SEWmuchKNITting

More knitting content! Here are some photos of the shrug that I made for my daughter Libby, I think last summer :-) using Lion Brand Cotton Ease and the pattern from the book Lace Style , Pam Allen and Ann Budd (Interweave Press): Retro Redux Shrug by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark. A wardrobe mainstay of the 1940s and 1950s, shrugs helped ensure warmth when sleek, backless dresses were all the rage. Because good ideas don’t go out of fashion, shrugs remain popular accessories today. Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark worked this shrug from cuff to cuff in a two-row brioche stitch that’s more closely related to ribbing than to traditional lace. Worked on relatively large needles throughout, the pattern takes on a lacelike appearance, especially where it stretches across the shoulders. Mercedes worked the entire body of the shrug on a consistent number of stitches but shaped the curved lower back and neck edges by changing needle sizes.–Description from Lace Style by Pam Allen & Ann Budd

Finally, a post with knitting content! This is my daughter wearing the earflap hat that she requested: pattern is the Thorpe hat by Kirsten Kapur. Made with Paton's Shetland Chunky.

First up was McCall's 5184 made for my daughter Kristen: I really wanted to make View E (the red one on the pattern front), but this wool that I had ordered online from Fabric Mart was very drapey and I didn't think it would hold the pleats. I was very pleased when she tried it on and it fit perfectly, and she liked it! "like a Ralph Lauren" was her response! I plan to make the pleated version in the future, maybe out of denim?? Next was Simplicity 3678, and I used the 'rings' fabric from Fabric Mart , and the blue graphic from Gorgeous Fabrics : My daughter Libby liked the 'rings' fabric, and also liked View A in the lower right hand corner of the pattern front. This dress has the wrap front above the midriff piece. I'll be sending her this dress this week, hope she likes it and hope it fits! It was such a breeze to put together, and I had more knit fabric to sew up, so I decided to make View C (the long-sleeved version on left pattern front) f...

I've been doing a little (!) fabric buying over the last few weeks. But, I have been sewing alot too! First purchase was an online purchase from Fabric Mart: The piece on top is a lovely knit, then a very nice navy wool with a small, light blue check, and on the bottom is another wool plaid with a light green and a lavendar thread. My next online purchase was ordered from Gorgeous Fabrics : The top three fabrics are knits, I will use for dresses/tops. The khaki/white combo is a cotton with some lycra stretch. I'm not sure yet what I will use that one for, but probably a skirt or dress for the summer. I also purchase a fabric pack of Ginger Blossom from Guildcrafters quilt shop in Berkley, MI this weekend: I could not resist those spring colors, especially since we got hit with ANOTHER winter snow advisory this weekend!