My Big Project

Since September I have been working on a pretty serious project!  Driven mainly by my lack of maternity wear and not being able to find a pattern I liked on Ravelry, I decided to design my own sweater!  I've done modifications to baby sweaters and hats before, but I feel like this is my first real try with such a big project.

I think I'm going to call it the 'Mama Au Lait' sweater.  It's the scrumptious color of a 'coffee with milk', which is pretty much all my hubby and I drink.  Also, my plan is for it to be a perfect draping cover while nursing this winter after my baby is born.  My sense of humor isn't the greatest, but I do enjoy playing with words!

Here is the sweater so far...  The sides hang for 26 inches, with an increase to wrap around longer in the back.  I'm on the decrease now (Yay!  Feels like a small victory!) and just need to finish the left side and then add sleeves.  There is a cable at the bottom and a cable pattern that travels along the top too.  I love the way it will look around the neck.  

You can see the increase below... and let me tell you, this was a huge challenge for me!  What I love about each project is the new skills that are learned while figuring things out!  I had to do some tests, making 1 right or left and which should be on which side... then how to make the decreases match... on and on... fun knitting stuff!

Although I've gotten sidetracked by knitting a new hat and making birthday stuff for my girly girl, I'm hoping to spend some good hours finishing this sweater.  With only 7(!) weeks left of pregnancy, I'd better get a move on!

Break Time!

After taking out 22 rows of knitting today, and realizing that I missed one cable and thus need to take out another 4 rows..... it's time to take a break!

I think when I'm working on a pattern that requires a lot of attention, I need something on the side to break it up.  Something simple, something gratifying, something small.  Something for a baby!

I've browsed several books for baby ideas, and the Ribbed Baby Jacket by Debbie Bliss is one of the ONLY sweaters that has really jumped out at me as cute and practical for a newborn.  I even picked out lavender yarn for the project, it just looks so sweet!  I'm using yarn from the new Martha Stewart craft line that Joann's is carrying.  It's an acrylic and wool blend, super soft, and has a light sheen that gives the stitches a really defined look.  So excited!

P.S.  I'll post about the frustrating project mentioned at the top at some point.  I'm working on a drapey sweater perfect for pregnant and nursing mamas.  Only problem is that I'm making it up as I go along, so it's a bit more involved than I'd planned!  I really do love it, but my brain needs a breather!

Cropped Sweater Details

I thought I would share a little of my process from the Cropped Sweater.  The pattern came from Bergere de France Tricot Kid 512.  I decided to do a size 8 for Aevyn.  She'll be 7 this fall, so I wanted to make sure she would be able to wear it for a long time!

I used Deborah Norville Serenity yarn, and I loved it.  I will say that it unravels a bit, but that's only after frogging... multiple times.  Which I did!!!  I view it all as good practice, and the more you take out, the faster you become at it!

The pattern used two strands of their yarn on size 8 and 9 needles.  I only used one strand and after testing gauge, used size 10 and 11 needles.  

Here you can see one whole sleeve and the beginning of the body.  I love how it was worked across in one piece like this.  I actually took it back a few rows after this picture because I didn't think the body was right.  It seemed so short, so I added a few stitches to the moss pattern on each side (I think 6 or 8).  I'm sure it would have been fine otherwise, but I like that it adds a little more weight to the bottom half.  

The front and back are worked separately while the other half is on a stitch marker.  This forms the neck and then they join again for the rest of the body and other sleeve.  

The neck is picked up and knit in double rib, and then all that's left is to sew the sleeves and sides together.

Aevyn has already worn the sweater three times, and one of them was for picture day at school.  I am so happy that she loves it!  It makes each stitch worth the effort.

Thanks for reading!

My Favorite Fall Colors!

I've been following Celebrate Color, which is hosted by a few fabulous bloggers this fall.  Very inspiring for bright, cozy projects to beat the rainy days we've been having here!  And not limiting autumn to orange and black, my favorite fall colors are red and purple!

Here are some pictures I took at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.  Longwood belonged to Pierre S. du Pont, who built magnificent gardens, fountains, and a Conservatory, all with the best ingenuity of his time.  I grew up often visiting the gardens with my parents and my best friends family.  It is now our go-to place for inspiration, relaxation, and beauty.  

One thing I love about autumn is the bright pops of color that stand out against their darker contrasts.  The purple plants provide that anchor for the reds to be so vibrant.

