Make 9 challenge 2021

I started seriously thinking about my make 9 challenge for 2021 several months ago (I like to have it finalised at least by the end of January). I started jotting down ideas in a notebook and saving a few things on Instagram. But really the list was getting a bit chaotic and long. So I sought out the origins of the challenge on Home Row Fibre blog, which I was reminded about when reading Jem Weston make 9 challenge. There’s some really helpful tips about how to choose, why they’re important to you, or why not. It definitely got me thinking and I started narrowing my ideas down….but then…. while scrolling my Instagram feed I saw Katie Green Bean had shared their make 2021 challenges as a “sewing edition” & “knitting Edition” and it planted a little seed that grew and grew and now instead of narrowing down I’ve expanded my lists.

I knew full well that I’d be making more than just 9 items this year, regardless of what I put on my list. So opening up my options allowed me to think about what I want to achieve with both my knitting and my sewing this year. I am also much more of a seasonal creator than I thought. Spending so much more time at home over the last year I have become more aware of my creative habits. I much prefer to knit in winter and sew in summer. I think that’s mostly to do with light and wanting to sew in the evening during summer. It also has the advantage of usually being more seasonally appropriate too. That said I always have knitting on the go all year round.

My Knitting Make 9 Challenge for 2021 (including a crochet project)

1. Granny Go Round jumper by Iron Lamb – Sort of a hangover from 2020, I made a very hard, but sensible decision to change a plan. In 2020 I planned to make the Granny Rocks sweater. So I started making it – almost 75% there. But then the designer released a new variation of the crochet jumper, one I preferred much more and I knew the shape would suit me better. I didn’t feel I needed two very similar jumpers in my life so I made the brave decision to rip out the partially complete jumper and use the same yarn to crochet the new one.
   
2. Glenfidich by Annamária Ötvös – this was on 2019 make nine which didn’t get touched (I was overly ambitious that year) so I transferred it onto my make 2020, with the intention of at least starting it. I did my gauge swatch – so I’m all prepared and ready to start this year.
   
3. Tuinn Bheaga Shawl – by Liz Corke – I bought the lovely shawl pattern last Autumn, with the intention of using a skein of lovely red yarn I’ve had in my stash since 2018 (Chromatic yarns in Blood Hunter). This would fill a gap in my wardrobe of a smaller shawl/scarf that I could wear at work and would make a plainer dress or jumper more exciting and keep me warn in a chilly Victorian building.
   
4. Chimneys by Hunter Hammersen – I simply fell in love with these wonderful tiny houses. I generally don’t like to make things that have no function or purpose, I certainly won’t be able to wear them. But aren’t they just wonderfully charming. I do love a miniature project sometimes and I love a tiny house. They’re great for learning/practising techniques too. They’ll nicely use up some odds & sods of sock yarn too and I already have a small idea to potentially make them functional….
   
5. 4 ply jumper – I am keeping this vague for now. I think my knitted wardrobe covers most basic staples, not many missing items. Though all my 4ply jumpers suitable for in between seasons are quite colourful and don’t necessarily go with lots of different items. So I might go down the route of a plain jumper with a simple texture to keep it interesting, having said that, Viewpoint sweater by Dani Sunshine knits has caught my eye. A 4 ply jumper will take me some time, so I’m being kind to myself and this is going down as a project to start in 2021 – maybe ready to wear for spring 2022.
   
6. Socks! – I have incredibly cold hands and feet almost all year round. Despite knitting seriously for about 15 years it’s only in the last few that I started knitting socks – I just thought it wasn’t for me, they seems a little elaborate and how do you guarantee they’ll fit well, won’t they be uncomfortable? All which I attribute to my first sock knitting experience, using a kit which was a gift – it was a terrible kit, I just didn’t know that at the time, knitting on needles too big, all of them in rib with hand wash only yarn (they have since completely disintergrated). However having knitted a few pairs now (with great yarn, needles & pattern). I’ve got the fit pretty good and I love having warmer feet! I want to up my sock game with colour work, pattern or texture. I have the Dither pattern ready to go which I’ll start after my current pair are finished.
   
7. More Socks! Maybe this is cheating adding socks twice, however I want to make several pairs this year, I want to use the sock yarn I’ve been buying over the last few years and and learn a few new techniques too, I’ve also just bought Lanea Vanea sock pattern by Skeindeer Knits I just loved the bold pattern and would definitely tick the colour-work box.
   
8. Head band – I knitted one for my sister in 2019, then knitted myself one last year, however the yarn from my stash had a bit of alpaca in it and although lovely it itched me to distraction, so I gave it to a fellow knitter and I haven’t got around to knitting another for myself…yet!
   
9. Snug Mitts – I always underestimate the size of my hands (they’re very narrow), every single pair of mitts and mittens I’ve made myself are too big. So I’m going to knit a pair of snug fitted mitts that I can wear at work and while typing that aren’t going to flap about and get in the way, I’m thinking along the lines of these Vernazza mitts (though I may change my mind). One thing I do know, by the end of 2021 I will have very warm paws all round!
   

My Sewing Make 9 Challenge for 2021

1. Bottle green skirt – I made myself a dark red self drafted a-line corduroy skirt with pockets. It is simple, and to date my most successful and most worn handmade item of clothing. I bought some fine cord fabric, years ago, in a gorgeous green with the intention of making another and not yet got around to it.
   
