Knits by Angoraknitter

play silks for Christmas

2011-12-02T21:30:00.000-08:00

I decided to get my children play silks for Christmas. However, I wasn't prepared to pony up $60+ for the rainbow colored set I wanted. So I googled and read several tutorials on how to make my own silks.

First I bought 6 large 35x35" silks and 6 more 21.5x21.5" smaller silks.

While waiting for the silks to arrive, I ran out in search of kool-aid, but couldn't find all the colors I needed. So I found an 8 pack of Wilton icing dye to use instead.

My oldest is trying to earn a crafting badge for Scouts, so I recruited him to help for credit.

Once the silks arrived we washed them in warm soapy water. My son remarked that they looked like sails. I'm excited to see his imagination already going into gear.

Then I put in about 1/4 tsp of icing dye, 1/4 vinegar, then filled the rest of these large mason jars with water. The assistant stirred until the dye dissolved.

While the jars are heating up in the jar bath, I put the larger silks into the jar. At first I put in both 1 large and 1 small silk, but discovered it was a bit too tight, and removed one scarf. Basically, just soak the silk in the mason jar till the dye has been absorbed and set into the silk at your desired intensity. Then add more dye if the water has cleared and soak the next silk.

Using tongues is a good idea if you don't want to dye your fingers too.

I ironed the silks (which was suggested on one tutorial) to help further set the dye. After this I folded and wrapped them up for the kids. They think all of these are for their little sister, but actually, they're getting play silks in their stockings too, as she's not getting ALL of them. A lot of what I'm getting the kids this year are really for sharing. I expect they will all play with these.

So that was fun! We'll have to do that again sometime. Perhaps I'll make more for Easter.

Sewing spree

2011-10-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

I'm on a new sewing spree. The baby is a long one, and has nearly gown past the point of fitting into what I define as "real" baby clothes. I like being able to snap him in, or unsnap for diaper changes, yet they stop making clothes like this after the 9 month size. So I've been inspired to build a stash of larger jumper-sleeper like outfits for the cooler weather coming up.

I also made myself another under-nursing shirt. Gone are the shirts with hidden panels, buttons, flaps, and such. Now, I find it so much easier to layer with a soft nursing bra-like shirt under a normal shirt while I'm nursing. I just need to make more so I can cull the nursing shirt collection.

bibs

2011-09-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked if I've be interested in making some things for her store. You know, every now and then someone will ask me and I'm sorely tempted to start making things to sell again. I decided that I would like to try and make some things for her though. Even though I really don't have any free time, I feel like I should at least try. Yet, I'm torn about stealing time away from the kids and my family for a business proposition that might only be a drain on them instead of an enhancement. I'm dabbling my toe back into the waters and trying to see what I can do. Right now I have 4 bibs I managed to complete this weekend. We'll see how it goes.

There's just so many things I WANT to make, and so many things I NEED to do. And for the first time in my life I feel like I'm maxed to the max, and coming up short from what I've got going...yet, there's just got to be a way to work all that I want and need to do. Maybe, perhaps...well, I'll give it my best try.

What do you think is a fair price to pay for a bib? I saw something similar on Etsy for $9, is that too high? I wouldn't pay that much, of course, I'd just make it myself.

Baby Bunting

2011-09-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

A double sided opening on a baby snowsuit is a must in my book. I've had it in my mind to make a new snowsuit for the baby with a cotton jersey lining and a wool shell. I purchased this tan fabric to be the shell, then found it felted up too much in the wash (after I'd already cut out the peices). So I needed to purchase a different wool fabric for my shell (and wash it before cutting out my peices). Not wanting to waste these dark tan peices, I decided to practice with it. This one has a lot of snaps.

The double snap front panel allows for dressing the baby more easily. The snaps along the inseam and crotch allow for diaper changes without having to take the baby out of the bunting.

This particular peice will be just fine for the fall weather, and I'll just need to remember to wash it by hand.

Dress of the running child

2011-07-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

My running toddler...its not the best picture of the dress, and I have no idea how the color turned out this 1970's yellow shade, but I love these pics of the newest dress none-the-less.

My hands feel old. There's more dressed in my mind than the hands can finish.

Gowns?

2011-06-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

I started a cap sleeve Baptismal gown top before my little man was born. After three girls I was sort of geared towards making frilly type gowns. After the baby was born, I decided the cap sleeves were just too girly for him. And I started making another top with straight short sleeves. No frills.

So now I have two gowns. Initially, I thought of selling the extra gown. But now I'm thinking of saving it to give to my middle daughter. She wore the family heirloom gown when she was baptized, and so doesn't have a gown of her own to use for her children. Since there are quite a few cousins who are/ have used that gown, it's doubtful she'll inherit it.

My oldest son also wore the family gown...I'll let any future daughter-in-law figure that out. Women like to get to pick out their baby clothes and gear...usually.

strappy scrappy cami

2011-05-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

This was made a few months ago in anticipation of a birthday which I would be too busy to do much for. In fact this was finished so far in advance that I almost forgot about it. It's another cami dress variation. The bodice is much longer than I expected it to be, and so is the entire dress. She calls it her mermaid dress. Honestly, I just guesstimated the whole thing...eyeballed it...didn't measure a thing. So it should come as no surprise, that it looks a little big. I like growing room anyway. I was just trying to use up the rest of this fun fabric and thought would be too short without that eyelet ruffle. lol!

Boy, was I right about being too busy. I've been trying to get to knit all week, and my new baby just won't let me finish his baptismal gown top.

Silk Alpaca Sweater

2011-05-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

For Christmas I got a gift certificate from my sister-in-law for a semi-local yarn shop, FiberSpace. So a month or more ago we made our way up to Old Town and I spent my certificate on some super soft alpaca silk, sport weight yarn. I purchased 4 skeins so I'd be sure to have enough for whatever child-sized project I decided upon. I made this raglan cardigan with just three skeins. So I have one more skein left for a beanie or something...maybe a pair of teeny socks.