How cool are these peppers?

So, to celebrate autumn this year, Aevyn will be wearing her new purple sweater!

We love it paired with bright red pants!

I just can't resist hugging her in this cozy sweater.

This was a project that I loved the whole process of.  It had just the right amount of challenge to keep from being boring, while not crossing over into discouraging.  I did have to call on Kate (my personal expert) several times, as I'm still getting the hang of reading patterns.  But knitting is always more fun with others!

                                         
Today is another rainy day here on the East Coast, so head over and check out all the beautiful images and projects at Celebrate Color!

Another Work in Progress....

I'm still working on my sweater for Aev, but I like to have a lot of projects on the back burner!  I guess it keeps me from getting too stressed out with any single project.  

William has been really into superheroes lately.  He likes to talk about them, dress like them, and pretend to be them.  As Aevyn said one afternoon, "Which hero are you today?  Or are you just Will?"  I'm pretty happy with 'just Will', but his answer was Captain America.  

I don't find much inspiration for the boy, so when I do, I definitely want to do what I can to make something special for him too.  So, I decided to make a Captain America sweater!  

I love doing colorwork, mainly because it is so challenging, but this almost made me insane!

12 bobbins of yarn at one time!  And I had to untangle them after every row!  (I still haven't woven in all my ends!)  But, it's better than trying to do all of that in the round.  I decided that I would knit the Captain America shield and then patch it onto the sweater.  It won't look very professional, but I am NOT at the point where I can do all of that on a circular.  

I'm knitting the sweater in a raglan style from the top down.  It is all stockinette, so the neck, sleeves, and bottom will have a rolled effect.

William starts preschool this week, so I will have 2 1/2 hours, 3 mornings a week with NO KIDS IN THE HOUSE!  Seems pretty crazy... but I totally plan on knitting during those hours.  Not cleaning... not getting ready for the baby... knitting!  So I should soon have both of the kids in new sweaters for the fall.  And then I'll have to find a few new projects!

Getting Ready for Fall

I am knitting a sweater for Aevyn that I think is going to be adorable for school!  My husband bought me a Bergere de France knitting magazine, and I absolutely love the patterns!  First of all, it was very special that he would pick out something so perfect; but second, it's very hard for me to find a collection of patterns that impresses me that much.  I would love to knit several of the sweaters for Aev. 

But, one at a time.... this is the sweater she's getting first.

Bergere de France Cropped Sweater

I've worked across one sleeve so far, and am getting ready to split for the neck.

The top photo doesn't show the color very well, but this next one is not very sharp.  Combine the two, you get the picture!  

I'm using Debbie Norville Serenity yarn.  It's a cheap acrylic, but it will be easy to care for, and I love how plush it is!

I'm looking forward to knitting a lot while we're stuck inside with Hurricane Irene coming up the coast... and the best part is that they have already cancelled the first day of school!  One more day with my girl!

Stay safe and dry this weekend!

A Sweater for Adelaide

On Saturday, April 2nd, my sweet little Adelaide turned one year old!  No, she is not my baby, but my honorary third child!  She belongs to my dear friend, Kate, who says I can share her!  You would want her to- she is such an adorable, cuddly thing!

Here is the sweater I knitted for her birthday.  It's based on the Baby Sophisticate sweater that I did a while back, but I did a rounded bottom, 3/4 length sleeves, and the edges are done in ribbing instead of garter stitch.  I don't normally go for variegated yarns, but I love these girly colors!

Addie's sweater!

Those eyes!  She didn't want to sit still enough to model, but nothing can hide that cuteness!

Here she is with her gorgeous mama, again trying to wiggle away!

Here's a fun movie of William teaching Addie to play the kazoo.  So, his birthday gift to her was her very own instrument!

Happy birthday, little Addie!  You are so special in our lives and I'm glad I get to watch you grow and learn each week!  (And I'm really glad I have a little one to knit for!)

Baby Gift

I went to a shower this weekend for a friend who is having a baby boy soon.  This is the sweater I made for him.  It's the Baby Sophisticate by Linden Down. 

I learned a few new things with this pattern.  This was the first time I've done raglan sleeves and I love it!  The increase used was a backward loop.  The collar was made with a wrap and turn (w&t).  I'm not a big fan of seaming, so I was thrilled to do most of it in one piece.

 

I used Lion Cotton, so it will be easy to clean and light for the spring. 

