Stitching Over the Days: Episode 21

I can’t believe it’s been over a year since my last post. I participated in Me Made May last year and I am participating again this year. Instead of doing weekly Me Made May posts, I’ll do a recap at the end of the month. I’m happy to say that I have worn something Me-Made everyday this month. Some days I did not feel like posting, but I stuck it through.

While my blogging activity has been low, I have steadily been crafting away. However, I think the year 2016 was my least productive year. I did not sew a thing, I did not finish a crochet item, and I only finished a hat and a cardigan. Very disappointing. I can say that I was focused on finishing out my last year of my Master of Library Science program, while also applying to a Ph.D. program in Library and Information Science. It was quite the task. I am happy to say that I was accepted to the University of South Carolina in Columbia’s doctoral program and I just finished out my second semester quite successfully. Summer 2016 consisted of relocating to Columbia. In the process of moving from North Carolina to Alabama to South Carolina, I did misplace my handmade scarves, cowls, and hats. Therefore, there is a need for me to make more scarves, cowls, and hats.

Now, on to the knitting and crocheting. For this post, I will focus on my smaller projects. I will detail my cardigans and sweaters in another post.

One of my church members, had a baby girl this past winter. I knew that I wanted to make her something because she was very excited about having her first girl (she has five boys). I always admired the Cloud Layette set in the Big Book of Crochet and I was excited about the project. I think baby’s look so adorable in white. It’s something about it that is so fresh. I made the cardigan, booties, and bonnet and chose not to create the blanket. Initially, I planned to use white ribbon, but decided pink ribbon would be a nice accent. Below I’ve listed a few project details and an image of the set. (OAN: My sister is expecting and the baby is due in November, so it looks like more baby knits are in my future.)

Yarn – Bernat Softee Baby Solids & Marls

Hook – 5.5 mm (I)

Level – Easy

Size – 3 months

I really wanted to get back to knitting everyday, so I decided to start carrying small projects with me in my backpack. Therefore, I could knit in between classes. So, I made a few cardigans for my American Girl dolls, which are 18 inch dolls. (BTW, I have been a big AG fan since 1994 when my mom surprised me with my Addy doll for Christmas 1994.) So, I knitted the Rylie Nautical cardigan for my dolls. Project details are below:

Yarn – Knit Picks Palette in Limeade Heather

Needle – 2.25 mm (US 1)

Level – Easy

Modifications – I made it in a solid color and did not include the stripes. I shortened the length by omitting 9 rows.

With the leftover yarn, I decided to make a crochet cardigan/shrug for the American Girl Wellie Wisher doll, which is a 14 inch doll. Details below:

Hook – 3.25 mm (D)

Pattern – Heavy modification of a dress pattern

Level – Easy

Then, I decided to make another 18 inch doll cardigan using the same Rylie Nautical pattern. Details are below:

Yarn – Knit Picks Palette in Candied Yam

Needle – 2.25 mm (US 1)

Level – Easy

Modifications – No stripes. I shortened the body by 9 rows. Switched the button band to the correct/female side. Added buttonholes every 10th row and not every 8th row as stated in the pattern.

On Instagram, I posted about being busy and wanting to focus on smaller projects. Well, one of my followers suggested I take up sock knitting. I figured “Why not?” Man, did I go down the rabbit hole. I love creating socks! I’ve made 4 pairs already and look forward to making many more.

The first pair I made was the Picot Socks from Pom Pom Quarterly website. In the description, it stated that this would be a good project for first-time sock knitters. So, I cast on. I was new to Judy’s Magic Cast On and reffered to the video HERE for a tutorial. I also refered to this the video HERE for help in sewing down the picot hem. I was quite pleased with my first pair of socks. Also, these were worked toe-up. Further details below:

Yarn – Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Weight in Soft White

Needle – 2.75 mm (US 2)

Level – Easy to Intermediate

Following that sock project, I wanted something a bit more complex. I had admired the Interchange Socks from Stranded Magazine’s first issue for the longest. I figured now would be the time to cast on the socks. I bought this yarn during my Study Abroad trip to Denmark. There was this beautiful yarn shop in Copenhagen called Somerflugen. It was so charming. I also bought a sweaters quantity of this citrus green yarn that I have plans for making a vintage pullover in the future… So, these socks are quite special to me. And I will always remember Copenhagen when wearing them. Also, these were worked cuff down–my favorite method. Details below:

