Phillipa... My nemesis

Ok nemesis is a bit over-dramatic, but I've had a bit of a time with this little madam. It was my first attempt at making a jumper with my increasingly confident knitting skills, and it went belly up.

You might remember my last attempt with this wool resulted in excess armpit fabric, which felt very strange. I hadn't even got as far as the sleeves.

When I got back from visiting family before Christmas I decided that I wanted to give it another go, I hate not finishing things (though some things may be subjected to an extended pause).

I put into practice some stuff I'd been reading up on about measuring stitches and gauge from swatches... So I swatched! I'm now a swatching convert! Then came the maths.... So much maths... I don't like maths.

I decided to scrap the increases and make a box shaped body, then continue with the pattern for the armholes/neckline/pattern.... And.....

TA DA!!!!

IT WORKED! I now have a wearable jumper, that I made with my own two needles and several balls of wool. I'm really pleased that the first jumper I set out to make is still my first completed jumper too.

The diagonal stripes are really easy to get the hang of (even though the pattern makes it sound really complicated) and was easy enough to trundle through during my essential Christmas tv viewing. I didn't make the mistake of using too small needles so the finished jumper isn't too thick and heavy (but by gum is it warm!!). And I'm even really proud of my stitching up.

I did some steam blocking once all the pieces were knitted up (I did skip treating the ripped wool properly so it was still very wibbly), and it was only at this point I noticed a glaring pattern mistake...

The stripes on the left of the buttons should be facing the same way as those to the right of the buttons... And we're just going to ignore that wonky bottom button. I think this is a fault that could be overlooked (also translated as but I'd finished it, don't make me rip it back again).

In all, it's not perfect, it's still a bit big on me, it's wonky in places, but it's mine and I love it!

 Also I know these photos make the colour look different in every picture, camera and artificial lighting issues there. The closest is just above on the left (dark bluish purple).

The snuggest of snug scarves

It's not something I've done since I learned how to knit, is making a scarf, and that one wasn't even for me. This winter I decided I wanted a huge snugly scarf to keep me resembling a bug in a rug while out and about in the (granted not that cold) grim old North.

After scouring the tomes of Ravelry patterns to find a suitable freebie I stumbled accross a pattern for a ribbed scarf with a difference, a little extra oomph to make it a bit more special. (Link will be appearing here soon... Promise).

 

It's a really easy pattern to follow which is part rib, part moss stitch. I used a cheap and cheerful synthetic bulky yarn which I found in Wooly Minded in Newcastle in a yummy rich red colour (I think the colour was called "burgundy"). The result... Squishy city! I made it really (perhaps excessively) bulky but if you prefer a more slender scarf it's easy enough to reduce a couple of pattern repeats to make it lighter, and of course it can be made up in a lighter yarn (DK might produce nice results).

 And a close up of the stitches.

I wanted a quick fix knit that I could get finished and get some wear out of before Christmas. I cast this on December 6th and I finished it a week (and two balls of wool) later, now that's satisfying! I like to have long and more detailed projects on the go too.. But sometimes delayed gratification just doesn't work for a girl.

 I mean check out how squishy and snugly this bad boy is!!

When I'm wearing it I can either fold it down so it sits under my chin, or unfold it and have it covering my nose as well as my ears! Think wooly red ninja (he he).

 This is the folded down version. I love my scarf :)

Christmas holidays and planning

I've had a lovely time over the Christmas holidays, it has been filled with Christmas markets, mulled wine, food, family, and of course knitting, so much knitting...

 

I had decided to make mittens for my brother, sister, and their other halves as part of their Christmas parcels. I wanted them to each have a mono graphed mitten for the winter, such things, I keep learning, do not always go to plan. I have the hands of a twelve year old (as in they are the same size, I don't keep people's hands in jars or anything), which makes getting the right size for 'normal people' mittens a bit of a guessing game. Because I made full mittens for Chris and her partner (as in covered over fingers) this wasn't too much of a problem, but because I decided to make Phil fingerless hand warmer style mittens, which need to be a bit more tight fitting, things went a bit wrong. Poor Phil and Maeve ended up with mittens for giants.

 The fingerless Giants mittens...

And full mittens for Chris

So next time, before I try so much as a scarf for anyone else, I'm getting measurements!!

I've been working on a couple of projects over Christmas. I managed to finish my red scarf, and am so happy with how big and snug it is!

I'm also about 1/3 into a jumper from 'North' by Kim Hargreaves (such a beautiful book, I want one of everything in it!!), I transported this to the south (via short flight) using a holding bit of thread and buying new needles down there. It did add to my relaxation during my stay with my parents being able to curl up on the sofa and continue with my jumper. 

As we crawl ever closer to the end of the year, and the beginning of another I've been thinking about what I've achieved this year, and what I want to achieve in 2015.

As far as sewing is concerned I had a major eureka moment when I finally started sewing with knitted fabrics! I'm really pleased with my results so far, and I have dresses and t shirts and sweatshirts and all sorts planned for this.

