If you want to destroy my sweater, Pull this thread as I walk away.

I started this sweater when Eli was a baby three and a half years ago, and finished it this morning.  And, luck would have it, it fits Silas perfectly. Since Silas's birthday went by basically uncelebrated, the sweater has become his present. Isn't the leaf pattern just perfect for fall?

This is the first clothing piece I have ever made, with seaming and everything.  I was a little scared of the seaming processes, but it wasn't bad at all. Actually, I have to admit, it was even enjoyable.  I love the act of creating something, and making a sweater definitely was fulfilling. Watching it come together at my fingertips was wonderful.  Is it silly that I feel that way? 

 I actually made two hats, because the first one was a little small.  Maybe a future giveaway!

Eli didn't like NOT being the centre of attention, so he got in a shot.

Just me and Mr. Hookity Hook

I go through waves of crafting. Last week I was having a serious love affair with Mod Podge.  A few weeks ago it was sewing the aprons.  I pulled out three different quilts I want to make next week from my storage unit yesterday.  The past few days, however, I've been quite enamored by my good friend, the crochet hook (the needles haven't been neglected either, I assure you.)  I've tried a few new patterns, and fallen in love with a few.

This is my new favourite hat pattern.  I made the first one last week for Adrienne, for her birthday, which was 7 months ago.  I made another for my cousin Lindsay's new baby Ivy. I was super lame and didn't get a chance to sew the flower on, but she lives in Fort McMurray, and rather than not getting it to her until next Canada Day, I gave it to her to finish on her own.  (Lindsay, send me a picture of your sweet Ivy wearing it once it fits her!)  This newest one I LOVE LOVE LOVE!  The colours are perfect.  I might just have to keep this one for myself (shocking, really.)

I love the rose as much as I love the hat. It is huge, and super easy to crochet.

Chloe is a beautiful model. This little headband is so quick to make, and you can put any kind of flower on it you want. It looks terrible on me, but I love it, so I've made a few, and keep giving them away.

Just pretend it is actually winter and Chloe needs to be wearing Mom's winter parka, and those pine trees behind her are covered in snow. Cute ear warmer, eh?

And, with the excess yarn, another newborn hat.  I need to know more pregnant ladies, or maybe another blog giveaway!

Giving it all Away!!! - NEW ITEM

Here it is, what you've all been waiting for: the Hands Full of Happiness blog giveaway!!!

There are few addictions that benefit others so much as knitting.  Because, let's be honest, there are only so many knit items one woman can wear, so she must give some of the stuff she knits away. Today you get a chance to benefit from my problem.
 
There is only one requirement to enter my giveaway: you must become a follower of my blog (unless you live in the last century and only have a Hotmail account, and in that case you need to pledge your undying love to me and I will let you enter anyway.)  Absolutely anyone may enter, you just have to click that little button to the right that says "FOLLOW."  Come on... just click it.

Now that you've got that over with, check out the pictures, pick which one you would love to own should you win this fabulous giveaway, and leave a comment telling me your favourite.  It's really that easy!

On April 30th I am going to write all the names of people who have entered on little pieces of paper, crumple them up and throw them in a hat, and pick a winner!  I'll contact the winner, if I don't have it you will send me your address, and voila, you will be the new owner of one of my humble little creations!

Little Pumpkin - Organic Cotton - Size 0-12 months

Flapper Hat - 100% Superwash Wool - Size 4-5 years

Hermione Hat - Wool blend - Size Small (Woman's)

King Eli - 100% Organic Cotton (so wonderfully thick and soft!) - Size 5-10 years (it fits me)

Boy's Helmet - 100% Wool - 0-6 months

Vine Lace - !00% Acrylic - Premie or Doll fit

Brother Bear - 100% Cotton - Newborn

Baby Meathead - 100% Cotton - 0-6 months (Imagine this with a big wood button sewed on... so cute!)

Marigold's Butterfly - 100% Cotton - 0-6 months

Flower Scarf - 100% Cotton

Girl's Helmet - 100% Acrylic - 0-6 months

Mini Hermione - 85% Merino, 15% Cashmere - 6-12 Months

Flower Girl - 100% cotton - 0-6 months

Lizzie Lou - 100% Acrylic - 0-6 months

Simple Brown - 100% Organic Cotton - 8 years and up

Stripy Leg Warmers - 100% Superwash Wool - Up to 4T

I wish I was a Witch!

So, maybe you don't look at knit wear when watching your favourite movies, but I do.  Recently we watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince for the first time, and this hat called to me:

 First of all, did you notice that there are no lenses in Harry's glasses?  That made me laugh.  Secondly, check out Hermione's hat. Beautiful, eh?

So, I just had to make it.  I'm certainly not talented enough to make it sans pattern, so after a pretty easy search I found this pattern, and voila!

This one actually was just a sample, made out of yarn from my stash.  I have some other yarn I am going to make another from, now that I've figured out sizing.  This one (and the other one I made) will be added to the giveaway pile!

Now I just have to find a pattern for Hermione's scarf!

Socks, Socks, Beautiful Socks!

 

I love you, socks.  I love that you are so much easier to knit than I thought.  I love that you are useful all year round, not just in the winter like toques and scarves.  I love that you are so pretty.  I love that there are so many patterns I can choose from.  I love you so much, I almost don't want to give you to Megan, whom I made you for, but I will, since you were her Christmas present.  But be assured, I will make some more to enjoy myself.  Socks, I truly love you!

Stuff on Sticks...

... and Hooks, and Under the Needle...

I have a doll, a little knit doll, that my Nanny made for me, affectionately called, My Nanny Doll. I love it.  Apparently my nanny was quite the knitter, and she passed those skills onto her daughter, my Grandma Betty.  As long as I can remember Grandma Betty has knit things for us: hats, mitts, scarves... She has even made "Nanny Dolls" for both of my sons.

I love to make things too.  Love it!  I love the accomplishment of creating something with my own hands.  I love the connection with other women that crafting seems to create. When I wanted to learn how to knit, naturally I asked my Grandma Betty.  I feel that our relationship has grown closer because of this. My Grandma Jackson bought me the fabric for the first quilt I ever made.  And since, my mom and mother-in-law have both spent hours quilting with me.  I love these memories, and the product that comes out of the good times!

So, right now, I've got a lot of projects on the go!  Knitting projects, crochet projects, quilting, sewing, painting, decorating...  Like I said, I like to make things!  Here's a few of the things I'm working on right now:

 Just a little something that Eli and I have been working on for his girlfriends back in Michigan.  Shhhh... don't tell!

Ever since I made Eli's friend, Ruby, a crown, Eli has been begging for one himself.  So... I am making 4!

Megan's Christmas present, from last year.  I have promised that I will get it to her before next Christmas.

A hat for Jared.  Too bad it's not cold here in Spokane.  My motivation to get it done left just as soon as we arrived.

 This one's a secret, but it's almost done!!!

The blessing gown for when we have a baby girl. Another one that the motivation has left. I pick it up when I'm pregnant, and put it down both times I've had a boy.

This is the closest I've ever come to finishing a knit garment.  I am almost done, and have to finish it before it won't fit Silas anymore. I started it 2 years ago for Eli. Oh well.  It's so beautiful!


Well, there you go. That certainly isn't the complete pile of things I want to do, but it's what I'm working on right now.  Jared is good to me, because there is usually one or two spread out in our living room, reminding me to keep going.  Maybe I will finish that hat for him, after all.