unfurled

Valentine's Blimp

2012-02-09T07:10:00.002Z

Only 7 weeks to go (well, a bit more, and then she might be late) on the maternity front, and I believe I've finished up sewing from my vintage maternity patterns. This last dress, made of gorgeous red wool from Fabric Depot, is for Valentine's Day (Mr. Jones: "Why, wha? What's happening for Valentine's Day?" I shrug.)

This is the pattern. On it, written in pen, is the date 2/15/71. Almost Valentine's Day itself! I love all the variations, especially the puff sleeve, and the necktie.

On a rare sunny day in Portland, Mr. Jones and I took a walk with the camera, only to get locked out of our house. So I posed in the streets on the way to the landlord's house to get a spare key. How funny he thought it was to have me pose by the graffiti "blimp" in my current state! Ok, it's a lil' bit funny...

And in front of the neighborhood firehouse...if only it was Engine 14!

I'm not sure what we'll do for heart day, but I'm planning to make some special treats. I haven't baked anything in what feels like years.

Whatever we do, it's crazy to think this will be our last Valentine's Day alone, before a little one joins us in April!

Baby Pattern, with History

2012-02-06T20:19:00.013Z

This past Christmas I got an interesting gift from my Mother-in-Law's best friend Judy. Judy does not knit, but knows that I do. Judy's mum was also a keen knitter. So she gifted me a xerox copied pattern, 2 balls of corresponding yarn, and this card:

The note inside reads: "Dear Holly, My mum has made this coat so many times. I thought you might like to make it for your baby girl. It must be 40 years old, the pattern." So I made it!

It's a lace picot matinee coat by Patons UK (Ravelry details here). Turns out Judy's mum made one for almost every member of her own family, as well as every new member of Mr. Jones' family, including my husband, Mr. Jones!

I can't decide whether to add three buttons at the top with a crochet closure, but I have some sweet ones standing by should I decide to, later.

Let me tell you, in working the intricate lace yolk I realized that Judy's mum was a pretty savvy knitter (I was, at times, screaming with frustration while also learning new British to American knitting terms: "yfwd yrn" anyone?). In the process, I have fallen in love with picot edges. So simple and gorgeous!

I love this sweater, and I love the history of the pattern, passed on to a future generation, from Birmingham, England to Portland, Oregon. Thanks so much, Judy!

Jean and Chuck: Parental Preperation

2012-01-25T23:45:00.006Z

When we last heard from Jean, she was squatting around the house, limbering up for delivery. These days, she and her husband Chuck are doing similar things to Mr. Jones and me, to prepare for our upcoming addition (please click on these hilarious photos to enlarge):

I might be hemming and crafting all sorts of things for the baby, but Mr. Jones isn't so 'up' on that insurance idea quite yet. We did go for a tour of our hospital, however.

Boys have all the fun, don't they? Straight for the gas, probably giggling away...

Oh how I love this image. I'd love for Mr. Jones to meet with a pediatrician (or psychiatrist!) to discuss improvements over his own childhood. They might never let him out of the hospital, with all his great ideas...

Of course the women are left to see where they'll actually deliver the baby, without their husbands. Mr. Jones and I did our hospital tour together, of course. But the looks on these ladies faces were the same as ours: interest, resignation, or shall I say nervous anticipation.

Next up: Jean gives birth!

Single Breasted Cream Puff

2012-01-20T20:14:00.009Z

After all that color, I made something neutral and classic. I knit it in pieces, too, which is such a lovely change after going 'round and 'round with circular knitting. It sat unassembled in my craft room for weeks. Finally I sewed it up, and added some "grandpa" vintage buttons.

The pattern is called "Cream Puff", from this vintage pattern book that I found at an estate sale. How I love vintage patterns! So clear, hardly ever a mistake, and the sweetest, most timeless styles...

The pattern, pictured below, was originally double-breasted, but I changed it to be single. I also made stockinette sleeves. I almost lined the sweater, nervous that the gorgeous wool (I have to find the tag, I bought it at Sock Summit this past year, and it was the nicest I've had in a while) might be too scratchy for our future cream puff. When I blocked the sweater, though, it was soft and creamy, like butter.

The stitch pattern is lovely, too. I think she might need to hold a (knitted?) pipe when she wears this one.

The pregnancy is still going well. I'm getting quite BIG now, and we couldn't be more excited for the beginning of April to arrive. I need to put down the knitting needles and work on a nursery!

Rainbow Brite

2012-01-10T02:29:00.007Z

I knitted this dress for our upcoming "strawberry" (as we call her), with yarn leftovers from so many other projects I've knitted in the past year. I love how it came out, an outfit for an 80s video game character.

The pattern is "Little Sister's Dress" by Tora Froseth. It's free (so generous!), really simple, and you can download it here (my Ravelry details are here).

I am excited to add something girly to my baby's stash without adding more pastel. Not that there's anything wrong with pastel, and I do like pink, but gad, you end up with a lotta lotta pink for the girls, don't you?

I wanted some rainbow buttons for the side closure, or maybe something featuring Rainbow Brite herself. Finding nothing appropriate, I attached the big black discs and now like them just as much. She's outfitted for tea with a Care Bear, or a ride on My Little Pony. Game over!

2011, in Review

2012-01-09T19:47:00.004Z

I'm a bit late reflecting on 2011, but it was a pretty good year. We lived in Oregon the whole year, worked on a new film, and got married in Hawaii. I also worked on a trailer for Oliver & S., did a lot of sewing and knitting, designed a baby vest and wrote up the pattern, and found out I was pregnant!

Of course that last item makes 2012 a pretty exciting year to come. Thanks for continuing to stop by!

Copycat Christmas

2012-01-06T20:55:00.007Z

One of the things I had to get done before Christmastime was to knit a copycat stocking. The stocking on the left is my brother-in-law's, from his childhood. Since marrying my sister last Summer, he really wanted her to have a matching one (or at least a complimentary one) to hang on their fireplace. He mentioned this request to me last Christmas, and when it came in the mail after Thanksgiving this year, I knew the request had become imminent.

It was an incredibly challenging task, from finding the right color wool in the right weight, to matching the fuzzy textures on the faces. In the end I think it came out OK, but copycatting is certainly not for the faint of craft!
Have you ever done anything similar?

Santa, in the Sunshine

2012-01-03T20:11:00.012Z

There must be some joke in the fact that we spent part of our winter vacation in somewhere called "Santa" anything, but Santa Monica was a lovely surprise in its village-y charm. The weather was absolutely stunning, and we walked, biked, and bused through the streets in balmy 78 degrees.

California really lives up to your imagination, doesn't it? Whether you've pictured the skateboarders, the palm trees, the far-off mountains, the sunsets, the highways, the strip malls, or wide flat streets that go on for ages, it always lives up.

When living in New York or London, I've had hosted visitors that marvel that "it really looks like the movies". California is one of the few places where I have that feeling. And yet, it's a movie I like to visit more than inhabit permanently. It's like a dream you know is not part of real life.

Mr. Jones and I spent New Years with old friends, in a reunion with great food, and a midnight Austrian waltz to "The Blue Danube". We gazed at a few far-off fireworks over the beach.

We learned new traditions like this Feurzangenbowle. Of course there was none for me, but the site of it smoldering was certainly quite mesmerizing!

Also enchanting was the Bleigießen. I think everyone decided mine was a bird of some description, but there were also dragons, flowers, and lots of good fortune predicted.

New Years Day we put our feet in the sand and soaked up the cloudless sky.

Perhaps our last holiday before someone's arrival, it lovely to stare at the sea and wonder...

What's in store for us in 2012? Happy New Year, Everyone!

Scrap Bibs, Hung with Care

2011-12-21T18:21:00.007Z

I have been in my suitcase of scrap fabric, whipping up bibs for the unborn! It's the perfect project for an hour of sewing: a tiny bit of two different fabrics (I used a template from this book) stitched together and turned inside out, a random button from my jar, and one buttonhole. Voila! A little stack would make such a great shower or Christmas gift.

I've hung them on an Amish Fireplace in celebration of our upcoming trip to Pennsylvania for Christmas. Happy Holidays to you all!

Off the List

2011-12-20T17:18:00.009Z

Wow, where have I been, huh? The answer is, that I've been fulfilling a lot of Christmas/end of the year obligations. These are the kinds of things I expressed enthusiasm for when I had more time and energy. Then time became short, and people around me became anxious for their completion. Now, with almost everything crossed off my list, I can finally see some Christmas relaxation on the horizon.

This was one big accomplishment:

Back in Summer, I solicited recipes from many of my coworkers for this company cookbook. The recipes were so great! Then I lost energy. With the help of the Mr. Jones, and the lovely Vera (who drew this sweet cover and additional little drawings inside), and Jocelyn on proofreading, I madly rushed to complete it over the Thanksgiving break.

In the end, we had 136 recipes from 82 people, sold out all 130 copies, and made over $600 for the Oregon Food Bank. It felt good to do something for charity (something I'd love to get back to doing in the New Year), and felt even better to get it done!
How is your pre-Christmas list looking, good people?

How Little I Know

2011-12-06T22:10:00.007Z

I've been making a few things in "newborn" size, but I think they've all come out too big. If I'm giving birth to a newborn this size in April, I really have reason to be frightened.

At any rate, this adorable top is "Tummy Warmer" (free pattern here). It was the easiest and most satisfying pattern I've worked for months (and the pattern photos sold it to me; how cute is that baby?!). The bloomers are from this book, which I recently bought for a deep discount, following my rule for craft books: they must have at least 3 patterns I would definitely make. Baby will probably wear/use none of them, but I'll give it a try. After all, what do I know?

Playing in the Leaves

2011-12-01T16:34:00.005Z

Happy December, everyone! 4 months from tomorrow is my due date. It feels like a long time to go, but I'm hanging in there and looking forward to meeting our Strawberry (that's how she's referred to, these days). In the meantime, I'm still sewing homemade maternity clothes. Most recently I made this shirt:

I found a bag of Liberty fabric at an estate sale for $5 (don't you just love estate sales?!). Most of it was smaller pieces, but this (almost) 3 yard cut made a really comfy maternity blouse. I like the buttons at the back.

