honey hat

The color reminds me of buckwheat honey. I love it. Exactly the same as the deep blue hat I made my pretty mom. Pattern, details and modifications here. This malabrigo yarn is so delicious on my fingers. I normally favor rustic hard wearing wools, but this yarn is nice for hats.

We got a little snow today! I went for a long walk and wore lots of woolens. Bundled. x.

practice tova

Here's my practice Tova made with some windowpane shirting I've had for a long time. What a flawless pattern, it answers every question before you even think to ask it. Its expertly drafted too, because I only had to set in the sleeves once (pauses to unboggle mind.) How is that even possible? It certainly is not because of me. Expert drafting, my friends.

I didn't hesitate when Jenny offered this pattern for sale in her web shop and I'm so glad I got it. I really love wearing woven shirts that hang well, it feels so airy and light and comfortable. I definitely plan to make more, I'm dreaming of a stack of freshly washed fabric ready to cut into: more plaid, a lightweight white linen, floral cotton voile... and I already have some lovely tweedy hemp/linen to make a tova dress!

Below are my personal 'notes to self' for next time:

* when topstitching around collar ends shorten stitch length.
* when reinforcing corners for inset shorten stitch length.
* when sewing in corners of inset shorten stitch length.
* don't forget to topstitch inset before attaching front to back!
* mind that raw edges of sleeve and cuff are perfectly flush when sewing cuff to sleeve.
* do not cross stitching lines at collar ends, must pivot.
* i shortened hem 2.5" for my frame, try just 2" next time. (just the top, not sure of dress yet)
* adjust side, shoulder and sleeve hems for french seams, leave the rest for serging.
* slipstitch collar first.

a grey day hat

Another hat, photographed on a very grey day before giving it to M. It was this pattern and this yarn; I think the fish bone pattern is really lovely and was quite simple to do. I'd like to try this pattern again in a soft, tweedy, cream colored yarn. Wouldn't that be nice?

scrap yarn is beautiful (2)

Scarp yarn is beautiful for mending. These were my favorite, and now they are whole again. I say thumbs up to any tiny success! To any chance to heal.

Other evidence that scrap yarn is beautiful here, and here. x.

process

What i am knitting and sewing.

The knitted swatch is for my newest design, called Seraphine. The finished cardigan will be in a lighter brown; if the yarn you see is black coffee, the sweater will be coffee with a little milk. If all goes well, I am planning to offer the pattern for sale.

The sewing is a tova top, moving along slowly. I think they will be a nice pair, Tova and Seraphine.

I feel I am moving along slowly, wrestling with some painful things. Stitch by stitch, no? I know you understand. x.