tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123850992024-03-24T23:09:57.618-07:00A Little Loopythree girls + yarn = troubleDisentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.comBlogger829125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-23343056447252229842011-04-20T08:08:00.000-07:002011-04-20T10:19:41.710-07:00FO: Bunny!I don't even want to think or look up how long it's been since I posted last! My knitting time has taken a big hit, so I haven't had much to post. But I want to get back into the swing of things. If any of our lovely readers are still out there and care, I actually finished knitting something, and I wanted to share.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfXmDrfXEVE/Ta8RdpsTmXI/AAAAAAAABVE/M2n7X7d0cYM/s1600/bunny%2BFO2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HfXmDrfXEVE/Ta8RdpsTmXI/AAAAAAAABVE/M2n7X7d0cYM/s400/bunny%2BFO2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597712062950381938" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bunny</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rabbit-13">Rabbit</a> by Susan B. Anderson<br />yarn: <a href="http://www.spudandchloe.com/yarns/sweater/">Spud & Chloe Sweater</a> (55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton) in 7500 Ice Cream - less than 1 skein<br />needles: US5<br />made for: Bean<br /><br />So Bean is a couple days shy of 22 months and believe it or not, this is the first toy I've made for her! What kind of knitting mommy am I? (Don't answer that!) I've knit a few toys and each time I do I remember how much fun they are and tell myself how I should really make more. I really should make her more. I'll have to see how Bunny goes over, but Bean is into her stuffed animals now, so I'm hoping she'll like him!<br /><br />Happy Easter and Happy Spring, everyone! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-44912090704489056672010-11-03T19:32:00.000-07:002010-11-03T20:24:21.558-07:00Happy (belated) Halloween!We hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween. We LOVE Halloween around these parts, as <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/11/diy-halloween.html">you</a> <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2007/11/10-things-for-thursday.html">might</a> <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2006/10/happy-halloween.html">remember</a> <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2006/10/trick-or-treat.html">from</a> <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2005/11/wendy-at-work.html">years</a> <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2005/10/happy-halloween.html">past</a>. This year was no different!<br /><br />Elliott and my costumes this year were totally inspired by the cutest <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/stefanijaye/oblios-cap">Garden Gnome costume</a> I saw over on Ravelry. I thought that was the cutest idea for a toddler costume and despite the fact that I already had two perfectly good costumes at home for him to wear...I couldn't help myself. I kept thinking about what I could do and pretty soon I just had to make it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LDPYDTuca4oavfjX-OkvCu1_dOCCjiHMDRXMirS5Qtl9Uy29qZKs_1_RcKPTC5qdxP0CwT8VKV09O4wwEeletlp1IrAbmegQ4-Db01zFuh6HnlnyxsK_M1lNH9-JuDoB4axw/s1600/halloween1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LDPYDTuca4oavfjX-OkvCu1_dOCCjiHMDRXMirS5Qtl9Uy29qZKs_1_RcKPTC5qdxP0CwT8VKV09O4wwEeletlp1IrAbmegQ4-Db01zFuh6HnlnyxsK_M1lNH9-JuDoB4axw/s400/halloween1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535517189278031554" border="0" /></a>My costume was also born from my desire to be something pretty this year. If you notice from costumes from previous years linked to above, I am rarely a girl for Halloween and when I am, I'm not usually a 'girly girl'. So this year I was determined to be pretty :) When I saw that cute garden gnome costume it reminded me of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, so I took that and ran with it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MUukRJ_tHWGW-OsoLxRp4kz6yrdjRyNCE5Fdeh4o5ZWEBF9tpApo42FojbacQGv8Qi_zXM4K9loNus0PUCdmWGOIAolRd8f9v0kOmVrR-IcqJL3EyI7H59zivC6hBBgsW1D8/s1600/halloween2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MUukRJ_tHWGW-OsoLxRp4kz6yrdjRyNCE5Fdeh4o5ZWEBF9tpApo42FojbacQGv8Qi_zXM4K9loNus0PUCdmWGOIAolRd8f9v0kOmVrR-IcqJL3EyI7H59zivC6hBBgsW1D8/s400/halloween2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535517119329776082" border="0" /></a>I ended up making myself a simple elastic waistband skirt out of cheap quilting cotton and modified a cheap $4 Joann's t-shirt into the 'bodice'. I cut out the neck, cut off the hems then added elastic to the bottom of my sleeves for a little poof. I also sewed up a quick red cape (also from quilters cotton) using the <a href="http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=12007">play cape tutorial</a> over on Sew Mama Sew. I used a yard and a half instead of a yard and got a pretty respectable length cape.<br /><br />And of course a black <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/PATThallowig.html">Hallowig</a>! This knit up super quick using almost one entire ball of black Patons classic wool. I had planned to have it flip at the bottom like in the pattern photo, but when it grew after washing, I hemmed the bottom instead making a cute little bump. I finished it off with a bit of red ribbon.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/5135110370/" title="Snow White Hallowig by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/5135110370_045c2ff637.jpg" alt="Snow White Hallowig" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />Elliott's dwarf costume was crazy simple to put together. He wore a pair of brown cotton pants, an oversized long sleeve green shirt, and a pair of fleece 'boot' slippers as well as a 'belt' that I sewed together from a piece of black 1 inch elastic. (I tried to get him to wear a real belt...but apparently that was very traumatizing and involved lots of tears. Since this is supposed to be a fun holiday, I opted for a more toddler-friendly option ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hKNXz8ydffTOSNnUPpSr6JEfkV33iHMZsn4qbAODgNVX7PctqDvapAbUNAGo_b8b8o4gUIBn-NG79pg9oTkIReJMo2Gg_uAVOdg6ChVNJdzcRbLabMbs4lE-vi-6gqZZTbrT/s1600/halloween4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hKNXz8ydffTOSNnUPpSr6JEfkV33iHMZsn4qbAODgNVX7PctqDvapAbUNAGo_b8b8o4gUIBn-NG79pg9oTkIReJMo2Gg_uAVOdg6ChVNJdzcRbLabMbs4lE-vi-6gqZZTbrT/s400/halloween4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535517030180950066" border="0" /></a>I improvised a beard bib using some 'santa beard' fur fabric from Joann's. I just put right sides together traced the upper part of a bib directly onto the wrong side then made a beard shape at the bottom. I pinned, cut and sewed without messing with anything because this stuff shed like crazy. Once I turned it inside out, I added snaps and presto: a beard that a kid will keep on!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbujOBeFo6AWAJJP9-Os-13fXWP-Gow3ZTzOLNzD2nLsQuhfwKehjIkzEFSTXWuFwQ5JDxHdak2PUXsezGJfdWUoAbF8LFZqONjlb6qLhcUsgx_oi3tMJzNMsZ-HtudROdSWDw/s1600/gymboree3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbujOBeFo6AWAJJP9-Os-13fXWP-Gow3ZTzOLNzD2nLsQuhfwKehjIkzEFSTXWuFwQ5JDxHdak2PUXsezGJfdWUoAbF8LFZqONjlb6qLhcUsgx_oi3tMJzNMsZ-HtudROdSWDw/s400/gymboree3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535516930091072050" border="0" /></a>The hat was equally improved and easy. I sewed it together using some knit fabric with a tad of spandex. I measured Elliott's head, subtracted (maybe 3-4 inches) for some negative ease and used the natural tube of the fabric so I only had one seam to sew. I just made a straight tube for about 6-7 inches, then tapered it down to a rounded 'point', sewed the side seam and added a rolled hem. Easy peasy! And the best part? He actually WORE it! This kid hasn't kept a hat on his head for longer than 2 seconds for almost a year!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/5134511483/" title="Happy Halloween! by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/5134511483_6e18817b0b.jpg" alt="Happy Halloween!" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had a great time this year and it was so fun to see Elliott start to get into it. He helped me carve pumpkins and really seemed to enjoy wearing his costume to my office potluck and his Gymboree class. All in all a super great Halloween!<br /></div></div>Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-41709772633356877052010-09-03T07:11:00.000-07:002010-09-03T09:24:07.982-07:00Elmo's Baby Quilt and Pillow**dusts off cobwebs** Well, hello there! Long time no see. We certainly didn’t intend to take such a long blog break, but as usual life happened and we’ve been busy! After all, running after toddlers can really put a dent in your free time ;) But I am super excited about my latest quilting project and I couldn’t wait to share it with you!<br /><br />As some of you long-time readers my recall, we are actually a threesome. But knitting had to take a sideline for Nasus while she went to law school, took the bar, and became a practicing attorney (Yay, Nasus!). However, we are happy to report that Nasus is expecting her first child, a little girl, this coming October…which of course meant a good excuse for a new quilt!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4951405656/" title="Stacked Quilt - top by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4951405656_4fbca1b425.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - top" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />Last year at the Long Beach Quilt Show, I put together some Japanese import fat quarters from a couple different booths. I fell in love with the cute and charming little prints and knew that I wanted to feature them in a quilt project. I found some nice coordinating red prints to go with the cream character prints. When I got home I put everything away and promptly forgot all about them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4951406184/" title="Stacked Quilt - top close up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4951406184_5fd8450e64.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - top close up" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />When we first found out that Nasus was pregnant, I immediately started scheming for an appropriate project. I had initially planned to use some of my Riley stash, since it is pretty girly, but when I went digging through everything, I came across the Japanese prints and instantly knew those were the prints for Nasus. I knew the red and cream with be a good fit for this project, since Nasus is a bit on the nontraditional side, like me, when it comes to pink=girl/ blue=boy scale of baby items. Plus, although in my heart I knew she was having a girl, Nasus hadn’t actually found out the gender of the baby when I started this project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4951408762/" title="Stacked Quilt - binding close up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4951408762_fe9c94c79d.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - binding close up" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />I played around with a stacked coin idea for this quilt, but when <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/">Oh, Fransson!</a> re-released her <a href="http://www.ohfransson.bigcartel.com/product/more-simple-modern-baby-quilts-modern-patchwork-pdf-pattern">Simple Modern Baby Quilts</a> pattern, the stacked version was perfect for the fabrics I had.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4951408238/" title="Stacked Quilt - back by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4951408238_8e17486c15.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - back" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />In addition to the Japanese fat quarters, I added the primarily blue print (also a Japanese import) and the red with blue checks print for the binding and some of the red ‘stacks’. The solid is a red Kona solid, I believe in tomato. These additions came from Levine’s during my first ever <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4496449249/in/set-72157619334410115/">trip to the L.A. fabric district</a>. (So much fun! I was like a kid in a candy store!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4951409248/" title="Stacked Quilt - back close up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4951409248_b13777bbe7.