Knit all the socks!!!

I will hold my hands up... I am a selfish sewer (that's person who sews, not the drainage system, though it's spelt the same) I sew for myself, and I rather begrudge sewing for other people. Knitting, on the other hand, I love giving as gifts! And so on Father's Day I wanted to knit my dad something. So I began my second ever pair of socks.

I used leftover yarn from my 'V is for' jumper, it's not technically sock yarn but it's lovely and silky. As an added bonus the red and blue colours were exactly the same as an old jumper that dad has worn since I can remember (much to my mums despair), so it seemed fate to use it.

The pattern for these is the 'basic ribbed sock' which is much loved and free on Ravelry. The simplicity of the pattern set off the red stripes really beautifully.

I didn't stripe the whole sock as I had much less of the red leftover from my jumper (although I've since bought even more to make a cardigan from.... Honestly I really love this yarn!), so I put two stripes at the ankle, the body of the foot in navy, and another stripe with a red toe. They look really fancy, and they're nice and balanced which soothes my obsessive tendencies.

I also followed the advice in 'Stitch'n'Bitch' for keeping the stripes nice and neat by knitting all round even accross the ribs on the colour change row, it doesn't affect the flow, but is beautiful and clean. One thing I worried about was the toe being too tight. I just gathered the remaining stitches as I've not mastered the kirchner stitch (or how to spell it I suspect), so that's my aim for my next pair.

Dad seemed to like them though, so I'm really pleased about that!nand I shall continue to knit gifts for people as long as they're happy to receive them.

Hooray for vintage patterns!!

This is a bonus two for one post. I've been crafting but I've not had time to take any decent photos up until now

Anyone for a dodgy hallway selfie?

I made a promise a couple of posts ago to concentrate on sewing a limited number of projects over the summer, well, task one complete...

I made a version of 'Style 1286' in a lovely summer cotton chambray. This is a super soft and floaty fabric of high didn't entirely behave itself when I was sewing, the result being that the waist band doesn't sit exactly right, it sort of stands out from my waist. It's only a tiny bit so I doubt anyone but me will notice... But it irks me. Other than that, I think this pattern is easy and has become a good TNT (tried'n'tested).

I also finally completed my 'V is for' jumper. This is one of the V&A Museums pattern releases that has become hugely popular on Ravelry. It was released to celebrate VE Day and has been dubbed 'Your Victory Jumper', I wanted one as soon as I saw it.

I used Heritage Solids yarn from Loveknitting. This is such a soft and silky yarn that I've promptly bought more for my next knitting project. These beautiful colours are Wine, Nave and Stone. I'm not one for bright bright colours and these match the vintage feel of the jumper beautifully. It's also my first multiple colour project, so I'm super proud of it!

Although getting the hang of three balls at one go was tricky! But I learned how to twist the yarns at the end of the row to keep things nice and neat... And..

.. Picking up just the right amount of stitches for a neckband... This part did take four attempts, but I got there in the end! And I think it's pretty!

I think my two projects go really well together, although that was unintentional. The big drawback to this jumper is that it's limited to skirts or dresses, I don't own any high waisted trousers... Hmm maybe I could give them a go too... Maybe (much) later.

I was getting stabbed by the shrub here... Surprisingly sharp!

And this is my 'argh the timer went off too soon' if you're wondering.

And so onto the next project... I've found a shirt dress pattern I like!