Birthday Crafting

I've been busy crafting for River's birthday, (1!) which happens to be tomorrow. I still have a birthday crown to make and the older sisters and I will be dying up a set of wee playsilks for her later on today.

But right now I wanted to show what I've gotten done so far. I finished up this cardigan for her yesterday. I actually really love how it turned out, only I do wish that I had allowed a little more for the width of the back. Still, it's a nice fit. And the chickens! Love them. Rav notes here.

On to the doll. I teamed up with my mom again to make this soft, squishy doll. I think the head may be a bit too small but I'm still pretty happy with it.

We knocked it out in just a couple of hours and I knit the little cap up for it after the girls went to bed. Rav notes on the cap.

Today will be super busy. Got to make that crown and the silks, find a good gluten free cake recipe, clean... I think that's it. She's still not broke that tooth that has been paining her through. Poor baby. We're still not getting a whole lot of sleep so I'm trying to get to bed as early as the crafting will let me. I do hope she'll get some reprieve from it tomorrow and be her usual cheerful self on her big day. I'll share pictures of the other handmade gifts later.

Yarn Along

Yarning along with Ginny today...

Not quite in the needles yet, inspiration has struck for a new cardi for my girls. This one will be for River's birthday (next Tuesday, eek!). Since this one I made was smallish I wanted to knit another for her that would be wearable for some time and I'm knitting it up in Malabrigo Silky Merino, super soft and lightweight, so it will go well into spring. I have an idea about the construction so we will see about that.
Currently browsing, Sew Darn Cute and Sew Pretty Home Style. Both chock full of sweet projects and hopefully will inspire me to dust the cobwebs of my machine.

Chicken buttons for the cardi, bought on clearance at Jimmy Beans.

In unrelated news, she sleeps! On my back anyway. I don't want to tempt fate and lay her down. Her crankiness is on the rise and nights are growing loooonger. Let's hope this tooth appears within the next day or so we both can rest. And thank you sweet ladies so much for your kind wishes.

Hand Knit Hand Me Downs

Apparently, I am not the only one with outgrown, mis-sized, unneeded and unwanted hand knits. Every knitter (or crocheter) has them. Things they've made that no longer fit or maybe didn't to begin with, or just things they've grown tired of but hasn't got the heart to just toss them in the goodwill box.
So, the group is up. Bring your knits and crocheted things, whatever they may be, and find a new home for them and find something new for you and yours while you're at it. Read the rules, join and let's start posting!

I've already added this hat. I think the best way to give them away will be to allow anyone who wants an item to comment on the picture and if there are multiple people wanting one thing, then for the person giving it away to then use random.org to pick a winner. Also, you can state in your description how long you will take comments. Does this make sense? If not or you can think of a better way to do feel free to give me your input.

I've added a button over there on the left and the link for the code below it. So, if you are joining, please go ahead and grab it and let's spread the word! I just can't wait to find new homes for some of these knits I have hanging around.

Yarn Along

Knitting and reading along with Ginny.

On the needles; one of these for a customer and not so much on the book front. After last week's 'starter book' I did pull out a few I was trying to decided between and you know what? They still sit in their little pile, uncracked. So instead I am sharing the magazines I'm reading; the latest issues of Living Crafts and Knitting Today. And I have to say, the article on making wooden woodland animals has me really wanting to try my hand at making some wooden toys for the girls. So, there you have it, I am a reading drop-out. For now anyway.
And please stop in on this post about hand knit hand me downs and let me know what you think.

Hand-Me-Downs?

I had a thought, and it started like this;

I just made this wee vest for my my sweet River's 1st birthday, which is coming up on the 25th of this month. I so love this pattern and the yarn. It's the same I used for these longies. And I really love how it turned out, only thing is, it's rather on the smallish size (I used the free version, size 1 year) and she won't be able to wear it as much as I'd hoped.

No problem, I thought, my best friend is expecting and I'll just pass it down to her along with some other hand knits River has outgrown. Wrong! See, I am a lover of all things woolly (vest is 60/40 alpaca/wool) and said friend is allergic to wool. Which also means she won't so much appreciate snuggling her new babe dressed in the wool/cotton t-shirts I had planned to give her, either.
So, yes, I could just put these tiny, lovingly knit clothes away for my children's children, or!

I could pass them along to you where they could be worn and loved right now. As a matter of fact, I have several pieces that River has outgrown and a hat I just made that is too big for River, too small for Kaiya and Zoe won't wear and I really don't want to frog. And then I thought perhaps some of you have things you've knit and now no one can (or will) wear them in your house and you just don't have the heart to just give them away to Goodwill where you will never know if someone will really love it or even knows how to properly care for it without you there to tell them the fiber content and how to wash.

