Haha, I am the worst blogger ever. I think this stems from the fact that it literally takes me hours to finish composing something. Blame squirrel! syndrome – there be cat videos that need to be watched and patterns on Ravelry to troll.

However, I feel like I should make a concentrated effort on blogging again, not because I feel like I have any sort of audience, but because I think it’ll be cool to look back at on all the things I’ve done. It’ll be a comfort for me when I’m curled up on the couch one Saturday morning, having done nothing that day but pet my cat and read forums. I’ll say to myself, I may be a slovenly slob today but dammit, I made a bombass shawl a week ago.

With that mind, let us begin!

I’m pretty much a beginner sewing…person. Sewer? Sewist? That sounds kinda odd. Seamstress? The thing with the sewing machine! I’ve made a few costumes that are mostly in dress form, which is nice because no one expects costumes to stand up to every day wear and tear. So don’t expect fancy corsets or bustles from me, quite yet! I also don’t practice as much as I should, mostly because sewing takes so much room and requires so many fiddly little notions. With knitting, you pick up your needles and yarn and you’re ready to go. For sewing, you have to pick your thread and bobbins, hook up the machine, pin and cut the pattern, get out the ironing board…gah. However, once I get started, I pretty much don’t stop until it’s time for bed. I really want to make an effort to develop my skills because it’ll be really neat to create fancy costumes and pretty dresses. One day!

I spent yesterday banging out a pair of pajama pants for the manfriend. It only took me six months since the fabric was purchased, but hey, better late than never? He really wanted those pants, though. He loves the previous pair I made, proclaiming that he never had a pair of jammie pants that fit properly since he was too tall.
Brother XR9000 Sewing Machine

I used the pattern Butterick B5153. This pattern was a lesson in learning to read the pattern envelope a little more closely before purchasing. Even though the picture and illustration seemed to indicate it was a drawstring pant, it’s really an elastic waistband with a fake bow sewn onto the front. For flair, I suppose. It’s also a fairly poofy pair of pants, which I probably should have noticed from the pattern picture. Oh well, no one ever accused me of being visually observant.

I took the opportunity to learn how to create side seam pockets, following this tutorial. It was surprisingly easy, and something I’ll probably do in the future. Most of my store bought jammie pants don’t have pockets, which makes me really sad when I go outside to the laundry room. Also, if I want to truly slob it up college student style, I need to have pockets for my phone and keys as I go out to get my midnight boba.

Despite how it appears, the pant legs actually DO match up. It's just hanging a bit oddly on the hanger.

Despite how it appears, the pant legs actually DO match up. It’s just hanging a bit oddly on the hanger.

So, yay, finished project that looks halfway decent on the outside! I’m definitely not showing any pictures of the seams and my serging. I’m always amazed at the perfectly straight and even seams on other blogs, or heck, when my mom was a professional seamstress. Mine are kinda embarrassing at times. (Most times.) Let’s just say, I’m thanking the little fishies that Fray Check exists. However, I think my serger skills are slowly improving – I did my first inside corner with the serger, so maybe in fifty garments’ time it won’t be shameful!

Maybe.

Found this adorable tag at Beverly's. Boy was complaining he couldn't tell the front from the back - so now he can with this butt brand!

Found this adorable tag at Beverly’s. Boy was complaining he couldn’t tell the front from the back – so now he can with this butt brand!

So my second order from Knit Picks came today! SO EXCITED. I really have no idea where to begin. Should I start learning how to do socks? Start the blanket I’ve been wanting to make? Feel up the nickle plated options needle? So many choices!

Second Knit Picks Order

So, I thought that the dark blue (Comfy Worsted, Planetarium) would be a much lighter blue. I thought it would be a blue grey, according to the picture on the website and from other people’s projects. Apparently I was wrong! It’s ok, I think it’ll work up just fine in a blanket.

In knitting victories, I finished my slouchy beret and I think it’s pretty awesome. Two asian ladies actually asked me about it in Michaels. I actually wrote down the directions to get the pattern on Ravelry – hopefully her son could figure it out! I also went to a LYS, Two Sisters and Ewe and they asked about it too. 🙂 Victory! I love it very much!

It’s made with Malabrigo Chunky, which is bigger than called for in the pattern – but I think it worked out pretty good! Finally, a hat that works with my round face!

The order came in in Monday! It came pretty quickly for coming from Ohio! Whole set of Harmony interchangables, some fixed circular for a hat I wanted to make, a set of DPNs, and of course YARN! It’s all so soft, and I’m excited to work with it. Where am I going to find the time?

zomg all the stuff

zomg all the stuff

I did it! I ordered a whole bunch of knitting stuff from www.knitpicks.com

I decided to go with the KnitPicks Options Harmony Interchangables. I really was getting tired of seeing pretty patterns I didn’t have the needle sizes for, so that should help alleviate that problem! (At least partially.) I also got a set of 16″ size 7 and a 24″ size 2 circs to start some cute patterns I saw. I hope I’ll be able to figure the pattern out. I hope the wood needles work out, but seeing as I’m a newb  it’s probably the best choice for me.

I also ordered some of the yarn to try out. Palette, Shine, Comfy, and  Elegance. I’m really excited about the Elegance! It sounds super soft and maybe it’ll finally get freaking cold enough in San Diego to warrant wearing a scarf sometime.

Can’t wait!

So I made a blog (yet again) as a place to show off cool things! I shall not pontificate about my daily doings, since that would take up far too much time that could be better used eating/sleeping/snuggling with cows.

Many of you know I have taken up knitting to make things for my niece, who was born just this month. 🙂  That is going ok, but it takes like forever and a day to get any progress on it. However, I also took up crocheting because I liked the pretty crochet flowers!

I made this hat! I added the touches of color in the ears and Steve helped me pick out the colors for the flower.  I hope it holds together in the wash. It’s my first hat, so you can see a loose stitch, but oh well. I’ll do better next time!

omg a hat! Teddy Bear Crochet Hat 02

omg a hat!