Rustling Leaves Beret complete

Voila!  My Rustling Leaves Beret.  Not much to say since I can't find the ball band.  I used a fingering weight yarn doubled.  This was quite quick to knit considering the small needle size and lacey pattern. 

 I posted it on Ravelry here.

 I wore this around most of the day today even though the temperature reached the 70s.  A combination of getting acclimated to the warm weather and the overwhelming cuteness of this hat.  Once I tried it on, I couldn't take it off.

Sweater Knit Wrap Dress in progress

Two photos from my most recent project, a wrap dress from Sawyer Brook's Carboncino.

This fabric is a light sweater knit, but it's behaving just like a beef jersey.  It's quite stable and doesn't ravel much.  It does roll a lot, though (check out that neckline facing), but I have an idea to fix that.  We'll see if it works...

One of the ties for the wrap.  This dress is on hold until I get better matching thread to do the hem and sleeve hems.

Rustling Leaves Beret

I took a boatload of photos today for this blog, my gardening blog, and Etsy.  I went to download them this evening and realized there was no memory card in the camera.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who's ever done that!  Usually I notice after the first photo or two.

Anyway, here's a little something that requires no photos.  Tonight, I put the final stitches on a hat from Coastal Knits.  I bought it at a local yarn store near my parents' house and really like the book.  The beret photo is below.  The yarn I used is a bit grayer and hand dyed.  It's really lovely.  I can't wait for it to block tomorrow!  It may not be the most practical knit for Florida, but it was quick and easy and I'm smitten.

Lacey Sweater Knit Cardi

Voila, my Karyn Cardi!  To cut it out, I morphed my TNT tee pattern with a purchased cardi I have.  It was very simple to make - the only  challenge was working with the sweater knit.  I sewed one seam at a time and quickly zig-zagged the raw edges to keep it from ravelling.

 It's been very comfortable today and is a great Florida spring cardi... yep it's spring here.

Sweater Knit Cardigan

I'm back from a visit to my parents.  I had taken a bunch of photos to make some posts while I was away, but  left my camera!  I very well may not have made the posts anyway, though (I have a habit of going into total hybernation at my parents').  So here are some details of a little cardi I made with Sawyer Brook's Karyn.  It posed a challenge as the fabric is a lightweight, open sweater knit, but once we understood each other, it came together quickly.

Vogue Pattern Picks

Time to add in my unneeded two cents!  :-)  From what I've read, it looks like some of my picks are quite different from other peoples'.  It seems like usually most people want the same 5.

As I say every time I pick patterns, I need another cocktail dress like I need a hole in my head, but 1286 is singing its siren song.  I guess it's not really a cocktail dress, but it is a bit sexy for daily wear.  I'll lengthen it a few inches to balance all the skin up top.  I think it will be fabulous in a stable doubleknit.  I'm thinking it would be fun with a print for the dress and a solid for the straps, but would that look dated?

Come to Mama, 1287.  Another jersey dress?  Yes, please!  I think the slip is included not so much for see-through dresses but because the loose neckline can flop around a bit.  I'll just wear a cami I already have.  I think I've finally worked through all my print jerseys, so this dress gives me an excuse to look for a new one!

If I'm invited to any weddings this spring or summer (as of now, the social calendar is empty...), 1289 is it!  Are you kidding me?  Gorgeousness!  It's not on the suggested fabrics list, but I think it would be so classy in a lightweight, washed linen, if I could find one with some pretty good drape.

I think view E of 8787 would make a lovely Easter dress.  I could probably cobble together this dress from patterns I already have, but why not use the pre-made version.  So feminine in tropical wool or linen/cotton.  I have some pretty linens in my stash, but probably not 3 yards of them.  Maybe if I make the skirt a bit less swingy...

8799 intrigues me.  I really like the elbow sleeves, square neckline, and seaming of the top.  Also like the sleek white combo they show of the top and pants.  I also like the skirt, and I like parts of the jacket - but not the elastic in the back.  I think the elastic sleeves would annoy me, too.

The boatneck version of 8789 is really cute, but I think they messed up the line drawings at the bottom.  I'm confused looking at those.  You cut this dress on the crossgrain, so a border print (as they show in the drawing) would be stunning.

8790 is cute but I'd change it a bit.  The super low waist and long length makes it look really dragged-down to me. 

So there you have all my thoughts.  Thanks for reading. :-)


Off topic:  I thought we were moving forward on this issue, but what is with all the body bashing of the cover model?  Sheesh.  Lay off, people.

Better things to do than sewing tonight!

I've started a little trumpet skirt for a quick project, and as much as I'd love the finish it up tonight, I think I'm going to head to bed.  I have to get good rest tonight so I can drive the boys and me to Animal Kingdom tomorrow morning.  Just a day trip during low tourist season.  Gotta love living in Florida!