5 New Campshirts

Here are 5 new campshirts I made from the eQuilter fabrics I bought. I finished the Shoe print one last weekend to test the changes from the plaid Madras version, and made the other 4 yesterday, while I was watching the cats to make sure they didn't escape out the basement door as it was being painted, and so had to be open a ways. I got them all done except the hems and buttonholes. I did those today. I'm pretty happy with them. They are all fairly crisp fabrics except the Marbled Butterfly print, which is quite silky feeling.

Thread Squiggles

Butterflies

Pointillist Sailboats

Yoga Cats

Shoes

Gedifra Mauritius Sweater is Done

Gedifra Sweater

Here's the finished sweater. I completed it on Friday, and I think it turned out well. After steaming it, the measurements were exactly as specified, so I was pretty pleased. Since there are so many holes in the pattern, I may wear the top that matches the skirt under it. It would make it warmer too, if that becomes necessary. Hard to believe with 100 degree weather for the past week and forseeable future, but I'm sure winter will come again.

This was really very enjoyable to knit, and went quite quickly. Here's a link to the first post about this sweater. There was a mistake in the pattern, but it was fine once I realized what it was. I just really like this yarn too. The combination of the shiny ribbon and the very matte nylon with attached "wormy" pieces is very pretty.

Here is a photo of the front with plain fabric under it so it shows the stitch pattern.

Gedifra Stitch Pattern

Rustic Knitted Bag

Rustic Bag
Here is the finished Knitted Rustic Bag I've been working on. I really like the stick handles, and I used a turned, interfaced rectangle as the lining, and added turned, divided pockets on each side, and a magnetic snap as a closure. You can see photos of the bag before I cut the extra length from the handles, and of the interior if you click here.

I used a chunky weight cotton yarn from Portugal called Rosarios 4. It took exactly one skein, and I had none left over, not even an inch. I got this idea and pattern from Cast Away and the pattern from Yarniverse's Free Patterns.

I'm quite pleased with the finished product, and it will be a fun summer bag.

Progress Report

Well, I've been working away on several projects, and none of them are done, but I'm getting closer.

The Gedifra Mauritius sweater is working up faster than I'd thought it might. I'm done with the front and back, and am 1/3 done with the first sleeve.

The Euroflax Lily shell is coming slowly, just because it's such a small gauge, but I'm pleased with my progress nonetheless.

My new knitted purse is really coming along. I finished the knitting a week or so ago, and I needed to purchase a dowel rod so I could make the handles. I wasn't getting anywhere near a place that sold them, so I began to think of other things, and came up with sticks, such as are used on Lois Ericson's tea cozy pattern, which I think is adorable. So, I collected 2 nice ones when I was trimming some bushes, and I have put the loops onto them, and will cut them to length as soon as I am sure they're right. I'm working on the lining now, and have found a cute trim to use as well. The stick thing may be a gigantic mistake, but I'm liking it so far. I was worried about the loops sliding off a dowel rod, but I certainly won't have to worry about that with these!

I haven't gotten any farther on the camp shirts, and I had planned to work on them tomorrow, but I'm not sure I won't still be interested in finishing this purse first.

Handmade Bracelet

Bracelet Front

Bracelet Back

This is a bracelet I made this weekend. I started with one plan, and of course it changed as I went along, but I think the resulting piece is quite good. This is the first thing I've done like this, and I have plans for some pieces which are more heavily beaded .

Knitting Progress

Lily Lace section
This is the lace pattern at the bottom of the Lily shell in Euroflax Barcelona. I am just beginning the body's stitch pattern. It's much less intricate, and probably a little more boring. It seems to be going quickly though. The lace was fun to do, especially after I memorized the pattern.


Gedifra beginnings
This is the beginning of the Gedifra sweater. This is a very tricky pattern, but I'm finally becoming somewhat comfortable with it. I love the look of the yarn, but it is a little difficult to see what you're doing as you go along. Here's a closeup of it.

