tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81669470448108475192024-03-13T14:18:27.163+00:00chopkinsCHOPKINS-KNITS... some woolly thinking (and other stuff) by chop'kinsCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.comBlogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-89956538243231618042021-10-05T17:01:00.021+01:002021-10-05T17:16:23.962+01:00Holiday socks<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B54oyNCLUkg/YVxYiijCbOI/AAAAAAAAGWk/hJzYSK-LyuEskzDb6jKdo1FoKvlby0zTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0528.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B54oyNCLUkg/YVxYiijCbOI/AAAAAAAAGWk/hJzYSK-LyuEskzDb6jKdo1FoKvlby0zTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0528.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">How do you knit a sock? Let me count the ways. From the top cuff down? from the toe up? and then there's two at a time? either top down or toe up? What about our choice of needles? Double pointed (DPNS, 4 or 5)? small circular? one long cable? or a pair of medium cables? and the new (to me) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcNK0xCFXNc">Addi flips.</a> I think I have tried them all, including a version of two at a time that you will find on Ravelry, called <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/two-socks-in-one-the-war--peace-method">War and Peace** socks</a> (where you knit two at a time on one set of DPNS one sock inside another - yes, really). Lastly there is a choice of yarn, maybe pretty much anything goes as we all need socks for all sorts of footwear, from smart ones, to walking ones to wellies (you just need to match your needle size to your yarn and the <a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/FEATswatchout.html">tension/guage</a> you want).</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But this post is <u>not</u> about The Right Way To Knit a Sock, I don't really believe there is one and for me, I am not a monogamous sock knitter, I change the method from time to time as the mood takes me! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">No, this post is about knitting socks on holiday and chatting to friends over coffee about how I do it, which at the moment is top down one at a time on DPNs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is where I have been on holiday (lucky me)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2owxZy83UQ/YVxX16G_V1I/AAAAAAAAGVk/LASohmx2RvMxUAVwTlP0LxEgHA13fACHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0486.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2owxZy83UQ/YVxX16G_V1I/AAAAAAAAGVk/LASohmx2RvMxUAVwTlP0LxEgHA13fACHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">And this was my view as I sat with my knitting</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEKec-W0PDc/YVxxA7PMyjI/AAAAAAAAGY8/-SjLamlo0pAcMvnddCM73cHzuPh3citxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0431.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEKec-W0PDc/YVxxA7PMyjI/AAAAAAAAGY8/-SjLamlo0pAcMvnddCM73cHzuPh3citxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I sat at Kiki's Kafenion, Romantica in Lakka Paxos for an hour or so in the early morning knitting, drinking coffee, and chatting to Kiki's daughter Maria, and my friend Mary who works for a lovely local travel company.</p><p><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk_omuQCUeQ/YVxtoSvJpJI/AAAAAAAAGYk/PxN2CrBJFpISGs3fz2UgeikRNT9L4VBvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0477.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kk_omuQCUeQ/YVxtoSvJpJI/AAAAAAAAGYk/PxN2CrBJFpISGs3fz2UgeikRNT9L4VBvACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/IMG_0477.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria and Kiki</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTVLc9nFQwA/YVxtw1Lii4I/AAAAAAAAGYo/gWfUWRgbcts-6mYy91CUcBbQX-cpO8lFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1590/IMG_0540.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqXN1OpajVk/YVxuGSqChPI/AAAAAAAAGY0/ocRP6FN7z484SV0SuAqTteafZ8cm6VlVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1590/IMG_0540.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="1590" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqXN1OpajVk/YVxuGSqChPI/AAAAAAAAGY0/ocRP6FN7z484SV0SuAqTteafZ8cm6VlVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0540.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we sat and knitted I rambled on about my sock knitting and before I left for home I promised I would write a post with links to all the places on the internet where I have found help and information on making socks. If you are an absolute beginner I would suggest having a look at Kate Atherley's patterns for <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/training-sock-2">training socks</a>, all the techniques are there in miniature (basically fewer stitches and far less straight knitting) . If you actually knit up a pair they could make a sweet present for a new baby. </div><p style="text-align: justify;">A quick word about <a href="https://www.ravelry.com">Ravelry</a> - it is a fab resource for knitters of any level. To get the full benefit you need to register but its free and the search facility for patterns is fab, also the ability to log your knitting projects is so handy. You can see my projects <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Chopkinsknits">here</a>. There are lots of free patterns on Ravelry, the sock pattern I follow for Vanilla socks is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/very-vanilla-socks">this one</a> I like it but there are plenty of others. I'm not going to give pattern instructions here (they are all in Very Vanilla) just photos and lots of the links that we talked about last week.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Of course there is so much else to do on holiday, reading, swimming, snoozing, and eating - even walking a little! so I didn't quite get to finish even one sock, I got this far... The yarn is from West Yorkshire Spinners in the <a href="https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/west-yorkshire-spinners-signature-4-ply-blue-tit-818-100g">Blue Tit</a> colour way with some plain blue for rib, heels and toes</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig-m9qZ2OV4/YVxYzkD_EEI/AAAAAAAAGWw/BuVPPNRxYoEZ95Ubm-iR44GkcUIjjlZfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig-m9qZ2OV4/YVxYzkD_EEI/AAAAAAAAGWw/BuVPPNRxYoEZ95Ubm-iR44GkcUIjjlZfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0588.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>But I have finished the first of my Red Top socks </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFyh_58ngkM/YVxY9CFOhlI/AAAAAAAAGW4/YOf_BjrWzUgiP-QhQ56ii3cZv5c1OkDUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFyh_58ngkM/YVxY9CFOhlI/AAAAAAAAGW4/YOf_BjrWzUgiP-QhQ56ii3cZv5c1OkDUACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So to show Maria and Mary what each stage of the sock process looks like (Kiki already knows, although she prefers 5 DPNS) here are some close ups</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Casting on - most sock patterns suggest casting on a certain no of stitches, usually divisible by 4, then joining in the round at once. I suggest knitting a few rows, maybe 3 or 4 then joining in the round, this avoids accidentally twisting the stitches and if you make sure to leave a tail as you cast on you can use this to sew the first few rows up later. I cast on my Blue tit socks with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IAtRoqsN9E">long tail cast on</a> but for the Red Tops I have used a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsp60ohuLLE">tubular cast on</a>, there are a number of options suggested in various patterns but what is important is that it stretches as much as possible </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOEk7qNRV9s/YVxZHoS6RAI/AAAAAAAAGXA/rucLmtepgk4bfsONy2O_gfotxA3B7bsigCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0589.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOEk7qNRV9s/YVxZHoS6RAI/AAAAAAAAGXA/rucLmtepgk4bfsONy2O_gfotxA3B7bsigCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0589.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The ribbing is just like everything else sock wise - a matter of choice! I have done a K1 P1 rib on the blue tit socks and a K2 P2 on the Red Tops - there are also some fancy sock-top patterns out there. What is important is that the rib needs to be long enough to give the top of the sock some grip, I don't always measure but 2-3cm is about right then it plain sailing - knit stitches all round until you reach the back of the heel (no purl stitches in a plain sock as in the round you are always have the right side facing you).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">How long should the leg be? As long as you want, I like my socks to come to mid calf, just hold the knitting up to your leg and stop when they reach your ankle bone. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">By the way, I am knitting the Red Tops in a fancy vertical stripe but in all other respects they are vanilla socks</p><p style="text-align: justify;">And so you have reached the heel flap - this style does not look like commercially made socks. Hand knit socks traditionally have a straight flap knitted on the back half of the sock only, back and forth.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Row 1, slip one knit to the end </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Row 2, slip one, purl one right across.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">(Repeat 1&2 as per pattern)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This makes the heel flap thicker and harder wearing. Then you need to turn the heel so that the foot will be almost at right angles to the leg - it is all in the pattern!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Y_xqG9_J1Y/YVxZRvEi0VI/AAAAAAAAGXI/4caqLWjJ_9AGoH5rJQgcEDmwgREqvcF5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Y_xqG9_J1Y/YVxZRvEi0VI/AAAAAAAAGXI/4caqLWjJ_9AGoH5rJQgcEDmwgREqvcF5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">After the heel turn comes the big stitch pick up, again it is all in the pattern. Don't forget to place stitch markers when the pattern tells you to. You can see how important it was to slip the first stitch of every row on the heel flap as you will pick up and knit each slipped stitch. The stitches will look like a neat chain slightly turned to the wrong side. For a strong join slide your needle through both legs of the slipped stitches.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">If you find it hard to see the slipped stitches try hanging a bulb pin type stitch marker on each of the slipped stitches, taking them out as you go.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes it is hard to avoid a little gap at the point where the picked up stitches meet the front stitches. There are lots of tricks to avoid a hole, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMWRP26WlOE">this</a> is one of the simplest ways I found on youtube. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">You will have lots of stitches on your needles, before spacing them out evenly on your needles it is helpful to knit one complete round. As you go knit into the back of each picked up stitch. You now continue to knit in rounds, decreasing stitches to make the heel gusset until you have the same number of stitches as you originally cast on. The sides of your sock will look as though they have darts in them (the vertical stripes in my black and white sock above shows this up nicely).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">You have reached the foot! To check you have the right foot length you can try the sock on carefully, this may be where five needles come in handy. You should have knitted to the base, not tip, of your toes. Your pattern will explain how to shape the toe, decreasing until you have about 14 - 16 stitches and then it may just say, 'finish off the toe by Kitchener stitch'. Dont be scared, follow the links <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nlWKvrGp-4&t=42s">here</a> or <a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html">here</a>, people have been there before you and will show you the way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlIg4E37oVk/YVxZs_n45TI/AAAAAAAAGXU/jAzsCNZxznwuDqA_09SYaJIHDAS7Plz8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0590.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlIg4E37oVk/YVxZs_n45TI/AAAAAAAAGXU/jAzsCNZxznwuDqA_09SYaJIHDAS7Plz8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/IMG_0590.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I don't think anyone really knows why this way of finishing off sock toes is called Kitchener stitch, though some think it may have arisen from the campaign to knit socks for soldiers in the UK in the first world war (sometimes called Kitchener's Army, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Kitchener,_1st_Earl_Kitchener#Raising_the_New_Armies">after the minister who introduced conscription</a>) the method leaves a seamless finish, less likely to cause a soldier on the march to have store toes.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">However it is not essential to finish toes this way (maybe I am odd, I like Kitchener stitch and also like picking up stitches around a heel flap!) Kate Atherley in her patterns will decrease till fewer stitches, maybe 8 and then thread a double length of yarn through the stitches twice, drawing them up together. Which ever method used sew in your ends securely!</p><p style="text-align: center;">xx</p><p style="text-align: center;">C</p><p>PS **Tolstoy really did describe knitting socks this way in War and Peace - near the end of the book the children watch Anna Makarovna finish a pair of socks with a flourish, as if she were a magician! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1vnWBX8Zoc/YVxsF87wUzI/AAAAAAAAGXs/Y1T9XqsdhhECDx4sIw_MyP3VJD3EwxXJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b1vnWBX8Zoc/YVxsF87wUzI/AAAAAAAAGXs/Y1T9XqsdhhECDx4sIw_MyP3VJD3EwxXJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0593.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX913VDHyXM/YVxsFeB-s3I/AAAAAAAAGXo/KDXr-k7WZYIn9rpvIWepzDm-vja0-GxrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX913VDHyXM/YVxsFeB-s3I/AAAAAAAAGXo/KDXr-k7WZYIn9rpvIWepzDm-vja0-GxrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0594.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-88253744214621168002020-07-27T12:01:00.000+01:002020-07-27T12:01:08.841+01:002020 lockdown gallery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">The last few months have been so strange, dystopian even. With all usual activities (classes, gyms, fabric and yarn shops!) closed and a virtual stay at home order, it should have been a time of huge productivity. </p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">I know this was true for some but although initially I had a burst of energy and finished a few things, the current "return to the new normal" (how can you return to something that is new???) left me feeling that I could have done a lot more. Yes I did do a bit of sewing, making myself a couple of new things to wear this summer, and finished a big project (more of that in a future blog, though there is a teaser it the end of this post) but I hardly knitted anything and read less that a book a week. </p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">Knitting or reading always feel a bit of a luxury, something you can do when all the important (or boring stuff) is done, something for the afternoon sitting in the garden or on the sofa. Well, I got to the sofa or garden chair bit, then I fell asleep... Was it anxiety? Those early days were a bit scary with news coverage from around the world and at home of scenes from intensive care, rising death rates and deserted streets. It seemed that as a retired person with no essential work or work at home to do; in fact nothing but to avoid getting sick and thus save one more person entering the already overburdened hospitals, sleep was the natural thing to do</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">To summarise, the message I got was "please keep out of the way!"