Over the next year I'm determined to get the hang of tailoring, I have a jacket pattern and the fabric for it, but I don't feel confident enough to do it justice. My plan... Do it slowly, and carefully, and keep your fingers crossed.

Alongside this terrifying piece of tailoring I also want to try out a shirt pattern I've been hanging onto for ages, yes people, next year is all about the tailoring!

 Definately a. for the shirt (e. is just terrifying), but I've still not decided between a. and b. for the jacket.

As far as knitting is concerned, I feel like I've spent this year learning big lessons from my mistakes. The biggest lesson being I still have so much to learn.

This year is all about polishing up my skills and when I start a project I do it properly!

I also want to go back and fix my mistakes (Philippa I'm looking at you!). But I mostly want to create beautiful jumpers and cardigans that I can be proud to wear (I might just work my way through 'North')

 My big project for 2015, however, is something I've wanted to try all year but have been too nervous of trying.... Socks!

They're becoming my fear technique as far as knitting goes, there's the circular vs double point debate, but more perplexing.... Turning the heel!! But I'm determined to conquer the sock!!

 

And on that thought, I shall leave you (I need to go start planning all of this) happy new year!

Not so grim up north: Beamish Museum

I had a little outing at the weekend as my other half had bought us tickets to visit Beamish Museum (he had gone a few years ago with his friends and I had been very jealous). Beamish is a wonderful place all year, but is extra special when it feels all Christmassy, so I thought it might be nice to introduce this little gem to those who have never heard of it.

Be prepared for pictures... So many pictures.

Beamish Museum is an open air museum based in the 1900s. It can be found between Consett and Chester-le-Street, not more than a fifteen minute drive from Newcastle. The idea is that there are clusters of old buildings in the countryside (moved there brick by brick from their original locations, yes people, Beamish mean business) where they have recreated the era down to the last detail (clothes, shops, houses, workplaces, schools, and a coal pit). You are free to wander round and have a nosey in any open door at the bits and pieces on display. In some of the houses and other buildings are people who are dressed up and will talk about their site (house, shop, bank) and answer any questions you have.

The main town area is great, it has a line of shops, stables, bandstand, bank, Freemasons hall, dentist (which is freaky... Trust me!). My favourite place here is the sweet shop where you can buy sweets the staff have made using the techniques of the 1900s (big tip.... The cinder toffee is amazing!)

Decorations up next to the bank.

I love the draper. I don't think things have really changed much in fabric shops...

There are lovely window displays everywhere...

Near the town centre is a train station where if you are lucky you can get a ride on a working steam train.

And everywhere you look, there is something interesting...

And a bit strange...

I can't help but wonder how many people used the 'facilities' before that sign went up!

There are trams and old busses to get you to different parts of the museum, some older than others, and all the conductors can give you information on the trams, how they were used, and where each tram came from.

In another part of the museum there is the pit village, this has a row of houses with gardens and coal sheds, I think some of the out houses were the netty (what my grandad used to call 'paddy faddles'). There's also a school (I went on a trip when I was a kid where we all dressed up as Victorians and had a Victorian schoolday), I don't think kids still get caned there, I wouldn't like to push my luck!

Inside the houses there are all sorts of old fashioned bits and pieces, it really gives you an idea of how life was lived.

They decorated the houses with paper chains for Christmas, I really want to copy this in my own home. There is usually an open fire, and if you're lucky the smell of baking, and you can find some things that we still use today...

Golden syrup, it's nice to see, has never changed!

There is also a church and a coal pit, with carts and the processing centre, building, bit. If you want to you can go down one of the old mine shafts with a guide, but I didn't fancy that!

No thanks!!

At Christmas there is a brass band in the town and a Christmas market, in the village there is an ice skating rink, and near the Manor House (we didn't have time to go yesterday so I've got no photos... Sorry) you can visit Santa near the train shed. They even put fake snow out to make it extra special!

In all this is a wonderful day out, you need a good four hours to make the best of it, but every time I go I find a new little hidden gem. And the best thing is.... The pass lets you in as many times as you want in a year.... Mmmmm..... More cinder toffee!

Sweet shop seen in background here, it's always busy in there!!

Knitting in public

I spend quite a bit of my time knitting, I get into the house, grab a cup of tea (or glass of juice if the mood so takes me), and settle down to continue with whatever project I have on the go. This is fine and I'm happy to tell people that this is what I do. What I have never done, however, is taken said half-finished projects out and about with me.

There is still some stigma attached to knitting, it is still largely viewed as a 'granny hobby'. We should be keeping it secret and only admitting to people when they compliment our scarves or mittens "thanks, I made it myself" rather sheepishly (see what I did there... Sheep.. Wool). 

I was due to meet a friend in the metrocentre this week, I knew I would get there before she finished work and I thought I would settle myself in a cafe. I lay awake the night before thinking about how good it would be if I could use that time to continue to knit my scarf that I want ready before my trip away. Then I thought "I can't possibly do that, people would see me!"

