The Peacock Chic Collection 2008: McCall’s M5478 Jacket

Ok, the wait is over!!! Courtesy of bad lighting and the magic of exposure control and photo manipulation, I present to you the longest jacket EVER

Fabric: Red Plaid Worsted Wool/Cashmere Blend from the Scottish People
Inspiration: McCall’s M5478 Jacket, View B - Semi-fitted, lined, bias jacket with above hip-length. Has collar and lapels, princess seams, mock flaps, center back pleat and shaped hem; View B has full length sleeves and back belt with button trim, also has sleeve vent with button trim
Modifications: Mainly Tailoring modification to make it a more professional looking jacket. Tailoring style interfacings were used - Wigan, French elastic - and tailoring techniques - hand basting, tailor tacking, pad stitching the collar. Also the undercollar was separated into two pieces and cut on the bias.  The sleeve length was shortened a bit.
Enjoyment Factor: 7 - Due to the exceptionally long period of time to make this jacket
Time: 6 months!

The Good:

• The learning experience -  When I signed up for this class I thought “tailoring” was synonymous with “alterations”. These are two different animals. Tailoring is all about the high quality handwork and meticulous construction of a personalize well fitting garment. This class was truly a revelation and worth the hard work.
• It fits!! Yes, I know, I know. But it always makes me happy when IT FITS!!
• The drama - Man this jacket has some DRAAAAAMA. The collar is out of this world and the plaid makes it scream “Look at me! I am FABULOUS!” I love dramatic clothes so this fall right into the closet.
• The praise -  After all this work it was great to walk in the fashion show and have so many people genuinely oooo and ahhh over it..

• I got to share this moment with both my sewing teachers. The one in yellow is my current tailoring teacher, the one in the black and white was my beginning sewing teacher that told me about tailoring in the first place. They were both so proud. Made me feel like I was in high school again.

The Bad

• 6 months!! I am a patient woman but 6 months is quite a while. There were times when I just thought I would give up the ghost or that it would just never be done but I persevered. The fashion show really gave me the kick in the butt to get this complete and with two days to spare it was deemed complete.

• Matching those plaids was murder!  Single layer cutting all those pieces out too SSSOOOOO long.  But it was worth it when you see the chevrons along the back.  Mmmmmm….matchy matchy.

• The notions on this thing nearly drove me to the poor house. Those “must have” buttons were $50.00 in total which was just as much as the fabric. I also have a local tailor but in the buttonhole for $10.00.  In the end, they were all worth it though because I really think they add a lot to the jacket.

The Ugly:

• My front lining edge leaves much to be desired. I was told by my teacher to “just work it in” and by that time in the process I was willing to accept this answer. But my normal nature is a semi-meticulous one so had she not told me to do that I would have struggled and succeeded in making it much more perfect. Alas, I have come to my senses and will have to make that look better. Later…

Peacock Chic Collection Begins!

Looky what I got!!! Aren’t they pretty!!! I have wanted labels for a long time and either couldn’t find a place good enough (read: cheap, fast, uncomplicated, original) or didn’t want to rack my brain for the right color and design combo, but finally I got off my booty, took a chance, and got these lovies from Fancyweaver! It was $35.00 for 200 labels. I was so excited when I saw how professional and cool they looked. Look! Even the back is pretty!!

This is just in time for the first Peacock Chic collection for the Patternreview wardrobe contest!

Speaking of the contest, thanks everyone for the well wishing in regards to me finishing.  I have been working diligently on the 02-2008-117 runway trench coat and hope to have the done this week so I can work on the more fitted garments. It is coming out beautifully IMHO . The collection continues to morph in my head with new dresses and bottoms options coming and going in my mind so I won’t post again about that until I have a more solid idea of the finished collection. I am not too worried about the changes though as I hear this is a common occurrence when us crafty people are forced to choose. There are just TOO many options!

Also, the fashion show at my school was wonderful. My jacket was a hit!! I have a post planned for both thejacket and the fashion show once sunlight reappears in Southern California. Yes, I said it, it is overcast and cold in So. Cal Who knew?!

My Master Plan…Mwah ha haaaaa

Ok, it is not to take over the world…that comes later. Instead, I plan on participating in the Patternreview.com mini wardrobe contest that starts today! Here are the rules of engagement:

THE RULES

This is a contest to create a 4-piece wardrobe in 4 weeks (May 1 - 31). Patterns may be drafted, tweaked, and muslined before the contest date, but fabric for the pieces entered cannot be cut till the start date of the contest (May 1).

