Masterpiece: CGR's Wonderful Wallaby

Sometimes a project just is so addictive that it is off the needles as soon as it's been cast on...or at least that's how it feels...

Project details
Ravelry Project link
Pattern: Wonderful Wallaby by Carol A. Anderson
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Carnation
Cast on: March 1st, 2015
Finished: March 13th, 2015
Notes: I was wearing my Corona pullover the other day and Carmen quickly asked if I would make her a matching one.  I of course said yes since I already had the yarn to make her this sweater!  She had helped me pick it out back in November but I got distracted by other projects and never started it.  So, March 1st came...super close to FL summer and the need for sweaters quickly fading..and I cast this on.

The pattern is pretty well written and comes in a little booklet, which I bought from Paradisefibers.net.  The size range is amazing...2T-2XL adult!  I measured the girls and since Carmen is pretty petite, I opted to make her the 4T even though she is already 4 and she will still have room to grow in it.  I followed the pattern pretty closely, however, I added length to all measurements.

I did pick up for the pouch before it said to.  Jasmin from the Knitmoregirls podcast had recommended to do this as she said it would make it easier.  It did seem easy. 

I'm so happy with how it came out and most of all Carmen is very excited about her new hoodie!  She immediately put it on and wore it out in the FL heat!  It was 83 that day!  She is definitely knit worthy!  Now I'm planning to make her sister a matching one that is purple.

I have already cast it on but have been a bit distracted with working on some other things.  Her sister just had to get involved in the picture taking though.  And I'm glad she did...because they are cute together.

Here's hoping I can finish up her sister's quickly! I'm only about an inch into the bottom ribbing...

Happy Knitting!!

What are you working on or finished lately?

Masterpiece: My Hitofude Cardigan

One of my goals this year, as you may have read from yesterday's post is to love my wardrobe. Part of that is to increase the lightweight handknit work appropriate cardigans. My work is pretty loose with what we can wear but I'd like to put more effort into looking nice. Don't get me wrong...there will be days I will still go to work in jeans, flip-flops, and a t-shirt but you get the idea. The first one of these cardigans I already had been knitting...and now it's complete! yay!! 
Project details
Ravelry Project link
Pattern: Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu
Yarn: The Fiber Seed Sprout Solids in Elephant
Cast on: September 13th, 2014
Finished: January 4th, 2015
Notes: When I first saw this cardigan, I wasn't sure how it would look on my body frame.  I loved it but just couldn't visualize it.  A friend in my knit group happened to finish hers so I asked if I could try it on and instantly fell in love with it!  It fit nicely and I thought would be a great addition to my wardrobe.

The pattern is all knit in one stroke or strand of yarn...so essentially no seaming.  I liked that idea.  The cast on is a bit confusing but you really just have to trust the pattern and it works out.  Same goes for when you are doing the sleeve join.  I read through the pattern completely but I just couldn't see what I was expected to do until I was actually doing that step.  In the end it worked and I'm so happy I knit this up!  I might make another one but using a yarn that has silk in it as I think this will drape nicely!

Happy Knitting!

FO: Calligraphy Cardigan

My Calligraphy cardigan has been completed...and worn practically every day possible since!!  And I do not exaggerate that I can't stop wearing this!  It's super comfortable and I feel goes with EVERYTHING...even though it really doesn't but who cares I LOVE IT!   If you are friends with me on most social network sites, you will have already seen these pictures but I wanted to post to my blog as well. 

Pattern: Calligraphy Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Yarn: Hand spun and hand dyed by me from wool that I purchased from Warren in WI and sent to be processed.

Yes, me and my girl are very silly!! :)

The hand spun yarn was a bit thicker than the called for gauge so with the help of Jasmin from the Knitmore Girls Podcast, I was able to change the numbers proportionally to fit what my gauge was and the fit I feel is perfect!!  I'm not sure I can explain exactly what we did but if anyone wants to know I can do a post about it. Thank you Jasmin for all your help and Congrats again to your family on your beautiful addition G!!

Happy Knitting!!!

Baby Knitting!

