Need More Yarn

I am totally enamored with my handspun socks

I am supposed to be knitting more felted clogs today. But I woke up with a sinus headache that only got worse. So even though I only have 4 rows of the second sole and the bumper left to go, I decided  not to knit on this today. Too much counting and paying attention.

The other night I cast on a vanilla sock with the handspun yarn from the last post, so I have worked on that today because socks are much more mindless than anything else. So I've just hunkered down under a quilt with a couple pain pills and knit on this sock.

The fiber is blue faced leichester. You know, we all kind of trained to believe merino is the end all be all of wools. And I do love it. But this is sooooooooo soft and cushy. I just love it! I can't get much knitting done because I keep stopping to pet the fabric.

I totally want to get me more BFL ASAP.

I have totally decided I want to knit 10 new pair for me this winter. Butt with Christmas knitting, I don't know if I can get it done. Fingers crossed.

 

Finished Dress and pre-felted clogs and even a bit of spinning

So yesterday I finished up Vogue 1254. I feel like I was "going to finish it today" for about 3 days in a row. The lining, the sewing the lining in, etc, all took much longer than I thought they would. Not that it was difficult. It just is time consuming. I guess that's sewing.

I'm pretty happy with it. It fits nicely. I used so wool suiting that I had been meaning to make into slack for like, forever. I delayed because its a bizarre fabric. In the photo and from a distance it looks a bit olive green. But it is really made up of deep aqua blue and golden brown threads in what appears to be twill weave. So it would have been a pain to pair up with blouses. I almost want a bronze throw/shawl to wear with it, if I could make one that is simple and not super frilly.

I love the mad men look to it. I feel rather boobilicious in it. And not necessarily in a good way. And I want nude pumps to wear with it rather than black or brown. Any excuse for new shoes!

I finished reading Murder Spins a Tale by Veryl Ann Grace last night. It's a cozy mystery which takes place in the pacific northwest and the main character has a small farm with animals for fiber and has a shop for knitting, spinning and weaving. It's a quick read. And I enjoyed it. But it really made me want to spin.

So I oiled up the Ashford because, let's face it, I haven't touched the wheel in ages! I'm spinning for Hand dyed Blue Faced Leicester Top from Frabjous Fibers in #116 Jewel. I picked this up at the Fiber Festival in Greencastle in 2010. I completely forgot about it until it was over this year and was rather annoyed with myself.

I am hoping to make socks out of this. I'm debating between a 2 ply and 3 ply. But I love love love this colorway.

It's a homemade Christmas at the Ruuska house again this year. And I have decided to make all the kids felted clogs. All in all, I will need to make 10 pairs. And looking around on ravelry, some people are doing so very awesome needlefelted decorations on the clogs. This has really inspired me and I have so ideas for them.

I currently have 4 1/2 pairs knit. But none are felted. I post finished pictures here. But anyone cares,  you can see the unfelted versions on my project page on Ravelry. I kind of have my fingers crossed. I am mixing yarns like crazy. And some of them are not made of worsted or heavy worsted yarn, but thinner yarns with additional stands held in. Man I hope this does not become epic failure because I don't think I can bring myself to knit for them 10 pairs! ACK!

Current Sewing Project and When Hobbies Collide

I'm currently sewing Vogue 1254

I really like the Mad Men look of this. I don't know for sure how it will look on me. Fingers are crossed. I don't really like how almost anything looks on me, but that is another story.

The straps criss cross off the pleated bodice  and carry over a collar. So there are more layers than I could discern off the pattern envy. But it's very cool.

This is the point where I quit for the day yesterday. I still need to insert the zipper and sleeves and line this thing. I was nervous about the bust adjustment on this because it's so fitted. But so far so good!

One of the things the drives me nuts in cutting out is marking the pieces. I've never really been completey happy with marking pens, pencils or chalk.

So I've gone to tailor tacks for more complicated markings. I finally found my japanese screw punch--a tool I bought for scrapbooking. It's a punch that use can use in any place in paper and is very convenient. I finally realized that if I punched small holes over the circles in the pattern, I could easily put my tailor tacks in.

