I used to sew all the time, mostly for my children when they were little. I have found a new love of sewing for myself thanks to Lotta Jansdotter and Grainline Studio’s patterns. But, frankly, I had forgotten how fun it is to sew little things!
Yesterday, I managed to put together a Geranium for Genevieve – it is almost complete but for buttonholes and a hem.
Buttonholes… yeah. It’s been a good long time since I have done any buttonholes on anything (save for knitting!!)
I need to clean out the cobwebs by doing a few practice buttonholes before attempting them for real.
But, I love the simple but really awesome details of this little pattern! I was worried the flutter sleeves would be hard, but they were so easy and are so cute!
I found some buttons in my Nana’s button box but I am undecided on which buttons to use… thoughts?
As you can see, I did not get my Beekeeper Cardigan finished and there just might be some more frogging in order. As Mary said in an email to me bright and early this morning: “Purling sleeves in the round is not fun.”
No. No, it is not! Flat knit sleeves may be in the future of this cardigan – I will do a trial run on the right sleeve later this week.
However, the weekend was just glorious. Quiet. Peaceful. Occasionally, being alone is the best thing for the soul. And, Sherman is the most accommodating of companions – quiet most of the time and usually happy to just sleep wherever I am.
There was a bit of drama early Sunday morning when the Cardinal family had a crisis with one of their babies after we had some unbelievably torrential rains. As you can hear, Sherman was most upset also but, it ended well, and the babies were all back to their usual routine of loud demands for their poor parents to feed them… NOW!
Today, though, is all about getting a couple of Geranium’s started for Genevieve!
And, my nana’s button stash has the perfect vintage buttons.
That’s right, the weekend ended with an Esme Tunic (dress for me) and a Pilvi Jacket. AND, I even figured out how to partially line the jacket (yes, even more repurposing of clothes that no longer fit!) And, I mean really super easy! I traced the patterns on Friday afternoon, cut out both patterns on Saturday and sewed the tunic and most of the jacket on Saturday afternoon. I finished the facings on the jacket and the hemming on Sunday afternoon. (To see a bigger image, just click!)
A hidden repurposed pocket
Lotta Jansdotter’s patterns are well written, despite finding the pattern pieces on the somewhat confusing pattern sheets! AND! The cap sleeve tunic is easy to alter post sewing. It just a simple side seam construction!
And, the sleeveless Uniform top with pockets also turned out wonderfully and will easily become a wardrobe staple. But, I really need a sweater or something with it – I am never warm inside when the A/C is running. So, I will more than likely make another Pilvi jacket.
I have one more dress that might have enough fabric to deconstruct into another tunic/dress, and maybe I will get to it this week!
First things first! The final round of voting is open! Mary had casually mentioned the idea of knitting the Final Four…which I think is a brilliant! Seeing the wonderful patterns that made the final four, this idea has some merit. Who is interested?
Tonight, clue two for the Lunar Phases MKAL comes out! I must confess to being more than a bit excited to see where this knit will go!
Yesterday, a little treat arrived via the mail!! Uniform arrived on my doorstep and I did look through it a bit yesterday afternoon. Oh.My. It has the recipe for endless sweater combinations… I am thinking about some fun summery knits that will be well worn and loved! As for the sewing… I plan on getting the patterns traced out next week and begin with a simple sleeveless top. I will make a muslin first to verify sizing, but I am so excited to start!
As you can see, I am still (!!) working on my Cluaranach, but the end is in sight. I am into the 4th repeat on the second half, with one more to go. Then I am to the “weighing and knitting” portion of the wrap. I want to use all the yarn up, so I will see how far I can go with the final skein.
I hope that your holiday weekend is full of very good things and now how about some links?
Christina Campbell’s Healthy Knitter MKAL looks interesting… a walk-along is included with a calendar with a daily tip or inspirational item! But, hurry it starts on April 1!
Yesterday, I saw this post from Gale which then took me to IG where I happily fell down a bit of a rabbit hole looking at #makenine2018 collages.
But, Gale was the starter of all this craziness and thanks to her I have also become a Ravelry Stalker of Kirsten Kapur’s pattern page watching for the release of not one, but two patterns: The September House Sweater and of course, her Mystery Socks which I hope will both be out soon.
I was going to “cheat” a bit and add my Treysta, but since I have less than 20 rows to go, I feel like it is already done (or it will be today!)
I have a little bit of sewing here, and lots of knitting.
Autumn Forest, again from Laine Magazine: This is the only project that I have already in progress, however I have a good bit to still knit with 15 pattern repeats to go!
In addition to this, I would like to find some kind of sock mojo this year and maybe knit a couple of pairs of socks in addition to this list. I am amazed by those who somehow manage to knit a pair of socks a month… I have plenty of single socks that are sadly waiting for a mate. Either I find some sock mojo, or perhaps I start a trend of wearing mismatched socks!
What about you? Are you joining the #makenine2018 challenge?
