Clessidra and Skirt

I finished these weeks ago. They lay in a heap on the floor near my knitting spot crying silently to be modeled and packed away lovingly until fall. The sobs were just too much for me. Forgive the icky indoor shots, we are having a bit of dreary, cold weather and rather than wait another few days and endure more sobbing from the socks, I begged one of the resident photogs to get busy already.







Vital Stats: Clessidra from Spring '07 Knitty. Knit on US 1 dpns using less than 2 full hanks of Bare. Actual knitting time was about 2.5 weeks,I think. While I have a love-hate relationship with Knitpicks most of the time, Bare is heavenly. I do believe underwear could be knit from it and be an enjoyable wear. It's just that soft to me. I have no idea why this shot looks so pixelated to me, I hope it's clearer to everyone else. (This is the Sexy Leg pose for someone who knows what I'm talking about. haha)






I am bit embarassed to blog about this latest FO. Not because I am unhappy with the actual finished project but because I'm unhappy with how I look. Anyone over 25 can relate to that, I'm sure. Ignore the knee socks...the photog thought we were shooting kilt shots appearently. Also ignore the green shirt...I was too lazy to change into the pale yellow shirt I have for this skirt. So there.



Vital Stats: 100% cotton print found on the $1/yard table at Stuff*mart, packaged bias tapes (2 packages: one single fold, one double fold). Pattern drafted by yours truly based on directions found in this great book, Sew What! Skirts that I borrowed from the library. I made the A-line wrap skirt (called Breezy Beach Wrap in the book) but left the actual ties off since this is a muslin of sorts and I am toying with the idea of using snaps to close this. The total time invested in this project, including drafting the pattern, boiled down to one evening after dinner. We eat dinner at 5, baths start at 7:30, so that's fairly quick. Total cost for this skirt is roughly $5.00. Intended wear: vacation '07. Will I make another one? Probably, from denim and a smidge longer. Do I recommend this book for everyone? Definitely. I am not a talented sketcher at all, nor have I ever been able to draft a pattern from directions before. This book is well-written although I had to read it, lay it down and let the info stew a bit before it completely made sense to me. (Hey, Christy and Amanda, I think you both would find this book useful. Especially since you have girls to experiment with!)

Reason #2 Why I Love My Children

This morning, Miss E presented me with this portrait. While I love how much detail she put into this picture (shoes that tie, striped shirt, curly hair), what I love the most is she drew me SKINNY and SMILING. View of a mother through her child's eyes, it's a touching thing.


Crafting news:
Clessidra is now waiting for the Knitpicks order to arrive. Placed Friday AM, we'll see how long it takes this order to travel the 2 hours from the warehouse to my house. Once the yarn arrives, Clessidra and Mariah will be dueling needles I suspect.

A pair of boring, stockinette kid's socks will finish up before dinner today. The intended recieptent is the parish sock drive in the fall. I used E's foot as a guide and just knit to use up the last of this simple stripe I had. Hopefully between socks and mittens, I'll be able to use up the odd ball remenants of fingering yarn AND the parish drives will benefit too.

This afternoon has been spent finish up 3 little tops for a friend's daughter. Pictures are forthcoming. I used stash fabrics, a favorite pattern from E's toddlerhood and bias binding. A rather fast project if I'd have sat down and done them at once instead of dwadling about.

Clessidra Progress

Talk about a fast knit! I had visions of these socks being months in the making. Boy, was I wrong! I'd say at max, it will take 3 weeks to finish the pair, if that. This one is now about an inch from the heel flap and I think I'll get that inch done this evening yet.
Cable running down the back of my leg. I LOVE IT!! R has asked for a pair in purple and I am leaning towards another pair for myself in green...or maybe red just so I can rub it in to Jan that I have a pair of red handknit socks.

So, how are YOUR Clessidras coming along??