Baby Knitting

It's spring baby time! Not mine of course - a gal at work is due for her first in June, and my childhood best friend had her third just today! So of course, I've been working on some baby sweaters. I enjoyed the first one so much, that I picked up some more yarn to make a couple extra. I don't know if I'll list them on Etsy or just hang on to them for more babies. If anyone has any good patterns - especially for 12-18 months - I'd love to see them!

I've always loved The Shawshank Redemption, and as a stitcher, I was drawn to the needlepoint hanging in Warden Norton's office covering the safe. I recently decided to reproduce it, and looked everywhere for clear images of the needlepoint. I finally took some screencaps of my own and used my old Drafting & Rendering skills to chart out the pattern. That took a little over a week, and then I started in on the stitching.

I used 28 count Charles Craft Monaco fabric in Antique White, and the finished pattern measures 9"x 18". The frame is a little taller than I'd like, but I used one I already had. I may eventually get one custom made so it more resembles the one from the movie.

In 2007, I had the opportunity to tour Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, where Shawshank was filmed. It was really a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it. I'm thinking of making another needlepoint and sending it to them for display in their museum. You can check out the pictures I took on my tour at my Flickr site.

Valentine's Day Resolutions

I hereby promise, promise, promise to update my blog on a regular basis! Like, at least weekly. I'm embarking on a huge effort to spring-clean my house, my life, and my crafty goodness. I've been going in too many new directions and it's been pulling me apart, so I've resolved to focus on the my priorities and pare down the unnecessary.

Work is going pretty well, my bunny is completely fantastic, I've been able to read (and finish!) books of my choosing for the first time in years, and the crafty developments march ever onward. I'll add some pictures of recent works as I update more frequently, but for now, here's a picture of the Three Best Friends That Anybody Could Have!

Oh my gosh, the summer has gone by so quickly! I really have got to get back to updating more regularly.

In the past few months, I've gotten my own apartment, rehabbed some thrift-store furniture, adopted a bunny, visited some friends and made some new ones, and gotten back into reading for pleasure. It's been a pretty good summer!

And as always, the craftyness continues! Right now I'm working on a pair of socks for my friend Doug, made with tofutsies yarn on size 1 needles. They're taking forever, because the gauge is so small, but I'm very pleased with the fabric it's making. He's requested a balaclava with it's own moustache, and I told him not to tempt me.

I've also gotten really excited about Japanese Book Binding. I've made a few of different sizes - three 8.5" x 5", one 8" x 8", and one 3" x 3". I also used a different technique on a 3" x 3" book - 8 folios with 10 pages each, sewn together at the crease and then stitched to a wrap-around cover. I'm not sure how sturdy that one is, but it is awfully cute! I'm really interested in learning lots of different techniques, including leather bound books.

Pictures will follow soon!

Socks!

I've finished my very first hand-knit socks!

They're made with Cascade Fixation Spray-Dyed Effects. The elasticity of the yarn makes for a very snug fabric with a cushy feel. I like ankle socks, so I stopped these pretty soon after I finished the heel turn.

I was surprised at how easy they were to make. I ordered Knitpick's 47" circs and used their free Toe Up, Two at a Time, Magic Loop Socks pattern. I'll be casting on for another pair soon!

Hey Everybody! I've entered the July Craftster Challenge, "Picture This," with my machine embroidery piece based on a photo I took at a picnic in Chilicothe, Ohio. Head on over and cast your vote!

Some of the girls I work with at Le Reve have a pretty great knitting podcast called "Here's to Ewe!" Check out MaddieHatter

and RedQueen, on itunes, Ravelry, and at their blog.

Coming soon to the blog: Tiny Coraline Sweater and original pattern!