Autumn Prep

And autumn sewing begins -- as usual, I begin with tops.

First up is Style Arc Preston. This is sewn in a cotton blend double-faced fabric. I've left off the side seam pockets (fabric too bulky and no suitable replacement on hand) and I've added a cowl style collar instead of ribbing. When the weather is cool I like the added warmth of fabric on my neck instead of open styles. The stripe reverse was used for the cowl and bands on the sleeve. An easy, comfortable style that will be a casual wear workhorse.

The next top was meant as a test garment, but I think it will be in everyday rotation even though I made a bonehead mistake and cut it out with stretch going lengthwise instead of around the body. I was on auto-pilot cutting it out and didn't realize that stretch on this fabric was going the opposite direction than usual. Doh! It's a boxy style though, and it fits fine nonetheless, so we'll see how it goes for around the house wear. The pattern is Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater, version 2 (funnel neck). I found the neck opening to be wider than I would like, and if I make it again will bring it in a bit and maybe add a little height.

And finally, two tops which were adapted from Style Arc Abigail. I wanted a swing top, and thought it would work with a few minor changes. I changed the V neck to a rounded neckline and added (yet another!) cowl collar. Since I wasn't doing a V neck I didn't need the front seam and just placed the center front of the pattern on the fold and cut as usual. The red version is merino wool jersey, and has the sleeves adapted to be fuller and gathered into cuffs. The dotted black/white version has the Abigail standard sleeve, and is a rayon/Lycra jersey.

                                                                          

                           

 

So, So Close

 I finally finished the crocheting, assembly of squares, knitting of ribbing, ripping out of (most) ribbing, crocheting borders, dealing with 1,000.000 ends (only a slight exaggeration) and I am now awaiting delivery of vintage black buttons ordered on Etsy. They are coming from the Netherlands, so I just need to be patient, but I am soooo ready to not even think about this cardigan for a while. And yet -- I really like it!

It will be cozy warm - thanks to the wool/alpaca blend yarn - it will match many things in my winter wardrobe, and it fits just the way I hoped it would - loose but not too loose or sloppy.

I did leave the K2 P2 ribbing on the sleeves. It pulls them in nicely. I ripped the ribbing from the hem and around the fronts because (using the pick up formula provided by the designer) it was much too tight and ill fitting. Sigh. I went with a scalloped edging for the hem and plain hdc for the fronts.  Here's a close up of the edging:

  

In the end it all worked out, but yikes! -what a headache. 

Now I understand why multiple crocheters (on Ravelry) just went their own way in making this pattern and/or complained about the directions. I'm glad I kept at it - and I'm really glad it's done (but for sewing on buttons!).