Fly high Cockatoo!

I'm feeling so lucky at the moment. My sister has moved down the road (about an hours drive away), so much closer than she was before. This means we're seeing a lot more of each other and as we're great at collaborating, I'm feeling really creative at the moment.

Whenever I visit, I make sure I have a sewing or knitting project on the go but after about an hour of chatting, suddenly I have all sorts of ideas and end up making something completely different while I'm there. It's pretty good to come home with a new garment and this trip was no exception. I was planning on sewing a fitted business shirt with a cute print but after a visit to the local shops, I ended up with this: some poly crepes. These will be excellent for work, easy care and also a bit more interesting than my usual black trousers/top combo.

 I ended up using McCalls 6566 for these, it has a modern, oversized look with a cut-on or dolman sleeve. Easy to put together, just two pieces. I did make some bias binding for the neck too.

 And here's the finished product, it makes me smile every time I look at it! Looks a bit crumpled from its drive home in the back of the car but nothing a good iron won't fix.

 It reminds me, strangely of a Aussie tourism uniform...well, I guess I do work in travel!

Curl up and dye

Yeah, I love bad puns. This one is a favourite from a hair salon I used to drive past when I lived in London.

But this post is all about dyeing fabric! I had been on the lookout for grey linen but there was none to be found in stores all over Perth and Melbourne. My wise older sister had also spent all summer searching for the elusive stuff for her own wardrobe. We figure it's either really hip at the moment or completely passé but we want it anyway.

I had some boring beige linen in my stash from a super bargain day at Lincraft in Melbourne a few months ago. It was good stuff, sand washed and quite soft already.

I love linen as a trouser fabric as the more you wash and wear it, the better it looks and feels. My navy pair, made about 5 years ago are still on high rotation in my wardrobe, a bit faded on the waistband from the scorching Perth sun but luxurious and silky, especially on a sweaty day.

So, let's give this dyeing a try! I found iDye at my local Spotlight in Gunmetal and hoped it wouldn't turn out too dark. There is a Silver Grey too, which I may try out next time I'm chemically inclined.

I had a quick rummage in the pantry for the correct mordant (non-iodised salt for plant-based, vinegar for silk).

The instructions were a little problematic as my front loader washing machine has a pre-flush process and I didn't want the dye to disappear down the drain. I did a quick recce of other courageous folks online and did the same: mixed everything together and added to my detergent tray. There was a lot of salt that didn't dissolve so I just added more water, did a quick mix and slopped the extra in as well! It wasn't as messy as that sounds, no staining of walls or laundry tiles thankfully...

After a hot wash, the end result seemed more blue than grey but still a lovely colour.

A short wait to see what it looked like once it had dried, nice sunny day.

Although I was looking for a much more steely colour, I'm pretty happy with this end result. It has a Japanese workwear look I keep aiming for in my clothing and I have a feeling that it will continue to fade with subsequent washes. It also dyed uniformly with no noticeable blotches or streaks.

I may be officially addicted now but also horribly aware that my little experiment may not be particularly environmentally friendly so off to check out natural dyes now. I hear eucalyptus makes a lovely green!

Do you have any dyeing experiences you could share?

 

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One last crafty breath before the weekend ends

 

Freshly fired candy pink polymer clay beads!

 

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On the needles tonight

A wee hat for a very special new nephew:

If you love knitting for brand new people, check out Erika Knight's Natural Nursery Knits!

 

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The Knitter: Knitting Masterclass (a book review)

If you're new to handicrafts, I highly recommend you visit your local library and if you're not a member, join up! It's a no-brainer. My local has a good back catalogue of Burda magazines, Handmade and Better Homes and Gardens. Even better, they have a huge range of craft books, some oldies but goodies (like Kaffe Fassett at the V&A, one of my favourite books of all time) and also, a lot of recently published stuff as well.

I'm not sure how it works in other countries but if there is a title you'd like, request it and its highly likely they'll be able to find it for you (apart from Alice Starmore's 'In the Hebrides', which would have to be the most stolen public library craft book ever and is out of print. I have given up hope of ever knitting St Kilda).

