Seriously?

April? Seriously? That was my last post? Well, there has been a bit of sewing and knitting here and there but it very much got lost in the busy-ness of our summer life. With DH gone most of the summer, there was very little time for mama. I did start to sew myself some undies from old t-shirts and I LOVE THEM but I will not be showing them to you. Maybe in a pile someday. After we get a camera again (OH. YAH. Lost our camera in July, too).

Meanwhile, I have started the Christmas sewing and knitting plan and I am quite EXCITED about it all. Ordered some fun little tags, too. And the greatest ... I am going to do it all with stash. Don't feel bad, really. The stash is QUITE extensive so it is a bit like shopping in a store when I get to open the bins and bags and play with colors and look for patterns.

But right now, I just ran upstairs to get the fabric scissors. Really. But then I decided to look at the Sew Mama Sew blog and got distracted by the Pajama Party post. I have some adorable sheep flannel (a sheet I bought many years ago) and plan to make PJ's for the whole fam from it. Woo-hoo!

Oh, yah. Back to the cutting of little boy boxers. With an almost potty-trained little one (and with the same waist size as the older one) we are in need of some more boxers. Those I am willing to show you.

Sketchbooks

In an effort to encourage art with my boys, I made them some simple little "sketchbook folders". Holds a small sketchbook and a few colored pencils. So far, they have traveled with us to a few places. I bought some stickers that I will give them to put in there, too. They are 2 and 4 years old ... I do what I can!

More gifts, revealed!

Now that these have been "gifted" I can post the pictures!

First up, for my SIL's wedding shower ...

Potholders and an oven mitt. Fabrics look familiar? Yes, they match the apron I gave her a few weeks ago at another shower. Yay for coordination!
Patterns: from Simple Sewing my Lotta Jansdotter

Second, a purse for my SIL's birthday ...

Unknown fabric, purchased in fat quarters at The Calico Shoppe in Eau Claire, WI.

Pattern: The Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae

Great little pattern - a quick sew and free pattern! I have already made myself one (just haven't taken any pictures yet) and plan on making a few more.

And for a friend's baby, still on the way ...

A Sweet Norwegian Baby Cap and leggings. Yes, my favorite hat pattern once again, and this time little covers for little legs. Made with Dale Baby Ull. Too sweet! How I wish that I had discovered this before my boys were too big (have I said it before? Probably. I think it a lot, too).

The needles have been flying and scissors have been cutting. As usual, my projects are behind my photos and blogging. But you only know that because I just told you.

Until next time ...

Coming soon ... diaper cases, toddler backpacks, and more gift knitting ('cause I know that you will be waiting in great anticipation!).

ButtKnits Pants

I have finally found a knitted pants pattern for Thor! He is mostly cloth diapered, and has been most of his life. I have always wanted to do the wool soakers, but didn't want to buy what I could easily make, and just never seemed to make them (a common thing in my life!). Now, he is getting to be a big little guy, and finding a size has been the challenge. But I found some! I made my first pair and put them on him immediately after finishing. I love them! They will be great as we enter the land of potty training, too . . . as long as I remember that knitted pants do not work well with velcro on shoes.

Pattern: Longies from ButtKnits

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Wool in navy

As always, more details on Ravelry

I like the pattern so much, that I have already cast on two pairs for gifts, and as soon as those are done I will cast on another pair for Thor. I am considering the cottage license to sell them, too, because I have so much spare time (hahaha). But I do have a lot of yarn that would work well!

Knit on!

March is a month of many gifts (MARCH GIFT MADNESS, people!) ... gifts are always harder to post since I can't post until they have been given. But here is the first:

Reversible apron for Janna!

Pattern: Emmaline Apron

Fabric: (don't have my notes here at the library, so I am guessing ...)

Apples and Pears by Alexander Henry AND pumpkins gone wild by Sandy Gervais

Rather than making my own bias tape (on a time crunch, as usual) I bought some wide quilt binding. Found a color that matched perfectly! When I make this pattern again (and I will!) I may plan on using the bias. It went quickly and saved cutting up a yard of fabric, just or the neck ties.

This is a wonderfully flattering apron. I thought it would take several hours, but I was able to do it in half a day with the boys awake. Pretty quick sew for a great apron.

There has been knitting, too. Lots of knitting. Mostly starting more gifts for MARCH GIFT MADNESS. But until more is done, and I have pictures, Ravelry is the place to go. Ahh, back to the needles . . .

Updates

Really? Not really. I am so happy to ever be able to make anything, that I just don't keep up with posts! But I am doing better with Ravelry ... but here are some pics with the latest goodies (mostly gifts!). If you want to see details, check out my projects page on Ravelry. D's Valentine Hat

Nancy's Birthday Mittens

Greta's Birthday Mittens

I have a few other finished 2009 projects: hat, scarf and fingerless mitts for my brother Jon's birthday, a pair of mittens for Thor, and a pair of mittens for Vanya. Maybe pictures another time. I want to go knit now :)

Baby Hats

I have found a favorite baby hat pattern! I have made 3 so far, and will continue to do more. It is a fun and fast knit that makes an adorable little hat. There always seems to be another baby to make the hat for, but I wish that I found this pattern when T was young enough, well actually had a small enough head, to wear it!

Pattern: Sweet Norwegian Baby Hat

Yarn: Dale Baby Ull (assorted colors - but I always lose the ball bands!)

Fabric Baskets

Sweet little fabric baskets to keep things organized - love it! Fun fabrics and organization :)

Pattern: http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html

(thanks to www.sewmamasew.com)

Fabric: can't remember the patchwork, the tan is a linen-cotton blend, and it is all lined with a lime green gingham. It is all about stash-busting right now!

