Today At The Shop

I've just introduced a small line of baby hats.  I swear, this baby kick is nearing it's end, but these projects are immensely enjoyable.  The small nature of babies lend themselves great to quick and very satisfying projects.

     

The knitted pom pom baby hats are an adorable gift idea for any moms-to-be in your life.  They are intended to be used by newborns and small infants.  I recently created some for our good friends in order to keep their future daughter's head warm on the way home from the hospital.

These hats come in fresh spring colors and are available now at my Etsy Shop.

Enjoy!

Duckies In A Row

 Continuing on my recent theme of knitting for babies. For my husband's best man's daughter (due in less than 2 weeks!), I made this duckie sweater.  I have to admit, I was looking for something that could, ahem, show off my talents on this one. 

Rough & Tumble Baby Blankets Tutorial

Last year our cousins started having babies.  The first of which (shown above) just reach his first birthday a couple weeks ago.  I originally was going to tackle the challenge of the first baby shower I was ever invited to by making a sweater - possibly something like the Baby Sophisticate that I later made for my husband's cousin.

When I suggested this, I was overruled.  Babies grow out of sweaters, I was told, but blankies are forever.  One of the boy's aunts still has her baby blanket even now as a graduate student.  She insisted that every child needs one.  And I'm sure Linus agrees.

After the jump, I'll do a quick walk through of the Rough & Tumble Baby Blanket pattern I created for this first blanket.  It includes some information on how to customize it for your own preferences  like I did with the other blankets that followed in the next year.  This way you can continue to make unique baby blankets for all the new little ones in your life.

Custom Orders Now Available

Quick Post Today -

Just wanted to let everyone know that custom iPad, Kindle, and Nook sleeve orders are now available at my Etsy Shop: JustSplendid!

You know have the control over motif, color scheme, and size of your case order.  If you are interested in further customizations - pockets, cables, initials, etc. - don't hesitate to ask.  

Sample Options Available for a Custom Order

Follow these links for more information on a custom iPad, Kindle or Nook cover through my Etsy Shop:

• Fair Isle iPad Sleeve
• Striped iPad Sleeve
• Fair Isle Kindle / Nook Sleeve
• Striped Kindle / Nook Sleeve

Thanks!

Etsy Shop Is Open!

Quick Announcement - As of Wednesday evening, my Etsy shop is officially open for business! 

I'm working on adding more items over the coming week, but I'm quite proud of what I have for the site so far.  I made some replicas of the earrings that I've made for myself for years now.  More will be coming soon and I am working on new ideas as well as expanding my color palate.

Also, I created Kindle, iPad, and iPod covers.  These beauties were inspired by the following very manly Kindle case I made for my husband after he received a Kindle from his father for Christmas.  I've made other versions with stripes, owls, and fair isle patterns in the shop. 

   

While most things that I've posted here aren't on the site, the objects here and there share a similar design aesthetic.  So, if you enjoy this site, you'll likely enjoy what's to come over at Etsy.

Owl Scarf

My cousin loves owls.  So when I drew her name in our Christmas swap, I came up with this quick scarf project for her.  I created this chunky scarf with Tahki Yarns Montana.  It has two owls with button eyes on each end with k1, p1 ribbing for the middle. 

Below are instructions to make your own.

The Baby Sophisticate

Sometimes this blog will be a place where I tell stories.  Sometimes I will try to teach you something to do at your home.  Sometimes, like today, I just want to share someone else's great idea. 

Our cousins started having babies this year.  For me, this means it's a great time to practice.  No, not on my mommy skills, but on smaller projects, baby-sized projects.  I made the above sweater a couple months ago for one of our cousin's new baby for Christmas. 

I've wanted to try knitting a sweater in one piece for a little while now, but wasn't ready to take on such a project on a me-sized scale.  The newest baby on my husband's side benefited from my learning on the Baby Sophisticate Pattern. 

I used Classic Elite's Sprout Yarn - which is soft, eco-friendly cotton and also machine washable - for this top down project.  After completing this short, but satisfying project, I think this may be my new favorite way to knit a sweater.

The Stash-Burning Project of 2010

Last winter, craving something chunky and warm to knit, I engaged in an epic stash-burning project.  One of my favorite wools for thick and quick knit scarves is Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride.  I don't love this wool only for the quickness with which it knits up, but also due to the vast array of colors available.

As you get to know me, you'll learn that color is something I crave.  Rich, vibrant colors, like those offered in the Lamb's Pride wool is exactly the kind of thing that excites me about new projects and over the years I managed to accumulate quite a number of not-quite skeins of this wool.  I kept buying it for scarves, hats, and other projects and the leftover yarn sat in my closet waiting for the right project. Last winter that project came.  After all my Christmas sweaters were complete I was looking for something with a shorter sense of gratification and started this granny-squares blanket project. 

Hello World!

Welcome to my new place on the inter-webs!   

This blog and my future Etsy shop have grown out of my hobbies. I have taken pride in creating beautiful objects for myself. Over the years, I've shared my talents with friends and family and have recently decided to take the next step and offer my work on Etsy as well. I would like to use this space as a place to track my work and tell the stories behind the pieces.

I'm a self-taught jewelry and knitting designer.  I've have recently settled in New Hampshire after traveling and living in many parts of the country.  I've always enjoyed writing and this may very well be a great opportunity for me to marry that love with my love of craft. 

I will be adding more over the coming days and weeks, but in the meantime, here's a quick glimpse at the type of knit projects (among others), that you can expect to find here:

Creating the items here has brought me great joy. Joy that I hope to share with you. 


Always,
Ali