Down on the Farm with ChiknGirl

New Pants and Birthday Dress

The blocking wires set I ordered will be here tomorrow.  I'm not so good at waiting, so this weekend I made myself a pair of pants.  No pattern, just cut and sewed.  The linen was gifted to me by a dear friend about 2 years ago.  I had been saving it for "just the right project" and realized that there would never be one.  So I made something I need and will use.  I'm enjoying them tremendously.

I finished Anneliese's birthday dress a few weeks ago, but hadn't taken any pictures.  The pinafore is based on this pinafore from the SewMamaSew blog.  The under dress is a simple peasant smock lengthened to be a dress.  She loves it.

Yes!

I did it!  The Swallowtail Shawl is off the needles.  I can't begin to describe the feeling of relief  I have that it is cast off.  I ordered blocking wires yesterday and upgraded to three day shipping.  I will have a FO post with pictures middle of next week.

The Totoro is growing.  And then socks for my pal Stephanie.  Yipee!

Behind Schedule

Ok, so I'm a bit behind schedule.  The Swallowtail Shawl isn't done yet.  I have 5 rows and binding off to do.  It will be done by the end of the week and washing and blocking will happen on the weekend.  It will be so!

Oh, and I taught myself to crochet and have started the Totoro.  Heh.  Explains a bit of the above.....   ;)

Moving Right Along

The Swallowtail Shawl is a few rows away from completion.  I estimate that it should be done by the end of the weekend or very early next week and should get washed and blocked by the end of the next weekend.  It is going to feel so good to finally complete this project.  And never again will I knit nupps.  Never.  Ever.  Again.

I really want to learn to crochet and make one of these for Anneliese's upcoming birthday in 3 weeks.  Reality says that isn't going to happen.

I am excited about an upcoming sock swap with Stephanie.

The Same Old Thing

I've been working on the Swallowtail Shawl, a bit at a time.  It's not picture worthy, it's mostly a purple blob.  I've also been knitting sleeves for Anneliese's sweater.  They are about half done and then I can attach them to the body, which is done, and knit up the yoke.  I did a bit of sewing for a swap I'm in, so I can't show pictures of that yet either.

I've realized recently, that I never really craft anything for myself.  I own 2 hand knits and one was a gift.  I knit for my kids, my friends, my family and for swaps, but never for myself.  I would really like to have a pair of socks or a shawl or something that I could wear often and enjoy.  After I finish my current projects I am going to knit something for myself.  Well, after one more gift project for my daughter's birthday. 

Goodies from my Secret Pal

Friday a package arrived from my Secret Pal.  She is definitely spoiling me.  I got Elizabeth Zimmermann's The Opinionated Knitter.  It's fabulous!  I'm so in love with her stuff right now.  I also got a Lantern Moon sheep tape measure.  I've always wanted one and never would have bought it for myself.  So fabulous!  And some gorgeous blue-green yarn.  It's Terra from The Fibre Company in Blue Spruce.  It's 60% merino, 20% baby alpaca and 20% silk.  So, so soft and the color is phenomenal.  My picture doesn't do it justice.

Thank you Secret Pal!  I love everything!