as far as soakers I really like the free Curly Purly soaker pattern here:
http://www.curlypurly.com/soaker.html
I would highly suggest conquering your fear of short rows to include them in the pattern and if you need help with that the website
www.knittinghelp.com and the forums have tons of info.
For sewing my favorite site hands down is
www.sewingmamas.com. It spun off of amity a couple of years ago and is the best sewing site IMO with pictored tutorials, tons of mamas who love to sew and love to help others learn as well as a wealth of information and humor. If you join in on the forum you'll recognize many of your favorite HC and Etsy WAHMs as well.
__________________
Marielle
esFP (yup, they're visually proportional)
dyt type 3 and my type 3 smilies
cook, sew, knit, crochet, repeat - my blog
http://www.maricucu.blogspot.com
Married to T for 13 years and watching over the herd:
I 10.5 yo
R 8.25 yo
N 5.5 yo
M 3.75 yo
“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”