The Lace Stitch Cardigan is finally finished. Hooray!

I finished the cardigan last weekend but haven’t had time to properly block it (shape it into place) until yesterday. I love my new blocking mats from KnitPicks. I had considered purchasing blocking boards, but they are much more expensive and take up a lot of space. The KnitPicks mats come in 12″ x 12″ squares and store nicely in my craft room.

Now I just have to wait until Christmas to give it to my Mom-in-law. I hope she’ll like it!

Everyone who knows me knows that I adore vintage styles. If I could, I would love to travel back in time to the early 1960s when fashion was classy – with simple lines, sleek silhouettes, and fit that flatters every figure. Whenever I go thrifting, I often go through old books and magazines in hopes of finding old knitting and sewing patterns. One of my most recent favorite finds is this 1963 knitting pattern booklet by Spinnerin:

Isn’t that fantastic? That might as well be Betty and Sally Draper from Mad Men (if you’re not watching, you’re totally missing out on one of the best TV shows ever – Season 3 premieres Sunday, August 16th)!

And yes, I got it for one whole dollar.

This booklet has many great patterns that are perfect for an advanced beginner, and all garments are raglan style, so there is no seaming involved (yay!). I decided to try one of the cardigans patterns to make as a gift for my Mom-in-Law.

So. Adorable.

I started a little over a month ago and now I’m down to the last sleeve, then it’s button bands, block, sew on buttons, and voila! Here is a quick progress photo taken on my iMac:

I am liking it so much I almost want to keep it for myself =)

Fan and Feather scarf

About a full-year in the making (*LOL*), this Feather & Fan stitch scarf is finally finished and will be given to my Mom. Winnie & Caroline will probably remember me working on this a year ago when we went to Unraveled in Monrovia.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever attempt lacy things again. I really suck at it.

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the details
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 2 skeins, on size 4 needles.

[edit] my mum LOVED it! hooray!