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!

Big Kids Need Bigger Art Smocks!

This project was lonnnnng overdue, but it's finally here - Camden's new Oliver and S Art Smock!  It's from the Little Things to Sew book, and I'd sewn it once before (and for the life of me, I can't find ONE quality photo):

It's clearly a simple project.  The smock is long-sleeved and buttons or snaps at the back.  I don't actually recall what attachment they ask for, but I wish I had snap pliers.  Ah, well - a button it was...on both versions I sewed up this weekend.

Fancy bun, as she had a ballet rehearsal

As you can see, Camden received the super scrappy version.  I was again trying to be smart and resourceful and use only fabrics I had.  The pattern pieces are LARGE, though, so, it was tricky to find fabric large pieces enough that I didn't mind using on an art smock, LOL.  I did manage to do it, though I am pretty sure one or two of the pieces are cut against the grain, but no biggie.  

The pattern does call for a couple pockets, but as with the first time around, I saw them more as a problem design element than as a useful feature, so, I didn't give Camden pockets.  On the other version, a birthday gift for a friend, I sewed on one pocket, just in case.  I picked up both fabrics at Joann Fabrics - each at 50% off, which was nice!  The pairing is super cute, and I wish we could keep it, aha!  (I cannot find the fabrics at their site, though - sorry!)  I hope the birthday girl loves it!!

Can I just say, though, how OLD she looks in these pictures???!!!  NUTS!

North Shore....? And By THAT, I Mean North Shore of Bend...

A couple things about this sweater:  I LOVE how cute it is - and what a great pattern!  But I do NOT like 54/45 wool/cotton blend yarns, methinks.

Again, though - how CUTE!

The pattern is North Shore, by tincanknits, part of their Pacific Knits Collection.  I thought it was the cutest thing when I first discovered it, and I'm glad I knit it up.  It took me a couple weeks, which is great, especially as it's a stranded-work project....LOL - though it IS the 6 month cast-on.

This kid is toooo fast for me to get pictures!

My gauge, as always (broken-record, much??), was too loose, so, I figured casting on for two sizes smaller would make it work out just fine.  I sadly wish I'd cast on for only one size smaller, as it's pretty snug to get on Tiberius.  The head-hole, especially, is a bit tight, and the silly boy likes to get his teeth in the sweater as I'm pulling it off, making matters THAT much easier ;)  I understand the pattern didn't call for the neckhole I did (which seemed wide to me in project page photos), but I had decreased by more stitches than the pattern calls for after the yoke is finished.  I sort of modeled it after the stitch decreases in the Owlet sweater - again, if I'd done a size bigger, I would have been better off.  I believe I might only size down one size for Camden's, but I'll see how it goes.  I'll definitely keep in mind the neckhole, as I think part of the problem is the yarn.

Speaking of, the yarn is Spud and Chloe Sweater yarn, which IS lovely to look at and is plied nicely, etc, etc.  It's an affordable worsted-weight yarn, and the colors are great, and there are more I wish I had...except that I think I won't be using this yarn again after Camden's version of this sweater.  The cotton made my fingertips feel weird, I think - not numb, but SOMEthing???  Anyway, nothing wrong with the yarn itself, but I love the elasticity of wool, though this sweater IS soft and looks lovely on Tiberius.....though I doubt it will fit through November, which is sad, as winter is essentially over here, in terms of bulkier sweaters.  But I'll stuff him in it while I can, LOL!

So....life these days on the homefront!

Taking a break!

Good times at a birthday party

Building Titanic

A little Pilot Butte Action

Helping dad build a new art cabinet/easel

Yay!  Fun new books to be used in conjunction with homeschooling!

Quit gymnastics and started ballet......