FO Friday: Halloween Toddler Shrug

I don't normally make a big fuss out of Halloween.  Maybe because it's not an event that we really recognized, growing up in the UK.  But this year I seem to have been bitten by the halloween bug!

I've picked up a few decorations already and these adorable skeleton pajamas for Naomi (the pjs glow in the dark - how cool is that!).  Also, when I was in Glenwood Springs a couple of weeks ago I found some cotton yarn on sale that just screamed Halloween to me.  It is a Viking of Norway yarn made from cotton and milk (of all things!).  I knew I could make a little something for Naomi out of it.

Last year I made Naomi a little shrug, and figured that I'd do the same again this year.  It turned out to be really handy when she needed just a little something on top of her t-shirt to help take the chill off.




Here's the approach I took this year:

• US 3 needles
• Cast on 60 stitches
• Join to knit in the round
• K2,P2 rib for 10 rounds
• Continue knitting in the round in stocking stitch until sleeve is desired length
• Once sleeve is desired length, then you change from knitting in the round to knitting flat for the back of the shrug
• Knit flat until the back is the desired size
• Join back and knit in the round again until 2nd sleeve matches the 1st
• I also added a crochet edge around the opening of the back (if I'd had more yarn left I would have picked up stitches and done a k2,p2 rib)

Super simple!  My only watch for:  If in doubt, err on the side of caution and make the back size just a touch bigger than you think might be needed.  Don't want the wee ones to be constricted if the sleeves go right up into their armpits (ouch!)



Little miss was quite happy to model this today.  She's also wearing the skirt that I made for her last year.  I'd spent the night before Halloween creating this based on another skirt she had in her closet.... but the little miss decided that she didn't like it!  Since I'd put in the work I was determined that it was going to be worn... and so poor Bella got the short straw and wore it as a ruffle collar!!  (Oh, if only I had  a picture!) This year thankfully Naomi seems to like it and it still fits... maybe we'll get some wear out of these items this October.  Although probably not all in one go as I have here ha ha!

Enjoy the weekend,
Sam xxx

September

This month has just whizzed by - it is true when they say that time flies when you are having fun.  You see my Mum has been visiting for the last 4 weeks.  We've been 'out and about' enjoying ourselves and creating lovely memories.

Before I start to tell you some of the highlights, I have a little crafty content to share first:  Mum brought with her this fabulous cardigan that she had made for Naomi.  Isn't it gorgeous!  (And doesn't the little model pose crack you up!)



The pattern is 'Girls Waistcoat Vest' from Sirdar, and it is knit in an aran weight wool.  This is a beautifully rich and warm colour - perfect for the start of autumn.  And of course looks beautiful on the little miss.  I am seriously tempted to make one for myself.

We've had some lovely family time these last few weeks.  There was a trip up to Glenwood Springs to enjoy the natural hot springs pool.  Glenwood springs is very beautiful.  It is nestled in the mountains and has an extremely friendly community vibe.  I can see this becoming an annual weekend away.



I've learned my daughter is part mermaid if her love of the water is anything to go by... must sign her up for swim school!

Another weekend we took a trip on the Georgetown loop railroad - a steam train that took us on a little journey between Georgetown and Silver Plume.  We were lucky to take the trip at this time of year as the aspen are changing colour and are a stunning shade of yellow right now. 






Naomi was tickled pink with the trip.  She's quite interested in trains at the moment and absolutely loved her very own train driver's hat, scarf and whistle!



Then there's been trips to Colorado Springs in an attempt to see the balloon festival... but we were too late (doh!), but luckily got to see the balloons at the Columbine memorial event a week or so later.



And Canvas and Cocktails - an event where you get a little drinky while you learn to paint a specified picture.  We went on a Mimosa Morning and it was a LOT of fun.  Good music, excellent hosts, a little creativity and best of all wonderful company.





And there have been lots of trips to the farmers markets to grab fresh fruits and veggies.  Naomi and I made a delicious green chilli sauce one day which I then heaped over my chicken or fish dinners for the following week.  Yum!  And speaking of yum, my good friend Anita had us over for dinner and made pistachio chicken with a lime/avocado dressing.  It was superb!  Delicious and healthy - this will be on the menu again this week!



There's more to come from a crafty perspective... when we weren't out and about, Mum and I were hunkered down at home working on a project together.  (Sneak peeks on my flickr page.)

I was very sorry to say 'bye for now' to Mum today, but thankful for the wonderful times we spent together this month.  Roll on our next visit. xxx