I used this vintage pattern (found at the Goodwill, in a bag of patterns for $4.99). Of course I was attracted to the Peter Pan collar, but in the end didn't put it on. I thought it got lost among the fabric's print. I've also made the jumper, though there are still some decisions to be made. It looked too plain and frumpy when first donned, so I was thinking about chopping it up. I pulled it out of the closet this morning, however, and thought its plainness sort of cute! So decisions are still up in the air.

At any rate, I'm enjoying this free and easy blouse in these final days of Fall. I know the blouse's colors are more Springtime, but as I play in the season's last leaves, I can feel the small person inside me kicking and squirming.

I guess when I chose this print, I gave her some leaves to play in, too!

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-23T16:06:00.003Z

It's Thanksgiving here in the US tomorrow. This year we're staying in Portland, cooking a meal with friends, hopefully getting lots of rest and oh, we're definitely seeing the Muppets!.

If you're celebrating, I hope you have a safe and savory one! Seeded soda bread recipe here (I added raisins, too). Great for a lazy weekend breakfast.

Jung Jung

2011-11-22T00:44:00.003Z

This crochet has blown my mind. Thanks to Peg and Sarah for showing me!

Bean Paste Pancakes

2011-11-21T21:43:00.005Z

As previously mentioned, I made the bean paste pancake.

Lovely, for a once in a while treat.

Sheldon Conch

2011-11-17T17:46:00.003Z

You remember Marcel? I know you know, but...he's back! And just as good as the first time around.

Sets of Small Things

2011-11-16T17:56:00.006Z

Some sets of things, for the baby. I know so many pregnant ladies now, that I may give away a set or two before my own pregnancy is over.

Norwegian Baby Cap (free pattern here) and Baby Mocs (free pattern here).

Norwegian Baby Cap (same pattern as above) this time with strings added, and Baby Moc-a-Socs. Ravelry notes are here. I'm slowly making my way through my scrap stash!

Before I found out the gender of this baby, I was so hoping it was a girl so that the clothes I knit would be suitable. Now I'm realizing that so much of what I knit could go to either a boy or a girl! Girly garments await, I'm sure.

Special Kneads: Bean Bun, Trial 1

2011-11-14T17:27:00.008Z

Bean buns are one of my favorite foods. When I was in college, there was a place called "VP2" (still there?) around the corner from my dorm on Washington Square West, that served amazing baked and steamed buns with beans and fake meat. A few years ago, I found a great place in London's Chinatown that sold fresh steamed bean buns for £2. Here in Portland, I can only buy frozen ones at Uwajimaya. Though still a good choice, I've decided to try crafting my own, in a few different varieties.

For this baked bean bun, I used my usual weekly bread dough, filled the rolls bean paste from this recipe, and baked them off.

They were great! We had them with soup, and I froze the rest for quick breakfasts to take to work. They tasted like a bialy, and the paste was the perfect taste, if just a touch dry. Next time I'll add 2 tsp of oil to the mix after mashing.

Next up: I'm going to use my Krumkake maker to craft pancake-style bean treats, like Angela's store-bought variety, maybe with sesame seeds on top? I'm working my way up to the coveted steamed kind. Any tips, anyone?

The Story of Jean

2011-11-11T22:50:00.006Z

In preparation for childbirth, I am studying a 1950 edition of "Understanding Natural Childbirth: A Book for the Expectant Mother" by Herbert Thoms, MD, photos by David Linton. I bought it at the Goodwill for $3.99. It was previously owned by Joan Paglin of Berkley, CA, and previous to Joan, M.C. Bennett, M.D. I will be adding my name to the inside front cover.

The book follows the story of Jean, as she prepares for childbirth in some of her everyday activities. Here are some of her exercises. I am trying to follow suit.

I think all moms-to-be could learn a thing or two from these great tips. More from Jean soon...her birth story is one of the most exciting I have read!

Homemade Maternity in Seersucker

2011-11-07T22:20:00.009Z

This isn't really a maternity pattern. Instead, it's a normal pattern with generous inset perfect for maternity time (and that would be now). It came out looking very vintage maternity though, like something Rosemary might wear, don'cha think?

I didn't make any changes to the pattern. I used gray/white seersucker I got at the Fabric Depot Outdoor Sale for $3 a yard, along with some red Kona cotton. I had the buttons in my stash, and used a lot of sweet vintage bias tape, to add more stripes and spots on the inside. It makes me smile to look at it.

I wore the dress on a warm fall Sunday, to kick up my heels at the playground. I am the Portland Beyonce (don't you know), and when my dress crinkles a certain way you even doubt I'm really pregnant, right?

I might make another one of these. Who doesn't love a swingy dress with no fitted waist, even when your tummy isn't getting larger by the week?

I carry on with this homemade maternity journey even though, day by day, my tights get ever tighter...

Cascade, for future days

2011-11-02T15:59:00.003Z

After I saw how sweet Elizabeth's daughter looked in Cascade (free pattern here), I knew I wanted to knit this cardigan myself. So many of my knitting projects lately have been top-down raglans. I'm used to their construction, and they almost always yield a great result.

This pattern (Ravelry details here) was just enough of what I knew, and just enough experimentation to be fast and satisfying. The yarn, Tosh Vintage, was so luxurious I imagine I'll knit with it again.

It's for you-know-who, but since I made the 12 month size, it'll be over a year before she can wear it. Nevermind, something (else) to look forward to!

Happy Halloween + Links

2011-10-31T15:46:00.003Z

Hello! This is the first Halloween in a long time that I haven't dressed up. Sometimes it's important to give yourself an 'out', you know? Plus, if all goes well in the next year, I'll have a small one to dress up for Halloween 2012. I can't wait for that!

This is last year's costume, where Mr. Jones and I went as these two characters:

Here are other Halloweens I've done (1, 2). Hope you're having a fun one!

In my baking life, I have recently made (and not photographed):

Amy's Apple Cake (a little dry. heed what she's saying about adding a sauce, or eat it as a nice breakfast cake, with tea).
My favorite cookies again (this time subbing half the butter for a half cup of apple sauce and cranberries for chocolate chips. divine.)
More sourdough bread (the starter is still going! And we are loving it.)

The Paranorman website has launched today. I think a lot is planned over there, so stay tuned!

Paranorman Trailer + Poster

2011-10-28T20:09:00.006+01:00

Exciting news, friends! The poster and trailer for the movie I'm currently working on is out today!

The film won't be out until August (seems like ages away, doesn't it?) but I'm excited to show you a bit of it now (Google Reader people there is a movie on this post. Come over to my blog to see)!

For the Pumpkin Within

2011-10-25T20:49:00.004+01:00

Have I told you that I hate maternity clothes? I mean, I hate almost all maternity clothes on the market today. What is it about pregnancy that would make me want to wear synthetic fibers, almost exclusively? So I'm making some outfits of my own. I don't know if I have the time to make enough of them for a wardrobe, but I'm doing whatever I can with a 55 hr./week work schedule.

I found this pattern at the thrift shop for $1, and in a moment of 70s inspiration (those come to me more frequently than other kinds) I bought some complementary corduroy at Fabric Depot and made this dress. I also added a pocket.

My strategy is to make clothing big enough that I can grow into it things, instead of constantly buying things I'll be busting out of, month after month.

I particularly love the back, which I can let out incrementally, to make the front more accommodating.

The dress served me well at the pumpkin patch (we took a lovely drive to Krugar Farm), where I bought many pumpkins. I've made pumpkin soup, pumpkin thai curry, bombay pumpkin, and many toasted seeds. With this diet/pregnancy/wardrobe, I will soon resemble a pumpkin, but there are worse things. Do you have any maternity clothing solutions to share?

The Smocking SAGA

2011-10-17T20:41:00.007+01:00

Recently I've taken what I'm calling a "sew-cation", a trip on my own, to learn new skills and be with people I never would have met otherwise. With my current situation, I have a feeling I won't get too many more of these in coming months/years!

I went to the Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) annual convention. This year, it was in Anaheim, California. I attended the conventions two "pre-days", called 'Aneheim Down Under', taught by Australian smocker Judith Adams and Lyn Weeks. I learned so much, and had a great time!

My classes focused on making a Bishops Dress, named for English Bishops who wore them so many centuries ago. Now a popular style of heirloom sewing, they look so sweet on little girls. I feel so motivated to make one for our future baby.

The first class I took was Intermediate level, though it was originally listed for Beginners. At first, I was pretty overwhelmed. By the second day, however, I was much more relaxed, and it was so much fun to be around women from all over the world, focused on this specialized technique. I came away with two gorgeous kits, and the skills to almost believe I can finish them.

I've been doing a little smocking here and there, so as not to forget what I've learned. There's so much practice I need to do, let alone work on the garments' construction. I'm already dreaming of going to next year's convention in Atlanta, with more experience under my belt. Check out these gorgeous dresses by Judith Adams:

Smocking is such meticulous work that each night I retreated to my hotel room to knit a sweater for myself on giant 6.5mm needles, just for relief. A trip, just for myself, to indulge my interest, is just what I needed to reinvigorate myself when the queue of projects at home got so long and overwhelming. Have you ever taken one?

More photos here.

An Announcement

2011-10-14T19:36:00.010+01:00

I've been ignoring this blog, but not without good reason. For the past few months, I haven't done much crafting. Truth is, I haven't felt well at all.

There's a good reason for that, however. Mr. Jones and I are expecting our first child in April. An unexpected souviner from our recent trip to Hawaii, we know we're having a girl, and we're so excited.

This raglan sweater is the first thing I've knitted specifically for her, and now that the sickly part of this pregnancy has mostly past, the crafting is back in full swing. I'm making things for her, and I'm making things for me. I've sourced a few great vintage maternity patterns, and am hoping to solve current and future wardrobe problems with them. I've also taken a "sew-cation"! I'll tell you about it very soon.

Thanks for still stopping by!

Sweater People

2011-09-27T23:49:00.000+01:00

Is there anything cuter than these two?