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - back close up" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />The piecing of this project was super easy, although I learned that I need to work on my ‘scant ¼ inch seams’. And with the extra bits leftover from the quick piecing method used to make the blocks for the quilt, I decided to make a coordinating pillow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4951406724/" title="Stacked Quilt - top with pillow by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4951406724_6478280cdb.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - top with pillow" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />Now, I know babies don’t use pillows and when I received a similarly sized pillow for my own baby shower, I couldn’t imagine what I would ever use it for…until Elliott got close to a year and loved playing with our pillows. Then it dawned on me that he was physically mature enough that a smooth pillow was no longer a serious suffocation hazard. I put his pillow in his crib and the rest is history! It is now one of this favorite things and he falls asleep every night on his pillow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4950815691/" title="Stacked Quilt - top with pillow by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4950815691_8f5c583abc.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - top with pillow" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />I’ve never made a pillow before and thought it would be fun. I more or less winged the pattern, just playing around with my scraps. I also wanted to add a zipper so that the pillow could be washed when the pillow inevitable got blurped on or smeared with godknowswhat. I learned how to put in an invisible zipper and while it certainly isn’t perfect, it really makes it look more professional. B was very impressed ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4950816169/" title="Stacked Quilt - top with pillow by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4950816169_b44d34ca7b.jpg" alt="Stacked Quilt - top with pillow" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />So there you have it…Elmo’s baby quilt and matching pillow. I can’t wait to meet Nasus’ little girl and I hope she enjoys her gifties!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/disentangled/4936984058/" title="The Girls and their Babies by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4936984058_25c54aa0a9.jpg" alt="The Girls and their Babies" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div>Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-19502184628597070372010-05-12T07:17:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:59:44.337-07:00Finished Object: LieslAs I <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2010/03/dabbling-in-embroidery.html">mentioned previously</a>, <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/sweaters/liesl/">Liesl</a> has been my primary knitting project since January. Coming off the Christmas gift production rush, I was hungry for something just for me. I had some suitable yarn (Nature Wool) in an acceptable colorway, and was encouraged by the accounts of how quickly this worked up. And I can see now why if you are knitting more regularly than I am, why people make more than one Liesl. These really do fly off the needles. My knitting time has been patchy at best, but when I did work on it, the progress was remarkable! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4593293411/" title="Liesl - front by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4593293411_d04b432d05_b.jpg" alt="Liesl - front" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />My original goal was to make a full sleeve version and use up all my yarn. I managed to accomplish neither, but I'm fine with that. Due to the fact that I was brain fried when I was starting the first sleeve (it took me three sessions of looking at everything and estimating before I was able to actually get the pattern stitch started...no fault of the pattern, the pattern was great...this was purely a result of being too tired), I decided that actually starting the sleeve took more priority that getting up, getting out the scale and measuring my yarn.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4593912134/" title="Liesl - back by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/4593912134_e5971cca94_b.jpg" alt="Liesl - back" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />As a result, I just decided to wing the sleeves. I knit the first as long as possible while still being confident I had enough yarn to knit the second. I also could have gone back and added more to the first sleeve once I knew I was safe on yarn, but again, by the time I got to that point, it was more important for me to finish this project than to eek out every last inch of yarn. While I LOVE using every bit of yarn for a project, and get a runners high just thinking about it, I also find the process of yarn "eeking" very stressful. And frankly, right now, I just want to enjoy my knitting time. So in the end, I ended up with 3/4 sleeves and I'm totally fine with that :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4593907550/" title="Liesl - close up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1408/4593907550_60b4ac7cc3_b.jpg" alt="Liesl - close up" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />I also made my Liesl with two buttons instead of three...mostly because I forgot about the 3rd button hole until it was way too late to go back. But given the size I ended up with, I think that worked out in my favor, since the third button would have pulled too much over my bust line. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNaOqAxU5ZAVo01Xllsk59XJgH1aYfs2ibemI-Sqc9XJplZMrDQ7958jT5jzeOjVxnsKc8E8tzhZG6XzEg3eXF8dUqk5rotXC3D3TlKQfcgG-NINmxOhkBxYwIDFFBFjbPLJY/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNaOqAxU5ZAVo01Xllsk59XJgH1aYfs2ibemI-Sqc9XJplZMrDQ7958jT5jzeOjVxnsKc8E8tzhZG6XzEg3eXF8dUqk5rotXC3D3TlKQfcgG-NINmxOhkBxYwIDFFBFjbPLJY/s400/IMG_1169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470418916361762514" border="0" /></a>And that brings me to the size. I failed to mark the size I was working up on the pattern...I also failed to realize I had noted the size in Ravelry. So I switched from working up a 38 to working up the size below when I split everything for the sleeves. Oops. Which is too bad because while it is very wearable as is, it would be even more so if it were a little larger.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4593908278/" title="Liesl - in action by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4593908278_24bdcf324a_b.jpg" alt="Liesl - in action" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br />I also highly recommend making this in a more squooshy or soft wool. The Nature Wool is great, but I could see how anyone with a sensitivity to wool wouldn't want this right on the soft parts of your arms. I opted for the Nature Wool because it was in my stash and, dudes, this economy sucks...so yeah, new yarn wasn't really in the budget. But, if you do have something like Malabrigo in your stash or can buy some for this project, it would be awesome!<br /><br />And now for a gratuitous baby (I mean toddler!) picture...please focus on the cute baby, not the funny looking mom ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4593295309/" title="Liesl - in action by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/4593295309_9d4d0b83d8_b.jpg" alt="Liesl - in action" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div>Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-57833790791581485022010-05-02T20:01:00.000-07:002010-05-02T20:50:26.678-07:00Elliott's Birthday QuiltIn honor of Elliott's first birthday I held a little contest over on our family blog. Part of this was to help some of my family members get a little more comfortable leaving comments on a blog, but it was also a great excuse for a new project...this time a quilt!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4572844009/" title="Birthday Quilt - top by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4572844009_6a551cc047_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Birthday Quilt - top" /></a><br /></div><br />Last year I visited the Long Beach Quilt Show where I scored four Moda Blossom charm packs for $3 a piece. I was even more fortunate to have an extra piece of a nearly solid brown print in one of the packs. As a result, I was able to use this extra square as the center of a radiating pattern that repeated the other fabric prints outward in a very deliberate patchwork layout.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4573479268/" title="Birthday Quilt - top by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3404/4573479268_e688db393b_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Birthday Quilt - top" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Finished dimensions: ~46 x 46</span><br /></div><br />I didn't use a pattern for this quilt, but just started from the center and laid out the prints in what I was hoping to be an appealing manner. As is usually the case, B was able to help me tweak my 'good' layout into something really nice. (I was originally going to have all 5 of the dark brown prints as an anchor in the middle...like a big plus sign. B showed me how by alternating the color themes of the prints and pulling those brown pieces farther out it didn't look so heavy. And trust me this looks SO much better!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4573475602/" title="Birthday Quilt - back by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/4573475602_038a0393ef_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Birthday Quilt - back" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">The back is pieced with Kona cotton.<br />(Excuse the askew photo - it's really hard to take full quilt pics by yourself!)<br /></div><br />The back of the quilt ended up being a very happy accident. My original plan was to have a strip of the leftover charm squares running down the side and perpendicular to three solid panels of different colors and widths making up the rest of the back. (Un)fortunately, I cut my brown fabric the wrong way when I was cutting my binding fabric and no longer had a piece large enough to span the entire back. I was just going to buy more (which killed me!!), but then I thought I would lay out the pieces of the other two colors to see how much space was really left unaccounted for. Turns out? Not much. By making a 'T" with the leftover charm squares and using some of the brown that I cut incorrectly as sashing, I came up with my design.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4573478132/" title="Birthday Quilt by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3381/4573478132_3b8f8fd015_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Birthday Quilt" /></a><br /></div><br />(Un)fortunately, what this mistake also presented was a new challenge in quilting the front and back. I've only previously quilted straight on my machine. However, if I quilted in the ditch or even ran parallel lines down the squares on the front, I was going to have issues with my quilting lines matching up to the lines on the pieced back. Now under some circumstances, this wouldn't be a problem. But with the high contract colors of my quilt and the fact that I was using dark brown thread to quilt, those quilting lines were going to look terrible on the back. And it did...especially since I didn't have my back and front perfectly straight when I basted them together...which really would have been impossible under the circumstances (and maybe always? I'm not sure since I'm still a beginning quilter).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4572843179/" title="Birthday Quilt - back close up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/4572843179_f1e426d886_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Birthday Quilt - back close up" /></a><br /></div><br />So what's a novice quilter to do? Learn something new! I watched and read a ton online about free motion quilting and finally used <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/">Oh, Fransson's</a> <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/03/quilt-along-14-freemotion-quilting.html">free motion tutorial as a guide</a>. Guys, this tutorial was so great! (If you like quilting and don't already know about Oh, Fransson!, you really need to go check her out. So inspiring!) Free motion was the perfect solution to my problem. I was able to mask the slight offset between my front and back pieces and I love the dimension the quilting lines added to the quilt. And it was so...much...fun!! This will definitely not be my last free motion project.