This sweater was cast on at the neck and knit on two needles much like a yoke sweater, almost in the round, except it's a cardigan. Then I placed the sleeves stitches on holders (a string of yarn) and proceeded to work the rest of the way down on the straight needs. Then the sleeves were knit with double points. So there are no seams. All I did was tuck in the tails and sew on the buttons after I was done knitting.

First Communion Dress

2011-03-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's just around the corner, First Holy Communion. It's not done yet, but here's what I've been working on this past weekend. I've had this dress pattern for several years, and it looks divine on paper. However, I'm going to have to make some alterations to make this not look like a bolt of fabric on my tall slender girl. I would even say I think it looks lovely on the hanger...but on my daughter, it just looks like some one's wedding dress swallowed her up. I don't like it!

I did consider just buying a dress, there are lots of pretty ones online. But I was afraid they wouldn't fit her well. Well, now look what I went and did! I made a dress that doesn't fit her well at all. Now is this ironic or what!

My absolute nemesis in sewing is zippers. I suck at them! If you look close to the front of the dress you can see where I damaged the fabric when I accidentally sewed over the top of the dress while sewing in the zipper. Please don't ask me to make you a garment that requires a zipper, you'll be sorry!

Lucky for me, my daughter is not picky she seems to think it's nice. I can take it in some in the back, and add a sash or something. Maybe I'll add some beading if I have time or can think of something that would compliment the dress.

Oh, I almost forgot, I did change the pattern somewhat, in that I added some cap sleeves to the dress. The dress code guidance for first communion was "no bare shoulders."

Hair Flowers

2011-03-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

When I was a little (roller) skater there were very talented parents who made these gorgeous hair accessories for their skating daughters. And there were crafty moms who also sold their hair accessories at contests too. We all liked to look at all the pretty flowers and hair ribbons. Now, I'm not saying mine are equal to those I remember, but I did try to emulate the flowers from my memory.

Well, now that these are done, I'm finished with the girls' skating costumes.

Dress on Ice

2011-03-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

The dress had it's test run today. It passed. The head coach (well, the most senior coach in the rink) liked it too. So we're green light, go for coach approval. Yes, I do worry that they won't like my dresses.

NY NY dress

2011-02-27T14:39:00.000-08:00

The back of the dress

At the last contest, the little sister sat quietly in the stands just watching. There were so few skaters in the beginning levels that I thought it was kind of silly I hadn't bothered to enter her into the contest too. She too would likely win a medal for just having shown up...and that might help her get over her feelings of being left out.

So our coach is working with her a little each week and she's going to skate to NY NY at the next contest.

I had this fabric on hand and since everyone in NY wears black...all the time, it was clear the dress should be black. Then I decided to look at dresses worn by Audrey Hepburn for inspiration, because I wanted a "classic" look. I saw a few "Breakfast at Tiffany" styled dresses I liked, but decided that this dress had to have sleeves, and I didn't want to fuss with a zipper. So I came up with a simple off the shoulder scooped neck and back get up. The fabric shines on it's own, so I just embellished the shear and neck line with beads.

Last night I finished her dress and beaded it up. I just have to come up with hair accessories for both girls and this season's dresses (maybe we can eek out two seasons again ;) will be done.

New Contest Dress

2011-02-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

This is the dress! I've been working on this "classical" polka concept for a while. The music is Tritch Tratch (chit chat) polka by Johann Strauss...and I just love how everything is coming together! My daughter and her coach worked on the first part of the program today...and I'm just tickled pink! I just don't think I could get tired of ever listening to this piece and watching her skate to it. I'm happy with how the dress has turned out thus far.

This afternoon, I'm working on the beads.

And then, I have another dress to make up for her sister when I'm finished...and will have to start this all over again.

Practice Dress

2011-02-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

I made this practice dress about a week ago. It was mostly so I could see how the new pattern I bought worked for my daughter's body type. Of course, it needed to be tweaked, but it's easier to buy a pattern and then tweak it, then to try and draft my own pattern. So I needed to start with a practice dress.

Maybe one day I'll be good enough at design and sewing to draft my own patterns from scratch. I'm self taught, so I learn something new with each project.

I don't like it...

2011-02-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

Nope, I don't like how this turned out at all. It doesn't appeal to me in the least and I loath how the lines don't connect and how the patterns don't exactly flatter my recipient.

My DH said, "don't worry, you can always make me another sweater."

Ugh...November, December, January, and into February...hours and hours, and hours...and I don't like how it turned out. Oh well...after I finish tucking all the tails, I'm done with this thing.

At least my model is cute! And he did say that he would wear whatever I made for him. What a sweet guy!

The sleeves

2011-02-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

The sleeves of that sweater are done...finally! Last night I ripped back the neck and picked up the new neck line stitches. I hope to have this sucker finished by this weekend.

skate dress time

2011-02-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

I really was milking it when I got two seasons out of the last dress I made for my daughter. Alas, she's too big for that dress now (nearly popping the seams), and it's time to craft another one. Thus, the planning has begun! I'm kind of nervous. I hope I can pull this one off.

I finished the body...

2010-12-31T18:44:00.000-08:00

...then knit up about 1/2 a sleeve before deciding to have my recipient try it on. Wrong, wrong, wrong. The sleeve wasn't tapering down fast enough, and the neck! Oh the neck is too high. My last Aryan sweater the neck seemed too low, and thus I've over compensated.

I've ripped out the sleeve back to the starting point and will start again. When I finish the sleeves I'll be going back up to the neck and will try and unwind it down and then knit it back to a better dimension. That will be a bit experimental, as I've never unwound a garment from the beginning. However, I think I should be able to, why not? Better than ripping the entire thing out. Oh the hours, and hours I've spent on this thing already. I don't foresee this being done before Valentine's day at this rate.

Progress

2010-12-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

I knew this sweater would take a long time...but it's a little frustrating that I'm still working on it. Hopefully, I will get it done for Christmas...I hope!

Here I am multi-tasking; knitting, administering a math lesson, and serving as a baby bed. The baby is quite cozy under the large, warm sweater-to-be.

On the needles...

