14 in 14

I'm melting!  It is way too hot to do anything more than sit in front of the air con, or in a body of water and wait for the week to end.  So what better time than during a relentless heatwave to dream of cool weather and plan the years knits!  After 13 in 13 was was so successful, this year I'm going to aim for 14 in 14.  No other conditions, just 14 knits in 2014.

There are a few things I want to accomplish this year knitwise.  First I plan to make colour work my bitch.  This has been a knit goal for a while now, I've dabbled in basic stranded colour work, but I really want to get comfortable with it so I've already cast on a Favourite Things infinity scarf.  I've gathered a bunch of free charts on Ravelry, it's going to be crazy colourful and warm, I'd like to have it done in time for winter.

I've actually cast on another knit as well.  I'm usually a monogamous knitter so this is a bit odd for me.  But as the favourite things is an ongoing project and this next knit is a mystery knit along it's working for me.  Along with 2000 other knitters all over the world I cast on Ysolda's Follow Your Arrow mystery knit along on Monday.  Five clues, each with two options, it's a choose your own adventure in knitting!  As the first clue is the beginning, the shawl is little at the moment, perfect for knitting in front of the fan in the middle of the night when it's still too hot to sleep.  Seriously, 30C at midnight is just offensive.  

I'm knitting the two colour stripe version and for clue one I've gone with option A because of its interesting construction.  

I've got a couple of knits for Darron in the works, a Pump Jocky Cardigan, and a cabled Struan hat, these will be part of his winter outfits.  

Then poor Coen has been missing out on the hand made lately, so I'm going to make a Billa for him, he loves the concept behind this great Australian design.  He will be getting a hat the same as Darron's too.

Joss will be getting a Nova and a Paulette, these should both last her a while. 

Back to me!  Still on the colour work train, I have some beautiful sparkly teal Rockstar yarn from Mayhem and Chaos that I would love to feature in this Drops cardigan, just need to choose a complimentary colour.

I NEED a Boundless, and a Clair de Lune, so that covers my cable and lace needs.

On the accessories front there's Xuxa and Mrs Jeckyll and Little Hyde.

The last will come from the my ever expanding Ravelry queue.  There have been some gorgeous patterns released in the last year.  So many options! And I have a jumper lot of Mad Tosh Vintage desperate to be knitted.  Now this list will probably change, hopefully like last year I can go beyond my goal, because there are a couple of baby knits it would be nice to make fro friends too!

I'm optimistic that I'll have time to knit this year.  I do hope that my train commute provides me with a little downtime for knitting, or I may struggle to knit at all! 

13 in 13

At the start of last year I made a commitment to knit from stash as much as possible.  To complete 13 knits from stash in 2013.  I am happy to report that I did in fact finish 13 knits, in fact I finished 16!  

My yarn stash was not huge to start with, but I did have a couple of jumper lots which helped immensely when planning outfits.  My yarn purchases this year were also modest, but they are already fitting into my knitting plans for 2014!  As my life will include a train commute four days a week for the next couple of years I'd like to take advantage of that prime knitting time and get stuck into some big projects.  So I'm looking at 14 in 14!

Have a safe and happy new year my friends.  Thank you for your company on my journey in making stuff this year, I look forward to sharing more plans and adventures with you through 2014!

Jen xx

Outfit Nine - October

My October!  A little later than anticipated, but as we regressed into wintery weather it took a while for my cardigan to dry.

One of the great things about this project has been that I've finally used some of my favourite fabrics.  The beautiful fabrics I have been hoarding and saving are now becoming garments that I love even more.  I bought this fabric a couple of years ago, it was love at first sight, there was only a couple of metres left on the bolt, I bought the lot.  It's a light gauzy voile, always destined to be a summery frock.

Because it is quite sheer, I chose a dress pattern with lining and lined it with ivory coloured lawn.  The pattern is from BurdaStyle 5/2013 125, it's one I'd been planning on making since it was released.  I lengthened the bodice midriff by 15mm, and made the skirt fuller by using up as much of my fabric as possible.

I love the combination of romantic feminine shape with the bright graphic print. 

October is a fickle month, weather wise, in this part of the world, so I knew I'd need a cardigan to go with my dress.

I had planned to make a Myrtle Cardigan, but the combination of all over lace cardigan and all over printed dress was far too busy.  And the yarn just did not want to be a Myrtle!  I went with my back up pattern, Soay and it is perfect.  Just right for warmer weather, it will be in high rotation.

This is a seriously great pattern.  Very cleverly constructed, no seams, and beautifully fitted, everything I was after.   It is perfect with all my dresses and looks great with jeans and a tank top as well.

