tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65460297722281714492024-03-18T17:45:42.300-07:00Chez Lizzie"gorgeous, classic designs include show-stopping details that will make you want to include more than one in your updated wardrobe"--Vogue Knitting, Fall 2013Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comBlogger963125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-73556024009294160782023-03-26T09:19:00.003-07:002023-03-26T11:24:21.757-07:00Wheatsheaves Scarf is Back!<p>Technology is always changing and forcing us to change along with it. When I first published the Wheatsheaves Scarf, it was my first attempt to chart a knitting pattern with Excel. I simply plugged the chart directly into the pattern, not realizing that when it was converted to a pdf some people would have difficulty printing it. Eventually I caught on and de-activated the pattern, meaning to come back and deal with it. Then we had a move to a new house, a pandemic, and our two kids left home. A lot of stuff happened. Then Microsoft Office support was terminated. For a while, I tried switching my patterns to Google Docs, and then to the free version of Microsoft Word, but in both of those free apps, the conversion of documents to pdf's resulted in major formatting issues. Even Isabel, a software engineer at one of the major tech companies, didn't realize this was a problem, probably because she doesn't spend her days dealing with photo and knitting chart insertion issues. So, this morning I bit the bullet and finally subscribed to Microsoft 365 and in less than ten minutes all my problems have been solved. All I had to do was to create a new page 5 by scanning a print out of the Word version. Then I inserted it back into the Word document (so there was no direct Excel insertion), and finally I converted the whole thing to a new pdf. Phew!</p><p>The new version of the pattern is now back on Ravelry. My love for this design has grown over the years, especially when I see what knitters have done with it. The pattern can become a scarf or a shawl, depending on yarn choice and number of repeats worked. Look at this amazing <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/HPbythesea/wheatsheaves-scarf">version by HPbythesea </a>knitted out of handspun dyed from local plants. Is it not a thing of beauty?<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vOkEssfrWHkrTngAJ-HnhbIhe5K2m-wZXUIY9iSPLcHgEOR382cj3xIqo3lbKb5-9WxJiiUg97O3GvFZPNS7OEeQWP3OUv4dyrMG6bcWA6sWUgzng7VBgINaJjVqVayXu9s28M3ou4hQRf5fNb-nM1bn0eYTFnT9y5-4m5OYObClkm3pcqnK4TaBkA/s640/FBBB413A-E408-46A6-9455-FB6E48F23816_medium2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vOkEssfrWHkrTngAJ-HnhbIhe5K2m-wZXUIY9iSPLcHgEOR382cj3xIqo3lbKb5-9WxJiiUg97O3GvFZPNS7OEeQWP3OUv4dyrMG6bcWA6sWUgzng7VBgINaJjVqVayXu9s28M3ou4hQRf5fNb-nM1bn0eYTFnT9y5-4m5OYObClkm3pcqnK4TaBkA/w640-h480/FBBB413A-E408-46A6-9455-FB6E48F23816_medium2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAp740945VYhz2AjPDrtkCbN7hLpZq8HVbR4Jr3wz1BCri_ZN2KJ5mcGEpzanR2DksuLh0XW3OnjRlPZewUTWzbJEL-X37LX3TaSIkTqGOYNI0OGwt0uKzOSi8hiIULUjkIdANHJQorUnSzPBg2PuxIOaHIFLnR2y_vqasHhhJUBg48XgwuGPXoHaKQ/s640/05575304-7211-4075-A222-4CCA822AF7CD_medium2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAp740945VYhz2AjPDrtkCbN7hLpZq8HVbR4Jr3wz1BCri_ZN2KJ5mcGEpzanR2DksuLh0XW3OnjRlPZewUTWzbJEL-X37LX3TaSIkTqGOYNI0OGwt0uKzOSi8hiIULUjkIdANHJQorUnSzPBg2PuxIOaHIFLnR2y_vqasHhhJUBg48XgwuGPXoHaKQ/w640-h480/05575304-7211-4075-A222-4CCA822AF7CD_medium2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I had so much fun making and photographing this scarf/shawl the first time around,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuo83L6PkTB_umg4onMcIPIdLey2MJz8T8HEzAj-0sPIgnD6PTuNBsXD5NI2m6X-aKOmnITkcLgsyjUDBRAHiP_trndsxTIKl6SS6VoOqZRsgEeXYKrgbSn0cEUjf0vC-PzZDwzJ8nBg4oprObHjWR64c6dbvr4BP-6hUP5tQzh8Yh52cJakJloLWgcw/s640/IMG_9086_medium2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuo83L6PkTB_umg4onMcIPIdLey2MJz8T8HEzAj-0sPIgnD6PTuNBsXD5NI2m6X-aKOmnITkcLgsyjUDBRAHiP_trndsxTIKl6SS6VoOqZRsgEeXYKrgbSn0cEUjf0vC-PzZDwzJ8nBg4oprObHjWR64c6dbvr4BP-6hUP5tQzh8Yh52cJakJloLWgcw/w400-h300/IMG_9086_medium2.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">and now I can't wait to start a new one.<br /></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-8091958760115071072023-02-24T06:42:00.013-08:002023-08-03T15:28:06.649-07:00Introducing Beverley<p> Here are the first decent photos of my new design, "Beverley". </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDGuZ1anNbwEMC-AsdcAxw6-dzJLCif6mpRny--1Q2dAT8AoOr-Ab-esOiochkcG3ivC60xFc7Z61-TvipzouP9X2V6lutXuzZuswDL5GqhjMXbWs7c9DTNke_AZGCkINU4khoJhhoBa5DbjjU4juzhfOiufGqa0drQgXFqb3p6_YmQl1dDVSjhA3Rw/s4032/20230224_090045.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDGuZ1anNbwEMC-AsdcAxw6-dzJLCif6mpRny--1Q2dAT8AoOr-Ab-esOiochkcG3ivC60xFc7Z61-TvipzouP9X2V6lutXuzZuswDL5GqhjMXbWs7c9DTNke_AZGCkINU4khoJhhoBa5DbjjU4juzhfOiufGqa0drQgXFqb3p6_YmQl1dDVSjhA3Rw/w640-h480/20230224_090045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeuNpWp4IuLBbhsbAB9d3eX_TE64KtAtgWibYDHEEH6nEWfaS_1dhwxYx3FesBeYrgIihVNtdPXjzyqdvCBJ8IG16SDyRr2d8hV1Tn8wIEjDToBPLdkZ71jZPUvjkPGYfZNAkXjztwdGbtEjOVM9eH21jz8qyGv4BZC6yCGf3RCDEo_yNBp06cm-pQw/s4032/20230224_085451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeuNpWp4IuLBbhsbAB9d3eX_TE64KtAtgWibYDHEEH6nEWfaS_1dhwxYx3FesBeYrgIihVNtdPXjzyqdvCBJ8IG16SDyRr2d8hV1Tn8wIEjDToBPLdkZ71jZPUvjkPGYfZNAkXjztwdGbtEjOVM9eH21jz8qyGv4BZC6yCGf3RCDEo_yNBp06cm-pQw/w480-h640/20230224_085451.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAKy_oeWUld9Q9HjC3ZQvsSBssF3l36eXyT0xzLJPDjB0ruTv1NWJVR2zOz_EKviz37kQZqXpWRk0hJCc6OE5XcAKcmhR0XFCFJ6ku3x2cqjWje9838O9M1ohokk5bkfZ9Op21mX6Qz3XXKMOkAhRSUpGfoF32ZTforBdEj2PqGGAyGIfibEqBVWfoA/s4032/20230224_084955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAKy_oeWUld9Q9HjC3ZQvsSBssF3l36eXyT0xzLJPDjB0ruTv1NWJVR2zOz_EKviz37kQZqXpWRk0hJCc6OE5XcAKcmhR0XFCFJ6ku3x2cqjWje9838O9M1ohokk5bkfZ9Op21mX6Qz3XXKMOkAhRSUpGfoF32ZTforBdEj2PqGGAyGIfibEqBVWfoA/w480-h640/20230224_084955.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The body is knitted in the round, bottom up; sleeves are then picked up and worked seamlessly top down. Simple. Now the work of grading and preparing the pattern for release begins. </p><p>P.S. I installed the spring snaps onto my new Parchment Coat (not as bright as it looks here), and took it off my back for a few moments to grab this pic. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eHvlsqrAf52D5-w8whias5LBUYuJ0Fn5qbqCJn0nuEULFytZ4AK7fX79jMrb50W7QcATKUw6OOqKQvJfC1qvRYPBn9OWmdPo97OhLq5eKKd1yPX3LsioXIdsfXpHfKyaQLTTdC04anTuI39mV17TRfStOu3Uk8mPncSjyh8BXDB1B6zxEXGbiDW0Ig/s4032/20230224_092237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eHvlsqrAf52D5-w8whias5LBUYuJ0Fn5qbqCJn0nuEULFytZ4AK7fX79jMrb50W7QcATKUw6OOqKQvJfC1qvRYPBn9OWmdPo97OhLq5eKKd1yPX3LsioXIdsfXpHfKyaQLTTdC04anTuI39mV17TRfStOu3Uk8mPncSjyh8BXDB1B6zxEXGbiDW0Ig/w480-h640/20230224_092237.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I might not take it off again until spring!</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-6789483850906921712023-02-17T10:28:00.001-08:002023-02-17T16:37:26.940-08:00It's a Snap<p> The Parchment Coat is almost there. Just need to apply these spring snaps (not ALL of them).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB6YjNtOIyujZx2Sv3-LAwuViUvM30KAT5PFPjuCigzVfx3uyjO1d2z7fC6QmTXu68PT0zabMqVaZxzZHxfCqeIrxihZ00H3f3MIpLxaBqlHtlnVdQh5-8IVJTSfP2FnUi2llvg88mXYU1u0WpB4XLG3-5-BhFF8wyk82FOMyftV7reEs71a1R5zTrQ/s4160/IMG20230212115607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB6YjNtOIyujZx2Sv3-LAwuViUvM30KAT5PFPjuCigzVfx3uyjO1d2z7fC6QmTXu68PT0zabMqVaZxzZHxfCqeIrxihZ00H3f3MIpLxaBqlHtlnVdQh5-8IVJTSfP2FnUi2llvg88mXYU1u0WpB4XLG3-5-BhFF8wyk82FOMyftV7reEs71a1R5zTrQ/w480-h640/IMG20230212115607.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>In the meantime, I've been wearing my coat all morning, given winter's return. After all, it's only the middle of February. We all know that winter's grip on us has a way to go before it runs out. I considered a fire in the living room, but then realized I had the coat almost ready and waiting, and I've been nice and cozy since donning it. A definite win in the sewing department.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyEAPrkOivWuhdgvdFW8qhY2GGoW5KgGI1P33rqfau88DPysL4BQDD5lwkDNcoZVgPSW4-4nBE-63Q3AF8IigcN8puqJ1XcQC62ZnR6DNOgZq2WJhyK7vABm3Ed6OFGmTYEpErzeeP4QkFgKtKZfUhjFpwMgLGVXAO4aeoIXOeGBjD131miLwLsehUA/s4624/IMG20230217124347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyEAPrkOivWuhdgvdFW8qhY2GGoW5KgGI1P33rqfau88DPysL4BQDD5lwkDNcoZVgPSW4-4nBE-63Q3AF8IigcN8puqJ1XcQC62ZnR6DNOgZq2WJhyK7vABm3Ed6OFGmTYEpErzeeP4QkFgKtKZfUhjFpwMgLGVXAO4aeoIXOeGBjD131miLwLsehUA/w480-h640/IMG20230217124347.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>So happy with the fabric I chose, which works well with all the other makes in my photo: the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hedgewood#">Hedgewood Sweater,</a> my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pembroke-scarf-2">Pembroke Scarf </a>(bright teal version), and my checked <a href="https://helensclosetpatterns.com/product/york-pinafore-pdf-pattern/">York Pinafore</a>. It's all in keeping with the <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/search?q=colour+palette">colour palette</a> I came up with back in 2017. Doesn't that seem a lifetime ago? Enough angst over the last few years for all of us without having to dither over fabric and yarn choices!</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-62615728410952572022023-02-07T11:56:00.005-08:002023-02-08T12:52:33.869-08:00The Point<p> This morning I made fabric origami.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve2P6ds6F9eFXslp4IDNSC569My0Lzjoja62enEpeTF4TNggSbqX4AZsqLKPkTJHV7v4ROhaSPzS1gOQA9LtdSPaotv1v2QBm9Vrqtxq8tRjv-Ugp-YMWE7q0Ann2TaVqNAnt-HYFFMb7ZT5W4AmISZfuZgg56gzFh187zD83cPfJ1AyWaCtQSs6xdw/s4096/IMG_20230207_100215.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhve2P6ds6F9eFXslp4IDNSC569My0Lzjoja62enEpeTF4TNggSbqX4AZsqLKPkTJHV7v4ROhaSPzS1gOQA9LtdSPaotv1v2QBm9Vrqtxq8tRjv-Ugp-YMWE7q0Ann2TaVqNAnt-HYFFMb7ZT5W4AmISZfuZgg56gzFh187zD83cPfJ1AyWaCtQSs6xdw/w480-h640/IMG_20230207_100215.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p> As I wrote yesterday, when I need lots of bias tape I like to use the "continuous" method to churn it out. There are lots of YouTube tutorials on how to do this, but once you master it, it's amazingly quick. Above, you can see the chalk lines I drew that would allow me to cut yards and yards (metres?) of 2" bias tape for binding my coat. Then, I filled up my steam iron and, using my Clover bias tape maker, I turned it all into this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNcI7XfHERBw3pnRvRVcjsaTe_k51cKiVy142MYlFrUQDLPihWSIyD56VCwFGLKTwUpVHAyLv8sS8yKu8jeE1YgBAfZu3QqRHc7yrudBTJAt4QjhR5lrEE06D_YaT_HvSrfQEiVN_9bXBB6hJ94eZqnmmbc2oef89DNMWZ4PkgPCueas2rOcnTRL79w/s4160/IMG20230207114358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNcI7XfHERBw3pnRvRVcjsaTe_k51cKiVy142MYlFrUQDLPihWSIyD56VCwFGLKTwUpVHAyLv8sS8yKu8jeE1YgBAfZu3QqRHc7yrudBTJAt4QjhR5lrEE06D_YaT_HvSrfQEiVN_9bXBB6hJ94eZqnmmbc2oef89DNMWZ4PkgPCueas2rOcnTRL79w/w480-h640/IMG20230207114358.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ignore the fact that my phone camera wants to make the background grey instead of navy. Next, I sewed a little sample of how the binding will look, just to make sure all would work, and tomorrow the whole coat will be done except for the snap closures. And washing. A quilted coat needs to be washed to develop those essential quilty crinkles.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I stood admiring my work, Bill looked at me and asked, "Will it look like a "commercial" coat, meaning one bought in a shop. Clearly, he was concerned about being married to someone who might look a trifle embarrassing (to him). I decided not to answer, since there is no way to explain to him that having a coat that doesn't look as though it came off the rack IS ENTIRELY THE POINT!</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-83170488347978609562023-02-06T13:04:00.008-08:002023-02-06T18:59:36.270-08:00Everything All at Once<div><p>It's not often that TWO projects move along on the same day to the stage that they can be tried on. Not finished, mind you, but joined together sufficiently that they can be put on and checked for fit.