Down on the Farm with ChiknGirl

My Carrot on a Stick

After sickness and injury and sickness again I have finally managed to complete my second strip of the baby blanket my knitting group is making for a friend.  I didn't take photos.  It looks just like the first strip did, but with the colors in a different order.  The first strip can be seen here. 

I had been not allowing myself to do other crafting until I had finished the baby blanket strip, because I knew if I did other stuff I'd never get my strip done.  There have been so many, many things I have have been wanting to do.  I signed up for the Flirty Apron Swap a while back.  You know I love me some aprons.  For those of you who love aprons like I do, there will be another round of swapping in the near future.  I used Butterick B4087 view C.  I love the finished product, but the way it was put together left a bit to be desired.  If I make this pattern again I will definitely make some changes.  I hope my swap partner likes it.

apron

pocket detailing

Yesterday I got to make a project I've been itching to make for a couple months.  I am so pleased with it and glad that it's done.

carrot table runner

Just by chance I happened to find this on clearance the other day.  It goes perfectly.

carrot wall hanging

The carrots make me smile.

Coming soon: a new shoulder bag for me, summer dresses for Anneliese and more!

A Box Full of Love

  LoopyEwe Swap - Unwrapped 
  Originally uploaded by Chikn Girl

I received my Loopy Ewe Swap package today from Michelle.  I'm still feeling a bit shocked and speechless about the amazing package she sent me.  First there is the Juno Regina lace shawl she knit me in Chewy Spaghetti Capellini, a silk and merino blend, in the color Sullen.  The pictures at Ravelry are phenomenal, or Flickr if you aren't a Ravelry member.  The shawl is gorgeous.  Words don't do it justice.  She sent along a matching (seriously, can you believe this?) shawl pin from Moving Mud.  Then she spun me some sock yarn.  Handspun sock yarn.  For me.  I'm stunned.  The roving is from SakinaNeedles in the color Bioluminescence.  The blues and greens are beautiful.  She also sent along a skein of Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn in Deep Seaflower which is a fantastic blend of purples and blues.  And there is still more.  She sent a Rowan book I've wanted, Tadpoles and Tiddlers.  It full of great kid (baby to age 10) sweaters and hats.  There are two nifty reusable shopping bags that zip up into little packages so they fit in my purse, a yummy chocolate bar with macadamia nuts and cranberries and an adorable sheep notecard.  Thank you Michelle.  My package is amazing!  It obvious you put a lot of thought and effort into what you choose for me.  It's all perfect.

Preston the Purple Elephante

Today I mailed my package off for the Loopy Ewe Swap.  I am very pleased with the project I chose and how it turned out.  The swap was to knit something made from yarn bought at the Loopy Ewe.  I wanted to do something different, since I think most people were going to knit socks, and made an Elephante (link to a pdf).  I lurve him.  It was hard to send him away this morning.   All the details can be found here at Ravelry.

Happy New Year

  Holiday outfits 
  Originally uploaded by Chikn Girl

I had a very enjoyable blogging break, in fact, I wasn't sure if I was going to return to blogging.  I finished a few projects, had a lovely Christmas and I'm looking forward to a terrific 2008.

Anneliese's dress is a simple summer dress (Butterick 3772 size 6) made from a heavyweight cotton flannel and trimmed with a velvet ribbon.  The top is lined with a fabulous black and white striped print and Anneliese picked out some gorgeous flowered vintage-style buttons.  I picked an easy, comfortable dress for her knowing she would want to wear it everyday.

Trevor's shirt and pants are from the Winter 2007 issue of Ottobre design.  I made the 98 cm size since Trevor measures 95 cm tall and I found both the pants and shirt to be WAY too big.  I love all the design details in the Oliver pants.  You can see the pants (and shirt) in a lighter color corduroy on the Ottobre site if you click on the "view magazine 6/2007" and then on "Neo Romantic Meets Practical and Charming."  This outfit is the most "finished" of any garments I have ever made.  I am very pleased with the way it turned out and will definitely be making more patterns from Ottobre.

I finished a pair of Dashing fingerless gloves for myself.  I used a super-soft wool from 100purewool in a gorgeous and subtly variegated grey/blue/purple.  I've had trouble photographing them, but have enjoyed wearing them everywhere.

The mailing date for the Loopy Ewe Swap that I'm involved in is coming up.  I've got my yarn and my pattern ready and will be getting started in the next day or two.

