Sugar Plum Waldorf dresses finally listed

I’ve had these dresses nearly ready for over a month.

They have been in the design works since early summer but, special orders and my sewing machine took all my spare time.

With Christmas and Black Friday shopping on the way I decided I needed to make them a priority!I

This first dress is washable…I fell in love with the colors & thought most little girls would as well.  The 2 accent buttons are from Corina of Ayarina’s Button shop on Etsy

This single skein of gradient wool has sat in my wool basket for months waiting to decide what it wanted to be. In the middle of knitting the first dress, it nearly jumped up and down shouting at me.  I love how it turned out with the shades of lavender to purple flowing down the dress

A few other items listed

A bright skirt to match nearly any top or sweater

A sweet skirt and sweater set

And rainbow longies for a smaller doll, (which will be listed this afternoon.)

3 or 4 sweater in bright colors will also be listed once I sew buttons on…and that will happen if I can put down the next Sugar Plum dress!

And yes!  I will have store wide Black Friday sale!!

Info to follow tomorrow here and on Facebook!

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

Have a wonderful day!

Katie

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A few more knits stocked at Katidids Knits

Starting a bit of fall knitting. 

Sized to fit size 3-5 a short sleeved capped sweater and matching hat. Perfect for layering in the changing fall weather. 

I dug into the acrylic/wool blend for this one…making it totally washable!

 

And then there is a pair of Waldorf Doll Longies. Knit in a  green and grey camo….

These have a 5 inch inseam & will fit a variety of dolls.

Small Longies using Moonlight & Laughter’s worsted wool. (I love her colors)

A fun mix of girlie colors

Ruffles and eyelets ready for ribbons (if you so choose) finish the legs.

That’s all for today, I’ve a few more to list tomorrow and then I will be open again for customs!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Katie

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Waldorf Sets Listed

And actually on time!

Also listed was a “Dark Rainbow” a hand dyed of mine on twist merino

Red, blue, orange & green primary colors

Also finished a sweet skirt of apples and pears for a 14-16 doll

Serged  seams and top stitched

The next few days I’ll be knitting but, the “PLAN” is to clean up the craft/wool room/studio to start the new year with an organized space…..if you don’t hear from me by the first of January

Send a search party!

Katie

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Waldorf Doll Clothes Stocking

Tomorrow I’ll be stocking this set once I have better photos. 

It’s blocking now and I’m hoping for some more great lighting tomorrow

Using one of my favorite colors from Mosaic Moon  “Lorelei”  A Butterfly Shrug using the pattern from Tomboy Knits

The matching skirt is knit of Cascade 220 with a coordinating tie and pockets for tiny treasures

This set will fit a 14-18 inch doll

Listed today….

Unfortunately I don’t remember the color but it is also knit using the Mini Me Three Tiered Skirt

This skirt will fit a 12-16 inch doll

This cold snowy day had me wishing for some sunshine…

which is unattainable right now.  But bright pretty wool is not thank goodness!

This skirt was listed this afternoon

Not quite as full as the others but it will fit a 12-16 inch doll

Tomorrow, a coordinating shrug will be added.

Custom Mitts are up next 3-4 pair!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas full of Joy and the Spirit!

Katie

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Repurposing & Progress in the Workroom

I’ve been pricing shelves for the wool bins.

Finding shelves big enough & deep enough has been the cause of some serious sticker shock & pricing lumber to build them even more so.(I can’t get over how much lumber prices have risen this past year!)

So the other day we were in the work room talking about design…I need deep shelves as with anything shorter than 14 inches lets the tubs slide right out on the floor.  I also needed a deep top shelf to protect the wool from fading under the light bars.  Shelves tall enough to store the tubs 1-2 on a shelf.  Anything more is an avalanche waiting to happen. Grocery store shelving would be perfect…. & he just grinned like dream on !

  Look what he brought home….SHELVING! 

When they redesigned the parts store, they had a few extra heavy duty commercial shelving units left over which have been stored in the barn out back.  Sunday he pulled a set out for me and hauled them home.  Within half an hour we had frame up and I was able to load the tubs as we went to set the shelf height. Crazy as it sounds I’ve actually gained floor space.   The added bonus is the these leftover shelves had been stored freshly painted to be nice and clean for the redesign!

This how it still looks this morning.  I’d already had each color labeled in its own tub & now I need to repack a few bulging tubs and arrange colors as I’d like them. 

I love my new rainbow wall& my hubby who I swear has a computer hard drive built into his brain.

