One thing leads to another

Have you ever freshened up a room with a new coat of paint and found that suddenly the bedspread, or pillows, or curtains look dowdy -- or the wrong color, or just somehow not right? 

Well, it happens with planning a new capsule for spring sewing -- how can you complete your plan when you know your closet is overfull with clothes that just don't work for you anymore?  So, after figuring out the pants/skirts I wanted to sew I decided it was time to do a little closet organization. DH was away for a few days, so timing was perfect. I could pull out/try on/make piles to my heart's content. And make piles I did -- such a huge pile of things that just weren't right anymore.  No photos, because it was an embarassment of poor choices and over-consumption. Hopefully I've learned an important lesson and will be more mindful of future fabric purchases and garments sewn. 

One thing I will show though are the little tags I bought to label different 'areas' of my closet. They're called "blank clothing rack size dividers" (mine came via Amazon) and they've been so useful in bringing order to my slacks and leggings -- now I know when I reach for something that it is exactly what I want. No more cropped length when I want full length, or navy when I need black -- such happiness from a little piece of plastic!

I'm hoping that now that the closet is sorted that I can get back to choosing which tops/blouses will be made to go along with the skirts/pants I have already picked out.

Another goal I've set myself this year is to use up more of the stash -- not only fabric, but also yarn, beads, etc.  To that end I pulled some ribbon yarn (Berroco Zen, now discontinued) to make a spring/summer light coverup. Since letting my hair go grey it's no longer one of my best colors, but I think I can get away with it since it pairs well with navy -- which is one of my basic neutrals.  Here's hoping next year I won't be going through the closet and saying "what was I thinking?".

Pattern is a variation of Soft Serve by Doris Chan from her book "Everyday Crochet". 

September Morn

Nope, it's still July, but here's another Doris Chan design - September Morn - a quick and easy little topper just right for layering over those summer tank tops. Crocheted in a very vintage stash yarn (yay, using stash yarn!) called Silky Look DK by Sirdar. And yes, that just might be a little advertising hype - Silky Look - um, no -- it looks perfectly fine, but bears little resemblance to silk. Pattern calls for Cotton Classic lite (light?), which makes perfect sense as it's from Tahki, but using a slightly heavier yarn seemed to do OK, and -- bonus points -- I was able to make a smaller size.

Onward towards autumn -- next up, from Knitscene magazine (Winter/Spring 2011) Papeline Pullover knit in Rowan Calmer -- now there's a yarn that lives up to its name! Details later, along with more Australian pattern fun!

A little more crochet

So, I seem to be on a crochet kick -- not surprising, it seems to happen every summer. There's just something about quick to work, lacy designs that goes so well with the warmer weather!

This is a Doris Chan design -- "Leaves of Summer Vest" -- from the current (July 2011) issue of Crochet! magazine. The pattern calls for Tahki Cotton Classic Lite yarn, which is something I'd like to try at some point, however I went with a slightly heavier cotton from the stash -- La Spezia, by Schoeller+Stahl. La Spezia is a 100% cotton yarn with 115 meters per 50 gr. ball. It has a cabled construction (refers to how the yarn is plyed; Google 'cabled yarn' for further explanation) which gives it a slightly textured look when worked up. I'm really happy with the stitch definition when crocheted. Kind of makes me wish I'd stashed a few more colors of this yarn!

The finished length of the design is a bit shorter than I'd normally do, and I have a bit of a dilemma about the under layer -- in the magazine it's styled with the camisole extending beyond the vest's edging (and looks quite nice on the young, attractive model!), but for some reason I keep wanting to tuck in that layer. We'll see how it feels as I wear it.

And a few more little things...

One of my fiber friends has been on something of a 'pioneer' kick, and her enthusiasm has drawn the rest of us into various endeavors. We've dyed fiber and yarn with natural plant materials, taken a class on simple cheese making, and now -- soap making. Well, if we're going to all the trouble of making our own soap, then I'd like it to be gift worthy. Hence the many facecloths. Hopefully we'll end up with lovely, sudsy soap (and no lye burns!) and can make up little gift baskets -- who knows, maybe I'll even throw in some of last summer's loofah harvest!

One skein of DK weight cotton (forgotten brand, possibly Elann house brand) yielded two crocheted cloths. On the left is a generic pentagon motif from one of my stitch dictionaries, and the pinwheel motif on the right is taken from a design in Doris Chan's new book "Crochet Lace Innovations" (Rosalinda top). (Excellent book, by the way, with several designs you'll see me working on in the coming weeks.) Perhaps it's a little too open for a cloth, but I loved it. In any event, it's for a face, not scrubbing out the oven, so...