Coming soon - a post about 2008 goals and a blog birthday contest.

Happy New Year!

Hemlock Ring Blanket

Ignore the pins, it's still blocking.  I couldn't wait to show it off.  :)

The details:
Pattern:  Hemlock Ring Blanket by Jared Flood aka Brooklyn Tweed
Yarn:  Wool Ease Heather 3.5 skeins
Color:  Natural
Needle:  Addi Turbo US 9 40" (I magic looped at the beginning)
Started:  September 2007
Finished: December 2007
Finished Size:  49" diameter
Project Notes:  Binding off took forever!  I love this pattern and plan to make another at some point.

WIP Wednesday

One of my current works in progress is a baby blanket for a friend.  Three of us are knitting 2 strips each to put together for the blanket.  I finished my first strip a few weeks back, but just got around to lightly blocking it today.

Rooster and Hen

Chai and Egg

Chick and Star of David

A Bunch of FOs

This weekend I did a lot of sewing and knitting to keep my mind off of some health issues my daughter is having.  Distraction seems to be good for my to-do list.  First is a pair of reversible pants I made for Trevor.  The pattern is my own and I figured out how to put them together to be reversible as I went along.

Navy wide wale corduroy and rocket ship flannel pants.

Rocket ship flannel detail.

These pants are warm and fuzzy and super comfortable.  They will be perfect for nature walks in the cold wet weather.  To help keep his head warm in the cold, wet weather I made him another pumpkin hat.  Last year's hat was almost too small when I finished it and Trevor didn't get to wear it for long.

Pumpkin Hat

This one will last him through the winter and probably for another year or two as it fits comfortably on Anneliese's head also.

Trevor's Reaction

The details -
Pattern:  Pumpkin Hat by Little Turtle Knits
Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in pumpkin and dark brown colors.
Needles:  Addi Turbo US 4 and US 6

Trevor has a stuffed frog that he cuddles in bed and I thought it fitting that he should have some frog jammies to go with.

Froggie Jammies

I've been enjoying cuddling up to his frog jammies.  :)

Next month is La Leche League of Washington's Leader's Retreat.  I'm looking forward to attending.  This years theme is all about pampering ourselves.  I made this apron (and matching potholders not shown) to be given away as a door prize.

Daisy Apron

The apron is fully lined and has a large pocket on each side.  I would love to win this, I may have to make another for me.

I have a few more projects in progress so expect another update soon.

Anneliese's EPS

Anneliese's sweater is finally finished!  She loves it, as usual.  She's a real sucker for anything mommy-made.  :)

The details -
Started:  November 2006
Finished:  September 2007  (Eeek!  All that stockinette was sooooo boring and I took a break from it over the Spring and Summer.)
Pattern:  Elizabeth Zimmermann's Percentage Sweater
Yarn:  Irish Baby Knits Yarn of the Month Club Yarn from ages ago.  It's persephone wool dyed by Bungalow Buns.
Needle:  US 5
Mods:

I knit the body in the round and steeked it.  I tried a crocheted steek first, but it was too bulky.  I went with sewing it by machine and making the button bands fold over and enclose the raw edges.

I added short rows to the back of the neck for better coverage.  In retrospect I would have done a couple less short rows.  Overall, I'm very glad I added them.

The buttons were picked out by Anneliese.  I'm hoping she doesn't grow this winter or the sweater won't fit for long.

Swirl On

The swirl socks are complete!  I had some major second-sock-syndrome with these.  I've got to remember to always knit both socks at once.

The details -
Pattern:  Swirl Socks by Sulafaye
Yarn:  Socks that Rock Mediumweight in Henpecked
Needle:  Addi Turbo 3.0mm (US2.5) 40"
Size:  Medium
Started:  July 2007
Finished: September 2007
Mods:  I used a 24 stitch short row toe, with provisional cast on over the needle, short-rowed down to 10 stitches.  Knit one round before beginning pattern.  Knit 46 rows of pattern and begin gusset on row 47.  The original pattern would have made the foot about 2 inches too long.  I knit the leg until it was as long as I like.  I ended the pattern and knit 4 rows plain stockinette.  Knit picot row and 4 more rows plain stockinette.
A link to my socks on Ravelry.

They are lovely and so comfortable.  I'm looking forward to some cooler weather that will allow me to wear them.

Harlot

Yarn Harlot that is.  Ignore the terrified look, I wasn't.  I held the traveling sock!

That is all.