Fox Costume

I know it's not knitting, but it is garment-making and I was quite proud of this thing, so I'm sharing it. Last year my daughter decided she wanted to be her favorite animal for Halloween. Her favorite animal is a fox...or more specifically, a red fox. I looked high and low for a costume that would work for her and the only one we found was in the UK and was priced at $50 (shipping not included).

Let's back up a little... When I was in Middle school I took sewing classes. Keep in mind that this was in the late 80's so a sewing class was not unheard of. In that class I made an ice cream pillow and a dog sweatshirt. I probably made one or two other things but I can't remember. Sad thing is that those items have disappeared--I'm guessing in my mother's basement, or given away by her. No matter, the point is the same. I haven't sewn anything since I was about 12 yrs. old. Still, I have my grandmother's sewing machine and Megan really wanted to be a fox, so I figured "what the hell."

I found a pattern that I could modify to make it more fox-like, and together, Megan and I picked out the main fabric (a rust colored fleece) for most of the costume, plus some white faux fur for the belly and ears. I didn't want to make mittens because I knew it would be difficult for her to hold the bucket and Trick or Treat, so I bought some white stretch gloves, some black "witch" fingernails, cut the nails down, and glued them to the gloves. Worked like a charm!

I will say that I was incredibly intimidated to make this costume. The pattern wasn't very helpful and most of the things I had to do I either hadn't done in forever, or had never done. I was so sure she would end up with a Gordon Cartrell costume (reference from the Cosby Show where Denise makes Theo a shirt that is all kinds of messed up). I fretted over sewing in the zipper--my first ever--and worried that one arm would be longer than the other. In the end, it came out quite nice. Not perfect...yet not too shabby. I decided not to sew in the elastic as I practiced with it and sucked. In the end I rolled up her sleeves and ankles inside and pinned them.

She was beyond thrilled! She was a little put off by people asking if she was a cat (she did kind of look like one), but in the end she could've cared less. I got a huge boost of self-confidence and even DH was proud of me. I can't say that I've sewn anything since, yet I do want to start quilting. One day... On to the costume pics:

First, the inspiration. This is the costume that we found but had a heart attack over the price. I didn't put the faux fur at the tip of the tail on Megan's, but wish I had. Live and learn.

Now, here is the costume I made full-length

Side view


Megan being silly

Two down, fifty-four to go

I got started on the baby blanket last night, but had to stop after making two squares. My brain has been so foggy lately that I was having a hard time keeping track of how many rows I had knit up. I literally was counting outloud as I knit...one, one, one...to keep track of which row I was knitting...and then when I'd hit like row 13 I'd double remind myself by saying, "The day my son was born, 13, the day my son was born." Pathetic I tell ya! I did take some pics though, so here they are:

This is the blanket I'm making. It's Debbie Bliss' Garter Stitch Blanket from her "Baby Knits for Beginners" book.

Close-up of the blanket. I love how the squares are turned!

The yarn palate I am using from Mission Falls
From Left to Right - Goldenrod, Moss, Chili, Ivory, Musk, and Lentil

Close-up of the yarn to show the texture in it

The two squares I've knitted up thus far

Hopefully my brain will be more cooperative today and allow me to finish up more of them. I'm excited to see how it's going to turn out!

Starting over

After a trip down to Juniper Fiberworks, I picked up some Mission Falls Cotton yarn for Phil & Julie's baby blanket. While I'm still not thrilled about the blanket being so little, I figure I'll knit it up and if it's bugging me I'll go buy some more yarn and add more squares. I really like this cotton yarn, though. Lots of colors, knits up nicely, and is quite soft. Plus it's machine washable--always a good thing w/babies.

Here is a swatch pic of all the colors they offer:


I got one skein each of: Lentil, Ivory, Goldenrod, Musk, Moss, and Chili. I'll take pics of the yarn together later and post them. They really are beautiful. Very fall-like and I think it will mesh well w/the neutral palate of the nursery. I've already started the first square using the Lentil yarn. I'm digging the nubs and grooves as I go along.

