I recently picked up a really nice knitting pattern from etsy seller- jmaccknitt. This is the first clothing pattern for anything I’ve ever used. It has been a bit of a challenge getting it started, but now that I’m rolling and understand what the pattern is asking me to do. I really love it.
It was lucky I saw my family at Thanksgiving last night. My mom lent me the size 5 DPN (double pointed needles) I needed to get started, and my sister was able to clarify the pattern for me. New techniques for me with this pattern, are the cable knit and knitting in a round. So far I have the knitting in the round down. I got through the preliminary part of the pattern and had to take it out, as I missed adding a stitch and messed up un-kitting the row. Un-knitting makes me cringe and laugh. Unwinding hours of work is a strange feeling, but I look at it as good practice.
Two great sites my sister shared with me are:
Knitting Help.com - has great videos of stitches being done. If you don’t know how to do something you can pretty much learn how there.
Knitty - has pages of free patterns you can use. I like the black and white optical illusion blanket.
I’ll post a pic of the arm-warmers when I’ve finished.
I finally purchased my first Japanese Craft Book. I had been long hesitant since the copy is in Japanese but after reading countless blogs and reviews that the step-by-step picture instructions were easy to follow, I decided to buy one. I bought the summer ‘08 volume of Cotton Friend with clothing projects for adults and kids sizes. I love to make clothes for my almost 3 year old daughter so I thought it would be great to try out some of these for her. I love the zakka and amigurumi books too but, wanted to try the clothes first, and I also think those might be fun to do with my daughter when she’s older.
What draws me to Japanese craft books and the want to give the projects a try is the cool, funky styling of the clothes and accessories. I often find that conventional US patterns are, well not very stylish. I do end up finding cute patterns here and there (with a lot of effort) or make a pattern tracing and combining clothing items I like, but I wanted to tackle something kind of hip and different. I have to admit I’ve spent hours look at them online, and on flickr, another great place to check out the books and projects. I love flipping thru it and checking out the ideas, including a project that uses and old men’s shirt for the material. I think collecting the books and doing project could become addictive. I haven’t set out on any of the projects yet, but think the first one will be some loose pajama-like pants for my little one. It seems like a good one to start with and I love her to be comfortable and cute, and able to move easily. I do agree the pictures are very straight-forward and easy to understand. The book also comes with a trace pattern sheet, I just haven’t figured out the sizing and measurements with the pattern sheet for the clothes. I will post again with how the project/s turn out. I am hoping if anything, I will become a better sewing problem solver through the language barrier. Have you tried any Japanese crafting books? I would love to hear about your experience or advice.
A few sites to find Japanese craft books:
Traplett at Etsy
A little goodness at Etsy
Simply Contemporary at Etsy
Modern Craft
More on Japanese craft books:
Label-Free
Crafting Japanese
More at flickr
I admit it, I have an Etsy addiction. As an artist I love to look at other people’s creativity, and Etsy supplies an almost never ending source. Now a stay at home mom, I am always looking for things to make for my daughter- in part to keep being creatively active and the other to save some money. In college I was a fine arts painting major and a graphic designer in my career, but I love to sew, struggle to knit and do all sorts of fun craft projects.
Lately, I have been into making barrettes for my daughter. I bought her some cute ones at a baby boutique, including a Giddy Giddy one. But at $6-9 each, and a toddler who pulls it out as soon as she remembers its in, it was turning out to be an expensive accessory to lose. So I decided to make them. I make felt ones, grosgrain ribbon ones, ones with small appliques- and now fabric covered button barrettes. It has been really fun and a much less expensive to keep up with her need for hair accessories. It has been fun to figure out how to make them and they are pretty quick projects, not to mention the ease in matching something to a specific outfit. I have found lots of good ideas as well as new techniques on Etsy. Rest assured I buy from Etsy- sometimes I just want what they did and the prices are generally way better than the boutiques. I don’t copy existing looks or their creative inventions- but I borrow the idea with my own personal spin.
If you don’t feel like doing the project, no time, no patience, no creativity- hit Etsy.
Looking for some cute barrettes for your babe?
Check out some of my favorites:
Meeting Street Designs
Details (click on the photo to get to the collection)
Chloe’s Cuties
Want to do it yourself?
Covered Button Supplies
Ribbons, clips and appliques at JCaroline
Clippies and appliques at Trimweaver
