Monday 14 October 2013

Hetty KAL finished!

Cor,  my knitting productivity looks unbelievable!  Not quite true,  I haven't finished another cardigan in only week, but it has only taken about 2 1/2weeks  and it is finished on time for the Hetty knit-along.  This is the Hetty cardigan, which was a really different pattern to anything I have knitted before.  First you knit the back, then you pick up stitches at the shoulder, knit down to the armhole, cast on more stitches and end up with the whole of the body on your needle



Then you pick up stitches around the arm holes and knit the sleeves in the round

 
Then add the bands and you've only the buttons to choose (went for the top ones)


.... et voila with no seams to sew you have a cardigan.



This isn't blocked so I will post some better photos next week being worn.  The pattern was quite complicated, and I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner (it may have been me -  though there were certainly others on the ravelry group forum who also struggled).   Having said that I love the fit and I ordered my wool for another of the designers patterns, because I haven't seen any others which have a  lovely fitted waist like this (infact mine was a bit small and I had to make a wider band, plus there will be some stretching at the blocking stage).  It's a great silhouette for vintage clothes such as high waisted trousers or a fuller skirt.  The wool is Blackstone tweed and I feel mixed about it, I thought it was going to be a more mustardy colour - it does have little flecks of purple and teal (yes still in the teal theme).

For those of you who are Molly Makes readers you may recognise the foxy broach.  I rarely make the free gift on magazines and I am reminded why, the materials are usually not of a good quality and in this case the felt wasn't great, the thread kept tangling, the needle wouldn't go through the felt and the pin is really cheap, still it is quite jolly!

A new friend came to stay this week!  Yes, I splashed out and bought an overlocker.

 
Here is a view of the inside of my lining for my new look jacket - yes I even overlocked the inside of a lining, just because I could, look how neat ....
 
 
So all was going well and then I had to change the colour of thread, I managed  quite well even threading one of the needles ... result ... and then .... disaster.  I don't know whether it's because I am now working with crepe de chine or what but the effect is certainly not right.  I'll have to get on the internet and spend some quality time with my new friend .... or more likely I'll take it with me to my workshop class (at the shop where I bought it)  for some advice.
 
Though it looks like I had a busy week I actually wasn't well and had to take 2 days off work (not like me at all) and too ill to do any sewing, even missed my class, but I did watch the whole of series 1 of Bomb girls which I enjoyed, especially the fashions.    This week I will be working on my new look jacket and also my Anna dress and I've lots of other plans.  What are you working on?
 

5 comments:

  1. That's beautiful, I'm using Rowan Kidsilk Haze to make a scarf but it's so fine, I'm really a chunky or Aran girl, I like to be able to watch telly and knit at the same time, Kidsilk is so fine I have to watch what I'm doing or I miss stitches - never thought a scarf could take so long!!

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  2. Sure it will be beautiful though! Perhaps one of the cardies next for a quick knit! I do like a bit of easy knitting on occasion.

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  3. I think your cardigan is very lovely. The pattern looks complicated, but it also looks full of detail and interest and from what I've seen of the things you make, it looks very "you". I am working on orders for appliqued babygrows for a friend, and a new cushion for the living room. Basically, I am putting off the Christmas crafting! xx

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  4. I'm having so much trouble with this pattern, maybe it wasn't the wisest choice for my first cardi. Any chance I can ask you some questions?

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    1. Hi Jen, thanks for finding my blog! Very happy to help if I can, just put your question as a comment on my latest blog so I don't miss it. I didn't find the pattern straightforward either.

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