My first piece of measured clothing...

Ya'll know that I can't stand a pattern. Naturally, I rebel against definite measurements, too. That being said, both of these things make it very difficult to make clothing...

A few skeins ago, while working on a Wrapped in Love project, I came across a pattern for a precious baby jumper. It was a little thicker and heavier weight than what I would like, so I tinkered with the design a bit.

The original had a full bodice, front and back, ruffled shoulders, and seemed a bit bulkier overall. I used the rough cast on count of 202 (I used slightly large needles than called for, so I decreased by twenty) and went to work on the base of the skirt. A few rows in I realized that the size of the skirt base was larger than anything I'd ever seen for a one year old child. I decreased every fifth stitch for two rows, which gave me a ruffled edge. (This was fine. The stitch I was working was stockinette, so it would roll anyway!)

Using the base measurement of the pattern for the proper length, I proceeded to cast off all but 60 of the remaining stitches. Then worked these stitches in a basic knit stitch for four inches. Casting all of the stitches off, I decided to add some crocheted lengths to the edges for the purpose of fastening the jumper.

Results -

Front

Back

I like it. I'm still hung up on the size. It looks like it's a little large in the waist for a one year old, even with all of the adjustments. I'm going to search for a childs sizing chart online today. But, what I REALLY want to do is find a beautiful little girl to try it on!


Do ya'll do that? After you've created something, seek desperately for a model to wear it? I think this is the hardest part of creating things to sale - there is no instant gratification of seeing someone enjoy your work...

I'm making jewelry!

All that Shimmers Necklace

Lately, I've been making things to stock my Etsy shop. I've made several shawls, often ending up with remnant yarn. I can't stand to see remnants laying around and throwing things away, well, that's almost painful. They cry out to me to be used...Help! Help! I want to be loved, too!

These are a few of the creations that have come out of that need to use up every scrap -

Stormy Sky Choker / Necklace

All that Shimmers Bracelet / Arm Cuff

All that Shimmers Choker / Necklace

All are available for sell at my Etsy shop - La Vida Dulce. I've enjoyed figuring out new ways to use the scraps. Finding creative ways to provide a clasp or connection is the most fun! Talk about a great way to challenge you mind...

Give it a try! I'd love to see your creations!

By the way, what do you think of my pictures? Are they getting better?

My latest contribution to the Prayer Shawl ministry

We've been blessed with tons of donated yarn! Unfortunately, some of the yarn is older and you're unable to find comparable yarn to match with it. This was the case with this lovely, Lavender, virgin wool. We had one large skein, and no other wool or comparable color to go with it.

Since it was a larger skein and somewhat bulky yarn I thought I'd given it a go with some large sticks and an open design. Although, I ended up crocheting this one to try out a new-to-me stitch, the bobble.

It's done on an "N", I think, which is about twice the width of one of those Kindergarten pencils. Do you remember them? My family laughed at me when I pulled out the hook, as it's very fat and glaringly white. Whatever. It got the job done!

The tad bit of leftover yarn I had went to making tassels for each corner. I still can't decide whether or not I want to felt the blanket to make it a little more substantial looking. Right now it makes a great lightweight, summery blanket.

(Yes, I know the photo is blurry. I'm trying new tricks on my camera and the project has already been turned in...sorry!)

What do you think? To felt or not to felt, that is the question... :-)

If you're unfamiliar with the term - to felt wool means to fluff or bulk it up a little by washing it or rinsing it in warm/hot water and then cool. This causes a little pilling and tightening of the wool, giving a fuzzy appearance and feel.

Help! They're taking over!

Do you ever get to that point?

Have you ever completed so many projects in such a short time that you dream of the pattern?


Do you knit or crochet in your sleep?


Do you jump up in the middle of the night to hurriedly scribble on a note pad, because you know that if you wait for the morning you'll forget the pattern idea?

I'm there! (But, I'm not sure if that good or not...) I've been here before - when learning to tinker with new recipes, when learning a new language, when starting a new relationship as a teen. I suppose we all go through this when learning anything new. Some days it's fun because I never quite lose motivation. Others is wish I could sit down without grabbing needles.

There are so many completed projects sitting around my house that I think they're starting to take over! It's like those bad 80's horror movies. You know the ones...where something oozes around the corner chasing you or the black entity that is always lurking close by.

Here they are - don't let them follow you home...

Of course all are for sale in my Etsy shop - VidaDulce...it's ok if you do want them to follow you home...but only if you promise to provide a good, loving home for them!

Busy, busy bee...

My hands have been busy this past week creating many, many crocheted dish cloths and some knitted reusable "swiffer" cleaning pads. They've turned out well and I've had fun making photos to post to Etsy, my blog and Ravelry. Sometimes it's challenge to get the lighting just right and the photos cropped to suit you, but it's always worth it for a good photo.

Although, I have seen some really top notch photos on other blogs. Perhaps I should invest in a better digital camera????? (Here I go again. Always dreaming up more ways to spend money!)

My 2nd crochet project

Ok, so technically this is the first total crochet project, but the second project that I have crocheted some part of. Does that make sense? (Does it matter???? *laughing at myself*...)

I was in desperate need to make another prayer shawl since I recently made several personal projects and some hats and lap robes for the ministry. Wanting to continue with my new found crochet skills was a given. If you follow this blog, you know that I rebel against patterns, so of course, I made this one up. It satisfies my desire to test out the difference between double and triple crochet. This also allowed me plenty of time to play with the tension and develop my hooking skills!

What a joy it is to learn a new skill. This long, lean, lacy shawl will wrap someone in love and, hopefully, they will feel the joy that went into making it!

Did I tell you that...

Did I tell you guys that learning how to crochet was also on my to-do list? Well, it was. Did you hear the sound of me checking it off?

I started by putting an edge on this baby blanket/lap robe that I knitted in stockinette. Yes, stockinette. As much as I complain about the rolling issue, I love the way it looks and feels, especially with a yarn that patterns. Speaking of self-patterning yarn - I pulled this cute wool yarn out of the Prayer Shawl Ministry stash. There was only one skein and this particular yarn is no longer being manufactured. I paired it up with this super soft acrylic, also from the stash and discontinued.

The self-patterning yarn was navy blue with random color changes from teal to yellow to peach, but very subtle and understated colors. This may have made up some great socks! The problem came with the pairing. The acrylic was a similar shade of blue and initially the two looked great together. However, after several rows I noticed that the pattern was lost in the mix. Darn it. When you stand back it almost makes the blanket look worn or dirty. Oh, well! It's still super soft and cozy warm. I can just picture some little baby snuggled up for bedtime in it!

Once the crochet edging had been completed it did look better, but still not quite how I had pictured. AND, of course, the blanket still rolls, although not as badly. Perhaps once it's washed it will stop the incessant rolling.


Oh, and no, that's not a pocket in the middle. I got tired of the same stitch about halfway through and decided to add a square in the center. This enabled me to switch up the stitch by changing from purl to knit and vice versa periodically, while leaving an interesting design on both sides. This is another design trick I can check off my list!