Socks and sewing and Christine's Kitchen Quilt

April is turning out to be a pretty active crafting month.  I finished one pair of socks and I'm almost done with another pair.

I started making a quilt top.  For some reason I felt compelled to learn how to paper piece so I watched some videos on Youtube and started the Christine's Kitchen Quilt-a-long.  The patterns are free and I was able to use fabric that I already own.  So that was nice :)

I really like the way it's turning out!  We're on week 6 now so I'll work on that this week.

I also started another quilt top! This one is pretty easy and I can work on it whenever.  I don't have to wait for a pattern to be released.  It's the Swatch Quilt from the Cotton + Steel website.  I really like the way it's looking.  I still need to work on getting accurate 1/4" seam allowances tho.  That part is tripping me up.  It's kind of embarrassing that I have so much fabric in my stash that I don't want to use for garment sewing anymore.  It's makes me feel good that I'm still able to put it to good use tho :)

Finishing up some WIP's and hopefully getting back into the sewing and knitting groove

Thank goodness it's spring!  I cut this dress out ages ago and finally finished it up.  It's out of flannel so it's warm but heavy.  Definitely don't need to wear it now.  Maybe next winter.

Here's the pattern that I used.  I've made view B three times now.  I like this pattern for a house dress so they definitely never go outside LOL

Finally finished my Susan B. Anderson How I Make My Socks socks.  They turned out nice and they fit!

I started another pair of socks using the same pattern and some self-striping Felici from Knit Picks in Chickadee colorway. They will go to my mom.

Here's Ole Poke.  How is that comfortable? :)

February is a dull month

So I'm still working on Pussy Hats.  Finished two more and have two left to make.  I offered to make one for my coworker who actually marched because she deserves it!

In between hats I made a doll sized hat for this overpriced American Girl knockoff doll.  I had to buy it because it's a boy and I always wanted to try to make 18" sized doll clothes. Ripley was super impressed.

Went to the Round Mountain Battlefield Reenactment this month.  That was cool.

The daffodils are starting to bloom at my Granny's!

That's pretty much it.  February is a weird month.  Waiting for spring.  Thinking about making stuff for spring but it's still winter.  I'll be glad when winter is over :)

I bought some Felici sock yarn from Knitpicks on sale!  So excited at all these potential beautiful socks!

Here's some goofy pics of Ripley and Zippy the dachshund who was my house guest this month.

Another Simplicity 1620 jacket and Pussy Hats

Finished this Simplicity 1620 jacket. I'm happy with the way it turned out. I tried to be more mindful and attentive with the sewing process so it turned out better then the first (which I rushed) but washing it made it pill. Really annoyed about that! If it wasn't for the pilling it would be perfect for work. I'm going to look into some depilling options. I wear my yellow rainbow one at home all the time. It's really comfy.

The socks are on hold for now. Some friends from work asked if I could make some Pussy Hats for them. I bought this really cool sparkly yarn from Joanns. 

I used this pattern. It had been in my favorites on Ravelry for a long time. 

The pattern called for worsted and the ball band says worsted and size 8 needles but it knit up more like a sport weight to me. My first attempt, I cast on the suggested 88 stitches and used US 6 needles for the brim but it was way too small. Ripley liked it tho 😉

So I ripped it out and cast on 96. It was better and probably close to average sized. It was still a bit too small for my 22 1/2" head but it will fit the smaller headed ladies. I turned it inside out to do the Three Needle Bind Off and it looked so pretty!

I knit the FO to 9" and it's probably a bit tall for an average head so I'll keep that in mind for the next one. 

I have 3 more to make. I bought like 5 balls so I have way too much yarn but I didn't want to run out LOL. 

Here's my super cool recent purchase. I'm not even a fan of the comic but knitting!

And silly cat all up in my biznez

Sewing it up

So, I've been cleaning out my apartment and giving stuff away and when I got to my fabric stash I decided that I had to sew it up or give it away which finally motivated me to get to work. 

Finished this item that I've had cut out for like 3 weeks. Another Simplicity 1620. I wish now that the fabric was going the other direction with R2D2 right side up and C3PO reversed but oh well. 

