Flop

Well, after making some fun Christmas gifts this year, I thought I just might make something for me. I wanted to use my leftover Cascade 220 superwash from the Fiddlehead mittens and Bird and Vine mittens. Combined I had enough for 2 mittens and 2 linings. Since I didn't have enough of any one color to do the stranding required for either of these patterns, I just thought I'd do some stripes and it would save on yarn. I used the shape of the fiddlehead mittens, but soon realized that it was going to be too big. So I reduced the starting count 10 stitches and started again. By the time I was done with the body I realized it was kind of large still. Once I added on the thumb it was quite apparent that these were NOT going to work. I'm kinda bummed and have zero desire to make the other mitten or try to fix this one. Now I'm trying to decide if I should just use this one as an oven mitt and be done with it, or save it for the day I'm dying for a challenge and fix it then. Somehow I kind of doubt that day will ever come! Either way, the colors are pretty. So at least I got that part right ;)

Gifts

Well I got some great Christmas gifts this year. I'm not sure I could pick a favorite! Funny enough, most of my gifts were fiber-related! The most useful are probably the new digital camera I purchased with gift money from my husband's family, the set of interchangeable needles my husband bought for me, a new purse (that I quickly determined was going to be my amazingly fashionable project tote), and a sweater that I can be seen wearing around the house many days of the week - the last two both from my mom.

This was the first time Matt has ever bought me something that I had to ask for in a specific way. I didn't want just any needle set. I wanted the Knit Picks Options. And since you can't buy those in stores, I basically sent him the link and he purchased them. I felt kind of bad doing that, but it was truly what I wanted. I had set aside money to buy them months ago and ended up getting something practical instead. But now I can make anything that takes between a size 11 and size 4 needle!

You can see I've stuffed it with all my other circulars as well - my much preferred knitting utensil

I spent a long time researching and pricing out digital cameras. I feel like I got a good deal on a really nice camera. Its about one step down from a Digital SLR, which is what professionals use, but it still has options to change the shutter speed, aperture and exposure (a "superzoom"). I hope to one day master all of the settings and use it to its full potential. For now it takes great shots in its auto mode and has an awesome macro setting that allows me to take photos of small objects (like my handmade items) with amazing detail! It also takes up to 8 min of digital video which was a huge draw for me!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K

The tote is from Khol's. The color here is a bit off, but give me some grace, I'm just getting used to my camera settings! Its got a huge inner pocket with a small zipper compartment, plus two side zipper compartments on the outside. These are brilliant, as they allow you to compartmentalize things without adding bulk to the bag. I use them for storing my notions or cases, or just for extra yarn so that its not getting confused or tangled up with the skein I'm working from. You get a little sneak-peak on the second photo of the baby bluebird I'm making as a part of a baby bird pattern set (goes with my baby owl). You can see that yarn is a skein of Super Saver, which only takes up a small portion of the bag. This tote can haul!



And lastly, but very beloved, is my sweater from my mom. I wish I could say that I or someone I know knit this lovely piece, but alas, its not true! I LOVE this sweater. I wish I had one in multiple colors, honestly! I included a couple up-close shots to show off the macro setting on my camera.

GLW is Done!

I sewed the zipper in my son's Grow Like a Weed Jacket yesterday and I just had to post a few pics because... well, I love how it turned out! This pattern is a keeper :)

Grow Like a Weed Jacket

I am currently testing a pattern for Elinor Brown called the Grow Like a Weed Jacket. It has extra long sleeves that you cuff that will allow the jacket to grow with your child because kids "grow like a weed"! The photos below are from Elinor's upcoming pattern that will be available on Ravelry.

Photo by Elinor Brown

I came across the images above when I was browsing Ravelry one day and in her description Elinor said she was looking for testers. I was looking for a project to take on the 20 hour flight to India, so I jumped at the chance to test something! Unfortunately I only got the sleeves done on the trip, but have finished the rest when I had time after the holiday rush. The style totally fit my little guy so I opted to make the size 4-5. I added a little length in the torso because my son is quite tall for his age.

The pattern involved steeking (basically you knit a sweater in the round and cut it up the center to put in a zipper) which was scary at first, but I was able to figure it out using Elinor's instructions and references. I just purchased the zipper for it today and plan to install it tonight! I'm quite excited to get it finished. Unfortunately it turned out a little larger than I expected (maybe I didn't check my gauge as carefully as I thought I did in the rush of preparing for my trip), and those extra inches I added were probably unnecessary. It will more likely fit him in the 6-7 age range. No biggie, he can wait. I'm just glad it didn't turn out too small. Below is a pic of my version of the sweater, unblocked and not totally finished.

Christmas Rewind

I did my best to make my holidays handmade this year. I put a lot of thought into making something that I thought each person on my list would enjoy. I've blogged about most things in the past, but I was holding back posting these one because I was afraid my mom and mother-in-law would see what I made for them! Now that Christmas is over, up they go.