2010-11-11T15:54:00.000-08:00

A request from over 6 years ago

Pumpkin socks

2010-11-07T17:51:00.000-08:00

fun little weekend knits

Project Pumpkin Pants

2010-11-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

It started out as a skein of plain Aryan wool. I poured a dash of vinegar into the bathroom sink, then added orange flavored kool-aid (1 packet unsweetened) and enough water to cover the whole skein. It resulted in a very pale orange yarn. Then I repeated the process using 1 packet of black cherry flavored kool-aid, and this helped to darken the orange a bit more. After it dried I had a nice variegated peachy orange color. And now we have a new pair of longies for the baby. The longies are knit in the round from the top down. The body of the pants were knit on circular needles, and then the legs were knit on double point needles.

Lime for the fall

2010-10-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

Just finished knitting this last night and got the dress sewn up this afternoon.

The sleeves should shrink up a bit after it's washed, but they are a bit longer then I'd intended. Oh well...

I'm not even going to bother with a headband...she won't wear them anyhow.

Two down, one to go

2010-08-14T14:22:00.001-07:00

I didn't think I'd have enough fabric, but I've got a plan to eek out one more dress from this lot, so that my three girls will have matching dresses. It would have been nice if I'd finished this at the begining of Spring....but before fall will be fantastic too!

The goal now, is to finish the third dress someone's birthday at the end of this month. "just keep knitting, just keep knitting...knitting, knitting..."

Here's the second dress.

It's been a long time

2010-05-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

...but I managed to finish a dress for my littlest girl. I've cast another dress top onto the knitting needles...and hope to have that one done in a month.

As I sat down to sew, I realized I hadn't really put my sewing corner into order. I usually require four large push pins to anchor the skirt to the bodice. I couldn't find the stuffed animal, a green Loch Ness Monster toy I got years ago on a trip to Scotland, which I now use as a pin cushion. But luckily, the former owner of this home left behind a sewing machine inside a table, along with all their sewing things. So I used her little pin cushion and her teeny tiny pins. They did the trick, but I was sure glad to find Nessie later, because larger pins work best.

At least someone is knitting

2010-05-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

A month ago I had to...scoff with me for a minute...buy a couple dresses for my baby, because she had grown out of most of her clothes and I hadn't found time to make some for her. A few days ago I cast on a dress top. I plan to make it into a V-neck with cap sleeves to go with some peach floral fabric in my stash.

I used to be able to crank these out in a few days...a week tops! What's happened to me? You can see why it took me over ten minutes to complete a single row this afternoon (as I sat in the car awaiting the older kids to be done with their class). This child is very hands on and HAS to touch everything she sees!

These days go by so quickly, so I'm not sad at all that I haven't much time to knit.

Another New dress

2009-11-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

Inspired by some of the things I tried with the baptismal dress, I made a new dress for my oldest daughter...who has nearly grown out of all the dresses I've made for her. She's pretty tall and slender, so I needed to try something different. This is a mock turtle neck top with 3/4 length sleeves. I added cuff ruffles, a seed stitch texture, and a eyelet pattern to allow me to insert the decorative ribbon on the bodice. You're looking at nearly three months of work here, over three skeins of yarn, a spool of ribbon, and two yards of fabric. But I'm much happier with how this "big girl" dress turned out than any other I've ever tried before. Hopefully, the dresses will just keep getting better and better. Already I have ideas of what I can do to improve next time.

Baby's Alpaca Sweater

2009-11-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

I started this about 20 days ago...that's a long time for me...and long time in the life of a quickly growing baby. But it's still big enough for my little one.

The yarn came from an impulsive purchase at a local shop. It's 100% alpaca wool, and just looked so chocolate and pinkilicious! I had to make my princess something girly with this.

Pouch Sling

2009-11-02T16:00:00.000-08:00

I thought I really needed one of these... and I love how it turned out. However, the baby has not let me put her into it (without crying) so it's failed to gain her approval.

This pouch is double layered with cotton sateen fabric, and wool flannel. I thought it would be great for winter time baby wearing. Oh well.

Old project, new model

2009-10-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

This sweater finally has a model to fit it. The wool longies I made four years ago for her sister and I'm glad I hung onto them. Not terribly girly, but it's warm and cozy!

Recycle that sweater

2009-10-12T21:50:00.001-07:00

I realized that my girls did not have many pants today...because it got really cold at my house today. Yeah! Bring out the wool and heavy blankets, hot coco, wool lined slippers.

I turned my husbands discarded sweater into a pair of sweater pants for one girl and had enough left over to make a skirt and matching hat for the other girl.

I found really good instructions for making pants like this at:

www.greenkitchen.com/blog/2008/09/sweater-sleeve-kid-pants-tutorial.html

However, I must confess I made my pants before finding this site.

Fancy Nancy Dress

2009-10-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

This dress was finished a while ago and was her birthday present. Yesterday, the girls came down stairs and had dolled all up. So I decided it was a serendipitous time to get a photo of this dress...as I'd not yet done so.

My eldest girl delighted in helping to stage the props and model's accessories. Thanks to our new greener surroundings, we got some quaint shots...and I love not having to incorporate rocks into my pictures anymore.

While it wasn't my intension per say, I realized this dress looks something like a dress you might see in the Fancy Nancy stories. It's just full of tacky frills.

Say it ain't so!

2009-09-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

I got this far...nearly finished with this dress top before I realized that the sleeve lengths were not symmetrical. I had failed to cast on 10 stitches in one of the sleeves (a little over an inch difference)...and continued working all the way up and over the neck, and completed the sleeves before I realized that one sleeve was shorter than the other. UGH! There's no way to fix this other than to tear it out and start over.

A couple weeks ago I had a gal contact me looking to get me to make her a couple dresses. I turned down the order because of all I've go going right now. But, after this little debacle I'm more glad I didn't take on any paying customers right now, because I could only afford to make this severe of a mistake with my own kid's clothes. I'd be so much more devastated if I'd just had to tear out a week's worth of work for a waiting customer.

Which brings me to confess the real heart of why I've been shying away from custom orders this past year...I can't take the stress. I'd much rather just make a dress and find it a good home then try and create on demand. It's so much easier that way...though I do realize I might end up with an incredibly adorable dress that nobody wants that way. My little stash of pre-made dresses usually wind up as gifts, eventually.

