The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog » Finished Projects! http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog The Sweatshop of Lover's Blog celebrates every aspect of knitting - from finding a pattern to finishing a project. I publish my own patterns, share everything on my needles, and help knitters of all skill levels get excited about knitting. Never snobby, I use creativity and ingenuity to create finished projects for less. More than anything, The Sweatshop of Lover's Blog LOVES knitting and wants to make you love it, too. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:59:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Tying Up Loose Ends http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/27/tying-up-loose-ends/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/27/tying-up-loose-ends/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:15:35 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=4013

I’m inching ever closer to my Chicago Outie 5000 date (FRIDAY! HOLLA!), and somehow I find myself ahead of schedule.

When you give yourself so a nearly impossible amount of work to do, knowing full well that it will be nearly impossible to finish, and then finish it… well. It’s inspiring. It inspires me to stop thinking I can’t do things. It inspires me to just try, because you don’t know if you don’t try. I went into this Renegade To Do List thinking that I would try to do it, and whatever I got done before I left I would bring and it would be fine.

But I did it all. 150+ fabric buttons. 61 kit bags. 40 completely new kits – designing, knitting, stuffing, finishing. 68 total kits completed and ready to go.

Next up? My In-NYC To Do List. Then my Post-NYC To Do List. My ebook to do list. My fall class schedule to do list.

But am I worried? Not in the least. I finished the big one. I’m pretty sure I can do anything.

I wanted to note that I’m closing The Sweatshop of Love’s Etsy Shop Thursday since I won’t be around to mail anyone anything. If you want something get it now! Whatever is left after Renegade will be posted in September.

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/27/tying-up-loose-ends/feed/ 4 FO: The Two Boyfriends Cardigan http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/21/fo-the-two-boyfriends-cardigan/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/21/fo-the-two-boyfriends-cardigan/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:54:16 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3985

I mentioned yesterday that I had something fun to show you guys! I’ve had this finished for a while but couldn’t handle putting on buttons much less putting it on for a fashion show. It’s hot, y’all!

Two Boyfriends! Yay!

It’s still hot, so please excuse the shiny face, but here is The Two Boyfriend Cardigan!

Half Blue, Half Green, All Hot!

This top down boyfriend style cardigan is double fun because its striping color is split down the middle. The main color is striped through on both sides, but with one of your boyfriend’s favorite colors on the right and your other boyfriend’s favorite color on the left, you are sure to please everyone!

Deep V-Neck, Lots of Buttons

Main color ribs at bottom, sleeves, and button band rows add texture, but the majority of this sweater is just increasing stitches and striping.

Slouchy, Roomy, Comfy

The Two Boyfriends Cardigan is sized big and slouchy for a borrowing-your-boyfriends-cardigan feel. I’m sure that if I were cold this sweater would warm me right up, but I’ll have to wait until fall to confirm that.

Pudgey Approved!

And Pudge Rodriguez certainly likes it!

I used Knit Picks Merino Style in Fedora (MC) Dusk (CC1) and Moss (CC2) and size 6 circular needles. This pattern is going to be part of my next ebook, but before that I’m looking for a test knitter! Please let me know if you are interested and I’ll send the pattern over to you. Sadly I can’t pay you, but you’ll get a copy now and a finished copy of the pattern once it’s ready for publishing. Edit: Test knitter found!

TOO HOT TOO HOT TOO HOT

Now I’m going to put this sweater in a drawer for 3 months!

Pattern: The Two Boyfriends Cardigan – Coming Soon!

Yarn: Knit Picks Merino Style

Needles: Size 6 circulars

Ravelry Page

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/21/fo-the-two-boyfriends-cardigan/feed/ 6 New Knit Kit Sneak Peek! http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/19/new-knit-kit-sneak-peek/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/19/new-knit-kit-sneak-peek/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:50:50 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3978

Originally today was supposed to be the launch day for my new Knit Kits. We decided to push their debut back. Now they are going to debut at Renegade! So you’ll have to wait until September 11th to get in on these next kits.

What are the next knitting projects we are kit-izing?

Nautical Knot Necklace!

One of them might have something to do with what is in this picture. That is all I can say!

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/19/new-knit-kit-sneak-peek/feed/ 3 FO: Taragurumi http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/08/fo-taragurumi/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/08/fo-taragurumi/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:37:26 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3906

Yesterday was my girl Tara’s birthday. Naturally this called for a gurumi-ization!

And, like Jamiegurumi before her, Taragurumi is awesome.

Typing Away!

She works really hard.

Holla!

And she plays really hard.

Ohh La La!

And she flirts with super cute boys.

Cute Pink Undies!

And she parties really, really hard.

