tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3900360338325317742024-03-05T11:28:57.398-05:00Mia & Maddie DesignsA blog dedicated to my knitting projects, scrapbooking, and my daily life. Enjoy!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-53952617369425541132010-06-30T22:57:00.004-04:002010-06-30T23:04:37.381-04:00Free Online Pattern: "Snoozing Ned"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEjH5Gpg-LJFIlHYFseQ0UqgaysOf7KxWOPRWVg2s6XZxYW530_zVN1XMPvKKSIHCVobSFFxHr6Cc-7HqTRFJPrnaQoTzKj8NzXSrPzBkVRi1xA0YeANi-nlZI0GCRDa2-dnP96TMktdV/s1600/ChristinaKnits-8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEjH5Gpg-LJFIlHYFseQ0UqgaysOf7KxWOPRWVg2s6XZxYW530_zVN1XMPvKKSIHCVobSFFxHr6Cc-7HqTRFJPrnaQoTzKj8NzXSrPzBkVRi1xA0YeANi-nlZI0GCRDa2-dnP96TMktdV/s400/ChristinaKnits-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488768284340969426" border="0" /></a>I'm finishing up a knit softie owl pattern that I saw through the blog <a href="http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/03/knitting-pattern-owl-softie.html">"Zakka Life"</a>. The pattern is actually a Lucinda Guy pattern but I don't know what the original link to the website is and I don't feel comfortable posting a direct link to the pattern and not to a website. So go over to Zakka Life and she has the pattern link there.<br /><br />It's an adorable owl pattern and will make a great toy. I'm finishing up the details of the owl - and will hopefully have it posted in the next day or two. But I wanted to share the pattern for those of you looking for a basic softie pattern that is suitable for beginner knitters and is something that you can fully customize. I made my owl striped in yellow, orange, and red! Talk about a colorful owl...<br /><br />So go take a look at <a href="http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2009/03/knitting-pattern-owl-softie.html">Zakka Life</a> and let me know what you think!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-65154209784077057752010-06-23T15:43:00.003-04:002010-06-23T16:10:21.895-04:00Phew! I completed some more projects...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicxhH891ArFEAEetlNiuG6-CozC5GzV1JvAbmc3B_l4qhFt2ZxShWxB7qfZso4JSYIQNoSJxV0HocKWTtlxKYyRxtEvslzZft2gR-ukGeGTiyOfkLJDt-dnaIY5BBcDu5G5Grx0m-Y5SK/s1600/Junecrafts2-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicxhH891ArFEAEetlNiuG6-CozC5GzV1JvAbmc3B_l4qhFt2ZxShWxB7qfZso4JSYIQNoSJxV0HocKWTtlxKYyRxtEvslzZft2gR-ukGeGTiyOfkLJDt-dnaIY5BBcDu5G5Grx0m-Y5SK/s400/Junecrafts2-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486063710891874050" border="0" /></a>I've had a couple projects on my list of "to-do" for awhile. One of them being a cover for the infant car seat. A lot of people recommend having a light blanket that you throw over the car seat so that you can shade the baby in the sun or put over them when you're in the store to prevent strangers from touching your baby (Really?!?! That happens!?!? Hands off!) I've seen some sold in the store and coughed at the price. Baby items can be so expensive!<br />So with 1 1/4 yards of fabric (times two for a front and back) and a little bit of sewing time I made a cover for less than $6! I didn't follow a tutorial - the shape is so basic that it's pretty intuitive. I just made sure that I used an extremely lightweight fabric so that it was breathable and cool.<br /><br />Some other projects that I knocked off my list were some burps clothes using the freebie pattern I have listed here. I used up scraps from other baby items I used by piecing the top and using terry cloth for the underside.<br /><br />I also made a couple of knit soakers that are newborn sized. Most of my soakers were knit for about a 6-12 month old. So using the pattern from "Vintage Baby Knits" (pattern = Milo Soakers) and a pattern from <a href="http://www.justjussi.com/Free%20Patterns.htm">Just Jussi blog</a> (posted for free) I knit 2 soakers (and I even lanolized them already!!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycM431gtHtCwXfuUong3Wh9qHXY3b4XJlpuI_6tj-xWNARtjHD2MzYmXCPvQrD3tS4fhCgyrPoFTa1q4ZSlNMcEFjhgu7dU2v3G1F520GgqIC33pOLZ61yXva5f5-fITBBh1KKrHfIOI4/s1600/Junecrafts2-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycM431gtHtCwXfuUong3Wh9qHXY3b4XJlpuI_6tj-xWNARtjHD2MzYmXCPvQrD3tS4fhCgyrPoFTa1q4ZSlNMcEFjhgu7dU2v3G1F520GgqIC33pOLZ61yXva5f5-fITBBh1KKrHfIOI4/s400/Junecrafts2-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486063713738029762" border="0" /></a>"Just Jussi" has the best pattern because it is super thick and absorbent through the crotch and is shaped in the butt. I like to knit the pattern in the round to avoid seaming. When I get to the crotch section I start knitting back and forth and continue knitting until I'm done with the short-row butt shaping. Then I seam them back to the section worked in the round with seamless <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html">kitchener stitch</a>. I also cast on the leg ribbing and work on dpns. This way there's no seaming... yay!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8QdF0qiP2oidSzMHGs-Cp1GVdBmVY_4nAcyUvzmEuMgibL_gjbDp_V_g9OTIIDWusETwApTTLSaUkfonyBBP7vGmjl5WxEv4XpTD6XS4mn7e1GwCjZJrJ1dWzb1bbSwrGN2khcX9jMDy/s1600/Junecrafts2-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8QdF0qiP2oidSzMHGs-Cp1GVdBmVY_4nAcyUvzmEuMgibL_gjbDp_V_g9OTIIDWusETwApTTLSaUkfonyBBP7vGmjl5WxEv4XpTD6XS4mn7e1GwCjZJrJ1dWzb1bbSwrGN2khcX9jMDy/s400/Junecrafts2-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486063715713789378" border="0" /></a>The "Milo Soakers" were knit a little different from the pattern as well. I've knitted the Milo Soakers before and was unhappy with how it's written. First off, the pattern makes HUGE soakers with no shape. Talk about a huge booty! So I decided to make these changes:<br />1. Knit them in the round!!<br />2. Knit the ribbing in <a href="http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingstitchesst/g/twisted-rib.htm">twisted rib</a> on one size smaller needles (I used U.S. 2 needles)<br />3. Knit the body of the soakers in stockinette stitch NOT garter stitch (I really thought the soakers looked even more bulky in garter stitch and they look smoother and nicer in stockinette. Also by knitting in the round you avoid any purling...)<br />4. When you get to the crotch section (ribbing) work back and forth on both sides. Instead of knitting a 7" crotch - knit each side back and forth in ribbing for 3.5". Join the crotch at the middle with a 3 needle bind off.<br />5. Add leg ribbings for an even better fit (knit in the round with dpns)<br />This way they fit better and are seam free!! Yeah!<br /><br />These are both knit in Knit Pick's Bare yarn (Just Jussi's are knit with a strand of aqua Shepherd's Wool in the crotch). I knit both pairs using size U.S. 3 needles. So it's a thick knit and smaller. They turned out exactly how I wanted them!!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-83790875254030099432010-06-17T11:22:00.003-04:002010-06-17T11:37:15.611-04:00Diamond Baby Sweater FinishedI bought the knitting book "<a href="http://www.vintagebabyknits.com/">Vintage Baby Knits</a>" awhile back on a whim when I was at JoAnn's Fabric Store. I had a 50% off coupon and thought a lot of the patterns looked really cute.<br />Since bringing the book home I've knit many of the patterns. Since these are vintage patterns - I think Kristin Rengren did a nice job updating the patterns for modern yarn and sensibilities. However, I still think that some of the fit is off. A lot of the patterns are a little large for the size listed (most notably the Milo Soakers, which I've knit several of - another post to follow soon on those).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jTZ6Bglo0VAeWcjvx9miTqKUk9pkrhyphenhyphenU4jDqgiCnIGl0X2neGHbL6nurIPuDYIfIAv6t0ZSDDutg4pez28SlUy-RhEFraznoNLQQHFJOBhjtvi8PrE9fdDwgt8MnjXfSKvqgc-caV4M5/s1600/JuneBabyCrafts-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jTZ6Bglo0VAeWcjvx9miTqKUk9pkrhyphenhyphenU4jDqgiCnIGl0X2neGHbL6nurIPuDYIfIAv6t0ZSDDutg4pez28SlUy-RhEFraznoNLQQHFJOBhjtvi8PrE9fdDwgt8MnjXfSKvqgc-caV4M5/s400/JuneBabyCrafts-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483766648424729970" border="0" /></a>Here is a quick sweater that I knit from the book. I changed up the pattern in the diamond section a little bit to make it a little more boyish. I also knit in a LOT tighter of a gauge and went up a size just so it would be a lot thicker. The yarn is black Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (3 skeins) and I ran out of yarn on the sleeves so I was only able to make it short sleeves... oh well...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51igJPvzRG_uwy43nCnTD-2dnPQZKG1QACUR9GVzQpDoV7GOhoEe5fKTrpN3I4ArHkEZq79FFa5kH7tpcq8dBdbvBBdnPnPFZ7wlL_z59D10fn-E-NTrRiJ2pQrclnsCgEI8zARQ_meii/s1600/JuneBabyCrafts-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51igJPvzRG_uwy43nCnTD-2dnPQZKG1QACUR9GVzQpDoV7GOhoEe5fKTrpN3I4ArHkEZq79FFa5kH7tpcq8dBdbvBBdnPnPFZ7wlL_z59D10fn-E-NTrRiJ2pQrclnsCgEI8zARQ_meii/s400/JuneBabyCrafts-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483766654332727122" border="0" /></a>Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-49598920665184875742010-06-16T13:11:00.004-04:002010-06-16T13:21:27.044-04:00DIY Boppy Cover<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh7J3flRydQQMRsE8PaoaSzoMjJM9NBPxF0Zx8aiZB_EAfxJ7PCE_JW8arTpHUOKx_O5ob-mUmvFCfGUOO46VnXRuLfQmv4Cmp4lRK7k28ZWBT6_3UoumM19MDXDSDfXj_lClY0UH84TY/s1600/JuneBabyCrafts-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh7J3flRydQQMRsE8PaoaSzoMjJM9NBPxF0Zx8aiZB_EAfxJ7PCE_JW8arTpHUOKx_O5ob-mUmvFCfGUOO46VnXRuLfQmv4Cmp4lRK7k28ZWBT6_3UoumM19MDXDSDfXj_lClY0UH84TY/s400/JuneBabyCrafts-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483422623478457170" border="0" /></a>I received a "bare naked" Boppy as a shower gift with the intention of making a personalized cover. Every Tuesday my mother and I get together for a weekly lunch and we do <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span> (ranges from a movie, pedicure, or a crafting project). My favorite is when we create something together. This week I had the Boppy Cover in mind. I googled Boppy Cover Tutorial and couldn't really find anything specific. So my mom and I made our own pattern - it took a couple hours (and still needs a little tweeking) but I think it turned out great! The most important part of the cover that is missing in most tutorials is a gusset in the cover. If you strictly trace around the pillow and make it like that it will be too small or really gathered and puckered. We put a gusset in the middle of the "horse shoe" and we put a zipper on the back. After we do a little more tweaking, I believe we'll start making and selling these (sorry, I'm not posting the pattern on here for free...