I used to try to clip the outer edges of a dart and put a pin in at the point, but that doesn't work here. because some of the darts aren't sewn all the way to the edge.

Here's a picture of the screw punch. They aren't super cheap. But a great tool

But beware:

I forgot to empty the little hole pieces right over my trashcan. And I had tissue holes all over my chair, on the floor, EVERYWHERE!

Knitting.

I'm totally going to have to tell my family to stay away from the blog so I can discuss Christmas projects. Yesterday I finished my fourth pair of felted clogs. I haven't actually felted them yet.  I have 6 more pairs to go! ARG! This is endless! I think I'll take before and after pictures this time. Why did I give birth to sons with such huge feet??

I know this is presumptuous but....................

I have sewn and/or knat for like....................forever.

And this whole time, I've read posts on online boards, (Prodigy, anyone? Anyone?) where people have bemoaned the fact that their skills are unappreciated. People complained that their friends and coworkers just automatically assume the sewer/ knitter will make them socks, sweaters, quilts, whatever.

I have to confess, I scoffed. It seemed ridiculous. Just say no. Tell them you are too terribly busy and important to sew/knit for the likes of them.

In our house, we had the term "sock worthy." While I love my children beyond everything, I told them they were not sock worthy. I.E. they did not take care with their clothing items and I was not about to spend 10-20 hours knitting socks for them if they were not prepared to properly launder them. They have since become sock worthy. Whatever.

But I have to admit. I didn't get it when people complained about friends expecting them to craft for them.

But I do now.

I recently had a dear dear friend hand me a small pile of fabric to make a bag for her, and she also requested 2 slips and a dress and bought additional fabric for another bag.

Now I make 98% of my own clothing. And I have 9 children. Most of these want me to make clothing or accessories for them. So I have beaucoup sewing and knitting projects to fill all my "spare" time."

But I could not tell this friend no.

And the thing is, if I make myself lunch or a snack and one of the kids says, "Mom, can I have your leftovers?" I will make sure that I don't eat it all. I will make sure there are leftovers for this person to have. I nursed my children until they were 16. Okay. Not 16, but into toddlerhood. I nursed them until I wanted to scream,"Please just leave my body alone, do not touch me I need my space." I have shared my body, my food, my sleeping time, my privacy, my inner thoughts, my alone time. It was not always easy, but it is what I feel I, as a mother, should do. I let go any discomfort or whininess. It's not all about me.

But sewing and knitting is the ONE THING I have have given my self permission to be selfish about.

I would feel guilty about not sharing food or time or whatever. But I can sew or knit 5000 items in one year and even if every one of them is for me, it's okay. I don't need to feel guilty for being selfish about that. It's a rule that I CAN be selfish. So it's fine. The rule says that selfishness is fine and acceptable.

Now I do often choose to sew or knit for my DH or my kids. But it's MY choice. I choose the timing, the project, the materials. It's my thing so it's okay.

But during one 28 hour visit, I was given (assigned) five projects. Five. F I V E. I couldn't believe it. I felt like a sucker, a patsy. How did this happen?

First of all, this a friend that I have had for 30 years. Yes, 30. And she was so sweet. And so positive that of course I would want to make these for her. Now, understand, I am not including the other things, like pajamas for her son and things we did not buy materials for. We probably casually discussed 2 or 3 more projects.

But when someone plops fabric in my hands and says, I know this is presumptuous of me, but would you make me (fill in the blank), it really is NOT easy to say, "No, I really don't have time to make this. I know you have already purchased the fabric and you are my oldest dearest friend but I can't let your monetary investment influence me." Or "No, I don't like other people to set my personal agenda. I will choose my projects. Nuff said."

Nevermind that I do have 9 children, 8 of them still living at home and we homeschool and I have a very, very, VERY full schedule.

I feel so stupid to have gotten trapped this way. And I do feel trapped.

