Sock Re-Do

These are some socks I made years ago. I ran out of yarn so started using the light green/white yarn to make it stretch. The socks were toe up. I found them in my knitting bin at my parents and knew that a moth or somebody else had came and went. I decided to rip them out and since they are bright rainbow, make something for little kids to wear. 

 As I began to rip out the socks I found that the pale green yarn was coming apart, I don't know if it was just eaten or just didn't last well. I only saved a small amount of it that still seemed good. I think it was Tofutsies brand, so it has soysilk in it. I'm trying to decide if I will make socks or mittens from it. Yesterday I wound it into big loops, got it wet and let it hang on a hanger to get some of the kinks out of it. It is pretty much dry today and I will wind it into balls.

 We are moving in the next few months (Not sure where yet...) I am trying to slowly sort things through. The last few weeks I have been cutting 6in squares for a denim quilt. I think I am close to having enough of the same types to start the quilt. When I cut up pants I take off buttons, occasionally zippers (To repair my husbands jeans some day, if needed.) I often cut off the tags (I am interested in them)  and If there are good sized patchs I save them to someday make a sort of crazy quilt hopefully. I saved pairs to remove the pockets so I can get 2 more squares from the fabric underneath. It is tedious but hopefully I can get it done soon and throw out the rest of the pants.

Almost finished sweater!

Yay! I finished the knitting for the Baby (and Child) Sophisticate sweater. The collar was cool, though a bit tedious to pick up all those stitches. I had never done EZ's sewn cast-off, but it was definitely the right cast-off and I will use it again for projects. I think I will use these gray buttons but I need to tighten up some loose spots and finish up tying in the ends. I will also block it of course.

Gray Gloves

 Gray Gloves knitted for my brother in law. From "Weekend Knitting". I have made this pattern many times, but I think only 3 times in the Men's size.

This yarn is rough and scratchy. I don't remember what brand it is, but I did do a burn test to confirm it is wool. I hope to make another pair this year for my other brother in law.

Other knitting news; Still waiting for the right moment to pick up stitches for the collar on the Baby Sophisticate jacket.

Reversible skirt

I realized today that my friend's birthday was tomorrow. (I think she is turning 10?)

I wondered what I could sew up quickly using the few pieces of fabric I have at home. I looked online at some quick tutorials but nothing really seemed like the right project. Then I saw a reversible skirt tutorial. I did sort of read through the tutorial, but I also just went for it. I used striped fabric from a pair of pajama pants I had made (and only worn a few times), and fabric from one of my friend's skirts they had chopped shorter.  I had to figure out a waistband since I didn't have any wide elastic. (I ended up using a stretchy piece of fabric I had, and also included thin elastic in that so we could make it smaller if needed.) Then I figured out the gathering and which order to sew things so it is truly reversible. I sewed a bias tape binding over the raw edges inside the skirt at the waistband. The way I sewed the waistband to the skirt it is stretchy, but not quite as much as I had hoped. Also the navy skirt on the inside had rough edged seams, so I put just a few inches of stretch lace vertically over the seams just to hide them a bit. The bottom of the skirt is maybe not totally straight, but since the fabrics I was using were from previous projects I was taking advantage of the fact that they were already hemmed. It is nice to use up scraps. 

So, I'm sure I did some of it the hard way, but I am pleased with the result, and my friend plans to wear it tomorrow! I may try to make one for me someday, we'll see,

Hemming

http://www.jeanshin.com/alterations.htm
Whenever I hem my pants I think of this installation I must have heard of when I was in college. Being short (And frequently buying things second hand), I have to hem most of my pants or roll up the cuffs. Currently I am avoiding hemming two pairs of work pants. Hopefully tomorrow?

I am finishing the half-fingers of the gray gloves I am working on.

Sweater update

Baby Sophisticate sweater. First sleeve complete. I know it will have the big collar but right now it looks small. 

My big project should be hemming two new pairs of pants I got for work. 

Not so craft related: we have been watching agents of shield. (Sometimes I get some knitting done). Also house hunting at our budget (including a studio space) is hard. We heard it was rough out there, but just recently experienced losing a house we thought we would like. Hoping there is something better out there. 