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4iUCrlTWa-5qyPahEJIMFHp227kmpqwC7tI7yaXI8HNILhEnQ7wNyGoVeqzEhSL-RFm0U41BVxY5lsmQKrL8vqI0ON1hgBbC6kipSCdXRHUKhUgz2zZTe2bPiKztrFLLgZ5Z3tvocieU/s1600/JuneBabyCrafts-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4iUCrlTWa-5qyPahEJIMFHp227kmpqwC7tI7yaXI8HNILhEnQ7wNyGoVeqzEhSL-RFm0U41BVxY5lsmQKrL8vqI0ON1hgBbC6kipSCdXRHUKhUgz2zZTe2bPiKztrFLLgZ5Z3tvocieU/s400/JuneBabyCrafts-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483422364437244002" border="0" /></a>Take a look at the basic cover - it's chenille on the back and cotton on the front. Next time I'm adding some piping and perhaps making a pieced front to match his quilt or room...Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-79418420966408751682010-06-13T23:12:00.009-04:002010-06-14T15:22:32.902-04:00Freebie: Dotted Baby Hat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguanm-diZsQLXfYrijtlnsbiaiXWSfwQ0M4uleWizyLCaxFJCB6I-mmj_2COpK5Vp8sgKSIBxQ0FNBJFGQv5KJUhmrw3ccROdeQXlcx-yIsamj1-6JBo_I0acL39ImM1QsIoChj1NKh4Fy/s1600/June10_2010-5-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguanm-diZsQLXfYrijtlnsbiaiXWSfwQ0M4uleWizyLCaxFJCB6I-mmj_2COpK5Vp8sgKSIBxQ0FNBJFGQv5KJUhmrw3ccROdeQXlcx-yIsamj1-6JBo_I0acL39ImM1QsIoChj1NKh4Fy/s400/June10_2010-5-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482711593894878194" border="0" /></a>Here's a quick freebie for those of you looking for an easy, but adorable baby hat to make in an evening or two.<br /><br />It has a rolled brim and dotted with purled stitches for a little dimension and finished with a knotted top.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXncJe1Fc4yS1L8atFDjrq-bOsX8EQ6AwJaGVHJjmDgvVhOu2AA2RfoVQmI9GKzscdCEjAXbcAr6jcglMBpo5iEnRZBBMmeioNETX7iqZDUAasxyvOlULSqqh7G45XfIn2QyWUchC0a-Jn/s1600/June10_2010-7-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXncJe1Fc4yS1L8atFDjrq-bOsX8EQ6AwJaGVHJjmDgvVhOu2AA2RfoVQmI9GKzscdCEjAXbcAr6jcglMBpo5iEnRZBBMmeioNETX7iqZDUAasxyvOlULSqqh7G45XfIn2QyWUchC0a-Jn/s400/June10_2010-7-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482711597082360834" border="0" /></a>Size - Newborn<br />Yarn - <a href="http://www.theyarnco.com/brand_display/414">Gedifra Mayra Yarn</a> (shown in color "cement")<br />Needles - U.S. 7 needles of choice for knitting in the round (I use small circulars) and a set of U.S. 7 DPNs for decreasing at top of hat.<br /><br />Directions:<br /><br />Body of Hat:<br />CO 66 stitches. Place marker to denote beginning of round.<br />Rounds 1 -8: Knit in stockinette stitch (every row knit).<br />Round 9: K3, *P1, K5, repeat from * until last 3 stitches, P1, K2.<br />Round 10: Knit across<br />Round 11: P1, *K5, P1, repeat from * until last 5 stitches, K5.<br />Round 12: Knit across.<br />Repeat rounds 9-12 until hat measures four inches from cast on edge.<br /><br />Decreasing Crown of Hat:<br />Round 1: (K9, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 2: (K8, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 3: Knit across<br />Round 4: (K7, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 4: (K6, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 5: Knit across<br />Round 6: (K5, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 7: Knit across<br />Round 8: (K4, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 9: Knit across<br />Round 10: (K3, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 11: (K2, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 12: (K1, K2tog) repeat until end of round<br />Round 13: (K2tog) repeat until end of round (6 stitches remain)<br /><br />I-Cord for top of hat:<br />Place 6 remaining stitches on one dpn. Knit 6 stitches for an I-cord (*Knit a row. Slide row to other end of needle. Do <em>not</em> turn the work. Repeat from * for two and a half (2.5) inches.<br />Cast off 6 stitches. Weave in ends. Tie I-cord in knot at top of hat.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Sy_C9UnO3RxxCooa7zLYzIM0HwdGsc8_K-B4kxnZf5tl0uu5UeWEEs4sswxvKBJkqduQFrrSqNrd0ExkRdGR6WfNFMasXSy6GpKRX2YwnrDNjYnIrAOFEC_PXGULynJnqwlrrnIyT2Mt/s1600/June10_2010-8-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Sy_C9UnO3RxxCooa7zLYzIM0HwdGsc8_K-B4kxnZf5tl0uu5UeWEEs4sswxvKBJkqduQFrrSqNrd0ExkRdGR6WfNFMasXSy6GpKRX2YwnrDNjYnIrAOFEC_PXGULynJnqwlrrnIyT2Mt/s400/June10_2010-8-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482711600955828498" border="0" /></a>You're done! Congrats! Now place the hat on a cute, little baby...Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-45347717424865671742010-06-12T20:51:00.007-04:002010-06-14T15:27:54.436-04:00Another Pair of Greemy Baby Booties<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDScPUI42cSF25kF79Y2m3pDkDJ_9HOu3dt9TtKs91pYsfbb1IzB3ivgOq7EhK5PC7P1zh4ShpNKitTe244FIyxohAMcdb5oa7Ur4gUtehCWfpGKmLg_G2vjkNqC8c11d9teyOv2ZMCuQ7/s1600/June10_2010-4-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDScPUI42cSF25kF79Y2m3pDkDJ_9HOu3dt9TtKs91pYsfbb1IzB3ivgOq7EhK5PC7P1zh4ShpNKitTe244FIyxohAMcdb5oa7Ur4gUtehCWfpGKmLg_G2vjkNqC8c11d9teyOv2ZMCuQ7/s400/June10_2010-4-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482712367450128802" border="0" /></a>I haven't knit any "<a href="http://www.chopped-tomatoes.com/greemy-baby-booties">Greemy Baby Booties</a>" (pattern available for free from the wonderful <a href="http://www.chopped-tomatoes.com/">Chopped Tomatoes blog</a>) since finding out I am pregnant. When I was at the knit store the other day I picked up some wonderful yarn that screamed "BABY BOOTIES!" The pattern I turn to? Greemy Baby Booties! They are fabulous to knit - easy to make in a couple hours and turn out so cute!<br /><br />I casted these booties on with size U.S. 2 needles and knit them with <a href="http://www.jojoland.com/do/menu/Select?topIndex=0&subIndex=9">JoJoLand's Melody Superwash sock yarn</a>. This made tiny newborn booties. They are super stretchy and I'm sure will fit great at birth.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFzEpwbTxCtOosxazwmu6v-8iJh-vxxNJrAUYVSPTjgCu69tggGajZ1Szb_9kLCFCerr-Juz2M-IwgtBDKlaiDPKTU8pxRAO7PA0n-b4Ys1Dj6BdMDwvzIRFL7vhFEVpA7fVSA5mgIRhB/s1600/June10_2010-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFzEpwbTxCtOosxazwmu6v-8iJh-vxxNJrAUYVSPTjgCu69tggGajZ1Szb_9kLCFCerr-Juz2M-IwgtBDKlaiDPKTU8pxRAO7PA0n-b4Ys1Dj6BdMDwvzIRFL7vhFEVpA7fVSA5mgIRhB/s400/June10_2010-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482712377514371954" border="0" /></a>Go over and take a look at <a href="http://www.chopped-tomatoes.com/">Chopped Tomatoes Blog</a> and make a pair today! They are great for charity knitters (hospitals are always looking for baby socks and booties for their baby patients since hats are always the "go-to" item...)Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-3241647947459326742010-06-11T14:59:00.005-04:002010-06-11T16:02:08.183-04:00Baby Shower Gift<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNKbOaqcUA9Mq6Uz34uC9e8vxUKL5Yp4lmof4J2G42GavkeRa4Eiw8uWxmpyFToHhJvWhSdeBI7z10DeDEw1Ix6v0a6PpMFGTwRIh9dDhVqJpkZabMfDKry80QQbRDTCNXsDqbg6JrK6g/s1600/ChristinaKnits-8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNKbOaqcUA9Mq6Uz34uC9e8vxUKL5Yp4lmof4J2G42GavkeRa4Eiw8uWxmpyFToHhJvWhSdeBI7z10DeDEw1Ix6v0a6PpMFGTwRIh9dDhVqJpkZabMfDKry80QQbRDTCNXsDqbg6JrK6g/s400/ChristinaKnits-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481608420373232754" border="0" /></a>My mother and I have been invited to my friend's baby shower this weekend. My friend is expecting TWIN GIRLS in the beginning of October! I'm so excited for her and can't wait to celebrate this weekend...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKhaG2KCXiBDXxyB3ayF3KGjVsly-umIz-MZ6iz35dNOPvUqOiHgiAZH1OBcSxQkIBuv9PElEc85aQ69WjVmT-SA9Og1wxrOeNLJd2nSQn2Xt_hJSoh-jr2PAWRuaqrCFsGkxbTA-l6xT/s1600/ChristinaKnits-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKhaG2KCXiBDXxyB3ayF3KGjVsly-umIz-MZ6iz35dNOPvUqOiHgiAZH1OBcSxQkIBuv9PElEc85aQ69WjVmT-SA9Og1wxrOeNLJd2nSQn2Xt_hJSoh-jr2PAWRuaqrCFsGkxbTA-l6xT/s400/ChristinaKnits-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481608429161848786" border="0" /></a>For a present we decided to team up and knit a little package for her precious bundles. My mom visited<a href="http://www.ninachicago.com/"> Nina's knit shop </a>when she was in Chicago a couple months ago and bought some beautiful light pink (color "Shell") <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=8">Organic Worsted Cotton</a> by <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarns.php">Blue Sky Alpacas</a>. She worked hard on a gorgeous baby blanket using the pattern <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_detail.php?patterns_ID=12">"Eyelet Baby Blanket"</a> by designer Leslie Scanlon (available by Blue Sky Alpacas). This pattern calls for 7 skeins of yarn and U.S. 10 needles so it's a pretty quick knit for a blanket. I can tell it's a great pattern for the fact that my mom has knit 3 blankets (one for me, one for my friend, and one for charity!