Those pieces should fit the following framework (there are actually 3 but I chose this one:

1 bottom, 1 dress or jumper (overdress), and 2 tops - 1 may be a jacket. If the dress option is chosen, it need not be worn with the other garments in the wardrobe, however it should tie to the rest of the wardrobe in theme and possibly be compatible with the same handbag or shoes or accessories.

WINNER: To be determined by popular vote. Official voting criteria will be posted at a later date, but will be based on (and these are listed in no particular order): Wardrobe versatility (is it wearable and do pieces complement each other well?), garment construction/ skill of design and craftsmanship, designer creativity, and presentation. Voting will begin on June 1st and end on June 10th.

PRIZES: One first prize: A Sewing Machine sponsored by Greenberg and Hammer.

For the intermediate sewer this might not seem daunting but for me it is quite a challenge and an impending adventure. The reason that I decided to take up the gauntlet for this challenge is that back in September 2007 I talked about creating a collection of garments. It was good intentioned but never materialized so this contest has offered me my redemption. It seems manageable and helps me to look at the big picture…The collection. So here are my proposals, I will create a storyboard later.

THE INSPIRATION

The Fabric - This is the thing that started it all. I found this fabric on a recent adventure for Michael Levine. I just couldn’t pass it up. I am usually not a florals person but this one just called to me. I just HAD to have it…plus it was cheap inexpensive.

The Theme - The fabric coupled with the BWOF 02-2008-117 pattern that I contemplating immediately made me think of more feminine times and more elegant wardrobe combinations. Audrey Hepburn is all of that and one of my favorite movies is Funny Face. My wardrobe will be a lose interpretation of this theme, but it definitely helps to weed out and ground my many pattern choices.

THE WARDROBE

The Jacket - Burda WOF 02-2008-117

As lightweight as a dress … Numerous rows of smocking (that is actually quite easy to do) sculpt a feminine silhouette in the current X-line which is particularly becoming for petite women!

The Dress - B5181

Dress with lined, close-fitting bodice and slightly flared skirt in three lengths: above mid-knee, lower calf or below ankle. Center back zipper.

The Top - S4047

Misses 1950’s Retro Top & Sash

The Bottom - S4047

Misses 1950’s Retro Cropped Pants or Skirt

So there it is the grand master plan. Wish me luck and all that jazz. I will keep you all posted! 31 days left and counting.

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P.S. I also found out that it is Women’s Clothing Sewing Month at Sew Mama Sew. How much more freakishly coincidental can you get!

How Much Would A Jacket Like That Cost?

Wow!!! Thanks everybody for the wonderful compliments on my first Burda shirt. That post had the most comments at once EVER! I am very happy you like it and very happy I made it.

The next item set for completion is my Tailored Red Jacket by McCall’s. I am putting the lining and the finishing touches on it now. This will definitely be just in time for the May 3rd Fashion Show (read:similar to an Elementary School Open House rather than Project Runway) at my school. I will give a complete post after its debut.

In the meantime, as I finished stitching in the lining, the following conversation popped into my head complete with the Mastercard commercial to match.

Fashion Savvy Woman: “Wow that jacket looks great. I love it! Where did you get it? I HAVE to have one!”

Me: “I made it!”, I say with a smile of pride. “It is a Peacock Chic Original” (ok, I wouldn’t say the last part, but I did in my head).

Fashion Savvy Woman: “Really?! Could you make me one? How much would a jacket like that cost?”

(Enter the Mastercard music and me looking to the sky as I have a mental flashback to making this jacket. Which, in real time, is actually right now for me)

Red Plaid Fabric….$50.00

Hand Stitched Ambiance golden tan lining…$12.00

2 Professionally made keyhole buttonholes…$6.00

10 “perfectly matched, had to have” buttons for Jacket…$50.00

Knowing that you worked on this tailored jacket for 6 months hand stitching this puppy to death and this person probably thinks they can buy it in some store in downtown L.A. for a fraction of the cost. Then looking at them smugly knowing that they cannot get THIS jacket at any store and knowing that there is no way in hell you are planning on making another just for it to go under appreciated in a closet somewhere. Then turning your back on them and whipping your hair as you turn like an America’s Next Top Model winner and proclaiming to them as you walk away…

“Priceless!”