And yes, I was quite amazed that I made it out of Juniper Fiberworks with only my 6 skeins of yarn. Let me tell you, it was UBER difficult! Seriously, check out their website and you'll see a small picture of what the store looks like. There is a lot more that isn't shown. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I go in there. The incredibly helpful, and funny, gals that were working kept saying, "She's still in pondering!" and we'd crack up. Good times, baby, good times!

My next stop is to take back the Patons Grace yarn. While it's pretty, and I like the way it feels, it's just too soft for my liking. I have come to learn that I'm a "chunky" kind of gal. I like yarn w/some "oomph" to it. At least for things like blankets, scarves, hats, sweaters, etc. Bring on the texture!!

Liars

Last night Megan and I headed to Michael's to pick up some of the Tangelo Patons Grace yarn, as well as any other colors that might match it. I had decided to make a baby blanket instead, one by Debbie Bliss, and was uber excited to be buying more yarn. From the pattern (Debbie Bliss Garter Stitch Blanket) it stated I would need six balls of yarn (turns out there is more yardage in the Patons than the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran), so I was all set.

When we got there I was so disappointed. The way the sample looks on the Patons website shows the Tangelo as an apricot-pink-orange-cream color. In reality it is ORANGE. Really orange. Not a bad color, mind you, just not what I thought it looked like. I scanned the aisle and although I found two colors that would look nice with the Tangelo, I wasn't "feeling" it. Megan offered up the idea of using the Patons Lavender, which I pondered over, but I ultimately chose the Tangelo, with Natural, and Taupe (which again, in person looks much different than the web swatches).

Imagine how lucky I felt when I talked to Phil last night and found out that the nursery had been done in taupe/natural colors! A little bit of orange will add a burst of color while the Natural and Taupe (chocolate) colors blend in with the rest of the set. Sweet!

So I sat down, cast on, cast off, cast on again, ripped it out--I don't know why but I always have the damnedest time casting on. It's like I forget how. I do it, then when I start to knit I realize the tail is in the wrong place and it won't knit up right. I need to practice this more. Anyways, so I'm knitting and I'm thinking, "Boy, these squares are going to be TINY!" The pattern calls for you to make 56 squares, then you piece them all together, and stitch 'em up. I re-read the pattern and the finished size caught my eye..."19 1/2 in. x 22 in." Oh you gotta be kidding me! That's like a napkin, for crying out loud! I don't know why I missed that but in scanning the internet last night to read about this pattern, I found out that I am not alone. The picture in the book even makes the blanket look much bigger, thus many people are fooled by it and skim past the finished dimensions.

Needless to say I'm deciding on if I want to make this blanket or another one. I really like the way the finished blanket looks. You turn the opposite squares 90 degrees and it gives a nice dimensional look to it. Of course I think the Patons Grace might be the wrong choice for this blanket simply because it's not as thick as the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I'm going to hit a LYS today and see if they have the Cashmerino in the colors I want and start from scratch. Then I'll take the Grace back to Michael's. :o(

Liars. All of 'em.

I feel so deceived.

Be still my heart

I want to make these sweaters with the yarn shown. They are adorable!! And the yarn (Sirdar Surfer) looks really fun and funky before it's knitted up and gorgeous finished. From what I can gather both LYS sell this yarn by Sirdar so I'm going to try and get by both of them this week and see if there is any in stock. Plus I have to find the patterns. Too cute!

It stares at me

Last night I finished the other sleeve and now it sits...staring at me...willing me to sew it together. I am hesitant because I fear I will screw it up royally now. However I know I'll dig in and put the thing together. In the meantime, here are some (crappy) pics of the almost finished sweater. You'll have to forgive the lighting. I took these last night around 9'ish or so and w/out flash.

Close-up again of the bottom detail

Close-up of the sleeve edging before sewing

Here is the not quite finished project. The neckline isn't my fav thus far, despite it being very easy, yet we'll see what it looks like knitted up.