Baptism Gown

2009-09-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

There you have it...all done.

Teach your children well

2009-09-10T15:49:00.001-07:00

Each of my children spent some time having knitting lessons as part of their art program last year. It would be such a shame if I am unable to pass along the knitting skills I've achieved to my own children. Lately, though only my youngest is interested in continuing her studies under my instruction. Today, she crawled into my lap and insisted she wanted to "do some knitting." She tossed the yarn over each stitch for me for about 3/4 of a round before she was satisfied that she's practiced sufficiently. Sure, it slows my progress down a bit, but I'm more than happy to let her help one the easy rows (which require only the knit stitch anyhow).

Right now I'm working on a very special project for our new baby. I'll only give you an in-side-out preview of my work thus far. I'm working on the skirt utilizing some lace and cable patterns.

After that...

2009-08-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

I decided to just make an ugly side seam. Though when you flip it on the fleece side, it doesn't really look all that bad, given the nature of fleece.

And while it's not entirely prefect, this car seat cover is done and our car seat is ready for use again.

Okay...now what

2009-08-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

I need to have my infant car seat ready for midwife inspection this week. I noticed our roundabout cover was a bit shabby and decided I'd try and make a new one. So I sketched a pattern out and have gotten this far. I'd intended to make this a reversible cover (print on one side, fleece on the other). However, I'm not sure how to make the edges smooth on both sides. So it might turn out one side is pretty and the other isn't so nice...unless I can think of something else.

On the brink of trying something new

2009-08-18T11:13:00.000-07:00

I'm deviating from my original plan with this knit...all of a sudden I was hit with the inspiration to try something new with the sleeves of this dress. This is another birthday present for my soon-to-be four year old.

Merino Angora Sweater

2009-08-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

This sweater is hand knit from yarn I spun myself. It's the first fruits of my first fleece purchase...which I bought, washed, carded, and processed almost a year ago. I've not finished the spinning of the entire fleece, but I'm very tempted to drag out the wool box today and do a bit of spinning so I can work with more yarn. Then again, I'm a realist and I don't think I quite have time for spinning right now. So just admiring the fruits of my hard work might have to suffice for today.

This little girls is getting this sweater for her birthday in a couple weeks. It's not a surprise, but she's very happy with the turn out non-the-less.

Most importantly, "it's not an itchy sweater...it's a soft sweater." Praise the Lord!

How I find time to get my work done

2009-08-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Set a good example of what diligent working should look like and the kids will hopefully follow suit.

So here I am knitting while one child works on phonics and the other works on math.

And I'm getting to knit! Win, win for everyone!

Baby Sweater

2009-07-08T11:26:00.001-07:00

I took a break from knitting longies to make a sweater for the new baby. My child will not be cold this winter...if anything overheated is more likely the scenario with all my fervent knitting. Well...socks, I've not been much for knitting those. Perhaps I should consider some socks now.

Red Longies

2009-06-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

And another pair done...

On the needles

2009-06-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

I'm working on...bet you can't guess????

Yes, another pair of longies! This pair is red. I like red.

Old dress, new dress

2009-06-24T10:43:00.001-07:00

Last week the girls wore their "pretty" dresses for skating. Charlotte's coach wanted to see how her dress would look on the ice. Felicity just didn't want to be left out.

I've since finished the beading on the sleeve cuffs.

More and More

2009-06-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

I just can't stop knitting longies! I love longies, and I guess I just want to be sure my baby will have a dresser full of them. That's all. Can you blame me?

These are a little different than the ones I did before, but I like to experiment and try new things (in very small doses I like to try new things).

Shop open till cleared out

2009-06-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

I decided to re-open my shop and list the dresses I have sitting here. I will not take any custom orders, but would like to sell off the dresses and snow beanies I have left over from last year. I'll probably list one thing a day, and just keep them up till they're gone. Get em while they last!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I love ya!

2009-06-09T17:44:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow, You're only a day away... and now the dress is mostly finished. Just a few finishing touches and this season's skate dress will be done.

Seed Stitch Longies

2009-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

These longies are for my baby (yes, I want to be sure I'm well stocked this winter). This pair was made utilizing some new wool yarn my grandmother gave me. It was spun in Colorado and is nice and thick.

The ribbing has faux cables and the main body of the pants are seed stitched. The cuffs (legs and top) can be folded down for little baby and unfolded to accommodate growth.

I put a few short rows on the top and bottom of the seat area to allow for extra room in the bottom area, and I'm pretty please with the turn out.

Pink Lace Back dress

2009-06-01T14:57:00.001-07:00

Originally, I planned to make this into a shirt, but decided I didn't need a few inches of left over fabric and made it into a summer dress instead.

This top resulted in a few mistakes though. I've been working on making this top design without seams. So I've been finishing it off in the round. Well, I made the lace back a little too long, so the front hangs down too low. I could have compensated the front by starting off with fewer neck line stitches too...so this was a learning experience piece. It's nearly befitting that after an hour my daughter pulled on one of the tops treads and made a nice sized snag. Hopefully, it will work it's way back out, but if not, just chuck it up to her trying to unravel my mistake.

Yellow Spring Lace Back Shirt

2009-05-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Today I finished this top for my daughter's birthday, which was last week, to go with the pink skorts.

I've got another on the needles for her little sister now.

It's longies

2009-05-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

The mystery project I started a while back is just about done. I only need to tuck in the tails and lanolinize.

I've inserted a size small, MotherEase, Sandie's diaper so you can see how I worked to shape the rump a littler better. I also added seed stitching to the soak zone thinking it would help to add a bit more wool to that area without making a double knit layer (which I don't really know how to do with longies anyhow).

These are for my baby....though when I finished my dh asked me if they were for my (almost four year old) daughter. Nope, I'm done making her wool pants...I hope.

So close...but so far away

2009-05-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

I've all but given up on the idea of pursuing all that is now required to legally sell my hand knit dresses. It's a crying shame, but I haven't much time these days to knit, let alone figure out how to accomplish all the bureaucratic &#!* that I would need to do to fulfill the new CPSIA laws. I've tried to keep up, but it's too overwhelming.

