Let the Games Begin!

This year I decided to participate in the "Ravellenic Games" (which was once know by the name Ravelympics.... until the US Olympic Committee decided to be lame).

The goal is to challenge yourself by starting and finishing one or more projects during the course of the Olympic games. There are 32 official "events" from the "Afghan Marathon" to the "WIPs (Works in Progress) Wresting".

I am participating in the "Mitten Medley" and double challenging myself with some (ack!) colorwork! I am knitting a pattern I purchased and downloaded directly from Ravelry: The Blomst Mittens. I love the country-retro feel!


This is my project so far - I started Saturday - I really loved these colors together in the hank, but now that I am knitting them I wish the purple was more red-orange and than the gold was more beige-tan. The green does not pop like I wanted it too, and the purple just looks out of place.... however, I will keep knitting away in hopes that they will grow on me.


The long-term plan for these mittens is to knit them in a variety of color combinations and gift them out to aunts and sisters. The yarn (Berroco Vintage DK) is super soft and comes in a lot of lovely colors so I think I will buy a couple different colors to try out with the leftovers from this pair.

Sew a Project Bag out of a Man's Shirt!

Last week I made this great project bag out of one of David's old shirts! Shirting fabric is perfect for project bags... it is strong and smooth so it is gentle on your yarn.


1. Pick out your shirt! I like the rusty colors in this one, and the plaid is very nice for helping cut and sew straight lines.


2. Decide how long/tall you want your bag.  Keep in mind that you will be folding over the top edge for the drawstring, and you will need some space for seaming at the bottom. I cut mine about 18 inches long, next time I will make it 16 or 17.


3. I just used the width from the button band to the edge (less cutting and finishing!). This shirt has the little split at the bottom edge (see the fold?). I just use that for the drawstring casing!




4. Remove the buttons, with the right sides facing, sew the side and bottom seams (seam allowance doesn't really matter). Then fold over the top (what was the bottom edge of the shirt) and sew it down to make the drawstring casing. I made my drawstring out of a crocheted chain of dishcloth cotton. I also zigzagged any raw edges inside the bag.


Yay! It's not very fancy, but it works - and I'm going to make more!

Sweater #6: The Baby Kimono

Welcome sweater #6! Earlier this week I finished up this little gem.  I even used the "correct" method for sewing up my seams (ugh! seaming!). The pattern is the Miss Sadie Baby Kimono, a free download on Ravelry. The yarn is humble Hobby Lobby Snowflake Wool Blend. I love the orange-purple combination, and I think I have enough yarn left to make a little matching hat.



Clare graciously modeled - the sizing is 3 to 6 months... so it is a little snug on almost 12 month old Clare!! I can't believe it has been almost a year. I really liked this pattern, the fit is really sweet. It would make a nice boyish sweater as well - in the right yarn and with a couple manly buttons.



My little doll in her butterfly jammies... she poses brilliantly next to the dog food pail, doesn't she? :)

In other knitting news, I have been getting into knitting podcasts - mainly "Knitting in Circles" with Aimee and Darren. I might have to knit myself some socks...

Stay tuned, sweater #7 will be here soon!