</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">Then I thought about my painting and actually there I had achieved quite a lot, helped by a weekly zoom class. So this is my 2020 gallery - some were painted in the last three months, others, already begun were finished off and some a bit of slicing and dicing, (where I don't particularly like the larger picture but am able to cut it down to show off small parts that I like a lot better!)</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">The animals were painted as presents and have, together with Weymouth Beach, already gone to their new homes but the rest are for sale, if you are interested please let me know in the comments (or by direct message on Instagram where I am @cath_ode). The pictures are various sizes and framed in Ikea's white frames with mounts.</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJbVDRr0b3w/Xx6q7hpym4I/AAAAAAAAGKg/vS1WuYkxf4IMxzBKK5CNVwwSp_CLbZSdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJbVDRr0b3w/Xx6q7hpym4I/AAAAAAAAGKg/vS1WuYkxf4IMxzBKK5CNVwwSp_CLbZSdACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6195.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">1. Misty lake</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRjPN6Wb7Fg/XxwwlUdtStI/AAAAAAAAGI0/5kdKK9mxRJUomDPwhXZNQIu0BaaZl8gSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRjPN6Wb7Fg/XxwwlUdtStI/AAAAAAAAGI0/5kdKK9mxRJUomDPwhXZNQIu0BaaZl8gSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_5336.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">2. The Ionian and the mainland</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CijQdloNCVQ/XxwwkCortAI/AAAAAAAAGIs/PLie6ZVDjsofrFmBfRIot-wHwXuok7gHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CijQdloNCVQ/XxwwkCortAI/AAAAAAAAGIs/PLie6ZVDjsofrFmBfRIot-wHwXuok7gHACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_5525.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">3. Genteel decay</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVMJsMMgWsQ/XxwwlyjtrUI/AAAAAAAAGI4/9V1s5_Y8j-8_Cp0ridjFtZyaf8Y-EQ5NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVMJsMMgWsQ/XxwwlyjtrUI/AAAAAAAAGI4/9V1s5_Y8j-8_Cp0ridjFtZyaf8Y-EQ5NQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_5709.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">4. Weymouth Beach</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VppRpANP9JY/Xxwwom1hteI/AAAAAAAAGJI/OjFppwDul-si-0wcmFJfdqegfDHjLKnAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VppRpANP9JY/Xxwwom1hteI/AAAAAAAAGJI/OjFppwDul-si-0wcmFJfdqegfDHjLKnAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_6887.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">5. Lakka</font></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jStXTa6OO0/Xx6yoGlx7mI/AAAAAAAAGKs/OMM17gBz5BI-6E3dWWUiccNmWdddaqbGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1934/IMG_5320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="1934" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jStXTa6OO0/Xx6yoGlx7mI/AAAAAAAAGKs/OMM17gBz5BI-6E3dWWUiccNmWdddaqbGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/IMG_5320.jpg" title="4. Olives (fragment)" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="5">6. Olives (fragment)</font></div><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hVtqJpO5sc/XxwwrXsFERI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/OF7j8UMNNac_unuKb3-9CN6orPl8CrjFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hVtqJpO5sc/XxwwrXsFERI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/OF7j8UMNNac_unuKb3-9CN6orPl8CrjFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_7088.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">7. Poppy field</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oVOr2wjbnw/XxwwtakxH8I/AAAAAAAAGJc/65L-34nCAXwbe_0UwmeKbTeLEArCoBmrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oVOr2wjbnw/XxwwtakxH8I/AAAAAAAAGJc/65L-34nCAXwbe_0UwmeKbTeLEArCoBmrACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7097.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">8. Fjord</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJZRrO7T3BI/XxwwuntIBYI/AAAAAAAAGJg/oFEnEmzhGcMSypExY7ShqKwH6QbVi00JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJZRrO7T3BI/XxwwuntIBYI/AAAAAAAAGJg/oFEnEmzhGcMSypExY7ShqKwH6QbVi00JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_7110.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">9. Julian Bridge</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0kiuVGBpGs/XxwwvfXzz3I/AAAAAAAAGJk/7ROgdbD1Wqk-nk5jIWYZWw53js3-YwCWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0kiuVGBpGs/XxwwvfXzz3I/AAAAAAAAGJk/7ROgdbD1Wqk-nk5jIWYZWw53js3-YwCWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_7170.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">10. Orchid</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv_eE9Vrt1g/XxwxNpY-eXI/AAAAAAAAGKA/baiiObaDIBMqowgSDp68EMiUMhrCIq2PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv_eE9Vrt1g/XxwxNpY-eXI/AAAAAAAAGKA/baiiObaDIBMqowgSDp68EMiUMhrCIq2PQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_6915.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">11. Bella's Buddy</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F80gOtiJm6g/XxwxOz9hWrI/AAAAAAAAGKI/12D6mq6uTncOW0rwUg5jfkGBFeV-EmseQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F80gOtiJm6g/XxwxOz9hWrI/AAAAAAAAGKI/12D6mq6uTncOW0rwUg5jfkGBFeV-EmseQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_7049.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">12. Silva's leopard</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4FwF9zq97I/XxwxN1OEy_I/AAAAAAAAGKE/p8bQvuDBS8EAv86vmsPlIwdS98fq2jTsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4FwF9zq97I/XxwxN1OEy_I/AAAAAAAAGKE/p8bQvuDBS8EAv86vmsPlIwdS98fq2jTsACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_7096.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">13. (Fursty) Ferret </font></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">xx</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">C</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;">PS - the teaser - a quilt of improv curving colours, appliqué and freehand embroidery, designed as a wall hanging and inspired by the view depicted in painting no 2 (as is the bedcover)</p><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SN9rhvC3Ajg/XxwxYJYIr2I/AAAAAAAAGKM/2qVxC497Bx0ZAGk-t9b9bIZLwrbxUv2jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SN9rhvC3Ajg/XxwxYJYIr2I/AAAAAAAAGKM/2qVxC497Bx0ZAGk-t9b9bIZLwrbxUv2jQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6829.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; padding-top: 4px;"><font size="5">Ionian</font></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p></div></div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-41467123117980141722020-03-12T13:04:00.000+00:002020-03-12T13:04:17.086+00:00Disaster averted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We all have knitworthy friends, don't we? Those nice people who don't ask for hand knitted things because they think its cheaper to get a scarf or sweater that way or that you love knitting so much you will happily spend all day for a few weeks making something that will be worn a few times then forgotten in a drawer, but friends who are always delighted to receive something and are seen wearing it - often. Lizzie is one such friend and from time to time she will wear something that I have made that attracts the attention of someone else. So much so that a scarf or pair of gloves mysteriously disappears from Lizzie's house and reappears at MB's </div>
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A couple of years ago I knitted a brioche shawl for Lizzie, in grey and black cashmere silk mix and was amused to see it appear in a very fine photograph on instagram, by @theodoraw8 </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRQhmv6an1s/XmonW0xCUcI/AAAAAAAAGFo/qp27N5tBBm4P-s3tJcELcA01ueJoj8V4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Image-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1242" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRQhmv6an1s/XmonW0xCUcI/AAAAAAAAGFo/qp27N5tBBm4P-s3tJcELcA01ueJoj8V4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Image-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very much not Lizzie</td></tr>
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I was rather pleased, there's nothing I like better than to see my work appreciated. But it is a shame to make these two appreciative friends share, so I decided to make MB something of his own. After a bit of stash diving I found some wonderful fingering weight alpaca from <a href="https://www.triskelion-yarn.com/">Triskelion</a> . (The yarn I had was in deep stash but they have something similar <a href="https://www.triskelion-yarn.com/product-category/govannon-4-ply/">here</a> )</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvgR1uXt1Vg/XkFRNfftjoI/AAAAAAAAGCw/TYYLRHBsT6sNt_L8CDR9e85mgtXlUGuzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvgR1uXt1Vg/XkFRNfftjoI/AAAAAAAAGCw/TYYLRHBsT6sNt_L8CDR9e85mgtXlUGuzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A bit of searching on Ravelry and I came up with <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Chopkinsknits/celtic-myths-fingering">Celtic Myths</a> by Asita Krebs. Knitted, blocked and posted - to Lizzie for onwards transmission to MB . Unfortunately I did not warn her to expect a parcel from me and over enthusuiastically opening a parcel she thought was one expected from her publisher she stabbed it rather too deeply with a sharp pair of scissors. I received a text to ask if I had any left over yarn as she needed to mend the 'teeniest nick' in the scarf - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elizabeth-Speller/e/B0034PA1M0%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share"><u><i>my friend is a writer of fiction.</i></u>..</a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCFOt66hryk/XkFRNdVDQSI/AAAAAAAAGC0/3E2NpcxO6RYWjNL361y0AlyUCVkG5NuCACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCFOt66hryk/XkFRNdVDQSI/AAAAAAAAGC0/3E2NpcxO6RYWjNL361y0AlyUCVkG5NuCACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After much begging for a proper photograph of the damage, and at MB's insistence, the scarf was sent back to me. I took a little time to work out the best way to repair it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damage limitation</td></tr>
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Firstly I grabbed as many stitches above and below the cut and parked them on a pair of DPNs and crocheted a chain down the cut sides</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedicle</td></tr>
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Then I created what in plastic surgery terms would be called a pedicle graft (approximately!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">closure</td></tr>
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Matching the stitch pattern of alternating sections of stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch I <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nlWKvrGp-4">kitchenered</a> the pedicle in place at the top and stitched the sides with a sort of duplicate stitch</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUynOVoNaAE/XkFRSV72MSI/AAAAAAAAGDM/MTY02YvUm-IDrhVKtVRexCl_49yYxVzJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qUynOVoNaAE/XkFRSV72MSI/AAAAAAAAGDM/MTY02YvUm-IDrhVKtVRexCl_49yYxVzJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But it also seemed right to honour the repair, rather in the style of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintsugi">kintsugi</a> (or knitsugi if you will) </div>
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The structure of the shawl-scarf is such that it can be worn with the repair on view or hidden. I gather it is usually worn on show</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-47169490152000168512020-02-10T12:40:00.000+00:002020-02-10T12:40:48.159+00:00This Quilt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Remember <a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.com/2015/12/new-beginnings-from-something-very-old.html">this blog post</a> back in December 2015? I wrote it as I contemplated repairing a very precious quilt. All that remained of the ancient english paper pieced (EPP) quilt (given to my daughter by her godmother) was a large ragged top, full of holes and with its tatters held together by rusty safety pins! The reds were particularly badly worn, in some places nothing left but a thin fringe of the original fabric, in all probability due to the type of dye used.</div>
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The task was pretty daunting. I needed to fill in the gaps, sew down the tatters, put in new batting, a new back, and quilt! I had a few ideas of my own too. But firstly I had to ensure that I did no further damage, the entire thing was so fragile, and large, that although all the work was going to be by hand I could not risk working on my knee. </div>
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I bought a king-sized, organic cotton sheet, washed (in non-bio detergent) and rinsed it several times to be sure there were no residual chemicals in it. I also bought several half metres of Liberty Tana Lawn in similar colours to the quilt pieces and treated them to the same laundering process</div>
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<span id="goog_1912193951"></span><span id="goog_1912193952"></span>Next to lay out the quilt top over the sheet, the sitting room floor is the only space I have that is big enough, but even then it was pretty tricky trying to avoid standing on anything fragile (I must be a conservator's nightmare!!)</div>
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Once this was done I attached the assembled quilt to a home-made quilting frame (home-made by JTH). Most of the top is wound around the rollers running along the long sides, leaving a nice flat working space which can be rolled up and down as a section is completed. The assembled frame took up an entire bedroom (thank goodness our children have left home!)<br />
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I cut tiny pieces of (near enough) matching lawn and inserted them behind the holes then stitched them down with tiny stitches, through all layers.<br />
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In some places I could sew down the rips without patching from behind. The very edge of the quilt was in such a poor condition, with long rips and some rust marks that I reluctantly decided I needed to cut it off, making the quilt about 4 inches smaller all round.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vbe-ZvjomQ/XkE_KDzZcMI/AAAAAAAAGA8/EhvV5EQmfgwkTyWWDC_xli87Vcq6VRg-wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Vbe-ZvjomQ/XkE_KDzZcMI/AAAAAAAAGA8/EhvV5EQmfgwkTyWWDC_xli87Vcq6VRg-wCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't know a lot about the quilt, I can only trace its existence back 100 years to the 1920s with any certainty, but then the quilt gave up a secret. Some of the papers used in the original construction (EPP consists of wrapping small pieces of fabric around paper shapes) had been left behind. I carefully removed them with tweezers.</div>