This was my first foray into the wonderous world of Wollemeise.  I admit I had my doubts, the cottony stiffness had me worried, but washed and blocked it is a different creature altogether, soft and springy, and the colour is so intense!  

I plan for this outfit to get me through a few celebrations in the next month or so.  Birthdays and Christmas functions are coming up in abundance, and it's always nice to show off something special and handmade!

The dress has already had an outing.  The weather was so awful and cold on the day of my interview for school that I needed something that would work with my navy blazer.  So the outfit I had prepped to wear was out and this dress was in!

This tank is in a park fairly local to us.  The kids had a ball clambering all over it while I grabbed some quick shots.

Eleven More Menswear Months

The next eleven months of Darron's twelve outfits are starting to take shape.  We rummaged through my fabric and picked out a few bits and pieces that he likes.  Adding that to the bit of shopping we've recently done and here's where we're going:

October:  Another pair of Jeds, this time in light weight, chocolate brown drill.  A white, green and blue checked shirt.  The pattern for this is a Style pattern from 1984.  It's a great simple slim fitting shirt with different sleeve lengths, collar and pocket options.  I made a muslin to check the fit and all important sleeve length, both of which were spot on.  Joss then claimed the muslin and wore it shopping.  Finally a Strathcona Henley jumper in a gorgeous olive NZ merino knit.

November:  A pair of chino shorts with a contrast check pattern turned up cuffs and pocket binding.  This will be the first modified Jeds of the project.  A raglan long sleeve tee, possibly with a henley placket in this blue slub jersey.

December:  A pair of mango coloured canvas shorts, Jedediah of course.  A plain white crew neck tee from the Strathcona pattern and a sailboat print shirt from the same shirt pattern as I used for October.  The short will have long sleeves to fold up to elbow length.  (I am making myself a shirt in this sailboat fabric too, matching his and hers.  We're one step away from matching tracksuits!)

January:  Another pair of shorts, maybe cargo shorts or denim and an interesting tee.  We've been looking at colour blocking and interesting patterned knits for this one, but haven't come to a final decision yet.

February:  A short sleeved Starthcona henley with contrast placket and pocket, possibly in this rusty coloured jersey.  With a pair of wider legged Jedediah pants in a summer weight fabric, I'm looking for a nice linen blend for these.

March:  I'm going to have a go at mens jeans in March.  They will be joined by a mustard V neck jumper and a button down shirt.

April:  Heres where we really get challenging!  A three piece navy wool suit, with a dress shirt and tie.  This will be a big month, there is a lot of work in tailoring a mens suit.  I am searching for a pattern for this, it's difficult as there is really not a great variety of menswear patterns about at the moment.  Maybe Vogue patterns will release something, but I'm not holding my breath. 

May:  May's outfit will be based around a Newcastle Cardigan.  We haven't planned the details of the last few months outfits, just key pieces at this stage.

June:  Pump Jockey.  This is the only knit for the project so far.  There is a possibility for some accessories along the way, but we need to see how they fit in.

July:  Winter pyjamas and a warm hooded robe.  I have a pattern for the robe already, and mens PJs are the one thing there are plenty of patterns for!

August:  The final month!  For August we're looking at a button down shirt with contrast under the collar and inside the cuffs and button bands.  A waistcoat and maybe another cardigan.  Pants of course, we just haven't decided what type.  If March's jeans are a success, there could be another pair of jeans here.

So that's our outline!  I have accumulated a bunch of patterns in my travels, there are some decent simple patterns from the 80's, some poorly styled but versatile patterns from the 70s and even some interesting pocket details on a pants pattern from the 60s.  

With the Thread Theory patterns as well (they're releasing a beautiful coat pattern soon too!) I've actually got a good variety of garments covered.  Menswear seems to be variations of the pants/shirt/outer layer combination, so mixing up detailing, layering, fabrics and styling seem to be where the variety lies.

Has anyone else found some great menswear patterns?  

Outfit Eight - September

Now that I've shown off Darron's September outfit, here is mine!

This outfit was always going to involve a Dahlia Cardigan.  I bought the Colinette Jitterbug yarn for it a year and a half ago at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.  The colour way is Ginger Cinnabar and it is gorgeous!  This cardi has a really interesting method of construction, everything is knitted off the centre back lace panel.  Once I wrapped my head around the construction it was pretty straightforward. The only modification I made was to shorten the sleeves to elbow length, perfect for a spring cardigan.

I have had the fabric for this skirt for a couple of years.  It is a heavy weight cotton with a floral print inspired by the work of the artist Pissarro.

I bought it from my fabulous local op shop and was waiting to come across the perfect garment for it.  When I saw how well the colour of my yarn picked up the darker tones in the fabric I was sold!

