Catching Up

Almost 2 weeks ago now, a group of girls ("The Knitting Girls") loaded into my car and we went on a trip.  I am very lucky to be a knitter living in Western Washington.  There are more independent yarn stores up and down the I-5 corridore than there are in some states.  If you don't believe me - check out the Local Yarn Store Tour Website.

<---- That's everything I got.  Seriously.  And I have plans for most of it - either specific or vague - like socks.

The one thing I was on the look out for was the Valentine Cardigan by Spud and Chloe which I was so happy to find at the first shop we stopped in that I squeeled and scared the poor gal who was working.  I have some lovely yellow yarn that Mary sent me that is destined to be this sweater and soon.

The last photo today is a hank of Noro laceweight in pink, cream and brown.  I'm not a fan or noro but I love this colorway.  This yarn came from the last shop of the day - Beach Basket Yarns.    We only made it to 5 shops this year, but it was lots of fun.  The sun was shining, we laughed, shopped, had a fabulous lunch - what more could a girl want?

Oh - if you have any pattern ideas for the Noro - please share.  I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.  Seriously.

Tomorrow I'll share the goodies from the middle 3 shops. 

Incredible

No, not my pictures - never that.

I have stuff to blog - we were on a vacation.

But somehow watching the news and seeing tornados, flooding, etc.

Makes my vacation seem so very, very trivial right now.

The flip side is - I'm sure we're all looking for a distraction.

So - how about I share some unedited photos

because honestly I'm too lazy to figure out photoshop and layers
I'd rather knit, or sew, or cook.

I'd like to introduce Mona.  Yes, she is a camel. 

She lives in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

JB had just called her across the field and given her an apple.

Mona was very gentle and wanted her head scratched.

Inspired by Bugs? Snug Bugs that is.

Subtitle: Fashion blogger I am not.

A few weeks back, I saw this fabulous outfit that Patty had made.

I adore it - the full print skirt.  The striped tee - heaven.

So - I went out and bought the pattern - it's KS 3637.
I pulled an old cotton out of the cupboard that I had used in the makeover of The Musical One's bedroom

(when she was in 6th grade).

Sample - wearable = bonus.

Then I tried it on.  Ugh!  I hated it.  I feel like it accentuates how wide I am.

I ask JB what he thought - and having learned to be a smart man

he said - wear it and ask your knitting girls.

So, I wore it yesterday and I'm asking you.  What do you think?

Win or Lose?

It definately is fun. 

Cardi Number 2

So this is my second cardigan of the year (well third over layer if you count the cape).

This was an easy knit once I figure out the right size to knit.  With the exception of making long sleeves, I followed the pattern.  It's soft and warm and even in very pea green - it was easy to wear and there are loads of things in my closet that go with it.

I do think - looking at the photos - that I need a different neckline under the cardi - maybe a turtleneck?  But the collar mostly stayed flat, and even though I blocked it even, one front is slightly longer than the other. 

I also think I need to add a large snap under the collar to hold the cardi shut when need be.   The problem with that is that the back of the snap would show when worn open.

Even open and floppy - this cardi was easy to wear.  And yes - I wore tall boots yesterday and they were totally weather appropriate.

ETA:  Pattern is Lilas Cardigan and I used 10 balls of Knit Picks Stroll.  Total cost of the sweater was right around $30.  Time - about a month. 

All I Can Say Is - It's Done

I spent weeks -  probably months in reality working on this outfit.  and the best I can say about it right now is that it's done. 

The turtleneck is sleeveless and is a KwikSew pattern - no I don't know the number and frankly I'm too lazy right now to go look it up.  Any turtleneck that you love will work.

The cardigan is from Ottobre Woman February 2007.  The cardigan was finished at the sewing retreat back in March, and then it laid on the back of the couch for weeks waiting on snaps and thread loops for the ribbon.  I like the ribbon with the fabric, but not with the skirt fabric.

