Sphinx Sweater - Done!

 SO CUTE! And finally done!
 

I love this sweater, but it took so much effort to complete. It also represents a few firsts for me.

The inspiration for this sweater, which I'm only barely willing to admit, is actually from a scyfi novel I was reading called Cryoburn. A minor detail in the story are genetic engineers that make house-cat sized sphinxes with little human faces and everything.

Combine that with some deep thought about new products for my Etsy shop and here's what you get. A toddler sized, sphinx sweater.

Once it was in my head, it had to be done. I found some beautiful wool in gold and cream. And yes, that is Fun Fur (my second first) for the mane and tail.

I started with designing the color work pattern for the wings, and my first First. I had never finish a project with any kind of color work other than strips, but I'm very happy with my results here. I sketched out one side, then traced it onto a personalized grid. I just did the mirror image for the other wing in my head as I knit. Try as I might, I have not been able to find online generator where I got my grid. I knew I should have bookmarked that! But I know there are many other programs out there that will do the same thing.

I knit sweaters from the neck down with raglan sleeves because that is the best way. Seriously. It's so easy, there is minimal finishing (no sewing!), you can try it on as you go, and it produces the most universally flattering fit. You do have to go back later to finish the sleeves, but I consider that a small price to pay.

The tail is an I cord with a cone shaped end. The hood (another first) I picked up off the top of the neck. After it was done I added on the ears and picked up stitches along the edge for the mane.

And finally I come to my last first, the zipper. I've done a few other zippers before, but never in a hand knit. I was really nervous sewing it in after the months of work I put into all the other details of this sweater. But it turned out perfectly. I couldn't be more happy with the results of this project. In fact, I almost don't want to put it up for sale.

Just kidding.

Advent Calendar- Finished!

 I finished the advent calendar, and just in time. It looks super cute if I do say so myself.

Over the last month I came up with a few more fun, bag decorating ideas.

#8's obvious inspiration is a snowman. I just drew an eight with sharpy and colored him in with crayon. I really like the home-made look.

Hot glued buttons give #1 and 9 a cute, home-spun look.

I let Jack help decorate a few, as can be seen on #3, 16, and 19. It gives a very unique, personal touch, and he gets to see his own art as a part of our decorations. And this is all for him, after all.

My very, favorites are the last two I made. It would be really cute to make a full set in either one of these designs. #22 and 23.

#22 is a collage of randomly cut strips of construction paper. I also cut the numbers free hand to add to the "blocky-ness."

#23 is inspired by all the fun, coffee filter decor on pinterest lately. I used the kind made for four cup coffee makers, and it turned out to be the perfect size for my bags. Just take a small stack of filters. Cut in towards the flat bottom. Cut out the circle. You now have a long, slightly curved, pleated strip. Cut this strip in half your strips are all the perfect length. Glue to the bag in individual layers from the bottom up. Stop a few inches from the top, where you want the fold to be. I also used a couple of the circles I cut out and a label sticker to make the number tag.

You may ask what happened to #24? Christmas is the 25th right? The plan is to open his Christmas Jammies that day, and I figured that would take a bigger bag.

I hope this gives you some fun ideas to play with or inspires something totally new! I sure had fun and I think Jack likes it too.