Things Made Recently

Whew! It's been an interesting week, hasn't it? I feel like this country has really been through something. It feels kind of like a road trip, where at the end you are so spent you have trouble mustering up any energy for your actual vacation. Though this isn't really a vacation, it's life, I get it.  It's just that the joy and  continued optimism I was feeling seems compromised. I find myself trying to give pep talks to those around me (as well as myself) but I'm been at a loss. Maybe it'll come in time. I still believe that we have more in common than what divides us, and I hate to feel so divided.  In the meantime, we keep creating. The things in our hands are what we have control of most, right?

I made Lulu some party hats, from a kit I've had for quite a while: Alicia Paulson's Prettiest Party Hats. They were an absolute joy to make. They taught me new techniques with simple wool blend felt, and now I'm completely inspired to make more things, not only from her patterns, but from felt. I had some of it left over in the kit, so used it to make flowers on her birthday jumper (made from Simplicity 1075, vintage and in reprint). This jumper is destined to be worn only once, being wool and worn by a girl who embraces mess, but I've stopped caring. I relish it, in fact. That's what special occasions are for and you're only age 3 once ;)

I made Penny a fancy dress from Vogue 9042, in fabric from Rifle Paper Company, lined with a peachy pink linen. The sweater pattern is Lottie (Ravelry link), made with a bulky yarn in size 2 instead of 4, so it would all work out to gauge.

I made a Toasty Blanket from a free pattern that I altered greatly. I made it exactly to the pattern, but had lots of yarn left over, so ripped it out, started again with 40 something stitches, and improvised the rest. It's a lap or baby blanket. I haven't yet decided its recipient. I've ceased working at a yarn company, so my crafting budget is very limited, though I was pretty pleased with this yarn I picked up on a whim, at Joann. All of the details are on my Ravelry page for this project, if you'd like to see.

Finally, I made Lulu a winter coat from Pendleton Wool I bought a while ago at the outlet here in Portland. I used Vogue 9219, but when it was time to put on the collar, I just didn't want to cover up the yoke pattern. So I drafted a hood for it, and it worked out great. I also used magnetic snaps for the closure. The jury (being a jury of one person, age almost 3) is out on how that will work, but I'm very anxious for the result.

I hope you've spent some time doing things you love this week. I hope it brings you as much respite as crafting brings to me.

Recently Made: Warm and Fuzzy

Recently I've made some things with a bulky weight alpaca nylon yarn called "Wonderfluff", with which I'm having a love affair. The projects were super quick and the results were super rewarding. They certainly made for some warm and fuzzy projects. 

Perhaps my greatest accomplishment was this bear trophy head from the book Animal Heads: Trophy Heads to Crochet. The crochet charts were bonkers and the written instructions were even crazier. It was by far the most difficult thing I've ever crocheted, but I love him. He hangs in our bedroom, in the eve of our wooden roof, with pride. I'm tempted to do another animal from the book, but I just don't know if I have the guts (or the yarn) to complete it.

I've been making lots of these little vests lately. It's the perfect weekend project, so quick to complete with great details, too. I love the finished edges, the pompoms or buttonhole. I'm stock piling them for upcoming birthdays of kids I know. I think they're a great Fall layer. The pattern is Lil Shepherd by Julie Partie, and my Ravelry link is HERE.

Finally, I knitted myself a sweater! Though, this is not me wearing my sweater, of course. My friend Hannah generously modeled it for me. The pattern is "Walking on the Moon" by Heidi Kirrimaier (Ravelry link HERE) and I completed it in two weeks, on size 15 needles. It was a revelation. Who can beat bulky yarn for a quick fix? A large gauge sweater is the way to go, I've learned. Done and done.

Lately, I've been back to the sewing machine, though what I have left of this bulky weight yarn is still calling my name (as is my long to-do list of so many uncrafty related things). Boo!

P.S. I've finally decided to get a little social. I've joined Instagram! I'm @hollyunfurled. Come over and say hi. I'd love hear from you!

Unicorns, Pockets, and Rainy Day Magic

I made the girls some unicorn hats, and not even for Halloween! They're for everyday wear this winter, when the dreary weather (and we've already had a lot of it) gets our mood down. Penny already loves hers, and Lulu is, as usual, unsure and a bit harder to please. The free pattern for the hat is here, my Ravelry details are here, and if you've got a multicolored stash and a young person in your life, you may want to whip one (or more) of these up. 

Speaking of unicorns, I used some unicorn fabric (it's here) and some cloud fabric left over from this dress so long ago, to make a dress from a pattern I've used a few times now. It's called Sweet and Sassy and it makes the cutest oversized pocket dress. I'm sure the girls will be filling them up with, er, treasures in the spring. I made these dresses in the next sizes up, for warmer weather.

I became so obsessed with pockets that I've made myself a dress with big ones. I just have to hem it, and I can't wait to show you. The sewing machine has been roaring lately, with winter coats and more toddler dresses waiting to be constructed. Maybe there is something good about these rainy, rainy days.

Gifting

I've given a few handmade gifts, lately. Last week was one of Penny's teachers' last days before her maternity leave. She's been the sweetest, and I wanted to give her something for her upcoming baby Raven (isn't that a great name?). I made her an Annie Baby Blanket in yarn that self stripes. There was still a million ends to weave in, but I didn't mind. 

 

The colors reminded me of sunshine, so I made a Baby Surprise Jacket to match the blanket. I still love the idea of giving a "set" to a new mom. There are so many great sets in vintage pattern books I own, and I liked doing one knit item and one crochet piece.

Speaking of crochet, I made a gigantic donut for a friend's 40th birthday from a pattern in this book. It took so much yarn, but not as much time as I was expecting! It sure took a lot of fiber fill though, wow. Bags and bags and bags of it, bought with as many coupons as I could muster, at the craft store.

 

The size is ridiculous, and the girls pretended it was a pool float one day before we went swimming the day before we wrapped it up.

 

They were sad to see it go, which made me think I should make another - an orange one with bright pink icing, a chocolate one with light pink icing? Maybe someday, or maybe not :).

Made Recently

When I get tired of making clothes, it always seems satisfying to grab some acrylic yarn and crochet food.  After the banana split, I had a friend's 40th birthday to attend, so I worked up a birthday cake toilet paper cozy. Because who doesn't need a way to dress up your toilet paper when you're 40? The recipient's house is pretty nice, so I like the idea of being the funny aunt, ready to decorate your classy place with my trusty crochet hook. I also made some crocheted breakfast dishcloths, which I will squirrel away for a future gift. All food is made from this book, which I got for Mother's Day and love so dearly. I have so many plans for things to make from it.

When I found my way back to the sewing machine, I made this dress for Penny, which I love with all of my heart. The greatest thing is that it's neither vintage fabric nor a vintage pattern but came out looking like something I would dream of finding at the thrift store. The fabric is called Auntie's Attic and it was on clearance at Fabric Depot. I picture all the older ladies having 70s flashbacks when they see these prints, and leaving them alone, for me. The pattern is Simplicity 1174, well worth the $1.00 I paid for it. The only change I made was to make sleeve facings from the front and back bodice pieces, as bias binding around armholes is one of my sewing pet peeves.

Bunnies and Bananas

I've made some things for the girls. There are bunny sweaters - an intarsia one with a pompom tail, and a fair isle one also in tonal yarn, as well as a crochet banana split to celebrate the start of summer.

 

 

 

 

 

For kids that have never seen a real banana split, they are very attached to this creation. It put them in a sugar coma! It resides on Penny's toddler bed, which is supposed to be Lulu's toddler bed, but that's another story. Mr. Jones commented that "the color of the banana is a bit too mustard yellow". Ya think? Because remember that usually banana splits aren't made with the bananas in their peels! I mean, usually, right? Haha. Anyway, I have plans for us to go for a banana split, as a family. I think it'll be a hoot.

PS. The Neapolitan Ice Cream Blanket is my own crochet pattern. I hope to write it up for you, soon!

Things I Made, This Holiday

This year I was able to complete an array of handmade gifts. I kept it simple by making the same thing over and over again. That way, I could memorize the pattern and take a plastic bag with the current project in it, everywhere I went. Here are three things (well, a lot more than three, but three patterns, I guess) that I made this holiday season, for people that have meant a whole lot to me and my family.

