Christmas in August

Many years ago when I first started knitting I made my God-daughter a huge Christmas stocking which she loves and is still in use. I recently was requested by her mom to make another stocking for her son Alex. So for his second birthday I completed this lovely piece from my own pattern. I think my embroidery details leave something to be desired, but whatever.

Quick pattern for anyone who would like to make it. Previous sock knitting knowledge is helpful.
Needles: size 4 16" circular and double pointed needles
Yarn: I used a recycled yarn from a sweater, but any sport-dk weight yarn will do

Cast on 70 stitches, place marker, join in the round being careful not to twist.
Knit 10.5 inches

Heel:worked over 35 sts back and forth (standard short row heel)
Change to contrasting heel color, knit 34sts, slip 1, wrap, turn
Slip 1, purl 33sts, wrap, turn
Slip 1, knit 32sts, wrap, turn
Continue in this manner until you have 11 un-worked sts in the center and 12 wrapped sts on each side.
Knit 12sts, pick up wrap on first wrapped st and knit it together with the st, wrap, turn.
Purl 13sts, pick up wrap on first wrapped st and knit it together with the st, wrap, turn.
Knit 14sts, pick up both wraps ans knit it together with the st, wrap, turn.
Purl 15sts, pick up both wraps ans knit it together with the st, wrap, turn.
Continue in this manner until all wrapped sts have been worked. Place marker at end of heel, this is your new round marker.
Continue in the round with main body color for 5.5 inches
Toe:
Knit one round of contrast color placing second marker at 35 sts from begining marker.
Knit 1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, knit2, ssk, knit to 3 sts before next marker, k2tog, knit 1.
Knit one round
Repeat these 2 rows 4 more times.
Then decrease every row until 9sts remain on each side of toe.
Graft the remaining toe stitches.

Hanging loop:
Cast on 3sts using double pointed needles, work 4 inches of i-cord and bind off. Leave long tail for attaching to stocking.

Cuff option 1: Measure stocking circumference.
Cast on 25sts with contrasting color, work in stockinette st until the length matches the circumference of your stocking. Knit a few extra rows, bind off and sew ends together. Sew to the top of the stocking. Attach i-cord loop. Embroider your own design or have it custom monogrammed.
Cuff option 2: Pick up 70 sts from cast on edge and knit garter or stockinette in the round to desired length, bind off. Attach i-cord loop. Embroider your own design or have it custom monogrammed.
Enjoy!

Catch up!

So a crazy busy weekend has led to the begining of a fairly busy week. Not crazy busy, just a steady flow of things to do. I'm most looking forward to Friday which is my orientation day at Arcadia. I'll finally get to find out my schedule so I can feel confident in looking for another part time job to wrap around my crazy schedule.

Now back to the fun and pretty bits.
This goes with the all over suck that was Friday and the general anger that came with it.

Saturday was much better. Erica and Josh's wedding was beautiful and fun.

And inspired by pictures taken on Saturday is piece number 4

Still three days behind, but I'll catch up tomorrow. Right now it's late and time for bed.

Day two and two new pieces

Today was an interesting day, got to meet some of Dan's foreign family, his cousin Diego was flying back to Italy today and had a layover in Philadelphia. This could have gone horribly wrong (and me and airports usually do)since there was no predetermined meeting place, but we managed to meet, have a nice lunch, and get them back to the airport in time for their flight. Took a few photos on the way too and from to use in today's project and ended up with two options which I like very much. In fact I couldn't decide which was better so I'm posting both. Perhaps you'll tell me which you prefer?

Back again with a new idea...

So in an effort not to neglect the blog anymore and simultaneously stimulate my creativity on a regular basis I’ve decided to embark on 365 days of digital art. Everyday I will do a small digital piece either based on photos I already have or ones I have taken that day. Along with the small digital pieces I’ll hopefully be adding new paintings, I’m going to try and do two a week, but we’ll see how my school/work schedule lets me manage this. If I average one painting a week by the end of the year it will be a good start.

A long time ago I let myself be driven away from the path of art because it wasn’t a viable career, yet in this day and age not much IS a viable career so I am going back to what I love and am going to do it till the day I die.

That is truly a liberating statement! Especially since I've spent most of my life working at jobs I couldn't stand.

So without further ado, here is my first piece in the 365 series titled
Roma