Knitting up a storm

I am in the process of taking a hiatus from swapping.  It is amazing what I can do when knitting for no one but me.  I have made a pair of Unmentionables, which I call "Grey Undercrackers"  on my project page on Ravelry.  I made my first sweater Emmaline (simply called Emmaline on my project page) which I had to deviate from the pattern significantly.  Once I got past the bust I realized it was not going to fit me properly. I have started, got nearly finished, and frogged Inamorata (Inamorata in Violet). It is back on the needles.  Once again, I got WAY past the bust and realized it was not going to fit.  I must have larger nungas that I thought.

Unmentionables-
Wow, they feel really nice.  They are on my butt right now.  In fact they inspired this blog posting.  I am planning to make another pair real soon for myself but first I am going to make R a pair from the little girl companion pattern.  Her's will be made out of Kraemer Little Pebbles yarn in yellow. 

My next pair are going to be made out of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in black.  Ah...it is so so soft.  I had a moment of fear while knitting my grey pair (Knit Picks CotLin in whisker) that they were going to be too tight.  Fortunately, they fit.  I was going to make the black pair in medium, which I have changed my mind.  While wearing them today they have steadily stretched to prefection. 

Emmaline-

Cute, Easy, and Quick.  I am a bit opposed to the fact it is spring/summer top in bulky weight yarn but it will be a nice fall top.  Arkansas weather allows very little time to wear something of this nature during spring. 

My fitting problem was that the decreasing in the bust area to make it a empire waist was going to be too tight for me.  I have a larger rib cage from pregnancy.  On my 5 foot frame my tiny baby had no room to grow and it causeed my rib cage to expand to the medium/large sizing of the pattern when I am a small up top.

I would like to make this sweater again.  I think I can compensate early on in the pattern, now that I know, for the medium size for the empire waist.  This would be nice for my belly area too.

Imamorata-

Oh, well this was my mistake.  It is what I get when I check gauge.  My gauge was a bit large than the specifications for the pattern so I though I could make the XS size and be fine.  Well, I was wrong.  This time my bustline was too large.  GAH! I ripped the whole thing out and started over.  This time I am omitting the cable.  It will be a time saver and it really didn't look very good. 

I am using Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Gorgeous in deep violet.


HLBOE Term 4-

This term the subject is Fantastic Beast.  I have a lot of ideas!  I am hoping my swap mate will choose something that I know I can pull off really successfully.  I am feeling pretty rejuvenated.  I am going to start really soon on the little things that can go into any house package. 

I am coming back to Hogwarts as a Slytherin.  I have been a Gryffindor for all of the swaps and I am ready for a change.  It is a bit hard to let go, but I would really love to put together a package for a Gryffindor! 

Angel package from Freya

   Freya Lovegood is a true angel.  I received the most wonderful HLBOE package.

The package contained:

3 packets of coffee in Blueberry Crumble, Chocolate Nirvana, and Vanilla Almond...Yummy Yummy!
Albanese dark chocolate fudge (not pictured, went directly into the fridge!)
Albanese gummy bears
Albanese Candy Factory  brochure
Crown Point, IN map (It looks like a very lovely place to live.)
Blood pops!
Droobles Best Blowing Gum!
Precious bird nest stationary....You must of known that I am also scrounging for  note cards for swaps!
Pink Owl list and place marker paper
Green list paper with matching little notebook (Some little girl was eyeballing these items already!)
Pink and Yellow Owl tin (which matches the stationary paper) with surprises tucked inside!
Exploding frog soap was on top,
then Crochet Snitch bookmarker (Love) and
a Gryffindor pouch with a stitch marker bracelet from my wish list!

New Knits on the Block book by Vickie Howell, wow, great children patterns!
2 skeins of I Love This Cotton! very pretty color way that I think I am going to make R something from it.
Berroco Sock Yarn, my first Berroco yarn.  It is so soft!

BEAUTIFUL necklet scarf!  I love it so much!  The color is as rich and it feels....
And last but not least for me, a nice note from Freya.

R's goodies
Yes, enough to make a separate list.

3 pack of Little Pet Shops....aka Sweethearts
Little Pet Shop activity book
Lady Bug Necklace kit
The cutest crocheted Owl that has been named Hedwig

She was so excited that first thing we had to get the pictures taken!  Right after, things were being ripped into!

Thank you so much Freya.  You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you have given me.

New Doll

So, I took a plunge.  I am now the proud owner of a Blythe doll.  I purchased the Simply Mango set.  She came with a precious little chihuahua even.  Her name is Ginny mildly after Ginny Weasely. 

At first it was a bit scary to change her eye color with the pull string but it is fun.  Why don't all dolls have changing eye color? 

Something I have noticed as far as knitting patterns, there are very few.  Sewing patterns, wow, there are tons and for free!  I have written one knitting pattern thus far.  I am going to knit it a few more times to make sure it is bug free. 

I made the most adorable "Weasely Sweater" and Gryffindor scarf.  I am working on Ginny's Beehive hat from the GOF but I am unsure it is going to work out.  I made an accidently sweater dress for her also.  The accident was that I made it too small for R's elephant.  Photos coming soon.

To do list:

Finish Alpha Phi Alpha  scarf
start Nessie
finish kitty for Claire

Retro Cardi

Retro Cardi
Originally uploaded by pandoraphelps

Retro cardi on my doll Lulu. Pattern by SockPixie.

Suffering Blog

I have been really neglecting my blog as of late.  Nothing has come to me to write about. I started a few but they went no where. 

I have been in a knitting funk.  I guess it is all the spring air we are having in Arkansas.  I've got to finish up my commissions.  I am sick of them. 

I have been knitting an adorable sweater by SockPixie.  Check out her complete blog: http://sockpixie.blogspot.com/ . I am using her pattern Retro Cardi.  I am axiously awaiting the child and adult versions.  It just maybe my first real person sweater. 

I participated in Ravelympics and accomplished my goals and more....  I have some really cute monster and creatures.  I wish I didn't give up my whale (narwhal, I was afraid to give it with the tooth to an unknown child or home), but it was for a good cause.  I donated him to my county foster program for a Valentine present.

Hmm...that is about it.

My Dolls