Sakura, or How I Learned to Love this Top

It's taken a long time to post, but I finished my Sakura Tee from the Summer 2012 Interweave Knits about a month ago.  I knew when I started this pattern that this top was not the best choice for me.  These boxy tops with no side shaping seem to draw attention to my hips and make my chest look like that of a 12 year old boy.  Not a good look for me :(  But I still loved the design, and I had some cotton yarn in my stash that would work for the pattern, so I decided to give it a go.

I still think the shape is not the best for me, but the top has grown on me.  I like the relaxed feel of it and I think the pattern is unexpected.  The construction was unusual too and it was fun to knit.

It was not fun, however, to try and photograph.  Three different photo sessions, three different necklaces (variety is the spice of life), a very patient husband, and still not a good photo to be had.

Ugh, my face is blurry

Maybe a flash will help?

Why does my hair look green?

Time to move on to the next project :)

A few (knitted) projects around the house

We're slowly getting unpacked and settled in our new house.  And I'm glad that I had some time to knit a few things for our home.  These projects have become welcomed and useful additions.

First up - place mats for our kitchen table.  I'm still working on these.  I've completed three so far and want to make a set of six (we have six chairs). 

I've been all over the place with these place mats (no pun intended).  I started with the Woodsy Place Mat pattern, which I was lucky enough to tear out and keep from a Creative Knitting magazine my Mom found at the recycle center.  I love how this pattern looked in the Red Heart Fiesta I've been using, but after blocking these place mats shrunk and the edges got all wonky.  I was not a happy camper :(

I swatched a bunch of other patterns, but didn't find anything that I liked as much as these.  So, I re-knit them (again), but this time I added a garter border (5 rows on the bottom, 3 stitches on each side, and 4 rows on the top before binding off).   With the garter border they keep their shape much better.

Next, coasters - I've talked about these before, but you haven't see the wonderful thing I found to keep them in!

I have this little wood-fired ceramic cup from a pottery class I took a few years ago.  My six coasters fit perfectly in it, and I'm thinking  of making a couple more coasters if I have enough yarn left.

And finally, my knitted basket, also made from the pinwheel coaster pattern.  Once I finish my (never-ending) place mats, I plan to make another one of these baskets to cover a glass jar and hold my knitting needles.  I hope to use some self-stripeing yarn for the contrast color.

And then one future project - I have about 3/4 of a skein of cotton yarn left over from my latest sweater project.  I want to use this either to make a hand towel for my master bathroom or a couple of face cloths for my guest bathroom.  I'd certainly get more use out of a hand towel for my own bathroom (we don't have many guests), but if I make a few smaller cloths, I'll get to try a couple of different patterns (which would be fun).  What do you think I should do?