Category: sewing

Wovember Year of Projects Update: All The Wool

Posted on Posted in knitting, sewing, spinning, Year of ProjectsTagged , 22 Comments

Knitting

I finished something and frogged something and updated my list. In the meantime I’ve been looking for something shiny to bring my knitting twinkle back. Something new, in Christmas Red.

I have some gorgeous Fibre Company Arranmore that’s been languishing in my stash. The color is a beautiful red named Ruari. I think I’m going to make a Ranunculus. I looked at other projects for this pattern, and some have been made in Aran weight. It looks just the thing: top down, festive lace at the yoke for holiday cheer, and then loads of stockinette.

Sewing

Me wearing my wool Plateau Joggers

I’m really on a roll with my sewing. I have a bushel basket on my sewing table that I keep my current WIPS in, and it’s empty! I think I will pull out that plaid flannel that want to make into a wrap skirt. Having projects out inspires me to work on them. However, I am having trouble finding a pattern. It looks like I will have to take measurements and make my own pattern. This is a good exercise for me, as I haven’t done it in over a decade.

Spinning

My first attempt. I’m going to keep practicing on the merino top they sent until I get something usable. Progress not perfection!

This has been a Year of Projects update. You can find out more about the group here (Rav link) or here: Backstage Kath’s YOP bloggers list. You can read my updated list of projects here.

Wool Plateau Joggers

Posted on Posted in finished objects, sewingTagged , 15 Comments

I finished my second pair of Plateau Joggers. The fabric is 100% merino wool interlock from Nature’s Fabrics. I may have enough to sew a matching Mile End Sweatshirt. This fabric was expensive, so I want to use up every little bit.

I’m not sure what I’ll sew next. I do have some navy wool flannel that I’m either going to turn into overalls or a jacket. I also have some plaid flannel I want to make into a wrap skirt. I guess I have plenty of options!

Plateau Joggers

Posted on Posted in sewingTagged , 10 Comments

I finished sewing my Plateau Joggers! I LOVE them! I am dressed and comfortable at the same time. It’s amazing.

I highly recommend this pattern. It was easy to follow. I did make a mistake with the back pocket placement at first, mistaking where the bottom of the pockets should go as the top. As a result I had pockets on my back legs under my bum! I thought I might try to make it a fashion thing, maybe bring back the comb in the back pocket. Then I realized I’m too old to care about fashion. It was an easy fix.

Pattern is Plateau Joggers by Closet Core. Fabric is Trainers French Terry in Olive.

Next I’ll be making a pair from black wool interlock!

It’s Beginning to YOP a Lot Like Christmas

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, scarves and cowls, sewing, spinning, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , 20 Comments

I haven’t posted for Year of Projects (YOP) in a few weeks. I haven’t really been focused on crafting. But I did update my list today.

Knitting

I added this cowl, which is the Marled Alaska Cowl (Ravelry link) in Moondrake’s Soft Shawl, colorways Driftwood and Zombie held together. I should be able to finish this up this week.

I had to frog my Stash Aurealis. After I got through the short rows and increases for the yoke, my stitch count was wrong. At first I was going to fudge it, then I realized that would be silly as it is a very small bit of knitting that I can certainly reknit quickly once my head is in the right place. So that project will be disappeared back into the yarn tubs for now.

I removed some projects from my list that I can’t see myself making anytime soon.

Sewing

I added my Plateau Joggers, which are now cut out and ready to sew.

Today I will make some Canada, Eh? flannel PJ pants for Bob. He has requested pockets, so I hope the pocket pattern from one of my dresses will do as a template.

Spinning

M’lady
M’lady Bug

I added spinning to my list. My goals this year are modest. 1. Relearn to spin 2. Improve my spinning.

Listening to Music Intentionally

I removed this from my list. I’ve been enjoying indie folk playlists on YouTube that are themed by season or mood. It’s like hygge Muzak and is really the opposite of listening to music intentionally. But it’s nice background music and helps calm my nervous system.

We had snow flurries yesterday and the holidays are right around the corner! I’ve finished my shopping. It was easy as everyone is getting a Fair Trade Subscription. It feels good going into the season without many have-to-dos. I’m going to bake Rosemary Shortbread Stars today.

This has been a Year of Projects update. You can find out more about the group here (Rav link) or here: Backstage Kath’s YOP bloggers list. You can read my updated list of projects here.

Jogging On: the Dressing Ritual

Posted on Posted in lofty thoughts, sewingTagged , , , 15 Comments

Working from home during a pandemic pretty much has me wanting to wear PJ pants all the time. And yes, I could do that. But the mental preparation for daily work requires and involves the dressing ritual.

Mah GERD also requires nothing snug to be worn around my mid-section. Even leggings that are loose in the legs and butt squeeze my gut until I’m in so much pain I have to change into a tent. They just don’t make pants that fit my old apple body! This is why I’ve made the transition to dresses and overalls, but come on! I don’t want to wear dresses and overalls every day of my life! They’re fussy!

My PJ pants work for me because I make them to fit my body. Then one day I realized, you know what? I can make work PJ pants! I’ll make PJ pants in nice fabric! Then I realized I wouldn’t feel dressed enough, and decided to level up to some work sweatpants. I purchased the Plateau Joggers pattern from Sew to Speak, along with some nice French terry fabric. I’ve also purchased some merino interlock yardage in black, because wool + I’m cold all the time.

