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Everything is half done.

I committed to intswemodo2010 on Ravelry, basically 12 sweaters/tops/vests in 12 months. My first sweater is a beautiful lace number which is taking a very long time. To take a break, I cast on this:

Pattern: Shirtwaist Pullover by Teva Durham

Yarn: Tahki Yarns Sky in Leaf

The yarn worked out perfectly weight wise, although the color is a little light for my skin. I get darker in the summer, so it'll look better then. I just have to figure what to wear with it. It's too short in the body for my jeans, so I'll need a skirt that sits at the waist. Time for a fabric diving expedition in my closet of shame. I can't visualise what colors (other than white or brown or purple) would go well with this. I probably have prints that would suit, but they're mostly floral and I think that'll look twee.

It's so relaxing to have a quick project that I've put a stop to stashing fingering yarns. I've got enough of that weight to last quite a few years worth of knitting.

On the sewing front, I meant to review a LBD. But the dress is so wrinkled looking in the photos, I'm too embarrassed to show it. Back to the ironing board.

Too make up for lack of sewing, I've resorted to classic make-up stashing:

These are from Lucy's Fabrics: one of the prints is for my son (guess which one!) and the others are just basic cotton lycra knits. The gold one is a brushed knit, slightly beefier and would make a great dress or spring time hoodie.

This set is from Fashion Fabrics Club: quilted outerwear from Patagonia and a super wide Japanese wool/lycra knit. The last one had some beautiful colors that sold out in a flash. I missed out on a gorgeous deep rust and the black. Boo.

I've got some pyjamas and workout pants that just need hemming and I can share more of my glamorous life.

Say Cheese!

Every year, I pick a new skill to try. Some work out better than other. Five years ago, I started crocheting, which led me back to knitting. Today, I have two stashes in which I can be buried. Six years ago, it was Italian. I can barely say howdeedo and can't even find some of my CD's to re-start.

This year, I wanted to improve my photographic skills. I replaced my dodgy old camera with the new Nikon Coolpix d360. I dithered between getting a digital SLR and a regular digital camera and opted for cheap(er) and portable. It's an awesome little camera, with a lot of options for customisation beyond its point and shoot capabilities.

Thing is, I've forgotten how to use a camera properly. I learnt with my Dad's fancy SLR about 20 years ago, but since getting a point and shoot in the mid-90's, haven't given it much thought. So I got "Digital Photography" by Jim Miotke. It's in simple enough language that I'm not getting bored and it has exercises to improve your skills. (It's for both point and shoots and digital SLR's).

Tonight, I made a mini light box. I've been sitting on this information for about a year and finally got motivated to make one. It's incredibly simple and fast.

The effects are amazing:

I made mine much smaller than suggested for the minimum sizes and I need some more side lights. If you do try to make it, leave a good 2" on the edges you cut. It leaves the box more stable and easier to tape the tissue paper.

I have a lot of new aspirations for this year, but this is the new skill set I'm building. One of my aspirations is to spend less empty time on the computer, so I'm planning to make my computer time more productive, ergo re-starting the blog.

Happy New Year!

FO: Burda WOF 01-2007 109

I bought this "harajuku in London" thermal knit from The Fabric Fairy, after I saw Stacy's super cute thermal top from a sister print.  Off to Burda I went to find the right pattern.  I don't remember paying any attention to this pattern when I first saw the January '07 issue of Burda, but it looked perfect for a fun little top.

I made a size 42 and the fit is almost perfect, just a touch loose around the waist.  The shoulders are gathered with sewn over elastic thread in 5 rows.  I opted to use clear elastic in 4 rows to get the same effect.  This creates a faux sweetheart neck, which is flirty, but not too low.  

The hardest part was the front band and underlap.  I read and re-read it about ten times, before I got it.  

The front part is faced with interfaced self fabric.  

The back part has a flap sewn to the cut line. 

Then the whole neckline is finished with binding.  It came out a lot nicer than I expected with my fabric.  

I used donut shaped snap fronts as I didn't have any with a good color match and it worked perfectly.  I'll show the snaps and tools in a later post.

The sleeves have a high arch shape, but I finger eased them very easily.  Everything, in fact, went together very smoothly, bar two little issues.  

First, for a slouchy top, as they've styled it, it's actually a little short.  It's the perfect length for a T, but I should have remembered to add another inch or two for more cohesive look.

Second, the front overlap wants to pull open.  I thought this was because of my bust, but even on the mannequin, it pulls open.  I imagine pulling  the binding a little tighter on the neckline (between the snap bands and the gathering) would take care of this, by making the neckline hug the body.  I'm going to just hand sew the snap bands together, since they're not necessary to take the top off or put it on.

This is a great pattern to pull out of the archives. 

