NPRINS

Dear readers, I brought home some wonderful yarn from Chicago (Evanston) from  Close Knit .  They gave me a cowl pattern from a sample and I planned to make it up this weekend.  Pixie doing some adorable modeling J. had other plans. He loved the yarn so I ended up making a scarf for him (and adapting their pattern).  I'm definitely avoiding making the "Dr. Who" scarf he's coveting for as long as possible. A close view of the stitches The yarn is Malabrigo Rasta in Soriano.  Size 19 needles *yeah*! The pattern for the scarf from Close Knit: Cast on 12 stitches Row 1:  k3,p3,k3,p3 Row 2:  p3, k3, p3, k3 Repeat until the length is to your satisfaction. I am making a cowl from the left over yarn for me! Still.  Addicted.

Yes, dear readers, I am addicted.   I've cut out the Jstern's khaki pants but have yet to sew them up - literally less than four hours work - at the most eight.  Can't. do. it.  Must. Knit. So, my first scarf below, simple knit stitch to 54 inches (pattern called for 42 inches): The sheep pin to wear it at work. Simple Knitting  started my knitting addiction, in Jacksonville in a hotel during a Hurricane. Wonderful introductory book.  Intriguing.  Not an all-in-one comprehensive book (I bought Teach yourself visually Knitting  for this purpose."). It is a garter stitch - and Blue Sky Alpaca Metalico yarn - raw silk and baby alpaca wool.   Size 3 needles (yikes!).  This took two weeks.  I do enjoy it - I blocked it and it actually stretched quite a bit (darn it!). Then, I took another class - a Reversible Cable Knit scarf and knitted two scarves (I've been traveling quite a bit - so I've taken up airline knitting).  I used Misti Alpa...

Dear readers, I have a confession.  My self-taught knitting skills produced nada.  zero.  nothing.  All my stitches were sloppy and too tight (a metaphor for my life?).  So, I decided to do something about it. I took a beginning knitting class, and guess what?  I loved it.  Now, it all makes sense.  Don't pull on the stitches - not to mention having someone point out what your are doing wrong is priceless.  And, my stitches have really improved!! So, I've made two kitchen washcloths, not to mention increases (yard over) and decreases, knit stitch, purl stitch, rib stitch, binding off, casting on - and stockinette (rather than kitchenette which I referred to on my last post). Now, I'm actually going on to make a scarf (only garter stitch) but still! I can't stop.  I probably need Knitters anonymous already. Did you have the same experience when you started?

Dear readers, I don't know if you know this - but I am an avid cyclist and challenged myself to make the following bag:  So, I finally finished a small bike saddlebag - let me just say I need to improve the design. This is what I was shooting for: Or                                   Both the above bags are manufactured for the fantastic  Rivendell Bikes. Compare: Well, I went a bit heavy on the reflective type and binding.  Side picture (above) From the back (above). Yes, I did insert a zipper under the overly large flap - next time I will make the flap out of leather, I think.   Did I mention leather is difficult to sew with - I used a roller foot (bought for this project and other oilcloth projects) - and leather needed (except when I forgot and used a jeans needle, oops). I ordered the straps (not yet received) from a business owned by a local couple bike-bag making team, called ...

Dear readers, I've made a second version of Gertie's Portrait Blouse (from New Book of Better Sewing (NBBS) and then memorialized the event by taking (silly) pictures.  First -  the sad news, Betsey Johnson is closing her retail stores as of this last summer. The good news, her fabric went to Mood and I benefitted from this sad event.   Hopefully, she'll be onto something even better!  Another knit portrait blouse from Gertie's collection of patterns, blogged about in my last entry.  Super comfortable, fun to make and easy!  I might actually make one or two more:) Here is the blouse on, as I am photobombed by Paddy below: Another silly picture: The sales person at Mood told me this fabric came from her closing retail stores. . . and I have found other butterfly like patterns in her collection from this year: Very similar looking!  Betsey bring on your next round of shocking, silly, pink and wonderful - we're waiting for your next line! My next projects...

Dear reader, I fell in love with a slightly small, but long length wise sale tank top from Anthropologie.  So, I did what every good seamstress would have done - copied it immediately.  The original is on the left and the one I made (now I realize in the execution stage what I could have done better) - is the red one on the right!  I merely traced the design and added a ribbing.  I also used my serger to put the knit jersey together and my sewing machine (with a stretch needle) for the ribbing. Photo-bombed again, but here is it made with my self-sewn Jennifer Stern jeans, an Anthropologie coat and hat.  It's a bit tight - but I like to think of my tanks as SHAPEWEAR:) More knits to follow - this tank top kicked off a knit kick with two more tops.

Dear readers, I've made another skirt from my skirt sloper - this time I made an A-line skirt using the adjustments I've learned from two sources. . .  The fabric is from G-Street Fabrics - $6.00 on their "skirt ends" table.  A back view above, showing the A-line shape.  I keep getting photo-bombed by my Kerry, Pixie.  I inserted a quick lining from the stash - albeit a bit uneven.  It peeks out when I sit - but at this point - I'm ok to live with that:)  This methodology is what I merely used.  Adding a bit of flare at the side of the skirt.  This reference is from a used book:  "How to Design your own clothes and make your own Patterns" by Claudia Ein.  I do like some of the ideas.  And, adding to the flare is an option, slash and spread method by Helen Joseph Armstrong, "Patternmaking for Fashion Design."  I didn't use the slash and spread method as the skirt materials didn't drape as well, and it is suiting material.  ...