"Nice Knits"!

Etsy Favorite: Bayan Hippo

I, like most people who have spent any time there, love Etsy. The items I get through Etsy are definitely varied, so I wanted to share some of them here. The dress below came from Bayan Hippo. This Etsy shops specializes in handmade bags and children's clothing (mostly kimono-style dresses). I honestly bought this dress for the Bean soley based on its smile-inducing print, but I was very happy with the quality of the workmanship. It was the perfect Easter dress!

Bayan Hippo is located in Bursa, Turkey, but I didn't run into any issues with the shipping. Very prompt service, and I probably had the dress in about two weeks. The Bean was very impressed that her dress was coming from half-way around the world, and that most likely no one around here would have the same dress. Very cool in her mind. 

Bayan Hippo Etsy Shop

Bayan Hippo Blog (not written in English, but great photos of her creations)

FO: Swedish Spring

Pattern: Girl's Cap Sleeved Spring Shirt by Shellee Floyd, pattern link, Ravelry link
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, pale blue and yellow
Fiber: Cotton, Acrylic mix
Amount: not quite two of the blue and a tiny bit of yellow
Needles: US #6 Addi Turbos

Super, super easy top. Perfect for all the Cotton-Ease I hoarded away back when Lion Brand said they were going to discontinue it. I will certainly be making more of these. I used JCHandmade's instructions for creating gathered cap sleeves, but I think next time I will make them a little tighter. The pattern runs up to about a size 5. I made this one a little larger by changing my gauge and adding more increases under the arms. I also added some ribbing at the bottom to avoid any curling. As you can see, she thought it turned out well enough to actually try it on and pose for a few shots. She also kept it on for the rest of the day, so I guess it passed the fashion test. It gets harder and harder to compete with Hannah Montana shirts done up with rhinestones and glitter. Hannah Montana WISHES she had a sweater this cool!

  

Spur of the Moment

I love this picture because it was totally unintentional. The best always are.

Another Noggin to Keep Warm

Pattern: Habitat by Jared Flood from Brooklyntweed
Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool, color #726 
Fiber: 100% Wool
Amount: 2 skeins
Needles: US #8, US#7 Addi Turbos (knit on two circs) without a cable needle

This Habitat was made to replace the disaster of a ribbed hat I made him a few years ago. Little did I know that the lovely, soft merino wool I used for that one would stretch beyond control after being caught in a downpour of snow. This one is hardier, and in my opinion, better looking than the first. Another great Brooklyntween pattern, but you definitely want to know how to cable without a needle for this one.

Why is it my photo sessions with these three always descend into chaos?