For Realz?

So I went to a baby shower this weekend (fiy if you ever have host a baby shower - skip the games and have the wine and food flowing - it was all kinds of amazing!) 

I got a lot of praise while working on the leaf blanket I made for Clilfford's cousin - and not wanting to let go of that ( I am a sucker for it), I decided to make it again - and bask in some more glory

This is what I get for being full of myself  - she got the same blanket from someone else! What are the chances of that? I did not look closely at the second one - I am sure it out shined mine x10000 

but for serious...the same blanket!!! lol - but I still love it  - and babies need all things in multiples - they make a lot of messes :)

> Jessi

Gone Fishing

Here is a fun quick project I cooked up for a couple of youngn's birthdays.

DIY Fishing Game:

-knit fish using this pattern

- seam together and stuff bodies ( I didn't bother stuffing the tails)

- with yarn sew on a nut to the mouth area of each fish (this was a happy mistake, I had planned to put them on the inside, but the magnet couldn't pick it up -  so it worked out well since it kind of looks like a fish mouth!) 

- Tie a length of twine to a wooden dowl

-Glue two magnets together on either side of the twine

and voila! 
This is a great way to use of some of those yarn scraps

Happy Fishing :)

>  Jessi

Knitting > Leaf Baby Blanket

I haven't done a knitting post in a while, I have a few projects on the go, and spend a good chunk of time making the same cowl for friends. 

Clifford's cousin is having a baby girl in April so I thought I'd try making a blanket. I found this super cute pattern on Ravelry. I am really happy with except it came out a little small, so I think I will add some pattern repeats if  I make it again.

> Jessi

Japanese Sweaters

If anything was going to inspire me to learn how to read Japanese, it's this sweater book! 

So creative and beautiful!

>this one is my fave!!!

>Cassie

Scene In: Parks and Rec

I am totally in love with Parks and Rec and have been pining forever for Ann's afghan!

It's based on a simple circle center granny square with a great retro palette. The colours are olive green, red, yellow, pink, lavender, purple and a light orange. It looks like the yarn weight is probably DK, which would mean that you could probably use a 3.5mm hook. I did a test square in random worsted colours and it's a pretty close match! The only changes I made to the pattern was to use half double crochets on the second row, and add in two extra rows.

  If I ever get the time I'll make the rest :P 

>Cassie

WIP: Hats!

I've been making hats like crazy lately this one is on hold until I finish the little beret I'm working on. It's kind of a wig/hat hybrid for one of my neices and it looks totally redic. 

I am loving working with this fingering weight wool! It knits up so pretty...but I hate using the tiniest needles in my arsenal. Things take forever to take shape!

>Cassie

Bandana Cowl

I had a bunch of this crazy yarn that I picked up at one of our craft swaps that I didn't know what to do with.  I actually wasn't even sure what weight it was until I looked it up.  Turns out it was bulky and I ended up making the Bandana Cowl from The Purl Bee.

I thought it's simple shape and textures would calm this busy yarn and I think it did...and even though I had two different colorways I still think it looks great.  Pretty sure my sister's going to claim this project too!

Slouchy Sister Hat

 When my sister Shmem saw the Noro Furin yarn I bought this summer, she got so excited! She's a multi-coloured kind of gal, so I made her this Slouchy Hat with Picot Edging. Knit up super fast and It looks so good on her!

The face she made when I said "Smile or I'll tickle you"

Slouchy to the max!

Colours galore :)

>Cassie

Trendy Turban

I really wanted to find a seed stitch turban or head wrap pattern, 

but I couldn't find one on Ravelry. So I made my own and now I can share it with you! 

It was super easy...Enjoy readers!
Pattern Here!

>Cassie

Knitting Project > Boot Toppers

What more Cabling?? I am sure I will get my fill soon and maybe I will try something with lots of colour work...err.. that sounds hard and I think I  will stick with the feeling of over confidence 1 colour gives me :)

Anyways...Love these you can make them look like part of your boots or un fold them and they look like you have big long socks on (the mock turtle neck of the sock world- very cool sounding eh?) I also wear them around my ankles for extra warmth in our old drafty house.

