Drago[knit]fly

For some reason, I faced the biggest mental block with the name of this sweater. I even had to refer back to Ravelry just to title my blog post. I made this lil sweater for my nephew, set to arrive this November. I cast on for Trellis first, but the pattern and the yarn didn't vibe very well. After two attempts with different needle sizes, I gave up and cast on for the CPNP. Pattern: Children's Placket-Neck Pullover. Easy to follow and minimal seaming. Will definitely use again. Source: Last Minute Knitted Gifts Yarn: 3.5 skeins Mission Falls 1824 Cotton, Colorway 402. Size: 0-6/6-12. Because of the yarn sub, I followed instructions for the 0-6 version, except for the length measurements, of which I followed the 6-12. The final sweater dimensions are those of the 6-12 month size. Needles: Size 6 Addis. I enjoyed working with the MF Cotton, but will reserve it for projects with an "organic" feel. Its nubby texture workes well for this stockinette sweater, but hide...

Yes, another baby project, but this one is not for my baby. Usually my friends and family like the surprise of learning their baby's sex upon delivery, which requires me to knit only gender neutral clothing. This sweater was a gift for the baby naming party of the newest girl in our family, so I was particularly thrilled to make something girly for once! Pattern: February Baby Sweater Source: Knitters Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Cool Fire, 1 skein (every last inch) Needles: Size 6 Addis. This sweater is a knitters staple, first in its Baby form and more recently, its Lady variation , so I won't rehash what we already know about this pattern. I'll just leave it at this: EZ + Yarn = Satisfying and Successful Project. Easy enough, right? After hearing the praises of Dream in Color, I was a little stunned to find it a little rough and scratchy during knitting. I worried it wouldn't be a good match for delicate baby skin, but decided...

I'm still in the midst of my pregnancy-induced nesting binge, so I'll continue on in my parade of baby-related FOs. Here's the latest, my first completed (notice I didn't say started) quilt... Pattern: What a Bunch of Squares from Denise Schmidt Quilts Fabric: 1/4 yard each of 4 Amy Butler Prints from her Midwest Modern Collection, 1.5 yards light yellow Kona Cotton, 2.5 yards Amy Butler Quilting Solids in bright pink for backing. Let it be known that I'm the most indecisive person on the planet. It takes me forever to make a decision and when I finally do, I still question it. Choosing the yellow was my most difficult decision in the quilt store. I wanted something subtle, which was not easy to find with a mix of warm and cool prints. While constructing the quilt top, I wavered back and forth whether I made the right decision to concentrate all the printed fabric into the squares. It looked to me like little color explosions in the midst of a wide expanse...

I've wanted to make these painted silhouettes since Anna Maria Horner was on Martha last year. Finally, I found a perfect place for them - the nursery! That, plus my having the perfect amount of leftover fabric from the baby's quilt and this project was kismet. I used the wren stencil provided in the tutorial and scoured the internets for some other animal shapes that could hold their own without much detailing. I fell in love with the fawn immediately, but waffled back and forth between the fish and an owl. I let J make the final choice and he selected the fish. which works because I want to make these stuffed fish , inspired by Ms. Julie Frick . I think the fish still needs a little something something - maybe a button eye will do the trick? Materials 3 12" x 12" x 1.5" canvases less than 1/4 yard each print Amy Butler fabric, Midwest Modern collection Fabric Modge Podge (I'm sure any variety will work, I just thought I would get more use out of the Fabric ...