Leopard Spots: Ottobre 4/2013

She chose the fabric for her new dress because "it has leopard spots."  (I think it looks like paint splotches.)  My cat lover of a daughter doesn't differentiate between domestic or wild cats---any cat will do.  And any dress that reminds her of cats is sure to be a favorite.

My! Did it feel ever so good to sew again!  And this simple Ottobre pattern was a quick and easy way to get my feet back into the water so to speak. Yes, it was a simple pattern, but the details of the binding and the contrast pockets make it more than just ordinary.  Once again, I am reminded of why I like Ottobre designs so much!

The pattern:  Ottobre 4/2013, design #13, the Princess Castle dress
The fabric:  lycra jersey knit from JoAnn Fabrics
The Size: 128.  The dress is a bit wide on Em; I probably could have gone down a size.
Modifications:  I lengthened the dress slightly.  I did want to make long sleeves since the cold weather is coming, but I did not have enough fabric.  The short sleeves work better under a long sleeved cardigan anyway.  

The Requisite Cat Photo

Germinate

The pattern is wonderful. Well-written and easy to follow, but I just don’t feel the love. Maybe it’s my colors, maybe it’s the stripes with the lace---but I just don't love this shawl as much as I thought I would.  I do like how the stitches in the lace sections gradually get bigger, and I do like how the lace is interspersed with stockinette.  Someday I would like to knit this pattern again all in one color or tonal colors, and then I think I would adore it.  

I knit this shawl as part of a Mystery Knit A-long on Ravelry.  Mystery KAL's are appealing to me, and in that sense I am not one bit disappointed in my shawl.  Who knows, maybe I'll even wear it one day.  Definitely, I will keep knitting mystery shawls and mystery socks, and especially those put out by Through the Loops.  Kirsten writes her patterns in such a way that I have never had any trouble understanding the directions, and her designs are breathtakingly beautiful. 

The pattern:  Germinate aka TTL Mystery Shawl 2013
The Yarn:  Cascade Heritage Silk
Needles:  Size 6 (4.0 mm)

 

 

Summer of Jo-Ann Tie-Dye Tote Bag

A Jo-Ann fabric and craft store is coming to my town, and I am so excited!  No more driving over an hour to get to the nearest Jo-Ann's!  It was also exciting when I was asked to participate in Jo-Ann's Summer Crafting Challenge.  The challenge was to choose one of the 72 projects from the Cape Discovery Spring Craft Catalog, buy the supplies, and then create the project with our own twist.

Emily needs a bag to carry her piano books to lessons, so when I saw the tie-dye tote bag in the catalog, I knew it would be a great project for us to make together.   With the generous $25 gift card from Jo-Ann, we purchased the supplies.  Emily picked out the cat appliqué and cat paw sparkles.  Cats.  Of course.  The child loves cats. 

Since I have never before tie-dyed anything in my whole crafting life, I was glad for the detailed instructions that came with the dye.  It was so easy.  So fun.  Such fun that after we dyed the bag we started searching the house to find something more to dye.  

 Two of the Shirts We Dyed

 

  Jo-Ann's Inspiration on the Left and Emily's Project on the Right

I love Emily's finished tote bag, and now I want to dye everything in sight. I'll refrain, but I won't refrain from attempting more of the projects from Jo-Ann's.  Did I mention how thrilled I am that Jo-Ann's is coming to town?! 

Take a look at the Jo-Ann Pinterest page for more inspiration or search the hashtag #summerofjoann. Also, if you sign up to become a Preferred Customer, you will receive a 20% coupon. 

One thing about the dye kit—it only came with two plastic gloves.  I ended up with lovely blue hands because Emily wore the gloves.  My fingernails remained blue for weeks!   

The Anniversary Shawl

June has been a month of knitting knit-alongs for me.  Two mystery shawls, and two pairs of socks.  Yes, I'm behind, but I rather expected to be.  That's a lot of knitting for me for one month!

I am close to finishing the second pair of socks, and I hope to finish the second shawl before the week's end.  Going on a road trip this weekend will give me additional knitting time.  :)

But....drum roll, please.... yesterday on my 30th wedding anniversary, I finished this blue lace shawl!  I don't even wear shawls, but I am so happy in the way this shawl turned out.  So happy, indeed, that I may just have to learn to wear shawls and be comfortable wearing them.  

The Pattern:  Wendy Knits Summer 2013 Mystery Shawl
The Yarn:  Knit Picks Shadow, lace weight, 100% Merino
Needles: size 5 (3.75 mm)
Finished Dimensions: 68" x 29"

Bucket Hats and Babies

Too Hats

Two Babies

Too Big

The hats are too big.  Good thing babies grow, right?

Thinking they might need some protection from the hot Oklahoma sun this summer, I made two bucket hats for my 2 grandsons.  I don't yet have pictures of the redhead, Grayson, wearing his hat, but it was too big.  The size smaller was too big on the little one, Trey.  

Oh, but aren't these babies just adorable?!  This Grammie sure thinks so.

  First Fight?

 

The bucket hat pattern is free from Oliver+S, and it is reversible.  It comes in several sizes, from baby to big kid.  It was an easy pattern and fun to sew.  I discovered that I do need to add some "boy" fabric to my stash; I have next to nothing suitable for boys.  

 

Skirt Week

My skirt made it to the top 10 at Crafterhours Skirt Week, yay hooray. :) And now I just need all you lovely Sew Chic readers to please head on over to Crafterhoursblog.com and vote for skirt #7, Simplicity 2226. Today is the only day to vote, and I would sure appreciate your vote.

The Cat in The Bonnet

It's been awhile since I've embroidered anything.  It felt nice.  Making this bonnet was a bright spot in my otherwise sick-with-the-aches-fever-and-burning-throat kind of day.  And tonight I'm actually going to bed early in hopes of kicking this icky-sicky bug.  

The lovely pattern is from Rosy Little Things, and I think it's adorable.  I sewed it at a friend's request, and I hope she likes it.  I also hope it fits a 3-6 month old baby.  If not, though, I can just make another.  It was that much fun.

No baby is around to model the hat, so one of Emily's stuffed cats will have to suffice for today.  Cute looking cat, wouldn't you agree?

The bonnet is reversible and comes in 4 sizes.  The pattern was easy to put together, has great instructions, and I definitely plan to make it again one day.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for commenting. :)