2023 March and April

It didn't feel like I'd done much in March and April. But looking through the diary, I've tackled quite a number of projects in an hour here, an hour there...

What has happened? 

Finished J's second legwarmers in early March, though I haven't yet seen her to deliver them

Blue gingham shirt, much modified Burda 8957. Finished, worn, and let out a bit at the sleeve cap and armscye. I want to make one more of these with so-so fabric before using the two lengths of good stuff (chicken print and sage gingham).

Some Teal merino is becoming a summer cardi. It's based on the top part of the Hermia v-neck raglan from Knitty. Seven balls found in a charity shop, and I'm working top down, sleeves first, to get every possible inch of body length. Just started ball 6, and still think I can reach high hip.

Since I wanted to improve my short row technique, there are two new Baby hats from small leftovers. I failed with German short rows. (Probably user error. I don't learn well from video). I was successful with Tech Knitter's Japanese short rows (good diagrams), so will use that on my next raglan cardi. 

Needed a quick and cheerful travel knit in April, so a simple Teddy is almost finished. Grey yarn, red jumper, yellow trousers. Only one paw left to knit (April 30th). Not sure who will receive this, but I'm sure he'll find a home. 

Experiments. 

Trial draped skirt from worn out man's shirt. Notes in my diary for March. Got a better fit than rtw, although there wasn't quite enough or good enough fabric, so it'd never be wearable. I patterned the yoke shaping, and confirmed my preferred length of 26", worn with top untucked. 

Draped yoke/skirt into shorts. Version one just used cb and cf seams and patched on a suitable inseam extension as a feasibility test. Version 2 was from a two foot strip of old sheeting. It was patterned/collaged from V1, from an ancient pleated trouser pattern News of the World NS258, and from last year's attempt at joggers. As at April 30th, after adding width in various places and changing the leg angle even more, I have a slightly tight and short test garment. I can sit and read comfortably but the tummy seam is likely to pop if I reach forward for a cuppa. The further adapted flat pattern now has front pleats to give me that ease. I'm almost ready to cut Version 3, just need to capture the front waistband shaping as a flat pattern.

What hasn't happened? 

Finchdale jumper is being neglected, again. 

Last year's Talvi Knits Teal jumper has stretched and needs the shoulders and neck reknitting. I have a little yarn left. 

A Tablet cover, though planned, was bought instead when DD borrowed the gadget for a conference in March. 

Me Made March for winter clothes didn't happen - though I did do a sort out, diary entry and blog post, plus a load of repairs and tweaks based on what I found out. 

Repairs and alterations.

Hacked DH's damaged Burgundy Rugby shirt for myself. Took a horizontal seam to cut out the burned area, and shortened the sleeves 4". The rejig at the shoulders much improved the front view, but downrated the back, so I won't bother again. It's warm and now good enough for around the house or for working outdoors. 

2022 green gingham shirt. Widened the sleeve cap and stole a quarter inch from the bodice between yoke and scye base, front and back. Much comfier. 

2023 higher necked Freya had the same treatment. That was better, too. 

Reattached press studs on green French terry top. Again.

Visible mending on old P4P Tulip tee, white long sleeves. I'm OK with this, but not right struck on it. 

Let down shrunken blue grey wool silk trousers. 

Let out Nineties black rtw tee at back armscye. 

Freya 2023 v2 sleeve cap and armscye let out. Flat pattern - kept original cap height, increased width by 1 size front and back. Pattern ready for retest.   

Scooped burgundy joggers (bleach stain, so demoted to pj's). Better, though ankle bands are tight for sleeping in. 

Laela Jeyne Mica tee, tightened V on neckband. 

Llama pyjamas - let out shrunken cuff bands. 

Abandoned plan for Spring skirt from two men's event polo shirts. Bother, can't remove stain from one. There wasn't even enough good fabric to make long sleeves for the unstained one. So just covered the logo with a patch, and will wear over a plain long sleeved tee. 

Couldn't let out tweed jacket at hips, not enough trim, so it'll go back to a charity shop. Shame.

Fixed jammed printer which had fed too many sheets

Rigged temporary support for sofa with broken castor.