Sourdough Details

2011-09-23T20:23:00.001+01:00

Here's my Sourdough Bible of the moment, friends. It's doing me well, and I can't wait to try more recipes from it. I used up my first batch of starter. I thought that was maybe it for my interest in sourdough. Then, I started missing it. I guess it really is like a pet! So this coming warm weekend I'll be fermenting some more.

I also made the prune cake I was talking about in my last post. It was DELICIOUS. As usual in any recipe I doubled the cinnamon, and added a teaspoon of baking soda, as there was no additional yeast to this quick bread and I was scared it wouldn't rise at all. I took it to work (didn't tell them it had prunes) and everyone loved it. Recipe below.

Finally, I show you the back of this grotty book I bought at an estate sale for $.25 because I want you to see what a triumph Rita herself is (click to photo to enlarge). I'd like to take a photo of myself and my bread like this. I also need some hot rollers to achieve this hairstyle, most perfect for practicing the domestic arts. The book says she was a TV chef. Anyone know anything about this? I must look it up! Make Rita's prune bread, and enjoy!

Sourdough Prune Nut Bread

(from the book above)

2 cups sourdough starter

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup wheat germ

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 ( to 1) teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup powdered milk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup cooked, drained prunes, chopped.

1/2 cup chopped nuts (i used almonds)

1 tsp baking soda (optional)

Measure sourdough starter into a large bowl. Add sugar, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon, egg, milk, and powdered milk. Mix well. Fold in flour, prunes, and nuts. Pour into a well greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until done. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 1 loaf.

Starter Up

2011-09-20T00:22:00.002+01:00

I've wanted to try making Sourdough bread all Summer, and finally got around to it a couple of weeks ago. I think the idea of a starter that you have for a long time, generations even, is so Romantic. Bakeries that use the same starter that came from when the bakery opened, even though the people who started the bakery have long since passed away, really inspire me. It's sort of like a pet that outlives you, like a tortoise who is over 100 years old, originally kept by your grandfather. The only pet I've had in my adult life is this starter, and given my track record with houseplants, it probably won't outlive me. Still, I'm going to see how long I can keep it.

The starter, now in its first replenishment, smells potent and fermented:

My first loaf of bread from the starter. So delicious. Used most effectively on my new favorite sandwich, strong cheddar and pickled beets (try it, you will love it).

The recipe was for two loaves, but i made one giant one instead. Instead of doing a double rise, I used my tried and true Jim Lahey method, and it worked perfectly.

It made the most amazing toast. I can't even tell you.

I also made sourdough carrot raisin cake, though it was more of a quick bread. All of my recipes are coming from one book, which I'll share with you soon. I'm going to make some kind of sourdough prune cake next, if only because I've never eaten a prune. I associate them with old people's diets and constipation relief, though at times I am known to covet both. Onward!

On the Water, In the Gorge

2011-09-19T17:33:00.000+01:00

This week we've had a special guest from England. Mr. Jones' dad (the real Mr. Jones) came for a visit. We've been showing him the sites. On Saturday, we went to the gorge and were able to get a viewpoint or two in before it poured rain. We then hopped on a boat and saw, well, a lot of fog. Still, enjoyable.

The whole experience was very English, the boat's interior reminding me of an English tea room in the Lake District. Of course the weather was very British, too. Maybe the real Mr. Jones was right at home!

Best Secret Cookie

2011-09-14T20:22:00.008+01:00

I took these cookies to work, calling them "Almond, Pumpkin Seed, Chocolate Chip Cookies" and asked everyone to name the secret ingredient. No one was even close.

They were, by far, the best cookies I've made for a long time. They're from this recipe, which is almost healthy enough that I can call them 'Breakfast'. I'm going to make them again, maybe substituting apple sauce for some of the butter, and raisins for the chocolate chips. Maybe make them into yummy granola bars?

Head in the Clouds

2011-09-14T01:19:00.006+01:00

Speaking of vests I've designed, here's another that I worked on this Summer. I call it "Head in the Clouds", since a 12-18 month old child will be putting their head in these clouds sometime soon. Ravelry details here.

It's made from Cascade Heritage, one of my favorite yarns for colorwork since Colinette Jitterbug. It's very reasonably priced for how much you get on a skein. This used about 2/3 skein of blue, and hardly any white.

The knitting went well, until I got the proportions a bit wacky, and had to tear it apart a couple times before it was right. Now that it's complete, and the burn of making it is over, I can't wait to see a little one wear it. One day, I might just write up the pattern.

Red Ribbon Day

2011-09-12T18:41:00.005+01:00

Exciting news, friends. I won Second Prize at the Oregon State Fair!

I entered my HarVest Design into the "Original Item by Designer" competition. Unfortunately, Mr. Jones and I didn't make it to the State Fair this year (like we did last year). But when I picked up my entry here in Portland, the woman reached into the paper bag with my name on it, pulled it out to confirm it was mine, and squealed "Ooh, there's a ribbon on it, Congratulations!". I then squealed with her.

Second prize not only gives me something to aspire to for next time, the red ribbon matches the vest so nicely, I might never take it off!

You can make your own HarVest, by following the instructions right here.

Patch It Up

2011-09-07T01:07:00.006+01:00

My sister and I used to collect patches when we were kids. I think my parents started the collection and we had it for years, until my mom decided to sew them all on a vest she wears to rake the leaves. I remember feeling sad that they were no longer in the cigar box where we stored them, for me to route through and remember old trips. My favorite was a Big Bird patch from Sesame Place (you feeling me, Pennsylvanians?). After all these years, I've started a patch collection of my own. I'm even going to get a cigar box to keep them in! These four represent my Summer, 2011.

Seattle

2011-09-06T16:58:00.007+01:00

We spent the labor day weekend in Seattle. We'd been there once before (during the first time we lived in the Northwest), and didn't like it so much. This time, equipped with a friend (and Seattle native)'s list of places to see, we covered many different areas, and liked it so much more.

Bainbridge Island was certainly a highlight. Curry connoisseur Mr. Jones also rated this restaurant the "Best Indian Food in America". We also saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen (but of course didn't remember the camera). There wasn't a cloud in the sky the whole time we were there. This time, Seattle gets a thumbs up!

The Cutest Clothing Ever

2011-09-01T23:11:00.002+01:00

I am in love with these amazing clothes (and wonderfully styled photographs) from Fred and Ginger. I want a wardrobe like this!

Update....

2011-08-31T01:33:00.005+01:00

on the last post.

It fits!
And he loves it. Making things for kids is the absolute best.

Aloha Obama

2011-08-25T17:06:00.004+01:00

Around January of this year, I resolved that I wouldn't stress myself out again making Christmas gifts for all the kids I usually sew for. Instead, I would make or buy them something within the year and send it to them as a present for, well, no reason at all. Most of the kids I know get so many Christmas gifts, and every child loves a present just because, you know? Especially if it comes in the mail. This present went to the oldest of my best friend's 3 kids. It's the best childrens book I've ever seen. I bought it, of course, in Hawaii.

The graphic design is crazy, and the illustrations are amazing. The book explains that Washington would be a much more interesting place if politicians wore hawaiian shirts!

Vintage photos and a history of our President growing up on Oahu, with quotes everywhere!

A flower lei, and our President sharing the 'Aloha spirit'.

I also made the recipient a Hawaiian shirt (from this pattern) to wear while he's reading his book.

I hope he enjoys them, as a last hoorah to his Summer as he enters his first day of Kindergarten!

Year of the Volcano

2011-08-22T17:39:00.008+01:00

I have deemed 2011 "Year of the Volcano", since Mr. Jones and I seem to be spending a good amount of time touring around them. It was a rare, hot weekend in Portland, so we headed up to Mt. Saint Helens to have a look at a volcano we only ever appreciate from a distance. It was stunning!

There are four observatories and many lookout points on the I-504. We stopped at two, where we took in some pretty classic 80s documentaries on the 1980 eruption.

The Johnston Ridge Observatory seemed by far the best, where the movie screen rises to reveal a gorgeous view of the volcano.

Perhaps it's the pleasant drive through the state park, but the place was particularly popular with bikers.

There are short hikes around the area, with lovely lookouts from the trails.

A great destination if you're in the Northwest, and a much different experience than visiting Mount Hood.

Make sure to visit if you ever have a Volcanic Summer! Now, if I could only fit in a trip to Iceland before the Summer ends...

Our Wedding

2011-08-17T18:55:00.016+01:00

By far, the most exciting thing we did on our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii was to get married. We told our families beforehand, and had a really romantic ceremony on a cliff near Kona, ironically called "The End of the World". As the tide came in, we found ourselves convincing the photographer that we had to leave. The roar of the ocean had me shaking! Five minutes after the ceremony, the spot where we stood was underwater. We finished the evening with a dinner at the Four Seasons, and a lot of incredible memories. We can't wait to celebrate with all of our friends and family next Summer. Now, after almost ten years together, Mr. Jones and I are married!

(Photos by David O. Baldwin)

Caterpillar Present

2011-08-16T16:54:00.005+01:00

I hope you're enjoying the HarVest pattern! I thought it was a nice pre-fall projects, if you have the energy. I'm thinking about knitting a few up for my shop (I have a shop?) in case anyone has an upcoming baby shower or birthday. Let me know, in comments, if anyone is interested.

Recently, I've been getting into the idea of coordinating gifts, combining something I make for a kid to wear, with something I've bought for them to play with. I know this is in no way a new idea. Licensed fabrics are probably produced with this in mind. Still, it's a new to me idea that I'm enjoying for the moment. It makes shopping more fun, too.

A Hungry Caterpillar puzzle and Bubble Dress went to my favorite 2 year old.

She eats everything on the go, so hopefully this dress will fit right in with her lifestyle.

Happy Birthday, Willow!

Free Pattern: HarVest and Pumpkin HarVest!

2011-08-13T00:20:00.009+01:00

Harvest is a baby vest perfect for apple picking or pumpkin season. This colorwork project is fun to make and adorable on any little one (doesn't Florence, below, look smashing?). I've designed the vest in one size for now, but hope to write up the pattern for many sizes, should there be interest. Until then, I hope you'll make it for a little one in your life.

