Finished jumper, and a free pattern!

 Colourscape jumper - finished!

I finished the Colourscape jumper yesterday, deciding that a big polo neck was just the thing to use up every last inch of this lovely wool.

I’ve written up the pattern, which is now available for free in the shop!

I’ve only written the pattern out in the one size for now – it fits up to 40″ chest, which you can make from 5 x 100g balls of Colourscape.

It’s a very simple pattern – no shaping, and perfect for getting the hang of cables and rib.

It should also work in any chunky weight yarn that calls for 6.5mm needles. Give it a try!

Thinking about trousers

I’ve also been thinking about trousers for a good long while.

I’m in desperate need of some new jeans, as my current ones are both slightly threadbare and much too small. I did try on a few pairs in the sales, but the fit was so terrible that I didn’t feel terribly inclined to buy any.

I’ve somehow managed to convince myself that trousers are difficult, and I don’t like making them. This is patently untrue, on both counts, but I somehow never seem to get around to making trousers for myself.

Here are a few patterns that have made me want to get sewing:

Vogue 8397 – three pairs of trousers with elastic at the waist.

Vogue 8499 – trousers and a skirt.

Vogue 8561 – this pattern hasn’t been released yet, I found it on Marcy Tilton’s website.

These first three patterns are all hers. She’s developed quite a few patterns for Vogue, and they all have very interesting and unusual shapes.

I’m attracted to the plus four-like shape of Marcy Tilton’s trousers, although I think they’d probably work better in more summery fabrics, like,linens, than they would in heavier suitings or tweeds.

Artisan Pant – a Mary Ann Donze pattern for Indygo Junction. I’ve had this pattern for about a year, and I haven’t yet got around to making it. For some reason it makes me afraid that Trinny and Susannah are going to come after me, point scathingly, and accuse me of looking like a mad art teacher. Which is silly, because “mad art teacher” is probably my ideal fashion inspiration!

Vogue 2367 – this is a discontinued Vogue Men’s pattern, which made Paul laugh. He said that the zoot suit trousers reminded him of MC Hammer. Charming! I thought they’d look particularly excellent with a pair of coloured spectator shoes, but I’m not certain I’d want Paul to be thinking of MC Hammer every time I wore them…

Vogue 8367 – I have started to make a toile for these, out of an old bed sheet. I’ve managed to adjust the pleats and darts around the high waist to accommodate the odd shape of my stomach, which is a good start! I’m very short waisted though, so I need to shorten the rise quite a bit in order to avoid the MC Hammer effect with these as well.

Burda 2767 – this is a men’s costume pattern. I thought that a pair of drop-fronted trousers might be flattering, and I was thinking of putting buttons on either side of the front panel, for a sailor-like effect.

The fabric shop where I used to work now has a few really nice wool fabrics that are made in British mills. I might go and have a look, and see whether I fancy any of them for a nice pair of sturdy winter trousers.

Knitting Patterns in the shop…

This weekend I finally got around to sewing the zip into my green cardigan, and I spent several hours yesterday putting the finishing touches to the knitting pattern for it. It’s available in sizes from 30″ to 54″ chest, and you can make it from any chunky yarn that you fancy.

I’ve added the pattern to the shop, where you can buy and download it as a PDF file.
I’ve also added a free pattern for you, which is the Simplest Scarf in the World.

Last week I started work on a raglan shrug design, which I’m currently knitting up from my black Colinette Point 5, although even as I’m knitting it I’m thinking of ways to make it better. Once I’ve worked out all the kinks, I’ll write up that pattern for you as well.

If you do download any of my patterns, I’d love to see what you’ve made!

Please feel free to leave comments linking me to any photographs you’ve taken and are happy to share. You can also find me on Ravelry.

[EDIT] All currently available patterns can now be found in my Ravelry store!

Simplest Scarf in the WorldZip-Up Cardigan with Moss Stitch Edging

Sewing Plans for this Autumn…

One of the perks of working in a fabric shop is that you find out in advance when the pattern companies are just about to have a special offer, or discontinue lots of styles. Now is the time of year when all of the autumn/winter pattern books appear, which means special offers galore!

I have something of a weakness for buying patterns, so I’m trying to be very good and only buy them if I’m absolutely definitely positively going to make them in the near future. I have fabrics in mind (and in my stash!) already for the four patterns below, so I felt justified in picking them up.

My sewing plans for this Autumn...

Top left: McCalls 5591.
I bought this pattern as an alternative to McCalls 5431. The two patterns have many of the same elements – a full skirt, contrast band at the hem and large pockets. McCalls 5591 has the advantage of working with one-way prints on 44″ fabric, which 5431 can’t accommodate. I’m sure that I’ll use both patterns, and I’m hoping to find myself living in these skirts for the rest of the summer. I certainly have plenty of fabrics I can use to make them…

Top right: Vogue 2784 (now out of print)
This is a Donna Karan designer pattern for Vogue. The dress itself is very sheer, and the pattern includes a bias-cut slip to wear underneath it. I have the perfect fabric for this project – a sheer black georgette with little black roses, which was given to me by a friend several years ago. I think it might be interesting to make a few slips in different colours, to change the look and feel of the dress. I plan to wear this one to other people’s weddings.

Bottom left: McCalls 5717
Everyone at work fell in love with this coat pattern as soon as we saw it on the back of the new McCalls catalogue. Naomi’s already bought a length of bright pink tartan, and I plan to make this one in my Waverley flamingo fabric.  The collar and the ruffle at the bottom will be in black velvet, as will the buttons. Then I just need to add a sparkly flamingo brooch to the lapel, and I have a fabulous winter coat!

Bottom right: Vogue 8211 (now out of print)
No, it isn’t the same as McCalls 5717! This one’s going to be a more dressy coat, and I plan to make it from a heavyweight cotton curtaining. It’s cream, with gold bees embroidered on it. I’m not certain how many opportunities I’m going to have to wear a cream evening coat covered in bees, but I’ve had the fabric for a long time, and this is the first pattern I’ve seen that’s really been right for it.

Now I just have to carve out a tiny space in my hectic sewing schedule, and set aside the time to make something for myself!