The Hot Pink Sweater

Once we knew that Monkey was a girl, I was excited to make her all sorts of clothes. Not that I wouldn't have been excited for a boy, but for some reason boy clothes are a lot harder to find good patterns for whether you are sewing or knitting.

I found some great, hot pink yarn from an indie dyer on Instagram. And I got it. Just enough for a wee little sweater and a matching hat (or two). My husband has a thing for neon so I was sure this hot pink yarn would be a winner all around.

It sort of is.

You see, I finished the sweater the other night and immediately put it on Monkey. We were having a Ladies Night with her Aunt Mabels (my sister). Monkey wore the sweater about two hours, maybe three.

It's important to note now, that Monkey is three months old and has entered the drooly stage of life. (Also the blurry stage.) So there was some minor drooling going on during the course of the night.

When we got home and took the sweater off, there was a pink crescent shaped stain on her white onesie where her drool had soaked through at the neck of the sweater.

Fortunately, I remembered that there is a way to re-set dye in yarn using citric acid. I happen to have a bottle of citric acid on hand thanks to a failed bath bomb experiment last year, so I set out to fix this cute little sweater that I was so excited about.

First I had to look up the exact instructions. The lovely Knitmore Girls had posted a tutorial several years ago that I used. I came upon it by googling 'citric acid soak', which took me to Knitting Daddy who linked directly to the instructions in the post on the Knitmore blog. Convenient for a new momma trying to fit this project in around naps, feeding, and general cuddles.


I'm not going to go into details here, but here are some pictures of the process:

Here it is in the soak, round one. 

After coming out of the microwave. It was super hot so be careful when you take yours out and unwrap it! 

If you look very closely, you can see the steam coming off the sweater. I had just taken the plastic wrap off of it.

So, if you actually read the captions you will notice that the first picture says "Round One". Yep. The water was still super pink after doing the entire process once. So I did it again. By the time I was through attempt number two, Monkey was ready for her dinner so I decided twice was good enough even if the water was still a little pink. It was much lighter pink the second round, so improvement was made!

After the whole treatment, I let the sweater block and dry. We had family in town and took Monkey along for our touristy excursion we take everyone on when they first visit. She of course wore the sweater so I didn't have to mess with a jacket and the car seat. She wore the sweater all day, through drool and spit ups galore. At the end of the day, the sweater came off and the onesie underneath.... was pink again. Just where she drooled around the neck and her wrists (she likes chewing her fingers, it's the stage she's at). I'm on the fence about doing another soak for it or not, though. I figure if I put a pink or gray or black onesie on underneath it won't be that big of a deal. Plus pink onesie number one came out of the wash all white again....


Now, I have some yarn that I made socks out of and am currently making leggings for Monkey with the rest of it. This particular yarn is notorious for bleeding and fading so I will be repeating this process with those when they are completed. If I remember to, I will do another picture along of the process for you all!

Curls Project: Argent

I know I said I was going to wait and knock out a couple of other projects before casting this on. I couldn't help myself. I had it all ready to go, both physically and mentally, and have for a couple of months. And the thought that this project, which I optimistically thought would take maybe a year to complete has already taken a year. And I'm only on the 4th of 14 projects in it. That's not even 25% done (technically once I finish this one, I'll be 28% done, but it isn't finished so it doesn't count).

The next pattern in the Curls book is Argent.

The yarn I'm using is a bright yellow HauteKnit Simple Sock that I bought as part of a flash sale on Instagram a... long time ago. I think I'm using a US5 needle, but we need to wait a bit before knowing if that's the final decision or not. Sometimes I start one way, and end up going back and re-doing it after deciding it wasn't meant to be that way in the first place.

I have to admit, I have a recipient in mind already, but am going to be flexible with this. Sometimes I start knitting something and think it's for someone, then later change my mind. Or sometimes I get the message confused while knitting, only to have it straighten itself out later on. (I thought I wrote a blog post on this already, turns out I haven't so it's going on the list.)

