Thursday, September 1, 2011

A long overdue fair knitting post!

Now that just about a month has passed, I'm finally getting around to posting about my fair knitting!

Last year I only entered a few things, though was in 4-H or worked for OSU Extension for a huge portion of my life, I wasn't quite sure how the Sr. Fair side of things worked. This year I filled every category that I could, and I already have plans for more next year!

1st up, scaves 2nd place
I will preface this by saying I HATE KNITTING SCARVES. The only reason I knit this scarf was to fill this category. And about halfway through I remembered just how much I hate knitting scarves, sewed some buttons on it and called it a day.
I like the way it turned out though, and it will be nice to have something to keep my neck warm this winter. Next year I am definitely doing a cowl (or a lace shawl, but I'll talk about that in a minute)

Mitten and gloves 2nd place
This category is always easy for me, the kids always need mittens, and by needing to have them done in August, it insures that they will actually have them to wear when it gets cold outside. I really love how these turned out and I'm planning a matching hat to go with them

Baby clothing 1st place
I was really surprised with the 1st for this category, it's the most competitive (has the most entries) and there were a lot of really cute things this year. It's a little over the top, but I loved this outfit on Elise when she was tiny

There are some booties that go with it, but they didn't make it into this picture

Adult clothing.
This category surprised me a little bit. I didn't get anything, which is fine, I can't win them all. But there were only 4 entries and there are 4 places. 2 entries didn't have ribbons. I'm wondering if maybe they thought since it was a shawl it should have been in the scarves category. This was also the item I thought was my best work. I knit it for my church's prayer shawl ministry, it took almost a year of slowly knitting and praying (it didn't really take that long to knit, I just only knit during meetings when I wasn't holding a baby or talking)

Children's clothing, 3rd place
I should have entered one of the boys sweater because they look more impressive, this was the item I was most proud of though as it's from my pattern and I figured out the cables myself too. It's nice to sit back and look and something and say "I created that" The idea for it, and then the pattern, and then I knit it.

Other knitted items
Like I said, I was in the mood to enter as much as I could, so I entered this Cub Cuddler as a "photo prop" in the other category. It didn't win anything, and I am pretty sure they had no idea what it is. But I still love it.





Knitted baby Afghan 2nd place
I love this blanket, I'm glad it won something. Elise still uses this all of the time in her carseat when it's just a little chilly. I can see this being her blanket she sleeps with long after it covers her little body anymore.




And since I've been slowly teaching myself to crochet, I entered these shoes in the crocheted baby clothing category and got 2nd! Not bad for someone just learning! The first place was SO cute! A little owl hat with ear flaps, I might just have to hunt down that pattern. but here are my shoes


So the past 2 years the 1st place overall for knitting as gone to a lace shawl. I do not wear shawls, but I am determined to knit something next year for a chance at that prize! I do love lacework though, so it should be fun. I have some lovely Wollmeise lace that I can't decide if it should be a shawl or a laceweight sweater for me. I need to start looking at patterns!

Friday, July 15, 2011

New Pricing

All pricing will now be based on a set $.17 per yard. Additional fees may be added for embellishments, or at my discretion based on the difficulty of the design, but will always be discussed with the customer ahead of time to avoid any surprise fees.

Because of this, I can only offer estimates on what your item will cost based on my previous experience with knitting similar items, or yardage amounts listed in patterns.

There will be a $20 non refundable deposit due before I start knitting your item. The balance will be due within 2 weeks of my finishing your item and sending an invoice. Items will not be shipping until the balance and shipping have been paid in full.

Payment plans are available upon request, but must be set up at the time that I begin your items.

For questions about how much your item may cost, please contact me. I will do my best to provide you with accurate estimates.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

I'm still here

I promise I'm still here, and still knitting (an crocheting even!). I've posted before about how I go through spurts of starting and finishing...well get ready for a BIG finishing stage coming up soon. Just finishing a few details, weaving in some ends, and even editing a new pattern!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Wishing for summer...

One of these days it will be warm enough for Elise to wear the cute things I knit her!
Here's the latest, of my own design

Friday, April 29, 2011

Parasol socks

I've been knitting and knitting, but really slacking on the pictures lately! Here are some socks I did for a customer, I just love the colors in this yarn!






No custom spot this month, but look for some exciting news coming up VERY soon!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spring Knits

I'm knitting a pair of socks right now, but socks are hard to knit while holding a baby. And I spend a lot of time holding a baby as is evident by the following things I've knit in the last 2 weeks for said baby.


Now back to socks

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A few things I've finished recently

*disclaimer: It is rainy and dark here and my pictures are terrible*

First  couple of vests I knit as a custom







A sweater I knit for Elise



And  vest that I started for Nathan for Easter



I love the cabling on this and am having a lot of fun adapting the pattern to what I want it to look like. I love being able to be creative.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Goodnight, Sweet Dreams

New gown pattern now available in 0-3m and 3-6 m sizes

The pattern is available on Ravely, or by clicking the "buy now" button from the blog.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Custom Knitting

I've started (very slowly) knitting for others again. I felt overwhelmed most of last year trying to keep up with customs and often felt that I didn't have time to knit the things I really wanted to for my kids.

So I'm taking it slow this time. One custom a month if I feel like it, and if I don't then I'm just knitting for fun!

This month I'm knitting a couple of vests for 2 little boys. Here's my progress on the first one.


If your interested in a custom for next month, leave a comment here. If there is more than one person interested I'll draw a name at the end of the week. This spot would be for 1 item (or 2 very small baby items), and no adult sized socks this month as we're going to be pretty busy.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Every baby needs some of these

I just tested a pattern for some booties that should be coming out soon. Seriously every baby needs some of these. I've been having a hard time finding anything that will stay on baby feet, and these do the job! Not to mention they are super cute!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Personal knitting!

It might seem like I've been neglecting my blog, and well...I kind of have. BUT I've been posting on it's sister blog about our family a lot more recently. Don't forget to check out ...of one kind and another !

Since November I put the knitting for business on hold and decided I wanted to knit some special items for my family, which unfortunately means I've been terrible about taking pictures, because when I'm the customer I don't need a WIP picture. But here are a few that I managed to snap shots of, some even with action shots!

First up, Elise's coming home outfit. My very favorite thing I think I have ever knit




and a picture of Elise wearing this cuteness



I won't make this a crazy long post with a million pictures, but here are a few more of my favorites from the last couple of months









and last but not least, I have a new pattern coming out soon for a nb gown



Elise was more than happy to model



Hopefully to be released by Valentine's day, with plenty of time to knit up and snuggle in for the rest of the cold winter!