deja vu

Must be something about me and sweater patterns.

For the second time in 6 months it's taken me three different pattern attempts to land on a finished sweater I'm happy with. When I ordered this Quince & Co yarn I was convinced that their Agnes pattern would be perfect, especially in an ever-practical gray. Started it and got to a few inches below the sleeves and tried it on. But I knew immediately I would never wear it - the neck was too wide and it just did nothing for me (it even made me question choosing gray). So, unravelled, started over. This time I tried Jane Richmond's Sedum which has been in my Ravelry favourites for a very long time. Knit this pattern almost to the sleeve division and got stuck on the look of the increases in seed stitch - I just didn't like them. Sighed, unravelled again and started another pattern search.

Quite by accident I found Katrine, another Quince & Co pattern. I found it while visiting other Yarnalong blogs (in this case, MadelineBea). It seemed to be kismet: a pattern I liked in the yarn that I had - and even the colourway I chose! My only hesitation was having one less skein than the pattern called for, but I figured if I shortened the cowl I might make it. Thankfully I was right.

The pattern is easy, knits up quick and makes for a heavy, squishy cardigan that will be awesome to wear when the cool weather comes back in the fall. I think "Storm" is my favourite colour in the Quince & Co palette - such a perfect, slightly blue gray. My only mods were to knit the cowl to only 6", adjusted the seed stitch order to make cleaner selvedges (P first stitch, slip last stitch knitwise on every row) and I ignored the sleeve decreases (risky given my yarn situation, but luckily it worked out). Oh, and I did make larger buttonholes than called for because I wanted to use these amazing wooden buttons I ordered from Ontario-based Woodlot.

Even though the month has been chaotic, I still sacrificed sleep to read. Honestly, reading a few pages a night keeps me grounded. Even though it's fiction, stepping into a story, another life, a new part of the world - it all helps with perspective. When God Was a Rabbit was an enjoyable read, treading lightly over the dark edges of the story to spend time developing a family of characters that were pretty fascinating. I was sold on the title alone and then pretty stoked by the cover but in the end the words were the best of all.

For more stories of knitting and reading, visit today's Yarnalong.

gnome chic

Rooms are on the move again. We're 99% sure that we're digging out our basement, and soon. Which means somehow finding space around the house for everything that was in our basement. Considering my studio was down there, this has quite an impact on me.

A number of weekends ago, without any lead up, we decided to move Milo out of his crib and into Sadie's bedroom. This spontaneous decision was Jay's great idea so it meant I had no time to get emotional about it. The kids were so excited that I could easily absorb their joy. But also, I soon realized my great fortune: I was getting a room with natural light to work in. I was downright giddy at the prospect of lugging fabric and supplies up two flights of stairs. Our back bedroom regardless of it's small size, is an awesome room to be creative in.

I'll post another photo when the space is more together, but for now I had to share this amazing mushroom lamp Jay and the kids got me for my birthday specifically for this new space. There's a kids shop in Toronto called Kolkid that I adore, and I saw this lamp months ago and mentioned it to Jay (you know, in the "gee, if we ever needed a new lamp I saw this awesome mushroom one!" style of mentioning). He remembered and viola, my new studio is now perfectly gnome chic.

Of course, this is a temporary space until the basement is properly finished. The plans are big and worthy of another post (or a dozen) as the reno will take about 6 months overall (gasp). But it is totally the right decision. We love this house too much to leave it, even if it is tiny. There's simply no better place for miniature glowing mushrooms.

time marches on

Wow, there goes a month. A month of too much work and too much loss. But thankfully the weather has turned around and everything is looking better. Milo has a new pair of bed slacks made from his no-longer-needed crib sheet, signalling a welcome shift from thinking about how time is passing to considering new possibilities.

It's all about the lemonade, right?

challenged

Ack. I just lost an entire blog post because the new Blogger interface doesn't autosave anymore. And to think I called this "challenged" for other reasons.

