Sewing experiments

I made this well over a month ago and never got around to posting about it here on the blog. It was a fun and easy project from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. Though it was a bit time consuming for me, filled practically a whole weekend. I like how it turned out, although I think if I did it again (which I've been considering, hopefully it will go faster on take two) I would like to start experimenting with interfacing to give it some stiffness. But I had enough success with the project to propel the purchase of said interfacing, as well as attempt an impromptu (patternless) tank top right away. Which turned out well, but I made it quite hastily, without tying up loose ends as I went, so it remains incomplete, since that seems to be a major task. When I get around to doing that, I'll post pictures.

Seamlessly

Site Announcement: I'm renaming my blog "I apologize for not blogging more often" No, not really. But it's been a while yet again! And there's no one major reason for that, other than lots of reasons including a new job, volunteering, studying for exams, etc. But yeesh, how long does it take to blog anyway? Not that long at all.

So the thought I had for today's post was about knitting (not surprising!) Chuck recently ordered French Girl Knits for me. He's so sweet! And I'm also feeling thankful towards amazon. Chuck was ordering books for school and need a little bit extra to get that super saver shipping, so he thought he might as well get me a knitting book!

Now that I have it I want to knit it from cover to cover. I'm not exaggerating, I like everything in it. The fact that the patterns tend toward the seamless construction does not hurt at all. I've really loved the seamless patterns I've done (including the Frontier Jacket, the Shalom and the Leaf Cardigans) They tend to get done, while other seamed projects remain UFOs (un-finished objects for the non-knitters.) I love them and advocate their loveliness to any knitter who mentions they haven't moved on from scarves and other rectangles yet. Maybe one day I'll get over my issues with seaming (I just dislike it!) but until then I have a book full of lovely patterns. And if I do manage to manage to knit through the whole book, I'll at least try to blog some of my progress.

Shopwide Sale in the Etsy Shop

This weekend only Etsy is promoting BOGO deals throughout the site (you can read more here) and Emmakat is joining the fun. The deals is Buy one, get one 50% off for this weekend only! (Aug. 28-30)

How to benefit from this wonderful deal, you ask? Simply enter the code "Weekend Deals" in the Message to Seller during checkout and specify your "get one" preference that's equal to or lesser in value to the item purchased. Wait for a revised invoice before paying, or pay first and I will refund you through paypal. Happy shopping!

I'm hoping that perhaps having a few sales this weekend will motivate me to make a bunch of new stuff for the shop I've been thinking about making for a while!

French Water Show

Timing has been working out very well for me lately. I've been very busy! Anyway, an example of this is the fact that I found out about a free show out at navy pier Sunday morning. It turned out it was scheduled for Friday and Saturday, so I would've missed it. But there were technical issues that caused them to reschedule the event for last night. So we made it!

It's thanks to Chicagoist that we made it, you can read about the troupe of French "waterfools" (that was the name of the show) here. It reminded me a little of Le Petit Prince to start with only a few characters, one of whom was setting up street lamps on the water. It also reminded me of the Fremont Solstice festival...the performance part...which typically follows the parade or naked bike ride. Of course it was definitely it's own thing, with fireworks, fire, cars, boats, and all kinds of crazy stuff going on. Very glad I found the most interesting way possible to spend our Sunday night!

Stay in and Craft

We tried to go out yesterday only to find the weather very uncomfortable. It rained for a few days (making for a muddy start to lollapalooza I gather) and then midday yesterday the sun came out. So we tried to venture out only to be confronted with the kind of humidity that we orginally left the midwest to get away from! It hasn't been like that too much here since we moved here last year, and I'm hoping in general, it's not common for Chicago, we are by a lake. So we made the quickest trip out, getting to the red line station only to decide it just wasn't worth being outside.

So we stayed in. I got some crafting done. Made a few necklaces for myself. My craft supplies are dwindling a bit and I haven't had the resources to restock them for a little while now. So, cobbling together what I had left, these will be for me, rather than for the shop. Hopefully in the near future I'll be able to get more supplies, I like how this one turned out and I'd like to keep it as a prototype for future items that might show up in the shop. For a clasp I finally put to use the handmade silver latch I made a year or so ago in a class with Marlo! Another reason this necklace is for me, cause that clasp is special to me. I also started a sewing project, which is still in progress. I hope it goes well...so far so good...but we'll see.

Frontier Jacket

It's finally done. Though, seems a little silly that I was so impatiently awaiting completion since this project came together in about a week. It seemed like the finishing, which was actually minimal, took longer than the sweater itself.

This is the Frontier Blues Jacket seen in Knitscene magazine's Winter 2007/Summer 2008 issue, by Wendy Bernard. I really enjoyed the thoughtful construction. I like a good yoke and the way the sleeves use a few decreases to bell out in a lovely way. I was lucky enough to get this yarn very cheaply at an event earlier this spring. Even luckier that it worked out for a project I've had in mind for a while. Of course it was the pattern yarn, but I was a little concerned that I might run out right at the end. Fortunately it worked out perfectly, with just a little bit leftover to play with.

The pictures show me trying to keep the sweater closed with my dinky little AIA pin, which just barely works. I do have an enameled pin I made years ago when I was taking classes, which works if it suits my color scheme of the day (the pin is purple & blue.) This has seen me adding some vintage brooches on Etsy to my favorites...though I may eventually decide to go the ribbon/snap route the pattern recommends. Regardless, it's very soft and comfy!