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**Please Note: Author of this blog is suffering from post traumatic craft disorder (PTCD) from aforementioned jacket. Symptoms of making a jacket for 6 months may include overactive imagination, excessive pride, lack of humility, irrational anger at non-sewing people, perceived poverty due to notions purchase, and excessive wearing of said garment. Beware!

Finished Object: BWOF 01-2008-125A Blouse

(See Bottom of Post for Image Gallery)

Fabric: Stretch Satin from Fabricland
Inspiration: BWOF 01-2008-125A Blouse
Modifications:Body mods in general. Two less pintucks per sleeve due to fit issues, trimmed 3/8″ off sleeve cap top to fit in sleeve.
Enjoyment Factor: 6 - Due to inexperience only
Time: 1 week

Drum roll please…..I present to you my first Burda World of Fashion project!! I am so proud of myself for trying a BWOF pattern. I am also happy that I actually finished it so before I get started I would like to throw in a disclaimer:

• I like this shirt
• I like BWOF
• I need to sew more

That said, this post unlike a lot of other is going to be more Bad and Ugly than Good. I cannot blame BWOF for everything, but it did have a hand in some “huh” moments.

The Good:

• It is my first BWOF pattern. Did I say that already? Well who cares!! I feel as though I need to proclaim this from the highest rooftop!
• The color of the fabric. This really made me fall in love with this pattern. It was just happenstance that I found this fabric, but it was meant to be this shirt.
• All those darn pintucks. Love them. They were super time consuming but they are also the only thing that distinguish this from a regular old shirt. They really accentuate the puff.
• The body of this shirt worked up pretty well. I was cruising a long with the body. I love the body. Given I could have used more room on the bottom due to my bottom and the fact that Satin shows EVERYTHING. But It is everything else that caused me to cry tears of anger and pain because pretty much everything after the body went to hell.

The Bad (Just thinking about these make me tired):

• Sleeves. A little too tight, had to release two pintucks and reduce seam allowance to get more room in the sleeve. Note to self: read up on large upper arm alterations and maybe add some more seam allowance to this problem area.
• The Sleeve cap. This thing was extremely weird shaped. It definitely had me saying “the what goes into where?”. In the end I had to shave off 3/8″ from the top to get it to set in right. This revelation only came after the fourth time putting in the sleeve. And, nope, it wasn’t caused by the two less pintucks because I added them back to make sure and it still didn’t fit. Given this could have been just me because Sigrid seemed to have no trouble with these at all and her tucks look smaller. I actually like the more fitted sleeve that I got and it looks like the one in the picture, but it was a bear to get there.
• Not interfacing the buttonband. This is one of those moments where Burda obviously thinks we all have sewing common sense. I even second guessed myself and almost put it in but tried to shush the voice inside and trust in Burda. Days after I finished that part of the shirt, I notice that Burda does not say to interface any button band. Doh! Those buttonholed puckered and squirmed as I tried to stitch them. I wanted to kick myself in the head.
• Hem depth. So I assumed a 5/8″ hem on the shirt. which for some reason turned into more of a 1″ hem in the end. Huh? Most of you seamstresses are clucking and shaking your head in disbelief. But let me sweeten the pot, I did this on Satin! STRETCH Satin. How the hell am I supposed to hem that without it looking like crap?! There is probably a magical way but since I am a newbie I tried quite a few McGyver techniques that all looked bad. So in the end Stitch Witchery won out even though I feel like a cheater but I like the look and it remains stretchy so everyone wins

The Ugly

• Realizing that I needed to iron the back of this shirt. Good grief. Al well the fit everywhere else pretty much ironed the rest of it out. I have got to add in more adjustments on my clothes. That is… once I figure out how
• My attitude at the end. I can’t decide if I love this shirt for how it looks or hate it for the pain it has caused. It will take me a few days but I will get over it because in the end I know that this was a learning experience that has taught me a lot. I guess BWOF equals tough love. But I am strong! I can take it. Bring it on cause I have a gazillion BWOF projects on the horizon. In fact, I have already finished tracing this little number. Muslin here we come!

In the meantime I will lick my wounds and get some knitting in. Ahhh….peaceful knitting

01-2008-125A Image Gallery

Marriage Material

Today I spent my lunch hour searching for the perfect buttons at Buttonham Palace. Although messy, they seem to know where everything is and have a huge selection of buttons to choose from. I was helped by a Russian woman, who I presume was the owner, and she really got into the spirit of finding just the right button for me.