One sleeve down, one on sticks

Finished the first sleeve yesterday and started the other one today. I should have the second one done tonight if I actually stop interrupting myself. I think I'm a tad hesitant simply because I'm scared to sew the thing together. Totally afraid I'm going to ruin it.

I made the one sleeve too long (about 3/4") but am not worried. I prefer a longer sleeve anyways and she (my friend) can roll them up for the baby. To me it always seemed that the sleeves were the first thing that got too short on my kiddos, so I'm fine that I went too far. Admittedly it was not done on purpose (I just kept knitting not even paying attention to how long the sleeve was getting), however it did work out to what the next size up would be.

With this sleeve I dropped a stitch on the edge so there is a very tiny hole that isn't noticeable except to me. I'm assuming that when I sew up the seam it will disappear as that's where the hole is. Of course DH keeps joking that because of this itty bitty screw up the baby will get pneumonia. He's soooo helpful. ;o)

I'll post pics before I sew it together. I'm just too lazy today or else I'd take some and post them now.

Patons SWS

After reading a blog on Crazy Aunt Purl about Patons SWS yarn found at Michaels, I had to make a pit-stop there after DH and I hit Home Depot tonight. The SWS yarn is a mix of wool and soy and comes in several fun shades. Patons also makes some other cool ones like Grace and Rumor which I am seriously coveting now. The Grace yarn has a ton of sweet colors, while the Rumor is so soft I just want to wrap my whole body with it. Okay, maybe that's pushing it. Nevertheless, had DH not been with me I guarantee I would've walked out with way more than I did.

Megan (my daughter) has been wanting me to knit her a sweater and when I saw the Patons SWS "Natural Blue" yarn I knew I had found a winner for her. Although the picture I am posting shows it as much brighter than it really is, the colors are b-e-a-utiful! Soft, subdued, and blend so perfectly. I can just see her in a cute little sweater with some khaki pants. I may have to make me one too. I will say that I had a hard time choosing between the Natural Blue or the Natural Geranium...or even the Natural Pink as she likes blue and pink equally, yet if I get something in one color she will usually ask me why I didn't get the opposite color instead. Girls. When she comes home from spending the night at my dad's we'll see what she says. My next step is to find a pattern that will work with this yarn. I grabbed three skeins but figure I'll need to pick up another. I really love this color though...check it out...

Patons SWS in Natural Blue








I also have decided to knit up a sweater for Phil & Julie's baby due towards the end of July in the Patons Grace in Tangelo. I dig this color a lot too. I think I can even use the same boatneck pattern as the gauge matches up. Have to double check on that one. I'm almost scared to go back to Michaels though. Will I have enough will power to only buy what I need instead of what I lust after?

Patons Grace in Tangelo

Baby Sweater #1

As promised, pics of the Boatneck Baby Sweater by Debbie Bliss that I am knitting up.

(fixing the pics as they didn't come through for some reason)

Front and Back, finished

Close-up of bottom edging

Sleeve #1 on sticks

Close up of bottom of sleeves

I'm hoping to have this finished within the next week or so.

Baby sweaters

With one very good friend and two friends that I'm still getting to know all set to have babies soon, I figured now would be a good time to dive into the wonderful world of sweaters. I checked high and low online for a pattern that was easy to read and easy to knit, yet didn't have much luck. Once again I made a trip over to Gossamer and with the help of a great saleslady, I picked out "Baby Knits for Beginners" by Debbie Bliss (I heart her), along with some sweet cotton yarn. The pattern I chose is a boat neck sweater, which is as easy as it comes. It called for the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino however they didn't have enough of it, nor the colors I wanted. Instead I went for Blue Sky's Cotton in Shell and Honeydew. These sweaters will be for my friend who is having twins (a boy and a girl). So far I am finished with the front and back and have started working on one of the sleeves. Pictures coming soon!

For the other two mommies-to-be I can't decide if I'll make another sweater or a blanket. hmmm....

