November 29, 2011

Bow Clutch by Generation Sue


I have multiple posts to hammer out over the course of this week (Christmas crafts must begin!!), so I thought I'd share one last 'grown-up' creation before I pummel you with baby clothes. 


I found this bow clutch tutorial from Generation Sue on Pinterest.  Do you love Pinterest?  I love Pinterest.  I reference Pinterest in real-life conversations.  I also get slightly giddy when I see items from my blog pinned!


The pattern didn't call for pockets, so I decided to add some following the instructions of the gathered clutch tutorial from Noodlehead.  Also opted for a contrast zipper.  Because....it's fun!

Another clutch made, another clutch given away.  One of these days, I WILL keep one for myself.

November 25, 2011

Infinity Scarf - Sewn


In case you don't ever plan on picking up a pair of knitting needles or crochet hooks in your life, or if you just want a different kind of infinity scarf - sew this one up!


I found this super cute flower print in the clearance section at Fabricland and HAD to take it home.  The only problem - it's a little too light to wear in late fall and winter.  So I lined the sucker with a medium-weight cotton fabric.  Here's how it all went down:  (excuse the drawings.  I didn't have a working camera during the production process.)

Gather the following:

  • 2 meters (yards) each or corresponding fabric.  I did one print and one solid.
  • Matching thread

My floral pattern was cut all wonky at the store, so to square it up, I had to shorten it by 5cm.  No big deal.  You can make this scarf any length, really. 


Cut both pieces of fabric to the dimensions indicated above.  Match right sides together.


Pin and sew (like the purple line above) with a 1cm (1/2") seam allowance.  Be sure to leave an opening of about 30cm (12") at one end like in the diagram above. 


Turn right side out.  Fold the raw 30cm edge in and press with an iron if necessary.  Match the right sides (in my case, the patterned side) of either end of the scarf together and sew with a teeny, tiny seam allowance.


Done! 


There are a ton of ways to wear the infinity scarf, use this blog post as inspiration and get inventive!

Thanks for the photos again, Kennedy!

Have a great weekend!

November 23, 2011

Infinity Scarf - The Knit

Is anyone else ridiculously obsessed with infinity scarves?  I'll bet the answer is yes.  I haven't met a person that DOESN'T like them.  Probably because they're the bees knees.

Thanks to Kennedy for snapping this photo!

If you're reading 'infinity scarf' and thinking "wha??", I'll explain.  They're scarves with the ends attached together.  That's it. 

This knit version I made is ridiculously simple; the perfect movie-watching project because you don't have to constantly refer back to the pattern.  If you haven't learned to knit yet, I highly recommend Very Pink's tutorials.  She's amazing and you'll have no problems following her instructions.


I decided I wanted a loose knit, so I broke out the 19mm (US 35) knitting needles to use with a worsted weight (medium #4) yarn.  I used one skein of Loops and Thread's Impeccable yarn in True Grey.  You'll also need a tapestry needle to join the two ends and weave the tails in.

Cast on 48 stitches.
Round 1: K across entire row
Round 2: K first 3 stitches and P until last 3 stitches.  K remaining stitches

Work these two rounds until desired length.  Just over a meter will give you enough to loop around your neck twice.  If you're joining two skeins of yarn, you HAVE to try this method called the Russian Join.  It's friggin' life changing, man!

To join the ends together I used a kitchener stitch.  I'm not very good at it yet, so I followed this tutorial from Very Pink.  She's demonstrating on socks....just go with it.  The only thing you'll need to do is pick up stitches from the end not currently on the needles. Weave in the tails and you're set.

Stay cozy my friends!