Near strangers, casual aquaintences, I have no problem turning down. And I do suck it up and do the occasional project for a friend. But it is so freaking hard when a very close friend hands me dozens (and dozens) of hours of work with the expectation that I am happy clappy to do it for them.

Arg.

If this wasn't a skill anybody could do it.

Me Made June 2 &3

The second and third days of Me Made June are more me-madier than the first.

June 2:

This is Buttercup knit from Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy. This top is very comfortable and very cool. Now that it is summer again, I am reminded that I really want more hempathy.

The pants are denim sewn from Vogue 8131. These are very full cut trousers and the fabric needs to be drapey. The denim is from JoAnn's. I like the fluidity of the fabric and the dark color. But I am not sure that it is wearing well. I have (ahem) friction issue on the inner thigh. The fabric is very thin there. And I haven't had the pants all that long even though I have worn them a lot. So I'm not real encouraged to buy more JoAnn's denim. I'm pretty sure this is in the sew classics line.

June 3:

Again the pants are Vogue 8131. The fabric is again from JoAnn's it is a linen blend that I am happy with.  And the top is Hot Patterns Weekender Sunshine Top.

These three pieces, the brown linen pants, the sweater and top, are part of my wardrobe capsule. The colors are chocolate brown, grey, black and lavender. I'm woefully short on bottoms. But I should have the new foot pedal by the end of next week and can forge ahead.

I had been thinking that in July I ought to switch to sewing ahead for winter. It will practically be July when I am sewing again and I still need summer clothing!

On a different note, I am reading A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff. The main character opens a vintage clothing shop and many items of apparel and designers are referenced and described. I am enjoing this so much! I highly recommend it!

Shiraz......again

Shouldn't a sleeve only take one day to knit?

I am knitting long sleeves, but it's in a worsted weight yarn and are fairly fitted. And I'm knitting a lot during the day. Granted, if I am at the desk I'm cruising ravelry at the same time, but I am knitting A LOT.

So why does a sleeve take 2 days?

Getting ready to start the second sleeve and am hoping that Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Big Foot all show up and grant me my one day sleeve wish.

Shiraz update

With Christmas sewing over, and my finger finally healed, I am back on my knitting binge.

I am currently knitting Shirazby Thea Coleman of Baby Cocktails. I discovered this pattern thru the blog/website Fit 2 Flatter. I am always totally reading books like

What Not to Wear from Trinny and Susannah from the original What Not to Wear. For a long time I had a total addiction to BBCAmerica. Which is why I named my dog after Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

But I digress.

I have to confess, I didn't immerse myself in Fit to Flatter totally. Because I feel pretty well versed in what will flatter my shape, as much as I do not like it.

But I picked up my Shiraz about a week ago. It is a top down knit, which is wonderful. I had only knat a couple inches B.I. (Before Injury) But yesterday I finished the body.

I had hoped I'd finish a whole sleeve today, but I'm not quite to the elbow at 4 P.M. so I really don't think that is going to happen. But I am pleased with my progress.

Thoughts about the pattern:

Normally I am not crazy about knit on button bands. I don't like the look of them. But I did it in this instance, and I think it looks good.

I also am not crazy about hems that are double layer. What is the name of these? Cannot think.

Okay I did one once for a sweater for DH and I knit a special I love you message to him inside the hem that only he could see after stealing the idea from EZ. But I think you have to be careful because I think these can look clumsy and bulky.

So I did not do that for this pattern. I just did a regular 1x1 rib with a superstretchy bind off instead of the picot hem. And I am happy with this.

I have fallen into the habit of doing neck bands and front bands in cardis before I do the sleeves so that when I am done with the sleeves, the whole sweater is done.

So here is the body and mabe 25-30% of first sleeve. I think I"m going to like this one a lot.

Emelie is finally f inished!

Yes, indeedy! I finally put enough time in watching movies to finish my Emelie!

I really want to make it again in Madelinetosh's Oak. It will go great with the pencil skirt I also finished this week. You can see it peeking out in the pictures below.