</p><p>First up, The Coat, as I've come to think of it. Actually, it's Closet Core's <a href="https://blog.closetcorepatterns.com/closet-core-crew-the-parchment-quilted-jacket/">Parchment Coat.</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_A8NzSZm1OvVvmZyhkDnTNVxtUOR_gPg6IM4QJxQefL_8sXN6Z788EIv-Bmf9wUDjeIbq3RoZb-nymccqdDe5ROCL0JngeNAA0VqsRaL-eIKq1fD8AeyZRIsDGMMache5mwMVqHJko8AJBxVBR4_CflpYueYaEaIjJGhEqafsvXZZThBYhF9wOexPQ/s4160/IMG20230206145113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_A8NzSZm1OvVvmZyhkDnTNVxtUOR_gPg6IM4QJxQefL_8sXN6Z788EIv-Bmf9wUDjeIbq3RoZb-nymccqdDe5ROCL0JngeNAA0VqsRaL-eIKq1fD8AeyZRIsDGMMache5mwMVqHJko8AJBxVBR4_CflpYueYaEaIjJGhEqafsvXZZThBYhF9wOexPQ/w480-h640/IMG20230206145113.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Here it is at midday today. All the major seams have been joined, although not all have been pressed, as you can see. After trying it on, I laid out my bias binding to see if I had enough, but alas, I will need to begin my next sewing session making more. I use the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VsT7AHcK_0&t=196s&ab_channel=SewCanShe">continuous method</a>, in case you're curious. FYI, I wasn't sure whether I wanted the binding to be in the print or the green contrast. I looked at a lot of versions of the quilted Tamarack Jacket before opting for the print.<br /></p><p>I used <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b5ZdC70Bek&t=8s&ab_channel=GrainlineStudio">Grainline Studio's method</a> for making, quilting, and applying the patch pockets. Very tidy, inside and out.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO83mr2VhIr9VuBv9aF7UTjeawk3UV8wcBx1zyNGlMXR_FTRQX8GSVNk3_KyJoL6h6wmsqFW18radVhOe8_LAWeaUcIEIstYnZWai-LSLaUqRbBgEAxk6IODAAQjyd4_kKBKH8-lMWCOe8579TMo0SMAam1pFjLJA7ZdK1MjlONdHg7LgubPT3Seosg/s4160/IMG20230206145211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO83mr2VhIr9VuBv9aF7UTjeawk3UV8wcBx1zyNGlMXR_FTRQX8GSVNk3_KyJoL6h6wmsqFW18radVhOe8_LAWeaUcIEIstYnZWai-LSLaUqRbBgEAxk6IODAAQjyd4_kKBKH8-lMWCOe8579TMo0SMAam1pFjLJA7ZdK1MjlONdHg7LgubPT3Seosg/w480-h640/IMG20230206145211.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Now it's afternoon and I'm about to join the shoulders of my simple cable pullover with 3-needle BO. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh40uwVLAfpCtQQ6cxRinMA_oQDkIv102UH8IyCeCgpPShn5g3AoqS7B79MHpr7XpJSOArcg_dHg9gh7TxfL_d7dYmrurGO5JibTYmwMBj2z9yXM81jvQ8tt_40LamAKnG1fkP6ks5BAeB02DfCnQmQTmftWNiwivMwD88T8Na7TesDzCCFyOQ-x-DxQ/s4096/IMG_20230206_150902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh40uwVLAfpCtQQ6cxRinMA_oQDkIv102UH8IyCeCgpPShn5g3AoqS7B79MHpr7XpJSOArcg_dHg9gh7TxfL_d7dYmrurGO5JibTYmwMBj2z9yXM81jvQ8tt_40LamAKnG1fkP6ks5BAeB02DfCnQmQTmftWNiwivMwD88T8Na7TesDzCCFyOQ-x-DxQ/w640-h480/IMG_20230206_150902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Why not graft them together, as in Soiree, the sweater which was my inspiration for this piece? Read this tutorial <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/2013/06/grafting-or-three-needle-bind-off-how.html">here </a>to learn the reason. </p><p>We (and our little Mazda 3) seem to have survived the weekend record cold weather. On Saturday, when I woke up the air temperature was minus 31C with a wind chill of minus 38C. (That's minus 24F and minus 36F, for American readers.) We're back to hovering on either side of the freezing point, hopefully with the worst of winter behind us. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWdyo-YJDpHW1GVBhenQrSEsHN3WVoawPbwlh1WGpzuYt9WIQDygQBwBW9uEZInpJuVARxCfM8600ZvoyS2KLG_nvSkpvLNwesQhXcDJ_Cw5yU0gcB2Bj6qlCtp0chQ50vaHe-anu5sNNQGol2NUwyWTMt2B7WAY6aDLSFdIYEkIeqfODr5BYQ-xb4g/s4160/IMG20230131143341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWdyo-YJDpHW1GVBhenQrSEsHN3WVoawPbwlh1WGpzuYt9WIQDygQBwBW9uEZInpJuVARxCfM8600ZvoyS2KLG_nvSkpvLNwesQhXcDJ_Cw5yU0gcB2Bj6qlCtp0chQ50vaHe-anu5sNNQGol2NUwyWTMt2B7WAY6aDLSFdIYEkIeqfODr5BYQ-xb4g/w480-h640/IMG20230131143341.jpg" title="View from our house down toward the lake." width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">View from our house down toward the lake. Thank goodness for the City's sidewalk ploughs.<br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdklyrtu38DCV9OvaoBUvp0O1_MEJoyXc_AR7BAwGbaPtC6xs_NT9LkO3-gtVDvnwkJ6r8iijKI5As5BVou_zUxBsOb1QbtBcXLz2-c8oSFB-q1GiopUTbzovr6BrSQumSBdCj5QsOPlYtiMloMgYkROH8cX5WjYmZvY_Vf1Q8PinD6wOtYmQZz1pz2Q/s4160/IMG20230124141404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bellevue House, down the street from our place." border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdklyrtu38DCV9OvaoBUvp0O1_MEJoyXc_AR7BAwGbaPtC6xs_NT9LkO3-gtVDvnwkJ6r8iijKI5As5BVou_zUxBsOb1QbtBcXLz2-c8oSFB-q1GiopUTbzovr6BrSQumSBdCj5QsOPlYtiMloMgYkROH8cX5WjYmZvY_Vf1Q8PinD6wOtYmQZz1pz2Q/w480-h640/IMG20230124141404.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bellevue House, in all its 1840s Italian villa-style grandeur, down the street on the way to the lake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRu4GFmazQgGt8vHHthIWvgFBmqw4raehXPA9vh26WD0k7DjkASTBLk1wNXeyEF9meJEuv8kpN-9-U6L4KnheBhsPLw7G60EKCKKq5z63-ZFaTly-F9RULvn_0FXWykVN3vSZdnNWK9Oqo_403Q7sbqTfvN59S2dOzREXP7BY97iBJ23I1rcFDruwR9Q/s4160/IMG20230124141415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRu4GFmazQgGt8vHHthIWvgFBmqw4raehXPA9vh26WD0k7DjkASTBLk1wNXeyEF9meJEuv8kpN-9-U6L4KnheBhsPLw7G60EKCKKq5z63-ZFaTly-F9RULvn_0FXWykVN3vSZdnNWK9Oqo_403Q7sbqTfvN59S2dOzREXP7BY97iBJ23I1rcFDruwR9Q/w640-h480/IMG20230124141415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love walking past here; it's a beautiful dose of nature in the middle of the city, even if the apple trees were over-pruned last season.</div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-10026789458020963362023-01-26T16:35:00.007-08:002023-01-26T17:24:59.300-08:00When the Mood Strikes ...<p>For a long time I've been thinking about sewing a quilted jacket. Grainline Studio's Tamarack Jacket epitomizes this style. NOT A PRIMARY COLOR's Tamarack, described <a href="https://www.notaprimarycolor.com/2019/03/24/tamarack-jacket/">here </a>and made from a thrifted sheet, is delightful,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6vZPCwnoi32OTHJv34udUnS-FKYgN_yWtAIU5LwkxMbmF_CRqRzjK5Ei6357ZJWVQ9Cu3vUpMbg5INmJ69gjhX_zD1WfsZ_5fdcv5Ltn8xYjTxPWUwuKDFjztAiiPrbIrq7Q3qxvMOEGzJduRRHVVcpc0E7nevZlnsNTEU8htOO7j6ZRH04X12JvEg/s1200/IMG_0651-1200x1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6vZPCwnoi32OTHJv34udUnS-FKYgN_yWtAIU5LwkxMbmF_CRqRzjK5Ei6357ZJWVQ9Cu3vUpMbg5INmJ69gjhX_zD1WfsZ_5fdcv5Ltn8xYjTxPWUwuKDFjztAiiPrbIrq7Q3qxvMOEGzJduRRHVVcpc0E7nevZlnsNTEU8htOO7j6ZRH04X12JvEg/w640-h640/IMG_0651-1200x1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> as is the heavily hacked version shown in <a href="https://grainlinestudio.com/blogs/blog/jens-tamarack-society-jacket-construction">this post</a> from Grainline.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LzKX_wop-QwZTtpBI3rwmTAhcPEvd2MLu1uiDxNoXcV1GM4LNZA25NbDT0d9_H9RzKSFiKGf_NJ2ZwkjqQP4BiH-Xge8xtAFseM8AOfhROYYMH5-lDzDrwpvZ9U9dvwsZ22idep9vbeO57kufxXrKO1PuUAID3BxKbihqyL54Qd7oQuHbfYkp1pdSA/s1820/JenTamarack09.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1820" data-original-width="1820" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LzKX_wop-QwZTtpBI3rwmTAhcPEvd2MLu1uiDxNoXcV1GM4LNZA25NbDT0d9_H9RzKSFiKGf_NJ2ZwkjqQP4BiH-Xge8xtAFseM8AOfhROYYMH5-lDzDrwpvZ9U9dvwsZ22idep9vbeO57kufxXrKO1PuUAID3BxKbihqyL54Qd7oQuHbfYkp1pdSA/w640-h640/JenTamarack09.webp" width="640" /></a></div>You can see that this is not a quick project. You need to cut out three of everything (outer fabric, batting, and lining), quilt each piece, then sew and bind the whole thing (after making approximately sixteen yards of bias binding). So, this has been a sort of fantasy project, not one I've been in a rush to make a move on.<p></p><p>Then, just this month Closet Core came out with its <a href="https://blog.closetcorepatterns.com/inspo-for-your-next-quilted-garment/">Parchment Jacket</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg8QUjYY-Aqvb55W-B45Go4E7afDTb5GugC-wr67QSgGXeOuqngT0G9irygTCW3XyVvJHcBEYnmkCvBNxLdWm46tdaSNBMQhKpgPEaT9b0rQHYvTM3sx1iSN62cg_iWz6aTEWQ2XRQubtDRVHJhHQiAvbHC35vnwNp7Gg7KjgFVEZRP-YbZoQorO1nw/s900/What-happens-in-crew-stays-in-crew.-900-%C3%97-450-px-1.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqg8QUjYY-Aqvb55W-B45Go4E7afDTb5GugC-wr67QSgGXeOuqngT0G9irygTCW3XyVvJHcBEYnmkCvBNxLdWm46tdaSNBMQhKpgPEaT9b0rQHYvTM3sx1iSN62cg_iWz6aTEWQ2XRQubtDRVHJhHQiAvbHC35vnwNp7Gg7KjgFVEZRP-YbZoQorO1nw/w640-h320/What-happens-in-crew-stays-in-crew.-900-%C3%97-450-px-1.webp" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its raglan sleeves (more comfortable than Tamarack's set-in ones) called my name.
Although it's part of Closet Core's new subscription service, "Crew", I
realized that I could take out a monthly subscription and then cancel
down the road. The pattern was included in the cost of the first month, which
was less than the cost of most patterns. </div><p>I'm finally in the mood to do this. The fabric has been bought and cut, the walking foot on my machine has been tested, and I'm so excited to have completed the back!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0fI7wEsZgZDBcUIPL3t3U9V05JGtuiKU3Ldxn1vw2X8jQDgToRd7r0jhzTH7rFDEW4vIuNkT4lkgFbxn1eGqmUhsRimnjlV2OWwrraHwNAskWGJJuiriJV6lO98C3Qt5m5rmA-5GeHii69KgdUWSp_aJQsSvYPnlK614_0oA-RJ9tbUv6s7t6FLthQ/s4160/IMG20230125132505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0fI7wEsZgZDBcUIPL3t3U9V05JGtuiKU3Ldxn1vw2X8jQDgToRd7r0jhzTH7rFDEW4vIuNkT4lkgFbxn1eGqmUhsRimnjlV2OWwrraHwNAskWGJJuiriJV6lO98C3Qt5m5rmA-5GeHii69KgdUWSp_aJQsSvYPnlK614_0oA-RJ9tbUv6s7t6FLthQ/w480-h640/IMG20230125132505.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>The navy print is the exterior. I wanted my coat to have a definite quilt vibe. This is a quilting cotton from Moda (A New Page - Stone Path). The lining is Kona cotton in Everglade. I'm keeping the quilting lines simple. Remember, once the finished coat is washed, the quilted fabric will develop the characteristic crinkles around the quilting lines and look quite different. </p><p>If you ever decide to make a quilted jacket/coat, I highly recommend Grainline Studio's fifteen-part <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4qJ14FubdQ&list=PL4ZVFL9_jsafJDSklNhqFY00g-r8i308I&ab_channel=GrainlineStudio">YouTube series</a> taking you step-by-step through the process. I'm referring to it more than to Closet Core's somewhat cursory instructions and videos. </p><p>Wish me luck. </p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-60623836769555160992023-01-20T17:16:00.005-08:002023-08-03T15:26:20.265-07:00Random Winter Friday<p>It's been a messy weather week with temps hovering either side of the freezing point. A good time to spend time indoors, contemplating the outdoors.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBUlCoiI-dnbvjdCpqxip6k5-hlwvDr0dT4d9uJVkexR3llaA0DiqfB1yayPuZfPpBmLGnjl81bqiHItqkxQcp8Hr9uyWVXO827iE3_huiaJ3wMhHiMmTc-IKj-Lm3A2BZE-MKTWQbEHUiIx2e1CbXLdUgBDBNfBAAkXRaPTnYLYeqm0DlR-znUNpaA/s4160/IMG20230113135826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBUlCoiI-dnbvjdCpqxip6k5-hlwvDr0dT4d9uJVkexR3llaA0DiqfB1yayPuZfPpBmLGnjl81bqiHItqkxQcp8Hr9uyWVXO827iE3_huiaJ3wMhHiMmTc-IKj-Lm3A2BZE-MKTWQbEHUiIx2e1CbXLdUgBDBNfBAAkXRaPTnYLYeqm0DlR-znUNpaA/w480-h640/IMG20230113135826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm trying to learn how to paint with watercolours. I'm pretty bad, but it's fun anyway, and an opportunity to dream of nature in the warmer months. I think these practice pieces will make nice birthday cards. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nxq1uU-_PCyeQ23HifmWkrkH0tuQw4Z2Xjn4l9CIzrttoHcPiqgApN7k9kD4swSIMi2q4467GcKdr-rit0_lqMJhcyYx7Yf955AVtmEJCjIT73J3wtOZs0iVLywi_yv2L0UB-40VPfZMh_QgyZBlnx1fdpElZxbmREpZqg7VJCAV_Qtoe-JhJOAEAw/s4096/IMG_20230117_125739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Nxq1uU-_PCyeQ23HifmWkrkH0tuQw4Z2Xjn4l9CIzrttoHcPiqgApN7k9kD4swSIMi2q4467GcKdr-rit0_lqMJhcyYx7Yf955AVtmEJCjIT73J3wtOZs0iVLywi_yv2L0UB-40VPfZMh_QgyZBlnx1fdpElZxbmREpZqg7VJCAV_Qtoe-JhJOAEAw/w480-h640/IMG_20230117_125739.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cut my hair this morning (only an inch off so no need to visit a pro), and here's a pic of my silvering locks along with Hedgewood and Pembroke in better light.