So, my thought is this; would you like to join me in a hand-knit hand-me-down? I was thinking that we could post pictures of the item we would like to find a new home for in a Flickr group and there we give away and receive gently used hand knit (or crocheted) clothing, children or adult (who hasn't made a sweater that just doesn't fit you like it did the model?) No selling, there are plenty of sites for selling used items already. And the only thing to be asked for in return would be a photo of the recipient wearing the item.

What do you think? Is this something you would like to do? Comment and let me know, please, and I will start the group if at least a few people are interested.

Yarn Along

I'm 'yarning along' again this week with Ginny (and many others). I'm so glad to be taking some knitting down time after the holidays. This has to be my favorite thing about January, free for all knitting, though, I do have a couple of caterpillars in the works for a swap for some sweet wooden toys. I'm going back and forth between them and a bonnet, probably for the shop. I haven't made one of these Hugs and Kisses Bonnets in some time and felt like doing a wee bit of cabling. It's just so nice to actually get to choose what I'm knitting and not doing the same thing over and over and over... I'm using some yarn I just hand dyed over the weekend. I love these colors! I've done this colorway a few times already and keep going back to it (a tiny bit for finger knitting and a whole skein for a friend). I think perhaps I'll dye up several more whole skeins to offer up in my shop.
The book, I haven't actually started reading. I haven't been reading at all, really (unless you count magazines) since this post, so I thought I'd start with some instant gratification to get the ball rolling again. This is a teeny tiny book and looking at the Amazon listing got a lot of poor reviews, so, we shall see.

Oh, and see that tiny little person in the background, pulling Cd's and books of the shelf? She's making me a bit bonkers. Definitely a test to this mama's patience. Currently, though, she is sound asleep. Ahhh....

Yarn Along

I am yarning along again with Ginny this week. On the needles, knitting up the last heart for another pair of Hearted Fingerless Gloves for an order in my shop. I'm still staying so very busy and have had to remove all of the made-to-order items from my shop til the holiday rush is over.
I've had no time for any personal reading but, as always, my little book worms are clamoring for me to read book after book to them. Our (my) new favorite is this wonderful book by Phyllis Root, Grandmother Winter. It tells the story of Grandmother Winter, living all alone with her flock of snow white geese. In the spring and summer she cares for the geese and collects their feathers when they flap a "storm of feathers" and stuffs them into a beautiful quilt. But when she shakes her quilt, that's when the real magic happens.

The story is just magical and Beth Krommes illustrations are so enchanting. I think it's the perfect story to read before tucking your children into their beds on a cold, wintry night.

Yarn Along

Well, first I've just gotta say I really can't believe it's December already. My mama did always say the years fly faster the older you get but, man! This one flew past. I am glad to have it here, though, it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

This week I'm working... well, LOTS! Currently, though, another crown. I never thought I'd be so glad to knit one of these, I've been drowning in a sea of caterpillars and teething dolls so this is a welcome change for the moment. And my book for the week is a one we received in the mail yesterday. It's a sweet little book that shows what all the different kinds of animals do in the winter and at the end it talks about different things you can make to feed the animals. The girls really loved that part so we're going to be making some of those tomorrow.
Check out what everyone else is knitting here.

Yarn Along

I've been staying so super busy in my Etsy shop. I haven't knitted anything for me or mine in some time and have been thinking how in the world will I get anything made for Christmas? I am being realistic, admitting that I will have to buy most of the gifts this year. But I really do want to have at least one handmade (by me) for each of my girls this year. Which brings me to this week's Yarn Along. Yes, I have orders in the wait a mile long, but, I think I will take the girls' projects just one row at a time, fitting in the extra knitting where ever and when ever I can. Seriously, I knit knit the first few rows of this during our walk this morning.

So, the book is Seven Times the Sun. The pattern, Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap. And the yarn is from Cherry Tree Hill.

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Yarn Along

I'm joining Ginny today and sharing my latest knit and latest read. I actually just received this one in the mail today. Happy mail! It's so chock full of crafty goodness. I can't wait to dive in and get started on something. That is, if I can carve out some time in between orders. As for my current knitting project I have just cast on for yet another crown.

We also received this one today. I ran across it a week or so ago on someone else's blog but, for the life of me, can't remember who's. It's a really beautiful little book and a lovely illustration of staying in the moment.

Hop on over to Ginny's blog if you'd like to join along!

Right Now...

...I'm nursing the baby to sleep and trying to calm my nerves after one hectic evening. You know these nights? Too tired kiddos and they're melting down left and right. And it's all a mama can do to keep it together. Though I'm certainly not gonna claim to have gotten them all the way to bed without a bit of a meltdown myself. And at this very moment I can still hear them bickering. These kind of days seem endless.

I've still been knitting for my upcoming event just as much as these little ones will let me. Though, I have found it much more difficult to get it together this year. One more kid minus one adult keeps this mama's hands pretty full. I'm getting there, though. Slowly but surely...

