Can you believe Christmas is in just over a week? I certainly can’t, and I’ve been busily finishing up some last minute handmade Christmas gifts for my family and friends.
Something I’m making this year are piles and piles of infinity scarves (remember the tutorial I posted in September?). They don’t take very long, they’re so pretty and practical, and you can personalize them with fabric choice to suit the recipient.
I’ve made three more variations of the classic knit jersey style I had originally made, and I really think they’re all pretty!
Sparkly Striped Sweater Knit Infinity Scarf
For a festive and sparkly look (like the first picture above), I made an infinity scarf with a glittery striped sweater knit. I made this one extra wide (the raw fabric measured about 40″ wide before it was folded and sewn).
Woven Burgundy & Chocolate Plaid Infinity Scarf
Plaid is trendy in a big way this year, and I made a second version of the infinity scarf with a plaid woven fabric with a slight stretch to it. This one was also extra wide (at about 44″ before it was folded and sewn). I’m really liking the look of adding quite a bit of extra width to the scarves, giving them a dramatic full look.
Cream Lace Overlay Infinity Scarf
Finally, I made a third version of the infinity scarf by laying a piece of stretch lace over a piece of stretchy jersey (both were about 15″ wide) right sides together. I sewed them together along the length of each side, and then completed the rest of the scarf as I did in my original tutorial. You could use a different colour of knit jersey for a more contrasting look. It’s such a romantic version of the infinity scarf!
Have you tried making an infinity scarf yet? Please share below if you have with a link to your finished project! Or, if you’re planning on making one for yourself or as a Christmas gift – what would be your favourite fabric choice?
We had a light dusting of snow yesterday (alright, it was a massive down-pouring that resulted in several inches of the stuff on the ground and school cancellations).
It was the perfect weather for making snow angels (my little Canadian three-year-old has no fear when it comes to jumping right into big piles of snow)!
The blustery weather got me thinking about my winter coat collection. I am admittedly a bit of a coat and jacket addict, and some of my very favourite winter jackets have been purchased from Modcloth. I’ve been browsing and pinning their latest selection this week, and here are some of my favourite winter jacket picks that I’d love to share with you:
The Cocoa and Waffles Coat reminds me of a country sleigh ride with a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night. I love big shawl collars like this, and the cinched sash and roomy peplum would be flattering on a petite curvy girl like myself. The South Bank Stroll Coat in Goldenrod is such a striking, military-style jacket in such a beautiful marigold yellow colour that’s so trendy for this year. It would look great over a dress or jeans. It has a very tailored profile and a cinched waist also which would be flattering on any body shape.
Finally, the Amateur Astronomer Coat is such a classic piece with a twist – it’s in a classy navy colour and a classic peacoat shape, but it has a large folded collar that I think is so adorable.
Which winter jacket should I choose? What do YOU look for in a winter coat?
(Disclaimer: This post contains Modcloth affiliate links. If you decide to purchase clothing from Modcloth via these links, a small percentage of the sale will be given to me at no extra cost to you. It’s a win-win – thanks for helping support thediymommy.com!)
I’m totally digging the fact that the colour burgundy seems to be trending again this fall. I really think it’s pretty! I’ve always been a huge fan of the colour red, and burgundy is such a gorgeous, muted variation of red that’s perfect for fall.
The above outfit featuring burgundy skinny pants is a simple and casual style that works well for mom-errands. The skinny pants are nice and stretchy (perfect with boots), and I’m wearing a flowing and forgiving blouse, cinched in the waist with a belt to highlight my waist. The fun leopard print scarf is an easy DIY, and I really enjoy how the black and white heart print of the blouse contrasts with the tan and chocolate print of the scarf.
Scarf: DIY $5 Chiffon Blouse: Old Navy $29 Belt: In my closet $10 Skinny Pants: Joe Fresh $29
Another way I’m enjoying wearing a bit of burgundy is with these lovely tights. They work nicely to fall and winterize my summer skirts and dresses. Here, I’ve worn them with a lacy skirt (I’m a huge sucker for anything cream coloured and lacey, and this skirt is made from an ultra-comfy knit jersey which is so easy to wear) and boots.