Finished Object Roll Call: April 2016

So, I've been slacking on the Finished Object Roll Call this year. As I look over what I've accomplished so far, well, it doesn't seem like much. According to my Ravelry page, I've only completed 3 items this year. I'm gearing up for a productive summer and hope to start showing off some great items here! 

If you ever see an item here that you would like a tutorial on, or more info about it, let me know! I have done Finished Object posts that break down things such as cost and time invested in projects, and would happily do more.  

Knitting/Crocheting

I had some high hopes for a couple of projects this month. Unfortunately I ran out of time on most, and yarn on one. Next month though. 

Sewing

I adapted the Pillowcase Tutorial found on Made Everyday

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook.  You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Finished Object Roll Call: November 2015

This is the day each month that I post a bunch of pictures of things that I finished making during the month. This month, all I can show you is this:

Because all of the other things I made this month are for Christmas. So, altogether I finished 4 Christmas presents and am partway through 4 others. I'm gonna crank them out so I can start focusing on some "me" projects during December and January. Cause my sock drawer is disappointing me lately. 

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!

I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook. Hat #1 and #4 were both giveaway hats. You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Sorry for the Pause: Gridelin Again

Hi all! I'm back, hopefully for good this time. (But of course I say that every time and then life happens.) I have plans to blog a bit about some of what has been going on lately, I've been busy that's for sure.

So, here's a quick up date on the Curls project. I started Gridelin waaay back in August. I've been picking away at it since then, as well as trying to get some other projects done as well. I got to the point in Gridelin where I started to think, "I don't think it's going to be big enough."

Of course, these patterns were made to be used with that one "special" skein of yarn if need be. And I had this yarn, ready to go. It's one of "my" colors. And I just knew, deep in my knitter's heart, that one skein would not be enough. I'm being pickier with this one since I intend to keep it for myself. I bought the yarn a long time ago, and knew that the yarn shop would not have any more in the right dye lot.

I checked anyway.

Then, Ravelry to the rescue. I searched the yarn color. This led me to three people who had skeins of the colorway in their "for sale or trade" stash. I messaged each one with the dye lot number and crossed my fingers.

Lo and behold, one messaged me back that she had not one but TWO skeins in the right dye lot. She happily sent both to me, and I happily received them. Upon the receipt of the package my husband told me I got more yarn, and I realized that he now automatically thinks that any package I receive is yarn.

I'm nearly done with my first original skein, and have the next one ready to go.  After that I might have to pause for a bit, since I have 5 Christmas Stockings to make by Thanksgiving (a self imposed deadline, btw).

Happy Knitting Y'all!

Finished Object Role Call: August 2015

Knitting/Crocheting

Pre-service meeting socks. Three and half pairs. 

And no Christmas Presents

Sewing

These are Rosie the Riveter Overalls! 2 pairs for a cute mom and her daughter. They will be killin' it at Halloween. 

This is a mini quilt for a swap. The first quilt as you go and first applique I've done. 

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook.  You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Finished Object: The Noro Blanket

Today's Finished Object is the Noro Blanket. When I attended my first Yarn Haven Retreat, the ladies kept talking about Noro yarn, and how wonderful it was. At that point, I had not used Noro, and thought I might need to try some out. So, I got the idea to get some and make a blanket, because it made the most sense at the time.

Since then I have made some hats out of Noro as well. Sad to say, I don't really 'get' the hype over Noro. It's pretty and all, but it's not super amazing.

Date Started: April 12, 2014
Date Finished:August 15, 2015

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden Sock in color S 307 , approximately 6 skeins
Cost of Yarn: about $120 (yes, for real, you non-knitters are probably having a conniption right now. Eye opening, ain't it?)
Pattern: Modified from Mason Dixon Knitting's Mitered Blanket

Progress Picture! 

