go with your gut.... but swatch anyways.

you have to trust yourself with your knitting... but you still have to do a gauge swatch! because the end result is far more worth it.

Source: rosapomar.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

it will also give you the chance to see how the yarn "works" with a particular stitch... some people keep their swatches... i personally don't... i like to re-use the yarn in the swatch... however swatches can make great pockets!
also, if the pattern calls for knitting in the round.. you will want to swatch in the round.... elizabeth zimmerman says she ususally just knits up a hat as a swatch... how very practical! love her.

Source: etsy.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

but even if the pattern states that gauge is not all that important... if you feel a little "off" by the result of your needle and yarn choice together... sometimes you just need to go with your gut...

can you see the difference? the "swatch" on the left (i'm calling it a swatch, but really i had started the project and felt weird about it... 2 skeins later, i decided to try the same project on different needles )... is knit with 6.5mm needles, and the one on the right is knit with 7.00mm needles. it's a big difference!
i am far happier with the result of the 7.00mm needles. the stitches are much more relaxed and open. can you see it?

and this is before blocking!
so even if you think there is really not much of a difference in .5 mm, there really really is.

for you newer knitters out there... don't be afraid to change up your needles, regardless of what the pattern says... you knit differently than the author of the pattern does... and depending on the yarn choice you've made, you may need a different needle from the start. i promise you will be far happier with all of the hard work you put in to your project.

i always am :)

do you make sure that you swatch? do you keep your swatch and save them for a further purpose like a pocket? or are you like me, and unravel them right away? i'd love to hear about it! leave a note, and let's chat!

like 2 peas in a pod....

i finished this order just a little while ago, and these little cuties will be picked up tomorrow! this is elizabeth zimmerman's infamous baby surprise jacket...

i honestly, absolutely looooove these jackets! really, really.

as you know, i am a self-proclaimed lover of all things "ez". elizabeth zimmerman just had such an incredible talent! the construction of these jackets are relatively simple, yet absolutely ingenious.

i love watching the jacket grow, and how the colours chosen can influence your choice of striping.  this jacket was designed in 1968 and still remains a very popular garment today! it became so popular that larger sizes were configured, even into adult!

the garter stitching makes for very easy knitting, and gives a lot of stretch to the garment. not to mention warmth! and with the upcoming fall and winter season, i'm sure this will be a favourite jacket to grab.

i'm getting more and more excited for the fall, just looking at these jackets! (and i don't even get to keep them!)
alright.. here are the deets:

needle: 3.75mm
yarn: worsted weight.
and i made the smallest size, as the jackets are meant to be gifts for newborn babies. ... twins!
i have used both sets of instructions in the past for these jackets. elizabeth zimmerman wrote her patterns very differently than what most knitters are used to now a days... and i find that the line by line instructions are by far easier to follow. the increases and decreases used in this jacket are doubled... it's an important detail to remember ;) 
the buttons, i got at buttons and needlework boutique in victoria. i loooove this store. the selection of buttons are my fav, and i've often gravitated to these exact ones... especially for the cobblestone vests.

i decided to put the label on the back of the jacket, as it will be more out of the way for babe... and.. i figure it will be seen, as a lot of babies are held with tummies to mommies and daddies ;) (yeah.. i planned that one)

at any rate.. i'm glad that these two jackets will be staying together. i think they like eachother's company, don't you?
also.. if you live in the victoria area, and are wanting to try your hand at this pattern, fear not!! i'll be teaching it at the cloth castle! can't wait!!! i am very excited about the new fall and winter class schedule. it will be out soon, and it will be full of yarny goodness!!!

i honestly can't wait to share it with you!!! (but i will... just a little bit)

are you getting excited for the fall and winter weather so that these types of knits can be worn? have you tried an elizabeth zimmerman pattern before? i'd love to hear about it! please share a link to your FO's here! the morning has started off overcast and windy... i'm sure in the mood to cozy up to a cup of coffee and your company.. let's chat!

meal planning and more!