2. Knickers – I made my first pair of knickers last year (Lulu Knickers by Dhurata Davies) from t-shirt off cuts. They’re really comfy, though still room for improvement, so I want to make more. I only plan to use off cuts of fabric, it’ll be good to further build my confident with new (to me) techniques. I’m also trying not to buy new items if I could make them myself.
   
3. Mending / needs attention pile – this is going in here. Is not terribly exciting, however is easy to ignore. Some of this items are things I’ve decided to part with and just need a little mending before going to charity (the odd hem in needs of few stitches fixing). One or two things that I love but need adjustments to make them fit better. The pile is currently growing rather than shrinking. If I tackle even just an item a month it’ll get the momentum going – so it’s on the list so it’ll not be ignored further!
   
4. Shirt/blouse – One of the reasons I started sewing garments more seriously is because I love shirts and shirt-dresses. But off the peg does not fit my shape (narrow shoulders, wide hips and short torso) and I want a shirt that fits me properly!!! I have been building my confidence with this and I have a short list of option in my note book. However one design I have seen Nightingale & Dolittle make several times and always catches my eye is the Butterick 6563 pattern.
   
5. Bean Bag Bed for Chip – Chip (my geriatric cat) commandeered a bean bag I made for myself many years ago – it’s well and truly her’s now. It has seen better days now, I’m hoping I can can rescue this one and also make her a new one so she always has one to use, I’d had the beans ready and waiting for months. I’m also planning on creating this only using oddment from my scrap box and the odd small stash piece.
   
6. Storage baskets – I’ve been meaning to make some for ages (both small and large), I haven’t settled on the material or method yet, this will be the year to make it/them.
   
7. Pyjamas – I’ve not owned a matching set of Pyjamas since I was a child, mainly as I’m such different sizes top & bottom I haven’t been able to buy any. Out of my 5 circulating pairs of pyjama bottoms 2 have massive holes where the waist band has worn out and they’re held together by elastic and stitching, so I think I can justify this. I’ll most likely make a set (Butterick 6296 fit the bill here) and also replace my threadbare bottoms.
   
8. Kew dress by Nina Lee– I have worn my Kew dress that was technically a toile a lot already and for my Birthday in July 2019 I bought myself some lovely fabric while on holiday to make the final garment. Another project I’ve not got around to yet, which is daft, I’ve already done the hard work of figuring out if it’ll fit/suit me.
   
9. Raglan sleeve t-shirt – I seem to have a lot of issues with some basic items just not fitting well or I’ve chosen the wrong fabric so I intend to master making a basic raglan t-shirt this year. It’s a shape that suits me and is very wearable with lots of different items (pictured above is a Frankie t-shirt by Tilly & the button, but I may try and find another pattern to try).

Well it’s not called a challenge for nothing, I’ve definitely got my work cut out though I don’t think I’ve being overly ambitious, I think what it’ll do is help me focus on the things I want to make that fill gaps in my wardrobe, piqued me interest and use the materials I have already bought for specific items. I’m currently very excited and feeling (maybe optimistically) confident! Let’s do this 2021!!!!

Thanks for reading
Steph

Make 9 2020 – in review

It was about this time last year that I looked back on my Make 9 of 2019, I hadn’t been strict with sticking to my plans, however I still did better than my 2018 plans (always learning). The plans I set myself for 2020 I felt were much more realistic, finish some things, makes some useful items, with the odd new challenge thrown in. But then 2020 happened (!) I don’t know about you, but my productivity went haywire, fluctuating from being enthusiastic and super productive to can’t be arsed and just staring out the window/at the telly. So really to have achieved anything at all in 2020 is really good and looking back on what I created and achieved I’m pretty proud.

These were my make 9 projects for 2020…

1. Sewing some more practical tops (like my Agnes top), I’m lacking these in my wardrobe, maybe a blouse/shirt.

YES! I definitely achieved this. I bought an overlocker in February and it has definitely helped with my sewing productivity. I made a Tilly & the buttons Frankie t-shirt (the fabric wasn’t quite right – the black isn’t very soft – so I will amend it in future).
I was also pattern tester for a simple t-shirt the first garment pattern released by Studio Jepson (also a first for me, being a tester) I made 3 KLP tee’s (as it’s now known as), a very wearable toile, a final tee and then I also made a pyjama top from the pattern too. I also made 2 Misty Tops by Sew Altered Style. The toile I made to check the fit became a summer pyjama top and then I made a blue one from an old dress that was perfect for summer.

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2. Zadie dress, I will conquer this project!

Sort of yes! I have completed the Zadie dress (except for hemming) the dress ended up way too big for me (a consistent issue I have with Tilly & the Buttons patterns). I’m not sure what I’ll do with it yet, so it is sat the pile of “not quite finished/don’t know what to do with items” it might be given to a friend…

3. I intend to do some form of creative patchwork with all my fabric scraps.

This I have done. I created a padded stool cover for the one I’ve been using at my over locker, much more comfortable and entirely make of off cuts (including the upholstery padding). I also make a plant pot cover – which I intend to make more of. Not to mention many, many face masks for family, friends & colleagues.

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4. This year I will crochet my Granny Rocks jumper.