<br /><br />All in all this was actually a very cost effective project as well. The front cost $12 for the charm packs and the backing and binding totalled about $11.50. I had the perfect piece of leftover batting in my stash and used one and a half spools of 100% cotton thread at about $3.50 each. I love being able to make something so economically without cutting corners. I get a internal thrill whenever it works out so well.<br /><br />And finally, this is my aunt who won the quilt and the contest honoree.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4572846623/" title="Birthday Quilt - Recipient by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/4572846623_8e36788604_b.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="Birthday Quilt - Recipient" /></a><br /></div><br />I had so much fun working on this project and I loved having a 'soft' deadline. I seem to work best on deadlines...and if I get to set them, its even better :)Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-90806051344298237672010-04-17T18:13:00.000-07:002010-04-17T20:17:57.018-07:00Small SewingOne of the things that I like about sewing is the instant gratification factor. It's awesome that in an afternoon or in a couple evenings you can have something to show for your efforts. And lately, given the toddler situation around here, quick bursts of crafting time is all I really have. So it is no wonder, that I am going for my sewing machine a bit more lately. A couple of my more recent sewing projects, all though hardly timely, are below.<br /><br />I made two of these 'He-Molly' Monkeys for gifts last Christmas. One I finished (in time) for my cousin's baby and the other was for Elliott...who got it closer to his birthday at the beginning of February. The pattern is basically a boy version of the <a href="http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/07/drum-roll-pleasemolly-monkey-pattern.html">Molly Monkey</a>. I didn't realize at the time, given my more limited internet-investigating time as of late, that the designer has <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/36329441/mikey-monkey-pdf-printable-pattern?ref=em">a boy version for sale, called the Mikey Monkey</a>. Oops. I totally didn't meant to try and get away with not buying the boy pattern, I just saw this one, thought it was cute and thought I would improvise a boy one. However, because she does sell a boy pattern and out of respect to the designer's work, I'm not going to go into details here as to what I did to change things up. It will be more of a show and tell kind of post.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4304526346/" title="He-Molly Monkey by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4304526346_e0f0706912_b.jpg" alt="He-Molly Monkey" height="400" width="300" /></a><br /></div><br />However, a couple of things I will tell you about is how I put the face and head together. Since I knew I wanted to embroider the face (easily), I decided to attach the face pieces first and do the embroidery flat, then sew the whole head together rather than the other way around. I also used some Wonder Under on the face panel and ear panels to stick them to the face and ear pieces really well, then embroidered the details on top.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4303781461/" title="He-Molly Monkey by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4303781461_0107bc3a36_b.jpg" alt="He-Molly Monkey" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I was able to get some remnant flannel at Joann's for the body and face, but otherwise his clothes are all from the scrap bin. I think the two monkeys together cost a whopping $4. :)<br /><br />Another relatively quick and cute sewing project was a pair of Cutie Booties for Nonnahs's little girl, Bean. These came from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Butlers-Little-Stitches-Ones/dp/B003B3NVXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271558589&sr=8-1">Amy Butler's Little Stitches book</a> and were pretty ingenious to put together. The only trouble I had was due to my decision to work on these after Elliott went to bed and being a little brain fried. With clear thoughts, these probably would have taken me half the time they did.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4368956161/" title="Cutie Booties by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4368956161_7483b4ac74_b.jpg" alt="Cutie Booties" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I made the six month size since she was approximately six months at the time these were gifted. And in looking through the scrap bin again for appropriate fabric pieces, I discovered the perfect selection: scraps left over from <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2008/09/nonnahs-wedding-quilt.html">Nonnahs's wedding quilt</a>! I especially like the red on the inside :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4368957591/" title="Cutie Booties by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4368957591_017043ff4d_b.jpg" alt="Cutie Booties" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />Anyway, I can't comment at all on the fit, but they are super cute and would make a great shower gift for someone special. <br /><br />Speaking of shower gifts (nice segue don't you think ;), I recently put together this set for a co-worker of mine. She LOVES (seriously, in all caps) Tinkerbell. She had even contemplated making a Tinkerbell bedding set for her baby's crib before deciding it just wasn't something she was willing to take on right now. She ended up opting for purple butterflies and I had a great time putting a little set together with 4 Tinkerbell print flannel burp cloths and a Tinkerbell "Cora blanket" (flannel on one side and regular cotton on the other). For both the burp cloths and the blanket I was able to pair a Tinkerbell print with something else so it wouldn't be 'too much' and also tie into their purple butterfly theme.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiFJOTkMaRsQP0lYWjOB8cHG13h6vuTd2qjP5NrJgpLcaFNG64iuOiKOSL2dWXdTzgOMcscgSsPpEOzxr7_36VT2U9ps0pp_lOlNjynaX0lJzhGJV0qzLq9husZrgqhNsGooC/s1600/tinkerbell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiFJOTkMaRsQP0lYWjOB8cHG13h6vuTd2qjP5NrJgpLcaFNG64iuOiKOSL2dWXdTzgOMcscgSsPpEOzxr7_36VT2U9ps0pp_lOlNjynaX0lJzhGJV0qzLq9husZrgqhNsGooC/s400/tinkerbell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461218165799064914" border="0" /></a>And I have to say, I think I may have turned a corner in my crafting. I used to rarely, if ever, make something for someone else that I didn't also really like myself. Not to say that I didn't make something specifically for them, just that I had to like it, too. Mostly this was because I had to enjoy the process of making it and if it wasn't something I liked, I used to have trouble getting through it. Anyway, I am far from a Tinkerbell person. I don't have any problem with Tinkerbell, I'm just more of a Winnie-the-Pooh kinda gal. But, I can't tell you how much fun I had with this project. I was so excited about it the whole time I worked on it. I just knew she would really like the prints and I think the fabric prints came together well. And the best part? She (and her husband!) ended up being as excited about them as I was! :)Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-92062432709524120012010-03-23T16:54:00.000-07:002010-03-23T19:46:10.498-07:00Dabbling in Embroidery...Long time, no see! I certainly haven't intentionally been neglecting this blog, but I have just come off a busy month at the family blog celebrating Elliott's 1 year birthday. Can you believe it? I'm still in shock that he's a year (well, over 13 months, at this point) already! Anyway, all my limited blogging energy and time was focused over there, but now I need to play some catch up over here. And frankly, I miss you guys!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe788gDRXX23g6sf0hW6AI0quY3oX761Z-HrrgymcCJvfdnFXRadKlRhAfJ8HEsxKT_zqYZ7lB4US1Y3jypRe4QIcXB_atGNg-g_rZIkru6lVJ-6jhAsZke_XzEbkUzhIU6Eg/s1600-h/planting2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe788gDRXX23g6sf0hW6AI0quY3oX761Z-HrrgymcCJvfdnFXRadKlRhAfJ8HEsxKT_zqYZ7lB4US1Y3jypRe4QIcXB_atGNg-g_rZIkru6lVJ-6jhAsZke_XzEbkUzhIU6Eg/s400/planting2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452018247661871714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">busy boy!</span><br /></div><br />I've been splitting my crafting time primarily between sewing (Wednesday night is sewing night at my house) and knitting (mostly one focused project at a time. Right now: <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/sweaters/liesl/">Liesl</a>). But I recently dabbled a bit in some embroidery. In working with my grandma's <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/09/grandmas-quilt-part-1.html">embroidery quilt pieces</a>, I got a bit of the embroidery bug. And given that I recently <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2010/01/remembering-grandma.html">lost my grandma</a>, I suppose it was fitting that I've been experimenting with something she loved so much. So, I worked up some kitchen towels for a few Christmas gifts this year.<br /><br />First up was a Bambi airstream trailer from the <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/campout.html">Camp Out</a> set of patterns by <a href="http://www.sublimestitching.com/">Sublime Stitching</a> for my Aunt who just so happens to live in a Bambi! I was originally inspired by <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-made-ribbon-reluctantly.html">the ribbon</a> How About Orange designed a while back, then a friend pointed out the perfect embroidery pattern to go with it!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4228626737/" title="Embroidery - Air Stream by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4228626737_59b947d978_b.jpg" alt="Embroidery - Air Stream" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />The Bambi was the only project where I followed a traditional pattern. After that, I started playing around with inspiration, drawing my versions and stitching up those ideas. For example, I knew I wanted to make cherry blossoms for my friends that live in Japan, so I looked around on the Internet and Ravelry until I found something that looked like what was in my head. In this case, I got some inspiration from a purse (sorry only a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/src/felted-purse-2">Rav link</a>). And here's my towel version:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4228632691/" title="Embroidery: Cherry Blossoms by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2668/4228632691_2d1a15b588_b.jpg" alt="Embroidery: Cherry Blossoms" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I also got this idea for Nonnahs, which makes sense to those of you who know her name before and after she got married. Anyway, I found a cute picture from the plethora of Google image options, then changed him up to make him hold flowers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4368957177/" title="Casper the Friendly Ghost by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4368957177_75a778d71c_b.jpg" alt="Casper the Friendly Ghost " height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I also used the flowers as a chance to practice some different techniques, including satin stitch, back stitch, french knots and stem stitch. By the way, I found a great online resource for how-to embroidery videos at <a href="http://www.needlenthread.com/2006/10/video-library-of-hand-embroidery.html">Needle 'n Thread</a> because I have to admit, my embroidery books left a little to be desired.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4368956679/" title="Casper the Friendly Ghost - flower close up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4368956679_3f597e3e0d_b.jpg" alt="Casper the Friendly Ghost - flower close up" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I also stitched up a towel with Japanese characters for Nasus and her husband's last names. For this I had them give me the hand written characters, then had a Japanese friend at my office put them into the computer and print out a nice block font that would be easier for me to embroider. Here's a taste:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy8mhWfhvv4U-BlpBcbLdlneRaG37mT6D9EfBq-2z6JYSCVdHstjvYF5_tIk6J2CSUkqav7-sAGvInixn5joBy047ogK33Dh7k6Lenb6P366J2L5cuJJx3_fR3E_iokGMQq5q/s1600-h/smallcharacters.