Knitting, Sewing and Stitching

Ever since I added to my stash with things from the Textile Center's Garage Sale I've been busy making. I'm working on a scarf using this Ravelry pattern, French CanCan by Mademoiselle C. 

I also finished a skirt using the black and pale pink pique which fits perfectly. I usually have trouble fitting commercial patterns so I used this YouTube video by Felicia Zee and made a pattern from my measurements. I have to say it fits like a dream! I have sewn quite a bit in my life so I didn't have any problem making it. If you haven't sewn a lot you may want to find some instructions for cutting lining and facings and putting in a zipper. All in all I was quite pleased with how it turned out.

A funny thing to add is while I was writing this post I couldn't think of the word pique so I googled fabric types and found  Sirs Fabric, a site with images and descriptions of different fabrics.

I've also finished my newest spiral pattern called Grateful Heart. You can find it in my etsy shop here. I'll have more on that in my next post and some tips on stitching text to achieve the look you are going for.  Until then, enjoy your day - the weather here is (finally) stunning so I'm heading out to soak up some sun.

Tiny Knitting and a Makeover

Welcome to 2016! This year feels like fresh new start and fresh starts is what this blog post is about!

When I was about ten I visited my grandparents in Minneapolis. My grandma took me to a toy store where we found a beautiful doll. She was the only one of her kind, wearing a hot pink dress with small white buttons and a white collar. Plus that hair! She was mine!!!

This fall I helped my dad with a yard sale and in the bottom of a box of toys I found her, minus her pink dress and a lot of messy hair. She was on the table for sale, but alas nobody wanted her. She was looking a little sad wearing an over sized pinafore, and a layer of dirt on her face and clothes. Instead of sending her off to Goodwill I decided to keep her and give her a makeover. Such good memories that she surely was deserving of a new look.

She's had a bath, her hair was dunked in fabric softener to tame it (although I think it needs to be rinsed out a bit more) and that sad pinafore is now clean. Next up some new clothes that fit!

While rooting through the library at the Textile Center I came upon some vintage knitting patterns for dolls and decided a sweater was just the thing to begin the new look. After reading through the patterns none of them were quite the right size or style. Elizabeth Zimmerman's bottom up sweater design (for more info go here) seemed like the right way to go. I knit a swatch, took her measurements and kind of make up some of it as I went. It looks pretty good, although for a human it might be a little tight under the arms. This dolly won't complain because it's way better than that silly smock. Next pants, skirt, dress? I'm not quite sure. Actually maybe some undies!

If you are interested in dolls, she has some markings on the back of her neck and I looked them up. She was made in Italy in 1967 by Italocremona a company no longer in business.

Stash Busting

STASH BUSTING HAS BEGUN

After writing about shopping my stash I figured starting a project to use some up would be a good idea.  I am not exactly sure what this is going to be but I love the intense red and working  with a grid.  When there were only four squares cut out they were going to be coasters but that didn't bust much stash, so now there are nine.  Still not much used up so there is a nice stack of red squares waiting to be added into the design.  We'll see how big it gets.

SIMPLE SHIBORI COWL

        

Last night while watching a movie I finished this cowl.  It's made out of Alchemy Yarns of Transformation's Silken Straw and Temple.  To finish, it goes in the washing machine to be lightly felted, which happens tomorrow after the big game (Go Packers!) ...or maybe Monday.  The garter stitch design disappears when the wool is felted and the silk drapes beautifully.  I saw this made up last spring when I was at the Minnesota Yarn Shop Hop at Steven Be's and fell in love with it.  

THE NEXT BIG PROJECT

The next project is a sweater made out of lace weight.  Call me crazy.  I did a small swatch to get gauge and it drapes beautifully.  The swatch knit up easily but working the first few rows has been a little frustrating but I'm going to carry on.

Have you started any stash busting projects?

Make Your Own Minion!

While I have not seen the movie Despicable Me, I think the Minions are pretty cute. If you are a knitter (and if you're not, this could be the nudge to get you to learn) go to Kat Knits for the pattern. She has very detailed instructions and they are just darling. How can you resist?

Snow Buddies

Go over to The Purl Bee and check out these darling little snowbuddies to knit for the holidays. Now, knitting is not my number one crafting event, but they are so cute I am tempted to get out my needles and start knittin' and purlin'.