Well I made a very good start – half way there, then Iron lamb announced she was releasing the Granny go round jumper, and as a top down raglan jumper I just knew it would suit me much more than the boxier granny rocks. I bought the pattern the day it was released and I’m going to rip our the granny rocks and turn it in to a granny go round!

5. I will complete a crocheted blanket that was given to me partially complete years ago, I made good progress at one point, but then got very distracted!

YES! I did complete this, this project was pretty big in the end (far bigger than I initially intended), it provided me with some much needed focus during the first lockdown and I really enjoyed seeing it grow and got back into the swing of crochet – I don’t do it very often.

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6. I’ll finish my monetta dress (first sewing project of 2020 maybe…?)

Yes! I finished this in February, but then felt it was too nice to wear during lockdown, but then I just got on with it and I’ve worn it loads. It’s very comfy. The fabric possibly wasn’t the best choice, it has gone a little bobbly in places. But it was essentially a toile and now that I know the fit is brilliant and I loved making it I will make another – I love the pockets!

7. I’d like to have made a start, at least, on my Glenfiddich Cardigan by the end of 2020.

If by ‘make a start’ I mean having done the tension square then that’s another big fat yes!

8. I will bring my Arboreal sweater out of hibernation & get it finished at some point in 2020!

Yes, I have brought my Arboreal sweater out of hibernation, I did much of it in January, then for some reason, I think because I had ripped back yarn then re-knitted it straight away, it was looking a bit shabby, I still wasn’t convinced it was going to fit either, the idea of starting again made me put it back in hibernation….until that weird time between Christmas and New year. I got it back out, which was only about 10 days ago as I write this and I just decided to get it done – I tied it on (basically the yoke and about 2’’ below the arm holes were complete) I decided it was a good enough fit and a really good soak and block would hopefully sort out the uneven stitches when it’s complete – I now only have the last third of each sleeve to complete – yey!

9.Herbert Cardigan for my boyfriend & his Christmas present for 2019 which he knew he’d get at some point in 2020.

Yes! This has been an odd sort of project – it should have been straight forward but I made so many silly mistakes, I had to have several pauses for other project while knitting it. However the cardigan was complete and worn on Christmas day 2020. The sleeves are a little long so I will be doing a little post production editing – but that’s the joy of handmade!

All in all, I’m impressed with my productivity (even if I do say so myself) in part because I know I made loads more items on top of these 9 too. Which I will write a blog post about… even if it’s just for prosperity of an unprecedented time.

I’ve really been deliberation over my make nine for 2021, the short list it long, and I want to try and focus on items that I already have the yarn/fabric and pattern for. As well as address gaps on my wardrobe that I know I’d get a lot of use from. However I also want to make sure what I set myself is achievable but also with exciting and challenging elements….

Thanks for reading… keep you eye out for my make 9 plans for 2021 in the next week or so 🙂

Make 9 – Reflection and Planning

Roughly this time last year I set out my intentions for my 9 makes of 2019 & wondered how much I’d deviate from my plan….

Well as you can see a deviated quite a bit (a year always seems like such a long time, but it flies past)…

1. I still intend to crochet a granny rocks jumper (I do at least have that pattern now, thanks to Jem Weston gifting it for my birthday – thanks Jem)

2. Socks ✅ I’ve completed 2 pairs & have a 3rd on the go!

3. Maan ✅ I love this & would now like to knit a garment with some mosaic colour work.

4. Monetta dress, not much progress, but I have printed the pattern & washed the fabric (even small steps are progress, right?)

5. Arboreal sweater has been in hibernation for the best part of the year after realising I’d have to rip back the body.

6. Zadie dress, I’ve cut out all the pieces but then felt a little overwhelmed my how many pieces there were & so I’ve worked on other things since.

7. Wardrobe gap of a berry cardigan; my purply yarndale uniform definitely qualifies ✅

8. The deliberation over the diesis jumper ended in me not wanting to knit it for now, however I did knit the woodwardia jumper from Pompom instead, so that’s sort of another tick…

9.Glenfiddich cardigan by Annamária Ötvös still fully intend to knit this, but other projects took over 😃 at least I already have the pattern and yarn!

I knew I’d change my plans, I always do, but what I’ve found interesting is that I’m usually fairly monogamous with my knitting, which for me means having just 1 garment, 1 pair of socks and maybe a larger blanket type project on the go. However this past year I’ve thrown caution to the wind and just knitted (& sewn) what I felt like & I’ve been quite productive and not really looked back at my make 9 plans, just kept them in the back of my mine. I’ve also not really felt like blogging so much, so I haven’t & that’s fine, no need to add that pressure on myself, I used to feel a weird sense of guild not writing up every project I completed and just suddenly thought – why! There’s no need!

As well as the 3 (or 4) completed projects from my 2019 make nine I have made several other items;

Sewing wise; an Agnes top, Coco top, a patchwork quilt for a friends baby, 2 Kew dresses, stevie top, 3 Cleo Pinafore dresses & a Christmas skirt. I tend to document these on Instagram more than anything these days.

Knitting wise; blue raglan jumper, woodwardia sweater, a baby Cardi for another friends offspring, another Vianne Cardigan, various wash/dish cloths, fingerless gloves, headband and a few small Christmas gifts.

