I mentioned yesterday that I have a few more FO’s (besides the Jaywalkers) from my blogging hiatus.

I’m combining these two since they went to the same place at the same time – sorry I only have one picture of each, but I cut my deadline a leeeeetle close. I’m hoping I’ll get pictures of the knits in action (ahem…Aunt Sheila, that’s a hint).

The first is a raglan cardigan for my baby cuz’ Zachary:

The buttons are courtesy of Mom (thanks!) but I think they make the whole sweater. The pattern is the Raglan Cardigan with Fully Fashioned Shaping from Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss. I used Caron Simply Soft in Dk. Country Blue (easy care and all) and got guage with size 6 needles. Definitely a quick knit, but I would like to try it in the round to get rid of some of the seaming.

The second FO was for Zachary’s precious big sister, “Just Allison” (she calls me “Just Joy”). She loves purses, and loves pink, and so this seemed only right:

It’s a pattern from the 2007 daily knitting calendar, and it took about 4 hours total in Bernat Softee Chunky with size 10.5 needles. Color? Bet you can guess, but it’s Hot Pink. The button came from Wally World. I can only imagine Allison strutting her stuff with it!

Next up for this side of the family are some treats for the other lil’ cousins – Amber, Wilson, and Wyatt!

Next FO post will feature more socks (unfortunately, some of them are unbloggable with Christmas coming and all, but check ‘em out on Ravelry – er, once I get some pictures up…)!

I’m off to my first softball game of the season – be afraid…

I so promise that this was going to be a WIP Wednesday post, for reals. I even started writing it yesterday.  But then I had to work late, and went on a post-rain bike ride (so nice), and made some pasghetti…and so time got away from me.  Thus, I present WIP Thursday. 

First up: Sophie, my first felted project.  It’s actually further along than this pic – ready, in fact, for a date with the washer this weekend…and then I need to find a button and some lining, which I could use some tips on if you have them, by the way.

Next up: the second attempt at Jaywalkers, in the larger size.  I am now referring to these as the Firework Jays, because I worked on them at the 4th of July celebration I went to, and that’s what I think they look like now. 

See what I mean?

There may be several one or two other WIPs.  It could be that I have developed a bit of startitis.  I may have joined the Mystery Stole 3 KAL, but let’s not discuss that, if you don’t mind. K? Thx! Bye!

Specifically, make sure you have your recommended daily intake of rutabagas:

But wait! What about this type of rutabaga?

Technically, I suppose we’d have to call this a ruta-”bag”-a. Ha!
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Just wanted to give everyone a moment to appreciate the hilarity that was my last sentence.

The point, is, of course, that I finished my first bag, and I feel like it’s my first more complicated FO. The pattern is from Knitscene, which I picked up on a whim, not thinking I could actually tackle any of the designs, but I gave it a shot and couldn’t be happier with the results!

This gave me my first real pattern-reading test, as well as having to figure out how to pick up stitches and do a 3-needle BO. You should see my test swatch where I figured all of the new techniques out, but it quickly became a plaything for Lucy.

I did lengthen the strap, because it called for a 19.5″ strap and I like to wear bags diagonally across my shoulders (does that even make sense?) and 19″ isn’t long enough. The strap is now about 32″ or so.

I’m very proud of this one, and it definitely motivates me to try other things that are a little more involved.

And since Knit Happens is having a ridiculous sale right now (shhh!), I picked some things to build my stash over the weekend and have big plans for some of those……

Now, it’s on to major work on the Top Secret Birthday Project and I may cast on for my first pair of socks, with some yarn I picked up on DeStash from YarnBeans!

Happy Monday everyone!

Project: Knitscene Rutabaga
Yarn: Cascade Sierra in Navy (2 Skeins – I used almost all of it with the lengthened strap)
Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars – Size 10.5, Length 24″