HarVest and Pumpkin HarVest

by Holly Klein

Size: Baby, 3-6 months

Yarn: Fingering Weight/4 ply yarnFor HarVest: Approx. 370 yards of yellow, 125 yards of green, 150 yards of red.For Pumpkin HarVest: Approx. 370 yards of black, 125 yards of green, 150 yards of orange.

Gauge: 26 stitches to 4 inches on a size 1 (2.25mm) needle.

Needles: Size 1 (2.25) 40 cm circular needle. Set of Size 1 (2.25mm) double pointed needles.

Notions: 1 stitch marker, waste yarn (or stitch holders), darning needle for weaving in ends.

Suggested yarns: Louet Gems Fingering Weight, Cascade Heritage, Colinette Jitterbug, or any other yarn that knits to guage.

Charts (click to enlarge if needed):

Instructions:

Begin Body of Vest:

1. Cast on 180 stitches on circular needle with yellow yarn (for Apple Vest) or black yarn (for Pumpkins). Join, being careful not to twist.

2. Work in 2x2 ribbing for 2 inches.

3. In last row of ribbing, decrease 36 stitches evenly around vest to 144 stitches.

4. Changing to Knit stitch for all rows, Knit 2 rows.

5. Begin chart for appropriate vest. Work rows 1-48 of chart once.

Split Body for Front/Back:

6. Repeating Row 1 of pattern, work 72 stitches. Place next 72 stitches on waste yarn.

7. Turn work. Bind off 9 stitches and work 2 of chart, purling all stitches.

8. Next row: Bind off 9 stitches and work row 3 of chart, knitting all stitches.

9. Work rows 4-24 of chart, knitting or purling as appropriate (54 stitches remaining).

Split vest for front neck/shoulders:

1. Work 24 stitches of Row 25 of chart. Put these stitches on waste yarn.

2. Work next 24 stitches of Row 25. Put these stitches on separate waste yarn.

3. Work next 24 stitches in pattern. Turn work. Purl 24 stitches in pattern, and work these 24 stitches to Row 37 in chart. Put stitches on waste yarn.

4. With Wrong Side facing, pick up first 24 stitches from waste yarn and purl back, following chart to shape other side of vest front. Once completed, put these 24 stitches onto waste yarn.

Work back neck/shoulders:

5. With RS facing, pick up 72 stitches on other side of vest. Work in an identical manner as front.

Join Shoulders:

6. Put each group of shoulder stitches on one double pointed needle. Turn vest inside out, so wrong side faces you. Using a three needle bind-off, join shoulder stitches. (A great 3 needle bind-off can be found here).

Pick up neck stitches and knit neck:

1. Starting at one shoulder, puck up 18 stitches down the side of each neck side, knit across 24 stitches from waste yarn, pick up 18 stitches along other side of neck, knit across other 24 stitches from waste yarn (total: 84 stitches).

2. Work in 2x2 ribbing (K2P2) for 1.5 inches. Bind off stitches.

Pick up armhole stitches:

3. Using double pointed needles, pick up 68 stitches around armholes. Work in 2x2 ribbing for 1.5 inches. Bind off all stitches.

4. Using a darning needle, weave in all stray ends.

5. Wet block or steam block vest (if needed) to obtain proper size.

6. Try on baby, and enjoy!

Baby, You're a Star

2011-08-11T16:45:00.004+01:00

I've made a couple bubble dresses recently. This one, made in the same lovely fabric as a previous one, was decorated with tiny shell stars.

It took me a while to sew them on by hand, but I love how it came out (the lining is Alexander Henry dress fabric pieces).

I found some bigger star buttons for the back closure. I love finding just the right thing already in my drawers.

I don't know who I'm going to give this dress to yet. It's kind of fancy, and the 3 year old girls I know do not like to sit still. I might put it in the archives, for later. This would also be cute in red or blue, for the Fourth of July, don't you think?

A Church on a Hill

2011-08-09T16:57:00.004+01:00

Near the black sand beaches of Pahala, Hawaii.

Lounge

2011-08-03T19:18:00.005+01:00

Another shift dress, just like the last one, except I added a scallop hem. I just traced a jam jar over and over around the bottom, after turning up the hem a few inches.

Worn with this vintage lounge jacket I picked up at the Goodwill, I thought it emitted a nice Palm Springs/Florida Golden Girls vibe.

Is that a price tag on the palm tree? No, it's care instructions. Verrrry organic.

PS. It's my birthday today. I'm 36! It's going to be a big year, I can feel it. I'm celebrating, as usual, with lunch at IHOP.

Waipio Valley Horseback Ride

2011-08-01T20:35:00.006+01:00

One of the most spectacular things we did in Hawaii was to take a horseback tour the Waipio Valley. Waipio (meaning 'curved water') Valley begins at this stunning coastline. We descended by four wheel drive vehicle.

Once into the valley, we were given a brief lesson on how to control our horses. I had never been on horseback before! Mr. Jones tried calming me by saying, "These horses are professionals". Indeed, they were.

The streets of the Valley are essentially rivers. Our horses did not flinch going through the water, but we sure did!

The trip took us into areas of the valley inaccessible by car or foot. An ancient burial ground and former home to numerous Hawaiian Kings, Waipio Valley is now home to about 80 residents. Many of them farm taro.

High in the cliffs were waterfalls, hundreds of feet high, pouring into the valley where we trekked. Even in the midst of a drought year, everything was so lush.

We returned our horses to the stable, but not before one last photo.

It was a lovely ride, to a place we couldn't have seen any other way.

Shift Dress for Paradise

2011-07-29T16:38:00.006+01:00

I sewed this shift dress days before leaving for Hawaii. I needed something to put over my swimsuit, something to pull on post afternoon shower. Very easy sewing.

I used the pattern below. I did none of the embellishments (pockets, collar, etc.). I used a linen print from Mill End Store. In the end, even with the busy print, I thought it needed a little something.

So I added a tiny pleat at the top, very much like the detail of the Sorbetto Top.

I enjoyed wearing it, and I think I'll be wearing it layered with a cardigan and tights through a few seasons. Still, wouldn't you rather be there?

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

2011-07-25T18:26:00.017+01:00

One highlight of our trip was our time spent in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. It really blew our minds.

This rainforest path lead to the Thurston Lava Tube, a cave made by lava flow not unlike the Ape Caves we visited in Washington.

Along the park's hiking paths you can see, feel, and smell evidence of the volcano underneath you through the Steam Vents.

The Volcano, called Kauea, erupts at different levels throughout the year. We could only imagine what it's like to see it erupt at full force.

A trip to the observatory at night gave us a better idea.

Another highlight of the park was Chain of Craters Road, a 23 mile drive from the top of the volcano, following the lava flow all the way to the sea. I think we stopped the car every 10 minutes to take in the scale of the changing lava landscape.

Part meringue, part massive drip, I have never walked on or touched anything like it. It was what I imagine the surface of the moon to be like...very prehistoric.

Finally the road bends, and you see the sea.

And on the other side of the car, the lava trail to the sea emblazons the mountain.

You can go no further on Chain of Craters Road when you get to where the lava has crossed it.

They've added a picnic bench to the middle of the road, for the perfect packed lunch experience.

Visiting national parks always makes me somewhat emotional. I love the Rangers and the workers in the Visitor's Center, so eager to help you see the park's amazing sights. I love knowing that we're actually preserving this land, as I see so many strip malls take away so much of it in daily life. I love being flabbergasted at the scale and beauty of the scenery. It actually makes me feel quite patriotic (yes, me!).

The park was incredibly unpopulated, even at the height of Summer. When we told the owner of our Bed and Breakfast, Audrey, how much we loved the Big Island she said, "This island is very special to Hawaiians. I think it's the Volcano". We understood completely.

Hula

2011-07-22T19:45:00.005+01:00

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends, and please stay cool! Speaking of cool, we saw these wonderful women dance the hula under the bandstand on July 4th in Hilo (click to enlarge).

It was the most inspiring thing I saw in Hawaii. They danced to a woman singing Hawaiian songs in the most divine voice, and a group of men playing ukulele. I think it was one of the best musical experiences I've ever had. I've tried to find out, online, where the group is from (I believe it was a local old folks' home), but I can't find any information. Oh how I wish I lived there, and could join them!

Sweetie Pie

2011-07-20T17:18:00.011+01:00

Let's get back to some Oregon knitting, shall we? I sure have. One of things I marveled at, while on vacation, was that I wasn't so interested in crafting! There was just too much to experience. I made this little dress in days since I've been back in Portland (though don't worry, there's much more Hawaii to share).

I fell in love with the pattern. It's called "Sweetie Pie". Is there any cuter pattern photo than this one? As a friend said to me, "This is from a time when children were seen and not heard". So true. It also looks like every photo I've seen of people who grew up in the 50s and 60s in the Middle/North of England.

The pattern book is dated 1943. I picked it up from a local estate sale. I can't tell you how exciting it was to see this garment come to life on my needles. I couldn't stop thinking about all the people who made it previously, so many decades ago.

The back is similar to the front, with three small buttons for closure. I made the dress out of my favorite sock yarn (all the Ravelry details are here).

The dress is going to my friend's daughter, who will be modeling for me in upcoming days, as I write up the pattern for my own creations.

I'm sure she'll look just as cute in this dress as the girl in the pattern photo (how old might she be now?), and hopefully even cuter in my vests!

At Luau

2011-07-18T17:34:00.014+01:00

When we go to Hawaii (and it's twice now, that we've been), I make Mr. Jones go to Luau. I know it's cheezy. I know it has nothing to do with real Polynesian culture, but it fulfills a Brady Bunch in Hawaii need in my heart. It's like a wedding reception in paradise where you know no one, not even the hosts, but there is good dancing:

Previous to the dancing, the Master of Ceremony stands on stage and literally holds up food, on a fork, and tells you what will be in the buffet: "This is Poi. It is made from taro root and is a traditional Hawaiian food. This is Hawaiian Sweet Potato. It is also blue. This is Macaroni Salad. It has nothing to do with Hawaii!". No, it sure doesn't, but doesn't Whitey just love it! We also were offered craft time, where Mr. Jones and I were taught to make fish out of palm leaves.

