Matching Vests and Rainy Days

The snow is gone and we have had rain for a couple days now. We cannot wait for sunnier days and warm enough weather to play outside. My daughter is going crazy cooped up but with everyone getting sick, I'd rather not risk it. We have been keeping busy with school and extra art classes. I started a homeschooling Pinterest board for ideas and new things to try.
I knit or crochet while she works or reads. Yes, she reads and I am so proud of her!! She's excited about it too. Oh yes, back to what I am making. I have started a Cowl neck sweater/vest for myself and my mom. We are going to be so matchy, matchy! I will link it below, it is (of course) by Chantal at Knitatude. It's gorgeous and a fast, easy knit up! I am also crocheting little scrubbies right now. One, I need more. And two, my friend saw them and wanted some. They are handy!
Hmm... What else are we up to?!? Not much! Practicing my Cricut skills and making some cute stickers for school stuff and me. That sounds like a good update to me!
Have a great day!

My knit project: Chain Link Armored Cowl Vest
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chain-link-armored-cowl-vest



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A lot has happened!!

So, last I posted was almost a year ago. We have had a lot going on. I am now homeschooling our daughter, and she is loving it. She's in first grade and already ahead of her work and at a second and third grade level in reading and math. We went on a field trip to OMSI (for fun) and our family vacation was to another aquarium. Still exploring the great state of Oregon. I know we were born and raised here, but there is still so much to see and to show our kids.
Hmmm, I finished my moms cardigan. I think that was the last thing I posted about. I finished it in April. I have made another sweater for my girl. Two hats and a matching scarf for my mom. The cutest little snowman stuffy for our niece and another for decoration. I made myself a sweater this January when I test knitted for a designer. She's amazing and I loved the sweater!! I'll have to post a photo below. And links to her Instagram of course.
One of my goals this year is to be more consistent with posting on here and my Instagram.
I started making items to sell. One of my other goals for this year is to book a craft fair or two!! I am super excited about that! I bought a Cricut to play around with. My mom wanted to get one with me and make some fun shirts and whatnot, so I got the pink Explore Air 2. It's fun! I want to make all the things. I always do!
We didn't get any snow for Christmas but we did last weekend. We took advantage of no school and work, drove up the mountain a bit and went sledding all day. Luckily I packed Hot Cocoa for all of us!!
Its been pretty slow and boring here, which I like :) School is going great. Work is great. Getting more organized, all over the house. My husband appreciates that! I plan on posting at least once a week, maybe more. Showing my progress of my projects or just anything on my mind. Like i've said before, this is more of an open journal for me. A place to brain dump and have some fun writing.
Thank you for reading. Have a great weekend!!

Knitatude on Insta https://www.instagram.com/knitatude/

Pattern for Crossback Sweater  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crossback-sweater

Nails, Knitting, and Spring

We did more Easter nails! I did my daughters as well but I don't know where the pictures went that I took :(
She loves using stamps and doing her own nails. It's so cute!!
I'm also going to start working on my moms blanket and a sweater for my daughter and also myself. I've never mad myself a sweater before, so this should be interesting!?!
She really likes the Mandala yarns and Sweet Rolls! She choose a couple color options and I've already made her one sweater with them. As for the blanket, I'm going to use baby blanket yarn and three colors. It's mainly a puffy blanket to use outside for sports or to lay on. I like the colors she chose for it too. I'll definitely post a picture of it when i'm done! And sweaters!
Still so many projects to do :) Keeps me busy and I like it!
I think I'm going to do my nails today after I clean my husbands boots. Maybe something floral and pastel. The usual spring nails look! Other than that and basic chores, more knitting.
Oh and I also bought some knitting and crochet pattern books. Most of them are dolls and animals, from fairytale stories!
Well that's all for now. Have a great week :)
Kayla