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LKz6CkAe051yRjf-GkrY_zr1Wa1FHjRIen2hnOAUB_uRE8cDPaRziYMxDSTbgyKqfWP472OG767puDs0aa5-zWe4I9SW-t9ShheIyqzDDW68Grqpqhf3cHn4xdU3eH_NFLWcz8wZVrnI/s1600/ChristinaKnits-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LKz6CkAe051yRjf-GkrY_zr1Wa1FHjRIen2hnOAUB_uRE8cDPaRziYMxDSTbgyKqfWP472OG767puDs0aa5-zWe4I9SW-t9ShheIyqzDDW68Grqpqhf3cHn4xdU3eH_NFLWcz8wZVrnI/s400/ChristinaKnits-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481608430793236274" border="0" /></a>To go with the blanket she also bought some coordinating yarn by Blue Sky Alpacas called "<a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/yarn_detail.php?yarns_ID=15">Suri Merino</a>" (in color "dawn"). It's a luscious yarn with great loft and is SUPER soft. It's definitely worth the price tag (all of Blue Sky Alpacas yarn is worth the pricey price tag in my opinion...) With a single skein of the Suri Merino I knit up 2 baby hats from the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Skein-Quick-Projects-Crochet/dp/1931499748">One Skein</a>" by Leigh Radford and had enough left over to make at least one more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjobThxazjMaUvWy1Ep7_Rp85EeOnthUqcWtBsFT7Z8_8L9_dluu23MC3kIjATNS32002FUKe3WacWiQ_wXTVVWDQQhs_k2GGwHYER0xGfUsJ_ofaHjHKiGYNfMzkRXCgo3ws5x9K4A7X/s1600/ChristinaKnits-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjobThxazjMaUvWy1Ep7_Rp85EeOnthUqcWtBsFT7Z8_8L9_dluu23MC3kIjATNS32002FUKe3WacWiQ_wXTVVWDQQhs_k2GGwHYER0xGfUsJ_ofaHjHKiGYNfMzkRXCgo3ws5x9K4A7X/s400/ChristinaKnits-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481608726695833394" border="0" /></a>I hope my friend enjoys her gift. It was knitted with love - and sure does look and feel heavenly. I might go out and buy some of the Suri Merino to make a baby hat for my little man. It's that wonderful (even though it has to be hand washed!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH6NRa1q-7mncAzdLfzJvYgZ1VWrpTdPVT6_0R2qIIMbnstQuWehToWJ2IgObPb2ha9Ly9zZNzedUgcqdFEjcucOlwYWGw8iIbMEU8KPSPInk3F_jok4fKvaXUruL1WzGO7qv6tnVOPo5/s1600/ChristinaKnits-13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH6NRa1q-7mncAzdLfzJvYgZ1VWrpTdPVT6_0R2qIIMbnstQuWehToWJ2IgObPb2ha9Ly9zZNzedUgcqdFEjcucOlwYWGw8iIbMEU8KPSPInk3F_jok4fKvaXUruL1WzGO7qv6tnVOPo5/s400/ChristinaKnits-13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481608449833514082" border="0" /></a>Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-54384985013330748142010-06-01T10:04:00.002-04:002010-06-01T10:12:48.873-04:00Quick Baby Knit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPtKJy2-aDy9oCXOpPnIM3PFDwWVVMsSjZT3SQhjc64XM5ktJrNIiUXTwKjQkSqVj7IGNH1Nmg4UzxLFs73MJc5qDMLC-gj5BfgjR-Ds18yvrXCsVzXaVg2OjXCMxVIuUT2WmO3ZzcTGn/s1600/EarlyMay2010-8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPtKJy2-aDy9oCXOpPnIM3PFDwWVVMsSjZT3SQhjc64XM5ktJrNIiUXTwKjQkSqVj7IGNH1Nmg4UzxLFs73MJc5qDMLC-gj5BfgjR-Ds18yvrXCsVzXaVg2OjXCMxVIuUT2WmO3ZzcTGn/s400/EarlyMay2010-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477807884863734162" border="0" /></a>We're really doing our best trying to get our house sold. So for the past couple months we have been packing boxes for the move to try to empty our house out. This means that my yarn stash has found a new home in temporary storage (boo hoo!) But while packing my yarn I went through it and put it into three piles:<br />1. Keep and pack away<br />2. Make something quick with it (usually single skeins that were asking to be kept but were single skeins)<br />3. Donation (which I just shipped a big package out to the some people on Ravelry)<br /><br />After going through my yarn I was stuck with a little pile of yarn that I loved but couldn't justify packing. So I quickly knit up some fun baby knits (hats, socks, mitts, etc.) The one project I've been meaning to try is the flower bib from "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Skein-Quick-Projects-Crochet/dp/1931499748">One Skein</a>" by Leigh Radford. So using a little yellow cotton skein I knit the bib in an evening. It's a fun little project (even though I really had to pay attention to remember to knit the wraps back into the bib since there are a LOT of short rows).<br /><br />Here it is:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC75uoYQ7zVpV7U8yi8qSMoVE5Y495-R-5X2-GkyNtB7oU9P92cQQPy3LcqIXn4j2VTcFKFJYu5eExKT33vtYSi1g50bvs7PBv1wUNzJX1FByNli-CT3DIITYOZsNryrpWMqqiqCfLExd/s1600/EarlyMay2010-2-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC75uoYQ7zVpV7U8yi8qSMoVE5Y495-R-5X2-GkyNtB7oU9P92cQQPy3LcqIXn4j2VTcFKFJYu5eExKT33vtYSi1g50bvs7PBv1wUNzJX1FByNli-CT3DIITYOZsNryrpWMqqiqCfLExd/s400/EarlyMay2010-2-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477807882050806034" border="0" /></a>Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-28860146377725484002010-05-29T23:45:00.004-04:002010-05-29T23:55:53.840-04:00Sleep Sack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SMIxIFc8EomQnzcLzRqqsXFbbH-KM-NCJ8vGZaSMiGC-lwiTNA2m00UYtWrQk71dNwx_1qVDrKVhYcX3jSSnil_dTV5s3aMveAaQlpKyZ7_sW87fzRZYEk_GW4dcMggXAwy32YNNHKg0/s1600/EarlyMay2010-19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SMIxIFc8EomQnzcLzRqqsXFbbH-KM-NCJ8vGZaSMiGC-lwiTNA2m00UYtWrQk71dNwx_1qVDrKVhYcX3jSSnil_dTV5s3aMveAaQlpKyZ7_sW87fzRZYEk_GW4dcMggXAwy32YNNHKg0/s400/EarlyMay2010-19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476906187801322130" border="0" /></a>It's so hard to decide what type/size of baby clothes to buy. You always hear, "babies don't wear newborn sized clothes. They wear 0-3 months for only a couple weeks." So I never know what to buy, especially since I don't know when the little man will arrive. But I decided that you can't really go wrong with sleep sacks. But while looking at sleep sacks I realized that either the quality really lacked or they were crazy expensive. My solution? Make my own!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7IehJSUdFyem7DI-wdUWyCV94N11HHzUtiDrep7G3eP-qOYqhu5sYQv9pO51LV7ufJpWlQPoZGLllJPRFrX5oJe5t3Ams0tA9SLXQWYEJjHe9bnaEwnmdnb3zZeVAiVhueS0PBy_0K5A/s1600/EarlyMay2010-18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7IehJSUdFyem7DI-wdUWyCV94N11HHzUtiDrep7G3eP-qOYqhu5sYQv9pO51LV7ufJpWlQPoZGLllJPRFrX5oJe5t3Ams0tA9SLXQWYEJjHe9bnaEwnmdnb3zZeVAiVhueS0PBy_0K5A/s400/EarlyMay2010-18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476906170522324626" border="0" /></a>I searched Etsy for a sleep sack pattern and came across one. I won't list the pattern because frankly it was a bear to work with and had a lot of problems - and I don't want to publicly insult the pattern maker. But after receiving the pattern I met with my mom for the afternoon and we worked on the sack. It was the perfect afternoon project. We picked out some polka dot fabric for the outside and blue stripe for the inside. After cutting out the pieces and reading the directions like 32 times (I'm not exaggerating. She read them, I read them, we read them together, we read them aloud, we read them silently, etc.) we just decided to wing it. A sleep sack is a pretty straight forward pattern (even more bewildering how the pattern managed to be so insanely complicated and backwards!!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W0fgCxV9znxzyA1a6Qi4wzKWclXJrGteXu7i__WjRJ4zyu162DvagDlgeps93gqpu27cNyuA0myDpb1G-iP7bo_zqdBfk6hk5mDCwrzMtx5-oJFGyJ5wgPErL1jLnrHPegJdqC5rh7RF/s1600/EarlyMay2010-16-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0W0fgCxV9znxzyA1a6Qi4wzKWclXJrGteXu7i__WjRJ4zyu162DvagDlgeps93gqpu27cNyuA0myDpb1G-iP7bo_zqdBfk6hk5mDCwrzMtx5-oJFGyJ5wgPErL1jLnrHPegJdqC5rh7RF/s400/EarlyMay2010-16-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476906175887762002" border="0" /></a>After a couple hours we ended up with an adorable sleep sack for Little Man. Hopefully he enjoys it!!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-67470943818851716622010-05-28T22:42:00.004-04:002010-05-28T22:53:53.107-04:00Dexter is almost one!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0ZuE-No4gnQ_hywPvoZLFznvA6FOtLCG1fU-ViIobEEhLyXgnnKC8OCxETJWqHFlwzOs5cvvR8niDGCyvogEPW64ExynF0eWsS9Y5L_f0IqONKHFRKUS7Qokx-xDeKnaq4tx5nwbnYsH/s1600/EarlyMay2010-17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0ZuE-No4gnQ_hywPvoZLFznvA6FOtLCG1fU-ViIobEEhLyXgnnKC8OCxETJWqHFlwzOs5cvvR8niDGCyvogEPW64ExynF0eWsS9Y5L_f0IqONKHFRKUS7Qokx-xDeKnaq4tx5nwbnYsH/s400/EarlyMay2010-17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476519207013762658" border="0" /></a>I can't believe that in a couple months Dexter will be one year old. Time sure does fly! I still remember picking up a little pathetic looking animal from my mom's farm and holding it in my hand. It was a tiny kitten just barely a week old. I didn't know if the kitten would survive and what I was getting myself into. But our love for this kitten grew and he was named "Dexter" and became a part of the family (and Mia's, our maltese, best friend).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4QRcmc4FPf0BO9AfP4EFLAhJCTHxDCgDGF_11IvFsN5nNx1Xpb6myGuzSMDAznz_D2uLk-j-L-JzBnJZBzmBA3Zeb6Q_RS4_PvPlgUVKpXrfMM7ltNhH-7Q2AbOsSaWRPOLNxTX9A7RX/s1600/EarlyMay2010-7-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4QRcmc4FPf0BO9AfP4EFLAhJCTHxDCgDGF_11IvFsN5nNx1Xpb6myGuzSMDAznz_D2uLk-j-L-JzBnJZBzmBA3Zeb6Q_RS4_PvPlgUVKpXrfMM7ltNhH-7Q2AbOsSaWRPOLNxTX9A7RX/s400/EarlyMay2010-7-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476519205305999474" border="0" /></a>I always swore that I would never own a cat. They are affectionate at times, but they have no boundaries (always jumping and walking on everything) and they can really demand a lot of attention. But perhaps it's because he's still somewhat of a kitten. But nevertheless, here Mr. Dexter is - all big and grown up. Hard to imagine he used to weigh 3 oz...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5SS40aXYfi-OxiAuMf2xHIVzLZdd2LMNXvnpptRk4rj-734rRVAOVYQNzO8c07Na1R3tZZ3qNuzhoT2Ke4a7ADuPl5Ufo0BfCHwerw2srzioyET04fz6XOdnqmQ3vlpdBXOGXlH3dQev/s1600/EarlyMay2010-5-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5SS40aXYfi-OxiAuMf2xHIVzLZdd2LMNXvnpptRk4rj-734rRVAOVYQNzO8c07Na1R3tZZ3qNuzhoT2Ke4a7ADuPl5Ufo0BfCHwerw2srzioyET04fz6XOdnqmQ3vlpdBXOGXlH3dQev/s400/EarlyMay2010-5-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476519197274045490" border="0" /></a>Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-89377028423435743342010-05-28T22:24:00.002-04:002010-05-28T22:40:24.803-04:00Lots of wool baby knits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK-IO58yJmJPy9oHyE9GvuXrS6UR_bJd1FVsLJHyKfLRsFBSPM6M_zZfrkZHtIecpz_BfijwRAolu35TXPyBjeErtMeS6kAQ9LfBCg8i7j9RRJDtvmn6e2JIcbaigWg-9hRCaQFIx9izQ/s1600/EarlyMay2010-14-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK-IO58yJmJPy9oHyE9GvuXrS6UR_bJd1FVsLJHyKfLRsFBSPM6M_zZfrkZHtIecpz_BfijwRAolu35TXPyBjeErtMeS6kAQ9LfBCg8i7j9RRJDtvmn6e2JIcbaigWg-9hRCaQFIx9izQ/s400/EarlyMay2010-14-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476512387642552866" border="0" /></a>I bought this knitting book a couple years ago because I couldn't resist the cute knitted bear outfit on the front. Well I finally got around to knitting some items from this great book. I first started with the elastic waist pants - I wanted to make some wool soakers and thought that pattern was perfect to knit up with some wool. They were quick to knit and turned out great. I still need to insert the elastic though...