FO: The Triple Leaf Cardigan

My Triple Leaf Cardigan is a combination of my sloper cardigan pattern combined with a very pretty triple leaf lace stitch from the Kimberley Cardigan.  I did knit the Kimberley Cardigan in blackberry wool and all went well until I Attached The Sleeves - puff sleeves do not suit a lady with broad shoulders!  After an unsuccessful attempt to remove said sleeves, which involved accidentally cutting the body of the cardigan (*facepalm*), I put the pattern away for a while, feeling quite defeated.

However, I couldn't stop thinking about the pretty lace pattern and how much I loved it.  It was the most difficult lace pattern I had done to date and I was quite pleased with myself that it turned out so well on my first go.  I was in the mood to experiment with different techniques and needle sizes when I cast on for this project.  In my short time knitting, I have tried several different kinds of needles and wooden are the best for me, specifically rosewood.  As a secretary, I need to protect my hands and these needles are my tools of choice.  I am able to knit in long stretches without any pain! 

The original pattern calls for 4.0 mm and 4.5 mm needles.  For this cardigan, I knit it all in 4.0 mm.  I followed some of the instructions from the Kimberley Cardigan, like the garter stitch and eyelet border, but stuck mainly to the instructions of my sloper. I used Knit Picks' Comfy Worsted in Marina and I have to say that this is my absolute favourite cotton worsted yarn!  It is so butter soft and is an absolute dream to knit with!  The colours are fantastically saturated and it is actually machine washable.

I picked up stitches for the neckline and button bands, as I find it gives a neater look.  I found some pretty pearl buttons from my local fabric store and gave each sleeve a small pleat at the cuff, finished off with a button.  Given my love of frothy, full-skirted dresses and high-waist skirts, the cropped waistline of the cardigan works well with my wardrobe.

I am really happy how this cardigan came out.  So  much so, that I have been experimenting further with my sloper and different lace patterns. Stay tuned for more cardigans!

Me Made May: Days 11-17

More Me Made May Fashionary drawings!  I am working with my camera's tripod and timer to try to get better and more comfortable at taking self-portraits, but my staple for this challenge will be my beloved Fashionary.

May 11, 2013
A live picture for you today!!  I spend the afternoon at my lovely friend's house making all natural bath bombs and scrubs. I have three me mades today:  My Betty Boop circle skirt (Butterick 5763), my teal Renfrew, and my floral hairband.  The felt roses are from A Market Collection.

It was a marvellous afternoon of tea, bath products, and girl chat.  I came home with cucumber melon sugar scrub (delish!), a rose garden bath bomb (heavenly!), cotton candy sugar scrub for Miss G (she loved it!), and a birthday cake bath bomb (also for Miss G.).  I highly recommend Bomb La Bon Bon for all of your pampering needs and will be doing a full blog post shortly.  I used all my pretty products before I could photograph them!

May 12, 2013
Poor Mr. G. came down with a very bad case of strep throat the night before Mother's Day (poor man!) so I spent Mother's Day with my own mum running errands and enjoying each other's company.  I wore my comfy knit Lisette Portfolio Tunic (unblogged), my white Renfrew, and my denim Butterick 2507.  Another three me mades!

May 13, 2013
Thank goodness for antibiotics was the theme for today.  Thanks to a whopping dose of penicillian, Mr. G. was starting to turn the corner today.  Although my focus was on caring for him (with Miss G serving as a very capable nurse), I did manage two me mades: my Eva Dress 3322 sailor trousers and a cream crochet beret of my own design.

May 16, 2013
I have no idea what I wore on May 15th!  On May 16th, however, I wore one of my new Hazel dresses, this one made with hot pink cherries on bright yellow fabric.  I am so happy that I was able to work out a few  minor kinks with this pattern, as I just love it! that V bodice is so pretty and unusual and I love the patch pockets I sewed on.

