Slowly returning to the land of functional knitters

I fell off the horse and laid on the ground and twitched a while. There might have been some drooling but let's keep that between you and me.

For about 2 1/2 months there was no knitting, no podcasts, no ravelry, no sewing, and no baking. There was only snow, sleep, and the glorious invention known as Netflix streaming. Outside the feet (FEET!) of snow piled up and I merely glanced at it and returned to my bed.


My world shrunk to a pin point because it turns out that growing a new human is a much more arduous task than one might imagine. Seemly the body knows what to do and at the same time is confused by having to suddenly provide for two instead of one. Still the days pile up just like the snow and perhaps your husband comments (with relief) that your knitting phase is over and all this "junk" can be gotten rid of.

You wouldn't say a corner has been turned but suddenly there is brightly colored yarn in your hands and the beginning of a sock flowing from your needles. After all your knitting is not a phase, it is what you are and always will be. Even if sometimes you fall off the horse.

Settling In

We have most of our boxes unpacked. We have lead several contractors through the house to find out how much an electrical upgrade will cost. We've fought a few battles with the washer, an crotchety veteran of the 70's that doesn't seem to care for it's new owners much.

If only my house was this glittery!

More importantly the yarn was unpacked and tiny needles have been flying. Now there are 2 1/2 pairs of socks sitting in a basket just waiting for a good blocking.

More details and better pics after Christmas.

Despite loosing some steam, Nakniswemodo09 sweater number 12 should be done just under the wire. Joined the sleeves to the body just last night with some "Maryland" themed stitch markers from my sister.

The crab appears to have heard of my fondness for eating his brothers.

If you don't hear from me until January I'll be sitting in the lovely dining room staring at my tree. Maybe with a cup of tea and some knitting, thinking about how I should have frozen some peaches.

Droolllll glittery peach.

Golden Fall

Golden leaves....

... homemade apple cider donuts

....and cashmere blend socks


From Woolgirl's first socks club shipment of the year, Majestic knit in Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Sock. They are delicious.

And we're back...Sort of

It's Pop Quiz time and on a Monday too. Aren't you glad I didn't follow in the footsteps of my parents and become a teacher? Now settle down and get out your pencils.


1. The unexpected blog silence of a few months was caused by...

a. Sewing a maternity jacket for my sister's baby shower.
b. Knitting a requested sweater for my mother's Christmas present.
c. House hunting and house buying paper work.
d. All of the above.


2. I've spent my weekends this month...

a. Packing things in boxes.
b. In my sister's basement breaking down boxes.
c. Visiting people's houses to take their boxes.
d. All of the above.


3. I'm burnt out on...

a. Sewing.
b. Knitting sweaters.
c. Having my tiny apartment filled with boxes!!!
d. All of the above.

You are correct all answers are D. Gold stars and cookies all around.

Yes, my husband and I (and the frogs) will soon be home owners and the last two months seem to have been absorbed by the whole process. We are waiting rather impatiently for Thursday, our closing day, to arrive. Until then I'm trying to make the time pass as painlessly as possible.... with brownies and sock. Not sure which is more delicious.

The Feather Print Dress

So about a year ago I was trolling the nets for fabric for some unknown reason. I wasn't sewing at the time, maybe it was a slow day at work, who knows. My search engine took me to a site I'd never seen before, emmaonesock.com. There among the cotton wovens lurked the most intriguing cotton print I'd ever seen.
Large black feather outlines overlapped each other like scales on a pure white background. It was modern yet had a hint old time Hollywood starlet. And it was 58" wide! Knowing I'd be a fool to let this fabric get away 2 yards were immediately ordered.

The fabric was then tucked away waiting for a day when I wouldn't inadvertently turn it into a wadder and have to commit hari kari on my Gingers.
Fast forward about a month ago when I'm compulsively filling in my missing Burda World of Fashion issues. There in May 2009 dress number 117 seemed to be just the thing for this fabric. But I cooled my heels until Audrey made this dress and looked fantastic in it. She also posted a ton of extra directions on how to sew kimono sleeves which was very helpful.

So I give you my version of dress 117 from May 2009 Burda World of Fashion.


Close up of cross over front


Close up of skirt side slits


Oh how I love you feather print dress, now lets fly away.

Sneak Peek

Another precious fabric from the stash has made an appearance on my sewing table. It's waiting for some lining but who doesn't like a little sneak peek.

Feathers, feathers on Heathers

Fall Sewing Continued

It's fall clothing catalog time which means several happy hours spent flipping through pages deciding what to get for the coming season. This year it's more like deciding what to knock off which is pretty fun too. One thing that caught my eye was this super cute blazer from Boden.

I like their happy models

Marinating in the stash was some dark green corduroy that had been purchased about this time last year from Fabrications in Kennett Square. (Now closed and oh how it is missed) I'd purchased the fabric planning on making a jacket out of it but had gotten no further than that.
Off I went to the Burda World of Fashion magazine stash looking for a jacket that was somewhat similar and struck gold.
From issue 3/2009 pattern #111

Notched collar - check, 3 button closure - check, patch pockets with button flaps- check! Just add sleeve vents and we're in like flint.


Oh green corduroy, you are so pretty

I modeled the sleeve vents after some of my RTW jackets. On the pattern an extra rectangle was added to the lower side seam of both the upper and lower sleeve. On the upper sleeve the rectangle is folded over to finish the edge. On the lower seam it makes up the extra allowance needed for the vent. Real button holes were put in the top vent but were not cut open. The buttons where then sewn on top of the button holes going through both piece of the sleeve so that the vent was sewn closed. The lining looks like a regular 2 piece sleeve and covers up all the raw edges of the vents.



Some outside photos so details can actually be seen. To bad a neighbor has a bunch of crap in the background. :P




All and all a successful knock off of the catalog version. Thanks Burda for making this one easy. If your interested in any more comments on this pattern my review is over here.