I've had a bit more sewjo and knitjo than in recent months. Somehow, though, it feels like I'm starting three things for every one I finish.
Sewing tinkering
Put a pleated insertion into the centre back seam of blue pj top which became uncomfortable during prolonged sitting. Successful, it's an active choice now in moderate weather.
K8849 woven top wearable toile, have let out a tad at underarm. A lot better for reaching forward, however I still need to get more ease at upper back. Am considering a similar pleat to the blue pj top, though I would have to be brave enough to cut a centre back slit.
Chicken print top. Put a pleated insertion into the centre back seam. This is an improvement, but didn't start high enough. I've put the top away till next summer, as its wider neckline needs tweaking for my asymmetric shoulders.
Freya 2026 v1 in bee fabric. Refitted shoulders - needed more width and less height on caps. This fabric has a LOT of recovery, so added more width on front scyes from notch to shoulder point. Rebound the neck for the same reason. I'm enjoying wearing this top, but haven't yet made the flat pattern changes to enable another.
Wanted to review the waistband of last winter's chocolate brown trousers, which don't stay up well. Somehow I ended up making a trial TDCO shaped waistband for mid rise. This was an informative sample for a brand new winter pair. But... Not sure how to relate it to a high rise pair with absolutely no spare fabric. Hmmm.
Knitting, finished in September.
Hermia cardi, refinished the band, reattached buttons, sewed in ends. On a full evening test wear, it no longer unbuttons itself! I won't use superwash merino again (shows wear at hips very quickly), or the garter stitch button band (rather too fluid for purpose). The cardi will however get some use, now, in moderate weather. It's a lovely colour, and soft and snug.
Found the Lucas number stripe legwarmers, which were not quite finished after all. Bother. Must have brought them home thinking to cast off with a bigger needle. That approach wasn't stretchy enough, so tried a new-to-me double decrease cast off. Which worked well, and has the advantage of the calf edge looking different from the ankle edge. Ends all sewn in now, ready for cold weather.
Knitting, in progress. I did have 'choose a knitting project' on my to do list, but four on the go is too many.
Continued with hat from Manx yarn to replace my lost one, while on a train journey to the South of England. Stand 128sts around on 4mm circular. The usual 2 short rows to sit better over ears and neck, and a purl marker stitch at back of neck as a reminder. This time added a round with a decorative purl stitch every 8 St's about 1" above rib. Intend to do 1" k2p2 rib to finish.
Second hat for a homeless man, crown and stand and ribbing done. But did I sew it up?
Light weight knitting project. Margarete (daisy) pattern wristwarmers, uses 1 ball of off-white silk cotton mix. Bother, I weighed a nearly complete warmer against the unused yarn, and haven't enough for a second. I'll have to unpick 20 rounds or so to make two shorter ones.
I said to the knitting group that I would like to make some cream chunky legwarmers, and that I had a pattern to hack from dk. Got needles out, did some samples, and somehow I have three pattern variations and half a mock-aran leg on the go.
Repairs done
Sewing machine fixed, after the hook stopped picking up thread to make stitches. Cleaned the bobbin area, no difference. Took off bottom tray, hardly any lint. Where the needle descends most, there was a crumb of sticky grainy stuff from the metallic bee fabric. All was well once this was dislodged.
Red fleece cardi, moved top buttonhole ¼" where neckline had stretched.
Rtw XL cycle shorts, let out 1.5" at top of yoga band, tapering to nothing 3.5" below that.
Blue canvas trousers. These have straight front waistband and sturdy back elastic. I've unpicked half an inch of elastic each side to extend front, needed when sitting.
Sand coloured canvas trousers, restitched loose hem.
Green cloth bag, mended tear and strengthened seams.
Chose not to do:
Shorten sleeves buttons on blue plaid shirt - turned up cuffs are adequate for occasions when I wear this.
Another fitted woven top.
New arrivals:
Brown office jacket poly/wool, from charity shop. Has big shoulders, so may take in
Rtw cotton long sleeved tee, dark purple, relaxed fit.
Green/grey winter trainers, extra wide.
Plain antique gold crinkled scarf
Purple textured print scarf, candidate for Viking hood
Discards:
Black summer trainers, worn out soles and insoles.
Grey cotton scarf, still like the shade and print, but rarely choose it because it ropes when crinkled.
Other crafty stuff.
Visited Bayeux tapestry replica in Reading, Berkshire. (there's little chance of getting tickets for the original in London). This is a Victorian copy, and was a great excuse to spend a day with a friend while we were down south for other reasons.
Victorian costumes in Southport, as part of Heritage Week.
