Materials: Dallas Hoodie: 3 skeins Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light in Amber Trinket from Jimmy Beans Wool; size 3 and 4 circular needles.  Pattern: Austin Hoodie. Navy dress: 2 yards navy ITY knit from Fashion Fabrics Club; assorted notions.  Pattern: Simplicity 2443. Time: Three months for the sweater, and a couple of weekends for the dress. [...]

Materials: One Bohus Forest Darkness kit from Solsilke, in black (pattern and yarn included).  Size 0 circular needles. Time: Just under five months. Cost: A gift!

Materials: 2 skeins Knitpicks Chroma Fingering in Natural and U-Pick.  Pattern: Camilla, by SpillyJane. Time: One month. Cost: $18.

Materials: 2 yards of a jersey print fabric (listed as cotton, but definitely synthetic) from Fabric.com; Vogue 1224 pattern. Time: A couple of afternoons. Cost: $10 fabric + $4 pattern = $14. (In parentheses: $30 list price for this pattern? I know that it’s part of your designer collection and all, but seriously, Vogue?)

Materials: 2 1/3 yards of a lovely thick, soft wool from C&M Textiles in Montreal (a gift from my mom when she came to visit a few years ago); 3 yards felt-backed lining; assorted tailoring notions (hair canvas, shoulder pads, black silk organza, chalk, twill tape, beeswax, tailor’s hams); assorted sewing notions (garment thread, interfacing, [...]

Materials: 8 skeins Naturally Sensation 10 ply in 309 (Silver). Pattern: Aidez, made in a size 44″. (The yarn lists itself as an Aran weight, but it’s definitely not.)  Size 6 circular needles. Time: Two months. Cost: $27.

Materials: 1 king-sized flat sheet from IKEA (unfortunately, I don’t remember its official Swedish name, or see it on the website); invisible zipper; thread.  Pattern: based on Wool Skirt #115A from the October 2010 Burda. Time: A couple of afternoons. Cost: $20? With enough leftover for at least one more skirt, or possibly a dress.

Materials: 1 skein Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Blue Violet. Pattern: Clandestine by Cookie A. Size 1 needles. Time: A couple of months. Cost: $10.