I had plans to make a Wide Open pouch from Noodlehead for like forever. I wanted a bag for knitting projects. I really like how this turned out. I want to make several others but first I want to get a zipper foot and also a walking foot to make quilted versions. 

So, I've had this polar fleece fabric for like 2 years and finally made the jacket thing I wanted. It's view D from Simplicity 1620. Really like it. It's soft and cozy. I've already cut out a grey version for work. 

Bought two cool sewing books so I plan to make some more cool stuff soon and also a book on sock knitting which is one of my goals for 2017. Knitting more socks. 

Saw this poster at the library. It's how I feel about all my projects. LOL

Here's goofy Ripley, always going where she's not supposed to be. 

Mama Vertebrae and 1898 Hat

Finally finished this freakin' cardigan!

The sleeves are a bit long. I wanted them to hit right at the elbow but the cuff is right below the elbow. Also, this style of cardi doesn't close across the chest. It's made to frame the torso and I think for me it's a little too titastic LOL. I'm still proud of it tho and I really like the color. I don't think longterm projects are for me. I like stuff that lasts one, two weeks tops. I still want to make cardis but small ones for babies and dogs and stuff ;)

I have a skein leftover so I started a new pair of socks! I have been wearing my Felici Rainbow socks and they are so warm. I really want to focus on making more socks this year :)

Still trying to use up my stash and not spend money on new yarn so I reclaimed the yarn from two hats that I wasn't happy with and never wore. I heard on Very Pink Knits podcast how to reclaim yarn by frogging then washing it. It worked so well.

I reclaimed 4 skeins of gorgeous Malabrigo. I used one to make this Rikke and I love it! So soft and warm. 

I also experimented with making a messy bun hat. I made a sample with some chunky yarn that I had in stash. It turned out to be too big for my friend, Amber, and the bun hole was too small. I made another one in black and she tried it on and acted like she might wear it but it's probably part of her dog's bedding now or something LOL. Not really my best work. 

I also made another Antler Toque This one was for my Uncle Brian. It turned out really well and my Aunt Rhonda sent me a pic of him wearing it today. 

I'm still trying to use up that Basil Plymouth North yarn so I made this awesome 1898 Hat! I really really love how it turned out! It was such a fun hat to make. And looks hard but it was so simple. I'm sure I'll be making more in the future. 

I also made another gold Gellatly hat for my friend, Jennifer, at work but forgot to take a pic. 

I thought December 2016 was a lazy knitting month but looking at my projects I feel better about it. Just from now on no more big projects! Ugh!

I'm not hoarding yarn (thank goodness that would break my pocketbook!) but I've started buying patterns from my favorite designers when they come on sale. I bought several over the last month so more cool projects to come!

And here's Pokey napping on his food bowl LOL! 

FO socks and Mama Vertebrae WIP

Finally finished my first pair of socks! I think they turned out pretty good for a first attempt. I used Knit Picks Felici in Rainbow and a gray Felici for the contrast color. Things I learned: two at a time magic loop is where it's at, with self-striping yarn I need to start with the same color stripe, I followed the pattern and made the leg part 7" long but it's really too tall for me, I need to cast on more stitches next time for a looser sock (I may give these away, they're a bit snug), my kitchener stitch on the toe wasn't the best (the second sock is way better then the first). 

I definitely want to make more socks and I'm so excited to wear these despite their flaws. They aren't good enough to enter in the fair but now that I feel more comfortable with sock making I'll have better luck at making that winning pair ;)

I like this yarn. It's a good alternative if I want a cheaper option. It did split pretty bad which was annoying but it's soft so that's good. I think my next socks I'll get some higher quality yarn. I feel better about doing that since I was successful with this cheaper pair. 

I've been working on this Mama Vertebrae since October 16th. It feels like it's taking forever! I like how it's turning out tho. I can see the end in sight so I'll try to focus on it completely and get it done!

I gave my cousin Amelia a Gellatly Hat and she sent me a pic on Thanksgiving. I love the way it looks with her red hair!

Then today her sister Abigail sent me a pic of both of them wearing the hats I made them. So cute!! Made me tear up, y'all. 

Here's Ripley imitating a shrimp :)