Wasn't sure...

 There is something very methodical about bag making, I am not sure if I like it but I needed a new rucksack style handbag. My Eden Coat is made out of this waterproof fabric so my current handbag keeps sliding off my shoulder which in turn is making my shoulder ache as I assume a 'hunchback-of-Notre-Dame' position to hold it on. 

The fabric was expensive so I was keen to use up the leftovers, no surprises there. The pattern is called the Riley Rucksack which was a free pattern with a sewing magazine that someone passed on to me. I plundered all of the notions from my stash apart from the two zips which I bought. 

When it was finished I was a bit, meh! thinking I had spent a lot of time making a floppy rucksack. Once it had my usual items in it however, it was much more weighed down.

It is a fab size for all my gubbins including space for a bottle of water.

There are internal pockets for my phone and my notebook. The inside seams are not the neatest because I was losing confidence towards the end that I wouldn't like it so I overlocked the inside with white thread because I couldn't be bothered to change it to green - wish I had now!

The instructions for the straps were confusing, I think I missed putting it all together in the right order somewhere along the line because I made it with a big break between starting it and finishing it. I fell back therefore on my bra making knowledge and made the straps like bra straps! Worked a treat. I don't know where the buckles came from but I hacked the pins off them with a pair of pliers to re-purpose as two sliders.

Ta dah! wasn't sure about it half way through but I sure as hell was not going to have a half made bag in my fabric cupboard. 

Glad I finished it because now I love it. 

Got anything that needs finishing off?

Jo xxxx

Tapestry Yarn Cowl FREE Knitting Pattern

I had an itch to use up some stuff, I get this itch a lot like a kind of creative eczema if you will. Some craft supplies just hang around for years 'just in case'. But in reality, lots of materials are often given to me as a way to ease the conscience of the giver that they are not being wasteful but the sentiment is always friendly and also welcome.

Two hauls of tapestry yarn are an ideal example of this scenario. They have been in my yarn basket for more than four years. I see it as a challenge to find the most creative way I can use them. I looked at them for quite a few evenings. I started to knit them into a stripey little hat for a baby and then thought, "Who wants to give a newborn an itchy head?" and proceeded to unravel it.

Then I designed a fairisle pattern over 24 stitches on a piece of squared paper to make a neck warmer. The same itchy problem would occur surely? but I planned to line this garment for comfort.

After knitting the pattern chart four times I also realised that by lining it, I would not have to sew in the gazillion ends - just tie them off! I knitted them in a little to move the ends away from the very edge.

I lined it with a left over piece of jersey fabric but you could use fleece, an old sweatshirt or an old T-shirt.

Sometimes I followed the chart, sometimes I made a mistake and just carried on with that mistake and other times I added an extra plain row to use up a length of yarn or break up the contrasting colours- that is the beauty of a pattern over 24 stitches, so many multiples of 24. My favourite was the little rows of Tulips.

Essentially, it is so random that you just keep knitting the chart over and over adding a few plain rows here and there and repeating your favourite phrases.

The short rows are worked horizontally then designed to be worn by seeing the patterns in the fabric vertically as the snood wraps round your neck. Short rows were needed to use up short lengths of wool. I do however think there might be an interesting pattern to be had from knitting it in the round until each colour is used up. I'll put that one into the creative filing system for another day.

A black and white filter also shows how you need to select your yarns with contrast in mind. This makes the colours stand out. Putting green and blue next to each other doesn't necessarily give the desired effect unless it is say: pistashio and navy for example.

The colourways vary on each set of 20 rows as each little skein runs out but there are no dramas here, just the joy of creating colourful work using contrasting yarn.

I have loved the wonder of making something out of nothing. Here is the chart if you want to play along too.

Thanks for calling in. Enjoy.Jo x

All Done Beautiful Crepe #31

 It is time for an All Done post sharing how I have used up a piece of fabric to the very end. It is something I take great pleasure out of. This obsession means I can play around with tried and tested patterns without looking like all of my clothes are the same while reducing the amount of waste fabric I generate.

It also means favourite fabrics can be used for both Summer and Winter which was what today was all about.

During lockdown I received a bag of fabric scraps from my friend Michelle who had undertaken a clear out and this piece of fabric stood out as my favourite piece in the whole lot. 

I made a sun top from it and saved one last piece from the bin with this Linden top in mind.

There was just enough to cut the front piece and make the rest of out of stretch jersey. Now I can wear this wonderful fabric all year round. I must say the Linden Sweatshirt top is one of my most used patterns especially now that my older daughter can use size 8 from the pattern while I use size 12.

