top-down sweater

Although I've been a "serious knitter" (that sounds really dorky!) for a long time and I've made a lot of different types of garments, I mostly learned what I know by working from patterns.  Which, in some ways, is a great because I've been exposed to a lot of different stitch combinations, techniques and designs.  The bad thing is I've always felt there was a part of me that lacked an important understanding of how to modify these patterns for different sizes, body types, yarn weights, etc.

I sat myself down a few months ago and decided that it was time for me to really learn basic sweater construction.  I've had a lot of design ideas floating around in my head for some time now and resolved to teach myself some of these basics before making the leap to putting my own patterns down in writing.

So, here is my very first top-down custom fit sweater.

It may look a little boring, but it is probably the most satisfying project I've ever done.  I had absolutely no directions I just... made it.  And it fits!  Really well!  I wear it way more than any of my other hand knit garments.

sock knitting

I don't know what's gotten into me lately, but I can't stop knitting socks.  It all started with my brilliant idea to make a pair of socks each for my dad and brothers for Christmas.  (I had to second guess myself a few times on this - although handmade gifts are usually quite appreciated... socks?  Really?  That's the kind of gift you get from your grandma and wish you didn't.)  Ever since, I've been hooked.

Upon hearing of my new obsession, my mom kindly reminded me that she once heard me say, "Knitting socks is stupid.  Why would anyone spend so much time on something they can easily buy for so cheap?"  Well, I have to admit, I had a good point there.  But, just take a look at these.

So pretty!  So comfortable and soft.  Who can resist?  Not me!

all hopped up

 This weekend Dean and I made our first batch of home brew beer.

It's really amazingly simple to do and feels like a science experiment - there are glass tubes and strainers and this:

I think that's yeast from the bottom of the barrel?  But you better believe I wasn't sticking my hand in it.

i thought that you didn't like me

Absolutely love this tile from Rob Ryan.

hodge the hedgehog

I loved this darling little project. I made this hedgehog toy for a friend’s child, but mostly sort of because I wish I had a real hedgehog as a pet!

I don’t think I put enough stuffing in him, he’s a little hot-dogish, but I think it makes him cute.

I used scrap yarn for this project - it was some sort of tweed that Rowan no longer makes. I want to use the rest of the scraps to make a whole hedgehog family!

kat hat

Hi!  You may have noticed that my blog has a new name.  Well, I'm back, and I'm going to be blogging about a lot of different things that I like to make and do!  But, I don't need to say too much here, because soon enough you'll see what that means. 

I knit this hat fooorever ago...

and... I LOVE it. I wear it every day on my chilly commute around London. It’s loose enough that it doesn’t squash down my hair (important!) but also not so loose that it looks saggy.