Absence

Since writing last I haven't been very crafty.

I started a new job in October and that's kept me fairly busy during the days and at night there are so many other things I have to do and crafting has to step back.

Now that we're moving into summer (we've had the most glorious weather the past weeks) and we have more light once again I might get started.

I need to clean up my sewing room. It's cluttered and messy and doesn't really invite to work in it.

I have a ton of projects on my list that I want to make. I think I have to prioritize so first up are our new kitchen curtains.

Isabel got new curtains last Sunday in celebration of her first lost tooth.



She accidentally swallowed it while stuffing her face with candy. But the Tooth Fairy accepted the little note that we put under the pillow and left a shiny golden coin on Isabel's window sill.

New dress

Three weeks ago I saw a knitted little dress at the LYS and fell for it immediately. I was a little reluctant about sizing though. I have a not-quite 2-year-old who is taller and heavier than many 3-year-olds I know, and the sizes on the pattern went only to 18 months.

But I did some swatching and some calculating and finally decided on knitting the largest size on 3.5 mm needles instead of the 3s the pattern called for. That gave me enough girth around waist and chest to fit her comfortably.

Normally I lose interest halfway up the back piece, but this time I finished the back in less than a week and when time came for me to go on a business trip I brought it along and knitted in the car (No, I wasn't driving) for the 2,5 hours it took to get there.
I also had plenty of time to do some knitting in the evenings. Both at the bar and in my room.

I quickly decided not to put sleeves on the dress (there were really cute puffed sleeves on the pattern) because I prefer the look above with a sleeveless dress with a little shirt underneath.

I sewed the sides together last evening and weaved in ends until 10:30 pm. This morning I dug through my (tiny) button supply and found a button that will work for now - I might buy a new one later - and Sofia got to wear the dress for daycare today.

She kept stroking it and twirling it so I think she liked it.

Pattern notes
Needles: 3.5 mm
Yarn: Kasper from Marks & Kattens, 4 skeins variegated and 1 skein solid
Size: 18 months (sized up to 2 years using lager needles)
Alterations: I lengthened the armholes and rather than struggling with adjusting the sleeves I opted on knitting the same lace pattern used for the neckline around the arm holes.
I knit the lace edging before sewing the sides together.

Christmas tree mat

Back at work after a gloriously long holiday vacation. It feels really weird.

I went to my local quilt shop on Monday with a frined who is starting her first quilt. I was surprised to see the winter sale there. I don't know why, I just never gave it much thought.
There were a few FQs there that caught my eye. Especially one of a Toy shop that you're supposed to turn into an Advent Calendar.
I was very good on Monday though and didn't buy a thing.

But then I saw this tree skirt on my Google REader-list and thought I should get around to make that tree mat I've been wanting to make for a while.

I figured if I start in January I'll have no excuse not to finish it before next Christmas.

So today at lunch I drove across town to get some fabric for the mat.

I ended up getting a book as well on basic patchwork techniques. It's by a Swedish author so I can't really link it.

There was a really nifty tip on how to easily make continuous bindingstrips that I'm eager to try out.

I think I'll give myself some time to get over being fed up with Christmas before I start it. I have to draft a pattern anyway so I think there'll be time.

Knitting progress

I've not knit anything on my Sylvi for a few days. Not really sure why.

I have to fix something with the sleeve - I started knitting is as a right sleeve, but I think I'll have to change it to the left sleeve.
And I found a mistake in the seed stitch that I have to fix before I get too far away from it.

Blech.

And it's not KnitNight for another week. I've not been for over a month. Sigh.

I did however organize my knitting basket by putting in a pocket to keep the patterns.



I need to make a different closure for the pocket and it's not normally this empty. But it looks so much neater than it did before.

Coat

I got a bit of a head start on my 2009 project. I'm knitting a Sylvi-coat for me.

For someone who's knitted a few hats and mittens but never finished a sweater this is a big deal.

I've done the cuff bands and I started the first sleeve. I also cast on and knit the first 4 rows of the back piece.

I'm excited to see what happens with this project. And I most definitely hope I'll finish it.

Knitting basket

I bought this spacious basket at IKEA a few weeks ago and it has resided in my living room ever since holding ever-growing amounts of yarn.

Today when I had a "day off" I decided to organize it a little better.



Ta da!

I added a pocket to hold my patterns and a pen and tape measure. I had plans to put in more pockets, but I need to figure out how to do it easily. This one got a bit fiddly because I did something wrong (I guess).
I need to fashion a better closure for the pocket too.

The fabric is Michael Miller's Knit Pirates in teal and brown.

Red Verity and Not-Enough- Ruffles

I made a "Just Enough Ruffles" for Isabel. I had to modify it for size both because her neck is small and because I didn't have enough yarn.

I made one version of it and ended up with 20 cm yarn left when I had 300 sts left to bind off. Less than ideal. This is version 2.0.

The red hat she's wearing is a Verity. Size S. I love it. She looks like little Red Riding Hood.

The black and white dress was a Christmas present from my mom.