I need to gather bags from prior projects and get them sorted out &, I’m thinking to store the un-dyed on the upper empty shelves with an overflow bin…..I’ve so many ideas & hope this weekend I can dive back in there and start arranging.

On the knitting front I’ve 2-3 WIP’s nearly done and will have photo’s up soon.

Have a wonderful weekend, I know I will

Katie

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My First Entry & Stash Knitting

For the Ravellenic2012 games..

Using more scrap from the stash bins

longies with a touch of fall. I call these

Apple Cart Longies

All the crisp and clear colors of fall apples. Just looking at the photo I caught myself taking a deep breath and was a bit surprised when I didn’t smell apples.

I’m hoping to have them completed and ready to stock by Monday. 

One of my goals for the year is to clean out a bunch of scraps and use up at least 2-3 bins of wool.I have to admit I’ve become a bit of a wool stash junkie. When the bins are taking over the room and you can’t get to the sewing machine….it’s time to thin the stash!  No, I won’t be selling any of it, just using it up for stock items & maybe and item or 2for myself.

 

The Gilead Test knits coming along…maybe not as as fast as I could with the Ravellenic games now on but progressing.  This is a 6 mo size.

I have the green and brown shades in solid , I need to decide which I’ll use for longies to coordinate and possibly trim the sweater.

Well, it’s a beautiful day and the garden is calling me. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Katie 

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Working On Winter

Longies between customs starting with a few newbie sets.

First up is some super squishy longies knit using Manos Wool Classica, trimmed in the lavender.  The hat is the same lavender with the main color as trim. These are so soft I keep petting them….perfect for tender new baby skin

Hip 16, rise 14, inseam 7 Hat brim at rest is 7 inches and 9 inches long

Trying to clear out the solid scrap wool bin, 3 yr old Evelyn chose these colors & I was instructed to “needle them up”  Needless to say there is a 7 gallon bucket of solid scraps and these didn’t make a dent! 

Using Cascade 220 purple, pinks, blue, lime and teal

Nice and soft longies that will hold up for a long time

Hip 16 Rise 14 inseam 7.25   Hat brim is 7 inches at rest and 8 inches long

Both sets are freshly laundered, lanolized & ready to ship. 

They should be listed this evening

Katie

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Fluffy Mail = Stash Enhancement!

There’s nothing better than diving in another’s stash.  A winning situation for us both, my stash is enhanced and she has one less box to move.  What I really appreciate is these colors are mostly boyish or GN as I currently have loads of girly

First out of the box

Wise on BFL by Wildflower Whimsy

I’m pretty sure it wants to be small longies and a hat

 

Next up Hero by Selah on Honey Organic

I think Hero wants to be a romper, there is enough for one anyway.

And some African Safari from Tykie Knits on Corriedale

Just over 11 yummy & squishy oz.

& 3 skeins of Cascade 220 quatro. 

I love the 2 shades of blues and greens blended..such fun& flexible colors to work with

And, in another package from Raya of Blissful Knits,

 'Candyland' - Adore DK  It was one of those colorways that just reached out and grabbed you. 

I’ve no idea what’s in store for these, possibly a sweater…

They are all up for for customs.

Off  to play in the wool

Katie

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Knitting Repairs

When your little one wears knit longies,  once in a while they will damage a pair.  There are a few I call “picker’s or pullers”. They love the feel of the wool and will constantly rub & pick at it creating a hole or, the pullers.

Now a puller is one who picks at the strands till they work one loose and then just pulls the yarn.  Generally you find the pulls in the thigh or knee area…..cause they get bored at nap time.  It’s a quick and easy repair,  especially when it’s just a pulled strand like this.

The knitting is pulled super tight so, it’s simply a matter of loosening  the next stitch behind, then the next & working the loose strand back to the first correct stitch.  You will probably need to work it in both directions. If you don’t have knitting needles on hand you can use a toothpick, chop stick or even a bobby pin.

Here they are repaired and, once laundered the stitches will loose the shape of the prior stitch shape and blend right in. If the garment has started to felt you may never have an invisible repair but, you at least will have a functional garment.

Here is the dreaded snag…or a super ambitious picker!

These longies I did happen to knit and still have a bit of the pink left.

I’ll simply remove both pink cuffs off and reknit them to match.

Not all repairs are quick or easy.

  If a garment has a hole & I don’t have the colorway I’ll generally weave it closed with a  shade close or, use a color I can decorate and embellish with. 

As I said before, repairs sometimes may not be invisible & perfect but… you will have useable longies!

Here’s hoping you don’t have a “picker or a puller”!

