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Recently, the yarn shop owner suggested that I come up with a few designs using my yarn. That way people at the shop could see how fabulous it looks when it is knit up.
Baby steps.
I have never pictured myself as a designer. Rather, a supporter of designers. Typically it is all I can do to just knit something so that it fits someone – anyone that is willing to take it usually.
But to design? The thought of it makes my stomach hurt a little bit, honestly.
So, I bought a new Moleskine-an undertaking of this sort deserves its own Moleskine-and got out my stitch guide book.
I have been eyeing a new yarn at the shop, Punta Yarns Merisoft Handpaint. It is single ply and I am such a single ply ho that I can’t keep my hands off of it when I am working. I talked to the shop owner about the yarn and asked if I could design something using that yarn. She agreed and I was elated.
A few days later and behold…
It’s a cowl. The One Skein Handpaint Cowl for Skeins Fine Yarns. I have about 30g left over and I think that I will try to make short mitts to match.
Detail of the stitch pattern…
I then got to thinking about all of the babies being born in my circle this year. So many, I may have lost count. I realized that I really should stock up on quick baby knits so that I have something for everyone.
Thus, the Pointy Baby Set was born.
Using A Tree Hugger’s Wife Falkland Bulky yarn. One skein will make you two sets, newborn sized.
It isn’t exactly earth shattering stuff, but it is a wee start.
Here I am, being all kinds of accountable. My weekly check in post. My co-conspirator, Amy, has started a new blog. Go check it out: The Stash Pit. I think that her organizational skills are crazy impressive. Scroll down and you will see. And congratulate her on their awesome new purchase while you are there.
So, where were we? Oh yeah. Catching up. Here goes…
(as posted here)
May Craft Challenge Goals:
- (gift) Baby Blanket – Using Knit Picks Comfy worsted yarn. Crocheted. Lots of babies being born this fall, they all need handmade presents.
Plugging along slowly. I aim for one row a night. 136 stitches per row of double crochet. Mind numbingly slow. But faster than knitting it for sure!
- (gift) Cowl – Using free pattern found on Ravelry (sorry, can’t link to it because the potential recipient is a knitter). Using my hand dyed yarn. {DONE- Yeah!!}
And taking a little swim before blocking it to within an inch of its life…
- (gift) Baby Kicking Sack – Using stashed Socks That Rock yarn and a pattern that I am working out in my head.
Hmm, yeah. This is as far as I have gotten with this one. The month is still young, right?
- (for me) Freyja Sweater KAL – Get started on my Freyja sweater using Frog Tree Alpaca yarn that is waiting patiently. This is going to be a KAL with my friend, Alli. She will blow me out of the water with her smoking needles. I am thinking that she will be done in just a couple of weeks. It might take me a couple of months.
Here is the picture from the magazine…
My yarn colors. Obviously I have issues with deviating too much from the original.
The yarn specs. Also…this will be, to date, my most expensive sweater. Shhh, don’t tell the husband!
Our birth center is having a fundraising auction this weekend so I decided to donate a few things to help them out.
**None of this counts toward my May Craft Challenge since I technically completed them in April**
A skein of my handspun 2 ply 100% Merino (19 micron) in the “Restorative Waters” colorway 110 yards. There are quite a few knitters in the birth center’s circle, so I hope that this is well loved.
A newborn baby kicking sack. I used the Sheepy Sack pattern (free) and it was super easy and quick. I plan on doing more of these, just a little bit differently (as I did here). I used my own hand dyed 100% wool yarn in the unnamed colorway (trying to be gender neutral). A kicking sack is worn instead of pants for naps. It can be lanolized and used with cloth diapers just like longies.
Next time I make it, I won’t do an i-cord.
1. Because I hate making i-cord.
2. Because I think that the waist (which is actually the bottom if you do it as the pattern is written) is awesome as is.
If I didn’t tempt you enough with the last post of Sprinkles cupcakes, here is a little bit of yum. Because everything is better with fresh whipped cream and nonpareils. Even chocolate cake that you make in the microwave that is so freaking sweet that you have to share it with at least 2 or 3 other people. This is my “oh crud, I really want dessert, but didn’t make anything” recipe. I usually add in a small handful of chocolate chips before nuking.
I know, I am a couple days late in announcing what my craft challenge goals are for the month of May. It was a lovely weekend here in Juneau filled with lots of pantry restocking, sock knitting teaching, fire pit digging and sandbox construction.
Up here, we have to take advantage of good weather…it doesn’t happen as often as we would like. Before we moved to Juneau, I would often read about other Juneau knitters apologizing for not making it to knitting groups, etc. Usually the reason would go something along the lines of, “Sorry I didn’t make it, but the sun came out and I had to get out into my yard!” Short, simple and to the point. Now I understand what they were talking about.
Anyway.
May Craft Challenge Goals:
- (gift) Baby Blanket – Using Knit Picks Comfy worsted yarn. Crocheted. Lots of babies being born this fall, they all need handmade presents.
- (gift) Cowl – Using free pattern found on Ravelry (sorry, can’t link to it because the potential recipient is a knitter). Using my hand dyed yarn.
- (gift) Baby Kicking Sack – Using stashed Socks That Rock yarn and a pattern that I am working out in my head.
- (for me) Freyja Sweater KAL – Get started on my Freyja sweater using Frog Tree Alpaca yarn that is waiting patiently. This is going to be a KAL with my friend, Alli. She will blow me out of the water with her smoking needles. I am thinking that she will be done in just a couple of weeks. It might take me a couple of months.
Unfortunately my main sewing machine, my one true love Emma, is in need of repair. And the closest repair shop is hundreds of miles away. So, that means no sewing for me this month unless it is an emergency job and I use Mom’s old Kenmore- that can’t reverse stitch and has tension issues.
May shall be a yarny month I believe.
And since I can’t go two posts in a row without pictures, I will give you a couple from a baby shower that I recently co-hosted.
Yum! I made the cupcakes! My Aunt in Dallas sent me a Sprinkles Red Velvet cupcake mix as a special favor – the new Mama loves her some Red Velvet cupcakes and these are always a big hit. The powder in the mix turns every surface in my kitchen red for a few days. It is all worth it though.
Our weather is getting a little better every day. Yesterday it was in the 40′s and nice and sunny. Finally. I took advantage of the beautiful day and did lots of yard work.
And later, did a little bit of relaxing with a drink and some knitting while the boys played.