Gedifra close-up

I got 2 fabrics to make pants from yesterday, and prewashed them with another, so I'm ready to work on those today. We're having workmen do some things outside, so it will be a good day to sew, besides the fact that it's already 88 degrees at 9am, so who wants to go outside anyway?

Waterlily Bag is Finished

Bag Front
Here is the finished bag. I may do a little more with it, but I think it's about finished. I was able to get a little more of the original fabric, so didn't have to piece the handles or zipper casing with another fabric, which was nice. I'm already thinking of another one with a similar front, but with abstract koi fish on the back. I'm not sure what I'd use for them, but I think I'd like the look if I can get it the way I want it.


Bag Back

I've also been doing a lot of knitting lately. I'm close to finished with the first section of the Lily Euroflax shell, and I've begun on the Gedifra pullover. What a weird pattern that is! It's one of those where you have more stitches on the right side rows than the wrong side rows, by close to 20%! I had to make a couple trial and gauge swatches, as I believe there are serious mistakes in the pattern, and I corrected them so it works now anyway. I think they mixed up the explanations for 2 unique symbols. One has you work 3 stitches together, and the other 5. So, it makes a bit of a difference if you are doing the wrong one. You would soon run out of stitches altogether!

I ordered fabric from eQuilter and Wazoodle on Tuesday. 5 camp shirt cottons from eQuilter, and several knits from the Wazoodle yard sale. I am hoping something will appear tomorrow perhaps. Here are the cottons. I think they will make fun summer shirts.

Marble Botanical

Yoga Cats

shoes

Signac Sailboats

Needles & Threads

Embellishing a New Bag

Side 1

Side 2

These are the 2 sides of the bag I'm embellishing. The design makes me think of waterlilies. I took the photos after I'd embellished them, but before any construction. Tonight I got the inside and outside pockets done, and faced and turned the pieces. I need to figure out what to do with the handles, as I don't have enough of the felted wool left to do them. I am thinking of piecing them, with the bag fabric at the ends of the handles, and a plain green wool in the center. I will use the plain wool for the zipper casing also I believe. The lining for this bag is purple.

Knitted Picot Hem

This is the hem edge of the Lily shell. On the right needle is the finished hem edge. On the left needle is the unfolded hem, with waste yarn at the bottom. This waste yarn will be removed as the stitches are picked up on another needle, then folded and one stitch off each needle knitted together, making the hem edge. The shell continues from there as a single layer. Since I finished the hem, I have done a little over one pattern repeat for the body of the shell.

Camp Shirt Prototype

This is the "muslin" of the camp shirt pattern I altered. It turned out pretty well except I will cut the neck larger next time. I should have realized that I liked that the way it was, and changed it back to the original length after I altered the rest of the pattern, but I didn't. I will next time. This is some very thin Madras plaid, so will be very nice for summer.

The pants are my third pair of drawstring pants. They're a thin microfiber fabric, and really nice and cool to wear.

I received my Gedifra yarn from Elann today. How fast is that? I only ordered on Sunday. I also got the 00 circular needle, so began the Euroflax shell pattern this evening. It's knit circularly, 288 stitches in the round, so I cast on and got 2 rounds done in waste yarn, and am ready to begin with the real yarn tomorrow, for the picot hem treatment. It should be fun.

Koala Shell

This shell was knitted in Austermann's Koala yarn, and an Austermann pattern, both from Elann. It's a rayon/microfiber/tactel yarn that's kind of furry, and incredibly soft. I could hardly keep the cats off of it long enough to sew up the seams. Apparently it's perfect for kneading, and it's just about exactly their color, so of course it must be for them! They think. This was really fast, as it's a large gauge: 5spi and 3rpi. It's definitely going to be for fall/winter (notice the patent leather shoes with suede bows.) I made one design change in the pattern. I changed from Stockinette to Reverse Stockinette just below the armholes. This was actually the result of a mistake. I realized after I'd finished the back, that I'd done this. I really didn't want to rip it all out, and I decided it was a little more interesting this way anyway. That's my story anyway!