The other option was to get a "Hawaiian tattoo" (drawn on your upper arm with Sharpie marker). Your choices were a sea turtle, or something of your choice, which also looked like a sea turtle. Or you could learn to hula dance. We chose the crafts, and after a false start in making the darn thing, I was posing around with my leaf fish like you would not believe (ok, of course you would).

My luau dress was homemade, from Simplicity 2178, in a linen/silk from Fabric Depot's outdoor sale. Please zoom into the best shoes in the world, which made a certain maraca sound as I walked, bought at a Portland estate sale for $4. Perfect.

Luau was in the garden of a hotel that looked like a space station. We sat at a table with a bunch of characters: two sweet teenage boys on their own in Hawaii while their father attended a convention on astral projection. They were excited to report that Judith Light was also at the convention, and they had met her. Mr. Jones and I noted that when you come away from meeting people saying "nice polite young boys" (as we did), you're getting old (as we are). There was also a middle-aged male gay couple from New Jersey, who told us, while we plated our buffet, "We're Catholic..." (hard road, I thought to myself)...priests." I almost dropped my poi. They went on to tell us who won all the Tony awards this year. Finally, there was a 40-something married couple, the father bragging to me how unconnected to technology he was, the mother trying to convince the teenage boys to go into the military: "My son is a Marine! They broke him DOWN! He had to write a letter to me like he was DEAD. And college will be FREE", and two young Japanese girls who did not speak one word of English, but who wanted photos with all of us at the end of the evening. When one of the priests took their camera to photograph us with them, he screamed "SAYYY SUSHHHI".
Well, what more can you say.

We were then treated to a Polynesian fire show, and went home.
Success.

Botanical Charm

2011-07-14T16:14:00.007+01:00

I won't go to Hawaii without touring a botanical garden. You can't see more beautiful designs than in nature. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is the work of one man, Dan J. Lutkenhouse, who sold his San Fransisco trucking business to buy land on the Big Island. He brought plants from around the world, and made this seaside property into a stunning retreat, donating it as a non-profit organization before his death. Amazing.

Vintage Hollyday

2011-07-12T19:35:00.006+01:00

This is my favorite vintage Hawaiian dress. I bought it one week before my trip at an estate sale for $5. I was so excited about it that my friend Peg suggested I wear it to work, the Friday before we left, in anticipation of the trip. Mr. Jones shut that idea right down (I believe he used the words 'god awful'). It was fine. I knew I'd be wearing my dress in paradise, in a few short days.

So imagine my absolute joy when we checked into our Kona hotel, the second of three places we'd stay on the island, and they were installing new (that's new, folks, not vintage, and by installing I mean they were laying glue and rolling it across the floor) carpet that matched my favorite dress almost exactly.

My eyes widened, my mouth dropped, and my heart leaped from my chest. I could vaguely hear Mr. Jones muttering "Oh my god, Klein. This is it, isn't it. Your dream has come true". He knew he was in for a lot of picture taking in that lobby.

There was the Hawaiian boat to pose with...

...and the paintings. Other hotel guests did double takes, and a Japanese couple tried to tell me, in very broken English, that I matched the carpet. "I know, I know, I know, I know, I know". This went on for some time.

I was still giddy after a dozen photos. Mr. Jones' interest was waning. "Why are we doing this, again?" he asked. "FOR THE GRANDCHILDREN," I snarled.
"Ohhhhkkayyy".

And though the sites we saw and the people we met were the true highlight of the Big Island, it's not often that you match the carpet of your new favorite hotel, in your very favorite holiday outfit.

Or is it?

Expectations Exceded

2011-07-11T16:55:00.011+01:00

I have returned to my dark office from the sun, sand, and lava of my trip to the Big Island of Hawaii.

It was the best vacation of my life. I saw magical things every day. I thought I loved Kauai, but I loved this island even more.

I had high expectations (as I always do, for everything), and my trip exceded them every day. I can't wait to share some photos with you. I just feel so, so lucky.

Hawaii Week: Vintage Polynesia

2011-07-05T20:37:00.005+01:00

As I make my own memories and have my own adventures this week in Hawaii, please enjoy these images of someone's 1960s Polynesian vacation. I found their album at the thrift store, and was transported 50 years back, when Hawaii really was the Hawaii of my imagination. I love the captions they've written in non-permanent marker!

I'll be back soon with my own photos to share!

Beach Bound

2011-06-30T16:24:00.005+01:00

Friends, I'm going on vacation tomorrow, to Hawaii! Mr. Jones and I are going to The Big Island for a full week, a trip I have been anticipating since the last time we went to Kauai, three years ago.

I love Hawaii, and not just for the beaches and people and the animals and the water. Hawaii exists in my imagination, as a 70s Polynesian paradise, and an 80's TV special. Is it like that for every American not from the West Coast?

We have lots planned in Hawaii, from hikes in volcanoes to horseback rides in canyons to snorkeling and swimming in the sea. I've made 3 new dresses, and found 2 amazing vintage ones. I can't wait to show it all to you upon my return. It's been such a manic anticipation, I almost need a holiday from myself! This space will have a post or two in my absence, and I'll 'see' you again in about a week.

I bid everyone at work good-bye with these "Pineapple Right Side Upcakes", made from the same recipe as last time, using a cup of pineapple instead of the blueberries, and no sugar swirl in the middle. Candy leis on simple icing made them even sweeter.

PS. I'll be announcing the giveaway winner upon my return. Still time to enter!

Bicycle + Sewing Machine = Love

2011-06-29T00:21:00.004+01:00

The Bicycle Cap by peSeta for the New Museum from casa peSeta on Vimeo.

Summer Lovin'

2011-06-27T19:34:00.007+01:00

It's Summer! And Dean, of New York, is enjoying his Oliver & S playsuit.

Just perfect on him. I picked up a similar pattern for a girl, from this year's collection. Can't wait to try it!

Summer Strawberry Cake

2011-06-23T16:58:00.006+01:00

When we have larger meetings in my office, I bring treats. I brought this Strawberry Coffee Cake to work on Wednesday and everyone claimed it was the best thing I've ever baked.

The recipe is here, though I substituted strawberries for blueberries. I don't think it needed the brown sugar swirl in the middle (I left out the pecans, too) but if you're in need of a late day sugar rush, by all means stick with it.

I'm dreaming of this cake with other seasonal fruits. Peaches, plums (my favorite), or even pineapple for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake!

Summer Camp Shirt

2011-06-20T20:21:00.010+01:00

Summer Camp and Back to School were the two places I liked going most as a child. So in the Summer, I like to pretend I'm still going to camp, and dress accordingly. This homemade shirt is just the kind I would pack, for the big week away.

I fell in love with the fabric. It's a sweet woodland theme, without being too overt.

The pattern is Butterick 5300, which I've made before. This time I made a size Small, instead of XS, as I like the slightly looser fit in the slightly heavier weight quilting cotton.

I'll be taking this shirt of my vacation, where I'll be doing things I dreamed of doing at camp: riding horses, swimming in the warm sea, and hiking trails to see amazing sights.

Whereas at camp, we made friendship bracelets, drank 'bug juice', and swam in the dirty lake. I'd still do all three of these things tomorrow. That's what Summer is all about, right?

P.S. I got a new (old) sewing machine off Craigslist for a song, and it's amazing! Sewing has improved 150% and buttonhole anxiety has left the building. The joy of sewing has tripled!

Original Design: HarVest Pumpkins!

2011-06-20T18:47:00.008+01:00

Here in Portland we haven't really started Summer weather yet, and I'm thinking about Autumn. I have adapted the HarVest to include pumpkins! I've also found a model, who will be sporting both fashions for an upcoming photo shoot.

I'll be writing up the pattern, so you can make HarVest for the wee ones in your life, by Autumn. Hopefully it will come in sizes 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months.

Which do you like more, the apples or pumpkins?

The Girl in the Yellow Dress

2011-06-15T19:31:00.007+01:00

This is my favorite vintage dress. I've had it for about 3 years. If you're my friend, and I've been to your wedding in that time, I've worn this dress (and if any of you have shared wedding albums online or in person, you've probably noticed).

I wore my favorite dress this past weekend to a wedding, but it was my last one. I'm retiring this dress. It's just been 'done' now. It being vintage, it's also coming apart. I sneezed at the reception and split a hole near the zipper.

I'm sad to be retiring my dress. Of course, I won't get rid of it. I'll repair it, dry clean it, and store it. But before I become known as "the girl in the yellow dress", I think I'll give up wearing it.

Have you ever had a garment you've retired, but have been sad to do so?
Please do tell (and enjoy this cute photo of Mr. Jones).

Photos by Tristan Oliver

First Argyle

2011-06-13T23:17:00.006+01:00

I've always loved argyle. It's so whimsical and so classic, isn't it? I had just enough yarn left from a few other projects (and do I mean just enough. I came within yards of using up all 3 colors) to make the 1 year-old size of the "Oscar Argyle Sweater" from my favorite knitting book.

I changed the pattern to be knit in the round (like I almost always do with bottom up sweaters for any age). I was taught how to do the math on this from my friend (and former coworker and knitting teacher at Loop), Linda. Being Norwegian, she's an expert. She also said her mom and friends finish many sweaters on their sewing machines! So with this one, I did just that.

I sewed in the sleeves as I would with woven shirts and it not only secured the ends of the argyle, but made me confident that everything was sturdy enough for its one year-old recipient. Try it knitters, you'll love it!

Wedding Season

2011-06-13T20:15:00.005+01:00

We sure have been to some pretty ones lately. Congratulations, Keiron and Lauren!

June Giveaway: New England Knits

2011-06-09T18:47:00.010+01:00

Thanks for entering the May Giveaway. The winner has been announced, and the patterns are being sent.

The June Giveway is a copy of "New England Knits" by Cicily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre. I was sent a copy of it, and having previously purchased it, now have an extra! It's filled with great patterns (you can look inside here) for all seasons. I can't wait to make the Greenfield Cardigan or the Mystic Pullover!

