Vogue 1071 #3

I blogged about cutting this shirt out a while ago.  And I sewed it up a while ago too. Plenty of other things to do other than blog :)

One thing I didn't blog about was my pattern placement, or lack thereof. I was limited due to the fabric meterage and, to be honest, didn't really think about it too much. But now I've made it up, I've realised that I could have done better. Check it out.

This is view B of Vogue 1071. I cut out a straight size 12, as per my previous versions of view A. I really enjoyed making it up. The fabric is just as fabulous to make up as cut out. I used many of the techniques developed over my sassy librarian blouses, including understitching the facing and easing the sleeves. I also got to use some of my favourite buttons ever, bought of course from The Button Bar.

I struggled a little with the rear neck edging. I followed the instructions but the final look looked wrong - too wide, which meant that it wouldn't sit flat. So I rolled it over again and it looks much better. There is a little distortion and gathering at the neckline but it's not too obvious. I think I've been pretty successful. Some of my topstitching could have been better but I received compliments the very first time I wore it. One of colleagues asked me where I had bought it and didn't believe that I'd made it :)

Socks!

I try to knit a pair of socks every year. Our mild climate doesn't require any more than that. This year I thought I'd give a crocheted pair a go. I had found some sock weight nylon-wool blend at my local Spotty's called Regia's. I searched for their patterns and found knit and crochet ones. I picked a toe up. My last pair were toe up and I liked working them up. This pattern was pretty straightforward - rounds of single crochet with the heel inserted. I made one up, fitting as I went and then I started the second. And... meh. I wasn't excited. I think it's a mixture of the variegated yarn being lost in the crochet and the lack of stretchiness.

But I still had the "sock bug". I still wanted a pair of socks. So I pulled out my dpns and searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern. I took a moment to come up with a few "wants" - not too complex so I can relax, not too complex so the self striping stands out (hmmmmmm... is there a theme developing), toe up knitting (I wanted to practice this cast on again), a loose top bind off. And the winner is ... Lacery by Michelle Hunter.

I started knitting whilst travelling for work and spent a couple of quiet nights getting started. This was the perfect project for travelling. And once I got started (and travelled some more) I just kept going. Ravelry notes here.