Two new sweaters

for him and her.  As a career teacher, I am in the process of recertifying (i.e. chipping away at 120 hours of professional development of varying quality and interest).  One of my goals (not the kind that I submit to my boss, of course...) is to spend as many of those 120 hours knitting as possible.  Thanks to a summer immersion institute and four days of conferences in October, I finished the only sweater I've begun since my daughter's birth 20 months ago.  And, while waiting on Webs to restock the wool for that sweater when I ran out, I knit another!  And then another, but that's a secret until a December baby shower for a friend.

Sweater One is a tomten in Plymouth Yarn Tweed, which has great flecks and body but is quite too itchy for my toddler.  Since it's by far the most expensive sweater I've ever knit for a child, this is a disappointment.  I am planning to line the neck area in bamboo jersey and see where that gets us.  I love this Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern nonetheless and the color looks amazing with my son's green eyes.



Sweater Two is a garter stitch cardigan from Knitting for Baby in Knitpicks' Swish Superwash (I think - I know that it wasn't intended for this project.  I had to grab the wool on short notice before a conference, and since I store all my yarn in my kids' bedroom, time is very limited there!).



Every time I make this pattern I get annoyed that the placket puts the buttonholes too far from the garment's edge.  The yarn is very drapey in garter stitch and has a bit too much stretch to it, but no one will be wimpering about itching!

Introducing Liloup

"You should sell your stuff!" is a comment that my indulgent friends make from time to time, and I have a number of retorts.  I already have a job; I am too busy; I won't make any real money.  These facts remain true...but I can't resist this challenge!  So what if I'm a harried mother of two toddlers and teacher of 110+ middle schoolers?  So what I already can't find time to go to the gym or eat vegetables or shave my legs?  Wouldn't I rather be sewing?

I would.

And so, feeling ambitious one sultry August day, I took note of a new boutique in my neighborhood (The Tiny Hanger) and, heart pounding, filled out the designer application.  Since getting accepted (i.e. allowed to sell my wares on consignment in exchange for a cut of the sale price), I've opened a shop on Etsy, figured out to how to buy a domain name (thanks Elizabeth!), ordered labels and tags, and sewed a bunch (though, to be honest, the sewing has taken a small fraction of the overall time spent thus far - and I hope that will change).

Here I am stopping by The Tiny Hanger to visit my dresses.  The rust and teal items (which you see above, too) are mine:

And here are the bodysuit-pants sets in flannel, all lined up:

For now, my "line" consists exclusively of linen tunics (which start as dresses and work their way up to blouses over time) and flannel or corduroy bodysuit & pants sets.  Stop by the Etsy shop and tell me what you think and what you'd like to see next!