Another Miette Cardigan - because the other sweater is in a time out

This was not the sweater I was planning on sharing this week. THAT one is in time out. It is in the corner being punished, only to be let out when sufficient time has passed and I am no longer personally offended by the crime committed. That mean little witch had the audacity to be so tight at the cast off edge that it creates a reverse muffin top. I was really hoping that blocking it would whip it in to submission, but alas it is still too tight so it will be spending some time in the corner till I can bring myself to undo the cast off and try Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off. So instead I am sharing this outfit with you.

Yesterday my man and I decided to go downtown for a walk around and enjoy the sunny day. There was a bit of chill in the air and you could really feel the changing of the season stinging the cheeks but we enjoyed ourselves non the less. We both love this massive graffiti style mural. We have talked about using it as a backdrop for photos many times and decided that it was time.

This sweater is another Miette cardigan, made from a free pattern by Andi Satterland. I believe this was her very first (of many) awesome vintage inspired sweaters. She talks a bit about the pattern on her blog Untangling Knots. I've been obsessed with her patterns lately. That naughty one that's in time out is another one of her patterns as is the next sweater that I'm already working on. Oh and I'm also planning on doing a knit-a-long that she's hosting for her Marion Cardigan. If you are interested, you can find out more about it in her Ravelry Group. This is the second Miette that I've made. The first one I shared about in my Lil Red Miette post. Her patterns have such a great vintage feel but, unlike most truly authentic vintage patterns, use modern construction techniques and usually, worsted weight yarn. This means that they knit up MUCH quicker(and cheaper)than vintage pattern which usually call for fingering weight yarns.

I used Dream in Color Classy yarn in Bermuda Teal. I have a serious love/hate relationship with this yarn. The color ways are just amazing and it's so soft to the touch. I enjoy the feel of this yarn as it weaves around my fingers. That's the love part. However, I never seem to know what the hell this yarn is going to do during blocking. This is the second sweater I've knit with this exact yarn. The first one grew during blocking so much I was in tears, it seriously grew 3 sizes. In a last stitch effort I was forced to wash it in hot water (in a machine, yikes) and dry it on high heat. This, is usually the kiss of death for a hand knit sweater, who would do such a thing? But I was desperate. It did shrink down some but I lost so much stitch definition and it instantly aged the sweater 10 years. So, when I decided to try another sweater with the same yarn, I thought I was being smart to knit it up in a size too small, knowing that it would GROW during blocking. Ya, look how tight this puppy is. I like my cardigans to fit snug, but this is pushing it a little. I'm glad I sewed those buttons tight, if not they might pop off and injure someone.

As for the rest of my outfit, check out that headband. Cute right? Guess who designed that little gem. Yep, you got it. It just happens to be the first pattern I ever shared. Check out the post and pattern Bandana Bow Tie. That was back when I thought small pictures were some how a good idea. I've gotten over that.

The skirt is also made by me. I will be sharing the how-to for this skirt in a future post, doing so now would make for a very long post and I just don't have the energy for it now. I'm totally in love with it though, the fabric is fabulous. I have 3 cardigans that match it already and the one I'm working on now goes with it as well. It doesn't get much more versatile than that. Making this skirt has rekindled my desire to sew and I'm now having to decided whether I want to be knitting or sewing. Oh, decisions, decisions. I see lots of matching skirts and cardigans in my future.

So for you crafty gals out there, do you have more than one craft? How do you decide which one to do and when? If you're not particularly crafty, what do you do in your spare time? I have more free time than most people and am always looking for new and different things to do.

Thank you for reading, I appreciate you spending some of your free time with me.