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A mystery. I could see Latin, Greek, Phonetics as well as English - what had been used for the templates? A clever friend did some research and in all probability the papers are from an ancient thesaurus called the <a href="https://medium.com/in-medias-res/the-ultimate-latin-hack-1-the-gradus-ad-parnassum-8996c73fa54e">Gradus Ad Parnassum,</a> a reference book that would have been part of many household's library (along with a bible, a dictionary and some medical hand book). It still does not give me a good reference date as the book was in publication from the 18th century for about 200 years, and maybe it would not have been cut up until it was no longer considered to be of any use. This brings me back to the 1920s</div>
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The initial repair work took over a year. Then it was back to the sitting room floor to lay out another sheet, sandwiching unbleached heirloom cotton quilt batting (from <a href="https://ladysewandsew.co.uk/shop/45-x-60-cotton-heirloom-natural-wadding-with-scrim-crib/">Lady Sew and Sew</a>) between it and the repaired quilt top. Having decided that I would, as far as possible, hand stitch everything and use only natural materials I also decided I would finish the quilt with quite light stitching, using specialist quilting thread in a dark cream for the centre and dark red for the border.</div>
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I added my own pieces too (on the back of course) . A Passacaglia medallion using the left over Tana Lawn<br />
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A panel giving some brief details of the quilt's story<br />
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A pocket for a little book with more details of the repair and reconstruction<br />
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And a little bag with the scraps of that Thesaurus</div>
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Finally a bright red border<br />
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And so, it's done, I wonder if it will fall to another mother to make repairs to it in another 100 years?<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-3860347119735766682019-07-16T15:54:00.002+01:002019-07-16T16:41:33.705+01:00Just painting, no distractions (Dorset Painting Retreat)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A little while ago I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen for many years. So lots of catching up to do ,you would think, but before we even said hello she said<br />
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<i>'When did you learn to paint?? You didn't do anything like it at school'</i></div>
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She was absolutely right. Although I always liked making stuff I was hopeless in art classes and dropped them as soon as I could. Then a few years ago I found myself looking across the bluest sea to misty mountains, or up at an amazing sky and wanted to capture what I saw. My photography did not cut it, not the atmosphere or the colours.</div>
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So, I bought watercolours, brushes and paper and tried to create that mood and those colours. I had mixed results, watercolour is fickle sometimes my efforts went straight into the bin, sometimes the water and pigment worked its magic on the paper and (if I didn't fiddle too much) something beautiful emerged.</div>
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My cousin <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiAsZKazbnjAhVIZcAKHX0pDwMQFjAAegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen-gb.facebook.com%2FSharonVerryTextileArtist%2F&usg=AOvVaw1qT5J2C_NcOsiT9498ffPI">Sharon Verry</a> - years ahead of me and my friend <a href="http://www.vandymassey.com/">Vandy Massey</a>, several years ahead helped. But what helped most were two things - a bunch of very good day courses and practice.</div>
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Lots and lots of practice</div>
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Then in November last year Vandy and I began to talk about how nice it would be to clear our diaries for a few days and do little else but paint. The more we talked the more we felt we could and also offer the opportunity for others to join us. And so the <b>Dorset Painting Retreat</b> was born.</div>
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Although we will not have a tutor this time Vandy will lead a workshop on creating special effects with different materials, repeating the workshop she gave in the spring at the Exhibition of the Society of East Anglian Watercolourists where she is currently chair </div>
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Bookings have already begun and there are just three places left (although if two friends are happy to share there could be up to six). The retreat is over four days (three nights B&B with lunch included at the Philbeach B&B in Weymouth). The booking form is <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYhpKpO1seEYLKuM6bLEpfqzoIm_8u5jl5hl38dPqeLN4X0A/viewform"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a>,</b> where you will also find links to obtain further information.<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-33668515831016099882019-01-11T12:17:00.000+00:002019-01-11T12:17:31.707+00:00A little tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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BUTTONHOLES! Ready-to-wear coats and jackets usually have stitched, not bound, button holes. While I love the neat finish you get with a fine button hole twist, when making my own coats and jackets more often than not I prefer to make bound ones.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful button comes from <a href="http://www.textilegarden.com/">Textile Garden</a>, my favourite on-line button shop</td></tr>
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Now, there are a few ways of making a bound button hole and the method I always use now, and am going to describe here is not the way I first learned (in O'level Needlework 1969!!!) I believe the way I make them now is almost perfect. The photograph here is about 2x actual size, but I don't think anyone would actually notice the very slight incline and fractional difference in width that you may detect here in real life.</div>
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Here is how I do it. Working on the <u><b>right side,</b></u> keeping the facing out of the way, but including any interfacing you use, lay your front pattern piece (or button hole placement tool*) over your garment, lining it up with the front facing seam. Using an erasable marker (I use tailors chalk but always test on spare fabric first) make dots where the centres of the buttons will be. One at a time centre the buttons over the dots and draw a set of vertical parallel lines either side of the button and one horizontal line through the middle of the button. </div>
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Next cut a bias strip of fabric (garment fabric or contrast) 8x the width of your finished button hole edges (6cm will give you a .75 of a cm edge) Fold the long edges to the middle and press firmly (I use a lot of steam)</div>
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Cut the strip into sections 2x the diameter of the button.</div>
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Thus for a 4 cm button each little folded bias section will measure 8cm x 3cm. </div>
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Place the bias piece over your chalk marks, as shown, centering the folded edge over the parallel lines and the part where the raw edges meet along the horizontal line. Remember you are still working on the <u><b>right side</b></u></div>
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Beginning part way along one of the long sides, stitch a rectangle. The long edges should be exactly midway between the folds and the cut edges in the middle and reach the parallel chalk lines at each end. </div>
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Stitch again just inside the first rectangle.</div>
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It will look like this (contrasting thread used to make it easy to see!)</div>
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Cut open the button hole using the centre cut edges of the facing, stopping just before the end and cutting into the corners. You will make a <span style="font-size: large;"><b>>--------<</b> </span>shape</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Push the bias facing through to the <b><u>wrong side</u></b> and pull firmly wiggling it until you get the folded edges to meet and the free ends to lie flat (in a sort of tiny box pleat). Tack the folded edges together and the ends down flat</span><br />
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Press flat with steam if necessary from the back and then the front (be careful with steam on the front that you don't flatten the fabric too much). Make sure you tack the flapping ends of the facing down firmly, this helps keep the facing in a nice straight alignment.</div>
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Now bring the front facing back into place and tack a wide rectangle around the button hole. </div>
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Hang up your garment and check that you have the alignment correct and there are no pulls or folds, <u><b>you are about to cut holes in your facing!</b></u></div>
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Next cut a slit to match the outer button hole. Using a firm grip with your finger and thumb roll the raw edge of the slit in the fabric under and hem stitch in place. You won't actually be able to roll the ends of the slit, place your stitches here very close together to make sure it is not going to pull out. If your fabric is likely to fray you can machine stitch a small rectangle of some fabric like organza over the slit and turn it to the inside before hemming the facing down.</div>
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Finally remove all visible tacking stitches</div>
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* this piece of vintage haberdashery equipment is for ensuring each button hole is placed equidistant from the next. Establish how many buttonholes you want, where the first and last will be and stretch out the gig, mark through the slits with a removable marker. And there you have it!<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-2864269233881065612018-11-29T13:20:00.000+00:002018-11-29T13:20:59.180+00:00Time for a new winter coat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its getting colder...<br />
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So time for a new winter coat. <a href="https://chopkins2011.blogspot.com/2015/03/extra-clothing-allowance.html">Last time I made a coat</a> it was all about a fairly conservative fabric given some special interest with fancy buttons and velvet appliqué But this time its going to be all about the fabric, something Very Special from a new discovery fabric warehouse, it's 100% Cashmere - how could I resist?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue/grey fabric at the top is for a dress (more about this another day), Spice coloured below for the coat - both cashmere</td></tr>
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When I say a new discovery I only mean new to me - <a href="http://www.crescenttrading.com/">Crescent Trading </a>is in fact one of the oldest businesses in Spitalfields that is still being run by its founders. The stock is amazing and I shall just have to leave it to readers to visit for themselves to appreciate the suitings, silks and shirting, not to mention the cashmere. </div>
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The coat design is simple, a slightly tulip shape, with raglan sleeves, and one button. But the lining is something else. The jacquard silk with a multi coloured stripe is in fact a sarong bought in a harbour-side shop on a greek island on my holiday this year. </div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The hope of summers without coats, cut into a coat for winter ahead </span></b></i>(words stolen from my friend the writer <a href="https://twitter.com/lizziespeller">Elizabeth Speller</a>)</div>
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It's the Oslo Coat from <a href="https://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/oslo-coat-pattern-sizes-12-14-16">Tessuti Fabrics.</a> The pattern is well drafted, the coat fits well and is true to size. But (and of course this is not a criticism of the pattern) <u>I will never buy a print at home pattern for a full size garment again!</u> I think in the end it felt as though I had cut out the coat four times before I was done, not to mention the paper and ink for my printer! The instructions were also a bit wordy and over lengthy for me but an inexperienced sewist may find this more a help than a hindrance.</div>
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The simple shape went together in just two days, plus a couple of evenings hand sewing</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZtzJLarr7M/W_bj42otyQI/AAAAAAAAFz0/paAsaL9Mgbc38J1fLDWn8LUpqXVBUIuvwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZtzJLarr7M/W_bj42otyQI/AAAAAAAAFz0/paAsaL9Mgbc38J1fLDWn8LUpqXVBUIuvwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_1267.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The button came from <a href="http://www.textilegarden.com/buttons-metal/">Textile Garden,</a> my favourite on line button store (They visit yarn and sewing fairs around the country too)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always beautifully packaged</td></tr>
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I was not entirely sure which of the colours would be best so I bought one of each in silver and bronze<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chose Bronze<br />
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I always agonise a bit between hand sewn, machined, or bound button holes. I think there are pros and cons with both hand sewn and bound for coats and practically always make machine sewn ones in lighter fabrics. You could say that, as tailors always sew the buttonholes, that they look more professional, but if skilfully worked either can look smart. (IMHO) I'm happy with my choice (and at the request of a friend I will post a tutorial on how I work my bound button holes very soon)</div>
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With some very careful piecing the sarong yielded just enough fabric to make the entire lining from it (I had thought I would have to raid my stash for some toning fabric to complete the sleeves).</div>
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The simple plain lines of the coat hiding the totally bonkers lining makes me smile.</div>
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Temperatures are falling and the coat is finished just in time</div>