I just want to knit and sew dresses and not worry about breaking some law.

This morning I came across the address for the CPSC...it's practically in my back yard!

It's not lost on me that I still have about six completed dresses sitting in my sewing room, which I'm too afraid to list on Etsy...because they haven't been lead tested, nor do they have tracking labels.

I've always labeled my dresses with a sew on, cotton tag. That label includes my name, and my website address. Also included is a hand written label that describes the fabric/ fiber content, care instructions, my e-mail, and my name (again), and that the article is entirely hand made.

I try to think of everything. I even include a disclosure on my listings that I have a dog...just in case they're allergic to dogs.

So, the CPSC is just 15 miles away...and it's tempting to just go and show off my dresses to these folks...what else can I do with them? I'm wondering if I should send them the remaining dresses...I don't know why...like it would do any good...but it's as if nobody sees what they've done to the American work at home mom who loves to make children's clothes (diapers, toys, and so many things).

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,an independent federal regulatory agency, located at 4330 East WestHighway, Bethesda, MD 20814 Toll-free hotline: (800) 638-2772

Lincoln Decor

2009-04-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

Today I toured Lincoln's Illinois home on-line, via photos. I was just a little surprised at how boldly the carpet and wall paper selections were. Many of the rooms have absolutely no coordination what-so-ever, and some of the color choices just smack of what I would expect. It's not to say it's good or bad, just surprising, that's all.

On the whole, it was affirmation that a home is a place to "lived" in. It might not look pretty, but if it's comfortable to you, and it functions for all who reside in it, then it is...as it should be.

Window treatments for the girls' room

2009-04-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

There are three windows in this room. I found satin sheets on clearance at Target, and thought it was a great price for drape making fabric. I'm not sure if the turn out is as astounding as the concept was...but it will work. And the girls' like what I've churned out thus far.

I still have two more windows to go, but this is a good start.

Taking the Angora out of the Knitter

2009-04-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

What do you call an Angoraknitter who no longer has an angora?

Just a plain old knitter.

Today my last Angora went to bunny heaven. So...I'm kind of rethinking this blog.

Boy's skates...girl's skates

2009-03-16T18:36:00.001-07:00

Skates are expensive! So when one sibling grows out of his skates, and his younger sister could use them (cause she's complaining her skates are too tight)...well, girls can wear black skates. Of course, there's a relatively easy fix for black skates. Boot covers!

Pretty pretty boot covers! They go with her pretty dress. So here you go, my first sewing from the new house. The dress was mostly done, but I had to alter the neck line (it was coming up too high) and finish the elastic in the legs.

On the Needles

2009-03-11T08:46:00.001-07:00

I decided it was time to start knitting again. There's still plenty of unpacking to do...but I need to unwind.

So, I went looking for the socks I had cast on during our drive to VA...but couldn't find them. So I cast on something new. You'll just have to wait and see what this will be.

The yarn is Lion Brand fishermen's Wool, Natural Brown. Casted is 68 st on size 6 circular, 2k/2p ribbing.

Blue socks new socks

2009-02-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: The boy wore them non-stop for three days. Last night he put his foot on the diner table and showed me the huge hole in the heal, and declared, "my foot is growing mama!"

Yeah, growing, sure! I'm pretty sure I spent more time knitting them, then he actually spent wearing them. This is the heart break of knitting things for boys.

***********************************************************************
Peter likes them. And thankfully, he has decided that they are not itchy. What a relief!

The Letter to the Committee of Energy and Commerce

2009-01-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Congressmaen Joe Barton and George Randanovich have sent a letter to their fellow members of the Committee of Energy and Commerce. The letter is recommending that the CSPIA be reviewed and revised so that cottage industry will not be harmed. They're pressing them to act before Feb. 10, 2009.

Let's hope the Committee does act in a favorable way and quick!

Socks!

2009-01-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

My friend gave me this lovely yarn for Christmas a couple years ago. I've started socks with this before back when I was first learning...then tore it out. A few days ago I decided to knock out a pair of socks for Charlotte. It's going to be COLD when we get to Virginia, and she's going to need them. I'll be starting a pair for Peter soon.

Again, I made these up as I went along, using a generic toe up method, on double points, and then added a gull wing stitch on the side, ending with ten rows of ribbing. Absolutely seamless!

chemo Caps

2009-01-20T11:47:00.001-08:00

This is the third chemo cap I've made...ever. I wish it were going to be the last I ever make, but I think it's probably not. Last year I made one for a Great Aunt with Colon Cancer. Then I made another for a skating friend with Colon Cancer.

This year it seems to be Breast Cancer, and this cap is for a friend's Aunt who has breast Cancer. I have another Skating friend who also needs a cap for Breast Cancer...so if only I could knit a little faster...I might be making another soon.

One of my goofiest creations

2009-01-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

(Models with candy in their mouths don't smile very well...but don't she look contemporary!)

This could be one of my weirdest sweaters ever. I made it up as I went along, but I had in mind to make a sweater that would go nicely over a dress. Well, it does go over a dress well enough, but my husband said, "are you going to sewing some elastic into the bottom of that?" Okay, it's a bit different. I'm going to focus on the parts I am proud of.

The light brown part on the top and sleeves is knit in a texture pattern that slowed this completion down and make the painstakingly arduous to complete...just so you know.

Perhaps I should have skipped the dark strip on the arm, it's just not wide enough and leaves me thinking, "why?" But I hate to rip things out, and so that's why it remained.

Then I decided to add some laced stitchery...or whatever you'd like to call that. Initially I had this idea of having it go all the way around the skirt, and then two contrasting laces going up the sleeves too...but I got tired of this project and stopped with the first 6 laces. Sigh... But she does like it, she's wearing it now, so I guess I should be happy with the end results.

Peter's Beanies

2009-01-04T12:11:00.001-08:00

Oh I don't know what to call them, but I contribute the inspiration for these snow hats to Peter. Why not, his sisters each have their own dress line, lol. Peter gets the hats. And he's a happy model for them.

