the latest in a long week of cock-ups

This week has presented one cock-up after another. Cock-ups at work and at home. Cock-ups of naps that were taken at inappropriate times. Cock-ups of trains that didn't come and or travelled way too slowly for my liking. Cock-ups of communication. Cock-ups of information that wasn't read. Cock-ups of bricks that were incorrectly ordered. Cock-ups of calls that weren't answered. Cock-ups of work that wasn't checked when it needed to be. Cock-ups of things that weren't installed when they should have been.

But it's now a long weekend. Time to try to unknot my concrete shoulders, take a few deep breaths, and find a few laughs.

(Amazingly the back door, or rather lack there-of, wasn't actually a cock-up, just a source of ongoing amusement. You gotta hang on to sources of amusement when you're entrenched in cock-ups.)

Trousers, Slacks, Pants

On our recent craft weekend, I took the rare, unimpeded sewing opportunity to draft myself a pants block and make myself a pair of new summer pants. I don't think something like this is a particularly complicated exercise, but it takes some time and space (a rarity in my day to day life), and a little bit of assistance.

You grab your borrowed book (sorry, didn't write down the title) read the instructions, follow the numbers and connect the dots. You trace, pin, cut and sew. You pin some more (preferably with the help of a knowledgeable assistant- my hearty thanks to Sooz in this regard) and then strut around the studio, pleased as punch with your handiwork (although it did take me a few days after returning home to finish off the hand sewing).

I have to say I’m exceedingly excited about this project. Although I think it's a simple project, I somehow feel like I achieved something incredible. It was quicker than I expected and the fit is perfect.
One of the things I always hated about sewing my own pants was whether the pattern would fit (I sewed may pairs through Uni and my first few years working as a graduate, largely due to my meagre income, but it’s probably over 10 years since I made myself a pair, aside from some baggy elasticated summer shorts). Instead, I spent a good many years buying Scanlan and Theodore pants (something my current clothing budget and laundry regime don’t allow) because they fit me really well, and a few recent years buying other brands that just weren’t quite right.

But no more. I want to make myself many pairs of pants now (I find myself daydreaming about fabrics and lengths and construction details) and I’m itching to draft up a bodice block as soon as I can find an opportunity, because I can imagine so many possible projects.

What cheeses me off

Trying to get mini muffins out of non-non-stick muffin trays.

Suggestions welcome.

Swatching for a while

I have been wanting to knit C something summer weight for a while. I've had a pattern (Ravelry Link)for a while, and the possible yarn (Linen Cotton from Marta's Yarns) for a while. I just needed something to tip me over the edge to get started.

On craft weekend I discovered (with some shocked gasps as I went to my bag to grab some post-dinner-lounging-on-the-sofa knitting) that I forgot my sock knitting, so swatching it was.

I have to say I'm not really enjoying knitting with it so far (thin yarn, slippery needles, tiny stitches. You do the math.), but I'll soldier on with the swatching and we'll see how it goes.

Ooops

It's been a while since I reported on the state of affairs in the kitchen. Not much has happened- mainly the wall tiling and a few more finishing details on the cabinetry.

Still a few more details to go, plus the flooring and tile grouting. But we probably won't be doing much (aside from cleaning) until the builder has finished our new back door.

C walked into the kitchen tonight, after the first day of wall demolition and framing, pointed at the new hole and said "Ooops!"

A paper skirt

This is the skirt that I made on craft weekend. Inelegantly photographed, but I wanted to show it to you before it's too much like old news.

Stunning paper-like grey waxed cotton fabric, with white poly cotton batiste lining, yet another theme and variation on my basic A-line skirt pattern. The one I've been almost exclusively for the last 10 years at least. This time, the skirt incorporates an asymmetrical box pleat of sorts, inspired by the fabric's qualities and by Martha's work, and her use of large irregular folds and tucks to enliven simple, elegant silhouettes.

The skirt was very quick to make. I cut the front with some extra width and flare, and then after sewing the seams and zip and partially attaching the waist facing (I hate waistbands) I tried it on and played around with the pleat possibilities, making full use of the Studio full of opinions and feedback that craft weekend offered. I was initially thinking three pleats, but as soon as I tucked it into an asymmetrical pair of pleats, I knew that was it. I left it hemless, given that the fabric doesn't fray at all(I told you it was stunning fabric), and to achieve an extra simplicity of detail (or should that be one less..?).

