Shark Hat for Blythe, pattern updated!

I purchased a fancy new MacBook Air and also, purchased Pages.  I started re-designing my page layouts for my older patterns.

I stared working on the Shark Hat for Blythe.  I found a lot of errors in my pattern writing skills.

It has been rewritten and tested by another individual!

Here is the new pattern:

download now

Happy Knitting!

Wicked

I have to say I hate the Wizard of Oz.  I don't know if it was the flying monkeys or the stupid songs that made me dislike it as a kid.  I think my daughter is probably the only kindergartner that has never seen it.  In fact, someone made an "Oz" reference and I had to explain she has no idea what they were talking about.

With that said, I love Wicked.  Crazy, I know.

I love the "adult" version of Wizard of Oz.  It is just so magical and raw.  I read Wicked when I was expecting my daughter (6 years ago), but I stopped there.

Before Christmas I started listening to Son of a Witch.  I was a bit lost.  Now, I am playing catch up and listening to Wicked.

I get inspiration to name my dolls based on what I am reading at the time.  For example, Arvella is name for someone in the 1950s Henderson Board of Trustees minutes.

Elphie

Now, I have an Elphie and a Nessa.  One maybe named Gilly, I am not sure yet.

Anyways, a little knitting update.

I have been struggling on my knitting lately.  I just can't think of anything I want to make.  I have been making some middie Blythe sized sweaters and mohair dresses for my shop, but that is about it.

Something about my shop-  I am planning to open up and additional Etsy shop in May.  I would do it now, but I just renewed a bunch of my craft listings.  It would really add up if I did not see them to the end.  The new shop will be strictly fabric, yarn, vintage sewing patterns, and vintage buttons.  I think mixing Blythe and Crafts is too junky.  I wish I would have thought of it last week when I was doing the renewing.

I am also hoping to develop some packaging ideas for my Blythe clothing.  Eventually, I plan to post some shop goals because I do have some.  Like, I use recycled packaging envelopes from my workplace to reduce landfill waste.

Stay tuned for other exciting statements like the one today.  

What new?

I have been trying to think up a new blog topic.  I am drawing a blank.

I can update on my Christmas list.

I am practically finished. Everything is made.  Only a few things are left to do.  The largest task at hand is bottling the wine and designing labels for it!

I cranked out a fleece kitty scarf for R after I took her to school on Friday. I am sure it will be well received and may restore her love for me.  She has firmly decided I am mean.  Not sure why except I make her get out of bed to go to school.  Crying ever morning really grates on my nerves.

Sorry, back to the list. I think I finished sewing on closures to her doll clothing.  Her new Blythe doll is finished.  All she lacks is clothing and her scalp attached.  Sounds gruesome.

Everyone else is finished!

All of my current commissions are finished! Yay! No more guilt for working on my own stuff!

Right now I have several projects going on in the sewing and knitting front.

I am still working on the Red Hood from Jane Austen Knits.

I just finished a Capelet using Universal Yarns Mohair Mountain. Fun yarn, but I suggest not pulling yarn from the center pull.  I had some terrible spots where the yarn stuck together with fuzz.  I splurged and used Jul leather buttons! Completely worth it!

New Blythe Patterns!

Apparently cold weather, no internet, and the holidays has jump started my creative juices!

In the past two weeks I have developed six new patterns for Blythe garments.  I had no idea they were even floating around in my noggin.  Once I got started I couldn't stop!

Here the patterns are, if there is a story, I will include it:

Romper for Blythe 

2.50 USD 

Mohair Caplet for Blythe

2.50 USD

Angora Cape for Blythe

2.50 USD

Mohair Skirt for Blythe

2.50 USD

Mohair Coat for Blythe

3.50 USD

This pattern was designed to showcase the button.  It came from my grandmother's button jar.

Angora Coat for Blythe

3.50 USD

I have a new love for angora and mohair!

My internet company went belly up. :( So now we are shopping for a new provider.  I don't know when I will get plugged back in the the world wide web.

Red Hood

I, as promised, broke the bank for a Jane Austen Knits pattern.  Okay, I really didn't break the bank, but it was pricey.

I bought Cascade 220 for the Scarlet Capelet.  The pattern calls for 2 skeins of Plymouth Mulberry Silk for the front edging.  I thought I would leave it out, but now I am thinking I want to use it.  I also purchased Jul leather buttons.

The hood is finished and I am now at the shoulder increases.  It is A LOT of Stocking Stitch...

Once finished, I am going to play with the idea of lining the hood.

Different note-

R's dental surgery went okay.  She is still a bit grumpy.  I am hoping soon she will be in a better mood.

Dread

I dread tomorrow.  R is having major dental surgery.  Poor kid has inherited bad teeth.  I feel very sad that she is going to have a mouth full of silver teeth.  :(

This weekend is supposed to be a soccer tournament.  I am unsure if R is going to play.  I have no idea how she is going to feel after tomorrow.  I am expecting to stay home with her on Thursday.

Tonight we are eating pizza and staying up really late (but no food or water past 12 am).  Hopefully, she will sleep until just before we leave for the hospital.

Speaking about soccer-
Last weekend's soccer game went extremely well. R got into the fray and kicked the ball.  She did some fancy footwork even. I am pretty impressed with her progress.

One week our coaches (who are college girl soccer players) were traveling for their own games and the practice coach was a college boy soccer player.  He did an amazing job with drills and such.  The kids really listened to him.  Majority of the kids on the team cannot seem to listen to the girls.

Well, ho hum.  That is all I can dredge up today.

Jane Austen Knits

I have a confession- I have never read Jane Austen.  First time I tried I was in 8th or 9th grade with Emma.  I keep attempting every so often.  My most recent attempt has been Sense and Sensibility.  I read contemporary books about Jane Austen and her writings, like The Jane Austen Book Club and currently, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy.

I enjoyed The Jane Austen Book Club; however, I am not so thrilled with Definitely Not Mr. Darcy.  I love the Jane Austen movies.

Wondering where this confession is going?

Image from Interweave Knits' website

There is a new Interweave Knits magazine out exclusively for Jane Austen Knits.  Oh, it is glorious.  I see so many items I want to knit!!!  It is 15.00 dollars (rounded up).  I am about to purchase is as an e-mag.

Anne Kingstone has contributed some really sweet socks.  I have some of the most perfect cream colored yarn (Cascade Heritage Solids).  

There are caplets, bags, sweaters, etc.  I am definitely going to make a caplet even if it breaks the bank in yarn.

Okay, I am finished with my gushing.

I will give a little update on what has been going on lately.

I have commissions and charity work.  My commissions are hats for a coworker's daughter.  The other items isn't really a commission, it is more of a payment for this:

A wonderfully generous person gave this girl to me! Little Miss No Name (coming soon) is a Takara Lounging Lovely.

For payment I am knitting a 6 month old baby sweater and adding a pair of socks in to show my gratitude.  

My charity knitting is Arkansas Children's Hospital Knitting for Noggins.  Knit Unto Others has a hat drive and has made it into a competition between HSU and OBU.

I am using up a lot of yarn which makes me super happy.  I am mixing up the hats between knitting and crochet.  It gives me enough variety I can stay motivated.  Plus, it is really great seeing those skeins of yarn shrink!

I added new patterns into my Etsy Shop and Ravelry Shop.  

Unicorn Headband-

child and adult sizes!

I now have American Girl Doll size available in the Unicorn Headband, too.