Agnes Tunic

Agnes Tunic from "Girl's World" by Jennifer Paganelli

fabric: Double Daisy Border from the Flora & Fauna collection by Patty Young

placket: Pretty Please by Jennifer Paganelli

size: XL

I recently purchased a copy of "Girls World" by Jennifer Paganelli. What a fun book full of girls' patterns and accessories! Even if you don't have a girl to sew for, you could find something in there for yourself, too.

My girl is starting to outgrow the desire to wear what Mom sews for her, so I thought I better make hay while the sun shines, as they say. The Agnes Tunic appealed to both of us. It looked comfy and versatile, and I really liked the idea of 3/4 sleeves. Perfect for warm Southern autumns paired with leggings.


I made the XL size but should've done the Large size looking back at it. There still would be plenty of growing room! The model in the book is sitting and kind of hunched up, making it difficult to see how much ease is already included in the pattern. If my knitting brain had kicked in, I would've measured the pattern pieces and compared them to my daughter's actual measurements! Apparently my mind only works well in certain craft media. :) The shoulders fit well, but it seems very long and wide, even for my tall girl. A bit like a muumuu? I omitted the sleeve and hem bands which would have added a couple extra inches. Next time I make this I'll lop a few inches off the hem to make it more hip-length and probably make the body a bit narrower. And add pockets - that's a request from the girl.

The back button & loop closure is a sweet little detail.

Very roomy - she won't outgrow this too quickly!

The directions and diagrams were very clear and everything came together quickly and easily except for one piece. The contrast band around the neck was NOT easy to attach to the bodice. If you are a beginner at sewing clothing, leave this pattern for later. All the corners, angles, combined with sections of gathering were quite a challenge to sew. After a lot of fussing and seam ripping, I'm still not 100% happy with how parts of the placket turned out, but I decided to call it good enough for now.

I'm excited to try out the other patterns in the book - but I'll pay closer attention to sizing from now on. :)

Random Bits

I keep telling myself Autumn is approaching. It may not feel like it yet outside my back door, but eventually it will get cooler and fingers will need some warmth. I finished this pair of fingerless mitts for my friend's birthday last week.
It had been awhile since I did any cables, so a little Celtic knot was in order. All those criss-crosses can sometimes get confusing, but this one wasn't too bad. For an extra twist of excitement, I mirrored the cables from the left mitt to the right one. This was a "snack" project - fun and fast. I really like these and think I might have to make another pair or two!

The cuff around the fingers is great - just fold it down if your fingers need extra warmth!

And here's the Nina - completely unrelated to knitting, but what family doesn't enjoy a good old fashioned OJ carton-turned-boat project? Our kids are deep into the Spanish explorers, so a bevy of boats has provided a lot of entertainment lately. "Let's sail to the New World! (family room)" "OK, now let's bring our loot back to Spain! (kitchen)" "Aack! Hurricane! (5 yr old + fan)" A bit silly, but memorable for the kiddos.

Road Trips

Road trips are a quintessential part of summer. Pack all your people and belongings in a vehicle that's really too small to hold it all then drive for hours! Our family has logged plenty of miles - having newborn babies, potty training tykes, or wiggly preschoolers has not deterred us one bit. We've learned a few tips and tricks to make this easier on Mom & Dad, and more enjoyable for the young 'uns. I thought I'd share them here:

Remember to pack:

-plastic bags, bring plenty. Ziplocs, bread bags, WalMart shopping bags....you'll likely find a use for any and all of these! They're great small toys, snacks, wet clothes, trash and more.

-baby wipes & paper towels - little people get sticky & dirty!

-Band aids/first aid kit

-cookie sheets - preferably the jelly roll style with a lip around the edge. Great as trays for on-the-go meals/snacks, a hard surface to write & color upon, and they're magnetic! Get creative! The best use we found for these is for passing goods back and forth to the kids in the far back of the van. It's like an extendo-arm! Store them under or alongside the seats when not in use.

-pipe cleaners - fun for QUIET playtime. Have contests to see what everyone can make (animals, glasses, state outlines, etc).

pipe cleaner glasses - I threatened hubby that I'd wear them OUT of the car, too! I made plenty of people smile that we passed on the road. Just spreading the joy to others!

-books on tape - our kids favorites (ages 4-9) include "Hank the Cowdog," the Narnia series, and oddly enough, "A Christmas Carol." A little odd for July, perhaps, but they sit quietly and enjoy it

-mystery bags - I have fun with this. Brown lunch sacks hold small treats or activites for the crew. The bags are only given at certain times, such as crossing a state line, counting 100 flags, or reciting all the multiplication facts they've learned. Hee hee, they are a captive audience, after all!

-printed games - scavenger hunts, state license plates, the dot game....old fashioned goodies.

-jump ropes/frisbees - great for burning energy at rest stops

-easy access to a change of clothes - you never know when someone will get car sick, have an accident, or if Dad/Mom will spill that 64 oz soda all over themselves!

Things I do NOT allow on road trips (I've learned this the hard way):

-crayons

-stickers

-scissors *except in my knitting bag

-toys/games that talk/sing/beep/make noise - pretty much anything with batteries!

-grapes

-juice boxes

-gum/playdough/silly putty/slime/anything sticky

-anything with ear buds/headphones - this is a FAMILY trip after all, right?

Remember, half the fun is getting there, or it can be. Keep it fun, and be gracious with each other when things get tense. You never know what kinds of wacky things you'll see along the way! Hours together as a family is a precious time to make great memories. Happy trails!