If you'd like this book for your collection, please leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. I'll pick a winner at the beginning of July, and send the book to you, where ever you are in the world. Good luck!

Melanie is our winner. Thanks for playing!

Family Affair

2011-06-07T15:44:00.008+01:00

My sister Heather got married this past weekend in our hometown in Pennsylvania. The wedding was beautiful, and I don't think I've ever seen her happier. Congratulations, Heather and John!

My grandmother also made it to the ceremony. She will be 100 years old in October. So very special.

My Craft Room

2011-06-03T06:16:00.008+01:00

The little 2 bedroom house we rent here in Portland was built in the 1950s. It has lots of amazing 50s features, and I love them. My heart, however, has always belonged to the 70s. So when Mr. Jones let me have the extra room as my craft room, I knew I could display all of my favorite 1970s items. I thought I might show you my craft room, as I know that someday we'll move again, and it will be nice to remember it. It houses so many of my favorite things, and has helped me create even more of them.

My sewing table (under my sewing machine cover) sits on an antique desk we bought here in Portland for $25. In the drawers are all my sewing accessories and tools, and is within reach of all my craft books.

Some of my books have been with me for years, crossing the ocean with me in shipments when I've moved from New York to London, or London to Portland. They're mostly from the 1970s with some newer titles, too.

My smocking pleater and yarn swift, on top of the bookshelf.

Further down, a Merry Mushroom canister (I collect this mushroom stuff) with my little girl tape measure, a squirrel I can't seem to get rid of, and a TV with dog portraits in it that always makes me smile. There's also my yarn ball winder, and my collection of vintage steel knitting needles (most of them bought in a huge lot, at the Goodwill, for $10) in a glass vase.

Against one wall is a small sofa-bed, and next to it is my yarn stash in a basket, my scrap fabric stash in a vintage suitcase, a roll of muslin and sew-able tracing paper, and of course Mr. Furly!

Mr. Jones bought me this dressform off Craig's List for my birthday last year. I love working with it. To the right is a closet where I hang my clothes, and keep fabric folded on shelves.

Another of my favorite recent finds is this circus trash basket, bought in Portland's Selwood neighborhood for $6 (I still haven't removed the price tag!). I think it's so sweet.

This is Pin Cushion Dog, given to me by a coworker named Dan Nord, on my very first job out of college, at Nickelodeon. He's still holding up (the pin cushion I mean, I have no idea where Dan is). He sits in front of my 70s radio, where I play KMHD to my heart's content.

I could go on and on, my friends. Sitting in my craft room is like sitting in a toy box, each tool exciting and special. I love it there. It's made the Portland rain tolerable, and home time divine. Now, if I could just keep it this clean more often!

Flower Girl

2011-05-31T18:42:00.005+01:00

I hope you had a great 3 day weekend! I sure did. We were supposed to take an overnight trip, but canceled at the last moment. I was happy to stay in town, though. I sewed a lot, finishing this breezy floral dress.

It's Butterick 5315, in a linen fabric I bought at the Fabric Depot outdoor sale for only $3 per yard. Making this dress cost about $10 total, with buttons.

I love the shape of the dress, the print, and especially the Peter Pan collar. The only alterations I made to the original pattern was to omit the side zipper. I basted the seam closed, and was ecstatic to find that I could slip the whole dress over my head! So I seamed up the second side and called it a day.

It's going to be perfect for picnics, and vacations, and hot Summer days (can you tell I'm ready for all three?).

I call myself 'Flower Girl' since, later this week, I'll be in my sister's wedding Back East!

I'm her bridesmaid of course, but since we don't have a flower girl I'll be that too, as well as the ring bearer! I'm looking forward to all of my upcoming duties.

Original Design: HarVest

2011-05-26T17:25:00.004+01:00

Remember the apple sweater in this post, worn at this amazing kid's birthday party? Friends, I could not get that sweater out of my mind. The cuteness of it literally kept me up at night. I went to the company's website to try to purchase one (or fifty, one for each child I know), but sadly the sweater is no longer made. Wanting to make something similar yet not a direct knock-off, I made this apple vest. I call it HarVest:

HarVest is a baby vest, size 3-6 months. It's knit in the round, to make the fair-isle patterning a bit easier than intarsia. I'm still working on the pattern, which I hope to publish for you soon!

First, though, I hope to show you another pattern variation of HarVest, as well as work on multiple sizes. Isn't a bright apple vest what every baby needs this Spring/Summer?

Knitted Biology

2011-05-25T16:49:00.005+01:00

I hated biology class (especially the dissections) but if they looked anything liked the work of Emily Stoneking, I might be a doctor by now!

All of it available in her etsy shop. So inspiring!
(Thanks to my friend Sarah for sharing).

Transcending the Material

2011-05-19T01:49:00.004+01:00

This mixed media installation by Ben Cuevas has me stunned. Absolutely beautiful.

ParaNorman

2011-05-16T18:12:00.004+01:00

I haven't written much about my career as of late, but just wanted to let you all know that the film on which I'm currently an Assistant Editor has been officially "announced". It won't be finished for a while, but we're all very excited to be able to speak about it. You can find more details here.

Dress Me Up

2011-05-12T19:35:00.003+01:00

This Saturday is a big sale at one of my favorite Portland fabric stores, and I'm filling my sewing queue once again (and my fabric stash was getting so low!). Here's some inspiration I've found lately:

Sweet and simple A-line dress by Merimekko. Who can resist a Peter Pan collar?

Maybe more of a "back to school" style, but shorter sleeves and lighter cotton, and I'd love a version of this. (image source unknown)

Extend this shirt 12 inches and you have the perfect dress. Shirt by Marc Jacobs.

I love a dress with a bow almost as much as a dress with pin tucks. Perhaps now is the time for both. (First image unknown, second by J.Crew).

Any cute clothing you're coveting for Summer?

Gardening Blouse

2011-05-10T17:36:00.005+01:00

I made a shirt this weekend. It's the Market Blouse from Lisette Patterns (Simplicity 2211) in an Alexander Henry Reagent Street lawn fabric I bought at Bolt. When I prewashed the fabric it degraded in quality just a bit, and I was almost reluctant to spend the time making the blouse.

The prewash, however, made the fabric even softer, and now I can't take it off. I cut a size bigger than I normally do, because I like my Summer tops a bit roomy. In reality, it's probably a bit too roomy. When I make another one, I'll go down a size.

I love the style of it. I love that it has no closures and just pops over my head. I omitted the buttons on the front because the print is so busy. I like to call this my "Gardening Top", even though I have no interest in gardening.

Instead, I just enjoy all the foliage around Portland. It still doesn't feel like Spring here (I wore a sweater and coat over this blouse to walk into town), but there's still a lot of things blooming.

I love pink and green together, and this shirt matches some of my favorite trees around the neighborhood.

PS. You can win this pattern, and all the other Spring Lisette patterns, by entering the May Giveaway here.

Clouds and Bubbles

2011-05-05T17:51:00.005+01:00

I made these meringues this past weekend, and I enjoyed them more than many, many other treats I've made recently. They're not too sweet, with an incredible crunch in a cloud of coffee and chocolate.

The only alteration to the recipe I made was to dissolve the espresso powder in a couple of tablespoons of hot water, letting it cool before adding it to the egg white mixture. I did this at the prompting of the recipe's comments, where people said the powder might be a tad gritty. There was no grit, and though they came out a bit darker in appearance, they were divine.

I took them to a picnic with friends.

They were fully endorsed by a small friend, who called them 'cookie' and always wanted more...

to give her the energy for an afternoon of bubble chasing.

May Giveaway: Lisette Patterns, Spring Collection

2011-05-03T19:14:00.008+01:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the April Giveaway. Amy is our lucky winner. Congrats, Amy!

Our May Giveaway is a set of Simplicity Lisette Patterns, the whole Spring Collection! I've recently made the Traveler Dress. I have plans to make more garments from them, as they're just so great! They're designed by Liesl, friend and owner and designer of Oliver & S, and this giveaway is for the entire pattern set, in either the smaller or larger size.

Simply leave your name and email address in a comment on this post, and I'll send all four patterns to you where ever you are in the world, should you win. Good luck!

kristenmakes is our lucky winner. congratulations kristen, and thanks everyone for playing!

Smartie Sweater

2011-05-03T16:45:00.005+01:00

I finally finished it. I knitted the Plain and Simple pullover (a free pattern here) by Veera and it took me forever, but I finished it. Furthermore, I love it. I could wear it every day. It's perfect for this season, when I'm still cold but have (brief) moments of warmth.

I made it out of Jamieson and Smith 2ply Shetland wool, one of my all-time favorites (Ravelry link here). I hardly ever knit neutral colors, and it took everything in me to grab this gray off the shelf. I added a bit of color with some red buttons that remind me of Smarties.

Making this sweater was a bit of a trial, as I've said. That 7 inch collar was knit with a size 1 circular needle. Now that it's over, however, I already am planning my next tiny needle knit. This garment is so light, and it's so nice to have something I can wear through many seasons.

I can't say enough about the pattern, either. It provided just enough information to follow, and allow me to freestyle when I thought I could do things my way. It was one of those patterns that has given me confidence to write my own pattern! I've had an idea for ages, and just might give it a try. We'll see if I really am a Smartie!

Knit Burn

2011-04-29T16:29:00.017+01:00

Since I'm addicted to knitting with tiny yarn, my hands often do catch fire.

WTF Crafting: Wild Animal Knits

2011-04-28T16:34:00.009+01:00

Remember how I said I loved intarsia knitting? Well, sometimes it can be taken to another level, as evidenced by this book "Wild Animal Knits" that I could not resist picking up at the thrift store. I hate animal prints, period. I will never wear a leopard print anything, let alone knit something in an animal print. But if you're going to go all out, this book shows you how, and the prop styling (get ready for the bad wild animal pun) is off the chain!!

It's an amazing cover. But wait, what is that smaller image on the left? Oh, a girl in a monkey sweater, standing next to the worst monkey suit ever! What's with his face, what is he wearing on top of his head, and why is he leaning on an inflatable banana? If I would have seen this gorilla as a child, I would have been screaming my head off.

