rug hooking

A new interest - rug hooking. I visited a shop on vacation and after buying a hook they gave me a piece of burlap and some wool to play around with. I have my eye on a few kits with instructions so I make sure I am doing it correct and know how to bind it. I had been wanting to try this for a while.

nova dress

This is a perfect autumn/winter dress to hand knit for your little girl. The design is simple yet clever with the button flap and though it takes some time with the sock yarn I think the result is worth it.

The pattern is the Nova Dress and it's a free pattern on the Petite Purls website. I started and completed mine in two weeks time. The yarns I used are both really lovely: String Theory Caper Sock in color WBerry and Madelinetosh Merino Light in Antique Lace. The red polka dot ceramic buttons were purchased last year at the NY State Sheep and Wool Festival which will be here before you know it.

The first thing she said when she put it on was that it was soft and when you wear something close fit like this that is so important. The String Theory is 80% superwash merino 10% cashmere and 10% nylon and the Madelinetosh is superwash merino.

cape cod

Some highlights from our trip to Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.

Peter Papp Oriental Rugs at Polly Hill Arbortum and Flying Horses Carousel in Martha's Vineyard.

Seeing fudge being made.

Visiting a pottery shop.

The beach- walking out to sandbars, catching baby crabs and sand dollars, building in the sand, seeing the skies ever changing colors, low tide and high tides.

A 10 mile bicycle ride

Spending time with cousins, visiting an antiques shop, playing miniature golf and going to a favorite general store.

Newport

A stop in Rhode Island on the way home from our vacation in Cape Cod on Saturday to tour a few Newport Mansions. We visited the Breakers and Rosecliff. Very impressive and so different from each other.
The kids loved it ( I was surprised) especially listening to the audio tour as we walked around. Definitely a highlight from the trip.

sourball bonnet

It would be safe to say that this summer knitting has been my go to. This is not to say that I ever stop knitting because I always have something on the needles but, lately this is how I prefer to unwind at the very end of the day or when I get a moment during the day around the kids.

This sweet bonnet was knit up on another long car ride. The stitch is the feather and fan and is based on a vintage pattern. It was especially nice to make in Blue Sky Baby Alpaca though it called for worsted and this is sport weight. The color has a nice pop to it, don't you think? It's a tad too small for this sweetie so, I think it will wind up for sale.

Update: It's in the Etsy shop.

heart quilt (in progress)

Here is a quilt I started in July.
It was inspired by Fiona's heart quilt which I am using as a reference. I had been sewing the squares in strips which didn't work to my benefit because I wasn't taking into account the tilt accurately. So, now I have to take it apart a little and add and subtract pieces to make it work. The squares are all cut at 2.5 inches. I am using a mix of quilting cottons, Liberty Tana Lawn, cotton/linen blend and a little bit of a vintage piece I had dating from the 1800's.

bulle (another version)

As I mentioned here is the first one. I realized I wasn't going to have enough yarn to finish it and this is what I came out with. It's more of a swing top and it just fits though I wish I could have made it just an inch longer. This one will be a good match with skirts and long sleeves underneath. I stopped before the pockets, decreases and border that on the original closes with a button at the side and just knit a small garter band. The sleeves became cap sleeves as I only had enough to pick up and knit two rows before binding off. The yarn for this one came from the Sheep and Wool Festival and I bought one skein. There was no tag for it which is why I guessed at the yardage. I do know that it is a plant dyed merino wool. It's a bit heavier then the other one I made. As you can see by her willingness to pose Ms. S is a very easygoing girl and she really appreciates these clothes as she wants to wear them right away though I do have to convince her the sweaters are better kept until the cool weather appears. I have been making a sweater for the boy but I think it's going to be too big. As it's my second start and I did down size I think I am just going to go with it though I have to say I'm not feeling it and am likely to start something new tonight.

bulle

Bulle by Karen Borrel.

This pattern caught my eye which then caused me to drop all other projects. I was almost done with my first one and then stopped when I discovered I wasn't going to have enough yarn. See what happens when you use stash yarn with no yardage information. I began again this time making sure I would have enough and chose Madelinetosh DK. I plan to go back and continue with the other one though it will have a different look and feel to it and I will show you soon. The pattern has interesting little details like the gathers at the empire waist, pockets and the garter stitch mixed with stockinette. I know many little girls who like to wear leggings and this sweater really looks great with them. The color is called Composition Book Grey and it looks like a inky purple/grey.

The instruction tells you to use a contrast yarn for the pockets and I chose a really soft merino wool.I believe this is my first time with pockets and they were really easy for me - just picking up held stitches and knitting then ending with a three needle bind off.

Two vintage glass buttons, one in back and one at the side at the bottom band complete it.