My First Sweater and my new bracelet

My first sweater! (well, ive knitted a zippered vest before, but that's not exactly the same thing) At first I wanted to use Joann's rainbow sensations classic, but my dad said to get Caron One Pound, which is cheaper and has more yardage, and I was like, "No, it's not...fuzzy." Which just goes to show you that I don't care much about the value and cost of things. I'm glad he finally convinced me to get Caron, because I like the color much more. I'm using worsted weight Caron with size 15 needles. Surprisingly, it's not all lacy and loopy, but looks like I've used fat, chunky yarn. The boatneck sweater is my own design. It's a complex structure consisting of two rectangles and 2 trapezoids. Wow. No neck shaping whatsoever. Did I mention no armhole shaping either? The color is a kind of deep, rich, olive-y green.

I got the yarn Saturday and was able to finish the front and back by Sunday. I'm sure I could've gotten this finished yesterday (monday), but homework got in the way.

I have also made a jersey bracelet from the aqua knit from my racerback tank top.

I've known how to finger knit for a while, and when I saw this tutorial I instantly remembered the technique I learned in kindergarten from my sister. We made lots of things... scarves, belts, rope. Yep, all finger knitting. We also learned to finger crochet, which is basically crocheting a chain with your fingers. Maybe I'll post a pattern for the sweater if anyone's interested. And if anyone's not... well, I'll probably post it anyway. :)

Wish List

Things I want to sew:

1. twisted jmorco shrug

2. a jumper for playing, with big pockets. Usually I don't like dresses, but a jumper makes me think of playing and going on adventures in the woods.

3. a smock--reason in #2

Things I want to knit:

1. Chunky boatneck sweater from joann's rainbow sensations yarn

On Saturday we're going to either the fabric store or Joann's. What should I make first?! What would you want to make?

Sorry

I've just realized that my photos have not been showing up! Sorry for everyone who's come here and only seen blue boxes with question marks in them instead of pics. I've fixed it now.

o(^__^o)

Satin Flower Tutorial

You've probably seen these everywhere, so I've decided to throw out my own version. So, you'll need: satin, organza, chiffon, tulle, etc.; needle and thread; candle; scissors; beads/buttons/embellishments/etc.

First, cut out flower shapes. Mine were freehand, with either 4 or 5 petals. I cut 8 (well, actually i cut nine but the ninth was burnt to a crisp and melted into a gooey purple blob). Now light your candle, and slowly rotate the satin flower over the flame. When the edges turn black and start curling in, you're done. What I did was, since the candle was in a jar, hold the flower with some toilet paper and hold the petal over the flame, while the rest of the flower remains on the lip of the jar. After you have singed all of the flowers' edges, layer them all, smallest on top and biggest on bottom. Sew the center and add a few beads or embellishments. You're done! Now you can attach it to your clip or pin back. Enjoy!

Kimono Shrug Tutorial

While searching for a certain t-shirt in our messy closet, I came across some fabric I was looking for last week. It's a silky, shiny fabric with a japanese print on it in pink and red. T-shirt forgotten, I started making a shrug. The result looks almost like a jmorco 'I heart kimono shrug'! Squeal! (ok, I don't squeal at all, thank goodness, but I'm very excited. And even if i tried to squeal i'd sound like a pig ...) And I didn't even try! Jmorco is my favorite etsy seller. I love, love, love her designs. And she's a San Franciscan like me! Well I was born in SF at least, and usually I go at least once a week... Okay, so, this is the finished product.

Tutorial

Materials: fabric (i had 2/3 yd by 60"), sewing machine, thread, measuring tape, pins

Measure from wrist to wrist and add 3." Trim your fabric to this length. I left the width the same, which was 26." It gave me the big, drapey, kimono sleeves. I'm sure it would be big enough if it was only simply 20." Or you could go for the classic shrug and just do a smaller width. Measure across your shoulders and add 4-5." I got 20." Now take your length and subtract your shoulder measurement. (for me: 60-20=40) Now divide by 2, and you've got x. Measure in x inches on both sides, and sew, leaving a gap in the very center. Hem the arm holes, turn right side out, and insert your arms into the holes.

The space between the yellow lines is your head hole. You're done! The black lines on the sides is where your arms come out of, and the layer of fabric between the dashed lines forms the neck. The fold is the back of the shrug.

Have a nice weekend.

Racerback Tank Tutorial

Yesterday I was upset that I couldn't go to the fabric store. So I blasted Doodle Jump up way loud and made my parents annoyed. Finally I just decided to keep dying, so it continued to make a bunch of woooooooo sounds. I know, I know, it was pretty bratty and immature, but still... my hunger needed to be satisfied. Afterwards we made a deal that we could go this coming Saturday. I was happy.

Until we lost our soccer game. Then I wanted to sew, and that, at least, my mom and dad let me do. Hurray!

Here's my finished project.

A racerback tank top! Made out of more of the jersey I used for my sport tunic.

Tutorial (sorry for the weird lighting; it was just last night and my camera made the colors weird)

Materials: tank top that fits you, jersey (I had 3/4 yard), sewing machine, thread, extra material for binding, like rib knit. I used some sort of stretchy, work out material. Also you need scissors, measuring tape, etc.

1. On your fabric, trace and cut around your store-bought tank top, leaving 1/2" seam allowance.

2. Cut out your neck hole from your fabric. Now pin and sew your shoulders together, right sides together. Sew up the sides of your tank top.

3. Now cut out the racerback. Mine was sorta freehand, but you can use a round object like a bowl to help guide the racerback shape. Now sew up the sides of the tank, right sides still together.

4. Cut long, wide strips of rib knit or other material to bind the edges of the armholes and the neckband. I used the last method in this tutorial.

5. Hem the bottom, if you wish, or you can leave it raw--jersey doesn't fray!

Have a nice day! o(^__^o)

Drawstring Bag

In social studies, we play a game where you can give the emperor gifts in exchange for extra koku, or rice. So I gave a little drawstring bag with 'emperor' embroidered on it in Japanese. My group then filled it with little origami stars and cranes. Finished bag:

I basically cut a rectangle of loosely-woven fabric by my desired width and double the length I wanted, plus 2" for the casings. I folded the top and bottom of the fabric over about 1," and then I sewed them down with a double running stitch. I embroidered on the Japanese characters, and then I folded the bag in half, right sides together, and sewed up the sides, stopping when I reached the bottom of the casings--you don't want to close them. Then I cut 2 pieces of yarn and threaded them through, tying knots at the end.

Even though the bag is plain, I'm really proud about it. Next I want to knit a sweater--a chunky sweater with BIG needles. Maybe US 19.

Jmorco

I am in awe of jmorco's work on etsy. Her things have inspired me to sew unique things. Maybe I'll ask for one of her pieces for my birthday. When I grow up, I hope she will still have her shop open, because then I might possibly have money to buy from her. Possibly. Though it'll be the day when I will spend more than $30. But I shall make an exception. Again, possibly.

What I'm currently working on...

Here's a preview of my newest sewing project--it's another jmorco knock-off (an etsy shop with cool, unique, and funky clothing). It's a kind of patchwork-shirt. The sleeves are going to be made from salvaged jersey scraps.

WIP: The head to head band

I'm working on the head to head band by hilary hunt. I'm using a minty green dk weight yarn, held double from a recycled sweater--another giveaway yarn. I'm hoping to make another headband in black or white for soccer and basketball or something. That is, when we go to Michael's or wherever for some cotton yarn--I don't know. The thought of using scratchy acrylic yarn just doesn't appeal to me for a headband. Anyways, we need to go to Michael's first. Which probably won't be soon. Pics: