Socks and a scarf.

 My husband had surgery last week. While waited for him I took the opportunity to work on these socks. His surgery was a lot longer than either of us expected, so I got a lot done. I think I started them in November. The pattern is called Jaywalker and is available here for free. I used Knit Picks Felici sock yarn in Minty. They are kind of hard to get on and off, but they are really warm and comfy and I love they way they look.

 This scarf was for my neighbors 18th birthday. She said she loves bright pink and bright green. This is just a  simple single rib knit scarf. It's made out of Vickie Howell Sheep(ish).

While I was knitting away last Friday, CNN was on in the waiting room. I watched in horror as the news unfolded of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I feel a great sadness over this incident. Two of my children attend our local elementary school in our quiet commuter town. I feel like it could have been us, and wish there was something I could do to make a difference for those who survived. While listening to the radio I heard about this request from the Sandy Hook PTA. It's for snowflakes, to turn the school into a winter wonderland for the students. I'm sure they hope it will help with the healing, as they return to school after the Christmas break. I plan on making some with my kids over the break and I hope you will too.
Happy Christmas to you all.

Hermione hats, big and small.

 My sister's birthday present finally arrived, so here is a picture of me wearing her hat. It another Hermione Cable and Eyelet hat. this time I made it in Lion Brands Wool-Ease in Oxford Grey. It should have probably been a tad bit lighter in colour to be authentic. I like to think of this particular sister as being the real Hermione Granger. When I first read the Harry Potter books I pictured her. She even ended up marrying a red headed fellow with the initials R.W.

I accidentally made a small version of the hat first. I guess I wasn't paying much attention. I think it looks pretty good on my little one. I'm not sure how much she will wear it though, since it's not purple or pink.

 Here is the lovely Emma Watson, wearing the original in the 'Half Blood Prince'. I love the pretty cables that you can't see too well in my pictures.

Global Warming

 I had wanted to share with you something I made for one of my sister's birthday. I posted/mailed it three weeks ago, but I'm getting worried it got lost with all the troubles that Hurricane Sandy brought. I really hope it will turn up soon, but in the mean time I will share this sweater, I made for myself.

The pattern is called 'Global Warming', and is available as a free download on Ravelry. I knit it up in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed in the colour Brass Heather. The sweater is ment to have a pocket on the front like the kind you find on a hoodie. For me it just didn't feel right, so I just didn't add it. I made it slightly bigger than the pattern by casting on 12 extra stitches and knitting it 4 inches longer. I fell in love with the puff sleeves. I think they are so cute.

It's really warm, when I first wore it I had to put a jacket over it, because my arm were too cold. Then I found this shirt on sale, and knew it would work perfectly underneath the sweater. I plan on making more of these, perhaps with a slightly lower neckline, and maybe in a cotton blend yarn for the Spring. This one is just perfect for the Autumn though.

Flower Fairy

I just made one costume this year for Halloween. My crafting time and budget has been slashed. Little Miss I has decided she is done with napping, and I don't really have the financial backing to make whatever I like. So this costume was made entirely from my stash. I even already had the pattern. It's the McCalls Flower Fairy Friends Pattern. It was supposed to have a waistcoat/vest with it, but I didn't have any contrasting fabric on hand that I cared to use. I found this tutorial on making fabric flowers. I made two, one bigger than the other and joined them together, then sewed them onto some elastic to make a hair band. She already had the wand and wings. My son said she looked a lot like the Little Princess from the Tony Ross books that we are loving right now, and I have to agree.

What do you think? Hope your Halloween is all treats and no tricks.

Lavender lap quilt and pillow case.

 Little Miss I. knew that as soon as I finished Miss C's quilt it was her turn. I have been collecting fabric for this one almost as long as for Miss C's. I had a very clear idea of the colours I wanted, and it wasn't available at Joann's. I did find two fat quarters there actually. I got two more at PurlSoho when I was there last December. The rest came form a quilt show I went to in March in Lancaster, PA. There, I really hit the jackpot. They had a great bunch of vendors along with lot's of inspirational quilts. Oh, the quilt pattern is one I've used twice before. It's from the book Bend the rules of sewing by Amy Carol.

Now that my oldest is back to school and my middle one is in school in the afternoons, I managed to find the time to finish this quilt and also whip up a matching pillow case that saw on pinterest that I highly recommend.

Little Miss I. is pleased as punch. Now I just need to get on with painting the toddler bed white, so I can get her out of her cot/crib. Little Mr M. is next in line for a new quilt and has just today approved my fabric choices. So you all have that to look forward to, I guess!

Tiny Tea Leaves Cardi

 A little while back my library knitting group had a yarn swap. The members were eager to do some stash busting. I didn't really have a stash to bust. I did bring along a book I managed to have two of, and came home with a wonderfully large bag of free yarn. I decided it was time to buy some patterns, since I didn't have to pay for the yarn, why not!?! I love this little cardi pattern. The yarn is called Katia Arc En Ciel. It's discontinued, so if you want some I don't know how you would find any, sorry. Because I only had the two skeins of yarn I had to make the sleeves shorter than the pattern called for. I don't mind though. I think my Little Miss I. looks so cute in it. I got  the buttons for the grand total of 6 cents. I know, I'm a big spender. I found them at a local thrift shop that has a little room dedicated to craft supplies. I'm always inspired by my friend over at Enjoy The Simple Things. She's been know to pick up a bargain at that same spot.

Little Miss I., just before Church on Sunday in her new cardi.

Tiny Grrlfriend Market Bag

 I already made one of these market bags for my mother. This one is for my mother-in-law. The pattern is available for free here. This time I used 2nd Time Cotton by Knit One Crochet Too. I also went with smaller needles, US size 6. Here is a tutorial on YouTube for the beginning that I found helpful.

I love it in it's tiny form. I'm sure I will be using this pattern many more times. Is there a pattern that you go back to again and again?