helloo! i missed you! did you miss me? how was your weekend? ours was uber, and i mean uber full.... and fun :) lots and lots of park time, tonnes of crafting, and finalizing schedules. i was really sad to miss knit night this week, but my day had been sooo busy, and my little guy missed me soo much, i just didn't have the heart to dash out again... so we all just had a quieter evening at home on the sat.
but before i get ahead of myself, here's what we're eating this week :)

it's a yummy summer themed week. we're having quesadillas again (sorry i spelled it wrong on the chalkboard). ha. oh well, we all make mistakes. i love this recipe though! i really am a fan of this dish. do you have a fav meal that you tend to fall back on a lot because it's just well... soooooo good? i bet you do! and i promise to share the deets on the recipe with you once we make it. sound good? good.

as i had mentioned too, i've been really busy on the knitting front. so many exciting things in the works! here's a little sneak peak!

 but it's no secret ;) i can talk about it. this one is from jane richmond's pattern "marian". i loooove it! it's so squishy and soft! i've used lion brand wool ease thick and quick. i didn't have the recommended 15.0mm needles, but i did have the 12.75mm. i'm refusing to buy any other needles... until i order my knitpicks interchangeable needles.

Source: knitpicks.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

i've only been drooling over these babies... and talking about them non stop. i just know i'll knit faster and better with these needles. hopefully i won't have to wait too much longer....

i like the outcome of marian though! and soon you'll see more pics of it!
the etsy shop has been a priority for me... and i've actually just updated all of the photos! so i've decided to feature one item for ya today...

remember these guys?

Source: etsy.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

yup. these are the "hug your coffee" mug hugs. i'm always getting compliments on these! and they're so portable. i just keep one in my bag at all times, and i never have to worry about burning my hands... also.. they're uber cute. it's a good time to be thinking and planning for gift giving, these make great stocking stuffers! check my shop for more pics!  by the way.. i'm loving my bag!! i totally recommend making one!

how was your weekend? did you get some crafting done? i'd love to hear what you've been up to? i've got so much to share with you this week! can't wait! have you used the "hug your coffee" tutorial? i'd love to see pics! post a link for all of us to see!

the girl has a bag!

and this girl loooooooves bags. a lot. :)




this past weekend we had our first modern sewing group organized by shannon of luvinthemommyhood, and hosted by the satin moon quilt shop... it was a great set up!! ...and i had sooooo much fun! so this is my first real project i'd say. i've done a quilt that was tied and sewn inside out, and then flipped right side out on the last edge.. but i really don't know much about sewing. yet, i do own anna maria horner fabric. swoon.!

 

all i have are fat quarters, so i had to use two different fabrics for one side of the bag, but i like the effect! 

i used the tutorial for the reversible bag  from here. the jean material i totally just got from an old pair of pants from the hubs ;) don't worry... i checked.. he was done with them. 

at the beginning of the meetup, i was definitely doe-eyed. i seriously felt overwhelmed, but i'm so glad i didn't decide to just nip into a corner and take out my knitting. i'm proud of myself!

and i love the bag. i will use it lots. 

i was soooo frustrated when my machine broke down, but fortunately the super friendly folks at the cloth castle are lending me a machine while i wait for a dr's report on my machine.... so yay for a finished project!

it's perfect for summer, and fall... and i'll totally use it a lot. 

you likey? did you notice that i managed to put in my label? (i don't mean the business card in the background... i actually sewed my label into the side of the bag! weeee!) 

the bag is far from perfect, but i'm really happy with it.

are you a sewer? what was your first project? were you as terrified as i was? soo glad i stuck it through! now i'm more excited to try new sewing projects!

pretty in pink

i had planned to show you my new sewing project today.. but ... the poor machine is in the shop... soooo i've got something else to share instead.

cuuute, right? this is an adorable baby sweater knit from the "Debbie Bliss Baby Knits" book. this is the raglan sweater. it's a great pattern, and very suitable for beginners. this knits up quickly!

i added the embroidered flowers just for a little "oomph." i think it's a nice touch.
the yarn is actually vintage. for real vintage. it's from sears. called sayelle. clearly discontinued.  haha. my oma gave me a lot of her yarn to me a couple of years ago.. and i know this must have been in her stash a very very long time...