Unfortunately it's been almost impossible to sew this week. Last week I fared better for the Sewalong because I was technically on vacation, although by vacation I mean going in to work twice and also working from home. For some reason this time of year at my job equals no time and energy for late night stitching for me. (But this sounds an awful lot like the slippery slope towards whining, which I try very hard not to do here. Let's just say it's been a tough week. Or month. Or something.)

At least sewing with knits means I can get something done with limited time. Sadie's cardigan above is based on tutorials like this, but modified for her teeny frame. I left all the edges raw so the cardigan took a whopping 30 minutes to make because the only seams are the arms and armholes. Easy peasy. She quite likes it, especially because it's aqua. But Milo has outgrown the shirt pattern I've been using for a couple of years so I had to spend time making a new one and then figured he could use a long sleeve shirt with long enough sleeves (you know that day when you realize all your kids' sleeves are closer to their elbow than wrist? I finally noticed it was that day.) The "x" is just for fun and similar to something I added to his hoodie a while back. I'm not sure if the shirt is too pajama-like or not, but Milo doesn't seem to care. He took off the shirt he was wearing as soon as I showed this new one to him. Guess that's a positive sign from a two year old. And I had a total epiphany about the bottom hem after reading this KCWC lead up post. I had forgotten all about the decades-old fusible seam tape I had. I mean, I used that stuff on everything!  I used to make Laura Ashley inspired dresses in a single night thanks to that magic glue. So on Milo's shirt the tape provided enough stability to top stitch the hem and make a nice finish without the knit fabric stretching. Amazing. And isn't that what these challenges are all about? We sew, we learn something new, we get inspired. With whatever time we have.

And now I'm off to see what other people have been sewing for their kids. It just might be the best way to kick my whining mood in the arse.

just in time

This weekend has not been cooperating in terms of sunlight. Finally I managed to find about 15 minutes of light this morning to grab photos of the last two shirts I've made for the Spring Top Sewalong. And before I go on - I have to say, I'm so delighted that my first top was in the Top of the Tops for Week 3, and then yesterday it was announced as a Judges finalist! Truthfully, I squealed at the news - which Jay found out first (super bonus points for a husband who was waiting to see the winners announced, right?) This Sewalong has been inspiring in so many ways - thank you Rae for such a great idea and challenge.

So, on to these two tops. The first is from a Vogue dress pattern I used last summer, but modified to be a shirt. It turns out both times I've used this pattern I've made a mistake - you're not meant to actually sew the pleats, only baste them so they are loose and flowy. I looked at the pattern photo so many times yet couldn't make out what was different (and almost thought I'd had the piece sewed on backwards). Finally after some very careful reading I realized that I missed that one simple word: baste. I then started a third shirt hoping to do it properly, but after basting (or in other words, following the directions ) I had to admit I actually preferred the tightness of the sewn pleats, even if it is a little like secretary wear circa 1971. I also love the cowl neck and the shirt works great with a cardigan. I picked up this gray knit fabric from Designer Fabric Outlet for 5.99/yd which is such a steal - it's stiff and a great colour. It's perfect for this style of shirt.

Next up, a very simple, totally unflattering tank using the nice fabric I got from Etsy. Come to think of it, the bias trim is from Etsy too (from this shop). But a shirt like this is so great in the summer when I have to wear cardigans to the office anyway. This is sort of my own pattern, which started as a commercial maternity pattern that I lost and so then loosely drafted from a finished dress, and I used it last summer to make three tops and two dresses. I wore the tops all season so adding a red option should come in handy.

There are so many great tops to check out, make sure to visit the Sewalong Flickr pool. I've only added about a hundred ideas to my sewing to-do list thanks to that collection!

itty bitty knitting

Knitting for babies is the best. Who can argue with a quick project that ends with the world's cutest garment? But I have to admit, I took a while deciding what to knit for a soon-to-be-born April baby. I couldn't convince myself to knit a vest (what? have I lost my mind?) - something about the wee babe having to wait at least six months before wearing one was a hurdle for me. So I debated and debated and then finally settled on a short-lived pair of bootees. I mean, even if the baby wears them once it's still fun. And April can be chilly, right?