First hat

I found a pattern online (forgive me as I don't have it right now or else I'd post it), picked up some gorgeous chunky, sage green, wooly warm yarn from Gossamer, and cast on my stitches. The hat was a simple pattern. Knitting and purling, then decreasing. I went through it fairly quickly and in no time at all I had my first hat. I will admit that sewing the seams together was by far the hardest part for me. I'm still not thrilled with it and have promised to one day rip it out and re-sew it correctly. When I have extra time. A.K.A. Never gonna happen. Since it's considered a "skull cap" it sits somewhat high on my head but fits my daughter perfectly, so she has proclaimed it as hers but lets me "share it" with her. What a sweet kid! I was happy with the way it turned out given this was my first real project. I skipped the whole "first scarf" thing and jumped feet first into something more difficult. While it's not perfect it works. Here are some pics of my daughter modeling it. I'll have to take some more of it just laying there. You can see the seam is a tad pointy on top. Annoying. It's also sitting on her head a tad crooked, but she's just too cute for words, isn't she?!

I heart yarn

I do. I heart yarn like nobody's business. I can't go into places like Gossamer or Juniper Fiberworks without leaving empty handed. It's just not possible. All the colors, textures, types, and styles boggle my little creative mind. I start thinking of how a certain yarn will look knitted up and I want to buy out the whole store. Because my budget will not allow me to clean both stores out I behave myself and only go in whenever I truly NEED something.

Need is such a subjective word.

So anyways, I started knitting again last year after not having any sort of craft needles in my hands for oh...20+ yrs. My grandma (whom I adored and miss like all get out) started teaching me to knit and crochet (mainly the latter) when I was but a wee lass. I loved it then but since I didn't get to spend a ton of time with Mee-Maw I didn't get a lot of teaching in. Thus, I stopped. I had always wanted to pick it back up again yet knew no one that knit...or crocheted (is that even a word?!) until one of my best friends said she was knitting. That peeked my curiosity, which made me delve into the internet world of knitting, and dragging my daughter out to places like Joanne's, buying crappy yarn, a book written when Einstein was a child, and some aluminum needles. I sat down, read the book, and started knitting. Things were going great...until I messed up.

I called Patty. I whined to her. But she knits on a loom and won't dare try sticks. Crazy girl. I researched and found Gossamer...and classes! Oh! Classes! Loves me some classes. The hubby and I had to go to Portland in a week or so for some medical tests and I really wanted something to keep me occupied both on the trip up and back and while at the hospital. Thankfully Jasper at Gossamer was able to squeeze me in. She was quite impressed that in just a day or two of knitting I had re-learned how to cast on, knit, and make something that resembled a small scarf-to-be. She showed me how to not only fix the mistake I made (which is something I'm still getting down pat) but she also showed me how to purl, and seed stitch, and bind off, and make pom-poms, and cables, and...and...all kinds of stuff. My head was so full that it threw up the moment I walked out. Sigh. I did retain quite a bit though and knitted like mad on our trip.

My first project I'll post in a bit. It was a hat. Something simple and knit in a yarn that is one of my favorites. My daughter "steals" it from me when it's cold out. Looks good on her given it's a skull cap so it's not as long as I usually like my hats. I then moved on to another hat with yarn I had picked up at Joanne's. This yarn is so soft but it drives me insane. I had to take an 8 wks. hiatus as I broke my right arm. Of course right before that happened I had purchased more beautiful wool fibers and they were calling to me. They sat so pretty in my cute little knitting box that I bought, just waiting, wondering why I had abandoned them. Yes, I tried to knit with my splint on. Didn't work out so well.

That hat is still on sticks. I have moved on! Patty is expecting not one but TWO babies (one of each) and I have decided to make her two sweaters that the little cutie patooties can wear this winter. Last night I finished the front of the baby girls' sweater and will be starting on the back...or maybe a sleeve...tonight. It is knitting up very fast and so far I love it. The pattern is from Debbie Bliss (adore her) and is a boat neck style sweater. Something easy for a gal like me who is not great at reading patterns and doesn't have a lot of experience yet.

I want to do socks and purchased some great sock wool yarn for that however I am intimidated as hell on socks--so I shall wait until I've done a few more things first. For now I must finish the sweaters!