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivy8mhWfhvv4U-BlpBcbLdlneRaG37mT6D9EfBq-2z6JYSCVdHstjvYF5_tIk6J2CSUkqav7-sAGvInixn5joBy047ogK33Dh7k6Lenb6P366J2L5cuJJx3_fR3E_iokGMQq5q/s400/smallcharacters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452022135942607042" border="0" /></a><br />This was a little more challenging in practice than in concept because I don't read Japanese! I was often questioning if the little dip or flange here or there was just a font variation or if I was making a fundamental change to the meaning of the character. Luckily, I think I made it through the experience without mistakenly calling either one of them a bad name ;)<br /><br />I had a lot of fun playing around with embroidery and it was so amazing to see the designs come to life as I stitched them in floss. Embroidery definitely won't become my primary crafting activity, but I like that I feel a bit more comfortable with the basics and have plans for a couple more projects in the future.<br /></div></div>Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-85898994740319132212010-03-05T14:57:00.000-08:002010-03-05T19:53:25.263-08:00Get Bob!Public Service Announcement for anyone who has or knows a wee one: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> now has <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/stores/ravelry-merch-store/products/30814">adorable baby bibs</a>! Bean was happy to model one. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S5GMtEq7E8I/AAAAAAAABUk/o9QXdC4FU_w/s1600-h/bob+bib+mosaic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S5GMtEq7E8I/AAAAAAAABUk/o9QXdC4FU_w/s400/bob+bib+mosaic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445288130443416514" border="0" /></a>The bib, which is made out of really soft, 100% cotton, obviously has Bob's cute mug on the front and is solid kelly green on the back. It has a generous neck opening and a velcro closure in back, which makes it a perfect fit for babies of all sizes. And, it's Bean-approved! You should get at least one, seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-25268770627747631162010-02-28T21:51:00.000-08:002010-02-28T22:30:49.157-08:00FO: OscarYes, you read that correctly. Oscar, the longest WIP ever in the history of the world, is an FO with a capital F. As in Finally Freaking Finished! And I love him so.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tW2i1qezI/AAAAAAAABUE/SKhYoqzT1_s/s1600-h/Oscar+FO1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tW2i1qezI/AAAAAAAABUE/SKhYoqzT1_s/s400/Oscar+FO1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443540069672188722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oscar</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tangled-yoke-cardigan">Tangled Yoke Cardigan</a> by Eunny Jang (Ravlink)<br />yarn: <a href="http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/Felted-Tweed.aspx">Rowan Felted Tweed</a> in 155 (Pickle)<br />needles: US5<br /><br />You may be aware that I started knitting this sweater about a hundred years ago. Okay, roughly 2 1/2 years ago. Either way, it's been a ridiculously long time. So I hope you'll forgive this brief post, but it's been such a long journey and I'm tired! It's worth noting the obvious- that there's no good reason why it should take any normal person this long to knit this sweater. I just clearly have issues. I would get all excited about knitting it during the fall and winter months, but would then get side-tracked by other projects, babies, etc. ;) Naturally, I wish I'd finished this sooner, but the most important thing is that its finished now!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tXSqJ6TPI/AAAAAAAABUM/c5vuQChHURg/s1600-h/Oscar+FO3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tXSqJ6TPI/AAAAAAAABUM/c5vuQChHURg/s400/Oscar+FO3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443540552672496882" border="0" /></a>I always envisioned this to be a comfy, throw on over anything, not-confining-in-any-way sweater, which is why I purposely knit the next size up. And while it turned out a tad larger than it could be, I'd much rather it be a little too roomy than a little too tight, so I'm happy with it.<br /><br />I love its crazy green-that-sometimes-looks-yellow color. I really love its tweedy goodness. I especially love the awesome buttons I found that pick up the colors in the tweed so nicely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tXZiRBUWI/AAAAAAAABUU/H8r8zFTZC-Y/s1600-h/Oscar+FObutton+detail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tXZiRBUWI/AAAAAAAABUU/H8r8zFTZC-Y/s400/Oscar+FObutton+detail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443540670813917538" border="0" /></a>Most of all, I love, love, love that this sweater finally out of the WIP basket and on my body!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tcGakfr6I/AAAAAAAABUc/p8aCNZzIZwk/s1600-h/Oscar+FO2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S4tcGakfr6I/AAAAAAAABUc/p8aCNZzIZwk/s400/Oscar+FO2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443545839888740258" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-58198890350700968812010-01-18T19:21:00.000-08:002010-01-18T22:45:36.554-08:00Knitters are awesome!I mean, we already know this, right? This community that we are a part of is made up of generous, caring people. In the relatively short time I've been knitting, I've witness numerous occasions where knitters have stepped up to help with different causes and people in need. Our community is coming together again now to help with relief efforts in Haiti. In addition to individual groups on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> raising donations, many of your favorite designers are committing to donate proceeds from their pattern sales on to <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/">Doctors Without Borders</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S1VNQXiugcI/AAAAAAAABT8/GAhfVa6KiXI/s1600-h/sunset+wip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S1VNQXiugcI/AAAAAAAABT8/GAhfVa6KiXI/s400/sunset+wip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428329869457916354" border="0" /></a>This is Sunset Glow, my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-things">Simple Things</a> shawlette-in-progress, designed by my friend <a href="http://www.rainydaygoods.com/">Mary-Heather Cogar</a>. Mary-Heather is donating 75% of the purchase price of her patterns (including Simple Things) sold between January 15-31 to Doctors Without Borders.<br /><br />I've been so moved by what <a href="http://www.rainydaygoods.com/notes-thoughts-rambles/2010/1/18/every-little-bit.html">Mary-Heather</a>, <a href="http://www.marniemaclean.com/words/2010/01/help_for_haiti.html">Marnie</a>, and others are doing that not only have I joined the cause, I want to mention it here in hopes that even more people might join in as well. So if you are so inclined, please check out the <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/">Help for Haiti patterns</a> on Ravelry. There's a good chance that you'll find some of the patterns you have queued or favorited on these pages. Not to be an enabler, but I'm just saying- if you're thinking about buying a pattern or two in the near future anyway, if you purchase them now, a good percentage of the cost of the pattern will be donated. :)<br /><br />At a time when finances are tight for so many of us, I realize it's more difficult than ever to make charitable donations. However, I am so grateful more than ever for what I do have, and I would still like to be able to help others, if even in the smallest way. No pressure of course, but if you feel the same and can afford to do so, please consider buying a pattern or two. This is a way that we can each do something small that, when combined with everyone else's help, will make a big difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-89071204252739609012010-01-14T20:01:00.000-08:002010-01-14T20:42:17.415-08:00Remembering GrandmaI have to apologize for the unintended blog silence, I had grand plans for ending the year on a crafty note. I was (am) making almost all of my Christmas presents this year and thought I'd be sneaky by sharing them here as regular FOs as I went along. I then planned to have a nice wrap up post explaining where everything went and with new photos with their recipients. One word can explain how that all went: ugh.<br /><br />I mentioned briefly in <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/11/one-outone-in-damson.html">my last post</a> that my grandma was ill over Thanksgiving. Things ended up taking a turn for the worse the week or so before Christmas and she passed away on the 28th. I am going to miss her so much, but I am so thankful that she went peacefully and painlessly. I compiled a few more recent pictures of her <a href="http://sundaysinthepark.blogspot.com/2009/12/grandma.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4268406570/" title="Other 52.32: Goodbye by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4268406570_eea97a4cd4_b.jpg" alt="Other 52.32: Goodbye" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Yellow roses were her favorite flowers, so it was fitting we left some for her<br /></div><br />She was not only a source of creative inspiration for me, but as a 'maker' herself, she was always so tickled by anything I made her. I think that's why it seems appropriate to share her passing here. This will obviously change the dynamic of <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/09/grandmas-quilt-part-1.html">the quilt project</a> my mom and I are working on for her, but we know she loved that we took on this project and remembering her while we continue to work on it will be such a pleasure for us both.<br /><br />Needless to say crafting (and reporting on said crafting) had to take the back burner while we grieved and began the hectic planning necessary to get all of us to Salt Lake City last week for her funeral. Despite the circumstances, it was lovely to spend some time again in a city of which I have only a child's memories. And being in some snow was a nice unexpected bonus (we went from 75 to 80 degree weather to snow and temperatures in the 20s and 30s!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4267661037/" title="Me 52.32: Snow Day by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4267661037_c97b050d7e_b.jpg" alt="Me 52.32: Snow Day" height="400" width="300" /></a><br /></div><br />It would have been nice to spend some more time there, especially given that I actually know a fair number of people in Salt Lake City, both in person and virtually (hi all!). But a short time with family was all that was in the cards this time around.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4268405698/" title="Elliott 52.32: Up, Up and Away by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4268405698_cf4257fb4a_b.jpg" alt="Elliott 52.32: Up, Up and Away" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">This also marked Elliott's first plane trip, which he handled most excellently<br /></div><br />As for what's next, I have many things to show here and plan to do a couple themed posts given 2009's Christmas gifts were either sewn, embroidered or knit. So stay tuned! <br /><br />I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and I am slowly but surely making my way through everyone's holiday blog posts. Its been a lot of fun to see what you were all up to and your 2009 retrospectives!Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-35812123034971714462010-01-10T21:35:00.000-08:002010-01-10T21:40:18.582-08:002009: A Knitty RetrospectiveIt's pretty obvious from looking at last year's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FOs</span> that my preoccupation was with babies and baby knits. I had fun knitting for my own Bean, as well as Dis' Elliott, <a href="http://annie-knits.blogspot.com/">Annie</a>'s Macadamia, and my civilian friend Heather's Ryan. And judging from the number of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Flickr</span> friends alone who are expecting babies this year, it doesn't seem like the baby trend is going to end anytime in the near future! Fine by me- I love me some baby knits!