New Pattern, New Skills!

I took a risk and branched out from that peasant dress pattern I’ve been making over and over. I saw an adorable dress on Instagram, and I just had to make it.  I spent hours scouring the internet for the pattern, and I finally found it in Tikatuly‘s Etsy shop. (I thought I’d save you guys the aggravation of searching for it.)  I love this pattern.  I couldn’t recommend it more.  It was simple enough for a beginner like me, but it looks much fancier than a beginner garment.  I’ve made three of these so far with fabric in my stash destined for at least three more.

Up first is Kirsi’s “Minnie Mau” dress.  One side is a vintage Mickey and Minnie print, and the other side is a white polka dot print on a red background.  Kirsi loves Minnie Mouse, so she was very, very excited to wear her dress.  Score one for Mom!

Kirsi lost interest in posing after the first couple of minutes, so I didn’t get any shots of the other side of the dress.  She’ll probably wear it Minnie Mouse side out 99% of the time, but I like having the option to turn the dress around if she were to soil the outside of it while we’re out.

I was planning to make Eva a dress, too, but I discovered that the fabric I purchased for her dress wasn’t wide enough.  I compromised and made her a tunic instead.

She modeled it for me before heading off to school yesterday.  One side is a butterfly print, and the other side is a night sky print.  I didn’t get shots of her wearing the other side, either, but you can see a bit of the night sky print in the last photo.  I totally bought special butterfly buttons for her top.  Aren’t they awesome?

I’m going to try to finish up a couple of knitting projects before sewing anything else.  It’s about to get cold around here, and I want to have those handknits ready!

Kirsi’s Peasant Dress

Here’s the second installment of the peasant dress!

Kirsi is modeling her size 3T dress with a bow I made a while back.  Isn’t she adorable?!  She styled the ensemble with a pair of rain boots and a bagel.  She was firm on these details and wouldn’t compromise on either.

The day after I finished this dress, Kirsi put it on and refused to take it off for over 24 hours.  She wore it all day, to bed, and all of the next morning.  I had to remove it by force so I could bathe her.  I love when my handmade stuff is appreciated!

I’m going to make a couple shirts from the same pattern, then maybe I’ll move on to something a little more advanced.  I’d love to learn how to do buttonholes and set in sleeves, and I’ve got a couple of tutus queued up to try as well. I don’t want to admit how many patterns I’ve bought for future projects.  I’m telling ya, craft stuff multiplies!

Eva’s Peasant Dress

We’ll, I’ve done it.  I’ve picked up a new hobby.  Shame on me. 😛  The good news is I don’t have a huge stash to go along with it.  The bad news is I will probably accumulate one in the near future.  I’ve discovered that like yarn, I prefer the pricier fabrics.  The gaudier, the better, and if it has a touch of metallic, I’m sold.

I started off with a very simple 4-piece pattern.  Sara came over to teach me how to sew, and that’s pretty much how I managed to make this:

Eva in her peasant dress

I love the fabric.  It’s so busy and perfect. 🙂  Eva seems pleased.  She fought me when I tried to take it off of her, so that’s a good sign.  It’s a 4T, so it’s a little big.  I hope it will last a couple of years, but if not, her little sister can wear it next year.  I’m all set to make another one plus two shirts from the same pattern.  I’ve got to tell you, this whole sewing thing is way faster than knitting.  I had a whole dress complete in less than a day!  This can be dangerous, methinks. 😉

Conch Lace Sundress

Another Chantilly Lace Sundress down!  I whipped up a 6-12 month size for my cousin’s 10 month old daughter, Amenze.

I don’t have anything too exciting (besides pictures) to report.  I followed the pattern exactly except for using a bigger (H) hook.  I like that this size isn’t very long.  It’s great for babies who are crawling or have just started walking.

I used Knit Picks CotLin in “Conch” – less than two balls!  I think the color really compliments Amenze’s complexion.  Also, the yarn came from stash.  Hooray for me!

I have one more little dress to make, for Kirsi, in dark pink, but I’ve taken a break to knit a sweater for Ronan.  I felt like his knitting needs were being ignored. 😛  There are just so many cute girly patterns that I can’t stop making stuff for my little ladies!

Raveled here.

Deep Blue Lace Sundress

There’s a lucky little lady in my house!  She added a brand new dress to her closet this afternoon. 🙂

I received the Chantilly Lace Sundress pattern from my friend, Sara, not too long ago.  I’ve been working on this dress sporadically for the past week and a half.  Let me tell you, this thing is quick.  I added a couple of repeats to lengthen the dress, and it was still a super speedy project.  In these pictures, Eva’s modeling the size 4-5 years, but as I stated before, I added two repeats to the length.  I think a dress made to the original length would be super cute paired with a pair of white leggings.

