I have been working on some of my old works in progress. I’ve gone pretty far on the striped raglan- only button bands and bottom hem to go. I am nearing the end of the poncho. I think there are only 20 rows to go. Once I’m done with the collar, I’ll be doing my very first steeking. I’m nervous about it but I’m sure it will all be fine. It’s curling but after a fitting with Fabi, she likes it like that. She doesn’t want it to get longer. The bottom hem is three rows of single crochet.

wool poncho front

The collar is the piece that is taking longest to figure out. I don’t have a pattern for that, I’m making it up as I go. I’ve had to rip it out once. It is single crochet in the round but the wrong side is the right side.

poncho collar: The grey yarn is where the steeking will happen

See the back.

I may be the last one to blog about this but I still need to do my part. In December it came to my attention that toy manufacturers were going to have to comply with rigorous third party testing for lead and phthalates in their finished products. I didn’t worry about much. I thought to myself that yes, I’d write to my state representitives in order to help out but beyond that I went on with my daily life since I don’t make toys.

As the buzz kept growing, I became aware that this new law by the Consumer Product Safety Commission DID in fact, affect me. This law applies to all items manufactured for children’s use- including clothing. I won’t break it all down on this blog, especially when so many other websites have done it so well.

I’ve done my research and it looks like Joven’s business practices won’t be too affected by this law since yarn and fabric seem to have been put on the exempt list as of February 10, 2009. Even still, I’ve written to my representatives based on the letter on the Hand Made Toy Alliance website. I added this last paragraph:

This issue affects me personally as I am a small-business owner who produces garments for children made of natural materials. Providing safe, quality materials to my customers has always been my ultimate priority. Third party testing requirements would cripple my business, adding one more individual to the growing list of unemployed in the United States. Because of the direct impact this has on my family, I will be watching this issue and your participation in it closely.

I urge any of you who haven’t done so to contact state representatives on this matter. Let’s keep small businesses running by making our voices heard. Let us repay them for taking the time to source safe materials to make things for us to purchase.

Charlie Brown Wool Sweater, front

Pattern: JOVEN

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Maize, Black; 100% wool

Technique: Ultimate Sweater Machine KP 2.5. Hand knit seed stitch, and with US 5, 3.75mm circular needles.

Completion Date: November 2007

I had intended this for my youngest on Halloween 2006 but I couldn’t finish in time. Instead, I finished it one year later and gave it to a friend with a younger son. See the back and the collar close up.

Pattern: JOVEN

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Black, Burgundy; 100% wool

Technique: Ultimate Sweater Machine KP 2.5. Hand knit ribbing in k2p2 with US 5, 3.75mm circular needles.

Completion Date: October 2007

I made these last year for Halloween. My oldest was Aang in fire nation disguise. I don’t have pictures of the complete outfit on the computer since we haven’t developed the film. The picture below is from an artist at Deviant Art.

See the tip and an action shot up close. These gloves are a big favorite in the dress up box. I may make a more girly version and sell them through the site.

Pattern: JOVEN

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Rich Red, Sage, Maize and Dusky Blue; 100% wool

Technique: Crochet in the round with US H hook. Hand knit ribbing in k2p2 with US 5, 3.75mm circular needles.

Completion Date: September 2007

Available for purchase at JOVEN

This is a much improved version of the Primary Plus soaker from three years ago. The big difference here is shaping. Unlike the previous version (which essentially looks like a rectangle with holes for legs) this soaker actually has some. I’m quite proud of my improvement in technique.

I’ve been too busy knitting to post much. There are still 2 more projects from 2007 that you haven’t seen and three from 2008 as well. I’ve also been working on the WIPs although nothing is done. I realize that a big reason some of these projects aren’t finished yet is that they’re black. I need to be in sunlight to work on these and I mostly work at night. I’ll finish them eventually.