Scaifea's Knitting/Cross Stitch/Sewing Projects - 2010

I can't believe that I've been so busy that I haven't even *started a thread* for this year! Well, since classes will be over soon for the summer, I should have more time to work. Here's a sweater that I finished for Charlie a couple of months ago, but just forgot to post:

So happy that you are back. The cardigan is lovely and Charlie is becoming even cuter.

Thanks, amandameale! It's good to be back to my projects - this is one of my favorite groups, because I love seeing everyone's beautiful handiwork!

I used to love those shawl collars for my lads when they were that size. They both grew up to be men who love sweaters...wonder if Charlie will too? He looks like he does now, that's for certain. You're right, Amanda, he is so cute.

Thanks, tiffin! I hope he has a lifelong love of sweaters - I'll make them for him as long as he'll let me.

I just want to pick up that little boy and kiss him.

Scaif, I posted a pic of my two on my thread at about the same age as Charlie (2?) with that shawl collar pattern. I might be able to find it if you are interested and could get it to you somehow. It's a pullover.

They're almost 29 now!

tiffin: I just posted a message on your thread - thanks again for the offer! If you happen to find the pattern, let me know and I'll send you my address in a PM on your profile.

For the record, all: go to tiffin's thread to gaze upon the adorableness of her two little men - so sweet!

Here's a baby blanket that I've just finished for my sister-in-law's baby (due in July):

Very nice, and reversible. I hate to see non-reversible patterns on items like blankets, scarves, etc. where seeing the back is unavoidable.

What is that pattern in the border? It's too hard to see in the photo, but looks like it might be just a scaled down version of the basket weave.

#10 oregon: It is, indeed, just a smaller version of the bigger blocks: the border is 3 rows of 3x4 stitch blocks; the middle bit consists of 9x12 stitch blocks. I love this pattern because it's so easy - no need to lug around a pattern and constantly refer to it! Plus, it's a perfect weight and very soft. Charlie has one (in light (kinda mint, I guess) green, and it's his favorite blanket.

That's lovely.

Its a beautiful blanket and is sure to be loved for a long time.

Finished this a couple of days ago - a bookmark for The Husband:

Lovely baby blanket. Maybe that's what I should be making for busy work instead of scarves.

I just love that blanket, Scaif. Lucky baby to have such a lovely thing to snuggle under. I was thinking an adult version of it would be awfully fine!

I like your penguin bookmark too...my husband collects penguin things because people often misspell his name as "penguin" or pronounce it that way (one of those difficult Cornish names).

Thanks! Right now I'm working on another bookmark, this one for the same little one who will get the pink blanket (picture soon, hopefully!).

Nice, tasteful bookmark.
I haven't been able to get the pink baby blanket out of my head so today I bought some pink wool and I'm knitting for the first time in ten years. Took me 90 minutes to knit the first 3 rows!!
Thanks for the inspiration!.

amandameale: I'm honored to be your inspiration! As I said before, I just love this blanket pattern - it's easy enough that even I can do it without much concentration, which for me at least makes it a very relaxing knitting project. Enjoy!

Amber: Where did you buy the pattern? Would I be able to find it on the internet? (Yes, probably.)

amandameale: I found it in a Debbie Macomber book; I just had a browse online, and here it is, free:

http://www.debbiemacomber.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=nnp&pageID=194

ETA: The book is really good too (The Shop on Blossom Street)!

Wow, you got Amanda knitting again! It is a tempting pattern...

Hm, I may have to claim the title of The 10th Muse, eh? The Knitting Muse - LOL!

ETA: Sorry for the classicist humor - occupational hazard.

Thought that was Sappho...you can go for the 11th though!

Sappho was a knitter? Who knew ;)

*snort*

well...she knit words together well...

I am thoroughly enjoying my pink knitting. Now if I could just have a pattern for the little blonde boy...

Ha! If I could just have a little more energy for the little blonde boy... (energy for me to keep up with him, I mean - *he* certainly doesn't need any more!)

Actually I'm being greedy, I did have my own litle blonde boy - he's 18 now and in his first year of university.

Just finished this pair of booties for the brother- and sister-in-law's soon to be baby:

Oh they are the sweetest things with the flower button. I always put knit slippers over the sleeper feet for my two...the sleepers just didn't keep their feet warm enough.

So delicate and beautiful! Is there anything better than knitting for a new baby?

