SofiaSofisticates

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...

I added silk ties to this one for a more dramatic look. I genuinely enjoy knitting newborn props.  Bonnets are my favorite.  It is so exciting when there is a new design out on the market.  I was blessed to be able to test this design for My Cherry Blossom Knits.  Her work is gorgeous and the pattern was super easy to follow!  I managed to get two bonnets done in no time at all. This first bonnet was made using a fiber I have had in my stash for ages.  It is a discontinued yarn called Estelle Watercolours in Beige.  The fiber is beautiful to look at but I did not really enjoy working with it.  I found that the mohair was a bit too fuzzy.  Normally, I enjoy a good mohair but this version was not my favorite.  I still have three balls of this (in different colors) in my stash and not sure if I will knit with it again.  The second bonnet I knitted using a DK acrylic.  It came out beautifully and really did wonders for ...

Overcast days are my favorite!  I think the gray skies are always a reminder of my childhood in Russia. The melancholy settles well with my soul. And, while the rest of my family grumbled about this morning, I was fully awake and prepared for the day!  Somehow, I managed to finish the Windlass Sweater (test for Weaving Wonder) three months ahead of schedule and had enough time to take Sofia on a morning walk.  She complained the entire time but I couldn't resist taking some pics of her!  This pattern will be released in May and I'll update all the info as I get it.  I can't resist posting about it now.  I mean, look at how cute it is!  I'm currently gravitating to all things cables and love the simplicity of this design element on this particular piece. Such an easy and quick pattern!  If you like a vintage vibe in your garments...give this piece a try. It comes in adult and children's sizes.  I tested size 5 but find it has plenty ...

I BEGGED to test this one.  Not ashamed. Not even a bit.  This bonnet is GORGEOUS!  It looks to be a simple design. Yet, the pattern includes many techniques.  It is a perfect quick knit that will keep a short attention span.  I was intrigued by the i-cord edging.  It was my first time doing this kind of style of bonnet.  I've made i-cords for other projects.  But, never as a "border" on a garment.  As of right now...I kind of want to add i-cord to ALL of my baby bonnets!  I am adding this Bedelia Bonnet into the grand prize.  The End of Year Photo Contest (which was delayed) is finishing up this evening!  I really thing that the winner is going to gush over this entire set...especially the Bedelia!

This year one of my goals is to include more cable work in my projects.  So far, I've been doing really well.  There have been several very enjoyable pieces....but this one takes the cake!  I adore this pattern.  It is absolutely MY FAVORITE that has come from the creative mind of Weaving Wonder.  It is such an easy repeat that you don't even need to look at the pattern as you go along.  I was able to keep a conversation going all while knitting this hat!  Normally, cables require my full attention.  hahaha Plus, the end result is beyond precious!  I love the texture the cables and garter ridge creates!  I also am so glad that I went outside my comfort zone and chose YELLOW!  This hat, modeled by niece, will be a gift for one of my pre-k kiddos!  Her favorite color is yellow.  I think that she is going to be so excited!  I will post links to this pattern once it is available!!!  C...