April Knitting Update

What have I been Knitting?  I think the question is what haven't I been knitting.  In all actuality I have very few things on needles.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, all though it is tempting to fill all of those empty knitting needles with new projects.

Here's what I've been up to:

I am still knitting the variation scarf from Interweave's Jane Austin Knits.  But look!  my ball of yarn is much much smaller!  So close, I hope to finish this sometime this week.

This is one of my designs, and I am loving the yarn, Hempathy.  This is knit top down.  After constructing two bottom up garments one as a sample and the other being my design I wanted to get back to my favorite form of construction, a top down seamless raglan.  My plan is to have this pattern out some time in May.

I've even been spinning.  I have just finished the aqua blue section in my loop bulls-eye bump.  Now it's on to the read section.

Look what came in the post yesterday.  I love getting packages in the mail.  My base yarn and all my new dyes.  I know what I'll be doing this weekend.  Don't mind that random ball of burgundy merino, I'm going to be knitting a swatch for my fall knitting from that ball.

Here is a super sneak peek at the design coming out at the end of April.  I love this lace panel so much.  I've been typing up the pattern and sometime this week will be taking photos.

Well there you have it.  That is what I'm up to with fiber as of right now.

How I Spent My Easter

I bought some great fabric from Spool.  One was even on sale!

The colors in this fabric are so summery.  I love that the flowers look like they are made from crochet doilies.

This fabric isn't usually what I would pick out, but I'm trying to break out of my box.  I say this while realizing that I tend to purchase floral prints all the time so maybe this isn't a stretch for me. 

This is going to become a Sorbetto as soon as I finish up my pants and shorts.  (I ran out of the thread I was using to sew them so they are on hold till I go to the fabric store before work today.)  I found the pretty mint green bias tape in my notions stash.  

Since I had to put my shorts and pants on hold I made this new wallet out some of my scraps.  The pattern is from DixieDIY. 

I may have run out of navy thread, but I seem to have a ton of lime green.  

Here's a shot of the inside.  The fabric was left over from our wedding.  

Then I made a blueberry pie.  

Vintage Finds: Rain Rain

Although we haven't had too much rain yet this month I do expect our sunny days to get a bit cloudy this month.  With that in mind I found some really awesome vintage rain gear so the weather won't put a damper on your day.

Rain Boots Yellow Bumble Bee 

Now Vintage

1970s BLUE SAILBOAT Reversible Rain Slicker

FASHIONRERUN

Vintage Spring Rain Umbrella

bestfavoritethings

1970s Reversible Rain Coat

FancyThatVintage

Vintage YELLOW RAIN SUIT

quinndp88

Vintage Lanvin Paris Wool Rain Hat

camdenstablesmarket

Umbrella Plaid, 1950's

junquegypsy

vintage 1975 Totes Pastel Floral Water Repellent Spring Rain Scarf

wardrobetheglobe

Vintage Duck Boots

OldSchoolSwank

Me Made May 2012: My Pledge

I just signed up for Me Made May 2012 over on So...Zoe What do you know?


Here's  my pledge:
I, Amanda J. of bluebettyblog.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '12. I endeavour to wear only me made or refashioned clothing each day for the duration of May 2012

I know I've explained what my pledge for MMM12 was going to be but just for clarification.  My challenge for May is to wear outfits that are entirely made up from my hand made items and my refashioned items.  This excludes undergarments, shoes and hand bags.  

For the month of April you can follow me as I prepare for May by filling in some of my wardrobe gaps.  

Stitch Guide: Right Leaning Mesh

Right leaning mesh stitch has a natural bias to it.  This happens because of the combination of where yarn overs are placed and how the decreases lean.  This stitch makes for a very open fabric with lots of stretch and drape. It is relatively simple to knit and is easy to commit to memory.  This is a great stitch for market bags or a light and airy summer top.  Just keep in mind that your knitting will be biased.

Right Leaning Mesh (Knit Flat)
Multiple of 2 +1
R1: K1 *YO, K2tog*
R2: Purl all stitches


Right Leaning Mesh (Knit in the Round)
Multiple of 2
R1: *YO, K2tog*
R2: Purl all stitches

Sewing My Me Made Wardrobe: Week 1

I was planing on sewing pants and shorts this first week, but the bobbin and thread in my sewing machine was the perfect color for two of my other projects.  This being the case I tweaked the sewing plan just a tiny bit.

The Anda dress went together in no time.  I opted out of the elastic waist tie and will wear this dress with one of my many belts that I never wear.  A word of caution to the sewer this pattern is HUGE.  With dresses I base my size on the bust measurement and with this dress pattern I was a size 38.  Little did I know that the pattern had about 6 to 7 inches of extra ease.  I ended up taking in the side seams cutting down about 3 to 4 inches on the extra ease.  I will be measuring and adjusting the pattern. I do like the look of this dress on and it is easy and quick and a great way to show off a fabric.  I am going to make a second one, but after I finish my pants project.

In the same day (that's right the same day) I sewed my second dolman sleeve top.  This one is longer, has larger cuffs on the sleeves, and a different neckline.  I am really digging the dolman sleeve top.  A big thanks to Merrick over on Merrick's Art for this awesome tutorial.

With a some thread still left on the bobbin I whipped up this quick tank out of the scraps from my first dolman stop.  I plan on stenciling something on it, but I am not too sure what.

Here is a look at my plans for this week:

Sew my pants and my shorts!  I have found two great tutorials to make these projects easier.  The first is a video tutorial on how to sew a flat fly front.  It made so much more sense after watching this video.  The second is a step by step guide to sewing single welt pockets.  I am going to be trying both of these new techniques out this week.  Wish me luck!  

Technique Tuesday: Joining in the Round

Have you ever joined your stitches in the round and found to have a jog or a hole where your first stitch and your last stitch meet?  This is a common problem when knitting anything in the round, especially thumbs on mittens or sleeves on a top down sweater.  There is a quick and simple technique that can solve this unsightly problem.  All it requires you to do is cross your stitches at the join.  

That's it. 

It's super simple to do all you do is switch your stitches.  Your last stitch becomes your first stitch and your first stitch becomes your last stitch.  Below you can see just how easy this great little technique is.  

Here are some stitches that have been cast on for a hat.

 Slip the first and the last stitch off the needles.

Slip the the first stitch onto the right hand needle.

Slip the last stitch onto the left hand needle. 

Place your marker and you're ready to start knitting in the round. 

Here's what the join looks like after a round of knits. 

See the easiest little trick for closing up that gap.  This trick is best for any join you have in the round.  I like it for after thought heels and thumbs or fingers on mittens and gloves.