sewing projects

I've been sewing quite a bit since last fall. I'm finally getting around to catching the blog up on all of my recent projects. Last winter I made this red fleece jacket. Pattern: Simplicity 4032 view C size 8. I was pleased with how well it turned out but it is snug. I should have made a larger size.

                         

I also made two pairs of pajamas. First the blue plaid ones from McCall's 4833 view D. 

Then the bright reindeer ones. The top is also McCall's 4833 view D and the bottoms are Simplicity 5877 view D.

Somewhere around that time I also made this robe. Pattern Simplicity 3696 view F.

Then came a vest. McCall's 2270 view C.

A bear. Simplicity 5461 view A.

A lined jacket. Kwik Sew 3085.

Another vest.

 This one more fitted. Simplicity 2633 in denim.

 A summer top made in June. Simplicity 4176, view B, size

10 in linen. I embroidered the design with my embroidery machine

And then at the end of June I made this bag for the fourth of July. It's Simplicity 3822 view A. I used a peanuts character print fabric. Instead of using a fleece interfacing I used a stiff fusable interfacing so it holds it's shape pretty well. The bottom layers got to thick to sew though and I had to improvise.

Finished Titania

Pattern: Titania by Elizabeth Klett from A Mingled Yarn
Yarn: 4 skeins Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Candy Apple
Needles: US 4
Started: September 2, 2008
Finished: March 2009
Very pretty sweater and a very well written pattern. Didn't really take 6 months to knit, as I set it aside for several months. I made this one for my mom. I had given her several patterns to pick from and she chose this one. We are both pleased with the way it turned out.

Heartland Lace Shawl

I did manage to finish my Heartland Lace Shawl back in August.
Pattern is by Evelyn A. Clark
Yarn: 3 skeins of Knit Picks Gloss in Cocoa
Needles: US 6, / 4mm
Started May 26, 2008
Finished August 24, 2008

sewing

I've taken a break from knitting for the past few months. I've been sewing instead. I made this bag back towards the end of summer.
It's from Butterick See and Sew pattern B5172. I used stiff fusable interfacing so the bag holds it's shape well. It has two outer pockets on each side and one pocket on the inside. One of the outer pockets has a snap flap. The upper inside edge is done in the butterfly fabric and the lower inside lining is the black fabric used for the outer upper cuff. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It inspired me to do more sewing projects.

I also made this little outfit for a lawn goose. I embroidered the apple design with my embroidery machine.

Gypsy Mesh Pullover finished

It's done. I like the finished sweater. It fits well and looks good. I worked on it in bursts with long periods of setting it aside. I love how pretty the yarn is but I didn’t like knitting with it. I don’t know how many times my needle just slid right out from the stitches because the yarn has no stretch or grab at all. And I had to pay close attention to avoid splitting the yarn. I didn’t knit a gauge swatch. I just guessed on needle size and lengths and got really lucky.





Pattern: Gypsy Mesh Pullover by Norah Gaughan
from Interweave Knits , Sping 2004
Yarn: Reynolds Gypsy, colorway willow gold
needles: US size 6
blocked (5/12/08)
final ends woven in on 5/23/08

first sock done

One done...

One to go.

Sock knitting

I've never knitted socks before and thought I never would. I always thought why spend so much time knitting something at such a small gauge that's going to be worn on your feet where most people wouldn't see them and that will wear out pretty quickly (if you actually wear them). Well....the pretty Knit Picks felici yarn got to me and so here I am, knitting my first sock. And yes, it is slow going. But it's pretty simple knitting. It's a nice and easy, portable knit project. And I like knitting them for that reason. I can work on them on car rides, which is something I personally can't really do with straight needles. I'm using the Provence colorway and size 1 (2.25 mm) toothpicks, I mean double pointed needles. The needles are ones I bought with the yarn. It's the 6" nickel plated double pointed sock needle set from Knit Picks. I really like them.

I also started a cable pullover. I worked on it pretty steadily then set it aside to knit the socks. It's a pattern from an old 2002 issue of Knit It! magazine knitted in Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. I'm knitting it in the round instead of flat. It's so stiff an bulky that I'm not too enthused about it. I couldn't bring my self to take a photo. I'm to the point where I've divided the front and backs for the armholes.

And...I knitted this little bird using the free pattern from Berroco. The beak doesn't seem quite right. I think he would look better in blue with a yellow beak as a blue bird like in the pattern. The red yarn is Paton's Classic Merino.