I have also made a lot of jewellery and beadwork which has been a nice change from sewing and knitting and I’ve really enjoy it.

My make 9 plans for 2020 is a little more realistic and also a bit vague. I have also thought about it a little more this time…

1. Sewing some more practical tops (like my Agnes top), I’m lacking these in my wardrobe, maybe a blouse/shirt.

2. Zadie dress, I will conquer this project!

3. I intend to do some form of creative patchwork with all my fabric scraps.

4. This year I will crochet my Granny Rocks jumper.

5. I will complete a crocheted blanket that was given to me particularly complete years ago, I made good progress at one point, but then got very distracted!

6. I’ll finish my monetta dress (first sewing project of 2020 maybe…?)

7. I’d like to have made a start, at least, on my Glenfiddich Cardigan by the end of 2020.

8. I will bring my Arboreal sweater out of hibernation & get it finished at some point in 2020!

9.Herbert Cardigan for my boyfriend & his Christmas present for 2019 which he knew he’d get at some point in 2020.

So mostly a list of WIPS, with good intentions & few a new project thrown in too, we’ll see how this year goes! I can guarantee I’ll get distracted by other projects, but I’m making a conscious effort to not just make, for makings sake and trying to fill gaps in my wardrobe that I know I’ll find practical and wearable. Currently I’m feeling inspired by my list, I want to be production; I might even print out my plan and stick it up in my craft room in an attempt to keep me on track…

My Yarndale Uniform

Reflecting back on my Make 9 for 2019 made me realise I hadn’t shared any photos of my finished yarndale uniform*. Which is actually one of the few projects I intended to do & actually did, allowing me to tick “Berry cardigan” off my list!

I have always enjoyed seeing everyone’s Yarndale uniform projects collected together in previous years, however this was the first year I joined in.

I liked the knitting pattern selected, the feather and fan texture on the bottom did it for me, but the cardigan as a whole wasn’t my cup of tea so I decided to adapt it quite a bit.

My initial plan was to make it shorter, fitted on the waist and continue the feather and fan pattern up the whole body and have plain sleeves. Which I did to a certain extent…

I knitted the whole cardigan in one piece and incorporate the shaping into the sides; I cast on the size that would fit my hips and planned to decrease enough stitches by the time I got to the waist to go down a couple of sizes. This took a little bit of thinking, ripping back and head scratching/discussion at Knit group, (the latter is always useful). Helping me decided to just decrease the width of one pattern repeat over the hips and not try and keep it in pattern as that was causing me too much of a headache – I really liked the result.

Once I’d knitted past the waist and split for the fronts and back, I discovered I didn’t have enough stitches to do the v-neck and arm hole decreasing as I’d planned, but then had a mini light bulb moment and moved the neckline decreases to the side of one pattern repeat allowing me to continue the pattern up the front. I kept the garter stitch row of the feather and fan pattern to kind of keep it in pattern and I think it worked.

I much prefer knitting sleeves top down, as it’s much easier to adapt as you go, so I used Knitionary’s very useful tutorial, particularly for me on this occasion it was a sensible approach as it was looking like I’d not get my full sleeves knitted in time for Yarndale so I just cast off, wore it to the show and then later ripped back the cuff and re-knitted the sleeves longer.

It looks ok with 3/4 length sleeves however as someone who permanently has cold hands I like my cardigan sleeves full length especially in a dk weigh one that I’ll be wearing though the winter.

Looking a little tired, coming to the end of Yarndale. Thanks for the photo Jem Weston

I was really surprised by how many people complimented me on my cardigan at yarndale and asked for the pattern where I had to accompany my response with “though it bares very little resemblance to the actual pattern now”.

The finished garment isn’t perfect (the fit around the top of my arms isn’t the best), however I don’t mind, I learnt stuff & enjoyed having to flex some brain cells to make my adaptions and since finishing the sleeves (again) in November I’ve worn it a lot, which is always a good sign!

Yarn is Sirdar No.1, pattern is King Cole 5365 both bought from Knit Nottingham I have also listing the project on my Ravelry page here.

Isn’t this a happy bunch, all wearing their own version of the Yarndale uniform!

*Where customers from Knit Nottingham vote on a knitting & Crochet pattern to create and wear to Yarndale.

Maan Shawl

I started knitting my Mann shawl back in Oct 2017. I had fallen for the striking pattern on Moon struck Knits (Natasja Hornby) instgram feed and was intrigued by the technique used when. I had not come across mosaic work before (or certainly not realised if I had), so I headed to Ravelry to discover more about the pattern and see everyone’s completed shawls and in particular see what colour had been used to together. I’m not a fan on brown and beige or anything too subtle, especially in an accessory. So the colours used in the sample for the pattern did nothing for me – which is why the ravelry project page is SOOOO great!

The finished projects that stood out for me, were the bold monochrome with a pop of bright contrast. I really liked a navy, white and red combination similar to this one https://www.ravelry.com/projects/lismete/maan . I had also seen a lovely version with a bright teal in (& we know I love teal). So I sort of had these potential colours in mind when I headed to Knit Nottingham. I very much trust the knowledge of the wonderful staff at my LYS Knit Nottingham, I usually have a bit of an idea of which yarn I might choose, but then get steered towards something I’d not considered, which is a great thing – they really know their stock and know what will and won’t work for almost everything! At the time they’d not long had the new Luxury Merino yarn produced by King Cole. The range of colours is really good, I had decided already on black and pale grey/white for the mosaic sections, so just needed to decide of the bright contrast colour, the red in the range for a little bright for me and the Zoe suggested the mustard yellow (!) Not something I can wear on it’s own (it does not suit me) however as the main colour in this pattern is worked pretty well, though we also decided to swap the white for cream as it was a much better tone all together.

