Silver Sample (7/2/20)

Hi Everyone 

It’s Silver Sample day today. I try each week to bring a prototype Silver piece of work to the blog. This time it’s a necklace. 

               

This piece is very simple but I do like it. It’s very easy to wear. The necklace is very casual but could look good to compliment a plain more dressy outfit.
I’ve used Sterling  Silver for the linked rings. One ring is slightly smaller and allows the necklace to sit nicely when worn. I’ve added quite a long Stainless Steel chain with Sterling jump rings. I’ve given the two rings a bright, shiney polish. That’s about it, as a description. However, since making the necklace, I’ve had lots of ideas about how I can change the components. I’d like to add more rings and link the rings in different ways. I’d also like to change the finish of the rings. 

Here’s a quick look at the necklace in action :

                

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend, I’ll be back next week with more Making stories.

Another Boxy T Shirt

Hi Everyone 

Earlier this week, I introduced a Boxy T Shirt project - check out the details here and I mentioned plans to make a second. Ive found some lovely stretch jersey from (deep in) my stash. This is a fine green and white striped fabric. I did have issues with the fit of my first Boxy T Shirt, mainly to do with using a woven fabric. The first shirt was much too tight in certain places ie the neck and the arms. I’m certain this will not be a big issue for a stretch fabric, however, I’ll be measuring the crucial details carefully.

               

I’d also like to change some of the details of the pattern. I’m thinking about a boat neck feature and a split hem. I’m also going to lengthen the T shirt slightly, both the body length and the sleeves. Hopefully, I can cut out the second T shirt later today. The Make should be very simple, famous last words ! I’ll hope to share the finished garment next week.
PS : I still need to attach my ribbon to the original blue T Shirt, image bottom right. It’s a job for the weekend. By next week, I should have both completed T Shirts. 

Thanks for calling in today.

Sock Talk

Hi Everyone 

My story today is all about socks. I (almost) always have a pair of socks on my needles. At the moment, I have five pairs ! There are 3 pairs which are being repaired - a couple of new ribs (holes), a new toe (it has a hole) and I’ve changed the top of one pair to a rib. I did have a lovely sock cuff in the style of a traditional fair isle cuff. You can check out the style here. Although the sock cuff looked great, the lack of stretch didn’t work too well. I’ve decided to make a new plain, 2x2 rib and the socks fit much better. I still have more work to complete my repairs but the socks look like new, with very little effort. I will certainly, do this again. I have a few more pairs which could get new coloured heels and toes, very soon.

             

I’m also still knitting some blue socks to use up a leftover batch of memade yarn. This yarn has been spun and dyed for a sweater and there’s still more to use. I’ve knitted a toe up sock, I’ll add an afterthought heel and am now into knitting a cuff with my memade yarn. My plan is to produce a deep turn over cuff. Everything is working well at the moment, although - I have taken a while to get the right tension (where the change in yarn happens) for the cuff. I’ll share images of my work when completed.

My last sock story is about a new (to me) sock yarn from Denmark. The yarn is from hobbi and called Dots. It’s a 100gm, standard sock yarn. I’ve  seen this yarn knitted up and it does produce dots. My colour is 03 and is a series of faded pinks with purple spots. I think, I’ll go for a very simple, plain sock and allow the dots to ‘pop’.

So, lots to keep me busy. My approach is to work on a separate pair each day for a short part of my knitting time. The repair jobs are quick and I’m almost there. I have a second blue sock to complete (top left photo) and then, I’ll get to the dots sock.

Thanks for calling in today.

New Knitting Project

Hi Everyone 

I have a new plan for my next sweater knitting. I have various sock projects going on but my next sweater will be my main knitting focus for the next few weeks. I’m knitting a second version of St Catherine by Kate Davies. This is a great knit, lots of small sections, a very clever construction process and simple garter stitch throughout. My first St Catherine is very well worn, so I’m looking forward to a second. This time, I’m going for a slightly different approach.

               

 I used a Sport Weight yarn for the blue version in my photo story. I’m planning on using a 4ply merino held together with a Kid Silk next time. I’m also going for a green colour - I don’t have a green sweater but am very much looking forward to producing one ! I need to work a swatch. I’m not sure exactly, what fabric I will get ? I’m hoping I can make things work out. If my choice doesn’t work, I’ll dye some yarn to get the appropriate weight. I’m very keen to use Kid Silk and love the combination fabric this yarn produces when held together with other yarn. I have various shawls which use this technique, so I’m familiar with the process.

I’ll share the results of swatching in a few days, as I get my project underway.

Many thanks for calling in today.

Sewing Update

Hi Everyone 

I introduced the idea of making something from a lovely blue silky fabric last week, check out the plan here. I had a couple of options which you can see in my plan. In the end, I opted for the Boxy T shirt by Makers Atelier. However, all was not straightforward. Although the Boxy T Shirt is designed for both stretch and woven fabric, I didn’t look at the finished garment measurements close enough. As a result, the first T shirt didn’t fit. I had ignored the advice about measuring my biceps. The arms were very tight and no good at all. The neck opening was also much too small, I have a very small head and the T shirt would not go over my head. Not sure how that happened ? The length was also a bit on the short side (if finished in the way the pattern suggests). Generally, a disaster ! So, Plan B was required. I knew, I could resurrect the project.

My new plan involved recutting  a set of sleeves, I reshaped the original neckline and added a section to the bottom of the front. The pattern has a lovely deep hem which finishes around 5cm shorter on the front piece. I love the design idea but for my T shirt it wasn’t working. 

I wanted to add a folded ribbon feature around the sleeves, bottom hem and neckline. This was the main design characteristic which had drawn me to the design. Take a look at the link above to see how this detail should look.

           

My second attempt turned out well. The T shirt fits beautifully and I’m ready to add the ribbon trim. Hopefully, I’ll have some time later today, to complete the project. 

I will make this T shirt again, using a stretch fabric. This time, I will check all the measurements carefully. I have some lovely green and white stripe fabric which I have in my stash. I’m hoping I have enough ! I will check out the plan as soon as possible. 

Thanks for calling in today.