SSC! (Soft structured carrier)

I stayed up until 1am this morning sewing this (started after the kids were in bed, about 9pm), but it was WORTH IT. This is my first soft structured carrier. The waistband is curved, divided into three sections, and padded with 2 layers of a thin but dense camping mat. The straps are padded with 1 layer of the same mat. The body is unpadded; I tend to prefer it that way though I did like the padding in the leg section in the APLX, if I can work out how to do something like that.

I still need to make a chest strap (because it is worn rucksack-style, the chest strap holds the two shoulder straps together across the top of the chest - it works much like a heavy hiking/camping rucksack), but I'm out of webbing. The straps don't seem to slip too much, so it's wearable.

When I make my next one (I have plenty of camping mat left, and got some buckles off Freecycle and of cours e have plenty of fabric ;P, so the only added expense will be some more webbing), I will make the waistband a little less wide/tall, and the shoulder straps a little less wide. Other than that I'm pretty happy with it, especially considering it's a no-pattern job again (I used some tips from The BabyWearer DIY forum, but no actual templates or anything).

Alastair DOES fit in it, and I WILL get some action pics but not when I'm still in my PJs at 11am on not much sleep ;P

I finished B's mei tai while Alastair was napping, but I forgot to take pics of it before I nicely rolled it up, poo. It's nice and bright though - a wavy bright striped pattern with solid purple cotton drill straps. Pretty happy with it, I didn't make any of the little annoying errors I made with previous versions (like not getting the straps quite even/straight, crooked stitching, etc). I just need to make her two wetbags and her package (6 covers, MT, wetbags) is ready to go. Luckily, since she had her baby last night. Wooo!

Then I am done with all the things I promised other people, and I need to sew some stuff for Alastair/me. I really need to get cracking on the faux-AngelPack (I borrowed an AngelPack LX and loooved it, so I will model my SSC on it) because I want it for our trip to the Gold Coast in two weeks. Alastair needs 5 or 6 more pocket nappies/microfibre inserts by then too, because I need quick-drying stuff for hand-washing in the hotel room.

Cast on for a pair of longies in the Picky Pants pattern ... next project I NEED to start on is Tam and Eric's wedding present, which Ican't go into details about in case Tam is reading (but don't worry, guys, it's nothing BIG that'll suck to take back to the US with you, and hey it might fail and you'll end up with something store-bought anyway!)

One-Skein Wonder! Stupid mirror photos :)


This is the WIP I'm currently working on, now that I knocked off the one-skein wonder and the gloves (almost - just need to do the thumb and weave in ends). It's a striped jumper that I started a few months ago and abandoned for a while because it's on 3.5mm needles and will take forever!

WIP/FO pics

Little Mermaid costume. I'm not completely happy with the top - the front panel is off-centre. But considering there was no pattern (I vaguely followed a tutorial on Craftster for an adult dress with the same style top, changed the straps etc), not too bad.


WIP - One-Skein Wonder in 'Tannenbaum' aran Blue-Faced Leicester by Monster Knits.


WIP - I've got second glove syndrome! I think I said before that I'm not really happy with how the colourway knitted up in the small diameter. It looks better on than it does sitting on the bench, though.

I really need to take better pictures, because a blog would be much more interesting with photos. But our camera is only average, and the lighting in our house is really bad for photos - nothing turns out right. There's no sun to take outdoor pics, either.

Anyway, today I finished the mermaid costume (I have a pic to upload later), and cut out the pieces for my brother's Lucius Malfoy cape (which had to be done when the kids are asleep, because it's large pieces and I don't have a dedicated sewing room - YET). I should be able to get it sewn tomorrow; it's pretty simple. Oh, and made one more PUL cover for a friend who is going to give cloth a try because she's just moved up to Shark Bay (her hubby's a cop) and the disposables there cost a fortune.

Just gonna relax and do some more on my One-Skein Wonder for half an hour or so :)

I shouldn't keep starting MORe projects, but oh well. I got some Monster Knits aran BFL in 'Tannenbaum' (a gorgeous green/brown colourway) and decided what the hell, I'd knit myself something. There's only 100g of it, so I'm doing a One Skein Wonder, which is a really simple pattern. It's coming along nicely :)

I had to go to Spotlight to buy some more fabric to make my friend B. a mei tai, so while I was there I bought some buckles and strapping because I am going to have a go at making my own soft structured carrier, a la Beco. I need to find some padding for the waist, I'm thinking some foam from Clark Rubber, or others have suggested cutting up a camping mat from a camping store? Hmmm ... gotta do some other stuff first though, like finish Bella's mermaid outfit tonight. Better get off the computer and do that :P

Emma wanted a hat, so I knitted her up a quick one using Panda Zoomy. It's an acrylic/wool/nylon blend, really nice and soft. I was lazy and didn't measure my gauge properly, so it fits me - but it also fits her (baggy) and she likes it, so oh well.

More PUL covers ...

Busy busy busy

Here are some covers I made for pregnant friends (I have four friends due to pop in the next month!) - I actually made four more since then. The orange one is a medium, so it is meant to be bigger ;)



And the quick hat I knitted up for Alastair to match his longies. I didn't make the main bit long enough, though, so it looks more like a skull-cap, and he will NOT keep it on (hence the strange photo). I need to work on my patience when it comes to knitting, I often seem to just cut that little bit short because I want it finished NOW.