Hopefully A Turning Point...

(Piemaker sorting the living room walls)

So the house is taking over our lives. Combine that with my Masters Degree and working for a care charity and that leaves no time or space to even sew on a button. This is depressing, but looking at the positive my knitting is coming on leaps and bounds,

The real good news is that the electricians are in to sort our electric out today and tomorrow, which means by Saturday we will be able to decorate every room except the kitchen! (builder's starting on our new kitchen next week hopefully)
I'm hoping I can convince Piemaker to chuck a few of my boxes into the car so we can start setting up upstairs. But hopefully this will be a turning point.

I'm hating not having any space to myself to be able to lock the door and work or sew, I know it will be better in the long run its just at the moment its pretty sucky. This is mainly the reason why I haven't been making/showing you guys my sewing plans.

I have some but until we can move in there isn't a lot I can do about them!  Thanks for sticking with me, it won't be long!
There is so many lovely new patterns floating about I just can't wait to get started!

Cornish Honey Cowl...

I finished another knitting project! This was the free Honey Cowl pattern by Madeleine Tosh, which you can get on Ravelry. I did the bulk of the knitting on a little family holiday in Cornwall, hence the name.
I have to say This is my favorite thing i've knitted so far! So much so that some people may be getting them for Christmas!
Apologies for the myspacey photo, My laptop is broken and so i'm making do with Piemakers Ipad.
The pattern creates honeycomb stitch which gives a dense waffle like texture to the finished fabric which is sooo soft and squidgy! Heres a close up. I did it in some more Artesano Washable Merino, this time in "sand."

 Its a lovely versatile pattern you can do lots of different options. I cast on 220 stitches for this one, and used two skeins, but the shorter version is half that. It can also be doubled and worn that way too!

Little house update, we have the keys and are getting it decorated, hopefully to move in properly in about three weeks, when the kitchen has been put in. Lots of work to do!

Deer and Doe... More New Pattern Goodness!

I have been following a cute little french blog for a while now written by Eleanor, She's just launched a new pattern line, Deer and Doe,
The patterns are so cute I had to blog them!

Airelle is a great pattern with fabulous shoulder gathers, I could totally use this in my wardrobe!

Belladone is a very simple but cute dress. But out of the dresses I adore bleuet, a lovely little shirt dress which would be perfect in a stable fabric for Fall

Next is the coat Pavot, which is so chic! The construction looks nice and simple for a coat but what a fabulous result you end up with!

last but certainly not least is Sureau which is a great everyday dress! I can see everything in this collection becoming fantastic additions to any wardrobe! I think I might have to get saving up!

(Apologies for the basic ness of this post, my laptop has decided to die on me and until I get a new hard drive I'm having to resort to using the ever patient Piemaker's IPad. Not as easy as I'd thought!)

Completed: Craftsy Lace Keyhole Scarf by Stefanie Japel

Yes I actually finished something! Granted I finished this a little while ago but I've just had time to get pictures.

As the title suggests this was the scarf Stefanie Japel teaches you to knit in the Knit Lab Craftsy Course. It was a beginner course and I loved it. Although not an absolutely base rate knitter I found it so helpful and it gave me confidence to do more lace knitting. 

 I used Artesano's Superwash Merino in Grape. The colour is somewhere in between what the photos show. Its a lovely yarn and this only took up one skein. I think they would make fantastic presents! It took me around two days to finish. As you can see I prefer it as a headband rather than a scarf, it keeps my ears warm and due to my uhmmm adequate bust, it looks a bit pathetic around my neck.

 I decided not to block it as I like the lettuce like frilliness when its worn as a headband. I can wholeheartedly recommend this class. Stefanie is a great teacher. I've now signed up to her "fit your knits" class and I'm learning to knit in the round. Something I never thought i'd be able to get!
Perfect timing for autumn!

Bought Without Breathing... Colette's New Patterns Anise and Juniper!

Oh my gosh the new Colette patterns accidentally dropped themselves into my shopping basket!
I love both the Juniper trousers and the Anise Jacket!

I needed a good kick up the butt sewing wise and both of these are perfect Autumn pieces I could get a lot of wear out of!
I also bought Sarai's cute little instruction book that goes with the Anise jacket its $5 for today!
I promise I will be back with vengeance soon. The house situation is that we are currently waiting for exchange and completion which should be done in the next week or so. We think it will be another fortnight before we move in.
I will be getting sewing once we get chance to unpack!
How are you enjoying Autumn? Its one of my favourite seasons!

Still Here But Knitting...

Hello Friends!
We are still here, just in a funny interim period and living with Piemakers family for a little while, this doesn't make for great sewing time but I've really gone great guns with my knitting.
I thought it might be nice to update you on how i've been getting on.
I've officially learnt to knit properly. Thanks to the lovely knit and natter group in Worthing
especially Caroline who runs The Wool Bar (fabulous yarn shop)
It took a good few months to start to feel comfortable knitting and after one frogged cardigan, I have started my beautiful Willow Pullover from Louisa Harding's Margurite book. I am really enjoying this knit! Such simple instructions can make such a lovely pattern. I'm making this up in a patons cotton 4ply.
I've learnt a huge amount using Stephanie Japel's Knit lab class on Craftsy and I would totally recommend it to anyone looking to start out. I just skipped the bits I knew already but there are some fabulous tips! I also finished her lace keyhole scarf and it makes a fab headband (Pics to come.)
Here is where I'm upto with my Willow pullover

I adore the lace edging! 

I have become a proper yarnie too which is no surprise and i'm getting a good stash together.
If you want to see any of the stuff in my stash or things I'd like to make pop over to my page on Ravelry . Who else has fallen in love with knitting?

Whole Lotta Planning...

I seem to spend my life planning all the stuff i'm going to do instead of actually doing it. 

But when it comes to sewing, in my defense I actually can't do a lot until the move is done and I can unpack my sewing machine and unbury my fabric.

I have done abysmally in my sewing goals so far this year, my target is 25 garments, so unless I get a move on I'm in grave danger of missing that one.

a little info on how were progressing housewise first, 

We give our little rented house over on Tuesday and are essentially living in a bed room in Piemaker's parents house. No room for sewing here, but were waiting for completion before making the second move to our new home.

Incidentally this has given me a lot of time to think about what I'd truly like in my wardrobe and how I would like it to be.

I've sold a whole bunch of stuff on ebay and I'm looking to cleanse my wardrobe big time.

I've even written a little mission statement:

"The Idea behind this plan is comfortable, wearable pieces that can transcend from one use to another seamlessly, Promoting the use of good quality lasting fabrics to create versatility when put into an everyday wardrobe and the inclusion of pieces that harmonise with each other to create a capsule like effect.

Clothing in this plan should be, primarily a mixture of separates with the exception of a few dresses that can be worn layered with tights and long sleeved tops.

Overall I would like to achieve a workhorse style wardrobe of useful clothing. As I complete the Seamless Pledge I made in May 2012 until May 2013. "

So I've been trying to address this and look logically at what I like wearing. For example, I mainly wear dresses in the winter with tights, but feel uncomfortable in dresses in summer. 

Weird but realistic. I need more winter dresses than thin summer frocks.

So stay tuned for more wardrobe musings!

Do you have any weird wardrobe requirements?