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xx</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-85580425512639159032018-04-11T08:45:00.000+01:002018-04-11T08:45:44.347+01:00Shirts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujA8cd0BLus/Ws2tOr4Z3mI/AAAAAAAAFwI/4iolSaWz_ekuX-hsA7JLnuGcTdurOS_YgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ujA8cd0BLus/Ws2tOr4Z3mI/AAAAAAAAFwI/4iolSaWz_ekuX-hsA7JLnuGcTdurOS_YgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_7498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the same week that a friend's mother was destashing and I scored two lengths of shirting (one poly-cotton and one wool cotton) I saw a progression of photographs on Instagram from a sewist, describing the making of a man's shirt. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgGFc2kTcYE/WszwTRQVBmI/AAAAAAAAFu4/wK3A1zEXsMwVWzsenak15SFglQCbYzxqACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JgGFc2kTcYE/WszwTRQVBmI/AAAAAAAAFu4/wK3A1zEXsMwVWzsenak15SFglQCbYzxqACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poly-cotton (l) and Wool/cotton (r)</td></tr>
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I could do that, couldn't I? How hard would it be? JTH agreed, nothing to loose and he would gain a couple of shirts if I was successful!</div>
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The instagrammer (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sewitwithdi/">Sew-it WithDi</a>) recommended Vogue V8759</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aimzyv7ouNQ/Ws0NHSn52NI/AAAAAAAAFvg/a78FbiAw2FoDxRGwBM00WY-U9unlhUARgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aimzyv7ouNQ/Ws0NHSn52NI/AAAAAAAAFvg/a78FbiAw2FoDxRGwBM00WY-U9unlhUARgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8408.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's quite an old patten, practically vintage</td></tr>
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When I read other people's comments on their sewing projects (and if you are interested in joining a group and benefitting from the hive mind I can thoroughly recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/SelfSewnWardrobe/?ref=group_header">The Self Sewn Wardrobe by Mallory Donohue</a> a great facebook group*) I see that many people begin with a muslin. I have to confess that in all my years of sewing, and I began aged about 8 sewing doll's clothes on my mother's ancient treadle machine, I have only made a muslin once, for my wedding dress in 1977. I don't even tell myself that I will treat my first attempt at a pattern as my 'wearable muslin', I rarely make up a pattern more than once (with one exception, maybe I'll blog about that one some time) I just plunge in - with some variable results, I have to admit.</div>
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So, why break the habit? - no muslin this time, either. No matter that I have never made a shirt before. But honestly it is the tiny techniques that I expected to find tricky - ways of sewing that are peculiar to men's shirts and that transform a shirt from home-made to hand-made. </div>
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But I did measure the pattern pieces carefully against a ready to wear (RTW) shirt that I knew fitted JTH to his satisfaction.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPNHNpgf1tM/Ws0NGveWUjI/AAAAAAAAFvc/bzix0v3hweckETWSFbStr84yNEbsBx1sACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yPNHNpgf1tM/Ws0NGveWUjI/AAAAAAAAFvc/bzix0v3hweckETWSFbStr84yNEbsBx1sACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8409.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I have to cut twice but it is easier to plan the lay-out</td></tr>
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And here's another confession - I am not a member of 'Team Trace' either, once I have decided on a size I cut the pattern out. Generally this is no problem as I am only going to make up the pattern once, am I not?</div>
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JTH does not have a lot of patience for trying on, so after checking length and chest measurements against the RTW shirt (collar size did not matter, the shirts will not be worn with ties) I just forged ahead. I did not show him the shirt until it was finished and pressed either. You see I have this idea that JTH has a fear of hand made stuff (or I think he does) that it will look daggy and he will have to wear it just so as not to offend me. I don't think he has ever said this, but I always feel that trying on a half made thing will increase this fear. </div>
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I did, however, subject him to a running commentary each time I emerged from my studio for meals or sleep. Just because I loved every bit of the construction. The pattern instructions, that I followed to the letter, instead of my usual practice of just a quick scan of the pictures, were brilliant.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-om4xLF-QtlI/Ws2syBtG7mI/AAAAAAAAFvw/pzHFooDKqaIlPYRFK4ynrzKcGIrgDgZlACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-om4xLF-QtlI/Ws2syBtG7mI/AAAAAAAAFvw/pzHFooDKqaIlPYRFK4ynrzKcGIrgDgZlACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7480.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the wool-cotton fabric, you can see how springy it is but it pressed out well</td></tr>
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When placing the collar band I found lots of pins placed at right angles to the seam the best way to keep the layers in place. </div>
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I wonder how others like to place their pins? Do you pin parallel to the seam or at right angles? And does anyone dare just sew over the right angled pins? I do at times but have had so many broken needles that I tend to only do this on easy long seams with only two fabric layers, on a seam like this I always remove them as I go. This is why I prefer these glass head pins from <a href="https://merchantandmills.com/store/equipment/notions/glass-headed-pins/">Merchant & Mills</a> (never the cheaper plastic headed ones that I have learned to my cost melt under my iron)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">button holes next and a tiny pocket detail</td></tr>
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Almost finished and ready for machine made button-holes. I love the wonderful button-hole foot that came with my first electronic sewing machine about 25 years ago. Do you know the one? It has a little jig what you insert your chosen button into; after which all you have to do is set the dial to your chosen button hole-shape, place the first stitch, on the carefully measured and marked dot (the only skill required) and hit the gas.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p34uHGIswlA/Ws2s0vIa8sI/AAAAAAAAFv0/N0GPZxiI8Cg8Ow9Wd75_4hoF_W1UKhcIwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p34uHGIswlA/Ws2s0vIa8sI/AAAAAAAAFv0/N0GPZxiI8Cg8Ow9Wd75_4hoF_W1UKhcIwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7493.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thread to match the buttons, not the shirts</td></tr>
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All machining done I sit down with a pile of buttons, needle, thread, thimble (always a thimble), and a cat (nearly always a cat) to sew on the buttons and snip or tie in all cotton ends.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zmqCDszR6I0/Ws2tGwibVVI/AAAAAAAAFv8/gDZV0ILPqosbHt-TMsOrWHxNx4bOAsb_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zmqCDszR6I0/Ws2tGwibVVI/AAAAAAAAFv8/gDZV0ILPqosbHt-TMsOrWHxNx4bOAsb_ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7494.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after pressing</td></tr>
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The shirts were all made from stash - not a penny spent except on the pattern. I always have cream and white sewing thread (an all purposed poly cotton thread by Gutermann is the one I prefer, I buy it in the largest reel I can get) and have a very large hoard of buttons.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yxu83hZhX3U/Ws2tHQp4tFI/AAAAAAAAFwA/TDP33TA0lbc_eZwK9787Nihf68mIL_iNACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yxu83hZhX3U/Ws2tHQp4tFI/AAAAAAAAFwA/TDP33TA0lbc_eZwK9787Nihf68mIL_iNACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7496.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">larger pockets to accommodate a modern smart-phone</td></tr>
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I have already said that I found the pattern perfect for a novice shirtmaker like me - or even an expert, except an expert may not need to have recourse to the pattern instructions as often as I did. But if I make more shirts and as I enjoyed the process I may break my usual habit and do so, I will modify the back a little. The pattern is quite old, from a time when men's shirts were very fitted. it has a traditional back yoke but the lower back is in three pieces, with run-and-fell seams, and fits closely to the body. JTH is slim (annoyingly so, probably lighter than me despite being a couple of inches taller) and the shirts fitted well but another time I will make some modifications.</div>
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I will cut the back in one piece allowing for a box pleat and little loop at the centre back. I might also mess around with the collar shape but as JTH only wears a tie for weddings and funerals (and then never with a checked shirt!) he is not particular about collars. But I am wondering whether I can achieve a small enough button hole on my machine to make button down collars.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe I'll play with the collar next time</td></tr>
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One change I did make and that was to make a deeper pocket to accommodate a modern smart phone - JTH has had many phone disasters over time - the inevitable phone down the loo scenario, but the funniest was when it fell into a large bucket of wallpaper paste.</div>
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I would love to hear in the comments of anyone else's experience with shirt making. And if anyone is thinking of taking the plunge do have a look at Mallory's face book group. Each month she takes a new project with lovely VOLGs about the techniques involved and this month she is talking about button downs!</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-25346731396478844952018-01-31T12:19:00.006+00:002018-11-04T16:46:04.722+00:00Kelly in tweed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have been admiring and pondering the <a href="https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/kelly-anorak-jacket-pattern">Kelly Anorak</a> pattern for a while. Admiring the photographs of people's projects on Instagram and pondering fabric choices. What finally kick started my own project was reading Lauren's blog post <a href="https://guthrie-ghani.co.uk/blog/closet-case-patterns-kelly-anorak-1">here</a>. Its one of a series of posts where she charts her progress with the jacket, using products from her lovely shop Guthrie & Ghani. I also had some special fabric I wanted to use, not typical of the sort of material you might think suitable for a parka jacket but I felt it might just work</div>
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The fabric was initially destined to be a sports jacket of the most traditional style for my father, a man of most conservative tastes and fastidious dressing (he wore his third best sports jacket and matching tie to do the gardening), he had always had his suits and jackets made to measure. He would buy suitable fabric on his Scottish holidays and on his return visit his tailor, Mr Tandy in the small market town near where he lived. </div>
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Surely a dying breed of craftsmen I imagined Mr Tandy sitting cross legged on his work bench much in the style of the Tailor of Gloucester (the eponymous character in one of my favourite children's books buy Beatrix Potter). Well of course eventually the inevitable happened and Mr Tandy retired leaving Dad with his latest fabric purchase on his hands. A<a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/reflections.html">s you may know</a> if you have been reading this blog for a while my father died a few years ago and while I was clearing out his house I came upon the material for what was to have been his last sports jacket.</div>
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At the time I have no idea what the fabric should become, I just entered it into my (not inconsiderable) stash, and then the Kelly pattern came across my radar .</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg3ZVTsYuj4/WnG3IrR3DvI/AAAAAAAAFsE/eLYizyN8GuwppavAhG5iIhVP7aXiSnqGQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_7551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg3ZVTsYuj4/WnG3IrR3DvI/AAAAAAAAFsE/eLYizyN8GuwppavAhG5iIhVP7aXiSnqGQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_7551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can see the wool tweed nestling between the two red lining fabrics, Ponte di Roma jersey (a remnant from the <a href="https://raystitch.co.uk/products/fabric/jersey-and-knit-fabrics/ponte-di-roma-red">Raystitch</a> sale) and some acetate satin. I also bought a hole punch (not illustrated) and a stud applicator. I read the recommendation for a stud applicator from Lauren's blog and I'm very glad I bought both this and the hole punch before attempting to place the snap fasteners and the eyelets for the waist elastic. I have previously used the little tools that come with the studs - do you know the ones I mean? They require a lot of dexterity, as you grip the studs between the little plastic gizmo you hammer it down on your kitchen chopping board to fix it into place. OK for fine fabrics but I have had so many misplaced studs on thicker stuff. This time all the studs went in exactly where I wanted them to be. </div>
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I can't honestly say that the linings were one of my original modifications as Closet Case Patterns has produced a pdf down-load pattern as an addendum to the original pattern. But I did draft my own using the outer pattern pieces and trimming off some of the seam allowances, the jersey for the body and satin the sleeves.</div>
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The fur trim around the hood was my own mod. I had to check out a few ready-mades on-line to get the placement of the fur correct. I don't think the hood up look is great on me but it will be perfect in bad weather.</div>
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Incidentally the pure wool. smooth weave of this fabric is as shower proof as any modern high tech fabric (as light too) and it is nearly 100% wind proof.</div>
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The ribbon I used to cover the neck seam is also used to create a hanging loop (I know - the correct way to hang your hand mades is by a proper coat hanger but some times you just need to hang your jacket on a hook. )</div>
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I had this bright idea that I would knit some cosy cuffs ( I love combining crafts in a project) but in the end I could not work out how to fix them as the jacket sleeve has slits and fastenings - another time I might make the sleeves differently as I don't think they need to open at the cuff</div>
