08.13.08
Posted in Crafts, Yarn Arts at 2:49 pm by rachel
I started a new sweater project last night: the classic Double-Breasted Seed Stitch Jacket designed by Elinor Brown (the pattern is free!). So far, it’s been a pretty straight-forward seed stitch rectangle, but I’m about to divide for the fronts and sleeves, which will require some counting.
StitchMinder is an iPhone application that lets you count completed rows, pattern rows, pattern repeats, and increase rows, with just a quick tap to keep score. It’s pretty basic, but that’s what makes it useful (and better than tally marks). You could probably touch the row count with your pinky without ever putting down your project!
Via Craftzine.
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08.05.08
Posted in Baby, Crafts, Yarn Arts at 9:31 am by rachel
I finished this sweater a few weeks ago and am now finishing up matching sock #2. I had never attempted such a difficult pattern (what got me was the border for the button holes and collar), but am so pleased with the results!
The pattern is by Debbie Bliss and is knit in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, the perfect, washable blend of cashmere, wool, and a touch of microfiber. I picked up the pattern and the yarn in London (at John Lewis, in case you’re in the area). I’ve got a lot more, and in a darker blue also, so we’ll see what that will all become in the coming weeks! Isn’t there some law that babies can’t be born until their sweaters are finished?
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06.09.08
Posted in Crafts, Yarn Arts at 11:35 am by rachel
I’ve collected a lot of cotton yarn over the last couple of years, and I decided to try to use it up by making a knit patchwork blanket.
It’s a great excuse to try out some new stitches as well. One of my favorites is the Eiffel Tower stitch (far right, second row from the bottom).
Eiffel Tower Stitch
Row 1: [k4, yo, k2 tog] until the end of the row.
Rows 2-6: k4, p1, [k5, p1] to last stitch, k1
Row 7: k1, yo, k2 tog, [k4, yo, k2 tog] to last 2 sts, k3
Rows 8-12: k1, p1, [k5, p1] to last 4 sts, k4
I think I’m probably about half done with this blanket. Right now, it could pass for a crib-sized baby blanket, but I think I’d like it to be bigger and more useful past the baby stage. I certainly have enough yarn to keep expanding!
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05.06.08
Posted in Crafts, Yarn Arts at 9:20 am by rachel
The British post is serious business: a pair of bootees I sent on Friday were on little Milo’s feet by Saturday! It just makes me smile seeing those things on real baby feet.
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04.22.08
Posted in Crafts, Family at 10:30 am by rachel
Greetings from London, where I am spending two weeks with Seth (who is working here weekdays until the end of June). The trip over on the Eurostar was quick, comfortable (Seth reserved us both seats in leisure select - my second time ever riding in a seat other than coach! yippee!), and apparently carbon-neutral - a far cry from my first visit in 1996, which involved a French tour bus full of high school students on an hours-long ferry.
In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would share a few of the eco-inspired sites and craft ideas that inspire me. Did you know we are in the middle of Use What You Have month? I was already trying to use up my stash in preparation for our eminent move from Paris, so when I found out that other crafters were on the same quest to find projects using materials either recycled or leftover, I felt like I was ahead of the game! First, you must check out the Crafting a Green World blog. Sometimes I (and perhaps other crafters) get so involved in making things ourselves that we just assume we’re doing the planet a favor…but craft supplies are a huge industry that is leaving quite a carbon footprint of its own. How those supplies are produced and their material composition are just as important to check as any other consumer item. This blog keeps me aware (with a conversational and non-preachy tone!) and also has some really awesome ideas for projects.
My current craft obsession: using up ball after ball of cotton yarn. In just 18 months or so, I’ve collected a dozen skeins of blue, yellow, and red yarn that has taken over my craft boxes. It seems to be multiplying! I’ve decided to use up this stuff for baby crafts before buying anything else. We don’t know yet if we’re having a boy or a girl, but no matter: I prefer to ditch the pink and baby blue for primary colors anyway. But what to make with it all? My solution: a “patchwork” baby blanket made of blue and yellow squares (I’m over half done; photos to come soon), a red sweater using the free “Marinière” pattern from Enfant Magazine (really beautiful designs, available only in French, hélas), and a couple of new baby bootee patterns. I’m working on creating a cross between a sock and a bootee (sockootee?) and hope to have a pattern up soon. Bootees are darling, but I think the stretchy ankle of a sock could make them easier to put on (and stay on?) a squirmy baby… The blanket and the bootees are perfect for stash-busting because you can just craft and craft until you run out. Bootees don’t take much yarn, and whether the blanket is crib-sized or queen-sized, it will be useful!