After I finished this last night, I did a gauge swatch with the Euroflax, and it's going to be fine, on the size needles they call for, which is unusual for me. I usually knit much more loosely than normal, apparently. This yarn reminds me a lot of the silk yarn I used for this shell I made for my sister several years ago. It had no give whatsoever either. Anyway, this is knitted on size 0 and 1 needles, so will be a nice, long project. I have to get a 0 circular needle before I can begin. I only have double points that size, and with 200+ stitches in the round, I want a circular. I will go back to my camp shirt while I wait for the needle.

I ordered some more yarn from Elann this afternoon. It's for this pullover
(shown below) from Gedifra. I'm going to do it in the Cherokee Brick color.

Gedifra Mauritius Pullover Pattern

General Update

I've been doing several quickie projects since I finished the Katia shell.

I made another pair of drawstring pants, this time in a thin microfiber/lycra fabric in a khaki color. I really like how these turned out, and I think I'll be wearing them a lot this summer.

I also started another very quick knitting project, this one is another shell, but in Austermann's Koala yarn, which is very furry, and I'm using a size 11 needle. There are only 43 stitches across the front, so that gives you an idea of the gauge. It's terribly soft; almost weightless. I doubt I'll wear it until fall, as it looks pretty wintry. The color is Burnished Apricot, and you can see the finished back in the photo below, under the Euroflax Barcelona yarn that came today. This evening I wound 3 of the 4 skeins into balls, and found out that Mr. Peep likes to play with yarn! The Catso has always been uninterested, so this is a change. I'll have to be sure to keep things out of his way.


Euroflax Barcelona on Austermann Koala

Yesterday I altered a camp shirt pattern that I'd taken off a favorite RTW shirt years ago. It's too big now, and also more oversized in its style than what's current, so I put on one of the old ones that I'd made, and pinned it to the look I want and made a pattern. I started sewing up a test model today. There are a few bugs in it, but it's generally wearable, and so far, so good. I haven't sewn the side seams yet, so the real moment of truth is yet to come.

Serpentina Shell is Finished

Katia Shell

This is the finished Katia Shell in green/gold Serpentina yarn. I think it turned out quite well, and it's very comfy. The yarn is a mostly cotton tape, and is almost dry feeling. The close-up below shows the ladder stripe which is made by unravelling the center knit stitch after you get to the shoulder bind-off row. I like the look of the increases and decreases alongside it. Here's a link to more shell photos.


Ladder Stripe Close Up

Shell Knitting

I finished the knitting on the Katia shell this afternoon and started the finishing. It's going quickly too, and I imagine I will be done tomorrow. The stripe turned out really cute. It's kind of fun to do, as before you bind off for the shoulders, you drop the center stitch in it, and that creates the cute ladder effect. The color seems to be very nice too. The yarn gives a nice mottled effect.

Buttons & Beads

Beaded Feather Appliqué

This beaded appliqué is from Earth Beads Gallery, and is fairly large; a little over 6” long. I plan to use it on a summer top or jacket, but I have no concrete plans yet. It’s really not my usual kind of thing, but I loved the colors and it’s just kind of neat. Here's a close up of the little tuft at the bottom of the feather.

Beaded Feather Close-Up


Very Large Buttons
These very large ceramic buttons were also an Earth Bead Gallery find. They're 2" square, and a little heavy, but they will be used for something.

Cardigan Photos

Mauve Cardigan

This is the cardigan I finished Friday night. I think it turned out rather well, especially considering how long it's been since I actually knitted the pieces. I wasn't even sure what size it was going to turn out to be, but I think the fit is pretty good. You can see more photos of it here, including a close up of the buttons.

The scarf is made from 2 skeins of Paton's Boa. The colors are great together, but I think it will be a while before I wear either of them. It was over 90° here today!


Scarf with Cardigan

More Knitting

I finished the mauve raglan cardigan last night, and am rather pleased with it. I will post photos soon.

This afternoon I finished a "fur" scarf that was just an "idle hands" project. It's cute though, dark blues and purples. It will be nice for next fall.

