Confessions of a Knitter

I taught myself to knit by picking up some needles, yarn, and a how-to book at a local craft store. After a couple days of practicing, I embarked on my first sweater. I didn't know how to read a pattern, hand sew, or calculate guage. Needless to say, it was a stretch to call the final object something that could be worn. Much of what I've learned by knitting has been through mistakes.



This is the second sweater I ever made. The neck was so narrow I could barely get it over my head. I also failed to take in to account ease for the sweater so it fit loosely even with a couple shirts underneath. The pattern was not my own and I did not bother to check measurements first. I have since learned that patterns are made for certain default sizes and that you may need to adjust so the garment fits you the way you want it too.




Here is another project that didn't go the way I planned. This is a dress I had started for my daughter. In fact, it is the outfit I had hoped to take her home from the hospital in. However, I never got to finish it as she ended up arriving several weeks early. It was also at this time that I learned that a newborn was much smaller than I had imagined. I hope to finish it one day, it should fit by the time she turns two. In this case, I did not follow one of my own lessons - do not assume the measurements in a pattern are right for you.
If I were to start over with this dress, I would have looked at newborn dresses in a store to better understand appropriate size. In fact, trying on and looking at store bought clothes is a great way to determine just what type of garment you like and what will fit you best. It is much less work than knitting an entire sweater and finding out it does not fit.


This is a close up shot of a sock pattern that I designed; one of my first efforts at using cable patterns. I am happy with the end result but there are actually several mistakes within the pattern. It was after making this sock that I learned how to cable without a cable needle. As a result I can do aran work significantly faster without mistakes. There is a learning curve to doing cable work without a cable needle but I highly suggest it! I found cables to be much less tedious after learning this technique.





There are some other knitted items that I have made over time that will never be worn or used. But, even with my all my knitting books and some of the great web sites out there, these knitting mistakes have been great teachers. I have heard many people state as they are first learning to knit that they are afraid to make mistakes. However, with knitting, you can always start over or, even better, find yourself learning something new.



The following are some links that I found useful. If you want to learn how to knit, take a look:


http://knitting.about.com/


http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/


http://www.knittersreview.com/


http://www.ravelry.com/

Product Spotlight: The Traveling Activity Wallet

Welcome to EcoHip's first product spotlight! The Traveling Activity Wallet is the latest item designed by us for the EcoHip kid.

These wallets were inspired by parents we know looking for a creative way to entertain their kids while on the go. After quite a bit of experimentation and input from some trusted advisors, the Traveling Activity Wallet is finally here. They are perfect for keeping your little one occupied every time you are out and about, including the doctors, restaurants, church, and many other places. They would also be great to keep in the car for road trips.

The Wallet gives your kids a chance to draw, write, or chalk anytime or anywhere! There is a spot to hold crayons, chalk, or glue sticks. Plus, there is a large seperate pocket for markers, pencils, safety scissors or any other item to help stir your child's creativity. The pocket conveniently closes up with Velcro to keep its content safe and secure. There is also a seperate space that will hold up to a 4" X 6" pad of paper. Even more, there is a chalkboard mat attached that easily wipes clean with a quick swiple of a damp cloth.

When unfolded, the wallet measures a generous 10" wide by 18" long. But, when folded, it is compact enough to fit into a purse or diaper bag. Best of all, it has a Velcro closure - easy enough for little hands to use.

As you can tell, we're very excited about the Traveling Activity Wallet. We are stocking them now in our Etsy store. Come take a look!

All about the vintage

I was named after my great aunt Amanda. Everyone called her Tip. Can't remember why now, maybe someone in the family reading could help me out on this...

Anyway, Aunt Tip was an amazing woman. She lived alone for a large part of her later years but still managed to keep a farm house on a big amount of acreage, tend a garden, can and freeze fruits and veggies, make jellies and relishes, sew dresses and make amazingly beautiful quilts (most all by hand). She was very resourceful and a conservationist to the max. Actually, she went a little overboard IMO by re-using toilet paper and infrequently flushing, but we wont go into that, lol. But seriously, she was probably the definition of being 'green' and EcoHip.

She passed at the age of 89.

I was lucky enough to remember spending my summers with her in the garden and making jelly and whatnot. I didn't however, learn to sew from her...but I believe its in my blood and I thank her for having a little bit to do with the person I am today.

I have recently acquired a great deal of her remaining sewing stash! Over the last few days I have gone through and organized my work area and began making an attempt to go through boxes full of fabric, bias tape, buttons, lace, quilt patterns, ric-rac, and much more! I am in love with vintage and I really wanted to share some of it with you!

Check out some of these prints!

A whole drawer full of bias tape!

I think the prices have gone up a bit since then,

what do you think?!

How about these old cosmetic jars full of buttons!?

In the next few weeks I plan to have a tribute to Aunt Tip by making items that are reminiscent of her era. Items that she did, or would have loved to, use. I can't wait to show you all what I have been working on with some of these vintage prints! Make sure you stop by our Etsy store soon to check it out.

Welcome!

We are so excited to announce the opening of our online store! EcoHip can currently be found on Etsy! We sell handmade, eco- friendly, and hip items for mother and child. With this blog, we hope to provide you with EcoHip tips and ideas as well as sneak previews of our up and coming products. We will also keep you posted on the latest happenings in our area that are EcoHip. And, we won't lie, probably some cute pics and stories of our little ones, because we are so excited to be able to stay home with them and still have a business!

So, who are we?

We are Natalie and Amanda. Two SAHM's who desperately wanted to be WAHM's, who's love for design and creation shared the same path. Together, our goal is to share our items with others in an effort to to make our world a little more EcoHip.

So get on over to Etsy and check out our store, or for a portfolio of our work visit our webpage!

Please feel free to comment and leave any feedback or questions that you may have. And make sure to follow us here and on Facebook for special announcements, sneak peeks, and discounts.