More of my hats

2009-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

So funny story: I gave this brown raglan to my youngest for Christmas. Well...she open up her present, and her dear brother declared, "it's an itchy sweater!"

Then said child proceeded to carry on and on about how "itchy" and "scratchy" the sweater was. His little sister, of course, wanted nothing to do with the sweater (that I slaved over for countless hours). I had to bribe her with candy to get this photo....UGH!

Some of my favorite peoples wearing my hats.

Snow hats

2008-12-25T16:07:00.000-08:00

I've been doing a bit of knitting during our vacation. I've made five snow hats, or you could call them beanies, I'm sure they could have several names...

...and I thought I wouldn't mind making some for my shop. Everywhere I went folks asked where we got our hats. Then when I said, "I made them," folks would say something to the effect of, "you should sell them!"

They're not very hard, and not terribly labor intensive...well at least not as time consuming as one of my dresses anyway!

But, there's this new law from the CPSIA coming into affect Feb. 2009 that will require all items intended for children under the age of 12 to be subjected to lead testing and such. Now, I didn't think this pertained to clothes, but now I'm told that the law is so nonspecific, that it most likely includes things such as my dresses...and just about anything else I could think of to make. Wow!

There's no way I could afford to spend several thousand dollars per item...and since all of my creations are one of a kinds (for the most part), would I be required to submit them all for testing...or face a very, very high fine?

Several of my fellow crafter friends are very confused and concerned. And yet, nobody can ease their fears. Now, if you want to read a bit on this you can visit a few different sites. Then contact your Representative and ask him or her to push for a change or clause that would exempt cottage industry inside the USA. Americans make great products...it's time to stop regulating ourselves out of business!

Save Handmade Toys From the CPSIA

Handmade Portraits WoodMouse

Etsy CPSIA Updates and Call to Action

It fits!

2008-12-22T14:58:00.000-08:00

And Angel seems to appreciate her new jacket, and it couldn't have come a day too soon.

Yes, it does fit a Cocker Spaniel. Of course, only a girl dog, a boy dog would need a different pattern for the under belly strap.

Dog Jacket

2008-12-14T23:41:00.000-08:00

My mom was telling me about the dog sweater she bought, and how her dog hated it. She wanted something for the dog for walks in the winter time. It rains a lot where she's at.

So...super me to the rescue...

* The outer shell is a Polyester laminate (water proof)

* The lining is a very thick impervious fleece by polar tech (malden mills...made in the U.S.A.) and also virtually water proof.

* And for safety, some reflective stripes (I found for 50% off at Joann's a couple weeks ago, thought it would come in handy...and it has)

* Velcro closures for under the belly and around the neck, with a fold over Velcro tab for the wash (like you see on Velcro diapers and covers...to keep the lint out).

I think this should do the trick. Now let's hope I got the dimensions correct. I take it as a good sign that it does not fit my collie. Hopefully, that means it will fit my mom's cocker spaniel just fine.

Maybe next year for Christmas I'll make her a rain hat too...goodness, I don't know if I can't think around those dimensions at this late hour.

Electra Repurposed

2008-12-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, you can take a beat up boys bike and turn it into something a 5 year old girl would love to ride. A little simple green, black spray paint, new white wall tires, new seat, and new basket cover, and it's almost better then the girls' version of this bike. Seriously, we're thinking of writing Electra and telling them our bike is better then theirs.

I made the basket liner, but Daddy Saint Nick did the rest.

Big Toddler Longies

2008-12-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

Yeah, she still needs longies. Accidents are just a chronic affliction around here, but we're too far into this to revert back to full time diapers. She does use the potty some times. A good pair of cotton training pant (or side snap fitted diaper that can be pulled up and down...like the toddler-ease), and some wool pants, and we're sitting pretty.

These were knit in the round, no seams! I hate sewing up seams...all I had to do was tuck in the tails.

You know I think Mother Mary was a knitter. Well, because I can think of no other way to make a seamless garment. So I believe she knit it...in the round. :)

I won

2008-11-19T11:51:00.001-08:00

Isn't this quilt petty! Well, if you want one too... you'll have to go ask Dana to make you one...but she also makes some yummy looking soaps too. So Go check her out, cause she's obviously very sweet...and aren't those litte goats so cute!

Thank you Dana @ Old Red Barn Co.!

On the needles

2008-11-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

I cast this on this past Tuesday. Charlotte has grown out of all the sweaters I made her. And her older brother isn't always nice enough to keep his sweaters nice enough to pass down. So I've got to make her a little something special for Christmas.

Working towards Christmas

2008-11-13T15:00:00.000-08:00

I'm glad to have this done...so many gifts to knit, so little time....

A reglan tweed knit sweater

2008-11-12T15:42:00.000-08:00

I bought this yarn over a year ago, and started several projects with, but was never happy with anything. This was something I had to push through, and finally it's done.

Win 1 of 3 Quilts

2008-11-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

I don't quilt very well. I've made a couple things. I even have one of my quilts on the wall, but seriously, it's nothing special, and it's not on a prominent wall. Mostly, the walls in my current set of quarters are so tall, I'd put anything on the wall to make the place not look so plain and the space so empty. Though, this place is void of decor sense, lol. It's just not my home, and we're leaving soon, so it's not like I'm going to go all out to decorate this house. I don't own it.

Anyhow, I've added a button to the sidebar, because I'd love to win a pretty quilt for one of the kids. Any one of the quilts made by Old Red Barn Co. would look fabulous on Felicity's bed.

Treasury

2008-11-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

I've been in a couple treasuries over the last couple of years. But this one is special because it's been so long and SewMelody, who made this treasury has wanted to add me to one for a long time. I'm so honored, thanks so much! Here's her treasury; Surf and Snow

Finally finished!

2008-11-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to a generous lady who sold me some of her left over yarn, (thank you, thank you, thank you) I am now finished with the first Felicity Mock Turtle Neck, long sleeve dress. It feels so good to be done with this project. Whew!

Voila, yarn!

