Projects

So I'm still working on the short sleeve cardigan. So far this is my progress.





I still have to do the design on the body, the sleeves, and the button band. I'm actually thinking about adding cable stitches like some people have done on Ravelry.


Can I tell you how I've become readdicted to to Ravelry. I spend all day on it looking at peoples projects and finding free and purchasable patterns offered through the site. I also discovered that you can search projects by the most popular. I found many things I want work on through this feature. One of this projects was this scarf:

Pattern: Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau

Find: Ravelry.com

Yarn: Naturallycaron.com Country-Acrylic/Merino Wool Blend

Color: Black

Yardage: 1 Ball/197 yds

It took me three days to knit this up. I made a few mistakes, especially with doing short rows. Maybe knitting the scarf in black wasn't a good idea. Also, the yarn kept spliiting and felt thin and cheap. Next time I make this, and I will make this again...it will be in a better quality yarn.

Once I finish the cardigan, my next project is going to be a simple lace shawl. I saw the one I want to make. It's the Ishbel Scarf by Ysolda Teague. It's a very pretty and simple knit. I don't want to work on anything that is a little too complicated. I have the perfect yarn for it too. I also want work on the Hemlock Ring Blanket posted on Brooklyn Tweeds website. There were some really pretty ones posted on Ravelry. So many of these knitters are so inspiring.

I still haven't done any sewing. Since I've been out of work I've put on a little weight. Now I have to get it back off and then some. Until then I'm just knitting garments since they can be a little more forgiving.

I hope to have more projects to show soon.

Until Later Happy Crafting

Getting My Feet Wet

Hey Guys,

I don't have any major projects done right now, but I figured I'd get my feet wet in the blogesphere again. I was working on the Skinny Empire from Custom knits but with summer coming to an end I'm going to put it to the side and work on it periodically. The dreary weather has me thinking of cooler climates which has me wanting to make warmer clothing so now I'm looking at knitting up the Short Sleeved Cardigan from Fitted Knits using Knit Picks Wool Of the Andeas Bulky in Navy.

Over the weekend my tapestry needle broke while I was using waste yarn to hold stitches to a sleeve and of course I only have one needle so I knew I had to go buy a new. I thought this would be a good time to check out the Lion Brand store located on West 15th Street. Can I tell you I was pleasantly suprised. They pretty much had their complete yarn line on display and a crochet class was in progress. Of course I headed straight for their luxury yarn line. I was curious to see and feel the quality. In this line they carry 100% cashmere, merino wool, mohair silk, and organic cotton. The cashmere felt delicious to the touch and had an angora look to it. Of course I couldn't just walk out with what I came there for. So these are the things I left with:

100% Merino Wool Yarn, Charm Yarn Cutter, metal large eyed needles, and a sample of Soak

I don't know what I'm going to make with the yarn. One ball is 306 yds for $8. Maybe I will make a scarf. I definitely know I will be visiting the store again.

How many of you are looking forward to The Vampire Diaries tonight? Am I too old to be watching that. lolol I'm just excited that tonight is a good TV night.

Until Later Happy Crafting!

Hey!

I know I've been away for awhile, but I'm still around. Just finishing up my last semester of school. YAY!!!! Three more weeks to go before I receive my Bachelor's in Fashion Marketing.

I'm currently working on the Skinny Empire from Custom Knits. It's taking me a little longer than it should to complete with school projects and papers getting in the way.

As soon as my last paper is typed I will get back into the swing of things as far as sewing and knitting is concerned. I kind of I miss my sewing and get a little envious when I see everyone's beautifully done garments and projects. LOL

As always Happy Sewing!!!!!!

Finished! The Feminine Cardi

Feminine Cardigan-Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel

Knitpicks-Merino Style in Maple Leaf

Started: August 2008

Finished: April 2009

After working on this things for nine months I finally finished. I didn't mean to be so slow in knitting this but I kept finding myself picking it up and putting down. Now with the ever changing Spring weather I felt compelled to finish it before it becomes to warm to wear it and then I'll have to wait until Fall. I think this is such a beautiful cardigan as are many of the sweater in Ms. Japels book. I definitely plan on doing more projects from this book.

The last part of this sweater was choosing button. I went with some bronzy buttons that have nice vintage look to them. My boyfriend felt I should have went for gold button but for some reason that just seemed to obvious. Like it would be expected. I felt this sweater needed something a little more special. I'm very happy wtih the buttons I chose.

My next knitting project will hopefully be the Caftan Pullover from the Interweave Knits archives. I hope to make it in a nice yellow cotton.

Right now I'm working on a blouse from an issue of Burda and hope to have it finished by the end of the week.

Sorry I've been gone so long but now I'm back.