I realise that in my brief write up of my project experience a lot has been dedicated to yarn selection. I momentarily thought I should edit a lot out. However I find that selecting your yarn, finding the right fibre for the project and the picking colours is actually a really important and rather exciting part of the process so I am leaving it in! I also feel incredibly fortunate to have local knowledgeable (& wonderful) people on hand to guide me though the yarn buying process. Expertise, passion and knowledge is totally underrated by too many people. (Thank you Eleanor & Zoe)!

Back to the pattern; I loved every element of this pattern, it provided me with lots of new techniques and stitches (St. John’s worth stitch, creates a lovely texture). Even the corrugated rib, which I have done before, but not in this way was interesting. This is a prime example of the kind or project I like to push my learning and challenge myself a bit more. Balancing this with simple knits (as I mentioned in my previous blog post) keeps me excited about knitting and learning.

I did however stumble at one point during the pattern. I got incredibly frustrated with myself and ripped back a few rows several times as something wasn’t making sense to me. What I’ve learnt to do when things aren’t going well is head to ravelry and look at the comments on the project to see if there’s any mention the issues I’ve experience. If not it is usually down to me misreading things. Which was exactly the case here. I am fully aware that I approach things a little differently; I have dyslexia, which I recently read described as a learning difference rather than learning difficultly. Both are accurate, though the former definitely describes how I feel about it most of the time and the frustration I feel when people want me to do things a certain way (just because that’s how they do them – I’m going off tangent), maybe I’ll come back to this topic in another blog post.

Other than misreading a row in the instructions (which I figured out after by zooming in on images of other people finished projects on Rav & my shawl spending some quality time in the WIP pile). The garter stitch edge had, up to a certain point, been made up of alternating 2 row repeats of each colour, however after the first mosaic section it had 4 rows of the same colour and my mind and hands would not compute this and I kept convincing myself I’d done something wrong. It’s not the first time & it won’t be the last time I’ve done somethign like this & got frustrated. But as soon as the penny droped I fixed my knitting and relaxed back into it.

I did find one aspect incredibly frustrating about the pattern rather than the project. I understand why it was done this way; having written many patterns before, albeit beading patterns, I know it is very laborious when sections are repeated and how to approach diaplying this can be tricky. However I do believe there is a good way to do this and a not so good way. This pattern has several repeated sections, the instructions (to paraphrase) said repeat section CAT, in section CAT it tells go to section DOG… then your on to Section MOUSE where is tells you to repeat section RABBIT and so on….this is all without any page numbers. Needless to say the process induced many big sighs and it was not surprising that I got myself muddled on more than one occasion! In a 8 page pattern which does include page numbers I do not think it’s unreasonable to help the reader of the pattern navigate it easily. What’s wrong with a simple “repeat section CAT on page 2”,  and then repeat steps 1-5 of section DOG from page 1 etc… small rant over!

That said, I absolutely love my finished shawl, I did make one minor adjustment and that was to remove some of the stripe repeats to make the over all shawl smaller – though it does still stretch across a 3 seater sofa!

I have worn it lots, I finished it in time for a trip to York back in the beginning of March, our Air BnB host complimented me on it and was amazed to hear I’d knitted it myself, which is always wonderful feeling and went on to say that her partner would have been gutted to miss seeing it as he’d recently got into knitting!

I had a little worried when I cast off as it was quite thick and rigid, however I gave it a good soak in Eucalan wool wash (available from Knit Nottingham), blocked it and was super soft and cosy once it dried. I had unintentionally swapped to a larger needle size half way though, the shawl had a long hibernation period just after I completed the first mosaic section because I wanted to knit other things and I borrowed the needles for something else. I then made the assumption when I picked it back up that, as I was knitting with DK yarn, that I’d been using 4mm needle when I’d actually been using 3.75mm. However I think it’s done me a favour, it’s more drappy now and no one would ever know (unless you’re reading this!)

Thanks for reading!
Steph

Simple Knitting as an effective break

Sometimes simple is what I want, especially after a long, fiddling or slightly frustrating knit. I chose to knit the Be Simple shawl after I’d completed my Puffin Jumper. It hadn’t been difficult as such but there was a bit of faffing regards lengthening the sleeves at the end, which you can read about in a previous post.

I also needed something that I could keep knitting until I ran out of yarn, as the lovely Eleanor of Knit Nottingham gifted me one of her first batch of hand dyed yarns, it was a 4ply (Cotton/wool blend, we think, neither of us could quite remember after the fact), but that didn’t matter, Eleanor had used colours she thought I’d like & it had turned out wonderfully!

A mixture of grey turquoise and blue, it knitted up nicely with colours pooling and striping, I’m curious as to how the yarn would have worked in a pair of socks, though at the time I was not back into knitting socks. The shawl was a simple and enjoyable knit and I love the end result. for some time I had felt each new knitting project I selected had to be more complex and intricate from my previous one to challenge myself and improve and learn. I still like to challenge myself, but I also like to relax and just knit something from time to time, and that’s ok!