2008-10-31T23:57:00.000-07:00

So here's my first 350 yards (give or take), double ply, loosely spun, variegated weight, Merino/Cormo cross lamb and English Angora wool yarn.

The yarn is twisted into two hanks. The first hank is really large, and the second one is smaller, but the yarn is all about the same.

Carding and Spinning

2008-10-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Once I was able to find some of the wool was dry (not all of it is dry, but some of the locks on the top of the bag were dry) I didn't hesitate to start carding the wool.

This is my first experience carding sheep's wool, as well as trying my hand at blending wool fibers. So I would estimate that this blend is 70% lambs wool 30% angora...maybe? I'm just sort of putting two to three fist full of wool to each fist full of angora fiber. I know that's perhaps a bit haphazard. It's turning into a very fluffy batting.
And thus far it's spinning up nice enough. Now, I've got to decide what to knit with this. I wonder if this is soft enough for my son's sensitivities. (He doesn't like itchy wool). I might make a sweater for him. If this doesn't do the trick I don't know what would. This is angel soft!

Wool Washing

2008-10-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

Friday we washed our wool. Wash, rinse, wash, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse. It's so hard to be patient.

The cleaner the wool becomes the more it's prone to float. The instructions said to press the wool down with wool racks. Opps, I don't have any of those, so I got some coffee mugs and used those to help anchor the wool bags down during the soaking portions of the washes.

Then, it all has to dry. It's so hard to wait when you just want to just spin!

But it is so lovely! It's so clean is smells awesome!

Pre-soak the wool

2008-10-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

My lovely wool came with washing instructions. I'm so glad too, cause I'm pretty green at this part. My first fleece ya know!

So the first step is to run out and buy some laundry bags. I dashed off to the PX where they gave me a $5 off coupon for spending 10 minutes to fill out a survey. So I got 6 bags for the price of 4!

Once home, put wool into bags.

Fill tub with warm water (and I added some euclan wool wash) and allow to soak for at least an hour...or over night.

Tomorrow we wash!

Pearl my wool

2008-10-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

I've found the most scrumptious wool fleece, it arrived today. The most beautiful part is it's so clean, soft and fully lanolized, and I didn't have to feed or tend to the dear little lamb who produced it for me. I love my fluffy bunny, but he is stinky. I'm so glad he's partly potty trained though. He uses a littler box and helps to ease his clean up to some degree. Still, when I'm ill or super busy, and the cage needs to be cleaned, I wonder if it's all really worth it. Growing fine wool is hard work. It's a dirty job, but someone has got to do it.

Cause, yes, in the end the fluffy clouds of wool, are so worth it.

This big box is going to take a while to process, and it's a good thing too because my wheel is broken again. And we've got to take it back into town and have another new piece made for it. Yeah!

Another diaper Cover?

2008-10-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

I just finished this diaper cover today, after starting it on Sunday. It took me four days. I think I have a touch of tendonitis to thank for it too.

My three year old has been potty training forever, and has yet to fully graduate. Well, she came down with a horrible diaper rash over the weekend, and she doesn't even really wear diapers, per say.

However, I determined that her PUL lined training pants weren't helping her skin to breath. Perhaps the were causing the problem? She needed a good old fashion lathering of lanolin with a bit of cotton and wool to help heal her bum. My old wool covers are just a tad too small for her now. She's been in training mode longer than my other kids ever were. So I yanked that XL wool diaper cover out of my store and stuck it on her over a pair of panties stuffed with a newborn prefold.

Then I ordered some ToddlerEase Sandy's, and got to work on another XL diaper cover. Perhaps I over reacted with the purchase of more diapers (but my thought was that the Sandy's are side snap and she could pull them up and down like undies if need be). She's healing very well now, and her rash is now peeling away, and no longer red and sore. She's back in her Imse Visme Training pants today.

Hopefully, she won't need this for long, but this way I'm prepare to keep her in breathable undies till....whenever she finally stops having accidents.

Snow White

2008-10-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, I can't tell you how good it feels to have this project completed! This dress has been sitting in my pile in peices for so long. It's been weighing on me, calling out, "ha, you have to make me, you can't escape!"

I won't go into detail about how I had to change the thread color on the sewing machine about 50 times. I hate how many different colors this dress has...well I like it now that it's finished, but I sure don't know why Disney decided upon these color combinations, and why this dress???? Seriously, this is the biggest pain in the you-know-what princess dress to make. Surely the animators felt the same, imagine changing your paint brush color over and over again. I'm guessing it's why all the Princesses that followed had relatively single colored dresses.

Now I truly, have made this little girl's dreams come true, and she is just gushing over her dress.

Spinning Merino

2008-10-17T16:21:00.001-07:00

I also spin...well know that my spinning wheel is repaired I do. Oh, I think it was about two years ago someone reclined the lazy boy into my spinning wheel and broke one of the wood peices that was instramental in the operation. I wasn't really actively spinning anyhow, so the wheel has sat collecting dust for the past three years. Yes, It's really been three years since I've completed anything. I've give you one guess as to why I was too busy to sit and spin three years ago.

This weekend I spun up the rest of this purple merino wool roving, which I purchased over three years ago in hopes of spinning and knitting up into a pretty sweater for Charlotte. We all know that didn't happen, and now I'm not sure what will become of this, but either way, I'm finished with the spinning part.

It's sort of lumpy and not the finest sample of spinning ever. However, I fell back in love with spinning, and have a wonderful 3+ pound Merino/ cormo cross fleece coming my way. I'll be blending Pearl's fleece with some of the angora wool I've been collecting over the last few years. Just you wait, it's going to be the softest wooly yarn ever!

Pixie Dust!

2008-10-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

This years Halloween challenge is complete, for one child at least. Tinkerbell does seem to suit her personality. The skates are just sort of my whimsical addition, we'll probably leave those at home on Halloween night.

I've not seen wings that look right. I don't think she'll notice if we never find them either. We still have a pink pair from the last two years, which I'm certain would be sufficient.

Another Snow Hat

2008-09-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

This one I finished last month for Charlotte. However, I finally put the button on this past weekend, so now it's officially finished. It's kind of gwady, but she likes it. Who's to question the florishing fashion sence of a 5 year old anyhow. Pink is in, pink is big, and flowers are here to stay!