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJf_M_-Pxf6we927lIHN9SHhO0IA3L-uon-85I3yKEWxNF0Dm9gOh4z33dQIwF3lqVr0csZN1NGfjsooisoXdRw5FPsAijv8s3Cye6OY_pDrMmQaAJzyINHQsBM8KBkGEMB4X48hkAFFs/s1600/EarlyMay2010-10-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJf_M_-Pxf6we927lIHN9SHhO0IA3L-uon-85I3yKEWxNF0Dm9gOh4z33dQIwF3lqVr0csZN1NGfjsooisoXdRw5FPsAijv8s3Cye6OY_pDrMmQaAJzyINHQsBM8KBkGEMB4X48hkAFFs/s400/EarlyMay2010-10-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476512700158679730" border="0" /></a>After I was finished with the pants I had TONS of the aqua wool skein left. So I knit up the vest located in the book. I actually made a ton of changes to the pattern (knitted it in the round, omitted the buttons up the side, and only made it button on one sleeve). I wanted the vest to be as seamless as possible. I still need to add the buttons to the left shoulder...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfsoCpscx2jYvw5ChFDU0ScuflN9nVmzJCvRUZFVOAPhjHlBY9bNO8eAZcmGr3QqdJMMvmQzyM2AYzxY_NIKnmm5WjVefI9cN4Gp1Gd1ivG-shJxmypwM4sZTH1kYxLI1sQjyT_mVFZZ9/s1600/EarlyMay2010-7-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfsoCpscx2jYvw5ChFDU0ScuflN9nVmzJCvRUZFVOAPhjHlBY9bNO8eAZcmGr3QqdJMMvmQzyM2AYzxY_NIKnmm5WjVefI9cN4Gp1Gd1ivG-shJxmypwM4sZTH1kYxLI1sQjyT_mVFZZ9/s400/EarlyMay2010-7-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476512694676606514" border="0" /></a>After all this knitting was said and done, I still had some navy yarn and aqua yarn left over (I started with one 100G skein of each). So I knit up the hat in the book as well. It turned out so cute! All I have left is the tiniest bit of aqua left. I might knit it up into a little ball and felt it for a toy (either for the baby or for the dogs).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEANwIo8D8eTL5eHo5ntLcKbuBZqBivqNKoUcpb5hQr2vO1i2EmhIUqkR01YQFEaFMbJDSw21KhpwFCa0ExvkvkGU34g-OzbFyEmL5eYS5fHcj9_umb2Ets69lBMVmGkTgrfT26LynbLIs/s1600/EarlyMay2010-3-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEANwIo8D8eTL5eHo5ntLcKbuBZqBivqNKoUcpb5hQr2vO1i2EmhIUqkR01YQFEaFMbJDSw21KhpwFCa0ExvkvkGU34g-OzbFyEmL5eYS5fHcj9_umb2Ets69lBMVmGkTgrfT26LynbLIs/s400/EarlyMay2010-3-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476512689273075298" border="0" /></a>So that was a little knitting I've done in the last month. I still have TONS of projects to post to the blog. Currently I'm working on a sweater out of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino for this winter for the baby. The pattern I'm using is out of Vintage Baby Knits. We'll see when that makes it to the blog (only the arms need to be knitted). I also have a couple of baby shower gifts that I need to finish for my friend who is expecting twin girls this September/October. All this knitting!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-27787533572906002002010-05-27T16:48:00.006-04:002010-05-27T22:07:05.080-04:00Beautiful Baby Shower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSun9Yl5xkMB4hSEkm_w6BPQoPB5fY8B5J1hRiZT2n96iYedM2v6kZBW7SzhFbxyUxCiIBQ6hDdrU901eBaPVM2njJpGclSHSM_LIDga2dHiRbGIS6XdMmXGFxChgShKGwT_3fnOZOywu/s1600/EarlyMay2010-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSun9Yl5xkMB4hSEkm_w6BPQoPB5fY8B5J1hRiZT2n96iYedM2v6kZBW7SzhFbxyUxCiIBQ6hDdrU901eBaPVM2njJpGclSHSM_LIDga2dHiRbGIS6XdMmXGFxChgShKGwT_3fnOZOywu/s400/EarlyMay2010-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476133082513709794" border="0" /></a>Both my mother and mother-in-law threw me some amazing baby showers. I don't have any pictures from my mother-in-law's shower but I do have some pictures from my mother's shower.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rJrzQrwFWhkJZFEsx5iRWufVdKs4rktwyMILWO7kfyJGB8z2hfkvwLPovU-rI1rEBDyL8-YeAzlWhy19VkPly3vdB_Q0dXpgRJWMrikVRm9dAsObdGzSdPBNCO9KrzOMZByzBYNEkjTh/s1600/EarlyMay2010-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rJrzQrwFWhkJZFEsx5iRWufVdKs4rktwyMILWO7kfyJGB8z2hfkvwLPovU-rI1rEBDyL8-YeAzlWhy19VkPly3vdB_Q0dXpgRJWMrikVRm9dAsObdGzSdPBNCO9KrzOMZByzBYNEkjTh/s400/EarlyMay2010-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132632930452530" border="0" /></a>My mother went with a bird nest theme for the shower. She held it at the local city park in a room overlooking the river. It was beautiful!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7c4U0C6GjFjmXY34uCScsgmYQ1stnc4I2EiIoMd_9SlHR9fwhXu3hb6ZfvPvyQ3Nn2-8FZE9kDtbhRq18iUfC5DchvTKI2vcAncVGV4_hoWpLB7z8V9buJQklHKZ4pP5fwfGm4HNsrRa/s1600/EarlyMay2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7c4U0C6GjFjmXY34uCScsgmYQ1stnc4I2EiIoMd_9SlHR9fwhXu3hb6ZfvPvyQ3Nn2-8FZE9kDtbhRq18iUfC5DchvTKI2vcAncVGV4_hoWpLB7z8V9buJQklHKZ4pP5fwfGm4HNsrRa/s400/EarlyMay2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132384310491778" border="0" /></a>She placed flower garland down the tables with little nests from Pottery Barn nestled among them (and filled with chocolate eggs, yum!) Candles were placed in antique blue Mason Jars filled with cracked corn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXc5LqJ988oRot0VriHE9-_5Kv9epiUp2LKfhyD1tTnIj9_A2GZbJdSjS3UGm7RmN59VGc9X6bpCtM63BS6Eb3Qh1MOcUv-skq79sTLeYUqYbMNhu3qgGLNylkasaMZz5tZaAxIeAEss5/s1600/EarlyMay2010-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXc5LqJ988oRot0VriHE9-_5Kv9epiUp2LKfhyD1tTnIj9_A2GZbJdSjS3UGm7RmN59VGc9X6bpCtM63BS6Eb3Qh1MOcUv-skq79sTLeYUqYbMNhu3qgGLNylkasaMZz5tZaAxIeAEss5/s400/EarlyMay2010-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132386847066482" border="0" /></a>The plates and glasses were all vintage/antique and again were mostly blue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWjphptLg4BhjG1O4nw1wCm_qis9VS818ER_8gOsUa2e9n_9bHHApKaujZTE7DkFUiXnQt1V4RJOv7TL2_AT2WFNwNa9z06D-mEhTXil04ZYkwXO_mAfApiOi9RAYvjWF4aQaAm6A5FBV/s1600/EarlyMay2010-14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWjphptLg4BhjG1O4nw1wCm_qis9VS818ER_8gOsUa2e9n_9bHHApKaujZTE7DkFUiXnQt1V4RJOv7TL2_AT2WFNwNa9z06D-mEhTXil04ZYkwXO_mAfApiOi9RAYvjWF4aQaAm6A5FBV/s400/EarlyMay2010-14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132634858648034" border="0" /></a>My mother surprised me with a beautiful baby quilt that she had made for the little man. Every guest was asked to write a little note for the little guy on the back. It was fun to read everyone's blessings when the shower was over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMqrzWo-PSjwYOdaWPMzhEMr3OcogY843hx7e19WFopltZ85UHMr-tdk2Tha83T9buBeWUBq9z3mqS1mjvC4ePLC50NqRDahuNVLIfbT8n12SaLjko1t5wnM86bMU5u1_SrdimJ-Q9-GU/s1600/EarlyMay2010-9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMqrzWo-PSjwYOdaWPMzhEMr3OcogY843hx7e19WFopltZ85UHMr-tdk2Tha83T9buBeWUBq9z3mqS1mjvC4ePLC50NqRDahuNVLIfbT8n12SaLjko1t5wnM86bMU5u1_SrdimJ-Q9-GU/s400/EarlyMay2010-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132621871134146" border="0" /></a>And we can't forget the food!!! My dad was a huge help (as well as other family members). We had delicious <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/holiday-chicken-salad/detail.aspx">chicken salad</a> (my mom used dried cherries instead of cranberries) that we could put in huge croissants. We also had my Grandma's spinach salad, strawberries, and some amazing desserts. First off was my dad's famous hamentashens (we aren't Jewish, but my best friend was growing up and every Purim festival we would eat HUGE hamentashens and I begged my dad to come up with a recipe and we've used it ever since!) These are apricot, my favorite.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3mpnzCk1ZQFOH69KtVLEtWoR82jzkW1bGXmehnScRluuP86V-U_D1EJM3sFjcf7X8Dl8PXCVXI6nTee3RQA_AyhGoCyVblzjlVAVoN0SS4y54k4nCwOr0tuR93wATuAMZBILNAPlfTIo/s1600/EarlyMay2010-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3mpnzCk1ZQFOH69KtVLEtWoR82jzkW1bGXmehnScRluuP86V-U_D1EJM3sFjcf7X8Dl8PXCVXI6nTee3RQA_AyhGoCyVblzjlVAVoN0SS4y54k4nCwOr0tuR93wATuAMZBILNAPlfTIo/s400/EarlyMay2010-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132409329544818" border="0" /></a>My dad also made some red velvet cupcakes and banana cupcakes that he decorated with coconut nests and little bird eggs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V0X7X6m2kUJAhrNV63PVvzyKwwb-_Re_FVe2V9IfDh6zLsMbDNiGJLC5JUDXLc-2ueeX_VnRm4Vg6y7oPoNT8OapMRhWi7-uXKzaGh1yCeP6L7QnbUUV22wDwhedrkzszEi8pjL-bMh3/s1600/EarlyMay2010-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5V0X7X6m2kUJAhrNV63PVvzyKwwb-_Re_FVe2V9IfDh6zLsMbDNiGJLC5JUDXLc-2ueeX_VnRm4Vg6y7oPoNT8OapMRhWi7-uXKzaGh1yCeP6L7QnbUUV22wDwhedrkzszEi8pjL-bMh3/s400/EarlyMay2010-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132400971482146" border="0" /></a>The whole afternoon was just beautiful. And I received so many thoughtful presents and enjoyed catching up with people and celebrating the soon-to-be birth of our son. Our cloth diaper stash surely grew.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7nfoPnxk896YGb4DFBofUDdnV6UqryMvZ7FhVl_XbqnJmQGOzzaWtALfANvKX8VIVPNVfr4Iar0rPFyWBNzm63WooRscHBaFDVLFtv4ASdBK6JG_fLqOuNeU07CUVV7Ku-1kjPXapDM7/s1600/EarlyMay2010-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7nfoPnxk896YGb4DFBofUDdnV6UqryMvZ7FhVl_XbqnJmQGOzzaWtALfANvKX8VIVPNVfr4Iar0rPFyWBNzm63WooRscHBaFDVLFtv4ASdBK6JG_fLqOuNeU07CUVV7Ku-1kjPXapDM7/s400/EarlyMay2010-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476132395384482626" border="0" /></a>Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-44318833928946381872010-05-27T16:31:00.003-04:002010-05-27T16:45:08.910-04:002 months later...I can't believe how long I've neglected this blog for! I'm so sorry. But I've been busy with a new job, being pregnant, and finding a new home in a new state. So I have a couple excuses... right?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dryicons.com/files/graphics_previews/its_a_boy_greeting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 511px; height: 442px;" src="http://dryicons.com/files/graphics_previews/its_a_boy_greeting.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(image via<a href="http://dryicons.com/free-graphics/preview/its-a-boy-greeting/"> DryIcons.com</a>)<br /><br /></span></div>Well, I guess I should publicly announce that we are expecting a little BOY. I know I didn't announce on the blog when we found out because I was waiting to surprise my family. The secret has been out for a while but I haven't been around to declare it publicly yet. We are super excited for his arrival and can't wait!