Project: Update on Ruffled Skirt

Missing jewelry, but you get the idea. Great skirt!

Project: Ruffled Skirt

Front

Back

Pattern for skirt purchased at Hobby Lobby

Hopefully you will notice something a bit different about my blog post today. I just finished sewing this skirt! I never dreamed that I would sew or that I would enjoy it as much as I do. My grandmother has some mad sewing skills. I thought it would be a shame if I didn't learn at least the basics of sewing from her. Last summer, we used this pattern to make the longer skirt with the pockets. That was my official crash course in sewing. I say this because we made the skirt in one day. My mind was spinning by the end of the day. I didn't know if I would ever even look at a sewing machine again.

Within the last month I have been inspired to sew by things that I have seen on Pinterest, my new obsession.



So I decided to make another skirt, but I wanted it to be different than the last. I definitely wanted the pockets gone. I had been looking at a skirt that I really liked that had a ruffle directly down the middle. I had no idea if I could actually do it or not, but I did, and nailed it on the first try.

I cut the pattern out as I was supposed to, except for the pockets. Before sewing the skirt together I decided to do the ruffle on the front piece of the skirt. It would be easier to do it that way and if I messed it up I wouldn't have to rip apart seams to cut another front piece. I cut the ruffle out using a rotary cutter and mat. I forget the exact dimensions, but I know the width was 7 inches. For the length, I measured the skirt length and multiplied that number by 3 for the ruffle. For ex: a 24 in skirt would need a 72 in long piece of fabric for a ruffle. Once my fabric was cut, I folded it down the middle, lengthwise, and ironed along the fold. Then I sewed in the loosest stitch possible on my machine down the ironed fold. When I got to the end I didn't sew-reverse-sew as I usually do. I left it free so that I could pull it in order to ruffle up my fabric. Did a lot of pulling and scrunching until the ruffle looked exactly the way I wanted it to look. Pinned it onto the center of my front piece and sewed a tight stitch directly down the middle. I hid the top of my ruffle underneath the waistband and the bottom hemmed up with the rest of the bottom of the skirt. Can't wait to wear this skirt!

I am still knitting, too! I have just been working on a baby blanket and it is taking me forever! Will post pictures as soon as I finish!

Happy Sewing and Knitting!

Project: Converse Booties

So it's been a while since my last post. I have been extremely busy helping my husband run his small business. Being busy means great business, but I am so behind on my knitting projects. These are for my niece. Surprised? That little girl is going to be showered with knitted gifts made with so much love!
























Aren't these precious? I would be lying if I said that they were an easy knit because they were AWFUL! I felt like I was going insane while knitting them. The pattern is pretty confusing, but in the end it was worth it.

Here is the link to the pattern:

http://shadkittypatterns.blogspot.com/2009/02/converse-booties-baby.html


I tweaked the converse emblem a little. This blogger ironed on the felt circle and used a fabric marker to draw on the star. I wanted to sew the circle on and use a star button. A friend of mine suggested that maybe a felt star would look better. I think it might. Hobby Lobby did sell felt star stickers that you could stick on the felt circle and then stitch cute stitches around the edge of the stars. Good idea, friend! If I am insane enough to make another pair of these, I will do that. I still have to make the right bootie.

I hope you enjoy this pattern. My advice is to stick with it. Keep following the directions even when it makes absolutely no sense. It does work!


Happy Knitting!




-Knooby Knitter

Project: Newborn Flower Hat

I love this hat! I made this in the summer, meant to send it to a friend, but never got around to it. That just means it was meant for Maddie. I hope my sister doesn't get tired of all these things I'm making. I really need a baby to bless our family soon so I can equally distribute all of these knitted goods.

OK...so you want the patterns for this hat?

I found the hat pattern on this blog...

http://comfortwool.blogspot.com/2010/01/super-natural-stripes-beanie.html

I love this pattern. It is super easy to knit and takes very little time. You will notice that I rolled my hat at the bottom. I liked it like that, but it looks just like the hat on the above blog if you unroll it.

The flower pattern I found at...

http://www.petitepurls.com/Summer10/summer2010_t_knittedjewlery.html

Check out this website and you will find the most precious necklace/bracelet set for a little girl. I was able to make one for a little friend of ours this past summer. The necklace is made up of knitted flowers, like on the hat, sewn on I-cord. It even has a knitted toggle-like clasp. You really need to take a look at this site if you get the chance and ooh and ah over it!

I took one of the flowers that I would've used on a necklace and decided that it would look great sewn on the hat.

I used Lily Sugar'n Cream for my yarn. My colors were hot pink, sunshine, and soft violet.

Happy Knitting!


-Knooby Knitter

Project: Mary Jane Baby Booties for Madeline

I finally had time to finish these up today! It almost takes as much time finishing them up (sewing them together, sewing on button, weaving in ends) as it does to knit them. Can't wait to see them on my beautiful niece!

Happy Knitting!




-Knooby Knitter

Project: Mary Jane Baby Booties Update

This is a follow up on the Mary Jane Booties post from earlier this month. I wanted to post videos on how to do some of the more "challenging", at least for knooby knitters, parts of this pattern.

I decided to start some for my niece. I haven't finished them yet, but here are some pics and videos that will help if you decide to take on this project. I will post a pic of the finished project later.


Getting started:



Cast-on complete:


How to M1:





How to SSK:





How to rejoin yarn and cable cast-on:





Happy Knitting!





-Knooby Knitter

Project: Cute as a Button Scarf

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! I wanted to post this before Christmas, but it was a gift for my mother-in-law and I didn't want to spoil the surprise. I knew that I was going to give her a headband for Christmas, but I didn't know if I would knit her a scarf or a cowl to go along with it. I found the pattern for this scarf on the website below.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Knit-Hats-Gloves-Scarves/A-Green-Lace-Scarf

I liked the look and I also liked the fact that it wouldn't take very long. I only had 5 days to knit it, so I didn't have the time it would take for a more extensive project. When I say 5 days, that means nap time and after bed time. I have a three year old!

I did make the scarf a little wider than what it called for on the site. It called for 14 cast-on stitches and I did 20. I wanted it to be wide enough to sew on my I-cord flower and button.

Great beginner knitting project! Now I have to get back to my knitting. I'm working on a baby blanket for my sister that I LOVE! I will post the link to the pattern and pics of this project later.

Happy Knitting!




-Knooby Knitter