I also ordered some Euroflax Barcelona in Gypsy Bronze, thanks to May! I wasn't even aware that they had beautiful colors like these. This is really my kind of thing, much more than the usually variegated yarns that seem to always end up as horizontal stripes. I like the tweedy, heathery colors much better, and this looks perfect. It's supposed to be 4 colors twisted together, so I hope I like it as much in person as on the monitor.Here's a link to the colors available. It's about halfway down the page, and the Gypsy Bronze is on the upper right.

Raglan Cardigan

Raglan Seamline

I think the way the full-fashioning comes together on the raglan seamlines of this sweater is so pretty. This is another sweater I knitted a couple years ago and never finished. I guess I assumed I'd be in the mood sometime, but I didn't know it would take quite this long! The yarn is Neveda by Schjeepes. It's a chunky worsted. The pattern photo is below, and is the one shown on the model.

Berroco Cardigan Pattern

I also worked out the changes on a knitted shell pattern from Louet, called Lily. Here's a photo of the pattern.

Here's a link to more information about it. It's about half-way down the page. The pattern is written for Euroflax Sportweight yarn, but I may do it in something else. I want a pink coral that's not just a flat color. Jamieson has some lovely Shetland wools that would be gorgeous, but I don't think I want wool.

Knitted Shell

Schjeepes Vrillée Shell

This is knitted from Berroco booklet #189. I used Vrillée Fine yarn from Schjeepes in Lemon. I actually finished knitting the pieces of this in the summer of 2003, but just put them together and picked up the stitches for the neckline finish today. It's a pattern I've done several times, and I think it's a nice one. I changed the lower edge from a rolled edge to 6 rows of seed stitch, which I think is much prettier, and much more wearable.

For some reason, I'm suddenly in the mood to knit again, and I'm finding projects in various stages that I could pick up and finish. Quite a few of them are too big now, and I don't know what to do about them. Should I just rip them all out and start over, or finish the knitting, and cut and sew to the right size? I need to read through some of the patterns I was using, and the notes I made to see if I can even figure out what I was doing. There's one very complicated Anny Blatt cardigan with 2 yarns alternating in a tweed-type pattern (if I even remember that right) that I have a whole page of very tiny notes and specific calculations that look quite important, but I don't know if they make sense anymore. It seems to be all done except part of one front and the sleeves. The yarns are gorgeous and the colors are wonderful. I hate to rip it all out, but it ought to be finished. Oh well, I'll see if this mood lasts anyway.

Second Pair of Drawstring Pants

This is the second pair of drawstring pants I've made. The third are halfway cut out, and will be done soon I hope. These are a very thin rayon, and will be really nice for hot weather. They're almost like wearing pajamas they're so comfortable. I narrowed both the casing and drawstring, and added the difference to the top of the pants themselves. I like the effect much better, and they're more comfortable to wear. I may put in pockets next time, as I suddenly remembered a great inseam pocket from a Great Copy pants pattern that I think will work very well.

Even Furrier Flip Flops

Emily's Flip Flops.
These are the flip flops I made for the daughter of a friend. I think they're just darling, and much, much furrier. Just right for a young girl.

I used Bernat's Disco, a very long eyelash yarn with a little glitter, and Red Heart's Foxy, a variegated, shorter eyelash yarn.

Drawstring Pants

Drawstring Pants
I began and finished a pair of summer drawstring pants today, using my favorite Double Burda pattern. I tried a piece of stretch poly/cotton that I've had for a while, and cut the pants as usual, didn't sew the darts, and added a sewn on casing with a self-drawstring. The whole thing only took me about 3 to 3½ hours, and they turned out beautifully. I did a triple topstitch hem, and I’m already planning several more pairs in some very light-weight fabrics. You can see a side view here.

I took my fabric card file with me today when I knew I’d have some down-time, and it was great fun to put together combinations of fabric, and think about what patterns would go well with what fabrics. I need to add a list of my favorite patterns and their yardage requirements, as well as a few generalizations.

Fun Fur Flip Flops!

