It's been a busy few months with non-crafty activities. The good stuff, concerts and walks and visits to see friends. Not so good, a family member needing support many miles from us. (She is doing much better now)
Sewing. The big success was v2 of S6614 cardi in red fleece. The bodice fitting tweaks in v1 were fine. This time, though, I didn't leave quite enough centre front facing for the buttons I used. Made neck facings from scraps of poly/silk. Reshaped the sleeve heads, this thicker fabric wouldn't ease enough. This has been worn several times including to the office. I want to make more in better fabrics.
Knitting. Although I've carried yet another baby hat around with me, it has mostly stayed in my handbag.
Then, for my birthday, I was given a ball of real Swaledale wool for a hat. 80 St's on 6.5mm needles. Oh, lovely to knit with. I kept it very plain to show the gentle greys, just a few purl stitches on the stand for decoration. (EDIT: unpicked the last few rows to have less fabric over eyebrows/glasses, and short rowed at the back to keep ear lobes and neck warm.)
Hat from leftover wool. Had a failed neck scarf in cream, looked terrible against my silver hair, and a 22st band of brown in similar weight. Contrived a Fibonacci stripe pattern which fitted plausibly with my head measurements, but actually came out a bit shorter than my preference. So today, the last of the month, I've unpicked to the stand and decreased every third row, with the intention of adding an inch. Fingers crossed there'll be enough yarn. (EDIT: just enough yarn to be usable in our mild damp winters , though I don't think it'll be a favourite)
Community project, knitted 'paper' chains for a Santa themed event. 5sts by 15cm stocking stitch on the small addi.
Alterations
Removed waistband from wool/silk trousers. Either they've shrunk 3" or I've grown. Probably a bit of both. Let out every seam and dart, and they're comfier now. Back waistband needed an insert with a scrap of cotton. This pair still are shorter than when first made, but are good enough with ankle boots.
Two tank-style tops contrived. Removed worn out turtleneck and sleeves from the light tan old Freya tee, turned and stitched edges. Same method to rescue the first of the duck Freya tees, though I was able to keep the bound neckline on that one. They are in regular rotation now.