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9hDyVLVkOLE11hHaIb4sVkg1Z6g8oCm-zLBv8F6W0HuOu6FXqF1SphYBaYSxDzeVz03YeUTXsb_KKt41lxaUlDDYgU01s1Obnctub7bRAzHIy2dOH9r_HyHBjSVi1NT7HaJKP3ccLfp_/s1600/EarlyMay2010-22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9hDyVLVkOLE11hHaIb4sVkg1Z6g8oCm-zLBv8F6W0HuOu6FXqF1SphYBaYSxDzeVz03YeUTXsb_KKt41lxaUlDDYgU01s1Obnctub7bRAzHIy2dOH9r_HyHBjSVi1NT7HaJKP3ccLfp_/s400/EarlyMay2010-22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476052482385607010" border="0" /></a>In the crafting sector - I've been busy at work with all sorts of projects for our son as well as a couple for the house and the dogs. The most important project that I have completed recently was my FIRST QUILT! Yes, you heard right - I finished a quilt. I'm a member of the Bernina Sewing Club at our local quilting store. Once a month they hold a class and teach you a new technique on your Bernina Sewing Machine. It's a nice afternoon that I spend with my mother (who is a great quilter). One of the projects last fall was a quilt that you quilted as you went along. So it was quilted block by block instead of quilted at the end. This was what allowed me to finally make a quilt. With my back injury I can't quilt the top of a large piece of fabric because it just makes my back throb. But since they were 16 inch blocks (I believe) it was much easier and I could do a little at a time. I started the project last November and finally finished the quilt which was laying in the closet last month.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBoHLV6NWWhevNEUQgJA3cwFB2Xat6W49NYhk0Y-dgWmxU_614K9TKtsQAH-Mjcb2a3mI3hMxNACxiNv6nhdVTamrkTYLvfw5zPEFK9S927Fy5nNK3QnKHZkx53AuWoS6_Bs2hQIwQgfB/s1600/EarlyMay2010-20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBoHLV6NWWhevNEUQgJA3cwFB2Xat6W49NYhk0Y-dgWmxU_614K9TKtsQAH-Mjcb2a3mI3hMxNACxiNv6nhdVTamrkTYLvfw5zPEFK9S927Fy5nNK3QnKHZkx53AuWoS6_Bs2hQIwQgfB/s400/EarlyMay2010-20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476052478685152722" border="0" /></a>Here it is! The fabric (I can't remember it's name) was purchased in a <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/Fat-Quarter-Bundles.asp?Store_id=499&Page_Id=15&T=1">fat quarter bundle</a> from <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/">Fat Quarter Shop</a> online on SUPER SALE. I think it turned out summery and bright (I can't stand baby blue stuff for the baby). What do you think?Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-27105305061075256892010-03-26T18:45:00.003-04:002010-03-26T18:59:11.784-04:00Cloth Diapering<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcDJQMTdWEsh9AaP0gtEcdJqKPdxk0ZV247qgK8nGORpFNQgQboFM3yFVCLruBCGQU-sROi0NVtDAnMjpcEd-ByUhjHEnyjzZoNOppIWXTCycGrr3fkr1X3T7m21t68Pl7yKuI6zllU2L/s1600/diapers-4-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcDJQMTdWEsh9AaP0gtEcdJqKPdxk0ZV247qgK8nGORpFNQgQboFM3yFVCLruBCGQU-sROi0NVtDAnMjpcEd-ByUhjHEnyjzZoNOppIWXTCycGrr3fkr1X3T7m21t68Pl7yKuI6zllU2L/s400/diapers-4-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453080665706438978" border="0" /></a>I apologize if baby posts take over this blog for a little while. But I'm getting so excited now that I'm almost 6 months pregnant!<br />My nausea has finally subsided and I'm able to function. Good thing because I started a new job a couple weeks ago! So I'm a busy lady lately. But I had managed to fit in a project or two in my spare time. The biggest project on the horizon is that I need to start sewing up some cloth diapers. We're planning on cloth diapering and I went and registered for them last weekend and was astounded at the price. $16-20 per diaper is so expensive! But I figured that I could try my hand at making some myself. I still plan on buying most of my cloth diapers (they will last longer and will be made of better materials) but I think I could also try to make a few. Here's my attempt this past weekend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7Vyl0_GfzhX_eebSWYZ8Bdvt-uiJzp9GwztZcEtTAvRrl0h5kMF1EfguMfObRof6iXL4nt20AMncR2nZ1s6Lkwpbl6CnpwisNHXxdRHT0NWhKx4iS_eLqXIA06mA84PSTkG3L8VMoNjD/s1600/diapers-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 369px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7Vyl0_GfzhX_eebSWYZ8Bdvt-uiJzp9GwztZcEtTAvRrl0h5kMF1EfguMfObRof6iXL4nt20AMncR2nZ1s6Lkwpbl6CnpwisNHXxdRHT0NWhKx4iS_eLqXIA06mA84PSTkG3L8VMoNjD/s400/diapers-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453080752516865058" border="0" /></a>The first diaper is using a left over tank top of mine for the knit fabric outside and it's got a flannel lining. It's a soft pink and really beautiful. The next diaper is a blue knit fabric and lined with diaper cloth for the lining. I actually think the diaper cloth lining works better. Both have soaker pads made out of flannel and diaper cloth. I'll see how they fit once the baby comes. I purposely posted a blue and pink diaper because I didn't want anyone to know if this baby is going to be a boy or girl. I also figured that the color really doesn't matter since they will need a diaper cover anyway -- so truthfully they'll be covered up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwppWRwfptdfisLgdcM_aIvKrj8rAk62QfWe_QvznTBprW4PX7GuttZ1DFguZ0J3KIwIfYkB0w2AXUgg_p_EOn2RgFD5SHxu5fIhMcoKms3KORahjYQUgK2jaV5iYyBfxUcHqV8qw5dCw-/s1600/diapers-5-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwppWRwfptdfisLgdcM_aIvKrj8rAk62QfWe_QvznTBprW4PX7GuttZ1DFguZ0J3KIwIfYkB0w2AXUgg_p_EOn2RgFD5SHxu5fIhMcoKms3KORahjYQUgK2jaV5iYyBfxUcHqV8qw5dCw-/s400/diapers-5-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453080670193293090" border="0" /></a>bAnyone out there sew their own cloth diapers? Any patterns you recommend? I used the pattern by <a href="http://www.celticclothswholesale.com/fabrics_49/Free-Medium-All-in-One-Pattern.htm">Celtic Cloths available free online</a>. I also tried the pattern by <a href="http://littlecomettails.kingstondesign.com/about.html">Little Comet Tails </a>but I wasn't as successful at that one. I also didn't make the diapers "All in One" with a waterproof P.U.L. outer since P.U.L. is quite expensive and I don't know if these will even fit!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-29192654080988950062010-03-26T18:35:00.003-04:002010-03-26T18:44:43.314-04:00Mr. Monkey Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3XuLXbLXHkZzu-TubC-7_oTNIC_iTIaKEw8inDZhAqrfB0ceyNDHNoCee_fsAfa5ueqBrgh6778STAhIjL-cwUKAQNXzYTqisrPVm1MqZLvjwUa_JZZtXKmPmeZKLkA6jAZzKj7urVSZ/s1600/diapers-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3XuLXbLXHkZzu-TubC-7_oTNIC_iTIaKEw8inDZhAqrfB0ceyNDHNoCee_fsAfa5ueqBrgh6778STAhIjL-cwUKAQNXzYTqisrPVm1MqZLvjwUa_JZZtXKmPmeZKLkA6jAZzKj7urVSZ/s400/diapers-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453076991885062018" border="0" /></a>It was a HUGE surprise to hear that one of my best friends is expecting a little boy in July! I couldn't believe that we're both expecting at the same time. Too bad she lives across the country...<br /><br />But the invitation to her baby shower ended up in the U.S. Post Office Abyss - so I only had about a week's worth of notice to get her a baby shower gift. Hmmm... my brain was spinning! I met my friend in nursing school and we formed a knit group with some other friends. We gathered once a week and knit and drank. It was always such a relaxing evening filled with lots of laughs. Remembering those good 'ol days I knew that even though I had such short notice I HAD to make her something knitted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-89aF6YutlTflGABD-Qns-qJkdZaanYqMPzUlyOVDVH3zbD3uepCEEkAvwPAPk0nfoqn8S0MmBx3Vow3sy9zWgveuvg7iXdrj4LGdq2I-eHeGHfn4Xe81PnPbmu7kl4u9vjBeJktjecoF/s1600/diapers-3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-89aF6YutlTflGABD-Qns-qJkdZaanYqMPzUlyOVDVH3zbD3uepCEEkAvwPAPk0nfoqn8S0MmBx3Vow3sy9zWgveuvg7iXdrj4LGdq2I-eHeGHfn4Xe81PnPbmu7kl4u9vjBeJktjecoF/s400/diapers-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453077000821679474" border="0" /></a>I started looking through some of my knitting books and ran across a pattern called "Monkey" in <a href="http://www.designeryarnsale.com/reki42detokn.html">Reynolds Kids</a>. It was the perfect pattern since this baby will be a July baby in Arizona. I couldn't knit a sweater for a sweltering hot Arizona baby! So I purchased my yarn (a cotton/wool blend yarn) and started knitting. It took about 40 hours of knitting to make this monkey from start to finish but it turned out so cute that I had a hard time giving it away!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWwGeUXHveyIqjPgT42oC4ithfVEpPnVdORmPa0mNQczycITuPXd_m2rmyG1IruJFrV7GRUjy7vbioRagbJ_RsBaxYTJ3ZgdmwDk1aK3fi6NDxLg5L2uc12IkmxJ1s0g515OzfxbDzb6u/s1600/diapers-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWwGeUXHveyIqjPgT42oC4ithfVEpPnVdORmPa0mNQczycITuPXd_m2rmyG1IruJFrV7GRUjy7vbioRagbJ_RsBaxYTJ3ZgdmwDk1aK3fi6NDxLg5L2uc12IkmxJ1s0g515OzfxbDzb6u/s400/diapers-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453077009279642402" border="0" /></a>But I know Mr. Monkey Man will have a wonderful home with Jenny, Kevin and their bouncing baby boy in July! Congrats, Jenny!!!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-20119658155371472892010-03-04T22:43:00.003-05:002010-03-04T22:49:22.155-05:00Meet another friend of mine...Leroy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnf-evoGwsx6vkEjkKRFIW_LF55o4Wp6GlunPs8ZqsNXraQzy87MPv5HB_LOoZH4K-SWRECKsOJm9e7WxMVmhXu74nFnNxcVWpK-qa04krofNrBEl5JLl_9goqnWtVN2wRz6JPmdcMLO2z/s1600-h/leroy2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnf-evoGwsx6vkEjkKRFIW_LF55o4Wp6GlunPs8ZqsNXraQzy87MPv5HB_LOoZH4K-SWRECKsOJm9e7WxMVmhXu74nFnNxcVWpK-qa04krofNrBEl5JLl_9goqnWtVN2wRz6JPmdcMLO2z/s400/leroy2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444991043119594450" border="0" /></a>I received another nice email from a reader today named Joy with a picture of her little man in the <a href="http://miaandmaddie.blogspot.com/2009/09/freebie-varsity-dog-sweater.html">Varsity Sweater</a> (available as a freebie from this link). Leroy is a 15 1/2 year old maltese who looks absolutely handsome in his striped sweater.