The perfect button....

It's the little things.....

Swing Coat Finished!!

This turned out so much better than expected. The crochet trim made all the difference. I really didn't like it much before I added that.

And I'll tell you the truth. I wanted an applied i-cord edging on it.

Hard as I tried, I couldn't get it. I think if I would have used larger needles to bind off, I might have been able to do it. I just couldn't pick up the stitches around the bottom. They were way too tight.

I have used this yarn before but only to make small items. I love the fabric it makes.

The piece is much heavier than I expected it to be, and it really does feel like a "coat".

It's going to be perfect for chilly evenings and early Fall.

I just pray she'll wear it. She'll be two next month. My daughter asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she replied, "Pink things."

Oh well.

Ahhh.. Spring!

It makes for a good desktop background.

Still waiting for my skein of yarn to come to finish Clare's Swing Coat sweater.

I have resisted the temptation to start a new project until that is finished.

It hasn't been easy because I have a ton of them in my head.

I'm on the fence about Maryland Sheep and Wool.

I know that I can't go Saturday, but I'm still thinking about Sunday.

Thing is... I have a cupboard full of yarn. I don't need more.

Hmmn.... will I, or won't i??

Playing with Digital Photography

I didn't need a new hobby.. really, I don't have time.

But in wanting to learn how to use my new Nikon digital, I took a class.

May have been a mistake.

I could be getting a little addicted.

The things I've learned have surprised me.

First, it's complicated. Much more so than I thought.

Second, like most other hobbies, if you want to really do it right, it's costly.

You want all the toys... lenses, filters, flashes... the list goes on.

But mainly, it really is all about the lens.

Clare's Girlfriend's Swing Coat

I purchased this pattern from Wendy Bernard's website long before Clare was born simply because I loved it and I hoped one day to have a grandaughter to make it for.

I'm happy to say the time has come.

Believe it or not, this is my first experience with top down knitting

I love it! I'll definitely look for more patterns that are knit in this manner.

My daughter chose the yarn used in the pattern.

Blue Sky Alpaca's Blue Sky Dyed Cotton.

It makes a great fabric, but the fibers continually go up your nose making it very

annoying to work with.

Also, the pattern in size two called for three skeins of yarn and I don't think I'm going to have enough to finish.

Hence, I stopped before the length called for and put the hem on waste yarn because it looked long enough for Clare without the extra length.

I'll finish the sleeves and the collar and if I have enough, I'll add more length.

The increases are fun and I love the "swing" effect.



The only issue I'm going to have is that she'll actually wear it.
Like her brother, she's pretty particular about what she puts on her back.
Nothing like a one year old fashionista.

Introducing... William Patrick

9 lbs. 2 oz. of cuteness