January things.

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I caved and started another sweater. I couldn’t resist– I found the perfect pattern that fit my criteria: top-down, in the round, and larger-than-worsted weight. Finding the yarn was a bit of a fiasco, but I found the most luscious solution: Dream in Color’s Calm. It is actually a worsted weight, so I am sizing up in the pattern. I’ve already completed the oversized collar and on to the raglan increases. This yarn is truly calming to work with, I am loving it!

the neck!

In other news, I made my first knit shirt! It’s Deer and Doe’s Plantain (FREE!!). It was surprisingly not that difficult, really fast to make, and I used my regular machine!!! I made a few errors with this first shirt, but it was a learning experience, and the fabric was $2/yard. I am planning on making another one tomorrow that’s longer, and without the elbow patches. If this one goes well I may look into buying a serger (Eeep!), because all summer I basically live in my alternative apparel slinky knit dress. If I could make ones similar… that would be awesome!

#crappy selfie

Currently baking/enjoying: almond biscotti– its breathing life into my morning coffee!

i cant live without making lists!

The Scoop.

emilyWools1 Comment

Here’s what I’ve been up to, now that I have a moment to reflect (and all projects/gifts for the holidays have been distributed).

A hat for my friend Hannah:

A shawl for Jacob’s mom:
Fingerless glovies for my sister:
Ear warmers (to pull over a bike helmet) for Jacob:
And a hat for Chrissy (the LUCKY recipient of a work White Elephant):

 Phew! Those are the gifts. now for the other stuff…

I wanted to make a fancy skirt for our annual Christmas party, so I went into my ever-growing fabric stash and used some (i think) silk from the Center for Creative Reuse. I used Gertie’s skirt tutorial, but made the waistband much wider, put the zipper in the center back of the skirt, lined it, added pockets, and added volume with a layer of tulle. Also, the blind hem is so lovely. Please excuse the awk selfies. The last pic is from my friend John (the one I’m kissing on the cheek!)

When I was at my parents this past weekend, I went to the PA Fabric Outlet. WOW. I will be going there again for sure. Leather hides, $2/yard table, buttons, zippers, tassles, ribbon… it just was a rando fabric heaven. I got a beautiful piece of buttery mauve leather, a bunch of zippers, some silk and some cotton knits. Here’s a pic:

and here’s some of what i bought:
So that’s about it! To put it simply, things have been really crafty around here!