order

Suddenly the fiction on my bedside table has been replaced by books meant to inspire sense and order in life. My life, that is. For starters, I purchased a physical weekly agenda because although I have a Blackberry for work (which desperately needs a new handmade case), I seem to be forgetting all the non-work stuff. Like cross-country practices and birthday parties, doctor appointments and library due dates. Real stuff. The agenda makes me happy - it's red with embossed cherry blossoms and even though it's larger, it weighs less than the Moleskine version I almost chose (this is very important when you happen to walk everywhere). Dorky as it sounds, I already feel more organized, not to mention I love using a pencil again. You don't have to re-charge a pencil every night.

Next up, Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project. I haven't totally forgiven myself for delving into a pseudo-self-help book, but I have to admit - I'm enjoying it. Yes, it's entirely anecdotal and unscientific. But her experiences are relevant to me at this stage in my life and I appreciate the bite-sized amounts of research she peppers into her prose. There's no way I'm going to start going to bed early though, even if that would result in more happiness. Those hours after the kids are in bed are simply too precious.

The book that has me making notes like a fiend is In-House Design in Practice by Cathy Fishel. This is completely for my work life, but it has needed some organizing - or maybe vision - for some time now. I try to keep the "work" me out of this blog, and I'm not about to break that rule now, I only want to say that it's amazing when someone can capture all the bits and bobs of what you've been struggling with at work and then inspire you with case studies and practical advice. Reading should equal inspiration, fiction or not, right?

And I have to thank Ginny for her Yarnalong post last week - she inspired me to start another Girls Cap Sleeved Sweater for Sadie. I had just enough Milodon wool and the colourway is fantastic (though my poorly lit photo is not). Hopefully next week I'll have a little person to model the finished garment. For more reading and knitting inspiration, hop on over to this week's Yarnalong.

golden red

Two weeks of knitting, one week of button choosing and now I actually have a finished sweater that I love.

I've had 3 different sweaters on the go since January, each one unravelled after so much time invested because it just wasn't working out. But I started this one a few Fridays ago and it came together quickly. I enjoyed every single minute of working on it. The pattern - the Golden Wheat Cardigan - is fantastic and easy, and I've learned once and for all that I need to stick with the yarns I love. For example, I started a new pattern with Cascade 220 a few days ago and it was making my hands raw so I'm calling it quits with that workhorse wool. If I don't want the wool sitting in my lap then the project is doomed. There's still plenty of colours left in the Luxury Tweed that I can try, although I'm also getting pretty close to ordering Quince & Co because knitters have been raving about it (and the colours are great).

I did make a couple of modifications to the cardigan. I'm not a huge fan of reverse stockinette, so I used regular stockinette instead with KFB increases on either side of the 2 st raglan seams. I didn't make any decreases in the sleeves and used the larger needle for the garter cuffs and bottom band. I ignored the waist shaping; with no chest to speak of, it's better for my sweaters to be straight or they hang funny. And I forgot all about the pocket! I think the Luxury Tweed was a good yarn for the pattern because it's drapey and so the neck is flexible, looking more like a cowl. With stiffer wool it might retain the boxy shape and give the cardigan a whole different look.

And during this time I finished a really delightful book, Vaclav and Lena. Not that it's a light story, but the characters are really well developed and a pleasure to witness growing up. They are both Russian immigrants and the dialogue of children learning the English language added to the overall charm. I'm almost finished Half Broke Horses but I'd have to say it's not my favourite. At times I don't really like Lily Casey Smith and in order to fit her whole life into one novel, experiences are just touched on and for me, it lacks the depth of experience that would make me really understand this woman. Every read can't be amazing, and I'll happily finish this one and move on to the next.

Happy knitting and reading, and don't forget to check out this week's Yarnalong.

the almost cables

For no specific reason, I have avoided trying cables.  But then I came across the Frog Tree Cabled Tam (this version in particular is amazing) and thought it would be fun to try something new. I'm easily excited, it turns out.

Here's the verdict: cables aren't scary, the third needle makes the knitting interesting and I'm still in love with Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed. But even with gauge, this hat is huge on me. I could store another whole head of hair inside that thing. I haven't even finished the hat in these photos (there aren't any decreases yet!) and it's already big. I have had this problem with hats before...so perhaps I just have a ridiculously small head. Jay had a few choice descriptions for the overall look, all voiced through rather uncontrollable laughter. I haven't unravelled it just yet but when I do, it will in no way be related to the cables. The cable thing was definitely fun.

