Hello! I knit a shawl for my good friend and pen pal Jodi! This shawl was actually knit twice. I used two skeins of Malabrigo from two different dye lots and because of the way the yarn is dyed, you can expect a big difference in dye lots and there was! So knitting one skein and switching to the next skein when I ran out was out of the question. Initially, I used the darker, more saturated skein for the textured part and the lighter, less saturated skein for the stockinette part but was unhappy; I think this is because the darker color recedes while the textured pattern pops and it was creating a conflict because the stockinette which was intended to recede was coming forward instead. It made a world of difference to appropriate the lighter yarn to the textured stitch and I am very happy with how it turned out. I spent a bit of time trying to find a pattern that would yield something versatile and utile but I also wanted to create an accessory that someone as fashionable as Jodi would want to wear.

Since I had only two skeins I knit until I ran out of yarn Part of why the pattern appealed to me was the big block (28 rows) of garter at the end but I only had enough for 17 rows so it’s not as dramatic.

Here is me modeling this thing on my balcony with the sun directly in my eyes!

You can wear it traditionally like a shawl.

Or you can wear it like a bib!

Or you can wrap it up and wear it like a scarf!

On the left: two of the same necklace from Forever 21; they cost $1.50 each.
On the right: Orphaned earrings :(
Reaction Mechanism.

On the left: Two new necklaces!
On the right: Adorable new earrings!

Materials: Tweezers and two tiny jump rings (from other lone earrings) so that the earrings dangle
Total cost: $3, plus whatever you spent for that pair of earrings that you lost one of. Ta da!

Hey everyone! I made another tote, but this one is for me. I’ve been using the same handbag for almost three years and I totally wore it out. I really liked the idea of a solid color tote with a print on the inside which was the style I used on Natalie’s tote so I went with it. This one is different in that it has one wide strap going from end to end instead of one strap on either side, and I put the zippered personal pocket on the inside. I’m not totally in love with the lining fabric but it’s exciting enough and it complements the blue cotton of the outside. Also I made the mistake of buying an invisible zipper instead of a regular one, but it’s not a big deal.

I also made a felt cutout of a cat and sewed it to the bag with button eyes. I love cats. As for my retired handbag, I ripped the seams out and cut the individual panels because I plan on framing them. That is how much I loved it.