Thanks, marise. I'd say knitting for one's own baby beats knitting for someone else's, although I've enjoyed the chance to make little girl things (I love making stuff for Charlie, but I don't think he'd like me making this sort of thing for him - LOL!).

Very, very cute.

Today I finished this bookmark for my brand new (as of this morning!) niece. We're headed down to Cincinnati tomorrow to see her.

Oh that's lovely. Bella can keep that forever.

Good work, encouraging Bella to read!

What a great idea for a baby gift!

Thanks! The cool thing is that I found a children's book called Being Bella to tuck the bookmark into! We went to see her today - so tiny and adorable. I can't remember Charlie ever being that small (indeed he wasn't: Bella's 7lbs and Charlie came out 10lbs!).

Yikes!

Yes. Thank the gods he came out the C-section way!

Lovely stuff as always, scaifea! (my son-in-law's sister just had a 10 lbs 11 oz baby girl! )

Wow! And I thought Charlie was ginormous (he came out 10lbs even)! I hope for her sake she had a c-section!

PS: I'm taking my first tentative steps ever into quilting - have a pattern, picked out my color scheme and bought fabric. Hoping to get a chance this weekend to start on it!

Oh you will LOVE quilting. You were born to quilt. Choosing the colours, choosing the fabrics, putting it all together...I can't wait to see your work.

Here's another pair of socks I've just finished. There were originally intended for The Husband, but the top is too small for him. Any advice on how to make a cast-on stretchy?

I might try undoing them and pulling them back, reknitting the band in k1 p1 instead of k2 p2 and then casting off loosely. But then again, I might just give them to someone else. Great yarn though!

Oh no, I don't have anyways near the patience to undo the whole thing (!); I've just claimed them as my own.

Great socks!

Thanks! I've started another pair with thicker yarn and larger needles, which will hopefully fit The Husband and be a nice warm pair of lounge-at-home socks.

Very nice!

I always cast-on to bigger needles for things like this and switch to the proper size for the next row. It might be me, I think I'm a uptight cast-on stitch sort of person. This doesn't help you with your immediate problem though (you didn't say whether it was the whole ribbing that was too small or just that first cast-on row).

avaland: Yep, it's that first cast-on row that's giving me trouble - I like the idea of going up a needle (or two - my cast-on rows are *tight*), so I'll definitely try that in the future - thanks!

I've finished a little dress for my niece (the one for whom the blanket, booties and bookmark were made, above). It's a size 12 months, and I'll keep it to give as a Christmas gift. I'm hoping to find time to knit a little white sweater to go with it, but we'll see.



Oh, and I've started on my first quilting project (a set of place mats) and I'm totally excited about it - so much fun!

I finished this sweater for Charlie today too (and had an awful time getting him to model it - you can tell he's not exactly happy):

Oh boy, you are getting THE look there, Scaif. And isn't he growing like a weed! The baby has gone, the boy is here. Love the sweater. And just adore that dress. Little girl things....awww.

Ha! I know - he's already mastered the "come on, mom!" look. And yes, as much as I love my little man, I'm so excited to have an excuse to make little girlie things for my niece.

Cute dress! I must have made a zillion for my girls when they were small (well, actually, I have never stopped exactly).

The sweater is darling, as is Charlie.

Thanks, avaland!

I have yet another (!) baby blanket to make now - another of The Husband's cousins is expecting, so I picked up some yarn yesterday and will get started on that soon, after I finish the socks I'm still working on...

The dress is very sweet. Hope you have time to make the little cardigan. How cute.

And Charlie's sweater is lovely. I think he must be about 2 years old by now.
I remember when you were pregnant with him. Amazing.

Amazing indeed - I definitely can't believe that he's just turned 2!

Just finished another pair of socks, this time an oversized, warm & comfy pair for my husband:



My current Works in Progress are:
-Knitting yet another baby blanket, this time for my husband's cousin
-Knitting another sweater for Charlie
-A Cross stitch project - the pattern is Waterhouse's Psyche Opening the Box
-My first quilting project - a set of place mats

Love that colour, Scaif...is it a greyish blue? Busy person! I'm plugging away at a pair of socks for Himself, a few weeks overdue for his birthday.

tiffin: They're a light grey; my lack of camera skills always ends up giving me indoor pictures that are slightly blue. Go figure.

I shall be very interested to see your place mats. You always do everything so well.

Awww, thanks a million, amandameale! Jeez, no pressure now or anything - lol! And it'll be a good long while, I think, before there's any more progress on that front; finding time to craft during the holidays is tricky at best for me.