Then there is the "Culture Vulture", because everyone needs a vulture sweater, especially men living on the cutting edge of 80s culture. These men STACK THEIR PIZZA ON FORKS to eat it. Is this a West Village look, or a character out of the Cosby Show's final season?

I guess someone might want to knit a sweater that depicts turtles turning, in front of fences. To me, it just looks like someone walked their dog by these fences and didn't bring their (ahem) doggie bag.

"Eye of the Tiger" sweater must have been a big hit, as was anything with this name back then, was it not? I love how the woman is acting vaguely sexual with her stuffed animal prop.

A behavior which continues, throughout the book:

Tell me what you imagine the stuffed seal is thinking, if you dare. I think he's merely muttering, "WTF?"

More episodes of WTF crafting here.

For Summer Travels

2011-04-25T22:25:00.007+01:00

Those of you who sew probably know that Liesl (of Oliver & S.) has designed a pattern line for Simplicity called Lisette. I couldn't wait to get my hands on these patterns, as I know they would have great details and a modern fit. Of course, they do!

This is Simplicity 2246, the Traveler dress, made out of a luxury shirting from Fabric Depot here in Portland.

I love sewing with shirting material. It does exactly what you want it to, is both crisp and soft, and washes really well. I knew from the time I made Jocelyn's shirt that I'd be back in the shirting section of the fabric store over and over again.

I didn't make any pattern modifications, except to disregard the button on the collar, knowing I would never close it. I cut a size 14, and though I think I could handle going down a size, I like this slightly looser fit. Mr. Jones likes it, too. He tells me I look like a nurse, but "in a good way". Hence this face:

The Traveler dress will be great this Summer. I can't wait to wear it on my already-booked July vacation! I just have to sew the rest of my wardrobe, and I've got a few more Lisette patterns in the works.

P.S. Only a few more days to enter the Oliver & S. "Little Things to Sew" giveaway here. Good luck!

Hot Cross Wishes and Cookie Cutout Dreams

2011-04-22T16:44:00.003+01:00

Wishing you a very Good Friday, Everyone!

All the Wizer

2011-04-21T18:55:00.006+01:00

Mr. Jones and I took a car ride to Lake Oswego, a suburb of Portland, a few weeks ago. There's an English shop(pe) there and we like to stock up on our favorite imports. We needed some "regular" food too, so we stopped in to a local grocery store, Wizer's. It was amazing. It had all the original features of grocery stores I grew up with, like these old steel cabinets to hold the food:

Refrigerated endcaps, so heavy and sturdy:

Holding soda sold individually in bottles.

A lot is said these day about patronizing local fabric and yarn stores, but besides the massive grocery stores I think we sometimes we get enticed by "health food" chains that offer everything organic, and prepared, and overpriced. I loved being in a locally owned store, with a bakery like this, and a photo of the store's original owner above it:

They also had a vast array of products that are probably available in my chain food store, but that I could appreciate more in a smaller place like Wizer's.

There were a good amount of people shopping on this Sunday, but the old steel carts were the right size so that we never had to make room for one another in the aisles.

Lake Oswego is not close enough to make Wizer's my regular food store, but I count those who can very lucky. We actually felt a sense of lightness in there. I enjoyed food shopping much more, if only for the sense of sentimentality it gave me for the neighborhood grocery store I used to walk to as a kid.

I had a lovely conversation with the checkout woman, who saw me taking photos. "It's almost one of a kind, isn't it", she said, and I nodded. "We've been here a long time. Please do come back!"

Special Kneads: Pennsylvania Pretzels!

2011-04-19T17:09:00.008+01:00

I'm taken it upon myself to compile a workplace cookbook. We've gotten over 100 recipes so far! One coworker brought me his family cookbook, with four of his favorites marked, and told me to "take whatever else you want". So I paged through, and the recipes were amazing. Not fancy, and so much fun. I copied four of my faves, and I'll be recipe testing them in current weeks. When I saw "Pennsylvania Pretzels", I could not resist, as they combine my home state, my love of bread, and my interest in boiling then baking dough. The recipe is originally from Francis Reynolds (my changes in parenthesis).

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water (I needed another .25 cups)
3 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 egg
salt

Method:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Dissolve yeast in one cup water (and wait for 10 min. until frothy).
Gradually add flour to make a stiff dough (add rest of water if needed).
Knead 5 minutes (with dough hook on Kitchen-aid mixer).
Make dough into a ball and put into a (greased) bowl.
Cover and let stand in a warm place for 30 minutes.
When dough has doubled, punch down and let rise again.
While waiting, fill a large pot half full of water.
Add the baking soda and bring to a simmer.
Roll dough into a 6 inch square. With a knife, cut strips the size of a finger.
Twist each strip into a pretzel shape and pinch ends together.
Slip pretzels one at a time into simmering water. They will sink, then rise.
Take out (after no more than 15 seconds) with a spatula.
Place pretzels on greased cookie sheet.
Beat an egg with a fork. Brush each pretzel with egg.
Sprinkle with salt.
Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
They will be soft.
Eat warm, with mustard.

My only change to the recipe would be to let the pretzels "rest" in their twisted form and maybe rise a bit more before boiling. The great thing about them is that when they come out they are a great soft pretzel, and when they've cooled, a wonderful hard pretzel (kind of like these) . I also had a vague idea that this boiling, being the same technique as bagels, should be attempted for just that. So I saved some of the dough, and went for it. The result:

My first bagel! And not a bad one, though I will be investigating further for a more specific dough recipe (and buying some sesame seeds for the top!). Thank you, Francis Reynolds, for the inspiration!

Wither Craft Night?

2011-04-19T00:14:00.007+01:00

The ladies from work and I used to get together at least once I month for a potluck craft night. Work has become a lot busier lately, and we haven't had a craft night in a while. I miss it.

I also miss smocking, which I swore, after my class, that I'd practice a whole lot more. Perhaps this summer I'll put the knitting and sewing machine aside and get back to the smocking!

Maybe craft nights are for cozy winter evenings, when everyone's gardens are not crying out for their attention.

Still, it was nice to see the progress of everyone's projects (as well as eat their food). I'll be awaiting the return of craft night, whenever that might be!
(photos by VeraBee)

Pendleton Style

2011-04-13T19:01:00.009+01:00

I have to admit that since moving back to Portland this time around, I've fallen in love with Pendleton. I'm a frequent buyer of textiles at their Woolen Mill Store, where I bought remnants and made some baby jackets.

Last week, I received a photo of Dean, from New York. I mean, can you beat getting a photo like this? I dare you to try.

I've also just seen that Pendleton is launching The Portland Collection for Fall, 2011. I see a lot of purchases in my Late Summer future. Check it out:

There is a great interview up on their blog about it. All of Portland (let alone the rest o' of the country) will be wearing this stuff, and I will be a full participant, cost allowing. Dean will also be right 'on trend'!

C'mon, Get Happy!

2011-04-11T23:45:00.006+01:00

I am trying to force Springtime over here. In a sort of Brady Bunch, Banana Splits, Laurence Welk sort of way. It's dreary outside, and still damp, and I needed a pick-me-up. So I sewed these dresses for the Goddaughters:

Made from this pattern, a vintage sheet, and some cotton poplin I bought for no good reason except that they are "my" colors.

I also made these cupcakes for the coworkers. From this recipe, with some store bought frosting and 2 packs of M&Ms, arranged with love.

If Spring doesn't happen soon, things might get even more extreme. Or maybe I'll come full circle, and start sewing some neutral colors again.

Special Kneads: Leann Rye-ms

2011-04-07T00:50:00.007+01:00

This is the most delicious bread I have ever made! It might be the tastiest bread I have ever eaten. It involves many ingredients, and even more steps. It's a good thing I had just been on a buying binge at Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Store and had everything on the list.

The recipe is from my favorite bread book, and I'm passing it on to you, with modifications where I made them as I went (in parenthesis). It has mashed potatoes. It has rye flour. It has molasses. It can only be great. I thought the dough was so thick it would never rise, but (by golly) it did, and made the best breakfast toast in the world.

German Pumpernickel

1 medium potato
1.5 cups water (plus lots more for boiling potatoes)
1.5 teaspoons active dry yeast (I bumped it up to 2tsp)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1.5 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon margarine
2 cups wholewheat flour
1 cup rye flour (i used half bob's rye, half pumpernickel)
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons bran (i used wheat bran)
3 tablespoons cornmeal
.5 teaspoon caraway seeds (I bumped it up to 1 tsp.)

Method:

1. Peel the potato, cut into quarters (I used even smaller pieces), and cook in boiling salted water until tender. Drain, (reserving the potato water), and mash smoothly (my mashing wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. Next time I'll use the food processor). Leave to cool.

2. Bring the 1.5 cups fresh water to a boil in a saucepan, then pour about 4 tablespoons of the boiling water in a large bowl (I used the bowl to my Kitchen Aid Mixer). Leave until it is lukewarm then stir in yeast and brown sugar until well mixed. Leave in a warm place until frothy, about 10 minutes. Stir the molasses and margarine into the remaining hot water and stir until dissolved then leave to cool until lukewarm.

3. Place 1 cup of wholewheat flour and all the rye flour in the bowl with the yeast. Add the salt, bran, cornmeal, and cooled molasses liquid. Mix thoroughly and beat well for at least 4 minutes or 2 minutes with a food mixer at high speed (I used the paddle attachment and my Kitchen Aid).

4. Mix in the mashed potatoes, and a further .5 cup of wholewheat flour. Beat well for another 4 minutes, to give a very thick batter. (This was too thick for me. My mixer was laboring, so I filtered the reserved potato water, and added that, slowly. I probably added about one half to three quarters of a cup, until it was what i imagined to be 'thick batter' consistency.)

5. Add the caraway seeds and remaining wholewheat flour (again I added some more filtered potato water, probably another quarter cup) to give a fairly soft dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, cover, and leave to rest for 15 minutes.

6. Knead the rested dough until smooth and elastic. This will take about 15 minutes (I used my Kitchen Aid again, this time with the dough hook). Place the dough in a greased bowl and leave it to rise until it has doubled in size. (Here I was convinced the dough was too dense to ever rise. But it did!)