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcxdEXAlpq3o1LV1IdEKgqfPGM-nCHXR25g0Qqhlis2Nl5H3oSTFUbBIIGvVihjO_O7OknOnnyoTL6U1KhVzryfEQhlKI3fs0Ai2PQbTpxikff73uk5gFSJQKtVKMlmXhwGzx2JLai2d2UDCenVJHB5G8EB3J_GtKLA0J6TEzaneGjkf39m_JNTnrCw/s4624/IMG20230120124247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcxdEXAlpq3o1LV1IdEKgqfPGM-nCHXR25g0Qqhlis2Nl5H3oSTFUbBIIGvVihjO_O7OknOnnyoTL6U1KhVzryfEQhlKI3fs0Ai2PQbTpxikff73uk5gFSJQKtVKMlmXhwGzx2JLai2d2UDCenVJHB5G8EB3J_GtKLA0J6TEzaneGjkf39m_JNTnrCw/w480-h640/IMG20230120124247.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p> Now off to make vegetable soup. Recipe <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/2013/12/loose.html">here</a>. </p><p>P.S. BIG project in the offing... <br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-12326253953250891342023-01-11T17:03:00.002-08:002023-01-11T17:05:56.685-08:00Relief and Relaxation<p>Do you experience January letdown? The holiday festivities and socializing are over, the long, dark, and very cold winter lies ahead, there seems to be no fun left in sight, etc. I used to feel this way. But this year, I'm experiencing relief. The need for that extra level of housekeeping because of visiting family members, the extra cooking, the post-Xmas decoration cleanup? It's all in the past. Now it's time to have fun!</p><p>I seem to be having a burst of creative energy. I don't think it has to do with the lack of snow, although being able to walk outside without winter boots is amazingly liberating. Odd that after that once-in-a-generation blizzard on Xmas Eve, our weather has been more like March than January. Look at the green grass. In January!<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFu7_b_dEBRStwjgOOiJNJvxA2DggRoCteGerBqUV5CohuVrmNIoA3pTE-XyOLsJ9G5uUyptu2t90xEuCQKmFh0oGdSR8tIfArvzYbwVPZQLrI-l4S760f22ji4YhJpJOWWjbaG8A7hGP8VJjVgURN1d0UXg2NPt9GRWZmZEtb7EVb_OhnmT8LAtOTg/s4160/IMG20230103100123.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFu7_b_dEBRStwjgOOiJNJvxA2DggRoCteGerBqUV5CohuVrmNIoA3pTE-XyOLsJ9G5uUyptu2t90xEuCQKmFh0oGdSR8tIfArvzYbwVPZQLrI-l4S760f22ji4YhJpJOWWjbaG8A7hGP8VJjVgURN1d0UXg2NPt9GRWZmZEtb7EVb_OhnmT8LAtOTg/w640-h480/IMG20230103100123.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of house on nearby Beverley Street.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I know my creative push isn't because of a lack of household duties. Our dishwasher broke just after Isabel left, and I've decided to forgo replacing it for now. Like most of my generation, I grew up without a dishwasher, and it feels strangely comforting to don rubber gloves and do the washing up by hand. No rush. Just me, the soap and hot water, and CBC radio. I think my current mood has to do with the lack of family responsibilities. It's one of those rare moments in life to savour.</p><p>So, I've gone back to a design I sketched and swatched last winter, the idea based loosely on Emily Foden's beautiful <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/soiree-4">Soiree</a>, first published in Pom Pom magazine and then again in her inspiring book <a href="https://pompommag.com/products/knits-about-winter">"Knits About Winter". </a> My yarn is Cascade Eco+ knitted on 6.5 mm needles at 3.5 sts per inch for a nice, light drapey fabric. There are things I wanted to do differently, including a band of seed stitch above the rolled hem to deter excessive rolling, seed stitch and horseshoe cable panels instead of honeycomb and rope cabled ones, and short-rowed shoulders joined by 3-needle BO to prevent stretching of the dropped shoulders. My yarn is a lightly spun chunky instead of the fingering + mohair combo in Soiree. I do wish there were a gorgeous hand-dyed chunky wool out there. Maybe that's a future project...<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKshwbdoq37ZUQ8Q-vZymluK0XLJ1bv4-z-9Cy9eJGy00bhbvlVFhc-x3jJkxSyFxcew4XbeZYldaDO591ozDPegZGb30PnKUaC2Dz55Ir6iIaN2R-n9IE6SxJyrQwvwXgidkda4FyigPidn0PyeztYuGc2022H8j5Rpd97NQNWCQCxYe4pByTCyAw5Q/s4160/IMG20230111090126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKshwbdoq37ZUQ8Q-vZymluK0XLJ1bv4-z-9Cy9eJGy00bhbvlVFhc-x3jJkxSyFxcew4XbeZYldaDO591ozDPegZGb30PnKUaC2Dz55Ir6iIaN2R-n9IE6SxJyrQwvwXgidkda4FyigPidn0PyeztYuGc2022H8j5Rpd97NQNWCQCxYe4pByTCyAw5Q/w640-h480/IMG20230111090126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE24Sl9VresY1OUY6khcL_AdL3ZYeiXGd_rrUYvAFpCdVABehQvmBDWuaOUwdmPbm5_cqo8stP4i304DZzsu80OE6dXBbPDPrfsckeVLZsx4d_C76sU6laMH3cntIZlXbfvXw3OpL6PCOZCQJjOxGTPvhwLyuRvPjs5cHVAskgX6czACIJ0oVGPOnLbg/s4096/IMG_20230110_142218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE24Sl9VresY1OUY6khcL_AdL3ZYeiXGd_rrUYvAFpCdVABehQvmBDWuaOUwdmPbm5_cqo8stP4i304DZzsu80OE6dXBbPDPrfsckeVLZsx4d_C76sU6laMH3cntIZlXbfvXw3OpL6PCOZCQJjOxGTPvhwLyuRvPjs5cHVAskgX6czACIJ0oVGPOnLbg/w400-h300/IMG_20230110_142218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg4ahksjXtFh7d7CtO_inR_X1CYdxNnk_I0aNj7uocU3-PMmG71r0RuJXRvjZ33Mo9gktN6Ru6cueb-ejRUIuxaaY_vig0BQ0wEJw63F3LAIdwQ1JRZIoJKHgos4ORVhd48SU-botPDqvryNWoEhddVC0Mkbrx4aRs1x_Umquhst8_DVbj3cgE4XlAQ/s4160/IMG20230110140855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg4ahksjXtFh7d7CtO_inR_X1CYdxNnk_I0aNj7uocU3-PMmG71r0RuJXRvjZ33Mo9gktN6Ru6cueb-ejRUIuxaaY_vig0BQ0wEJw63F3LAIdwQ1JRZIoJKHgos4ORVhd48SU-botPDqvryNWoEhddVC0Mkbrx4aRs1x_Umquhst8_DVbj3cgE4XlAQ/w480-h640/IMG20230110140855.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p>No, you're not seeing the same yarn in different light. The swatch from last winter is in a pale grey while the actual sweater on the needles is in charcoal. It's not the colour I want to be working with at this time of year, but it's what's in my stash and I'm determined to use what I have. Yesterday I wet blocked the first five inches to make sure the size was accurate and that I really loved the drape and feel, so now I'm proceeding confidently up toward the underarms. See you in a bit.</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-54763245692353322152022-12-19T15:54:00.000-08:002022-12-19T15:54:06.322-08:00About Red<p>This is <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/2016/11/red.html">not the first</a> post on this blog about red. It must be this early winter time of year, with months of cold, dark, and snow lying ahead that makes me think of the cheeriness of red. Mostly, I love when it appears in small doses, as an accent to everything around it. But this post is about all the shades and moods of red. Like the brick red house across the street,<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsizjHi8s_CPfCOh-VPCRvrSvIIwxviIHRGAHL-990pFLmjbyHw7WIG-zQG8Tskw75nKmjkoR81pgD16qLY5BmBg7V4VpXqJczK3bRMFPsBnLKV97Pqj-bOHWu_MGqaTXqS5NhkCXX_wWyspEcuaLugBeqA-AGMfr06ZlpYYkL3QX105bNmpYmHlvuw/s4160/IMG20221118124042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsizjHi8s_CPfCOh-VPCRvrSvIIwxviIHRGAHL-990pFLmjbyHw7WIG-zQG8Tskw75nKmjkoR81pgD16qLY5BmBg7V4VpXqJczK3bRMFPsBnLKV97Pqj-bOHWu_MGqaTXqS5NhkCXX_wWyspEcuaLugBeqA-AGMfr06ZlpYYkL3QX105bNmpYmHlvuw/w480-h640/IMG20221118124042.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>the red in the Virginia creeper on our garage roof, and the lower portion of our neighbours' deck,<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GDUuiB-tDE6ITcYqESknDwaZVCn86KVd1pr1BnqBa1UFM7ynChpukkdp1d5DXRTLNdEB54CUtcP6kur9A2roXIV4WOUgPbIwmvsSJrHFOLMle-gPuhqnyM02ZOXgJtG2gR3M-b7xhj5I-I7BA0Vdkd2juQtyZkHHkGX3BTpZGqrLbyymEQFlrypHTg/s4160/IMG20221015170800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GDUuiB-tDE6ITcYqESknDwaZVCn86KVd1pr1BnqBa1UFM7ynChpukkdp1d5DXRTLNdEB54CUtcP6kur9A2roXIV4WOUgPbIwmvsSJrHFOLMle-gPuhqnyM02ZOXgJtG2gR3M-b7xhj5I-I7BA0Vdkd2juQtyZkHHkGX3BTpZGqrLbyymEQFlrypHTg/w480-h640/IMG20221015170800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>the red in our hall carpet surrounded by a sea of neutrals,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T8nrJUhiOv8gkIdcbrCJRndZWPNCE42RHSAtW_b57RpJlHi_L3DURJjsu7wc57xgx8-98033Rr5r43XiA9DfGsjQsKpSViwPf-SPkGZg9duJMBzyH-KJA_xOCcVJS4FrRhPiEMtWqTZaoM2zi1HaUV21Qb_qPzObum1GyuuCVUsmKOM35OXSfrowQw/s4160/IMG20221219134623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3T8nrJUhiOv8gkIdcbrCJRndZWPNCE42RHSAtW_b57RpJlHi_L3DURJjsu7wc57xgx8-98033Rr5r43XiA9DfGsjQsKpSViwPf-SPkGZg9duJMBzyH-KJA_xOCcVJS4FrRhPiEMtWqTZaoM2zi1HaUV21Qb_qPzObum1GyuuCVUsmKOM35OXSfrowQw/w480-h640/IMG20221219134623.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>the neon red choke cherries on a nearby front lawn, and<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0iWljP-vZ5665-mv7sHExPTMvYyUllu7xiuTC5bA33AcuCsj16VDnpCH6TW_yyI-vZIZif9yF4MRkc11W5g6dmSYCdlHF5ueRgALFcThvlNP-sb1M4V08lry1YnfbxDXxXDGOA2fYsr4hfd1yudOt8L7onQYR5QzPPm4G2KwaQ6KUZKaxCMErldhYg/s4160/IMG20221106102053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0iWljP-vZ5665-mv7sHExPTMvYyUllu7xiuTC5bA33AcuCsj16VDnpCH6TW_yyI-vZIZif9yF4MRkc11W5g6dmSYCdlHF5ueRgALFcThvlNP-sb1M4V08lry1YnfbxDXxXDGOA2fYsr4hfd1yudOt8L7onQYR5QzPPm4G2KwaQ6KUZKaxCMErldhYg/w480-h640/IMG20221106102053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>the attention-getting red of this burning bush in the median of the street behind our house,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiGx2qMw3qXiJIw--IBeu9ArXjdi1CWlQpX34IikPQHvELM-FXF7zI76KBcvzlbbLFwa5D8jmLiALQHcrTYl3TXQdpEmMqVYrUt41V0DzixxwlxULvpbJdjXb_xv1Qlaq3U0CHt_Cx5fH6D3MFstJ3kbMDUV1aPz0oXIRFJiSrpi9n5FLhZ8qyUq9sA/s4160/IMG20221018113441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiGx2qMw3qXiJIw--IBeu9ArXjdi1CWlQpX34IikPQHvELM-FXF7zI76KBcvzlbbLFwa5D8jmLiALQHcrTYl3TXQdpEmMqVYrUt41V0DzixxwlxULvpbJdjXb_xv1Qlaq3U0CHt_Cx5fH6D3MFstJ3kbMDUV1aPz0oXIRFJiSrpi9n5FLhZ8qyUq9sA/w640-h480/IMG20221018113441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And look at my watercolour chart to see all the hues, shades, and tints that can be mixed from red.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pKXVJ4F2FulgccHqg3CQ3fDs8SU8VkjOiDXWM2krZ4keignngXu08XjJkA-hUJpPtJ5tFFOqO8YGCC7BZM1dCC0ULZ30AMqfF6QBaFq6V1N7jhayUUD6s170BkmuDnqA19V6BrGZrrKsWZS2WtxuKay5tD42fLcB83Mhy1tXkZ4VHCYmEWsG31_NYw/s4160/IMG20221213172827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pKXVJ4F2FulgccHqg3CQ3fDs8SU8VkjOiDXWM2krZ4keignngXu08XjJkA-hUJpPtJ5tFFOqO8YGCC7BZM1dCC0ULZ30AMqfF6QBaFq6V1N7jhayUUD6s170BkmuDnqA19V6BrGZrrKsWZS2WtxuKay5tD42fLcB83Mhy1tXkZ4VHCYmEWsG31_NYw/w640-h480/IMG20221213172827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Finally, here's what just fell off my needles. Yes, another Pembroke Scarf. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP73tYn_H23_72O27WUM5L4MSh3IZdJVKK4JwLS8zA0NRN4Pu-AhA6pYJsIN_ljAn2ryZfh2VH5zpYy7jEAcKd0frCTU4fGilKmwv57g1AiPh_JfEzKKbMUMS0DmpFlbOX1aMRLxQBfwijgXTtTct-SEHB6EdUtSY4mrSwlrMqh6T93dg6xD582bgaw/s4160/IMG20221219134148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP73tYn_H23_72O27WUM5L4MSh3IZdJVKK4JwLS8zA0NRN4Pu-AhA6pYJsIN_ljAn2ryZfh2VH5zpYy7jEAcKd0frCTU4fGilKmwv57g1AiPh_JfEzKKbMUMS0DmpFlbOX1aMRLxQBfwijgXTtTct-SEHB6EdUtSY4mrSwlrMqh6T93dg6xD582bgaw/w640-h480/IMG20221219134148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Christmas is coming after all, and doesn't everyone want/need a red scarf?<p></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-47575683776078738052022-12-02T09:20:00.005-08:002022-12-09T12:20:03.910-08:00Your Secret Superpower<p>What is a maker's secret superpower? It's the ability to ALTER patterns, of course. I call it "secret" because it's so underrated. Frequently, knitters write to me on Ravelry to complain that a finished design doesn't fit --it's too deep in the armholes, or the back neck is too wide, or ... Understandably, they are frustrated after putting in so many hours of work. How to avoid disappointment? </p><p>1. Always begin by checking out the FINISHED measurements. Hopefully, there's a schematic because it will usually have more information than the short list of measurements at the start of the instructions. Look over the finished measurements VERY CAREFULLY. Also check out the amount of "ease" that is recommended. An oversized design like <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/audreys-coat">Audrey</a> will have a lot more ease than the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/perth-cardi">Perth Cardi</a>. </p><p>2. Be especially careful with length measurements. When a designer publishes a pattern with a magazine, they are required to design to an industry standard which is usually for someone who is around 5'6". For all you sewists, go <a href="https://csews.com/sewing-2/sewing-pattern-height">here</a> for a list of heights used by popular sewing pattern companies; notice the wide range, from 5'1-5'10". If you're in doubt about how long to make your garment body and sleeves, including armscye depth, use a piece of clothing from your closet as a template. Be aware that many knitting pattern stitches grow in length after blocking. A good example is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/modern-gansey">Modern Gansey</a>. I always suggest wet blocking work in progress. You'll save time and be much happier in the end.