FO: Climbing Vines Pullover

Pattern:  Climbing Vines Pullover 

Source: Interweave Knits Winter 2008

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Rojo Vivo

On Ravelry: Climbing Roses

This was love at first sight.  The pattern is very similar to one from Phildar, which has a reverse stockinette base instead of stockinette.   IK made theirs in a tweed yarn, with a lot of ease.  It was cute but kind of slouchy and frumpy.  So, I made changes:

yarn - yummy, tone-on-tone Malabrigo

neckline - lowered by 2" and the ribbing is now the same width as at the body hem (1.75")

ease - 0" ease.  I should have had more negative ease, but my swatch lied.  (All my swatches lie.  I just make them now so I know what won't happen in my knitting!  Rat Bastards!)

vine pattern - I moved my from left to right of the front (accidentally).

vine pattern 2 - I repeated the lovely leaves on the left sleeve and it's just gorgeous.  

It's the first time I've knit clothing with Malabrigo and it really is dreamy stuff.  It felt so good, I didn't want to put it down, even during the stockinette stitch.  All in all, it took 4.25 balls, so it's a very economical sweater too.

I knew that Malabrigo grows with blocking.  Oh, but how it grew.  It went from size 41" bust to 45" bust and grew about 5" in length.  It was ghastly.  I had two choices: cut it down to the right size and re-sew it (on a sewing machine) or shrink it in the dryer.  Given that slighly felted wool is easier to cut and sew, I tried the dryer first.  Five minutes in one minute increments and it's back to its original size.  It's not even felted.  The stitches and vine pattern are as distinct as before.  

I'm so happy with this.  I have a hard time finishing big projects and I'm chuffed with myself over this.  I just wish it would snow one more time so I can wear it.  It's just too hot right now for a wool sweater, even such a pretty one.

Sewing Plans for March

I have more commitments than time, so I'm trying to scale back some of my project ambitions.  

These are two poly/lycra knits waiting to be made up into Vogue 8553, with the plain black as the trim.  I'm hoping to use this for spring, since the poly will be really uncomfortable in the Colorado summers.  If it still fits right, I can use it later in the fall.

This next one is a thermal knit from The Fabric Fairy, recommended by Stacysews.  I had to dig through my Burda WOF stash to come up with something just right.  

This is from January 2007 - 109.  Isn't it adorable?  I love the gathering on the shoulders, to give it a sweetheart neckline.  Instead of zigzagging over elastic, I'll sew over invisible elastic bands to get the gathers.  I always found the way suggested in Burda such a bear.  In 2o years, I haven't been able to do without tears and disappointment.

Oh, and taxes.  My annual March whine.  Taxes.

FO: Burda WOF 12-2008 113

I love this wool jersey.  It's a panel print of orange giraffes outlined in raised gold.  It's so funny.  I had to get a piece of another black jersey for the sleeves and used that for the neck binding, to tie the two shades of black together.

I think it works.  Because of the length of the panel, I made this into a tunic, the hem just skimming the top of my thighs.  Anthropologie says tunics are in this season, so who I am to argue?

I made a straight 44.  With the gathers on the front, I didn't even need to do a full bust adjustment.  Still, I'm losing weight (an ounce here, an ounce there), so the shoulders and decolletage are a little loose.  I think I'll have to start cutting a 42 at the top. And believe me, I'm not complaining.

This is the first version I made from cotton jersey - a soft nightgown for Christmas.  I used a picot edge elastic for the neckline and much deeper hems.  Is it too mumsy?  I am Mom, so that's not too bad sometimes.  

I think it'll be loverly in a knit flannel for winter time.  I feel my hair greying as I type.

Patternreview:

On a cost cutting urge, I didn't renew my FoPR membership last January.  I haven't been sewing much this past year and I spend most of my time on Ravelry.  But I signed up again.  It's actually a really good deal, and now I don't go to my local sewing studio, it really is my only sewing community.

I just wish the message boards had Rav's agree/disagree/love.... options and more variety.  This girl is super spoiled by the splendors of Ravelry.

My Valentine

   

Pattern: Corazoncitos Amigurumi Hearts (On Ravelry)

Yarn: Cascade 220

Time: 30 minutes

I have a new obsession: amigurumi!  I know I'm late to the party, but this is the kind of crochet I can get into.  

This was a gift for my son and has a safety pin on the back, so he can wear it.

"Amigurumi World, Seriously Cute Crochet"  is a lovely book with very clear instructions and, yes, seriously cute crochet.  Meet Yertle:

Pattern: Tiny Turtle (On Ravelry)

Yarn: Cascade 220

Time: 40 mins

Isn't he adorable?  It's really addictive, even without recipients in mind.  Of course, if you know any kids, real or eternal, you even have a good excuse.

