Planning a coat

I'm currently at the 'thinking about it a lot' stage of planning on sewing a coat for myself.

It all started with inspiration.  I saw Jenny's gorgeous purple blanket coat and was just gob smacked at how cleverly beautiful it was.  No need to buy expensive coating aye?  It kind of takes all the risk out doesn't it?

So suitably inspired I got myself a woollen blanket from the op shop.  Hmm not exactly my colour, but $5!  It's about 2m x 1.7m.  I'm also excited about the prospects of traipsing around town with my lovely yellow coat among the black and grey.

So now I'm on the hunt for a pattern.  It has to be simple with as few pieces as possible and appropriate for the thick woollen fabric of the blanket.  And I don't want something fitted - big and boxy is totally ok in a coat.  How much fun is pattern browsing?  SO MUCH.  I've wasted spent a LOT of time looking for a pattern that hits the right notes, so why not share my efforts here?

So, here's my list of jackets that might work.

I started with burdastyle because I love that website, I find it very easy to navigate, and they do fantastic outerwear.  Here are some that stand out for me.

Rounded jacket 09/2013.  I quite like the 3/4 sleeves and the double breasted look.  It also reminds me of Jenny's version.  However, the patterns calls for lightweight fabrics.  It also has princess seams which would be hellish to deal with with my checked fabric.  But cute eh?

Short jacket 08/2011.  So an initial question is if I need to make a cropped coat, or if I have enough blanket to go with something longer.  I really like the 50s vibe of this with the pleated back, but the sleeves look a bit narrow for the thick fabric.  Looks quite versatile though.

Dress Coat 09/2012.  Now I'm thinking I might get a longer coat out of my blanket.  Not really sure with this one, it might be pushing it.  I really don't want to deal with princess seams, but I love the neckline.

Wool Long Coat 08/2012.  Is this daggy?  I think it might be a bit daggy.  I was just excited to find a pattern that seemed appropriate for the blanket. But it seems easy though, that's good.

Long A-Line Coat 10/2011.  This is very nice!  But I am quite sure I do not have enough fabric.  I love the collar (or lack thereof) and the shape.  But that's a lot of fabric, likely to feel quite overwhelming I'd wager.

Duffle Coat 09/2011.  A totally different way to go.  I love the hood, the pockets and the double breasted closures.  I could see myself wearing this a lot and I think it would work really well with my blanket.  Not too many seams, fantastic pockets and subtle bust darts. The way the sleeves are inset worries me slightly.  Even so, this is definitely a front runner.

Here's another, Duffle Coat 11/2011.  The normal sleeves make me feel better about life, but it's missing the cute rounded pockets and double breasted look of 09/2011.  Do I dare attempt to combine my favourite elements of the two?

Ombre Coat 11/2010.  Still looking for simple.  I do like the mandarin collar and the few pieces.  Seems to be slightly A-Line too.  Might have to stretch to fit it on the blanket, but I'd be willing to sacrifice a bit of the length.

Long Coat 10/2010.  Similar to the last one, but I'm quite attracted to the simplicity.  I really like the concealed buttons and the slight A-line shape.  I'd have to sacrifice length, which is OK because long coats are a bit restrictive.

I like some of the variations in Burda 7700, although the picture is so small it's hard to tell what's going on.  I suspect these are prob a bit too baggy for my liking.

Burda have a lot of these 'ample' fitting coat patterns. 7711 and 7732 also caught my eye.

So the more I look for patterns the more same sameness I am seeing.  Vogue 8960 is a case in point.  It's ok, but a bit meh?

McCalls 6657.  I quite like this, though they have chosen some crazy fabric for the sample.  The duffle-ish variant has normal sleeves, which I find more appealing than the Burdastyle crazy sleeve version.  

Butterick have some nice easy looking designs.  I quite like 5685, but collar seems a bit unnecessary.  Also prob a bit too fitted for what I'm looking for. 

Colette have a duffle coat pattern - Albion, though it's just not pushing the same buttons for me as the Burdastyle one.

Another Burda pattern, 8017 is quite cute.  I like the overlapped front and the cute collar. I do like that teapot pose too.  lol

I quite like the look of this nice casual hoodie too.  Butterick 5931.  I might just make this for fun with some polar fleece I've got hanging around. 

So this is pretty cute, New Look 6760.  I like that there is no collar, I like the cuffs and the pockets.  (cute dress too!)  6736 is similar and also cute. 

New Look 6619 is a cute little cropped jacket with a lot of variations.

