FP: Fi-Fy-Fo-Fum

Finished Project: Fi-Fy-Fo-FumCraft: KnittingDate Range: May-August 2011 (took long breaks!)Yarn: Happy Feet (merlot & taupe)
Needles: US 2 & US 4Notions: Buttons (from button jar)Pattern Source: Fiona's TopModifications: Changed needle size to get a newborn size

Journey:

When I first saw this top I knew I wanted to make it.  I thought that the bodice was joined and knit in the round, but then I found out it was seamed and so I put it to the back of my mind (I am not much on seaming (not too good at it)).  But it just nagged at me and then I saw the Happy Feet and I knew that it would be perfect, so I sucked it up and cast on.  It went great, the first part of the back went fast, then I started losing focus.  Then I picked it back up in June and got the second part done and was almost done with the back and for some reason put it down to do something else.  I didn't get back to it until July and started the front and was going great, then focus started drifting towards nothingness again and finally I was so close, that I took a day off work to get it done.  The seaming went pretty darn good.  I am pretty proud of it. 

I had a heck of a time picking out some buttons for the back.  I must have spent an hour going through my button jar looking for something in the brown family and finally I thought, a pop of color and so I found two of these fucshia buttons (it is hard to find two matching buttons in my jar sometimes).  They were perfect!

It turned out exactly how I wanted (could be a touch longer).  I am keeping it for me (no I am not having a baby (far from it)), just for a little something special.  I am pretty sure that if my friends have girls, they can expect one at some point!

FP: Owl Hold That For You

Finished Project: Owl Hold That For You
Craft: Knitting
Begin Date: June ?, 2011
Completion Date: The next day
Materials: Knit Picks Comfy Bulky (?discontinued); Lining fabric
Notions: Button jar buttons
Pattern Source: Owl Diaper and Wipes Case

I needed a quick knit to go with a box of Pampers Swaddlers for a work place baby shower and then I remembered that I had purchased this pattern. I knew it would be perfect.

I quickly ran to my stash to see what I had in the bulky weight that would work (note: I don't have enough bulky weight yarn, and by that I mean, next to NONE!) I found some KP Comfy Bulky in the Marine colorway that I had purchased way last year for a different project that never did happen. I held my yarn doubled, to get a little more bulk. The Comfy Bulky feels like a worsted to me.

In the future I plan on using either cotton doubled or something more like Thick n Quick. I think I will shy away from the KP (too soft).

I had the lining fabric already sewn for another project (two years ago) so I was happy to finally use it. I just love the print. I wish I had more of it. *sigh*

All the buttons came from my button jar. Do you know how hard it is to find two of the same button? Oy...I was lucky.

I noticed that going from the tighter knits of the cables to the purls left ladders. I am not happy with that, but I am not quite sure how to fix it. I always pull my yarn pretty tight (I am a tight knitter, but these ladders make me look like a ginormous loosey goosey). If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please drop me a comment or email me at mystery@bresnan.net . I can also be found on Ravelry with the id: LdyPngn.

Happy little knit, I plan on making again and again. Owls are so in right now! Perfect for a boy or girl. This went to an expectant little girl.

FP: Red Queen

Finished Project: Angie's Red Queen

Craft: Knitting

Begin Date: January 2011

Completion Date: March 2011

Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool

Needles: US 6: US 10: US 11: US 17

Notions: Fabric covered buttons

Pattern Source: Antique Alice in Wonderland Spats

Raveled: Angie's Red Queen

In my big push of projects in January, I completed the wrist cuffs in just a couple of days. Then something happened and I lost my mojo, and put off making the anklets until March. During the hiatus, I was frantically looking for some buttons that would work. Finally, taking into account the other items in the gift, I settled on making my own fabric covered buttons in a fabric used on a little pouch that just so happened to be the same fabric I had used to line a red bag that I had given to the same friend 9 months earlier. I love the buttons and I love the whole look.

Such as easy pattern, it is quick and makes a great gift for a fashion forward young lady. I think the anklets would look great with leggings and the wristers are great with sweater or long sleeve t-shirts/tunics.

FP 5: These Booties Were Made For Walking

Finished Project: These Booties Were Made for Walking
Craft: Knitting
Begin Date: February 4, 2011
End Date: February 4, 2011
Materials: Plymouth Jeannee - Purple (20)
Needles: US 6 & US 5
Pattern Source: Inspired Booties

I had these in my queue for most of 2010 and never got around to knitting them.  Then 2mayboys knit up a pair and had so kindly gifted me some of the Jeannee yarn and I had no reason not to do them.  So Friday while home sick, I settled in to some dvr and knit these up in no time flat.  I love the construction and they work up so fast.  These are sure to go into the "baby shower knits project book".  They take no time at all, so baby can be set with footwear for every outfit throughout a good portion of his or her babyness months. 

Like 2mayboys, I chose to do the ribbing and I took it down to a US 5 needle just to make sure I got that tightness to hold these little cuties on.