Seaman's Scarf

I finished this scarf last week
It's the Seaman's Scarf pattern free from KnitPicks. I used two skeins of Paton's Shetland Chunky yarn and size 10 needles. I added several repeats of the cable due to my gauge being smaller than what the pattern called for (and I like the look of the cable). The two halves are knit separately and then joined at the center with a kitchener stitch. Overall it was a pretty quick and easy knit.

My vogue cable cardigan is slowly progressing. It's basically finished except for sewing the side seams, the button loops and buttons. I also have a little more done on the gypsy mesh pullover. Here is a progress shot

Christmas knits revealed

I have a couple of Christmas gift knits I can now reveal.This is the third felted bag I've made based on the booga bag pattern. I used size 11 needles. I did the bottom 34 rows with Patons SWS in natural berry double stranded, then knitted 56 rounds of the body single stranded with Patons SWS in natural plum. I added a flap then did 3 rounds of edging in natural berry. The cord was done on my icord maker with the SWS in berry. (knitted 12/2/07 - 12/4/07) The button is only decorative. There is a snap underneath
This one is a scarf version of the clapotis.
Yarn: 1.5 skeins Patons Decor in secret garden
Needles: size 7, 10" straight
Started 12/11/07, finished 12/18/07
I did 2 repeats section 2 (plus 6 rows), 15 repeats of section 3, and 3 repeats of section 4.

finished dishcloth

I've taken quite a long break from working on the Vogue cable rib cardigan. I've mainly been working on beading projects. I also finished this dishcloth. The pattern is the Hot Chocolate dishcloth from this web site. It's knitted in Lily Sugar'n Cream color softly taupe with size 7 needles. I think I could have gone down a needle size or two but oh well. I still think it turned out pretty well.

crafty pursuits

Just giving an update on my crafty pursuits. I've finished the left front and back of the Vogue cable rib cardigan and am working on the first sleeve. I'm starting to worry about the size and how it will block. I set this project aside to make another infamous anthropologie inspired capelet (pdf file here). I'm done with the body on that and just need to do the sleeves. I've also been working on a couple of bracelets. I've been toying with the idea of selling some of them on Etsy.

Also, for anyone who may be interested, the pattern for the macrame owl from a few posts back is the "Mr. Owl Ornament" from a booklet titled 'Twas the Knot Before Christmas' by Judy Palmer and Lois Anderson copyrighted 1978 and published by Quality Craft Instructions. There are numerous copies for sale on ebay right now.

Vogue Cable Rib Cardi WIP

Here is my progress so far on the Vogue Cable Rib Cardigan. There is some of the sleeve, some of the back and some of the front. It's not much to look at yet. I like the feel of the Cascade 220 superwash. It seems to be quite soft.

Halloween charm

I finished this Halloween charm bracelet today
I've been working on it for several days. I really did it up big with the charms. This is the first of this type of bracelet I've made. It's got some weight to it. I made all of the dangley bead charms myself with beads and headpins. This is the first bracelet that I've made using a chain instead of a wire. I like how it turned out. I wish it would have photographed better. I used black beads, hematite beads, and amethyst bicone swarovski crystals. A couple of the dangleys are two part dangleys.
I haven't abandoned knitting. I've started the cable/rib cardigan #20 from the Holiday 2004 issue of Vogue Knitting. I've got a little of the left front, a little of one sleeve and some of the back done so far. I'm switching from section to section.

Also, I've finished the back and front of the Gypsy Mesh pullover. I plan to block those two pieces and then the shoulders get stitched together. The sleeves are made by picking up stitches around the top fronts and then knitting the sleeve down to the cuff edge. I once again have stalled out at the blocking step. I started the cable/rib cardigan instead.

has anyone else noticed....

Cable Luxe Tunic, pattern featured in the latest Lion Brand Yarn catalog.
Victoria's Secret Cable Sweater, featured in their latest catalog and on their web site.

They are almost identical! The Cable going around the shoulders and chest is identical. The cables running down the front are exactly the same with the spacing between them slightly different. And, the VS sweater has ribbing around the neck while the Lion Brand one has garter stitch. But still.....
I really liked the Lion Brand Cable Luxe Tunic and bought the pattern for it. I was considering knitting it next. Then I saw that VS is selling practically the same sweater. I have a kind of criteria for choosing knitting projects and one of the criteria is that it needs to be something unique and not available to be bought in a store. I don't want to knit something that someone can just go out to a store and buy. Humpf.

