The Oliver + S Music Box Jumper

Can I just tell you how sweet my little boy is? When I took him to pick out the lining fabric for his first day of preschool pants, some very pretty red fabric caught his eye and he told me that his older sister would just love it.

And he was right (of course!).

So I got a couple yards to make the Oliver + S Music Box Jumper, which is supposed to be the easiest Oliver + S pattern out there—designed specifically for beginners like yours truly (although the pattern was easy, I actually thought the Sandbox Pants were even easier, but that's just me).

The style is similar to the sundress from Carefree Clothes for Girls, but in addition to other minor differences, it has buttonholes (gasp!). Well, wouldn't you know, buttonholes are easy! SUPER easy. I'm not even kidding. I was a little shocked, but now that I know, I just want to put buttonholes in everything. So watch out.

Pleats on the other hand, are not my favorite thing in the world. That is something I didn't know before making this dress.

Do you all know that saying, "Measure twice, cut once?" I know it, but didn't actually follow it. Rather than cutting the pattern pieces out, I just measured them (the skirt is three rectangular panels) and then cut (see, measured once, pooh). And, as you might suspect, I cut them a tad too small. Not so small that I had to do anything drastic, but small enough to mess up the pleats.

So I futzed with them and futzed with them. And then futzed with them a little more. Eventually I got the skirt to fit the bodice. But next time that happens (it will, won't it?) I think I'll do gathers instead.

Anyway, I'm very happy with the pleats now, and that's what matters, right?

Another little note about this pattern: I've got quite a bit of fabric left and I don't think that's because of my little booboo with the skirt. It's mostly because I used a different fabric for the liner, but even accounting for that there's a healthy amount remaining. I would estimate that I have almost half a yard left over (this dress is a size 7). Which you know will probably be turned into super awesome baby pants.

Overall I'm pleased enough with the pattern that I'm going to make it again—although this time I'm going to try view B, which has only one pleat (yay!), so stay tuned!

Happy sewing!

Scandanavian Lovelies

As if I didn't already love SeptemberHouse patterns enough (a little gushing here, and some here), this new pattern set really has my Scandinavian heart all aflutter (in case you're wondering: mostly Norwegian and Danish, but I have a bit of Swedish for good measure).

Scandstitches Embroidery Set

Aren't those just gorgeous? Can you see now why I have so many projects started? (I know, I know, but a girl could have worse addictions, right?)

You might think that those four designs are worth the pattern price—and they are, aren't they?—but there are actually seven designs in this set. So much sweetness for the price!

And of course I already have plans for this set. I'm in handmade-holiday-planning mode and I'm thinking that a set of seven simple dolls (one side with these lovelies on linen or cotton and the other in something like this or this) for baby Norah would be a happy gift.

And happy stitching to you!

Genevieve Cowl

As promised (although a little late, excuses can be found here) I've gotten another Tickled Pink pattern up in the shop: the lovely, lovely Genevieve Cowl.

Isn't it scrumptious?
Some of the yarns that the pattern recommends include:

Classic Elite La Gran, a mohair, wool blend

Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Kid Mohair

Filatura di Crosa Superior Yarn

What a luscious project. I love working with really delicious yarn. I've been knitting for a long time and have fully integrated the fact that as a knitter you have to love the process as much as the finished product. (The process can be quite long, after all.) With a pattern like this and super yummy yarn you get to really enjoy both.

Happy knitting!

It's ABOUT Time!

At least I'd bet (lots and lots of money) that that's what Paula will think when she sees this post. And man, I couldn't agree with her more!

See, I'm a teeny tiny bit behind on getting new patterns into the shop (as long as we define "teeny tiny" as months and months, that is). All I can say is that there are SO MANY awesome patterns out there and ever since baby Norah's arrival, there never seems to be enough time for the shop.

{But isn't she just scrumptious?}

In any case, I've finally gotten two of her super cute patterns up:

Chicken Blanket

Isn't that so cute? And this one, the Tea Cozy and Tea Tray Cover is Free! Isn't that just perfect for fall?

Tea Cozy and Tea Tray Cover

You know, either of these could be a perfect gift for someone in your life (the holidays are closer than you think...), and then of course they could be just perfect for you!

Happy knitting!

Fabric

Have you been over to Spoonflower? If not, you should certainly check it out. It's a site where you can either design and print your own fabric, or buy fabric by other people who have done just that.

Here's a itsy bitsy sample of some of the super cool stuff I found:

{Doors and Window Shopping by pattysloniger}

{Rens Tractor by holli_zollinger}

  {Flat Flower by mudstuffing}

{Polka Tree by natalie}

 {Cherry by troismiettes}

{Clothespin People by heatherross}

True, it's not cheap ($18 - $32 / yard) but it's perfect if you want something unique for a really special project.

Happy sewing!

Pants for a New Preschooler

Yesterday was Oliver's first day of preschool and so we needed some special, new, first day clothes. (Any excuse, right?)

I've been wanting to try out the Dapper Dillinger pattern by Figgy's ever since Oliver wore them for his photo shoot in June. So, with some really great brown corduroy I had scored at one of those Fabric Depot sales and some super awesome rocket ship fabric for the lining, I whipped up a pair.

Ok, so maybe "whipped" is a little bit of an overstatement. I had to employ the seam ripper at least four times during this project, but it had little or nothing to do with the pattern. A seamstress who was insufficiently caffeinated, more likely.

No, the pattern was well-written and easy to follow. I did find the front panel a little fussy, but that would be because I'm such a beginner. And now that it's in, it's really, really nice.

The Dappers are baggy (I was pretty certain the entire time I was sewing them that they would be too big — they're not) but not at all sloppy. Somehow Figgy's has managed a comfy fit with a very stylish look. Perfect for Nana's birthday at that fancy restaurant.