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The pattern is quite technical, I learned a few new tricks as I sewed. I had never before inserted a zip using this method with flaps, nor even heard of the <a href="https://grainlinestudio.com/2014/08/22/alder-sew-along-day-8-yoke-method-2/">system of sewing the yoke called burrito</a>. In fact as a pretty experienced sewist I usually just scan the drawings in the pattern instructions and forge ahead, but his time I read each stage carefully TWICE. Sometimes I had no idea where the instructions were taking me, I just obeyed and sewed 'this' to 'that', folded something in and essentially DID WHAT I WAS TOLD. And it worked!</div>
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I can't tell you how pleased I am with my parka - I think I have worn it every day since I made it. I would love to hear in the comments from anyone who has made a Kelly of their own, How did you find the pattern? The fit? (mine is just right, thank you) and do you love wearing it?</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-12922436807248929542018-01-22T10:04:00.001+00:002018-01-22T10:23:40.401+00:00Ta Da!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My first FO of 2018.<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JYsvfNMu7Yk/WmW2Ub16k8I/AAAAAAAAFqI/XE37MDnGPd0jCvJsZKbuYrDPEQWA3uwWgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" /><br />
Actually off the needles a couple of weeks ago. But then there were ends to sew in<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvaryI-fWgA/WmW2gkgTUXI/AAAAAAAAFqM/CPMcCuQT2YYPTqRDOc4o1nq8HWWtJFQyQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" /><br />
And then, when you knit a woolly pair of something for your hands you need to consult the availability of your assistant to take the final photo!<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lLSKR3AGRjQ/WmW3Lm0K2hI/AAAAAAAAFqc/-YxVVkCAEMIBxqJCK19JqWhlvedqw5NEwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" /><br />
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The pattern is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milet">Mîlét by Ysolde Teague</a><br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-64374776282003685742018-01-06T23:21:00.007+00:002018-01-22T10:14:45.854+00:00One down...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I finished Mitt no 1 it was obvious I would not have enough yarn for a second in the same colour sequence...<br />
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But I do love the pattern, in particular the way the colour work pattern comes together at the finger and thumb tips.<br />
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So the only solution to the yarn issue is to reverse the colours on the second glove, casting on now...<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-73852433758314144832018-01-03T08:49:00.002+00:002018-01-03T11:24:47.742+00:00All good intentions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The virtual knit night began well (for everyone else). Lots of WhatsApp chat, photos and not a little frogging. We were joined by others, temporary members of the Basingstoke knit and Natter WhatsApp group, including <a href="https://silverscreenknits.com/">knit-like-you-mean-it</a> (after all what else do you do when you are in Oxford about to defend your PhD thesis the next day but knit?) </div>
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I loved joining in all the chat, seeing all the photos, and commiserating over the ripping out but I still had the first task in Operation-Finish-Up-Stuff-in-2018 to complete. This task took a lot longer than I anticipated (more about it later in the week) so I did not actually was on till late on New Year's Day. </div>
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But I had already carefully selected pattern and yarn so I was ready to forge ahead... right?</div>
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But by midnight I was well underway<br />
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And forged on until I had completely finished the stars on the outer cuff (the cuff is double, the inner part ribbed in a single colour.) Then I had a long look and realised three things<br />
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<li>I had begun with the wrong colour! I should have cast on in white, the yellow is for the star, the inner ribbed cuff and the tips of the thumbs and fingers</li>
<li>Therefore I would not have enough of the yellow</li>
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3. I don't like the yellow now it's knitted up anyway<br />
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Nothing else for it but to ribbit - ribbit - ribbit and stash dive<br />
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Actually I think I like this green better in any case and by midnight last night I was back on course<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-16457481051139959022018-01-01T08:00:00.000+00:002018-01-01T22:14:07.050+00:00mittens!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
New Year - new intentions. More blogging, and a bit of variety (sewing, reading, events as well as knitting). But to begin, my first love, knitting, and something that began, as projects so often do, with sharing a new lovely pattern with friends, captioned 'see this, I want to make it, anyone want to join me?'<br />
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Consequently, when friends from my knitting group were all in the grip of frantic Christmas present knitting, we decided that after Christmas we would knit mittens. We made our plans on WhatsApp, where we often continue the knitty chat begun on knit nights. <br />
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We would normally have cast on together at knit night but tonight, it's a public holiday and all the places we meet (coffee shops mostly) are closed so we intend to meet virtually on WhatsApp and Ravelry. I'm also instagramming my progress with the hash tag #newyearmittsalong<br />
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Want to join in? You are Very Welcome!<br />
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I have chosen to knit <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milet">Ysolda Teague's Mīlēt</a> in these left over yarns - (J<a href="http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/jumperweight">amieson & Smith 2 ply jumper weight</a> and <a href="https://www.triskelion-yarn.com/?s=Mona+Sport&post_type=product">Triskelion Mona Sport</a><br />
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<img alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YX5MbQMjFmA/WkjbgR5jduI/AAAAAAAAFn8/-b80qrCdtdEX7Eze8RqKiPScyz3OmCPOQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" /><br />
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More posts to come<br />
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xx<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-82167796115879406632017-04-21T16:51:00.000+01:002017-04-21T16:51:15.997+01:00Yes, I am still knitting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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No, I have not given up but I have been a little busy of late, however, I am not exactly sure at what. Although there was a sneaky little trip to Venice in March.<br />
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But when I have time to sit in the evening and watch TV or on a rare afternoon to myself, I knit a few rows. I even have to odd FO yet the needles are not exactly smoking.<br />
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But I am going to WonderWool on Sunday and would love to meet anyone who from time times pops by to read this blog. I am rather excited to be helping out on the Centenary Stitches stand. You might remember (if you have been reading this blog for a while) that <a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/www-1-knitting.html">I knitted a couple of items for the costumes in a film about WW1</a> and later the patterns were collected together in the book Centenary Stitches. Well,<a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/ww1-knitting-update.html"> many of the original knitted garments made for the film</a> will be on show at WonderWool at the weekend. I shall be on the stand from 11-12 on Sunday.<br />
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So rather than blather on here I will just post photos of one or two things I have finished since... Oh! since I last posted, so long ago<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fintry-2">Fintry</a> by Kate Davies knitted in beautiful <a href="https://daughterofashepherd.com/collections/shop/products/foxen-meets-merino">Foxen meets Merino</a> by Daughter of a shepherd. Finished two weeks ago. All but lining the button band and sewing on snaps and buttons. So far I have not been able to find the right braid or ribbon that I like. I am hoping I shall find some that pleases me at Wonderwool.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hyzenthlay-rabbit-ears-beanie">hyzenthlay bunny hat.</a> Made for Bella. This is a mock up because...</div>
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...we had some sizing issues</div>
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In the end we (I !!) settled for this, with rather less embellishment. Bella consented to play Easter Bunny for all of 2 minutes, sitting at the head of the table at our family Easter Sunday lunch</div>
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Another pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/driving-miss-daisy">Driving Miss Daisy</a> gloves for DD2</div>
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And on the needles? Three pairs of socks, all different methods of construction, and one in my own hand spun; a second Kate Davies designed cardigan, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/deco-4">Deco</a> this time, and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Chopkinsknits/lacy-zig-zag-shawl">a shawl </a>that has been so long in the making I am wondering whether I should describe it as hibernating!</div>
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Perhaps not a bad tally after all</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-25249729737393774722017-02-10T15:17:00.006+00:002021-04-26T11:48:52.722+01:00A very particular commission<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soon after my friend K was given some bad news by her doctors we went out to lunch at one of her favourite restaurants. We were not there to talk of gloomy things, we were there to enjoy the warm atmosphere, marvel at the proximity of the fen drainage dyke to the restaurant (a good four feet ABOVE the restaurant window) and eat very good food. We both ate sparingly, me because my tendency to greed leads to a tendency to weight gain, K because despite her undiminished appetite for all the good things of life her actual ability to eat was reduced by her condition. Nevertheless we tasted as much as possible from the extensive menu. In our conversation I stepped gingerly around the minefield. How to say we could talk about the few months she had left, her wishes for that time and afterwards and the practicalities, even mention the D word, but we didn't have to? So I said very little, just " if ever you need to talk about The Thing I'm here" (or more likely on the end of a phone or e mail). </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In time we did talk, sorting out the practicalities in preparation for my duty as one of her executors and then she made one unusual request. It wasn't a very surprising request really, given K's life's passions. </span></div>
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K began her working life as a wardrobe mistress for theatre and film and then in her late 30s went to university to read history, her special interest was the English Restoration Period (from 1660). Combining her two interests, theatre and the 17th century K was an expert on the clothing of the period, in particular the fine detail (wigs and mens neck-wear in particular). Her knowledge was amazing, and so was her capacity to rant when a TV or film company got some small but important detail wrong. Then came the day when she knew her life was running out and she asked if I would make her shroud based on a ladies late 17th c chemise.</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We discussed the shape (something simple) and the fabric (it had to be linen from </span><a href="http://www.whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whaleys</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> where K had bought fabric in her theatre days). Following instructions I rang Whaleys and they were absolutely wonderful. When I told them that I had a very special commission and requested samples for K to choose from they sent them first class post and when I ordered the actual fabric they sent it by express courier.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As I stitched K was in a hospice in Cambridge, surrounded by kind and skilful hospice staff and friends she had collected throughout her life and who in her last months had provided practical and emotional support of every imaginable sort. As I stitched one friend sat beside her bed and another read to her from one of her favourite novels. As I stitched she was cared for and loved, despite having no close family around her. She was not estranged from her family, it is just that they all live in Australia and K had lived in the UK so long that even when she got the worst possible news from her oncologist she chose to stay.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, this is it, made from off white linen, embroidered at neck and cuffs in pale green linen thread, i-cord ties (something knitted at K's request), simple, long and voluminous . Patern adapted from one of Janet Arnold's book </span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patterns-Fashion-construction-neckwear-accessories/dp/0333570820/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480695841&sr=1-4&keywords=janet+arnold" style="-webkit-transition: 0.15s, 0.15s; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.15s, 0.15s; transition: 0.15s, 0.15s;">Patterns of Fashion 4</a></div>
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PS, I have one more commission from K. That is to make a knitted wrap. She had planned it so meticulously, in shades of green, a pattern inspired by lichen growing on a tree trunk and all beautifully charted, yarn bought but never quite began. A large hat box containing the yarn sits by my favourite crafting space, I shall cast on very soon</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-21356367360897002202016-12-27T16:45:00.000+00:002016-12-27T16:45:04.595+00:00Hand made Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When Number Two Daughter announced she would be making most of the presents she was giving this year she inspired me to get on with something I had been thinking about, but never quite getting around to, for a couple of years now - making quilts for the grandchildren</div>
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It all began when I found a fabulous stack of pirate themed fat quarters at a local store, perfect for a pirate ship quilt for The Little Senator<br />
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And one with cats for The (not so) Little Model<br />
