Alexa: Gourmet Crafter

I have finally finished the Kim sweater by Fleece Artist that I started last December! Although I struggled at many points I am pleased with the final result.

A little recap on the troubles I had: I started all excited about the lovely yarn and the gorgeous ‘Ireland’ colourway. I balled it all up and was ready to go. I got out my instructions and read the first couple of lines. Cast on over 200 stitches and work 18 inches in stockinette. I was less than enthused. I realize that beautiful hand-dyed yarn needs a simple stitch to show it off but thats about as much stockinette as I could ever want. To make matters worse, I normally don’t worry about alternating balls but there were a couple that were too different to ignore. I had to alternate every other row to even out the colour. I got about 6 inches in before I put it aside and started working on other projects.

A month or so later I got on a finishing kick and I pulled it back out. I persevered through the 18 inches and made the extensions. I then began to struggle with the construction. The criss cross construction is my favorite part of the finished product but I really couldn’t figure it out until it was almost done. I neglected to place a couple of markers and this made the process more difficult than necessary to boot.

In the end the sweater is actually quite beautiful. I like the fit and the criss cross detail looks good. I would say it was well worth it!

So, I’ve been slammin’ busy lately and have neglected to post but here is a quicky to keep things going. I’ve been in a finishing mode lately and wanted so badly to try on my Kim sweater and model it but alas, it is still blocking. Here is a little sneak peak:

Since I finished off one sweater it was time to cast on another. I was immediately smitten with Jane Ellison’s new book the ‘Queensland Collection‘ when I saw it in the shop on Friday. It’s a mens pattern book with some nice trim looks. I have had trouble creating something that fits right on my tall and thin father and brothers and these patterns are very modern and stylish. No baggy old man sweaters.

There are at least 3 or 4 patterns I’m dying to make but I’m starting with ‘Dave‘. I was also smitten with the new yarn at the shop: Classy by Dream in Color. A washable 16 to 18 stitch gauge in gorgeous colours. I chose Shiny Moss (it’s not really shiny, I’m not sure why it’s called that). The item in the picture is the first sleeve. The pattern calls for it to be knit flat but I’m throwing caution to the wind and knitting it in the round. I’m still not quite happy with my ability to seem.

Mom and me

We all start our arts and crafts careers somewhere, and mine begins with my mom. Not only is my mom my biggest art and craft fan, she is also a source of inspiration. She is a great sounding board for all ideas and her enthusiasm for a project always gets me moving. She is also an accomplished crafter herself. She always enjoys colourful and beautiful things and is creative in every way. Always thinking outside the box to solve create problems.

I have vivid memories of being young and baking or crafting with my mom. One Christmas my brothers, my mom, and I made a really awesome gingerbread house and we enjoyed it so much we escalated to gingerbread villages! Mom would slave over all the pieces of the houses and my brothers and I would just go nuts building and decorating.

Mom and I would sew pillows, barbie clothes, and dolls. We would ‘cork’ (I believe they call this spool knitting) coasters and I even made a whole rainbow coloured rug. I learned to cross stitch and knit when I got a bit older and my mom was always behind me. She would pick up yarn or patterns for me and framed some of my finished cross stitched pieces.

My mom is also very supportive of my photography. She has many of my pieces framed in her home and is always very interested to see my latest shots.

To say the least I could never ask for better mom. Love you Ma!