The pattern is from BurdaStyle magazine 08/2009, pattern 110.  I made it without lining because the fabric is heavy enough to not need it.  It has pleats in the front and sits just above my natural waist line. An invisible zipper and vent in the back.  It's a very simple fitted pattern that makes the fabric the feature.

I had planned on making a chambray shirt to go with this outfit, I had even cut it out.  Then I found a 1980s Calvin Klein for Vogue pattern while shopping my mum's stash.  It was perfect for this outfit, then I found this slinky crinkly rayon at my local basement fabric outlet, a one metre remnant, just enough to make it.  I took that as a sign.  

I love the shawl collar and simple lines with a little bit of texture.  The fabric, while bing quite lovely, it light and slippery, so even though I took my time sewing, there were stiLl some nervous moments.  There are some flaws, but nothing major so I'm ok with them.  With a garment so simple I went a bit fancy with the buttons.  Speaking of buttons, the top button placement on the pattern is quite low, this wouldn't be an issue in a fabric with more body, but this just slipped open too easily and exposed considerably more of my undergarments than I like.  Simple solution, I added another button. 

This outfit is a bit of a departure from my original 12 outfits mission statement.  It's not quite in line with the more casual, everyday wardrobe I was aiming to make.  A couple of months ago I applied to return to school.  I'm hoping to study a Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Technology.  I have an interview in November and an opportunity to present my folio and three garments I've made.  I'm planning on wearing this skirt and blouse for that interview.  So with interviews and the possibility of school next year, my wardrobe focus has shifted somewhat.  If my application is successful, it will mean big changes, two years of full time study would definitely be an adventure!

Holidays, Relaxation and Productivity

In a rare and wonderful occurance all members of this household have had the last two weeks off school, work and extra curriculars.  This has meant quality time as a family as well as some quality sewing time for me.

We started out our break with our September family tradition.  Every year we go to the the Royal Melbourne Show.  We go for many reasons, but the big one is this:

Coen was 18 months old the first time we took him to the show.  I love this way of watching him grow and change, and now Joss is in the picture too.  There will come a day when we may have to bribe teenaged Coen with unlimited ride passes to have a photo taken with his little sister and a lamb.

Next on my list (possibly after all the tasty food, beer and GIN samples) is the amazing craft work exhibits.  It's no secret that I love all things handmade, and there are always many gorgeous examples on show.  Every year I come a way inspired to enter some of my work in our local show, I've never actually been organised enough to get anything done in time though.  Maybe this year is the year.  It's not like I have the next few months completely booked up with sewing for myself and others.

Last weekend we took the kids on their first real camping trip.  It was the most relaxing thing we've done in a very long time.  We are lucky that we live just 20 minutes away from beautiful camp grounds like this, and now that Joss can follow directions and not put every single thing she finds in her mouth, we are planning a summer filled with camping trips.  We may or may not have put a deposit on a second vehicle more suited to camping than our wee roller skate so we can go on bigger more adventurous trips.

How's the serenity.  I cast on an Oscar cardigan for Joss while we were away and managed to get up to the armpits, just knitting by the creek and campfire.

What? Doesn't everyone get meditative knitting on a log over a creek?

On the sewing front, my September outfit is done!  I'm really happy with this one.  It's a little different from what I had originally planned, but with good reason, which I will go into once I get it photographed.

Darron's first outfit is also done! (Or it will be once I attach a button and hem his trousers.)  His outfit is also a little different to the original plan, but when school holiday expenses eat up your budget for wool-cashmere blends your blazer gets moved back a couple of months.  Here's a sneak peek at his pants.

Piggies in his pockets!  These pants have been so fun and educational to make, I can't wait to show you!

So that's what we've been up to.  We also donated about a third of the kids' toys, put up Coen's new loft bed, I got a fantastic deal on gorgeous summer shoes, sat down with my niece to pick out a pattern and fabric for her Christmas/birthday dress, bought the pattern for the bridesmaid dresses I'm making for my wonderful friend's April wedding, and this weekend is packed with family celebrations.  Even though we've been super active this break, it has still been the most relaxing holiday I've had in a very long time!

How Much Nautical is Too Much?

I'm probably a bit late to the nautical party, but my love of the nautical flavoured fashion snuck up on me.  A horizontal navy stripe here...

An anchor print there...

And there...

And suddenly I'm stashing boat prints, and anchor buttons, and perhaps Joss needs a sailor dress, perhaps I need a sailor dress!  

So the pile of patterns has been growing, and the knits!  Oh there is a very special place in my heart for nautical knitwear.  Like this and this from Drops, and this from a 1990 Verena, and little gem below that I've had for a few years now.  

I promise I won't go overboard (ha), just a Bonny top, maybe a sailboat shirt and just one knit. It doesn't count if you make a sailor dress in a floral print does it? I don't think it does. 