Still looking and feeling a bit awkward in photos – at least a shawl is easy to model 😛 

I’d finished my be simple scarf/shawl at the wrong time of year, just as it was nicely warming before summer, so it got put away ready for Autumn, which actually is lovely to do, it’s like a little gift to your future self. It turned out to be the perfect indoor scarf to wear at work which can be rather chilly being in a beautiful Victorian building.

I wouldn’t hesitate to knit another simple shawl for a relaxing project and I’d definitely knit more of Eleanor’s yarn, I’ll just have to be fast, she usually just dyes yarn for special shop events and if you’re not there when doors open you might miss out!

(Since writing this I have started knitting sock again and managed to buy more of Eleanor’s yarn at the shop Birthday event)!

Thanks for reading!

Steph

Blue raglan sleeve jumper

I used to pick knitting project that would challenge me, each new project I picked had a different element or a more challenging construction/technique, I was eager to learn. I’m still eager to gain more knowledge and try new things however I’m making more practical about (some of my) projects based on filling gaps in my wardrobe or using yarn I already have.

I knitted this jumper based on the yarn I had rather than the pattern. I’m so used to selecting a pattern first, particularly when knitting a garment. I still have almost a whole bag of cashsoft 4ply yarn I bought about 8 years ago in a sale. It seemed like a great idea, buying a garments worth of yarn at the time, but I haven’t found anything quite right to use it for. The yarn for my jumper was actually a gift, well half of it was. I was given 3 or 4 balls, not quite enough to do anything substantial with and so it had been in my stash for a few years. I actually ended up using it quite by accident. While visiting my LYS, Knit Nottingham, having gone in to buy a lighter weight cardigan pattern and 4ply yarn, I clocked the yarn I already had which sparked a conversation about it, and the revelation that it was soon to be discontinued. So I abandoned my initial ideas and bought the rest of the yarn, which would be enough for a garment.

The yarn is called Amalfi a DK weight, produced by Sirdar, 75% cotton & 25% Viscose, it’s nice and drappy and perfect for milder wintry days. The colour I used was an electric blue shade (capri 757) which has a variegated turquoise and bright green/yellow strand (possibly the viscose percentage) running through it. As the yarn itself had some texture I didn’t want to knit anything too detailed as it would get lost in the fabric so I opted for a simple jumper and added a straight forward ridged stripe.

I really enjoyed this knit, it was pretty quick (which is always satisfying). I did a proper tension square (washed it & everything), what I enjoyed most, although I roughly based it on the Brick pattern, was the mathematical challenge. I know this come as second nature to many. However as I mostly knit for pleasure and love following others patterns, it was a nice gentle challenge to measure, calculate & knit for a change.

One feature I did want to note, was the folded hem, a decision I came to with the help of Knit in Notts (knit group) after I realised a 1×1 rib just wasn’t working, it made the jumper look frumpy and awkward. The last “stripe” section I knitted on a needle size small than the rest of the jumper, then folded under and grafted in place. I REALLY enjoyed sewing the hem, I thought it’d be a long boring process but I found it rather relaxing. I now have a jumper that hangs as I’d hoped with no clinging.

It’s not the most ground breaking, interesting or exciting garment. However it fits, it suits me, I’ve worn it loads already having finished it at the beginning of November (in time to wear to the Nottingham Yarn Expo – though not all the ends were sewn in). I’m enjoying having a hand knitted jumper that I’m happy lounging around in. It was the perfect weigh for the mild December weather we had. What I’ve also found interesting is that, I’m not sure I would not have chosen this yarn myself, but I really like the finished jumper. It may have opened my mind a little regards yarn selection in the future.

One thing I always struggle with is posing for photographs in my handmade garments I’m not really a poser, I’m not naturally photogenic either. I used to resist ALL photos, however the older I get the less I care so much. However I look at past photos in my jumpers, cardigans or dresses and I’m always stand weirdly, grimace, or just look plain awkward or bored. I’m not vein or self conscious enough to keep chopping off my head in photos, which I have done many time before. So I decided to embrace my daft side…. This “pose” does at least remind me of that sense of accomplishment when you cast off a project, try it on and it fit you perfectly!

You can see more details about my jumper (if you’d like) in my ravelry projects here.

Thanks for reading.

Steph

Make Nine 2019

I always like perusing everyone’s “makenine” instagram posts, in the past it has inspired additions to my favourites or even my queue on Ravelry. However I have never listed 9 makes for myself before. I don’t like the idea of putting that pressure on myself, creating a wonderful list of complicated inspiring garments that, let’s face it, I would have to spend every spare minute making to complete in a year.

However, I have decided to make a list this year to help keep my focus. 2018 was a year of knitting what I fancied, not finishing things before starting other projects, which has left me with a fair few WIP’s.

I am using my #makenine2019 as an opportunity to create a list of aims, made up for of WIP’s, knits I have already bought the yarn for, 2 sewing projects I have already bought the fabric for and a few projects I have been intending to do but as yet haven’t. AND do you know what, if I don’t do them all, it’s fine! No one will die, it won’t be the end of the world and I can make them in 2020 instead! However wouldn’t it be nice if I did complete them all….

