Ravelry

Apparently at some point in 2009 (which was kind of a black hole year for me, let's not talk about it) I joined Ravelry. I don't remember doing this, nor do I remember why I signed up and then never did anything with it. Nevertheless, it sat there dormant for three years until the other night I had the brilliant idea to join Ravelry. So, I guess the point is I'm on Ravelry and if you are too, we should be friends.

My user name is JuneKelly. Click the photos below to go to the project page. You know, if you feel like it.

The Return of Handmade Style

I don't think I spent any time in front of the sewing machine or with knitting needles in my hand for the whole summer, but as soon as people started talking about pumpkin spice lattes, it's like an instinct kicked in and the knitting needles started clacking again. This scarf was based on this pattern. I changed it by making it wider, and making the wedges slightly bigger. I also added some button holes at the end, so I could wear it like a cowl. I sincerely hope this giant cowl trend stays around for a while because I love them. I know some people don't agree and think they look silly, but I don't care, I say make 'em even bigger and fluffier.

Sweater weather

I feel an approaching wave of domesticity coming on. Which must mean that fall has officially arrived. Though the weather is still in the upper 70s without a rain cloud in sight, the other day my fingers were itching to start a knitting project. Also, cooking chicken noodle soup from scratch and baking my own bread started to sound like a really good idea (never mind that I would have to clean all the dirty dishes off the counter in my tiny kitchen before I even started). I don't know what it is about fall, maybe because the days are shorter and more time is spent inside, but all of the sudden a pile of yarn, a mug of coffee, and Downton on DVD sounds likes luxury to me.

I'm almost done making a scarf, so I am currently auditioning ideas for the next project. By auditioning I mean spending way too much time looking for knitting patterns online.

1. "Rabbet" on Berroco :: 2. Cap Sleeve Lattice Top by Laura on Purl Bee
3. Miette by Andi Satterlund on Untangling Knots (pattern availible to purchase here) :: 4. Clandestine Socks on Knitting Daily
5. "Aidez" on Berroco :: 6. Ribbed Thigh Highs on Red Heart :: 7. "Gardner" on Berroco

The Berroco website usually has a good selection of free patterns, but it's also nice to support independent designers. I've been following designers like Ysolda Teague and Andi Satterlund for a while, their patterns are always beautiful and a little bit whimsical. Knitty is also has great place to find free patterns from independent designers.

DIY Inspiration: Mary Tyler Moore Show

I am officially declaring it impossible to watch an episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show and not feel just a little bit better about the world. Is anybody on that show not completely lovable despite--or more likely because of--their flaws? Warm fuzzies all over the place for real.

Of course I don't need to say anything about how iconic the opening sequence is (you probably started singing the theme song to yourself as soon as I mentioned the Mary Tyler Moore Show) it contains the most famous hat toss ever executed. I was watching an episode the other night, and I realized that I could probably totally make that hat.

Of course after it's done I will be obligated to run around spinning and tossing it in to the air like an idiot because that's what you have to do if you're wearing a Mary Tyler Moore hat.

Handmade Outfit

Nothing fancy about this outfit. It's pretty much my late winter/early spring uniform. Jacket, jeans, boots, and scarf. Remember this? I had a bunch of odd leftover balls of yarn and I was in the mood to make something simple, fast, and useful, so I made a giant scarf. I nicknamed it the travel pillow scarf because if I ever need a nap on the go I can just turn my head to the side and fall asleep on my giant scarf.

I took these photos about a week ago when it seemed like winter would never release us from her cold, rainy, wet, snowy, wet, windy, cold, wet grip. But that last couple of days have been gorgeous. I guess that's the way life in the Pacific Northwest goes. Seasonal depression and vitamin D deficiency grows gradually until you start to dream of moving to SoCal or Hawaii and you've just about had your fill of soggy grey skies, when bam! Seattle hits you with a string of the most perfect, clear, sunny days imaginable. And as you look out to the crystal clear mountain ranges in the distance you can't fathom why you ever thought of leaving.

In Progress

Clearing out the yarn stash

Handmade

scarf: made by my mom

skirt: made by me

belt: H&M

boots: Target

Oh hi, it's been a while since I've posted an outfit. So here I am channeling a woodsy urchin or something. The one productive thing I managed to get done a couple weeks ago when everyone was snowed in was this skirt. It's made from heavy flannel and wool. I made it specifically for the winter days when I'm tired of my jeans, which is pretty much what I live in alllll winter. My mom made the gorgeous scarf a couple of years ago and is reserved for fancy outdoor occasions and ridiculously cold days when I need four layers of wool around my upper body.

Handmade Challenge: Day 130ish

cowl: made by me

earrings: by Moorea

jacket: Miss Sixty

These photos have been sitting on my computer since it was still a little to warm to be wearing this cowl and I'm just now getting around to posting. As you may have noticed form the general lack of posting, the handmade challenge hit a little hiccup lately. With a new job, I've been so exhausted most days, that sewing became an unfortunately low priority (higher priorities being eating, sleeping, and frustrated crying). And I'll also admit that a couple new shirts, a coat, a dress, and a new bag (which was actually kind of needed) found their way into my closet. Frustration and questions about what direction your life is taking has a way of breaking your will just the tiniest bit. But, I'm glad that I have a job at all so I'll stop complaining and move on to lighter subjects like clothes.


I saw a lot of big bulky knit cowls last year and every time I saw one I thought about how easy it would be to make one, but like a lot of the things I say I'm going to make, I never actually got around to doing it.

This yarn was an impulse buy that has been hanging around for a while mocking me. I didn't buy enough at the time to make a sweater, or even a shrug, but it is so soft and a gorgeous deep turquoise that every once in a while I would take it out and just stroke it, like a Bond villain, and whisper "one day" to it. Finally I decided on designing a simple cowl in an offset rib knit that kind of ends of looking like waves and might even pass for a lazy cable if you don't look too closely.

The earrings are very exciting because they are made by the wonderful Moorea. They are so unique that I fell in love with them the first time I saw them in her Etsy store, and my love has only grown. I'm usually not a dangly earring person, but these are the perfect combination of earthy and glam.