</p><p>3. Don't be afraid to make changes. Start small, preferably with simple top-down knitting patterns. If you're changing sleeve length, you'll need to re-calculate the rate of increase or decrease. I usually just start decreasing a couple of inches from the underarm and stop when the sleeve is the right width for me. Over time you'll gain confidence and find yourself ready to tackle more dramatic changes. Need extra length in the back to prevent your cardigan from riding up? Add some short rows. Short rows can also solve bust fitting issues. Many a knitting designer got their start when they realized that they had, over time, acquired the tools to invent and execute their own creations.</p><p>4. If you're a sewist, use old bed sheets as "muslins" to check for fit and make alterations. Sometimes it takes me several tries to get a new pattern to fit just right. Just half an inch change in length or width can make all the difference.</p><p>Recently, I tackled a forward shoulder adjustment on <a href="https://shop.100actsofsewing.com/products/100-acts-of-sewing-dress-no-2-sewing-pattern-sizes-xs-xl">Dress #2</a> from 100 Acts of Sewing, and removed darts from the bodice of Tessuti's <a href="https://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/felicia-pinafore-dress-pattern">Felicia </a>dress. I used <a href="https://www.mariadenmark.com/2014/10/removing-bust-darts/">this excellent tutorial</a> for guidance with the latter. After removing 1 1/4" from the lower bodice and 1/2" from the armscye, the pattern piece was quite a cut and paste job!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XdUMluJoqYGtHzKYxKvT0GLtNI9tZnhXvqeN1sbNscgTY3wcj5QPIBJcM0-bSj0uBfvBTgcmrN0Jn6SbyquIJAjG0k-QVypxV3rCX6je4ycX6mMUZzsBZ2ZIfmdSgtCWtCs_si4TxDl_sfK0EqCN249AqzzQj4OrQNuuBU7s2ZtuAIAMP3-LioHBfA/s4160/IMG20221121114647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XdUMluJoqYGtHzKYxKvT0GLtNI9tZnhXvqeN1sbNscgTY3wcj5QPIBJcM0-bSj0uBfvBTgcmrN0Jn6SbyquIJAjG0k-QVypxV3rCX6je4ycX6mMUZzsBZ2ZIfmdSgtCWtCs_si4TxDl_sfK0EqCN249AqzzQj4OrQNuuBU7s2ZtuAIAMP3-LioHBfA/w640-h480/IMG20221121114647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>That French curve grading ruler has become my best friend. Prior to acquiring it I had to rely on the curved edges of plates and once my roasting pan!</p><p>The dartless result of this effort was so worthwhile. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4wLFE_RBs8RC-cwk6LTYck4_yWAX_z9IZKkCiBEKJcZ6I6pCLkkussED-Eh3cqKCB6OgVwhoAPNmuP9U94VlAKFQzSQyAkd-_QVASohJxOsqiEuy14yJTG50xPuUcm61ooclVsHA8JnYLivXse98MjEkQWvDVKultHUfGBeLSrgwHCpYFMhJokgcYA/s3264/20221201_150951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4wLFE_RBs8RC-cwk6LTYck4_yWAX_z9IZKkCiBEKJcZ6I6pCLkkussED-Eh3cqKCB6OgVwhoAPNmuP9U94VlAKFQzSQyAkd-_QVASohJxOsqiEuy14yJTG50xPuUcm61ooclVsHA8JnYLivXse98MjEkQWvDVKultHUfGBeLSrgwHCpYFMhJokgcYA/w480-h640/20221201_150951.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other mods included another 1 1/4" off the skirt, and the addition of large semi-patch pockets (the sides are sewn into the side seams). I wanted the look of Merchant & Mills' <a href="https://merchantandmills.com/us/blog/organic-double-gauze-hattie-flo">"Hattie"</a> without the over-engineering of multiple bodice darts and a bodice lining.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Worn here with the Perth Cardi. Note that these are "fake" buttons, merely sewn on with black snaps underneath. No buttonholes involved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-Kl-tb62MHcrzAXGRQn-tBYzrYeF6_BwqKk1NwHF2G39SwjB4Ahj56IprCjDkDEkFt70YIfujQOY8apBmIZJto3eTWnvr3MWyBRKhx0sTOFNvsyIuCGkn8sbNarFLZJENGYbU7x-AID-jUwdnscFQ-J66-DCMFEECFIZEFCqoq12Vz1U70q-vbcg1g/s3464/IMG20221202113827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="3464" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-Kl-tb62MHcrzAXGRQn-tBYzrYeF6_BwqKk1NwHF2G39SwjB4Ahj56IprCjDkDEkFt70YIfujQOY8apBmIZJto3eTWnvr3MWyBRKhx0sTOFNvsyIuCGkn8sbNarFLZJENGYbU7x-AID-jUwdnscFQ-J66-DCMFEECFIZEFCqoq12Vz1U70q-vbcg1g/w640-h526/IMG20221202113827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-10680733705021677982022-11-11T14:10:00.002-08:002022-11-11T14:31:42.059-08:00A More Discreet Raglan Increase<p>This is a photo of the alternative to the Yarn Over increase that I used in Mr Greenjeans. I don't think there's an agreed upon name (or abbreviation) for it, but Emily Wessel of Tin Can Knits <a href="https://blog.tincanknits.com/2020/08/27/stripes-and-other-hacks-for-the-flax-sweater/">refers to it</a> as a "knit under the bar" increase.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0vgSO5U1J8pLHZgT88FNBTnronAfv-oZ43HC0d5NbI0JRvA5abRctDdhvDHcdaImfdvT0QwQNYL7CDRalS5b1ivm0FnXbou64TWbfWzAociaK1gRt3QdwiL-9sN6jbFupl1bQqo9VMj199VWW1I137Owv-fbGx1vLI7Vyz6_-b2NnrDM2pO4wpX_pA/s4160/IMG20221111095305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0vgSO5U1J8pLHZgT88FNBTnronAfv-oZ43HC0d5NbI0JRvA5abRctDdhvDHcdaImfdvT0QwQNYL7CDRalS5b1ivm0FnXbou64TWbfWzAociaK1gRt3QdwiL-9sN6jbFupl1bQqo9VMj199VWW1I137Owv-fbGx1vLI7Vyz6_-b2NnrDM2pO4wpX_pA/w480-h640/IMG20221111095305.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you come to the point where you would otherwise make a Yarn Over, you simply make a knit stitch under the thread connecting the stitches before and after. Instead of a great honking buttonhole you get this nice, tidy decorative opening. Bonus: like the YO increase, it's fast and easy, especially compared to the more common Make 1 increase.</div><p></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-89936105417637331262022-11-09T12:50:00.060-08:002022-11-12T12:49:18.191-08:00A Winter Uniform<p>I have a new favourite dress. It's my latest modification of the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/397903661/the-carson-dress-pdf-pattern-sizes-xs">Carson Dress</a>, this time with 3/4 length sleeves. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5CetjKXgSKYJxE3Mr5_8ShfGIg6R0xPn_bpEaG36jGnCPSTicXDKGGvZI09imQ_T9nRx0OVbCL6zh05FSLzA0gOmnyvaZ3Y_rxS_NA5Ag3qL2ZoRYozKkJVz6m8k3N3REp1PJ4N4vgralI6qXGQn1fdRaSJrsU_A9XeLttF8_79Dp2ooOqfY04f5Bg/s4032/20221110_093657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5CetjKXgSKYJxE3Mr5_8ShfGIg6R0xPn_bpEaG36jGnCPSTicXDKGGvZI09imQ_T9nRx0OVbCL6zh05FSLzA0gOmnyvaZ3Y_rxS_NA5Ag3qL2ZoRYozKkJVz6m8k3N3REp1PJ4N4vgralI6qXGQn1fdRaSJrsU_A9XeLttF8_79Dp2ooOqfY04f5Bg/w480-h640/20221110_093657.jpg" width="480" /></a> <br /></div></div><p></p><p>The fabric is Robert Kaufman's Brussels Washer, a linen/rayon blend that's perfect for all seasons, but especially winter. It drapes beautifully and resists wrinkles. It can be a little difficult to source in Canada, although if you hunt around the internet you can find sources. <br /></p><p>Mods: 1. Neck raised 1 1/2 inches. I might even raise it by another 1/2 inch in the next iteration. The original has a whopping huge opening. <br /></p><p>2. The bodice and skirt widths have been reduced by 1/2 inch at each side on the pattern pieces for a total width reduction of 2 inches. As originally drafted, I would have been swimming even in the size Small.</p><p>3. I took one inch off the bottom hem, then did a doubled 1/4 inch hem. </p><p>4. I "perfected" the cut of the pocket pieces. The pocket and pocket lining pieces were not perfectly aligned with each other or with the dress front, but that was easily solved. I find this sort of thing is a bit more common with indie patterns. <br /></p><p>What I love about this dress:</p><p>1. The slanted pocket openings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tkh-tsUwFzFlcQp1Pccx8AKNyH__HTlBRevA53YUJan9crnMksEvaxF0rXCPEop1W21hlIii6TF1WfjcSuZ70OcZd47iETUWwMEEROwa9bAfEuzRY0xf6YwRQgTneAZOoJOeXn9DdxpTHqizm-URVWPy_f8yr2JfW4a7aFPdX-odA8_OXfNIqcCLVg/s4032/20221110_094001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tkh-tsUwFzFlcQp1Pccx8AKNyH__HTlBRevA53YUJan9crnMksEvaxF0rXCPEop1W21hlIii6TF1WfjcSuZ70OcZd47iETUWwMEEROwa9bAfEuzRY0xf6YwRQgTneAZOoJOeXn9DdxpTHqizm-URVWPy_f8yr2JfW4a7aFPdX-odA8_OXfNIqcCLVg/w300-h400/20221110_094001.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>2. The 3/4 length sleeves. Perfect for winter when worn under a sweater.</p><p>3. The extraordinarily comfortable high waist.</p><p>4. There are no darts. With a T-shirt underneath, no bra is necessary. A win, for sure. <br /></p><p>5. The whole thing, from cutting to wearing took only three half days of effort.<br /></p><p>As Bill was quick to point out, this dress wouldn't make it on the streets of Paris. My response, "It would, however, be perfect in a <a href="https://merchantandmills.com/news/">Merchant & Mills</a> photo shoot." It's rather like a cross between M&M's "Ellis" and "Florence" dresses.<br /></p><p>FYI, the cardigan is my now very old <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/emccarten/wakefield-redux">Wakefield Redux</a> in Galway wool, no longer available in Canada. Is it still being sold by Plymouth in the US? Such a lively green. The elbows are about to go, so I need to take care of that asap. The outfit is pulled together with my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/emccarten/pembroke-scarf-2">Pembroke Scarf in Regia sock yarn</a>. Worn with leggings and ankle boots, it's perfect.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasPGpCASyg8a5h_Y9LdDw4he-zYDyr4c1Cnp7C2-Ru-8O3B5ia2ZGSLaoKyIr5nGbMI2ImzNZXcBlV-iSveQJFt0ALH4Oki97tYBqD5sNQhp6OV65BpWfcoghoOghdSV4YUTMCimvAcx3blWchWd-M1QH5YYqCgmqMJrgZOCWFHtC7CPYda9waxEj_g/s4032/20221110_093951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasPGpCASyg8a5h_Y9LdDw4he-zYDyr4c1Cnp7C2-Ru-8O3B5ia2ZGSLaoKyIr5nGbMI2ImzNZXcBlV-iSveQJFt0ALH4Oki97tYBqD5sNQhp6OV65BpWfcoghoOghdSV4YUTMCimvAcx3blWchWd-M1QH5YYqCgmqMJrgZOCWFHtC7CPYda9waxEj_g/w480-h640/20221110_093951.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I love this outfit so much that the first thing I did when we got home was to order more Brussels Washer to make a second dress. This is definitely my new uniform. </p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-13274971214791797282022-11-02T14:03:00.002-07:002022-11-03T05:32:39.305-07:00Welcome Back, Mr Greenjeans<p>In 2007, Knitty Magazine published Amy Swenson's lovely little cardigan "<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTgreenjeans.html">Mr Greenjeans</a>", and I promptly made a version for myself. It was the year we moved back to Canada after 16 years in Washington, DC. It was the year Bill became a semi-retired person, although he continued doing contracts for the World Bank as well as working some adjunct professorships for a few more years. It was the year James went away to University. <br /></p><p>At the time, the knitting universe was in a state of evolution. There were a number of digital pattern platforms popping up. There was Patternworks, started here in Canada. And the next year along came Twist Collective, also based here, under the leadership of Kate Gilbert. I got my start publishing patterns with these two, as well as Knitty. </p><p>In 2007, Ravelry was founded. It was different. It allowed designers to publish their own patterns directly, without going through submissions, editing, and the half-year long wait to finally see a pattern go live. It enabled designers to do their own photography, add links to tutorials without the constraints of hard copy magazines, do post-publishing corrections and changes, and best of all see photos of finished projects and comments from knitters. </p><p>Knowledge of Ravelry spread slowly at first through the knitting world. In 2010 at the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, I went to a Ravelry get-together wearing my little Ravelry button. There we all were in a small grassy field. Only a few years later, pretty much every one of the thousands of attendees at Rhinebeck was a Ravelry member.