Little Liza Jane, take two

Gauge. UGH!

We have all had run ins with it before. Well, it must have been my turn again for a mishap. I started a dress for Eleni, Little Liza Jane from Twist Collective Spring 2009 issue. Once I had enough of it to get a good mesurement taken I realized it was 4 inches wider than I needed it to be! YIKES! There was no way I could ignore that unless I was looking to wear the dress myself. So I frogged it back. I can only now post about it because I am back to where I started. Around the 7 inch mark.

It is just darling. I really hope to finish it before Easter. I figured if I get the skirt done by next Wednesday, it won't be too difficult to meet my goal.

24

In just 24 short hours I will be escaping reality for a weekend of fun with some close friends. I feel like there is so much to do to prepare, but if I push through it will be worth it in the end. I even think I am excited to grocery shop. That rarely happens.

I have been a busy knitter, but much of what I had been working on was secret. Most recently two baby sweaters. One of which I forgot to photograph. The other I designed, and am working on writing up a pattern to go along with it. It mimics some design features of Jared Flood's Cobblestone sweater.

I have one more baby to knit for this spring, but I think I have time to squeeze in some selfish knitting too. Currently on the needles are a little dress for EJ. (and yes, knitting for EJ is selfish... because I get to show her off) I am knitting a pattern called Little Liza Jane from the most recent Twist Collective. I have about 6 inches of the skirt worked up already. I am surprised at how quickly it has gone, especially considering I spend a lot of time holding it up and admiring how cute it is. This picture was taken around the 3 inch mark

One more project is on my needles, and it is also about 6 inches long. The difference is, I knit this 6 inches in a matter of an hour or two.

This is the first time I have knit with size 19 needles. It is quite a difference, but the instant gratification is pretty wonderful too. The pattern is the Rockefeller Sweater from Big City Knits. I had been wanting to make something from this book since buying it when it hit the book stores, but I had heard things about the yarn estimates being off, and the patterns are vague. I think now I am more confident in my knitting and thanks to Ravelry and others project details I felt comfortable committing to one of these patterns.
There will be a lot of knitting time this weekend. Hopefully I will have a chance to make significant progress on both of these projects!

Tree Jacket

So, now that half of you have already seen the Tree Jacket in person I took a picture to share. Not a fab picture, but it gets the point across.

I really love this sweater. I am glad I took the time to make it the way I wanted it. Even if it meant reknitting one sleeve and the body to get the fit I desired.

I made a few modifications, which I will detail a bit on Ravelry.

Lets pretend its spring!

The warm weather reminded me to get out and cut some branches off of my forsythia bush... if you cut them in February and put them in some water they will bloom in the house! Just be sure to pick branches with nice buds, and change the water every once in a while (or not- they seem to do ok if you just ignore them too). So consider this your reminder!

Sew much fun!

Yes, yes... I know. I owe you pictures of my Tree Jacket. Which I have worn three times in the past week. I couldn't love it more. However, I don't have those pictures. Instead I managed to find some time with Taylor. Remember him?

Taylor is my sewing machine to those of you not in the know. I have not used him for anything fun since the day I went into labor with EJ.

Sure, there was hemming a pair of pants but that is more of a chore than anything. Especially since they where for K.

This little bag is a pattern from Bend the Rules Sewing. The fabric is from SewMamaSew, and I bought it last summer I think. So sad it took me so long to use it.

EJ found a bag the other day and was carrying it around with her. I knew I couldn't put the project off any longer. It was very quick too. Got to love the instant gratification factor!

Tree Jacket Week 2

Tree Jacket week 2
Originally uploaded by ajkretchun

Another week working on the tree jacket and I finished the body and most of one sleeve! Won't be long before it is finished... yea! I thought I would be further along. Thursday I sprained my ankle, and really tried to stay off of it for a few days. However, I didn't manage to get much more knitting in than normal.

Waterlilly, reincarnated

So as I mentioned previously I have started knitting a new sweater for me. Trying to squeeze it between Christmas knitting and baby knitting I have ahead of me. Without a little selfishness in the middle I might just not get through all of the giving. So I started Tree Jacket last Sunday. Making today its 6th day of gestation. However I have only actually knit for 5 days so far. In any case, it is really coming along nicely.

I decided to knit it a size smaller than I think I need because my gauge is a bit larger than suggested but I think it works well for this yarn. Perhaps I will get it done by the month's end at this rate. I am really looking forward to wearing it! s