The other plus is you get to test drive books you may have seen online but you might not be sure if they'll be worth the cash. After all, the philosophy of the handmade movement is partly about being thrifty, isn't it?

I didn't know this book had been published so it's an excellent surprise to find that one of my favourite magazines has decided to share some great knitting tips and patterns. I have a digital subscription to The Knitter and find the patterns and articles to be just the right level for me. I'd say any knitter with a little experience would really enjoy it, especially the mix of designers which include the big names like Bergere de France, Debbie Bliss and Rowan, as well as lesser known designers from Scandinavia. The latest issue has a great article about a Faroese yarn and knitwear designer and now I'm desperate for her yarn!

But back to the book. Aren't these socks pretty?

I'm happy to admit I have limited skills compared to some knitters and mostly stay within my comfort zone of lace and Aran pullovers. I mean, it's taken me well over 10 years to get to circular knitting, I've only ever knitted half a sock because I wasn't happy with the heel and I'll probably never knit a 4ply fair isle vest. I'd buy this book instantly because the instructions are clear on everything from the magic loop method to making steeking sound quite plausible!

Other inclusions: adjusting the pattern when using alternative yarns, splicing, shaping, jogless stripes and Kitchener stitch. I may get that languishing sock finished after all!

Even my dear furry friend approves. If I've sold it to you, Anova online bookstore has it at a good price. This title won't be released in the USA until August so you can also preorder it on Amazon. Otherwise, get into your local library pronto and order away!

 

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Nikki Gabriel's Harlequin

Yep, I started another project, gulp. Delancey is still hanging around but I've decided to work the sleeves with some Knit Picks interchangeable circulars I've just ordered so there will be a slight delay.

In the meantime, my new fun project is from Nikki Gabriel via Cleckheaton. I'm pretty impressed with the way Auspinners (the company that owns Patons and Cleckheaton) got with the program and started to offer cool patterns recently.

For example, have you seen the Romance Was Born intarsia coat offered for free online? Personally, I would rather scratch out my own eyes than put myself through that sort of project stress (love all manner of intricate lace and Aran stitch but no intarsia for me!) but I can imagine lots of indie kids asking their nanas to whip this particular project up for them:

There are lots of other free patterns available on the Auspinners website but you will need to create a login and password.

But back to my new project! I bought the booklet from Spotlight a while back when they were having a super sale on everything and it's still available.

 

I'm knitting the cover pattern but as usual my gauge is off as I'm not using Cleckheaton Country, but some Jo Sharp from my mum's stash. The tension is supposed to create triangles of 15.5 x 13 cm but I've tried three different needle sizes and no go! Instead, I'm using the triangle tension from the alternative version which should be 17 x 17 cm and this seems to be working on 4mm needles.

The pattern has an interesting construction and it's one of those garments that is already so different that it won't be unfashionable in a few years time.

 

 

I don't think I'm imagining it - I think Nikki was inspired by history with this design and that's why I'm naming my project the Harlequin.

 

If you're interested in Nikki's design, check out her blog for more inspired construction!

 

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Cheating and Prospering

Do you cheat on your knitting? I REALLY do. For the past couple of months, I've been working on the Delancey Cardigan, a supercool design which is virtually seamless and knitted from the bottom up. There are hundreds of versions on ravelry but you can also check out knitdarling.com for Alexis Winslow's other designs. I have to say, I'm a big fan of her designs.

I'm calling my version the "Dunlop Volleys" which makes sense in Australia! Most kids born here have trashed at least three pairs of Volleys before they turn 18.

Ive just sewn the shoulder seams together in prep for starting the sleeves (knitted in the round of course!) It seems to me though, that I've been working on this project for too long. There is no good reason that it's still a WIP; I should be wearing it!

To be honest, I have been cheating and worse, justifying myself by making stock for my Etsy shop. The needles have been fairly flying in the evenings.

Apparently the magic number is 8 (or more) items in stock so I still have a few more bits and pieces to go before I open but it is really exciting to think maybe someone will like the things I make and will actually want to part with hard-earned cash for them!

So, will the cheating have a payoff? It remains to be seen. In the meantime, it's always great to delve into the latest Deramores delivery and dream about what it will look like in a couple of weeks. Have fun crafting everyone!

 

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