SofiaSofisticates

Is it crazy that I've started knitting sweaters for Sofia? Yes, I know it is June in East Texas.  My hope is to have several beautiful pieces ready for this coming fall.  She is heading into Kindergarten and I want her dressed to impress.  I have been eyeing this pattern for some time.  It is called Bloomsbury Kids by Tweedy Sheep on Ravelry. After taking a quick facebook vote...this sweater was chosen as the first in line to be knit. There is just something so beautiful about it.  The lace work really adds a sweet heirloom touch.  Yet, it is so quick and easy to work up.  Fiber is: Yarn Bee's Sweet Divinity in Ocean Breeze.  Sofia wanted a sweater in a pretty aqua color. 

This precious girl modeled another one of my tests for Agnes. Each photo seems to be better than the first.  Her sweet little face is perfect for darling little knits. The scallops are created by a varied use of yarn overs.  I really thought this bonnet was so sweet and gentle. 

Day 5 is so beautiful!  I used some of my left over yarn from my Flax sweater.  It worked up so wonderfully in this textured knit.  Introducing the Bumble Bonnet in Bee Stitch.  It was my first time using any form of a brioche technique.  I did struggle at first and took me a few tries to get it just right.  However, I am so happy with the results.  There is a good chance I will be making this on a regular basis.  I am also so glad that I have chosen to participate in the #100daysofknitstitches.  I am learning so much.  

Hello, day FOUR! You've been a busy one. However, I am still on a roll when it comes to testing out new stitches.  Today it is all about lace and cables! Fiona features the Lacy Cables stitch. Isn't it gorgeous?!  I adore how quickly these are coming out.  Also, this bonnet already sold!  Obviously, a great stitch!

Agnes creates some of the most beautiful heirloom quality bonnet patterns that I have ever seen.  I've tested for My Cherry Blossom on several occasions and each time is very exciting.  This go around, I tackled a trio of bonnets and the results left me in awe.  As usual.   Normally, I would test the newborn sizes. However, I've made a new friend with the most precious baby girl.  I knew her little round face was meant to model these.  Thankfully, mommy and daddy let us have a little photo session/play date.  Meet little missy!  Isn't she a darling?   Back to the bonnet!  This is the Lace Panel Bonnet. I'm sure it will receive a more elegant/formal name upon pattern release but for now this will do.  I will update once the pattern is live with all new info.   Out of the three new patterns...this one is my favorite.  This is also why I am writing and featuring it first.  The lace has t...

Okay, this came out way cuter than I expected it to be!  I was a bit worried about the size of the "bobbles" on something so small.  But, with this green wool, the bonnet looks almost reptilian. I like it!  Wouldn't it be adorable in a dinosaur themed set up??  Anyhow, this stitch is super simple and looks more intimidating than it really is.  Don't you love things like that.  This knit up really quickly and I will most likely add it into a design in the future.  The #100daysofknitstitches is really starting to inspire me.  There haven't been any new designs on my end lately. I've stayed busy testing.  However, I'm thinking that I might need to put something pen to paper or yarn to needle???

Day 2:  I've been eyeing this stitch idea for some time.  Decided that this #100daysofknitstitches was a perfect excuse to finally cast on.  I am so glad that I did!  The lacy pattern is beautiful and makes a gorgeous finished baby bonnet!  I also love this coral colored yarn.  I used it several years ago to knit a romper. Had just enough to do this bonnet.  This stitch is called the Branch Lace Stitch.  It is a good one if you are interested in doing your first bit of lace work.  It is a simple design that creates a lovely (heirloom) looking piece.

Pinterest is a great little place to get lost in.  For hours.  However, I love when I stumble upon something interesting and fun.  Have you ever heard of or participated in the #100daysofknitstitches?  I'm new to instagram so I'm sure this has been around for ages.  I'm sure it isn't new to Pinterest either.  Regardless, it is new to me and I'm pretty excited about participating.  Even if it means...I'm doing it solo for my own enjoyment. Basically, for the next 100 days, I will try out a new stitch/technique in knitting.  I saw several ideas. Most were just knit swatches.  I plan on making newborn sized baby bonnets.  Obviously, they are my favorite thing to knit.  It just makes sense. Day 1: I chose to do the Diagonal Seed Stitch.  It was the first stitch that caught my eye for the challenge and I thought it would be a good place to start.  I'm calling this bonnet the Trinket Bonnet.  I really enjoyed how ...

Meet Masha!  Isn't she gorgeous?  This is my little sister.  Little in birth order and size.  At 4'9 she's still the biggest personality I know!  This month marks 19 years that we have spent in the USA.  #fromTikhvintoTexas has become my official hashtag.  Russia seems to be a lifetime away.  However, it is still the childhood home we used to know.  And, each year, we celebrate where we come from.  We thank our parents for taking on the challenge of raising us.  Adoption is a difficult journey for everyone involved. One that has left us blessed beyond belief. Not long ago, we celebrated as a family of four.  Today, we have added four kiddos to the mix!  I still cannot believe that my little sister is a mother of three. Or, that I have a precious one of my own. Part of this year's celebration was gifting this beautiful Kaleidoscope Cardigan to Masha.  She modeled it for me during our visit to Dallas. Admittedly...

Pattern: Sweet Dahlia Shawl by Birch & Lily Model: Luda M.  "It's Summer! Be free and happy and danceful!"   Last night, on a whim, my sweet Luda came for a visit.  It was a perfect end to a hazy summer day. Even at evening, the Texas sun was blistering. Yet we managed to have fun and take full advantage of our time together.  I can't describe how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to take photos of my childhood friend, her precious daughter, and my freshly knit Sweet Dahlia Shawl!  There was this vision of a summer beauty floating in my head.  And, here is that vision in all it's glory!  I love it when an idea comes full circle!  Luda you are a gem.  Truly beautiful inside and out!   A few weeks before Mother's Day I got the notion to knit my mom a shawl.  In all my years of knitting, I had never cast on a shawl.  For whatever reason, I found them to be intimidati...

Spring has sprung! And due to all the pollen and weather shifts I've been fighting allergies and Bronchitis. That and work has left little time for knitting. However, I did get a chance to test this pattern for Jordann C.  I've never made a bag or purse before. I was really excited for this project because it was a good knit for spring time.  I loved working with this super soft cotton and really enjoyed the pattern. Now, looking back, I did knit the bottom of my bag incorrectly. Oops! I should have stuck to the garder pattern but the stockinette looks nice as well. Jordan said that the stockinette makes it stretch a bit more. So, we shall see what the looks like when we take the bag shopping! Either way, this was a great little project and I enjoyed the simple pattern.  It was a quick knit and used a technique of switching needle sizes (love learning new things)...  I hope you give this pattern a try once it is released.

Texans are always joking about our weather.  One day it is hot and humid. The next, it is cold and wet!  The only way to survive is to layer up and hope you get the right combo for the day!  In my Spring Break haze I managed to finish up another test knit for Jazzy Steele.  This is the Whitby Triangle Scarf.  The pattern is written with room for size adjustments.  Awesome!!!  I chose to do a child sized scarf for Sofia.  I have yet to knit her a scarf and she was more than excited to receive this cozy beauty!     I was a bit worried yesterday, while finishing up this knit, that spring was finally arriving in East Texas!  The day was hot and muggy and I'm not ready to be out by the pool yet!  It seems that once the weather turns nice...it quickly becomes unbearably hot!  I'm NOT READY! Did I say that already? Well, I'll say it again!  To my surprise, and true to Texas style, today was much cooler...