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2bjIXbTnyLBNOeYsqjlAUNOobaMRE1RpuFDlJANIl3U8I7U9rkePDrt2vioulj3lR6Y1FVComYD9vJJUVlLzb2Vg8lSPJ9D6LB57MobeIEtEDycgYhyYG3ssp4U25hVt9JIWI4DKicus/s1600-h/leroy1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2bjIXbTnyLBNOeYsqjlAUNOobaMRE1RpuFDlJANIl3U8I7U9rkePDrt2vioulj3lR6Y1FVComYD9vJJUVlLzb2Vg8lSPJ9D6LB57MobeIEtEDycgYhyYG3ssp4U25hVt9JIWI4DKicus/s400/leroy1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444991040595701218" border="0" /></a>Thanks Joy for sharing your picture with me! If anyone else has pictures of their finished projects, please email me and I'll post them here online!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-56313369959705491232010-03-02T21:14:00.011-05:002010-03-05T18:11:36.154-05:00Free Online Pattern: Baby Booties<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGfOHtLnPCiMOUSUGekMpP3TWYiRf7UJxQoC7Zn2ymZeCFUpWysqnW12uQxMmWOOX2ecXz9j8_gjLiAoOwFHvSNgj-lO8hvPl4VgzxhyWhu53dCbUmn_VfVsqaHtYprywSzKm_aOzrjSJ/s1600-h/bootiesMarch-22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGfOHtLnPCiMOUSUGekMpP3TWYiRf7UJxQoC7Zn2ymZeCFUpWysqnW12uQxMmWOOX2ecXz9j8_gjLiAoOwFHvSNgj-lO8hvPl4VgzxhyWhu53dCbUmn_VfVsqaHtYprywSzKm_aOzrjSJ/s400/bootiesMarch-22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445289590592866210" border="0" /></a>It's been awhile since I've posted a free online pattern. While looking at a couple blogs it was recommended to check out a pattern for <a href="http://pickinandthrowin.blogspot.com/2008/08/baby-booties-without-seams-top-down.html">baby booties by the blog Pickin' and Throwin'</a>. So I headed over there and was surprised to see a pattern for some baby booties that are totally seamless. They are knitted on dpns and the bottom of the sole is finished with a 3-needle bind off. So when you're finished all you need to do is sew in your 2 yarn tails. Not too shabby!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So here are the details:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://pickinandthrowin.blogspot.com/2008/08/baby-booties-without-seams-top-down.html">Baby Booties</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Designer</span>: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://pickinandthrowin.blogspot.com/">Pickin' and Throwin'</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: Recommends dk or sport weight<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Needles</span>: Recommends U.S. 5 dpns<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">Notes</span>: I made 3 pairs of these. The first pair I knit with <a href="http://www.yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=1884">Cashcotton dk</a> yarn. The pattern does not list gauge - but I know that I'm a loose knitter and a lot of the comments mentioned that the booties turned out huge - so I used U.S. 3 needles. Boy am I glad I blindly made this choice - the booties still turned out pretty large! And I wasn't really a fan of how the Cashcotton yarn turned out. Since it's mainly a cotton yarn, the booties kind of lack shape.<br />So the second time around I picked some <a href="http://www.yarncountry.com/Reynolds-Soft-Sea-Wool-c311.aspx">Reynolds Soft Sea Wool</a> which is fingering weight yarn. I also chose to go down another size in needles to U.S. 2 dpns. This was the magical combination - small needles and a springy yarn. I also chose to knit the cuff in 1x1 rib instead of the 2x2 rib. I think it looks cuter that way.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki21M6-COZZP6Nd4xEyulpeAaaGllV770kX62Fw8nKiSLatnqIIdfUdRPXxeRaAsy0zZbVLCO0VxjPTES7J5gAJzIw5Q3IKlOvsmNweoo40mzH3mbXCIAAeP5RnCd23fgqr3gzfALf-6C/s1600-h/bootiesMarch-6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki21M6-COZZP6Nd4xEyulpeAaaGllV770kX62Fw8nKiSLatnqIIdfUdRPXxeRaAsy0zZbVLCO0VxjPTES7J5gAJzIw5Q3IKlOvsmNweoo40mzH3mbXCIAAeP5RnCd23fgqr3gzfALf-6C/s400/bootiesMarch-6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445289602786798498" border="0" /></a>And then I knit this a third time (can you tell I enjoy this pattern?) This time I used <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/LornasLaces/SwirlDK.asp?specPCVID=15848">Lorna's Laces Swirl DK</a> and used U.S. 1 needles for a tight gauge. These turned out to be my absolute favorite combination. Thick, plush, and soft... yum!<br />Other than the modifications in needle size and 1x1 rib, I knit the pattern as written (I still need to add the tie for the booties through the eyelet round). It's a fabulous pattern. I memorized the whole pattern after the first booty was knit and there are no typos. So it's going to be a great project that will be easy to transport to doctor appointments, etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx_B-95Z9OoJxbXbqrJDS1elUu8_jkB9mhVwl-YJmM1YpRqC8PnafWZCz2Z6q5zjXM9-_guvCuhj7-gyi9xWZkGSLO7ozpiKCYhhcCEup8xWAt-9IXu6YAQYTQ0Ur4lFZpQ3dpgH17JdP/s1600-h/bootiesMarch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx_B-95Z9OoJxbXbqrJDS1elUu8_jkB9mhVwl-YJmM1YpRqC8PnafWZCz2Z6q5zjXM9-_guvCuhj7-gyi9xWZkGSLO7ozpiKCYhhcCEup8xWAt-9IXu6YAQYTQ0Ur4lFZpQ3dpgH17JdP/s400/bootiesMarch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445289601484324210" border="0" /></a>So head on over to <a href="http://pickinandthrowin.blogspot.com/">Pickin' and Throwin'</a> and check out the pattern. It's a great gift and a pair only takes about 6 hours. Have fun!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-10253397923101440862010-02-28T12:35:00.003-05:002010-02-28T12:46:00.997-05:00Debuting Our BabyI'm going to debut our little baby here on my blog. Here is the most recent ultrasound that we received - our little one is measuring a week ahead of schedule and I am more than halfway done with my pregnancy! Yeeha!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-Gzv-2Q1vAQcuQhV7kv8GXs3m6ygATMtkA1l71HG7TQeZKSrGS8eQXY3Y79r7K4_bm5BPoqqF8l6gUlRk5-45r2ky0M9a4udpOFEtrew2NKmpUQ8fIWSVzJdZqIwuqvuYNGdRf9dCll6/s1600-h/Ultrasound_20weeks_website.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-Gzv-2Q1vAQcuQhV7kv8GXs3m6ygATMtkA1l71HG7TQeZKSrGS8eQXY3Y79r7K4_bm5BPoqqF8l6gUlRk5-45r2ky0M9a4udpOFEtrew2NKmpUQ8fIWSVzJdZqIwuqvuYNGdRf9dCll6/s400/Ultrasound_20weeks_website.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443351980202473410" border="0" /></a>I'm still nauseous in the morning but hopefully I will continue to feel better every day. We had a terrific ultrasound session this week that lasted for almost an hour. They measured every organ/body part and everything looked spectacular! For now we are still keeping the gender of this little one a secret, but it was confirmed to us. So we know for sure what we are having. It's so nice to be able to call the baby by name and also to start being able to buy stuff. I love me some shopping!<br />Now the knitting can begin! I did start knitting a sweater when we found out the "tentative" gender - but since it wasn't 100% I decided to knit the sweater in gender neutral colors. I figured the sweater could last for more than one baby too. I should have the last arm knitted this week and will post the finished project and details.<br />I also knit a "sleep sack" like item for baby. It's my own pattern and I hope to have it written up and posted as a freebie here soon. I knit it in gender neutral colors as well hoping to get more use out of it. I figured if I'm going to spend big bucks on expensive yarn and spend a lot of time making it - I better be able to use it for all my children! I also started that project before I knew the gender.<br />I also am finishing up a quilt - hopefully I will have the binding finished this coming week. Gosh! All these projects to finish! So that will be posted soon too.<br />Sorry I have been so absent. Not feeling well, lack of energy, and all the stuff that I need to accomplish in the next several months is really keeping me away from this blog. I'm hopefully starting a new job, I need to sell our current house, buy a new house in the city we're moving to, Sam is finishing up his PhD, have a baby, and move to our new city all in the next 4-5 months. Eeks! What do I start with first?? How about just starting with the craft projects that I listed in this post? Sounds like a good start to me!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-73112316556359074042010-02-05T20:15:00.005-05:002010-02-05T20:44:13.075-05:00I Could Tease My Mom All Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLHwcpwAg7GmcUg1FuccscH_hDHL7qKwU9eU1zb9JzFvzWvi-NkWwNTMchf4g8zR6c7IAAYW39ZSSpFwdUFUJFRtb21LCZN_sZlsSPCAhI8W8j3dlZM3EsuVfZXe68IQyJxIjMe7x3AzN/s1600-h/January2010-12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLHwcpwAg7GmcUg1FuccscH_hDHL7qKwU9eU1zb9JzFvzWvi-NkWwNTMchf4g8zR6c7IAAYW39ZSSpFwdUFUJFRtb21LCZN_sZlsSPCAhI8W8j3dlZM3EsuVfZXe68IQyJxIjMe7x3AzN/s400/January2010-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434939505779018098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(A random picture I took recently)</span><br /><br /></div>Hi Mom (I know you're reading this)! I'm sure you're sitting there now just beet red in the face because I'm being so stubborn. But I promise you, the news will be worth the wait...<br /><br />To All Readers - I'm sure you're confused what I'm talking about. But yesterday Sam and I went to the OB office for a check-up (I wish I would have been warned about how long you can wait to be seen by the doctor!! It seems like 2 hours is the norm and I think that's just ridiculous!). After talking with the doctor and getting some useful information on my nausea she grabbed the doppler to listen for baby's heartbeat. She couldn't find it after some long searching. So she grabbed an ultrasound machine out of the hallway and placed the probe on my belly. Immediately our little bean starting doing the jig! Little Bean was sucking it's thumb and even waiving at us! Too cute and so exciting to see. I couldn't help myself, I asked the doctor if she could give us a gender determination. You see - we're excited to know what this bean is! I have to know if I should be knitting pink or blue!