> Jessi

Lies & Pixel People

I lied, I am not done with 2011. I don't know how but I totally forgot about this Christmas present until I was scrolling through my cell phone pics (what cell phones aren't the professional way to capture your work? Only lazy people do it that way? I swear I hardly ever do it...no that was another lie).

I made these pixel people, inspired by a friend who was making them as gifts, for my sister in law..same one I made the Rosalie Scarf for..There was a definite theme to her gifts? If you picked up on it you can't lie about never having seen Twilight. I just outed you. 

This little Bella and Edward were framed in a mini embroidery hoop for her to use as a tree ornament or whatever she wants really. They were really fun to plan and make - Martha did a whole thing on cross stitching pixel people, so you can learn more there!

 > Jessi

Knitting Project > Cowl

I mentioned I was obsessed with cabling, I learned on this really quick cowl pattern. I was able to start and finish this at home without any help from my fellow Stich n' Bitcher's, I think it's safe to say I may be an intermediate knitter - and not a beginner anymore :)  

 >Jessi

Moving Forward in 2012

Ok I'm ready! Time to get back on track. First order of business - get my Christmas Knitting projects up before it's way to late to be sharing them:

Rosalie Scarf: this was for my sister in law. It was actually a fun knitting project and I was really happy with how it turned out. 

Little Big Planet Sack Boys: I made these for Kate and Maya. I can now say I have knit a toy..and never have to do it again (I learned that I don't like assembling small pieces) 

Ok, Now I am officially done with 2011! Come on 2012 - I'm ready to see what you have in store :)

> Jessi

Christmas Cross Stitching

 Here's a little peak at my cross stitch projects in progress.. 1 down...4 to go :{  ans today is one month till Christmas.... better get to work!

> Jessi

Christmas Knitting > Sack Boy

My next project is some Little Big Planet Sack Boys, to give as Christmas presents. I am going to hopefully get 2 done - but we'll see! I have never knit a toy before, and I have a habit of thinking things look easier than they are. 

How is your Christmas crafting coming along?

a finished one from Ravelry

Mine so far.....

> Jessi

Twilight Inspired Knitting

Cassie and I and some friends are going to go see Breaking Dawn tonight - I can admit it! Who doesn't love some vampire fueled teen angst?

Here's some Twi-Mania knitting inspirations from Ravelry - maybe a Christmas present for the Twi-hard in your life - cause every family has one!

paw mitts > ravelry

cullen crest hat > ravelry

Bella's mittens > ravelry

Bella's vest > ravelry

> Jessi

Crafting Begins

I have started making some Christmas presents, I want to try and get a head start so that I can relax and not stress out to much before Christmas.  I have a list of what needs to be made, in order of priority, so hopefully it's manageable. Clifford is not a happy camper when I over extend myself!

And for my boughten gifts, on-line shopping is my new best friend! I can fill a cart with items, and take the time to think about what I actually want to buy with no crowds, line ups or pressure to make a quick decision. 

Do you make or buy most of your gifts?

inspired by a friend's awesome cross stitch pixel people, I decide to try it out to!

> Jessi

Finished Project > Hogwarts Sweater

Here's my finished Hogwart's sweater. As per the norm, it took way longer than expected! I ripped each piece out at least once. I sewed the arms on inside out..twice. But it's done! My first full size sweater turned out pretty good for a beginner :)

What I Learned

- working with colour

- seaming

- triple check before seaming a piece on

- ribbing

Now what to make next??? 

 > Jessi

Knitting Inspiration

Now that my Halloween sweater is done (pics coming soon - I am just washing it!) I can think about some new projects, Here's some of my favourites from my pin board . Theses are probably way out of my league - but one can try!


What projects are you working on? have you already dived into Christmas projects?

> source

> source

> source

> jessi

Trick Or Treat!

A few pics of our Owl and Dorothy Trick or Treating . Now I can close the doors on Halloween for this year - and starting worrying about Christmas! 

 Kate went out with a friend this year - and in no way wanted her parents with her! She's is getting way to old for my liking!


> Jessi