Life Update

One more school week until spring break. My daughter is super excited about it and she is only in Kindergarten...
Still working on my moms cardigan but I took a break and need to get back to it! I have a couple pattern books coming and I'll start working and some more projects after this cardigan. It's the purling... gets me every time. I've always been a slow purl-er!
Nails are still holding strong. I still have the same design but I broke off the flower pretty quickly. It kept snagging.
House hunting is going good. We looked at a really good one on Sunday and my hubby really wants it. Praying this is the one! Been going to the gym more and liking the stationary bike a lot. I think we will get bikes this summer and take our girl out, get some sun and have a great time!! Not much else is going on at the moment. Pretty boring but I love it. We're doing good and I hope you all are as well!! Have a great day!!
K

6 Year Old Daughter Easter Nail Design

My daughter loves picking what I do to my nails, so I usually let her. Especially if I want a theme for a Holiday or Season. So when she asked if I was doing my nails for Easter, I said yes. She Choose everything, including placements!! Not too bad, if I do say so myself  ;)
She wanted pink, purple, and blue colors. Flowers and beads lol

I used Gel polish and a glitter mix I made for the blue ring finger.
The pink on my pinky is a mix I made.
The pink on my middle finger is Finger Paints 'My Sketch Pad or Yours?'.
The purple on my index finger is Finger Paints 'It Will All Bosch Over'.
The main glitter is a blue one from the Sallys Girl line at Sally Beauty Supply. I bought a really long time ago!
Everything else came from Bundle Monster. Stamps, beads, and the acrylic flower!
Stamp Numbers are: BM-H09 and BM-H10.

That's it! Hope you like :)
K

Preparing for Christmas?!?

I know it seems strange to plan for Christmas in March but since I hand make my loved ones gifts, I need to plan and start them as early as I can. I won't be starting any until I'm done with my moms birthday gift, which is going to be finished soon!
I'm thinking of making my nieces and nephews pillows this year. Last year I made hats and the year before I made mittens. But, last Christmas, I helped my mom make all her grandkids the no-sew blankets and thought a pillow to match would be nice. I'd either crochet or knit them though. I still want them to match the blankets, just made differently.
My other option was scarves to match the mittens and hats. I'm not sure they would wear them, so pillows seem better!
Pillow ideas for them all are:
Owl
Puppy
Football
Soccer
Unicorn and
Square with names and favorite items embroidered on them.
I have a lot of ideas :) So many projects, so little time lol
Well that's all for today.
Have a great week!!
K

Kids Bun Hat Pattern

Patterns like this are found every where and are super easy to make. I had found one a long time ago and cannot remember from where and I didn't save it :(
So, I thought I would make a new one from what I can remember from the pattern and by making a new hat for my daughter.
Here it goes...

I used a worsted weight yarn and I hook.
ch= chain
dc= double crochet
sc= single crochet
sl st= slip stitch
*.....* = repeat pattern
The pattern is written for a one color hat but I will look into suggestions for where to switch colors!

Kids Bun Hat
Row 1: Make 30 dc around a thick hair elastic (the bigger ones are best. you also might want to use 2 or 3 hair ties instead of just one, to make it thicker/stronger). sl st into the top of the first dc. Ch 2 (30)
Row 2: 1 dc into the same stitch and into the next stitch, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc in the next 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (40)
Row 3: 1 dc into same stitch and into the next 2 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch. * 1 dc into the next 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (50)
(If you want to change color, do so now. Cut yarn and weave in the ends. Join a second color and Ch 2)
Row 4: 1 dc into the same stitch and the next 3 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch. *1 dc into the next 4 stitches, 2 dc into the next stitch* around. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch2. (60)
(If you changed color, here you will change it again, to the first color. Cut yarn and weave in ends. Join first color and Ch 2)
Row 5: dc into each stitch. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch2. (60)
(Another color change, repeat after row 4)
Rows 6-12: dc in each stitch. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch 2. (60)
(Another color change)
Rows 13 and 14: dc in each stitch. sl st to the top of the first dc. Ch1 (60)
Rows 15 and 16: sc in each stitch. sl st to the top of the first sc. Ch 1 (60)
Row 17: sc into each stitch round, sl st last stitch to the top of the first sc. Cut yarn and weave in ends. (60)

And that's it :)
It only takes a couple of hours to finish. A good movie or two!! Hope you enjoy.