If you are happy, I am happy

Hello Friday!! I love the weekend, even though I've had a pretty great week. I have two FO's to share today. 

The first, a headband, I made over a month ago and forgot about. It was one of those, "I really need a quick project so I can feel like I'm accomplishing something" deals. Also excellent stash-busting. I ended up gifting it to my co-worker, because I'm just not a headband kind of girl. I guess. I keep trying.

The pattern is Winter Morning, and it is free. The yarn is from my stash, absolutely lovely soft stuff, Wendy Viva.

The latest project I've finished is a hat for fellow blogger Anke's friend. She had a shout out a few weeks ago asking for hats for her friend who is facing some health issues. The idea grabbed hold of me at once, and I cast on that day. I wobbled for a while, thinking the yarn didn't match the pattern. And maybe it doesn't, but let me tell you, I think it is lovely in person. The yarn is super soft and I think it will feel lovely against her skin.   

Pattern: Foliage Hat
Yarn: King Cole Inspire 

Mindless knits are essential

Well, I cannot deny the truth of it--I have castonitis. In a BIG way. First (weeks ago now), I cast on some fingerless gloves. Then I got to the finger portion and

they were abandoned. I cast on a cabled sweater with the yarn I have left over from this

that was abandoned because I cast on a vest with this gorgeous yarn. It is Wool of the Andes Tweed. 

 
then that was abandoned and I cast on a vest for my daughter

Ok, that isn't all true, not everything has been abandoned. I am knitting the Mielie vest while the kids and I watch TV at night, since it is mainly stockinette. 

I  had to cast on the vest for Isla because all this beautiful yarn arrived in the mail. I also discovered something wonderful--yarn really does cheer me up! We've been having just a wee bit of family worry/drama, and the pumpkin yarn in particular make me feel ever so much better, just by looking at it. So I've left it and a red skein out on my desk, in case I need a quick pick me up. Another nice thing is that the kids saw all the pink (which they had picked) and decided in the future maybe they should pick some other colors. Wouldn't that be wonderful, if they threw in some greens and blues! Rori at least picked that lovely purple on the right, and Isla picked the red. 



So all that should keep me out of trouble for a little while. But I'm not going to lie, for some reason the cold weather is making me want to knit socks. We will see where the season takes me!

Sewing with the kids

Hello! Lately, my kids have been very crafty. First, they asked me to teach them how to knit. Oh, yes, with pleasure I will teach them to knit. They are (slowly) working on some garter stitch squares.

Then, somehow (none of us can remember how it came up) they decided they wanted to learn to sew. A pillow, to be precise. So I taught them, because sewing a square and stuffing it with fluff is just about the easiest thing to learn. They were super excited, because it was fast. And don't we all like instant gratification?

So they made themselves some pillows. And then, they each made me one. And their Dad. And then they made their grandparents each one for Christmas.   

We used stash fabric, except for two pillows (the grandparents pillows), and we did buy fluff. But otherwise, quite an affordable and enjoyable project. Plus, now I have a perfect pillow to use when we are travelling in the car! Next up, they are making themselves fleece ponchos!

Sewing Project

Ahhhh, autumn, I do love you. I love the crisp, sunny days, and the cold nights. I do not love snow on Halloween and how cold and windy it was. But I guess you take the good with the bad, and it all evens out.

These girls, they were not cold. I was though. They raised nearly $50 for UNICEF as well as a bucket-load of candy. I'm proud of them.

I'm knitting lots right now, and loving it. I've even placed a rather large yarn order, with enough to keep me busy right through the winter. I finished Isla's cardigan, but right now I'm going to talk about sewing. I'm not very good at it, but I do give it my best attempt. I've been teaching the girls, but more on that in another post.

First, let me just say we all used to be young. And in my younger days, I was slimmer. The before days. Before kids, before marriage, before I was tired and didn't want to exercise. Just, before. I don't want to go back to those days, but I wouldn't mind going back to slimmer days. I have a Carhart jacket that I love, because it is warm and has lasted over 10 years. Partly because my hips got too full to wear it much. Until I decided to take the scissors to it.

I was scared to cut into this jacket, but if I couldn't wear it, what was the point in having it? So cut it I did. Then I ironed on a heavy duty patch to each cut side and sewed it on as well. 

It isn't pretty, but it does work, and that is what matters. This isn't a fashion coat, it is a work horse coat, and now, I can get even more wear out of it. I'm super pleased.

Next post, all the pillows my girls are making for Christmas!