I will never get tired of this excellent bootee pattern.
In preparation for our new arrival in September, I’ve done some research on ecological baby products and am trying to do my best to create a healthy environment with as few toxins as possible. This little one will be born in the middle of Manhattan, so anything I can do to make his/her environment as clean as possible is worth it! We’re planning to use non-toxic, flushable gdiapers (a middle-ground alternative to disposables or cloth ones) and glass bottles (this daughter of a toxicologist has always been plastic-shy). My dad is going to brush up his toy-making skills and make some wonderful wooden toys (it’s what my sisters and I grew up with and cherished). But there is a lot more to think about.
My new favorite blog is ohdeeoh. It’s not particularly environmentally-focused, but like so many of us these days, there is a clear effort to find products that are better for the planet – and by extension, better for baby. The design inspiration is beautiful as well! One thing I appreciate on ohdeeoh is that every few days they post findings of used products on sites like craigslist. Having a baby sends many of us into a buying frenzy, but reusing or repurposing objects can mean a lighter load on the wallet and the planet. Of course, safety should always be the primary concern, so be sure that anything used (especially furniture) isn’t covered in lead paint and that they meet current safety standards.
I am setting the bar high but am also a realist: because this is my first adventure into motherhood I don’t know how much I can stay on plan once baby is here. But at least I’ll try!
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03.10.08
Posted in Crafts, Sewing at 4:52 pm by rachel
If you haven’t checked out Warm Biscuit’s offerings in fabric, you’re missing out on a fun and nostalgic trip through color and design. I just love these happy patterns and am inspired to plot another try at quilting.
If you’re not in the mood to sew, however, Warm Biscuit also sells ready-to-love bedding, toys, and other gifts for children.
P.S. I have many more ski photos to share, but have to find a place to which to transfer them from my camera - my hard-drive has seen skinnier days!
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02.05.08
Posted in Crafts, Cuisine, Embroidery, Sewing, Yarn Arts at 10:08 pm by rachel
We are back from a wonderful trip in Barcelona, and I have a lot of blogging to do about that. But first, look what came in the mail today! Probably one of the best ever issues of my favorite magazine, Marie Claire Idées.
Why is this one so awesome? For starters, there is a whole section on crafts inspired by cabbage and broccoli. Who would’ve thought of that? A crochet cabbage purse? Awesome.
French samplers always seem to look cooler than the ones I grew up with. While I am not as ready as my friend Julie is to take on one of these, I do think the cross-stitch looks chic, and quite lovely over the beige fabric.
Maybe I’m getting a little excited for nothing big, but as some of you know, I have been collecting teacups from all over the world for the last 15 years. This issue devotes eight pages to English teacup-inspired crafts, from candelabras to mosaic dressers to a lamp made of stacked teacups and pots. Heaven!
As always, the photography is very inspiring and makes me want to paint the walls pink and embroider every cloth in sight. I’m looking forward to reading the article on organic and natural cosmetics, as well as turning your kitchen “green” (literally and figuratively), with lots of crafts using recyclables. But first, I should really get back into organizing my Barcelona photos!
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01.24.08
Posted in Crafts, Yarn Arts at 1:41 pm by rachel
What an invention! My sister received these as a gift from her best friend, who’s mother-in-law makes these from scratch. When I say from scratch, I mean she raises rabbits, spins their hair into yarn, and then knits these up. They feel divine and I love the idea: you just place them over your socks when you wear your winter shoes or boots, and your toes stay warm and cozy.
This is definitely something to think about for next year’s handmade gifts list, although we don’t quite have enough room for a rabbit farm yet…
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01.16.08
Posted in Crafts, Family, Yarn Arts at 10:25 pm by rachel
I knit fuzzy mittens as a Christmas present for my grandmother. My sister, Monica, attached the appliqué patch for an added festive sparkle. She wore them to the Christmas Eve service and Christmas dinner the next day. I’m so proud of how they turned out!
A fuzzy close-up. Just imagine it’s a Seurat painting and squint!
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12.20.07
Posted in Crafts at 5:21 am by rachel
Here’s a little bouquet I threw together with some mini mums and hypercium. I used leaves from the hypercium to line the glass yogurt jar. The whole bouquet measures no more than a few inches tall.
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