There are more of these in my future!

Sunrise Circle Sweater

So much more done than I ever post! So here is an attempt to catch up ...

Pattern: Sunrise Circle Sweater

Yarn: Elann Donegal Tweed

Love this sweater! The shape is so unusual, and yet is so comfortable to wear. I do need to add a pin to keep the front lined up, but that is fine. Very warm and toasty! And maybe someday I will get a picture of ME in it :)

Monster Shirt

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Originally uploaded by KikiBaby2008

After seeing the adorable monster shirts that mini boden has, my monster-obsessed son decided he needed a shirt with HIS monster on it. Here it is! A sheet of craft felt, some fabric paint, a little embroidery, and googly eyes. The face says it all!

Fall Pajamas

Now that the cooler weather is here, the boys are nice and cozy in flannel pants and knit LS t-shirts that I finished a while ago, but haven't gotten to the pictures yet. So here are 2 of the pairs (more to follow).

I love to have them in matching PJ's! They will probably roll their eyes at me someday, but it entertains me now :)

Blankets for Sale, Part 2

Blankets for Sale, continued ...

Hot Pink Chenille / Pink Floral - $35

Leopard Flannel / Creme Flannel - $25

Silky Black / Leopard Flannel - $30

Blankets for Sale

For lack of a better place to do this right now, the following blankets are for sale. I will post a note here once I get this all better organized! Thanks for your understanding :)

All prices include shipping a U.S. address (lower-48 only) and tax (for Minnesotans). Please allow 2 weeks for delivery. Handmade in a smoke-free home and a pet-free sewing room (we do have a dog in the house). Seams are all sewn twice. Please comment if you have any questions!

Pink Silky Dot/Floral Flannel - $30

Yellow wavy chenille / pink and yellow floral - $35

Floral Brite Flannel / Orange Flannel (this is a really bright color!) - $25

Tropical Waves Flannel / Green Flannel (another REALLY bright color!) - $25

Floral Brite Flannel / BRIGHT Pink Flannel - $25

The 3 BRITE flannel blankets all coordinate with each other

(and I mean BRIGHT colors - very fun and cheery!)

For the twins ...

A baby shower gift for a friends having twin boys this fall.

Sweater Pattern: Child's Neck Placket Sweater from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts

Hat Pattern: based off of a couple of different ones

Yarn: Superwash worsted from elann.com

(Calypso Blue and Russet which I overdyed dark brown)

Mom's Birthday Hat

Pattern: Belliveau Cove & Gulf Shores

Yarn: Malabrigo worsted in Autumn Forest

Crocheted - a pattern I have used before and will use again!

It is a quick project and so cozy in wool.

Pumpkin Hats

Pumpkin Hats for Titus, Thor, and Vanya

Pattern: Pumpkin Hat

Yarn: Lion Wool (in "pumpkin" - haha) and Dale Heilo

No matter how cute they are, they still don't stay on!

Nephew Birthday Socks

Marcus: Birthdays are for giving toys, not clothes. No one is allowed to give me clothes for my birthday.

Auntie KK: Well then I guess I can't give you any handknit socks this year.

Marcus: Oh no, YOU and give me CLOTHES if they are more SOCKS. I love the socks you make me!

Ahhhh, how can you resist that from a 5 year old???

IMG_2481
Originally uploaded by KikiBaby2008

Pattern: 2x2 ribbing, 7 stisches per inch, using Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks
Yarn: Lion Brand Sock Ease
Needles: US 1-1/2 (Darn Pretty DPNs)

Oh yah, have I mentioned how much I LOVELOVE LOVE these needles? They have the best point (nice and pointy) in a wooden needle that is good and short (4" long). Love them. I never want to use another needle for socks again!

Finished Ravelympics Sweater!

Finished the sweater! As others mentioned, it does seem to run small. This is the size 2-4 sweater on my size skinny 3T boy. The arms are short on him, but the body is fine (I lengthened it unintentionally, but it is a good thing). Guess the younger brother gets this one!

IMG_2479
Originally uploaded by KikiBaby2008

Pattern: Child's Placket Neck Sweater by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool (navy)
Needles: Size 6 (Addi Turbos)

Will definately do this sweater again, with added length to sleeves and body ... and some pattern in the yarn or some stripes. Solid colored circular knitting bores me!

Socks

These are socks I made for my Dad for his birthday.

Wool socks are not something to really like in July, but we will see come fall.

Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Superwash Merino, Worsted Weight (1-1/2 skeins)

Dye: Lanaset/Sabraset Dye in Rust Brown and Black

Pattern: Underwater Basketweaving Socks from Gardiner Yarn Works

Socks are definately one of my favorite things to knit ... I currently have 5 pairs on the needles. But they aren't the fastest, so they don't make good gifts when I just plan ahead a week or two. Except these! I love this pattern - it is quick, the yarns are easy to find, and they are toasty warm, Dave says, in our Minnesota winters. I bought the pattern online last year because I loved the name :)

Baby Leggings

One-month old nephew has some skinny little legs! The BabyLegs that he has just won't stay up. Kool-aid dyed yarn to the rescue! These are still a bit big, but better.

Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Yarn in DK weight, dyed with Kool-Aid

Pattern: Based off of Legwarmies by Never Not Knitting

Using #3 DPN's, I cast on 36 stitches, ribbed for about 10 rows, then stockinette for 6", then ribbing again for 10 rows. Bind off. Repeat for the other leg.