festive baubles

I'm beginning to feel that festive activities in the build up to Christmas really help make Christmas Day itself feel more special. And make the season last a bit longer! So last Christmas I decided that I would try and make a bauble or two a year. Last year I made a couple of hearts (my design) and owls from Christmas Crafting In No Time by Claire Youngs. This year I made another heart (two on the tree seemed too few) and a cat.

double seed stitch bobble hat

With autumn setting in and winter around the corner (plus 2nd sock avoidance tactics) I decided to knit a new hat. I had a particular shape and fit in mind (quite current & slouchy, but fitted enough to support the bobble without too much scrunching at the nape). So I decided to make up my own pattern as I went along. There was a fair bit of unravelling before I got the crown right!
I used a double seed (or moss) stitch and a great mustard Malabrigo Worsted yarn no.35 (plus various bits for the bobble). I'm developing a bit of a thing for pom poms...

knitting socks

I've just finished knitting my first man's sock and first baby bootie. The sock was surprisingly straightforward - toe up with short row heel - it just took forever because of the insanely thin wool I chose! I'm putting off starting its pair because it'll take forever to finish and I've got so many other projects lined up! The baby bootie was tricky; friends may be waiting a while for their gifts...
It doesn't help that I keep getting distracted by other projects (such as a bobble hat and a fisherman's jumper). I've bought some lovely Koigu Painter's Palate wool for my next couple of pairs of socks though. (I need a few alpacas to feed my wool habit...)

my tank pattern

I've been working on a couple of sewing patterns of my own recently and I have just finished the first; a simple tank. I started off with standard size 10 block (next step to make my own block) and then did some dart manipulation using the techniques I learned on the Saturday course I did a while back and a really helpful book (my the tutor) The Pattern Making Primer.  I made up a practice version of the pattern in old material and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out! There are just a couple of tweaks needed (there is a slight gape in the armhole and its a tad big) before I make a version in nicer material.

lately...

I've been in France... sigh...I've also finished the Loop Mignon baby cardigan, which will be winging its way to San Francisco this week. I'm quite pleased with it - I hope it fits!

Wowzer

I love everything about this Garance Doré photo - especially Alice Lane's amazing jumper (and hair)! I think a jumper like this will be my autumn knitting project.

pattern cutting

I loved the pattern cutting course I did today (dart manipulation).

Collette Sorbetto sewing pattern

So I've just finished the Sorbetto top, a free download pattern from Collette. The pattern was great; really easy to follow. I lowered the neckline a bit and added a button opening at the back.

yarn & a new knitting project

I ordered this Blue Sky Alpaca Metalico yarn from Loop for a special new knitting project; the Loop Mignon baby cardi. The yarn is a lovely silvery super soft wool/silk mix. I'm looking forward to knitting with it.

vintage patterns

Some patterns that I pilfered from my mum, who used the patterns on either end to make school uniform skirts for me and my sisters. I'm excited about attempting the blouse on the right, but perhaps with slightly less voluminous sleeves (I'm also liking that patterns came as a whole outfit in the 80s!).

current fabric stash

I seem to have gotten a bit carried away buying Liberty fabric lately, but it is so beautiful! The blue/purple fabric is from M is for Make. I love their selection of fabrics and I had to talk myself down from buying a couple more (I still have my eye on them though!).

Wiksten Tank

To kick off, here is my most recent sewing project; a Wiksten Tank! I downloaded the PDF pattern last year and it has taken me until now to get around to making it. I am a huge admirer of Jenny Gordy of Wiksten, for her creative business, her style and her love of cats (shared!). Wiksten is the kind of the creative business that I would love to emulate one day and so it seems appropriate to start there.
I made the Wiksten Tank in XS and raised the neckline a bit. I found the pattern great to assemble and easy to follow. I will definitely be making another one from my Liberty fabric stash, but is a bit tight under the arms, so next time I'll go for a S.