Below is a full-body shot of the outfit above. I almost wrote this post entirely with the pictures showing only bits and pieces of me. These last few weeks have honestly been some of the toughest ones of my mom career due to extreme exhaustion from a sleepless baby, a really busy fall so far that’s including a new DIY house build for our family (is it just me, or is fall about one million times busier than summer anyhow?!) and some shenanigans with a rear-ender car accident. I’m thankful for a God I can trust, loving family and friends and strong coffee, but my face and body haven’t been loving me – I feel like I have bags under my eyes that reach to the floor, stringy hair and a perma-mad expression. I’ve been wearing my glasses most days because my eyes are so tired that they sting when I put my contacts in.
While my youngest was having her afternoon nap, I shot the below picture as my 3 year old girl looked on. I looked at the final photos with disdain, shaking my head at all of my imperfections.
“This looks like a tired, fat mother”.
My little angel-girl, with her eyes sparkling (she loves taking pictures and seeing pictures): “Can I look, mama?”
“OK”. I’m smiling, but I’m feeling defeated.
My baby peers into the camera and looks at the preview. I hear an audible gasp as she says:
“Wow! That is wonderful. You are beautiful, Mama!”
And that’s why I post the photo below.
Despite the imperfections I see in myself, despite my less-than-perfect few weeks, and despite my lack of sleep I have two little girls that think I’m beautiful. I have family and friends that think so. I have a heavenly Father that thinks so. I have a job to do that requires so much more than physical “perfection” – being a mother is a beautiful thing.
I’m admittedly overly proud of a little, perfectly round orange pumpkin we harvested from our greenhouse this week. I really shouldn’t be, since my gardening capabilities are next to nil and I have a strong aversion to weed-pulling. But, I really do love the little guy and I’m so excited to bake something pumpkin-y and carve it into fun things with my girls for fall!
I love baking (and apparently pumpkins), so I’d like to share with you my top nine favourite pumpkin recipes that I’m dying to try out this autumn. Don’t the look absolutely delicious?
I love scarves; they are the epitome of fall accessories. They’re perfect for layering and transitioning lighter fall clothing into cooler weather and scarves can add a beautiful pop of colour or pattern to what might otherwise be a dull outfit.
Infinity scarves are a kind of tubular scarf that’s attached at both ends. They’re usually stretchy, and you can wrap them around your neck once, twice, or sometimes three times for different looks/warmth levels. This type of scarf is a breeze to make, and I’d love to show you how!
Supplies:
2 yards of very lightweight fabric (I prefer stretchy fabric like rayon/cotton/bamboo/polyester knit jersey but you could also use woven lightweights like cotton voile, cotton lawn)
Cut your fabric in half lengthwise so that you have two long strips (you can make two scarves out of two yards!). Fold the fabric in half again lengthwise with the right sides together. Pin and sew the raw edges together (I used a serger, but you could use a regular sewing machine with a 5/8 inch seam).
Pull the tube to the right side out, and then pull one end over the other so that the right sides are together again and the two raw edges meet, as pictured above.
Here’s the trickiest part (and it’s not even that tricky), but it gives the scarf a cool twist that helps it lay flat: Twist the inside layer so that its seam meets the opposite side of the outer layer’s seam, as pictured above. Basically, you’re twisting the inside layer 180 degrees. Pin the raw edges together..
Sew the raw edges together leaving a 2″ opening.
Turn the scarf right side out and hand-stitch the opening closed. Voila! Your scarf is ready to be worn & loved.
Twist it once for a drapey look.
(I like to model scarves in front of my messy bookcase and beside my full basket of laundry.)
Twist it three times for a snug cowl.
(I also like to modal scarves in front of my fridge, at night.)
(Giveaway closed as of 09-30-2012 @ 10:00 pm MST.)
This sweet little knitted maternity tank top was a pattern I designed pre-children – back when I had time to fiddle with knitting! It’s from my old knitting blog, and I’d like to offer it now to you free. I love the little flower embellishment on the neckline – this would be a cute little embellishment for just about anything!
The “Glam Bump Top” is an easy-to-knit, chic maternity knitted top. It’s knit in the round from top to bottom with no seaming and minimal shaping. Short rows in the front allow extra room for a growing Baby Bump. The simple stockinette stitch is accented by garter stitch detailing in the neck piece, the center panel and the bottom hem. The look is completed with an elegant knit flower accented with a button center. Knit in a light silk/mohair/wool blend, this piece is a perfect transitional top from summer to fall. A great gift for a mom-to-be or for yourself!
