sign of spring?

Looking for signs of Spring... I saw a robin yesterday and the kids and I stopped to watch it hop along the part of the yard where the snow has melted. More snow is on it's way in a few days and I've seen no flowers yet.

Time has seemed to stand still this week as I battle a cold and fever. Lots of knitting and lighting candles and soup.

I knit a pair of robin wrist warmers over 2 days from a Tiny Owl knits pattern. I'd like to re-do the left one at some point as the tension is off.

I'm knitting with rainbow yarn today and plotting out some ideas for a piece of black silk I bought and plan to make a dress with.

knitted boot socks

I knew I would love Jenny Gordy's pattern because I have loved every sewn and knitted item that she has designed and that I have made. These socks are perfect: simple to knit, well designed and easy to wear. Plus, they feel amazing on!

The yarn is Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga which I used last month for a lace cowl and the color is a great bright shade of red almost bordering on orange in some light. I plan to wear these with ankle boots when it's time to shed the tights! I really want to cast on for another pair soon.

far far away # 4

This would be the fourth time I have made this sundress pattern with the Far Far Away Heather Ross double gauze fabric. What can I say? This fabric lends itself to the pattern so well. I know I can make it in about an hour and that it will be well loved. I've been holding onto the blue unicorn for a bit. The only reason it had not made it into the top of the pile sooner was knowing that I did not have enough to make it into a dress but, a top, yes! Why had not this occurred to me sooner? It's got enough length that it looks more like a tunic so it should work for a few summers.

This line of fabric is very sought after and it is really hard to find anything other then a fat quarter so sewing into it meant this may be the last time I make clothing with it. It was a bit bittersweet but, using fabric rather then letting it sit is what it's meant for and there is no point in letting it not see the sun.

I adore Heather Ross's designs and I'm working on a little playsuit romper for the shop (you may have seen a sneak peek on my instagram?) with fabric from her Briar Rose collection.


Ms. S turned 6 recently and got a mini makeover this week. A haircut which resulted in about 6 inches off! This had something to do with an incident at school that happened about a month ago in which someone played hairdresser on her. It's still not completely evened out but, the piece is not as noticeable. She has been asking to get her ears pierced and since she is a pretty responsible 6 year old and I knew she would take care of them I agreed. She said it did not hurt a bit and then we went and bought a doggie shirt at H&M.

If you want search for far far away up above to see the other sundresses. Seeing her in the purple unicorn dress melts my heart!

wool people

I've been trying to add a few new items to my etsy shop per week but, most of the time I forget to mention it here. A hand knit baby/toddler scarf in 50% Corriedale Wool and 50% alpaca and a few felt bead necklaces went in today. I can make these in other colors as a custom order and also enjoy making garlands with the felt beads.

sashiko mat

I took inspiration from one of my pins to make up a freehand design with interlocking circles and embroidered a little quilted mat to rest my mug on or to use as a potholder. I embroidered on Kiyohara linen blend fabric and used turquoise sashiko thread and then bound it with the same material. It is nice and thick since it is three layers of fabric with batting in between. I have some more fabric cut out for another one. It would be nice to have a set of these.

if you lose a white hat in the snow....

Perhaps it's not the winter for a white hat! So easy to lose in the snow.... Nonetheless, this pretty soft as a cloud alpaca skein was perfect for making the purl bee garter ear flap hat. I knit an adult small for my six year old and it fits perfect, keeps her ears warm and she loves it so much she wanted to sleep with it on!

happy homemade: tiered blouse

I had a window in which to sew last week and a relatively new book to try something from. Happy Homemade has really sweet Japanese patterns that have been translated to English for boys and girls. The instructions are very basic but, there are diagrams to aid as well. I traced and cut a size 6 and added a 3/8" seam allowance.

I wish I had made the bottom tier a bit longer because the top came out a bit short for my daughter. The only other thing would be to maybe shorten the width a bit because although the design is cute it might be a little too big. I have to say the blue linen is really gorgeous and I am thinking I should order a bit more to alter this and turn it into the tiered dress pattern which would be simple enough. I tried some modeling shots but, she wasn't so in the mood - too cold!

happy birthday dresses

Two new dresses in the shop this morning. I am calling them 'Happy Birthday Dresses.'
Apparently, my Mom changed my dress three times at my first birthday party.

These two are size 1 and perfect for that special day or any day really.

One is in a pretty golden Liberty of London fabric that I had leftover from a dress I made for myself over the summer/ The other is a brown rustic linen/cotton blend with pink ric-rac at the hem and sleeve.