Taragurumi and Raggedy Ann

But more than anything, Taragurumi is a great friend. Happy birthday, lady!

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/08/fo-taragurumi/feed/ 4 FO: Ivory Coast DinoSweater http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/06/fo-ivory-coast-dinosweater/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/06/fo-ivory-coast-dinosweater/#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:10:44 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3915

I was asked to knit and donate another DinoSweater that will be an auction item in a fundraiser for Ivory Coast Mothers and Children, an organization building a hospital in the Ivory Coast. So I hopped to it!

I also wanted to show you how important embellishment is to simple projects.

Pre-Fixin's

So here you’ve got a finished cardigan from my Baby Sweater Buffet pattern with a hood buffet option. I used the original dinosweater’s spikes pattern, which is not my own.

It is obviously super cute! But we can do better.

Now With Spots!

I dug around and found three different shades of green and duplicate stitched dinospots on the sweater!

Hot DinoProfile!

It added texture and color to the sweater. I used leftover scraps that were laying around so it cost nothing, and I just winged it with placement and shape.

Fabric Covered Buttons

I also dug around in my fabric and found this green stripey fabric for the buttons.

So, with a little duplicate stitching and some fun fabric covered buttons, this baby sweater went from super cute to HOLY FREAKING CUTE OMGOMGOMG!

Ready to Roll!

I made an extra button, just in case, attached it to a card, and tied the card to the top button hole. Now it’s ready to go make Ivory Coast Mothers and Children some cash!

If you are interested in donating to Ivory Coast Mothers and Children or want to bid on this DinoSweater, contact my girl Patsy or come to the Bastille Day Fete this Saturday, July 10th at Kiki’s Bistro from 1-4, with the auction taking place at 3pm.

Pattern: Baby Sweater Buffet

Yarn: Vanna’s Choice in Dusty Green, Lion Brand Wool Ease in Mink Brown, and other scrap greens

Needles: Size 9 circulars

Ravelry Project Page

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/07/06/fo-ivory-coast-dinosweater/feed/ 4 I Venture Outside, Part 3: Built By Wendy Knit Dress http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/30/i-venture-outside-part-3-built-by-wendy-knit-dress/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/30/i-venture-outside-part-3-built-by-wendy-knit-dress/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:44:00 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3838

So Part 1 was my boxy top and Part 2 was my Built By Wendy top. You know I had to mix it up a bit for Part 3!

The third and final finished sewing project from Saturday’s sewing binge is another revisited pattern. I made the Built By Wendy Knit Dress the first time in a striped material. The pattern is so freaking wearable I knew I wanted 100 more.

Built By Wendy Knit Dress

And when I saw this ridiculous apple material it was a match made in heaven. I was so desperate for it that I cut my finger open trying to pull the bolt of fabric out from the bottom of the bargain pile. Seriously blood everywhere. I had to ask the fabric store owner for a band-aid.

Worth the Pain

SO worth it, though! I would do it again. I mean, apples?! It’s too silly not to love.

Just Chillin

I didn’t change the pattern one bit from the first dress. It’s good just the way it is.

Pattern: Built By Wendy Knit Dress, Pattern A

Fabric: Bargain Apple Print Jersey

Paired With: Gladiator sandals from Payless, leopard print glasses from Forever 21

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/30/i-venture-outside-part-3-built-by-wendy-knit-dress/feed/ 4 I Venture Outside, Part 2: Built By Wendy Top http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/29/i-venture-outside-part-2-built-by-wendy-top/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/29/i-venture-outside-part-2-built-by-wendy-top/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 11:56:26 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3831

Yesterday I shared with you my Boxy Polka Dot Top that I sewed up Saturday. Today I’ve got another sewing FO!

When I first started bombarding you with finished sewing projects they were all Built By Wendy patterns. I revisited a few of those patterns on Saturday, starting with this Built by Wendy Top. I made a gingham version of this top a few months ago, but it’s so cute I had to come back to the pattern.

A Floral Take Two

I found this chiffon-like material in the bargain room of my fabric store in Michigan with another Built by Wendy top in mind. Light and airy and FLORAL like whoa, I grabbed a yarn (EDIT: YARD! My fingers betray my preference for yarn!) and had to make it happen.

Hello FLATTERING!

This design is so ridiculously flattering. Clearly it has changed me into a totally different girl! I don’t even look like myself in this picture.

Show OFF That Elastic, Girl

I made a couple mods: No elastic in the sleeves and a longer length of elastic in the neckline for a little more neck room. It’s the perfect length, the perfect size, the perfect color. I’m in love.

Even Cute from the Back!

This shirt’s magical flattering powers even extend to my bottom. These are the four best pictures of me ever taken.