But it won't be remaining hemless. If you look closely at the photo you'll also see the rip that I put into the skirt on Monday evening, as I was playing on the floor with C, after wearing it to work that day (because one must always wear one's newest creations at one's very first opportunity). *Sigh* I seem to be developing an excellent track record at ripping skirts after wearing them once. I swear that this is a new affliction that hasn't ever occurred before this year (Pencil that in for a new year's resolution: I won't rip any skirts after wearing them just once. I'll wear them twice at least.)

Perhaps it's an indication that the fabric's strength shouldn't be taken for granted. Perhaps it's also an indication that I shouldn't play on the floor in my favorite new clothes. Whatever, my next sewing task is to give the skirt a mock hem of sorts (I'm sure there is a technical term for this, but I don't know it) by seaming the outer to the lining. That way the extra stitching and the support of the lining should prevent any further rips, and I'll be able to retain a simple edge appearance at the hemline.

Good thing I cut the skirt an extra inch or so longer than usual. (and after all my preaching about skirt lengths on the weekend... Sorry ladies you must be thinking me a total skirt length fraud..!)

Play time

My ribbon stash is housed in a tin from a hand held electric screw driver tool thing (the name of which escapes me) that I bought Scott a few years ago. It, along with everything else I took to Craft Weekend, has been sitting in easy toddler reach all week, waiting for me to organise it back into the nooks and crannies it all ordinarily hides in, which has given C plenty of opportunity for investigation.

I do like the idea of everyday things being a source of play and discovery and amusement. I had to draw the line at the little box of embroidery cottons, but he was having so much fun with the ribbon tin (I figure he can't do much damage to the contents) that I haven't had the heart to put it out of reach. It's apparently great fun to fling around the contents (and yet miraculously easy to tidy up after a play session) and not only that, the tin makes a fantastic drum too.

Humming

One of C's favorite words at the moment is Bee. Not surprising since our backyard (aka one of the mounds of dirt) is buzzing with bees, gorging on the Gledistra blooms. It's an amazing persistent, constant hum.
Perhaps his next favorite word will be Builder. After a quiet couple of days because the head carpenter had gastro (kind of amusing then that the only happening on site was the arrival of the builder's portaloo) we're expecting a new kind of chaos as the back door gets moved from the Laundry to the Kitchen (this kind of chaos following on the kind of chaos that emerges when the bobcat driver could more aptly call himself a demolition derby driver).

As things progress, I find myself kind of hoping for a persistent, constant hum of activity, because while it's nice to have a day of peace and quiet here and there, anyone who's lived through a home renovation knows that the sooner it's over the better.

How many....?

We came, we sewed, we photographed. Amongst other things.

Craft weekend was bliss.

I don't really know where to start, but knowing that some of the other participants (Sooz, Suse, Sue and Janet) will have their own reflections, descriptions and photographs to share to the blogosphere perhaps takes some of the pressure off, in terms of being able to share all the wonderful aspects and moments and experiences.

The venue was perfect (more perfect than we dared to hope it might be, having been sorely disappointed in the past) and true to craft weekend tradition, the company and food were plentiful and wonderful.

Bonuses included the fabulous Red Door Books of Lancefield located a couple of doors down from the Silver Award winning Bakery (for their pies), itself just around the corner from our comfortable abode.

I somehow managed to be extremely focussed and achieved more than I hoped I would. Sewing up some toddler clothes that I had already cut out, making a skirt, drafting up a pants block for myself, making a calico mock up and perfecting the fit, and then cutting out and nearly finishing some linen pants.

Of course, you can do alot when you forget to take your knitting (!!!), and you're surrounded by clever, intelligent people who are willing to share their experience and insights with you. And you wake up at the crack of dawn but don't have to feed and clothe a toddler, so you can saunter over to the Studio with a pot of tea and fire up the sewing machine at 7.50am.
Bliss I tell you.
More photos here.