First, I showed her my shirt and we found some wonderful glass buttons to match.

Next, I pulled out my Juliet sweater I am working (term used loosely) on. I found some delicious orange buttons that gave the colors that pop I was wanting.

The shop owner doubted my choice at first but came around when I showed her the combo a bit more. Besides, I was in Target afterwards and saw that the new issue of Martha Stewart has the same color combo on the cover. Can’t argue with that!

Anyhoo, at seeing that I both sew and knit she asked me

“are you married?”

“no”, I replied.

She said “you knit and sew and you are not married? I am very surprised. Women do not do these things anymore.  Some woman come into the shop for me to sew on buttons. I do it, but it is a terrible shame and it makes me sad. You will make someone a good wife”

I thought this was funny as I do not craft to increase my chance of marriage but rather because I enjoy the process. However, it is too bad the criteria for marriage is no longer the mastery of the domestic arts as I would be a shoe in . I am pretty sure men are not searching Match.com to find the perfect seamstress with a profile like “Do you need pants hemmed, sweaters knit, and gourmet meals? Well you have come to the right place!”. In the end maybe I need “The Marriage Course”

So although I am not actively in the market (because I am lazy), as a single woman I am curious. Since Home Ec skills no longer define the desirability or marriage potential of women, what IS the new criteria for today’s woman?

Just curious…

Not So Mini Me meets Burda

I have the bestest sewing friend EVER!!! She is in my tailoring class and I love going just to chat with her. We ended up picking the same pattern for the class so it has been really nice working on the same thing with her. We have very similar tastes and we end up adding to each others list of “To Dos”. We are also the same in the gadgets area. She is so gadget obsessed that she brings out the “go go gadget” in me. From rulers to chalking pens, everything she gets I have to get too. Not because I am trying to “keep up with the in crowd”, but because I have an inherent love for gadgets that I fight everyday. Kinda like an alcoholic in a bar… you can only hold out for so long.

I have to admit though that I was the pusher when it came to Burda World of Fashion Magazine. When I told her about all the goodies inside SHE…WAS…HOOKED! She already has a slew of patterns on the horizon.

So what does this have to do with “Mini Me” and Burda? Well, my bestest sewing friend EVER gave me the dressform. GAVE IT TO ME PEOPLE!! She said it looked like me. When I saw it I thought it looked chunky. Well….um….it actually measured smaller than me so I had to pad it. Dear GOD!! I need to go to the gym. So by dress form will be my sewing room helper and weight loss inspiration all in one .

Anyhoo, I decided to debut “Not So Mini Me” (new name to come soon) wearing my new first Burda pattern. It is still in the works but it is coming along. It is pattern 01-2008-126A made in up stretch satin. Love love love it actually I will reserve this statement for after I finish as love is a fickle thing. Now if I can only get the sleeves done as they are proving to be more of a challenge than I thought especially with the weird shape and all those pin tucks.

Wish me luck!

Pic-A-Knit 2008

Have I ever told you what a great knit group I have!! Well I do!! Next to learning how to purl, they are the best thing that has happened to my knitting life. Every Wednesday I go and visit this wonderful group and I loathe the thought of missing a meeting. Last week I even found myself speeding due to the fact that I was 30 minutes late for our 3 hour knitting fest. How would I explain THAT to people?

“Uhh yeah I got a $200+ speeding ticket because I was trying to get to my knit group”

Anyhoo…This weekend I organized a Pic-A-Knit for my group so that we could do what we do but outside. Since it is spring the weather can be quite unpredictable so I was a little worried because of the damn cold weather. However, everybody survived like a trooper even if they were neck high in fleece blankets. If you want more pictures you can check out my Flickr page.

Although it was a knitting party, I didn’t actually get any knitting done during the event…you know how hosting goes. However, afterwards I dove into making my cap sleeves and have now finished all the parts of my Camellia Top. The sleeves are blocking now and I hope to get them on this weekend. However, I was invited to the Renaissance Fair today, which will be my first time, so I will be donning a borrowed outfit and eating turkey legs with beer steins so we shall see how up to seaming I am when I get home. I will make sure to take pictures of me in my outfit

UPDATE: My friend (and former ren faire junkie) reminded me that I forgot to post a picture of me in my outfit. Although I don’t have that beer stein, I do have my trusty turkey leg. Oh and look, I am using my Lady Eleanor!

Skylar (yet another Ren Faire devotee) and Me

Have a great weekend!!!