(edited to add: I guess I'm behind on this one. Evidently this same sweater was put out by Pringle of Scotland (a high end clothing company) almost a year ago. There is a knock off knitting pattern for it out in blogland and on Ravelry. The latest issue of Rebecca magazine #34 even has a similar pattern)

...and does other crafty stuff...

Here is a macrame owl I made yesterday. My mom found some old macrame craft booklets and gave them to me. I couldn't resist making this little owl.

I keep putting off starting the Vogue Silver Bell sweater because I'm not sure I like the color of the yarn I bought for it. I worry that it is too dark. I can't decide what I will do now. So, in the mean time I made the owl, and some bead bracelets and I guess I will continue with my gypsy mesh pullover.

Gypsy Mesh

I want to thank everyone who left comments regarding my Bell Sleeve Jacket. It was really nice to receive them. Thank you.
My blog is one year old now. It doesn't seem like it's been that long. I've knitted more this past year than usual. All of the great knitting sites on the internet have kept me interested.
I've been working on my Gypsy Mesh Pullover. I started this one back in May 2006 and then set it aside until recently. I picked it up again as I had finished my Bell Sleeve Jacket. I was just going to work on it until the yarn for my next project came in. But now that I've gone back to it I want to continue until it is finished. I'm about ten rows from finishing the front. Then I will block the front and backs and sew them together at the shoulders. Then the sleeve stitches get picked up along the edges and knitted down. I'm going to leave the stitches at the top edge live until it is blocked because I'm really guessing on the length. Because this is basically lace, the size will change (stretch) a bunch durning blocking and I want to be able to easily add more (or take away some) length if I need to. I'm really hoping for luck in the sizing of this thing. I really didn't do a guage swatch because of the way the pattern is, and I'm using 100% cotton yarn and it is lace, so..... we'll see what happens.

Bell Sleeve Jacket Finished!

Here it is...my finished Bell Sleeve Jacket
Pattern: Bell Sleeve Jacket pattern #15 from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006
Yarn: 7 skeins Cascade 220 color #8234 Pistachio
Needles: size 6 straight
started 6/16/07, finished knitting 8/13/07, last end woven in 8/18/07
I knitted the small size body and the large size armholes and sleeves. (measurements went out the window at the blocking step as they usually do)
Modifications: I changed the lower edges of the fronts and back. The pattern called for it to be a reverse st st edging. I changed it to match the edging of the sleeves and collar. I did this by casting on 160 stitches for the back instead of 118, then I did (k4p4) for 4 rows then I did a (k4, p2tog, p2tog) row with an extra k2tog at each end to end up with 118sts. Then I purled one row (WS) before starting the [p1row, k1row]twice (RS). For the fronts, I casted on 91 stitches (instead of 66). I did 4 (k4p4) rows, then a (k4, p2tog, p2tog) row while keeping 5 sts at the front edges k3p2 (so I didn't p2tog on those). So the extra 3 k sts +2 p sts=5 stitches for the edge. Then I purled one WS row before starting the patterns [p1row, k1row] twice with 71 sts (pattern calls for 66, plus my extra 5 was 71). Then I didn't cast on the 5 extra sts called for at row 12(WS row), I just continued the rib as it was. I like this look much better and was surprised that it had been designed with a different edge.
Also, I didn't do the belt. Instead I added 6 buttons with crochet button loops attached to the edge.Errata: I found errors in the pattern that weren't listed on Vogue's web site. My work arounds for those errors were: for the left front row 63 instead of the k5, I did k1, k2tog, k2. Then on row 65 right after the cable cross it says k2tog, k1....I did a k3 instead. Then on row 89 for the small size it says you should have 37 sts when I had 36. Also, for the left front armhole shaping next row(RS) it says to do a RC, but this didn't end up being the correct row to cable on for me so I didn't and just kept to doing my cable crosses as had been established.
Two things that are listed at their site is that for the left front right after you cast on, the [p1row, k1row]twice, is missing. And at row 39 a k4(8,12) is missing.
I like how this one turned out. I like the fit. The narrow waist part with the cables seems to sit at the right spot so that the flared bottom looks good. I think the length is just right. I was worried that the sleeves would be to long, but now that it's finished I think they are just right. It is described as a very close fitting jacket but I made mine to be a bit looser. I think it still looks nice without being uncomfortably tight. I don't like tight. That's why I made the armholes larger. The collar doesn't cover as much of the sweater as I thought it would. It kind of folds on itself and stands up around the back of the neck so as not to really cover the sweater much. If anything it pulls sweater back so that the shoulder seams pull to the back a bit. But since it is 100% wool, I think that can easily be corrected with a bit of spot blocking and stretching of the collar around the back neck area now that it is assembled. I liked knitting this. It had just the right amount of cables and details to keep my interest. I like the leaf shaped bobbles and the bell sleeves are cute without being too big.

