Summer of Basics Wrap-Up

FO #1: Saltmarsh Skirt

Size & Modifications:

I made this skirt in size 8 exactly as the pattern directed, just shortening it 7 inches so it would hit me mid-calf instead of at the ankle.

Materials:

• Saltmarsh Skirt pattern from the Merchant & Mills Workbook (which was available at my local library!)

• 100% cotton handwoven cotton with a subtle stripe from Maiwa Handprints

Cost:

2 meters at $15.00/m= $30.00 (Canadian Dollars)

FO #2: Striped beach tank

Size & Modifications:

I made this tank in a size S, the front of the tank was knit exactly as the pattern describes I just added the stripes. The back of the tank I modified so it would have a scooped back. I just cast off in the middle of the row where I wanted my scoop to start and then worked each side separately, decreasing in a nice sloped shape. This is my submission for #sob17bestmod

Materials:

• Beach Tank Pattern by Jess Schreibstein

• 4 balls (2 black and 2 white) of Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn

Cost:

4 balls at $2.50/ball + $7.00 pattern = $17.00 (Canadian Dollars)

FO #3: Palmer cardigan

Size &Modifications:

I shortened the cardigan by 2.75” and the sleeves by 1”.

Materials:

• Palmer Pattern by Michele Wang

• 7 skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Loft in the colour Sweatshirt

Cost:

7 skeins at $19.95/skein + $12.00 pattern = $151.65 (Canadian Dollars)

New Pattern: Clayr

Clayr is officially out in the world! Clayr is a generously long, light, and airy scarf that will bring you from those first spring days into the cool evenings of summer. Sporadic lace triangles give this scarf both a sharp geometric design element while keeping a soft airy look. You’ll find yourself reaching for Clayr time and time again. You can now find Clayr on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clayr

FO: Swaledale Clogs

Pulling these slippers out of the washing machine felt a little bit magical, they had shrunk to fit my feet perfectly and felt unlike any other thing I've ever knitted for myself. This was the first time I've felted a project, and I love the thick sturdy fabric it created.

I used the Swaledale Clogs pattern by Ann Kingstone, although I didn't use the recommended Swaledale yarn. I created a similar gauge using 2 strands of worsted weight and 1 strand of fingering instead of the 2 strands of Aran suggested. I had a bunch of small balls of worsted yarn in my stash from other projects so I got to use a few of those up this way. These slippers are very warm so they might not get much wear until next winter!

Pattern: Swaledale Clogs

Quilted Linen Tamarack Jacket

I finished my jacket just in time to wear it a little bit before we slip into warmer weather. This project was more time consuming then any other piece I have sewn, but it wasn’t any more difficult. The only reason this jacket sat around unfinished for a little while was because I was nervous about the welt pockets, but with the step-by-step tutorial on the Grainline Studio blog there wasn’t any reason to be worried! The only thing I added was a little loop at the back so that I can hang the jacket up on a coat hook (not pictured), but otherwise I made the size 2 with no modifications. I have been wearing it daily since I finished!

Pattern: Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Studio

Outer Fabric: Robert Kauffman Essex linen cotton blend

Lining: Cotton + Steel Tulips from the Bluebird 2015 collection

FO: Stowe Bag

Since I finished my Stowe bag a couple of days ago I have been loving my new knitting bag. The Stowe bag stands on it’s own and acts more like a basket when you're knitting, but it still bunches up nicely when I need to stuff it in my backpack. The Stowe bag is a pattern from Grainline Studio, designed by Fringe Supply Co. 

I made mine in a brown cotton canvas, and I used some extra quilting cotton I had for the bias binding. I had a go at waxing the canvas after I sewed the bag using a wax bar from Otter Wax and a heat gun to set it. To use the wax bar you need to apply a couple coats. I decided to stop after 2 light coats for a lightly waxed bag, which adds a bit of protection against water and dirt. You wouldn’t want to soak this bag, but I like knowing my knitting would be safe if I set my project bag on a wet floor or something like that. I decided to sew the gussets for a more permanent shape, and I ended up doing those by hand because my machine probably wouldn’t have liked all those layers of canvas. Even doing it by hand was tough!

I'll definitely be using the wax again, I still have most of the bar left that I bought and I would buy it again. The next thing I decide to wax I might try doing a much heavier coat so I can see the difference. Maybe a jacket or a canvas backpack?

Stowe Bag: http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/accessories/products/stowe-bag

Fringe Supply Co: http://www.fringesupplyco.com/

Otter Wax: https://www.otterwax.com/products/otter-wax-regular-bar