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The littlest girl loves cuddly rabbits, so although this was a bit tongue in cheek...<br />
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I did include a pair of bunnies, pattern from the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/little-cotton-rabbits">Little Cotton Rabbits </a>collection<br />
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One of the girls has special needs, so for her a fiddle quilt<br />
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The other boy is always happy with his fingers around a pencil.<br />
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Lastly the big girl loves giraffes<br />
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2016 has been a stashdown year. The shelves in my studio, carefully curated when JTH (a little fed up of every nook and cranny containing yarn and fabric) converted two thirds of our garage, were groaning and overflowing into five clip top plastic boxes. My aim, almost achieved was to get back to not needing those boxes. So making six lap quilts for the little ones in the family seemed a good idea, here they are, all done and ready for wrapping</div>
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I still did a bit of knitting and over the year, with the help of the Spreadsheet Of Doom on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/pre-process-yarnies">Pre-process Yarnies</a> group on Ravelry, I have either knitted, sold or given away over 15,000 metres more than bought, but more of that another time. Yet I still have so much on the needles, two pairs of socks, a shawl and a cardigan. I have looked longingly at posts on Facebook and Instagram at photos of holiday casting on but I'm remaining strong. I intend to complete WIPs first before beginning a new project. I'm keeping strong... I am, truly ...</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-49195718503179949882016-10-29T16:49:00.000+01:002016-10-29T16:49:35.534+01:00Collared<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am so pleased with the dark velvet I chose for the collar of my Joan dress<br />
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You may recal that I was aiming to get this dress out of two and a half metres instead of three and a half. I decided to achieve this by shortening the sleeves, cutting the skirt to above the knee instead of below, and dispensing with the collar...<br />
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Then I looked again at my fabric and thought that the blue flecks in it could be enhanced by a bit of emphasis and that would happen if I used something blue for the collar. I bought half a metre of blue silk and viscose velvet from <a href="http://www.beckfordsilk.co.uk/shop/silkviscose-velvet-navy-blue/">Beckford Silk</a> and am so pleased I did.<br />
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By cutting the velvet on the bias and leaving it as a soft roll the neckline looks just right and I think the dress might have looked too plain without it.<br />
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All done! and feels just fine. Had I used fabric with a bit of stretch I might have made the dress in a size smaller, but in this fabric I think I would have has straining at the seams issues!<br />
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In summary, I made three adjustments to the pattern for fit<br />
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<li>Lengthening the bodice (in two places, armhole and underarm seam)</li>
<li>Increasing the sleeve width</li>
<li>Reducing the waist darts </li>
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And three so that I could make the dress out of 2.5m instead of 3.5<br />
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<li>Shortening the sleeves</li>
<li>Shortening the skirt</li>
<li>Making a contrast collar </li>
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I would love to hear about how other people have made up the Joan Dress - fabric choices, modifications and alterations please!</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-37160703641117280692016-10-18T19:13:00.002+01:002016-10-18T19:25:07.252+01:00Toile-ing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Friends who know me and my knitting life will know I don't swatch. Of course that can have bad results but give me a skein of squishy woolly goodness and a new pattern and I just can't wait to cast on 'properly'. It's the same with making a toile when I'm dressmaking. I mean, there's slow fashion and there's #whenamIEVERgoingtogetthisdone?' fashion. But I am making an exception with my Joan Dress - two reasons</div>
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1. There is a lot of shaping in this pattern, it has a waist seam and darts in several directions. Each dart and seam must be in the right place. If I get the fit wrong it will not forgive me</div>
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2. My gorgeous Japanese fabric from <a href="https://raystitch.co.uk/">Raystitch</a> has very little give, I love it and don't want to ruin it but for me to do justice to the pattern and the fabric it must not be too tight or too loose.</div>
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So I made a toile. Well actually I made up the lining as a toile using this lovely vintage fabric. I bought it in a sale, from a place that gets stock that has lain in people's lofts for years. It feels like silk but I don't think it is, could it be rayon? Does anyone know how to test? I think there is something called a burn test but that sounds dangerous.</div>
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My two main fitting concerns were the waist, I am a UK size 16 and the bust and hip measurements were fine but I needed a couple of centimetres more at the waist, and the bodice length. I decided the darts had enough in them to ease the waist size and to add 2.5cm to the bodice length midway down the underarm seam. Otherwise I cut the pattern out as it was printed.</div>
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I had some cat help!<br />
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The fit was pretty good, the waist in the right place and the sleeve/shoulder seam sat just right. Sitting down, the skirt did not ride up too much</div>
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But there was a problem with the sleeve. It looked fine with my arms straight but as soon as I reached forward it was too tight. The solution was to widen the sleeve - possible with the outer fabric but what to do with the lining that is already cut? I decided it would be OK if I let in a strip of fabric down the centre of the sleeve, from crown to hem giving me another 3cm around the top of my arms. </div>
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This of course means the sleeve is fuller at the crown, with too much to shrink away with the usual double line of gathers. The solution was to make the armhole bigger. So I split the 2.5cm extra length for the bodice by adding 1.5 above the bust (giving me a total of 3 cm extra circumference to the armhole) and 1 cm below the bust. It worked! The only other modification I made is to shorten the skirt so that the finished length is just above my knees.</div>
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Needing to make notes on my modifications and not having a notebook to hand I wrote on the lining with a <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=pilot+frixion+ball+pen&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=57095055834&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=929889714500240975&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045748&hvtargid=kwd-5634881927&ref=pd_sl_7y3p18cupw_b">frixion pen</a> - the writing will magically disappear when the fabric is ironed. Before laying the toile pieces out on my fabric and cutting out I ironed everything with <a href="http://soakwash.com/">Flatter By Soak</a>. An ironing spray, originally developed for patchworkers but also fab for dress making, it's not a starch, it does not clog your iron but it does give a lovely professional finish to any fabric and smells nice too.</div>
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When I made the toile I used a wide machine basting stitch and some bright red thread so that I could easily unpick and iron before using the modified lining pieces instead of the paper pattern.</div>
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And so, using my toile as a pattern I cut out my fabric I only have 2.5m of fabric, much less than the pattern states. To make this work I am going to 'bag' the lining (i.e. a similar construction to a coat or jacket), make the sleeves shorter and cut the collar out of a contrast material (to be revealed in a later post). I just made it with not a centimetre to spare!.<br />
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I stitched all the darts, the shoulder and side seams and now I must pause, I need to shop for a zip and wait for my contrast fabric to be delivered.<br />
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More sewing coming soon<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-83931281677267395832016-10-14T11:46:00.000+01:002016-10-14T11:46:09.664+01:00Shrinking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, I confess, this is truly slow fashion. So many things have conspired to keep me away from my sewing room this week and today is the first time I have had the chance to turn on my overlocker (serger).</div>
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Having decided that I certainly need to pre shrink this lovely Japanese cotton fabric I needed to do a little pre-prep before throwing it into the washing machine. It frays, hence the overlocked edge.</div>
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I'm washing it at 40deg c. Although 30deg would be fine for something that does not actually need washing I am thinking of what might happen to the dress in the future. There is no division of labour in my house, since we no longer have small children at home, washing is done on a need to wear basis (by which of us has run out of socks or underwear). This means as often as not there is a man doing the washing in our house and although his sorting skills are second to none (no jeans washed with white shirts for him) he washes everything at 40deg and I don't want further shrinkage to occur.</div>
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I have readjusted my schedule a little and, having checked my measurements against the pattern hope to be cutting out on Sunday.</div>
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I have a physical pattern rather than a download but 'bglad' in the comments on my last post asked if anyone had tried taking the pdf to a print ship and printing off on a continuous sheet. Well, yes I have, when I was involved in the <a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/its-100-years-since.html">Titanic Project</a> this is what I did and it worked very well, though I needed strong pins as the thinest paper in my local shop was still quite thick. It was also quite a novelty for the guys in the printers, I don't think they had had a similar request before.</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-68680541686237161062016-10-11T18:03:00.001+01:002016-10-11T18:03:07.213+01:00Making Joan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At a recent visit to Ally Pally - AKA the Knitting and Stitching Show, I bought a couple of patterns from a lovely (fairly) new company called <a href="http://sewoverit.co.uk/product-category/dressmaking-patterns/">Sew Over It</a>. Including the Joan Dress. I posted a photo of my pattern and fabric on Instagram and before I knew it I was joined by Alix and Becky and we had a SAL. I'm actually more used to Knit Alongs but the idea of a Sew A-Long sounds fun so here we go. Please feel free to join in, I shall post my progress on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with a little more detail on here. No rules or time scales, I am not sure how fast I shall work on this, although I hope to get the dress cut out this week. But look out for and use (if you wish), the hash tag #makingjoan then we shall all be able to pool our experiences<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBJPgdc07uc/V_0X2U8n9oI/AAAAAAAAFdM/ohKDcSb7an0GMXude5EqBuuaXopcwYkYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BBJPgdc07uc/V_0X2U8n9oI/AAAAAAAAFdM/ohKDcSb7an0GMXude5EqBuuaXopcwYkYQCLcB/s640/IMG_3782.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pre-wash or not pre-wash? I'm not a fan of pre washing fabric, I love to feel crisp new fabric under my fingers as I sew. But <a href="http://raystitch.co.uk/products/fabric/japanese-fabrics/japanese-yarn-dyed-hatch-cotton-dark-grey.html">Raystitch</a>, where I bought the fabric recommends preaching and I have had some recent disasters with shrinkage. So I cut a small piece of my fabric and gave it a gentle swish through some <a href="http://soakwash.com/">Soakwash</a> (I buy mine from <a href="http://www.purlescence.co.uk/Catalogue/SoakWash">here</a> in the UK) as this will be how I wash my dress when made.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LLxIWQQF8o/V_0X2QyQ9pI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/7vQWh_kWmWQ-iJyH57VvUvvgTWRXf0msQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LLxIWQQF8o/V_0X2QyQ9pI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/7vQWh_kWmWQ-iJyH57VvUvvgTWRXf0msQCLcB/s640/IMG_3797.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's clear I shall need to wash the whole length! If you are joining in please let me know in the comments or social media - whatever way you prefer. We would love some company and to learn from each other<br />
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-34802517847204357312016-09-13T20:38:00.000+01:002016-09-13T20:39:33.871+01:00The kindness of Knitters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't visit Twitter much these days* but today I took a quick peek and my eye was immediately caught by a story from the BBC and Medicins Sans Frontiers, <a href="https://t.co/VqXqHnddi1">a touching human story</a> of a baby being born on a rescue ship in the middle of the Mediterranean. And the baby was wearing a hand-knitted hat - oh how I love the world wide sorority of knitters! Little acts of kindness contributing to the huge effort put in by charities such as MSF and (some) governments. There are so many examples of knitterly generosity but this one, today, touched my heart<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovlrSVRTea0/V9fXvcDaTMI/AAAAAAAAFb8/p7ZeFgCKxmEDSGsnenAtoWbPtJTnmS13QCLcB/s1600/CsKesmXWIAAYuWL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovlrSVRTea0/V9fXvcDaTMI/AAAAAAAAFb8/p7ZeFgCKxmEDSGsnenAtoWbPtJTnmS13QCLcB/s640/CsKesmXWIAAYuWL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the weekend I joined in another lovely example of knitters kindness, not to mention enthusiasm and stash enhancement. Saturday was the day of the annual <a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/glyc-2016/">Great London Yarn Crawl</a>, a charity fundraising event organised by the clever partnership which is <a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/home/">Yarn in the City</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLe5pfQCA5A/V9fXwxLLfUI/AAAAAAAAFcA/EqHpwVmlpus7fyIKcVT0xcyhMq6IkwGhwCEw/s1600/IMG_3377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLe5pfQCA5A/V9fXwxLLfUI/AAAAAAAAFcA/EqHpwVmlpus7fyIKcVT0xcyhMq6IkwGhwCEw/s640/IMG_3377.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Intarsia assembles for coffee and cake before our first shop visit</td></tr>