I have detailed them here as a reminder to myself (or if you’re interested) and so I can keep track of things.

(Top 3 left to right)
1. Crochet – this will be a new one for me, I haven’t ever crocheted a garment before, but I do love the look of this & it’s been a topic of discussion at Knit group!
Pattern is Granny Rocks Jumper by Iron Lamb
2. Socks! I have a pair to finish, and yarn for at least three more. I want to learn new technique and get the perfect fit!
3. My Maan shawl by Natasja Hornby an on going WIP, started in October 2017 that I really would like to finish!

(Middle 3 left to right)
4. Sewing; I have wanted to make a Moneta dress by Colette Patterns, for ages, I didn’t find time in 2018 despite buying (and washing) the fabric.
5. My Arboreal jumper by Jennifer Steingass was started on holiday back in February 2018, I knitted the colour work yoke and it have been hibernating ever since, for no other reason than getting distracted by other projects, though I did pick it up again over Christmas.
6. Another sewing project; as soon as Tilly & the Button released the Zadie dress I knew I wanted to make it, the style of the dress tends to suit my body shape well, though at the time my sewing ability was a little wobbly. So 2019 will be the year to tackle this.

(Bottom 3 left to right)
7. My summer wardrobe is missing a lighter weight, v-neck, 3/4 length sleeve cardigan (in a lovely berry-ish shade), ravelry searches have failed to reveal the ideal cardigan, so I may well make design my own.
8. Diesis by Alice Caetano, I fell in love with this jumper on the PomPom stand at Yarndale in 2017 and bought the magazine based on this design alone. However I’m yet to start and I’m I keep wondering whether I’ll get enough wear out of it, I imagine it’ll be very toastie.
9. Glenfiddich by Annamária Ötvös I bought this pattern for my Mum to knit me a cable cardigan for Christmas 2017, I’ve always found cables a bit frustrating. However since my Mum didn’t get on with the pattern and ended up knitting a different cardigan. I thought this would be the perfect time to bite the bullet and get to grip with cables. It is such a lovely cardigan, and one I can image getting a lot of wear out of. I have already have the yarn too!

I am quite sure I will veer of this path a little, I have given myself a get out of jail free card on number 8.  I have already been um-ing & ah-ing over this pattern for a while. I’m sure I’ll change my mind more than once about these projects throughout 2019. I will be interested to see how much of a detour I take when I look back this time next year!

Here’s to a creative and productive 2019.
Thanks for reading.
Steph

Hybrid Cardigan

Once I’d selected my fabric  I used to create my latest dress, I knew I’d want to make a cardigan too and I already had in mind the yarn & colour, which would match the teal flowers on the fabric brilliantly. The yarn I had in mind was the 4ply Bamboo cotton from Knit Nottingham, by King Cole. I’d already used the dk for my tee shirt and cross pockets cardigan, so knew it’d make a great summer garment.

So off to ravelry I went to figure how much yarn I’d need. I already knew the style I wanted, a fitted waist with a v-neck, maybe a slight peplem/or flare over the hips. Using these criteria I used the ever so useful filters on the pattern search and eventually came across this version of Kim Hargreaves Blossom cardigan (from her book Misty) by  Madhatter (project persil).

Isn’t this stunning, I really liked her adaptions, getting rid of the faffy picots, and adding longer sleeves. I decided to create a similar version of this variation. I excitedly headed off to knit Nottingham to get my yarn only to discover the yarn is no longer available in 4ply (!!!).

Back to the drawing board slightly, the yarn was still available in dk, I checked there wasn’t anything else suitable in a 4ply before settling on the dk in the lovely opal colour I’d already set my heart on. I thought I’d have a go at making a similar style cardigan in dk weight.

I went back to rav and had another search and came across the fleurette jacket, while scanning through the various incarnations, all 126 of them, I spotted someone I knew (what are the chances). Rachel from my knit group had knitted this very same garment for her own wedding, before I’d ever met her (small world indeed) she’d made some lovely adaptions too including cables and a different lower section.

So I made up my mind. I was going to base the top half of the cardigan on the fleurette jacket, as I rather liked the construction of the sideways waist band, I also liked the plain stockinette on the top, though not a big fan of the lacy half. So for the bottom I was going to wing it and create my own peplum, inspired by the blossom cardigan.

I initially liked the way the pattern was written, it was very much written to tailor the fit and size as you’re knitting. I imagine this might be a little daunting to someone who isn’t a confident knitter or who isn’t familiar with negative ease. I feel I’ve already made enough mistakes and worked with this yarn before that I could predict how the garment might fit and knit accordingly. I have noticed from the finished projects on Ravelry that people have struggled with this. I was keen to get going so cast on straight away (abandoning all other WIP’s) I really liked how the waist band was knitted first, then stitches picked up to knit the top. I was making quick progress and then came to the set in sleeves. I’ve knitted at least two other garments with set in sleeves and don’t remember getting into a pickle. But I could not make any scene of the instructions here (quick Rav consultation and I found others had had the same issue). So I decided to research alternative ways and found Knitionary’s blog post about set in sleeves, which was a bit of a hallelujah moment for me. It’s so clearly explained and I will be referring back to this for future project I’m sure!

