Thursday, September 22, 2011

Winter Aran Slipper Boots

I started this pattern a couple of evenings ago and have reached the point where I have to join the back and front, although I'm not ready for that just yet.  
Today was a flying visit to Penneys for fleece and with a bit of hope, something to do the soles.  I came out with this gorgeous paisley fleece for the lining and found espadrilles in the mens dept for a euro, plan just to use the soles.
I'm already wishing I had a glue gun, but I think I will be able to sew it all together.......actually I'm wondering if I was wise to tackle this, since I just looked at the photos and thought I want to do that ...... thinking they would be a lot like a sock.........duh not!!  But could be!  Anyway I have a rough idea of what comes next in the knit part and how it's all going to go together....supposedly.  That will require a good day and a clear head.

In the meantime I'm just going to knit up the second one whilst I think about it all.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Granny Slippers


Having left my other crochet slippers in the lost corner of the Hebrides, I decided to use the remainder of the wool from the hats to make a pair of Hex boots. I'm new to crochet but these went really fast.....well except for the soles which were rectangles and really are NOT good once assembled. So after about the 3rd attempt on the sole I got what I thought would be as good as it could be.  Because of the hex they are slightly wide at the heel, some have changed the hexs here for a neat fit but I didn't want to lose the look.
I used 2 strands of aran for thick soles and started and finished with 4 sts. For non slip I added blobs of silicone to the soles. I know you can buy stuff especially for this but not near me and I couldn't wait for delivery, anyway the silicone does the job just as well and didn't come off in the wash ..... although it may do in the future.
I think if I'd had enough yarn I would have added 2 more hexs on top for a boot type. These are quite cosy for the time being. 
The original pattern can be found here and you can find mods on Ravelry.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Chullo two

Well I remade it with my own design and reworked the crown again for a better fit.  I wasn't too sure about the main chart whilst I was knitting it, but it seems to have turned out alright, although it is not the look that was intended.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Skull Chullo

Well I'm back from my Scottish road trip, the weather was great, so I think my timing was perfect for a change and with 640 miles each way and 6 hours on the ferries you really want good weather!!
Thanks to my mum I came home with a whole box of aran odd balls, so I'm really chuffed about that, there's even a hank of pure hand-spun wool in there!!
I decided to give the Ski Skulls pattern a go, although I never thought it would be big enough for my head, however it is, but think it is better suited to my daughter..... who said no thanks so have put it up for sale.
I found the crown too long so ended up taking it back to do the decreases on every row for a better fit.

So now that it's done I'm hoping to make another one for myself...minus the skulls.....just searching for a replacement chart, might even have to try my own, we'll see!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Ragdolls

After the Hoover cover I thought I may as well make a couple of rag-dolls before I tidy up everything and take off on my trip.

Having quite a few bit of scrap fabric to use up, this was an ideal project. I used the same tutorial I found earlier for the pattern, just that I made the legs longer.

I'm quiet liking the toy making, although I am a bit lazy on the clothes here. They were looking a bit ghostly so I added a splash of colour with some tee shirt trimmings.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Multi Purpose Bag

Well here it is, after 3 days of sewing.  Well partial days..lol. I finished it this afternoon and am totally pleased with myself.  It's styled on a bowling bag and I was really hoping that when it was finished I would be able to get the sewing machine into it.
I learnt the basics of bag making on Creative Cutie and have improved with each bag.......Well I like to think so anyway, I can certainly say that I have gone from being terrified to confident thanks to Daphna's blog.
I made it from curtain fabric that I was lucky enough to receive a year ago and still have a load left.  I didn't bother with interfacing as the fabric is so thick and I don't think my machine would have gone along with all that labour..... I suppose it's due a pamper after all that hard work.



I drafted the pattern and cut all the pieces sewed the pockets on, sewed the outside together, then the inside, the design bit is a pocket, then did the zipper bit. Sewed the lining to the zip bit leaving a gap to turn the bag through at the end. Sewed the outside to the matching zipper side, leaving the zip open, finished all the raw edges...... this takes a while and a lot of thread!   Then the magic part comes when you pull it all right side out, tuck the lining inside and stitch up the gap.  Job done!



I really didn't think the machine would fit through the zip, but where there's a will sometimes there's a way, and boy was I happy when I found the way to do it......Hooray!!  I'm so glad that this will be in use all the time.  I can use it for a weekend away, overnight stay and sewing machine bag.  How good it that!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Time to dust off the Sewing machine!



 Seems so long ago since I made the vacuum cover...... it's not I know but I had a little of this dotty fabric left since making a peg bag and didn't know what quite to do with it, until today.  I'm going on a wee trip and have just realised I don't have a toiletries bag..... strange thing that, come to think of it I can't even remember the last one.. that is if I had one!?

I lined it with a plastic lining and of course since it's been a while since I made one of these I forgot to leave the vital gap for turning right side out....... happens every time! I've also added a beaded pull to the zipper which is pretty much invisible for a change.
 


 








 


I thought I may as well make a matching small make-up bag too while I'm at it, but since I've no little zippers left it had to be hoop n loop this time. I'm not much of a make-up kind of girl, sensitive skin and all that, but I do wear it when I go out....... and when you take a trip you do get out a bit!

I've started a bag too but goodness only knows how that'll turn out. Cut all the bits and sewn the zipper today and then life called me back to reality....... hopefully the brain will function a bit better when I get the chance to tackle it again. ;o)