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Each Year teams of up to twelve participants travel around London on Bus, tube, and train, with a little walking thrown in, visiting three or four yarn shops. I was one of the guides for Team Intarsia. This year there were more shops and included fabric and haberdashery shops; because we are crafters are we not? many of us crochet, embroider, and make our own clothes as well as knit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCzcfVn8Gew/V9fXxetPQZI/AAAAAAAAFcE/YVnaIy5cfYI55zZZGH9y5Pjtpj9a2lemgCEw/s1600/IMG_3378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xCzcfVn8Gew/V9fXxetPQZI/AAAAAAAAFcE/YVnaIy5cfYI55zZZGH9y5Pjtpj9a2lemgCEw/s640/IMG_3378.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside <a href="http://fringe108.london/">Fringe</a> in Muswell Hill, Team Intarsia's first stop</td></tr>
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All this excitement is in aid of the charity Refuge, this year raising more than £800 (the final count has not been done yet). The work of this charity is specially relevant to those who, like me, listen to The Archers on BBC Radio 4. The program has a long running story line, which came to a (temporary) conclusion this week with a jury finding a woman not guilty of attempted murder after she stabbed her abusive husband as she attempted to leave him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDAL_Y2Rr4w/V9fXxmmja9I/AAAAAAAAFcI/OmrfPZ9iFCoy2U2RkGxkQHSGIIE1a_ErwCEw/s1600/IMG_3381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tDAL_Y2Rr4w/V9fXxmmja9I/AAAAAAAAFcI/OmrfPZ9iFCoy2U2RkGxkQHSGIIE1a_ErwCEw/s640/IMG_3381.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second stop <a href="http://raystitch.co.uk/">Ray-Stitch</a> in Islington where I treated myself to a metre or so of some lovely Liberty Tana Lawn</td></tr>
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Our third shop was <a href="http://fabrications1.co.uk/">Fabrications</a>, situated on Broadway market. Added bonus, the market is foodie heaven. Three of us hardly noticed Saturday's rain as we sheltered under a market stall awning eating, Ravioli, a scallop and bacon sandwich, a (this was me) pulled pork and apple sauce<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xD_bn-vGaA/V9fXys4giNI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/uZCB5AzsbtwvgJK2clsoWoKLC9Qp8nPTwCEw/s1600/IMG_3386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3xD_bn-vGaA/V9fXys4giNI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/uZCB5AzsbtwvgJK2clsoWoKLC9Qp8nPTwCEw/s640/IMG_3386.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barley Massey, Fabrication's creator, makes wonderful things by up cycling clothing, these cushions made of shirts & ties</td></tr>
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And there is another charity supported by the knitters of the Yarn Crawl, <a href="http://www.knitforpeace.org.uk/">Knit for Peace</a>. Each year we participants bring knitted items, hats, gloves, scarves, and baby clothes to the after party (where we drop footsore into a suitably located pub for liquid refreshment, pub food, and to ooh and aah over each others purchases of the day). And I was wondering did this tiny baby hat come from Knit for Peace? And will someone in the future be kept warm by an item donated by one of the yarn crawlers?<br />
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But I'm getting a bit ahead of myself and forgetting our last stop at <a href="http://stagandbow.com/">Stag & Bow</a> in Forrest Hill, a shop that sells all sorts of loveliness, vintage clothes, trimmings, yarn...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8A1e5hEhGI/V9fXyhtVwcI/AAAAAAAAFcM/B1wuwbHAwCU2vwmFuAe3_HLblwm-RftagCEw/s1600/IMG_3392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8A1e5hEhGI/V9fXyhtVwcI/AAAAAAAAFcM/B1wuwbHAwCU2vwmFuAe3_HLblwm-RftagCEw/s640/IMG_3392.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to encapsulate Stag & Bow in one photograph, there is so much to see (and buy) this is my best effort, art, craft and decoration all in one</td></tr>
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... and this<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWvWu3_4Ing/V9hUnO8t2vI/AAAAAAAAFck/YbJT_ssOC5wFIlSKmLUYjqosGwEBkeT1ACLcB/s1600/IMG_3396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWvWu3_4Ing/V9hUnO8t2vI/AAAAAAAAFck/YbJT_ssOC5wFIlSKmLUYjqosGwEBkeT1ACLcB/s640/IMG_3396.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe it was impossible to describe Stag & Bow in one photo!</td></tr>
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Would you like to join next years yarn crawl? Save the date, it will be announced on the <a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/home/">Yarn in the City</a> website soon.<br />
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* if you have just clicked over from Twitter you may be puzzled, my apologies I have taken the lazy way of posting there - from Instagram</div>
Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-87375242532704545872016-08-02T12:01:00.000+01:002016-08-02T12:10:03.696+01:00Am I still a blogger?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well I guess I am. Although this year marks an all time low in terms of posts it actually reflects a high amount of activity and a bit of diversification.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even moving away from fabric, yarn and fibre</td></tr>
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But first a question... I have not blogged since 18th May and until recently my weekly hit stats were going down week by week. Generally when I am a busy blogger they are at about 300-500 a week but quite understandably the numbers were heading into single figures by mid July. Then. WHAM. suddenly they began to climb until today, as I write they are at 1,016! How can that be? The focus of attention seems to be <a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/i-have-had-telephonic-disaster.html">this post</a> about knitting buttons into a cardigan as you go. The post was featured in the <a href="http://knittyblog.com/">Knitty blog</a> soon after but otherwise I can see no reason why it should be so popular. I have scrutinised my stats, the hits seem to come from the East. This happened once before, at that time a scurrilous tabloid columnist with a similar name to me was hitting the headlines but this time??? I have no idea. Do any of you (particularly if you use the Blogger platform) have an idea?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm4UXUecuis/V6BwHFdgNpI/AAAAAAAAFbE/kgCZudgnKdYYn0KIoL7qGg-mhaN3EyTxQCEw/s1600/IMG_2727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm4UXUecuis/V6BwHFdgNpI/AAAAAAAAFbE/kgCZudgnKdYYn0KIoL7qGg-mhaN3EyTxQCEw/s640/IMG_2727.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still Knitting, this is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reyna">Reyna</a> shawl, knitted entirely from stash (yarn chicken was played)</td></tr>
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SO! To the real business, getting back to blogging and some diversification. When I retired I believed that it would enable me to spend more time with all things crafty. More sewing, more spinning and above all more knitting. Then I got a bit stuck, too much stash acquisition for a start. My attempts last year to buy less yarn were only replaced with buying books, equipment relating to knitting and building up my fabric stash. Epic fail. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSUb9FX1chU/V6BwRDHN1oI/AAAAAAAAFbE/v-aCT2VzNKMYwQQ8Bfj2Pdi_YeV_8VmFgCEw/s1600/IMG_2942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSUb9FX1chU/V6BwRDHN1oI/AAAAAAAAFbE/v-aCT2VzNKMYwQQ8Bfj2Pdi_YeV_8VmFgCEw/s640/IMG_2942.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far less stash acquisition this year but this is a recent purchase to finish a very old WIP (see below)</td></tr>
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Then there was that sudden realisation that I no longer felt I had a role in society. My life, by spending more and more time on my fairly solitary hobbies, had moved to the margins, away from the mainstream</div>
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It was time to get a grip. So I took on a couple of volunteering things, one at our local <a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/">Citizens Advice</a> and the occasional day helping out in a local school. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhnCDfPNUzI/V6BwG9ND7CI/AAAAAAAAFbE/msW4Z7cc6jIqXYvT_1noL5DN4i4rfk4oQCEw/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhnCDfPNUzI/V6BwG9ND7CI/AAAAAAAAFbE/msW4Z7cc6jIqXYvT_1noL5DN4i4rfk4oQCEw/s640/IMG_1058.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaning sinks in the art department can be creative when you spot hints of <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Jackson+Pollock&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4nq62xaLOAhVsKMAKHQlDDi0Q_AUICCgB&biw=1298&bih=616#tbm=isch&q=jackson+pollock+paintings">Jackson Pollock</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8X_QOujnXKo/V6BwGCtT0DI/AAAAAAAAFbE/f--tC-GP3yQtVwbJBXcOq8YfKQ1BY8g1wCEw/s1600/IMG_1065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8X_QOujnXKo/V6BwGCtT0DI/AAAAAAAAFbE/f--tC-GP3yQtVwbJBXcOq8YfKQ1BY8g1wCEw/s640/IMG_1065.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you can't photograph a class in action you can still take an after shot (featuring Teacher's Pet)</td></tr>
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And there has been some diversification in my crafting too. It's true I have always sewn some of my own clothes as well as knitted but these past few months I've not only made clothes for myself<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWXB4z3KrvY/V6BwOf8XtsI/AAAAAAAAFbE/FrIytaDtNeoJo7fxIuV3uX3iGfcFbdt6gCEw/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWXB4z3KrvY/V6BwOf8XtsI/AAAAAAAAFbE/FrIytaDtNeoJo7fxIuV3uX3iGfcFbdt6gCEw/s640/IMG_2928.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merchant & Mills <a href="http://merchantandmills.com/products/patterns/the-camber-set-pattern/">Camber Dress</a> (Ikat fabric from John Lewis)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OskNnRCfjmw/V6BwPSLp1-I/AAAAAAAAFbE/JqAzdmrl13gn1SWfWKDD5djMNPdJzjRsACEw/s1600/IMG_2929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OskNnRCfjmw/V6BwPSLp1-I/AAAAAAAAFbE/JqAzdmrl13gn1SWfWKDD5djMNPdJzjRsACEw/s640/IMG_2929.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of my standard shift dress (heavily modified Simplicity pattern)</td></tr>
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but embarked on a big patchwork project<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDnhGpBSlKw/V6BwSovke8I/AAAAAAAAFbE/XHOQTspie_UNnPv_YPBLb7s1lE5BQM41QCEw/s1600/IMG_2956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yDnhGpBSlKw/V6BwSovke8I/AAAAAAAAFbE/XHOQTspie_UNnPv_YPBLb7s1lE5BQM41QCEw/s640/IMG_2956.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mostly hand sewn quilt but I always enjoy hand hemming the binding (am I odd?)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0wKPr8t-_XE/V6BwSeoBR6I/AAAAAAAAFbE/IqTGEsIh0Hchi8nj6GYyJeLkJl9-qOu5ACEw/s1600/IMG_2957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0wKPr8t-_XE/V6BwSeoBR6I/AAAAAAAAFbE/IqTGEsIh0Hchi8nj6GYyJeLkJl9-qOu5ACEw/s640/IMG_2957.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished 50s style from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quilting-Modern-Jacqui-Gering/dp/1596683872/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1470134955&sr=1-1&keywords=modern+quilting+books">Quilting Modern</a></td></tr>
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Then something totally new - watercolour painting. I have played with it for some time but last year my friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VandyMasseyArt/?fref=nf">Vandy</a> encouraged me to take a short course with her (it's on again this year and I going again) and I was off! Even producing some fairly pleasing results<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKGO6iKooe8/V6BwGosM3lI/AAAAAAAAFbE/vx_YxEJ-_SMzDgn-z2G6x3O7Lodme4hwQCEw/s1600/IMG_2164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKGO6iKooe8/V6BwGosM3lI/AAAAAAAAFbE/vx_YxEJ-_SMzDgn-z2G6x3O7Lodme4hwQCEw/s640/IMG_2164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watery Greek Island olive tree </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isC5TxE5Ak8/V6BwKQXcqeI/AAAAAAAAFbE/QP3EAsakZj0Z2g7FBXrDfj954Zu0LTBjwCEw/s1600/IMG_2761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isC5TxE5Ak8/V6BwKQXcqeI/AAAAAAAAFbE/QP3EAsakZj0Z2g7FBXrDfj954Zu0LTBjwCEw/s640/IMG_2761.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion flowers in my garden</td></tr>
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Finally I picked up a crochet project that I began over five years ago (I'm aiming to get this finished this August)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOkGo2JGxIM/V6BwNlHAfyI/AAAAAAAAFbE/JhKHOIx4bqIQSG5D6GuuGW0mYt1N-CaaQCEw/s1600/IMG_2909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MOkGo2JGxIM/V6BwNlHAfyI/AAAAAAAAFbE/JhKHOIx4bqIQSG5D6GuuGW0mYt1N-CaaQCEw/s640/IMG_2909.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Chopkinsknits/beach-blanket">Beach Blanket</a></td></tr>
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And all (or nearly all) of this makery is from materials I have in stock. Yes indeed I am making great inroads into the multiple stashes <<smug face>><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All this activity, it's all so exhausting</td></tr>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-34795974340542798532016-05-18T18:56:00.000+01:002016-05-18T18:56:05.324+01:00Could knitting be bad for you (or can you have too much of a goodthing?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A short while ago a friend posted a link on Facebook to <a href="http://www.q-avenue.com/the-depression-cure-that-worked-for-me-fighting-the-nazis/">a blog post about fighting depression</a>. Now some of my lovely regulars will know that this is an interest of mine. From time to time I succumb to an attack by the black dog and most recently I wrote on <a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/scene-shifting.html">here</a> that it had been particularly bad this winter past and that the dog had brought along the grey donkey of futility.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra2ozb6shcc/VzynEtJn9vI/AAAAAAAAFYw/ssm6ry64nWw8ukk-Kz_5j06yIucNEEAkQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ra2ozb6shcc/VzynEtJn9vI/AAAAAAAAFYw/ssm6ry64nWw8ukk-Kz_5j06yIucNEEAkQCLcB/s640/IMG_1727.jpg" width="626" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting out more on the Helford river (thank goodness spring is here at last)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Before I dig deep into my view of this blog post, a little word about 'fighting illness'. Generally I don't like the term as it can carry with it the suggestion that all illness is potentially beatable, and almost single handedly to boot, by the person under attack. True a positive attitude goes a long way, as well as eating healthily, getting enough sleep and excercise along with persuading your doctor to treat you as a partner in your treatment. But it is my belief that we should not suggest to someone that they alone are fighting the illness. For surely it is cruel to imply that chronic illness or worse, a terminal stage is because they did not fight hard enough. Nor would I ever suggest to a doctor that many hours googling my condition plus regular bouts of positive thinking replaces his or her seven years in medical school and another seven post graduate training</span></div>