<br /><br />After searching the ultrasound for a minute she was able to get the aptly named "toilet shot" for a gender prediction and gave us her *guess*. I say "guess" because she doesn't want to be held responsible for being wrong. But she was pretty sure and said that they can confirm at a high powered ultrasound in 2 1/2 weeks (our ultrasound was an oldie: Sam laughed when it popped up on the screen "Copyright: 1998").<br /><br />So we celebrated the big news and are so excited to know if we will be having a little daughter or a little son. But I haven't popped the news to my parents yet and my mom is less than happy! But I'm kind of enjoying this little secret that Sam and I have. <span style="font-style: italic;">So you'll have to wait just a little longer mom!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexWvpARVytwsANkKNlIcVXuovrMpHuc9LBNl4eRtjXA_02PGVXRD89DUuLk0-wf9nksCCwz2zmhP55WSRA0UT1MSIcQKySLS9Zjdnpg-4qHFx4upWwCHeHbuclK0hmFZF13E-dkZhILxf/s1600-h/292_cover_sm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexWvpARVytwsANkKNlIcVXuovrMpHuc9LBNl4eRtjXA_02PGVXRD89DUuLk0-wf9nksCCwz2zmhP55WSRA0UT1MSIcQKySLS9Zjdnpg-4qHFx4upWwCHeHbuclK0hmFZF13E-dkZhILxf/s400/292_cover_sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434937586187849746" border="0" /></a>In craft news, there are a couple items that I have on my list of "To-Do's". Here are links to projects that I will be getting started on ASAP:<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwiceAsNiceBoutique?section_id=6570766">Sleep Sack Pattern </a>by Twice As Nice Boutique. I just bought this pattern and can't wait to receive it in the mail. It will be a lot of fun to sew!!<br />2. <a href="http://www.berroco.com/292.297/292/292_photoview_pv.html">Berroco Booklet #292 Patterns</a> called "DK Baby". I want to buy this pattern book because there are a lot of cute patterns. Anyone ever made anything from this?<br />3. <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-90-minute-shirt.html">The 90 minute shirt by MADE</a>. This is an awesome blog that I read regularly. This method for making a shirt is so cute!<br />4. <a href="http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/diy.php">Wee Weka Cloth Diapers</a>. I've made tons of cloth diapers for baby gifts and now I'll need to start making some for myself. Let the sewing begin!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-64604978106042213322010-01-31T16:59:00.002-05:002010-01-31T17:07:56.229-05:00Dexter is growing up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMTMXsUgXmUcan1L9U3lj6Ry80dJI6KknkBuGrmZYLUOCvP7HeaFCsgszAtKkNekr1PcWjwgTlK76nhETQ5azSz5G0S_iyPkwo5kBpmhi5jsh4qnU4HAwt8lyw_e4AmxF5wqeYvSeyGMP/s1600-h/January2010-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMTMXsUgXmUcan1L9U3lj6Ry80dJI6KknkBuGrmZYLUOCvP7HeaFCsgszAtKkNekr1PcWjwgTlK76nhETQ5azSz5G0S_iyPkwo5kBpmhi5jsh4qnU4HAwt8lyw_e4AmxF5wqeYvSeyGMP/s400/January2010-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433028929511094290" border="0" /></a>Many of you know that I rescued a little kitty from a compost pile last August at a friend's farm. He was less than 2 weeks old and teeny tiny. Well... 5 months later he has grown into quite a cat! If you know me, you know that I don't like cats. I'm not a cat person and I don't think I ever will be. But somehow little Dexter made his way into my heart. So we permanently made him a member of our household and we haven't looked back.<br />He's become Mia's best friend. They sleep together in Mia's bed and they romp around the house playing with each other. Maddie will occasionally get in on the play but mainly her only interaction with the cat is if they are both lying next to me and then she'll let him groom her (Maddie never turns down a belly or back rub, no matter the species performing it!)<br />I just thought I would update you on our little man who is turning into quite a big man. He's about the size of Mia now...Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-18212346317474521222010-01-31T16:06:00.006-05:002010-01-31T16:29:56.666-05:00Free Online Pattern: Garder Yoke CardiSo I started up knitting today for the first time in a couple months. I had a project sitting on my knitting pile screaming to be finished - all it had left to be completed was an arm! So I picked up and dove in and in less than an hour it was finished. And I have to say it turned out beautiful and really soft!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpcCXgoJiTSiVPmEMeOBHEkDkE8RFpaTJL4bMDOo4Jp3E2qbjMshvoglPGuUd5itrNFP3eOiPgIo-pMQT8zuKdLIB8U0n9D2MX5tkPIMuq6c3Dw2LdSG4D9IPZ13T34BIOb60DbUpzLND/s1600-h/January2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpcCXgoJiTSiVPmEMeOBHEkDkE8RFpaTJL4bMDOo4Jp3E2qbjMshvoglPGuUd5itrNFP3eOiPgIo-pMQT8zuKdLIB8U0n9D2MX5tkPIMuq6c3Dw2LdSG4D9IPZ13T34BIOb60DbUpzLND/s400/January2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433018789101657602" border="0" /></a>Pattern: <a href="http://jenniferhoel.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/garter-yoke-baby-cardi/">Garder Yoke Baby Cardi</a> by Jennifer Hoel (available free online)<br />Yarn: Calls for 3 skeins of Knit Picks Andean Treasure. I used 2 skeins of <a href="http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-sublime/webs-knitting-yarns-sublime-soya-cotton-dk/?gclid=CK2RkePFz58CFQUeDQodpzvVHA">Sublime Yarn's Soya Cotton DK</a> in Navy.<br />Needles: Calls for U.S. 4, I used U.S. 3 needles.<br />Details: This was a great pattern! Easy to follow and turned out so freakin' cute! I made the arm length shorter because I only had 2 skeins of yarn on hand and because the baby is due in July so long sleeves aren't necessary. Luckily I made that choice because when I casted off the sweater I had a whole 6 inches of yarn left! I was sweating towards the end and was so relieved when my last stitch was casted off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9yUiW5JedPfD1WQWnN2uB865WPcBDWo6jsqtaFfR1IQ_5cr48tJMb1OVZFIWImFn0zCnIGPJLbucrF2XZjpCu5Ej6L7SVHchtcimMEePl9scDwAJYfdPIjhYAy1EAA81ADqQz707BM61/s1600-h/January2010-5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9yUiW5JedPfD1WQWnN2uB865WPcBDWo6jsqtaFfR1IQ_5cr48tJMb1OVZFIWImFn0zCnIGPJLbucrF2XZjpCu5Ej6L7SVHchtcimMEePl9scDwAJYfdPIjhYAy1EAA81ADqQz707BM61/s400/January2010-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433019053352938354" border="0" /></a>It was wonderful to be knitting again. Hopefully I'll get rid of this nausea soon so that I have the energy to sit down and knit more often. Sam and I are excited to find out the gender of this baby in the coming month. So I'm sure my knitting will be revamped once we know if we can knit pink items or blue items.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHt2yYdXBZAfEwKcyk_NH5PPLO7foBAt-5f0ZLyNug_GNlH3RmqGRsKc7LKoOOjwMUMU6NrOuXbq6m6m0cLdlYQWpvziG0WfcdHZjGiM8GTaFUEdBPA5h5rOWBcu6vc-th6Sdv3bb9ClV/s1600-h/January2010-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHt2yYdXBZAfEwKcyk_NH5PPLO7foBAt-5f0ZLyNug_GNlH3RmqGRsKc7LKoOOjwMUMU6NrOuXbq6m6m0cLdlYQWpvziG0WfcdHZjGiM8GTaFUEdBPA5h5rOWBcu6vc-th6Sdv3bb9ClV/s400/January2010-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433019254474297538" border="0" /></a>So if you're looking for an easy pattern that turns out super cute and knits up quickly, this pattern is for you. Thanks Jennifer Hoel for taking the time to write up this pattern!!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-53796984844879110992010-01-28T02:20:00.006-05:002010-01-28T02:41:08.593-05:00Meet my new friend... Basil!So I have been feeling pretty icky lately and my day was just turned around when I got the sweetest email from a reader. It was from Eve from the U.K. and her little man, Basil. He's a 14 week old Yorkie and loves sporting his new Snuggie Sweater and he had to share with me how much he enjoyed being toasty warm:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRKCgQpcnJnP3HeRc-cixxdmoOOlV6ITNwLSOtpsTbP6Inx69w5JMcC0pITisdn_R6mirLOuyyXhuig8LoI-1z8gj2sovMoWq6jqz6GPVmUxfEY021vHK4DsR8TrkOZh2FY5Sdav8QiDk/s1600-h/Basil+Blue+Sweater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRKCgQpcnJnP3HeRc-cixxdmoOOlV6ITNwLSOtpsTbP6Inx69w5JMcC0pITisdn_R6mirLOuyyXhuig8LoI-1z8gj2sovMoWq6jqz6GPVmUxfEY021vHK4DsR8TrkOZh2FY5Sdav8QiDk/s400/Basil+Blue+Sweater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431689543289540082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Isn't he absolutely cute in his Snuggie!!!</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's emails like these that make it worth spending the time to write up the patterns that I knit. Like I've said before - I'm not a pattern maker. I don't make money off my patterns. I just knit for pleasure and enjoy making dog sweaters for my puppies. And I love to share my successes in making a sweater with other lovers of animals. And what is better than a free pattern? Sure I make typos (and I correct them as soon as I'm made aware) and sometimes I don't explain my methods in a way that everyone understands (that's the hard part about not having "test knitters" but making a pattern based off of making it once) - but when I get sweet, kind emails from readers that wanted to share their success stories and satisfaction with my patterns I just smile from ear to ear!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP_JdMweIL6bpRr9apVBoP9OqNbz1XbnbdV1Q2izxSr2NFoOuCdeTnCweMCbeWkOviukcH_DrlCEZOK8sSV9RWpdYs0gqOWtw-3rkuYXqZ-O4UV1VHvBcD52dvzszzc3hkAx8z3YuvydI/s1600-h/Basil+Up+Close.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjP_JdMweIL6bpRr9apVBoP9OqNbz1XbnbdV1Q2izxSr2NFoOuCdeTnCweMCbeWkOviukcH_DrlCEZOK8sSV9RWpdYs0gqOWtw-3rkuYXqZ-O4UV1VHvBcD52dvzszzc3hkAx8z3YuvydI/s400/Basil+Up+Close.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431689690870098818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Basil is sporting the Chevron Sweater and looks so handsome!</span><br /></div><br />So not only was it great to hear from you, Eve, but it was nice to connect with someone out there in "Internet Land". It's nice to make new friends and it just reminds me of why I wanted to start this blog. I wanted to find other avid knitters and dog lovers. I want to swap stories, laugh, smile, and make a new friend. And today it happened... Thank you!