</p><p>The success of Ravelry naturally led to the eventual extinction of most of those earlier online platforms as the digital knitting revolution sorted itself out. But Knitty has stuck around. Last summer I browsed through some of the early issues and was reminded of how much I enjoyed knitting and wearing that old Mr Greenjeans. I decided to make a replacement using some skeins of BT's Shelter in "Snowbound" from my stash. And here it is:</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHtui8Kh1Artj9orMwPQ6HFdYAE_gaowjSd-BGRyYXUflsWNnLbAlm4ruDMisUw_kDAgN9FNP992AR7sSMrtf0CdJ0DackzKCS--04fGnSpLCqmiV1-KSTCmOr2gvtjHbyMinOnWgL0AAHvGIW7IohJLdKDGZsIbY1NwToRj-p3F2Nf5gQf9zvj9ssg/s2696/IMG20221102125531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2656" data-original-width="2696" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJHtui8Kh1Artj9orMwPQ6HFdYAE_gaowjSd-BGRyYXUflsWNnLbAlm4ruDMisUw_kDAgN9FNP992AR7sSMrtf0CdJ0DackzKCS--04fGnSpLCqmiV1-KSTCmOr2gvtjHbyMinOnWgL0AAHvGIW7IohJLdKDGZsIbY1NwToRj-p3F2Nf5gQf9zvj9ssg/w400-h394/IMG20221102125531.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Modifications: 1. Instead of yarn over raglan increases, I chose to do the more discreet "knit into the space under the thread connected to the next stitch". There's a little hole, not a great gaping buttonhole.</p><p>2. I made the sleeves wrist length. If it's cold enough to wear a sweater, you generally want your forearms covered.</p><p>3. I made four buttonholes, not just one. You can always do up just the top one. I like the way the cardigan hangs on me when it is fully closed.</p><p>4. I made <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/2021/03/design-your-own-aran-part-twelve.html">this buttonhole</a> from my tutorial on buttonholes in 2x2 rib.</p><p>Welcome back, Mr Greenjeans, and thank you, Amy Swenson. Now, I'd better post a photo of my new cardigan on Ravelry.</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-60726717089909385632022-10-23T16:20:00.004-07:002022-10-23T16:20:31.222-07:00Heliotrope<p>Sometimes connections forged in childhood remain for life. So, whenever I think of this purple/pink (pink/purple?) colour, I also think of Miss Heliotrope, the governess in Elizabeth Goudge's "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_White_Horse">The Little White Horse</a>". It's completely stuck in my brain and there's no possibility of severing the connection. I loved the book back then, and I love this colour in my adult life. See?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrrsIdek2xaJSBCn4Wzkkf_bGYOZumdLLX5aBMW4DxTt46BjyWEZyelMPK6kZx4DYcQvFgfIMW-VAnltCw0Z0idi_muKiOgiKsxWvUqKoFoUkPRVpOOwEgPsSqeEuViwl0vWm7qFcrnRszDTlbmdrVhYGLqWdpHm_PQXlfTUKOmlNKwIVVjj6Ap7Txw/s4096/IMG_20221023_175326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrrsIdek2xaJSBCn4Wzkkf_bGYOZumdLLX5aBMW4DxTt46BjyWEZyelMPK6kZx4DYcQvFgfIMW-VAnltCw0Z0idi_muKiOgiKsxWvUqKoFoUkPRVpOOwEgPsSqeEuViwl0vWm7qFcrnRszDTlbmdrVhYGLqWdpHm_PQXlfTUKOmlNKwIVVjj6Ap7Txw/w640-h480/IMG_20221023_175326.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've been hauling out the winter woollies and organizing them for the season ahead. I think this little combo is going front and centre in this year's favourites. From left to right:</p><p>Churchmouse Yarns & Teas' <a href="https://www.churchmouseyarns.com/collections/studio-berets">Studio Beret</a>, my handspun handknit <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bellevue-mittens">Bellevue Mittens</a>, and my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diamanda-mitts">Diamanda Mitts i</a>n the "pink lemonade" colourway. </p><p>They're all going to have a little sudsy bath tomorrow before going into this season's rotation. That is, once the gloriously warm fall weather evaporates.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx4AweXUvlNDltyScSPGMLF7po005DNXeyPgbIb5q_doxSJy3MsDKDFdC1Ngd7NSUrWSdL9KiI9EmCnlAJ4Xw9ITxp4HC_gTxu9wZXSHFbHpUvPl6_uIUKQ0pdTQImqxkDpVYUcLRbmwcwP1kfuraQl5ioDAvYZXKFdppSiS03CWGPnLcb2-9blphkA/s4160/IMG20220929143249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx4AweXUvlNDltyScSPGMLF7po005DNXeyPgbIb5q_doxSJy3MsDKDFdC1Ngd7NSUrWSdL9KiI9EmCnlAJ4Xw9ITxp4HC_gTxu9wZXSHFbHpUvPl6_uIUKQ0pdTQImqxkDpVYUcLRbmwcwP1kfuraQl5ioDAvYZXKFdppSiS03CWGPnLcb2-9blphkA/w480-h640/IMG20220929143249.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Lemoine Point.</td></tr></tbody></table>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-79911341265452622832022-09-19T15:54:00.003-07:002022-09-20T17:00:07.254-07:00The Return<p>September has arrived and, as planned, we returned for lunch at County Cider in Prince Edward County. It happened to be the day when the grapes were being picked. (Yes, they grow grapes as well as apples.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL0OBbk3awxipGBUn8n9COFqdiI77dsRJ3xa7at1l8-uVlmojL3ZCKbprNPGGwOuu2j9_WJyLZHvmcASuG5yvtYpjhlt6mXwFqLUcXZTqEaT3iHoZCCHZFn8IZotx4_SgH3Iov_DZqvxGPJ3QV-eaP8YXzL71BAPcdxb0GXX0qLBA4XkCbRaIU_VFOQ/s4160/IMG20220908115032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL0OBbk3awxipGBUn8n9COFqdiI77dsRJ3xa7at1l8-uVlmojL3ZCKbprNPGGwOuu2j9_WJyLZHvmcASuG5yvtYpjhlt6mXwFqLUcXZTqEaT3iHoZCCHZFn8IZotx4_SgH3Iov_DZqvxGPJ3QV-eaP8YXzL71BAPcdxb0GXX0qLBA4XkCbRaIU_VFOQ/w640-h480/IMG20220908115032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KN-xtg27Cps9p7lbi1sNA955M4j6l7UaKTdRQzbuz84EYhbYdGuREScgAUxzf-VaEAT6c7im4hS8GbWAF3qgimyTgCkSMGzh4ZWl9ajIOi0bac1YjQABUZtbKO5Q-VFtBrwqx26jznwDBiMpK-OQh3SHXN1aTEJkIuSFZ4_tTRhTUOtqKdHwwnyGwQ/s4160/IMG20220908115945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KN-xtg27Cps9p7lbi1sNA955M4j6l7UaKTdRQzbuz84EYhbYdGuREScgAUxzf-VaEAT6c7im4hS8GbWAF3qgimyTgCkSMGzh4ZWl9ajIOi0bac1YjQABUZtbKO5Q-VFtBrwqx26jznwDBiMpK-OQh3SHXN1aTEJkIuSFZ4_tTRhTUOtqKdHwwnyGwQ/w640-h480/IMG20220908115945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMlYlOI1kjq-o_Cr2LUSmnQdxJ_WvyaBl01Zvp7nM4_P8YXnlDiCY1IBnrwtftZ0Uniyz-_PFTWX0WX_aWNMq7rCLK5je6IuZ8jXBDmvcTy4DbsJ8wyKJf3xZ5VbE7q6gdh1aKES9nlv-AxWhAiIhwmHYeZz1-imxDwhHMKK3wLycjSMt44JnvIV6lQ/s4160/IMG20220908121552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMlYlOI1kjq-o_Cr2LUSmnQdxJ_WvyaBl01Zvp7nM4_P8YXnlDiCY1IBnrwtftZ0Uniyz-_PFTWX0WX_aWNMq7rCLK5je6IuZ8jXBDmvcTy4DbsJ8wyKJf3xZ5VbE7q6gdh1aKES9nlv-AxWhAiIhwmHYeZz1-imxDwhHMKK3wLycjSMt44JnvIV6lQ/w480-h640/IMG20220908121552.jpg" width="480" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perfect weather and a perfect day, making for a perfectly boring blog post. No knitting was accomplished since our timing with the ferry was also perfect with only a couple of minutes of waiting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As usual, we made sure to visit Hagerman's farm stand to stock up on our way back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMeTGzsbneQpkzQK-APwP-CFQF_uc-6q4eqSULwhB4pEVmPsQc7aN3W5RtctOv6SsPCFZGUzozcEu9UT_lqWjS8z57whDlFbKiQ9cKLCO5F6clrzzOSqa1AkBd-PkihbCuc__dg4X93sv1uhLho8-h1w29hjJgWvKBLPJfnlzkIe4tohRdFp3eeeyyA/s4160/IMG20220824104243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMeTGzsbneQpkzQK-APwP-CFQF_uc-6q4eqSULwhB4pEVmPsQc7aN3W5RtctOv6SsPCFZGUzozcEu9UT_lqWjS8z57whDlFbKiQ9cKLCO5F6clrzzOSqa1AkBd-PkihbCuc__dg4X93sv1uhLho8-h1w29hjJgWvKBLPJfnlzkIe4tohRdFp3eeeyyA/w640-h480/IMG20220824104243.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Truly the best time of the year!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back home, feeling a little burnt out from spending most of August painting the house (still not finished), I decided to haul out some nice Waverly drapery fabric from our linen closet and transform it into new cushion covers. This was fabric that was purchased 23 years ago while we were living in Washington, DC and that has been curtains in various houses we have owned. I hated to see it just sitting on a shelf going to waste.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hYXzBB9zh0trpLKV_OEFBv_KZsTQPzFQGQE04Sfu5LooNwRGcmr0eZzqajHick-cj-p1NRfLx_XLGj3nS-F3WdMlZYuBssiQPUrcQFYp1HEWlJLcR3txVjbyTk2X9s9T9E4jyMAa4TOvtT7EW8_LsQmw8i515IOpeNkdfdQrkU3aVCZrTnR7PMeA8Q/s4096/IMG_20220910_113303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hYXzBB9zh0trpLKV_OEFBv_KZsTQPzFQGQE04Sfu5LooNwRGcmr0eZzqajHick-cj-p1NRfLx_XLGj3nS-F3WdMlZYuBssiQPUrcQFYp1HEWlJLcR3txVjbyTk2X9s9T9E4jyMAa4TOvtT7EW8_LsQmw8i515IOpeNkdfdQrkU3aVCZrTnR7PMeA8Q/w300-h400/IMG_20220910_113303.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oXhjWVMweLZ9Po9dWb4kHaxtpW1CCNK0fc8co1PJLhPodZwIOurW1wY9Njh7Oj_KtgMymQ9yxn76LElJvM8vehQGdTmVFm1jG9xTbeXI3eqAnRrIhLHFFeFr02TDY9owY-SH--6_-9bcHrSgLBc9Ij_dMwvL24i3-k1A8z0vU7JO5_puWKWIO7KR4w/s4160/IMG20220910173408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oXhjWVMweLZ9Po9dWb4kHaxtpW1CCNK0fc8co1PJLhPodZwIOurW1wY9Njh7Oj_KtgMymQ9yxn76LElJvM8vehQGdTmVFm1jG9xTbeXI3eqAnRrIhLHFFeFr02TDY9owY-SH--6_-9bcHrSgLBc9Ij_dMwvL24i3-k1A8z0vU7JO5_puWKWIO7KR4w/w480-h640/IMG20220910173408.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My current phone has a really bad camera; I apologize for the poor quality of my pics. <br /></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-56221347651719009632022-08-19T13:05:00.005-07:002022-08-19T13:28:07.588-07:00Summer Summary<p>I haven't blogged in ages. Apart from the fact that blogging has fallen out of fashion in a world of Instagram and Tiktok, I think the pandemic has had the effect of making a lot of us simply want to cocoon in our own private world. I seem to have lost the drive to make new knitting patterns while I focus on painting our house's interior, advancing my sewing skills, making yogurt, and sending James off to live and work in the EU.</p><p>Where to start? Who would have guessed that it would be so much fun to paint the interior of our house? It's become my pandemic project, one that I can tackle at my own slow pace. Our WW1- era bungalow is small enough to demand a cohesive colour scheme, and here is what I've chosen.</p><p> <img alt="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/HC-171.png" class="transparent" src="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/HC-171.png" /> <img alt="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/HC-165.png" class="transparent" src="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/HC-165.png" /> <img alt="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/1590.png" class="transparent" src="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/1590.png" /> <img alt="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/2124-70.png" class="transparent" src="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/2124-70.png" /> <img alt="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/912.png" class="transparent" src="https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/dollops/90x90/912.png" /> </p><p>From left to right: Wickham Gray, Boothbay Gray, Paperwhite, Distant Gray, and Linen White, all from Benjamin Moore. <br /></p><p>Names are deceiving. "Distant Gray" is actually a clean, fresh white. "Linen White" is a cream with a very pale, slightly yellow undertone. The palette is light, neutral, calm, but not boring. My intention is to bring as much light into the house as possible without going for the ubiquitous all-white look. The vestibule is looking better in blue greys after I opened it up by removing the ugly and dysfunctional folding closet doors. It took a week to get rid of all the wallpaper.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gYdhZDgN23xoIt9kNXMouXRWVLEwVyKtikjLO76KlssqJ4bhfkzRlXDAWbB5Xzf-mcbAHu_ZMXIfB3ZWAzzKWVkS4alNLt-EI1rfqG4feZkkl_0W-s31lSWBan_AusmmGPHZrXfUHSZ3gEn6smTR_8HFgJXFaefbNQuK4lvbG4XAGXRXunKnur5u1Q/s4160/IMG20220819154003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gYdhZDgN23xoIt9kNXMouXRWVLEwVyKtikjLO76KlssqJ4bhfkzRlXDAWbB5Xzf-mcbAHu_ZMXIfB3ZWAzzKWVkS4alNLt-EI1rfqG4feZkkl_0W-s31lSWBan_AusmmGPHZrXfUHSZ3gEn6smTR_8HFgJXFaefbNQuK4lvbG4XAGXRXunKnur5u1Q/w480-h640/IMG20220819154003.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p>And here's the living room with its newly refreshed walls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiqDQ_3hqiyPHsVhvsHkfd5fG-RSTxEbGOagoNh8yq4owf8ewSUTVC4-njzAQnQB8HhvStU1eFdKKAggB1OJvbDEKIB5DVkwrFfjIs56YhQkVJJbzuybutIXxyyzBDtU3oucAtw9hkxAzJQ_9oifKKrwCF8vEJ-yHzSQVk-9LMpQMbqO0gSb5sEdK1A/s4160/IMG20220819144059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiqDQ_3hqiyPHsVhvsHkfd5fG-RSTxEbGOagoNh8yq4owf8ewSUTVC4-njzAQnQB8HhvStU1eFdKKAggB1OJvbDEKIB5DVkwrFfjIs56YhQkVJJbzuybutIXxyyzBDtU3oucAtw9hkxAzJQ_9oifKKrwCF8vEJ-yHzSQVk-9LMpQMbqO0gSb5sEdK1A/w480-h640/IMG20220819144059.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p> At my feet is my current sweater project, <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mr-greenjeans">Mr Greenjeans</a>, proceeding at a glacial pace. