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Wool makes update: Crochet by day, knit by night

No completed achievements to show this month as I clink on with a couple of larger projects, but I fancied sharing some photo updates of my progress:

Crochet by Day

I’m a lunch crocheter at the moment – well, a broomstick crocheter anyway – and am currently working on a birthday present during my lunch hours.  The wool is called Senses by Stylecraft, and it’s been lovely to work with.

Phill has noticed that it does look like I’m knitting a camouflage to avoid returning to work through!

Knit by Night

My “at home” project is a knit a jumper with one ball mission.  Phill bought it for me from the local wool shop and it’s been partially complete for 1 or 2 years (I lose track).  I went wrong on the sleeves by misreading the pattern and had to undo a huge chunk so I am back on sleeve #1!

Upcoming!

I’m quite determined to complete the above mentioned projects before I begin this one, but I got this kit from my friend for my birthday, and I’m very keen to begin it!img_20170129_152728_286

 

Continue ReadingWool makes update: Crochet by day, knit by night

Reading Passport 2016 update – February

I am becoming well known by the staff in my library from this challenge, as I think there are very few people undertaking this reading challenge!  Well, I have struggled to speed up with my reading and the deadline of 31 March is proving to be difficult.  However, here is my update for February.

Continue ReadingReading Passport 2016 update – February

#sewmystyle – January

Here is my first make as part of project #sewmystyle

The first pattern was toaster sweater 2 by Sew House Seven.  This is not a pattern I would automatically choose myself.  However, the whole point of completing this challenge is to move out of my comfort zone!

I chose a red jersey fabric from a local haberdashery.  This fabric was sturdy, which works well to maintain the neck collar.

The instructions are detailed well.  I used the pdf version to save money and found that using a guillotine sped along the cut and stick stage!

Another new product I tested with this make is using carbon paper, which revolutionised the cutting stage!  It is much faster as I did not have to trace my size and then cut it out before pinning it on.  Tilly and the Buttons have a great tutorial on how to use it here.

This was my third attempt with knit fabrics and I decided to use my overlocker for the seams round the shoulders and down the sides.  I was quite nervous using it as it trims at the same time, leaving little margin of error!  However, it does a great job as it feels less like you are going to stretch the garment out of shape!  It’s very quick too.

The main issue I had was with using a twin needle.  I adjusted the tension and used knit hemming tape alongside a walking foot, but I think that a stretch or ball point twin needle was needed.

I wasn’t sure about the dropped hem at the back, but now it’s made, I like this feature.

Overall, it was a great make and I look forward to starting February’s garment; the fabrics ready and waiting!

Continue Reading#sewmystyle – January

Reading Passport 2016 update – January

One of my goals this year is to complete the reading passport by the deadline they have to be entered for their prize draw – 31 March 2017.  I may have studied literature in the past and read 1-2 books a week, but I have been struggling to step up the pace (probably because I don’t have the hours free time I did back then and there’s no looming essay deadline!)

The Great Gatsby (1920s)

after gaping at the size of Gone with the Wind (and the age of the version from my work library) I promptly defaulted to the second book I picked up – The Great Gatsby.  I read this one before New Year.  I found this book easy to read and perhaps do not feel as ambivalent towards it as I didn’t have to study it at school.  It’s quite a short book and quick to read.  I like the classic narrative style in it with its allusions to events in the future and the narrator’s own heightened view of himself.  As it’s written in the first person, I am naturally drawn to the debates of reliability in the first person narrative, and am suspicious of any declarations he makes about himself, and to an extent, others.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1960s)

I’ve just completed this book and am dazed!  There’s so much covered in just over 300 pages.  I struggled slightly for the first 50 pages, but after this I felt compelled to carry on reading.  It’s written so well from the child viewpoint of Scout (Jean-Louise), daughter of a lawyer is called to defend Tom Robinson in court.  It covers many issues, including what equality means and how a child’s logic can highlight contradictory values held.

Next up – The Life of Pi (2000s)

I’m jumping around the generations in this challenge!  the Life of Pi is the next book in my list.  However, with February approaching fast, it looks like I am going to have to read much faster than I am currently!

Continue ReadingReading Passport 2016 update – January
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