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-13023227573905135552010-01-13T15:51:00.003-05:002010-01-13T16:01:37.636-05:00Oh Where Have I Been?Wowsers! It's been a couple months since my last post in November. I'm sure many of you were wondering if I was keeping up with this blog. I have to admit that posting hasn't been on my list of priorities, but I have been answering pattern questions and other knitting questions as quick as I possibly can. I've also been spending time thinking about what I would like to do with this blog in the coming year. I have some ideas for projects to post, tutorials to make, and things that I would like to get accomplished (a real, customized blog site for one). But this has all taken a back seat in the past several months since finding out I am...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgCWsDim8ABdNh3hTmeYzW1yZswOPa2IVyGlg9C0oZ1ykV4PBQqK6e4lvWHgvfB-6Fkv4LavB629J3ugCH4DWglDlUsAIgOqMo65ZzVljhILn7k9erq_4XtOYxiWWYj1TgMjUt8EJCRzJ/s1600-h/november6-4-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgCWsDim8ABdNh3hTmeYzW1yZswOPa2IVyGlg9C0oZ1ykV4PBQqK6e4lvWHgvfB-6Fkv4LavB629J3ugCH4DWglDlUsAIgOqMo65ZzVljhILn7k9erq_4XtOYxiWWYj1TgMjUt8EJCRzJ/s320/november6-4-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426330759039401298" border="0" /></a>Yeppers - I found out a couple months ago that my husband and I will be expecting our first bundle of joy in early July. I've hit the second trimester and I am still waiting for my nausea and vomiting to taper off. No such luck! So I haven't picked up a pair of needles since November (other than to knit my mother-in-law a Christmas present that she wanted). I do apologize to all you guys who are waiting for new patterns to pop up - even my dogs look at me with slight disgust since they usually have new sweaters every couple of months. Last year Mia was still a puppy and I've found that this winter she really doesn't fit in many sweaters and Maddie's sweaters are too large for her. Every time I take the little pooch out I look at her freezing, pathetic face and feel terrible that I haven't made her a toasty sweater to stay warm in. She doesn't even fit in her snow suits from last year. Poor thing! Hopefully this will be our last frigid winter as we are moving to North Carolina this summer. I keep telling her that if she can hold out for now she'll be warmer next year.<br /><br />So I promise you - I have plans in the works. I just need a little time to get my energy and stomach back. The thought of knitting right now makes my stomach churn - I get motion sick just walking up the stairs. I can't imagine looking at needles flying with yarn between them. But I do have pictures of November and December that should allow for a couple posts before I start my crafting again.<br /><br />Until then: Happy 2010!! (oohh... it rhymes!)Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-81688997826662110622009-11-17T23:10:00.004-05:002009-11-17T23:33:03.578-05:00Christmas Presents (Spoiler Alert for Family)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2BSyK5UrPZoPFEVIROpOoAK934WQk_RnNWOHZrM7lUqXbcAm79n24hZx0iH8V7vRl8q3WRaawlzkMmnFZp_mRxp3Vbr6cW97zQO66shPZy2Dp0u9L3HvrFaCpAOy0cVeoXtLyAJjenhm/s1600/IMG_1892.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2BSyK5UrPZoPFEVIROpOoAK934WQk_RnNWOHZrM7lUqXbcAm79n24hZx0iH8V7vRl8q3WRaawlzkMmnFZp_mRxp3Vbr6cW97zQO66shPZy2Dp0u9L3HvrFaCpAOy0cVeoXtLyAJjenhm/s400/IMG_1892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405296740249142546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(This is a picture of Mia when we got her at Christmas 2 years ago)</span><br /><br /></div>Okay, Okay... Christmas is in like 5 weeks! Crazy! Usually I have all of my shopping done by now and present are wrapped waiting for the Christmas tree. However I'm a little behind schedule this year due to all the craziness with my health.<br /><br />This week I checked off my mother-in-law and sister-in-law off the "To-Do" list. I got both of their presents done. I knit a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-trellis-mitts#">Garden Trellis Mitts</a> by <a href="http://sharryj.livejournal.com/">Sharryknits</a> (available free online) for my sister-in-law. (Sharryknits website seems pretty basic and I don't see the mitt pattern on her actual website. The link is to the free pattern on Ravelry - must register as a user to get access - again, free). The mitts were easy and fun to make. I knit the fingerless mitts in Panda Silk Dk (a mix of bamboo, wool, and silk) on U.S. 5 needles. The only alteration I made to the pattern was knitting 10 rows of ribbing at the beginning of the pattern instead of the recommended 7. This pattern turned out easy and seam free!<br /><br />The most exciting thing I brought away from the pattern was learning the <a href="http://www.woolywonder.com/classpages/sewncastoff/sewncastoff.htm">sewn cast off</a>. I have never used this cast off before but used the tutorial from woolywonder (click link) and it was easy and most important - stretchy! I'll be using this cast off for MANY things. Nice to add it to my knitting arsenal.<br /><br />The other project I finished this weekend was <a href="http://racheliufer.blogspot.com/2007/10/robins-egg-blue-hat.html">Robin's Egg Blue Hat</a> by <a href="http://racheliufer.blogspot.com/">Rachel Iufer</a>. This pattern was easy but also had some nice touches. My yarn (I used Plymouth Yarns Mushishi) was a worsted weight yarn instead of the bulky required. So I upped the number of stitches to 92 (instead of 80). Otherwise I followed the pattern as written. The hat fits nicely, a little loose (which my mother-in-law requested) and has a little pizazz to it for a simple cap. I still need to look for a couple standout buttons to finish the hat. All in all, great pattern.<br /><br />So those are two of my finished gifts. It was a lot of knitting time but hopefully they like the finished items as much as I do. I'll have a hard time getting rid of the mitts - I L-O-V-E them!! I might have to make myself a pair!<br /><br />Pictures will come post Christmas - I don't want to ruin the surprise entirely for any family who might check the blog.Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390036033832531774.post-71880413424407090222009-11-12T10:24:00.007-05:002009-11-12T10:38:07.737-05:00Zig Zag Lace Vest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1Swz28wwxxIuIZJI9HT72GTnibs7SaLbTZDRjFt3eEYPJEuRhjDYfPkrI6b3cQviA2COgFSUW7YTviIAe6VdSJ3Id1XachWH-EaU2AwZhqoiOtb3gvvZQ5Tox7Eo6JeQQl-PGHURley-/s1600-h/wavy_Vest-8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1Swz28wwxxIuIZJI9HT72GTnibs7SaLbTZDRjFt3eEYPJEuRhjDYfPkrI6b3cQviA2COgFSUW7YTviIAe6VdSJ3Id1XachWH-EaU2AwZhqoiOtb3gvvZQ5Tox7Eo6JeQQl-PGHURley-/s400/wavy_Vest-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403240213886778082" border="0" /></a>I just finished blocking a beautiful "Eyelet Vest" by Debbie Bliss. I knitted this pattern for the first time a couple weeks ago (<a href="http://miaandmaddie.blogspot.com/2009/11/eyelet-vest-and-new-yarn.html">see here</a>) in some Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. I just received some beautiful <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/LornasLaces/SwirlDK.asp">Lorna's Laces Swirl Dk</a> yarn in the mail from <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/">Jimmy Bean's Wool</a>. The color "<a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/LornasLaces/SwirlDK.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=15817">Bittersweet</a>" was so enticing that I couldn't help casting on another vest.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-VTVeRFtZfMh3Hqj6Tq6LM2w3rQoCKNLO_leuSzrN3XRbpp9To7UBytDTOHxIxFaN35pq51vymXQOAod9W1UHcdDbC1UfxsY2QX-WDOOuyXzTC2uwBD0VRsu3DXRpIEyOh45a7r4pddr/s1600-h/EyeletVest-23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-VTVeRFtZfMh3Hqj6Tq6LM2w3rQoCKNLO_leuSzrN3XRbpp9To7UBytDTOHxIxFaN35pq51vymXQOAod9W1UHcdDbC1UfxsY2QX-WDOOuyXzTC2uwBD0VRsu3DXRpIEyOh45a7r4pddr/s400/EyeletVest-23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403240092759137250" border="0" /></a>This time I decided to knit the bottom of the vest in the pattern "Lacey Zigzag" (pg 220) from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Guides-Lace-Eyelets-Stitches/dp/1596680571">"Lace & Eyelets, 250 Stitches to Knit"</a>. The stockinette stitch was boring to knit and I thought a patterned bottom would give a little more zip. It sure did! It turned out great!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOITO6orch1GKq8JvjXld9Enjvu58frk5MUmZyoVxHBt2MKmrT2n1doiT6UeI1n8QFpr2Rlf9KI0ewsQDAoZf_1aZ-zLi4v7nLuNfYcWYX4NpZBpSbyz34AxJIVNeX-BRwATxM_81DwhK/s1600-h/wavy_Vest-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOITO6orch1GKq8JvjXld9Enjvu58frk5MUmZyoVxHBt2MKmrT2n1doiT6UeI1n8QFpr2Rlf9KI0ewsQDAoZf_1aZ-zLi4v7nLuNfYcWYX4NpZBpSbyz34AxJIVNeX-BRwATxM_81DwhK/s400/wavy_Vest-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403240305706227746" border="0" /></a>I still knitted the piece in the round to avoid seaming and casted off the shoulder using 3 needle bind-off. I also picked up the stitches for the arm and neck in the round. This way when I was finished there was absolutely NO seaming. Aahhh...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRm-iaCgNl4HlE95XcEzMTcctTq2cjW4Zz8uOMsV-qioBDO_DPzV_Nk9iZnO5TCdsldyCtXSCxRB8G6e-D-ojY75A2ZnPjfYI6xEQLFicT_us-jZYoHCleFaFvW5MNhcEhU6XhqnUDK3e/s1600-h/wavy_Vest-17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRm-iaCgNl4HlE95XcEzMTcctTq2cjW4Zz8uOMsV-qioBDO_DPzV_Nk9iZnO5TCdsldyCtXSCxRB8G6e-D-ojY75A2ZnPjfYI6xEQLFicT_us-jZYoHCleFaFvW5MNhcEhU6XhqnUDK3e/s400/wavy_Vest-17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403240592400376226" border="0" /></a>I finished the sweater with a little bee button I had in my stash. All in all, this was a great pattern and I will have to sit on my hands to avoid knitting another one! I think this will be my standby baby shower gift.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1XBcHbCAOidtVbE5BXiew5-lm6QgyvPUNgKspc-yFqCk479RDr9Yv8Z-1TyvwEufTdUJXRCM5Do_Enc2OppDvF3p8KIjSGDdmFnffgj4V6e5GRUyYBaFPLioX5L-6P_tgJP2qOQcGvqZ/s1600-h/wavy_Vest-13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1XBcHbCAOidtVbE5BXiew5-lm6QgyvPUNgKspc-yFqCk479RDr9Yv8Z-1TyvwEufTdUJXRCM5Do_Enc2OppDvF3p8KIjSGDdmFnffgj4V6e5GRUyYBaFPLioX5L-6P_tgJP2qOQcGvqZ/s400/wavy_Vest-13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403240442305344802" border="0" /></a>Thanks Debbie Bliss!Sarah Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13498464284324132272noreply@blogger.com1