I don't know about you but that was exhausting!  But I feel that it was a very useful exercise, because I'm now dreaming of a hooded duffle coat.  I'm sure I'll do another post about the pros and cons of all the duffle patterns I can find before I work up the courage to chop up the blanket!  I am acutely aware that a coat is about a million sewing difficulty levels to where I am now, but I also am of the view that big challenges are how we learn the most.  So why not throw myself into the deep end??

Did I bore you to tears?  Do you love looking at all the gorgeous things you'll never get time to make too?

~Tan

Preciousss

When you get a new gadget, are you like me and totally covet and swoon over it?  I do.  I just got myself a new phone.  Getting a new phone is a Big Deal for me.  I was going to have to be commited to this new piece of technology for Two Years.  I previously had a little Blackberry (the only thing it had going for it was that it was purple), and the amount of things I couldn't do with it was getting ridiculous.  I didn't want an iphone, because Apple.  (Also, googling to find an appropriate 'evil Apple' link I found this.  Now I wish I got a Nokia E70!! I love you internet)

Anyway, I've now commited myself to a Samsung Galaxy S3.  (It's designed for humans - can you say the same about the iphone?  hmmm?)  I'm very pleased.  It does lots of fancy things.  I can finally play Angry Birds.  I can use Instagram.  Words with Friends!  All the things that you've probably been doing for the last couple of years are finally at my fingertips. 

Anyway back to the coveting part.  Now that I had this new shiny toy, I needed to protect it!!  My precioussss!  I'm super paranoid about the screen getting damaged etc.  So, enter my mad crochet skillz and exit my resulting amazing tapestry crochet phone case! 

If you want to make one, it's pretty simple.  I used some generic DK acrylic yarn from a chain store and a 4mm hook.

Using two colours, ch 17 with both strands. 
Row 1:  dc into second ch from hook and next 2 ch using first colour, change colours* and dc into next 3 chs using second colour.  Keep doing this (3 dc in each alternating colour), and when you get to the last ch, dc 3 with colour 2 and then 1 dc with colour 1 (so putting 4 dc into the last ch).  Rotate your work and dc down the other side of the chain, continuing 3 dc of each colour.  When you get back to the first ch, dc 2 in colour 2, then dc 1 in that same colour on top of the first st of row 1.  You should have had to change colours 12 times (ie you will aave 12 stripes). 

Row 2 and all subsequent rows:  continue pattern of 3 dc in each alternating colour around in a spiral until your phone case is the desired length.

Once you've got it the size you want, choose one of your colours and sl st around the top.  This will prevent the opening from stretching out and will help it look finished.  Weave in your ends!

* if you don't know how to change colours this might help.  Essentially when drawing through your last loop of the dc you use the colour you are changing to.

Hopefully this chart might help out.  The most difficult thing I found was getting the foundation chain the right number so my stripes were even!

Now, at the end my phone case was a bit snug for my phone, so I crammed a piece of cardboard inside to stretch it out and steam blocked it, seeing as I used acrylic yarn.  It worked perfectly!  If you use wool blocking will do much more wonderous things for you, so it might stretch out a bit more.

Do let me know if you make one for electronic gadgets! 

Also, this pattern is now on Ravelry here :)

-Linking with-

Tami's Amis FO Fridays | Fiber Arts Fridays at Wisdom Begins in Wonder | Natural Suburbia for Creative Fridays | I've Made Friday at SusanD1408 Crochet Addict | I ♥ Fridays at Petals to Picots

Ripple Baby Blanket Pattern

Here we go, I'm putting this out there as a pattern in case you too would are interested in making a baby blanket to match this vintage set (also on ravelry here).   My blanket is ravelled here and blogged about here.

The premise of this blanket is taking the last row of the cardigan from the vintage baby set and adapting it into a blanket.  Not terribly difficult, but I know some people like things written down proper like.
 


Ripple Baby Blanket Pattern

Materials
You could use any yarn/hook combo you like.  I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4 ply (Baby Wool) and a 3.5mm hook.

I've used UK terms. 
Foundation row: fdc a multiple of of 23 plus 20.
Row 1: ch 3, tr into next 9 fdc, 3 tr into next fdc, tr into next 10 fdc, *sk 2 fdc, tr into next 10 fdc, 3 tr into next fdc, tr into next 10 fdc**, repeat from * to ** to end. turn.
Row 2: ch 3, tr into blo of 3rd st, tr into blo of next 8 st, 3 tr into next st, tr into blo of next 10 st, *sk 2 st, tr into blo of next 10 st, 3 tr into next st, tr into blo of next 10 st**, repeat from * to ** to end. turn.
Row 3 and all subsequent rows: repeat row 2.