I used Knit Picks Cotlin in “Planetarium” and a size H (5mm) crochet hook.  This dress, with my modifications, took a little over 500 yards of yarn to crochet.

I bought a little slip for Eva to wear underneath the dress since it’s a little revealing as-is.  Eva gushed over how pretty she looked, then told me I need to make one for Kirsi.  In pink.  Because Anna from Frozen wears pink.  Good thing I ordered some dark pink Cotlin, I guess!

Raveled here.

Eva’s Christmas Dress – Complete!

I finally finished Eva’s Christmas Dress.  The knitting has been done for a while, but Ronan’s birth and a knee injury forced me to put off the blocking/buttoning/photographing process.  I managed to sneak outside for a few minutes today to take some pictures, so I’m feeling pretty darn accomplished. 🙂

I made a number of modifications, all of which are listed on my Ravelry project page.  I did find an error in the pattern, which I addressed in my project notes.

For this lovely dress I used Malabrigo Sock in “Ivy” and size 6 and 4 needles.  As usual, my gauge was way off, but I think the dress will fit Eva without issue.  I haven’t made her try it on, yet, so I can’t say for sure.

I used three “diamond” buttons on the front, which I think makes the dress appropriate for both Christmas and everyday wear.  Eva wanted me to put ladybug buttons on it, but we compromised, and I’ll be adorning her winter hat with ladybug buttons shortly. 🙂

Eva’s Christmas Dress – First Progress Report

In keeping with my goal of finishing three Christmas outfits for the kids this year, I’ve been diligently working on Eva’s Christmas dress. After much debate (and a false start with another poorly written pattern), I settled on this pattern. Much like Kirsi’s dress, this one has a huge skirt, too, which is taking forever to knit. It’s nice, mindless knitting, though. 🙂

Front of Eva's Christmas Dress

I’m using Malabrigo Sock in “Ivy” and size 6 needles. (The neck and button bands were done with size 4 needles.) I hope I have some yarn left over once the dress is done to make Kirsi a hat like Eva’s. I love matchy-matchy!

Back of Eva's Christmas Dress

I have no idea how long this thing will take to finish, but I can tell you that I’m very much looking forward to working with worsted weight again. 😀

Kirsi’s Christmas Dress – Finished!

The first of five Christmas outfit pieces is complete!

Kirsi’s Christmas Dress

I love it.  It’s absolutely beautiful.

I used about 1.2 hanks of Malabrigo Sock in “Boticelli” and size 6 needles.  My gauge came in at 6.5 stitches x 8.5 rows = 1 inch.  Still smaller than what the pattern called for, and I used needles two sizes bigger!

The skirt measures 13 inches from the top of the seed stitch band to the bottom of the hem.  The seed stitch band measures 19 inches around.

I chose two white flower buttons for the back of the dress.  I didn’t want to go with anything Christmas-y because I’d like her to be able to wear this dress for more than one occasion.

Instead of moving straight to Eva’s Christmas dress, I’ve decided to make Eva a winter hat out of the leftovers from Kirsi’s dress. My cake is wound kind of tight, and I didn’t want to put the yarn into storage like that.  Keep your eyes peeled for the next Boticelli project!  🙂

Kirsi’s Christmas Dress – First Progress Report

I’ve finished a couple of projects in my absence, but I haven’t photographed them yet. Hopefully I’ll be able to do that soon so I can share them! I do, however, have a WIP to share with you guys!

I forget if I mentioned that I’m going to attempt to knit all of my kids Christmas outfits this year. I’m a little crazy, I know. 😛 I started Kirsi’s Christmas dress yesterday:

I’m still working on the part of the yoke that’s knit flat. I’m not sure how I feel about the pattern, yet. I’ll be able to make a better judgement once I’m further along. I’m knitting the 18 month size and went up two needle sizes to a size 6 to account for my tight gauge and rapidly growing toddler. I hope it fits when I’m finished!

I’m using Malabrigo Sock in “Botichelli Red” or “Boticelli Red.” My tag says “Botichelli,” but Ravelry and various retailers are spelling it “Boticelli.” The yarn fought me during winding, but I prevailed.

If I’m lucky, I might have enough yarn left over to knit a hat for one of the kids. Eva’s been asking for one… 🙂

Kirsi’s Dress – In Action!

Kirsi wore her dress to lunch today.

Super duper cute! 🙂