Ahhh!!! I am on Fire!!!

For project Spectrum that is!

Just when I had given up on participating in Project Spectrum for the Fire Theme (FEBRUARY / MARCH - orange, red, pink) , up pops my inspiration all around me.

McCall’s 5478 Jacket

Remember this?

Ok…I do understand that one mention of a W.I.P does not constitute a truly memorable moment on your part, but this thing has been a part of my life for over 10 months now. Yes, 10!! It is not because I am a bad seamstress or that I put this away in some dusty corner, but rather it is because this is a Tailored Jacket (also known as hand stitching hell). In a 3 hour class on a good day, I might sew on the machine for 5 - 10 minutes and the rest is some hand stitching exercise. Don’t get me wrong, this jacket is the bomb and I will love it when it is finally done. In fact, my love reached new heights ever since I put in the sleeves last week which brought this from a shapeless mass to actually resembling a jacket…go figure.

I will give you some more pictures in a few days.

Red Tech

My other contributions to the fire theme are my new ipod and cell phone. As much as I would like to say that Project Spectrum was my inspiration for these purchases, it was not. Instead my inspiration was the desire to save money because my old technology conked out on me. Let me explain…

The reason for my new ipod purchase was the full hydro immersion testing I conducted a few weeks ago also known as I forgot my nano was in my pocket and only found it after a full 35 minute wash cycle. The sad part was that I kept pressing the button for a full day before resigning myself to the fact that ipods are not water proof. Cheapest option for replacement was a refurbished red Ipod.

My new phone was also a result of technology once again failing me, this time however it was not my fault. My old phone finally just refused to charge anymore. Within 3 hours a full charge it would beep incessantly and die within 30 minutes of the warning. Cheapest option for replacement was a refurbished red phone.

Either way it was fortuitous that project spectrum would fall on my door step with only two more days to go. Guess it was just meant to be

I Am So Glad I Don’t Have Kids…

…Because between Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler, I would have already sold them off to get my hands on some of this.

Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern

Yummy yummy. I already bought some of the Amy Butler dots in green and yellow from Purl and am waiting on them to get some of the other styles in.

Joel Dewberry’s Ginseng

And I am in LOVE with quite a few of the Joel Dewberry designs, especially the Mulberry Colorway.

P.S. I do know that the sale of children for fabric is deplorable and does not sit well with Child Protective Services …or I might be one or two nieces fewer by now…hee hee…don’t hate me

Where My Stitches At?

Disclaimer** All links are Ravelry links!

If you don’t know by now Peacock Chic is a knitting blog first, and sewing blog second, a craft lovin’ blog third and a life blog trails as a distant fourth so instead of telling you about the following things that should be getting done today…

• cleaning…

• preparing for Monday…

• visiting with family…although I will do this eventually today since it IS Easter…

• going to gym…

I will instead tell you about my new organization in Ravelry! I know So.. Much.. Better.. than all that other crap stuff!

I have been a member of Ravelry nearly since its inception (oh found it, I have been a member since April 2007. Wow! that was the EARLY days). I saw an offering of an invitation on someone’s blog, nonchalantly asked them to send me one, added myself and promptly forgot about it. When the craze about Ravelry hit full swing I was months into membership and still had no desire to go over and deal with the details of adding stash and projects. Only when enough people had joined to where I could see their stash and finished projects did I truly become interested and appreciate the knitted wonders of the Ravelry community. Now, nearly a year later do I finally GET how addicting Ravelry can be.

So…

• Instead of cleaning my house…I cleaned out my project queue

“Did I really think I was going to knit that with over 100+projects already in queue? DELETE!”

• Instead of matching my socks…I matched yarn to project

“This will hopefully mitigate the need to buy MORE yarn…we shall see…”

• Instead of adding food to my fridge…I added magazines to my library

“Can’t wait until they get more uploaded here because it is a wonderful way to search your magazines and books for new patterns”

• Instead of documenting my spending…I documented my yarn stash
  

“Whoo mama. I probably could have lived without this revelation, although it does look smaller on Ravelry “

• Instead of making a weekly “to do” list…I made a top 5 “to knit” list…as of today anyway (see picture above)
  

“…ahhh much better. Bring it on baby!”

In conclusion, as of today, I can finally say I know…

Happy Easter!

