Saturday, February 6, 2016

February Knitting and Sewing Links

February used to be a real bore, a time to catch up on unfinished projects, or just wait out the last of Philadelphia winter. No so any more, here is a short list of knitting and sewing activities to fill your late winter schedule.

KNITTING
Anna Vest Knit Along. Still on the fence about knitting the beautiful Anna Vest with other Fringe Assoc. fans in the Anna Vest Knit Along. It would be a great winter layer over my closet full of Archers knit with this Underhill Farm undyed wool/mohair. It's beautiful yarn and I got the gauge on the first try. Yay! But (and it's kind of a big one) I might not have enough, and can't get more. I'm weighing the likelihood of running out of yarn with the cost of buying the pattern book. Anyone else planning to knit along who might be able to sway me in that direction? #annavestKAL

Woolful Podcast  - I totally missed the deadline for "man on the street" this week, but I am really excited about the question. The interweb encourages you to keep each little skill in a tiny box by itself, but there is little distinction between knitting and sewing (or embroidery, or dyeing...) when it comes to a handmade wardrobe. I'm happy to see more people blurring the lines. The guest this week is Anna Maria Horner, so if you sew and have never listened, now is a great time to check it out.

I might be the last knitter alive to not have a Featherweight Cardigan. I've got some bigger projects on my to-knit list, but I keep putting up mental road blocks ( knitting for others, knitting for the SweetKM shop, yarn selection anxiety, to name a few) to making them. I'm hoping the Featherweight will give me some momentum and help me identify which of those bigger projects will best serve my closet. 
Secret Valentine Exchange. Not exactly knitting, but I knit for mine so I'm filing it under this heading. Mine is in the mail. I hope showing it here doesn't spoil the surprise for anyone (surely no one can guess their Secret Valentine!?). It's very similar to last year. Call it a cop out, or going with my strengths! This is the Shape Shifter Scarf, knit with Classic Elite Soft Linen.  #2016SVE


SEWING
Galley Tunic Sew-Along. I am a member the very distinguished panel spearheading the the Liesl + Co. Gallery Tunic Sew-along over on the Oliver + S blog. I just got my fabric in the mail and I can't wait to get started. I expect it to be a whole lot of fun, and a universally flattering finished garment. You won't want to be left out. Consider this fair warning, ransack your stash, hit your local sewing mart, fill your virtual shopping cart, get your ducks in a row cause the sew-along starts February 15th. #lieslandco
Petit a Petit + Family.  My first post as a Petit a Petit team member was a sewn pixie bonnet tutorial, you can get the Blizzard Bonnet pattern here. Be sure to check out the other posts, lots of creative ladies sharing lots of great ideas. Celina has been adding video portraits to her posts, making them extra beautiful and dynamic. Tag your makes #petitapetitblog
Sew It Project. I am a huge fan of small goals. Sometime I write things on my to-do list just so I can cross them off. Project Sew It from Petit a Petit is just that kind on goal. Sew one thing for yourself this month (just one!) and share it with us at #sewitproject on instagram or in the Petit a Petit Facebook group. If you're a knitter hoping to expand your handmade skills, this is a great time to jump in. Just make one thing! Now, go put that on your to-do list. #projectsewit

Best Sewing Blogs. Have you voted for the Madalynn Best sewing blogs yet? I feel a bit dubious about these things, but then again I'm usually not on the list. Thank you to whoever nominated me, it's a thrill. I'm category #30 "Best New Blogger". Lots of my other favorite ladies are on the list Meg from Cookin' and Craftin', Jo from Jo Sews, Sarah from Fabric Tragic, Brienne Moody, Nicki from This is Moonlight, and lots of other well known sewists who don't need a shout out from me.  Hustle on over and support your favorites! (link to form)

OTHER STUFF

Perhaps you've noticed I've cleaned this place up a bit. I've added tabs across the top to highlight the knitting tutorials and sewing tutorials I've made in the past. If you've made any, please share! #sweetkmpatterns


11 comments:

  1. That shawl is beautiful!! Great color combo.
    I just finished a Gallery dress today... a bit ahead of the sewalong, I guess, but I couldn't wait. ;-)

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    1. Thanks Meg. Loved your black and white Gallery Tunic (and will probably size down on your advice), can't wait to see the next one!

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  2. Nope, you're not the only knitter not to have knit a Featherweight - I haven't either! i used to be such a prolific knitter but I do not have the brain power for it these days - I have been working on the same doll-sized sweater for more than a month now.

    But enough about me - I LOVE the scarf you knit your valentine (I know it's not me because I already received mine). I also really love the fabric you chose for your tunic; it is going to be lovely! I am very drawn to the Gallery pattern but I haven't bought it due to fear that its lack of darts and my ample, erm, assets, won't be a goo dmatch. I'll be watching the sewalong closely.

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    1. Thanks Masha! My main roadblock is knitting for myself. I can whip out a kid sweater/hat/scarf/wrap in no time, but for some reason knitting for myself seems like a big commitment. No more. Swatching my Featherweight at this very moment!

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    2. Also, that's not Gallery Tunic fabric, it's from a Lark Tee I made a few months ago, and will be blogging on Monday. My Gallery Tunic plans will be on Oliver + S blog on Tuesday. I'm very proud of myself because it's NOT chambray. :)

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  3. Thanks for the mention Kristi. I think the love must be mutual : )

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  4. :) I did think you might be making a buffalo plaid gallery tunic for a moment.
    I've traced the pattern and should play along.
    I love that shawl, the colour blocking is divine.

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    1. Ha! A buffalo plaid shirt would nearly complete by redneck tuxedo! Can't wait to see what you make. I made my toile today.

      (I might actually wear a buffalo plaid Gallery dress...:)

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  5. Ooh I made a featherweight, it took FOREVA and is too small if I'm totally honest but I'm still very proud! I do love your scarf so much and I'm sure your SV will be delighted with it. Ooh and thanks for the shout out - I still find it kind of hilarious the category I'm nominated in because I'm SO DULL! ;)

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    1. Not dull! I thought my category was funny too considering I've been blogging for 5 years! At least it wasn't the "over 30" category (which was actually on the nominations list). I'm not even sure people over 30 know how to use the internet! :)

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