cottington's so crafty

Camden is 8!!! And just like that, Tiberius is 4! They are a couple of weirdos, and I'm glad they've made it this far! The ONE time Camden will be twice Tiberius's age, and I'm sure it'll be over all too soon.

Partly because Camden's birthday was coming up and partly because she will next week attend a Spring Break Sewing Camp at my FAVORITE sewing hot spot, Modern Domestic, I knew I had to hop on the ball and whip something up for her.

The problem????

My sewing room really needed to get broken down. I say it in the past tense, because it HAS, in fact, been taken apart. I finished THREE outfits (yes!) and two minutes after I cut the last thread, I was shutting down machines, turning off the iron and packing it all away, prepping for the move back up north.

Months ago, I had actually traced a size 6 for the Jump Rope Dress by Oliver and S. Or maybe not. I I had known for months now that I needed to make this dress, using this fabric, which I purchased two years ago, I believe, from Mill End. Honestly, that seems like a lifetime ago! Anyway, I traced a 6 based on the chest measurement, which does fit Camden nicely, but it IS a bit snug to actually pull on over her shoulders/arms. I hope it fits through the fall, at least... especially since I also lengthened it.

The pattern went together beautifully, just as it did the first time, back in 2015 (I don't know why it took me so long to make another??!). I love how this dress fits, and while the top may seem complicated to put together, placket-wise, it isn't. The pockets are also a lovely detail and are pretty stinkin' cute!

When your nose itches during a photo shoot!

And...so many photos!!!

A birthday dinner out for Matt, and I invited friends, aha!

A quick story time at Green Bean Books - the best place!

Making a birthday poster for dad

Bit of a tire fire or something in Portland

Made a project bag for Melinda of Yarnder Woman to give away!

Baby cousin Helen!

She made this in art class!!

This, my friends, is the sock post. Only eighty pairs to discuss!

Well, maybe seven!

Since y'all don't need hundreds of deets on all the individual pairs, here are the basics: I knit MY socks right now on size 00 needles, 60 stitches...unless a pattern calls for 64, specifically. I can't recall if one of the pairs is still at 64 stitches, but it DOES feel loose. I'm surprised 60 stitches is enough for me, but the Marijoldjen pair totally works! I still knit a longer heel flap so I can get the socks up over my instep, and I like how they fit. Part of the issue with the Good for Ewe Indy Step yarn is that 40% of the fiber is Camel, which means they are cozy, but they don't have the snug quality, like wool, so, they fit looser; they are more similar to Alpaca in that way, though that's not to say I don't love them, because I do and am wearing them now, LOL. So! The Good for Ewe socks are in the Thunder on the Dam colorway, and I actually received them in a giveaway from Devon of the Francofille Knits podcast (also of Francofille Knits Yarn), so, thanks, again, Devon!!!! The Marigoldjen pair is on the BFL/nylon base in the Yesterday colorway.

As for the wee socks, I knit those on size 000 needles - though the Western Sky Knits Magnolia Luxe socks were knit in the Wise Owl colorway on 00 needles, as were the Baerenwolle pair. I'm still not sure if I have the best sizing on socks, as Camden would need 64 stitches on 000 needles, as 60 was definitely too tight - hence the blue, mauve and light-colored pair going to Tiberius, rather than Camden. Tiberius's 56-stitch socks, though, definitely fit him best. The Baerenwolle, on the Baerfoot Base in the Pond colorway pair was knit on 00 needles, I'm sure, and you can seen they've been worn (!!Sorry!! LOL!) a few times, and they fit well but don't have that snug fit I like in handknit socks. Both the WSK and mauve/blue pairs are a bit big for him right now, which is great, and I won't feel TOO rushed to knit socks in the fall, aha...especially as he has a couple of Camden's old pairs to grow into - major plus!! As for the two striped pairs, I purchased lovely mini skeins from Fancywork Yarn Shop in Bend, Oregon, and I honestly don't know all the colorways, aha. The yarn, however is the Farmer's Daughter Fibers Squish Fingering weight base - except that the gray is Colour Adventures on the Dia Fingering weight in the Birch Tree colorway.

Lastly, Camden has one lonely pair of socks! They are from deep-ish stash, though - on an old base that Kristin of Voolenvine Yarns (and of the Yarngasm podcast, which you should go watch NOW - she is working on two gorgeous sweaters!) no longer carries - Wythe Fingering. They are in the Hibiscus colorway, and it may be the first yarn I ever purchased from Kristin's shop, back when she was on etsy. Anyway, they, too, are on size 000 needles, though definitely snug. She wore them in a bit over the last few days, so, maybe they are roomier now, aha. But I do need to figure out a good solution for Camden's future socks. Right now, I am trying 56 stitches on size 00 needles, and if those are too big/weird, I'll cast on 64 stitches with the 000 needles, as stated above. She happily loves them, and I have cast on a pair of Maker's Haven socks for her (which I need to STOP with the sock-knitting, by the way! It is distracting me from doing more interesting projects, LOL), so, we'll see how those go.

Week 22 at her charter school

And I know, I know...how many socks photos can I take??? A LOT, apparently!

Also, we are in the midst of painting and remodeling at our new house - doesn't it feel like we JUST did this??? And wish us luck in selling this house. I'm getting anxious and hope it's not on the market too long. Camden gets her dream pink room, and we definitely have plans for it, including a four-poster bed! Tiberius's is a lovely shade of green, and I have chosen an even lighter green for my sewing room, so, I hope that works out better than the lilac I have now.