Edging:
To make a nice square blanket I straightened the edges.
Row 1:
Top edge:  ch 4, 2 dtr, 4 tr, 3 htr, 3 dc, *3 htr, 4 tr, 2 dtr, 1 dtr2tog, 2 dtr, 4 tr, 3 htr, 3dc**, repeat from * to ** to last 10 st, 3 htr, 4 tr, 3 dtr.
Side edge:  dc.  (I haven't seen a tutorial for crocheting down the side of crochet, but what I do is 2 dc in the side of each tr and 3ch at the start of each row - try to do it in the same place for each stitch for a nice neat effect)
Bottom edge: ch 1, dc, *3 htr, 4 tr, 5 dtr, 4 tr, 3 htr, 2 dc**,  repeat from * to ** to last 21 st, 3 htr, 4 tr, 5 dtr, 4 tr, 3 htr, dc.
Side edge:  dc.
Row 2: dc around, with 3 dc in each corner.  You may find it hepful to place a stitch marker in the centre dc of your 3dc corners.
Repeat row 2 until you have your desired width of border.

End off, weave in ends, and block if desired.  I found my edging rolled up a bit, so I wet blocked it.

Change colours whenever you like for stripes, my version was 10 rows of white with 4 rows of pink, and the edging .
 


I also have a pattern for a matching beanie, if you'd like to check it out click here.


I've only made this pattern once, so please let me know if you have any issues with the pattern - I'm more than willing to answer any questions, and I would love to see your FOs should you make your own!

Also listed on Ravelry here!

Ripple Baby Beanie Pattern

I made this hat to match, and was inspired by, this vintage baby set.  The set has a bonet, but I don't think bonets are very versatile and wanted a beanie instead.  I made this beanie as part of a layette, which I blogged here.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should point out that I actually don't have any babies, so I can't say definitively if this fits, but I use this very helpful website as a guide. 

The finished hat shown below measured 12" in circumference and was 7 " long, allowing the rim to be turned up.  Because I turned every row, there is no 'wrong' side to the rim.  It came out good and stretchy too, so should fit bub for a little while.

Ripple Baby Beanie

Materials
Yarn:  Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4ply baby wool (though any 4 ply should do)
Hook:  3mm

I use UK terms, but have inluded US terms in parenthesis.

Additionally, I have included instructions on how to give this hat the ridged effect to match the cardigan in the set.   If you don't want the ridged effect, don't turn your work, but continue in a spiral.  This will mean that your finished hat will not be reverseable, and your rim will show the wrong side of the crochet.

I do not turn the work until row 5, but you could turn before if desired. 

To start:  ch 4 and join to form a loop.
Round 1:  ch 3 (counts as tr(dc) here and throughout),  13 tr(dc) into loop, join with sl st [14 st].
Round 2:  ch 3, *sk 1 st, 5 tr(dc) in next st**, repeat from * to **, 4 tr(dc) into same st as starting ch 3, join with sl st.
Round 3:  sl st across one st, ch 3, *tr(dc), tr(dc) 5 into next st, tr(dc), sk 2 st**, repeat from * to **, sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch 3 to join.
Round 4:  sl st across one st, ch 3, *2 tr(dc), tr(dc) 5 into next st, 2 tr(dc), sk 2 st**, repeat from * to **, sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch 3 to join.
Round 5:  turn, sl st across two sts, sl st across to next st in blo, ch 3, *3 tr(dc) blo, tr(dc) 5 into next st, 3 tr(dc) blo, sk 2 st**, repeat from * to **, sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch 3 to join.

Can you see the pattern?  Essentially you want 5 tr(dc) in the middle tr of the 5 tr(dc) of the row below, tr(dc) in all other sts and always skipping two st on top of the 2 sts skipped in the previous row.  You could make this hat to fit any head by continuing this way to your desired size.

Round 6:  turn, sl st across two sts, sl st across to next st in blo, ch 3, *4 tr(dc) blo, tr(dc) 5 3 into next st, 4 tr(dc) blo, sk 2 st**, repeat from * to **, sl st into 3rd ch of beginning ch 3 to join.
Round 7-19:  repeat round 6.
End off, weave in ends.

Please let me know if you have any issues with the pattern, and I would love to see your FOs should you make your own!

Link up your projects with the pattern on ravelry here!!

**Update 4/9/12:  correction made to pattern (see red text above)

Planning

How awesome is Ravelry?  It's all been said before, but I still can't get over the way you can check out a pattern, and easily navigate to the different yarns people have used, and the way you can search other raveller's yarn stashes as well! 