Materials • Yarn: 1000 (1000, 1500) Yards ArtFibers Sylph in colour #14 (or a similar sport weight yarn) • Needles: Size 5 US (3.75 mm) circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge) • 1/2” button to coordinate with yarn • Sewing needle & coordinating thread
Sizes Woman’s Sizes Small (32-34” bust), Medium (36-38” bust), and Large (40-42” bust) Top is designed to be fitted in the yoke and then very loose in bust & waist.
Gauge 22 s and 35 rows = 4”
Abbreviations & Explanations:
K = knit k2tog = knit 2 stitches together k3tog = knit 3 stitches together M1 = make a new stitch by knitting into the stitch below KF&B = make one stitch by knitting in front & back of stitch KF&B&F = make two stitches by knitting in front, back & again in the front of the stitch P = purl St st = stockinette stitch Garter stitch = in the round, alternating K and P rows PM = place marker Wrapping a stitch in a short row = Work to turn point, slip next stitch to R needle and bring yarn to front. Slip same stitch back to L needle. Turn work & bring yarn in position for next stitch, wrapping the stitch. Hide wraps in a K st when RS of top is worked in a K st as follows: on RS work to st before wrapped st. Insert R needle from front, under the wrap stitch and then into the wrapped stitch. K them together.
THE PATTERN:
Directions are for Women’s Size Small. Stitch count for Medium & Large are in parenthesis.
Neck Piece: CO 120 st (132 st, 144 st) onto circular needles, join in round being careful not to twist stitches. PM at join. Work 8 rows in garter stitch (4 ridges) Next Row: K4, *K1, KF&B. Repeat from * to last 4 stitches. K4. 168 st (186 st, 204 st) Work 7 rows garter stitch (4 ridges) Next Row: K4, *K2, KF&B. Repeat from * to last 5 stitches. K4. 212 st (236 st, 260 st) Work 7 rows garter stitch (4 ridges)
Arm Holes: Next Row: Continuing in garter stitch pattern, work 24 st (28 st, 32 st), BO loosely 59 st (64 st, 69 st), work 48 st (56 st, 64 st), BO loosely 59 st (64 st, 69 st), work 24 st (28 st, 32 st). 96 st (112 st, 128 st) Next Row: In garter stitch, work 24 st (28 st, 32 st), CO 38 st (44 st, 50 st) using backwards loop method, work 48 st (56 st, 64 st), CO 38 st (44 st, 50 st) using backwards loop method, work 24 st (28 st, 32 st). 172 st (200 st, 228 st) Work 4 ridges garter stitch, ending with a knit row
Body: Make Ruffle: [KF&B&F, KF&B] 12X (14X, 16X), K 38 st (44 st, 50 st), [KF&B&F, KF&B] 24X (28X, 32X), K 38 st (44 st, 50 st), [KF&B&F, KF&B] 12X (14X, 16X). 316 st (368 st, 420 st) Next Row (beginning of St st body pattern with garter stitch panel in center front): K 60 (70, 80) back st, K 38 (44, 50) sleeve st, K 45 (55, 65), PM, P30, PM, K 45 (55, 65), K 38 (44, 50) sleeve st,K 60 (70, 80) back st Next Row: Knit Next Row: K to marker, P to marker (St st panel detail), K to end of round Work in pattern (St st with garter stitch panel in center front) until piece measures 10” from front neck top **Making baby bump: Next Row: K 60 (70, 80), K 38 (44, 50), PM, K 45 (55, 65), work 30 st garter st panel, K 45 (55, 65), wrap stitch and turn Next Row: P 45 (55, 65), work 30 st garter panel, P 45 (55, 65), wrap stitch (see explanation, top of page) and turn Next Row: K 45 (55, 65), work 30 st garter panel, K 45 (55, 65), K 38 (44, 50), K 60 (70, 80) Work 3 rows as per normal pattern** Repeat from ** to ** until front piece measures 19” from front neck top or desired length Next Row: Purl Next Row: Knit Repeat last 2 rows 6X BO loosely
Weave in loose ends & steam or wet block all petals. Position the 5 large petals evenly in a flower shape on the left side of the neckpiece of the garment (or on side preferred). Tack down petals with sewing needle & thread in center as well as outer edges so that petals will not fold. Position the 5 small petals evenly in a flower shape on top of the 5 larger petals. Tack down small petals with sewing needle & thread in center. Position button in center of flower and sew.
Finishing: Weave in all loose ends of garment. Steam or wet block if desired.
I'm Christina - a DIYer and decorator living on the Alberta prairies in a home we built ourselves. My goal is to inspire you to create a cozy home and life you love!
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