What a Hoot - A Story of two knitted Owls.

 

They say to never work with animals or children.

Now I understand why....

We tried a few weeks ago to get some photos of Oscar and I in our Owl & Owlet jumpers, before he really out grows his (it's already borderline too short), and well, I'd say we were slightly successful.

In terms of my Owls jumper, I honestly have no idea why it took me so long to make it! It was fast to knit (says the slowest knitter ever), especially with a chunky weight wool and a cropped waist, and the pattern itself is so well written.

I did add some extra length to the sleeves, but otherwise, a massive thumbs up, I would change nothing else about this jumper and definitely plan to knit more.

The Owlet on the other hand, while it's still a beautiful and well written pattern (and it let me practise my first ever cables. They are so much easier than I thought they would be and really rather impressive!) I really wish I had made it much bigger than I did.

I thought I was being safe knitting up the 3-4year old size for my 20 month old (at the time of finishing) even though he was the size of a 2.5 year old. I added in some extra length to the body and sleeves, but really, it was already quite fitted when I finished and it was rather heart-breaking to realise he wouldn't get at least two winter's wear out of it like I had planned, even after some rigorous blocking.

The pattern has since been updated, and while I haven't had a chance to look at it, I have my fingers crossed that they have re-jigged their sizes a bit to allow more ease for children to grow into their jumpers.  Just to give you some perspective, at the time of taking these photos, Oscar was 2years + 2months but actually the size of a 3 year old - you can see in the photo below that if I hadn't added extra length, it would be to short for him to wear now (as it is, it's a little borderline).

I will more than likely make it again though because it is such a sweet little pattern, but I'll definitely make sure I'm paying more attention to the size and will learn from my mistake and have a bigger jumper to hand that I can measure against.

It was a great little introduction to cables though and definitely gave me the confidence to start my own Owls (and then start browsing more cabled patterns...).

"Well someone's gotta fix your hair!" 

Also, the best photo of both of the jumpers at the same time.

 
For more in-depth info on both projects, you can head on over to my Ravelry pages for Owls & Owlets.

xx
J

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An Autumn Afternoon...

I've just realised that it's been an age since I did one of these handmade wardrobe showy-offy blog thingys! I guess I have to try to get back into the habit of taking photos a bit more :) 

We took these back in April on a warm autumn afternoon stroll in a beautiful corner not far from where we live. We're pretty lucky.

This version of the Afternoon Shift Dress is made from a Japanese cotton lawn that I'd had in my stash for a few months. I made View 4 with the pointed cross-over neckline and elasticated back shaping.

I've since removed that lovely vintage button though after some little fingers got a penchant for pulling and pulling at it every time I wore it. And I opted to machine stitch the entire neckline down on this version too, instead of hand-stitching like I normally do, because it felt sturdier and a little more up to dealing with the challenges of those previously mentioned little fingers. 

I've come to the realisation that baby-proofing necklines is a must-do these days, not so much a nice-to-do. And so due to the baby-proofing success of machine stitching on this version, I decided to go back and machine stitch down all of my previous versions of the shift and blouse. I'm giving it two thumbs up so far you guys.

This particular Afternoon Shift dress has become a fairly consistent staple over in my neck of the woods throughout autumn. Though, it's got a new contender for my heart at the moment - a gorgeous snuggly plaid flannel one (you may have seen the sneaky preview during Me Made May). It's seriously like wearing a nighty, but no one has a clue. I'm very down with wearing secret PJ's. Proper photos to come.

Oh, and don't forget, if you were thinking of buying the Indie Pattern Month sewing pattern bundle that The Hunter Tank is in, it finishes in 2 days! The Basic Bundle gets you over 40% off the RRP of all three patterns combined and the Extended Bundle gets you over 50% off the RRP of all six patterns. Woot! Bargain indeed.

Talk soon,

xx
J

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Goodbye May...

Wearing - A Felicity Dress Skirt

Ahhh, May, it's nearly over. Oscar turned one, I turned 30-something and had my first mothers day and Me Made May happened.

I feel a wee bit disappointed that I didn't participate as much in the documentation of Me Made May as I would have liked. I knew it would be hard with a little person, but I found that what I really lacked was the motivation to actually take photos. It was a case of "Oscar is napping - should I take outfit photos or stare into space for an hour?" - I chose staring more times than I care to admit.

I had articles I wanted to write and outfits I wanted to share, but I still wore me made everyday and sewed quite a bit (new snuggly patterns are a-comin'... as well as a summery one or two) and while my knitting languished in a pile beside the part of the couch Oscar can't access (yet) I did think about doing it. And did dream of all the outfits I'd wear with it when it was finished. So, that must count for something...

I think sometimes you have to give yourself a break and realise that it's okay to not do everything you planned to do. It's a little like when you fall into the sewing-just-to-blog rut, it moves on from becoming a fun challenge to just becoming something you feel like you have to do, that is actually no fun at all.

I did so very much enjoy seeing what everyone else was making and wearing though, and of course we had some fabulous prizes throughout thanks to The Fabric Godmother, Miss Maude and Indie Stitches. And then there's Zoe, and well, there wouldn't be a Me Made May without her!

I do so love this little community of ours, and all of the friends I've made (and have yet to make) even though we live on the other side of the world from each other and have never met in real life.

You guys are awesome.

In other news, did you know that Indie Pattern Month starts tomorrow? And that right now, you can buy The Hunter Tank in an awesome bundle along with the Sophie Cardigan, Liana Jeans, Olivia Dress, Zeena Dress and Norah Nightgown?

The bundle is only on sale for another week, ending on the 8th June, so if you fancy some chill out sewing patterns, this could very well be the bundle for you :)

xx
J

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