Monday, May 30, 2016

Patriotic Kimono

Here in the US, we celebrated Memorial Day this weekend. It's a day of remembrance for all the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. I decided to whip up a little something red, white, and blue for the occasion using this old skirt, which I brought home from a clothes swap two years ago when no one else wanted it at the end of the night. Apart from the... interesting print on that pure polyester fabric, the elastic waistband was also completely shot (hence the pinned loop to keep it on my dress form).

Patriotic Kimono - Before

Saturday, May 28, 2016

April Showers, May Flowers

Lotus Blossom Shawl

All this rain lately means everything is in bloom now, and even though it's gotten a bit warm for knitted goods, I was inspired to whip up a new shawl pattern. This design features a lotus blossom, beginning at the base of the center petal and worked outward with new petals forming along the way. It finishes off with garter stitch diamonds, which resemble leaves peeking out between the flower petals, but they also keep the edges of the shawl from curling, as stockinette stitch tends to do.

Lotus Blossom Shawl

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Span: 36 inches
Height at center: 15 inches

GAUGE
24 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

MATERIALS
Wooly Wonka Fibers Ceridwen Sock [100% merino; 366m/400yd per 100g skein]; color: Rosehips; 1 skein
US #4/3.5mm circular needle
24 stitch markers
Tapestry needle

BUY IT NOW!

Lotus Blossom ShawlLotus Blossom Shawl

So if it's still a bit chilly where you live (or even if it isn't), whip up a little warmth for your shoulders without losing that spring feeling!

Lotus Blossom Shawl

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Two Snips and a Seam

Life (well, work and yard work mostly) has kept me incredibly busy lately. The only crafting that happened for about a month there was a little knitting on the couch when I was too exhausted and/or brain-fried to do anything else. BUT I finally had the time and energy last weekend to do some sewing, and It. Was. Fabulous. I mean, seriously, so therapeutic! Of course, it took me another week to get pictures, but hey, it's progress.

To ease back into it, I started with some simple t-shirt and tank dresses that will be perfect for summer. The first of which was this striped jersey not-quite-maxi dress I pick up for a few bucks at Thrift City. The top fit fine, but it was a bit too snug around the belly and hips, hugging every curve and just a little too tightly. Not good. Plus the length was just weird.

Green Striped Dress Refashion - Before