Approximate Hours: 72
Note on the hours: I didn't really keep track of full time. I timed myself making a couple of squares, averaged the time between them, and multiplied by the total number of squares.

Since this is a blanket, I knew it would take awhile to be finished. Especially since I was in grad school at the time, and had lots of other things I wanted to make because that's how life is.

I'm super glad to have it done! Finally. I'm having major mixed feelings on what I should do with it. Should I give it to someone as a holiday present? List it on Etsy? Hold a Giveaway? Keep it? I just don't know! Suggestions are welcome at this point.

Curls Project: Gridelin

With the completion of Cerise, I am ready to start the next Hunter Hammerson Curl, Gridelin. In the planning stages of this project, Gridelin was one of the two that I wanted for myself. I'm still feeling that way currently. But am also open to that changing if it needs to change.

I will be using some lovely gray Cascade Heritage yarn:

I've cast on and gotten a decent start so far: 

Stay tuned for more info on this Curl! 

Finished Object: Mielie Vest

After giving some thought to how much information to provide to folks about costs and time invested in the items in my shop, I came up with a brilliant idea. Featured Projects!

Tada! Occasionally, when I remember, I will post the vital stats of a project that I've made, including the amount of materials used, cost of materials, and hours invested into the item. Not only will this allow folks to see how much goes into a project, it will hopefully give some of you all an idea of what to expect if you were to choose to make the project yourself.

First up: The Mielie Vest
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Sierra in Carmel nearly 5 skeins- sorry folks, this is a discontinued yarn.
Notions: Giant Snaps, I used 5 because.... it's 5.

Date Started: March 1, 2015
Date Completed:

Cost of Pattern: $5.50
Cost of yarn: Free :it was given to me by a friend.
Cost of Buttons: $12.65, but I had three left over so... $7.90
Total Cost (not including labor):  $13.40

Total Hours Invested: 27

 

Notes- I made the collar shorter than the pattern called for, because I'm short. And I was super worried about running out of yarn. I had been gifted a lot of yarn, and sold about half of it thinking I would still have plenty to finish the project as written. When I finished I had grams of yarn left in a ball, so I could have made the collar a little longer had I wanted to.

I was not a fan of the faux side seam, so I just ignored those instructions, as did many others on Ravelry.

Also, I am not a fan of sewing a lot on a knitted item. I mean, I sew yeah, but knitting is different for me. It shouldn't be sewing. So, anyway.... I made the pockets no sew. 31 rows from the end, I knit front and back into the first and last 32 stitches of the round, then transferred the knit front stitches to scrap yarn, and used the knit back stitches to carry on with the rest of the sweater.

 Before doing the bottom ribbing, I went back and picked up the stitches on the yarn, and followed the pocket directions, in reverse. Instead of decreasing, I increased stitches. When I got to the end of the pocket I let it sit while I did the other pocket.

Once they were both done, I started the ribbing on the bottom by knitting the pocket stitches together with the body stitches, like you would for a three needle bind off, just not binding off. Then when the time came to do the button bands, I just picked up through both the body and the pocket stitches, the same as you do at the neck band. No-sew pockets!

Finished Object Roll Call: May 2015

Knitting/Crocheting

The Second Completed, Third Started, Project Linus Blanket: Entirely from Stash

Sewing

John kept stealing my UT fleece blanket, so he got a super hero one of his own. This was the ONLY non stash project completed this month!  

Some owls for a swap. They WILL be part of the shop in a few weeks though! 

Some comfy, lightweight pj pants for myself. These might make an appearance in the shop too. 

My first paper piecing AND first mug rug. 

And a second mug rug. With close up of quilting below. 

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook.  You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Caesious: Curls Project Update

For those of you who don't know, I have embarked on a journey. I am knitting every single pattern in the book "Curls", in order. I have no idea how long this will take and if it will even actually be seen through to the end, but it was a great idea so I'm going for it.