Mountains

We are surrounded by mountains of dirt (who are doing their darndest to migrate indoors) but they're disappearing on Monday I'm told.
Which is fine with me- I won't be here for the weekend.
I'm going away.

It's time again for a somewhat quarterly craft weekend, with some lovely crafty ladies (including some who don't blog), at a location that promises much. I'm taking loads of stuff, aimed at sewing clothes for myself. Books and patterns and fabric and notions and thread and sewing machines. I can't quite figure out what exactly I want to try to make so I'm bringing it all. I'm actually feeling a little rusty at sewing adult sized clothes, but we'll see how it goes.



If I get totally confused by the sewing options I'll have my little bundle of sock knitting with me to fall back on. I'm now re-knitting sock #1, toe up, knitting straight from the original sock because I was too lazy to ball it up (I'm telling myself the preknitted sock takes up less bulk in my handbag). I'm kind of over these socks now, but I feel a little like I'm on the downhill run...

And so it starts..

We've finished moving plants and clearing the site.
Now it's the builder's playground for the next few months.
Although my day job is dealing with buildings, I can't quite believe it's finally underway, and that we're paying people to do real, live construction work here, at our home.
I have to pinch myself.
And put on a pair of handknitted socks because it's gotten a bit chilly tonight and they pulled out the heater today.

We're taking daily photos, not to intentionally bore you with, but to entertain ourselves with by watching the slideshow once it's all over. Front, Back and top.

Indigo bucket

When I add new fabrics to the stash I try to always wash them straight away, to preshrink and remove any residual dyes or sizing. Then I fold them up (I don't bother to iron them, just fold) so that when the urge (read: desperately urgent need) to sew, say, a new hat for your son, strikes you at 9.30pm on a weeknight, you can simply whip out some fabric and go for it. Like I did last night.

The pattern could do with some further tinkering (I tried to upsize a hat pattern from this book) but it does fit (if a little big) and he seemed happy to wear it today (a blissful sunny 26 degrees C although I was at work so didn't get to enjoy it myself. Maybe tomorrow...).

Gooseberry

I started and finshed this little hat, and then put it straight into use a month or so ago and have been forgetting to photograph it ever since. So a belated post then, for a lovely little hat that is just the right size and weight for right now.



The Vital Statistics:
Pattern: Gooseberry Hat [Ravelry Link]
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton (leftover from the grey jumper)
Needles:4mm Bamboo dpn's (I think... hard to remember)
Pattern Mods and Comments: In a desperate desire to make a hat that would fit (limited time for crafting and all) I used the sweater as a de-facto tension swatch, did some calcs, and increased the number of stitches (13 stitches per rib instead of 12). It knitted up very quickly and easily, and the end result is fantastic I think. Cute and simple without being to baby-ish. C's grandma says she wants one...

a moment

A moment from the week.
Encountering dandelions for the first time.
"Bubble" he said.
And then he smiled as it vanished before his eyes, as bubbles do.

Heading into town

On the way to work yesterday morning there was another lady knitting on the train. Such a rare sight. She was from an older generation than mine. She was wearing a handknit sweater- pinky peachy variegated yarn (possibly cotton bamboo?) with some cabled and leaf motif columns against a reverse stocking stitch background. She was knitting two sleeves (or perhaps two cardigan fronts?) on a pair of old metal straight needles. The pattern was also some kind of ribbed lace, worked in a bright fuschia cotton yarn- possibly a 4ply. She was a thrower (not a picker) and had the right needle tucked up in her armpit, so her right hand barely had to touch the needle, just handle the yarn.

Initally I was standing up in the aisle facing diagonally across to her window seat. Then someone got up so I was sitting almost opposite her. If you've caught the train in Melbourne then you know how close that feels. However, during the 30 minute ride she managed to completely avoid my repeated attempts to catch her eye and offer her a friendly fellow knitter's smile of acknowledgement.

Maybe she doesn't like sock knitters.



(Visit Flickr for more info about the socks themselves)

Double take

No, we don't have two bathroom sinks. But we do now have a lovely mirror splashback. Still need to finish off the silicone. And do some cleaning, but that can wait while the cleaner (aka my husband, aka chief tradesman) gets on with the kitchen splashback. The cement sheet is up and tiling will happen next week. No rest for the wicked.