Today I found a nice surprise when I clicked on my Ravelry designer page-- the patterns for Interweave Knits Fall 2014 have been posted, including my Climbing Rose Henley! 

This design was a fun challenge for me.  One of the themes on the call for submissions was flowers for fall.  How can you incorporate floral motifs without them looking too spring-y?   For me, the epitome of fall fabrics is tweed, so I began with a tweedy wool/silk blend yarn.  As for the flowers, roses seem to be all-season, and by adding a twisting vine in the background it makes them a bit more a pattern you'd see on an old tapestry.  Working with three colors at once is challenging, so I kept the colorwork just to the yoke and left the rest of the body solid.  Delicate ruffles add more feminine detail to the otherwise menswear body.

I'm a sucker for cables, so of course I'm in love with so many of the cabled sweaters in this issue, particularly the Redfern Cardigan Roosevelt Cardigan, and Ropemaker Pullover.  I guess I'm a sucker for kangaroo pockets as well, seeing that all three styles have them.  Having a front pocket comes in handy so often (especially when walking the dog), and these sweaters are so much more attractive than your typical hoodie with kangaroo pockets

The cables on the Ropemaker Pullover seem to wrap all around the body and sleeves, so I am really interested to find out exactly how it is constructed.  Can't wait to get this issue in the mail!

This is Poochie, the pomeranian that I have been babysitting for the last two weeks.  She is very energetic, playful and friendly, and also thinks that everything in the house is a toy.  But look at that cute little face.  She can't do anything too bad, right?

Wrong.

Very, very wrong.

This is what I found in my living room when I got out of bed this morning.  After yelling, '"WHAT DID YOU DO????", she didn't seem the least bit remorseful.  Oh I think I am in charge of a spoiled little puppy.  Poochie got to spend the next two hours in her kennel while I did my best to untangle my yarn.  I was able to save most of it, but it was still a pain.  Winding this skein the first time was a nightmare after finding six cut ends in the skein, and how I have a half dozen even smaller balls from where I couldn't get the knots out.  

Then, not five minutes after I let her out of the kennel, Poochie jumps on a chair and tries to grab one of the balls of yarn!!  Argh!!!  This dog!!!  I think she has just overstayed her welcome.

I'm starting to think this project is doomed.  Do I dare to even continue?

I think most knitters do it... we buy yarn because we like the color or texture, and then it sits in our stash for years because we don't know what to make from it.  Such is the case for this yarn, 5 balls of Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Peony.  

It has been so many years since I bought it, I can't even remember what my original intentions were.  But after buying it I realized two things:  I don't enjoy knitting with cotton, and I generally don't wear much pink.  I'll admit that my dislike for cotton yarns is starting to wane after working with some really lovely cottons that didn't give me wrist pain; I think it was just my initial bad experience with a very rough cotton that turned me off.  When I was a little girl, pink was my favorite color and I wore it constantly; I think I wore myself out and now hardly ever wear it.

So what to do?  I just shoved this yarn into my stash pile for a few years.  Along came a new idea for a pullover, so I scribbled it into a pencil sketch and pinned it up on my inspiration board.  Then I remembered that my mom's birthday was coming up, and I hadn't knitted anything for her for quite awhile.  Mom is allergic to wool, so most of my stash was eliminated right there.  She also lives in a hot desert, so a warm sweater might not get much use, especially in July.  Plus... she looks great in pink.  Peony is a really lovely muted pink color that isn't too bubbly or in-your-face.  

Cotton+pink+short sleeve sweater= fantastic idea!!  Here is the result:

After seeing the photos, I think I might start wearing pink again, as long as it is a nice and subtle dusty sort of pink.  I sent the sweater off to mom and she was thrilled with it.  I really wish I could see her in it, but alas she is 2,000 miles away.  The sweater was packed into her suitcase for the vacation she is currently on, so hopefully I'll get to see a photo of her in it soon.  

I really enjoying knitting this sweater, and decided to make a version for myself.  I generally don't like knitting the same thing twice, so I made a few changes for my sweater.  The body is several inches longer, and the sleeves are elbow length.  Also, I used another yarn from my stash; a green wool.  I love wearing green, but somehow I don't have many green clothes.  I also made a bigger size than the pink sweater.  Mom is a bit smaller than me, so the pink sweater is modeled with 3" negative ease, which is a bit tighter than I would normally choose for myself.  It is still quite hot here, so this sweater will have to sit in my closet for a few months yet, but I will be happy to wear it in the cooler weather.  

