urban earth mother

slightly crappy webcam photo I've decided I'm just not cut out for scarves. Not that I don't have a variety of very nice ones, it's just that they don't seem to entirely work in the cold weather. Both scarves and neck gators seem to have the fatal flaw of leaving bits of skin exposed either above or below and letting the wind whip right through. Enter: The Dickie. I admit, I got the idea of knitting dickies from watching Big Bang Theory with Howard's ever-present neck accessory, but it seemed like it might be quite practical. I whipped out one on some random circular needles with some yarn I had in my office (what, you don't have yarn in your office?) and after wearing it once I was sold. Dickie #2 (pictured) I made for Spouse. I used two stash yarns at the neck, switching just to the blue for the tails. This one has a particularly long front so that it can be tucked in to a wide variety of necklines. The double bulk at the top is exceptionally warm ...

This is a bit of a catch-up on some knitting. I joined a knit-along Google Group and hadn't made anything (wasn't really into the patterns) until June. The June pattern was this market bag . It also allowed me some stash busting of random acrylic yarn. The handle did end up too long for me (stretches a crazy amount when full) but it works for Spouse. For July, I suggested an Aran sweater tea cozy . It wasn't chosen, but I decided to make it anyway. Here is the Sprog showing it off. And a close-up of the front And here's the back. This one used some wool I bought at a farm shop a few years ago. I only had one skein so was limited to a small project. This seemed the perfect user for it. And I think the tea pot looks quite dapper!

My sewing machine has been repaired and cleaned and works very nicely. I had so much fabric let over from the six-gore skirt that I decided to go all out and do a skirt without a pattern. I really, really want one of these Vivien of Holloway Pinafore skirts , but a) they're kind of expensive, and b) they don't come in my size. So, what's a girl to do? Well, they look like straight skirts with some darts for shaping, an extra high waist and straps added on. That shouldn't be too hard, right? Well it took longer than I thought simply because I managed to throw my back out and sitting for long periods of time hurt too much. I eventually made myself start it on Saturday so I could wear it to a wedding on Sunday. The straps originally went over the shoulders straight, but I had cut them too long and my sloped shoulders enabled them to slip down constantly. After we got back from the wedding on Monday, I took the straps off in the back and crossed them over. The straps are ...

I got two books and a knitting bag for my birthday. The one on the left, Naughty Needles , was from my mom. Go mom! She saw it in a shop in Montreal and thought of me instantly but didn't buy it. So after kicking herself for not getting it, she found it on Amazon and had it sent. So last night, I made pasties from the book and followed with the g-string today from the website I tried the pasties on last night to good reviews. Well, one review. I told Spouse there was still some Bailey's left after I put a splash in the custard. He said, "Mmmhmm." and then asked if there was any Bailey's. "Yes. I just said so." "Oh. Did you put some in the custard?" Now honestly, how much more stereotypic husband behaviour could you get? But he justified t when I called him on it with, "I'm sorry, wasn't listening. I was too busy staring at your breasts." Well, at least he's honest. And in case you're curious, here's what ...

Spouse was numb by the time he got to work and has requested legwarmers. I think I'm going to go for long socks instead, again from Essentials for the Forces. I'll pick up some #1 needles on my way home, but for added warmth I'm going to do them in DK/sport weight that I have kicking around the house. I may even try doing two at once . Wish me luck.

Sorry I've not posted in a while. I did manage to finish the Ubuntu bag and will post shots in the next day or so (I was chastised for not doing it). In the meantime, enjoy a shot of completed baby sweater #1 (on completed, but anonymous, nephew). I finished this one before Thanksgiving and then started another one (both are from One Skein Wonders). The second one, which I do not have picture of, is the Bamboo Baby Sweater , modified to make it larger using bigger needles and double stranding some sport weight wool I had kicking around. My finished on is red and green on the back, red and blue, and green and blue on the front, with green sleeves. I opted for two large buttons to close it since the YO edge was much larger on mine. There are two buttons on the other side as well so it can be closed either way and has a slightly double-breasted look to it. While it turned out nicely, it was a PAIN to make. I frogged that fucker four times! I think the problem was not knowing w...

I had jury duty today for the third time. It was my second district court and once again we got let out as none of the cases that day ended up needing us. But this time, I planned ahead and called to see if I could bring my knitting. So here's the half-felted cloche I made while listening to daytime television for four hours. I actually finished it later because I ended up frogging the whole thing after three inches because it was too wide. Eh, that'll teach me not to do a guage swatch. The pattern is from One Skein Wonders using yarn I got from someone at work as a winter holiday (hell, choose which one you want to celebrate) gift.

I've been perusing vintage patterns again (as is my wont) and found this little number from 1922. I bought a huge skein of Alpaca a couple years ago and have done nothing with it and think the Fairfield would work well on me. Just imagine a model just as frumpy, but with bigger boobs.

This is the bag I started this weekend. It's the Everlasting Bagstopper from this month's Knitty. My options were overexpose it with the flash or have it too dark to see without. I just couldn't bring myself to turn on the overhead lights in the office to really correct it. And yes, the rest of my desk is a mess too. Instead of hemp, I'm using a cotton from my stash. A friend gave me a HUGE bag of this (plus lots of great wool), and after making a dress, I still have several balls left over. I may make a hat as well just to get rid of the stuff.