The back, sleeves, cuffs and neckbands are all in navy which compliments the patterned crepe really well.

I am super pleased with my new top. Do you have a lovely piece of fabric or skein of wool you are saving for a special project?

All done beautiful crepe. Jo xx

Saw it, Stole it, Made it.

The fabric shelf in my cupboard is looking a bit full of scraps, I don't mind this per se but I like to keep small pieces of fabric moving rather than festering. There are some nice larger pieces in there but they are being creatively obscured by the choppy bits. 

In order to get to the bigger stuff I decided to make a top I had been inspired to make by SoZo. I have not used up quite so many pieces as her version but it put me in mind of two fabrics that I knew would go together really well from my own cupboard.

The navy needle cord was from my friend in what I shall now refer to as the 'lockdown bag'! It wasn't quite enough for a skirt but it had a little stretch in it so it was suitable for a top.

My all time favourite pattern is the Scout Tee by Grainline Studio. If you do not have this pattern, I highly recommend you invest in it. It is not cheap but it pays you back over and over especially if you are a jeans-wearing-kind-of-woman. It is easy to make, uses very little fabric and can be customised in so many different ways. 

(It makes a rather comfortable PJ top too)

The final piece in the puzzle was a bit of viscose which I really like. I made this sleeveless top from it which I wear a lot with a red cardigan so I thought I would make the most of the last piece.

This is one comfortable top which had to go straight on my back the moment I finished it. A very happy sewer indeed. 

Do you have this pattern? Jo xxxx

ps. Thanks for the cord Lady Melchett x

Mostly Making

I am feeling the need to sew things that are different to just choosing a pattern and sewing it up - I need the crazy, creative buzz I love. To set myself a mini challenge, I emptied all the little bits of jersey I had onto the floor...

With it, I have made these rather cute baby leggings.

I have been working with this little pile of jersey scraps for a week now. It goes a surprisingly long way with baby wear. There are also a few cut up T-shirts in there too to get neckbands cut out on the stretchy grain.

It was fun to make leg cuffs from different fabrics and really keep the sewing challenge alive. I have two friends who are having babies in May and June and my heart really goes out to them at the moment. I am making lots of little hand made things which I will send in a cotton pump bag so they can put them in the washing machine before opening them. Here is a little cuteness gallery for you to indulge in:

Because I am using up Jersey scraps I had to have a cut down the centre front of this one but other than that it is the perfect little tunic top. The gather on the waist is done with two rows of shirring elastic on the machine, it looks very effective.

All of these patterns come from the Autumn 2012 Ottobre magazine: my favourite one which hass currently been reprinted.

The cuffs were pretty fiddly on a mini sweat top that is only the length of a ruler but it was such a satisfying sew.

I knew I could re purpose the last of my jersey dress. This was a great set to make. 

This is the same as the floral one but with plain T-shirt sleeves instead of the detailed gathered ones. Still gorgeous though!

Finally I remembered what a pig this fabric was to sew in the first instance when I madea complete mess of a set of PJ's for myself in it about 3 years ago. I persevered. The sleeves are a little stretched out across the grain but the leggings were fine??

It is quite addictive making a little item each day to completion.

Stay safe. Jo xx

Wet Play Days

We are well and truly wet but luckily located here in Shropshire. We live on the top of the Ironbridge valley out of the way of flood water but floods are affecting all of the roads out of our small town with many road closures. Others have their wheat crops devasted or their homes ruined. It is a devastating case of affairs. For us, this half term holiday consists of mostly wet play days.

It is one of those weeks where you hunker down and crochet a wacky baby blanket.

I decided to well and truly bust the last bit of acrylic stash I had left in the donated basket. This wool was all given to me in mixed bags over the last few years. By holding two similar coloured strands together and using a 5mm hook it was a very quick make. 

I don't actually love it but I think it is interesting and it will be the right gift for somebody - a carefully chosen someone. I totally get that this is not everyone's cup of tea.

The pattern is called St. Peterburg which is from the book above. The book comes to you highly recommended; all of the blankets are very manageable. 

The version in the book has a lovely soft palette of cotton yarn. Mine isn't! It is one of the first blankets I have ever made that has a very straight edge which did not require a border. 

This blanket has seen me through a weeks worth of evenings with easy repetitive stripes, allowing time for fretful climate change thoughts.

Stay Dry Folks. Jo xxxx