to that little shopping trip he understands the value of handknit socks. Unfortunately, that makes him leery of wearing them. He likes them, he just doesn't want to ruin them. Okay - so can you see it, yet? Okay - let me make it a little bit bigger. Now? Yes, there is a hole - in the leg of the sock! Wednesday they took a trip to knit night with me so I could figure out the best way to fix them. The first answer was duplicate stitch. Fontelle was explaining how time consuming and fussy it would be to fix these socks (the yarn just broke) when all of a sudden she looked at me and said "Toe Up or Top Down?" Toe up, of course, I said. Her next question was do you have any yarn left? Of course, I said. Rip and Reknit she said. Thanks to Ravelry I know exactly what needle size I used so once I finish picking out that sewn off binding I use on toe up socks I can rip back, pick up live stitches and knit me a new leg. Sounds easy - right? Did I mention these socks have only been worn maybe 3 times? How could there be yarn failure already? I have already ripped and reknit these. I did it Friday evening when we had company for dinner. While we were sitting and visiting. Anyway - there was tons of fiber failure. In the top of the sock, I pulled out 4 different pieces of wool. I totally don't get it.

23

The Princess is 23 today.

Don't tell her I said so, but she's a good kid. Go wish her a happy birthday. She most likely has a hangover today - so scream. I also know she has no plans for her birthday. So maybe she can update her blog as her birthday gift to us. Happy Birthday kiddo! We love you.

What I Learned on my Christmas Vacation

~ I love to wear skirts. It's mostly what I sew. I packed 5 skirts for a 2 week vacation (and 3 dresses, and jeans). ~ That photo <--- over there? Those are most of the skirts in currently in my closet. See all the prints? Yep, all print skirts. Some read as solid, but they aren't. ~ My swimsuits (tankinis) have print tops and solid brown bottoms. ~ While many people on a cruise ship are very comfortable walking around wearing nothing but a swim suit, I am not! I do not have the shape that makes it comfortable for me or enjoyable for anyone seeing me. So I always had a skirt and top with me to pull on when I needed to take a walk.

~ If I had solid skirts, it would have made my life a bit simpler. I always had to have a skirt and top to pull on because my skirts all clashed horribly with my suit tops! I didn't have a solid wrap and I don't have any shorts.

~ So, the gist of this post **I learned I need a few solid color casual skirts added to **

What did you learn over the holidays? (the other photos? some of my favorite skirts that got to travel along.)