Fair Shirt & Dotted Tee Quickie

Here's the shirt I'm taking to the County and State Fairs this year. I finished it yesterday, along with a blue and white striped one. It's made from KwikSew 1627, which is unfortunately OOP.

After I finished the shirts, I realized I was supposed to go to a group called Sewciables that evening, and the project we were to do was a T-shirt, or anything out of a knit. Well, I have a lot of knits just waiting to be made into a nice Jalie #2005 Tee, and so I decided on a mauvey-pink rib knit cotton with dark mauve polka-dots from Wazoodle, and cut one out, along with an FFF skirt. I made the tee in about 1 1/4 hours including cutting time. The sleeves are a different length than I've made before for these, and I think I like it. I usually do 3/4 length, but I didn't have enough fabric to do that and a skirt too, so thought I'd try shorter sleeves, and I like them more than usual; I think because they're not so short, but they're also close-fitting, which is not usually true of longer short sleeves. I haven't made the skirt yet. I am thinking of putting a wide band of self fabric at the bottom of it. Here's a photo of the top with my brown skirt from this year's SWAP. So, I guess this is another SWAP coordinate!


Dotted Tee

Once I finished this year's fair shirt, it was as if a weight were off! I'm feeling so much more relaxed. (I'm also on the new "Get More Sleep" regimen, which I think cannot help but be a plus. I got my Marfy Fall pattern catalog yesterday, and a mailer with swatches from Michael's Fabrics, so let the fun begin!

Fair Sewing

Yes, I'm sewing for the fair again this year. I've been working on 2 shirts for Pearle. Almost from the beginning I've known that the grey/white stripe will be entered, not the blue/white stripe. Funny how each fabric has its own personality. Some (like the gray) do everything you want with no problem. Others, such as the blue, are more difficult. It's turned out nicely too, but it just seemed to fight me every step of the way. Same result, much more trouble. I mentioned this to my sister, and she said, "I see. When we were growing up, I was the gray stripe and you were the blue stripe." I have to admit, she's probably right. Anyway, I have only the buttons and buttonholes on the gray left to do, so I'm nearly done. I have to enter my things on Monday, so not quite down to the wire, but close. I'm also planning to enter some knitting, and perhaps some other sewing. I won't enter as many things in the County Fair as the upcoming State Fair probably.

I think my sleep habits are finally catching up with me. About a year ago, I began to sleep only about 5 hours a night. I was doing a lot of sewing very late, and it was great, as there were NO interruptions. The last couple of months, I'm beginning to need more sleep again, but I'm still running on the old schedule, which I really liked, as I got so much more done. I'm beginning to feel pretty sleep-deprived though, and I've got to just bite the bullet, and realize I have to give back 3-4 hours of my day again, and begin sleeping 8-9 hours a night. For years I had a hard time making do with less than 9 or 10, so the sudden cut back to 5 was fantastic.
Maybe it will come again someday.

Another Shell: Katia Surf

Katia Surf shell

This is the pattern I began after I finished the Mauritius sweater. I fell in love with the zigzag cable pattern. I'm doing it in the Mushroom color, and I got the yarn from Elann. It's a lovely, soft microfiber yarn, and the stitch definition is really good. It will obviously look much better after it's blocked. Elann has the pattern as a free download.

Surf Progress

I'm still working away on the Lily Euroflax shell, but it's nice to have something going that's a faster project. The Surf shell is done on size 4 needles, so is a lot faster going than the Lily on size 1.

I'm also just starting on a few shirts for Pearle. I'm trying to get them (or at least one) done for his birthday, and for the upcoming County and State Fairs.

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.