The Homesteady

Gender (stereotype)-free toddler clothes, v.4

Tie-Dye Hoodie / Two-Pack Tank Tops
Quilted Jacket / Cotton Shorts
Suede Sandals / Terry Geo Sweatpants

These are all affiliate links.

New Knit: Aldous Sweater

Sharing a recent knit today – the Aldous sweater by Isabell Kraemer. I really like how it turned out, especially the shoulder construction and the twisted braid details at the cuffs and hem.

It's worth noting: the first day I wore it (and took these photos) I also got to hold and snuggle some wiggly perfect puppies, whose tiny nails made a few snags in the sweater. (Worth it.)

Aside from the Copenhagen baby blanket, this is the only other project I've done that used such a light weight yarn, and such small needles. It was a little maddening at times, and I was very aware that I was creating fabric. 

Family Photos at Apple Orchard in Bloom

One of our favorite photographers Kim of Time Bandit Photography offered special mini sessions on Mother's Day weekend, and I signed us up right away. Kim has such a talent for making people (especially kiddos!) feel relaxed and at ease in front of the camera. I adore these photos, which were taken in the apple orchard at Quonquont Farm in Whately, where Kristie and I got married eight years ago.

(Just a note: We don't share pictures of Miles's face on the internet, but Kim made sure we got plenty of snaps of his smiles for our family. This is a small selection of the dozens of gorgeous images she captioned.)

My romper is from Target (and currently on sale) [affiliate link], and my sweater is Gap via ThredUp. (Use this link for $10 off your first purchase.)

Sewing: Tiered Dress

I was browsing sewing patterns on Etsy (like you do) when I saw this lovely tiered dress. It looked a little more elaborate than what I typically sew, but the reviews were good, so I bought it. Immediately I knew I wanted to make it in white cotton, and intentionally chose a fabric with more structure. The dress holds its shape quite well. 

The pattern [affiliate link] is very spare, as some of the reviews mention. I got tripped up at one point and messaged the seller, who got back to me very quickly with helpful advice. The gathering, which I was most nervous about, was actually really easy. Overall I enjoyed it, and am happy with the dress! I was on the fence about making another dress using this pattern, but now I can't get the idea of making one in blue gingham out of my head. 

C is for Caffeine (A Free Printable For Teacher Gifts)

I designed this printable for Miles's preschool teachers' Teacher Appreciation Day gifts last month, and wanted to share them here too in case you're looking for something a little extra to go with a coffee gift card for the end of the year! 

I kept the design pretty simple so that Miles could add his own decorations with markers and stickers. I printed them on thick cardstock, trimmed the edges a little, and taped the gift card in the middle. 

Find the printable right here!

Free Punch Needle Pattern: Sun Pillow

When we moved to our new house, I knew I wanted to update the decor in Miles's room a little bit. It really hadn't changed since we'd set it up before he was born. He's definitely a woodland-loving kid, and is also really into outer space and constellations. I decided to do an outer space theme in his new room, with soft colors like purple (currently his favorite).

I made two new throw pillows for a reading area in his room. Punch needle is a new craft to me – in fact I'd only done one kit [affiliate link] before making the pattern and punching this pillow. It's so fun and satisfying! Read on for a list of what I used and how I made the pillow – plus the free pattern so you can make one too if you like.

I used:

• Pattern
• Monk cloth [affiliate link]
• Oxford #10 punch needle
• 16" round pillow form
• Scrap fabric
• Worsted weight yarn in light yellow, dark yellow, light pink, and black
• Large embroidery hoop

The pattern is designed to print on four separate pages. Once they've printed, arrange and tape them together to create the smiling sun design.

After the printed pieces have been taped together, use another piece of tape to hang them in a window. With one hand, hold the monk cloth over the printed pattern so that the light from outdoors shines through and the pattern is visible through the fabric. Use a pencil to trace the pattern onto the cloth.

Use your embroidery hoop to keep the fabric in place, and start punchin', switching yarn colors and rearranging your hoop as necessary. If you're new to punch needle, please check out Sallie Dale's Instagram story highlights for tips and techniques. 

When you're finished, measure the size you'll need to fit the pillow insert, and cut out a circle around the punched piece, leaving room for seam allowance, too. Cut the same shape from scrap fabric to serve as the pillow's back.

Pin both pieces right side together, and sew almost all the way around, leaving an opening wide enough to insert the pillow form. Turn the piece right side out, and insert the pillow form. Use your preferred method to stitch the opening closed.

The pillow is definitely a sunny spot in Miles's new bedroom, and he even sleeps with it in his crib some nights. I haven't done any punch needle projects since finishing this in January, but now I want to pick it up again! Do you punch needle?

