Citrus Set...For Me!

I'm spoiling myself here lately. I whipped this set up for myself one week end and then had a ball modeling it for a friend. The yarn was Hobby Lobby clearance, a fluffy synthetic in variegated citrus colors with a variegated jewel toned ribbon running through it.

Fall Dress

Who would believe that this started out as a glorified bathrobe?! This summer I found a wonderful 1970's lounging dress at a yard sale. It was handmade and had its owner must have treasured it because it had been dry cleaned and lovingly stored. I just couldn't resist its flowing russet toned fabric, so for $3 I brought it home. Because of its humble orgins and intended use, the dress is very easy to wear while still making a statement.
Like I've mentioned before, Clarisse doesn't have quite the curves I do, but she still looks great in this creation. It is the type of dress I can imagine myself wearing for many years and I designed it to be forgiving of almost all the common figure flaws that naturally come with age and children. It is also one of those great "best friend" dresses because it could be worn by women of a variety of sizes and shapes.
The detailing is really what makes this dress. It takes it from a fun fall romper to an elegant fall gown. Its initial purpose was to be worn to an outdoor wedding and it was one of the most elegant dresses there! Many people questioned me about it and were very excited to hear that it was my own design. Those who know I am working toward a career in fashion were doubly enthusiastic.
This trim did not turn out quite as I had invisioned it, but the results are still awesome. I wanted a bit more gathering, but the slick fabric I was working with had other intentions. The chocolate fabric used in the belt and on the hem is tafta. All told, this creation cost me $9.

Another Hat

Hats seem to be my theme this fall. My friends see me working on one and just fall in love. They all have to have one for themselves. The basic design for this hat was made for a friends little boy, but I just had to make a matching one for his mama too.

Pixie Hat

This great pixie hat was another of my fusion projects, combining both knit and crochet. It is made from an amazingly soft bamboo/synthetic yarn that I just couldn't resist.

Let's Just Say I'm Ahead This Year

We don't really have to let it out that I started this dress for last Christmas, do we? One way or another, it is finally done and I will wear it this holiday season.

The dress is a customized vintage pattern, made from vintage fabric. It is fully lined and tailored to my figure. Clarisse, my dress form, is a size smaller than I am and doesn't have the boobie power I do, so it hangs a bit on her. I absolutely love the belt detailing I added!

Water Bottle Sling

My water bottle kept sweating all over the papers in my book bag, so I whipped up this quick and easy solution using a felted wool sweater. The whole operation took about 15 minutes and is so handy!

Baby Goodies!

I just love making goodies for all my friends when they have babies! This is a set I've made for a friend who is due tomorrow. These are worked in worsted weight acrylic yarn on size 8 dpns and circular needles.
The center of the blanket is knit in the round as shown here http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm until it no longer fit on my needle and then finished off with crochet. Using a size J hook I made row of single crochet (working two stitches in the same increse stitches used for knitting), two rows double crochet, and a shell edging (worked slip stitch, *dc second stitch from needle 5 times, slip stitch second stitch from needle* around).
The hat was a very quick knit worked as follows:
Using 16 inch size 8 circular needle, cast on 58 stitches.

Join piece and work in 1x1 ribbing for 4 rows.

Knit until entire piece is 5.5 inches. BO

Turn hat inside out, flat (BO edge to BO edge) and mark fold lines with pins. Refold hat so that the pins meet and once again mark the folded edges. This will divide the hat into fourths. Bring all pins to meet in center and pin so that the top of the hat has a star like shape. Whip stitch closed and turn right side out to hide stitching.