Apparently...

...I took a little break -- ah, how refreshing!

But now it's a new year, with new things to accomplish.  I've been enjoying all the "resolutions" type posts around the 'net, but not going to go there myself.  I often wish I was more productive, or at least produced things that actually work together -- collections, if you will -- but the plain fact is that I do this (sewing, knitting, crochet, whatever) for fun, not necessity.  So, fun will often lead me down impractical paths -- but it's a lot more enjoyable than having "shoulds" and "have to" hanging over my head.  Which brings me to --

Hats!  Love them, and am trying to make them more a part of my daily life, and now I seem to have a need to actually make them.  You've seen the sewn ones I've done recently, but now I'd like to try actually molding one on a form.  I'm hoping I come out with something wearable from this --

a hat form

A wool felt "hood"

                          and this --

Not too keen on working with toxic chemicals, so I'm going to try a gelatin sizing.  That might make for some interesting hair should I get caught in the rain, but it's probably better than going mad as a hatter.  I'll be using the book Hats, by Sarah Cant for some guidance.  It doesn't 'seem' to be terribly complicated, but we'll see what choice words I'm saying when I'm smack dab in the middle of it!

 

Updates as I go along, but now it's time to fire up the steamer!

 

Dear Santa...

I've been a very good boy this year, not one ginger pig has mysteriously fallen from the tree!

Too Cute

I think even Scrooge would agree -- these are seriously cute!

The recipe is HERE    If this link is wonky, they are from the 12/12/2012 issue of The Washington Post.

Things I learned that may help someone else -- place the chocolate chips with the pointed side down -- don't place the ears too far apart, they could fall out -- use a nice long noodle for the tail, you will have breakage, especially if they travel -- try really hard to find (already) sliced almonds, it is very difficult to slice whole almonds cleanly.

I only changed one thing in the recipe -- I used a yolk-sized dollop of cream cheese in place of the egg yolk, since I made a half recipe to test it and didn't want to be bothered trying to divide one egg yolk --  it worked just fine.   If I were to make them again (and I will) I would consider using white string for the tail.  The children I would bake them for are mature enough to know not to eat the string, plus I grew up eating sugar mice with string tails and survived -- but you know your own audience and the responsibility rests with you, so...  Bonus points?  Not only are these cute, but they taste good too!

Scarfing

Hitchhiker  -- yarn:  4 skeins Koigu PPPM

This designer has some cute shawlettes -- I think I'll put Leftie on the needles next.

I think this one is Trellis by the incomparable Doris Chan in the scarf version.  Also available in a shawl/wrap or cowl version.  Found it in the closet with only two ends to run in.  Now, why didn't I finish it off way back when?  Not sure about the yarn, but I love the colors!

Un chapeau rouge...

...sounds classy in French, non?  But no, I'm not one of the Red Hat ladies -- just a sewist with a piece of red velvet left over from an infinity scarf.  Waste not -- and there you go -- a jaunty beret!

Pattern is Vogue 9082, an OOP (I think) Patricia Underwood design.  Fabric is rayon velvet from FabricMart, a fairly recent addition to my stash, so there may still be some left, if anyone is interested.  Lined with Ambiance rayon, and brim (only) interfaced with silk organza, as I wanted to keep a loose, floppy effect.  Very easy pattern to sew, but lots of handbasting. 

Now, I just need to figure out just how I'd like it to drape, and just how to arrange the hair, and hopefully it will see the light of day!

Basic Chic

Somehow, with all the strange weather we've been having -- hot, cold, hurricanes, etc. I never showed the latest cardi.  It's turned cold again, but too cold to go outdoors for a modeled shot.  So, here it is hanging.

Pattern is from Chic Knits -- the Basic Chic V-Neck Cardi.  Yarn is vintage stash - Tahki Donegal Tweed, 100% wool, 183 yards/167 m per 100 g skein. 

I like it well enough, but I think I didn't do the yarn justice with such a plain pattern.  Somehow such a rustic, tweedy yarn cries out for cables.  Still, it will be a useful piece, and I'm happy to have made a teeny wee dent in the stash.  Onward!

Fe, Fi, Faux...

...fur, that is.  It seems to be all around this season, so how about a little faux fur collar to add some zip to a sweater?

Some leftover scraps from a pillow, and Butterick pattern 5727, a nifty hint from the latest issue of Altered Couture, and voila!

The pattern calls for fabric ties, which are sewn into the collar.  That's perfectly fine, but a little limiting, style-wise.  Perhaps you don't want a floppy tie or bow, or maybe you'd like to coordinate the color to something else in your wardrobe.  Well, now you can -- thanks to a hint from the article "Nifty Thrifting" by Tracy Schultz in the Aug/Sep/Oct 2012 issue of Altered Couture.  Instead of sewing those ties, simply sew ribbon stays onto the back of the lined collar, and then -- presto, change-o, run a scarf of your choice through the bands and tie.  Here's a shot of the back of the collar --

How clever is that?  Now you can switch out scarves or ribbons to your heart's content.  Like so --

Of course, maybe you don't want any type of tie at all.  No worries, you could also simply sew a hook and eye to the collar's edge.

These work up really quickly, and use very little fabric.  Might even be a quick, simple gift idea for someone on your holiday list.  One other little hint I'll leave you with -- the pattern has a center back seam.  The pattern instructions would have you sew the center back seam in the fur, sew the center back seam in the lining fabric, then sew the two pieces together -- leaving an opening along an edge for turning the collar right side out.  That would certainly work, however, I find it easier (when hand sewing the small opening closed) to leave an opening in the center back seam of the lining fabric instead.  Actually, I only sew about an inch of that seam on either side and leave the rest open.  Then, simply sew around the entire edge when you've placed the fur and lining together.  That way, your hand stitching is lining fabric to lining fabric -- plus it's hidden underneath the collar.  The other way, you'd be stitching faux fur to lining fabric along a more noticeable outer edge.