Surprise new pre-Fall knitty today! Their site is slow, but I can't wait to start reading!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Crafting... The new generation
Much to update over the past week or so.
Skirt complete, though I never did figure out how to machine sew an invisible zipper. I put it in by hand and it looks pretty sturdy.
Also the craftiness has rubbed off on the younger generation. I helped my little sister to craft not one, but two awesome 4H projects....and both will be going to State Fair (one in competition and one in window display).
Skirt complete, though I never did figure out how to machine sew an invisible zipper. I put it in by hand and it looks pretty sturdy.
Also the craftiness has rubbed off on the younger generation. I helped my little sister to craft not one, but two awesome 4H projects....and both will be going to State Fair (one in competition and one in window display).
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Necessity of the Seam Ripper
For my birthday I bought myself a sewing machine from eBay. Of course, the feeder dogs were mis-aligned and it cost twice the purchase price to fix them. Still to celebrate, I decided to make a pretty, simple summer skirt. I bought this vintage-looking simple cotton print from the local Hancock Fabrics on super-sale, it's magenta with tiny white leaves. The printing pools a little, I wouldn't use it for a large flat design (a straight skirt, the back of a shirt) but in a pleated design, it's great.
I'm working off Simplicity 2698 Skirt H, Yoke B in size 12. I'm a 4 or 6 off-the rack. To give you an idea, the finished yoke will be about 27.5in. and sit at the waist (when I suck in my breath). The cutting, skirt sewing, even pockets & pleating are very straightforward and easy.
My headache came when I started to fit the waistband. After staring at the instructions for entirely too long, I realized it's a paper-bag waist, the kind where the pleated section fits in front of the waistband. EWWW. Not for cotton print. Not for work-wear. So I ripped out the zig-zag edging on the band, ripped out the basting, and the side seams and started reworking a band that would fit over the pleat lines. Mind you, I was using thread scissors and straighpins as I have yet to invest in a proper seamripper -- only people who make mistakes need seamrippers. So I hand-stitched my now separated waistband over the pleating with a blind hem stitch on top. It's a snug fit, but the stitching feels stiff and secure, so i'm lookin' good. Next time, I might try a frayed waistband, or adding a ribbon or embellishment at the waist.
Tonight I tackle my first invisible zipper. You see the unfinished floppy pocket area on my hip--that's where the zipper will live. Except you won't be able to see it, because it will be invisible.
There's also a lingering question of how to hem it. Regular blind-stitched straight hem would be classy. But a bubble-hem might minimize my pleated butt protruding in back. Hmm...
I'm off to buy a seamripper.
I'm working off Simplicity 2698 Skirt H, Yoke B in size 12. I'm a 4 or 6 off-the rack. To give you an idea, the finished yoke will be about 27.5in. and sit at the waist (when I suck in my breath). The cutting, skirt sewing, even pockets & pleating are very straightforward and easy.
My headache came when I started to fit the waistband. After staring at the instructions for entirely too long, I realized it's a paper-bag waist, the kind where the pleated section fits in front of the waistband. EWWW. Not for cotton print. Not for work-wear. So I ripped out the zig-zag edging on the band, ripped out the basting, and the side seams and started reworking a band that would fit over the pleat lines. Mind you, I was using thread scissors and straighpins as I have yet to invest in a proper seamripper -- only people who make mistakes need seamrippers. So I hand-stitched my now separated waistband over the pleating with a blind hem stitch on top. It's a snug fit, but the stitching feels stiff and secure, so i'm lookin' good. Next time, I might try a frayed waistband, or adding a ribbon or embellishment at the waist.
Tonight I tackle my first invisible zipper. You see the unfinished floppy pocket area on my hip--that's where the zipper will live. Except you won't be able to see it, because it will be invisible.
There's also a lingering question of how to hem it. Regular blind-stitched straight hem would be classy. But a bubble-hem might minimize my pleated butt protruding in back. Hmm...
I'm off to buy a seamripper.
Baby Booties
My coworker is having a baby boy in a few weeks and I needed a quick-knit gift. My aim was to do Angora Baby Booties from Joelle Hoverson's Last-Minute Knitted Gifts. Unfortunately my LYS only had pink or gray angora, so I started using Luisa Harding Grace Silk & Wool instead The color is #18, a pale baby blue. It's a DK weight, so a little thick. It's soft, slightly fuzzy and really delightful to knit.
These are knit inside out using a double-knitting technique, which is a little tricky with the thicker yarn, but easy once you pick it up. Still I would not recommend this project to a first-time DPN or first-time sock knitter. As promised, bootie #1 took about 1.5 hours. I had trouble following the cuff instructions and reviews say they're a little big in the cuff, so I decreased by 2 stitches and kind of improvised. I started bootie #2 and if all goes as planned should be done in no-time.
You can see #1 is right-side out, and like magic, I'm knitting #2 double thickness on only 2 needles -- Take that kitchener stitch, I don't need you and your kind in here.
The lighting in my living room doesn't do this yarn justice.