With the change in weather, I still need a hat though. I'm trying the Big Blue Beret with my one remaining ball of this wool instead. If it goes well, hopefully I can summon the courage to undo all that virgin cabled knitting. Better luck next time.

stitches to live by

This summer in the tiny town of Bloomfield, at a little antique shop called Dead People's Stuff, I found a sampler that I just had to have. Even though this was made from a kit, I love the tone of the saying and it seems unusual for something that looks vintage (sure, subversive cross-stitching has become popular in the last decade, but I'm used to finding sincere sentiments in older work - not something that would make me laugh). The pinks, purples and chocolate brown are pretty sweet too. We don't add much to the house these days, but it was fun to squeeze this find into the kitchen. And hey, it helps me feel way better about any indulgent baking that may occur in there.

productive pause

Amid a predictably busy summer at work, I was given a tough suggestion to deal with the stress: temporarily give up all my hobbies except one. Sure, I was terror-stricken at the thought, but it only took me half a second to choose which one I would keep. It's the one that slows my mind down and helps me breathe deeply. It's tactile and full of possibilities and has taught me the wonders of patience. So while everything else is put aside, my knitting needles will keep me company.

What's amazing is how much knitting has happened since that decision one week ago. I finished these legwarmers - something I had started months ago after a failed attempt at a Citron Shawl using this purple Koigu wool. The pattern is Some Cloudy Day by Tiny Owl Knits and I love the simple lace effect, which was a really easy set of stitches to memorize. I may try a modified version (basically a smaller multiple of 6 stitches) in a worsted or aran weight to get chunkier pair for really cold weather. Or perhaps a tinier version for Sadie because it's possible that wearing legwarmers is more appropriate for 6 year olds anyway? (Though the same could be said for wearing bright red Mary Jane shoes, but that has never stopped me before - thank you Trove for having such an excellent summer sale!)

And as Milo napped Friday afternoon I also started the Golden Wheat Cardigan using my all-time favourite wool Debbie Bliss' Luxury Donegal Tweed, in the very same colourway as the Mara Shawl I knit last year (it's just that awesome a colourway). It's a top-down, seamless pattern and I'm already 3 inches into the body. Clearly this focusing on one hobby has productivity going for it...not that I should be focused on being productive (actually, that's exactly the opposite of the intention) but it's been a pleasant outcome so far. I am still reading though, because I think reading is more like breathing and eating, and not really a hobby at all. Although it's not in the photo, I finished up The Girl Who Fell from the Sky. It was swift, haunting and thoroughly engaging. I haven't been able to finish The Illumination (sorry Ragdoll!) but it does boast an amazing premise and an awesome cover too.

For more stories of knitting and reading loveliness, check out this week's Yarn Along.

knitting, for real

Lately there has been very little knitting represented here. Now, no one is really holding me to showing only knitting, but perhaps it's time I change my little description off to the right. Clearly my addictions are not limited to wool and I no longer sew things from wool blankets. But this would involve writing a new description which takes...time. And thought. When instead I could be sewing and knitting some more. For now I'll add figure-out-what-my-blog-is-for-and-if-it-needs-a-facelift to my to do list. At least today I have a knitted vest to show.

It feels a bit like cheating to use my own pattern, but here's the sad part: I had to print myself a copy and I also had to restart the vest twice because I goofed up. Using my own pattern. Hmm. But I still love making this wee thing and I used Cascade Superwash to make things easier on the new mommy. It's been a while since I've had a baby gift to make and it was such a perfect reason to get knitting (and get me out of my knitting funk which involved three separate attempts at adult-sized sweaters - so much wasted time!)

I worked on this vest while while we stayed at a cottage two weeks ago in Prince Edward County (we stayed there a few summers ago as well). Before leaving I wanted to order some new books for the vacation, but I struggled for a moment trying to figure out what to pick. Then I remembered small things' Yarn Along. This is the beauty of community that the internet allows: in this case, those of us who count knitting and reading as favourite pastimes have a place where we can ooh and ahh over lovely photos of yarn and books while also getting reading recommendations from similarly minded people. Amazon will never peg my "likes" as easily as this group of knitters. So here is my first knitting-with-novel photo, taken on the cottage deck when I was about halfway through Annabel by Kathleen Winter. I haven't reviewed novels in a while, but other than the abrupt ending, I loved the world this story inhabited and the characters I met along the way. And now a trip to Newfoundland has moved to the top of my wish list. It happened to start on a wintery scene, but it was a lovely, engaging summer read.

