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Knitting

Knitting

doll sweaters

I can’t believe I took a knitting hiatus from July of last year to just a few weeks ago. Well, when I recently found myself alone for 24 hours, I was in the mood to make something. I don’t have a lot of supplies here at the moment, so I had to figure out what I could make with what I had. I settled on a doll sweater, small enough that I could finish it quickly, and it wouldn’t matter if I messed up being that it was for a doll.

doll sweaters

I didn’t mess up, and I love how it turned out. I love the Little Leaves pattern (found on Ravelry). I have no idea what kind of yarn I used. It was unmarked in one of my boxes that was left here in storage. The sweater is the perfect size for Emma G’s dolls.

I was so encouraged by my progress that I started another doll sweater. Seriously, quick satisfaction was on my brain. This time I didn’t do buttons, and I changed the pattern a bit. Instead of little leaves, I just did a garter stitch. I have plans to make an outfit to accompany the sweater.

modeling babies

Not only did I break my knitting hiatus, but I learned a new technique. The Magic Loop method never made sense to me. It felt awkward. After watching the Knit Pick video on YouTube, I decided to tackle it. This was out of necessity being that I currently have no double pointed needles. I tackled it, and love this method now!

Any creative venture that’s been on hiatus for you? No time like the present to get back into it, right?

StudioJRU

Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for In The Studio.

Knitting photography

the jane austen dress

jane austen dress

This little knit was a booger. It’s little, so I should have finished it quickly. The top I did finish pretty quickly but that shrug. Oh my. I probably unraveled it 7 times before I got it right. I almost gave up, but I refused to let it get the better of me.

floppy hat

I’ve had my eye on this Jane Austen dress from Mason Dixon Knitting for some time now. I received the book for Christmas and finally got my supplies to make it. I love this batik print I found at a local fabric shop. Since Emma G is now into purple, I knew I had to incorporate it somehow (another reason I couldn’t give up on that shrug).

side view

  drama

After I finished the final touches on this, I packed up ALL my knitting supplies. I feel there’s too much going on in my head to think about what I might want to make while in Africa, so I just packed it all away. Jeremy let out a slight gasp when I told him. I assured him that I would be just fine. If I need a quick little satisfying knit, I can always go down to the shop and buy some needles and yarn. For now, I’m happy to have a little knitting break with all the other things I’m trying to focus on.

StudioJRU 



Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday.

Knitting

phoebe for phoebe

I recently finished knitting Phoebe…for Phoebe. Fellow YWAMers (Youth With A Mission-ites) that we knew from the days we lived in Tyler, found out the beginning of this year that their sweet two-year-old girl had AT/RT cancer, a rare childhood brain cancer with only 30 newly diagnosed cases each year. As I’ve followed their daily posts on Phoebe’s progress, my heart and prayers for them have increased. Phoebe, so far, has spent all of 2012 in the hospital.

My crafting genes were itching to make something for her, but the question was what. Then, like a light bulb coming on, I had it. Phoebe Mouse! Phoebe Mouse is quite the busy traveler. You might remember her showing up at Emma G’s 6th birthday party. She was also sited in the Summer 2011 issue of Artful Blogging. You can see all of her travels on her blog. Well, now I hope Phoebe is bringing smiles to Phoebe as she fights cancer in the hospital.

phoebe mouse 
 I’ve only met Joanna Johnson, author of Phoebe’s Sweater, in cyberspace, but I suspect we would have such a lovely chat over coffee should we meet in person someday. When I shared with her Phoebe’s story, she graciously donated a copy of Phoebe’s Sweater to go with Phoebe Mouse. Thank you, Joanna!

with her sweater on 

 Please pray for little Phoebe Fair. I can’t imagine everything they are going through right now. I encourage you to visit her blog. Her mom, Amey, writes with such hope. It’s amazing to read such sad news and yet walk away feeling encouraged.

back of sweater 

 Side note: Phoebe’s Sweater is a beautiful children’s book. Phoebe’s mama knits her a sweater while waiting for her new baby to arrive! The back of the book contains all the knitting patterns for Phoebe Mouse, her dress, sweater, and a sweater for a child. Other books by Joanna Johnson include Freddie’s Blanket and Phoebe’s Birthday, coming out this Spring!

StudioJRU
Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday!

Knitting

his vintage elephant

elephant front

Usually when it comes to handmade gifts, I feel like Joshua sometimes gets the short end of the stick. There’s just SO MANY possibilities for girls. As he gets older, I feel like the possibilities dwindle even more. So when he hinted that he wanted me to make him an elephant, I jumped on it. It was his one handmade Valentine’s gift (besides cards).

elephant side
Flo (although I don’t think that’s the name he’s sticking with) the Elephant was my favorite choice as I browsed Ravelry. It had a slight vintage feel to it that I loved. I also love the orange contrast with the blanket stitch on the ears and around the feet.

feet

I didn’t pay much attention to the gauge. It’s just an animal, after all, but it did turn out much bigger than anticipated. Joshua didn’t mind. He actually wanted one bigger! I just love the angle from this shot he captured of his BIG animal.

jman's shot

Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday. It’s such a great place to share your creativity!

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Knitting

because every girl needs a pink gator

When my friend, Stacy, called me in October telling me that the only gift her daughter requested for Christmas was a pink alligator, I knew I needed to help her out.  I mean, every girl needs a pink gator, right?

pink gator

As I browsed Ravelry, I found the perfect pattern, Plush Alligator by Kristi Benedict.  It was well worth the $5.  The belly is my favorite!  This gator is actually quite long, 18 inches, if I remember correctly, but it knits up super fast using a bulky yarn.  I used Lion Brand Thick & Quick in white and pink and wooden buttons for the eyes.  I’m a total fan of wooden buttons.

awesome belly

wooden eyes

If you know a girl who needs a pink gator, let me know, because I’m in the business of making sure every girl has a pink gator in her life. 🙂

StudioJRU

Linking up with Jennifer @ Studio JRU for Sneak Peek Friday.  It’s the highlight of my week.  You should check it out!