Greenwood Cabled Vest - Almost Done!

Ok, so I am a pretty fast knitter, but I also knit everywhere I go. Thank goodness for my lovely fiancee who makes dinner, cleans the place and basically does everything so I can just sit and knit. Thank you honey!

I purchased three skeins of the Cascade yarn and made this lovely cable vest for my mom. She has always wanted a vest like this (I don't know why). But appearantly, all of my aunties loved it. It's a pattern by Valley Yarns. This is the second Valley Yarns project that I have made. I love its yarns and patterns; I highly recommend it.

What a mess here!?

About to divid the two fronts.

All done! Well... almost!

I tried the Eucalan soap (lavender) today to wash it before blocking. It was my first time washing it and I am so pleased with it. No rinse needed and it was not soapy at all. The water was so dirty and it smelled like... yarn? You know? I am so glad I washed it. I had no idea how dirty it was from just... knitting it! Anyways, it's currently being blocked on the blocking board.

Hedgehog and Mushroom Stitch Markers

I ordered these cute little stitcher markers from Scary Mary on Etsy. Her work is amazing. You should check out her profile on Etsy. She is so talented. I can't wait to use them!

Crofter's Cowl Completed!

1. So happy that I finished the Crofter's Cowl. It was so easy and I still have so much of that yarn left. I am wondering if it's enough to make another one?

All finished!

 

Keeping my neck warm...

White Elephant Gift

I got this beautiful ball of Andy's Merino II yarn from a great friend of mine through our White Elephant gift exchange. She visited Purl Soho and picked it up from there! It's the perfect type of yarn for a cowl (thanks Kathleen for the suggestion!). The pattern I selected is called the Crofter's Cowl. I really don't like the black and white pictures selected for this yarn, but the project is pretty cute and will keep the neck warm!

Love the Scallops!

One piece finished, starting the second piece.

Baby Cable Sweater All Finished!

I "finally" finished Debbie Bliss' Baby Cable Sweater from Simply Baby! I started it in 2007 and finally finished it two years later. I thought this was a difficult knit and would think twice if you are thinking about making it. The sleeves were hard to seam together and the neckband wasn't particularly easy either. Regardless, I am happy with the way it turned out. Now the question is... which lucky baby is getting this?

What Could I be Making?

So Christmas is around the corner and I am making this... but shhhh, can't tell you just yet! Maybe next week :) A little hint... Ironing is very important.

Tutorial on Finishing

I think I have just found the best free tutorial online on how to assemble and block finishing pieces at Marie Grace Designs. She has step-by-step photos. I think I am going to block all of the pieces of the Baby Cable Sweater before I assemble it. Thanks Marie!

Baby Cable Sweater... Almost Finished!

I finally finished the two sleeves for the sweater this weekend! It also seems like they look about right! I look forward to assembling all the pieces and cannot wait to see the final results with the neckband. The quality of the pictures below is not so great due to poor lighting. Owell~

So Cold Out!

It's getting so cold and I am wondering if it's time to take out my doggie's (Pomeranian) sweater? I made this sweater for him last year. Let me tell you, he is a spoiled one. I originally made this sweater with some cheap yarn and he REFUSED to wear it. It isn't until when I made another one with better yarn that he finally agreed to wearing it... at least for me to take a few pictures! I designed this sweater. Let me know if you are interested in the pattern. I LOVE my dog :)

Side

Back

Front

Debblie Bliss Baby Cable Sweater

I am loving my Thanksgiving break from work! The idea of mandatory shut-down is weird, but I certainly enjoy the time off! I am trying to finish the Debbie Bliss Baby Cable Sweater that I started two years ago. I had many many balls of green yarn and didnt know what to do with it. This baby sweater seemed like the perfect project at the time. The cable pattern makes this project a bit difficult, but I like the way it looks right now.

The sweater (front & back)

The sleeve

I tried to make the sleeves using short-rows, but didn't like the way it looked, so I am knitting the sleeve separatly as shown above.

Uncommon Wristlets Hairpin Lace Wristlet

I finished my mom's shawl and started this new project (Uncommon Wristlets by Stitch Diva Studo). I picked up this pattern and the yarn from Stitch West 2009. By the way, does anyone know why Blogspot always upload my pictures upside down!? So annoying... Anyway, here are some pictures.

The woman at Stitch West this year had it on and it looke gorgeous on her. 

I am also interested in the newest Endless Knitted Cardi Shawl. Has anyone made it?

