Graz Rounded bonnet-Test for MyCherryBlossomKnits March 09, 2019

This smile is beyond precious!

I genuinely enjoy knitting newborn props.  Bonnets are my favorite.  It is so exciting when there is a new design out on the market.  I was blessed to be able to test this design for My Cherry Blossom Knits.  Her work is gorgeous and the pattern was super easy to follow!  I managed to get two bonnets done in no time at all.

This first bonnet was made using a fiber I have had in my stash for ages.  It is a discontinued yarn called Estelle Watercolours in Beige.  The fiber is beautiful to look at but I did not really enjoy working with it.  I found that the mohair was a bit too fuzzy.  Normally, I enjoy a good mohair but this version was not my favorite.  I still have three balls of this (in different colors) in my stash and not sure if I will knit with it again. 

I added these silk ties for a more dramatic look.

The second bonnet I knitted using a DK acrylic.  It came out beautifully and really did wonders for the stitch definition.  I love the lace work in this pattern.  And the fact that it is a four row repeat makes it super easy to Netflix & Knit. 

I highly suggest this pattern for anyone wanting to knit up a simple pattern that results in a delicate finished bonnet!  You will love love it.  I will be making this again! 

Sweet Dahlia Shawl- Test for Birch & Lily

"It's Summer! Be free and happy and danceful!"

Last night, on a whim, my sweet Luda came for a visit.  It was a perfect end to a hazy summer day. Even at evening, the Texas sun was blistering. Yet we managed to have fun and take full advantage of our time together.

 I can't describe how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to take photos of my childhood friend, her precious daughter, and my freshly knit Sweet Dahlia Shawl!  There was this vision of a summer beauty floating in my head.  And, here is that vision in all it's glory!  I love it when an idea comes full circle!  Luda you are a gem.  Truly beautiful inside and out!  

A few weeks before Mother's Day I got the notion to knit my mom a shawl.  In all my years of knitting, I had never cast on a shawl.  For whatever reason, I found them to be intimidating.  However, this year has been all about pushing myself to try new projects.  I am so glad I did.

The Sweet Dahlia is a pattern that I tested for Birch & Lily.  You can find more of her work on IG https://www.instagram.com/birch.and.lily/  At first glance, the lace section had me nervous.  Not only was I about to knit with light weight yarn...there was stitches to count too!!!  I swore that I'd have to frog this project more than once and/or I'd end up in a tangled mess on the floor along with my fiber!!!

However, things went incredibly smoothly.  The fiber was a joy to work with.  I highly recommend Pretty Please Yarns if you are interested in working with a new Indie artist. She custom dyed this superwash merino and it turned out AMAZING!!!  

The pattern itself was super easy for a first shawl!  I still cannot believe that I was able to finish this project in two weeks.  Had I not been cleaning out my school room (end of the year projects) I would have had it finished even sooner!!! 

I enjoyed the transitions from section to section.  Garter stitch can get boring quickly. However, this design had enough gradual transitions to make the pattern not only enjoyable but interesting.  I love watching the shape come together.  Really need to think that you only start out with a handful of stitches and end with something so cuddly! 

My mother is receiving the shawl today and I bet she falls in love!!!

Kaleidoscope Cardigan- Test for Baudidesigns

My beautiful Masha. Couldn't ask for a better lil sis.

Meet Masha!  Isn't she gorgeous?  This is my little sister.  Little in birth order and size.  At 4'9 she's still the biggest personality I know! 

This month marks 19 years that we have spent in the USA.  #fromTikhvintoTexas has become my official hashtag.  Russia seems to be a lifetime away.  However, it is still the childhood home we used to know.  And, each year, we celebrate where we come from.  We thank our parents for taking on the challenge of raising us.  Adoption is a difficult journey for everyone involved. One that has left us blessed beyond belief.

Not long ago, we celebrated as a family of four.  Today, we have added four kiddos to the mix!  I still cannot believe that my little sister is a mother of three. Or, that I have a precious one of my own.

Part of this year's celebration was gifting this beautiful Kaleidoscope Cardigan to Masha.  She modeled it for me during our visit to Dallas. Admittedly, I was very nervous photographing her.  She owns Twinling Photography and is extremely talented behind the camera. In fact, everything I know about taking pictures, has been a result of her teaching.  I learned a bunch during our little session. 

This pattern was a design feature from Barkley Audiffred!  It was an absolute pleasure to get the opportunity to test for her.  The cardigan is a great summer knit. Yes, even in Texas!  My sister plans on wearing it to the office.  And, I will be knitting this again.