Month O'Socks: Rainbow Socks a.k.a Short Row Socks

My second pair of socks for this month is now complete. I am not sure about the colors on this one and am not sure what possessed me to buy it in the first place, but the pattern was so much fun. I enjoyed the short rows even more than I expected and they seemed to knit up quite fast too.

The yarn is Knit Picks Felici fingering weight. The colorway (Too Cool) might be dubious but the yarn itself is soft and cushy.

 

   Next for the Month O'Socks, some mending and/or upcycling might be in order, as I have a growing pile of socks with holes. Also,with my kids' final exams starting in a few days, I am unlikely to have much knitting time.

Month O'Socks : Day 12

 

For my second project during the Month O'Socks (MOS), I decided to use some stripped yarn from my stash and knit it so that it is no longer stripy. (Pattern found here). That meant working almost the entire sock in short rows, but as I do not share the general dislike for short rows, it has not been a problem. In fact, this sock has been knitting up quite fast.

Month O'Socks: Vellamo Socks

I cast off the second sock last night. The pattern was enjoyable to knit. The striping kept it interesting, with the short color-work bits near the toes and and cuffs for an added spice. The pattern does not have good enough instructions for the short row heels though, so prior knowledge of that will make it easier to follow the pattern.

The yarn I used was Knit Picks Stroll in Barn Red and Navy. These socks are for my son, with a lot of room to grow into, provided they last that long. (Modeled on my feet here). He is wearing them right now, so we'll see how they fare.
  Next I hope to start another pair but have not decided on the yarn and pattern yet. 

Month O'Socks: Day 5

I completed the first sock yesterday and have managed to start the second one. That is good progress, considering how slow my knitting pace has been lately. Still, my initial target of one finished pair in six days might have been overoptimistic and I will happy to have them done by day seven instead, inshaAllah.

Month O'Socks Kick-off

I am excited for this year's Month O'Socks (MOS), which started February 15, as I hope to get more knitting done in this month than in a long time.I have started with a stripped sock pattern with a bit of stranded colorwork for added fun. This is what I got done on the first day.

The weekend has slowed me down, now on the third day, I'm now just past the heel and onto the leg.

Month O'Socks: Knee Warmers

Here is my second finished project for the Month O'Socks, a pair of knee warmers in worsted weight. I modified the pattern to knit the knee caps in contrasting solid color and made the lower leg longer. I have also weaved in several rows elastic thread along the upper edge. Still, these have some tendency to slide down. But overall, these have turned out quite nicely, though I will not recommend the weaving in of the elastic to the faint of heart. It is far worse than having to sew up your knit pieces, but in this case, it was necessary and worth the effort.

Month O'Socks 2012

It is time for the annual Month O'Socks (MOS) at the Sporum Forum (ravelry). This year it runs from Jaunaury 16 to 15th of February. I have had a slow start but I hope to knit at least two pairs of socks and a pair of leg-knee warmers. Right now I am working at the first pair, stashbuster socks for my son, who has grown out of the pair I knit him last year. I have one complete sock and the other knit up the the heel.

 This first sock is not among of my finest works, I experimented with different knitting styles while knitting it, and also messed up the color spirals in the foot section. The second sock is looking much better. I have also started the leg-knee warmers. And I just might knit one hat too, this month, in addition to all the MOS knitting.

Month Of Sewing: Winding Up

My Month of Sewing ended yesterday. Even though I did not sew up all the stuff on my list, I got most of it. So all in all, it was very productive. For this last post, I just have a few pictures to share of some odd projects I did.
First up is this baby seat cover.

 The second project is a mere prototype. I wanted to try out a fabric covered basket with recycled cardboard walls, that was both collapsible and washable. I used some leftover fabric scraps and it turned out amazingly OK in the first attempt. I am so tempted to make some more, but my husband, probably relieved that the cardboard boxes I was hoarding, had served their purpose, threw out the rest. So, I need to get some more before I can attempt another.

The third one is a simple drawstring bag sewn in a rush, to hold my socks and other small articles of clothing. I have already done a couple of these for the kids and find them a great help in keeping the closets tidy.

Month of Sewing: Sari Print Suit

I am slowly working through the MOS, but have not been inspired to blog about it much. For lack of anything cuter, here is the last shalwar(rather trousers)kameez I sewed for myself. The fabric was a cotton indian sari which I made into a flared kameez and dupatta with coordinating plain cotton for the trousers. The sari fabric is a bit too starched for my taste, but will hopefully soften up in a couple of washes.  
  I have some more of knitting and sewing to feature next. Soon, inshaAllah.

Month of Sewing: Blue Cotton Suit

This is the first suit for myself during this Month of Sewing. With the summer approaching and my growing size, I find myself out of clothes and must replenish my wardrobe. I tried out my newly drafted sloper for this kameez (shirt). It needed a few tweaks but turned out OK in the end. The kameez goes with a simple pair of elastic trousers and a gray Georgette dupatta (stole) trimmed with pale blue ribbon.
  I am already onto my second suit, but have to get some fabric for the trousers before it gets done.

Month of Sewing: A Simple Baby Romper And A Baby Peasant Shirt

Two more baby outfits, which hopefully complete the list of baby outfits for the Month of Sewing. The first one is a simple baby romper in nice, green cotton fabric. Again, it has buttons on the shoulders and underside of legs for easy handling.

 

The second one is a front open peasant shirt I made from the fabric leftover from the baby bonnets. I love how cute it turned out.

Moving on, I have been working on my drafting skills over the weekend. I have drafted myself a sloper and hope to try it out by making a kameez (shirt) today, inshaAllah.

Month of Sewing: A Smocked Baby Dress and A Frillied Romper

Today's Month of Sewing post features two projects. The first one is a newborn smocked dress. My smocking skills are rudimentary, but still I had to try them on a little project. I made a pair of matching pants with the remaining cotton fabric.

The second one is a frilled romper set. I used my kids' older baby clothes for sizing the roper. This one has a front opening at the neck and at the crotch too, for easy diaper change. The bonnet is the made after the tutorial found here.

Month Of Sewing: Baby Kimono Outfit

I had actually sewn this before the Month of Sewing except for the button. There are many baby kimono sewing tutorials out there on the net to get the idea of size etc. I used dotted ribbon for tie closure and there is a snap button on the underside of the top panel to further keep the two fronts closed. Then I sewed a matching pair of pants too. The fabric again is light, summer lawn.
 I still have a few more baby projects to blog about in the coming days, inshaAllah

Month Of Sewing: Baby Bonnets

Before I start posting about my probable Month Of Sewing projects, I want to state that my sewing skills are at best, passable. I manage to get the things I want, done, but I don't expect perfection in the process. So please bear with me while I try to churn out a modest sewing month.

I start off with a couple of little baby bonnets. I used one of my daughter's old caps for the size and inspiration. These are in newborn size and made with light and airy lawn, just right for a summer baby.