My So Called Month of May

Quick update-

1. Socks are coming along at a snail's pace. I turned the heel on sock #2, and am coming up the leg. Not a lot of knitting time lately. Lots of distractions (remember the puppy?).

2. I'm all hot and bothered over the Kaffe Fassett cardigan in the new Vogue Knitting. Received part of the yarn. Haven't exactly ordered the rest. It calls for the background in Shamrock, but I'm thinking Black, so it is on hold until I'm in the shower and have a revelation. That's usually where they hit.

3. The sewing bug hit me a little. (Jean's fault) I found a cute pattern for a purse. I have now pulled out fabric and am letting that marinade in the brain.

4. While all that gets settled, I'm working on a "My So Called Scarf" in Manos Silk/Wool. The texture of this stitch pattern is amazing. If I set it down for more than a day I forget what I'm doing.

This is Stitches yarn, specifically door prize yarn. Three skeins, so it will be nice and long. Love it!

May is such a crazy month for everyone around here, if I can make it till the end I will be rewarded with a trip to SF for a Giants game and trip to my favorite LYS's. That's where I plan to look more closely at the Rowan Pure Wool DK that I need to get going on the cardigan. Big plans!

Meanwhile, entrelac awaits. These socks have been fun.

We interrupt this knitting blog for some sewing

...not of my own free will. It was a "mommy" project, one that I used to enjoy but now that I am working and time is precious, sewing a costume is not something I look forward to. I read in the paper the other day that "sewing is the new knitting." That sounded to me like when you hear ____ is the new black, but that never really happens, black always rules. Likewise, knitting will always be better than sewing. No contest. Right?

It did turn out pretty nicely. Alex made a dashing "lord" for the medieval feast for school, complete with a jaunty hat with peacock feather, and doublet jacket that called for eleven buttons and button loops down the front. I did sew buttons on, but the time consuming loops were replaced with hidden velcro to hold it together.

He even looks good with his "lady" sitting at the feast rehearsal. The entire class had nice costumes, it was impressive. Although I don't think real medieval courts had so many jesters. Ha.
Good Things met at Tracy's the other day. She made herself a brown button tree, and had it on display. Nice.

We made two cute magnets for the frig out of the cardboard coasters that you get at bars. Carey did the dirty work of visiting all the bars to collect them. Ha again. Why doesn't my camera take good close up photos? Is it me?

Tracy did her usual fabulous job with dessert.

Now it is time to get back to business on the entrelac socks. My sock needs a sibling.

Oh, one last thing. Tracy got the socks. I think she knew that the minute she saw them. You couldn't ask for a better "knitting gift receiver." She knows just when to show them off, and she wears them proudly. Looks like this won't be the last time.

Just don't ask me to sew.

My son the Egyptian

Fourth Grade was the prospector with the knitted fun fur beard. Fifth was Ben Franklin with the ruffled shirt made from paper doilies. And now, I present Ramses, made from the finest felt and gold rick rack--

Sometimes you are thankful you can sew.

Still Sewing on Sunday

I FINALLY finished my new knitting bag.

Pink and chocolate. I love this fabric. I had a problem finding coordinating fabric. I had purchased a couple of other prints, but they looked icky with this one, WAY too busy, so I set out to find solid fabrics, and that was actually much harder than it should have been.

You can't really tell, but there is beaded trim on there. I made the pocket on the front in the same fabric and matched it exactly to make it disappear. Sneaky, huh? I put a magnetic closure on this bag, and changed the needle holder pocket and made it smaller, and added a second pocket next to it. Details.

I also made the matching needle holder roll. I have been putting my needles in this ceramic pitcher next to my spot of the sofa (don't mess with mom's spot) but this needle roll is to transport my needles to stitches and Naughty/Knotty Knitters. Must be portable you know.

I'm taking a break from the sewing machine now. I still have a few items left to do, but enough is enough. I'm going to concentrate on the mittens. I'm a few rows away from starting the decreases, so if I get to work, I may have one finished today.

Sewing for a Saturday

Someday I want to do a post about why knitting is better than sewing. That would be fun.

I have spent my day sewing, wishing I were knitting.

I did make a cool knitting bag and matching needle holder for my mom. It was supposed to be for Christmas, but thankfully Moms allow grace periods for slow crafters.

The bag features a zipper pocket inside, as well as slots for knitting needles inside. The needle holder has three pockets for different length needles, as well as one larger pocket to tuck accessories or circulars into.