Knitting - Citron

Pattern: Citron (knitty link)
Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Wicked (Black)
Needle: 4.5mm?

Modifications: 
I'm not sure what happened, but I may have used two different sized needles on this. It doesn't show though!

Verdict: I don't think I'll EVER knit this pattern in black Kidsilk again. It was hard! But, I am really pleased with the outcome, and so was the recipient! She wore it for all of the birthday celebration, which is really all I could ask for as a knitter. She used to knit too, so she knows how much work goes into a shawl like that. Everyone was suitably impressed.

"Me Made May 2017"

Me Made May? What is it? It's a challenge, defined by the participant, regarding their handmade wardrobe.

I've made quite a few garments, but certainly not enough to wear an item I've made every day! From looking back over this blog I can see that I have made 9 garments.

1. The blue wrap dress that I made just after having my baby was adjusted a while ago to improve the fit after I lost a bit of weight. I may be able to wear that for work.
2. The plaid shorts are currently in the naughty pile, I'm not happy with them, but I'm not sure what to do to fix them.
3. The reversible bucket hat should be going on holiday with me, so that should get some wear.
4. The Jumpsuit, short version - just no. I am making a trouser version of this for my holiday though.
5. The 1 hour top needs an adjustment to be comfortable, I think I can put a dart in the armhole to make it less gappy.
6. I'm actually wearing the draped top today!
7. The knit mini dress (brown) is nice, I've worn it for work before, and I will again
8. The pink floral dress is a bit more formal, and also is a bit loose now that I've lost weight. I'm not sure what I'm doing with this one.
9. The knit mini dress (black/white) is another nice one for work. I'll probably wear this again too.

So, what's my pledge for Me Made May 2017?

• Wear a garment or use an accessory that I have made, refashioned or upcycled, three times a week throughout May
• For all of the items listed above: wear, change, reclaim fabric from, or donate to the rag bag at some point in May.

Sewing - Simplicity 1413 toddler hat

I wanted a bigger sized hat than the previous two toddler hats I have made, and I don't currently have a printer so I needed a paper pattern. I noticed that 1413 had a bucket hat as part of the pattern in the next size up...

I had two fat-quarters of the dinosaur fabric left, so I set to work with that. I made the smaller size, 19" circumference as printed. I didn't really follow the instructions though, but it still came out okay!

Sewing - Simplicity 1716 knit mini-dress, tunic and top - version 2

I've made Simplicity 1716 again!
It's such an easy make, even with sleeves this view is only 5 pieces, so it's quick to cut out and quick to sew as well.



Modifications and Adjustments

I graded out the hips to a size larger than the rest of the dress. I made the 14, grading to a 16 at the hip. I'm glad I did as this fabric drapes differently to the brown I used before. I cut the sleeves on the lengthen-shorten line rather than cutting the 3/4 or full length versions, and then hemmed them so they sit just above my elbow. This time I didn't worry about using a stretch-stitch. I did twin lines of stitching around the hems.



Verdict

I love it again! It's a nice, easy-to-wear shape and length. Overall I'm pleased with it and I would make it again. I'm thinking about making the twist-front version, though that's a few more pattern pieces and would probably work well in a plain colour.

Knitting - 21 Color Slouch

Pattern: 21 Color Slouch by Virginia Sattler-Reimer
Yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok, all 21 colours

Mods: Towards the end I had to fudge some of the colours as I ran short - my gauge must have been slightly out (I didn't measure gauge, naughty) or something. Otherwise I knit exactly as written, which is virtually unheard of for me!



Verdict: I really like it. Even weaving in ALL OF THE ENDS wasn't too much of a chore. I haven't actually blocked it yet, and it's a great size/shape, so I think I'll maybe lightly block it. I was too excited to wear it though!



As I was knitting it I was a little disappointed with the contrast between some of the colours. If I were to do it again I might shuffle the colours round a little bit to avoid putting the burgundy and red together, for example.

 

Knitting - Wilhelm Tell Icelandic Yoke Sweater

Pattern: Wilhelm Tell Icelandic Yoke Sweater (Ravelry Link)
Yarn: Sublime Yarns Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK [Nutkin (3), Toot (2), Plum Pie (1), Ruffles (1)]
Needle: 4mm

Mods: The gauge for the pattern is 20.5 stitches for 4". Using 4mm needles I was getting 22 stitches for 4" which is the recommended gauge for the yarn. I liked the fabric I was getting at that gauge, so I decided to go with it. I don't think the jumper would stand up to much wear at a looser gauge.

I knitted to the length of an existing cardigan, but then kiddo had a growth spurt. I initially thought it would be okay, but after having to add 2" to the sleeves, I added the same to the waistband as well. I decided just to extend the green ribbing rather than try to pull back, mainly because of the time it would take.

Verdict: I like the sweater, and I'd consider knitting something like this again. However, the speed I knit means that it takes a while, so perhaps I'll wait til she isn't growing quite so quickly!

Knitting - Whisper

Whisper Cardigan by Hannah Fettig (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Fyberspates Angora Wool Lace (Olive, discontinued)
Needle: 3.5 & 4.5mm



Modifications: I cast on both sleeves and worked them two-at-a-time until I reached the center back, then I grafted them together using kitchener stitch.



Verdict:
I'm really pleased with this - it looks almost the same as the one in the Interweave picture! The yarn was lovely to work with, and I love the subtle variation of colour throughout. I'm pleased I went to the trouble to make my modification, the sleeves match one another well and sit nicely.