Pattern: Built By Wendy Mini Dress, Pattern C

Fabric: Bargain Fake Chaffon

Paired With: Ann Taylor Loft Green Jeans

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/29/i-venture-outside-part-2-built-by-wendy-top/feed/ 6 I Venture Outside, Part 1: Boxy Top http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/27/i-venture-outside-part-1-boxy-top/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/27/i-venture-outside-part-1-boxy-top/#comments Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:56:37 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3823

Inspired by Marissa’s guest post last week, I pulled out my sewing machine Saturday and went to town.

Outside?!

I also went outside to take pictures! I figured if I lock myself inside most of the day working, I might as well venture outside to model. Alone. In the alley. Not going to lie: It was a little weird.

Simple Boxy Top

But I sucked it up like a pro. It didn’t hurt that no one came out the entire time I was down there.

Big n Boxy

First up was this boxy top. I’ve been wanting to make a top out of this cute polka dot silky material forever. You might recognize it from the lining of Hoodie Devoted a few months ago. I had, and still have, plenty of it left for a top, so I cut out two big squares, seamed them, then sewed them together a the shoulders and sides.

Cute, Right?

Slouchy, off the shoulder, super wide, silky, and polka dotted. Kinda perfect with a high wasted red pencil skirt, right?

Pattern: Just made it up!

Fabric: Some bargain polka dot fake-silk

Paired With: Thrifted pencil skirt

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/27/i-venture-outside-part-1-boxy-top/feed/ 6 FO: Jamiegurumi http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/25/fo-jamiegurumi/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/25/fo-jamiegurumi/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:54:42 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3808

Jamiegurumi (noun) Pronunciation: Jay – me – ga – roo – me.

Definition:

Meet Jamiegurumi!

This little guy is an amigurumi of my friend Jamie, thus, Jamiegurumi.

Jamiegurumi Likes to Bike

Jamiegurumi likes to bike. His (very tight) jeans are rolled up so he doesn’t get grease on them! And he is holding an extra tire because this kid pops like 12 tubes a week.

Jamiegurumi Likes to Goof Around

He thinks it’s really funny to play jokes on people, like hiding from them. But sometimes they backfire. Luckily I didn’t need to toast anything this morning!

Jamie Likes to Wash Himself... NOT!

Jamiegurumi is not the cleanliest of dudes, so he was a little surprised when he found himself here.

Just Chillin'

I used this Basic Humanoid Amigurumi Pattern on Craftster and it’s spot on! I made no modifications. That I know of. Not a great counter so I just eyeballed the leg and arm length. Jamie is tall so I tried to make Jamiegurumi proportional.

One Handsome Jamiegurumi!

Does Jamiegurumi look like the real Jamie?

Real Person Jamie

… it’s UN-FREAKING-CANNY!

Jamiegurumi!

Pattern: Basic Humanoid Amigurumi Pattern from Crafster.com

Yarn: Leftover worsted weight scraps

Hook: Size G

Ravelry Project Page

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]]> http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/25/fo-jamiegurumi/feed/ 3 FO: Granny Bomber Jacket! http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/23/fo-granny-bomber-jacket/ http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/2010/06/23/fo-granny-bomber-jacket/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:36:22 +0000 allyson http://www.thesweatshopoflove.com/blog/?p=3779

I’ve got the pattern writing bug real bad. So bad, in fact, that I’m getting another collection of patterns together for another ebook. It is much sillier, however, knitting winter-wear in summer than it is knitting summer-wear in winter.

Granny Bomber Jacket

So, there is this jacket I knit! It has a bomber jacket shape – cropped, cinched waist, long sleeves, wide chest, exaggerated armholes, pop collar.

Seed Stitch Bands and Boxes

The stitch pattern is out of control! Twisted ribs around seed stitch brown boxes, with a seed stitch bottom band and collar.

Buttons!

The jacket has a crochet button band and, of course, fabric buttons. I used this fun black, white, and gray checkered pattern for mine.

Yikes

I’m not too awesome at color changing. My sweater looked like this, mostly, in progress.

Ohh It's HOTT Finished!

But all that is forgotten once it’s finished and looks so hot!

Test knitter found! Karin of iKnit2Purl2 will be tackling this one for me. Can’t wait to see it! I’m looking for a test knitter! Because this jacket is not fitted there are only two sizes – S/M and L/XL. The jacket I’m wearing is the size S/M. Interested in testing this pattern out for me? Let me know!

Pattern: My own, coming soon!

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Daffodil and Lion Brand Wool Ease in Mink Brown

Needles: Size 9 circulars, Size G crochet hook

Ravelry Project Page

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