Finding the time...

...to finish both sewing and knitting projects is difficult at present, but here are two I've managed to finish and photograph. First is my favourite summer top (just as it's long sleeved partners was my favourite winter top). The knit is from Tessuti and the pattern is from Wendy Mullins Sew U Home Stretch, called Get the Scoop, cut on the bias (not matching stripes) and without elastic in the neck and waist. I just used the twin needle to finish the neck, sleeves and bottom. Easy!

Then I finally managed to finish Kim Hargreaves' Haze from Misty, a generous boat neck jumper with big raglan sleeves and a lovely trim bottom band. Knitted in Adorn Yarns' Cotton Cashmere DK, it's a cuddly jumper for chilly autumn evenings. 

Finally...Fay!

I started knitting Kim Hargreaves' Fay (from Precious) in October last year in Jaggerspun and didn't like the lace pattern; didn't like the gauge; just wasn't happy. I started again in Leonie's yarn (Adorn Yarns Silk Cashmerino 4ply) and it's taken me an age to finish it and then to sew it up...not sure what all the hoopla was about, it's fabulous now it's finished. I left off the buttons on the lower edging as I realised I'd scratch my camera when working.

The stitch definition is great with this yarn.

Embrace

Which is exactly what this lovely cardigan by Kim Hargreaves from Misty does when you put it on. Knitted in Adorn Yarns Silky Merino DK in Ash, I've been wearing it all week. Underneath I'm wearing one of Wendy Mullins' Sew U Home Stretch tops, the boat neck...my new favourite! The fabric is the same striped jersey knit Nikkishell used for her drape dress from Tessuti.

The short row shaping creates a beautiful curve across the back and down to the fronts that was really easy to knit. 

Catching up

I have been working away on my knitting and sewing, but just not finding the time to photograph what I've been doing (which is especially poor of me as a photographer). Oh, well...

It's been a freezing wet winter in Melbourne and so I had to divert some of my energies to making a warm jumper I could wear immediately. Enter Kim Hargreaves' Briar (sweater length) from Winter Blooms. I LOVE this jumper, hence the already worn look. Knitted in Adorn Yarns Silky Cashmerino 4ply in Aquamarine held double. I dropped my needles to 4mm and 4.5mm to get the gauge made no other changes. While it might have been sensible to add to the wide neckline, it is fabulous just the way it is!

Also finished is my second Ripple from Kim Hargreaves' Nectar. This is knitted in Adorn Yarns Cotton Cashmere DK in Malt. I've worn this quite a bit and washed it twice now and it's becoming softer and softer and warmer and warmer.

Buttons from Buttonmania of course!

I'm still plugging away at my purple Fay, but at least I've finished the front and the back now! Also just about finished is Kim Hargreaves' Embrace from Misty, which is an easy knit with some really interesting short row shaping on the hem. This time I'm using Adorn Yarns Silky Merino DK in Ash.

Finally!

Frankie (from Kim Hargreaves' Breeze) is finished. The yarn is Jaggerspun Zephyr DK wool silk. It's warm, cosy in fact, and soft. Any it washed well in my machine on the gentle hand wash cycle. Perfect!

The buttons are vintage from Buttonmania again (thank you Kate!). The colour is Pewter, a slightly mauvey- warm silver.

Now, I can concentrate (and I mean concentrate) on Fay, also by Kim Hargreaves from Precious. Another Jaggerspun Zephyr project, this time in the lace weight held double.

I love...

two women I've never met! Wendy Mullin and Kim Hargreaves.

(and the borrowed Canon 17mm TSE lens, but that's another story...)

First Kim Hargreaves. Although it has taken me FOREVER to finish 'Lilac' (in coral) from Breeze, finally I have. And I love it. 

The yarn is Rowan 4ply cotton from Wool Baa, the buttons are from Buttonmania in the Hamilton Building. And despite ripping it back several times to get the tension right, I'm glad I didn't give up.

My Lilac teams beautifully with the second dress I have made from Wendy Mullin's Built by Wendy Dresses (not counting the three muslins - one for each basic dress style - I whipped up first). It's a variation of the 'Valentine Dress' in Etro cotton from Tessuti. I added inseam pockets.

The first dress I made was a variation of 'Overall Improvement' in an Armani cotton.

Neither dress is anywhere near perfect (although I do love them)as I'd already cut the material to make other things before I bought the book...but I've managed to muddle through and learnt a lot in the process. 

The button is from my grandmother's button jar.

I'm I huge Wendy fan, this is the third book I've bought and used. Although she doesn't give you lots of information on how to make her patterns fit you, she does show you how to turn her basic patterns into something that's just for you. Here I am in a Wendy shirt and my new summer jeans...

Again the material is from Tessuti for both the shirt and jeans. (The shoes are from Preston Zly.)

Nearly every seam is topstitched, either in contrast of matching thread which I find makes the seams on this stretch denim hold together better. I'm really happy with them all. Thanks Wendy and Kim!


Finally, I've been buying up more of my favourite yarn...Jaggerspun Zephyr...more Kim on the way!

Oh, no...