Six of One

It has been some time since I did any sewing, and that makes me rather sad.  I used to make all my work clothes in the early 1990’s – skirts, trousers, jackets, tops as well as the odd coat or two.  I had a lot of enthusiasm, not quite as much skill, and absolutely no idea what suited me, what was ‘in’, and how to adjust any patterns other than length.

I then joined the Police and had no need for suits or smart clothes.  I was a patrol officer ‘pushing a panda’ in uniform and proud of it.  And now, nearly twenty years later I find myself working in an officer (happily) with a wardrobe of so-so clothes and a stash of patterns and fabric that makes me very happy!  So what to do?  Well, there was practically no internet when I used to sew – any inspiration/ideas were from TV, magazines, pattern books and real life, but now, what a difference.  There are a number of blogs that I am addicted to – the lovely Carolyn, the talented Peter and his model Cathy, as well as Sew Ruth, Communing withFabric, Did You Make That and my other favorites that you can see under ‘My Blog List’.  There is just so much information, experience and mojo that it is almost impossible not to feel the excitement and get sewing.

As with most things, I wasn’t too sure where to start – I wanted to create a wardrobe, you know, lots of items mixing and matching a la Carolyn, but taking that first step was causing me some trouble until I happened upon Hungry Zombie Couture’s ‘Skirty Dozen’.  She made a dozen gorgeous skirts – nice simple patterns that pack a punch.  Great, I was on my way!  I chose to make six skirts and I will then make six tops, my mix and match is off the ground!  I auditioned six cotton prints (actually, I think that two may be a cotton poly mix) that I had originally bought for Mum to make blouses.  Sadly she never had opportunity to use the fabric, and they really do not speak ‘blouse’ to me, but summer skirts?  Oh yeah!

 I spent a lovely few hours auditioning patterns – I didn’t have much criteria wise other than elasticated waist, few pieces and easy to line.  The winners were Simplicity 4221 (view E) a four gored mid-calf length skirt and Butterick 4466 (view D) a below knee two piece bias cut skirt.  

 
 I decided that I wanted to line both with a lightweight cotton – and following a trip to Fabricland I had the perfect fabric – some white muslin at $5/m.  With everything washed and ironed, the cutting and sewing began.  I decided to make one of each pattern first, just to check for sizing and just as well.  I could do with adding a little more width to the Butterick pattern next time round, it was a little snug. 

 

To be honest, both patterns were very easy.  I cut the lining about an inch shorter than the main fabric, overlocked all my seams, and voila, two summer skirts!  I added some lace to the hem of the lining – this is something I always used to do and I think that it adds a little femininity.

  It is good to see that some fellow bloggers finish off like this as well.  I also added a small ribbon to the centre back of each skirt – they are pretty much identical front and back, but I need to know which is which!

 

 So that is it – two down, another four to go.  Fashion shoot to follow!! 

 My first steps returning to sewing have been fun, and I can’t wait to continue.

A Hound in Need

I was saddened to read about poor Giles, a lovely old greyhound that had been dumped by his owners in a terrible state - covered in fleas, anaemic, underweight.  Terrible. 

 
However, the greyhound community is very committed to looking after these lovely retired racers, and as a result, this page has been set up on Facebook - it is an auction to raise money for Giles's treatment.

My contribution is to offer a 'snood' or three, as modelled by the lovely Hobbes (above).  The pattern was designed by Erssie Major and she donates all the proceeds of the sales of the pattern to her local greyhound agency in the UK.

So drop by, take a look at Hobbes, and maybe put a little bid in on something that catches your eye!!

Get well soon Giles xx

Beautiful Barf!

Despite the fact that summer is here - although to be fair, with some of the rain that we have had this week, you really would not have know that was the case . . . I have been on quite the knitting program.  I would really like to get back into to my sewing, and I know that will happen soo, but in the meantime it has been quick and easy to pick up the needles and get knitting.

So, another pair of lazy Billy Basic socks - and I love them!

The yarn is a really hard wearing superwash/nylon blend from Garnstudio called Fabel, it is one of my favorite workhorse yarns.  I am a sucker for the self patterning yarn - I knit my first pair of socks from this type of yarn, and I will continue until my dying day.  I love the way the patterns evolve without any effort on my part - the stripes and fair isle are mesmerizing.  I think I like this yarn particularly as I cannot dye this.  Well, I probably could, but I would need to have to reskein to a 22yd circumference.  With a couple of greyhounds and a collie running around the house, disaster is likely to ensue.  So I buy the yarn, and am happy to do so.

So, nothing particularly remarkable or different about thee, other than I knit my usual 60 row sole, and really, the foot was a little long.  I only decreased to 32sts per sock, but funnily enough the short, blunt toe of these socks is somewhat reminiscent of mine!!

Another great pair of socks to add to my collection - I wonder what I shall knit next?  I suspect that my sewing will be on hold for a little longer as we are buying a new-build house and have some people coming to look at our house next weekend, and we are really nowhere near being ready.  If the house sells quickly and we get a long possession date, then I see some sewing on the horizon.

Either way, knitting or sewing, I love them both so cannot complain!

Ka'ana Delight

I was lucky enough to be chosen to take part in another test knit - this time for a shawl by Jennifer Weissman - it is a free pattern that can be downloaded on Ravelry.  I have tried a number of styles including the side to side triangle and the top down triangle, but this was a little different. 