This led to a lot of backwards and forwards between "why should I feel ashamed of knitting?" and "what if they laugh?". I decided to at least take the scarf with me (concealed in a tote bag), stowed it away while I was at work, then got to the cafe and went over the same argument again.

It took me a good ten minutes to sneak my knitting out of my bag and sit it on my lap while working a few nervous rows. And you know what... No one even noticed!

All of that worry and I sat happily knitting away for an hour and a half. I felt liberated! This got me thinking about why it's such a taboo thing to be doing, why it's considered out of date and just a bit sad. Yet people who do this looking down upon are always so impressed with what people make, and the fact they are hand crafted and not from some magic factory on the other side of the world.

I'm now a convert, I shall knit where I want and I shall feel proud that I know how to knit! Although I still can't do this on planes as my needles are lethal weapons and considered too dangerous, can't have everything I guess.

From one knit to another...

I've read a lot of people talking about their 'fear fabric', the one that you avoid at all costs because you just don't believe that you can possibly do anything with it... let alone anything beautiful or useful. I actually have a few of these. I shudder at the thought of chiffon (yet I long to create wonderful things with this beautiful flowing fabric). Making things with jersey fabric, it just can't be done surely (yet it's one of my favourite things to wear).
I found it very reassuring that so many other people struggle with knit fabrics, and it is just because of this that so many blogs and websites have wonderful articles on how to tackle this slippery stretchy stuff (well maybe not slippery... definitely stretchy). I found the one by Tilly and the Buttons particularly good.
So I got myself a ballpoint needle (and several spares), found myself a walking foot, and explored the world of knit fabric patterns, and found myself the fantastic (and free) Plantain t shirt.

As modelled on the Deer and Doe website

I love love love this t shirt!! It's a loose fitting, flattering, elbow patched piece of loveliness. Well if I was going to do it and try out the knit, this was the one for me! It's a free download to be printed out, which means some cutting and sticking, but there are only a couple of pieces (one extra if you want the elbow patched... but honestly... who wouldn't!). It looks like a simple thing to put together, no darts or any complicated stuff. I made my first attempt up in a sweatshirt fabric rather than a t-shirt (it gets mighty cold up here in the grim north).

snug and cosy let me tell you!

This is a red (just lighter than wine colour) with lovely white speckles in it, I found it on (you guessed it) eBay for just a couple of bob. I must say I found this much much easier than I expected to. The walking foot is nice and steady and eliminates any wibbly wobbly seams (made by the regular foot stretching out the fabric as it sews). The fabric itself doesn't fray at the seams so any overlocking (made with a zig zag stitch on my regular machine) is there just to make it look neater rather than to stop the whole thing unravelling after the first wash.

and do a twirl

I've worn the hell out of this bad boy! I love how loose it is on the body, without making one look frumpy (we can't have that now can we). And, you may have guessed by now, I LOVE the elbow patches.

Oh elbow patch, how I love thee, let me count the ways... One elbow, two elbow... oh that's it I guess.

These ones were made by just turning the fabric inside out to leave the rough side showing. It gives it a lovely 'slightly darker but still matching' look without having to buy any extra fabric.
I really love this, so much that within a week I had churned out another...

Let me introduce... butterflies

My second one is in a lighter jersey with much more stretch. It feels much more silky and has a lovely drape to it. I went without the elbow patches on this one, figured the fabric was quite a busy one anyway.

I know I keep harping on about the elbow patches, but I learned a new skill with this little pattern. The finish on the neckline is just lovely, I panicked a bit at the instructions but this really is a doddle, and looks really professional. I'm super proud of this.
I plan on many more of this t shirt (different fabrics, colours, maybe a colour block version... oh the possibilities are endless), it goes firmly on my 'tried and tested' list.
Happy little sewist

Clara Bow Panel Jumper - stitching together

I feel like I've been working on this jumper forever! I think I chose a tricky one here as it's 80% K1 P1 rib... which takes aaages!! I have, however, finally got to the point where I have finished both front, back and both sleeves... Yay!!

All pieces present and correct



 But now comes the boring bit... I've heard many knittists say that they really hate the stitching together part. I've heard it said that they have kept the completed jumper/cardigan in their to-do pile and moved on to greener pastures. I couldn't work out why, they were so close to having it finished! Just one step away and it's a wearable piece!
Well.... I get it now...

Stitch.... by stitch.... by stitch...

I had this fella spread out on the living room floor (I've read up and it's apparently easier when it's laid out on a flat surface), and began to stitch the sleeves to the front and back armholes.
Then my back gave out... Well that's an exaggeration, but it wasn't a comfy position to be in. Plus every stitch I had to really focus on, make sure it was as smooth as I could get it (it's still a bit Frankensteiny). I managed the sleeves and started on a side seam... then I gave up.

by stitch... by stitch... by stitch

This is a booooooring part of the knitting process!!
I would in fact avoid it if I could. But then there would be no jumper, and this would make me sad.
I have taken an executive decision to stop for the evening, then continue again tomorrow to get it finished.