knitwise

Hope?

Apart from a couple of friends I know,  I am surrounded by a sea of non-crafty people.  It is partly why I started this blog in the first place: to be able to talk to like-minded folk who would not politely nod with a frozen smile on their face, thinking why on earth I spend so much of my time making things when I can buy a ready-made sweater in  a shop for half the price!  Am I alone in this situation ?

To you, I don't need to explain the pleasure of creating something stitch-by-stitch,  be it knitting or sewing.  I don't need to put in words  the amazing satisfaction of wearing something nobody else is wearing,  because I chose the yarn, the fabric, the color and the embellishments.  I don't need to describe the pride I feel when someone happens to admire what I have made.... 

It is ironic, don't you think that, although people have forgotten how to make things and can't or won't find the time to learn the "old" crafts, they are prepared to pay a fortune at auctions to buy old embroidered linen and knitted shawls from our grand-mothers ? There is still hope, then, if beauty is still recognised and praised...

Monday post...

I wish I could say this picture was  a reflexion of the weather here...  Sadly,  Spring has arrived in name only and rain and gales are the order of the day.

I got carried away this past week and worked exclusively on Saffron's sleeve.  I am now past the final increases.  A couple more cms, and I am starting the shaping of the top.  This is not serious,  because I was supposed to start on Joy's sleeve,  but you know what it is like with a new project...  I have promised myself: as soon as I have finished Saffron's sleeve,  I'll get back to Joy.

At least, I can't be distracted by sewing,  as my sewing-machine has gone for servicing and I have been told I will have to wait a couple of weeks minimum to get it back.  It is a bit of a blow,  as I have been leafing through some of my books and stash of fabric in search of inspiration for the April Project Spectrum.  I am eager to start!!!

Cast on...

Spring is here ! It is official even if,  by looking outside my window,  I don't see any sign of it yet... 

My trip to Southampton was half successful.  I purchased some gorgeous Kid Silk Haze in Majestic (yummy!) and some Jaeger Baby Merino 4 ply in Red Cheek and Princess (more about it in a moment...) For the fabric I intended to buy, alas, I wasn't so lucky.  John Lewis must have reduced their stock by 2/3 over the last few years!... I would have been OK if I had wanted to make myself a bridal gown or a tutu, plenty of choice there, but for a summer skirt, there was simply nothing.  As for the buttons,  I might as well have stayed on my little island.  So HELP anyone!  Can you recommend a good shop with plenty of choice for fabrics, buttons, trims, ribbons, etc...?

To cheer myself up,  because Spring is here and  because I have finished Joy's collar with only two sleeves to knit,  I allowed myself to cast on for another project ( I have listed those feeble excuses to make me feel better here...).

This is the beginning of Saffron, by Kim Hargreaves, from Rowan 25 with a few changes.  I am knitting it in 4 ply wool instead of cotton (as I said before, I need to practise knitting cotton for a while).  I have chosen Jaeger Baby Merino 4ply (Red Cheek) and a contrasting edging (Princess).  For the moment the edge keeps curling back and I pray blocking will cure the problem...

Creative mood...

I have finished Joy's back and fronts and all pieces are now blocking, in preparation for seaming and knitting the collar... I don't know about you, but I rarely knit in the order given by the pattern. I am also all for the "sew as you go" method. I know it is only an illusion, but work seems to grow quicker that way. The other advantage is you know sooner if it is going to fit or not...

On Monday, I am off to Southampton for a visit to John Lewis to replenish my yarn stash (which doesn't really need replenishing... but I have got a couple of projects in mind...) and looking at (and hopefully buy) fabric, buttons, beads, etc...  With Spring coming I feel in a creative mood. I have already bought a Simplicity pattern for a Spring/Summer skirt and ordered a couple of Japanese Craft books from Kitty-Craft.  I still need to have my sewing-machine serviced and I'll be ready!!!

Have a nice week-end!

Knitting revisited...

Last year,  Kathleen,  my friend and sister-in-law,  knitted Martha from Rowan 37 .  Same colour as on this picture with the eyelets.  It is beautiful!  I even bought some 4ply cotton to knit myself  one,   but somehow cotton and me don't seem to agree...  I'll have another go one day...

However,  she loved making it so much that she decided to knit the beaded version in Aegean blue.  I have seen the beginnings and it is going to be a stunner!  When it is finished I'll try to convince her to show you both versions through this blog.

I have never knitted twice the same garment.  But if I was asked which one I would do again,  without hesitation my answer would be Chicago from the same magazine.  Actually, the thought  had already crossed my mind several times...   I have enjoyed it so much,  I am sure the second time around would be just as good.

What would you knit a second time ???

La Vie en Rouge...

I had great fun working on my March Project Spectrum!  My sewing machine was kicking up a fuss after years of inaction,  but after much tender and loving care (i.e.  a bit of oiling and a lot of swearing),  it decided to cooperate.  I have decided to have it serviced soon as I feel this is only the beginning to many more adventures together.

So with an old pair of jeans,  a piece of fabric and a copy of Marie Claire Idees,  I now present this bag which is my contribution to the March Project Spectrum.  Hope you like it...

In the making...

Inspired by other blogs involved in the March Project Spectrum to search my house for red items in order to gather them for a photo illustrating this post,   I was appalled by the lack of red in my life!... And I love this color,  so why so little?  I think this is one of the little mysteries in life never to be solved...

For these monthly projects I intend to use (as much as possible) what I have got already.  So there will be recycling and de-stashing involved.  This is the beginning of the March project : an old pair of jeans past its sell-by-date,  a piece of fabric originally intended to be part of a quilt for my son (started but never finished...) and the latest copy of Marie-Claire Idees for inspiration.  I have already started and it is taking shape but it is not presentable yet for your sensitive eyes...  Rendez-vous in the next post when, hopefully there will be something worth showing you.  Happy knitting and crafting!

Red March...

This is the first day of March and the optimistic person in me says "Spring is on its way"!  We don't have harsh Winters here on the Isle of Wight,  but they are rather dull, grey and wet and at this time of year,  I am starting to yearn for sunshine, flowers and bright colors...

This is why the first Project Spectrum comes right on time for me.  The March colors are Pink or Red and I am going for  RED  which must be one of my favourite colors.  For some obscure reason,  I don't seem to possess anything in that color!...

I have thought carefully about this project and decided,  for financial reasons, to spend as little as possible. I intend to use my imagination with what I have got already.  This is actually an excellent way of re-discovering my stash.  This first project will be a sewing  one.  I have been wanting to take up this craft again for some time now and Lolly's brilliant idea gave me the push I needed.  Next post should tell you more about it...

March is also the month I plan  serious progress on Joy and hopefully an end to it!...  The back and one front are done, it is time I get a move on...