Pattern is coming soon.  Stay tuned!  Until next time, happy knitting!

My coverstitch machine arrived, and has already been put to much use.  I was so excited to see the UPS truck!  After unpacking everything (and what a full box it was!), it didn't take long before I was able to get the machine going.  Of course I read the manual first.  Then, I dumbly ignored the voice in my head, and instead of re-threading the machine from scratch I knotted onto the sample threads.  BIG. MISTAKE.  The looper thread wasn't threaded properly, so my test swatch got sucked into the machine.  I learned very quickly that when coverstitch goes bad, it goes REALLY BAD.  As in, spending an hour getting the fabric unstuck from the feed dogs bad.  Apparently you need three different screw drivers to remove various parts of the machine, so my husband very kindly gave me a tool set so that I would stop bothering him.  Added bonus there!  I finally realized that there is a knob inside the machine that would help release the fabric next time it gets stuck.  And I'm sure there will be another time in the not-so-distant future that it will get stuck.  But, once I got the threading correct, it was lovely!

By using a different color thread for each position I was able to get a good idea for how the coverstitch is formed.  Now I'm thinking that it would be interesting to use different thread colors on a plain tee or skirt.  Hmmm.....

My first project to employ the coverstitch machine was another Anna Cross Over Bra.  I can't seem to have too many of these!  I'm finally getting good at applying the lingerie elastic.  I used coverstitch on the cup seam to hold down the seam allowance and make a nice top stitching, and also on the side seam to hold both layers of the seam allowance on the back portion.  I thought this would be similar to the finish on commercially sewn bras that helps keep the sides firm and flat.  Do you see that my thread is actually ivory?  This is why we don't choose thread at night with poor lighting.  Mea culpa.

Next I did the same for a black Anna Cross Over Bra.  I've been very lucky in my fabric shopping lately and have found lots of nice knits in the remnant section.  Since these bras only use a bit of fabric (pattern says 1/2 yard, but I think for my size it is more like 1/4), most remnants I find are big enough to make one if not two bras.  I bought this black fabric without looking too closely at the label.  I thought it was a lightweight ITY, but it turns out to be swimsuit fabric.  I thought I'd try it anyway, and I really enjoy wearing it.  The fabric is very soft and slinky, and works well under my tees.

The last project was a tee for my husband.  After my last big fabric purchase, he mentioned (in a somewhat annoyed voice) that I haven't sewn much for him.  I took this as a subtle hint that he wanted something he could wear more often than the smoking jacket I made him for Christmas.  I bought a Kwik Sewn men's t-shirt pattern and went to work.  I used a nice cotton/poly interlock that I found in the mill-end table at Hancock Fabrics.  It turned out slightly big (I guess husband is between two sizes), but he likes it very much and wore it immediately.  I didn't manage to snap a photo before he went outside to grill dinner, so all I have a picture of the coverstitch.

I'm very particular about matching the fabric and thread colors, which I guess comes from my years in the fashion industry.  Of course, there is a very limited selection of serger threads, and I haven't figured out yet if my coverstitch machine can use regular sewing thread or not.  The burgundy thread I bought was close, but not close enough for me to use as the stitching on the outside.  So when that happens, I usually decide to use a totally contrasting color rather than make it look like a bad match.  In this case I used black, and I think it looks nice.

I promised my husband I'd make him a woven button up shirt, so more coverstitching will have to wait a bit.  Until next time, happy crafting...

Ever since I started working out and gaining arm muscle, my store bought t-shirts have become too small in the sleeves and armhole.  Nothing drives me more crazy than a too-tight armhole digging into my armpit.  The next time I bought shirts I went for a medium, and still the armholes were too tight-- I guess the fit models used by Target have no biceps at all.  I'm not even close to looking like a body builder, and I thought it would be ridiculous to buy a size large and be swimming in fabric just to get the right fit in the arm.  So, as usual, time to make my own.  A t-shirt should be easy enough, right?  Finding a simple t-shirt pattern though proved to be a challenge.  I ended up with a Kwik Sew pattern and was quite pleased with it.  

