Tuck

Today, I hosted a little afternoon tea for my mother, sister and nephews. It was a cleaning out of the fridge of sorts. The salad was delicious - spinach, goat cheese, salmon, red peppers, and some pesto and artichoke orzo. The adults liked it.

I wore Tuck, so that my sister could take pictures for me.

It has been done for over a week, but I just haven't had a chance to take any pictures. This was a quick knit and watching the shaping come to life through the tucks and folds was interesting.

Tuck
By Norah Gaughn
Volume 4
Berroco Mica, 1128
6 Skeins
US 6 staight needles

Mods: Did not do the tucks in the back of the vest.

Have a wonderful weekend!

A new skirt for an old sweater

Back in May, I went to the Vintage Fashion and Textile Show. I picked up a few tablecloths that I thought would be pretty as a dress or skirt. I made a skirt out of one of them a few weeks back, but finally got around to taking pictures today.

This tablecloth had the prettiest scalloped border detail. It was so easy to make. I cut the tablecloth in half, sewed the edges together, added a bias binding to the top and inserted an elastic. It was that easy. Here is the detail of the border.

It was a pretty tablecloth, so I'm glad it worked out. I had a hard time cutting it.

The sweater is something I knit in March of 2008 (pre -blog). It is a free Drops Pattern. Knit with Classic Elite Four Seasons and US 10 circular needles.

Enjoy your weekend!

and the winner is...

The lovely Amanda is the winner of the giveaway. My son picked the name this morning before school. Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments. You really know how to make my day!

It has been really crazy around here lately. We are selling our house, and this Sunday is the Open House. I've been cleaning, painting, weeding, planting, de-cluttering, packing, etc. I'm so tired, but my house has never been this organized and clean. Wish us well on Sunday. I don't think I can keep this cleaning gig up and knit and craft too.

One Year!

Thank you for all the sweet comments on the summer dress. I actually blushed a few times while reading them. You are the best!

One year ago I started this little blog. I like to blame it all on MadMad, because she showed me how to get started. It has been so much fun to share ideas, thoughts and creations with you all. I really appreciate every comment I receive. They always put a smile on my face and make my day!

I'm having a little giveaway to celebrate this joyous occasion. I wish I could send you all something, but one lucky winner will receive a copy of the Debbie Bliss Spring/Summer Magazine, some knitting needles, a ball of Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace, and a bag made by me in the Amy Butler Madison pattern. All you need to do is leave a comment by Thursday, June 11 at midnight est, and I will pick a name on Friday. Thank you again for visiting!

(We actually lit a candle and had cupcakes at 10:00 last night. Photos are courtesy of Son, who just wanted to go to bed.)

Summer Dress

I had this idea in my head to make a dress with a knit bodice and a sewn skirt after seeing this photo. I had some blue worsted weight yarn in my stash and found a pattern, and off I went. The photo in my header is the original color of the yarn. I did a picot edge to finish off the bottom hem and it was done in no time at all.



Now came the hard part. Trying to find some fabric that would match the yarn. Sounds easy enough. It was a nightmare, but not being one who gives up easily, I came up with the idea of dying the yarn black to match some fabric. Sounds easy enough. It was a nightmare. It took three dye baths to get it to the brown color that it is now. I used a brown lace fabric for the skirt and added an underskirt. I made the underskirt just a little longer so that it would show and left the edge unfinished.



To make the skirt, I measured my hips, added about 6 inches, and then measured the length adding a few extra inches for a casing. I made a casing at the top of the skirt leaving an opening, and threaded some elastic into the opening with a safety pin. After I tried on the skirt and adjust the elastic to were it fit best, I sewed the ends together. I then blind stitch hemmed the top to the skirt. If my instructions are confusing and you plan on trying this, I'd be happy to answer more detailed questions.

The Details:
Pattern for knit top - Drops 113-16 (free)
Yarn - Sugar'n Cream 100% Cotton, worsted, 2 skeins
Needle - US 7 circular
Modifications - shorted and with a picot edge

Please come back on Friday. It is my first year blogiversary, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather spend it with. Oh, and I'm working on a giveaway too!