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0F-dXrDn2I/AAAAAAAABTA/Rt_zbQuat3Y/s1600-h/4241452129_fcb0043c58_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0F-dXrDn2I/AAAAAAAABTA/Rt_zbQuat3Y/s400/4241452129_fcb0043c58_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422754469366701922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/03/fo-sugary.html">Sugary</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/08/fo-peacock-and-cowl-swap.html">Peacock</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/06/fo-green-river.html">Green River</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/03/fo-ryan.html">Ryan tee</a><br /><a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/03/fo-ryan.html">Ryan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mocs</span></a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/02/fo-pine.html">Pine</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/02/fo-pine.html">Pine socks</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/10/fo-blossom.html">Blossom</a><br /><a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/11/fo-4-month-socks.html">4 Month Socks</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/11/fo-hershey.html">Hershey</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2010/01/fo-round-up-bit-of-housekeeping.html">Bean Bonnet</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2010/01/fo-round-up-bit-of-housekeeping.html">Slate</a><br /><a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2010/01/fo-round-up-bit-of-housekeeping.html">Coal</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2010/01/fo-round-up-bit-of-housekeeping.html">Mr. T.</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/12/fo-cabernet.html">Cabernet</a>, <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/12/fo-beans-first-christmas-santa-hat.html">Bean's First Christmas Hat</a><br /><br />2009 also allowed me to participate in a couple of special swaps between good friends. First, a cowl swap with my dear <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">knitty</span> girls, in which I was able to knit a cowl for <a href="http://www.katcoyle.com/blog/">Kat</a>, and more recently the beret swap I did with my girl <a href="http://margauxelena.typepad.com/tentenknits/">Margaux</a>. I thoroughly enjoyed both swaps and look forward to round two of both!<br /><br />As usual, my knits were predominantly gifts for others. I managed to finish a whopping two knits for myself. What is wrong with this picture? ;) I really hoped that Oscar would make it into the 2009 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">FO</span> group, but alas, I got sidetracked by the holiday knits. He will be done soon though! Definitely in time for 2010's recap. Swear!<br /><br />Looking ahead to this year, I'm also planning to learn how to crochet. Finally! I've been wanting to learn for years now, and I decided this was the year I'm going to do it. Or well, I hope. Wish me luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-7240238635596724472010-01-03T22:07:00.000-08:002010-01-03T22:36:45.096-08:00FO round-up (a bit of housekeeping)So here I was, putting my 2009 knitty retrospective together, when I realized that I failed to post not one, not two, not three, but four FOs! What?? Goes to show where my head has been this year (in Beanland)! So for record-keeping's sake, instead of one-offing it, I give you a mass post of the lost FOs of '09. <br /><br />First there was one of my favorites- a bonnet for Bean.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GG7CubLYI/AAAAAAAABTI/Y1XZ7yH0FSQ/s1600-h/Bean+Bonnet+FO1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GG7CubLYI/AAAAAAAABTI/Y1XZ7yH0FSQ/s400/Bean+Bonnet+FO1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422763775232781698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bean Bonnet</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nonnahs/baby-bonnet">Baby Bonnet</a> by Joelle Hoverson from Last Minute Knitted Gifts (Raveled)<br />yarn: Rowan Kid Classic (70% lambswool, 26% kid mohair and 4% nylon) - less than 1 skein<br />needles: US7<br />made for: Bean<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GHCNXUOYI/AAAAAAAABTQ/qxLdWW2rkd8/s1600-h/Bean+Bonnet+FO9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GHCNXUOYI/AAAAAAAABTQ/qxLdWW2rkd8/s400/Bean+Bonnet+FO9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422763898347731330" border="0" /></a>Mod: My gauge was off using the called for size 8 needles, so I used size 7 needles instead. Besides, at the time Bean was a little younger than the 6-24 months outlined in the pattern, so it worked out well and fit her perfectly. This is one of my favorite knits-we use this all the time!<br /><br />Bean wasn't the only one who got a new hat from me, B got two! This one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GIpxYRAnI/AAAAAAAABTY/8bskrL3BhVc/s1600-h/slate+FO+modeled.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GIpxYRAnI/AAAAAAAABTY/8bskrL3BhVc/s400/slate+FO+modeled.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422765677541917298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slate</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nonnahs/turn-a-square-3">Turn a Square</a> by Jared Flood (Raveled)<br />yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Heathers (100% Peruvian Highland Merino Wool) in 8013 and Noro Silk Garden (45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair, 10% Lambswool) in 227 - less than 1 skein each<br />needles: US6 and US7<br />made for: B<br /><br />And this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GJ32YWkxI/AAAAAAAABTg/6820M4IS9qM/s1600-h/Coal+FO.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GJ32YWkxI/AAAAAAAABTg/6820M4IS9qM/s400/Coal+FO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422767018914255634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coal</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nonnahs/a-hat-fit-for-a-boyfriend">A Hat Fit for a Boyfriend</a> by Stephanie Nicole (Raveled)<br />yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool in 004 (Charcoal) - less than 2 skeins<br />needles: US8<br />made for: B<br /><br />And I finished a simple red scarf for myself:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GLoE3btLI/AAAAAAAABTw/il82wPBgI5g/s1600-h/12-16-09-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/S0GLoE3btLI/AAAAAAAABTw/il82wPBgI5g/s400/12-16-09-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422768946948060338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mr. T.</span><br />pattern: my own, using mistake rib and knitting for a long time<br />yarn: Rowan Kid Classic in 847 and Lana Grossa Baby Kid - 2 balls each<br />needles: US11<br />inspired by: Mr. Tumnus<br /><br />Okay. Whew! Now that that's done, retrospective to follow shortly. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-70691147553531035572009-12-29T09:08:00.000-08:002009-12-29T09:11:58.370-08:00FO: CabernetRecently, <a href="http://margauxelena.typepad.com/tentenknits/">Margaux</a> and I decided to do a little beret swap. This is the one I knit for her:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzmmaDza7GI/AAAAAAAABSw/6QAtGaL3uKg/s1600-h/Cabernet+FO.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzmmaDza7GI/AAAAAAAABSw/6QAtGaL3uKg/s400/Cabernet+FO.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420546593144892514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cabernet</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nonnahs/meret-mystery-beret">Meret (Mystery Beret)</a> by Wooly Wormhead (Raveled)<br />yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% Merino Wool) in 501 (Cabernet) - less than 1 skein<br />needles: US8<br />made for: Margaux<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzmlnFDt5bI/AAAAAAAABSY/V5vptCNisjY/s1600-h/4210960061_900a9353a5_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzmlnFDt5bI/AAAAAAAABSY/V5vptCNisjY/s400/4210960061_900a9353a5_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420545717308351922" border="0" /></a>As much as we both love cables, I wanted to knit her something that was a little different from other berets she already has, so I chose this pattern. We've often discussed a shared love of Malabrigo...and wine...so this yarn choice was a no-brainer. I knit the medium size, with one inch of ribbing, and one extra repeat for extra slouch, figuring that would look good with her gorgeous curls, and look- I was right!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzmlZKNeqKI/AAAAAAAABSI/t2oU6hFiDt8/s1600-h/4210960349_e0fecf8d71_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzmlZKNeqKI/AAAAAAAABSI/t2oU6hFiDt8/s400/4210960349_e0fecf8d71_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420545478173304994" border="0" /></a>Neither of us know why it's taken us so long to do a swap, but we both now know this won't be our last - and that's fine with me. I have mad love for this girl and I had an absolute blast knitting for her! Look at how freaking cute she is! (Hey, M- can you model all of my finished knits?) :)<br /><br />Now I know you want to see the one she knit for me. Here it is:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Szo3KQLHqoI/AAAAAAAABS4/ej7ZEFJHWf8/s1600-h/12-22-09+beret.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Szo3KQLHqoI/AAAAAAAABS4/ej7ZEFJHWf8/s400/12-22-09+beret.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420705750773639810" border="0" /></a>Am I lucky or what? It's seriously gorgeous! And it's Koigu! 'Nuff said. :)<br /><br />Oh no wait, I have something else to say: I LOVE IT!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Szml6j7JpKI/AAAAAAAABSg/Qml-pzzd7SQ/s1600-h/12-22-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Szml6j7JpKI/AAAAAAAABSg/Qml-pzzd7SQ/s400/12-22-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420546052011435170" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-52465407726834549022009-12-23T09:44:00.000-08:002009-12-23T09:59:32.544-08:00FO: Bean's First Christmas Santa HatHey, you gotta love last-minute holiday knitting, right? Who's with me? Ha! Yeah, not so much. Unless it's a baby noggin-sized Santa Hat of cuteness. In which case it's perfectly alright!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzJXHA7W6yI/AAAAAAAABRw/KHsMIXCIcEw/s1600-h/12-20-09-l+santa+hat2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzJXHA7W6yI/AAAAAAAABRw/KHsMIXCIcEw/s400/12-20-09-l+santa+hat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418489079699794722" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bean's First Christmas Hat</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-santa-hat">Wee Santa Hat</a> by Debbi Young McNeer (Ravlink)<br />yarn: The red one is a mystery, found in stash, the white fluffy yarn is Jo-Ann Sensations Beautiful in 01 (off white) - just a smidge of each<br />needles: US8<br /><br />I whipped up this baby in a day- talk about instant gratification! Bonus: pompom action!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzJXQ_8XX1I/AAAAAAAABR4/wanE5EUKJKE/s1600-h/santa+hat1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzJXQ_8XX1I/AAAAAAAABR4/wanE5EUKJKE/s400/santa+hat1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418489251234275154" border="0" /></a>With most of my holiday knitting behind me (I'll be posting pictures of those later, once I get modeled shots), it suddenly dawned on me that Bean *needed* a Santa Hat. I mean, right? I found some red yarn in the stash which would most certainly do, but I didn't have any white yarn in sight. So off to Jo-Ann's we went, in search of "fun" yarn. I mean, if I'm gonna do this, I need to do it right, right? I must say that the yarn I found is perfect! So people, there is a time and a place for "fun", fluffy yarn. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzJYpmPp7pI/AAAAAAAABSA/1atZAZJT8Lw/s1600-h/santa+hat2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SzJYpmPp7pI/AAAAAAAABSA/1atZAZJT8Lw/s400/santa+hat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418490773344218770" border="0" /></a>Happy Holidays from me and Bean to you and yours!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-48602190875393985822009-11-29T12:24:00.000-08:002009-11-29T23:04:47.454-08:00One-Out/One-In DamsonFirst up - I hope you all had a very wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a few ups and downs relating to my grandma, but she is now doing well and we are again so thankful for the time we are able to share with her. However, the surprise quilt project my mom and I have been working on, is no longer a surprise. It would have made me so sad if she would never have seen what we'd been up to, so we decided to share our plans with her. We've been making good progress and I plan on sharing an update soon.