Autumn Cape A Long Term Project - 2018 More Hood Part 1

Autumn Cape A Long Term Project - 2018

More Hood Part 1

I know it seems like forever since I blogged about this project but there are several reasons for this one being the time of year. It is very hot and playing with this much wool just isn’t fun.

Another reason is I am at a difficult stage in the project and therefore do not want to rush. Last but not least since I have no pattern to work from I need peace and quiet in order to do so and frankly with my neighbours being so noisy I cannot concentrate.

Daytime Hood Pick Up 42 Stitches 

I have to admit I have been dreading this part. If there is one thing I hate it is picking up stitches. This is particularly difficult when it has been cast off but I fought through it and picked up 42 Stitches on a 5mm circular needle 

Daytime Hood 2 Rows Rib

The section I have picked up is from the Daytime Front Piece. I am using Dark Brown wool so with luck it will mimic a branch. The idea is to add a few rows of Rib and then slowly decrease at the open edge and pick up and knit onto the Hood.

Before starting the Rib I need to be at the correct place. I therefore have purled across so I am starting at the open end.

1^st Row

Knit 2 Purl 2 repeat until the end

2^nd Row

Purl 2 Knit 2 repeat until the end

Night Time Hood 2 Rows Rib

I am simultaneously working on the Night Time Front Piece. I again pick up 42 Stitches on 5mm needles and using Dark wool.

However in picking up I have ended up at a different starting place therefore this time I Knit until the end of the Row. This side I use the following formula

1^st Row

Purl 2 Knit 2

2^nd Row

Knit 2 Purl 2

I now need to check how much Rib I need to Knit

Oh What a Busy Sewing Bee I Am – 2018 Part 5

Oh What a Busy Sewing Bee I Am – 2018 Part 5

This project is taking slightly longer than I anticipated. The fact that although the instructions said use a Running stitch I didn’t leave it at that.

I have a tendency to overfill my Bags therefore I thought best to strengthen the stitching. I did this by adding another Running stitch that ran in between the original stitches.

Pulling Through the Straps

Now I have strengthened the stitching to my satisfaction I pulled through the Straps and the rest of the Bag through the 10cm gap.

Ladder Sewing

To complete the bottom section I closed the gap using a Ladder stitch. I again strengthened the stitching by repeating the Ladder stitch.

Creating the Handle

I could now move on to making the Handle. I took two of the Straps from one side of the Bag. I made a small fold and pinned together at the top.

I then proceeded to sew the pinned material together. This leaves the original 10cm gap on the Straps on the outer side.

Pressing the Straps

The next instruction was to press the Straps. However the diagram and instructions didn’t really explain it properly. It was only when I began to sew using the Ladder stitch that I understood what they meant.

What they were trying to say is press the fold to make it easier to sew together as it wouldn’t keep trying to unfold itself. In the end I managed and completed all the sewing.

Bag Light Blue Side Complete

The Bag is now complete however the stitching at the where to two Straps meet is a little untidy and I may have to do a spot of covering up.

Bag Navy Side Complete 

I think this is my favourite side. Now time to fill the Bag.

What Blooming Flower Is It? 2018 Part 6

What Blooming Flower Is It? 2018 Part 6

I know by now you are well familiar with the process so I am going to try and make this more of a Photo Blog starting with the Leaves.

Leaves

I used the same technique of using multiple colours for the Leaves.

Yellow Problem

Oh dear I have run out of the Yellow thread

Two Tone Yellow Close up

A Good Match I think.

Crocus Corner Orange Outline

This time I have gone for Orange

Crocus Corner Orange Outer Petals

Some of the Orange is edging on the Red side so is making a great contrast.

Crocus Corner 4 Orange Complete

The corner maybe complete but it isn’t finished yet.

Oh What a Busy Sewing Bee I Am – 2018 Part 4

Oh What a Busy Sewing Bee I Am – 2018 Part 4

All the Straps have been sewn so I can move onto the next part.

Turning the Straps

Slowly begin to invert a Strap and push through. As the Straps are quite long use something like a bamboo chopstick or a knitting needle to help

Strap Fully Turned

Once you have fully turned one of the Straps continue the process and turn the remaining three Straps.

Turning the Bag

By turning all the Straps the correct way you will also see that the Bag is now also turned.

Matching the Material

The next part is to match both patterns of the material right side together so each you can make the Bag section.

Pinning the Bag

I have pinned the sides of the Bag together ready for sewing. I sewed both sides down to the Bottom.

10 cm Gap

 

At the Bottom of the material leave a 10 cm gap. I found that if you fold the Bag you get the exact centre. Mark the centre then pin 5 cm each side of the mark. This will give you a 10 cm gap in the middle of the Bottom section.

Sew the Bottom part to pins. Repeat with the other patterned material only this time there is no need to leave a gap. When sewing at the Bottom sew directly across.