Cherry

Outfit details
Skirt, cardigan, and headband - made by me
Ankle boots - Thrifted
T-shirt - Walmart
Earrings - Berlington Coat Factory
Purse - Thrifted

WIP Wednesday - and a Lovely Day Outdoors

There have been times, over the last year, that I have gone up to a week without leaving the house (not including the trips to Physical Therapy). Living in Alaska, I'm used to my fair share of cabin fever, but in the summer I find this completely unacceptable. So a bit ago I got a wild bug up my bum in the middle of the day and told Ian that we MUST go do something. Our finances are very tight as I am not working right now, so we don't have a budget for entertainment and outings. So we had to find something as close to free as possible. We decided to check out our local farmers market there's no rules saying you have to buy something. So, with the plan being set, I went and got dressed.

The week before I had made this skirt from one of those hideous dresses with all little strips of elastic across the top of it. Really, they are adorable on little girls who haven't fully (or at all) developed yet, but no grown woman with breasts should wear them (my blog, my opinion here). However, I just loved the Hawaiian print and thought it would look nice in another form. So with very little fuss I turned it into something more suitable. I paired it with a matching green blouse and this awesome coconut shell purse that I found in a charity shop in Wasilla, Alaska (definitely a score). With a few curls, a scarf, and earrings I made from buttons out of my grandma button bin, we were off.

We enjoyed strolling the booths of handmade goods and fresh garden finds. There were blueberries as far as the eye could see. Who can pass up fresh squeezed lemonade? Not this gal.

Saying our farmers market is small is more than an understatement. In under 30 min we had been there and done it all. Thank you farmers market see ya next time.

Well, that was a lovely bit of an outing, but I have a hard time spending more time getting ready to go out than actually being out and I was not ready to go home. It was a lovely day. In a very wet and grey summer, it seemed wrong to go home so quickly. I'm so glad Ian had the great idea to go check out Creamer's Field, its free, outside, educational, and has historical value.

We really enjoyed walking around the Garden and along the paths. I did need to rest a bit and we couldn't walk the full paths, but we enjoyed it all the same.

In the Creamery we enjoyed learning a bit about the field and the thousands and thousands of migratory birds that stop by here on their journey south each year. I enjoyed looking at all the old milk, juice and ice cream cartons that Creamers used through the years.

All in all it was a good day. Let's face it though, hanging out with this crazy guy makes for a lot of laughs. What a nut! XOXO

Oh yeah, this is a WIP post, I almost forgot. Here's what I'm working on. Just a tease really.

It's a cute little cardigan (I know, what a shock!) that has a great story to it. I look forward to sharing it soon. Until then, this little darling (her name is Cupcake) is helping me get it done.

Until next time, get out and enjoy the little things, stay crafty, and be silly whenever possible.

XOXO Cherry

Outfit details
Skirt - Value Village and Me
Blouse - Thrifted
Belt - No idea
Shoes - Payless (I hate wearing flats)
Purse - Thrifted
Earrings - Me & Grandma
Scarf - Leslies Beauty Supply

Ladies Night, and Putting on a Brave Face

This week has been a rough one. I've had some ups and downs with my social life and medical issues. The ups pertaining to my social outings and the downs, with my never-ending back issues. Wednesday was chocked full of both. I try not to focus on the negative things in my world, I just don't see the point in spreading doom and gloom to those around me, either in person or on the internet but I will share a bit now. Not so much the doom and gloom just some facts about my life. Those who know me in real life already know most of what has been going on, but most of my on-line community has no (or very little) idea. Putting in mildly, I have a bad back (understatement). Over a year ago, I herniated my L5-S1 disc and the L4-L5 was bulging pretty bad as well. After months of physical therapy, we decided to go ahead and do surgery last October. Its been a long year of trying to simultaneously take it easy, and get my strength back. Some things have gotten better, the shooting nerve pain in my legs has lessened and I seem to have some nerve damage in my leg and foot, but it's not painful, just numb. The problem is my back still hurts on a daily basis, I am still medically unstable, I am still not back to work. Then newest doctors theory is that the metal hardware that was put in my back during that last surgery may be what is still causing me so much pain. So, Wednesday morning I went in for a minor procedure to inject my back with anesthesia right where all the metal hardware is. The idea is that if they numb up where the metal is, and the pain goes away, then we can take the metal out and all will be fixed (never mind the 4 small holes that will be left behind when all the screws are taken out). So this was the beginning of my Wednesday.

