So Simply Stephanie

Ravelry has groups for knit/crochet pattern testers. Last month I signed up to test 3 knit patterns. It was a lot fun. First, I tested this cool design: Unwind The Night Tribe Beanie  (pattern on Ravelry) (my project pages with yarn info: brown/ivory , merlot/ivory ) This pattern was already well written and easy to follow going into the testing phase. I enjoyed the pattern so much that I made two beanies! The designer was great to work with, too. Next up are these lovely mittens: Eloquence (pattern on Ravelry) (my project page: mittens ) These were nice to knit and the pattern was easy to follow. Bobbles (on the wrist section) were new to me and a little tricky at first, but add such nice detail! After a few rounds I had the pattern down and it was rather relaxing.  Starliner beanie - Super easy pattern and that knits up fast with this Ella Rae Chunky yarn. This month... I also whipped up this easy Turtleneck Dog Sweater for my girl, Lucy. (I'll lin...

I've been busy recuperating from the flu and knitting LOTS of beanies and other projects. Here is one my favorite recent knits. Presenting the Colorado Love beanie ... My husband requested I make this for one of his co-workers. I hope she likes it!  ~Stephanie I've joined the creative team at Tatiana's Corner on Etsy !

It's been such a long time. We're now living back in Colorado (yay!!!) and I've started sewing again. We don't live in the mountains like before, but we're a short drive from them. We are LOVING it here. As a huge bonus we live near some dear friends that we've known for years; and a little car trip gets us to friends and family in the Springs. My above-mentioned dear friend, Tanya, has an Etsy store called Tatiana's Corner . There she sells beautiful cards, scrapbook layouts, and more! Here are just a few examples...  With some gentle nudging, I recently joined her store to sell my zipper pouches, sewing needle/pin holders , dish scrubbies, and (eventually) more. Here are my recent projects for sale :     We're hoping to add crochet and knit beanies before fall, too. I'm especially excited to knit more of these Colorado beanies to sell.            I've also found a little time to do some personal sewi...

Last night I finished up this super cute little giraffe (pattern HERE ).  It coordinates with the Giraffe Garden Quilt I made for our baby due next month... Also, I finally finished these socks (pattern HERE ) for my husband's birthday... And a tiny little wool soaker (pattern HERE ) for the baby...

 Now on a knitting kick, I have recently knit up these cute little sweaters... Jack Sweater  (made a size smaller than  the previous one ) for my son.  It fits him perfectly! Jill Sweater  (newborn size) - in case we have a baby girl The yarn used is ivory with specks of pink, brown & green.  I LOVE how this turned out! And of course a  Jack Sweater  (newborn size) - in case we have a baby boy

In December, I signed up to be a tester for a knitting pattern.  Here is the sweater on my little boy... It's a little big, but should fit great through next winter. It is called The Jack Sweater and the pattern will be released soon on Ravelry .  There is also a feminine version called The Jill Sweater which is super cute!  Both versions are customizable to be a sweater with or without a hood OR a jacket with or without a hood.  I really like the overall look of this sweater & can't wait to make the next one in a smaller size!

I can't wait until after Christmas to share these on my blog... Felted Sock Monkey Slippers for my husband, myself & my son.  This is the project I am most proud of this Christmas and I can't wait to see my son & husband open these gifts. Interested in making these yourself?  As far as the PATTERN goes, I really like it.  I learned a few new knitting techniques to make the slippers.  Overall I would say these are at the advanced beginner/intermediate level.  They work up REALLY fast, which is nice.  I was able to knit each slipper in a day or less. The pattern comes as an e-mailed PDF, so you can get started on them right away!

A few more completed Christmas projects... Felted slippers (pattern HERE ) - these are quick, fun and easy to make No-sew fleece blanket Drawstring toy bag - This is the perfect fabric for the castle blocks that are inside. I've made 3 of these knit hats (pattern HERE ) I am also working on some very special slippers that I can't wait to share on here after Christmas.

Last week I finished up this newborn outfit for our baby due in March.  It's made out of 1 ply 100Purewool yarn.  It's very soft! Kimono Top I was super lucky to win a free pattern from Sweet Mama Small Sugar .  You can buy a copy HERE .  It's really easy to follow and a fairly quick knit.  I just LOVE this top! Longies (pants used as a cloth diaper cover) I used  THIS great free pattern. Booties I used  THIS free pattern.  It was pretty easy to follow and these knit up very quickly. Hat I used  THIS free pattern, but tweaked it a bit for the yarn & needles I was using.  It's super fast and easy! Using the same hat & longies patterns I also made this little set: I'm really happy with how they all turned out. I think the ivory and dark brown set will make a nice keepsake.

In March we will be welcoming a new baby into our family.  A bit of surprise, but our son will become a big brother.  Here are some tiny gender neutral (we don't plan on finding out gender) things I've been working on... 3 itty bitty knit hats using the Perfect Fit Baby Hat pattern .  (And even a crocheted flower to add to 1 of the hats if we have a girl.)

I recently finished knitting this RIBBIE diaper soaker (cloth diaper cover).  The pattern is in the testing phase and I was excited to knit this up and give feedback. It is a one-size fits most cover, meaning that it should fit a newborn up to a toddler nearing the potty training age.  The pattern was really easy to follow and was VERY fast to knit.  The creator of the pattern also sells the finished product.  If you'd like to buy one, go to her etsy store La Petite Krott Creations . Here is the soaker on my 2 year old son: I love the fit on him and because of the ribbing it has lots of room to grow (in all directions)!

I have completed another pair of hand knit wool shorts (AKA shorties).  Close-up to better show the actual colors in the yarn: The yarn used was organic merino which is a bit thinner than I am used to, but very soft.  The yarn was dyed by Mosaic Moon and is in the Noellaig colorway.  I LOVE the colors in this!

Another spiral rib knit hat for my mom... The photos really don't do justice to the colors.  The yarn is really soft and perfect for the chilly days and nights we're sure to have more of around here.

I finished knitting these shorties (shorts knit out of wool yarn - great cloth diaper cover!) a few days ago: with a cargo pocket! Knit with Montana Targhee wool dyed in the Winter Solsitce Sky colorway by Mosaic Moon .  I used elastic in the waistband instead of a drawstring.  I really like how these turned out and think they'll get lots of use this summer!

I recently knit this hat for my mom. I love the way the knit spirals up to the top!