bell sleeve blocking

I washed and blocked my vogue bell sleeve sweater today. All the pieces are blocking except for the collar. I've got the first half of the collar done and am about to start knitting the second. It's knitted in two pieces. The pattern says to cast on for the first half, then when your start the second half you pick up stitches from the cast on edge. I just did an open cast on and then put the live stitches back on the needle for the second half. The collar gets attached to the sweater last, after the back, fronts and sleeves are already seamed together.

Loon Sweater Finished

I finally finished my loon sweater.Pattern: Bernat "ewe can knit" pamphlet #1806, (I made the adult version of the pattern)
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Chunky, yellow is Lion Brand Chunky USA
Needles: size 9
I started this one years ago and then set it aside. I recently pulled it out and finished it. It was, when I started it, my first use of different colors and is the first time I've done duplicate stitch. The yarn is mostly acrylic with a little wool and it felt quite stiff until I washed it. After washing the sweater became surprisingly soft. I was a little worried about the style of the sleeves being uncomfortable (as if I'm actually going to wear this much) anyways, since it has a straight armhole and straight sleeve edge. But it turned out to be quite comfortable.

Apricot Jacket finished

Here is my finished apricot jacket.
Pattern: from Rebecca #27
Yarn: 5 skeins Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece color Prarie Lupine
Needles: Size 6
started 4/20/07, finished knitting 6/7/07, seamed together in July, totally finished on 7/14/07.
I knitted following the pattern for the large size because my gauge was more stitches per inch that what was called for. I left off the crochet edge and just did four crochet button loops. I like the look and fit of this sweater. I was very lucky to find the right size buttons in exactly the same color as my yarn.

problems and redos

I ran into another problem with my bell sleeve jacket. I did the back before the left front, the order that it is in the pattern. The problem was that the the number of rows in the body of the back up to the armhole shaping is based on measuring the length. Ok, that's fine, I keep track of my number of rows and place in the pattern by putting a tick mark on a post it note. I finished the back and then did the left front. The left front length to the armhole shaping is dictated by the pattern. There is no, knit even for a certain length. So, when I finished, I had 10 more rows in the left front before the armhole shaping than I did for the back. So, it wouldn't be possible to match the two up correctly for seaming. So, I had to rip out almost half of the back to the armhole shaping (about 60 row or so), add the 10 extra rows, then continue with the armhole shaping and on to the end. I finished up the reknitting today. At this point I've got a sleeve, the back and left front done.

Seaming together my apricot jacket took a few days. I seamed one armhole the way all of the books say. With the other armhole I kind of did a little variation on that to create a less bulky seam. Now that it's done, the by the books seam feels bulky and my modification type seam is much more comfortable. They both look good, it's just the comfort factor. I almost undid the one side in order to reseam it but that would have meant a whole lot of effort to undo the whole side up and around the armhole. I just didn't have it in me and ultimately decided to leave it as is.

I was also worried the sleeves were too long and decided to shorten them. After spending about a half hour unraveling the cast on edge of the first sleeve (because it is the cast on edge, due to the direction of the knitting you can't just pull and have it unravel, its more like undoing knots where each stitch is a knot) I decided to just bind back off using the sewn bind off to match the other sleeve's cast on edge and learn to accept them as they were. I didn't have the courage to cut them shorter with scissors and reknit the edge like I have with past projects so if the length bothers me while wearing it I'll just roll the sleeve edges back and have a sort of cuff.

The buttons and button loops were a challange also. At first I had attatched all of the buttons with one strand of yarn woven from one to the next. Then I decided it would be better if each button was attached with it's own strand of yarn knotted behind each. That way the buttons couldn't pull out and stretch out the strand they were attached to (and the knot behind them would give them a little extra support). Then getting the corresponding button loops spaced evenly and in the correct corresponding spots was difficult. I had to do, undo, redo, undo, redo etc. I finally got it all done though and it looks pretty good. I didn't do the crochet edging like the pattern called for. I only just did separate crochet button loops attached right to the knitted edge.