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC62h7ETwxS89CXNQQXWEzLULhl-R_u3zu4zslZ_Fi3QMq2szkpygedxehe1wiP26OUMnbyofOGuLqkptwzIzNvgwzouyZey3uTA_zg3kKtoTdQv3NpFUN49Q86Yu34gPyYGVoFXiY8Z64cAaIjVlcUVw-_qkbDS97aoSP4N0Otep7SFM_5AyQgMbuRg/s4160/IMG20220819154104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC62h7ETwxS89CXNQQXWEzLULhl-R_u3zu4zslZ_Fi3QMq2szkpygedxehe1wiP26OUMnbyofOGuLqkptwzIzNvgwzouyZey3uTA_zg3kKtoTdQv3NpFUN49Q86Yu34gPyYGVoFXiY8Z64cAaIjVlcUVw-_qkbDS97aoSP4N0Otep7SFM_5AyQgMbuRg/w400-h300/IMG20220819154104.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I decided to reduce the size of the raglan eyelets by knitting into the horizontal thread between two stitches instead of making full-blown yarn overs. Also, I'm making the sleeves full length. If it's cool enough for a wool sweater, you generally want your forearms to be warm. Yarn: BT Shelter from stash.</p><p>My latest sewing project has been Style Arc's <a href="https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/adeline-dress/">Adeline</a>. An easy pattern, but not one to be undertaken by novices given the scanty instructions. For anyone looking for an excellent YouTube tutorial on sewing V-necks, I recommend <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=sewing+v-neck+facing#kpvalbx=_pLr6YqS8GoekptQPo9uU-AM13">this one</a>. As usual, instead of an interfaced neck facing, I opted to make the facing out of batik cotton, a fabric that is dense and non-stretchy. See?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlam8YOEwad1T3v3RUblvIuNsjfaqdVlaw4tW_30vatOQZtBBrmWQOyBCEfFDYZpvFa57XC22dKQWr1rz4mGgDFw_zj2qCyiw4mFTCzC7cd6i3OoyRZTLi4IZp5yq_GsTndb6wpCghCPunZWhGR6YPu4KaIT_bkVJK3kVB-XIfyyYxQwfV_VY6GAJw/s4096/IMG_20220816_090232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlam8YOEwad1T3v3RUblvIuNsjfaqdVlaw4tW_30vatOQZtBBrmWQOyBCEfFDYZpvFa57XC22dKQWr1rz4mGgDFw_zj2qCyiw4mFTCzC7cd6i3OoyRZTLi4IZp5yq_GsTndb6wpCghCPunZWhGR6YPu4KaIT_bkVJK3kVB-XIfyyYxQwfV_VY6GAJw/w640-h480/IMG_20220816_090232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The mauve colour isn't my favourite; put it down to the perils of online fabric ordering.</p><p>Finally, James has made a move to Ireland to live and work. We had a lovely day together in Prince Edward County before he and his freshly washed sweater collection left. Here he is enjoying pizza and cider in Waupoos overlooking Lake Ontario. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi4FKRatPRjBs7S2QmxsnWB3xjNzvU9l6G6GU5ZqUA-F_edgLXklSRCOmN4btoY0h3qg4T1T-Z85Fuo6nf4Vv-V5imM6xajpWeCPyfjyn8gQd9U-eV3DTdrs17LKHyFiqwtdQQpaM-ZVlGF4ze4nCclZWgfytIrvM8_y9Hy93ylJwxi3g7jQXaEkFwQ/s4160/IMG20220715114028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi4FKRatPRjBs7S2QmxsnWB3xjNzvU9l6G6GU5ZqUA-F_edgLXklSRCOmN4btoY0h3qg4T1T-Z85Fuo6nf4Vv-V5imM6xajpWeCPyfjyn8gQd9U-eV3DTdrs17LKHyFiqwtdQQpaM-ZVlGF4ze4nCclZWgfytIrvM8_y9Hy93ylJwxi3g7jQXaEkFwQ/w300-h400/IMG20220715114028.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1n3ElGioLp2UtYDjNR82CHv-3Pf_US4MP3IQ9U0qhLtaSXCLBadp5EgFBm7vbrJuaBXaomkDeRGglWr1cUuiwhQuQ-8m79z7vqsRh6OTearuIG-RyE3YliZVj2zimycKdXBc_1CdARoG1-lvL-ac3VCqa7ZrO_vomSiGa0Lva_06sqIAThDGETEHtA/s4160/IMG20220715114115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1n3ElGioLp2UtYDjNR82CHv-3Pf_US4MP3IQ9U0qhLtaSXCLBadp5EgFBm7vbrJuaBXaomkDeRGglWr1cUuiwhQuQ-8m79z7vqsRh6OTearuIG-RyE3YliZVj2zimycKdXBc_1CdARoG1-lvL-ac3VCqa7ZrO_vomSiGa0Lva_06sqIAThDGETEHtA/w640-h480/IMG20220715114115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> I mean to go back in September with Bill when the crowds are gone and the air (and apples) are crisp.<br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-17467079682592271202022-06-11T16:39:00.003-07:002022-06-12T16:24:52.852-07:00Winslow: Quick and Easy<p> Here are my new <a href="https://helensclosetpatterns.com/product/winslow-culottes/">Winslow Culottes</a>. I made them in a floaty Japanese cotton from <a href="https://corefabricstore.com/">Closet Core</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwiA2OQ07i0jG5itgEHj0-c8jTAvArBuNg3hhOzBjfn06wXLwRFyp2RlBny-zSSOgLC-LHuWZA_h5apBn4wfUAbu7drBxdlLhuMQsYJxuW42FfWAP-TFOW_48Gy4DSfKJyZg3vv6ft4ZoIWCi-0O57DcrQW946lC3TDfD16XlSNfgUYraaV3pF9N9lQ/s486/20220611_153158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwiA2OQ07i0jG5itgEHj0-c8jTAvArBuNg3hhOzBjfn06wXLwRFyp2RlBny-zSSOgLC-LHuWZA_h5apBn4wfUAbu7drBxdlLhuMQsYJxuW42FfWAP-TFOW_48Gy4DSfKJyZg3vv6ft4ZoIWCi-0O57DcrQW946lC3TDfD16XlSNfgUYraaV3pF9N9lQ/w395-h400/20220611_153158.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><p></p><p>Helen's Closet offers instructions for numerous hacks of this pattern, two of which I employed -- the elastic back and the slash pockets. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol1pdKF2BPs&ab_channel=SewingTherapy">Sewing Therapy</a> also has a useful video showing how to make the culottes step-by-step. I love the flat front (with the elastic back hidden under my jacket) and the deep pleats. The culottes also look great layered under my York Pinafores. A win, for sure.</p><p>P.S. My sewing room in the background is another room in dire need of a paint makeover. However, it'll have to wait. This week's big excitement is the installation of central air conditioning. Naturally, in the perverse way of things, we are having the coolest summer I can remember, but at least we'll be prepared. <br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-23205469768677197162022-05-27T11:50:00.006-07:002022-11-08T13:10:57.318-08:00Tutorial: How to Sew Darts<p>This is another of my sewing tutorials for Isabel. </p><p>1. Gather your materials. You will need:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5QzUXA0bnRy44--hqPeLaEzOSF_mAIqgmdlqgBFCANO903hppS6Ioj9xvSU9tgE8fL8WUNNIPysmo8IUxpCTUpyIT-MMxUw9R4WwKioGdCL6nnP1fvexoaXM0LHV45hKKlp1hc9PN6jx0CO-gR8flxcGAbvhzWS7X6-Vjt4onvoUdSdzGVR-ekp_kQ/s4032/20220527_104529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5QzUXA0bnRy44--hqPeLaEzOSF_mAIqgmdlqgBFCANO903hppS6Ioj9xvSU9tgE8fL8WUNNIPysmo8IUxpCTUpyIT-MMxUw9R4WwKioGdCL6nnP1fvexoaXM0LHV45hKKlp1hc9PN6jx0CO-gR8flxcGAbvhzWS7X6-Vjt4onvoUdSdzGVR-ekp_kQ/w640-h480/20220527_104529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>your pattern, with darts marked, your cut fabric, tailor's chalk or a water soluble pencil to do the marking, pins, and a ruler. I prefer chalk since it is so easy to use and remove. See the purple gizmo? That's my Dritz chalk sharpener. Such a useful little piece of plastic! </p><p>2. Working on each side of the bodice separately and with the WRONG side facing, lay the pattern piece over the fabric piece, carefully lining everything up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsEy6303JQIqvs1sb34ACvVdfot-OgA4tey8BfsHfoFb6xRwYgrFg8yMzbwxivaHC4Dm6ICbxwYnPgzwVADaX6wZjh60bi7W-t2CwJYoz99H6FNTB0EqWALzkEhBM6NHoK4gzyRyp8vz4XqwqJgHdCwj9KnY_nap0sp7ly879JIeRTzLa4qrHl5eSwA/s4032/20220527_103144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsEy6303JQIqvs1sb34ACvVdfot-OgA4tey8BfsHfoFb6xRwYgrFg8yMzbwxivaHC4Dm6ICbxwYnPgzwVADaX6wZjh60bi7W-t2CwJYoz99H6FNTB0EqWALzkEhBM6NHoK4gzyRyp8vz4XqwqJgHdCwj9KnY_nap0sp7ly879JIeRTzLa4qrHl5eSwA/w480-h640/20220527_103144.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Anchor the pattern piece down in the areas above and below the dart. Here I am using a knitting magazine and some coasters. You don't need fancy pattern weights. I like having my self-healing mat underneath because it keeps the fabric from sliding around.<br /></p><p>3. Gently lift the outer edges of the pattern over the dart and mark where the top and bottom of the dart meet the fabric edge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo855PwJXUbZezwG3xIDHeOa3ZMUy3mQayyZHIhtsPS1KqTq4zwawsqse2hVdhqd7dqwJvYuq6L_pjT1Bz53SD0dL4aGYyV8fGQZK3rdwQIpkZy3PVmu2zfY0lkkGU3bzxqFlyPTwjQDK9YCdzEFMDoglxilTHw0UisxPdqnxcO_OiJcw8fQGf6jwZRw/s4032/20220527_103442.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo855PwJXUbZezwG3xIDHeOa3ZMUy3mQayyZHIhtsPS1KqTq4zwawsqse2hVdhqd7dqwJvYuq6L_pjT1Bz53SD0dL4aGYyV8fGQZK3rdwQIpkZy3PVmu2zfY0lkkGU3bzxqFlyPTwjQDK9YCdzEFMDoglxilTHw0UisxPdqnxcO_OiJcw8fQGf6jwZRw/w480-h640/20220527_103442.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Make just small marks for now. IMPORTANT: Some darts have the centre fold line marked. You can ignore that; it's superfluous, and the fewer marks on your fabric the better.</p><p>4. Using a pin, poke a hole through both pattern piece and fabric at the apex of the dart.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLjQUUNgEMKoOg5oe4PRR8zt621hBToYZlwUEkJ5nLMT4ng4QRgShYqV2hKQ0ntmTOaGirHp1ZhtVYs0-5HnWaxj_vBeBI2OE-yZd2k5TI2mVVuVAYIo2K6_y8Kx_86FRQp7jPP82Vgf1EAPlCncpIy6zmGoId0PIbhkvyoM9yj9oS7bGCS5ZKk_Imw/s4032/20220527_103640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLjQUUNgEMKoOg5oe4PRR8zt621hBToYZlwUEkJ5nLMT4ng4QRgShYqV2hKQ0ntmTOaGirHp1ZhtVYs0-5HnWaxj_vBeBI2OE-yZd2k5TI2mVVuVAYIo2K6_y8Kx_86FRQp7jPP82Vgf1EAPlCncpIy6zmGoId0PIbhkvyoM9yj9oS7bGCS5ZKk_Imw/w300-h400/20220527_103640.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Wiggle the pin around enough to make a visible (but not damaging!) hole in the fabric. </p><p>5. Lift up the pattern piece and the pin and find the tiny hole. Mark a cross over it. The vertical line of the cross will be helpful later on during the sewing, so extend it a bit.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0cTWFwgenHKpBmrlpHAg09VLePhyi2XCPyQRnLhIcfgWw0y2qBDQ7QELokypsN8Uylte-hcf7SFqto7GMHi5wAkyMqqnZ8DBBY5rgBp4elsYGqcECO4vMy3pNTCEfevC6IzDqSfWXGrjf29sPc_UTkvVxSHvtJksbaeWc5B5Hc12Plag-5xTAWCF8g/s4032/20220527_103913.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0cTWFwgenHKpBmrlpHAg09VLePhyi2XCPyQRnLhIcfgWw0y2qBDQ7QELokypsN8Uylte-hcf7SFqto7GMHi5wAkyMqqnZ8DBBY5rgBp4elsYGqcECO4vMy3pNTCEfevC6IzDqSfWXGrjf29sPc_UTkvVxSHvtJksbaeWc5B5Hc12Plag-5xTAWCF8g/w300-h400/20220527_103913.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>5. Take your ruler and use it to mark straight lines joining the centre of the cross to the markings at the edge of the fabric.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBTmKBpZkPU9BQV09EM3g_4US1l4_ad69-4yBUYeB6P-iE3l5GFV3FPhFSCGDlGo7oxkG8CIvnN1Qrd88ylmW9bDh3bErCTNpoUxgyuFjnhdQN2oaNPneOSrwaR6kSjfAv1mcdxP81DCh3-msqYELRaxkEJTQI9lCIH6_zjS4tDBKXU2-ydY1jcg4Yw/s4032/20220527_104002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBTmKBpZkPU9BQV09EM3g_4US1l4_ad69-4yBUYeB6P-iE3l5GFV3FPhFSCGDlGo7oxkG8CIvnN1Qrd88ylmW9bDh3bErCTNpoUxgyuFjnhdQN2oaNPneOSrwaR6kSjfAv1mcdxP81DCh3-msqYELRaxkEJTQI9lCIH6_zjS4tDBKXU2-ydY1jcg4Yw/w480-h640/20220527_104002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Make the markings heavy enough that they won't rub away while you pin the dart together in the next step. </p><p>6. Now pin the outer lines of the dart together like this. You will need the fold to be to your right when you sew, so make sure the pins will be on the side of the fabric facing you when the fold is to your right. If you find your markings are fading, touch them up before you hit the machine.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJMZmLl6jZOc_Cejjd6eNAxHA-I6bK1QJO3JbUrWtK01w3NX1j2JoiBU-4aN0SYeAUNK1EZ4ilshg-NqwkPzzj1DfOEwgPXaePmShNusv0epcaBImpBQt__IxgB109qVHr37e4SfFWpN30pORQyqOZsL6_rK44IDRvmZy56uifyg2Nz9QG7aHKUAYQg/s4032/20220527_130418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJMZmLl6jZOc_Cejjd6eNAxHA-I6bK1QJO3JbUrWtK01w3NX1j2JoiBU-4aN0SYeAUNK1EZ4ilshg-NqwkPzzj1DfOEwgPXaePmShNusv0epcaBImpBQt__IxgB109qVHr37e4SfFWpN30pORQyqOZsL6_rK44IDRvmZy56uifyg2Nz9QG7aHKUAYQg/w480-h640/20220527_130418.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>7. Time to sew. Begin by backstitching at the outer edge of the fabric and use a regular stitch length until your get to about 1/2" before the apex.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiqEj_-Op0eAQ7SGgwKShLnNEYNP9nScEzfZ3_ghaq89Lz4aWU9ZGfzn641QQkFkER96Pxc50nR_gbrmuvhV_bhYzya75qTuv0aXxy2qpdEKJTsIfo94yIiWQ8XG2vHIj8iwD4fsPTpulczNydhdtqCeq5uoNzdKkxzZ0c5IOvziAz8HtgzcxGfwaUg/s4032/20220527_130932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiqEj_-Op0eAQ7SGgwKShLnNEYNP9nScEzfZ3_ghaq89Lz4aWU9ZGfzn641QQkFkER96Pxc50nR_gbrmuvhV_bhYzya75qTuv0aXxy2qpdEKJTsIfo94yIiWQ8XG2vHIj8iwD4fsPTpulczNydhdtqCeq5uoNzdKkxzZ0c5IOvziAz8HtgzcxGfwaUg/w480-h640/20220527_130932.