Once I had the top(s) done, I needed a skirt to wear with it and the skirt that I had originally made to test the pattern is already on it's way to the good will - so....


After digging around in the stash, I cam up with this length of bottom weight mystery fabric.  It really matched the green in the knit.  So, I got down to business.  I've been using Simplicity Amazing Fit 2475 and then adding details to the hemline from an old (OOP) pattern pencil skirt pattern - it's where I got the flounce pattern, as well as the idea for this pleated panel. 

The original pattern only had the pleated panels going over the side panels.  However, my version goes all the way around - switching directions at the center pack with a deep box pleat.  It's lined and I love it.  But it's just slightly too snug - different fabrics and all that.  I will say - this is a new problem for me - usually once finished my skirts are too big.  So for now Lu is wearing the outfit.  Hopefully by next Fall it will fit. 

Fastest Ever

Irish Girlie contacted me early in March to see if I was interested in doing some more test knitting for her.  We have embarked on a new relationship - one where she sends me the yarn (maybe 2 hanks) and I knit the project and mail it back to her.  I like this. 

This time the knitting had a deadline.  It needed to be ready for it's public debut on Mother's Day. 

The yarn came - but the mailman wouldn't deliver it.  So I had to race to the post office on Saturday, April 28 - the day before Easter.  after running my normal weekend errands, I was able to wind the yarn, divide it and cast on the pair around 3.

By the time I went to bed, I had most of the legs done, but I was nowhere near close.  But by the time I went to bed on Easter they were finished!  I knit the medium and didn't add a smidge of length.  The pattern is Maryann and it's fabulous - true Carrie all the way.

For the record - it rained all day on Easter here, but I did still cook 2 meals, do laundry and other stuff. 

Sweet!

And she'll tell you she doesn't like him.

I don't believe her.

you?

Another Version - Another Variation

Still playing with Simplicity 2475.  This is the straight skirt from their amazing fit collection and I'm thrilled with it. 

I used this fabric before when I made a wearable (allegedly) beignet.  I didn't really care for the way the beignet fit.  So, I took those buttons off that skirt and tossed the fabric.  But I had plenty left over from when the girls were wee and i never made them overalls or ruffled denim dresses.  Hey - it worked to see how the idea worked.

This time - I took S2475 and instead of cutting the center front on the fold, I cut it as 2 pieces and added an inch to the right (overlap - buttonhole) side and an inch and a half to the left (underlap - button) side.

I had to futz for a bit with the waist bands, but it fits and I like it and now I can more on with real grown up fabric.  So - thanks go to Carolyn for getting me to continue working with something that fits and plugging away.

Obviously I was playing on the deck when JB took these photos.  And yes - I did wear the skirt to work.  

I am so ready for warm weather and to quit wearing layers all the freaking time.  Yesterday was May 3rd and while I didn't wear this outfit yesterday - I did wear tights and boots and they were weather appropriate. 

So - what do you think? Do this skirt work? 

More Finds

 Several smaller, upscale cities in Western Washington have 'yard sale' days.

Honestly - it the one day during the year when everyone puts they stuff in the yards and tries to sell it.

Since we were in one such city on Saturday looking for more dishes.

We decided to just look around.

We didn't come home with lots of other people's junk.

We got the dogs some new toys (kids stuffed toys are great).

and I found one house that had a bunch of old spools of thread - wooden spools!

They are hard to find - granted the thread is no good - but the colors are bright.

I bought 25 small wooden spools, most with thread, the strange plastic sewing box with

a pair of scissors and a strange tool for a whopping $3.

They will be a pretty addition to the studio.

I Did It Again

 We went to an estate sale on Saturday.  They had china.

 This was an almost complete service for 10 - with serving pieces.

Look how pretty that covered serving dish is.

 Inside the coffee cup -a cute little design from the outside.

One saucer was chipped.  That's all.

 dinner plate, salad / bread plate, soup bowl, small fingertip / fruit bowl.

And now - it's mine!  All for a song.

Now to find a place to store it.