Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny from Small Things, for the weekly Wednesday Yarn Along.



Ok, so I know this isn't exactly knitting... but it is yarn/wool related. I was inspired by Taryn from Wooly Moss Roots. She felted an old sweater and then made it into a child's vest. Recently I had gone to the Goodwill to get a few wooly sweaters for the kids. Since we are going up north for Christmas, I figured we would need a bit more then t-shirts and shorts for the visit. One sweater, which I was very excited about, turned out to be, well... sorta bad. It fit no one, not because it wasn't big enough, but because whom ever had knitted it, sort of made it very,very odd. I thought about it for a bit and decided to try my hand at felting it in the washer. I followed Taryn's suggestions, washed it first, cut it up and washed it again. It felted up really nicely. It fits about a size 8-10 year old child. I needle felted on some designs, added a Wooly Moss Roots wooden button, and now it is already for my secret Santa gift. A few weeks ago we all drew names in the homeschool group. And I have been wondering and wondering what to do... we had to either hand make it, bake it, or find something in our own homes to gift. Now, I think I have an awesome gift. I hope the little girl likes it.

mittens before thumb

bear skin

Now for the actual knitting. This week has been a bit slower. I was almost completely finished with Sagan's vest, I had even blocked both pieces, but I just don't like it at all. So, I am going to frog the whole thing, save the yarn for another project and this coming weekend I am going to buy some more yarn and knit a Milo vest OR do a similar vest (like the one I made for Caelan). I am thinking a nice light gray or maybe this lovely teal color of Paton's wool roving. We shall see. I guess it really depends on whether Jo-Ann's has the yarn in. 
I knitted up another pair of the mittens from the pattern in the Taproot magazine. I made them up for my niece. I got the idea while reading the boys "The Mitten" by Jan Brett. I thought, how fun would that be to knit up a pair of snowy white mittens and then give my niece a copy of that book? So I did it. I just love that mitten pattern. It knits up so quickly.
And since I can seem to NOT knit, and I had all this bare wool yarn left I thought I would knit my new nephew up a polar bear using a pattern I bought when Ginny's sponsor's had a sale a week or so ago. I bought a set of animal patterns from Mamma4earth. They are so fun and quick to knit up! This is the first time I have ever knit anything like this. I also cast on and finished a sheep for my sister-in-law's niece's new baby. And, if time is permitting maybe all my children will find a knitted pal in their stockings. :)

the mischief maker

While I was busy knitting Tuesday evening, Fiona decided to empty out the game cupboard, take out the lunch bags and the water bottles. I should have known something was up when she was so quiet. LOL But look at that face... no way I can even be upset.

23 comments:

Amy said...

The little white vest came out pretty nice :)

Debbie Jones said...

I love the little sweater/vest your "recycled." That will make a great gift! Such a cute picture of your little one making a mess in the kitchen. I remember those days....enjoy the rest of the week!

fairymom aka Victorymama aka Rachel said...

I've also been inspired by Taryn, and have been felting up a storm! Just waiting for some good natural light to capture some photos for a blog post on this! :) Yours is lovely!

Cynthia said...

Oh the vest is too sweet, I am sure she is going to love it! With a two year old and one year old my cabinets are often emptied, I tell me having little ones is like moving every single day. I can't tell you how many times I have to put every item back in my lower kitchen cabinets, and all the books back in the bookcase, etc...Never a dull moment!

Mama Gone Green said...

That vest is SO amazing!! Love it!

Marcy said...

I, too, have been felting old sweaters! My husband wears his to shreds which makes them an easy up-cycle!! I also just cast on to begin knitting a sheep for our Advent Garden. Still feel as though I'm all thumbs but I'm just gonna take my time! Everything you've been working on is absolutely wonderful xo

Janet said...

Love the felted sweater with your needle felted embellishments. Great idea!

Linda said...

The vest is so beautiful! I am looking forward to seeing your finished bear:)

karen said...

Love the helper you have in the kitchen, great photo!! The sweater looks fantastic!!!

The Sitting Tree said...

I was inspired by Taryn's vest, too! It turned out beautiful.

Jessica Snell said...

What a neat idea, that felting! How cool!

*kate said...

It's always trouble when they're quiet :) I love the vest - so cute! I'm sure the little girl will treasure it.

steph said...

I've never repurposed old sweaters.....but what a great idea; and it turned out beautifully! adorable little helper!!!

Kathleen Shaw said...

I love the vest! I am knitting up little animals for my girls! they are fun and quick. I love the picture of your little one. My youngest unloads my cabinets on a daily basis.

Tracey ~ Clover said...

Your felted sweater is one of the cutest things I have seen, it's just adorable. I am going to have to keep my eye out next time I am at Goodwill so I can try my hand at felting.

sweetpea family said...

I love your vest it's adorable and thank you for visiting my blog :)

Michelle said...

That sweater is gorgeous!! I love it when happy surprises come of thrifting:-)

And boy do I know the "It's silent, what disaster am I about to walk into" feeling...but they're so cute aren't they!

Kim said...

Love the felted sweater. I saw it on Tayrn's blog too and can't wait to try it.

The little animals are so fun to knit up aren't they?

Angela said...

Beautiful vest! Absolutely love it!

Usborne Books Liz said...

She is so cute!

Erika said...

The vest is so neat!!!!

NoƩmie said...

The vest is really beautiful, I want to make one too !!

Taryn Kae Wilson said...

Sorry it took me so long to comment on this post. The link you left in the comment didn't work, but I made my way over.
I LOVE the felted sweater you made, it's SO incredibly cute! :) And I love the button on it too. :)

Glad you're having felting fun. :)