Knitting beyond your comfort zone

As I have previously mentioned, I am better at crochet than knitting.  But I know that my knitting skills are never going to improve unless I start knitting projects outside my comfort zone.  I have baby hats on DPNs under control now and felt it was time to push my boundaries.

I saw this sweater this weekend and feel in LOVE with it!!!

Zoe Cardigan

I have never done lace work or cables but I decided to give it a whirl and bought the pattern.  I LOVE instant downloads :D

Grab myself a longer size 6 circular needle and some lovely silk bamboo yarn and off I went!!!!

Here is where I was at yesterday:



Not completely convinced that the cast on stitches at the end are correct....



 Today, I am here:

Still not convinced it is correct.....

I shall keep trying to see how this plans out.  I am not giving up and frogging yet.  The lace work and the cables are coming out beautifully and I am in love with the yarn.  If I am able to pull it off, this shall be a gorgeous sweater with a nice drape.  So I shall endeavor to carry on believing in the pattern and my pattern reading skills, which luckily, are pretty good as the pattern has left out a step or two so far.

Wish me luck and check back in for my progress!

NICU Eye Masks

I make these for CHERUBS but any preemie charity could use these.  They are meant to protect a baby's eyes while in the NICU.


NICU EYE MASK

Need two pieces of flannel fabric and a darkening fabric(Denim or corduroy), pins, template, sewing machine, needle, thread, scissors

Cut out Template

1. Layer the three pieces of material as following: Flannel 1 face up, Flannel 2 face down so that the two right sides face each other and then place the darkening material on top.

Here I am using two very different fabrics to show the difference.

2. Place the template on top of all three fabrics and cut them all out at the same time. I cut multiple eye masks at once.
3. Pin around so that the pieces will stay together.

Cut out

Separated to show different layers

Placed together

4. Go to the sewing machine and sew around the mask about 4/8ths (the line between 3/8 and 5/8) this doesn't have to be so precise just even. make sure to leave a space open at the top so that you can turn the whole thing right side out later on.

5. Trim so that you have about 1/4 inch left all around. and clip the curves so that they turn better.

6. Turn right side out and shape. Iron your mask flat. Turn in open edge and hand sew with a hidden stitch. I used a ladder stitch..