Classic Raglan Pullover

It is finished. My Classic Raglan Pullover, pattern by Jane Richmond. Made as a part of the Classic Raglan Pullover KAL hosted by the Canadian Living's Craft Blog. Thanks ladies for the encouragement and inspirations. KAL's are a great way to stay motivated.

my project page for Classic Raglan Pullover

The yarn is Cascade 220 heathers, colorway deep deep burgundy. I can't say enough how much I love this yarn, the color choices are amazing and so reasonably priced for such a high-quality yarn. I want a Classic Raglan in every colorway! 

I did experience some sleeve-itis when it hit 70 degrees last week and the last thing I wanted to be doing was knitting. However I powered through and I'm so glad I did, as the last few days have snapped back to appropriate early spring weather. My new sweater is the perfect thing to be wearing!

Next time (there will definitely be a next time) I'll make it a bit longer and make the size 32. This one is very comfortable to wear but it's a bit big.

Noelle's reaction (while it was blocking): I hope it dries soon so I can touch it. It is SOOOO byoootiful...

I see her future, and it's a yarny one, folks. I love this girl. 

Little Friend

Here is my progress on the Twiggy Cardigan so far:

I've gotten past the sleeve separation and am working on it here and there. 

In more exciting news, I made a new friend:

Isn't he cute? His name is Burton the Button. He has 7 identical brothers and sisters who will make their happy home on the Twiggy Cardigan. That is, as long as I can find coordinating buttons for the neck. Time to get creative!

I found these buttons on Etsy in the shop Lillian Olive. The photos and descriptions are great and the service did not disappoint! Not only did I get my buttons but I got them super fast and they arrived in cute packaging, safe and sound, with a little free gift.

cuteness overload, no?

Highly recommend this shop, she has both vintage and new buttons in stock, so you can surely find what you're looking for project-wise.

Happy Tuesday!

Marianella

Sometimes a knitting project, like many things in life, starts out with the best intentions. It even looks like smooth sailing and clear skies ahead. But then you realize, you made the wrong size. You keep knitting, horribly in denial, until you finally realize you need to move on. Square your shoulders, frog away, cry a little, move on.

It helps when you finally find a new life for the yarn, in this case the original project was Oatmeal Pullover...the pattern is great, but the yarn wasn't quite right for it. 

The yarn is Ella Rae Latte in colorway Majestic Jade, held double. Isn't it lovely?

The pattern: Jane Richmond's Marian

Noelle had to jump in. My little ham.

The crazy bag lady toddler? Also mine. 

She sure loves the Marian, refused to take it off once she got her paws on it. 

Friday FO

...as in Finished Object.

The plan was to have the Classic Raglan finished by today. As usual, life and more life got in the way.

Besides, there was no way I could have finished and blocked it in time for a decent picture by today.

So here are some cute pics of the girls, and scrummy picture of what we had for dinner last night.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Yarn Over

As much as I love working on my Classic Raglan pullover, I needed a break between working on sleeve one and sleeve two. Sleeves present the same problem as mittens...you're so relieved to finish one and then you realize ugh...there's another one.

The Drop Stitch Cowl is the perfect instant gratification project. It is a FREE pattern by Abi Connors of  the awesome blog Spiderwoman Knits and Red Comb Vintage on Etsy. Check out her adventures!

project page for Lemongrass Drop Stitchery

This is one of those great patterns where the result belies the amount of effort needed to create it. It makes super bulky yarn, which is usually so, well, bulky feeling, feel swooshy and even elegant. LOVE. it. 

Rainy Day Inspirations...pinned.

Oh, Pinterest, how I have avoided thee...

I pinned my first board today, and I am seriously addicted. I need to give myself a pinning allowance so that I don't go crazy like the day I discovered Etsy...

I had an excuse though. It's a gloomy, lazy day and I needed some inspiration to fight off "the glums". Here are some of my favorites from my board filled with yellowy goodness created for that purpose.

Source: luciddoll.com.au via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Hannah on Pinterest

I've also been plugging away at my Classic Raglan pullover, here is a progress photo...

On my way...

Check out my new lovely:

 Commuter Cowl pattern by luvinthemommyhood!

In keeping with the commuting theme I used cotton shirting for this cowl that reminded me of a train conductor uniform. I can't wait to experiment with more fabrics, definitely some brights. I also added an extra knot, because I like my cowls a little closer to my neck. 

While I was sewing this I thought of the countless hours I spent on the train, most recently when I was pregnant with Noelle and commuting to school and work in the city. As long (and painful, esp. as my due date came closer) as those hours were, I actually treasured that time to myself and my little bean, listening to my favorite music. I swear she got her groovy rhythm from the hours-long jam sessions on the train!

If you want to make one for yourself, here is the listing from Shannon's brand new Etsy shop. It's what all the Cool Moms are wearing for Spring!

arrrr, matey!

A while ago, my sister went to Japan and brought back all sorts of goodies, like pretty paper, washi tape, various hello kitty paraphernalia, and a few yards of Japanese cotton that she bought on the street:

Owls...

and skulls.

 

Less than a yard of each, just enough to make more simple skirts!

 

As usual, Ellie had to get in on the fun. You may recognize the orange skirt, I made it for Noelle eons ago.

*ding!* 

Springing Ahead

My goal for the weekend was to sew a simple project to get myself re-acquainted with my sewing machine.I I've been all about the yarn for months and months and have been neglecting it. Poor Janome.

Any-hoo, I decided to make a Simple Skirt. The pattern is by Dana of made. This pattern is a basic skirt pattern with many options, truly "the simplest skirt you will ever make", as she says.

I did modify it a bit. I did two layers and instead of folding both layers together at the top I created a casing by pulling the top layer up 2 inches, folding over and sewing it to the top of the inner layer. I also took the easy way out and used the selvedge edges so I could avoid hemming. Cheater's piping.Yay.  

Noelle loves her new skirt.

The perfect skirt for storytime...

or any time.

I should of taken photos of my sewing steps as I went along, but Noelle was cutting paper "cookies" and Ellie was napping, so I wanted to make sure I finished it before she woke up. I'll get there someday.

Little Happiness-es

Morning coffee is one of the little things that makes me happy, especially when my cup so perfectly matches my shirt! Ha!

I find that thoroughly enjoying the little things, like a fresh cup of coffee, baking cookies, knitting a simple project, helps me to tackle the big things. That and kamikaze kisses from the most special "little things", my two sweet girls.

Merrily we KAL (again)

The Canadian living craft blog is hosting a Classic Raglan Pullover KAL (knit-along). The pattern is by Jane Richmond, and I hopped on the KAL train since I had just recently cast on this sweater and could use some motivation to finish it!



project page for my Classic Raglan Pullover

The yarn is Cascade 220 The Heathers in Deepest Mahogany. The color is amazing and the yarn is very soft for 100% wool yarn.

It's still a bit chilly outside but the sun is shining and Spring is definitely peeking its cheery head out! At my mom's house, Spring never left...

 

I also found out today that March is National Crochet Month! Yeah! Check out Rebecca of Nook's post about it including her free, adorable coaster pattern.

Happy March everyone!