Legwarmers!

I had to share this pair of legwarmers I'm knitting for my niece.

I am using them to take a mental break every now and then from the huge project of test knitting my newest pattern set to release in August. It's all so exciting, but a little overwhelming. This yarn is the perfect thing to relax and "zen out" with when I need a break.



The yarn is self patterning, so all I have to do is knit knit knit to my heart's content :)

The pattern is Never Not Knitting's "legwarmies" I love the name!

New Test Knit Project

Capitola's first modeling job

My friend Bekah and I found a grassy spot to photagraph her little girl, Capitola in the store sample of the Scallop Edge Dress. We had fun playing with Cappy on this beautiful sunny & breezy day!

Sleeping on the job...

This is my favorite! Aren't her eyes so pretty?

Store Sample!!

Jessica of Jessica Knits asked me to knit up a store sample for her to display with my pattern. Here it is!

More details later...

The Yarn Shop is a Dangerous Place...

I went to Jessica Knits yesterday to talk to her about my patterns, and I thought, "oh I'll buy the yarn to finish the project I'm working on and that's IT!"

Yeah, that never works...

Busy Busy!

I've been a busy girl lately. I have a huge project at work coming up. (in fact, I should be working on it right now...) My students and I have been working on a conservation unit, and preparing for our state tests. I have been knitting as often as I can in my hectic life!

I started a blanket for a friend of Reed's who is having a baby girl. I have a really hard time editing myself for time. I like DK weight yarn. (sometimes smaller...) I just really enjoy the light, happy result of knitting with small gauge yarn.
When I started this project I knew I didn't want to spend more than about $30, and I knew it should be quick because of my busy schedule. Despite all that reasonable thinking and planning, this is what I came up with: In short - fine gauge yarn on itty bitty needles. I was going to muddle through it anyway. It didn't have to be done until April or May, for goodness sake! Well, here it was, April 4th, and I still only had a third of the blanket done. Surprise surprise... So, I decided to go against my instincts and try something different. "Start over?" My mom & husband thought I was crazy, but:This is the project that came of it. It took me one week, and the yarn cost about $35. (and I got to use my pretty glass needles :) It was made in strips as you can see, and then sewn together. I did one strip Monday night, another Tuesday, half of a strip on Wednesday, half on Thursday, and one on Friday. Last night I sewed it all together using the mattress stitch. Now I'm wondering about embellishments... Whatever became of the other blanket? I don't want it to fade away into obscurity like so many other projects have, but we'll see. It may become another free pattern on Ravelry. It's really just a variation on the staggered eyelets baby blanket. So many ideas for the summer, I just can't wait!!

Invitations

I just realized I haven't shared a picture of the shower invitation! Here it is:

The shower was yesterday and it was a blast! Everyone made a scrapbook page & I will share some pictures of those in a few weeks. It was such a fun day. So many cute little baby clothes!

gift bags

I made these gift bags this morning for the shower on Saturday. I found the bags at Michaels and the little decals were made on my Cricut with the New Arrivals cartridge. Easy peasy (as we say in my classroom) & cute!

Yellow Dress

I brought my sample of this dress into Jessica Knits in Scottsdale. Jessica saw it and asked me if I would be selling the pattern. Yay!! I am currently working on the third size and hope to be finished with the fourth and ready for sale by the end of my Spring break. (which is the end of the week - yikes!) This one is for my niece. I'll be sewing on the buttons and giving it to my sister on Saturday :)

Blue Dress with Eyelets

This is a little dress I made for my friend April's baby shower, which, sadly, I will not be able to attend since it is the exact same date & time as my sister's shower. The plan is to take her out to breakfast or lunch and give it to her then. Hopefully that will make up for missing the special event! I made a little matching dress for a doll or stuffed animal. Now to find the perfect friend to fit the dress. I'll post pictures when I do, of course.

Baby Shower

My sister is due in May to have her first baby - a little girl!! I'm so excited. I have been knitting up a storm! This week, though, is focused on the baby shower. My friend Megan & I are hosting it at my mom's house on Saturday. Here are some decorations I made on my new Cricut & Gypsy !!

Here are my two favorites up close:

Baby Onesies and Wrap Shirts

These took me awhile, and I cut the fabric on my Cricut machine. It was not as easy as the YouTube video made it look. I love the way they turned out though! Especially after the embroidery. Can't wait to give them away to the new mommies!

Cricut & Gypsy

My amazing mother in law gave me a Cricut Gypsy for Christmas and I am in awe over all of the wild things it can do!! Thanks Susan!!!!