Teal is one of the trickiest colours to capture, it’s not this dull in real life!

I’m trying to get into the habit of updating my Ravelry project notes as I go, particularly if I have issues as I have found them so helpful when I’ve looked at other peoples project notes (and when I’ve revisited my own projects). Sometimes, as I just mentioned above, knowing I’m not the only one with the same issue. Or, no one else has a problem with this (it must be me – put project down, make tea, come back to it, spot the error of my ways and resume).

Again, the yarn is not this blue either!

Once the sleeves were set in I tackled the peplum edge. I purposely didn’t read the instruction for the 4ply blossom pattern as I didn’t want it to muddy the waters for me now that I was working in dk. I realised I needed to to do the button band first so that I could make my peplum edge meet at the front edge. Then I picked up all the stitches around the bottom and then increased as per first line of the fleurette jacket and then started winging it.

I worked on a long circular needle back and forth in garter stitch and made sure to make notes as I went as I’ve have to do the exact same thing, in reserve as I work round the edge of the cardigan. I initially increased to make a nice shaped curve at the front of the cardigan (this was the fiddliest part, I ripped it out a few time). I made 4 simple short row increases / decreases for the hips, on each side, and curved the edge at the end decreasing (following my increase notes from the start).

A bit of summer day light – this is what the colour is really like. I need to work on my poses when showing off handmade garments…. it’s not wonky in real life!

Overall I’m really impressed with how it’s turned out, it goes really well with my dress too, just a shame it was too warm to wear it at the #jemdrew wedding (though did get a snap of me in it, though not the best photo). It is a bit of Frankenstein cardigan, but that’s what makes it special. I’m also impressed with myself. I finally feel I have a really good understanding of my abilities as a knitter (I’m generally not very good at admitting things like this as an introverted Brit) however this project has proved to me I can do this and I’m too bad at it either – it’s only taken 14 years. My only hope now is that in another 12 years my dressmaking will be as good, ha!

My ravelry project for my hybrid cardigan can be found here.
Thanks for reading
Steph

Side Note – I wrote this blog post back at the beginning of October, with the intention of getting a few good photos of me wearing the cardigan at another wedding in Oct (the lovely Eleanor & Dr Chris of Knit Nottingham fame). I did wear the cardigan, however I was having too much fun ceilidh-ing to remember to take a photo). Then I just got busy with other things and then when I looked back at my #2018bestnine on instagram I realised I hadn’t actually posted it – better late than never though!

Morning Echo Cardigan

I finished knitting this cardigan some time ago (last November to be precise… just in time to wear to the first Nottingham yarn expo (which was rather lovely – I got to go with many of the Knit in Notts, knit group members, which for several of them, their first knitting show).

I was missing a navy cardigan from my wardrobe after loosing one a while ago (I accidentally left it on the tram). I wanted something fairly simple but with a little interest so I could wear it with lots of different things and not get bored knitting it. After an advanced Rav search (v-neck, raglan sleeves, dk, 1 colour) I chose Morning Echo by sweet paprika designs. It’s lovely lace edge detail and v neck shaping was perfect for my criteria. Knitted from the bottom up in the round, it was a nice quick start to the pattern. However when I got to the sleeves I decided to veer off the pattern path.

I much prefer to knit most things in the round and in one piece, it makes it easier to try on as you knit and less sewing up, however the sleeves for morning echo are knitted flat and then sewn in. I decided to do a provisional cast on for each sleeve before starting the raglan shaping in the body so that I could knit the whole top of the cardigan in one piece. I worked out how many dec there would have been on the edges of each piece and spread incorporated that in my re-design of the top. I ended up adding a few more rows into sleeve tops, I think we’re supposed to me more stretched, but I don’t think my alterations were have turned out too badly and the cardigan fits well, I’m really not much of a fan of sewing up awkward seams.

Other adjustments I made were knitting the hips a size larger and then adding more decreases so that I ended up with the right number of stitches for the second size at the waist, this worked well and the cardigan flares out over my wider hips and I now have a cardigan that fits my shoulder, bust & hips all at the same time which it rather wonderful!

I really liked the way the edging was incorporated up the sides and around the next band, however I really don’t like vague instructions in patterns, to finish the neck band the pattern states to knit until “…reaches centre back of neck when stretched…” stretched a bit? Stretched a lot…I don’t know? I realise why it’s been written this way, it will be different for each size and possibly vary with neck sizes/shapes, but a little guidance at least would have been appreciated. I knitted, grafted, sewed into place then unpicked, ripped back a bit, re-graphed, re-sewed 3 times in total, it hibernated for a week or so too as I’d found it so frustrating. I knitted a size 2 at the top and made each side of the neck band 17.5cm before graphing together, in the end.

Despite my frustrations, I did finish it and had a lot of wear out of it and I’m sure I’ll get s lot more wear too.

Yarn was Patons diploma gold dk originally bought from my lys Knit Nottingham, though it has since been discontinued by the the shop.

I really need to work on my posing, I usually look too serious, but mostly too awkward (I’m always envious of instaesque photos people post of casually not looking at the camera, yet looking cool & perfectly showing off their handmade garment – I look so unnatural in my poses)!

More cardigan details on Ravelry (nettynot).

Thanks for reading

Steph