While I wait for my yarn

2008-09-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

I've got a large pile of clothes and rags sitting by the sewing machine. I really need to keep combing through it and get rid of it all. However, there are some gems in that pile and I just need to fix them and get them back into our drawers.

This rose embroidered dress I made for Charlotte when she was two years old. Then the waist ribbon came off and I needed to hand stitch it back on. Well, now that Felicity is three it's not a moment too soon, ah?

Now, there's this pair of pants that used to belong to Peter. Thankfully, I pulled these out of his drawers before he thoroughly thrashed them. Only one knee was ripped. I'm working on a little applique so that Charlotte can get some wear out of these. Poor girl, most of her pant and short collection are cast down from Peter's thread torn pile. However, she seems to like these already and keeps asking if they're finished yet. No, still more hand stitching to be done, don't you think.

More Delays

2008-09-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

This dress will take a while longer to finish. I ran out of Aegean Sea colored yarn with just three inches to go on the last bit. "No biggie, I thought, just go online and buy more", because this was not a discontinued color last I checked. But wouldn't you know it, they were out of stock for this color! My heart sank thinking about how I might have to rip this whole thing up and start over again. I e-mailed to see if they were going to restock Aegean Sea. Thank the heavens, they do expect more in...and I could care less if it's not from the same dye lot, seriously I don't care if there's a shade difference, I'm not starting this dress over again.

But I've got to wait for it to come into stock, and then of course there will be another week more to wait for shipping of said yarn to my house. This will probably be a record for longest duration to finish dress start to finish. And this my friends is another reason why I shy away from custom orders now. I'm stressed out enough as it is, and this dress is for my own daughter. I can't take the pressure of making all this magic happen in a timely manner for customers, who's feedback I so highly value.

On again off again... the needles

2008-09-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've completed something...okay, for me...it feels like a long time. This is a headband for a dress I'm making my daughter. Usually I do the headbands last, but I've been torn over how to do this particular dress. I've restarted it three times.

My dress needles are starting to splinter...so I'm having a bit of knitter's block as it were.

Genevieve's Dress

2008-08-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

This sweet little number is another trade dress. Sweet Grocery Bags is making me a sweet little bag. I can't wait!

And I lined it...I'm pretty pleased with how that turned out. There are many cute fabrics I've been tempted to use, but wasn't happy about the fabric's thickness. Well, if I line them it's not an issue. Though I don't usually keep lining fabric lying about. This dress is partially up cycled, as I used a sheet that I'd had cut up for some other project before.

Fresh off the needles

2008-08-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

Most of this top and flower band were completed while I watched the Olympics. It's always good to have a little project to keep your hands busy when your mindlessly glued to the television.

This is another trade project, and should have a spectacular turn out. The fabric is bold and colorful, and it certainly was a color combination I would have been unable to pull together without such inspiration.

Snow Cap

2008-08-16T00:07:00.000-07:00

I intended this to be a winter cap for Peter. It's made from a nice merino wool yarn, same yarn from the wool soaker I made last month.

However, it turned out too big, and is likely to become a gift for someone older and bigger.

I had Peter try it on and he declared that it was too itchy. Well, guess I'll have to get him something like silk...or cotton...and try again later.

Baby Hats

2008-08-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

Two more hats I made while driving home from our road trip.

Soaker Shorts

2008-08-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

I started these during my last trip to Palo Alto last month, and finished them on the way home from our recent trip to Palo Alto. I don't really know why I decided to make a pair of x-large wool soaker shorties...but I did. The color change pattern is one I found in a knitting book, apparently a pattern the Greeks used. It reminds me of the Mad Greek in Baker, CA...and makes me yearn for gyros, and all that yummy cucumber dressing, slathered all over the pita bread...mmmmm.

Snow Hat

2008-08-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me that this winter we'll be moving to a place that actually gets cold, and maybe a bit of snow. I'm kind of inspired to get a jump start on my winter gear stash.

This turned out a little goofy, but she likes it anyway.

Coming along...

2008-07-15T17:16:00.001-07:00

Yeah, I got a dress done today! But that trip to the post office, let me tell ya! It nearly killed me. It's soooo hot outside! And then they wouldn't let me used the priority tape on my priority package!

Normally, I box it all up before I leave the house, but I didn't have a label, and I wrote the address on the a card that I intended to seal up in the box...and I suppose the moral of the story is, make my own label and just seal up the box before I leave the house. The post office label isn't worth the roll of tape they'll charge me when I get there...and I sure as heck wasn't going to go home for tape. Did I mention the kids weren't behaving very well?

So I don't feel ready to re-open my store to custom orders yet. But I suppose if folks pay via pay pal, and I can click and ship, and never have to step foot in the post office again, that's fine by me.

While I was away...

2008-07-12T19:04:00.001-07:00

I came up with a special headband for this turquoise dress I'm making for someone who did me a hugh favor. This is the sort of thing you'll get if you say...safe my life. ;) While this knit in the round dress was an interesting experiment, I'm not sure I'm ready to switch over my methods. The sock cast off didn't work out as smoothly as I would have liked, and while it's fine for this dress, I think my old method is probably better. It just depends on what I'm going for.

And I finally procured some ABU (Air force Battle Uniform) fabric. So this first dress will be for my niece, whose daddy is in the Air force.

Though, I've been sort of sick so these dresses might take a while longer before they're totally complete.

Not for Sale

2008-07-03T12:54:00.001-07:00

....but I wanted to show you what I've been working on over the last couple weeks. I've been working on improving my dress pictures so my customers could get more clear, dress focused images.

New Begining

2008-06-29T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is a little experiment...see if I can mix it up a bit and use a different technique. It should look the same when it's done, wait and see.

What is it? Try and Guess.

Vacation Notice

2008-06-15T00:43:00.000-07:00

I'll be out of the shop for a couple weeks. I won't be taking on any custom orders for the next month or so. Dresses are still on sale in my Etsy Shop, but I will not be shipping until July.

I'm off on vacation now. See you when I get back!