They told me I couldn't wear eye makeup, what kind of horse crap is that? Little do they know that I do not leave the house without my eyebrows. So, there stupid doctors rules. Things seemed to go smoothly and I came home to nap and take it easy for the day.

I had made tentative plans a few days prior to go out with some new friends for a glass of wine and some much needed girl chit-chatting on the same day as the procedure, I knew that I might not feel my best, but I just couldn't pass up plans with these lovely ladies. In the evening, when it was time to get all dolled up, I was still feeling pretty good. A bit sore, legs a little weak but not to big of a deal. Lets get pretty....

Thankfully, you'd never know from the picture that just a moment before, I was holding back a tear. Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my face. Literally, between the eyeliner and the lipstick, what was left of the anesthesia wore completely off. Leaving me in serious pain, each step and tiny movement was a surge of pain the likes of which I have not felt since my first few days post surgery. My loving and over protective man told me I needed to cancel my girls night (and he made a good point) but really, would you cancel plans when you already look like this?

I just couldn't bear the thought of getting all dolled up only to have to cancel at the last minute as the pain set in. Isn't this why pain meds were invented? So that stubborn ladies like me can go out with there friends even if there body is telling them that the evening might be better spent in bed. I'm a tough broad, and I wasn't letting anything stand in my way. Even if that meant that I needed to use my cane (that I haven't used in months) and had to have a bit of help down the stairs. In the end, It was worth it.

I had a lovely time with two wonderful gals. The evening was filled with discussions of pin-curls verses wet-sets, and the merits of vintage, vintage-repro, and vintage appropriate clothing. There may have even been a heated debate over which is better, Bomb Girls, Land Girls, or Call the Midwife, the jury is still undecided on this one. Our little group may be small, but it is so nice to have met a few galls in person who I can have these debates with. I look forward to many more adventures with our rag-tag bunch of retro ravens. Next time I hope to not be fight against pain.

When the evening was over I wasted no time doing exactly what my body had been telling me to do, crawled into bed and tried to sleep it away. In the days since the procedure, I am not in nearly as much pain as I was that first day, but I can't say that it is all gone. I was really hoping that the shots would have taken away all the pain, but in fact it has gotten worse. My fingers are crossed that the area is just still inflamed and angry and that it will all settle down and go away soon. I will meet with the doc again in 2 weeks to evaluate what's going on and hopefully develop a plan.

I know this isn't my normal sort of post as I like to keep things focused on my knitting, crafts and general love of vintage style. Thank you for letting me share more of my life with you all.

Until next time, try to keep your best face forward, I know I am.

Cherry

Outfit details:
Dress - Thrifted from Jade Boutique
Purse - Guess Outlet Mall
Shoes - Payless
Cardigan (in bottom picture) - made by me

WIP Wednesday: and a Knitters Confession

This weeks work in progress is an extension of last weeks need for a drunk knitting project. Last week, I came up with a simple knitted head wrap comparable to a bandana that is super easy (so it goes well with cocktails) and serves as a stylish cover for pin-curls or the dreaded bad-hair day.

This one was made with Dream in Color Smooshy, it's a lush sock weight yarn that happens to be left overs from one of my favorite pairs of socks.

So, this weeks WIP is another version made with some left over yarn from my Que Sera Cardigan. Not only is this proving to be a great little project for those evenings that call for a glass (or 3) of wine, it is also great to take with me when I have a days worth of errands to run that include extensive time in waiting rooms, or time to kill in between appointments. Such was the case yesterday when I cast it on in the waiting room of my back surgeons office and continued working on it later, while I waited till my physical therapy appointment.

I'll be tweaking this project as I go and will share the final pattern with you all soon.