I made hats for all the teachers at my girl's daycare. They have a system where the teachers move rooms a lot, so they get to teach a variety of ages. In total, my two girls have about 10 teachers, but I couldn't leave out the four teachers they don't have! So I made 14 hats from this free pattern, in a variety of colors. I put them in simple gift bags, tied with a string the same color as the hats. I told them to pick their favorite string color, so they could have a color hat they enjoyed.

For my friends in town, I crafted donuts. I made one from this great free pattern, and it was so fast and easy that I made another three. Then Penny took them all to her play kitchen and that was that. But I kept going, making eight donuts to give out as favors at Lulu's birthday party, packed in these great bakery boxes and tied with string and a tag that said "Something sweet for your tree". I've made ornaments for my friends in previous years, and it's so great to go to their houses at the holidays and see these ornaments on their tree. If they don't get used as ornaments, I'll probably be seeing them in a few friends' play kitchens, as well.

For my nephew, I made a crocheted Snoopy to go with this adorable intarsia sweater I bought at Gap Kids. Also a free pattern, it's made in parts and sewn up. I thought it was sweet and snuggly, and everyone recognized who he was, so I'm counting that as a success!

Candy Dots Baby Blanket: Pattern Available Now!

Thanks so much for your interest in my original post for the Candy Dots Baby Blanket. I'm excited to announce that the pattern is now available!

Made from single crochet with bobbles that harken back to the classic candy, this blanket is made in fingering weight/4 ply yarn, but can easily be up-sized in any weight to create a larger afghan or blanket!

The pattern includes the standard yarn and hook requirements, as well as a full photo tutorial on how to complete the color changes, bobble rows, and following single crochet rows. Even if you're new to the craft, I'm confident it will teach you everything you need to know to crochet this fun project.

You can purchase my Candy Dots Baby Blanket in the following two places (click on them to follow the links):

The Knit Picks Independent Designer Program Project Page 

The Ravelry Project Page (for which you must be a Ravelry user)

I hope you enjoy making the blanket. I've really enjoyed publishing the pattern, and am anxiously awaiting feedback. I can't wait to see some Candy Dots Blankets out in the world. They make life just a little bit sweeter, don't you think?

Candy Dots, Coming Soon!

Remember when I mentioned that one of my New Year's Resolutions was to publish some of my own knitting and crochet patterns? Well, I wanted to give you a sneak peak of one I've been working on for some time.  

 

Inspired by the classic candy, I designed a cheerful baby blanket that's easy to make and so much fun to own! Done in almost all single crochet, the pattern will include full pictorial instructions. Stay tuned, it's almost done. I can't wait until it's out in the world!

Bring The Happy

My grandmother's sister Betty was an avid crocheter. She made blanket after blanket that she would show off to us when we would see her at holidays and other family get-togethers. This was when I was young, before I could knit or crochet, or tell the difference between the two. Now, 30+ years later, I am taking up crochet myself. I've finally found what I like to crochet! Things for the home, whether they be mine, or someone else's. My first project was a bread warmer, which I plan to give as a gift. This is Junior, the cloud pillow, my second ever crochet project. I think he really brings the happy. He's going to a friend who I think will really enjoy him.

The pattern is from the book "Amigurumi at Home", a book I've fallen in love with. There's so many cute things to make! And this amazing rainbow blanket? My coworker Heidi made it (pattern here and details here) and I'm doing a complete duplicate of it right now to give to my friend when her twins are born. I might make a little cloud pillow, as a toy, to go with it!

Because both of these will be gifts, I'm not letting my girls catch sight of them. They'll want blankets and clouds for themselves, immediately. I showed Penny a picture from the cloud crochet pattern and she was grinning. She gave her sign of approval with a shout of "Baby!", a name she calls everything she loves (excluding her sister, who is only known by her name, WooWoo).

I am dreaming of crocheting so much more. I'm thinking I might start to make things now for the girls' rooms when they have twin beds - it won't be long, I guess! I should start quilts, and crochet throws, and make a few more cloud pillows for them: one in white with a smile, and one in gray with a frown would be cute. I don't know why these juvenile objects constantly inspire me. Maybe it's because they really do put a big smile on my face, as I embroider a smile on theirs :).