So I have daughter, Grace.

She is the one with style. When one of us asks about an outfit, we ask by saying, "On a scale of 1 to Grace how do I look?"

Her birthday is in about a month. I had it in my head to find a fur/faux fur coat at the resale shop and make her a fur vest because I know she can rock the heck out of. I had mentally said, I'm willing to spend about $40. So Saturday we were at the Salvation Army and found this coat for $39.99.

(See the skirt? Vintage curtains that I took apart for this pencil skirt.)

The best part it, everything with a white tag was 50% off. And this was! So woo hoo! Totally rockin' the budget!

I've taken off the sleeves and took it in a bit in the waist.

I need to finish the arm holes and her gift is done. I am very excited about this one.

Finally showing sweater progress and Project Runway

I finally put my Emelie up on the Chubby Dress Form. I've got a half to 2/3rds of a sleeve and then I'm done. Chubby has the shoulders of a linebacker. I do not. So this will fit very well on me. DD accused me of cheating because the bands are done and buttons are on before I finished the last sleeve. But it is encouraging me to keep going. I hate sleeves.

Project Runway Inspiration:

Years ago, it was project runway that made me buy the above pictured Chubby. I just love this show!

Fridays are my favorite I tivo PR so my daughters and I can watch it together. We homeschool. The deal is that they are to kept busy with productive activities and school work until 2:00. And then the TV is allowed to be turned on. (For me too.) But I've gotten so into this season (please don't let Gretchen win please don't let Gretchen win please don't let Gretchen win please don't let Gretchen win) that I have hardly been able to hold off that long! So the last few weeks, I hold out until about 12:30 and declare it "Take Your Daughter to Somebody Else's Work Day" and we indulge in PR.

ANYWAY! All  this is to say that a couple weeks ago, when Mondo made that really cute hoodie we were annoyed with Heidi for not liking it.

And do you know, no one really has any cute hoodie young hip fashions? Except for burdastyle as referenced yesterday. So I put pen to paper and whipped up one for the daughters. Actually, I've made 3. This is the third one that I did yesterday for Nina who made yesterday's headband pattern! This one did attempt to commit hari kari and had a big cut in that needed to covered up with a "stripe." The girls talked me off the ledge and helped me figure out the stripe solution. And the hoodie is finished and all are happy.

This is the only one with the contrasting bias binding on the hood. I like it because that blue is Nina's favorite color.

The Button Differential

So the neckband is done on my Hallett's Ledge, The left band is completely finished. And the right band, the one with the button holes is half done. I'm stuck at the row  in which I put in the button holes.

I'm stuck.

Yesterday was the third day I battled a migraine. The pain was pretty controlled. And I discovered I could knit things that didn't really require a lot of pattern study. And the 3x3 button bands would be perfect.

Eric and all the girls (and a couple boys) had gone to the hog roast of a co-worker. So I pulled buttons from the button box in hopes that I would have exactly what I needed.

This is a weird color of yarn so matching it is difficult. I finally pulled 2 "sets" of buttons. One is kind of "London Fog" raincoat looking--that faux "antler" look that is mottled dark and light. That part is a fairly narrow ring around a pewter-look metal inner circle.

The other set is a mismatch of vintage plastic or Bakelite buttons is this rich chesnut brown. There are two patterns, 3 of one and 4 of the other.

So when everyone got home, I gathered the girls to ask their opinion. Everyone liked the London Fog type buttons. But I think they are too light.

So I will either drive to JoAnn's today, which I don't really want to do. Or use one of these sets of buttons.

I really want to finish this project up so I can jump full speed into Emelie by Elin Burgland. This pattern was just released and in the last month and a half, while waiting for it, I have become obsessed with it! This is going to be the perfect cardi.

So I've got to finish Hallett's Ledge once and for all!

I just wish when I asked for people's honest opinion that their honest opinion agrees with mine! Wouldn't the world be a better place?

Just for fun I'm going to tack on a picture of my Skew socks from Knitty. I did this last weekend.