The author, Ana Paula Rimoli, has an etsy store, and patterns for zodiac amigurumi in the latest knit1.  And hers is just the tip of the iceberg.  Check out the links at the end of the Wiki entry for the topic.

Petersburg, Rowan 42

My commitments are showing.  I've finally finished a KAL project.  

This is Petersburg, originally done in Cocoon, from Rowan 42.  It looked really pretty over fitted, long sleeve tops, and the cables are really delicious.  They're predictable, but not boring.  

I cheaped out by using Knitpicks Swish Bulky, only 4 hank

s, for the 38" bust.  It's actually a pretty resilient yarn - I frogged, tinked, cut, mangled and treated it pretty badly and it held up really well.  But, it's just not in the same league as Rowan's Cocoon.  

The KAL is this quarter's project for the The Sexy Knitters' Club on Ravelry.  I think it's the first time there has been a technique topic rather than a pattern, which made it a lot easier for me to commit.  I'm excited to see what comes up next.

Next, I'm working on a top from Burda 12/08, in this knit:

Yes, glittery giraffes.  Oh, the subtlety.

New Blog Name

Since I've barely sewn anything this past year, I felt the title should reflect my, uh, other distractions.  

I was looking at Purl Bee's new Blog Arena, the Purl Beehive, when it occurred to me that rather than starting a new blog, I should re-commit to the one I have.  So blog and I are renewing are vows.

Even more knitting! With sewing application!!

Pattern: "Jatta" by Norah Gaughan.  

Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool, felted (& roving for needle felting)

Lining: Amy Butler cotton

This was my first felting project and it sat uncompleted for almost a year, because I was to chicken to try needle felting.  

Needle felting is both easier and harder than it looks.  Easy to do and hard to make perfect. 

It takes quite a few needle pounces to secure the roving and this can create 'bruised' fabric.  I think this is another reason that it's recommended to turn the fabric over and pounce the design from the back - to make it flat again.  

Also, (and this is pretty obvious) the roving, once it's felted into the fabric, takes up a smaller area than as free roving.  So, you have to figure on the design, eg the petals, becoming smaller once it's felted.

Of course, you can needle felt onto any wool fabric.  I practiced on some worsted wool coating (with some nylon content) and it looked really beautiful.  It's definitely a lovely add-on for fabric embellishment, on lapels or pockets, or bags.

D.I.V.O.R.C.E

No, not Tom and  me.  We're lifers.  

My Bernina store and local fabric store got divorced.  Bernina moved out of town and is unapproachable.  The fabric store is still local but kind of lonely and depressed, putting on a brave face.  

I can't just drop by and browse fabrics because I feel obligated to buy something.  And, I'm not going to drive 10mins out of town to go to the Bernina store, because I can't be bothered to take classes there.  

Divorce sucks and one won't even talk to the other.  

I think I'll have to join a knitting group.

Knitting FO's

I've had a bit of bumper month with finished knitting projects.  Our kitchen was being re-modeled and that's right next to my mac.  So, instead of buying stuff online, I've been making stuff with my stuff.

Little Leaf Scarf

Pattern: Little Leaf Scarf, from Classic Elite's "Make It Modern"

Yarn: Rowan's Purelife Cotton (Brazilwood)

This is the most ridiculously soft cotton I've touched.  It's organic from source through to the dye and knits beautifully at 22st/4".  The plies are a little loose, but I didn't have a problem with splitting.  

It took less than half a ball of yarn and turned it out beautifully.  I think it'll be a perfect gift for my son's amazing Montessori teacher.

I'll keep on posting the rest of the FO's throughout the week.

Rebecca x2

I got to open a backlog of mail this week and guess what I found?

Lovely Marji had a "50 at 50" giveaway last month.  I (very quickly) asked for this issue of 'Rebecca', which I've been wanting for a very long time.  

So she sent it to me.

So did my Mom.  

Huh!  Anyway, I'm forwarding the generosity.  I'll mail one of these to the first person who asks for it.  Leave a contact in the comments.

Jalie 2794

So, the poor Avs lost rather spectacularly.  The Red Wings were just too good.  Boo.  Worse than watching your team lose, is watching your team lose live with hundreds of other depressed fans.  By the third period, there were more Red Wings fans in the stands.  

At least, I had the nicest t shirt there.  They really don't make attractive women's shirts.  Either they're cut like men's shirts or they're sparkly pink.  Gah!

I used Jalie 2794 for my t shirt makeover.  The original was a size XL.  I managed to cut out most of a size AA from the fabric.  The front yokes are cut from some matching burgundy cotton tube knit, as are the bands.

The size is pretty much perfect.  I think in a more stretchy fabric, it might even be a touch loose.  

I left off the the center front elastic because it would have interfered with the logo.  Also, the bands were too long to really pull in the back neck sufficiently against my neck.  That's an issue others have also noted.

