• Stoddard

    A few months ago, Mari asked me to submit something for the Autumn 2013 Harrisville Designs collection. Here’s my original sketch and swatch, worked in Harrisville WATERshed, a lovely minimally processed woolen yarn. I wanted to show off the yarn in a simple design that was still fun to knit. I really love knitting side to side, and the exposed three needle bind off on the front and back of the sweater provide a little edginess. The herringbone stitch used for the cuffs is easy to knit and when you switch to stockinette, it produces a lovely little puff in the sleeve.

    Stoddard

    And here’s the finished sweater! All photos except that top one are courtesy of Harrisville Designs.

    Stoddard

    Stoddard

    Stoddard is a cozy V-neck pullover with a fun, unusual construction. Three-quarter length sleeves feature a sturdy herringbone cuff and faux raglan seams for a casual, easy to wear look. It’s even reversible front to back! Harrisville’s WATERSHED knits up into a light, cohesive fabric with a wooly, comforting hand and beautiful flecks of subtle color.

    Stoddard is constructed in two identical pieces. Each half of the sweater is knit from the cuff to the center of the body, then the two halves are joined with a visible three needle bind off. The collar is picked up and worked in the round.

    Stoddard

    Stoddard is available from Harrisville Designs. Queue and fave on Ravelry!

    10/7 – Kickoff! On the Harrisville Designs blog
    10/9 – Design Inspiration with Laura Chau
    10/11 – Vintage Fashion Friday with Rohn Strong
    10/14 – Design Inspiration with Mari Chiba on the Mari Knits Blog
    10/16 – Tips & Tricks with Robin Melanson on the Harrisville Designs Blog
    Check out the Lookbook for Autumn 2013!

  • handsewn skirts

    If you missed it last week, I have a pile of new patterns out – the Davenport Collection and Stoddard with Harrisville Designs! That one will get its own blog post this week.

    In the meantime, non-knitted finished objects! I finally got off my lazy behind and made a couple of skirts. I love them. My sewing machine is still out of commission, so they’re completely hand-stitched.

    stripey skirt

    I didn’t want to use “special” fabric for the first one, so I used this random cotton stripey fabric that I bought at the Textile Museum earlier this year. I even managed to line up the stripes at the sides! I used this circle skirt grading worksheet to draft my pattern onto some big paper, which worked perfectly. This one is a half circle, made from 2 pieces sewn together at the sides.

    The waistband is organic cotton jersey – it isn’t the stretchiest stuff, this particular one, and it’s a bit bandage-y looking in the natural colour, but it is super comfy. I used this tutorial to make the pattern piece, but sewed it down a bit differently.

    I wanted the edge where the woven and jersey met to be covered, so I sewed one edge of the waistband to the top of the body with right sides together, then folded it in half to the inside of the skirt with the edge tucked under to cover the edge. For both waistband seams, I used herringbone stitch – easier than it looks, and maintains the stretch. The second waistband seam is on the outside of the skirt, which I quite like. The thread is white, so it’s pretty subtle.

    stripey skirt

    The hem was just rolled under, then sewn with a running stitch. I like the way it looks over a blind hem stitch. Bonus: very mysterious, weirdly angled photo of me wearing it.

    stripey skirt

    stripe skirt modeled

    My second skirt is a full circle, which I meant to cut out as half-circle pieces. I used extra-wide fabric though, and folded it twice – so I ended up with just one piece for the whole circle! I could’ve cut them apart and sewn them back together for the stability of a seam, but I’m okay just trying this one out. I guess it might droop?

    blue full skirt

    I used the same tutorials for this one, but I shortened the waistband by 1″ (total, so the pattern piece is 12″ deep) and used interlock, which came out a touch big. Note to self, really cut stretch stuff small! My backup plan is to add elastic inside the waistband if it’s really too big after some wearing.

    The skirt body is chambray and the waistband is random interlock from the Textile Museum sale. For this one I actually used the guide on my dressform to pin up the hem properly before hemming it. I also just used a straight running stitch to secure the outside of the waistband.

    blue full skirt

    I’ve gained weight over the last year or two, and I find myself pretty well between straight and plus sizes these days. It’s been frustrating trying to shop for clothes! I whine about it plenty, but sewing my own pieces, even if it’s just a few things, has been a really empowering way to view my size objectively rather than judging it (ugh, my stomach/boobs/arms are too huge for all these stores). Plus, these skirts are unique, comfortable, and totally fit me. And even with the handsewing, they didn’t take too long – about 4-5 hours for the striped one, a little longer for the blue one (since the full circle skirt hem is so long!).

    I know I’m lucky to be able to have the time to make these things myself, and I’m really grateful for that. Now I just want to buy oodles of fabric!

  • Davenport Collection

    For your knitting pleasure…I present the Davenport Collection!

    Davenport Collection

    The Davenport Collection features wearable, comfortable sweaters and accessories in a variety of weights and styles. For once I have more pullovers than cardigans! Click the photos below to check out the pattern pages (the Ravelry links are also on the pattern pages).

    Each pattern is available individually, but if you purchase 3 or more patterns from the collection on Ravelry, you will automatically receive 25% off!

    Super special thanks to Lorna’s Laces for the beautiful yarns used in this collection. Have your LYS put in a big order of colour and texture from them, will ya?

    Borden
    Borden

    Elston
    Elston

    Henwick
    Henwick

    Lansdowne
    Lansdowne

    Terauley
    Terauley