As for my knitting, there has been some, just a pair of ankle socks. Other than that, I have been working on costumes. I am currently working on a dress from 1955 for the 3rd Annual Tipsy Tea hosted by The Emerald Parlor. You can see my costume work at Just Blame Jane. Until later…. Happy Knitting!

As for my knitting mojo, that seems to have returned in full force with the dropping tempratures. With the approaching Holidays, my fingers have been flying to crank out a few small gifts. Nothing major, just some small items that I know will be appreciated and used. Plus, it seems like everyone is popping out babies around the circle of friends of family. Since October, there have been 4 girls and 1 boy born. But, I’m not knitting for everyone. My neighbor had her first baby on my wedding anniversary, and Katie’s new aunts had her’s about a week later. Both were girls. I have been knitting on a few items that are always essential for tiny ones. For each girl, I have cranked out 4 burp clothes, a flower shaped hat, and I am still working on a little baby kimono jacket for each. One is done, except for the ribbon tie, and I will be casting on for the other, hopefully, at lunch today. That is, unless my illness overtakes me again, and I go home early like I did yesterday. Blah. As far as my languishing projects, I won’t be able to touch any of them until after all the gift knitting is finished. Once I can get back to them, I still have my St. Brigid sweater, and my Modern Log Cabin blanket. I found that the socks I started in March needed to be frogged, as the first sock was too tight. Oops! That’s what I get for not knitting for so long. lol. I hope to post some pics of my work soon, as I will have a 4 day weekend for Thanksgiving (of which I am on call. Blah!). So, that means more knitting, and the Christmas tree gets put up this weekend. I’ll probably haul out all the Christmas dishes, too, just to make the house festive. So, until later….. Happy Knitting!

Now, for my knitting! lol. I was able to pick back up the Lacy Cocoon Sweater, and knock out several rows. However, I found that my tension went wonky, and it was starting to look like crap. So, I have frogged it, and will be starting it over again this weekend, with the addition of a provisional cast on. That way, I can do a three needle bind off on both ends, instead of seaming, and it leaves live stitches for the cuffs as well. And, since my sewing is done for a few weeks, and all I need to do is clean and organize the sewing room, I should be able to sneak in lots of knitting time. Especially since the sewing room is in the basement, and I have a loveseat and a tv with cable and a dvd player. Other than that, I am still working on my Embossed Leaves socks. I know, it’s taking me forever to knit socks lately. But, since they are mainly my lunch knitting project, they will take a while. Other than that, life is good!

Happy Knitting!

St. Brigid in Evergreen

Project # 1: My St. Brigid sweater in the KP’s WotA Evergreen colorway. Now, I have been working on this project for well over a year. It has been tossed the back burner for some many other projects. I will be picking this back up after the Emerald Parlor 1st Annual Costume Ball, which is next Saturday, Feb. 19th. Otherwise, I fear she may languish in my WIP basket forever.

Ivy Embossed Leaves

Project # 2: Embossed Leaves socks in KP’s Ivy Essential Kettle Hand-dye colorway (Essential is now known as Stroll). I have found that I must have socks back on the needles, for the portable project. And, because I need more hand knit socks. I am just about finished with the first sock. It’s taking me a little longer than usual to knit them, as I have confined my knitting time to my lunch hour.

Lacy Cocoon Sweater

Project # 3: The Lacy Cocoon Sweater kit from Knit Picks. I was very taken with this kit when I saw it in the catalog. I’m very glad I ordered it. But, I haven’t touched it since I casted on for it, as I am afraid I will only want to knit it, and not touch my sewing projects that have a deadline looming.

1770's Polonaise

Project # 4: My 1770’s Polonaise for the 1st Annual Costume Ball. This is a gown that I have wanted to make since we started sewing costumes, back in the day. This was the first design I had picked out for my wedding dress. The fabric I lucked into finding in Amish country over a year ago. It is just about done, which is a good thing, as I have to wear it next weekend.

And last, but not least:

Annie's Federal Gown/Robe a l'anglaise

Project # 5: Annie’s gown for the ball. Her favorite color is green, and since she is 10, we went with the pale mint green and pale pink combo. Her gown is to the same point mine is. It just needs hemmed and trimmed.

So, as you can see, green has sorta taken over my crafting life.  I’m not sure about my next knitting projects, but my next sewing project is for The Emerald Parlor’s 2nd Annual Ladies’ Tipsy Tea. That will be a navy and silver Victorian gown. I can’t wait to get started on that one.

*To see more of my sewing adventures, with my parnter in crime and co-blogger, visit The Emerald Parlor.

Ivy Embossed Leaves

I am just about done with the leg of the first sock. With all my sewing projects for the Federal Ball, I have been trying to limit my knitting to my lunch hour. But with the ice storm we had on Tuesday evening, I found myself on the couch knitting, rather than in the sewing room in the basement. For this pair, I am using some of the old Knit Picks Essentials Kettle Hand Dyed, in the Ivy color way. I thought that if I knitted a pair of Emobssed Leaves in the lovely shade of green, then maybe spring would try to hurry up and come back. lol. But, after knitting a few pairs of socks for Christmas, I have realized that I really miss knitting socks. That, and either my dog or my house have ate all of my other pairs of hand knitted socks. Oh, and I noticed the other day, while I was on Rav, that 3 of my 4 current knitting projects are green. I wonder if my subconscious is trying to tell me that I don’t really like winter as much as I think. I will admit that I love winter, it’s very pretty, as long as I can look at it from inside my warm house! lol. Ok, well, I guess I should get back to work now, huh? Until next time, Happy Knitting & Sewing!