Sewing: Patricia Cowl

Long story short, it's been a long time since I've made a "finished object" of any sort, and I wanted to whip up something to re-inspire myself.

Enter the "patricia" cowl, pattern found here

The pattern is part of the "Fat Quarter Gang" collection

written by Shannon of  Very Shannon.

I made it out of some random shirting fabric I had in my stash.

It has weird dimensions and a twist in the loop both attributed to

S.W.M.B (sewing with mommy brain).

I still love how it turned out.

Boy I strongly dislike taking pictures of myself. Awkward City.

But aint my new cowl purty.

I call it "pluffy" because...well, it was the first word that popped into my head when I put it on.

Noelle is a big fan.

making this cowl was a nice way to start off a much needed weekend.

Happy Friday everyone!

simple

The Simple Collection is a learn-to-knit series of *free* patterns by Tin Can Knits. Made up of 8 patterns utilizing garter, rib and stockinette stitches, these patterns are simple and beautiful, wide-ranging and fun to knit for beginners and not-so-beginners (like me). 

This is the "Barley" hat from the collection.

I knit it to be less slouchy as I'm finding I prefer my hats to be.

garter, stockinette, 1x1 rib. 

Yarn: Plymouth DK merino superwash. Squish!

Also from the Simple Collection, this good-lookin' pullover: 

Flax pullovers for the whole family!

(photo from the tincanknits website)

I'm finally knitting D a sweater! It's only taken me ten years to cast on! ha!

I love the garter panels on the sleeves and the simple shape. Just right for D.

It's also the perfect project to knit for the Big Bang Theory KAL,

going on right now in the luvinthemommyhood group on Ravelry. 

here's my "WIP Wednesday" progress shot. 

The Knitter and the Dr. Scientist. I love our little nerdy family.

ONWARD

JOURNEY, the latest collaboration between the Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook, was released for pre-order HERE. It is an inspiring collection of classic but modern pieces and I can't wait to delve into it!
I was privileged to be a part of the test-knitting process. I knit the "Onward" shawl.

It's the largest shawl I've knit and for me is as useful as a cardigan. I chose a blue that has turned out to be fairly neutral and works with many colors. 

I like to wear it (giant) kerchief style.

The shawl is reversible and patterned throughout, which makes for an engaging and fun knit.
 

 

I knit the shawl using 3 skeins of Spud & Chloe "Sweater" yarn. 

It gave great stitch definition and was easy on the hands for a wool-cotton blend. 

No pilling issues and I've been wearing the heck out of it!

All in all it was a pleasure and an honor to be a part of this "journey". 

Best of luck to shannon and jane!

a girl and her tools

What's inside your knitting bag? That is the question...posed by luvinthemommyhood (you can have a peek inside her knitting bag here.
Here's what's in mine

Clockwise from the top:

Knitpicks needle sizer

cheap-o stitch counter

darning needle, crochet hook (for fixing stitches), straight cable needle

round thingy to keep stitches on needle

clover tape measure

japanese super sharp scissors

large cable hook with two sizes removable stitch markers (clover and KP)

brass plain stitch markers

hi-liter for charts and marking finished rows.

Yes, it's all very exciting!

Knitting ISLAND

There is currently a Knit ISLAND Challenge going on in the Jane Richmond ravelry group. 

And I'm in.

No, I'm not going to Knit City. And I only currently have Grace on the needles.

 But why not seize the opportunity to knit up the entire ISLAND collection. Yeah. 

Not crazypants at all.

These are all stash yarns (bonus) that have been waiting to turn into happy ISLAND knits. 

Here we go! Woohoo!

Squishy Stripes

Who's that sneaky bandit! It's me! Sneaking in an FO instead of a Grace progress report.I'm bad that way. 

I was itching to finish this and so I just bore down and went for it.  

The look of love...bahahah

It also makes for a deliciously squishy cowl when wrapped "just so". 

As you know I am not one to shy away from bold colors. I think of hot pink as a neutral. 

Garter stitch. Stripes. Hot pink. oh.yeah.

I knit this using tosh SOCK (stovepipe) and knit picks stroll glimmer for a little touch of bling.

It hardly makes a quiet statement but it is squishy and warm and I will wear it with everything whether "they" think it matches or not. Holla!

Happy Wednesday y'all.

So it begins...

the blog has been silent on account of a much needed break from everything. 

being at home with my parents was great for me and the girls to "refresh" and get ready for our new routine.

i'm going back to work in September and will have two girls in full-time school. 

 Noelle is so ready!

wish us luck with our new routine! 

hopefully this blog will see a little more activity as we learn to balance everything.