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm here to share a little FO with you! I'm calling this my One-Out/One-In <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/accessories/damson/">Damson</a> because while it was originally going to be a stash project, I ended up having to acquire another ball of sock yarn to finish it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4111479324/" title="Damson Tied by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2529/4111479324_ce9d6773ab_b.jpg" alt="Damson Tied" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I knit this on the recommended needles and used an entire hank of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in Moody Blues. I thought I would probably have enough yardage since the pattern calls for 440 yards and I had 420 in my Cherry Tree Hill. It seemed like Ysolda had made notes in the past if something was going to run close to the recommended yardage, but it was a risk I knew I was taking when I started the project. It just didn't work out in my favor this time around. I made it to the end of row 103 when I officially ran out.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4111478332/" title="Damson Back by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4111478332_2b4b872e53_b.jpg" alt="Damson Back" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I went stash diving again in hopes of finding something that would be a nice complement, but I didn't want to just make due. I'm not big on stash projects like that. I also consulted with my knitting group and it might have turned out that I could have traded something that would have worked, but we don't meet all that frequently and I really didn't want to stall out so close to the end.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4110713351/" title="Damson Front by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2580/4110713351_602937d05a_b.jpg" alt="Damson Front" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />After lots of internet searching and thorough perusal of <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/">The Loopy Ewe</a> site, I decided on a solid navy to bring out the navy in the Cherry Tree Hill and the <a href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/yarns/cascade/heritage-sock-solids/">Cascade Heritage</a> seemed to fit the bill. I had a few moments of second thoughts, mostly related to how the spin of the yarn would match, but when it arrived...it was perfect, so soft and smooshy. Not shiny like the Cherry Tree Hill, but since I was matching the darkest blue, I don't really think it matters. Plus there is a ton of yardage (437) for $12! I even have plenty left for another project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4110744611/" title="Damson Close-Up by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/4110744611_38b7679d08_b.jpg" alt="Damson Close-Up" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /></div><br />I love the darker accent in the cute little edge loops, so in retrospect, I'm super happy that I ran out of yarn. Other than the yardage issue, this was a great project. Ysolda laid out the pattern beautifully with a chart and written instructions (although, the lace is completely memorizable, so you really don't need either once you know where the pattern is taking you) and as you can see by all the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/damson-2">different versions on Ravelry</a>, the pattern lends itself to different interpretations well. I think this would also be a great first lace project for someone. It is very simple lace, but very lovely. And I have to agree with the pattern summary, that the edging is deceptively simple.<br /><br />Anyway, I am super pleased with how it came out and I'm looking forward to knitting another project from the <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/collections/whimsical-little-knits-2/">Whimsical Little Knits 2</a> collection...most likely the scroll lace scarf (which doesn't seem to be listed on her website, but you can <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scroll-lace-scarf">see it here</a> (on Ravelry).Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-25818098994481353062009-11-23T23:44:00.001-08:002009-11-24T00:14:40.742-08:00FO: HersheyFirst up, I finally got a shot of Bean in her 4 month socks. Promptly at a day past 5 months. Ah well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SwuPDuT9ucI/AAAAAAAABRY/zM42ZAFVJZA/s1600/11-23-09-l+w:socks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SwuPDuT9ucI/AAAAAAAABRY/zM42ZAFVJZA/s400/11-23-09-l+w:socks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407573071722559938" border="0" /></a>And now, for the FO...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SwuPaKPSojI/AAAAAAAABRg/6hPxQynshTE/s1600/Hershey+FO4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SwuPaKPSojI/AAAAAAAABRg/6hPxQynshTE/s400/Hershey+FO4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407573457176273458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hershey</span><br />pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/star-crossed-slouchy-beret">Star-Crossed Slouchy Beret</a> by Natalie Larson (Ravlink)<br />yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool) in 512 (Chestnut) - less than 1 skein<br />needles: US10 and US11<br /><br />This was kind of a spur of the moment knit. I wanted to knit something quick and something for me (for a change). A beret is never a bad idea, and I had this yarn in the ol' stash, so voila! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SwuPm_1JXpI/AAAAAAAABRo/UEpuBJ6Wno0/s1600/Hershey+FO5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SwuPm_1JXpI/AAAAAAAABRo/UEpuBJ6Wno0/s400/Hershey+FO5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407573677720559250" border="0" /></a>And hey, guess who else just made one of these? Yes, my girl <a href="http://margauxelena.typepad.com/tentenknits/2009/11/star-crossed-beret.html">Margaux</a>! I think this makes our twin knits count at three (so far)? It's a testament to this cute beret that it's good for both dull-n-straight and gorgeously curly hair. So go make yourself one- you can't go wrong!<br /><br />Changing gears, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I am truly grateful for this blog and all that it has brought to my life, including you. Even though we don't post as often as we used to we really do appreciate you still taking the time to check in with us. So thank you, for being a part of our lives. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-19868643008819248042009-11-11T09:12:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:26:57.523-08:00FO: 4 Month SocksI've got a few FOs to show, but I'll spread 'em out, to keep things interesting. ;) First up are a pair of socks I recently knit for Bean. It's getting chillier, and her cotton socks seem insufficient, so I thought it only right that I knit her some *real* socks. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SvrwlYC8j-I/AAAAAAAABRI/JN6B1o-stq4/s1600-h/4+month+socks+FO5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SvrwlYC8j-I/AAAAAAAABRI/JN6B1o-stq4/s400/4+month+socks+FO5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402895227884965858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">4 Month Socks</span><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks">Baby Socks</a> by Bianca Boonstra (Ravlink)<br />Yarn: Koigu KPPPM (100% merino wool) - way less than 1 skein (leftovers from my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Nonnahs/crusoe">Tiny Chicklets</a> socks)<br />Needles: US1<br />Made for: Bean's feet<br /><br />I LOVED knitting these! The colorway, first of all, makes me all kinds of happy. And I can't think of a more gratifying way to knit socks - these are so small, they knit up so quickly - no second sock syndrome here! Last but not least, if there's anything I love more than wee baby feet, it's wee baby feet in wee baby socks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SvrwwzXxTKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/1gpPj41kgDs/s1600-h/4+month+socks+FO10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SvrwwzXxTKI/AAAAAAAABRQ/1gpPj41kgDs/s400/4+month+socks+FO10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402895424198626466" border="0" /></a>So. Tiny. What's not to love? <br /><br />I can't wait to knit another pair!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-79801267591599122822009-11-03T07:03:00.000-08:002009-11-03T07:03:00.664-08:00DIY HalloweenMy office has a great tradition of dressing up each year for Halloween...even when it doesn't fall on a work day. We usually get at least 60% to participate. And given we are an office of attorneys and legal staff, I say that's pretty good!<br /><br />I've dressed up every year for the last nine (gulp) years. I'm a big fan of found costumes. I usually either raid my closet or B's closet, or incorporate something I have into my costume (like the year I used my graduation gown to be Harry Potter). I've also sewn costumes a couple times (like the year I came as a tea bag).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16laz9_6w9DqSpdapNNxddFqSxv1K6Hw4jE-YncPiknaOey5Eklm79vocQtNe3Qzg8roy8bVmeIxJtbbcq_8wcdWc_pJL_kH7ONnFgTwYxzgC0d1RMvwkc_ZUCA9W9TOkmzT9/s1600-h/halloween2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16laz9_6w9DqSpdapNNxddFqSxv1K6Hw4jE-YncPiknaOey5Eklm79vocQtNe3Qzg8roy8bVmeIxJtbbcq_8wcdWc_pJL_kH7ONnFgTwYxzgC0d1RMvwkc_ZUCA9W9TOkmzT9/s400/halloween2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399723597581762690" border="0" /></a>Anyway, this year (after a lot of deliberation - I decided on our costumes the week before), I decided to come as a Zookeeper from the San Diego Zoo. Only this zookeeper's had a rough time with it. I had planned to make Elliott the bear to my keeper, but B came up with the idea of making me the bear cub surrogate. (I still love the idea that it's someone's job to be 'mom' to a bear or a gorilla or a cheetah. So cool!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-03B5ecP9er1W1QdE3AHDFUW2TzTMfVYfyR8QPyOd9VygcP1Hk4dV3MfQajuMq6lvVhpCLOfuuGYzYP98LdOF22ljX4O9f41Gnx6pfeI-9TdGs_mYQGs5mNSnU4eTLjjDi__B/s1600-h/halloween.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-03B5ecP9er1W1QdE3AHDFUW2TzTMfVYfyR8QPyOd9VygcP1Hk4dV3MfQajuMq6lvVhpCLOfuuGYzYP98LdOF22ljX4O9f41Gnx6pfeI-9TdGs_mYQGs5mNSnU4eTLjjDi__B/s400/halloween.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399724205537450530" border="0" /></a><br />For my costume, I added an old khaki work shirt to some green cargo pants and hiking shoes. B made me some awesome stickers to serve as zoo patches. Then I had fun 'beating myself up'. I drew red lines on the back of my shirt with a fabric pen and cut slices into the shirt to make a couple paw strikes. I put fake blood on some bandages and wrapped my head and my arms a couple times. We also had an old leg brace from when B broke his knee a few years ago, so I wore that and added some camo bandages...because if I really were a zookeeper, I'd wear camo bandages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJEx3EMsJH1R_GoPCFhK_wdXkJ8WOF8kypTcobqFU1pgaouw_6FUQXP8D2l_PsltAnucWOU_SyphBxSJkvbPfGTqG_jKY51S-kyDpEStnpPH_NNBAL9eQ6J_stYMdXdpYclI6/s1600-h/LMAC+Halloween+2009+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJEx3EMsJH1R_GoPCFhK_wdXkJ8WOF8kypTcobqFU1pgaouw_6FUQXP8D2l_PsltAnucWOU_SyphBxSJkvbPfGTqG_jKY51S-kyDpEStnpPH_NNBAL9eQ6J_stYMdXdpYclI6/s400/LMAC+Halloween+2009+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399724041350497794" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///Users/jenifercollins/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />As for Elliott, I basted some homemade felt to the front of his brown jammies (mostly to cover the rock and roll dinosaurs on the front) and added some felt toe pads to the feet. Then I knit him a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teddy-hat">Teddy Hat</a> (Rav link) from stash yarn. Elliott really needed a new hat for our San Diego winter, so this was a good two-purpose knit.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4067033095/" title="Elliott 52.22: Really, Mom? by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4067033095_f6914a22dc_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Elliott 52.22: Really, Mom?" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Although, how much Elliott will enjoy wearing a bear hat for the rest of the winter remains to be seen. See below for a couple notes (* and **) about this 'photo shoot'.<br /></div><br />The hat pattern is really for an adult, but I knit it on smaller gauge yarn to make a smaller hat. I also knit the hat about an inch shorter than the pattern called for. All in all, on size 7 needles, I knit it with just under one ball of Knit Picks Main Line in Cocoa. I added the felt ear tufts to tie it into the bear suit.