The first was an ear warmer for my mom. She is the type that prefers not to wear hats because it squishes her hair, and when I saw this pattern I thought it would be perfect for her. It was a fun knit, and a great intro to using a chart for cabling. I'd used a chart for cables before, let alone done so many cable cross-overs. I think this pattern really helped me get a better understanding of how cables work. However, I think I'd probably add a stitch or two on either side of the pattern if I were to make this one again. The edges of it just turn out kind of wobbly because the cables run practically right up to the edge. I knit this in leftover Patons Decor. The black yarn proved to be more than my camera and I could handle photographing, so this is the best shot I got!


The other Christmas item I never showed was this pair of fingerless mitts made for my mother-in-law. She is a seamstress and quilter and I thought they might be useful for her to wear when she's cold, but crafting and still wants the use of her fingers. I have to say this pattern is the type that looks much better on than off. The yarn used is Crystal Palace Aran Marl. Its a nice yarn, soft and cushy and warm. I had a lot of trouble matching gauge on the two different mitts, and ended up with one significantly smaller than the other. I made a total of 4 mitts, and got two pairs out of it. Only 2 of the 4 are the same size, unfortunately they are both right hands! The left hands are slightly larger and slightly smaller than the right hands, but overall they "match". I am giving the other set to my sister who was coveting them when I was making them. So it turned out all right!



As far as I know, the pattern for the mitts is only available on Ravelry as a free download. If you're interested in it and are not a member of Ravelry, sign up! Or you can email me and I'll ask permission to pass it on to you :)

Law Talk

I was catching up with a few friends' blogs the other day and came across a very interesting post by my friend Stephanie. After doing some more reading, I believe I understand correctly that the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed a new law that was passed by Congress and will go into effect Feb 10, 2009. This new law, called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), was designed to lock down on the quality of products that are sold in the United States for children under the age of 12 - both apparel and toys. This is in response to the issues we had recently with imported goods from abroad containing lead and other hazardous substances. Starting in February, any items produced for children in this age range and sold within the United States will have to undergo stringent testing to ensure its safety, and be stamped with a non-removable label stating batch numbers and manufacturer.

So far, if you're like me, this probably sounds great! I'm all in favor of my children having the safest toys and clothing they can. The problem is that this new law is a broad and sweeping legislation that will not only affect large-scale manufacturers of toys and apparel for children both here and abroad, but it will affect EVERY person who produces a good that is sold for any amount that is marketed for children. This includes the small-business owner who owns a trendy children's boutique, the stay-at-home mom selling dolls on the Etsy to supplement her family's income, and the grandmother who knits baby hats to sell at craft fairs or the grandfather who makes wooden toys as his creative outlet. Every item sold within the United States who's end user is a child under 12 will fall under this new law. Not only that, any item produced before the Feb 10th date will automatically become illegal for sale within the United States unless it meets the testing and labeling requirements stated above. From what I can understand, the testing required would amount to around $500 per toy/clothing item produced (in my case, $500 to test all of the components used to make one type of burp cloth - fabric, thread, etc. If I want to change any of the components used, it would all have to be retested!)

I don't want to go crazy and make some sort of doomsday announcement, but this is something that affects me and many friends of mine. If this law is implemented as planned, it will make some of the items that I have for sale in my Etsy store illegal for sale as I simply couldn't afford the testing! I believe the government was in the right mindset when it passed this law - desiring to protect our innocent children. It is unfortunate that the consequences of this legislation for small-business owners were not considered before its passing. I'm not the type to pass on info that I have not thoroughly studied, and I'm sure I could do more research to better understand this new law, so I will let you form your own opinion on the matter. At the bottom of this post you'll find links to the sites that I went to to gather information. Also, if you feel moved to respond, you will find links in my sidebar and in this post that can help you learn how you can have an impact on this issue!


Information on the CPSIA law
The US Consumer Product and Safety Commission's site for the CPSIA law
CPSIA Central
Handmade Toy Alliance's proposal for the modification of the CPSIA


How you can act (in no particular order)
* Handmade Toy Alliance's suggestions
* Follow these 5 steps
* Send an email to the CPSC here (see form letter suggestion here)
* Petitions
1) Change.org
2) ipetitions.com (note: At some point this one asks you for money. If you just stop there and don't click "continue", your vote will still count)
* Post the "Save Handmade" button on your blog. Use this for the image. You can link it to wherever you want, I linked mine to the button's provider!

Wisp Scarf

I finished my Wisp, other than sewing on the buttons. I happened to have it with me when I was over at my sister's house and had her snap a few photos of it so I could post some. I am in photo withdrawal!

I really loved this pattern. It is light and warm all at the same time. It looks so beautiful after being blocked. Too bad its a Christmas present for someone else!




I posed the buttons I bought on the scarf to show you what it will look like when done, since I won't have camera access when I get it done. I chose simple shell buttons that are super light-weight so they won't weigh down this airy scarf, plus they have blue/green undertones that match the gorgeous color of this yarn.



I'm not sure if you can tell, but that central button has a flower engraved on it. Here's a closeup. I fell in love with this button and just had to put one on the scarf. JoAnn's only had 2 of the buttons, but I thought one gave it just the right touch.