Christmas knits

I'm waaaaay behind in my posts, because it is near the end of March and I'm going to post my Christmas knits. Oh well, better late than never I guess. 

Every year I try to knit the girls something for Christmas--teaching that homemade is best and whatnot. This year I made them shawls. I know, they are only 10, but for whatever reason they both really wanted shawls. Thus far I've only knit small shawls, or shawlettes, or whatever your call them, so I wanted to pick something relatively easy. I picked the Campside shawl, and I really enjoyed it (even making two!). The pattern is free, which never ceases to amaze me, people are just so giving with their talent.

I chose Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool, in the girliest colors ever (I think they are just now thinking there is a world outside of pink and purple). The yarn is 45% Wool, 35% Silk, 20% manufactured Fibers - Nylon / Polyamide. I liked the yarn, it was different than what I normally use, and was a nice change of scenery if you will.

They shawls took about a month and a half each for me to knit, in secret, with the girls beating down the door because it was locked. They love them however, and that is all that matters. 

 
I also knit them both a hat, from patterns I already had, and yarn I didn't know what to do with. 

Now that it is waaaaay past Christmas and time for their birthday I've knit them fingers mitts, but that is a post for another day, it took me long enough to hit publish on this one!

A new sweater

It occurred to me, around the middle of June, that I should start knitting the girls their sweaters for this winter, if I had any hope of getting them done in time. Did it matter that I already had a cardigan, a sweater, and a pair of socks on the needles? Nope. I love that they are still small enough the project just fly off the needles. We picked a pattern that all three of us liked, so I have the option of making one for myself if I want. This pattern was excellent because it had the size XS, perfect for my 10 year old girls, all the way up to XXL, which I hope I will never need. Being frugal, I do love when I can pay for one pattern and use it three times (or four if I make my Grandma one).

She picked black, which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The pattern is called Bloomsbury, by Svetlana Volkova. It is well written, and turned out beautifully. Also, it can be worn with the plain side in front (as it is meant to be) or you can turn it around and have the lace work in front. Variety!! Now' I'm off to start the second one, this time in teal, which I'm looking forward to. Then, I'll have to consider some yarn to make one for myself, because I'm in love with this sweater.

Baby sweaters

I may be quiet, but I'm still here!! I've been knitting some baby items, for my husband's friend at work. She is expecting a much anticipated grand child, and so I got busy with my needles. Plus, knitting baby clothes is so much fun!

I made the above with stash yarn and free patterns (yay!), so not only am I gifting, but I'm technically cleaning too. The cardigan is Puerperium cardigan, and the booties are Baby Uggs. Those baby things were so fun, I made a few more:

It is called the Little Seedling Soaker. I used Deborah Norville Serenity Baby yarn for it. And lastly, one more sweater and a hat, also from stash yarn (that I think I've had for about 10 years, just waiting for a project). The set is called Star Bright, and in hindsight I should have knit the hat in the round, but live and learn I guess. The yarn is Sidar Supersoft Aran, and the picture doesn't really do the color justice, it is more of a pale grey blue.

All of those projects I finished by June, and then I started knitting Isla a sweater for this winter. I'll post about that next, because I'm really rather proud of how it turned out. 

Thanks for stopping by!

She likes sleeveless

Hello, thanks for stopping by! I seem to be getting my knitting groove back (the rainy weather probably helps), and even though I'm getting some stuff done, I am having trouble blogging about it. It has been super busy at work, and getting the garden ready for summer, and protected from the deer. In fact, nothing is protected yet, and we've just been lucky. The chicken coop is done however, so at least the girls can sleep out there instead of in the garage.

They are such wee cuties, and they are growing so fast!

I finished Isla's Britannia a couple of weeks ago, and then never got around to weaving the ends in. Now it is chilly again, and she wants to wear it. It only took 5 minutes, I don't know why I waited so long. She's very happy with it, and wants another with long sleeves. That can wait until the autumn however.

She's just like me, and can't stand having anything tight on her neck. The first time I did the neck opening it was too tight, so I ripped it back and then went up several needle sizes. It looks a wee bit floppy in the pics, but I haven't washed it yet, as I can't get it off of her. The yarn is Berroco Vintage DK in ruby. I like the yarn (currently using it for a cardigan for myself). I like the pattern, and I like that I can make an adult size too. Bonus!

That's it for me, happy crafting!

 

Girl's Knits

This will be one fast post. We are off down the road to try find a commuter car for Dave. We've been a one car family for as long as we can, and now we really need that second car. Dance class, soccer, you know how it goes.

I finished Rori's Alchemist. She seems to like it, and both her and Isla have been taking turns wearing it. I should have knit the armholes one needle down, but I didn't, and that's ok. The yarn is Plymouth Encore.

Lastly, here is a long-overdue picture of Isla in her Tiny Tea Leaves. We forgot for ages to take a picture, and then the day we chose was freezing cold. We ran onto the porch, grabbed a couple of pictures, and then ran inside again. Brrrrrr, winter is here.

We definitely got the most from this pattern. Two pullover sweaters and two cardigan. Brilliant.

That's all from me for now. Happy New Year everyone, I hope that 2015 treats you right!

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!

Rori's cardigan

Hello! This will be short and sweet, as I've got to pack for a work trip to the west side of the state, and get hubby and the kids organized before I go. Then I come home and I swoop in to take the kids to the grandparents for a weekend so Dave can work in peace and quiet.

I finished Rori's Tiny Tea Leaves, and she loves it. She put it on right after I blocked it and wore it for several days straight. Then the weather warmed up, and it got tucked away for a few days. No worries though, she'll need it again this weekend.

I let both girls pick their own buttons (and yarn color). Of course they picked the exact same buttons.

I'm making good progress on Isla's cardigan as well. I've got about 5 inches on one of the sleeves. I find sleeves so endlessly boring, I just lose interest. It will be some good hotel knitting though!

Pattern: Tiny Tea Leaves
Yarn: Knit Picks wool of the Andies superwash in marina (blueish color) and fairytale (purplish color). I like this yarn so far.
Mods: none. I knit them in a size 10 so they would be slightly too big and hopefully last longer.

That's it for me. I've started a new Aran jumper, but that will have to keep until next week. Gives me more time to add a few more inches to it.

Have a great weekend!