Springtime knitting

Here are some current photos of two projects I am working on. Knitted socks for me.

              Please excuse the basement apartment lighting... I'm sure I have said before, this is my lunch time knitting and keep-in-my-purse knitting. 

Baby sweater for a friend. Using the Baby Sophisticate pattern for worsted yarn. It is a really pretty navy (not so dark as the photo). It looks small but I realized the collar will add to the width around. I am doing a 12 month size, but I know my yarn is considered a light worsted.

Other news of sorts. We are trying to buy a house. We have to move soon from our current spot. And my husband has to move his small business. So we are trying to get a house to combine it all. We have one in mind but are not sure if we will get it. If we do It needs a ton of work, like redoing all the flooring and removing wallpaper etc. lots of painting, of course. I am excited and nervous at the same time!

Clothespins

A very quick project I made this afternoon. It is spring and currently sunny and 63 degrees. I decided to put some sheets and things out on the line. Last summer I managed to get some of my clothes pins mildewy by leaving them outside. Oops. So I bought some bamboo ones and kept the ones that were best from last year. I hope to keep good habits and always bring them inside. Here is the tutorial I used though I modified the size just by a few inches. And I basted the top over the hanger rather than making button holes. I know I will probably be washing it and so I sewed it in big stitches in a contrast color. tutorial

Clothes on the line. The sun has passed but I assume everything will dry fully over the next few hours. 

It is so satisfying doing a very quick project, especially for something I needed.

Just a note, my grandma gave me the clothes line "tree". And I believe she told me it was my great grandmas. In the summer I probably dry 3/4 of our clothes outside. My work clothes I usually dry in the dryer.

Craft Party

I had a few friends over to knit and chat today. It was so fun. Not everyone could make it and I also couldn't invite everyone I wanted to, due to our tiny apartment. Anyway, I often do crafty stuff by myself and it was fun to have the chance to get together and talk about knitting and various things. I hope to do a few more parties in the future.

Projects in the works still (pictures sometime, I promise!): Green and blue socks are nearing the toe. I think I will start decreasing in less than half an inch. I guess it would be good to finish the toe and cast on the second sock before my work week starts on Wednesday. 

Gray fingerless mitts. I am on the second one, past the thumb, working on the palm of the hand. Then I will do all the half-fingers at the same time for both gloves. I hope to have enough yarn to do two pairs for both my brother-in-laws. 

Just now cast on for a baby boy sweater. Baby Sophisticate (the worsted pattern). The color is navy and 12 mos. size. Though it is cascade 220 superwash which I have heard is a light-worsted, so it may end up smaller. So far the fabric seems okay. I pretty much never swatch. It's bad, I know, maybe if I make a sweater for myself I will. Something where I am investing a lot of money. 

Back to knitting!

Altering

Here is what used to be a dress. From Forever 21, a sort of short dress. (Not sure why i bought it, it is probably for teenagers to go dancing and meet boys)... when I bought it I altered it by adding (old T shirt) triangles on the sides to make it a little less hip-hugging. It also has a see-through pattern in the fabric (which I thought was cool), so I had to wear a slip. Anyway I think i wore it maybe three times and then realized it really was too short for my age/personality.

So. It has been sitting around for a few years, waiting to be given away. A few weeks ago I realized I could crop it to a tank top and solve two problems (I also never have enough shirts.) So here it is, with a little blue lace at the hem just to try to finish it in an interesting way. The only kind of weird thing is it has a zipper down the back. And I do of course have to wear a tank top underneath. Anyway, I was glad to resolve the problem and make something wearable! It only took altering it twice.
Part of my problem is seeing potential in things and then never fixing them or taking a year to do it. Right now I have a sweet home-made strawberry pattern dress that is sadly sewn a little crooked and makes me look bigger than I am. Perhaps I can make it into a skirt? I also have a blue and white floral polyester dress that I started changing the neckline on and need to finish. And a purple jersey dress I was going to try to turn into a top... and one of mike's button ups to hem.