Now that I'm a knitter, a whole new (and extensive), side of Ravelry has opened up to me... knitting patterns!

Here are some things I'm thinking about making, once I finish off my current project.  I'm a super beginner though, so not sure if any of these are appropriate.

The Thinking of you scarf.  I was half thinking of using my zauberball, but I think this must be done in red.  I might just try this in my favourite acrylic, as I'm still learning.  I hadn't seen this scarf before Tink showed hers off, and totally fell in love!  She has also said some encouraging words making me think that I could do it!

via

Again, thinking of uses for my zauberball, I'm considering Stripe Study or Different Lines.  I keep seeing these patterns done over and over, and they always look so effective (like this one, this one, this one, this one, this one and this one).  I think they're just garter stitch too?  I think I can manage that.  I also have some Teksrena Knitting Yarn in rainbow, which would loook super cool with grey, white or black lines breaking up the colour.


via here and here

I also love the Textured Shawl Recipe.  It seems pretty simple, and I would learn a few new stitches in the process I'm sure.  Not sure what yarn to use though.

via

Decisions decisions!  I'll wait until my new set of 14 circular knitting needles arrives.  Hopefully they suit the job at hand! 

Do you ever feel anxious because there's so much you want to do, and you know you can do it, but you just don't have the time?  Now I've made my little list I feel a bit better.  But when will I get the time to do it? 

WIP! More beads

WIPs

Current bead count:  dunno, lost count/A LOT

I'm getting a bit addicted to my dahlia at the moment, as I can see the end in sight.  I only have a couple of inches of the body left to go before I get to the edging!  The EPIC NINE ROW EDGING that is.

I think the beads are just subtle enough, though I've been adding a lot of them.  I'm a bit worried that I may run out actually.

Every time I post this project for WIP Wednesday, I get at least one comment about how someone is afraid to try beading.  I would just like to say that this is my first go with beads using the dental floss method.  And while it is fiddly, it's really not that hard. I can even do it on the train, and that's saying something.  I find wrapping the dental floss around my left wrist (I am right handed) and poking the end down my sleeve with the pointy bit dangling out is a good method to keep everything in place.  Let me know if that doesn't make any sense.

 

beeeeaaddddsssss (read it like a zombie, it's funny)

 And the real reason I'm posting this project this week?  To share this picture of The Kitten with you ^_^

I've also made a little progress on my knitting of last week, but didn't take a picture.  Here is a close up from last week for your adminration.  I've really only made 2 more repeats of the pattern, leaving about 15 to go. 

Thanks to everyone for leaving such encouraging and constructive comments last week, after I revealed my frustration with my first proper knitting project.  I can see now the yarn is probably not the best choice for a beginner knitter, but I'm going to persevere just because I don't know what else I should knit right now, and because I am making progress, albeit slowly.

And I have a mini story to tell... I dropped a stitch!  It was infuriating!  I thought I was being very clever and knitting in the car on the drive home from Sassafras, and we went over a bump and the stitch was gone!  Instead of throwing my knitting out the window, which was my first impulse, I took a breath, finished off the row and put the knitting away.  When I got home I googled about what to do about this dilemma, watched this video, and managed to pick the stitch up!!  You can't even tell I dropped it now.  I felt like a knitting wizard!

I still like crochet much better than knitting, though I would love to become a master knitter only because knitting can produce much more varied and versatile results.  I'm just so impatient and don't want to waste my time faffing about with garter garter garter stitch... I want a to make something spectacular!

Reading

I'm now listening to audio book two of the Skulduggery Pleasant series.  I've read it before, but there is so much I honestly can't remember, it's like experiencing it for the first time again.  In short:  Lovin' it.  I walk the long way to work just so I can listen to it some more. 

Skulduggery:  "I'm probably your hero."

Before I end this post, I thought this was the approrpriate place to share a cool link for the sci-fi or fantasy connoisseurs out there. Check this flowchart out.  It's very fun.  I have only read about 20 books listed though :(.  There are a couple of Terry Pratchett books listed, so you know it must be a reliable source ;).

Thanks for stopping by, and do remember to check out more WIPs at Tami's Amis and the Yarn Along at Small Things.

WIP: Beading

I've started a new project using the awesome yarn I won recently on a Punto Reves giveaway. 

I'm making another dahlia shawl.  (Remember the wedding shawl).  

This time, to mix things up, I'm adding beads!!

I ended up choosing purple, rather than the above colours.

Testy testing beady beads.

I'm using this method of beading - with dental floss!  Check it out, I especially like the use of the word 'scrooches'.