I have a confession to make. It's not really a secret, I've mentioned it occasionally on my blog before, but never actually wrote about it in any depth. I AM A SELFISH KNITTER. Recently, I had a fellow knitter and friend tell me that she feels guilty if she knits something for herself. I damn near spit my mouth full of wine out and all over her! I couldn't believe my ears, what the hell was she talking about??? She proceeded to tell me that all of her knitted goodness goes to her kids and family, this way all the time spent knitting, that she enjoys greatly, is not just for her sanity but also benefits the whole family. Her sanity (which in my eyes, is up for debate) also benefits the whole family. I just don't understand this at all. I spend so much time with my knitting, I become connected to it. My products are a part of me and I have a very hard time parting with those pieces of me. I know how much hard work and time went into everything I make, and I value and appreciate them accordingly. I don't trust others to appreciate and treasure things as much as I do. The proof of this I see each time I am in a thrift store. I can't count how many times I've found a hand made scarf, mittens, hats, and even blankets that someone decided they didn't need or want even though someone else cared enough about them to make said item. It just breaks my heart. I think a part of me would die if I ever saw something I made for someone in such a state (never mind what I would do to that person).

A basic drive for any crafter, no matter what their craft is a desire to 'Make All the Pretty Things', I take it one step further. I want to KEEP all the pretty things!! I cringe every time some one says "Oh, that's a lovely sweater. Could you make me one?" After seeing the look on my face, it's usually followed by "I could pay you." I then usually explain to them that the sweaters I've made have taken anywhere from $30 to $150 in yarn alone and usually take me 3 weeks to 2 months to accomplish but average about 80 hours of knitting time. So, what's my time worth? To me, it's priceless and that makes my sweaters priceless. And that's why they are MINE!!!

Now, I'm not totally heartless, I will knit for others when I see fit. Firstly, I have no problem knitting for my mom. I mean, come on, she's my mom and she's awesome. Need I say more, no, but I will. She's also a fellow knitter, so I know she will appreciate and properly care for everything that I make her. I enjoy sharing that part of me with her. She also reciprocates, I can't count how many things she's made for me. Lookie here, see that WIP bag that I'm using? Yep, made for me by her.

Secondly, I don't mind knitting for my daughter. Now that she's in her teens she sees the work and love that goes in to my knitting and knows that the work and love is an extension of my love for her. I beam with pride each and every time she goes into her closet and choses to wear something that I have made for her. I've even designed items for her and named them after her. Check out my blog post about Amber's Cape and you can get the pattern HERE. I have also been known to knit for the occasional baby. Mainly because I can usually use up the odds and ends in my stash and it's cheaper than buying the same things in stores that everyone else is buying for the little bundles of joy.

So, all in all, I'm not so selfish that I won't knit for others. I will knit for those I see worthy. However, for the most part, all those pretty things that I make, they are mine. ALL MINE.

What's your take, my friends? Are you selfish with your crafts? Do you have any knitting or crafting confessions? Fellow blogger Brandy of ,Stitched up in Toronto is having a link up with other bloggers. If you have any confessions to make, let's get them linked up.

Until next time, don't be afraid to share your darkest creative confessions, you are not alone.

Cherry

A Mechanics Suit is Totally Cute

Last week I made this totally cute mechanic suit jumper. I'm using the term "made" rather loosely here as there really wasn't much too it. I got the idea in my head from one of the many fabulous videos from the amazing lady over at A Vintage Vanity. I'd love to tell you which video it was and even link it, but I really have no idea. She's got so many videos and I think I've watched most of them 2 or 3 times so they tend to blend together. The woman is so creative and such an amazing and unique personality. If you have any questions about how to do vintage hair styles, the women is an absolute genius and a joy to watch. I highly recommend her videos. In this video, that I cannot name, she was showing off some of the fabulous finds of one of her shopping sprees. One piece in the pile was this absolutely darling jumpsuit that looked like a mechanics suit with shorts and short sleeves. I fell in love with it and just knew I had to find a way to get something similar into my wardrobe. As my budget does not allow me to shop the way I'd like to, I often have to get creative, and so, the wheels started turning.

