Slogging through January

 When I potted up this amaryllis bulb last autumn, I had hoped for a nice Christmas display.  Mother Nature has her own timeline though -- so, blooms to celebrate MLK Day -- and they are just as lovely.

Sewing projects have been scarce lately, but I've picked up the slack with some hand knitting. I finished the Alby scarf and am looking forward to wearing it.

I really liked working with the Finn Dandy yarn -- it felt so nice running through my fingers. The black contrast yarn was some leftover Loft by Brooklyn Tweed in the cast iron colorway. I had used it as the darkest color in the Aranami Shawl by Olga Buraya-Kefelian (not previously shown here) and was hoping to use the ball up, but no such luck. I'll have to keep looking for some small projects to use up my leftovers.

I like to use charts for my knitting projects, so I treated myself to a new tool -- the Maker's Board from Cocoknits. It's a bit pricey at $36 USD, but it works so much better than the flimsy plastic document holder from the office supply store I had previously used. I use the included ruler under the line I'm knitting from a chart, and the magnetized back holds it firmly in place. Despite the firm hold it is easy to move the ruler up the chart as you work.  Plenty of additional magnets and a needle gauge are also included, and of course you could stick any additional metal objects (needles, pens?) to the board.

Despite my lack of sewing I have still managed to order a few pieces of fabric for some eventual spring projects. Couldn't resist the shirting sale at Fabric Mart -- I really can't be trusted on any fabric sites. Some things just never change!

 

Bits ‘n’ Bobs

And a Happy New Year to all. Can’t say I’m incredibly optimistic about 2022, but who knows?

I’ve enjoyed reading many blog “year-end round ups”, and while I don’t do that kind of summary myself, I feel pretty good about my production this past year. My focus was on filling gaps in my wardrobe, and producing some ‘every day at home’ wear that is a cut above Pandemic Year I Don’t Care Anymore. 

I ended up sewing several pairs of joggers, but tried to elevate them from ‘sweats’ with fabric choice. One of my favorites was Ponte Leggero Stretch by Telio. This is a lighter weight ponte with plenty of drape. The pattern I used was a modified Kwik Sew (RIP) legging pattern. I wanted a slimmer jogger, and the pattern also had no outside leg seam for an even more streamlined look. I split the 1-piece pattern down the center and added about 3/4” there and then an additional 1/4” to the inner leg seams. I have no idea if that is an official Sewing Police method, but it worked a treat. I should note that the legging pattern was not drafted with negative ease originally so I didn’t need to add much for the look I wanted. Drafted a cuff — plain rectangle, how easy is that? — and boom!, just what I wanted. Gotta love it!

I’ve started a small hand knitting project — Alby by the talented Bonne Marie Burns. My main yarn is Finn Dandy 2-ply sport by Bare Naked Wools. I’ll use a black yarn for the contrast stripes. Right now I’m working on the lacy edging — 

Not much sewing done lately, but one small project has been my “costume” for our family holiday gathering — a 20’s murder mystery night. We decided to not go full bore with costumes, but rather just use accessories to suggest our characters. My character is Greta Garbled and I’m using a gold metallic tinged turban to convey a little hint of glam.  

The pattern is the Surimani turban available through Etsy. Fabric is a black/gold knit that I found in my ‘scrap’ tote — I have absolutely no idea what I used it for originally, but was happy to find it.

A little machine knitting has been done also. I’m thinking that this 1/2 scarf will turn out to be a nice large swatch instead of being completed. I had punched the design card for the sheep in snow and combined it with a standard block design from my pre-punched design cards and was anxious to see how it would look, but a softer wool and more width would be better I think.

The wavy yarn at the bottom of the picture is waste yarn, not part of the design.

So, bits and pieces to start off the new year. Trying to keep busy to keep up a positive attitude. 😀