I knit this simple toy for Eleanore over the weekend, and decided to write up the pattern while it was fresh in my mind. It’s the perfect way to use up yarn scraps, and would make a great quick baby shower gift as well.
Click the picture to download the pdf. Add it to your Rav queue here.
Felted Ring Toy
June 15, 2009 by LisaMoving is Tough
June 11, 2009 by LisaIt’s been a long time since I posted, and I have no excuses other than it’s hard getting settled after a move across the country with a one year old. Couple that with the fact that we’re not really “settling” here since we’re moving again, back to our old house in a few months, so we’re sort of living out of boxes until the fall. It’s tough, but we’re still here.
My baby is one. I miss her tininess, but she’s becoming so much fun. It took her a long while to get into eating solid foods, but now she’ll eat anything. Anything that is except for avocado, which I have read is the perfect first food. Not for Eleanore! The face she makes when something is not to her liking is now known as the avocado face.
She enjoyed her first birthday cake (a lightly cream cheese “frosted” banana bread disguised as cake), and we kept things very simple and low key with just family.

And, after cruising for a good 6 months, and taking a few little steps here and there, but immediately sitting down once she realized she was doing so, she’s officially walking as of last week. Not only is she walking, she’s practically running!

Lots of knitting has been happening, both for the shop and for Eleanore. I just cast on last night for Swing Thing, after finishing a pair of shorties, and last week I finished a Tunic for her. More details and pictures coming soon
Packing up and moving (again)
March 25, 2009 by Lisa
Well, it’s official, and I can now let the cat out of the bag. We’re moving yet again. With the economy what it is, we really feel that our best option at this point is to move back to Michigan. Two weeks from now, we will be taking another road trip to the north and staying. I have mixed feelings about it, as I love living so close to mountains, and the weather is perfection for much of the year here in North Carolina, but there are things I’m looking forward to in Michigan as well. Autumn in Michigan is stunning, and I’m already planning our trip to the apple orchard come fall.
Eleanore’s birthday will be in middle of our move, so we plan on spending a few days at my parents house in Ohio and will have a small party there. I can’t believe my little girl is going to be one.
neglect and denial
March 3, 2009 by LisaI’ve been neglecting the blog lately. I think it’s because I’m in denial that it’s already March. Next month is April. Six days into April, Eleanore turns one. One year. I could start sobbing that my tiny little baby is almost one, but I won’t because she’s napping and I don’t want to wake her up. teehee
She’s changing so much. She finally has two top teeth and the bottom ones are slowing coming in.

She walks if you hold one of her hands, but is still too nervous to try it on her own yet. If you take both of her hands, she practically runs!
It’s March and North Carolina, and we got a snow storm! I was so excited to take Eleanore out to play in it, so we got bundled up:

headed out into the cold, and promptly had a melt down.

So back inside we went. I guess my little Carolina girl is not such a big fan of the snow.
Knitting lots of things for the shop, and I’m halfway done with a pair of birthday longies for Eleanore (no pic of those yet).



I also even made some stitch markers to stock.

One last picture of Eleanore. She finally discovered the joy of the drums.

Knitting knitting knitting
February 9, 2009 by LisaI’ve been knitting up a storm for the shop.
Shorties knit from Mosaic Moon in the goblin colorway. It’s on Targhee ~ and I LOVE targhee! So durable and spongey soft.
Funky stripes, knit for a knitting swap where the knitters were “paid” in yarn
I love that concept!
Small longies, knit from yarn in the Flamingo colorway from …a time to dye for a local mama.

I’ve made it through my customs list for now, so I cast on for a project for Eleanore, a Juliette skirty.

Other than that, not much to report. Jason is out of town right now, but we’ve survived and he’ll be back tonight. Both Eleanore and I have colds. Blech. The weather has been gorgeous ~ in the 70s, but neither one of us has felt good enough really to enjoy it.
History being made
January 21, 2009 by LisaEven though Eleanore had a fussy day yesterday (is she teething YET?– she’s 9 1/2 months and still toothless…), we managed to watch the swearing in and part of the inauguration ceremonies. It brought tears to my eyes to think about the history being made right before my daughter’s eyes.
In between the fussiness, I did manage to get a bit of knitting done. I’ve cast on for another pair of peace fleece longies, but I may decide to list them in the shop, because they’re turning out very boyish.

My hands are aching from the peace fleece, as it’s not very giving, but it makes wonderful longies. They soften up nicely after washing, and they’re so durable. They never pill.
Speaking of the shop, I’ve been buying yarn like crazy lately, with the hopes of knitting things up for people. Like I needed justification to buy yarn…
Here’s some mosaic moon in the goblin colorway, that I have matched with some peace fleece for trim.

I also picked up this skein of Iced Giraffe from Nurturing Threads in their organic gaia. I’m debating on keeping it for a pair of 1st birthday longies for dd, but I’m not sure… I may decide to knit it up for the shop.

A new toy for Eleanore just arrived yesterday, too: the Melissa and Doug push toy/walker. She’s getting great at walking around the house with it already!

Sewing
January 12, 2009 by LisaI’ve been getting a lot of hits lately from people searching my sewing machine model: Dressmaker Stretch Stitch (model S2402), which is kind of strange, as I’ve been sewing lately. For Christmas, I made Eleanore a few pair of baby legwarmers using this great tutorial.

They were so easy, they quickly got my confidence level up, and I decided to make her a pair of pants. My sister-in-law embellished her a onesie with a pink skull for Christmas, so when I saw the same material at Hancock Fabrics a few weeks ago, I had to get it.

I also sewed up this cute little cross back top, but I’m not sure Eleanore likes it very much. My sewing is a little goofy under the arm curve (I didn’t cut the little triangles under the arms that you’re supposed to in the seam allowance). Perhaps that’s why she was so upset when I tried to take an action shot…

Right now, I have the pieces cut out for a simple dress, I just have to figure out the interfacing. I’ve never worked with interfacing and it’s confusing me at the moment. I’ve also been eyeing this pattern for a round neck top or dress.
The longies are finished, and I even decided to add a little embroidery to the bottom.


I just love the color variations in the yarn. They’re especially beautiful when the sun hits them and catches all the different colors.
Next on the needles? A pair of scrappy socks for Eleanore.
I also have another big project in the works. I’m opening a soap and knitwear online store in the next week or so. I’m working on it now. Stay tuned for Clean Hippie Soap & knits– custom and in-stock baby knits as well as handmade soap

