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>8. At that point, switch your stitch length down almost as short as it will go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUReoWddfeUWbXhCbdIp8jXr0WZn8OfayAY--eimqCKqX-8Talckl1nJsWw90A-Y8Ad19DjO1DPmebmfJXSIMqWDldZu0YXic8Ot7WWKHp8fpaYgX-J5kex9vD3icdZgQ5E419_CucATrJMPv-GO3dg9kx_yxU33TmHSj-od7T1vbdKcNnM0IS7v4tEg/s3264/20220527_131104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUReoWddfeUWbXhCbdIp8jXr0WZn8OfayAY--eimqCKqX-8Talckl1nJsWw90A-Y8Ad19DjO1DPmebmfJXSIMqWDldZu0YXic8Ot7WWKHp8fpaYgX-J5kex9vD3icdZgQ5E419_CucATrJMPv-GO3dg9kx_yxU33TmHSj-od7T1vbdKcNnM0IS7v4tEg/w300-h400/20220527_131104.jpg" width="300" /></a> <br /></div><p>9. Complete the dart, hand turning the needle for the last 1/4" as you taper into the apex, finishing up with just one or two threads at the very point. Cut the thread LEAVING 6" TAILS.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZcmDeMXZEZu2gduOWPQ-09h0cc4gPCTmInnR15FbgCcbr5yyvxHEp-4XCqBTjPiUBfl2XJMW5FjFi44lQb3LAeJFFK_nIlktqJjSJYScu-CBkNhme8PC2RIhjpzYfLFlSj2HVTIKjjTiGJjA2wEVnkTInU8XQs1YNRLDrAuVEJW88ZiudfRnJS3mMw/s3264/20220527_131218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZcmDeMXZEZu2gduOWPQ-09h0cc4gPCTmInnR15FbgCcbr5yyvxHEp-4XCqBTjPiUBfl2XJMW5FjFi44lQb3LAeJFFK_nIlktqJjSJYScu-CBkNhme8PC2RIhjpzYfLFlSj2HVTIKjjTiGJjA2wEVnkTInU8XQs1YNRLDrAuVEJW88ZiudfRnJS3mMw/w640-h480/20220527_131218.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>10. Now to the ironing board. Grab a sleeve ham if you have one. (If not, a balled washcloth can work in a pinch.) Remove all markings before you proceed. Chalk rubs away easily with a dry washcloth. If you used water soluble pencil, then rub it off with a damp washcloth. Begin by setting the stitches. Simply lay the iron on the folded seam, staying away from the point of the dart. KEEP THE IRON AWAY FROM THE APEX UNTIL LATER, AS INSTRUCTED.</p><p>11. Open up the dart and finger press it with the fold pointing DOWN toward the waist. Finger pressing will really help your finished dart to melt invisibly into the fabric. Continue to stay away from the apex.</p><p>12. Apply steam to the right side of the dart, still staying away from the apex.</p><p>13. Now lay the dart over the curved end of the sleeve ham and finger press the apex open until it is quite flat. Finally, apply steam to it. It should look like this, with no puckers.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84vsEStrGpSjLMWYhYfQVIj1CMAsVsyVYYfHX2sAXWWW29x7rI8eeKuGKSQ5Utey2YyOz7bMFUWcSlOclJjEDztiG1587vPjl4GqMtqK5psElrXAtpeWoXjFs9eSBkDPSgYpIWOTsLX2xV4xgPnsao5Th-BBqaUUj79-3nGJ9yumOk4LrfIsD0BD_0A/s4032/20220527_132032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84vsEStrGpSjLMWYhYfQVIj1CMAsVsyVYYfHX2sAXWWW29x7rI8eeKuGKSQ5Utey2YyOz7bMFUWcSlOclJjEDztiG1587vPjl4GqMtqK5psElrXAtpeWoXjFs9eSBkDPSgYpIWOTsLX2xV4xgPnsao5Th-BBqaUUj79-3nGJ9yumOk4LrfIsD0BD_0A/w640-h480/20220527_132032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>14. Turn the dart to the wrong side and tie the thread ends in a square knot (right over left, left over right, or vice versa). Clip the thread ends to about 1/2" in length. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNubhbY0-1RnhS4czPb1HdtUf7ijHxrfCcIvpL2G_mZA3lOH2VTVXURbk0c92wCDbNzrPyXYY282WrLrLlrjzw94JG4vaV6c3RzRZ_JEyHposXab_IAuTIE1XNgtHfWzhKTB4L1l0B70tsNdJJ_d7p-q4iZ_LjRuMJcyQyoFwwWHPoMuaS1IyvxxkIMg/s4032/20220527_132202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNubhbY0-1RnhS4czPb1HdtUf7ijHxrfCcIvpL2G_mZA3lOH2VTVXURbk0c92wCDbNzrPyXYY282WrLrLlrjzw94JG4vaV6c3RzRZ_JEyHposXab_IAuTIE1XNgtHfWzhKTB4L1l0B70tsNdJJ_d7p-q4iZ_LjRuMJcyQyoFwwWHPoMuaS1IyvxxkIMg/w300-h400/20220527_132202.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Done!</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-41016353243416878932022-04-21T13:35:00.000-07:002022-04-21T13:35:06.074-07:00Jumble<p> I'm using up my leftovers to make <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daytripper-cardigan">this</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-jyMycg7NQpBIgDJNDPJwK06d48L51n7Vf_cpOX-bkxQH8YAB2fV_nWYbk6NTMzG4eSl_YYgj1-2RgOA_p_cMgsGHwkbKSzoUveBbLNVYDS1gtQtQQ1dEMmSOFiGhg5kTLhQxyDB_msFz7GrXI3_SkIim8_kZ_MRJiq_2GbxDlmVtzX3gJp6Pn4iZg/s4032/20220421_125251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-jyMycg7NQpBIgDJNDPJwK06d48L51n7Vf_cpOX-bkxQH8YAB2fV_nWYbk6NTMzG4eSl_YYgj1-2RgOA_p_cMgsGHwkbKSzoUveBbLNVYDS1gtQtQQ1dEMmSOFiGhg5kTLhQxyDB_msFz7GrXI3_SkIim8_kZ_MRJiq_2GbxDlmVtzX3gJp6Pn4iZg/w480-h640/20220421_125251.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Truth be told, I like some of the Ravelry projects much more than the original. Like t<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/meghanballog/daytripper-cardigan">his one</a>, and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/remeika/daytripper-cardigan">this</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The yarns are a jumble, from Cascade Eco+ to Berroco's Mercado. So far this is fun and quick, and hopefully useful.<br /></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-69318965762101374052022-03-19T13:50:00.001-07:002022-03-19T15:58:52.223-07:00On the Verge<p>Is an early spring a warning sign of a hotter than normal summer? I hope not. Anyway, here we are still in March and the robins and red wing blackbirds are back and the ice on the lake is on the verge of breakup. This was the view out toward Wolfe Island this afternoon. Without the sound of the open surf, the lake is eerily silent, holding its breath for what's coming. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIOBP-m1x3KNEMXdVSzUWdWW_o2XrosjEs-GQxjpE_cj67SR0vaZ5QFsjxAEF9ut6zsqk3M4utkNu-4pJEG7eSSiI37hhHFPp9zKmS45kX-pflnOQ9yeK-_X7RmBh5mebh6JJFJskTqKAB_vnQ6AniViO8bYofmaoIfIqq29_b33pEIAv4qmUIeGj5w/s4160/IMG_20220319_133506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIOBP-m1x3KNEMXdVSzUWdWW_o2XrosjEs-GQxjpE_cj67SR0vaZ5QFsjxAEF9ut6zsqk3M4utkNu-4pJEG7eSSiI37hhHFPp9zKmS45kX-pflnOQ9yeK-_X7RmBh5mebh6JJFJskTqKAB_vnQ6AniViO8bYofmaoIfIqq29_b33pEIAv4qmUIeGj5w/w480-h640/IMG_20220319_133506.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Continuing on with the black, white, and grey scheme, here are three of my March makes. From left to right: </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://shop.100actsofsewing.com/collections/frontpage/products/100-acts-of-sewing-pants-no-1-sewing-pattern">Pants #1</a> from 100 Acts of Sewing, my favourite trouser pattern (note that even though I am 5'1", I always add an extra inch to these and they're still slightly above my ankles) in linen/cotton,<br /></li><li><a href="https://helensclosetpatterns.com/product/york-pinafore-pdf-pattern/">York Pinafore</a> from Helen's Closet in yarn dyed linen check from Blackbird Fabrics (I've lost count of how many of these I've made),</li><li><a href="https://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/felicia-pinafore-dress-pattern">Felicia dress</a> from Tessuti Fabrics, an Australian company, in grey/blue linen from Pure Linen Envy.<br /></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwZlQaIKTZ3X4fsTk1h1Nsp95_Bt6uvWQkmRfNmWIOCHEMtC8sHp69qemxb7ji8yfazsIqsFrzsR-YTzsKY-FyeKwjQ7q_CfLAI01uHsLhPWUoSTziGXxLMPR_8EUER3wReTrExHOW-0NAlgZ0gTactSxZ1FDfG8QAY5_7J_bgIyOmV5l1LFQFA8UuA/s4032/20220319_145955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwZlQaIKTZ3X4fsTk1h1Nsp95_Bt6uvWQkmRfNmWIOCHEMtC8sHp69qemxb7ji8yfazsIqsFrzsR-YTzsKY-FyeKwjQ7q_CfLAI01uHsLhPWUoSTziGXxLMPR_8EUER3wReTrExHOW-0NAlgZ0gTactSxZ1FDfG8QAY5_7J_bgIyOmV5l1LFQFA8UuA/w480-h640/20220319_145955.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Since a girl can't exist only in grey scale, I'm making a new <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/glenora-3">Glenora</a> in this bright turquoise Cascade Eco+. I think the colour, "Pacific", has been discontinued. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqZHM4X7U1YMvz2aaguoa9Roshgf263HiB3n1aSDlBh6OPFohWU6Ap87e-tux4KzqqTKKKFHOChpx7vxke4gC3jsbmdPPi3CgGQ0OHXFTQJOCpHfBWJezS8n2HPjDSaQfBHouRf-hcdGHBfPXXEZUs6ahiHCc9ach0AeM4DrXeJ3jDsx8YZ5QSE3BvQ/s4160/IMG_20220319_150418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqZHM4X7U1YMvz2aaguoa9Roshgf263HiB3n1aSDlBh6OPFohWU6Ap87e-tux4KzqqTKKKFHOChpx7vxke4gC3jsbmdPPi3CgGQ0OHXFTQJOCpHfBWJezS8n2HPjDSaQfBHouRf-hcdGHBfPXXEZUs6ahiHCc9ach0AeM4DrXeJ3jDsx8YZ5QSE3BvQ/w480-h640/IMG_20220319_150418.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>When it first arrived via mail order I thought it was overwhelmingly bright, but on this rainy day it looks just right!</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-58589754386790148432022-02-10T11:44:00.002-08:002022-02-10T11:44:40.110-08:00In the Mail<p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pont-neuf-2">Pont Neuf</a> is done and, as of this morning, in the mail on its way to Isabel. I wish I could show you how it looks on her, but given that we no longer live in the same city, this is the best I can do.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTgZzHbP2uvNMhSzwoNHuVD0PqhceIZfiVwGGi3zW7jMBR92pgUYo3ZMoTT80IaZ9D488NkGgUf9Gdd7shJXWrqgOfqlMP7FFFimXyZaC-CyvP5rAjGcaosWVloXEAmCYv_S-iKgoiaD13YGkjvKfelMzmiAfd8xfbCAD8PfryKGNsHTNwMQAlYrLQ8Q=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTgZzHbP2uvNMhSzwoNHuVD0PqhceIZfiVwGGi3zW7jMBR92pgUYo3ZMoTT80IaZ9D488NkGgUf9Gdd7shJXWrqgOfqlMP7FFFimXyZaC-CyvP5rAjGcaosWVloXEAmCYv_S-iKgoiaD13YGkjvKfelMzmiAfd8xfbCAD8PfryKGNsHTNwMQAlYrLQ8Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>In truth, the colour of the <a href="https://kelbournewoolens.com/product/kelbourne-woolens-scout/">Scout</a> yarn is actually closer to the picture below, taken while the sweater was blocking.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFir7RZtg1uFsmxeWCt9gmWGmjkl6t5rFsPIiDh9aTYoupHKzZGx8Yz6qkuoxGZxDWBlBGuyH9Jh120XDYqJn9GMKFslS53CSPHIKw49e6S94y19pX6k4NFdqhFgSmgVuZrFKjhhXA8hCZsRYx_IO5nkkSmFip6xzT9al82aX2klb-uOnhnSLyCIunYg=s4160" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFir7RZtg1uFsmxeWCt9gmWGmjkl6t5rFsPIiDh9aTYoupHKzZGx8Yz6qkuoxGZxDWBlBGuyH9Jh120XDYqJn9GMKFslS53CSPHIKw49e6S94y19pX6k4NFdqhFgSmgVuZrFKjhhXA8hCZsRYx_IO5nkkSmFip6xzT9al82aX2klb-uOnhnSLyCIunYg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Modifications: </p><p>1. The waist shaping was compressed into a shorter space to account for Isabel's petite stature.</p><p>2. The lower border was shortened for the same reason.</p><p>3. The sleeves were made full length. While three quarter length sleeves look lovely, it cannot be denied that if you feel chilly enough to need to wear a wool sweater, you probably want your forearms to be warm too.</p><p>4. The buttons are sewn all the way through the two layers of borders. I learned this lesson with <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/petrova">Petrova</a>, which also features an asymmetrical closure. Neither sweater will ever be worn with the front fully open, so why bother with buttonholes when you don't need them. No one can tell just by looking that this Pont Neuf has no fully functioning buttonholes. Plus, Isabel won't have to worry about the sweater accidentally coming open from an overstretched buttonhole.</p><p>5. For the lower border bind off I used the same technique as recommended in the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pembroke-scarf-2">Pembroke Scarf</a>. I think it's sometimes called a Shetland BO because it's often used for lace shawls. Anyway, it worked a treat for giving the lower edge a stretchy but tidy fit over the hips. <br /></p><p>In the thick of winter I'm daydreaming about the paint job I'm going to do on our public rooms next spring. Out with the mismatched ceiling and trim colours that came with the house and the boring beige walls. And that awful light fixture in the vestibule. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWHTp_L7i82eK2tK0cMuLeLhQhQvaEBowEZ5G-lcFhIzJf63XgMWe2bljurTrjEL6zjp5AK7hIVeFTl8kPj6RkJWob5rVwMgkXfEhMQtfNJbYIj-cieidbeK9LuhKJgLXrkzBnsvfNP_x-IyhDCxG2Xh7hNODJHn0yAPadMzScNKVInIIFwwFR4cvsig=s4160" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWHTp_L7i82eK2tK0cMuLeLhQhQvaEBowEZ5G-lcFhIzJf63XgMWe2bljurTrjEL6zjp5AK7hIVeFTl8kPj6RkJWob5rVwMgkXfEhMQtfNJbYIj-cieidbeK9LuhKJgLXrkzBnsvfNP_x-IyhDCxG2Xh7hNODJHn0yAPadMzScNKVInIIFwwFR4cvsig=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fantasy is cheap!