a little sample Cossette

I took a little project along with me to Liz & Joseph's wedding - Never Not Knitting's Cossette Wrap. I knit this up as a sample for Sifu, so I didn't exactly chose this project myself. I thought it was pretty and all, but I wasn't very excited to knit something for the store. I mean - do I haveta!? 

 Lisa, the owner of Sifu, is my lovely model. 

But let me tell you - I LOVED knitting this. The construction is awesome, despite all the stockinette. You shape the whole thing with short rows, and then simply change colors for the decorative edging. No picking up stitches!

I used Malabrigo Worsted, and I love these colors. I wasn't sold on the pink when it was wrapped in the skein, but it looks awesome knit up.

Except for one little problem... do you see it? Above? How the top part is completely different, despite being the same dye lot!? Maddening, but luckily the wrap is for the store, and can be a teaching piece. "See, kiddies, sometimes things are unfair. Like dye lots." 

I seriously can't get over the edging. I think I need to knit one for myself. After all the sweaters, that is.

Etsy = Updated with Headbands & Curios!

My etsy shop is finally updated! I added leaf headbands & mounted curios, take a look here.

My friend, Sharriese, agreed to be my headband model, and I wanted to share some of the outtakes from our photo shoot:

Sears Portrait Studio

"You open the door for a blind date, and the man is TINY!"

"Make a Katie-face".... apparently this is what I look like?!

Ps. I know some of you expressed interest in pieces I posted back in June. I chose not to list all of these on etsy, but some are still available, or I can custom-make a headband or bracelet for you. If you're interested, please email me at katiesredumbrella@gmail.com! 

Liz & Joseph's Rainbow Wedding

Two weeks ago, Chris and I flew to Rockledge, Fl to celebrate the nuptials of our good friends Liz & Joseph. They had a stunning rainbow wedding at Joseph's parents' garden center. In addition to the beautiful foliage that always lives there, Liz & Joe completely transformed a warehouse, painting murals and decorating like crazy. I played music in the wedding (uke) with a three-lady band, and despite the heat we had a really great time.

 

The Road Bag, finally

Ok, so about a month and a half ago, I blogged about Kelley Deal coming to Chicago and doing a workshop on her Road Bag at Sifu Design Studio & Fine Yarns. Finally, I have completely, totally, ultimately finished the bag!

The workshop was awesome - Kelley is super nice and we had a lot of fun chatting and knitting and eating cupcakes. 

The bag is knit in Cascade Magnum, which is a super chunky wool. After you've knit this huge bag, you throw it in the washer and felt the HECK out of it. I think I washed it three times to get it really close-felted. 

The finished product is so cute. It kinda looks like a cartoon bag! Soft and a bit fluffy. I chose to make a strap out of an old belt I found at the thrift store. I cut the ends to an appropriate length and then hand stitched it around the metal rings, which you put in before felting. I added a huge snap to close the front flap.

The pocket on the back may be my favorite design feature. I must have pockets in my purse, so I'm glad Kelley and I were on the same page. 

Here's the finished bag - somewhat - modeled for perspective. Can you tell I was experimenting with the self-timer? You can practically see up my nose and for that, I apologize. Next time it'll be better. 

long time, no...

Hello my bloggy friends. It is I, Sir Thomas More. The rabbit. Not the historical figure. 

Katie has had a crazy week, so I offered to update her blog, since I am so good at typing with my nimble paws. After planning and prepping for her friends' wedding last week, she sent me to the bunny hotel, where I ate hay and stared at other bunnies. It's been awhile since I've had quality time with other buns, and I really loved it. When they took me home on Monday, I got so upset that I took a bite out of every piece of furniture I could. Take THAT, humans! 

Then Katie was sick for a few days, but now we are both feeling much better and have resumed our daily snuggling. And by "snuggling," I mean I let her pet and groom me. I do not groom her, because I am top bunny around here, and it would be beneath me. Can't you tell I'm distinguished? Helloooo - I have a salt & pepper coat. If that's not distinguished, I don't know what is. 

Katie will be back tomorrow with lots of crafty projects to show you!

Fondest Regards,

Sir Thomas More

New Blogher Book Club Review - The Kid

My new review for Blogher's Book Club is up, here. The Kid by Sapphire, is the sequel to Push, and is not  for the faint of heart. My feelings toward this one were a bit complicated, and the other reviews are worth reading. Find them all here. 

Scrappy Swap with Caitlin from Salty Oat

I am so excited to show you the fruits of a swap that has been in the making for almost a year. Yup, it was this post last October that started it all. I offered to knit some tiny candy corn for Caitlin of Salty Oat and she suggested a swap. Well, fast forward about 7 months, and we finally agreed that we would much rather do a sewing swap. The parameters were as follows:

1. We will assemble packages of fabric scraps and swap

2. We will create something with said scraps and our own scraps

3. We will swap this scrappy item 

This was so. fun. Here's what Caitlin made for me:

Beautiful quilted placemats that go so well in my dining room! I love how well our scraps go together with the linen. Caitlin's sewing is impeccable.

And here's what I made for her:

A patchwork chevron tote bag! I used this tutorial for the chevrons, and lined it and put in a little embroidered pocket. I just love a good embroidered pocket. 

Just listed - Balls of Yarn & Needles Brooch

Just a quick post to say that these little balls of yarn & needles brooches are now in my etsy shop, here. 

I need a better name for these guys, right?!

This weekend in Saline...

This weekend at the Saline Summerfest...

I hung out under my red umbrella. My mom told me she almost put up on her facebook to "Visit Katie in her red tent!" before realizing that might not be the best turn of phrase...

Also - check out my new banner hanging behind me. Exciting stuff. 

I took part in a collaboration with my fellow vendor - You Look Delicious. Lookit that Man-Eating Arctic Unicorn wearing one of my mustaches!

We came up with a new hanging brooch display. Later we backed it with white paper, and I think it worked quite well.

Many people admired the huuuuge mustache... but no one purchased it. I'm sure it will find its way to a happy home soon.

I came up with a new brooch design. This one has been in the works for awhile, so I'm glad it's finally realized.

I hung out with my sister a lot, due to her manning the 212 Arts Center booth, which was just two down from me. She bought me a frozen hot chocolate when I was covered with sweat, so I pretty much owe her my life.

I made two purchases - a pretty quilted pouch from Hip To Piece Squares and a beach glass ring from Annie O'Kane. I love both!

My review of A Good Hard Look on BlogHer's Book Club

Hi, friends! My second review for BlogHer's Book Club is up. A Good Hard Look is my kind of summer reading, so check out my review here.