NPRINS

Dear readers, Sorry for the absence -- I've been so busy traveling for work (not an excuse)!  I did complete my funky grandpa sweater and some fingerless mitts.  I have backlogged blog posts for sure!  I'm onto sewing as soon as I return from Hawaii this week. Wishing all those mothers out there a Happy Mother's Day! I always did envy those abs!  My mother was a debutante and dressed in Betty Draper style until the early to mid-70s. XOXO, Pam

Dear readers, I've been busy knitting away. . . I'm in the middle of the Funky Grandpa Sweater -- and it's very very exciting -- my first sweater: All my projects can be found on my Ravelry page, linked  HERE .  I'm busy customizing the fit as I sew.    I've also finished my first stranding project that needs to be blocked - -the Wave-O-Saurus hat: I'll post more pictures as soon as the blocking is finished - it needs a bit of shaping.  And, I had some more yoga socks (that I gave to my Pilates instructor -- I think she was bit aghast:)). Knitting projects as gifts can be iffy! As far as sewing, I am finishing up the lined green wool cape, I cut out a tweed vest for J. when he plays with his band (I'm stuck and need more bemberg from Mood) and finally, I do need to make some repairs.  I've learned a little bit about a new trend in denim and jeans -- the selvedge pair.  Which is to say for jeans -- they are made out of selvedge or "japanese denim...

Dear readers, This summer I picked up a rather inexpensive (200.00) Arrow Sewing Cabinet off Craigslist, called the Betty # 401 in white.   It was a particle board table -- I had never used one and doubted its utility.  In the picture below you will see the final table setup: Yes, of course it came with a flaw. . . which the seller did not disclose (I'm unsure if she knew) -- but the stand supported by a hydraulic/pulley type of lift would not adjust flush with the sewing machine.  The fixtures that adjust the hinge were stripped.  I called Arrow and they were fantastic.  I received the new one in days for less that $5.   I also ordered a custom insert with my machine (the table came with some universal inserts).   But, it took me three months to actually get around to installing the new attachment.  (I had to take the hydraulic lift off the table, ugg.).  I finally did it in less than a half hour on Saturday night.  It does make sewing ...

Dear readers, Happy New Year! Time to establish another 5 goals for 2014.  I've decided at a Top 5 goals post.  I did it last year and I felt it was doable.  In previous years, I've committed to too many goals and I felt the pressure didn't allow me enough flexibility for creativity (at least in my sewing goals).    I left these goals somewhat broad so I could have some creative space to pick my projects. 1.   Stash Busting .  yep.  more stash busting.  I've got some fabulous fabrics -- I merely need to sew/knit them.  I have some sewing projects begging for my needle with their stash materials already! 2.   Sew at least one or more Wearing History pattern.   I love these patterns and have two in the queue to make!  If you haven't check out her page Wearing History Blog  or her pattern page  Wearing History Patterns  -- they are fantastic! 3.   Expand my knitting skills.    Knitting is so sat...

Dear Readers, Sorry for the absence, I still have not finished my remaining knitting projects and have not (yet) finished my cape -- waiting only on an hour or two's worth of sewing.  Last weekend, we had our house tented for termites (it's a California thing) and I've been busily cleaning like crazy before and ever since.  I don't believe that all those chemicals exposed in your house (even in gas form) are not harmful.    So, I didn't sew as much as I wanted to this year -- and quite frankly I'm glad 2013 is over and we're on to 2014.    How'd I do?   1.  Expand my knitting skills.   (Update: Completed -- I learned Continental -- made fingerless gloves, and learned to make many hats! I have not finished the Craftsy class below -- because I signed up for a in person sweater class this winter -- I'm just to lazy to finish the video (and buy the gad zillion skeins of yarn).  2.  Perfect a button down dress shirt.   Com...

Dear readers, I'm taking a continental class to switch my knitting to a presumably fast knitting method at my local yarn store, Anacapa Fine Yarns .  I'm right handed and thus, a thrower (English Style).   I like throwing but in knitting lore, the continental knitter is speedy.  I'm interested in your thoughts if you have an opinion.  The class is tonight so I will do a follow up post. So, I've picked out a project that J. has been asking for all year: The Dr. Who Scarf.  Yes, it's a twelve - twenty foot scarf by eleven inches wide.  .   . there is also a webpage dedicated to this scarf.  I'm making it in acrylic, both due to the fact that the yarn is .  The webpage, should you wish to browse, is  Doctor Who Scarf. I expect to finish sometime next year. . . . and more on the continental style.  I thought this would be a good project to break my muscle memory as a thrower. XOXO, Pam

Dear readers! Happy Holidays!  I've been knitting up a storm -- I learned (finally) how to knit caps.  It was an epiphany! My hats are left to right, brown for Jonathan, green/yellow/blue for me (slightly large), and another rust/green for me.    The pattern is Ann Norling's Head Huggers No. 51.  My main problem is that my ribbing stitch is so much larger than my stockinette -- I really had to frog more than a few hats on the first try.  On the lighter colored hat -- I am going to put in a band to snug it up -- I found a great tutorial and will post when finished. Please forgive the overexposure present in these pictures -- I was having lighting issues.  . .among other matters. I had some leftover yarn from the cowl -- and yes, enough to make a cap.  A tip I got from my class is to weigh the finished project.  You can use that measurement (in grams) to compare to with any remaining yarns in your stash to see if there is enough yarn (in grams)...