<br /></div>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-85946771983373410772022-01-11T12:31:00.002-08:002022-01-11T15:55:35.701-08:00The Siren Call of Hand-Dyed Skeins<p>It's been so long since I've been in a actual yarn shop. Sigh. However, I still have a few hand-dyed skeins lurking in my (nowhere near depleted) stash. They're the equivalent of fast food or candy for knitters. You've probably been in this scenario. You're browsing in a yarn shop, not meaning to make a big purchase (because you have more than enough yarn already), and you're getting ready to leave, but then you see the wall of hand-dyed goodies. The colours! Your pulse beats a little faster, and you tell yourself it's only one skein. Then you buy a couple -- because it's not like buying a truckload of wool for a sweater. And only when you get home do you realize that there might be an bit of an issue (and I don't mean with the size of your stash).<br /></p><p>The thing is, apart from tonally dyed yarns, hand-dyed yarns present a problem. In the skein, hanging innocently in the yarn shop, they look like this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdIxEpMt7B_juQvI1Gl4TXjEq4rycHBz_S9v10d30aZqm9kVMfq0ftsDYQzAtd_EBlllyF5ymgcfjenAelbAmbT95JwvG-eEwrqnI4gf2skLLUbQh2ocd9q-BI9ILzQfDb07y8tAn3h0PCj-Od6ZzGEy0-ptvHvmJw-R5XeIfweVXk1xH2gIFepvrZA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivdIxEpMt7B_juQvI1Gl4TXjEq4rycHBz_S9v10d30aZqm9kVMfq0ftsDYQzAtd_EBlllyF5ymgcfjenAelbAmbT95JwvG-eEwrqnI4gf2skLLUbQh2ocd9q-BI9ILzQfDb07y8tAn3h0PCj-Od6ZzGEy0-ptvHvmJw-R5XeIfweVXk1xH2gIFepvrZA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Ok, I'll admit I'm in an aqua/grape rut colourwise. That's not the problem. The difficulty is that when you spread out the skein, the colour splotches are localized in one or more spots, like this. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuQgm4pr2djsDn3HNyFcWJ9npHHaFd5Hx6izvaauR8Ax5PsC3ovPuf6K7o4vzgAibgeUnrAJ34Tw3KTEIoTwcf90SM_aiCD71PRAyyP2qwNuHXXF-uDZed-oMKs2fyTkZANwMTvxxhmmzPfsmLuI1kHDLo_WGeJu95FnawtuK864D3uAj5-djGXM3s4Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuQgm4pr2djsDn3HNyFcWJ9npHHaFd5Hx6izvaauR8Ax5PsC3ovPuf6K7o4vzgAibgeUnrAJ34Tw3KTEIoTwcf90SM_aiCD71PRAyyP2qwNuHXXF-uDZed-oMKs2fyTkZANwMTvxxhmmzPfsmLuI1kHDLo_WGeJu95FnawtuK864D3uAj5-djGXM3s4Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's a result of the dye method which typically involves squirting or painting dye onto the skein while it's wound as shown above. When turned into a cake and knitted up into something like a sock, the colours will pool in ugly, undesirable ways. So what's a knitter to do? </p><p>There are lots of suggestions online and in books for things to do with these gems, ranging from which projects work best to what stitches will blend the colour changes harmoniously. I'll let you do your own internet search. I have my own solution. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pembroke-scarf-2">Pembroke</a>. The garter stitch, combined with the gradually lengthening rows result in an almost woven look. It's fun to knit and soothing. Some would say "numbing", but there are indeed times when you may want your brain to focus on something other than your hands. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVDOcSaYZsD91tDe7aFPkL_a0vvKF80gK871Lrkb6VLZzDoDnF2mhxqE-A4aPvbkx9qtqloJhl03V8anDeRt_-XpF0mgxknxUdb81hdvjczCkpoebQpG9U4yvuA92L2cO5-wC4dECVrzP65RPJ04aRVShM6QGXYlXN-06nYy7SesBI1uRLEJngeVofeA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVDOcSaYZsD91tDe7aFPkL_a0vvKF80gK871Lrkb6VLZzDoDnF2mhxqE-A4aPvbkx9qtqloJhl03V8anDeRt_-XpF0mgxknxUdb81hdvjczCkpoebQpG9U4yvuA92L2cO5-wC4dECVrzP65RPJ04aRVShM6QGXYlXN-06nYy7SesBI1uRLEJngeVofeA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>Even with Pembroke, a tiny smidgen of pooling can occur,<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaKm0sl4qQnhDwtIFLGbtzZ99tqZAYZpQpFMdJBXihCr7esl8JPWQaCXN6sTDFjIohdGbNkDFox4RnFBvEIJsV4FRUbCyxK_31bhU79TrqhZ9XHbrCatw7ygz3F44UUJ0RzP9Q5xOt-th0m2lFcW-1XkV3P4SoeL90Mu9cdc775ucHwPvHczzAO9Px1g=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiaKm0sl4qQnhDwtIFLGbtzZ99tqZAYZpQpFMdJBXihCr7esl8JPWQaCXN6sTDFjIohdGbNkDFox4RnFBvEIJsV4FRUbCyxK_31bhU79TrqhZ9XHbrCatw7ygz3F44UUJ0RzP9Q5xOt-th0m2lFcW-1XkV3P4SoeL90Mu9cdc775ucHwPvHczzAO9Px1g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>but it's brief, and when the scarf is worn no one will notice. So satisfying. <br /></p><p>As I write, the afternoon temp here is minus 17C (plus 1F). The house was creaking and popping last night. The car windows are frozen shut. Can anyone ever have enough scarves at this time of the year?</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-79023940546140673852021-12-31T09:51:00.001-08:002021-12-31T09:51:12.906-08:00Pont Neuf<p>For the last week I've been working on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pont-neuf-2">Pont Neuf</a>, a design by Emily Wessel of <a href="https://tincanknits.com/home">Tin Can Knits</a>. This feminine sweater originally came out in the now defunct Twist Collective magazine, the same publication in which my designs <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brookline-cardigan">Brookline</a>, <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vinland-2">Vinland</a>, and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sandridge">Sandridge </a>appeared. The fact that I'm familiar with the pattern format and editing style makes knitting this so much easier. Of course, I'm having to make changes to fit Isabel's petite figure, but so far it's been pretty smooth sailing. I'm in the midst of a pause today while the body is blocking. Isabel will be moving away from Kingston later this week, and I need to be sure the sizing is on track before she departs. (Yes, my mother anxiety is at fever pitch with a move at the height of the Omicron wave.)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_CSHcei9KzD_R64uqdiDvMs9GF0smf9Y7XzORZPYJt4dNsGyyIg1HWXm60Baciun2SY4CYitTUb_gIprBm-A8W2ZI-G3_7QAL4VIyLyvhNcLG5Ak-a4fAcW8fkyNbNk2CJ-Sv-sqIpWp-je8fKp6DzU5wADV-83uz_pj_6yje48Y35W23jVlYhnD4DA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_CSHcei9KzD_R64uqdiDvMs9GF0smf9Y7XzORZPYJt4dNsGyyIg1HWXm60Baciun2SY4CYitTUb_gIprBm-A8W2ZI-G3_7QAL4VIyLyvhNcLG5Ak-a4fAcW8fkyNbNk2CJ-Sv-sqIpWp-je8fKp6DzU5wADV-83uz_pj_6yje48Y35W23jVlYhnD4DA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Here's a closeup of the gorgeous lace.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd4wq09NlEISKLp9a7aYMXbVLp3vBxnSxH1Q-JTFBXpV7gSmmgPgRJfePY8B2WX0QRZ2kSlsz9_GuQhuwt9EUWhPT5_iLIRWC5THpSGma38SPOE0amGXotipuRUAPPxxyykPfvryRLrcUGWMOyYR7eKtL2KZXij7eRCxPKAOoGeRsY5XiVKk2VG90zEw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd4wq09NlEISKLp9a7aYMXbVLp3vBxnSxH1Q-JTFBXpV7gSmmgPgRJfePY8B2WX0QRZ2kSlsz9_GuQhuwt9EUWhPT5_iLIRWC5THpSGma38SPOE0amGXotipuRUAPPxxyykPfvryRLrcUGWMOyYR7eKtL2KZXij7eRCxPKAOoGeRsY5XiVKk2VG90zEw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Now I must go and put together a tourtiere for tonight's New Year's Eve dinner. Stay well.<br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-6340017857458216422021-12-20T03:24:00.005-08:002021-12-20T14:08:19.849-08:00Just in Time<p>At the request of knitters, I have re-activated "Stripes". This is a favourite pre-Xmas knit, perfect for gift giving. You can read its 10-year-old origin story <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/2011/01/stripes.html">here</a> and <a href="https://chezlizzie.blogspot.com/2010/12/decisions-decisions.html">here</a>. The Ravelry link is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stripes-23">here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfFI51vVVXge9RLeslyRWJhi0thbGstuIfoY6iAYa5ld2s_TILOBQBbZtgmLrE97xayKGMn92Y-YqVmb7_bJyb6AAWGBYZ9r4O1C65EEF5oHnUvRj-vv-WjPq0XSIqLN_C0m4RQdWI6XMhG_UVtJbJrQL1fhmSSm4INIVLsC7iwXEJXzQ_zJiHlloiKQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfFI51vVVXge9RLeslyRWJhi0thbGstuIfoY6iAYa5ld2s_TILOBQBbZtgmLrE97xayKGMn92Y-YqVmb7_bJyb6AAWGBYZ9r4O1C65EEF5oHnUvRj-vv-WjPq0XSIqLN_C0m4RQdWI6XMhG_UVtJbJrQL1fhmSSm4INIVLsC7iwXEJXzQ_zJiHlloiKQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWYSxVXyofq8LZhcBqXbVwV165-68be6X5CwVbPxPnH-FoWQ5H-3kHo4JQ5EEXZA2FkVFy9yh0y4QGh6nNWRuDJbEmvQaaXUNGeM3AB9QOjmIML_Hc5shRc3-BqI1VaydqKpMtjdhNzc7cTJINMgEx97lVOBf4UhTXLwVrdkTV3MivQvTJTcnnF877Pg=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWYSxVXyofq8LZhcBqXbVwV165-68be6X5CwVbPxPnH-FoWQ5H-3kHo4JQ5EEXZA2FkVFy9yh0y4QGh6nNWRuDJbEmvQaaXUNGeM3AB9QOjmIML_Hc5shRc3-BqI1VaydqKpMtjdhNzc7cTJINMgEx97lVOBf4UhTXLwVrdkTV3MivQvTJTcnnF877Pg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p> Please respect the copyright even though the pattern is free.<br /></p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6546029772228171449.post-89790396660179827822021-12-17T14:09:00.004-08:002021-12-18T15:50:53.116-08:00An Oldie But Goodie<p>This afternoon I re-activated my Diamanda Mitts pattern. Why now? Well, as of yesterday we are the <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kingston-health-unit-highest-covid-19-case-rate-canada-1.6288819">Omicron capital of Canada</a>, perhaps North America. Yes, this has happened even though we had so few cases and deaths in the first three waves that we were featured in a PBS Newshour segment.</p><p>This is the view from the lineup at the Olympic Harbour Marina (1976 Olympic sailing venue) where I stood and waited for my booster jab. You can see the crane for hoisting boats in and out of the water.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxTD4eK99l_tPh8ueV1d4CHOAz0ZuNRdlZBlf2yQZfgG0ZWUwuYMRMQ1DQntkNM8J_cC4CUZlactvVTJPCGxuZOTmJFB_xoHXui8CYg_U6L65UqFPLGgLNKNynzsrbea2DFZFB7QMiKaEbUSkKWr2gpa5ooTwzaKNr6w7kZTfXwv7WlmuQfMLyP0UZ4Q=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxTD4eK99l_tPh8ueV1d4CHOAz0ZuNRdlZBlf2yQZfgG0ZWUwuYMRMQ1DQntkNM8J_cC4CUZlactvVTJPCGxuZOTmJFB_xoHXui8CYg_U6L65UqFPLGgLNKNynzsrbea2DFZFB7QMiKaEbUSkKWr2gpa5ooTwzaKNr6w7kZTfXwv7WlmuQfMLyP0UZ4Q=w480-h640" title="The crane for hoisting boats in and out of the water." width="480" /></a></div><p> And the boats themselves...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRyMgfCd4bVRvJGn0s_YlxLY2K1qDL7_RMEd6vzz2MBpNbgoy8SngnqN49-APyaSDUo8t0JfuTSa6QDZWLwh3puSOy17DX9uGy-tBy6dMd7aE1bvuMq_0N1hFVpQWuF2Qi1GUv0YudVqBPDD_nFwNl4KrYfEALlIEp9vsgHA5Glk33GbAXpfiDD39ZnA=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRyMgfCd4bVRvJGn0s_YlxLY2K1qDL7_RMEd6vzz2MBpNbgoy8SngnqN49-APyaSDUo8t0JfuTSa6QDZWLwh3puSOy17DX9uGy-tBy6dMd7aE1bvuMq_0N1hFVpQWuF2Qi1GUv0YudVqBPDD_nFwNl4KrYfEALlIEp9vsgHA5Glk33GbAXpfiDD39ZnA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Being on international waters, there are rules (in normal times) for entering Canada.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3wxh_VdRMTz5xftA-u9-FOPnNpaANswLvzKUKRsfGx2uLizkwnvNfNUVEg6vLdwIhuMADD2Qs3GO53wPYCtBhP6NOpUarHnHozd2V2FOPvoPEfmtdsH0KL9e40dCxq8njUphb5x35JClkBzkdx1feVYfBVh_1XDknnUN5qzIgZcfCkZ_yN2MLEj4NPQ=s4160" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3wxh_VdRMTz5xftA-u9-FOPnNpaANswLvzKUKRsfGx2uLizkwnvNfNUVEg6vLdwIhuMADD2Qs3GO53wPYCtBhP6NOpUarHnHozd2V2FOPvoPEfmtdsH0KL9e40dCxq8njUphb5x35JClkBzkdx1feVYfBVh_1XDknnUN5qzIgZcfCkZ_yN2MLEj4NPQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>After all of that I feel a need for small, bright, cheerful knitting projects today, so <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diamanda-mitts">here is the link</a> to the mitts.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6TYY8QESt-xrzJKy0VBWKTcoTUIuLT5WzE7_JodnBFNwlCQD-oycjmm7uwQ2iotN9lbkr_7QQXEHc1tiGlq5lCdHa90ESKwusbAvEEfhU8wecNYo-ubdxQAfbgjkyWVt8PR6L-yRGA88W5fj8592lfrzX_flqb5trpw7RbvPm6PuPc1AudfOaGhLPuw=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6TYY8QESt-xrzJKy0VBWKTcoTUIuLT5WzE7_JodnBFNwlCQD-oycjmm7uwQ2iotN9lbkr_7QQXEHc1tiGlq5lCdHa90ESKwusbAvEEfhU8wecNYo-ubdxQAfbgjkyWVt8PR6L-yRGA88W5fj8592lfrzX_flqb5trpw7RbvPm6PuPc1AudfOaGhLPuw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTdZBMWs23LcE9DbNOXX-btyDgiSOLmn17Qq53nVuC3dfy2P0zQL9iDxdtvVucDGhhPV_oxUaOJlonWsp-tyBNiG5yIQt2ZjSyGfuHvThK8iAD0r0zc2nQjvarTmiOPw24ST9qhUx1t9RM8d08KkUGlV9d81-LjO5-WVt4vjFaUXCVXVbjC-jzWlw_RQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTdZBMWs23LcE9DbNOXX-btyDgiSOLmn17Qq53nVuC3dfy2P0zQL9iDxdtvVucDGhhPV_oxUaOJlonWsp-tyBNiG5yIQt2ZjSyGfuHvThK8iAD0r0zc2nQjvarTmiOPw24ST9qhUx1t9RM8d08KkUGlV9d81-LjO5-WVt4vjFaUXCVXVbjC-jzWlw_RQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I wrote this pattern way back in my early days of designing patterns. I still love this "pink lemonade" colourway. I don't think this Ella Rae Classic is around anymore. Certainly not in Canada.<br /></p><p>Happy knitting.</p>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03550076661380685327noreply@blogger.com