Tiny hands I love.

And right now I'm listening to this.

These guys are my latest obsession. I found them here and have been listening to them pretty much non-stop since. Which I guess you already know if we're Face Book friends. Can't help it... they're wonderful!

Saturday

Nothing much to see here. Some knitting going on, playing outside in this ridiculously wonderful weather. Fall!
And just a handful of giveaway's for you entering pleasure.

A Mini Quilt

Fabric

Sock Monkey Fingerless Gloves

Power Cables By Lily Chin

Keeping Busy

That breakthrough has finally been made and I'm on a roll now! I have to say, it's really an all around bummer to not be knitting. It just throws me off completely and I'm not happy when I'm not creating. Not to say that life has suddenly turned to bliss but it really is a little bit like therapy and just helps make my days a little bit brighter. I'm reading this book at the moment. It's really good and approaches all the different ways that knitting or just crafting in general enhances our life and the lives of those around us and also gets into how we can use craft to make a difference in some small way. The author's views on feminism do kind of irritate me a bit but all around it's good and opening up my mind of different ways to use my knitting.

So here's what I've been up to. Another Kitten hat. Little River has not been her usual cheerful self quite as much as she's got these horrid teeth coming in. Poor baby.

A purple crown. I honestly can't say why I've not done purple before now. For some reason it seems like a no-brainer... This picture of Zoe Gail just kills me! She has the goofiest expressions.

A custom order of teething dolls for triplets. Triplets... could you imagine?

And wands which are the perfect companion for my crowns. Just sayin'... And knitters, the pattern is up in my Etsy shop, Ravelry shop and I'll get it in my shop here soon enough.

And tonight I'm going to get started on this cowl. A custom order from a friend. I dig this yarn. Green!
See? I told you I've been busy!

The Kitten and Saturday's Giveaway List

My latest hat. As soon as Zoe saw it on River she exclaimed "It's a kitten hat!". Thus the kitten was born.

I'm well this week. Keeping very busy, working hard to get ready for the event next month I'm attending. I really do enjoy showing and selling my work in person. It's quite gratifying to hear immediate feedback.

And the list;

An Old Fashioned, Hand Cranked Ice Cream Machine

A Custom Animal From Bird and Little Bird

Woolen Child Size Slippers From Satch and Sol

A Frilly, Girly Skirt

A Photograph Pendant From Photographer Stacey Winters

Actual Factual Knitting!

That's right, there has been some knitting going on around here... at last! Made this one for the older girls, it fits 1-3 years. I'm going to (eventually) get started on the pattern and it will be for ages 3-12 months and 1-3 years. I've got several orders on the needles at the moment, so I'm not sure just when it will be coming out.

And for the Saturday giveaways;

Stubby Pencil Studio

Nursing Nightgowns

Cloth Pads

Creative Awakenings Book and MORE

Now That's Much Better

After ripping it out and ripping it I finally got it right. Remember this yarn? I started it a few days ago when the girls and I were having our pretend autumn day. This I dig. I worked the top in short rows, giving the back some taper around the neck. Perfect. and fits about 3-12 months. I'm going to work up the pattern and may or may not include larger sizes, we'll see.

Rav link

My poor baby in her pretend cold weather gear. She was happy to oblige, though.

I'm going to make another red in the same Malabrigo. This one is already up in the shop.

Spent a great day at the science center with my mom and the girls. I'll share some pics tomorrow.

Good Things on Saturday

Well, this is what I came up with. I'm fairly happy with it, though, it still needs some adjustments. Doesn't fit quite like I'd like it to. But I must say, my friend's little girl looks pretty sweet in it. And it's really hard to go wrong with Malabrigo Worsted, anyway.

I'd like to say this gave me the break-through I was hoping for, but no, I'm still pretty stuck. Maybe I should take this as a sign to work on some other projects. Like, perhaps, the tempting stack of cardstock sets I've been collecting.

Here's another soaker for my girl. She's growing so fast, so more undies are in order. I made this a few weeks ago but I'm sharing this with you because, a) I've been having issues getting my photos uploaded to Ravelry, and though I had to skip the uploading and bring them in from Flickr, they're there now, finally.

And, b) because I don't know if you've made this pattern or not (assuming you have a wee babe in cloth diapers), but it's really fantastic. I love this one. It's the only one I make anymore. You should give it a whirl.

And on to more good things... giveaways! I've won several in the past couple of years and my mom is always jealous so I've been rounding them up for her and posting them on my facebook, so I'm going to share them with you, too. Saturday is the day for giveaways, at least on the blogs I frequent. So here is Saturday's giveaway round-up.

No Plastic!

Can't go wrong with coffee

Hypno-Birthing

Fat Quarters

Natural toys for that wee babe of yours

OK, go enter now!
Have a beautiful Saturday!