I can't believe I found this jumpsuit on the first try. Seriously, just as soon as I get the idea in my head and swing by the thrift store on the off chance that I could find something suitable, there it was. Like it was waiting for me. And to top it off, it happened to be 50% off. Oh, I love it when that happens.

After playing around and getting that "before" picture. I laid it out on the floor and found a blouse out of my closet that I liked the length of the sleeves. Laying the blouse on top of the jumper, I marked how long I wanted them (with the help of my Chihuahua, Cupcake) and adding about an inch for the cuffs.

I then did the same for the legs, using a pair of shorts as a guide. I wanted the sleeves and legs to have cuffs rather than hems, so I rolled them all up twice, ironed them and pinned them. Just to make sure, I then tried it on to see if it was looking alright. I'm glad I did, because, I decided that the sleeves needed to be just a bit shorter. So, I rolled them up one more time and re-ironed and pinned. Then got to sewing them all up.

Add a red belt, and here it is. I'll be the first to admit that it isn't perfect, but I'm totally in love with it. I think Cupcake likes it too, after all she helped make it.

Then to top it all off, I made this bandana/headband from a small bit of fabric out of my stash. Yes, I'm rather pleased with myself.

All in all, I'd say it was a great day for crafting and it turned in to a great evening at the fair. I couldn't believe how many compliments I got on my new outfit.

Am I the only one that LOVES it when people photobomb their pictures? Look at these silly gals in the background. Just too funny. That's all for now folks. Until next time, remember to enjoy the silly moments in life.

XOXO Cherry

WIP Wednesday: and the need for a Drunk Knitting project

Cupcake likes to snuggle my knitting.

This hopefully is the first of many WIP (Work In Progress) posts to give you all updates of what's going on in my knitting and crafting world. This week my number 1 knitting goal has been to finish my Hetty Cardigan. I started it about 2 weeks ago and it is going very fast. The simple lace pattern coupled with size 8 needles and an aran weight yarn make it fly off the needles. I'm sure I would be done with it by now if I weren't occasionally distracted by other things. I brought it on the road with me when I went to an amazing concert 3 hours out of town. I knit some on the way to the concert, but the lace pattern proved to be too much for my hang over the following day on the trip back.

Here's my man and I at the concert.

So, I continued to work on it after returning home. Until, after a particularly long day I really wanted a glass (or 3) of wine. Now I know from past experiences (many past experiences) that knitting and drinking don't mix. At least for most of the projects that I work on. After posting my dilemma on Facebook, I got some great suggestions from my fellow knitters.

This could have ended poorly.

The solution to my knitting/drinking dilemma is to create a drunk knitting project, a project that is simple enough to do after a drink (or 3). There are thousands of beginner knitting projects out there what would be simple enough for the task at hand, but I also need to find something that fits me, something that I WANT to knit. I am, after all, a very selfish knitter.

So, if you have any suggestions for simple patterns that would work well with my affection for red wine and fancy cocktails and my flair for all things vintage and vintage inspired, please share them with me. I'm also thinking of doing posts that feature small projects that somehow correlate to a specific cocktail or wine. What do ya thing?

Thanks for reading and cheers my friends,

Cherry

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Hem it up. A great way to change the look from drab to fab.

I haven't done too may outfit posts before, but every now and then an outfit deserves a bit of attention. This is one of those outfits. I'm in love with this outfit and how it all came together. First lets start with the dress. It didn't always look like this. When I found it, while rummaging around the Salvation Army in Anchorage, it was about a foot longer. It definitely looked like it was from a past decade, but more like something from the late '80's early '90's. Not exactly (at all) the time frame that I am drawn to. But I saw it's potential. The button up front, that beautiful red and white floral pattern, and the fitting silhouette reminded me of something more 40's in style. For $6 bucks, I took a chance and brought it home to hem. The difference is amazing, just changing the length of this dress completely changed the look.

Those shoes were also a great find from Value Village. They are red genuine leather Mary Jane's from Nordstrom's. They are so comfortable and such a great quality, I can't believe anybody would want to get rid of them. Oh well, their loss is definitely my gain. I wear them all the time.