Fun Fur Flip Flops!

These are just silly, but kind of fun. The pattern is available online from Lion Brand Yarns. I actually made mine with Red Heart's "Foxy" as it was the right color for the flip flops I had. I haven't really crocheted in a long time, but I made them last night in about an hour, so a nice quickie project, and what a great gift they would be.

Twist Top

Twist Top with Drawstring Pants.
I finally succumbed to the call of the Twist Top. Not the infamous Burda World-of-Fashion version, but my own version, made from the Jalie 2005. I started with the V-neck pattern, and changed the front to a cowl neck. I constructed it as usual, then put it on and began arranging the twist at the neck. I ended up with a version that I like pretty well. It also has a twist at the hem. The hardest part was stitching the twist invisibly. Much easier to hold it than to pin it, and to pin it than to sew it. It's the first thing I've done since doing a major overhaul of my sewing area. It was looking so pristine that I felt I needed to do something quick to get back with the program.

I am not so sure I'm crazy about this, and as my sister says, "Why do you want a Twist Top anyhow?" She may be right, but it was kind of fun, and certainly wearable, if not my favorite top. I wonder if it might not be better on me in a woven. Maybe I should just quit while I'm ahead though. Not everything is going to look great on everyone, and now and then, I apparently like to prove it!

Organizing!

I remember reading somewhere that the truly disorganized just adore office supply stores, paper, notebooks, etc., so I had fun this week as I purchased 4"x6" cards and a cardfile for them. Yes, I am finally making a file of all my fabric. I was pretty sure that I had more fabric than I thought I really did, and it's actually a little scary just how much I do have. I'll see later if I'm brave enough to add up all the yardage and see what the awful truth is. It's going pretty well though, and it's nice to get things into sort of a good storage distribution too. Things had gotten a little jumbled, and hard to find.

In the cardfile I'm sorting by Knit or Woven, and then by color. I have fabric in very large drawers, and in some large, clear plastic tubs. They're semi-separated by color family and/or fiber. Not as well as they could be, and one big problem is where to put pretty good-sized remnants. I've about decided to devote one drawer to that. I'm sure this system will be evolving for some time, as I see how it works, and of course think of new and better ways to use it. I'm already thinking that it might be nice to separate the actual fabrics into seasonal choices. I do tend to have less spring/summer fabric, so maybe it won't be a problem. It's kind of fun to get to play with all my fabric though.

A Room With A View

I simply couldn't resist one more gorgeous wisteria photo. It's just never been this good before, and maybe it won't be again. Who knows? We are enjoying it.

The view out the bedroom window.

Marfy Jacket is Done!

Marfy 9419.

I finished my Marfy jacket Tuesday night, except for adding a couple pairs of hooks and eyes above the zipper, which I did this morning. It's fine without the hooks, with a blouse; but to wear it alone, it needs the hooks. I like this jacket very much, and plan to make it again in a thinner fabric, which is what is recommended, and make the skirt also. I originally bought this fabric planning to make a quick little jacket that I could wear casually, and I also thought it would be cute to wear to horse shows. It's not quite so casual as it could be, but I think it's fine for anything. You can see more photos of it, including the silk chiffon lining, and the jacket worn open by clicking here.

Spring Garden

These two photos will give you an idea of why I'm not getting quite as much sewing done lately as I did this winter. Really, with all the perennials I've put in over the years, it's very much a trouble free garden, at least as much as you can have, and still have flowers for 3 seasons. Please click on the photos to see them in a size which does them justice. The wisteria especially is the best it's ever been.

Looking toward the lower yard.