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Gradient Candy Girl

As promised the 6-12 mo. Candy Girl Dress in progress. This gradient hand dyed from Little Monkey Stitch~N~Spin is perfect! The colors just flow one to another with subtle blending.

 

I started this on our flight to Myrtle Beach and was just completing the first green portion. The rest was on the return flight. I didn’t realize but there were a few people in the aisle seats behind me watching the progress & everyone loved the colors. Rich and vibrant yet soft shifting shades. It’s truly been a joy to knit & seems to just fly off the needles. I’ve a few inches to go before the lace and hope to have it done tomorrow.  I believe I’ll need to tap into the second skein so I’ll use the remainder for a matching soaker.

Also completed are the custom LollyTree convertible longies. They are blocking now and I’ll have photos tomorrow. The buttons have yet to arrive but I’ll add those when they get here.

I know it’s hot as anything for most of the country right now but, I’m starting plans for fall and winter knits.  I’ve quite a few customs on the list right now but will be also working on stock for the Katidids Etsy Shop. so let me know what you’d like to see.  You can leave me a message here on Facebook and as always the Katidids Etsy Shop via a convo.

Enjoy the summer

Katie

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Eloise Onsie, fresh off the needles

 

I’ve had this pattern in my knitting queue for quite a while & have just now gotten to it.  Wish I’d found the time sooner.

Eloise Onsie, a fairly new pattern by Claire Gentry

The pattern as written is a sweet onsie  with a mock gathered neck & capped sleeves.  I added a skirt…just because.  I’ve another lined up as I think it will be so versatile for any baby’s wardrobe

Photos are fresh off the needles and unblocked

I added a skirt…just because.

Accent buttons from Ayarina’s Button shop on Etsy

And there is nothing to brighten your day like FLUFFY MAIL!!!

Finished the other day is a medium teal soaker

Hmmm, looks blue here

The wide legged board shorts are almost to the gusset.  I’ve been playing around with the leg fullness…photos up soon

Have a great day

Katie

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Home Again And Ready For A Small Stocking

 

Boy does it feel so good to be home!  I want to thank you all again for your prayers and support for my son.  He’s doing better but it looks like he will be having surgery the first of next week to set and plate his collar bone.  It’s wanting to go its own way and not heal properly so….as long as they have the Neuro Dr’s approval they will work on that Monday or Tuesday.   So, keep those prayers coming!

This outfit I’d pretty much had completed before I left, the legs on the bloomers needed finished which were done Thursday morning.

I used Noro Kureyon which, always makes me think of the famous comment by Forrest Gump “Life is like a box of chocolates…..” Noro is like that, you see the colors in the skein but, you never know what your going to get till it’s done.  Teal, greens, browns, copper & bits of yellow       

Cali Cargo size 6-12 mo pattern by DaKine Knits           

        SMSS Bloomers By Carina Spenser

Hip 18 Rise 15 Inseam 2

S/M shorties in a colorway I'm calling “BLURPLE.  I had little fingers helping me sort colors this fall and now the dyer wrapper is gone. If you recognize the dye work,  please let me know!

Small/Medium shorties knit with a soft BFL, hip 18 Rise 15 inseam 2

Both will be stocked to the Katidids Etsy shop by this afternoon. 

Lots of things in the works & packages of fluffy mail were waiting my arrival home with more arriving yesterday. I’ll have photos up tomorrow and a custom slot.

Current Customs are on schedule other than waiting for yarn to complete them.

There will be a few other items added to the shop this next week.  If there are sizes and colors you’re looking for be sure and give me a shout out.

Stay safe out there!

Katie

Technorati Tags: Katidids Knits,Etsy,Dakine Knits,SMSS,Carina Spenser,Noro,BFL,Cali Cargo,bloomers,shorties,knitting,stocking

 

 

Candy Girl

The new pattern from Melissa of Dakine Knits is in final stages of testing.

The simplicity of this dress style is like a canvas, pocket, bow, embellishing, swing top, there are just so many possibilities. The dress has a snug fitting bodice with negative ease but, a tad large and you could layer it over a top or “t” as the weather changes. 

My first test knit is size 18mo using Lollytree. 

Unfortunately I’ve misplaced to tag to note the colorway. 

Bodice and lace in Lollytree, solid stripes in Cascade 220

The second is a 0-6 month using Cascade 220 marls for the stripes and Inspired Mama Makes “Earthy Rainbow”  for accented straps, bow and lace

I have 2 more lined up

One is a custom using these wonderful colors from Raya Of Blissful Knits. 

I was thrilled when she said yes to creating mini skeins!

