Thank You

Thank you to all those who read my blog during 2023 and a bigger thank you to those who commented. I wish everyone all the best in 2024, may there be plenty of stitches and not too much frogging or untatting (I don't think frogging works for tatting, you can't rip it!)

Do Over Done

 

I've reknitted the second glove so that it matches the first one, the thumb gussets starting at the same spot! The pattern is Alder Fingerless Mitts by Agnes Zombory. The pattern has much longer cuffs, but I wanted these to be similar to the other ones on my market stall, so I shortened them. I like the pattern. It requires some concentration to get all the knits and purls in the right places, but is worth the effort. 

Yup, A Mistake

 

You know that feeling when you think you've made a mistake but aren't absolutely sure? And continue until it's obvious that you did, indeed, make a mistake. I'm knitting Alder Fingerless Mitts by Agnes Zombory. The pattern is very clearly written, but complicated. To make things easier for myself, I've been marking the pattern as I go:

There was quite a gap between knitting the first and second mitts and I couldn't remember - did I mark the original sequence, or only the repeats? Turns out I chose the wrong option, but it was difficult to be sure of that until I got right to the top. I could have undone the second mitt just to the start of the thumb gusset, but in the end decided to just start afresh. At least knitting is easy to unravel! 

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate Christmas. 

Sewing For The House

 

I bought this fabric some time ago, with the idea of making cushions for the veranda chairs. But I never got around to it. In truth, I put the fabric away and forgot about it. I'd find it every now and then, when I was busy with something else! So I got it out the other day and left it next to my sewing machine. And finally made the cushions. 

Sewing For Me

 

I've finished all my sewing orders and delivered them. The weekly craft group is closed until January. I have time to sew something for me! This fabric has been lurking since last Christmas. I was visualising a skirt, but once I took a good look, I realised that there was enough for a dress, so I decided on that instead. The fabric is rayon. It drapes well, but seems a bit flimsy, so I have lined the dress.  It's perfect for summer. 

Commenting Conumdrum

 My daughter tried to comment on my blog this morning and received a notice that said her account was not permitted to comment! She investigated and it seems that Google have changed a default setting that blocks some comments. To unblock it, she clicked on the shield on the top left of my main page, up near the URL, and then turned off that setting. So if anyone else wants to comment and can't, please try that.

Before And After

 

I hope that the before  after pictures look pretty much the same as each other! I felt as though I was wrestling with a dinosaur at times, but the job is done. Here's a closer view of the trees:

 I learnt various tricks along the way. When I sewed the clouds on, I sewed the top of the cloud and then sewed the bottom separately from the same direction, so that I didn't have to turn the work. I sewed the 'lava' onto the mountain before I sewed the mountain to the backing, so that I could do all the wiggles.

 I'm pleased with the back of the work. Following my discovery when making towels, I used a thread in the bobbin that matched each background section.

So there isn't a glaring 'ghost image' on the back.

It's all rolled up and ready to be collected by the dinosaur-fan's dad. It's going to be a Christmas present, so I'm guessing Dad will have to smuggle it in discreetly. 

A Mammoth Task

 

Woolly mammoth perhaps. There was an appeal on a local Facebook group from someone looking for a sewist who could work with felt. Yes, sure. I said, I work with felt. So Tash brought it around. It's a mat the size of my 8-seater diningroom table, intended for her son to put his dinosaur collection on. Tash had cut out all the motifs, and wants me to sew around them. Right. I separated it into sections and began yesterday with the bottom bit. It went surprisingly well and didn't take long.

The green section is a different story, mainly because the felt is very stiff. I struggle to turn the felt and fit it into my sewing machine, even using my daughter's tip of rolling up the sides.

I have sewn the leaves.

Now for the trunks. I had originally thought I'd sew around the trunks, but that's going to be very difficult. Instead, I think I'll do a wide zig zag, so I can sew each one in one pass. I sewed a sample and showed it to Tash.

I had better get back to it. It's a change from sewing bags - I do like the variety! 

Triple

 

 I had a break from bag sewing yesterday morning because my little sewing pupil was here. It's school holidays here now, so we had more time than usual and were able to complete his triple pencil case. He tells me what he wants to do and then I figure out a way to do it. I think it turned out pretty well. 

Another Jeweller

 

On Friday I had a visit from another jeweller, wanting bags to put earrings and things in. Of course, now it's December and they're needed quick quick. Saturday was the market and Sunday I gave myself a day off. Yesterday I sewed 20 bags in one size and today I'm working on 20 in a smaller size.

I was bit concerned about how the pattern was going to look on small bags, but they turned out fine. I couldn't afford to waste fabric or time aligning the pattern with the bags, but fortunately serendipity did alright on its own! 

The market, last one for the year, went pretty well on Saturday. It's funny how different products sell on different days. I didn't sell much jam, but sold most of the puppets. I had some of Jack's honey there too. I swapped one bottle for a pocket of potatoes and sold one bottle. I had enquiries, but people seemed put off by the price. Since the price was very reasonable, I assume they were hoping for a bargain. 

Zebra

 

I made a zebra hooded towel for tomorrow's market, to add to the two towels that have been gracing the table for a few months. Ring the changes a little. I changed the shape of zebra's eyes. Last time I made a zebra, I looked up cartoon zebra images, and they mostly had round or oval eyes. I used oval. But it didn't really seem right to me. So this time I did a more realistic eye, and even remembered to sew it on with black thread so it would show up against the white toweling. I'm sure no one cares, but there you go.