As I started out on Caesious, I quickly came to the realization that I had to make a rule about the approach to this project. I'm not allowed to flip through the book or look at any project in it other than the one I am working on. I think this will help me not get antsy, help mitigate the temptation to skip to another shawl later in the book because I really want to do it. At this point, all I remember is that Shawl #3 is one for me, I have the yarn and everything. Knowing this is a motivating factor, sort of.

This is an old picture... more has been done on it!

Caesious was interesting for about 2 repeats of the pattern, now it's a bit annoying. I feel like I haven't memorized the pattern enough yet to let it be mindless, but it is mindless enough that my mind wanders and next thing I know I've messed up something.

I just have so many other dang projects I'm trying to get done right now that this one is slow going. I've got blankets, and socks, and a sweater vest that just isn't progressing (at least it feels that way right now). I've been stashbusting like a madwoman, and yet the stash isn't getting used up as quickly as I would like it to be used up. My thesis is taking a lot of my time and all my play gets pushed aside. Sigh.

Plans for Curls

I got the book "Curls", and like I mentioned earlier, I plan on knitting every pattern in the book beginning with the first and working my way to the last. Here's the "Game Plan" so far:

Caesious in 3 Irish Girls Glenhaven CashMerino Sock.
Cerise in Roc N Sox bought at the Fiber arts festival. (maybe...)
Gridelin in Cascade Heritage Steel colorway.

After this I have not assigned yarns to the patterns. I have yarn available (another skein of Roc N Sox in Stiltskin for example) but can't commit myself to them being tied up for a pattern. In fact, all of the planned yarns are flexible, because I am allowed to change my mind whenever I want to.
Argent
Pavonated
Infuscate
Ianthine
Watchet
Nacarat
Sinopia
Filemot
Icterine
Fulvous
Chlorochrous


There is a total of 14 shawls. If I am being really honest with myself, I only really want to keep 2 of them for myself based purely on looking at the pictures. SO that means a lot of shawls/scarves will be up for grabs! Some will be raffled off to you lovely readers, and some will go into the Etsy shop.

I'm so glad you're following along in this adventure!

A New Knitting Journey and Future Giveaways

 The other day at Knit Night, one of the ladies had a new knitting book: Curls . It was passed around and oohed and ahhed over.

The discussion led to how many of the objects in the book various ladies wanted to make. Which led to one of them mentioning a "Start at the beginning and work your way to the end" approach. It was generally decided that while a good idea, it probably wasn't that executable due to the knitting project ADD many knitter have.

I thought about that for  a bit (ok, a couple hours). I think I'd like to take on the challenge of beginning at the first project in the book, and knitting all of them, in order. It can't be that bad. And yes, I will have other projects going on at the same time, I mean, I won't quit swapping or making blankets for Project Linus or neglect the Christmas list. (I've already got 5  out of 16 people crossed off!That means I have their presents completed and ready to go!)

As I looked over the patterns, I noticed that while I would love to have some of them for myself, I wouldn't keep all of them. What would I do with 16 shawls? Seriously? I barely use the 2 that I already have.

So, my friends and faithful blog readers, as I embark on this journey I will give each of you the opportunity to receive one of the wraps/shawls/ scarves that I make as I go through this book of loveliness. Multiple times, actually.

All you have to do is stay tuned, follow the blog so you don't miss a post, and giveaways will start up soon!  Soon as in, after I order the book and find some suitable yarn to start the first pattern in it.

100 Days

I made it. Guys, I really did it. 

100 Days of no yarn buying. 

As I wrote before, the stash doesn't appear any smaller, but at least I know I can do it. And yes, I will keep going, except for one treat this weekend. You see, I've got a fiber arts festival that I'm going to, and I want to have the option to buy a skein. AFTER I take my lovely dye class. 

I'm excited for the class, not so sure about buying yarn though. It's an option, not a requirement. I'll see if I can make it 200 days? 