I used a free pattern called Swimmy's First Booties, which I loved immediately. The simple style means the wool gets to be the star, but it's also so easy to modify. The only mod I made was knitting the cuff longer and putting in two rows of 1x1 ribbing after the first three rows of stockinette to help battle the issue of booties falling off wiggly newborn feet. And although I have much to learn about grafting, the instructions found here at Knitty are quite amazing, and I actually tried garter grafting this time. I can't have a single distraction while doing it, but it's not as scary as it sounds.

On the reading front, I can't believe this is the first time I've read Stephanie Pearl-McPhee's writing.  For one, she's a knitter, and second - she lives in my city! Seriously, it's like I live on Mars sometimes. But I can't say enough about how much I've enjoyed this book. I love that knitters share the same quirks and the same experiences (oh, and I love that she lives in a small Toronto house, so I can also relate to her homefront issues, like where to store yarn when you have no closets). Reading this book has been like having a knitting friend in my house for the past two weeks, and I'll be lonely when it ends. Jay has never really been one to entertain conversations with me about the activity I do EVERY DAY. I guess I'll just have to grab another one of Stephanie's books, or at least start reading her blog.

For a healthy dose of knitting and reading inspiration, visit this week's Yarnalong over at Ginny's.

polka yoke

Even though sewing can be quick, making decisions about what you're sewing often takes forever.

I had a quiet afternoon on Thursday to make a top for the Spring Top Sewalong, but choosing a pattern and fabric ate up way more time than I thought. The sewing part extended well into the weekend and after a rousing debate with myself this morning about adding decorative buttons, I finally finished the top (and it's completely button-free). The one bonus to the lengthy fabric debate is that I managed to work some yellow into my wardrobe. I'm pretty sure that's a first.

The pattern I worked from was Simplicity 3790. It's a pattern for knits, so I modified it quite a bit to use for woven fabric. I went up two sizes but trimmed back the armholes at the front and back while also adding more fabric in the front piece to allow for extra gathering. I pieced the yoke from 3 different fabrics but lined it with the gray linen. This is the second time I've used this pattern and I'm still not happy about the top seams - because it's a pattern for knits, the seams are finished after they are sewn together and there is no facing to clean up the inside edge. I made my own facings for the outside edges of the armholes (from the gray linen) so that side is good, but the inside isn't ideal. I used a black knit bias tape to finish the back neck edge, and was about to use it for the armholes, but after sewing one side I realized the gray edge was softer...even if that gray looks horrid next to my pale arms. But overall I really like the shirt, and I know that summers in an office mean cardigans are essential. So - cute tanks underneath those cardigans are a downright necessity.

Thank goodness there's still time to make one or two more.

the waiting pile

Ahh, spring. The seasonal shift from yarn to fabric begins again. And just in time for both Made-by-Rae's Spring Top Sewalong and Elsie Marley's Kids Clothing Week. My sewing to-do list has exploded with ideas - call it spring fever for the craft-obsessed.

To start the sewing season, a package arrived with fabrics from a great shop on Etsy. I ordered from here once before and was so happy with the mini dot linen/cotton blend that I purchased a larger cut this time to make a dress from. The shop has knits, linens, cottons in solids, cute small prints, stripes, plaids and polka dots. It's all pretty much perfect and what's really great is that there is often a photo of something made with the fabric for you to see (and the photos themselves are wonderfully art directed). I'm pretty excited to try the knit bias tape too - as much as I've figured out my bias tape maker for cottons, I don't know that I have the patience to make continuous bias tape from knit fabric. Of course, I could just be lazy.

Sewing inspiration abounds at the Sewalong Flickr Pool. Check it out if you're itching to stitch too.

third time's a...

