Dustland

I’ve started this project, Dustland Mitts, pattern by Stephen West, numerous times over the past weeks and I’ve just now managed to kick myself into gear with the first mitt.

Life has happened in a big way here in our world and it has derailed me off of my ‘creative’ path for a bit.  I find it interesting that when I’ve experienced a major life-changing event, I loose all my creative mojo.  I just can’t seem to get that part of my brain to engage, no matter how hard I try.  It seems to me that it would be of some comfort to sit and knit or draw, etc. but I have no interest or the ability to think continual thoughts what so ever. Jeeze…

I won’t go into a whole lot of detail, but we’ve lost a beloved family member, my mother in law, Betty. She passed away recently and I’ve been experiencing what we all do with loss, sadness and all that goes with these moments.  She was a dear, I consider myself so lucky to have known and enjoyed her company over the course of my marriage to her son, Rob.  The family held a beautiful service for her in memory of a life well lived.

Betty & Harry celebrating her 92nd Birthday in September 2013 

I’m knitting these mitts for hubby, using Brooklyn tweeds Loft in the color Hayloft. He is in need of a pair of cozy hand warmers when he comes out of the water after a dive.  He is an urchin diver off the coast of California, and he comes home mighty tired, hungry and chilled after a day of swimming around in the Pacific.  Hope he likes em.

No place like home

It's so nice to be back home!  I was away on a trip up to northern california for a family event.  Here is a picture of me with my lovely sisters.  It is a rare treat for us all to be together, loved spending time with them!

I'm always so excited to get away but then so happy to be back home to my own routine. Also, I’ve been busy getting Zoe ready for her spa vacation. She is headed to stay with a talented customizer this summer for a bit of rejuvenation, lucky girl! She needs sleepy eyes, new pull strings, eyelashes and maybe a surprise or two! 

Zoe is pictured here wearing a cozy little outfit that I knit up for her. The top is knit with lace weight and sparkly yarn held together. Her pants are made with Swan Island finger weight, and they are the softest, I want a pair! Perfect for travel. I will write out the pattern for the pants soon and post over on ravelry.

I want to wish all of you sweet ladies a Happy Mothers day!

Hugs and Flowers to you all…

Frothy mohair dress for Libby - Blythe doll

What is small, fun, and a quick knit?  Why doll clothes of course!

I found this really cute dress pattern by designer Natalie Scrimshire on ravelry and made modifications to suit my girl. See my ravelry page here or below.

I have to admit I’m over the moon smitten with my little Blythe doll, Libby.

She has the sweetest smile, the prettiest hair color and those eyelids are amazing!  Who wouldn’t want to make a few custom outfits for her to wear? She especially likes hanging out with her bff’s, who are also in need of some new things to wear.  More later…

Sweet Libby

Frothy Dress - my modified version

Supplies;

4 stitch markers

Yarn; Rowan kidsilk haze

Needles; size 1 and 4 - 12” circulars

Darning needle

Abbreviations;

Sm; slip marker

Kfb; knit front and back of stitch

M1; make one

Co; cast on, backward loop method

Using size 1 needle cast on 24 stitches

Row 1; k6, pm, k2, pm, k8, pm, k2, pm, k 6

Row 2; purl

Row 3; knit to one stitch before maker kfb, sm, kfb, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to one stitch before maker, kfb, sm, kfb, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to end (32 stitches)

Row 4; purl

Row 5; knit to one stitch before marker, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to one stitch before marker kfb, sm, kfb, knit to one stitch before marker, kfb, sm, kfb, knit one stitch before marker, kfb, sm, kfb, knit to end (40 stitches)

Row 6; purl

Row 7; knit, sm, kfb, knit to one stitch before marker, kfb, sm, knit to marker, sm, kfb, knit to one stitch before marker, kfb, sm, knit to end (44 stitches)

Row 8, decrease row - purl to marker, drop marker, bind of in knit to next marker, drop marker, purl to next marker, drop marker, bind off in knit to next marker, drop marker , purl to end  (28 stitches)

Row 9; k2, m1, repeat to bind off, co 2, k2, m1, repeat to bind off, co 2, k2, m1 to last 2 stitches, k2 (46 stitches)

Row 10; purl

Row 11; *k 2, yo* repeat to last to stitches, k2 (68 stitches)

Row 12; purl

Row 13; change to size 4 needles and knit all stitches

Row 14; place marker and join for in the round and knit (can use double points if not using 12" circular)

Continue knitting in the round to desired length (Libby's is 4" from shoulder to hem)

Bind off in purl and weave in ends

Slip ribbon thru yarn over holes created in row 11 and tie a bow as desired

Sew in small snap closure at rear neck opening.

Ok, yes, I am having way too much fun!

Love her!

Hofsos Mitts - Westys-besties KAL

Designer Stephen West of West Knits

Yarn; Brooklyn Tweed Loft in fossil, woodsmoke and barn owl

Knit holding two strands together thru-out

Size eight needles, I used both double points and straight for this project

What I love about working with Stephens’s patterns, is their diversity.

What I like about this pattern in particular is that it has six distinctive parts,

which is interesting and rewarding in and of it self.  Each time I’d finish

a section, I’d feel a sense of accomplishment.  (Take a mini break for a cuppa tea, etc. ohh plus a scone or two!) Its diversity lies in that each section is made using a different stitch pattern. So once again I learned a few things along the way.  The forth section consists of knitting one thru the back loop and purling one and I really like how the knit stitch stands out and uniquely away from the purl stitch.  

These mitts are cozy warm and after their bath, the yarn puffed up to perfection.  Now, I’ll tuck them away till next winter to wear along with my Kvosin hat.

(Iceland anybody?)

Front section

Back side

crochet for my girls

Hi, say hello to Abbey, Zoe and Libby, my sweet little Blythe girls.

I have to tell you that making things for them to wear is so much fun!

With the weather here in sunny So. Cal so fine, I thought they each could use

a new dress, so I headed over to ravelry and found a versatile pattern that I really like. Amanda Carey wrote the pattern and it is available for free, with my modifications here.  Enjoy your weekend! 

the payoff...

photo by LynneaY13 on Flickr.

Remember the middy sweater?

Well, dear little Charlotte is now old enough to wear and model hers
Her mama, Lynnea, took a photo of her for me to share.
Isn’t Charlotte the cutest model ever?

I can’t think of anything more rewarding than seeing something I’ve made being worn. This just made my day…

Honey Cowl the 3rd

There is something quite therapeutic about this pattern and yes, I’m in love with it.  (Free on the Madelinetosh site or on Ravelry) It continues to captivate and hold my attention. Even though I’ve completed three versions of this project, I will probably make another.  This particular incarnation is intended for my dear mothers birthday.  She recently moved to Northern California, where it can get a bit chilly during the winter. I thought she might like to have a Honey Cowl of her very own to snuggle in. I used about 2-1/2 skeins of Madelinetosh worsted in the color way Isadora. This yarn is so soft, squishy and warm! The slipstitch honeycomb style stitch pattern is hypnotic and really easy to remember for great TV viewing-type knitting.

Hope mama likes her gift this year…