Socks and capri pants and others things.

So, I finished these socks.

And started working on some dishcloths which has been a nice change of pace.  I'm still trying to use up my stash instead of buying yarn and I have plenty of cotton yarn to draw from.

These round dish cloths were so fun. I used up all of my multicolored cotton yarn remnants making them.

I was inspired by Sonya Philip so I made some capri pants using McCall's 5862.  

I added 4 inches to the pattern width by slashing and spreading and they may be a bit big but I'm still pretty happy with them.  Especially the 2 black pair.  The are great for work.

I needed some more work tops so I took the two Star Wars dresses that I made from Simplicity 1630.

And cut them down to top length.  At first I was super annoyed because I thought I cut them too short but I'm wearing the Darth Vader top today and it works perfectly with my black capris and black cardigan.

I got bored with dishcloths so I started some more vanilla socks.  Not sure about this yarn colorway.

I'm hoping to make some more summer tops in the next few weeks. I bought some cool fabric on sale so I think I'll be cutting into it soon.  After that I want to start thinking about fall and winter stuff. My sewing goal is to have enough me made stuff to participate in #MeMadeMay in the spring :)

The Lusty Month of May

May got away from me.  I got some stuff accomplished I swear.

This pic is crap but anyway I finished these socks...

And these socks.

And started a new pair. They started as Hermione's Everyday Socks but I didn't like the texture of the fabric created by the pattern so I ended up using the same pattern that I used for the last three pairs.

I think I'm going to take a break from socks after this pair. I still have enough Felici sock yarn for 3 more pairs but I need a break.

I finally finished the Swatch Quilt that I started awhile ago.  I got to use my mom's Featherweight!  It runs so well and with the special 1/4" seam allowance foot that I bought I get perfect seams now :)

Once I got the top pieced together I switched to my Brother sewing machine and started sewing the sandwich together.  So much puckered fabric.  I'll have to do a better job basting next time.  

It has lots of probs.  (I machine sewed the binding instead of hand sewing so it's not great looking.  Definitely not county fair worthy.) But I still really like it and it will be great for keeping warm on the couch this winter.

I still need to finish my Christine's Kitchen Quilt but I also really want to sew some capris and tops for work.  I'm so inspired by Sonya Philip and her 100 Acts of Sewing Patterns and all the awesome posts during Me Made May and I want to participate next year so I need to start creating some clothes!

Here is cat "helping".

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.