Would you like some tea?

I hope my little girly does! I had SO much fun making this Dreamy Day Tea Set for Elly. Easy and quick, and IMHO very adorable. OK, maybe not so humble…but I really like how it turned out. Wanted to go for more of a “shabby chic” look with it so used some “old” colours and hand-embroidered the flowers somewhat randomly as if they were handpainted on.

My 5yo has suggested I make some sugar cubes, teabags, and cookies to go with it — I think he is very creative, and will take his advice! I’ll probably knit the teabags, though, so they’re drapey. Maybe some little napkins, too….

 

FO Quick-Fix

At last count, I think I had around 6 projects on the go. Keeps me busy, but sometimes means a long gap between FO’s…this scarf was a great remedy for it. It’s the One Skein Scarf — my favourite, always trusty quick-gift pattern. Using the K hook and a lighter worsted weight yarn make it drapey and soft, and it’s a fairly classic style.

Without further ado…a nearly-instant gratification FO.

The yarn is Paton’s Soy Natural Blends. I really detested knitting with it, but it crocheted beautifully…in fact, I’ll probably buy it again for crochet projects; the smoothness and sheen and soft drape work really well with hooking.

Arsenic & Hairpin Lace

Gave a whirl at designing something for myself. Needs tweaking, but went alright for a first attempt I think. Definitely learned a few things.

This is truly a “Hooked Up Knits”, the front panel is worked in hairpin lace, the sides are knit ribbing, and then it’s all crocheted together. No sewing! I’ll probably write up the pattern (including the tweaks!) soon, if there’s any interest…or maybe even if there’s not!

 

Found my way out…

…of the endless wonders that is Ravelry …

’nuff said, right?

Am loving it over there! Entirely too addictive.  And definitely not good for my blogging habits!

To make up for it, here’s a wee taste of some of what I’ve made in the last month.

Behold, Dread Pirate Monkeybuns. Despite a peg leg, hook and fierce sunburn, this wee pirate manages to Argh and growl his way into your (or at least my!) heart.

And here’s my dear daughter’s Pinwheel sweater…the wool was dyed by me. I was attempting for the colours in the children’s storybook, “Goodnight Moon” but they came out a bit lighter than I wanted.  Oh well! I used a crochet cast-off and did a row of crab stitch around the edges instead of the loopy edging.

Do you ever throw away yarn?

Do you?

I can’t.

All my yarn “bits” (like from trimming ends) go into a small bag to serve as stuffin’ for felted toys.

I keep even the smallest remains of balls of wool…I have about a grocery bag full of them now…like probably 10 yd length at the most per ball! I think I might do a felted something or other with them soon, need to clean out the stash!

Is this a sign of sickness, or just my marvelously yarn-obsessed, frugal self shining through?

FO – longies in “firebird”

They’re done! Kettle-dyed BFL. Knit to my own pattern…and hooked up a bonus beanie, too.

And some detail shots — did a mock cable waistband ribbing, and used a stem stitch bindoff to finish the legs– matches the longtail cast on nicely, and doesn’t “pull in” the way a knit bindoff can.

 

Finally, an FO! (And a little yarn porn, too.)

After my month-long drought of FO’s, I’m pleased to share this little skirty that I made for a customer and fellow mom of multiples…she sent me the yarn, called “Dandelions” from Midnight Spectrum. BFL, and quite yummy!

The body is a knit using my soaker/shorties pattern, and the skirt is hooked up. The stitch pattern was something I have in thread on a sweater, and I love how it translated to the worsted weight.

Enough blabbing! Here’s the pics:

The Skirty:

 

 

closeup of skirt stitch pattern:

 

 

 

And, finally, the yarn porn. Kettle-dyed by me, shades of crimson, golden ochre and yellow marbled to create what I’m calling “Firebird”. BFL.