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But there is a lot we can do and one thing I have learned is that while I was working at an intellectually challenging job involving writing, campaigning, lobbying and the occasional public speaking, knitting was my panacea for almost all my ills. However, once I was retired and free to knit all day I believe it was threatening to be the cause of a prolonged visit from the black dog, a feeling of uselessness and even agoraphobia.</div>
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Soon after writing <a href="http://chopkins2011.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/scene-shifting.html">this post</a> I took stock and decided that rather than sit around waiting for things to happen, for people to ask me to do things that would make me feel more useful, I would get out and just DO SOMETHING. I applied to be a volunteer at a local charity and local school. It couldn't do any harm to be more busy could it? To have to fit my selfish life into someone else's time table? Now I'm not saying everything is now brilliant, that I have not looked back since I returned to the world of work (albeit unpaid) but it has helped me not to dwell so much.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gt4zgpvGCQQ/VzynNSPH81I/AAAAAAAAFY0/0v8dJTFFT6Uz4W7W7lBhggJbfXaoyu0bACLcB/s1600/IMG_1799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gt4zgpvGCQQ/VzynNSPH81I/AAAAAAAAFY0/0v8dJTFFT6Uz4W7W7lBhggJbfXaoyu0bACLcB/s640/IMG_1799.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Michaels Mount at Marazion always lifts the spirits</td></tr>
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So I ask myself, while there are plenty of articles out there telling us how knitting helped people get over bereavement, a stress related illness or even lowered blood pressure can we actually have too much of a good thing, in fact can knitting be bad for you?</div>
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We all know the physical risks, hours of knitting with the same size needles and yarn can risk RSI in the hands and neck problems but what about the psychological? I'm certainly not saying we should give up knitting but, something that is pretty much true in most aspects of our lives, I needed to get the balance right.</div>
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Taking a break from work for a few weeks just to sit and knit worked well for me in short bursts but hibernating and knitting for days on end was turning me into a recluse. While not an actual hermit style recluse I had begun to resent anything that took me away from my sofa and my latest project.</div>
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Of course I haven't given up knitting totally, while I am now committed two days a week to volunteering (in addition to a couple of forays out to an exercise class) I still have the odd afternoon and many evenings to knit and now I look forward to that time as a treat, not a time when I sit and plough through a project while dwelling on the futility of life.</div>
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I have still finished quite a few things in the last couple of months, here are some of them...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5JUmRmn9lY/VzylxIslo2I/AAAAAAAAFYY/PUSaRMxiHDwp8GiDjF5ylkm215ZGkhuOgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5JUmRmn9lY/VzylxIslo2I/AAAAAAAAFYY/PUSaRMxiHDwp8GiDjF5ylkm215ZGkhuOgCLcB/s640/IMG_1415.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little red, white, and blue hat for Glori to wear to a birthday party for the Queen (pattern coming soon)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT6Olu5P6j0/VzylxsDfrKI/AAAAAAAAFYc/ZBSyimMUV0oDC-ReUpQk2GUJVJdu3OrFwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT6Olu5P6j0/VzylxsDfrKI/AAAAAAAAFYc/ZBSyimMUV0oDC-ReUpQk2GUJVJdu3OrFwCLcB/s640/IMG_1584.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lattice shawl, a KAL at my local knitting group</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3b7T8Yg0BE/Vzyly3h9AzI/AAAAAAAAFYg/dyzXzEdUKgw0NE2f9DXipwjK5VsH0bOpwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3b7T8Yg0BE/Vzyly3h9AzI/AAAAAAAAFYg/dyzXzEdUKgw0NE2f9DXipwjK5VsH0bOpwCLcB/s640/IMG_1662.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet William knitted (and steeked!!) as a cardigan for Isabella to wear at her first birthday party</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7o9Pa8_6o6Q/VzylzWqnOWI/AAAAAAAAFYk/ABeSdNJae5gvrvB2evo430-mUl3f64UzQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7o9Pa8_6o6Q/VzylzWqnOWI/AAAAAAAAFYk/ABeSdNJae5gvrvB2evo430-mUl3f64UzQCLcB/s640/IMG_1821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla socks using up all my Islington by Kettle yarns leftovers</td></tr>
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What do others think? I would love to know</div>
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PS I have been sewing a bit lately but more of that later</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-66031533217556741342016-03-07T16:31:00.002+00:002016-03-07T21:15:44.746+00:00Sock making is a thing...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Did you know that? It's definitely a thing. If you knit socks you can talk sock. But can you knit the perfectly fitting sock? And do you have a sock knitting party piece? Well I do now, thanks to a class I attended last weekend<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1snmPCFcXw/Vt2YYJjkNfI/AAAAAAAAFXU/nAkx1gv62ds/s1600/IMG_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1snmPCFcXw/Vt2YYJjkNfI/AAAAAAAAFXU/nAkx1gv62ds/s640/IMG_0504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we got notebooks specially for the class (I may have bought <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Custom-Socks-Knit-Your-Feet/dp/1620337754/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457366548&sr=8-1&keywords=Kate+Atherley">Kate's book</a> too)</td></tr>
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A master class from <u>THE</u> SOCK EXPERT Kate Atherley at <a href="http://www.purlescence.co.uk/">Purlescence</a>. Purlescence is a wonderful on-line yarn shop with premises in the Berkshire countryside. It has a fabulous selection of yarns (including <a href="http://sweetgeorgiayarns.com/">Sweet Georgia</a> and <a href="http://www.indigodragonfly.ca/">Indigodragonfly</a>), loads of needles (<a href="http://www.chiaogoo.com/">ChiaoGoo</a> and <a href="http://www.lanternmoon.com/">Lantern Moon</a> to name a couple), and other knitting notions. But it also feels like my local yarn shop. That is not just because it is based only about 30 mins drive from where I live, but also because Sarah and Jonathan the proprietors are so lovely, friendly and helpful. They don't just sell fabulous stuff though, they also enthusiastically knit with the yarn they sell and try out the needles and notions. And they have open days and classes...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking measurements and swatch knitting</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The Morning's session was on how to knit a sock that fits perfectly. We all have differently proportioned feet - right? In any combination of length and width, height of instep and lumps and bumps. So it is logical that when we have the chance to make our own socks that they should fit properly</span><br />
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When measuring my foot circumference, just above the 'toe cleavage' (a new expression learned on Saturday!) one foot was a whole inch bigger than the other, then I remembered the toe operation I had last November and put it down to that. On the whole I have long broadish feet with a circumference that is nearly as big as my length - basically I could knit flat squares and seam them up the back, although that would not be very comfortable and this class was all about making a comfortable fitting sock.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BST6hsIonVg/Vt2YV0efyWI/AAAAAAAAFXc/kjIG2jNmqlA/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BST6hsIonVg/Vt2YV0efyWI/AAAAAAAAFXc/kjIG2jNmqlA/s640/IMG_0501.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After measuring came the maths (quite easy really)</td></tr>
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Kate is a mathematician by education but the number crunching we had to do in her class was not complicated and was reproduced in the hand-out (and in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Custom-Socks-Knit-Your-Feet/dp/1620337754">Kate's book</a>) It's all there to read off a table once you have your gauge and a few simple foot measurements</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTVW_K7hd7Y/Vt2YVTwBfjI/AAAAAAAAFXc/JoRQPJ5HoIA/s1600/IMG_0496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTVW_K7hd7Y/Vt2YVTwBfjI/AAAAAAAAFXc/JoRQPJ5HoIA/s640/IMG_0496.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gage knitted in the round because socks are knitted in the round</td></tr>
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In the afternoon we learned to knit a pair of socks in the manner of Anna Makarovna. Anna Makarovna appears briefly in the epilogue to War and Peace amazing the children with her ability to knit two socks at a time, revealing the second only at the moment she closes the toe. Google her name and you will find out a little more about the socks and more information in an early discussion <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/FEATextreme2in1.html">here</a> in Knitty and a pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anna-makarovnas-secret-stockings">here</a> on Ravelry</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoqTXgYOlEY/Vt2YYuLcHTI/AAAAAAAAFXc/_Z8j8ktCOqE/s1600/IMG_0506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WoqTXgYOlEY/Vt2YYuLcHTI/AAAAAAAAFXc/_Z8j8ktCOqE/s640/IMG_0506.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the two socks should look like after knitting ribbing separately and sorting the stitches for the stocking stitch leg</td></tr>
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Once you get the hang of it it is fairly straight forward but I recommend reading all through the instructions first, or, better still look out for one of Kate's classes next time she is on a teaching tour. In my photograph above I am knitting socks in different colours to help see which stitches are which. Of course that means that while I shall avoid second sock syndrome, something the method is designed to avoid, I have given myself 3rd and 4th sock syndrome!!!</div>
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All while we were listening to Kate and knitting our swatches we could gaze at the yarn displayed around the walls of the lovely light work room where the class took place</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Georgia loveliness </td></tr>
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There was lots of good coffee and cake, and lunch, too. Purlescence is just North of Newbury, not far from the M4 and very easy to find in a little cluster of barns on the edge of a farm in rolling Berkshire countryside.</div>
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There will be more courses and an endless supply of yarn, just keep an eye on <a href="http://www.purlescence.co.uk/">their website</a></div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8166947044810847519.post-76501524919228881032016-03-02T13:19:00.000+00:002016-03-02T13:25:59.707+00:00oooh! LOOK! a new book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>It's a yarn crawl in a book</b>, brought to you by the people who have organised <a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/glyc-2016/">The Great London Yarn Crawl </a>for the last three years. And it's all you need to organise your very own London yarn fondling and buying adventure (there are hints for fabric and haberdashery buying and some lovely out of London adventures too)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it's pretty, the photography lovely and at around A5 size it fits in your bag </td></tr>
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Perhaps, like me, you just don't need any more yarn enabling in your life but a book like <b><a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/london-craft-guide/">London Craft Guide</a></b> provides many sorts of delights. Certainly it is THE go to hand-book for yarn buying but it is much more</div>
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<b>It is a thing of beauty</b>. Flick through the softly coloured pages, admire the photography, take note of good places to pause for coffee and cake, perhaps lunch, in between the yarn yearning</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out the coloured boxes for other nearby attractions including refreshment stops</td></tr>
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<b>Fill your dreams</b> with new projects (the book contains nine in all) that justify buying that single skein, bought simply because it is soooo pretty</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gorgeous shawl, designed by the lovely Anniken Allis really does take only one skein of lace weight</td></tr>
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<b>Travel in your daydreams</b> around London or further afield, picking out one or two crafty shops as you visit the main sights</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton are amongst the towns and cities mentioned</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">You can even </span><b style="text-align: justify;">satisfy your conscience when you are going cold sheep</b><span style="text-align: justify;"> by yarn related purchases that are not actually yarn, there are fabric shops and places to buy ribbons and buttons too...</span></div>
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The book also takes you slightly off piste in more ways than one as it tempts you to wander off the main drag of Oxford Street and fondle the fabrics in the shops in Brewick Street. Nearly all the shops in this street are crafty related, but although you can find every sort of haberdashery there is no yarn. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the only place described in the book for fabric and haberdashery but much to please in one street<br />
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The book is published by my clever friends, Alli and Rachel, who together are <a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/home/" style="font-size: 13px;">Yarn in the City</a> (I may have mentioned them before) and can be bought from <a href="http://www.yarninthecity.com/london-craft-guide/" style="font-size: 13px;">their website,</a> Or, if you are going to the Edinburgh Yarn Festival, Rachel will bw there with her gorgeously coloured spinning fibre (<a href="http://www.porpoisefur.com/" style="font-size: 13px;">Porpoisefur</a>) and will also be selling the book.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PS there are also a couple of sewing projects, this is a sneak peak of the one I designed, a tool roll for all your notions</td></tr>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06744601510746298605noreply@blogger.com0