It's going to take a million years!


A couple of other interesting reads:

• Fluffy Knitter Deb - beading made easy
• Knitty - Seduced by Beads

Check out more WIPs at Tami's Amis....

WIP Wedneday... silky silken goodness

clickety click to visit all the other lovely WIPs

Tami's Amis hosts a WIP wednesday which I am happy to particpate in for the first time!

I haven't been making as much P on my WIPs as I'd usually have liked to... this is because I have been distracted during my usual crochet time (on the train).  This is my distraction:

Quick mini book review:  Quite a good story, when there is actually something happening. Has the tendency to go on a bit with too much detail (as any fantasy is wont to do).  Smuttier than you'd expect.  Most of the female characters are pretty weak.  Each chapter is from the p.o.v. of a different character.  I find myself a bit bored until a chapter featuring one of my faves pops up.  Currently my faves are Arya and Daenerys.  Although Tyrion is getting curiouser and curiouser.  I'm currently up to book 3 in the series:  A Storm of Swords. 

However, I have just discovered the magic of audio books!!!  Now I can "read" and crochet at the same time, increasing my efficiency by 100% (does that sound right?).   So now I am making a bit more P...

So I love pink and yellow.  I impulse bought 3 skeins of Handmaiden Silken from the Aussie Destash board on Rav.

oooOOOooooo

aaaaaAAAhhhhHHHH

It's softer than I could have imagined.  The 2ply silk I used for the wedding shawl didn't have the same feel in your hands, probably because it was so fine.

I am making an Elise Shawl.  I love the yarn.  It's gorgeous.  The colours... drool...  I'm calling mine Sunshine and Fairyfloss.  Just not sure how and where and with what I will wear it.  We shall see. 

I don't know what to think of the pattern yet.  I know that blocking will make it really pop.  It doesn't look like too much just yet.

uber close up arty shot :P



I always like seeing how the yarn looks when wound up.



Doesn't look like much so far. 

I'm about half way.  But now that I have awesome magical audio books at my disposal, I am hoping this will not take very long to finish.

Cowls cowls cowls!

Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!  Cowls!

Cowls are neat-o!  I didn't own any, so I thought to remedy this unfortunate situation.

A girl at my work has been wearing some spiff cowls done in a shell stitch long ways.  Does that make sense?

I couldn't find a pattern to match, so I made one up!  Shell stitch is pretty basic, so any nerd can do it.

The ingredients:
Some yarn.  duh. 
I used 2 skeins of King Cole Riot in "Dude".  Kinda wishing I'd chosen one of the other colourways.  Oh well.


prettyyyy

 You could use any yarn for this cowl, just adjust your hook size accordingly.

I used a 6mm hook,

The method:

Make a chain the desired length of your cowl. OR if you're really clever make a foundation single crochet chain instead.  This is what I did, because it gives you a bit more stretch.  Your chain should be a multiple of 6, plus 3.  Thats the length of the pattern, plus an extra bit to join the pattern together (see the image below). 

I wanted mine so I would get two loops around my head, but not too tight.  Just hold the chain together and test it out.

I was a bit off with my count, but I'm a big fan of fudging to get the result you want :)  If you're getting to the end of your chain and your numbers are off, just fudge it by skipping 1 ch instead of 2 as required so you can join your pattern.

Join your chain with a slip stitch to make a loop. 

Then its just *dc, sk 2 ch, 5tr, sk 2 ch* and repeat from * to * until you come back to where you started from.
Here is a chart of the stitch pattern:



Thanks Wikipedia!

When you get back to where you started, dont turn, but keep doing your shell stitch around and around.  the 5tr go on top of your dcs, and a dc goes in the 3rd tr of the 5 tr. 

My join is not very neat, here is kinda what I did:

Starting in the black, shell stitch around.  The red shows where you'd come back to the beginning.  To continue with the pattern, you will end with a dc, then 5tr into your starting dc.  The green is the next row.

The most important thing, when you finish your first row of shell stitch and are going onto the next row, make sure your work is not twisted.  I learnt this the hard way and had to frog about 4 rows before I realised.

I did about 14 rows, then ended off and did 14 rows on the bottom of the chain, to make the cowl symmetrical. 

I steam blocked my cowl, but it still wanted to curl.  I think it looks spiff anyway :)  It's about 140cm around.  Ravelled here.


Before blocking



Blocking attempt.

And wah-lah!  Very snuggly, stays in place beautifully, unlike a scarf which can flap around all over the place.

I have another (possibly daggy) cowl on the hook now.  I hope to have it finished by the weekend!