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These are knit inside out using a double-knitting technique, which is a little tricky with the thicker yarn, but easy once you pick it up. Still I would not recommend this project to a first-time DPN or first-time sock knitter. As promised, bootie #1 took about 1.5 hours. I had trouble following the cuff instructions and reviews say they're a little big in the cuff, so I decreased by 2 stitches and kind of improvised. I started bootie #2 and if all goes as planned should be done in no-time.
You can see #1 is right-side out, and like magic, I'm knitting #2 double thickness on only 2 needles -- Take that kitchener stitch, I don't need you and your kind in here.
The lighting in my living room doesn't do this yarn justice.
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Seascape. An experiment in lace and patience.
About two weeks ago I started knitting the Seascape pattern from Kieran Foley (as shown in Knitty Summer 2008). The plan is to make this shawl from my little sister, Murray. She's 17 and has a big year coming up. Prom, graduation, a ridiculous Beaux Arts debutante ball (affectionately known as the "Bozo Ball.") my parents insist upon. Plenty of occasions to need a lacy grown-up shawl.
I'm using bamboo #5 needles and Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Ghost (below photo courtesy of Rowan). It's a white super-soft kid mohair. Pretty much like knitting spiderwebs. They don't call it "cracksilk haze" for nothing. Just touching this stuff makes a girl feel pretty. It's beautifully spun to make a really tight strong yarn with gorgeous fluffy halo. When finished it sheds a little, but nothing too awful. I've knit it on plastic needles before, but it really is heavenly to slide around on bamboos. The only issue is that it's pretty much unfroggable. You get it knotted, you're pulling out the scissors.
Needless to say, with a more complex lace, the project has been slow-going. I finished Chart A and I'm mid way through 2/7 repeats of Chart B. I didn't have much luck following Knitty's chart version of the pattern, so I'm following the step-by-step from Kieran's website. So far, so good. Every wrong-side row is straight purls, so that's a nice break. Here's what she looks like so far.
I can already tell it's going to be an adventure in blocking.
Links:
My project on ravelry
Kieran Foley's impeccable instructions
I'm using bamboo #5 needles and Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Ghost (below photo courtesy of Rowan). It's a white super-soft kid mohair. Pretty much like knitting spiderwebs. They don't call it "cracksilk haze" for nothing. Just touching this stuff makes a girl feel pretty. It's beautifully spun to make a really tight strong yarn with gorgeous fluffy halo. When finished it sheds a little, but nothing too awful. I've knit it on plastic needles before, but it really is heavenly to slide around on bamboos. The only issue is that it's pretty much unfroggable. You get it knotted, you're pulling out the scissors.
Needless to say, with a more complex lace, the project has been slow-going. I finished Chart A and I'm mid way through 2/7 repeats of Chart B. I didn't have much luck following Knitty's chart version of the pattern, so I'm following the step-by-step from Kieran's website. So far, so good. Every wrong-side row is straight purls, so that's a nice break. Here's what she looks like so far.
I can already tell it's going to be an adventure in blocking.
Links:
My project on ravelry
Kieran Foley's impeccable instructions
I'm a Crafty Critter!
Hi I'm JennaC, and I hope this blog will document my experiments in needlecraft - and maybe other crafts too, but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself here. The goal is to post updates on current projects every few days and also give you reviews on some older completed projects - because there are only so many photos I can post of myself frogging a sock cuff repeatedly.
I am not an artist. I have no formal training in art or design. I draw horses that look like dogs and cars like wheeled submarines. I was nearly held back in pre-kindergarten because of my abysmal scissor skills. Once I took a pottery class. My mom decided the best place to display the special bowl I made for her was the very back top shelf of her closet.
But give me a set of needles and I'm a whorling dervish. Here are my current interests and skill levels:
Embroidery - expert
Knitting - intermediate
Quilting - intermediate
Hand sewing - intermediate
Applique - beginner
Crochet - beginner
Machine sewing - beginner
Here are some things I've never tried. Convince me it's worth it:
Macrame
Lace tatting
Rugmaking
Weaving
Spinning
Needlepoint
Draping-method garment construction
Also you can find me on ravelry.com my screenname is jennac3102. We can compare stashes or 'staches.
I am not an artist. I have no formal training in art or design. I draw horses that look like dogs and cars like wheeled submarines. I was nearly held back in pre-kindergarten because of my abysmal scissor skills. Once I took a pottery class. My mom decided the best place to display the special bowl I made for her was the very back top shelf of her closet.
But give me a set of needles and I'm a whorling dervish. Here are my current interests and skill levels:
Embroidery - expert
Knitting - intermediate
Quilting - intermediate
Hand sewing - intermediate
Applique - beginner
Crochet - beginner
Machine sewing - beginner
Here are some things I've never tried. Convince me it's worth it:
Macrame
Lace tatting
Rugmaking
Weaving
Spinning
Needlepoint
Draping-method garment construction
Also you can find me on ravelry.com my screenname is jennac3102. We can compare stashes or 'staches.
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