Hand-knit Cheetah Pants

Hi Everyone!
After several months of conflicted deliberation, I've finally decided to start blogging about my projects. (That's something I never thought I'd hear myself say... Lol!) As I was updating my website, I realized I wanted to share the stories behind many of my favorite designs. Only a handful of relatives and friends have even seen my latest creations in person, and I'm constantly asked what inspired me to think up such crazy ideas. To all my friends who complain about never seeing my newest stuff, this should keep you in the loop! And to everyone who has been telling me I should start a blog, we'll see how I do... ;)

As the weather slowly turns chilly, I eagerly await the arrival of Fall! It's my favorite season for many reasons, one being that I can pull a certain pair of warm, soft, knitted pants out of the closet.

 I knit these well-loved pants back in the winter of 2012, finishing them midway through January 2013. They are knit using stranded/fair isle knitting and made in the round. Translation for those of you who are not knitters- 1) they are made using two different colors of yarn, meaning I had to form the cheetah print myself, and 2) they are made seamlessly.

“How did you come up with this idea?”

The Holy Spirit and boredom.
Seriously, my best creations have always come from God. Since I was young, I've prayed He would pour His creativity into me and use my talents to bring Him glory. When ideas strike me from out of nowhere and appear in my mind (like the sudden desire to start a blog, even though you've said no way!), I know it's Him.

So there I was one day, making my first knitted bottoms (a pair of shorts) and drifting off to sleep. The tedious cycle of simply knitting around and around and around was like counting sheep! Dreading how long it would take to finish, I was incredibly bored and ready for a nap (reasons why not to craft in your bed). That's when it hit me. What could I do to make similar projects more exciting for my hands and mind? I remembered a cheetah print pattern in the back of my old knitting book. I had been wanting to use it for some time, but hadn't found the right project. With a few more minutes of brainstorming the Cheetah pants design was born!

I've learned a lot from making them. Most importantly to ALWAYS swatch, gauge, and block before jumping right in and knitting the actual garment. Fellow knitters (and crocheters), pleeease remember this! I know it seems pointless and you're excited to get started, but I promise it will save you a ton problems and time in the long run. Otherwise, next thing you know, your pants have grown 4 inches longer and you're exclaiming, “yes, of course! I purposely made the pants to go with my 6 inch pumps to walk around in during Michigan winters!” ;)

~Jasmine <3
More pics of Cheetah pants in my Portfolio!