Then there's a little fun project, a crocheted button necklace --




Nothing more than some buttons, leftover size 8 perle cotton, and a magnetic clasp.

At long last...

...some crochet!

Stats: free pattern courtesy of Naturally Caron (you'll have to Google -- too lazy to link!) 'Spa' yarn (acrylic/bamboo blend), smallest size. Mods: shortened by a pattern repeat in total length -- shortened sleeves by 4 rows. Another delightful Doris Chan design!

Spring Fever...

...at least that's my excuse for not posting much lately.

But here's a cute little number from the talented Doris Chan -- just right for those "still a little cool" days or nights right about now.

The pattern is free at the Caron International site (sorry, you'll have to use those Google skills -- I'm too lazy to make a link!). I lengthened it just a bit (9 rows) and left off the deep lace trim around the sleeve edge, replacing it with a simple scalloped trim.

Jewel

Another little project from Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan. Stats: Valley yarn Longmeadow - 60% cotton/40% microfiber acrylic. Size I crochet hook.

It has taken me a while to get used to the directions in the pattern. There is a lot of flipping back and forth necessary, which makes it hard to know what you need to do next (at least for me). However, after working a couple of patterns from the book I feel that I have a handle on Doris' methods -- well worth the effort needed, I think.

All Done

I don't seem to be able to get a decent photo of this one, but finally finished the Soft Serve (Doris Chan, Everyday Crochet) made in Kimono Ribbon by Louisa Harding.

I think this will be a nice little wardrobe addition -- just enough to dress up a tank and linen slacks, but without being too fussy. I lead a fairly casual life, but every once in a while it's nice to make a little effort. Here's a closeup shot that may convey a little of the nice gleam the ribbon has:

The color runs from light gold through a coppery brown to an almost black dark chocolate brown. I don't see it listed on the Louisa Harding site, so perhaps it made its way to Elann as a discontinued color. This is my first time using Kimono Ribbon, although I've knit with many other ribbon yarns, and I would say it's fairly typical of a ribbon -- it really wants to twist and turn while you're working with it. I'm not one to try to keep it flat and smooth while stitching (and I wonder if you even could with crochet) so that didn't bother me too much. It's a nylon yarn, so to block I simply ironed it. As I mentioned previously, I'm not sure if the heat will 'set' the yarn (as in killing acrylic) or if it will return to its crunched up shape when I wash it. If I'd made a gauge swatch (I know, I know...)I could test it out with that, but since I didn't I'll just wait and see. Why no gauge swatch? Well, sometimes I take a chance when working in one piece from the neck down -- you can often "swatch as you go" when working that way, especially if you don't mind a little ripping. But kids, please don't try this at home!

Blue Curacao

Or, in my case copper Curacao.

I had a few balls of the ONline Metallic leftover from making the Sera Lace Top (from Interweave Crochet), so I decided to see if I could get this shawl out of the remainder -- and I came really, really close! However, a ball with about 6 knots (I stopped counting after four) and another with yards and yards of snagged (or perhaps just mis-spun) yarn did me in. So, I left out the penultimate row -- still looks pretty good, I think.

The pattern is from Amazing Lace by Doris Chan. What is really amazing is that this is the fourth design I've made using Ms. Chan's patterns -- guess I must like them! There were a couple of errors (I believe) in this pattern, but nothing really earth-shattering -- row 10 has an extra ch 3 in the directions, and there is a discrepancy between the written instructions and the chart for the final edging row. Because I left out the next-to-the-last row I had to do a little creative fudging on the last row, but again, nothing major.

I think I may make this pattern again, next time using a yarn that is closer in weight, texture, etc. to the yarn called for. It was a fun project, and went rather quickly.

A Sweet Scoop...

...of 'Soft Serve' from Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan. Crocheted from Classic Elite Avignon, a discontinued pima cotton/silk blend: 115 yards (106 m.) per 50 gr. skein. 8 skeins used - hook size 6.0 mm (J). Sleeves were lengthened by one repeat, and body was lengthened by three repeats.

Doris Chan's second book (the first being Amazing Crochet Lace) presents a range of garments crocheted in her signature style: top down, seamless, raglan shaping using a variety of shell stitches. If you know you like working this way I think you'll really like this book. If you're not sure, or think it's not for you, please give it a look before dismissing it out of hand. Doris may prefer working this one way, but her garments are attractive and eminently wearable.

Styles featured are camisole/tanks, pullovers, cardigans, vests, coats and even some belts. She also gives instructions for a cute button fastener she calls "In-Line Links" which is two buttons joined by beaded links which is used instead of ordinary ties or buttonbands. As a big fan of unique buttons and beads, that's a technique I'll be trying soon.