Since we have a new baby in the family, everyone should have known that would mean BABY KNITTING!! My first comment about this is that baby knitting is so fast and everything is so cute!! I mean anything that is baby size is always cuter! Second comment is that my nephew is SO adorable that he just makes things look even cuter!!

I, of course am bad with deadlines and instead of having these items knit when little Owen was born back in Nov....they were sent to him in January! At least I made them about 3 month old size so they fit him now! I used the Child's Placket-Neck Pullover that was published in Last Minute knitting Gifts. Originally I had wanted to make the body one color and the sleeves the yellow but once I got to thinking and realized I'd have to sew together, I came up with doing the upper body the second color. I'm really glad I made this choice. I think it came out perfect!! I used some Dream in Color Classy in Midnight Derby that I had left over from my FLS and the DIC Butter Peps was sent to me by Jasmin from the Knitmore girls and it was left over from her Ariann.

Can we say ADORABLE??

He looks so much like pictures of my dad when he was a baby. He's like a little Vicente! :) I love it! I can't wait to meet him!
After I finished the sweater, I decided that he had to have a matching hat!! So, I sort of just made up a pattern for it. I cast on, knit seed stitch for a bit, knit for a little bit, switched colors, kept knitting, decreased and did the top. It fit him perfectly too!

All in all, I think my first official baby knitting was a huge success!! Before this I only had knit bibs...so I'm pretty proud of myself. I already have some baby knits planned for my best friend from high school who is due this summer and another sweater for Owen for his first birthday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Knitting!

Got two packages yesterday!!! and sweater update!

So, yesterday when I got home I was on the phone with Sheryl and saw the box and just grabbed what I thought was all the mail. When Special K got home and we were talking about our day I told him about my package and he said "you mean the two packages." I was dumbfounded but then ran out to the mail box to find an envelope in the back of the mailbox. I squealed with joy!

Then pick up the envelope, which had Lapdogcreations all over it and was confused. (she already sent me her great package) I ran inside and ripped it open to fine two of the things in her etsy store that I had favorited. The breast cancer pink themed yarn cutter(SO CUTE!) and doggie stitch markers! I read the card and it was from AllyB!! How cool!! I was pretty excited!! It was like a bigger surprise because I didn't know it was there. Thank you so much AllyB and Nicole, both are wonderful! What great craftsmanship. Here's the pic I took last night.

It's all so cute!! If you have not seen Nicole's etsy shop, you much run over and check it out at lapdogcreations.etsy.com.

So...after all this excitement, I settled back into knitting....since I had moved on from the spinning from the previous post to knitting on the February Lady Sweater I'm making for my sister fleas. It's coming along nicely and I seem to be doing a better job paying attention to the increases on this one. I hope to prevent all the ripping back I had to do with the first one. :) What do you think??

Well...I hope everyone is well and yes this is another multiple post day!! Oh and one last thing since it is Thankful Tuesday! I am thankful for Travis and Presley, whose win has allowed me to receive all these wonderful gifts from friends...especially since I've been having a rough week and they have been bringing smiles to my face!! I am also thankful for my friends and family who listen to me when I need them. Thank you!! So...thank you to them and to all the GAD pool participants who have been making my week brighter!!

Have a glorious day and keep on knitting, spinning, dog walking, and enjoying life!

FO ALERT!!! Lady February Sweater!!

Last night I finally sewed up the buttons on my sweater and wove in the ends!! Check me out. I wore it to work today and took some good pictures in my VERY lighted office. :)

Close up of the buttons, which I purchased at Knit n Knibble, a local yarn shop that I like. :)

Well, I'm busy today but wanted to throw this up to show you my awesome sweater. I love it and it's comfortable. It's my first hand knitted item of clothing!! other than socks.. :)

I've starting spinning up some new fiber last night and am hoping to finish my clapotis soon. Still have a lot of rows left.

This weekend, Saturday I'm spending it with Special K and then Sunday we are going to dye some fiber and maybe sew some more bags to put on the etsy site. We'll see.

Hope everyone is good. Happy Friday!!!