knitwise

A week off...

Next week I won't be posting because we are going to Paris. It will be a little break between exams for the children, a chance to see my family again and catch up with all the news back home. It will not be a restful week as there will be lots of talking, visiting and walking through our favourite places but I am looking forward to our trip as it has been such a long time since we were there...

My 1953 blouse pattern has arrived! The pattern was already cut by the previous owner and it makes me quite emotional to think that at least once, sometimes in the 50's maybe, someone else used this very pattern to make the blouse.  I feel as if I am holding a precious antique piece of paper and I am nervous about damaging it. Sadly it is too late now for me to start before we go away. I want to take my time over it to make sure I do things right. The pattern states that it is an easy one  but,  glancing quickly at the instructions, I am in doubt...

Now that I am in my 50's mood, a pile of Miss Read novels is awaiting me. It has become a ritual every Summer. I love re-reading those books at this time of year and dream of simpler times....

 

Wips...

 
I have been very good lately at restraining myself at one project at a time...  BUT, the approaching Summer with all this sunshine (going to my head) and the constant inspiration from Blogland have changed all that!!! I feel like a butterly flying from one flower to the next. So I have to keep my head cool and get organised!

Christina is growing nicely on my needles and is reserved for evenings in front of the TV. The back is done, so is one sleeve. I love the constant changes in stitches, the work  progresses  in stages, I am happy...

The beginning of Christina's left front

Everytime I go to the bedroom, the sight of my granny stripes blanket feels my heart with a sense of warm happiness. I have decided to give her a twin sister to go on the other bed. It won't be an identical one but the colours will be more or less the same. This project will be for the long Sunday afternoons I will be spending watching the children cricket matches this Summer.

 

The very first stiches on the Twin...

Finally (I hope), I have been literally dizzy with all the sewing achieved by all the talented ladies on Sew Retro. Through these posts, I have discovered some truly inspiring blogs. I have been bitten by the sewing bug and must do something about it!... I am a bit of a novice in this subject so I have to start by something not too ambitious. I have bought a pattern for a blouse from the 50's era. Strangely enough, I have seen a similar blouse in a shop recently. Is the fashion turning into a retro mood?...

 

The pattern. Note: it says "Simple to make"

I am waiting for the pattern to be brought to me by the postman. I have already got the fabric which I think will do just nicely.  When will I have the time for this project??? Well, I am sure I will find it...

Pink gingham for a retro look. What do you think?... 

make do and mend...

My ironboard is about 30 years, not quite an antique but almost...  Over the years, I have bought countless new covers (which never fitted properly) and recently the foam pad has desintegrated to dust! There was nothing wrong with the ironboard itself and, in the spirit of "make do and mend", I thought I might have a go at restoring it myself rather than buy a new one.

I had a large piece of quilt wadding which I intended to use for a quilt which I never came around to make and a lovely Cath Kidston fabric which I thought would be perfect for the project. Ironing  is boring so I might as well have something pretty to look at when I press...

I know it is a bit sad to be excited about an ironing board, but I am so pleased to have achieved this result by myself.  There is something very satisfying in giving a new life to something very ordinary and old...

 

Vintage cardi...

 

I  wanted to knit from a true vintage pattern for ages, but I always hesitated because I was told that old patterns are usually obscure to read due to vague instructions.  It goes to show that we should not always believe what the others say and follow our heart. I didn't change a thing to the original pattern apart from knitting the button/hole bands together with the fronts instead of individually. I have used Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply which was very nice to work with and I now hope it washes well. If it does, I will surely use this yarn again... maybe for other vintage projects.

I might not be as elegant as the 1940's model and my waist is not as slim as hers but I am very happy with the way this little cardi turned out.