Making Progress and Getting Distracted

This last week has been hard work.  Darron was just recovering from pericarditis when he was struck down with a demon flu.  The poor guy was bed ridden and quarantined for most of the week.  So I've been solo parenting, which of course means both kids got injured!  Joss got her leg stuck in the ladder at the swimming pool, then Coen jarred his knee pretty badly at school, requiring the dreaded call from the school office to come deal with my injured hysterical drama llama.  So I've been nursing the sick and tending to the injured all week.  But that hasn't stopped me from getting some of my stuff done.  Actually, if anything, getting stuck into making stuff has kept me on an even keel.

Last weekend I went fabric shopping in my mum's amazing stash and came home with a boot load of beautiful fabric.  Then on Monday, before Darron suddenly went downhill, he and I went shopping for some more masculine fabric to make some menswear.  We're working on something that I'm really excited about, and will share the details soon!

My Dahlia is coming along much faster than I was expecting, lots of evening knitting time at the moment.  The back panel and one side are done, and the other side is rowing out pretty quickly too.  How nice is this lace panel?  I can't wait to get it finished and blocked.

I have cut out my shirt for September, but haven't decided whether or not I want a contrasting collar and cuffs so I haven't started sewing yet.  Then I was preparing to cut my September skirt and my undies were riding up so I set it aside and started making new undies instead!  So now I have three new pairs of undies of varying waist heights and I did eventually get around to cutting my skirt from this amazing print.

Now that things have calmed down a bit, I'm going to rearrange my studio to fit in all this fabric and get stuck into some sewing!

Outfit Seven: August

I've finally caught up!  Here is August's outfit... in August!  I have a confession, it has been ready for nearly a week and I've had plenty of opportunities to photograph it but I waited 'til I got my new hair.  It had been over a year and a half since my hairdresser laid hands on my hair, and it was incredible to get a proper style cut and colour instead of the shaggy growing out 'do I've been sporting lately.

I am very pleased with this outfit.  This was a big departure from the outfit I had originally planned, but given that elements of it have already been getting near constant wear I'd say it's one of the biggest successes of my 12 outfits so far.

Starting from the outside, this oversized cardigan is a simple big boxy shape with pockets, but in warm black drapey knit fabric it goes with just about everything in my wardrobe.  It's casual and comfy without being sloppy.  The pattern is from Burda Style 7/2013, 109A.  I have bought a fuzzy, lacy knit to make another for spring.

 I bought the fabric for my shirt at the same time as the fabric from March's skirt.  They are the same print on different backgrounds.  I love the bright red and bold graphic floral print.  It works perfectly with the pattern, you guessed it, another Burda mag 2/2009, 120.

Because the fabric is an almost sheer cotton voile, I used french seams throughout.  It was well worth the little extra effort to enclose all the edges, the finish is really clean and the seams are nice and secure.

I put a bit more thought than I usually would into the pattern placement.  I didn't want sheer background patches at the bust, or a great big flower arrangement bursting out of my guts.  I'm pretty smug about the way it turned out.  Perfect for the transition into spring that the weather has been hinting at this week.

When the pattern for the Maroo Mitts was released I fell in love with them.  I love the scalloped colour work, and the colours used in the samples were right up my alley too.  I've been hoping to get more confident with knitting colour work, but just hoping wasn't doing much so I've started practicing.  These are a fantastic introduction.  I had decided to knit them without being part of any outfit but noticed that the greys and yellow fit in so nicely with the colours in this outfit, and I just happened to have greys sitting in stash and yellow left over from my cowl, so here they are!

I bought this super smooshy grey 4ply yarn from Wendy Dennis a couple of years ago at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.  200 grams was perfect for the Mara shawl that has been in my Ravelry queue for a couple of years too.  On 4mm needles I used about 90 grams got the garter body of the shawl and then 95 grams for the the ribbed ruffle.  Blocked out it became a great big squishy hug.

Finally pants.  For the record, I don't do leggings.  I wear running tights when I run, I wear tights under dresses, skirts, even under shorts.  I do not wear leggings.  These pants were borderline.  The ponte knit is dense enough to avoid unsightly sheer stretching over my widest parts.  The pattern had enough structural detail to take them far enough out of leggings territory and into pants land.

These were my first garment from a Style Arc pattern.  They are the April Pants.  I must say I was very happy with the pattern.  Again I put more effort than I have in the past into these pants.  All the seams are overlocked and topstitched, the result is a very smooth neat finish.  The fit is perfect, the pattern is great, I'm looking forward to making the Sandra  Jeans I bought at the same time.

You can see my assistant in some of the above photos.  When she wasn't wandering through my photos she was doing this:

Muddy puddles!