Knitting, it really is about perseverance. Last winter I picked up just enough Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed on special to make a Snowbird Cardigan. I was pretty excited about the cardigan style and this wool was actually what the pattern called for - down to the exact colourway. It seemed meant to be. So I started the collar - twice - then worked quite a bit of the yoke/body. But I eventually had to admit that it wasn't working for me. The collar wasn't as hefty as I was expecting and overall I doubted if I had enough wool. On to sweater attempt number two.

Next was the Summer Solstice cardigan pattern by the same designer. The construction is interesting and I made it all the way through both sleeves before realizing it was much too big, and again, not quite what I was expecting. Instead of unravelling though, I started a very simple top-down raglan cardigan using stitch counts that I'm pretty sure I made up. I just tried it on as I went and eventually got all the way through the body without any side increases. But then I picked up a stockinette stitch collar inspired from the Summer Solstice pattern and knit about 20 rows of that. I remember trying it on, thinking the collar was shapeless and dull, and then quickly stuffing it, the still unravelled Summer Solstice and the rest of the wool into a bag to rid myself of any reminder of my efforts. That was last April.

Fast forward to this January and after some knitting success, I was getting stuck on another sweater/wool combination. Instead of getting to the same point of frustration, I took a break. But for some strange reason I pulled out the Jo Sharp mess. And then it happened: I knew how to fix it. I ripped the collar back and picked up a 2x2 ribbed one instead. I used short rows at the neck to create a better shawl effect. And I made nice, roomy sleeves with big cuffs that I can fold over. This took only a week to bring back to life but wow, it was oh-so-worth it. I could live in this sweater.

Sure, I have a few more tweaks in mind, but it's pretty fun to hone in on the right sweater for you and your body. There have been surprises - like how I prefer a sweater with no waist shaping or A-line increases at all, or how much roomy sleeves make me happy. I'm eager to try this sweater again, giving me a decent new reason to try Quince and Co's Lark wool, if only I could choose a colour. Seriously, I still don't know what colour is right.

As for reading, I finished The Peach Keeper during this sweater revival and I think the light tone was a good match. It was a fun, escapist, on-the-edge-of-chick-lit read - the kind of book we all need sometimes. For more knitting and reading stories visit today's Yarnalong.

right now

When I first learned to knit I spent hours with the moss stitch pattern. I was drawn to the look of it, but my main goal in those early knitting days was to be as quick with a purl stitch as I was with a knit stitch and the forced back and forth seemed like a decent strategy. Today it's still one of my favourite stitch patterns but I feel like I've forgotten all about it lately.

I've had Quince & Co's Puffin in Winesap and Storm lying around, but haven't had much luck with the Storm sweater attempts I've made. But one night last week it was chilly in the house and I thought there was no better time to knit my first cowl and I quickly found a simple pattern that renewed my love for moss stitch (Ravelry link). The added bonus was that it only took two sittings to complete so my knitting fix was immediate. I'm not sure I can really pull off something this red, but I wore it the very next day and all weekend. Clearly I've been missing out on the whole cowl thing because they are totally amazing. If it wasn't 13 degrees outside today I'd be tempted to knit another. Oh wait...I may be tempted anyway.  I can't say I'm crazy about Puffin though - it's a little scratchy for me - but I want to try Lark or Osprey soon, if only I could choose a colour. With 37 available I just don't know how to decide. Part of me wants a red sweater, but after this cowl experiment I may do better sticking with grays. Boring, right?

As for reading, I got a little Amazon shipment today and realized how defining a book order can be. You see, I don't go to the movies, or concerts, or even restaurants much.  My entertainment costs are surprisingly minimal so over the past year I've let go of the guilt I've had for years about buying books. They are my entertainment and I adore opening Amazon boxes, plus I've been reading way more since I started this habit. Today's order includes Cal Patch's Design-It-Yourself Clothes (because I'm taking a class with her in April and I need to do homework!), Extra Yarn for me and the kids, Fifty Days of Solitude (which I read on the subway today and I'm loving already), Calm and Compassionate Children and finally, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. Fiction and non, kids and instructional - covering all of my interests at this particular moment. A grouping of words and pictures only I would choose.

Knitting and reading, favourite pastimes indeed.