Ballet and Hula Hoop - They DO Go Together!

Another one of those better late than never sort of posts!

I only finished this Momoka sweater in September of 2016 an' all.  I honestly have no clue what took me so long to get photos and blog about it.  I have knit another of Sarah Ronchetti's patterns once before - the lovely Basketweave Rib Socks.  Her pattern writing is clear and delightful, and honestly, I probably could have finished it it MUCH sooner, but the move and summer time fun happened, so, I didn't move quickly, especially as I was trying to finish that crazy Doodler shawl.

I can't recall if Sarah's pattern includes the actual straight elbow-length option that I knit, but there you have it.  I figured that was much more practical for a ballet sweater.  Other than that, I believe I totally stuck to the pattern.  I knit the size 6, and it fits Camden quite well (my project page).  Next time, though, I want to try and aim to do a totally pink sweater, as that would feel even more legit ballet, aha!

She always loves this pose for pictures, though I know it comes across as awkward, aha!

I used the glorious Colour Adventures for the pattern (shop on Etsy).  The color is Seashells on the Sweet Merino DK base.  The sweater pictured on Elena's blog is also quite lovely, as a side note!  I have to say that many of the ballet parents have commented on it, so, it's been quite a hit, aha!  (Well...mostly a hit...except when Camden chucks her sweater at me partway through her class, because she's too hot, LOL.)

Camden is also sporting a Hula Hoop skirt, designed by Oliver and S!  No surprises there, as you must know I love that pattern. It is SUCH an easy pattern to whip up as a gift for friends or cousins!  I also swear I photographed more versions of that pattern, but I can't seem to find the photos in my blog posts.  Super cool mom that I am, I used stash fabric...well, because I basically have to, and believe me, for all the fabric I have, I don't often have what I need, because of yardage, etc.  Camden originally had the cutest coat made in the same fabric, and the green dots are from Superbuzzy.

She was SO TINY!

And....some days in the life of.....

Angry child/Gollum didn't want to give his sister back some of her bunnies 

Will this snow EVER go away???

Tiny Titans are MUCH adored by Camden!

If it Ain't Broke.....Figgy's Ayashe

I have MAYBE mentioned this once or twice, but the Figgy's Ayashe (skirt and top) is one of my FAVORITEILOVEITSOMUCH patterns ;)

Nothing ground-breaking here, folks....just cuteness and more cuteness!  I love this outfit!  I will maybe mention something I haven't before...or maybe I have, but who cares, right?!  I also have a secret love affair with double-sided tape when sewing waistbands...or when attaching ribbon to the insides of hems.  EVERYONE should do this!  I am sure it makes me uncool and not technically good at sewing or something, but hey - I feel better not worrying about whether or not I'm catching the inside of waistband when sewing from the outside of the garment.

Anyway, I thought I'd throw that out there...especially since I've used copious amounts of said tape lately ;)

I actually worked on three Ayashe blouses, but I'll keep the other two for another post, when I have also finished a pair of Zonen Jacob pants (also sewn here and here).  I worked my smarts (which I do every now and then) and wanted to use up three gorgeous bits of fabric I own...but also wanted to match them all to a skirt and a pair of pants!  I made this post's Ayashe blouse in a smaller size....meaning I made the same size I made last time - but lengthened it even more, I believe....and the other two blouses are in the largest size available.  I sometime like to assembly-line-sew, and it works with this blouse.

I worked in some fun ribbon for a hem facing on the skirt, and I used polka dots for the waistband facing and pockets.  I am also excited I used those buttons...as though they don't really match, it also doesn't really matter, and they're just kind of fun!  I picked them up from the yarn store one day, not knowing what I'd ever use them for ;)

Of course, you can see here where the ribbon rides higher than it should :O

It turned out super well, and I didn't have ANY problems sewing on the buttonholes, which was a happy day, indeed!  I had even prepped my husband that I was sewing them...and he never heard me yelling or swearing, aha!

A little Spun Sugar on Camden, along with the Queen Bee leg warmers

Bryce Canyon for Tiberius, along with the as-yet-unblogged Christmas in July

Also, Camden WAS showing her outfit off to anybody and everybody over break, so, she must like it, too!

Our holidays were lovely, and the day after Christmas, we saw The Wizard of Oz at a children's theater in Portland.  It was Tiberius's first big show, and he was a bit nervous/scared during the tornado scene; otherwise, he, too, did well.  He has attended two of Camden's shows, so, I had a bit of faith.  But goodness, the shaking and clenching during that tornado!

Tiberius was a bit nervous of the witch, but she loved his clothes and drew him in ;)

As with the scarecrow actor, we have seen the lion actor a few times, and he is awesome!

Light reading at Powell's

And....some more Christmas-time photos!

I'm keeping count...4th leak since we've moved in - NOT counting ceiling leaks

Santa/grandparents brought a guitar!

Uncle Ben helps tune! 

Every year, Santa has mishaps and drama....

Great Grandpa is pretty handy!

Hanging out with Great Grandpa

Our usual walks with Rocky

Painting role play game pieces

Creeeeepy book.....

All gussied up for the trip north

:O  :O  Awwww!

Paint (or Knit???) Me a Sweater

Camden's second sweater of the season is the Paint Me a Sweater by  Elena Nodel.  It was originally published as a free pattern under a publisher no longer in business (why am I blanking on the name???), but it's now offered as a free Ravelry download, which is much better, aha!

I had liked it when I first saw it, because it seemed a bit hip  - and simple, which is sometimes nice.  I do find that it's a quick knit, in that it's stockinette, but it sadly is hurting my hands to use the size 4 needles, even though they're wood (Karbonz Dreamz...I was hoping to partly remedy the hand issue with wood circulars, but 'tis NOT the case).  I ordered from Handsome Fibers, as I keep doing with my Karbonz needles, and they are AWESOME with shipping super fast!!!  I totally recommend them!  I do definitely enjoy using the needles, but I have such mad hand issues now that it probably wouldn't matter what I DO use.

The sleeve increases took my forever, partly because of hand issues, partly because it was hard to sneak in knitting (crazy baby is having a hard time getting to sleep at night) and partly because there are two knit rounds between each increase round.  The sweater doesn't have much length, though, so, that's nice!

I used Colour Adventures on Dia Worsted in Pinktastic and Irises - both lovely colorways!  The yarn is nice, and I feel I haven't used this base before....or maybe only once.  I have no idea, but I'd like to use it again.  I do like the results, though I wish I'd gone a teeny bit longer, as, because of the design, anyway, it likes to creep up over her belly.  So, an extra inch would have made me happier.  Either way, it's fun, and it works as a ballet top before I finish her actual ballet sweater - also, incidentally, to be knit with CA yarn ;)

Now....this is what happens when brother attack....

Oh!  There is the little guy!

Isn't he just hilarious?

Here I come!

He found a stick????

Get away! 

Out of harm's way