Missy's Market Bag

My sister-in-law had a birthday in April and I wanted to make her a birthday present; inspired by the spring and the fact that her favorite color is red. It took longer than I expected it to, but I finished. She still doesn't have it (and doesn't know it's coming unless she reads this), but what is a month and a half late when you are dealing with something handmade right?

Based off of many market bags I have seen around town I decided to make it personal for her and vary it a little. I used two tones of red yarn to give it texture and sewed on an added a flower at the top for fun. I think it turned out well given that I was making the pattern up as I went along. It is very expandable to hold all sorts of fruits and veggies that you might find at a farmer's market.

I hope she likes it!

I love spring!

Okay, so I know this is a lot of activity on my blog after being absent for months on end but I guess you could say I have been working hard and storing up. I'll try to space out my other projects that I have done in the last couple months so that you aren't too overwhelmed. Today is a little rainy and colder than just a t-shirt would allow for so I am wearing one of my favorite sweaters that I made. Since I haven't posted it before I thought I'd share it. Like many of my projects this sweater was inspired by yarn that I had laying around. It just goes to show you that if you don't act on impulse occasionally you may never know what could come of it.



For next time: I am currently working on fun spring/summer project. It's hard to know what to knit in the summer when it's hot everywhere you go and the last thing you want is to put something warm on your body. Stay tuned for a preview in the next couple weeks.

Also, a big thanks to my dear friend Beth who sent me some delicious blue and yellow chunky wool in the mail!!! I can't wait to see what it turns into. I'll try and get to it before the weather get's too hot!

Spring is Here

Belted cardigan with tulip-sleeves and shell buttons!

Warm weather has come and with it all the new leaves and flowers. This cardigan is inspired by the new growth I see all around me. I saw this mohair in the yarn store a few years ago and knew it was meant for something special and could not pass it up. After holding onto it for a while I started sketching some ideas and low and behold here she is. Soft, lofty, romantic and just warm enough to layer over a t-shirt on a spring afternoon.

Two-Tone Cable Sweater

I made this sweater a couple of years ago to keep warm in the winter when it's butt-freezing cold. (I have a friend that tells me there are two kinds of cold: Butt-freezing and Booger-freezing.) I wanted to post it now because I feel like this year out of all the previous years that I have had it I have finally gotten to really appreciate it for what it is.

It was made from a 100% wool yarn that my grandma had started to make a sweater for my mom from when my mom was in high school. My grandma had only made the first eight inches of the first panel so it was not too hard to pull out and reuse with my own design. I gave it double pockets and a two-way zipper.


Note:
For those of you that are wondering why I started this blog but don't keep it up it's because I knit too much to make the time to sit at the computer! I will try and get some pictures this week of some of the projects that I made this season and post them for all of your enjoyment.

Summer Racerback Tank in Watermelon

This is the back piece, I just started the front yesterday. I hope to have it done in another week so I can wear it during the heatwave that happens here in New York at the end of July and beginning of August.

Yarn:
Knit Picks
Shine Worsted
60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal

Machine Wash & Tumble Dry

Neck Warmer

Here is my first photo of a knit project I made, unfortunately this isn't my innovative design but it's something that is very useful, it's a neck warmer. A neck warmer is kind of like a scarf but doesn't require all the wrapping and winding, you just pull it on over your head. Men seem to love them, especially because it's not feminine, like a scarf. It's pretty no-nonsense for the wearer, but can be made to look very nice. This one is part of a nice "hat & scarf" set in a cashmere silk blend tweed yarn. They are also great for skiing, which is were I ran across my first one made out of fleece. This knit version is a lot nicer than the fleece version and transitions from city life to mountain without fuss.

Welcome!

You know how you can think about things for a very long time and they are great ideas but they never come to fruition? I have been thinking about this blog and the ideas behind it for over a year. I can't believe it's starting after so much thought. It's practically a miracle.