On the health front: I may have a small hiatal hernia. It runs in my family. And when I can’t manage my stress, I throw up. So, I need to wear loose pants, eat small portions, and manage my stress. And drink lots and lots of water. These are my instructions for wellness.

Also, I’m hoping that work joggers will make it more plausible for me to exercise during the day. I can be at work in my home office, sitting at my desk in my nice work joggers. When I find that I am at a good pausing point, I can take a walk down my road. Yes, sometimes I need to be dressed for the thing or I don’t want to do the thing. The Dressing Ritual.

What about you? Do you need a dressing ritual to get you motivated to do your thing?

Happy Halloween!

Posted on Posted in finished objects, holidays, knitting, sewing, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , , 21 Comments

Happy Halloween! It’s my favorite holiday, as you may have guessed. I’m wearing my Sleepy Hollow dress and Cemetery Drive cowl today.

I have a leather jacket that an artist I know painted, and I love wearing it. But I don’t always love having the back of my jacket painted as it attracts a lot of attention. So I purchased a used, plain leather jacket on Poshmark and I’m very happy with it. I wouldn’t buy a new one, but a used one feels less harmful.

I haven’t been blogging much lately. I’m knitting and sewing here and there. I had another “this is my hobby not my job” epiphany. Work has been busy with events for Fair Trade Month. And now we’re moving into the holidays. It feels very sudden!

I needed a knitting pick me up, so I stash-dove and decided to knit an Aurealis sweater. I’m just now starting the short row shaping on the neck, so not much to see yet. I’ve updated my Year of Projects list.

I sewed some monster PJ pants for Bob.

This Halloween Livie shawl won’t be done today, so I may pack it away for next fall.

What about you? Any Halloween makes this year? Are you ready for the holiday season to begin?

Saturday Sewing: Piedra Dress

Posted on Posted in finished objects, holidays, sewingTagged , , 25 Comments

I sewed a dress today! This is Seamwork’s Piedra Dress in There Will Be Cute’s Headless Horseman fabric from Spoonflower. I used the 100% cotton jersey for myself as I prefer the way all natural fibers breathe.

Close up selfie so you can see how cute the fabric is. It was a quick, successful sew. Which is good because I needed a win today.

Next up I will sew a couple of these for Freya in Halloween fabrics she picked out. She wears the same size as me, which is handy.

Have you had any crafting wins lately?

Pietra Pants

Posted on Posted in finished objects, sewingTagged , 17 Comments

I finished my Pietra Pants yesterday! These fit perfectly and fulfill my need for “jeans” since I can no longer wear real jeans. The high waist with elastic in back is forgiving and so comfortable. I can wear it with my cropped hand knit sweaters! The lightweight chambray will be suitable for late spring to early fall. I wish I could make these in a medium weight, but the gathering in back would be too stiff and bunchy.

Pattern is Pietra Pants by Closet Core Patterns. Fabric is Telhio 4.8 ounce denim chambray in dark blue. This pattern was a treat to sew. I only got a little muddled on the pockets, but they have a tutorial that helped me through. I used the same fabric for interfacing, with some of my Grandma’s roll of Stitch Witchery on the pocket facings to keep them crisp. (I can still remember my Grandma giving it to me. I think she would be proud of my sewing.) I will make a pair or two in linen next spring.

In other news, my sister sent me some Halloween tea! Thanks, Lori!

Soft: A Year of Projects Update

Posted on Posted in art, finished objects, knitting, sewing, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , , , , , 32 Comments

Fiber Art

My art show reception was last night, and it was wonderful to visit with family and friends who ventured out in support. I sold two pieces, which I’m over the moon about! Here is a gallery of the pieces in the show.

  • Haze Over Maize
  • Hay for Days
  • Blue Moon
  • Winter Sun
  • Coxheath
  • Iona
  • Iona 2
  • Louisburg
  • Ingonish Beach
  • Highland Village

I’m proud I was able to produce this body of work, and was really pleased with the feedback. Many people were surprised to see artwork made from wool. Someone said the work was really comforting, which was my goal. I think we all need a little bit of softness in our lives right now. The gallery’s website is at this link.

In other fiber art news, I experimented with fresh leaf indigo printing, which I shared about yesterday.

Knitting

I’ve been working on my Point Edwards Mitts, which I am really enjoying. I finished my Cemetery Drive Cowl, which I posted about on Thursday. And I finished a super secret birthday present for my MIL Margie, which I posted on Wednesday. It was a banner week for knitting FOs!

My DIY Fall Advent bag yesterday was the Ixchel Cowl in Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Moon Sisters. I don’t know if you can see the bronze sparkles in this yarn, but it’s beautiful. However, I just finished a colorwork cowl, and I’m not in the mood to start another one. I’ll store this for another time.

Sewing

I’m currently working on some Pietra Pants in dark blue chambray. I also sewed a dress last week. It was not horrible.

This has been a Year of Projects update. You can find out more about the group here (Rav link) or here: Backstage Kath’s YOP bloggers list. You can read my updated list of projects here.