{As a side note, I also bought a Kwik Sew men's button-up shirt pattern, and there was none of that silly handsewing and endless staystitching that also drives me crazy.  I might be a convert to Kwik Sew patterns--they cost more, but they are geared more towards professional finishing.}  

So sewing my t-shirt went quite well until I got to the hems.  I really wanted to flatlock them.  Now... my serger and I have never gotten along well during the 11 years of our relationship.  It takes me hours of swatching to get a balanced tension, and it involves much shouting and flinging of fabric across the room.  After about three hours, I thought I finally had a nice looking flatlock.  I hemmed the whole t-shirt, only to find that something went wrong with the lower looper thread and the whole thing fell out.  More adjusting, and tried to hem it two more times only to have the same result.  Lots of wasted thread and with high blood pressure I finally threw in the towel for the day.

The next day, with a much more calm demeanor, I dragged out my old beat-up Brother sewing machine since my cheapie Singer doesn't have the option for double needle stitching.  I fiddled with the tension and got it to work somewhat.  I thought it would be ok, so I stitched the hem for the fourth time.  It turned out decent, but one of the threads kept skipping stitches.  Yikes.  But by this time I was tired of the whole thing and just went with it.  It isn't too noticeable, but the hems aren't as stretchy as I would like.   

After some contemplating and bouncing ideas off my husband (who does know how to sew, strange enough), I decided to invest in a cover stitch machine.  I like sewing with knits (so far), and knits seem to be what I wear the most of anyway, so it makes sense for me to sew them.  I've made the lofty goal for myself to try to make all of my own clothes.  I know I will still have to purchase some complicated items like jeans, structured bras and probably jackets, but now with a coverstitch machine I can make durable and professional looking clothes.  

I ended up ordering a Brother 2340CV from Allbrands.  I've ordered from them in the past and was pleased with the service, and I took advantage of their package deal to get all the attachments, plus thread, 100 needles, and a carrying case.

So I plopped myself down and read the manual, then bravely attempted to sew some coverstitch.  I know I should have just threaded the machine from scratch, but I attempted to tie on new threads like I do with my serger, and it ended up being a disaster.  My first attempt at sewing ended up sucking the fabric down into the feed dogs and got stuck.  Before I even made a proper stitch, I learned how to take the machine apart using three different screw drivers--yeah, thanks Brother, my husband thought I was nuts when I came back twice asking for various tools.  Finally he just handed me the whole tool box.

The problem ended up being a misthread for the looper, so it was easily fixed once I was able to get the fabric unstuck.  Then moments later.... TA DA.

Lovely 4 thread 3 needle coverstitch.  I think I will generally use 3 thread 2 needle in the widest width, but figured out I try it out this way first.  LOVE IT.

Tomorrow will be time to cut out another t-shirt!!

 My needles have been clicking away, and it is time for a new pattern! I am pleased to introduce Dark Lotus Shrug, an intricate lace shrug worked in a fingering weight yarn.

Counterpane constructions have always intrigued me, and after the success of my Camellia Shrug I wanted to design another shrug worked from the center out. If you like detailed lace patterns, this shrug will keep your interest. Totally seamless with minimal finishing, and an I-cord beginning that helps provide stability when working just a few stitches over double point needles.

The yarn is Peacock Sock by Unplanned Peacock, a super soft and springy fingering weight yarn. The color variations are absolutely beautiful in rich and vibrant purples, and I think it pairs really well with the lace patterns.

I love lace knitting, but don't have much opportunity to wear my lace shawls.  They seem so fancy for everyday life and even when I go out sometimes it seems like keeping a shawl on my shoulders would be inconvenient.  Hopefully I will find more use for a shrug!  

See the pattern page here for the particulars.  Happy Knitting!

Over the last couple of days, I've had a surge in sales of my Log Cabin Shawl on Craftsy and was wondering why...  A quick search revealed that the Craftsy blog recently posted a step-by-step tutorial on the log cabin knitting technique, with my Log Cabin Shawl featured as an example.  

The tutorial explains how to make a log cabin square that is very similar to the quilt block of the same name, which is begun with a square and continues to add rectangles on each side.  This is a different result than what is used in my pattern, but the join-as-you-go technique is the same.  

So, thank you to Craftsy for featuring my shawl!! 

You can find more information on the Log Cabin Shawl here.