May 17, 2013
I pulled out a much loved but not worn enough cherry peasant blouse that I sewed almost three years ago!  My very comfortable Butterick 2507 capris made another appearance.  I paired it with Kim Hargreaves' Misty cardigan knit in red Lenpur Linen.  This is handmade, but not made by me.

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I will have some more 'live' photos in the coming weeks, as well as blog postings about my new makes.  I am so inspired this Me Made May and have been sewing up a storm to prove it!  Have you been sewing lately?  What's on your cutting table?

FO: The Shelburne Hazel

I've been playing around with my timer and tripod for my camera with the intent to get better at taking self-portraits.  Here's hoping my learning curve isn't too steep! Please forgive the fuzziness and poor lighting while I find the ideal settings.

I recently tackled Colette Patterns' Hazel again and have fallen in love!  I have always been able to wear Colette Patterns straight from the package with no alterations and this one is no exception.  The full skirt was inspired by Roisin's  Etoile Dress.  My version was made with beautiful Dress Floral in Maple from Denyse Schmidt's lovely Shelburne Falls collection and I absolutely love it! I love the vintage feel of the print and red and aqua is always a winning combination in my book.

 

I wanted to accent the lovely V-line of the bodice and used some red giant ric rac from my stash.  I do plan to add patch pockets to the dress as I find I am needing them and dislike inseam pockets.The full skirt makes it feel extra feminine as it swishes delightfully as I walk.  I used a lapped zipper in the back and added a tiny red flower button at the top to keep things closed.

I have two more versions of Hazel to share, including one that has been reworked and reclaimed from the wadder pile.  Hooray!

I wore this today with my Triple Leaf Cardigan - a mish-mash of my sloper pattern and the lace from the Kimberly Cardigan.  

Me-Made-May 2013: Days 6 - 10

This MMM I pledged to wear at least one me-made item for 5 days a week for the month of May.  This week saw me with one non-me made day and also saw me sporting a lot of pink and red!

May 6, 2013
It was delightfully sunny and warm that day and I wore one of my very favourite 'pyjama' dress: a Frankenpatterned version of Simplicity 3673.  I used the bodice from Simplicity 3673 and self-drafted the midriff band and skirt.  The fabric features a fantastically bright and bold Hawaiian print. It's wonderfully comfortable and has a great bohemian feel. 

May 7, 2013
This was my first non-me made day, although my dress was handmade.  It is a Vogue sample from one of my favourite fabric stores and was a birthday gift from my mother-in-law.  It's a beautiful watercolour-style printed linen and is fully lined.  Decadence!

May 8, 2013
I wore one of my very favourite skirts: a white linen wrap skirt made from Butterick 5763.  I made this last summer, but did not get around to blogging about it.  Is is so comfortable and breezy and is fully lined in pale pink Swiss dot.  I paired it with another unblogged item: my pink Miette; the second cardigan I ever knit.  It's made of a pretty bamboo yarn and is quite drapey.  My pink stripe tee was picked up for $6 from Joe Fresh.

May 9, 2013
Earlier in the week, I had some dedicated sewing time and was able to stitch up a pair of red capris.  My local Fabricland is having their annual birthday sale and I picked up this red twill, as well as some hot pink, for $6 / metre!  I used my TNT Butterick 4552.   The blouse was made last week, when I made my Market Skirt.  It's another Sorbetto to add to my collection and is made from white Swiss Dot.  I used Jasmine for the sleeves and cuffs.

May 10, 2013
A cold and rainy day called for comfortable me-mades:  my resurrected and very comfortable Eva Dress 3322 sailor trousers, my rosey Jasmine blouse, and my pink Miette.  I made the rose Jasmine blouse last summer; it's sleeveless and made with a pretty dark pink cabbage-style rose on a cream background.

Through documenting my MMM outfits, I've realized that I have quite a lot of me-mades that are yet unblogged. I'm thinking I should get Mrs. Singer to stand in for me and organize a marathon photographing session.

Do you blog everything you make? Are their certain things that make 'the cut' and certain things that do not?