Yarn – Mayflower 1 class in 2029 (blue)

Needle – 2.25 mm (US 1)

Level – Intermediate

Following that pair of complex socks, I wanted to try a basic vanilla sock. I used Yarngasms basic vanilla sock pattern of Favorite Socks with modifications. I was watching Order of the Phoenix when knitting these, so that’s the name of them. I like the flashes of orange. It definitely reminds me of Dumbledore’s phoenix. Details below:

Yarn – Knit Picks Stroll Handpainted in Koi Pond

Needle – 2.5 mm (US 1.5)

Level – Beginner to Easy

Modifications – did a 1 inch cuff; did a 5 inch leg (wasn’t paying attention on sock 2 and it has 5.5” leg); on heel flap stitch section I ended on WS row (row 1); in gusset section, I first knit across then proceeded to step 1. I did not make the last stitch picked up the last stitch in the round. I made my last stitch the center of the heel, which I prefer.; for instep decrease, my row 2 was adjusted because I changed my last stitch to the center of the heel, which was: k to 3 sts before instep. k2tog k1, k28, k1 ssk, k to end; for the knit the foot section, my last round was: remove marker A, knit to marker B. This is now the beginning of the round.

So, after that simple pattern I wanted something a bit more complex. Notice a pattern here (simple to complex to simple to complex). LOL. This is the Eyelet Rib Socks from the Knit Picks book Socktacular. Details below:

Yarn – Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer in Runway

Needle – 2.5 mm (US 1.5)

Level – Easy

Notes – 2×2 cuff, eye of partridge heel, grafted toes

Whew! That post turned out to be much longer that I anticipated. That’s what a I get for taking such a long hiatus. Future posts will be about my new Andi Satterlund cardigans and a test knit I did for the new knitwear designer Amy Appel. It’s good to be back.

Me Made May Finale

Posted on September 28, 2015September 28, 2015 by cmc

Why bog you down with a million and one excuses for my extended absence? The upcoming blog posts will feature finished items, almost finished items, WIPs, and even photos from my trips. But first, let me post my finished looks from Me-Made-May 2015 (I have got to be the latest person ever with this post.) So, lets get started…

22 mmm — Day 22 – Features a simple self-drafted elastic skirt and the Shapely Cardigan.

23 mmm — Day 23 – Features a self-drafted elastic skirt and Hortencia by Andi Satterlund.

24 mmm — Day 24 – Features Hetty by Andi Satterlund.

25 mmm — Day 25 – Features Miette by Andi Satterlund

26 mmm — Day 26 – Features a self-drafted skirt and Elsa by Andi Satterlund

27 mmm — Day 27 – Features Hetty by Andi Satterlund

28 mmm — Day 28 – Features Marion by Andi Satterlund

29 mmm — Day 29 – Features Simplicity 1803

30 mmm — Day 30 – Features Marion by Andi Satterlund (Pheonia made a slight cameo)

31 mmm — Day 31 – Simplicity 1803 dress and Myrna by Andi Satterlund

All of the looks from Me Made May 2015! — The complete looks from Me-Made-May 2015!

Okay, that concludes this post. I’ll be back later.

Me Made May ’15 – Week 2

Posted on May 15, 2015 by cmc

I completed Week 2 of Me Made May ’15. The details are below.

Day 8 (Friday) – I was a hostess in the graduation and we had to wear black/white. So, I took along my Sweet Pea shawl to keep warm in the cold building.

Day 9 (Saturday) – I started packing up my apartment. So, I wore my Butterick b5653 and my red Hetty cardigan.

Day 10 (Sunday) – This is the second time my Beulah cardigan has appeared. I wore it with my Modcloth dress to church this previous Sunday.

IMG_20150511_091013 Day 11 (Monday) – I wore this self-drafted skirt and matching headband to work. A tutorial for a simple elastic skirt can be found HERE and the tutorial for a retro headband can be found HERE (It’s not the exact tutorial I used, but I can’t find the original).

Day 12 (Tuesday) – I worked then traveled home on this day. So, I was looking for a super comfy outfit. I am wearing my Marion cardigan.

Day 13 (Wednesday) – I wore my Mei-Mei shrug with a comfy dress.

Day 14 (Thursday) – I spent the day with my Dad running errands and I wore a cardigan and a dress from the OAL2014. The cardigan is Myrna and the dress is Simplicity 1803.