Let Me Tell You About Costa Rica…Finally

Ok, I have finally finished got tired of posting the pictures from my Costa Rica Trip so I am crying uncle and just calling it quits. So here is a quick synopsis of the trip:

We went to the La Selva Biological Reserve, did the zip lines and aerial tram in Braulio Carrillo park, went to the Cloud Forest of Monteverde where we saw the elusive Resplendent Queztal, and visited Manuel Antonio where we saw monkeys, got facials, and relaxed on the warm beach. This trip also had it’s share of adventures that make all my international trips memorable.

Since I also know how envy inducing boring long vacation pictures can be, especially since my Costa Rica Flickr collection for this trip is over 200 picture, here are a few of the highlights:

Me and Jill crossing the crocodile bridge

View of the Rainforest Canopy

Banana Flower illuminated by flashlight

Bats at the Beach? Yup! But you wouldn’t know it unless you took a close look.

But no blog post would be complete without some knitting related news and this one is no exception. Since the trip consisted of 5 hour plane rides, 3-4 hour car rides, and sheer exhaustion in the hotel at night, lots of knitting occurred. My project of choice, Fluttery Sleeve Top from Kate Gilbert (ravelry link here) was perfect. I finished the floral edging before the trip and proceeded to chug away at the miles of stockinette during the trip. Since I am well versed at knitting without looking, I could watch the scenery, converse, and almost fall asleep relax while knitting it. I knit the majority of the back on the trip and finished it off when I returned home.

Now that I am home though, the thought of stockinette monotony is not conducive to knitting so the rest will be slow going. Instead I am distracting myself with some quilting. More on that to come…

Lucky Me. Just in Time for my Bday!

Look what came in the mail a few days ago…my Elijah Story prize!! What a great package! Ysolda became busy between then and now, but it worked out perfectly because it was like getting a birthday present She did a wonderful job putting it together. I was so excited I started opening it as I drove to my knit group meetup. I love the Elijah touches such as the Elijah stitch marker and the wonderfully thoughtful Elijah Thank you card. She even wrapped the whole thing in knitting ribbon. I am also enjoying the candies she sent as I write this.
Not shown are the two patterns she sent. I am now the proud owner of my coveted Gretel AND Verity patterns. I couldn’t decide which I wanted to make and now I don’t have to. Yippeee.

So thanks Elijah, Thank Ysolda, Thank you my fellow Americans blog readers. I couldn’t have received this prize without you.

Mwah !!

Finished Object - Central Park Hoodie

I am back!! Did you miss me? Oh wait, you didn’t know I was gone! Guess that happens when you are (1) rushing to leave for a vacation right after returning from one (2) without internet access nearly the entire trip, and (3) far too exhausted to do anything about the first two. Nevertheless, I went on a wonderful Costa Rican getaway with my best friend Jill (also known as Hill, Jilly, Chili, Yili, and Katie during our trip) for my 31st birthday celebration! Do you miss me know or just hate me ? Anyhoo, since downloading and organizing 500+ photos is much more time consuming, I give you the presentation of the Central Park Hoodie!

With super popular knits like this, I would normally think that everything about it has been said ad nauseum, however CPH for me was definitely a choose your own misadventure knit so I will give you a little bit “Peacock Chic’s Field Guide to the Central Park Hoodie”. Readers BEWARE!!

Yarn: Elann Highlant Peruvan Wool - Oxford Grey Heather
Inspiration: Knitscene Cental Park Hoodie
Needles: Size 6 and 7 for the back and then just 7 because I forgot
Yardage: 11 balls
Modifications: Too many
Enjoyment Factor: 6
Knit Time: 21 days - I think this is an all time record!

 

 

The Good

• Holy Cow!! I finished this sweater in 21 days minus the 3 days I put myself on cleaning restriction. So technically I finished this in 18 days!! So why did I put myself through such rigorous paces to get this sweater done? Stitches West 2008 of course!! After seeing all the people with their Rhinebeck or other special occasion knits I knew I needed a new knit for Stitches. At first I thought of the Venezia sweater, but when the (insert various hallucinogens here) wore off Central Park Hoodie came to mind.

• I love my buttons and buttonholes. I got the idea to blanket stitch the buttonholes, when I noticed how shabby the holes looked and how much they disappeared into the fabric. I wanted to give the sweater a little pop so I decided to go with red embroidery floss for the blanket stitches and the button attachment. When it is buttoned the blanket stitching disappears, but when it is opened you get to see a little something extra. I think it really makes the sweater stand out. In fact, I didn’t really like the CPH until I added the button. Now I am liking it a lot more.