I'd like to do a girl version with one button and a rounded bottom edge. 

Winding Path Complete!

It took about one month, but my first sweater is complete!  This is the Winding Path pattern from Wenlan Chia, as featured in 50 Reversible Knits.

You can see in my photos how the neck can be worn as the body.  Very clever idea, but I much prefer it with the stockinette body and big ribbed neck.  This sort of defeats the whole point of the 'winding path' though!  I also want to add a few inches to the stockinette, since it rolls.  And to the sleeves.  

Flipped upside down- so cozy!!

Winding Path ribbing

I love the color and I love how warm the sweater is!  All in all, I'm very pleased with my first try and I can't wait to make another sweater.  Well, maybe for next fall and winter!

Busy Knitting

I have finished the body and 2 sleeves for my Winding Path sweater.  I used size 13 needles for the ribbed part of the body and switched to 15 for the sleeves and neck.  Yes, the neck is the big part done in stockinette. 

All that's left is to sew the sleeves on and seam them together!  

As a side project I've been working on a hat for one of my best friends little boy.  The style she dresses her son in is very preppy, so a monogrammed hat is perfect!  This was very quick and quite fun too!  

Here's my own scallywag modeling his pal's new hat.  I love that face!

Friday for Another Day

On Fridays I am going to try to post an inspiring project I'd like to make someday.  If I ever get around to it... we'll see!  I could spend hours looking through projects on Ravelry!  Here's one I would love to try making in early spring.  I think it looks great with jeans, and would be something I'd wear every day.

Designer: Jane Richmond

She has some other patterns that would be fun too.  

These mittens are supposed to be a quick knit.  My hubby could use a pair, and I'd probably add a cable in the center for a girly version as well:

Quick Mittens for Men

Have a great weekend!  Make something fun!

5 hours, 1 skein

Every other Tuesday night I host a 'knit together' at my house.  My dear friend, Kate, who first inspired me to learn knitting, helped start it and we have several friends who have come.  3 ladies have learned to knit, and the rest of us pick up new skills as we see what others are doing.  Kate is also the one knitting the Winding Path sweater with me.  This Tuesday we had several hours to get it started.  Here are some images of what we accomplished!

Kate's sweater on the left, mine on the right.

The 'Winding Path' increases

Working k3tog

We had to work some new increases that neither of us had tried before.  We learned the LI(lifted increase) where you knit into the stitch below the next one on the left needle.  However, following the pattern, we were on a purl stitch.  It doesn't look as 'invisible' as everyone says this increase should look, but it's ok.  And after much searching, we decided to make our own video of the LI2-p(double purled lifted increase).  Hope it helps someone out there!

Knock, Knock

Who's there?  A box of 6 skeins of yarn?  Perfect!

French Berry!!!

So, this is the yarn for my new knitting project... a sweater!  My friend, Kate, and I decided to knit a sweater back a couple months ago.  This is a first for us and we were waiting for the holidays to be over.  So, come early January, I went online and ordered my yarn, and here it is!  Cheap (or should we say frugal?), bright, and super soft!  The sweater we are going to knit is Winding Path from the book Reversible Knits: 50 Brand-New, Groundbreaking Stitch Patterns, and can be viewed here on Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winding-path

I'll post pictures as we knit along.

Snowy Days

I love snow days!  I never thought I would look forward to days when school was cancelled, but now that my little girly is in kindergarten, I cherish the days we unexpectedly get to just hang around the house together.  Movies, hot chocolate, books, games, and a little knitting for me!

I finished a new hat for Aevyn this morning.  It's a beret style with a bow threaded through the rim.  I'm not sure of that detail yet.  I might switch it out for a floppy, satin bow.  What do you think?  You can buy your own soon in my etsy shop!

I'm looking forward to a cozy evening with my husband tonight.  He was stuck in Detroit last night after his flight home was cancelled, so it will be nice to spend some time together.  Have you ever played Settlers of Catan?  It's one of our favorite games, and we also have the card game, for nights when it's just the two of us.  I'm thinking some spiced wine might be just the thing to help beat the cold winter night.  Here's my recipe:

Winter Wassail

4 cups red wine

4 orange slices

6 whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

2 T sugar

Simmer these together for about 15 minutes.

Pour into mugs and use cinnamon stick as a garnish.

(I think I'll add a dash of Cointreau or brandy too!) 

Enjoy your winter evening!!