Chair [affiliate link]
Fabric used to sew other pillow
Rug [affiliate link]
Wall decals in antique violet [affiliate link]
Cloud light [affiliate link]
Bookshelves

The Best Advice for Getting Out of a Running Funk

 

Last summer I hit a running rut. I just didn't feel motivated to move my body outside. (Part of this was, I'm sure, due to having lived for a few months in a COVID world.) I asked my friend Anna, an incredibly dedicated runner, what she does to get out of a running funk, and I loved her answer.

Remaking: Chunky Cardigan Into Sleeveless Vest

I'm sharing another remaking project today, in which I rip out an old knitting endeavor and use the yarn to make something new!

I knitted this cardigan in 2019 and just...didn't really wear it ever. It was a prime candidate for repurposing the materials into something more useful. 

I'd had this pattern saved on Pinterest for ages, and it seemed like the perfect way to use up this chunky yarn. I ripped out the cardigan whilst comparing myself to a butcher (having never killed or taken apart an animal for food) – not intimating any kind of savagery, but rather the act of dismembering at the joints something that was once whole, and processing its parts for future use. 

I wasn't 100% comfortable with the pattern at first (and not just because it is written in Swedish). Once translated, it became clear that it was incredibly simple and also required more customization than I'm used to. Does this make sense? The instructions are basically, cast on 47 stitches, then knit 'til it's done. I had to make a lot of my own decisions about how long I wanted it to be, etc., which is of course one of the wonderful things about making your own clothing – but it pushes me a little out of my comfort zone for some reason! 

Anyway, the construction is simple: it's three panels (front, back, neck) that are then sewn together to make the vest. I've already worn it a few times – it's the perfect thing for my cold office and as comfy as a sweatshirt.

Here & there

It's been a long time since I've written a post like this! If you follow me on Instagram, you've had a glimpse into our lives lately. I've been sharing our day-to-day challenges and joys, plus the knitting and sewing projects that have been helping me feel creative – like the mittens for Miles pictured above, knitted with a pattern from this book (currently on sale!). 

A few more links for your weekend...

• I baked these chocolate chip cookies last week – amazing, even with dairy-free butter and gluten-free flour
• 20 photos of trans elders who have survived
• Why rewatching TV shows and movies is so comforting
• Recent Etsy purchases: This balance board for Miles, and a new address stamp [affiliate links]
• A sweet sewing pattern for baby pants
• Here's a video of a panda eating a carrot that Miles and I have been watching a lot lately
• This looks like a beautiful introduction to Shakespeare for kiddos
• Save this cake to bake the next time it snows

Make a Kids' Doctor Bag

Miles got a play medical kit for Christmas, and he loves giving us check-ups (or coming limping in saying, "I'm siiiick" and demanding pretend medical attention). We didn't have a bag or case for the tools, though, so I decided to make one for him!

It's a simple zippered pouch stiffened with iron-on interfacing, and a knitted red cross applique stitched on. Here's how I made it...

I used bulky yarn and size US 10.5 knitting needles.

1. Cast on 4 stitches
2. Knit 6 rows
3. Cast on an additional 4 stitches at the beginning of the next row, knit across, cast on an additional 4 stitches (12 stitches)
4. Knit 5 rows
5. Bind off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next row, knit across
6. Repeat step 5 for the next row
7. Knit 6 rows
8. Bind off remaining 4 stitches

I cut two pieces of fabric and two pieces of iron-on interfacing to fit the biggest piece in Miles's kit (a stethescope) and attached the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. 

Then I pinned the cross in place on the right side of one of the fused pieces. 

I stitched it in place with red embroidery thread. I think fabric glue would work too. And by the way, the cross could also be made out of felt, or painted on with a stencil! I just happened to have this chunky red yarn left over from my sister's sweater.

Next, I pinned the 9" zipper face down on the right side of the fabric, and stitched in place.

That little bump in the stitches! I lost my zipper foot, so I tried to make do with maneuvering the pull around while I sewed.

Then I pinned the right side of the zipper onto the right side of the other piece of fabric (so that the right sides were facing each other) and sewed it in place.

Next, I unzipped the zipper a little more than halfway open (this is important because it leaves you a way to turn the bag right-side out!) and pinned and stitched around the remaining three sides.

Then I turned it right side-out, and...

...ta-da! (Or "ta-zaa!" as Miles says.)

Simple, cute, and used supplies I already had on hand. I think that's a win. Next time there's a pretend-emergency, we'll know just where to find the right tools.