My Mom and the Valley Yarns Falling Leaves Shawl

Here are some pictures of the shawl that I mentioned a few days ago. I made my mom put it on so I can take a few pictures. I think it looks gorgeous on her :)

Toasty Cozy

So you know, winter is around the corner and it's getting cold at night. My mom bought this hot water bottle thing to keep by her bedside to keep her warm. She was complaining about the rubber material used for this, so I made her a little cozy. You can find the free pattern online here. It only took me two days.

I used the Lion brand yarn this time and was surprised by how nice the yarn was. Maybe I should use more of these afforable yarns next time. Also, thank goodness for Sharon -- she showed me how to do cables without cable needle! That REALLY helped made this project a fast knit. Thank you!

Valley Yarns Falling Leaves Shawl

I made this shawl for my mom last winter and it's now her favorite shawl. So I am making her another one, in brown, for this winter. It's almost done! I think it looks much better on my mom that the one shown in the picture in the pattern used. I will take some pictures next time my mom wears it. She looks absolutely stunning with it!

Alright, that's it for now. I must go have some Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches!

Baby Giraffe Quilt Debut Posting

Here is my first self-designed baby giraffe quilt all finished! The finished size is 36"x36" and each square is about 8". I hand quilted this piece and appliqued the giraffe in the lower right hand corner.

It's so cute! I love it!!!

PIQF 2009

Were you at PIQF this past weekend? I loved every minute of it! I was there for hours and purposely didn't bring a watch with me. Here are some pictures of my favorite quilt from the show.

Giraffe Quilt is Finished!!

The giraffe quilt is finished! I cannot wait to show you pictures. Here are some from working on the binding...

Socks - Monkey

Here is a picture of the Monkey socks by Cookie A. I made for my mom. I really liked the way it came out. This is a free pattern through Knitty. I used two skeins of Schachenmayr Nomotta Regia Silk with size US 1 dp needles. Try it out! I think you will enjoy it too!

Pincushion

What do you do with your needles? I use different types of pincushions (I have so many of them laying around). I made this one with some scrap fabric and it turned out really cute! I packaged it and gave it to a friend of mine who just started sewing as a gift. 

Pink Floral Makeup Bag

What do you do with left over fabrics from your projects? I like to make bags out of them. I use them to store my knitting tools, sock projects, makeup, or nail polish bottles when I am traveling. This pink floral makeup bag was made with no lining (really easy and fast!), but it does have a waterproof interfacing to it to be used to store makeup and such. 

Sunbonnet Sue - Oven Mitts

As I mentioned in my last post, I love collecting Sunbonnet Sue books. The project below was made from one of the Japanese quilting books I have. I hand quilted the oven mitt and used "Insul-Bright Insulation" by Warm and Nature cotton batting. Since this is an oven mitt, I wanted to make sure I don't get burned! 

I also made matching Apron and hot pot holder to go with it!

I used the insulated cotton batting for the hot pot as well. 

I love the ruffly Apron and the chef hat on this Sunbonnet Sue! These were so much fun to make. I made two oven mitts and gave one away as a house warming gift. 

Sunbonnet Sue - Sewing Bag

I LOVE Sunbonnet Sue, and I LOVE collecting magazines and books featuring her. Here is a picture of a little bag I hand quilted with Sunbonnet Sue. The applique was done using the freezer paper technique. Check out this helpful tutorial I found. 

 

I also made a lining to cover the stitches on the zipper inside the bag.

 

The other side... 

This entire bag was made with different types of Japanese Taupe fabrics imported from Japan directly (even the zipper!). I love using this bag to store my sewing tools. It's so perfect for my scissor, needles, thimbles, pencils, etc. when I travel! 

What's your favorite quilting character?

Egg Cosy - Little Cotton Rabbits

Are you also a reader of Little Cotton Rabbits ? I love the animals she makes. They are just so adorable. I made the Egg Cosy (below) using her pattern. You can purchase her pattern directly from her site or from one of the links listed on her site. 

They are so fun and so easy to make. I made two! 

 

Baby Giraffe Quilt

O I am so excited! I am writing my first post! I am new to blogging, so please be patient with me as I figure things out. 

Here is a picture of the baby giraffe quilt that I am making. I wanted something bright and colorful so I designed this. I really like the colors and the giraffe. I have quilted all three layers and am in the process of making the strips for the binding. I will show you pictures of the fabric I am using for the border next time. 

It was my first time hand quilting a quilt. I am really pleased with the results. I first learned about hand quilting from a great friend and her blog. She was right! Hand quilting is so much fun! 

 Here is a picture of the quilt before I assembled it.