I've mentioned before that I often have problems with "any" written crochet instructions, so the fact that I've been able to make 3 of her designs speaks well for instructional clarity. I won't kid you, I sometimes have to re-do a section, but I'm sure that has more to do with my own limitations.

When you're working all (or most) of your designs within the same stylistic framework, you might expect the results to be overly similar and thus less interesting. This may prove to be true later in Ms. Chan's design career, but her effective use of shaping, garment proportions and a wide range of attractive yarns worked in drape-able gauges helps give individuality to the various designs.

I'll probably make a couple more designs from Everyday Crochet -- when you consider all the pattern books I have which haven't been used for any garments -- well, high praise indeed.

SWAP

I recently attended an ASG (American Sewing Guild) neighborhood group meeting that had SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) as the program topic.

This particular version of wardrobe planning was devised by an Australian sewing magazine -- Australian Stitches -- and was later expanded upon by a Canadian fabric retailer into a competition for sew-ists. We really do live in a global village, don't we?

The concept (greatly simplified) is to have a core wardrobe -- mostly sewn, but purchased items too -- that can ALL be worn with each other. You get the idea I'm sure: a certain number of slacks, skirts, tops, a jacket, a dress -- and any garment can be worn with any other item.

At any rate, the meeting got me thinking about doing more garment sewing, and I also started thinking about SWAP knit/crochet style, Stitching With A Plan, perhaps?

I'll admit, it's a problem for me. I see a cute pattern or an intriguing yarn and I have to do something with it, regardless of the practicality. Now, there's nothing wrong with creating just for the fun of it, but I do enjoy wearing the results of my labors too. All too often though, I'll make something I love, but find it only works with (maybe) one other item. How sad that it sits forlornly in the closet, waiting for the stars to align for that perfect moment when its clothing partner fits, is clean, and is appropriate for the weather or event!

There's no way I'll ever attempt an entirely crochet/knit wardrobe of course. Crochet trousers? What madness! But I do think I'll start to be more discerning about the wardrobe items I make in future. Frankly, I'd be thrilled if something I made went well with 2 other clothing choices, never mind everything. We'll see how this develops.

I've pulled a few fabrics from the stash (yup, got one of those too) and I'm in the process of trying to figure out what they could become and to match them up with yarns/patterns I already have to make some useful co-ordinates. Wish me luck -- and does anyone notice the latest WIP (work in progress) peeking out among the fabric? More on that later, but here's a hint -- Doris Chan.

"Shine on Me Tonight, Allegheny Moon"...

...or maybe we should wait until later for some shine, as today is rainy and foggy. Didn't want to wait to post a photo, though, so here it is --

The specs: Allegheny Moon Mobius by Doris Chan, from her book Amazing Crochet Lace. The yarn is Ritratto by S.Charles Collezione, color s85, the pattern calls for 3 skeins. I made the mobius a bit longer than called for in the pattern so that it would drape a bit lower on the bodice, and had plenty of yarn left in the third skein to do so.

This is certainly not an everyday item of apparel, but I had wanted to work with Ritratto, and this seemed like a nice, simple project. It worked up easily, almost mindlessly, and I probably will wear it at some point, as I really like the colors. What I don't care for is the scratchiness of the metallic strand in the Ritratto. Now granted, this isn't meant for next-to-skin wear, but it was harsh on my hands while working with it, and I wouldn't want to use it for anything that might rub up against the skin -- say, like a muffler. A pity really, because the colors are lovely. Here's a closer look, which may be a little more 'color true' than the foggy view above:

Next up? Well, I'm thinking about doing an update of a vintage pattern if I can find a suitable yarn in the stash. And Plissé? I am about 7 cm from the end of the knitting, and since I just started the last ball of yarn I'm feeling pretty confident that I will not only have enough yarn, but enough to lengthen it just a bit. Which means that I will not actually be just 7 cm from the end -- oh please, just stab me with some sharp pointed needles, it would be a lot less painful!

Sneak Peek

• Allegheny Moon Mobius
• S. Charles Collezione Ritratto
• Amazing Crochet Lace by Doris Chan

Back Street WIP

Still in progress, but this is the little hussy that has been stealing time from Plissé. The specs are, Pattern: Sera Lace Top from current issue of Interweave Crochet. Designed by Doris Chan. Yarn: ONline linie 199 - metallic. Since I'm using a slightly heavier yarn I'll probably be doing fewer repeats on the body. I'll be attempting to make the sleeves three-quarter length instead of the full length of the pattern.

Not to worry, I'm still working on Plissé every day, but when it's just a couple of rows -- well, it's difficult to even notice any progress. Still, every stitch completed is just that much closer to the finish line.