The Story of the Bodhi Tree

Patchwork tea towels

I have had it on my mind to whip up these tea towels for a while now. Originally they were going to be part of Christmas gifting, but my time + energy got the better of me! I was even more inspired when I received a set of Jane's beautiful organic towel sets. I have some overdue gift giving + trades, and these will be going off to those people in all different parts of the world.

There has been more needle felting going on over here! I decided our little village needed a pond....

I have been wanting to do a pregnancy post and soon I will, but for now here is a picture of my growing belly at 20 weeks. I feel so big already! I am carrying this baby similar to how I carried Angie, which was not as comfy as with Bodhi! Things are happening faster this time round, I guess that is what happens with each pregnancy.

The fruits of my labour

This is a project for the little sprout. I wanted to try a hand at overalls but was unsuccessful at finding a pattern I liked. So I had the idea to make a really long waist (which I have done for B in the past) and add straps when, and if it works out to do so. It felt like I was knitting these forever! I even ran out of yarn 5 rows away from completion. I have also had the idea to incorporate knitted/fabric/embroidery for a long time now and this seemed like a good place to start. I *really* liked how it all came together.

Apron dresses/tops

These are off to Natural Pod this week. I made them in the fall when I had a burst of creative energy. They are reversible, with a cotton print on one side, and linen or cord on the other. They have ties at the top so that they can last longer, first starting as a dress and then turing into a shirt.

I really love this style of apron top for children and women! When I was a teenager I made many a backless apron top for myself and to sell/trade. Back then I wore them with nothing underneath, but now I would with a shirt ;-)

As Bodhi gets older it is not as easy to convince him of certain things. For instance, he always used to wear wool longies, hats and mitts. This year he declared wool to be "too itchy". He will wear wool socks, and if his hands are really cold, he will put on a pair of mittens. So now we have a huge amount of beautifully knit items that never get used. He has also stopped wearing any pants that are not made by me (how flattering, but challenging). Last week I made him a pair of flannel monkey pj's and he has barely taken them off! He is also a picky eater... but last night I had carrot sticks and cucumber out and he actually ate them (I was literally over the moon). I love watching his fiery and energetic personality emerge, he is constantly reminding me to embrace my wild and free spirited side!

new pj's (I always just make my own pattern up)

posing for the camera

This is the sweet baby cap that I was working on. It was a great pattern and I found it quick and easy to knit up. The only thing I have to complain about, would be that the sizing is a bit off. I knit mine in the six month size and it is more like a newborn size.

front of hat

side of hat

Gifting

The past few weeks before Christmas, I was able to get in a large amount of time in the studio. I was busy, busy, and I had such a wonderful time! Making gifts for people gives me such joy. This year I made gifts for everyone in my family, close friends and Bodhi's best little friends. I have to admit that quite a few of them were gifted before I managed to document (now I am kicking myself!).

I really enjoyed making all of the things that were quilted, and it geared me up to start thinking about finally doing a quilt. I am sure it will take me a few more months of thinking before anything is created.

Anyhow, here is the low down on what I have accomplished! Three knitted cowls, two knitted neck scarves, two adult pairs of fingerless mitts, two child pairs of fingerless mitts, eight knitted dish cloths, four coffee cozies, one pair of adult oven mitts, one pair of child oven mitts, ten tissue holders, eight coasters, two headbands, one zippered bag, one apron with embroidery, one pirate eye patch, one doll sling, one toy tool belt, two felt wee folk, six wet felted egg shells, one wet felted grape set, two needle felted lemons, and a bunch of tree ornaments! If I only had this type of motivation all the time!

Tree ornaments (thanks Ella for letting me snag your idea)

Finally finished

Bodhi's birthday has come and gone. I was four days late with his handmade birthday gift, but I know he does not mind. I honestly thought I may never finish the darn thing! In the end it came together, and I like the results quite a bit.

As I have said before, I used an angora wool for the knitted sweater part. I chose a grey wool for the fabric panel, as I wanted something classic and unisex, leaning towards boyish. The button is from my collection, and I am not sure if it is bone or vegatable?

I don't think I would knit this sweater in a bigger size again, especially for a boy. With that being said, he has not actually worn it yet, so I don't really know how it will go over! You never know with a little one, right?

The pattern is from here.

In case you are wondering... somehow I switched the pattern around (oops, my bad!).

Weekend fun + WIP's

The past weekend we went to The Parade of the Lost Souls. We have taken Bodhi for the past couple of years, and though it can be a bit intense, we all enjoy going. I really did not take too many photos, but it is definitely tons of fun checking out the different costumes, parades, music, firedancing and much more.

Right now I have alot of WIP's that I want to get finished so I can get onto some new things! I had the chance to finish these baby cubes up.

Tonight I am going to work on sewing up the sideseams of the 6.5 stitches cardigan in size 2. I finally completed the knitted part last night (yay!). Now I am kicking myself for not knitting it in size 3. Silly, silly.

Birthday book bag + book

This gift is for one of B's park buddies who is turning three tomarrow. Inside the bag is The Seven Silly Eaters, which is one of our all time favorites over here.

We bought a copy of In the Night Kitchen to add to our collection of books.

Unexpectedly, we bumped into friends at the book store, looking to fill birthday book bags as well.

Happy reading!

A glimpse

Of what is come. More baby tops for winter. Reversable. Wool + cashmere + cotton. One of a Handful. Which in fact is the chosen name for my handmade goods. Thanks to some park brainstorming with a friend some weeks ago, and then some thinking, feeling + deciding. I feel like this name works for everything that I do, and for all ranges of items + ages. So there you have it. One of a handful.

playtime for baby

Still more...