I got a peak at the cover of the upcoming issue of Vogue Knitting. There is really nice cardigan on the front that I've added to the top of my knits to knit list. The most recent Berroco Knit Bits has a picture of another knit from this upcoming issue of Vogue. I wish Vogue would update their web site to this issue so we can see their "sneak peak" section for it. I'm anxious to get my hands on this issue.

bell sleeve progress

I've been working on the Vogue Bell Sleeve Jacket. I've got the back done and most of the left front. I changed the bottom edge on the back and front so that it is like the sleeve edge. Problem was that I didn't realize for the front the way the pattern is written you cast on 5 stitches part way up to create a flap. Then, when you do the finishing you pick up stitches at the lower edge and around the front part way up and knit a garter stitch edge band to meet the lower edge of this "flap". I changed the lower edge and am not going to have this garter stitch wrap up the front lower edge. I didn't realize that I'd have to compensate for these 5 missing stitches until I got to the row where you cast them on. So, I had to start over, casting on these 5 edge stitches right at the beginning, then of course not casting any on at the part where it tells you to. Also, I found there is an error in the pattern at row 63 and 65 for the left front. This error is not posted at Vogue's corrections page. If you follow the pattern your stitch count gets thrown off. I figured out the correction for this though and it looks good.

I've also started seaming together my apricot jacket pieces. I sure don't like the seaming process. I wish more patterns were written to be knit in the round, with picked up sleeves knit from the shoulder down in order to eliminate so much seaming. I'm pretty slow at the seaming, so it will be awhile before it is done. I also still need to get buttons for it.

charmed

I didn't do any knitting yesterday. I made this baseball themed charm bracelet though. It's my first charm bracelet. It's the first time I've made the little beaded dangle things. I used beading head pins and needle nosed plyers. It was tricky for me at first but then I got my technique down. I'd like to make another charm style bracelet in the future with different colors of the beaded dangle things.

I also added a bunch of my old finished knits photos to my flicker pages. I've got a section there for my rose photos also. I plan on eventually having photos of each of my rose bushes there. And I've spotted another sweater I'd like to knit. It's Aguave from Knitter's Summer 2005. I'm considering joining the Tour de France knit a long and going for the green jersey by speed knitting this. I'd have to buy yarn for it thought. I like the color of the one from the magazine and would like to do it in the same yarn and color. I'd have to set aside my Vogue Bell Sleeve Jacket for awhile though. Meanwhile, my additional skein of yarn arrived yesterday so now I will be able to finish up my apricot jacket.

progress

Here is my progress on the Bell Sleeve Jacket. I finished a sleeve and am partway up the back.


Also, this goodie arrived in the mail yesterday:

I'm so pleased. It's a color card for Cascade 220 yarns. I've been trying to get my hands on one of these for a long long time. I have such a hard time trying to decide colors, especially from a computer screen since I don't really have a local yarn store, so I like sample cards to be able to see the colors first hand to really know what they look like.

Also, I came across this cute tank top pattern at the Berocco web site. I think it would be nice knit in the newly re-released Lion Brand Cotton Ease. I've never used Cotton Ease before but I've read a lot of good comments about it. I like the pattern and of course have added it to my collection of possible future knits.

Bell Sleeve sleeve

I started knitting on the Vogue Bell Sleeve Jacket. It's actually a sweater. I don't know why they called it a jacket (probably due to the way it closes with a knitted belt instead of buttons). Anyways, I started on the sleeve and worked quite a bit on it today. Here is my progress. I think my increases are a bit sloppy on the left side. I experimented as I went and got it to where they were better and not as noticeable but I didn't rip back and redo the earlier ones. I just want to keep going at this point. When I'm all done if it bothers me too much I guess I'll re knit the sleeve but for now I'm continuing on. The third knit rib at the cuff doesn't seem to line up in the center with the wide k6 rib and I don't think this is a mistake but I'm not sure. I wish there were more FO pics of this project on the web to look at. I doesn't seem like too many knitting bloggers made this sweater. I like the k3p3 edge and plan on using this on the lower edges of the front and back also instead of the edge the pattern calls for.

Also, I came across this cute cardigan sweater pattern at the garnstudio site. It's Drops design number 88 pattern 4. I like it enough to consider it for a potential future knit. And, I still need to block and assemble my apricot jacket. It also has some sort of crochet edging which I'm a little worried about. My history with crochet is pretty bad. I've checked out more crochet books from the library but when I actually go to do the crochet I get confused and am very clumsy with holding the hook and yarn. I wish someone would publish a good crochet edging for knitters instructional book.