Or the sandbox.

Happy sewing!

Tickled Pink Knits

So, when I was planning and plotting for this little shop of mine, I came across some super gorgeous, ultra-lovely hand knit beauties on Etsy by Atelier TPK and crossed my fingers that the shop owner offered patterns in addition to the exquisite finished pieces.

Alas, no. Elena Rosenberg, the artist behind the Rococo Shawl, Genevieve Cowl, and Bridget Cowl did not, in fact, want to share her secrets.

But things do change, and every now and then it's for the better. And this, dear knitters, is one of those times. I'm happy to report that I've just added the first Tickled Pink Knits pattern to the Magpie Shop, and there are more to come.

We're starting with the Bridget Cowl, a lovely, lovely place to begin, I think.

Bridget Cowl

In the next few days (I say that optimistically, things are busy around here, as always) look for those other lovely patterns, the Rococo Shawl and Genevieve Cowl, as well as a fingerless glove pattern.

Rococo Shawl

Genevieve Cowl

Happy knitting!

Sunny Manda Ruth

I just finished up a lovely saffron version of the Manda Ruth pattern for baby Norah, and boy am I glad I picked a sunny color.

You see, summer was a bit, um, lackluster around here this year, and so I think I'm going to be grateful for colors other than gray once winter sets in. Plus this yarn is just yummy. It's Jil Eaton's Minnow Merino: soft, warm, and such luscious colors (this one is goldie).

The pattern is, of course, fabulous. You knit from the top down, which I love, and add the hood and button band after finishing the body. The only part that confused me a bit was getting the hood onto the neckline. I think you are supposed to pick up and knit more than once in each stitch of the neckline, which is how you get the sweet roundness to the hood. Instead, I picked up as many stitches as I could and then increased a whole bunch for the following two rows, which also worked.

I love that this sweater would be equally adorable on a boy or a girl, which of course makes it the perfect hand-me-down if you choose a gender-neutral color. Baby knits may work up fast, but babies grow even faster, so it's always nice when their super cute sweaters can be handed down!

Happy knitting!

Alana is Never Not Knitting

And she's the newest designer in the Magpie Patterns shop! Just look at these gorgeous designs!

Cedar Leaf Shawlette

Cosette

Playful Stripes

Shawl Collared Cowl

Not only are the patterns so, so lovely, but the photographs are just gorgeous too! (I love, love, love gorgeous photographs! I would bet that half the things I make are based entirely on gorgeous photographs.)

In case you haven't already, you should definitely listen to the Never Not Knitting podcast and of course visit Alana's blog where she shares more (gorgeous) photographs and information about the patterns as well as other fun, knitting-related adventures.

Happy knitting!

New Oliver + S Patterns for Fall

Ok, so this should help you get geared up for National Sewing Month. We've got the new Oliver + S patterns in the shop today, and oh my, are the ever cute!

Music Box Jumper

Nature Walk Pullover and Knit Pants

Hopscotch Skirt, Knit Top and Dress

School Photo Dress

I have to admit that I've been anxious to get my hands on these patterns. The Music Box Jumper is designed for beginners so I figure I can probably manage making a bunch of them for my first-grader (hm, still getting used to that, a big part of me still thinks of her as a kindergartner). And I was a bit over-zealous once (twice? ok, maybe several times) in buying knits on sale, so I should have plenty in my stash for a half dozen pairs of the knit pants for the preschooler (ok, that's tough too, I'm not really ready for him to old enough for that title) or a dress or two for baby.

Happy sewing for your brood too!

Almost Ready

I'm pretty sure school has started in most places across the globe by now, but in Oregon it starts this week. For us, the first day is Wednesday.

So this weekend, in addition to hiking and lounging around and such, my six-year-old and I also made a first day of school skirt.

You guessed it - it's the Oliver + S Lazy Days skirt, with a "gathering" pocket on the side. I love that I can whip this skirt up in 30 minutes (that's with I-have-three-kids-distractions) and she loves that she can wear a skirt and still collect all kinds of treasures (flowers, berries, rocks, seeds, sticks, you know, the good stuff) in a pocket.

It's Momo's Freebird Twill Garden Nest and it's the perfect weight for a fall skirt (in my humble opinion).

Next up is a pair of first day of preschool pants for the three-year-old...

Happy school sewing!

More of What We Love: Jane Richmond Patterns

I can confidently say that I'm not the only one who loves Jane's patterns. First, there's this glowing post by Meg over at Sew Liberated (great Jane hat!). And then there's this Oatmeal Pullover rave by Amanda of SouleMama (so lovely!).

In fact, it wasn't long after that post hit the blogosphere that Jane decided to offer her fabulous patterns as pdf's on the Magpie site (I think she got tired of schlepping bundles of patterns to the post office to send to me, understandable, considering how often I was re-ordering). Which I blogged about here already. So that's not what I'm getting at. Nope.

It's this: there are new Jane patterns in the shop! Hooray! And they're all pdfs, so that means no shipping charges and instant gratification. Double hooray!

Christopher

Classic Raglan Pullover

Motley

Something to knit for everyone you love.

But wait! There's more! I didn't want to leave you without something to knit for yourself. There's a new new Jane pattern in the shop and it's super scrumptious. Meet Georgia:

Georgia

I know, I know! Super cute, right? It's knit with sock yarn, but don't worry, the gauge is loose so you won't be knitting it until next spring. It looks like the perfect late summer/early fall sweater, which means of course I'll have to put the other knitting projects aside and get started. Today. Don't you think?

If you want the yarn Jane used in this photo, check out this yummy site.

Happy knitting everyone!