Nutcracker 2011

Well instead of knitting or spinning, I have spent the last month sewing ballet costumes. My ballet studio performed Peter and the Wolf and Excerpts from Nutcracker. I made the costumes for Chinese, Waltz of the Flowers and Sugar Plum. Most of the Waltz of the Flowers skirts were made earlier this year for another performance, but there were 4 more that need to be made. I don't have a photo of the whole bouquet yet, but will get that with the next performance. I got talked into dancing in the Reed Flutes trio wearing these same skirts. Here are the Chinese costumes, designed like a friends Kung Foo uniform:
I also created the Sugar Plum costume. I can't take credit for the tunic, but I was able to match the trim with trim currently available at Jo-Ann's. There are a few things I need to fix before the next performance, but I think it worked really well. The next thing to make is a storage case so the costume can be used again next year.

Next up is a pair of mittens that have been sitting to the side waiting. Unfortunately it has gotten cold enough to need them, but I have only about 3/4 of the first one done.

Beginning of spring

Have finished a pair of socks. They sparkle. I am not sure I like the fit of the toe-up heel flap, maybe I need to make the foot section shorter?I did knit these on dpns since I don't like the magic loop or 2-circ methods, but I followed the pattern from 2-at-a-time-toe-up-socks.

I continue to work on Darin's sweater. I have both sleeves and the back done. I don't think he will get to wear it before next fall, but maybe the way Ohio weather is going, he might.

I have also been working on the In Dreams KAL. We have finished 4 clues and the 5th came out this past Friday. The beads are all on the wrong side, and it therefore takes about 30 minutes to purl the return, but I think it looks great.
Clue 3
Clue 4
I also saw some knitting bags while looking on Ravelry the other day. I loved the fabric, but since I can sew I thought I would make a lunch bag instead of buying a knitting project bag with the fabric. I found the hedgehog fabric at Fabric.com and ordered 3 coordinating fabrics. Using 2 of them I created a bag for my LaptopLunch box, but discovered a design flaw. I had just done a handled bag and my orange tried to roll away in the car. I re-designed the bag and made 2 more of the new design (one for my sister and one for me). This one uses drawstrings to make the handles and close the top. All 3 are reversible with hedgehogs on the outside and mushrooms on the inside.

I have decided not to go to Maryland Sheep and Wool this year, but I really wanted a spinning class, so I looked into classes at one of the local yarn shops. I am now signed up for a Spinning 101 class in 2 weeks! I also fell down a slippery slope and into a rabbit hole and ordered a fleece from Pitchfork Ranch. I will get photos when it arrives.