Wish this was how we always roll

I had a couple of things I wanted to get accomplished this weekend.  Normally how we roll around here is that I have things to accomplish and then end up doing everything but.

Not this weekend, though.  I actually got everything done that I wanted to do.

1. Finish my handmade roller pillow.  A while back, a friend at work was able to score me half a bale of straw to make a roller pillow from her father-in-law.  I had no idea how much straw it would actually take so I got a bin and started preparing the straw.  But then we had tons and tons of rain and I had to travel.  I was waiting for a day with sun and without wind.  That day was today. 
   
    

 See the tub?  See the pillow in the tub?  There is 2 1/2 times the amount of straw that filled the tub in the pillow.  You see, the secret is in getting it as dense as possible so it will hold the pins properly as you work.  Like this...

2.    I wanted to finish the baby sweater I've been making.  I finally got the knitting finished but it needed something to finish it off.  I finally found just the right button but I still couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with the bodice.  I tried embroidering flowers as I'd planned.  No good.  I thought about sewing a pretty ribbon around that section.  No good.  Finally I decided to go with a crocheted edging.

I haven't sewn the edging on yet until the sweater dries but I this this is going to be the perfect finish.

3.  Although not on the initial list, I've had some Shetland wool on the wheel started but not very far along.  I've been spinning it woolen long draw.  Long draw has never been a strength of mine but this fiber changed all that.  Where cormo is just a tease with a promise of pretty wool only to be maddeningly hard to spin, this Shetland wool is a dream and has really just spun itself.  I had 8 ounces to spin of this color and I've just got half a bobbin to go to have all the singles done.  I always think the plying is going to go much faster than it does but I can't wait to get it done and show it off.  Then I just have 3 more colors to spin for the fair isle project I had planned for this yarn.  Stay tuned.

Getting closer

I don't know if it's going to be too big but it's definitely too cute!

I'm thinking it may be a bit too wide but I think I can fix that with the ribbon I'm going to run through the top of the skirt.  The band of green under the cable is going to get embroidered flowers and then there will be 2 ribbon ties, kimono style.  I haven't blocked the lace section yet but I don't think I'm going to block it very hard.  Really it just needs a hot press and that will open the lace up a bit.

There are a bunch of ends to work in so I won't finish tonight but I love how it's coming out.  Next I need to use heavier yarn and larger needles and see if I can't work out an adult version.

And Finished

Just wanted one more shot of the finished sweater.  I just found out about another baby boy on the way so I'll definitely be using this pattern again.

Sorry, for some reason the photo wants to be upside down!  There's no fathoming the ways of mobile posting.  We're knitters, though, so we can adjust.  Ha!