Stash Explosion

I've been desperately attempting to move some of my stash out of my stash since the New Year. I have gone Cold Sheep (96 days and counting!). I have projects galore, in my head at least.

But somehow, my stash has exploded beyond the tupperware in it is supposed to be confined to. I could pretend I don't know what happened. I really could. But alas, I can't. There are two reasons:

Reason One: I have several friends who have attempted to knit or crochet, or currently are knitters and crocheters, who give me yarn. I've received more yarn in the past 3 months for free (or for cookies in one case) than I have ever before.

I admittedly sold some of it on Craigslist. It was quite the achievement for me. But it didn't do much for my stash. Perhaps I should try listing some more on there to see if I can move a couple more skeins out?

I uploaded the entire stash to my Ravelry page, listing the majority of it on the "Will Trade or Sell" page. I got one inquiry, but no go. Maybe Craigslist is the way to go on that? Or Ebay?

I've used up some for Project Linus blankets. One is already completed, one is in progress, and one is in my head screaming to get out. I might let it out, it should go pretty fast and use up quite a bit of yarn...  I also have the good intention to make some baby hats for the NICU  too.

But alas, those do nothing for the Second Reason my stash is not going away;

I'm not knitting fast enough.

There are not enough hours in the day currently for me to get the knitting in that I would like to get in. I'm in the throes of thesis writing and trying to get all the loose ends of grad school gathered up and woven in. Sadly, that leaves little to no time for crafting. (As I type this I should be writing my thesis or at least reading some more research papers for it.)

And don't get me started on my fabric stash.

Finished Object Roll Call: February 2015

KNITTING/CROCHETING 

Hat-a-Thon 1 of 6 

The UT Hat; Hat-a-thon 2 of 6. 

 Parent Hat: Hat-a-thon 3 of 6

Scrap Hat: Hat-a-thon 4 of 6 

Child hat: Hat-a-thon 5 of 6 

Blue Hat: Hat-a-Thon 6 of 6

Bonus Scrap Hat 

Bonus Scrap Hat, minus braids cause I ran out of yarn. 

Bonus Scrap Hat

I used up so many scraps doing these hats! I'm super glad to be moving yarn out of the yarn box and into finished objects! A lot of them will appear in the Etsy Shop. See end of post for Facebook Giveaway info too!

SEWING: 

Precuts Party Quilt Top (not sure if I should count it since
it's not a completely finished quilt yet...) 

Precuts Party Quilt Top #2 

The Pink Quilt: I started working on this several years ago.
Yes, it looks simple. BUT I machine quilted it with my regular
sew at home, not for quilting, machines (got a new one partway through this project). I'm
so happy and relieved to have it done. 

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!
I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook. Hat #1 and #4 were both giveaway hats. You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Felting: Before and After

While house and cat sitting this Winter Break, I had open access to a top load washing machine. Glorious Day! I happened to realize that a pair of my slippers had worn through, and wanted to make replacements, which involved felting. A process that I only know how to do using a top load washing machine.
So I took advantage of the opportunity and slammed out a new pair of slippers with yarn from my stash. I also had been wanting to try to make some felted coasters and those practically fell off the needles.

Felting: the process of making a matted fabric of wool, hair, etc, made by working the fibers together under pressure or by heat or chemical reaction. 

Basically, you PURPOSELY SHRINK A WOOL GARMENT. To do this you make the slippers ginormous, then shrink them until they fit. It took three rounds in the hot wash with a rug to get the slippers to the right size.

The Slippers: Before 

The Slippers: After 

As for the coasters, the process is the same. You make 'em big, then shrink them til they're the right size. It only took one cycle for the coasters, I'm assuming that's due to the difference in yarn brands. 

I was also with it enough to take a picture of the yarn before knitting them up. So now you all get to see the whole she-bang with the coasters. 

The Yarn Before: 

Knitting up/ Pre-Felting:

The Finished Product: 

TA-DAH!!!!