i like this pattern, and have used it many times. it is knit in pieces, but it's not so frustrating, and a good project to also learn seaming on. also, if you've ever wondered how to embroider on knits, this is a perfect project to practice on. the stitches are easy to see, and the yarn used is thick enough not to be too finicky.

i think it will look very cute on the recipient, no?

at any rate. i'm pleased with it.

do you have any quick go-to patterns when looking for a speedy handmade gift? have you tried embroidering on knits before? what's on your needles? i'd love to hear about it!

back at 'er! ... sort of...

we had a lovely long weekend! how did you enjoy yours?  i honestly wish it were still the weekend.... as the start of the week has begun a little rough for me.... and i'll get to that in a bit...
but first... how about the meal plan for the week? here's what we're having!

sooo happy we're looking at comfort food this week! haha. it sure helps with dealing with stress. :) i've decided to list the meals a little differently this week... this way i am not having to make these meals on specific days. we can just see how we feel throughout the week, and pick from the list. it's all been shopped for.

my weekend was wonderful. it was full of crafting! friday started out with a 7hr playdate! the kids just wanted to keep playing, and we had the blanket and a cooler full of snacks... so a lot of knitting was accomplished! perfect! then saturday, i started the crochet class! everyone is enjoying it. i rushed home from the class, made dinner, then i was out again for knit night!

Source: mochimochiland.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

yessssss. then sunday, the girls and i got together for a sewing meetup!

Source: flickr.com via Shelby on Pinterest

oh yes. we're hardcore! i had such a wonderful time! the group is made up essentially of our knit night girls. lol. but that will change.. we are planning on meeting once a month. i have the most minimal sewing experience, and i'm really enjoying the opportunity to learn new tips and tricks! you'll meet my first project soon!! first i have to figure out what i did with the silly machine to make it not want to finish the project. grrrrrr!!!!! hopefully that will be remedied by this evening though. :) hence the rough start to the week :) but i've got goodies to share with you this week! i've gotten a lot accomplished this weekend, and it's a good feeling!  didn't i say the crazy knitting season has begun? yup. it sure has.

how was your weekend? did you get any crafting done? have you been meal planning? i'd love to know how you're doing! leave me a note, 'cause i'm sure in the mood to chat today :) maybe then my sewing machine will behave...

the season of crazy knitting has begun.....

you'd think i would have learned from my mistakes... at least a little quicker than i have.. but every year, i get soo stressed out with christmas gifts because i leave it until like.. november. and i make myself send hand made gifts to everyone. most of my family lives several provinces away, so that means having to mail out gifts only a few weeks after deciding to make them... eeks! so this year this year is going to be different!... i hope!

Source: lastejeymaneje.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

though i'm not really making plans quite yet to start my christmas gifts (sorry fam.. i bet i got you all excited there).. plans are in the works! i'm planning on selling at a christmas market this year. as it's the first market experience for me, i'm excited! so i've decided to be smart about this... (as much as i can be.haha) at this market, i believe i need to show the board members what i want to sell by october! as it's practically august... it's time to get knitting.
so i started up a list of what i would like to sell, and guess what? the lovely jane richmond is a-okaying things i knit from her patterns! woot woot!!!  i love her patterns, and i'm so excited to be immersing myself in them this summer :)
there will be a few others, but i've picked out a lot of jane's stuff ;) cause well, i can't help it! eeks!!!!

Source: knit2together.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

along with market planning, there are many many baby gifts to be working on. ... one of which i can show you soon! as well as etsy orders. (yay for them!) and my classes. i love it!

i always knew i would never ever escape wool. i don't want to! so i'm in the right business i suppose ;)

it's a long weekend this weekend, and the weather is fine! so happy that my projects are portable :)

what are you up to this weekend? fitting in any knitting time in with camping? are you also one of the knitters who are stepping into crazy knitting season a little early too? i'd love to hear what you're working on! please share! have a lovely weekend!