Last but not least...

A summer dress for my youngest niece. It will probably not fit her for another year or so, she's only 10 months old now!


The deets - fabric is by Michael Miller. Pattern is Simplicity 2907 cut in a size 2. I added the bias trim at the hem, and a little decorative stitching on the pockets. I hope she likes it!

Let it snow!

Every once in a while we get a little snow in Portland, but not like this! It had been snowing off and on for an entire week, and on Friday night, it started dumping buckets. We have over a foot of snow outside, and it might even hang around until Christmas.

Maybe in anticipation of the snow, I finished another hat, Habitat, by Jared Flood of Brooklyntweed.com. I also knit it in a smoky blue Malabrigo worsted -- I had read so much about this yarn and wanted to try a quick project. It did live up to all expectations, soft and spongy.

Next up, Emmeline apron...

This is the apron from last summer. I actually finished it very soon after I first posted it but have only now gotten around to taking pictures of the finished apron. It was a super easy pattern -- I've actually worn it a lot. I have some Amy Butler in my stash for another one, which I will get around to one of these days. Here's the other side -- fully reversible, awesome!

Saving up the FO's! First up, Shedir Hat...

I was updating my Ravelry page, only to discover that it's taken me almost one year to finish this hat. I worked on it last winter and finally picked it up again last week. It only took me a couple of evenings to finish up after having let it linger for quite a few months. So, here it is!

It's another Knitty pattern, part of the mini issue in support of breast cancer awareness. I knit the hat using one ball of Rowan Calmer on two size 3 circular needles. It was a so-so project process-wise, but the I love the result. I tried to post the link, but it wouldn't work. However, you can just go to knitty.com and do a search for "shedir." Have fun!

Silly Winter PJ's

I finished some flannel pajamas for No. 1. I was very pleased with both the workmanship and the finished product. However, No. 1 was less than enthusiastic about them -- I even had to bribe him to try the top on. I wasn't even able to get a good picture with him in it. I think it's because he's more into Transformers and Thundercats right now, and sock monkeys probably appear to be uninteresting to him. Oh well, I had the fabric long ago and only now have gotten around to making the PJ's.

I used Butterick 4647 but modified it a little. http://www.butterick.com/item/B4647.htm?search=4647&page=1. First, I added red modified piping. I was so proud of myself over the piping. I cut one-inch bias strips, folded them in half and used them instead of regular piping. I had seen this on one of No. 1's Gap pajamas from last winter. I think it works better than regular piping because there is none of the bulk.


Second, I made a back facing. I have a very difficult time with patterns where the instructions have you fold over the balk portion of the collar instead of using a facing. You can see a close-up here, where I also added my label.

Third, although a pair of pajamas do not warrant the detail, I used more bias strips to finish the edges of the front and back facing. I'm sure there's a name for it, but the technique I used was to fold the bias strip in half, sew it to the right side of the fabric, and then fold it out and iron. Very nice look. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of this detail, but I was actually pretty pleased with the effect. It was good practice.


Finally, here's a picture of my Amy Butler Sophia bag that I mentioned a while back. http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/patterns_display.php?id=35. I have yet to use it. For some reason, I am a bit ambivalent about how it turned out, given how long it took me to complete the project.

My Favorite Heel

In my post for the Monkey socks, I mentioned that I used an Eye of Partridge Heel and a round toe instead of the ones given in the instructions. The following instructions are for a total of 64 stitches, which works out to usually a six inch sock circumference at a gauge of eight stitches per inch. BTW, the instructions are adapted from Charlene Schurch's book.

Eye of Partridge Heel with Seed Stitch Edging
Rows 1 and 3 (WS): K1, P1, purl to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1
Row 2: K1, P1, K1, *K1, sl 1, rep from * to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1
Row 4: K1, P1, K1, *sl 1, K1, rep from * to last 3 sts, K1, P1, K1
Rep rows 1-4 until you have 32 heel-flap rows; last row should be RS row

Heel Turn
Row 1: (WS): S1, P16, P2tog, P1, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, K3, ssk, K1, turn. Note that there will be a small gap between working sts taht form heel turn and unworked heel sts.
Row 3: Sl 1, purl to within 1 st of gap, P2tog (1 st on either side of gap), P1, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, knit to within 1 st of gap, ssk, K1, turn.
Rep rows 3 and 4, inc 1 additional knit or purl st after sl 1 until all side sts are worked, end with RS row. There are 18 sts left on heel flap.

Gusset
Needle 1: heel sts. Needle 2: instep sts.
NOTE: It will get tight here transferring stsm, so you might want to have a cable needle or spare needle ready to help transfer the sts.
With RS facing you and needle 1, PU and knit 16 sts from side of heel flap, PU and knit 2 sts at the top of gusset. Continue with needle 1, PM, K16 instep sts from needle 2.
Needle 2: work rem of instep sts, PM, PU and knit 2 sts at top of gusset, PU and knit 16 sts from side of heel flap, K11 sts from needle 1.
Sts per needle: 43, 43. Needle wsnow hold left and right sides of socks.

Close Gusset Top
Needle 1: Knit to 2 sts before marker, ssk, SM, work est patt to end.
Needle 2: Work est patt to marker, Sm, k2tog, knit to end.

Gusset Decrease
Rnd 1
Needle 1: Knit to 3 sts before marker, K2tog, K1, SM, work est patt.
Needle 2: Work est patt to marker, SM, K1, ssk, knit to end.
Rnd 2
Work in est patterns.
Work Rnds 1 and 2 until you have 32 sts on each needle, 64 total.

Next Up: the Emmeline Apron & More Socks

I recently am into aprons, as you might be able to tell. This next one I am working on is called Emmeline from Montessori by Hand, now known as Sew Liberated. It's progressing very quickly so far. Here's one side of the fully reversible apron, without the ties in place yet. I was just noticing that the polka dot fabric I bought for the trim and ties has a very nice hand. It is something called Sevenberries made in Japan. I bought it at Mill End, which tends to have an assortment of fabrics from different companies, so not sure whether I will be able to find any more Sevenberries material.


I've also started another pair of socks, Spring Forward, again from Knitty.com. http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTspringforward.html.

I will post the details later on, but for now it's a super easy pattern! The yarn is a lovely wool and bamboo combination from a company called Painted Sheep.