<br /><br />And guess what!?! I won the contest for most original costume! This is the first year I've won anything, so my ribbon and smurf lunch bag prize was especially sweet ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4067783110/" title="Me 52.22: I Won! by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2532/4067783110_fc8f473f06_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Me 52.22: I Won!" /></a><br /></div><br />Hope you all had a very happy (and safe) Halloween. I love seeing all your costumes!<br /><br />* First up, the cute embroidered onesie is courtesy of <a href="http://mamieknits.blogspot.com/2009/03/shoppe-open.html">Mamieknits</a>. So cute!<br />** Second, right before I took this photo, Elliott, Jenny and I were getting settled on our blanket during one of our weekly visits to Balboa Park when a couple of strangely familiar faces began crossing the grass in front of me. It took a couple seconds for all my neurons to fire, but then low and behold, I realized it was <a href="http://lollygirl.com/blog/">Lolly and Kris</a>! She stopped about the same time and we were both like - hey is that you? Talk about a small world and such a totally random encounter! They had spent the day at the zoo and, I have to say, I can't wait to see their pictures!Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-41163341198152096062009-11-01T20:56:00.001-08:002009-11-01T20:57:57.828-08:00Modeled Shot: BlossomIt fits!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Su5mlXlZicI/AAAAAAAABRA/Y1KrcAPe2cU/s1600-h/11-1-09-l+bfs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Su5mlXlZicI/AAAAAAAABRA/Y1KrcAPe2cU/s400/11-1-09-l+bfs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399365795435874754" border="0" /></a>Hooray! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-57416840150574588992009-10-25T21:57:00.000-07:002009-10-25T22:50:16.207-07:00FO: Blossom<a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html">I started knitting this sweater for Bean when I was pregnant.</a> She just turned 4 months old last week and I finally got around to finishing it.<br /><br />Happy 4 months, sweetheart!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuU2ZXQrSKI/AAAAAAAABQw/IwMcOhbDris/s1600-h/10-22-09-l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuU2ZXQrSKI/AAAAAAAABQw/IwMcOhbDris/s400/10-22-09-l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396779537841997986" border="0" /></a>Okay, back to the sweater! My goal was to finish it...well, when she could still fit into it. I haven't tried it on her yet, but it will still fit, so yay! Given how crazy life has been over the last several months, I consider this a pretty big achievement. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuUuybwL4yI/AAAAAAAABQg/oMvzvgQeGKY/s1600-h/Blossom+FO3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuUuybwL4yI/AAAAAAAABQg/oMvzvgQeGKY/s400/Blossom+FO3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396771172451607330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blossom</span><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-sweater-on-two-needles-february">Baby Sweater on Two Needles (February)</a> by Elizabeth Zimmerman (Ravlink)<br />Yarn: <a href="http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/Wool-Cotton.aspx">Rowan Wool Cotton</a> (50% merino wool, 50% cotton) in 943 (Flower) - 3 balls<br />Needles: US6<br /><br />I decided to knit the sleeves in the round (I mean, why not?) and go with just 3 buttons at the top only. I was excited to find these little pearly buttons that had just a tinge of lavender/pink. Perfect!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuUu5UK6JqI/AAAAAAAABQo/oR_X8XwHhhQ/s1600-h/Blossom+FO2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuUu5UK6JqI/AAAAAAAABQo/oR_X8XwHhhQ/s400/Blossom+FO2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396771290675291810" border="0" /></a>I wanted to knit a special baby sweater for Bean (well, at least one!) and I think I succeeded. Then again, how can you go wrong with EZ? You can't! I'm looking forward to seeing her wear it this fall and winter, and I look forward to knitting her more sweaters in the future. :)<br /><br />What do you think about that, little lady?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuU4RoA400I/AAAAAAAABQ4/-1kJRSisR5c/s1600-h/10-14-09-l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SuU4RoA400I/AAAAAAAABQ4/-1kJRSisR5c/s400/10-14-09-l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396781603923481410" border="0" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-79260766807357442072009-10-14T19:59:00.000-07:002009-10-14T20:54:02.872-07:00Three Months, One PostI know posts around here have been few and far between as of late, but between diaper changes, feedings and other demanding duties of a couple new moms, I'm proud that we're still here to say 'hey' now and then. Thank you again to those who still stop in to see what we are up to. I'm still reading what you are up to and I do miss being a part of this community more. So in an effort to bring you up to date on what's been going on around my neck of the woods, I thought I'd share a few photos*.<br /><br />Our summer was pretty much engulfed by what we are now referring to as 'the flood'. The short version: a woman two floors up broke her toilet and didn't tell anyone. The four units below took on the resulting water (hundreds of gallons, people)...which made our kitchen and bathroom look like a scene out of E.T.:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3715329592/" title="Other 52.6: The Sky is Falling by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3715329592_2912510eef_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Other 52.6: The Sky is Falling" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">FOUR</span> weeks later our place looked like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3800966135/" title="Other 52.9 - Hermetically Sealed by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/3800966135_78635e0e7e_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Other 52.9 - Hermetically Sealed" /></a><br /></div><br />Needless to say this was a very stressful summer and it took two and a half months for us to get reimbursed from the insurance company. I still tense up whenever I think about it. But its over now and we don't talk about it much because it still hurts. (They paid me 1/2 the value of my damaged craft books because they were 'used'...despite the fact they could have been sitting on a store shelf...but again, we've moved on. Ugh.)<br /><br />We also sold my old car (a very 'practical' two-seater Miata ;) and after lots of searching and too many used car salesmen later, ended up with my 'new to me' blue beauty:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3983100432/" title="Me 52.18: 'New' Car by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3983100432_dc44f20c27_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Me 52.18: 'New' Car" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of blue...after my <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/07/dying-for-some-lace-settling-for-some.html">previous musings</a> about wanting some lace, but settling for knitting toys...I lost my toy knitting mojo. BUT, I found my lace mojo in the perfect lace pattern for me right now: <a href="http://ysolda.com/store/accessories/damson/">Damson</a> (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/damson-2">Rav link</a>).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3915669031/" title="Damson WIP by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3915669031_ee07e829a4_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Damson WIP" /></a><br /></div><br />I initially picked out this Moody Blues Cherry Tree Hill from my stash because it was one of the few hanks of sock yarn I had with *nearly* enough yardage. But I have become completely enthralled with the colors. It really is gorgeous yarn and it is showing off the pattern nicely as well. It was a perfect way to start off my vacation at the end of August, which focused heavily on starting a pretty little knitting project just for me and very little on actually going anywhere. (I refuse to call it a 'staycation'.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3834366437/" title="Me 52.11: Vacation! by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3834366437_2496e0cc88_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Me 52.11: Vacation!" /></a><br /></div><br />Things have also turned a bit upside down in the baby department since Elliott decided to start crawling just after turning 7 months old.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3896479401/" title="Elliott 52.14: Ready, Set, Go! by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3896479401_3b19e52a7f_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Elliott 52.14: Ready, Set, Go!" /></a><br /></div><br />This has been very exciting for us, but also a bit unnerving as we seeing our cramped quarters with a whole new set of eyes. Guys, we have stuff everywhere. So consequently we are in constant baby wrangling mode. Good thing we opted for the 'dirt is good for his immune system' philosophy or else we'd be in big trouble right now! ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/4002892909/" title="Elliott 52.19: Cute Drool by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/4002892909_dc1f55a06e_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Elliott 52.19: Cute Drool" /></a><br /></div><br />Elliott is now a little over 8 months old and is really working hard at learning to cruise. He surprises us every day with something new. And generally entertains us to no end.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=77e5986f00&photo_id=4012265539"></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=77e5986f00&photo_id=4012265539" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br /></div><br />As for what's up next in the crafting department, I've got several projects mapped out for the next couple months, so hopefully I will have a little more to share here in the coming weeks. I am swimming in inspiration right now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3758452707/" title="Other 52.8: Inspiration by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3758452707_bd782eb356_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Other 52.8: Inspiration" /></a><br /></div><br />I daydream pretty much all day long about projects, everything from sewing to knitting to quilting to embroidery. I have plans!! Now the trick is making them a reality! With any luck (and hopefully enough yarn!) I'll be back soon to share a finished Damson.<br /><br /><br />*This summer, I also started a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/collections/72157619417247450/">little photo project of my own</a>. I'm taking a self portrait, a photo of Elliott and a photo of something else each week.Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-91264870308849174032009-09-25T07:04:00.000-07:002009-09-25T08:47:42.292-07:00Grandma's Quilt, Part 1I come from a long line of 'makers'. The women in my family have all had very special talents, whether is was sewing, quilting, crocheting, or painting. So I guess I come by my drive to create and make naturally. I am never without inspiration, but these days the time to act on that inspiration is few and far between. I think that's why it's fitting right now to apply my limited project time to something that honors my own history. Specifically, my grandma's quilt.<br /><br />My maternal grandma is by far the grandmother I have known the best. And at 94, she continues to amaze us with her wit and sense of humor. Unfortunately, time had not been as kind to her hands and she had long ago been forced to put away her embroidery needle and floss. However, she had one project that she was unable to finish. A quilt comprised of embroidered blocks that each feature one of the 50 U.S. states. She had thought it was a shame no one in the family quilted, so this project was slated to be donated to her Church group for finishing. Many years ago I had told her that I would be interested in learning how to quilt so that I could help with the project. It's taken some time, but my mom and I have decided to finish the quilt for her for Christmas. We thought she would enjoy seeing it all put together and we hope that it can serve as some decoration in her new home, a lovely private board and care home run by the most wonderful people that may have ever walked this Earth.