I cannot wait to make a Pittsburgh Penguin themed pair.

FP 4: Dr. Duck

Finished Project: Dr. Duck
Craft: Knitting
Begin Date: January 15, 2011
Completion Date: January 16, 2011
Yarn: Lily Sugar & Cream: Warm Brown, Dark Pine, Hot Orange, Ecru
Needles: US 4
Notions: Safety Eyes
Pattern Source: Round Duck

First and foremost, I should emphasize the importance of reading the directions through first before beginning any project.  Like 97% of crafters, I did not do that and I had to frog a very unsymmetrical duck body and start over!  But, the second time around went so much more smoothly and I learned from my mistakes and even better, I was able to take full advantage of the clever way this little guy comes together.

Pattern designer Clare Doornbos provides a very detailed pattern with loads of photos (that you should totally look at before beginning).  Her clever short-rowing and the in-the-round pick up for the head is just something that I gushed about for days (of course it was to all my non-knitting friends so they just smiled along with me).  I will definitely be checking out more of Clare's patterns at Natty Knits.

I love this pattern and will be making many more Round Ducks, I am sure.

This is for my NCIS swap partner and it represents Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard so to go with it, I designed my very own Ducky Bow Tie to finish the English Gentleman Look.

FP 3: 2 for Tripping

Finished Project: 2 for Tripping
Craft: Knitting
Date Began: January 8, 2010
Date Finished: January 9, 2010
Pattern Source: Craftster
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft - black & gray
Needles: US 6
Modifications: Cast on 19 for the blade, leave 4 on either end, bo 11

I just needed to have these for little Lilith to wear when we watch games.  Especially now that she has her whole Penguins outfit (onesie, custom hat).  What girl does not want hockey skate booties to keep her feet warm and show how much she loves the game? 

These knit up super fast and would have been done in one afternoon if I had not taken one of those unintentional naps. 

I left a long tail at the beginning (so glad I did) as I did not know at the beginning which edge would be stitched to close the boot.  Turns out it is the cast on edge.  So, I definitely recommend that.  A simple whip stitch is all it took.

I originally had this great idea of using baby rick rack to lace up the boots, I don't recommend that.  I ended up just using some gray scrap yarn to lace up and tie.

A great free pattern that could easily be adjusted with either larger/smaller needles/yarn or some math and little ones can be totally rocking the look on hockey night!

FP 2: Stashed Away

Finished Project: Stashed Away


Craft: Knitting

Date Began: January 2, 2010

Date Finished: January 5, 2010

Pattern Source: Lily Sugar 'n Cream Eco-Kitchen

Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream - Sage

Needles: US 10



I wanted to get an early start on Christmas gifts for 2011 and I knew that I really wanted to make this basket for a dear friend and fill it with lots of little goodies.

I didn't read the pattern all the way through and went to start and realized I needed to knit with three strands! Really three strands? And only on a size 10 needle? With 100% unforgiving cotton? Are you sure? Yes, yes I am sure. So off I went to wind balls from my brand new fresh cone. That was fun. Note to those of you wanting to do this...just buy three or four balls and knit from that. I am sure it will be much easier. I wound and wound my way and finally was able to get started.

The pattern is really easy and is only a four row repeat. To get the required 2 1/2", I needed to complete two and one half repeats. The four sides looked kind of small and I thought, well it will still be a cute basket.

Once I started the bottom of the basket, I thought that the whole thing was going to be one big wonky mess. The bottom seemed huge and the sides seemed tiny. How was this ever going to come together? But together it came. Once I seamed all the sides together I found out the basket was going to be much larger than I anticipated. Oh well, more stuff to fill it with! It needs a bit of blocking (I am just looking for the right shape to fit in there to block it around), but I am super pleased with it and I think that the recipient might just like it.

P1: Death By Knitting

Finished Project: Death By Knitting


Craft: Embroidery

Date Began: January 1, 2011

Date Completed: January 2, 2011

Pattern Source: Urban Threads


I started this on New Year's Day with every intention of finishing it during the Winter Classic. I think I was too bummed out to finish it and decided to wallow in my sorrow by eating chips and dip. Since I didn't want to get it dirty, I pushed it off and finished it after today's unintended nap.

I used a white canvas bag (pack of three from Joann Fabric & Crafts), took one of my most favorite designs from Urban Threads, and applied it using the iron/laser printer technique (and OMG it worked! I could have made it a touch darker...if that was even possible) and then using some DMC floss, got started (sorry I don't have the floss numbers, I am a bad crafter and discarded all the labels without writing down any of the numbers! I have a whole box full of unlabeled floss!). I wanted to do something a little edgy for my friend Angie. She is going to start knitting soon and I wanted her to be set in style. I don't know too many knitters in my area, let alone any who would appreciate a skull as much as I would, but I think Angie will dig it.

It is stocked full of yarny goodness, a little reference guide I put together and some notions in a cute little knitted pouch. I love to give my "students" a little goody bag to get them excited about the craft.