The Dark Blob Progresses!

I didn't get a photo because it was dark this morning and except for a long, dark rectangle, there's really nothing to see right now.  I did finish knitting the body on my Chrysalis cardigan last night!

The next steps are to weave in ends and block the thing.  Then I will seam it to make it a wearable shape.  Finally, I'll have to make some decisions about edging the sleeve cuffs and the front edges.  In the pattern she calls for some kind of edging (maybe I-cord?) but I haven't read that far and I've kind of been playing with the idea of ribbing at the cuff edge.  I won't know for sure though until I try it on once it's blocked and seamed.  (And I should probably read the actual pattern, just to see how it was actually designed.)

I did have to use part of a seventh ball of yarn for this, so I'm glad I ordered more yarn.  I ordered enough yarn to make a second sweater out of it, I'm thinking a pullover since this is a cardigan.  I'd love pullover suggestions for worsted weight yarn in the comments, if anyone has any!

Have a great weekend!

More of the Sewing

A few weeks ago, when I was cutting out the Scenic Top (see the previous post for the details, links, and fabrics), I realized that since the fabric was 58 inches wide, I would have enough of the original two yards to get a second top.  Since the Scenic Top is semi-fitted, I wanted something with different lines, so I decided to make another Lou Box Top.  In the back of my head was the thought that I didn't need two plain, purple tops, so I decided to make the Scenic Top plain (especially since it was my first time with the pattern), and add something to the Lou Box top.  I didn't know yet what the something was that I wanted to add.

I thought and thought and played with different ideas, but nothing was quite right.  In the meantime, I kept sewing my way through the pile I had cut out and ready to sew.  (I always cut out at least three or four projects when I cut, that way I can keep up my sewing momentum without having to stop and cut again as quickly.)  The Scenic Top and the Lou Box Top were at the bottom of the pile, waiting for me.

Finally, as I sewed the Scenic Top, I used a scrap of Art Gallery Voile in a print that I really liked with the purple (but had no purple in it) for the bias neck edge finishing.  The directions for this finish are a little different with this pattern, but the finished result came out looking better than any other bias edging I've ever done.  As I was looking at the finished Scenic Top, my brain wondered, "What if we use this on the Lou Box top, on the outside?"  I knew that would be perfect!  I decided to use the finish on both the neckline and the sleeves (using a normal hem for the lower edge), and to add a pocket of the voile print just for fun.

So here is my finished Lou Box top, with exposed bias edgings and pocket!  This was such a fun thing to try, I've had to stop my brain from looking at different linen and voile/lawn combinations several times.  I'm sure I will do something like this again.  I might even use the exposed bias edge on the Scenic Top itself someday!

Some of the Sewing

When Autumn comes to Texas there is no mad rush for flannel, chunky knits, or boots - it's still 90 degrees here.  Our Autumn wardrobes are basically the same as our Summer wardrobes, in autumn colors.  When I found this rich, purple, handkerchief weight linen, I knew it would be perfect for an Autumn top that I wouldn't melt in!  I bought two yards, and since it's 58 inches wide, I was able to get two tops out of it - win, win!

This first top is the Scenic Top from Twig and Tale and this was my first time making the pattern.  (This was my first time making any of the Twig and Tale patterns and I'm very impressed.)  There's a lot of information about picking size and double checking your measurements with the pattern's,  and they give directions to adjust the pattern to fit.  The sewing directions were equally thorough and clear.  I didn't use it, but this pattern also comes with a video, walking you through all the steps.  The only change I made was to lengthen the body of the pattern a little as it is drafted for someone a few inches shorter than I am.

Sewing the top went quickly and very smoothly using their clear directions.  I don't remember the last time I used darts or did a true set in sleeve, but both of them were easy to do.  I used a scrap of cotton voile for my bias neck binding and while you can't see it while the top is being worn, I know it's there and it makes me ridiculously happy.

This pattern has four different sleeve options included and I used the cap sleeves.  I thought those would be most useful now, while it's still hot, as well as later, tucked under a cardigan.  In addition to the four included with the Scenic Top itself, the sleeves from the Vista Top, and the Sleeve Add On patterns can all be interchanged.  This gives you options to make basically any woven top variation, and the top itself is neither too fitted, nor too loose.  I will definitely be making more of these!

The second top I made out of this fabric will be making its debut next week, because I still haven't hemmed it, so you'll have to wait in suspense until then!  Have a great weekend!

A Dark Blob

This dark blob is actually something.  It's about 3/4 of the Chrysalis sweater, and obviously unblocked.  This has been my evening knitting and I can usually get a full repeat done every evening.  I did end up ordering another skein of yarn (just to be safe), and then I ordered a few more skeins of it (just to be super safe) which I will use for some sort of pullover.  I just love the way the colors work in this color way (which I know are really hard to see in this photo because it was still a little dark this morning).  

I've also been doing some sewing, which I plan to show you Thursday (I have to hem one of the tops).  I hope everyone is getting some cooler temperatures, even if it's just a little bit.  We seem to be firmly in the double digits now, and the nights are getting cool, so that's nice!

Something New, And Cuddly!

No, it's not another fur baby (just want to clarify that before we get started).  It's a new cardigan.  The pattern is Chrysalis and I'm knitting it in Malabrigo Rios in Whale's Road.  The knitting starts in the center back with a provisional cast on and works towards the cuff, and then you do the same thing on the other side, starting from the center. 

This color reminds me of the colors in the black of a raven's wing.  I'm really enjoying knitting it and watching the colors play in the lace.  Fun fact, I bought this yarn specifically for this project, but I'm really not sure if I've got enough to finish it.  I might not have read the pattern correctly.  I'm thinking of putting this side on a holder and working the other side to this point and seeing where I am.  Or I might just order another skein of yarn to be safe.

Have a great weekend!

Finished Things!

Today is a day of finished things!  I've been doing a little bit of sewing in short breaks while Obi is having his morning nap, and I finished another Brumby skirt.  This one is made in Art Gallery's quilting fabric.  I don't normally like quilting fabric for sewing garments because most patterns call for fabrics with more drape than the average quilting fabric.  (There are patterns designed to use quilting fabrics, so it obviously works great in those.)  Art Gallery quilting fabric is very soft, has some drape and is a very nice fabric to sew.  It also still has some body, so it can't replace rayon challis, but for patterns that call for chambray or linen, it might be an option.

This is the pattern with the impressive pockets, but they kind of get lost in the flowers on this skirt.  (They still function just fine, they're just hard to see.)  I'm tempted to make a tiered maxi length version of this skirt, with the pockets.  The structured (non-elastic) waistband would easily support the extra length.  That's a pattern hack for another day though.

In addition to the skirt, I also finished my Sagittarii pullover!  This is knit in Sweet Georgia Yarns Tough Love Sock in Charcoal and Lady Dye Yarns Sock in Benedict.  I prewashed both yarns to make sure there would be no bleeding.  I'm really happy with the way this came out.  The yoke pattern reminds me of vintage Christmas ornaments, but I purposely made it in non-traditional Christmas colors so I could keep wearing it through winter.  If you live in a place that has more cold weather around Christmas than we do, it would be lovely in more Christmas-y colors.   (We really don't get super cold around here until January and February.)

I didn't have to re-re-do the neckline a third time since it blocked out nicely.  I just steam blocked the sweater and everything settled right into place.  I know superwash yarn isn't the traditional choice for stranded colorwork, but if the gauge is tight enough it works just fine.  I have another stranded yoke colorwork pullover planned and the yarn is in my stash, so you will be seeing more of this kind of thing!