<br /><br />In the last couple of weeks, my mom and I got out the quilt materials and took a look at what was there and what work was needed. My grandma had everything together, the pattern, the quilt blocks and the material she had picked out for the front borders and the back. It was so much fun to open up the pattern and see all of her notes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3943519736/" title="Grandma's Quilt by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3943519736_6fd58379ff_o.jpg" alt="Grandma's Quilt" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">The pattern envelope<br /></div><br />You can tell from the recycled return address label that she had mailed away for the pattern. And from there, she used the pattern envelope to complete her yardage calculations. We looked all over for a date or something to age the start of this project. We know at least that she received the pattern while she was still living in her home in Salt Lake City...her home that I grew up visiting as a child.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3943522530/" title="Grandma's Quilt by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/3943522530_c5414fabfd_o.jpg" alt="Grandma's Quilt" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Quilt layout and embroidery transfer</span><br /></div><br />The quilt pattern itself is slated to be a queen size quilt of significant size to not only contain all fifty state blocks, but also a rather large embroidered map of the U.S. right in the middle. Each state block contains the embroidered state as well as its state flower, state bird, the year it entered the Union and the order it joined. Fortunately for my mom and I, she completed all of the embroidery work (save a couple unfinished numbers or unknotted state capitals here and there).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3943522832/" title="Grandma's Quilt by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/3943522832_29acc906e9_o.jpg" alt="Grandma's Quilt" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Finished block<br />PS the rooster is intentionally gray in honor of the revolutionary soldiers</span><br /></div><br />It has also been very interesting to finish someone else's project and to decipher what she did compared to the pattern requirements. The first thing we noticed was that the blocks she embroidered are not the size called for in the pattern. She had arranged them to use as little fabric as possible and thus was planning for a somewhat smaller quilt. Since she really isn't in a position at this point to tell us why, it has been fun to guess. Was this a stash project and she was trying to only use the fabric she had on hand? Was she a conservationist and hated any potential fabric waste? Did she read the dimensions wrong? What I do know from reading all of your blogs all these years and from my own experience, there was surely a reason.<br /><br />I'm currently leaning on the stash theory as there is one panel of blocks with a clearly different shade of backing fabric. I had originally thought it might have been due to age, but that panel is consistently the same color, rather than only on the top or some other gradient to account for exposure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85484313@N00/3943523114/" title="Grandma's Quilt by Disentangled, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3943523114_1e5894e384_o.jpg" alt="Grandma's Quilt" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sample of finished blocks</span><br /></div><br />Now this isn't exactly a pattern I, or my mom for that matter, would normally pick out for ourselves. Its very 'intense' but sparse at the same time (because of the large white blocks and the large central US map). And frankly, it is rather huge. This kind of quilt also walks a fine line in the patriotic department. We ultimately decided that we didn't really need to follow the pattern to the t. Rather, I drew out a new layout of 60 blocks for the front, 50 states and 10 patterned blocks of fabric, and we decided to move the large US map to the back and piece it with the backing fabric. Finally, we also decided that the red fabric she had picked out for the front borders could use a little updating. So, with some sketchy yardage requirements and pattern notes, my mom and I headed for the fabric shop.<br /><br />Next time: the new fabric and cutting 50 blocks.Disentangledhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07857723058144849718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-25995062081359280352009-08-25T23:17:00.000-07:002009-08-25T23:45:59.254-07:00Sugary (Now With Added Sweetness!)When I knit <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/03/fo-sugary.html">Sugary</a>, I was still pregnant, and as much as I tried I couldn't even begin to picture the little girl who would eventually wear it, or imagine what she would be like. All I had was excitement over the little life I was growing and the anticipation of meeting her for the first time. I knew she would eventually be able to wear this top, but when? And how would she look in it?<br /><br />I waited to try it on her for the first time until we were amongst the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">knitty</span> gals (it seemed only appropriate), and wouldn't you know, it fits!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SpTTrd4g6UI/AAAAAAAABPg/iS2Ao3ZGOVQ/s1600-h/8-15-09-l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SpTTrd4g6UI/AAAAAAAABPg/iS2Ao3ZGOVQ/s400/8-15-09-l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374152999069346114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sugary, as modeled by Bean (a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">smidge</span> under 8 weeks at the time)</span><br /></span></div><br />This makes my heart smile on so many levels. Knitting gifts with friends or family in mind always makes me happy. Seeing the recipient wear or use the items makes me even happier. Knitting a sweater for my own child and then seeing her in it? Well that just bumps up the happiness quotient to an all time high!<br /><br />Bean, now two months old, is the most scrumptious morsel of sweetness- beyond anything I could have imagined. She brings indescribable amounts of joy to my life...and she looks pretty darned cute in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">handknits</span>, too! <br /><br />Thanks Bean, for making mommy's knitting look good. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12385099.post-88220417594268533562009-08-18T22:32:00.000-07:002009-08-18T23:21:10.745-07:00FO: Peacock and Cowl SwapAs I mentioned in <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/08/showered-more-like-downpour.html">my last post</a> my knitty gals and I participated in the most wonderful secret pal cowl swap recently, with the big exchange taking place this past weekend. <a href="http://www.katcoyle.com/blog/">Kat</a> was my cowl pal. She is a wonderfully warm, funny, and talented woman who is beautiful inside and out, and I was honored to knit a cowl for her.<br /><br />I have to admit I was initially a bit intimidated to knit for Kat. After all, I needed to knit something worthy of this amazing woman! I had originally wanted to design a cowl for her, but seeing as I wouldn't even be starting this until the latter part of my pregnancy, I soon realized that designing something was not going to be in the cards this time around. So then I embarked on a hunt for just the right pattern. I knew I wanted to knit something lightweight, delicate, and pretty. I came across this pattern on Ravelry and was immediately drawn to the stitch pattern and, considering the new phase in my life that I was about to enter, the name. ;) From there, I decided on the type of yarn and the color, and everything fell into place. I'm really happy with the end result.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo9QywhY5I/AAAAAAAABOw/VVzlOJUdIH8/s1600-h/Kat%27s+cowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo9QywhY5I/AAAAAAAABOw/VVzlOJUdIH8/s400/Kat%27s+cowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371172864305226642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(Note: The true color of the yarn is a deep peacock blue)</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Peacock</span><br />Pattern: <a href="http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com/good-luck-cowl/">Good Luck Cowl</a> by Christianne Gerstner<br />Yarn: Koigu KPM (100% merino wool) in 1050 (Peacock) - 1 skein<br />Needles: US5<br />Knit for: Kat<br /><br />I found the pattern enjoyable and I found it especially fun to knit for a friend...and an inspiring friend at that. I am in awe of Kat's talent and creativity - and not just as it applies to knitting, because everything she makes is inventive and lovely - I adore her paintings, and am in love with her crocheted pins and jewelry as well. (Even her design sketches are beautiful!) I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this cowl with Kat in mind, and I'm tickled that she likes it, too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo9YGyj6GI/AAAAAAAABO4/KVkswbHUdSY/s1600-h/Kat+with+cowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo9YGyj6GI/AAAAAAAABO4/KVkswbHUdSY/s400/Kat+with+cowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371172989941573730" border="0" /></a>As for my cowl, <a href="http://yummyyarn.indus3ous.com/">MJ</a> made mine, and it is perfection! The stitch pattern is both lacy and cabley (could there be a better combination?), the fiber is fabulous, and the color is amazing!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo9CEQ6C1I/AAAAAAAABOo/ZK-wc_s80kg/s1600-h/cowl+from+MJ.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo9CEQ6C1I/AAAAAAAABOo/ZK-wc_s80kg/s400/cowl+from+MJ.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371172611306425170" border="0" /></a>I have been completely spoiled by MJ! <a href="http://alittleloopy.blogspot.com/2009/08/showered-more-like-downpour.html">If you'll recall</a>, not only did she knit this gorgeous cowl for me, she also made that amazing quilt and booties for Bean! I don't know what I did to deserve all this, but I do know that I love and appreciate it all. I heart that girl...and I heart my cowl!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo88HIcq9I/AAAAAAAABOg/i6H8pf4xWeQ/s1600-h/8-15-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/Soo88HIcq9I/AAAAAAAABOg/i6H8pf4xWeQ/s400/8-15-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371172508997037010" border="0" /></a>This swap was the first one we've done, and it was a big success! Thanks, <a href="http://mindofwinter.prettyposies.com/">Julia</a>, for organizing! We all enjoyed the process of choosing a pattern for our special pals, and we all ended up loving the cowls we knit, as well as the cowls that were knit for us. I guess that's the fun of doing a swap between friends. It's also fun because when you swap, you also have an excuse to hang out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SouFCtTErjI/AAAAAAAABPI/rLEQXh7aTUE/s1600-h/the+scene.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SouFCtTErjI/AAAAAAAABPI/rLEQXh7aTUE/s400/the+scene.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371533262135275058" border="0" /></a>Gathering at Julia's over a big table of food, drink, and chit-chat is one of my favorite pastimes. <a href="http://www.rainydaygoods.com/">Mary-Heather</a> was even able to join us (with her cowl) via Skype! It was so great to have her *there* with us again, just like old times. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SouFRlCaQ9I/AAAAAAAABPQ/TRKfysZAVog/s1600-h/mh+with+cowl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SouFRlCaQ9I/AAAAAAAABPQ/TRKfysZAVog/s400/mh+with+cowl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371533517615940562" border="0" /></a>Yay, technology! We all loved being able to see and chat with MH again...Felix especially. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SouFZUh84WI/AAAAAAAABPY/0N6gSzkE5nw/s1600-h/talking+to+mh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_irHgz0LVUGE/SouFZUh84WI/AAAAAAAABPY/0N6gSzkE5nw/s400/talking+to+mh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371533650623783266" border="0" /></a> Thanks again, ladies- for supplying the impetus for a really fun and gratifying knitting project, and for some much needed dedicated girl time. I heart you all! *mwah*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com5