Now that Buttercup is finished I’m trying to decide what to knit next! Summer is always a difficult time… I don’t want to knit too many short sleeved things because I really only wear short sleeves for 3 or 4 months of the year. One thing I’m really enjoying about working at home is the control I have over the temperature – no overly aggressive air conditioning in my house! Unfortunately, I’m still at my other job until mid July (last day is July 19th!) so I still have to deal with it there.
I’m thinking of knitting a shawl… I’m in love with the Milkweed Shawl from Cosmicpluto knits, and I’ve wound up some mediumweight Socks that rock for that purpose.
But I do think I want one more short sleeved sweater at least this summer, so I may be working on 2 projects at once! I like the two patterns below, both from a Classic Elite booklet (I already own the book and want to get some use out of it!)
I’m leaning towards the first one, but they are both so cute! I’m also plotting some crochet – the new Interweave Crochet is out, and it’s got some great projects! My favorites are the two below, but it’s an excellent issue. I only wish it came out earlier in the season!
The 2nd sweater is knit from classic elite sundance, and I already have enough of that yarn to make it! The first sweater is made of Rowan Bamboo soft, and I don’t know… I cannot imagine the awful splitty mess that would result from crocheting with that yarn. It’s so splitty to knit with that even I can’t stand it, and I generally ignore splitting. I cannot imagine it for crochet! But lots of subs exist, and isn’t it pretty? I’m more likely to make that one, since it has longer sleeves. I need to see bigger pictures and get my hands on the magazine!
Monday I had an epic thrift shopping day (haul is below, with bonus Sarah Jane in photo.)
Yes, I broke my rule and got a sweater – it’s bobbled, so I had to! I also found 2 great dresses (the blue polka-dotted one is so retro and adorable) and some excellent brand new pants. And 2 nice jackets. All the stuff up there, plus the shoes and bag below for under 50 bucks!
I love those rainbow sandals, and they are unworn as well – no sole wear, just a few marks from being in storage probably. Clearly I favor quantity over quality in my wardrobe, but I’m ok with that! This week I also discovered that I apparently wear a petite size, and that’s why pants never fit me. I figured that being 5’7″ took me out of that department, but apparently I have depressingly short legs (but now I have pants that fit, which makes up for it!)
I’m pleased that you all enjoyed my closet photos, and I hope this inspires some new thrifters – it’s all about the thrill of the hunt for me, and some weeks I find nothing, but occasionally I find the greatest stuff for next to nothing (a tip: Monday is the best day to go, if it’s the sort of place that puts out donations right away… you get a good selection of weekend donations, without fighting the hordes of weekend shoppers.)
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
Ooh, I love bobbles, good choice!
I recently made a similar discovery about petite pants. Woo, short legs!
That’s an inspiring thrift-haul – cute sandals.
Wow! What a great haul from the thrift store! I’m generally not a thrift store shopper, but I’ve been broke the last couple of months so when I needed new shoes for a dress I was going to wear to a wedding. I found some cheap ones at a thrift store and they look like they were never worn. 🙂 I want to go back to the thrift store to see if I can find anymore good deals. Thanks for the Monday tip.
Thanks for the Monday tip – it seemed so intuitive once I read it. If you don’t mind sharing, what are your favorite thrifts and consignment shops in Louisville? Thanks.
I don’t like indoor air conditioning either. It’s hard for me to imagine wearing a short sleeved sweater, so even for summer, I’m knitting at least 3/4 sleeves. Shawls are a great help as long as they are wide enough to cover from the shoulder almost down to the wrist; otherwise, I freeze! That first crochet sweater will be perfect for AC if you decide to make it.
Thanks for sharing your thrift store finds! I’m fascinated and look forward to more of your styling photos.
Definitely knit the pink first one. The other is very 40s inspired such that it could quickly go out of style – especially with those kinda extreme sleeves. The other is so pretty and cabled and not so easy to date.
Cute loot! As for the sweaters… I like the first one!
What a good haul with the thrift shopping! And I defiantely vote for the first pattern (the pink one) as your next one – I think that would look really nice on you 🙂
So glad to find another thrift store shopper! I was so sad to leave my favorite thrifts when we moved to California last fall… I’m still trying to find some good local ones here, but it’s fun shopping around to compare! Great haul!
wow you got some amazing stuff! i never find good stuff at the thrift store. i’ve got to go shopping with you, clearly 🙂
I’m so impressed with your haul. I really enjoyed the closet post, too; I love your sense of style and styling!
I vote for the first sweater.
You are an amazing thrifter!
I have to agree that both of these are just gorgeous! I really love the second one, but every time I look at the first one it seems to grow on me more and more! I see your dilemma on choosing one…I would most likely go for both as well.
Great thrifty score!! I love how your cat is so calm in the first photo. Mine are all over anything from a thrift store or a garage sale – it’s impossible to get a good photo unless I lock them in another room first!
Wow…I love the first one! What booklet is it from? I may have to add that one on (as if I don’t already have enough projects going).
Hmm. You must have found a gem of a thrift store. Not many in my area. But not bad for 50 bucks. My closets are packed so…means donations before buying. But then that’s never stopped me :-).
I don’t know how you do it. I guess because I’m knitting with cotton yarn my writs are sore for some reason. Or maybe it’s from something else. Anyway, that means less knitting for me.
Nice shopping trip. I’m inspired to go thrifting now.
What Classic Elite book are those patterns from. Very cute. Love the pink sweater.
Traci
That looks like a full thrift shop success! Excellent haul.
I like all of your future knits, but I think I’d go with the first one too. Things with ribbons look all cute and romantic, but they are a pain in the neck to wash.
Great finds! I especially love the polka dot dress! And The FO, of your blue sweater, is Beautiful! What an amazing color on you!
what a cool surprise to find this blog (was looking for a pattern for a bed skirt). Has anyone ever seen one??? I think it would be so easy to make!! Anyway, enjoyed your pic’s and luv your cat!!
I’ve been thinking about grabbing up some thrift-store knits to make into other pieces. Maybe felt them and see what happens.
Wow, what a haul! Wish we had a lor more thrift shops, there are just two over here within a 20 km radius.
Fortunately I have just come back from Britain where I went into every charity shop in sight and came back with loads of “rescue” yarn (over 3 kgs!) and lots of books as well. One was a Jean Moss pattern book for 3 pounds. As we also visited Yorkshire, I just had to go to Texere and Coldspring Mills as well, where I bought another 5 kgs!
Happy knitting
Hi!, the Classic Elite tops are so cute! Can you tell me the name of the book they are in? Thanks!
Which Classic Elite booklet is the pink top from? I’d love to have a go at that one.
I love thrifting as well, very nice scores! As far as a summer top, I actually just finished Buttercup myself, and the one I knit before that was Camellia by Kate Gilbert, which I recommend!
Great thrift store buys! Do you know any good thrift stores in louisville, KY?