7. Preheat the oven to 350 (I used 375). Punch down the dough (I kneaded by hand for 2-3 minutes) and return to the bowl to rise for another 30 minutes. Punch down the dough again and shape into a loaf to fit into a large loaf pan, greased. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and leave to rise in a warm place until it almost reaches the top of the pan.

8. Bake risen loaf toward the top of a 350 degree oven (I went up to 375) for 45-50 minutes. Turn onto a cake rack and leave to cool.

Enjoy the most delicious loaf in the world and dream about living in Northern Europe, where they eat this kind of bread every single day.

April Giveaway: Little Things (For YOU!) to Sew

2011-04-04T23:04:00.012+01:00

As you might know by now, I created the trailer for the new book "Little Things to Sew" by Oliver & S.:

Well, my friend Liesl (the Creator of Oliver & S) was nice enough to send me a copy of the book. Then, the publisher sent me a copy, too! So I'm giving one away to you, my dear readers. It's a gorgeous book, filled with the most excellent projects, and full size patterns to make them. Here are just some of my faves:

Red Riding Hood cape. As the "Bolt" blog points out, there's so many other things you could do with this pattern!

Penguin Backpack. I mean, shouldn't every kid have one?

Explorer vest. For the small geek (and I only use this term with grave affection) in your life.

I don't have kids, but I sure know a lot of them. Many be getting some gifts I've made from patterns in this book, for sure. Christmas crafting just got easy!
If you would like to win a copy of "Little Things to Sew", please leave your name and email address in the comments section of this post. I'll pick a winner at the beginning of May, and ship the book to you where ever you might be. Good luck!

Update: This giveaway is now closed. Amy is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing!

Colette All Around!

2011-04-04T17:46:00.005+01:00

Recently I sewed 'Macaron' by Colette Patterns (available here). I didn't mean to make mine so similar to the one on the website, but it ended up pretty close.

The fabric is from the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store here in Portland, making the pattern, plus fabric all native to Oregon. The Mill Store was having their "March Madness" sale, and this fabric cost around $20 total. It's so beautiful!

It's a great dress for now - when the weather is too warm for heavy woolens (I've just packed up my vintage ski sweaters for another year) but too cold for all cotton.

This was the first time, in my over 20 years of sewing, that I've ever installed an invisible zipper! I liked it, but I'll need a bit more practice before I'm totally converted.

Overall, I think the dress came out pretty well, and I'm looking forward to wearing it to work and around town.

Speaking of Colette Patterns, 'Curvy Kitten' is the lucky winner of March's Sencha Pattern Giveaway. Congratulations! Stop back tomorrow when I announce April's exciting giveaway.

I Heart Intarsia

2011-03-31T17:08:00.010+01:00

Are you familiar with Intarsia knitting? It's a graphic knitting technique where each color is kept on a spool, and knitted into the fabric by changing colors, locking them together with a special twist of the yarn. I haven't done much of it since I designed the Hat for a Prince, but lately I've had such a craving to try it out again. How sweet are these designs?!

Animal Pullovers for kids by Nicky Epstein (patterns available for purchase here).

Hi 5 mittens (from Kate Spade, thanks Beatriz). A small project, which I could use for practice...

Amazing lamb pullover (source unknown). Love the unusual placement of the Intarsia.

How great is this sweater from "Play It Again, Sam" (thanks for citing the source for me, Jen!). It's a Schiaparelli sweater (like this one I'm dying to make, from a free pattern) and SO CUTE. Plus, who doesn't love Diane Keaton?

The cutest apple sweater (from Bobo Choses), worn the the best kid's party I have ever seen.

Maple Bay Cardigan from this book, in my (never ending) list of knitting book wish list.
Have you ever tried Intarsia knitting, and if so, how did it go?

In a few days I'll announce the winner of the Sencha Pattern Giveaway (there's still time to enter!) and announce the giveaway for April. Stay tuned!

Buttermilking It...For All It's Worth

2011-03-28T22:15:00.005+01:00

I was gifted a quart of buttermilk, and quickly got to using it last week. First, I made these oatmeal raisin cookies for work (recipe here). They were fantastic, but I added another quarter cup of oats to the batter to thicken it up a bit before baking, and it worked well.

Also, I made scones (recipe here). They came out a little overcooked and I could not figure out why. Then Mr. Jones then tried unsuccessfully to cook some soft boiled eggs and realized that our stove's kitchen timer was very...off. For every half hour it was adding 4 minutes!

So, with an oven which can't time cooking, nor give me the right temperature (it's 75 degrees too hot), nor show me how the goods are progressing during the bake (there's no oven window), I press on with my adventures in baking, somewhat undeterred. Imagine.

Walk with the Animals

2011-03-24T23:08:00.008Z

It's Friday! Friday is the best day. Let's celebrate by looking at some people in animal costumes, interacting with animals:

(photos via Mayonaka)
Ok, the last one doesn't really count, but I love her knitwear! It's going to rain both Saturday and Sunday here. I'm taking this as a sign to get some Spring dresses sewn, before it gets too nice outside to justify more time in my craft room. May your weekend be Springy and bright!

Special Kneads: I Get Around

2011-03-23T15:52:00.007Z

Behold the Pyrex 'Bake a Round', found at the Goodwill for $8! I was intrigued, excited, and a bit fearful, as the only instructions it came with were 3 photos on the side of the box.

It's a glorified glass tube in a wire rack, where you stuff your dough before the second rise. Could it really make me an elongated crusty loaf?

I greased the glass. I had images of myself poking half cooked dough out of the tube with the handle of a wooden spoon. I put those thoughts out of my mind, and stuffed the dough in, and waited.

At the point where there was only a small amount of space at either end, I couldn't wait anymore, and popped the rack in the hot oven.

After checking it a few times, there was jumping up and down with glee. It worked! It was toasty and crusty and looked edible! I danced like Peanuts Characters. I praised Pyrex, and the Goodwill, and of course myself!

We had sandwiches on fresh loaves, for lunch. Mr. Jones doesn't want you to see his half eaten sandwich, but I don't care. I like the bite marks, and the unruly tomato, and the bread.

Next time I use the 'Bake a Round', I'm going to try a pure white loaf, so it's really light and airy. This was made with Bob's 10 grain bread mix, and though delicious, was a bit dense. Other than that, I loved it! It reminded me of the bread we used for the hoagies we made in high school, for the school band fund raiser (ahhh memories).

If you see one of these contraptions at your thrift store, pick it up, and bake around! It was outstanding.

Springtime for Peter Pan

2011-03-21T17:21:00.005Z

I haven't made or worn a shirt with a Peter Pan collar since my childhood. Yet this Spring I have the urge to wear them in every sort of garment: a shirt, a dress, a lightweight suit! This is my first attempt. It's Butterick 5300, and I like it a lot.

I made it from a Liberty fabric I brought from England. I didn't do a muslin. I was feeling reckless, so I just went for it. I made the XS. Next time I might make the small, to have a little more wiggle room.

I made it with snaps instead of buttons. I was unsure of whether my machine could handle such wispy fabric for buttonholes, and I liked the uninterrupted front with the snaps anyway.

I wore it to a neighboring town, where we ate cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, walked along train tracks and a dried up lake, and found the best grocery store we've been to in ages (details soon).

On this first weekend of Spring, there was even enough light to take some pictures. Some with flowers in them!

Happy Spring, everyone. May all your collars all be Peter Pan!

Spiced and Iced

2011-03-18T16:06:00.002Z

I made these cookies (from here) yesterday. I followed the recipe, except to add a touch of nutmeg and a teaspoon of caraway seeds to the mix. My grandmother used to put caraway seeds in her roll-out spice cookies and I always loved it. To me they looked like sewing stitches!

At the last minute I decided they needed to be iced, so I mixed a Domino box of powdered sugar with some lemon juice and a teaspoon of lemon zest, and dipped them in. There was nothing Irish about these snacks (nor is there anything Irish about me), but they were yum!

I Still Love You, Granny

2011-03-17T13:55:00.010Z

Almost all of my New Year's Resolutions each year have to do with crafts. 2011 is the third year I've written "master the art of granny squares". I've yet to learn how, though I've been finding more inspiration than I know what to do with.

Granny Square lesson photo from The Purl Bee:

Robot and "Giant Floor Ball" from the The Great Granny Crochet Book (in my own library)

Tavi, in her Granny Square leggings by Romance Was Born, image from The New Yorker

Christopher Kane, Fall/Winter 2011

Vintage crochet pattern by Etsy seller PaisleyPath

For The Kids!

2011-03-15T00:25:00.004Z

Some pictures have come my way of knitted/sewn items I've gifted to Smaller Friends. I thought I'd share how they look, lest you get bored of the items on this blog displayed disparagingly on hangers.

Tucker, in his red quilty jacket.

Cassie, in her frilly pink silk sweater, a repeat of the one I made for my goddaughter Poppy!

Willow, in the owls that I have knitted many times, and will make again for others, and still others. Go forth, my children, and conquer the earth in your handmade items!

She Looks Familiar

2011-03-10T23:37:00.003Z

Friends of mine will see that this is the closest to a self-portrait I have ever seen on the internet. So much so, that I might have to recreate it with the bumpits, vintage dress, and eternal Big Gulp I constantly have on hand. Now if I could just master those fake eyelashes!

Photo: Mario Sorrenti for Jill Sander, Fall 2000.

They Really Did it!

2011-03-09T17:25:00.005Z

I love it when Imaginary inspires Real.

Watch the video here.

Geek Vest

2011-03-07T17:14:00.004Z

I knitted this vest from my favorite knitting book. I call it the Geek Vest. It's for a 3 month old baby and it might be one of my favorite things I've ever made.

I know it's not generally safe to make things for around a baby's neck, but I'd like to see this vest worn with a bow tie. I might make some little matching shorts to go with it.

I like it so much that I think the inside is just as charming. But maybe that's just me.

I used one of my all-time favorite yarns, Colinette Jitterbug, and changed the pattern significantly. Ravelry details here.