I've been working on my vintage hat collection for some time now and this one is by far my most favorite. I love the deep navy blue, little netted veil and dainty red roses. I really love that I get to wear the hat AND do my hair. I love fixing my hair and often opt not to wear hats because I don't like being lazy with my hair. With this hat I can do my bangs in a lovely barrel roll and I got to try something new with the back of my hair. This is my very first Gibson roll.

I could use a bit more practice and with a hat like this one, I think I'll be doing just that.

Now with the hair, hat, dress, and shoes, it was feeling a bit like a costume, or something for a themed party. I'm not a vintage purist by any means. I respect those who are, more power to ya, but it doesn't work with my personality (or my wallet)I much prefer mixing yesteryears fashions with my own unique style. So, I decided to pair this with my, also thrifted, faux leather jacket to give the whole ensemble a bit of a feminine edge. I think it all works quite nicely together. The perfect outfit for a day spent with a wonderful friend exploring new antique and thrift shops.

Kisses to you all. Thank you for reading and until next time, keep creating!

Que Sera, a Sweater will be

Well, this one has been a long time coming. I've had this lovely pattern in my ever growing list of things I want to make for quite some time now and finally started it about 3 months ago. The pattern is Que Sera by Kirsten Kapur. I stumbled on to it while searching Raverly for a vintage inspired cardigan to go with my growing number of summer dresses. The dress pictured is another amazing thrift store find. It's a Hawaiian souvenir dress, I assume, as it's made very cheaply with thin cheap fabric that says "Aloha" in it. But hey, for under $10, I'm in love with it. Anyways, here in Alaska, more often then not, it's not quite warm enough to wear our lovely summer dresses without a little something to cover up. In fact, I had to wait over a week to get decent photos because it has been pouring down rain almost all summer.

The pattern is very well written. I was nervous, having never worked a lace pattern that was more than 2 rows in a cardigan, but I did all right with it. There was one night I had to un-knit 3 rows of lace work (ZERO FUN) but I blame that on a second glass of wine. I also have very limited experience with set-in sleeves and my seaming skills leave a bit to be desired. That's why when I got all the pieces done I decided to wait a while to sew them together. I was in Anchorage with my dad at the time and I knew I was in no position to be sewing pieces of lace together. I decided to wait till I was back home to conquer this feat. When I did finally get back to it, the first sleeve went very well. Too well, because I must have relaxed as I did the second one. After, when I went to try it on, I realized that I had sewn the sleeve in inside out. GARRRRRRR!!!! Needless to say, my sweater took a 3 day time out before I had the nerve and calm needed to meticulously undo the mess. I finally got the sleeves in right and continued on to the button bands. No problems there, thank the knitting gods.

After the button band I finally got to try on my new creation. OH NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! It was way too small. I just wanted to cry. I did a gauge swatch, what did I do wrong?!?! I knew some of it would come out with blocking, but I was feeling very discouraged that day. Maybe something else was bothering me and messing with my knitting confidence. I'm not sure, but it took almost a week for me to do the blocking. Nobody likes to do blocking anyways and I sure wasn't excited about doing it just to have a sweater that didn't fit.

Thankfully, the blocking worked. It's snug, but I had planned on it being form fitting. While knitting I adjusted my needle size during with waist section. I went down a needle size for 2 pattern repeats to create a bit of waist shaping.

I use Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in Cobalt Heather. It's a great neutral but vibrant blue that is so versatile. Not only does it go with a few of my dresses, but also will be great with jeans as the seasons change. Although it's wool, the lace keeps it from being too warm in the summer but will transition nicely into fall.

One last picture I just have to share. My friends daughter was helping me with pictures and brought me a prop. What an absolute sweetheart.

Well, this one may have taken me a while to complete, but I think it was worth it.

As always, thank you for reading. Until next time, be creative and take time to blow on the dandelions.

Cherry