The greens are not showing correctly in this photo

From fellow etsian eweandmeyarns

I think I’ll do the bodice in the yellow or deep teal and skirting in the colorway……I can’t decide but I know this one will be finished with a bit of embellishing on the skirt.

These will be stocked with Jenny on Little Trunks Knits the 28th of this month

Off to knit

Katie

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WIPs And Another Stocking

 

On the needles now, a sweet summer shrug

using a bright solid green and trimming in

Green Strings Mountain Meadow

This photo was taken last night and is now much further along.  I’m working on the collar and the sleeves will be next.  Should be completed tonight with possibly a touch of embellishment if there are enough scraps left

Also on the needles a Something Beautiful Shrug (which I also would like to complete tonight)

It will coordinate with the Capri's shown.  The Capri’s have been my car knitting all winter.  Train delays, school pick up/drop off…they’ve nearly become a permanent fixture in my car.  Time to getrdone!  The cuffs and ruffles will depend on how much of the colorway is left once the shrug is completed.  I’ve no idea what the colorway is actually called, I’ve lost the wrapper so…I call it “Mom’s Iris’” My mom used to grow the most beautiful Iris where ever we lived…they always meant home to me & yes, I have a boatload of Iris growing in my flower beds

Stocked to the Katidids Etsy shop this morning a couple of Spring/Summer knits…

Small Shorties using 100%Purewool in the colorway red-brown….which is actually shades of lovely pinks & chocolate.

Also a pair of SMSS Bloomers without the ribbon eyelets.

A nice summer weight Gaia

Both are freshly laundered, lanolized and ready to ship.

Well better get busy

Stay warm out there!

Katie

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The Manly Hat & Boku Skirty

The Manly Hat, inspired by so many patterns in Ravelry.  I took design ideas I’d picked up from many and reworked them into this hat.  Long enough to cover the ears (a must as far as my hubby is concerned), snug fit yet not tight on the head & easily modified to fit newborn to adult.

A YYMN custom Manly Hat ready to ship.

Knit using Berocco “Campus” color 2484.  Rich chocolate, blues & tans.  You will be seeing more of these in the Katidids Etsy shop soon

 

Stocked to the Etsy Shop yesterday, an “Aloha Flirty Skirt”  pattern by Dakine Knits using the

A-line skirt version

For this skirt I used Plymouth Yarns “Boku” in color 16.  If you’ve not used Boku, its very similar to Noro in price and texture.  Boku has 5% silk making it a tad softer & has different color combinations than Noro, making it a nice alternative.

More Spring knits will be stocked soon!

Stay warm out there

Katie

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Lanolizing Your Wool

Lanolizing your wool soakers doesn’t need to be a dreaded task, actually it’s pretty easy and takes just minutes.

There are various tutorials on line to do this but, I’m going to share what I do.

Start with a clean garment after washing with a gentle shampoo. A clear shampoo you would use on your baby or your own body. Do not use commercial wool products such as “Woolite”.

Place your clean soakers (inside out) in a bowl of warm water becoming totally saturated

.

While these are soaking, heat a cup of water. I place mug of water in the microwave about half full

(& yes, I have one specific mug I use just for this…believe me when I tell you it is not a good thing if you grab this mug and pour your morning coffee in it)

To your warm water, add a small bit of lanolin…about the same amount as 1-2 peas. Add a small bit of that same soap you washed the soakers with to the cup and stir. You only need a small dot of soap not a “squirt”The water should be pretty warm & the lanolin will melt, mix with the soap and the water will become a milky white.

Lift your garment gently out of the water, pour the lanolin mix in the bowl & stir it in.

 Gently place your garment in the bowl and let it soak for at least 10-15 minutes. I wait about 5 minutes and flip the garment over to ensure good lanolin coverage.

If you get side tracked and forget they are soaking, don’t worry about it! I’ve left them soaking overnight and it’s not a problem.

After they have soaked & you are ready to remove them from the water, have a bath towel handy on the counter. Lift your soakers out of the water and gently squeeze the excess water out. Do not twist or wring! Gently turn your garment right side out and lay out on the towel. Now roll it up in the towel and apply pressure to remove the moisture. I place the roll on the floor and stand on it for a minute or 2.

Unroll and lay flat to dry reshaping as needed.

A few reminders…

At no time will you twist or wring your wet garment! That will cause felting!

Often a new garment will often bleed a bit of dye the first few times you launder them. Do not mix these garments with others when lanolizing as it will bleed & discolor other garments.

I have 2-3 older towels I use for lanolizing. If you have a bit of dye bleed you don’t want to ruin a good towel. You can toss these towels in the laundry with your other towels it won’t hurt a bit.

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