Happy Crafting!!!

P.S. After seeing the informercial all weekend I want a Cricut. lololololol

Well Hello There

I know, I know, it has been a while since I've posted anything, but nothing has really been going on with me lately. Well, that is until this past weekend. My birthday is in about two weeks and every year I treat myself to something expensive. Something I would think twice about buying other time but really, really want. Last year it was my Tassimo, one year it was $300 coat. Well this time I treated myself to this:




An Acer Aspire One AOA150-1570 Netbook with Windows - Sapphire Blue. Can I tell you how much I love this thing. I knew it was fated for me to have it when I explained my internet service to the salesperson to find out if I need a wireless router or transmitter and he informed me that if I have the modem he thinks I have I'm already wireless. I'll take it was the next thing out of my mouth. I purchased it on Saturday and spent all day Sunday in bed playing with it. I surfed the net, checked up on blocgs caught up on e-mail. I think I only got out of my bed twice and that was to make breakfast and get ready for the next day. The battery life has much to be desired but I usually just plug it in when I'm home. This is like the best purchase I made second to my sewing machine and my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer.


Here is the progress on my Feminine Cardigan. Please excuse the bra.



I really haven't got that far. It has gotten pretty boring now. The only thing that has kept me going is that I know how pretty my cardigan will be when it's done. I just hope I can finish it before summer. lololololol


Hope to have this sweater done soon. Until then Happy Sewing.

Finally! (Pic Heavy)

I know I haven't really posted anything in awhile, I've just been so lazy, but I have been working on stuff and now I am ready to show yall. First up, the Kasia high waisted skirt and the silk tie neck blouse.

I've been working on this skirt for the last three months, picking up and putting it down. Finally, last week I just buckled down and finished the skirt. All I had left to do was the hand sewing so I did that while I watched Desperate Housewives. I'm very happy with the way it turned out and if the weather is nice enough I might wear it this week.

I also decided to show a pic of me wearing the silk blouse I made about two months ago. I just feel like showing a picture of it on the mannequin does it no justice. I love this blouse so much, that I have worn several times since I made it and I constantly get compliments on it. I actually plan to make another one soon.

I also tried my hand again at Rusted Root. Remember earlier this year I unraveled it because it was too small well this time I just jumped right in and started again. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out even if it is a little big on me. I used RYC Cashsoft from Purl Soho. It feels so soft against the skin. One thing I can' stand is an itchy sweater especially if it is against my skin. I wore it this past Friday and got quite a few compliments on it and everyone was surprised when I told them I knitted myself. I have yarn in my stash to make another one.

I'm really proud at how the "Rusted Root" design turned out. In the process of knitting this sweater I didn't make one mistake. After awhile knitting the design was almost like second nature.

Right now I am working on the Puffed Sleeve Feminine Cardigan from Stephanie Japel's Fitted Knits. It is actually taking me a while to do but what keeps me going is the way it will look when it is done.

I can already see all the things I will be wearing it with. I'm using Knit Picks Merino Style in Maple Leaf just as it was suggested in the book. I just love the color red and this is a beautiful bright shade of red. I have other things in the works that I plan on doing in the next couple of weeks. I hope to post more often but with work and school it seems to get harder every time.

Until next time Happy Sewing and Knitting!

Does this happen to you

Have you ever had the extreme urge to be crafty but just can't seem to get the energy together to do anything. That's me right now. I've been dying to finish my Kasia skirt, which has been sitting on my sewing machine for over a month, but I just can't seem to get the energy. I already imagined all the tops I would wear the skirt with to look like a NYC Diva. I've decided to put a little more effort into my appearance. Especially now that I'm working in the ever trendy Soho area. A place that is bad for my pockets but great for my style.

Before working in this area I never seem to come this far downtown which is such a shame since I've discovered so many great stores. One of my favorite stores is Mango. It is similiar to H&M. They have all the trends at a reasonable price. I'm a big fan of their tops. Not a fan of their pants. I guess they are targeting model types because all the legs are extremely long. Penelope Cruz and her sister have a line there.

Rusted Root is coming along. I just have to do the sleeves and the neckline and I'm done. It's a little big but not unwearable.

Question. Has anyone in the knitting world picked up the new Stephanie Japel knitting book, Glam Knits.

Well I purchased my copy and can I tell you...the sweaters are gorgeous. I've already put stickies on the things I want to make, but they will have to wait until I make some cardigans from her first book. lolololololol

Well, as God is my witness I will finish the Kasia skirt this weekend. It isn't like I have much to do to it other than putting in the zipper, buttons, and hemming it. I want to wear it with the new sweater I bought from Mango. ;) I hope to have stuff to show by the end of the weekend.

Until Later!