Adventures in a crafty world

The Corset

2006-03-29T00:37:00.000-08:00

And as promised, here's a picture of the corset I made, now that the lass who I sent it to recieved it in the post:

It's only pinned to a pillow, as she has the eylet setter. I'll get pics of it in action when I see her next.

Tunic Progress

2006-03-29T00:33:00.000-08:00

The tunic was going well. I'd got it all together, it fits and is comfortable, and I'd managed to flat fell the seams on the tiny sqyare underarm gussets, as well as the side seams, then I ran out of thread! I just have to finish the hem and underarm seams, and then it's done, unless I get time before the event ad decide to add red trim of some sort.

Ah well, here is a picture so far:

I know that's a bad pic. I'll get one of the entire costume when it is together.

Next I'm making a linen shirt, then on to a pair of red wool culottes.

Long time no see...

2006-03-26T04:08:00.000-08:00

Gosh, a month without blogging! Well, I've not been neglecting the crafting as badly! My knitting hasn't moved on much, but I have done quite a bit of sewing.

I've finished a renaissance bodice, which I'll post pictures of soon, a waist cincher, and started a cloak, and a pair of trousers.

At the moment I'm working on a tunic for a LARP game which I'm attending over Easter.

So far I've traced off the pattern, and nearly cut out all the pattern pieces. I hope to finish it today, or at least get the bulk of it done. I'm using a chocolate brown linen, and I love sewing linen, it is so gorgeously soft. period accurate too, which is always a bonus.

Anyway, back to the sewing - pictures to follow later!

Knitter out...

2006-02-27T05:58:00.000-08:00

My Olympic knitting project didn't get finished. I needed to do about 7 rows per day, and after one row, my wrists were aching. I decided I didn't want to risk carpal tunnel or RSI, so I've been working very slowly. Consequently I'm about 1/4 of the way through. I have managed to do a panta for the UK instant swap though:

And I made a good start on my Folkwear Big Sky Riding Trousers for LARP, a fantastic pattern. I'm working on a purple polycotton muslin, before I do brown linen and red wool versions. I adore these patterns - I want to make:

The Belgian Military Chef's Jacket
Shirts of Russia & Ukraine
The Walking Skirt

As well as these Laughing Moon ones:
Ladies’ 1890’s Sporting Costumes
The Silverado Corset

I'm on a historical pattern kick at the moment - Olivia will be so well dressed this year.

Knitting Olympics

2006-02-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

Since there are now in excess of 3000 of us, I decided we need a Knitting Olympics song.

Sat on the train today finishing off my panta (photos to follow, I promise), I came to the bit that is K1, P2, and was merrily sat there singing under my breath, knit, purl, purl... knit, purl, purl.

I decided we needed a knitting version of what I thought was The Frog Song, but turns out to be We All Stand Together, by Paul McCartney:

Knit or purl, rib or plain
One thing is certain we won't complain
Side by side, wool in hand
We all knit together

Cast them on, bind them off
Hats, scarves, and jumpers, maybe a sock!
Round the world, wool in hand
We all knit together

La-
Keeping us up late in the night
La la la la
Knit day and night
You'll get it right

Repeat

Knit or purl, rib or plain
One thing is certain we won't complain
Side by side, wool in hand
We all knit together.

Original version by Paul McCartney, filked by Heather!

Knitter In Training

2006-02-06T11:03:00.000-08:00

I'm in the Knitting Olympics, and I've started my training. I'm going to be making a pair of cabled kneewarmers of my own design, to keep my legs warm while I walk to work in spring skirts and boots.

This is the yarn I'll be using:

It's a Debbie Bliss Handspun 100% wool.

I did a swatch last night - just basic stockinette stitch on size 4 bamboo needles:

The colour is a bit bright in this pic - the balls of yarn are a much better representation.

These needles are so nice to work with - they are the only full price ones I've bought. All I've used before is 30p pairs from the charity shop, which are nice, and fun colours, but not like the Boos!

This is the cable pattern I'm using for the main panel:

Knitters - I know a bit of my middle cable has been reversed and dropped off - that little 5cm square took me all day yesterday (!) so I'm going to frog it soon, as long as I have time before Friday.

Now I just need to work on my chart so I actually know what I'm doing. I've got a plan in my head, but I think getting it down on paper will help!

TAG!

2006-01-26T02:13:00.000-08:00

Nush tagged me, so here goes!

Four movies you would watch over and over:
Amelie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Moulin Rouge
Serenity

Four places you have lived:
Milton Keynes
Guildford
Richmond
Manchester

Four TV shows you love to watch:
Firefly
Shameless
I'm really not a TV person, so the things I watch most often are:
BBC Breakfast news
Kerrang radio on freeview

Four websites I visit daily:
Craftster.org
LJ friends page
My Gmail
Yarn Harlot

Four places you have been on vacation:
North east America & Canada (which was far superior to the US! ;D)
Athens
Paris
Wales - particularly Aberdovey (my favourite beach in the world) and Candleston in Methyr Mawr, where I LARP

Four of my favourite foods:
Cheese, especially crumbly local Lancashire, bowland, appledore, and any strong cheddar, Afon Cleddau is a great example, and is wonderful with red bell pepper jelly. Brie and cranberry rocks too... mmmmm... cheese... ooh - macaroni cheese
Chocolate, particularly baking with it, my brownies are wonderful :D
Garlic. In anything, or just roasted.
Mild, creamy curries, especially if they are from either The Village in Rochdale or a fantastic curry house in Harrogate
Generally things people have cooked for me are wonderful. My housemate & I regularly indulge in experimental cookery, where we just concoct munchies from the contents of the fridge and cupboard. They always rock! Sometimes in an 'oh my, what were we thinking of..?' way, but hey!

Four places I would rather be right now:
With my boyfriend in Birmingham
At the gigs/clubs I'm going to this weekend
At home, crafting, with an endless supply of time & resources
Aberdovey, wraped up in lots of warm clothes, jumping off sand dunes and roasting sausages in a fire pit.

Four bloggers I am tagging:
I don't know any bloggers who've not done it yet, so I tag you all!

Madness... they call it madness...

2006-01-18T03:05:00.000-08:00

I think I'm mad!

I've been knitting for 2 weeks now. I can cast on, while follwing instructions. I can knit, purl, and m1 increase (most of the time).

I've decided to join the Knitting Olympics - during the 16 days of the winter olympics (2pm on February 10th until the flame goes out on February 26th) I'm going to be knitting a pair of kneewarmers. Cabled kneewarmers. Probably on DPNs. Eeek!

Wish me Luck. Or join me!

I'll take photos of my yarn tonight!

Beginning

2006-01-12T23:33:00.000-08:00

I've got so many projects that I've made over the winter months, including Christmas crafting, that I really should put the projects fro them somewhere, so I'll update this later with all of them.

For now, hello!