All in all, this is a great pattern.  I love it so much that it's already getting re-cut it in a linen knit.

The back?

Why, yes, I am a Forsberg fan.  

Btw - what's up with hockey groupies?  Have they never smelled hockey gear??  

Stash Storage

Alas, I'm not 50 gram sized.  More like 40 grams.

Vogue 8506

I'm, I guess, content with my bag.  It looks good and is functional, but I get so frustrated by the 'home-sewn' quality of notions that I can get my hands on and my lack of experience sewing bags finely.  My bags always look home-sewn to me.  Gah!  

I think it's a combination of materials chosen, notions available, sewing machine techniques and pressing equipment.  I've seen a very few beautifully sewn bags on PatternReview, but they've been rare.  I just wish I could make that skill leap. 

Happy things instead.

I've been gathering Rowan yarns for a Kaffe Fassett cardigan from Rowan 31.  This is it on Ravelry.  It's a lovely combination of wide stripes of purples and reds.  A lot of the colors are discontinued, so I'm approximating madly.

They're like candy kisses.

Summer Bag

I decided to join in the PatternReview Bag Contest.  I've never quite completed anything for any kind of sewing contest or sewalong.  But a bag?  Surely even I can commit to a bag in a month.  Because if I can't, I really have a serious problem.

This is a print from Kokka Fabrics (Japanese), for View D from Vogue 8506.

It's a lightweight print, so I fused it with Vilene H410 and used muslin for interlining.  I'm hoping it's the right combination for a semi-structured bag like this.  A PR member mentioned using many layers of fusing to get just the right texture and weight for a handbag.  It had never occurred to me before to do this, but so far it's working out right.

The pattern is great, bar a few problems.  It's clear without being verbose (you hear me, Amy Butler???)

Meanwhile my winter project is languishing without a hem.  This is Vintage Vogue 2884.

I changed the lapel roll and it's beautiful.  But everytime I try to buckle down and sew up the hem, the sun comes out and the temperature hits the 70's.  So I grab the cottons and linens.  And then it snows.  Aye!!  This is the sad lot of the procrastinators. 

Mood Fabrics

I didn't get to go the PR West Coast get together two weeks ago, but I got to visit LA on Easter weekend.  It was mostly time at the beach and with Mickey, but I did get one glorious hour in Mood, which was deserted.

I did pretty well, I think:

This is a Nanette Lepore wool, 2.25 yds.  I know the big woven tweeds are pretty much done now, but it's so beautiful  and visually appealing that I couldn't stop myself.   At the rate I use up my fabric, it'll be in vogue again before I get to it.  It makes me very happy.

This is a soft rayon lycra, which will be perfect for a summer top.  (Summer 2008 that is!)

This is a Cavalli print in 1.75 yd panels.  The colors there are all my favorites: cream, gold, red, black and green.  There are gold metallic dots outlining some areas and it's gorgeous.  This will take a little planning to make the best of it.  

This one is a designer print, but I can't remember who.  It is a textured cotton/lycra, heavyweight but just right for a summer and fall dress.

And, last is a double layer cotton lawn, brown under layer, pistachio top layer.  They are sewn together in a large paisley pattern with cutouts to show the brown.  This one was very expensive, so I got enough to make a loose, short sleeved summer top.

Since I got into knitting heavily last year, my time is very divided between fabric and yarn, but I'm moving into some kind of balance.  

I'm finishing up my winter projects, so I'll have some finished objects to show soon.  But spring is knocking hard on our door and I'm having to hurry up.

Mojo Shopping

I've lost my sewing mojo - it's probably somewhere under the overwhelming mass of patterns - so I've been stashing.  I think I'm hoping something will snag at me and I'll be a sewing fool again. 

This is Amy Butler's new Sophia carry-all and some of her heavier weight cotton.  I'm excited about the challenge of making a professional handbag.  So many handbag patterns are so very homemade and they have their place.  But I've always enjoyed the kind of patterns that Vogue puts out.

I've also been drooling over this Japanese quilt and craft book, featuring Kaffe Fassett's fabrics.  It has a few quilts, slippers, coasters, decorations and such, all delightfully Japanese.

Look at this piece of loveliness:

If you're familiar with the books by Kumiko Sudo, this has the same gentleness and fun to it.  If you're not familiar with Sudo, her "Omiyage" books is lovely, with lots of beautiful small pieces, like flower purses, little fabric boxes, decorations and such.  They require some skill to make well but are very eye-catching.

I buy my Japanese magazines from this ebay seller.  She's fast, packages beautifully and the prices are good.  The shipping is free too and it takes about 7-10 days to get to me in Colorado.  I bought the latest Mrs. Stylebook also, although more for inspiration.  I'm too tentative about my drafting skills.