Happy knitting.

little black dress

More Sadie-shot photographs, more me looking like the world's most awkward model. But I think this dress turned out really well, so they will have to do. I picked up a DKNY Vogue pattern (V1179) in the spring even though I've had bad luck with commercial patterns over the last few years. At this point I can't even remember why I started cutting out the tissue pieces. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I did. Other than the fiddly pleats (I mean, imagine trying to get pleats in knit jersey to be spaced evenly - it's pure torture) the dress was really easy to make and the resulting shape is comfortable and cute. It has the shape of the Mociun tie-front dress, minus the whole tie feature of course, but I like dress shapes that are snug where you are small (for me = bust) and roomy where you are...less small (ahem). So, great pattern and highly recommended. As for fabric, a lightweight jersey with drape would be perfect - my cowl is a bit heavy because I used a t-shirt weight knit but it's totally passable.

(Note to self for the next photo shoot: stand in front of the dimmer switch.)

the boy's version

Still loving this pattern for shorts - quick to make, and so cute on kids. I used leftover jersey for Milo's pair and put elastic around the whole waist (as opposed to Sadie's more stylish, flat front shorts). The green trim is the very last of a t-shirt I cut up and I just love the colour combo. Who knew Milo would have the perfect t-shirt to match?

It's also possible he thought our photo shoot was for the toy bus though. Oops.

apron skirt

A while back when I cut up an old maternity dress to make a tank top, I still had plenty of fabric left over from the skirt. The happy accident that led to this skirt's design was when I stepped into the bottom portion of the cut up dress and tightened the fabric around my waist just to see what shape skirt I could make. It turned out that I liked the shape when I tightened it; it was A-line, it flared nicely at the back, and it was pretty much the right length too. So I decided to go with it. I have always loved big, unnecessarily wide (or long) ties and that's pretty much all I had to add to it. In my ongoing clothing strategy known as "operation: hide belly" there is just no better feeling than tying fabric tightly around your waist. The jiggly parts all get held in place - awesome. The chambray is 100% cotton, but it has just enough stretch to make the wrap over parts fall nicely. I have tried to remake this with two other less flexible cottons and it just doesn't fall the same. But I like the skirt so much I'll continue to hunt for another fabric that will work (as if I need reasons to shop for fabric). Now that I look at the skirt in photos, it really reminds me of a cafe apron I made a few years back for Tie One On. I should have realized ages ago that a skirt could follow that design!

Sadie took these photos, so I may have figured out a new system for documenting the clothes I'm making for myself (I swear there is knitting happening too, but since I got the basement studio set up I can't seem to stop sewing). They aren't totally in focus yet - the camera is a bit heavy for her 38lb body - but she seemed to enjoy being a photographer. As long as she can choose what shoes I wear, that is.

And totally unrelated to sewing, but so worth exploring for all the inspiring images this designer has collected in one place, visit Stuff Avery Likes. I'm smitten with her "Cool Dwellings" category right now.

fat quarter shorts

I love these shorts, I mean LOVE them. I drafted the pattern from a pair we picked up at Value Village last summer and I've already scaled it down so that Milo has his own pattern (and a sewn pair too - I just need to get him to sit still for some photos). Not that they are super unique, but the bias tape edges curving up at the side seams remind me of the shorts I wore as a kid, and I'm a sucker for nostalgia. But the really great part is that I only need a fat quarter's worth of fabric to make them. It's such a small piece of fabric that I end up making more daring choices when I purchase them - which explains how I ended up with the fabric above. I wasn't sure if Sadie would go for it but when I held the square of fabric up she was smitten. The bias tape is the chocolate jersey I've been using which is a nice, soft edge to the heavier cotton. I only put elastic on the back so that the front lays flat, but that's only for Sadie's "girl" version (Milo's pattern uses elastic all the way around the waist). I've got an Amy Butler fat quarter and some gingham bias tape lined up for Sadie's second pair.

Not that she needs more shorts. I'll admit it - sewing clothes for my kids is mostly an anti-laundry tactic. An avid washerwoman I am not.