Something New...

Why is there a picture of jewelry here?

Let me explain.  The other day was my birthday, and I decided to do something I've thought about for about 3 years.  I opened an Etsy shop.  I'm taking Kev's advice and just having some fun (i.e., not stressing about it, or having expectations, etc).  I know you may be thinking that I'll be selling hand knits, but not so.  At least not right now.  I love, love, love knitting, but I've only dabbled in designing my own hand knits.  However, I do have another craft love but just don't blog about.  I've been making jewelry since I was in grade school. 

As previously stated, I celebrated a birthday recently.  My 29th to be exact.  So if you add up the years...you get a whole lot of jewelry.  Add to that the fact that my Little Miss still likes to grab and yank at any jewelry I wear (including earrings...ouch), and you get a whole lot of jewelry not being used.  Instead of letting it sit, or not making jewelry anymore, I thought I'd share it.  So that's my little story.  The shop will also be a place for me to share other crafty things that I love.  Right now, it's got some Christmas ornaments that I think are kinda neat.  So check it out if you feel like it.  It's called bhuey designs, and it's wee and fledgling.  But you never know...stranger things have happened.

After much debate, I decided on the Matinee Jacket for Evy's Fall sweater.  I actually finished this months ago, but I just couldn't get around to blogging about it.  So without further ado, the Matinee Jacket:

My friend Rachel gave me the glass buttons, which were here grandmother's (ok, maybe great-grandmother's - sorry, I can't remember!).  The buttons totally make the sweater!

The sweater is knit in Swish DK, because washable really is important at this age.  Evy's has worn this this down already!  I'm a little sad about the amount of pills on the sweater already, but she is pretty tough on her clothes.

I've also made her a had and a pair of mittens, but I probably won't get around to blogging about them.  Still to come are Kev's birthday socks and my cabled hat.  On my needles right now:  Kev's Christmas stocking and Christmas log cabin throw.  One's got cables and the other is nice and easy garter stitch!

Heartwarmer....for me?

Yep.  I found Heartwarmer on ravelry, and immediately wanted to make it for Evy.  It's such a wonderfully old-fashioned looking piece, and I thought it would be perfect for early Fall wear.  So I picked out a lovely pink color of Knit Picks Andean Silk, which is a blend of alpaca, merino wool, and silk (note: pretty sure this yarn has since been discontinued).

Ok so long story short, I knit the thing up in the bigger size, blocked it using my kookaburra wool wash, sewed the buttons on, and tried it on Evy.  Who promptly refused to wear it.  She emphatically told me, "No! No!" and then pointed to me, "Mommy, Mommy."  Which is Evy speak for, "You do it."  So after taking a deep breath and reminding myself that Evy is all of 18 months and cannot be expected to appreciate hand knits, I tried on the shawl.  And you know what?  It's itchy.  This yarn of merino wool, alpaca, and silk is itchy.  Maybe the girls in my little family are just uber-sensitive.  So I'm using it, as a scarf neck warmer type thing.