Although a top down triangle, there are more increase per row - for a usual right angle triangle there are usually 4 increases every other row, but this pattern increases by 6 stitches each row, meaning that the triangle is long and shallow.

And it is HUGE! I used up every.single.inch. of three 50gm skeins of yarn, and 2 x 9gm containers of Toho 6/0 “E” beads in a shimmery green color.

Before Blocking:
Depth at widest part - 12.5”
Depth at thinnest part (ends) - 5”
Inside (neck) measurement - 69.5”

After Blocking:
Depth at widest part - 19”
Depth at thinnest part (ends) - 6”
Inside (neck) measurement - 80”
Outside measurement - 134”

So, notes about the pattern - this is a great pattern, the garter stitch increases are nice and easy - great TV or car knitting. Initially I found that I my edges were tight, so on the advice of the designer I frogged back and on the first stitch of each row I knit it, placed it back on the left needle and knit it again. Perfect!

The lace portion involved more concentration, but was very quick to knit despite the amount of stitches. I added beads on the ‘stem’ of the leaves, as well as in the in the bottom triangles.
This pattern is a great introduction to shawl knitters who fancy trying a bit of lace, but don’t want a standard triangle shawl. The side edges of the knitting form the top edge and it curves nicely. It is an easy to follow pattern, I used the charts, and they are nice and clear.

So go on - give it a try, it really is a lovely pattern!

Dinosaur Ribs

Woo Hoo!  I have just complete a test knit for Mary the Hobbit it is a lovely twisty, ribby design. My sister in law lives in Drumheller - the home of Dinosaurs in Alberta - hence the project name!

I am using some very soft alpaca yarn that will keep Sharon’s tootsies lovely and warm in the winter.

Very cute pattern - and I love the socks :o) The pattern is written with a full chart for each of the front and back of the sock as well as the top of the foot so was very easy to follow. I like that the designer has you knit TBL on the first row of knitting after picking up the heel flap stitches as this really tightens up that area and gives the heel flap a lovely finish.

I only made one change to the pattern and knit a smooth toe - I noticed that one of the other testers had done that, and it is my preference. I missed the line of ‘ribulets’ that run along the foot - totally my fault for not paying attention.

I love that the pattern is ribbed - it is very stretchy and suitable for quite ‘cuddly’ and slim legs alike. I knit the medium size and twist/cable design did not suck in the fabric. I used my usual cast on 63sts (I am usually in the range of 62-66sts) and my devoted, hardworking 2.5mm Knit Picks 32” circular needles - I knit TAAT.

The foot length is 9.5” long and I am pleased with the yarn usage - you could get away using one of those lovely yarns that has a scant yardage and still get a gorgeous pair of socks.

The sock is a quick knit - although they took me longer to knit than usual as I seem to lose my mojo in the spring as I am itching to get out in the garden! This is certainly not due to the pattern design!
A great pattern and well worth using to add to your sock collection!

Almost an Angel

Hubby's birthday is fast approaching (June 19th) and each year it seems to be waaaaay in the future, then all of a sudden it is tomorrow.  Somehow I remembered a few weeks early this year and that meant that I was able to order him a lovely present.

Whilst trawling through Etsy I came across the shop of Almost an Angel and her lovely prints - in particular, the greyhounds.  Now we are greyhound freaks.  When we came over to Canada we brought with us our lovely Freddy (Corelish Lisa).  She used to race at Perry Barr in Birmingham.  Unfortunately she left us in March 2009 at the age of 12 - and this print reminded me of her:

We then adopted (or do they adopt you I wonder?) two boys.  First of all we got Rocky (Am Rocky) from SAGAA, our local greyhound adoption group.  Rocky (aka Rockstar, Rocky Horror etc) is our first male hound - we have always had bitches before, but he is a sweetheart.  He ran at the Flagler Stadium in Miami - and I use the word in the loosest sense of the word.  You see Rocky really doesn't have the smarts.  He is a cute looking boy, but chase something round a track - that is not his style . . . . . . so he now lives with us.  He eats, sleeps and drinks.  Sounds like a great life to me!  And as it happens - the Rockstar and I were born on the same day - October 9th (same as John Lennon in fact!)  This print is a typical Rocky pose.

And then Hobbes (AH's Angelo) came into our life.  He was also off the same tracks as Rocky.  If you check out his stats he was quite the racer, winning quite a few races.  You can even see some of his races as they were recorded.  He is the black streak coming up from behind - amazing to see him run.  Now he is quite the 'ninja' dog.  He almost seems to retract his nails and then sneak across the kitchen floor to pinch food off counters/tables/plates etc.  But we love him so - and here is his likeness.

  

I am sure that hubby will be thrilled with these prints and look forward to gifting them to him next month.

Witches Brew Yarn

Having spent Friday and Saturday with relatives, I thought that Sunday would be a nice lazy day, although that was not to be the case, I did I have some fun!  You see, I like to dye yarn - partly for my own usage, but also to sell in my little Etsy Shop under the name of Witches Brew Yarn.

I love how combinations of three colors can come together to make gorgeous shades.

I also had fun 'dipping' yarn.

I dye 100gm (approx 400 - 450yds) skeins of yarn, which is perfect for knitting a pair of socks or a small shawl.  Oh, and I do!