The Bad

• I did the calculations for the yearn conversion from Tahki Donegal Tweed to Elann Highland Peruvian and found that I would need 16 balls of yarn to complete this project. WRONG! I only needed 11 and now have 6 more balls to clutter my stash. BOO!
• The Oxford Heather that I got for the CPH was more hairy than the heather I used for my Sunrise Circle Jacket. It is a little scratchy and the hairs cause pilling to occur in high use areas. But this should calm down with wear.
• I accidentally knit about .25″ more for the button band ribbing which is a little too wide for the button placement which makes the front overlap jut out a little if you are not paying attention.

The Ugly

• I had read about the CPH fitting a little snug. So silly me decided to mess the fit and knit the 44″ hoping to get something around 42″ or 43″. So I messed with the fit with only 20+ days to finish. I messed with the fit with gauge being incorrect. I messed with the fit during blocking. I MESSED with the fit AND forgot to change the needles. All this messing around…well….resulted in a mess. What size is my CPH? I have no clue! Fits the body, snug in the armhole, snug on the sleeves. May need another blocking for it to reach its full potential of greatness. Modifications made, include but are not limited:
  • Knit back with size 7 needles for ribbing andsize 6 for body
  • Knit the rest of the sweater with size 7’s only
  • Knit 5″ of ribbing for the back
  • Knit size 44 for back and front to get between 40 and 44.
  • Knit size 44 sleeves with size 48 armhole number
  

All in all a great knit if you don’t mess with the fit too much. Either way, I did get my “Daily dose of fiber” courtesy of Ravelry.

Fiber…Good for the body, good for the soul!

Not For Lack of Love and the Stitches West ‘08 Update

Dear Neglected Blog and Readers,

I love you. I really do! But time is getting the best of me and with only so many crafting hours in the day something has got to give. And since eating, sleeping, and working are necessities it was you oh blog, and by extension dear readers, that took the hit. I also wanted to thank all of you for you comments.  I truly appreciate them even if I don’t send back a personalized e-mail.  Mwah!! to all of you!  Keep em coming because that is what blog are for…hee hee.
I have so much to tell you and so little time, so this will be a bit of a catching up post.

Stitches West 2008 was a blast!! I went with my best friend and we had a great time.  I loved it more this time than my first visit in 2005.   The Ravelry meetup was definitely the highlight of the weekend.

We got cool hello buttons to put our Ravelry names on.

And they made these super cool passports for you to visit the vendors and fill out.  This was the perfect souvenir for the occasion.   I also accidentally met up with a group of wonderful ladies who started a Monday night knitting group in my area.  Can we say group knitting two times a week!!! I must be in heaven.

Another great thing to do was people watch.  It was like a knitting fashion show filled with beautiful “one of a kind” knits and knitting celebrities .  I saw Cookie A and it was funny because I said her name as though I knew her.  It wasn’t on purpose but I am glad I had my name tag on so she didn’t have to give me the “who are you?” look.  She took it in stride and said my name right back as though we were friends.  I was shocked she knew my name and then I remembered I had a huge name badge on.  Hee hee silly me.

I also saw so much wonderful knitwear.

Can we say LOVE?!!

She hand painted this whole thing !!!  I walked clear across the room to take a picture of this.  Good googly moogly I have to make this shawl….and then learn how to hand paint.  Uh…yeah we will see.

Last, but definitely not least, is the weekend loot.  Between the Stitches market and a trip to Britex in SF, this is pretty much the majority of what I bought over the weekend.  Lots of new lovelies. The highlights of my new acquisition were the blue malabrigo lace which will most likes become a Wisp due to its easy pattern that can be done while I am on vacation,  the shawl/hair pins, and the peacock fabric which has not immediate project attached.

So that is it.  My whirlwind weekend.

P.S. If you didn’t notice,  I have hair now.  I got braids about two weeks ago because I am attempting to grow my hair out.  I will still wear it in a natural state (i.e. no relaxers or straightening combs) but just wanted to wear it a little longer.  No styles in mind yet, but I have some time before I have to decide anyway.

P.S.S.  I also finished my Central Park Hoodie which you can see a little bit of in the pictures above.   I will have to write an entire post on that after the vacation because that this was fraught with emotional ups and downs.   I finished it the day before I left so the knitting was down to the wire.  Hence to W.I.P. posts.

Anyhoo, talk to you soon.