Hanging gardens

More Marfy

No actual sewing today, but I've been flying along with the Marfy jacket, and it is darling! The pattern is wonderful, so beautifully drafted, and with such subtle shaping. I did do the lapels in black, and the sleeve hem binding is going to be black too. One sleeve binding is done, and the other is about half-way there. I will do the lining next, but I haven't decided what to use for it. I'm thinking of a plain color lining, since there's a pattern in the wool, and I think a color would be nice, but nothing too outré. The way the collar lays is so perfect, and the darts within the lapel area give it such a wonderful shaping. Everything about this jacket has turned out exactly as shown in the drawing. In my experience, this is amazing. Apparently with Marfy patterns, it is the norm. I may have to change my allegiance, not that I really had any. I wonder how this jacket would change if made up in a thinner fabric, which is what is recommended. Guess I'll have to find out. Especially since I want to make the skirt too.

Marfy Beginnings

Yesterday I marked and cut out my first Marfy jacket pattern. It's the zip front one shown at the top of this post from February. I'm using a Pendleton wool which is reversible, black and taupe, with brand symbols.

I will use the taupe for the body and the black for the lapels. This is a little heavier than the recommended fabric, but I think it might work. It will be a good trial anyway. I'm just going down to start basting it together, and see where I'm at.

Pattern Play Class Tee Adaptation

These photos are of a jacket made from the Jalie Tee pattern using an adaptation of a Max Mara sweater provided in the Pattern Play class I'm taking as part of my prizes from the Build Your Own Collection contest I won last year on Sewzine. It's an interesting piece, but I'm not sure it's really "me." I used a mystery Slinky knit, which I like, but I'm not sure how much I'd actually wear this.


Pattern Play trial.

Side view

2005 SWAP - Stages I & II

This photo show the 16 pieces which comprise Stages I (shown alone below) and II (5 pieces to the left and below the original pieces. From the left, the new garments are:

Basketweave Cardigan (FSG 1960) Brown band matches Stage I brown doubleknit skirt
Olive Knit 3/4-sleeve Tee (Jalie 2005)
Brown Wool/Rayon Jacket (Self-Drafted Pattern)
Tan Wool Pants (Double Burda)
Taupe Dot Skirt (FFF) matches taupe dot tee from Stage I

I am enjoying these pieces a lot, and have fabric and plans to extend it, with a brown doubleknit cardigan, Clay Knit Tee and Cardigan, Tweed Jacket, etc. I'm sure many of these pieces will be in my wardrobe for years to come, as they're colors I love, and classic styles. This is a wonderful base to build from. It's much easier to extend it, as one can make things that only match some of the previous pieces, not all of them, and of course many of these pieces will go with things that weren't specifically thought of to match them.

2005 SWAP Stage I - 11 Pieces

2005 SWAP I
These are all 11 pieces of my 2005 SWAP, Stage I. From Left to Right, top to bottom, they are:

Brown Rayon/Wool Bias Top (Vogue 2683)
Clay Tee (Jalie 2005)
Plaid Shell (McCalls 2818) embellished with Ultrasuede strip and bow.
Olive Rayon Knit Tee (Jalie 2005)
Olive Rayon Knit Cardigan (FSG 1960)
Taupe Dotted Tee (Jalie 2005)
Cream Textured Tee (Jalie 2005)
Olive Rayon Skirt (FFF)
Brown Doubleknit Skirt (FFF)
Brown Linen/Polyester Pants (Double Burda)
Green Wool Pants (Double Burda)

Last SWAP I piece

This is the brown doubleknit skirt, the last piece in Stage I of my SWAP. I think it looks pretty cute with the plaid top, and it's very nice with the olive cardigan also, or the brown pants, etc. It really does coordinate with any of the pieces, just as it's supposed to.

SWAP is Done!!

I finished the last piece of my Official Stage One SWAP this morning. It's a brown doubleknit FFF skirt. I had to do several tiny alterations to my usual methods, so as usual, nothing is easy. It's the shorter length, which I like, although I decided it should be just a little shorter, so turned up the waistband again and stitched. This took away my usual flat rear alteration, so I had to redo that. No big deal, but not as smooth as I could have wished. This fabric was from Trim Fabric and when I got it I was a little disappointed with it, as I thought the color wasn't so great, but it's been growing on me, and I think the skirt turned out great. I have enough to do a cardigan with this, and it will be very versatile, and will certainly go with the SWAP. I will post a photo soon.