Acorn Cap hat (adult)

This is a variation on my original pattern for the Acorn Baby Hat  made for adults.  I made one for a friend's baby and REALLY wanted one for ME!  I used a bulky yarn, cast on 76 stitches, and it's the perfect size.  If you decide to try this, you may want to do some math first... I didn't think on how to decrease when I cast on and thought I was in a real pickle at the end.  What I ended up doing was decrease one, which left me with 75 stitches, and then started the real decreasing after that... in increments of 5.  Feh, math!  It turned out fine, the moss stitch is very forgiving and takes to decreasing well.  What you do is decrease with knitting two together, and then continue the pattern as you go, even if the next stitch would be a knit.  Just do it!  If you like this pattern, follow the Acorn Baby Hat and cast on as many as you need to achieve the right size.

Circular needle clutch

This is the latest way I am trying to organize the obsession.  I made it and it's already not big enough... haha... maybe I should have thought it through a little more.  Still, it's pretty and I like it quite a lot.

Great Kilt for Alex

He's been pining for a great kilt for quite some time and we found a "homespun" fabric at Jo-Ann's that seemed to fit the bill.  We had a great coupon, and he got to say "I'll take the whole 9 yards!" at the cutting counter.  The instructions for making a great kilt were found on-line; Alex did the pleating, the pinning and all the cutting; I did the stay seams at the side for fray-checking, the long center seam, and a cheating seam to keep the pleats.


We made it the traditional way which is two strips 4.5 yards long that are sewn together.  Traditionally the looms to make the tartan were only 30" wide, so they had to sew it across the center (lengthwise) to make it the appropriate size; for the great kilt goes to the knees and should be draped accordingly so that the top piece may be used as a cloak or what have you, for extra warmth.  So instead of two even pieces this kilt has the seam hidden under the beltline (because the fabric was 47", and we can), as well as the cheatin' pleat line.  I did not use a serger this time but seamed it straight and then tacked down the seam edges to either side.  It made for a very neat and tidy garment.  A few washings and the edges will fringe out nicely! It looks quite smashing on him, too!

Canvas bag

I probably have too many bags but I just didn't have the *perfect* knitting/work/go bag... what's a girl to do?  Design and make one herself, naturally.  It matches my knitting roll too.  :D

Knitting Needle Organizer

The organizer I had, made by a lovely friend of mine, alas... I have outgrown it.  My needle collection is now too great to fit in the smaller organizer.  Here is the new one!  I had a lot of fun playing in the fabric store and picking out what I wanted.  I am also making a circular knitting needle clutch, but it is not yet done.

Cabled Zipper Pouch

I did not have a pouch to put my little knitting accessories in... so I decided to make one.  I'd never even attempted cables before, so I figured this is a great opportunity to try a swatch.  Any swatch can become a pouch, with a little side sewing, add a zipper... instant gratification!

This celtic knot cable came from one of my favorite books, "Super Stitches Knitting" by Karen Hemingway.  Thus I cannot take any credit for the pattern and I don't believe it would be right to copy here what I did... suffice it to say that it is a 24 stitch cable, done over 16 rows, and I added 4 stitches at either end to make a larger background.   If you like this cable you should see the rest of her book, it's FABULOUS. 

Then I hand sewed on the zipper, and now I have the most adorable pouch *ever*.

Cloth Menstrual Pads

I started out sewing long before I began to knit... I was taught to sew when I was 6, and learned the machine at 8.  Combine this life-long love of crafting with a deep  need to recycle, preserve, conserve and you have a creative hippie chick! 
Anyway I hate buying tampons and pads.  I use sea sponges as "tampons" and that helps, but I find my cramps are worse with an insert and sometimes I just want a pad.  I've always wanted Glad Rags but found them terribly expensive... then it occurred to me, why don't I just sew some?

Why not?

These photos are of the first one I made.  The tartan, a super soft yummy flannel, goes against the skin.  The skully flannel is soft too, and that goes against the undies, and the wings snap together to keep it in place.




I searched the web and found a few great sites with free patterns and advice, such as:
http://clothpads.wikidot.com/patterns
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/make_your_own_pad.php
and more or less improvised my own pattern. 

I don't bleed heavily, and can get away with pantyliners most of the time, so I used one as a template.  I used flannel, and an old washcloth as the "batting" on the inside (one layer thick).  I wanted to try it with a binding on the edge, but it looks a little messy so I think I'll stick with overedging with the serger next time.  It's very comfy!  I hated the sticky wings on the disposables that could sometimes snag an unsuspecting poor hair... who needs the band-aid treatment when you're already feeling sorry for yourself???

If you want to make some, visit those sites, they're super easy!  I even saw a knitted one!  I'm not sure that would be comfy; maybe?
Happy Moontime!