I like making things: July 2014

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The sweater is done

I finished the little hand knit sweater for our newest grandson Matthew.

I wasn't sure how it would look finished as it seemed to be a tad wide but it looks OK and I am happy with it.

I chose an opening neckline as I knitted one before and the baby didn't like it being pulled over it's head. Should be no problems with this one.

Still busy on workshop projects, really, really hoping to get back to my knitting machines this winter.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Knitting and leatherwork update

We have been working on taking down our salt water fish tank. This is no easy task. It is a 135 gallon tank on a stand and had a multitude of apparatus connected to it to keep it going plus a sump tank. The tanks are both emptied and mostly cleaned up. The equipment has all been disconnected, re-tested, cleaned up and stored. The base and stand are in the process of being refinished where necessary and restained and revarnished. The top cabinet as almost done. No easy process for us two oldies!

Meantime I am working on a hand knit sweater for the latest grandchild who is now 3 months old. I am using a pattern I used for our first grandson. This one seems to be much bigger for some obscure reason and wider. I thought I was using the same type of yarn but maybe this one is a bit thicker. I have the back and front done so far.

The neckband and the strips for the right shoulder opening are done too.

The front pattern close up

The back

I also had a brainwave about my leatherwork. I am still very much a beginner with this hobby. I love to do the stamping and make patterns etc. It isn't as easy as it sounds though and I always have to practice before I start on an item. Plus I like to try out different patterns first. This uses up valuable leather. I do buy scraps for practice but it is still not that cheap plus the nearest leather store in 75 miles away so can't just pop around the corner to buy some.

The brainwave is to use some modelling clay. I had a spare 1 lb brick of it we bought last year. It is very versatile stuff. It had been in our shop all winter and summer and was still nice and supple. I put it in a big ziplock bag and rolled it out.

New brick of modelling clay rolled out in ziplock bag

Border pattern tried out

Background effect tried out

Done for the day, too darned hot in the workshop this afternoon! So in readiness for next time I folded it all in and re shaped it ready to roll out next time. (see below)

This will be a lifesaver for me. No more wasted leather!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The cardigan fits perfectly

We spent a long weekend with some of the family at the lake so got chance to give out the gifts we made for them.

For some obscure reason I only took photos of the cardigan.

Glad you stopped by

I started this blog in 2011: Ever since my Mum taught me to knit at the age of about six or seven I have made things. Back then it was doll clothes. I was also inspired by Mrs Levitt an elderly lady who had a sewing room in a conservatory type room on the back of her house. I would sit and watch her in awe as she sewed.

When I was a child living in England the school system was such that you started at 5 years, did two years in Infant School, then four years in Primary School then five to seven years in Secondary School, depending on whether you chose to stay on after fifth form to get qualifications to go to University. I can't remember much of the Infant school other than making the standard square doily thingy from fabric that had holes in it so you could embroider patterns into it. A bit like the modern day cross stitch fabric but with bigger holes and spaces to make it easy for small hands to use. I also remember with great joy getting a toy sewing machine one Christmas which sewed only chain stitch but I did make doll clothes on it and that was before I started Primary school. I do have very vivid recollections of Primary school and having sewing and knitting lessons. In Primary school I knitted gloves and made a dress from scratch hand sewing it all.

Secondary school continued on with sewing by which time I had progressed to using full sized sewing machines and was making more intricate skirts and dresses. My parents bought me a proper sewing machine when I was thirteen. I used that same machine right up until I emigrated to Canada at age forty six years.

I have always had a fascination for sewing machines and knitting machines. I bought my first knitting machine at around age twenty one from an ad in a newspaper for twelve pounds. I had absolutely no idea what one was just that I wanted one. I trundled on the bus to the address in the advert and handed over my twelve pounds having absolutely no idea what I had really bought. Fortunately it came with a manual. It was an aged Knitmaster, very basic and I loved it. I wore it out. Next was a Brother push button one which I didn't keep because it was at a time in my life when things were difficult. Later on in my life, around forty, when things were better I bought a brand new Brother punchard machine with a ribber attachment. I loved it and made many things. Life took a different turn, I moved countries twice and along the way, regrettably I sold it.

Now, through the universe's blessing I now have another machine. It is a vintage one because they stopped making them early 90's but works perfectly and I love it. So I decided to make this blog to document my knitting progress and include sewing projects.

In 2013: we embarked on a new hobby, leather-work. My husband got started with it and it drew me in. It is something we can do together. We have a workshop so have plenty of room to work. We added another workbench for me to work on in 2013. We already had one but we were tripping over each other both trying to work at it. We only make things we want to make. It is strictly a hobby. We made some things for our good neighbours who help us out a lot. I am also working on Christmas presents. So this blog now incorporates the leather-work. Knitting and sewing will always be my first love though.

Fast forward to 2023 and now age almost 75 years. I have seven sewing machines, four knitting machines, several ribber attachments and a garter carriage for one of the machines. I am blessed beyond words, but I know that I have more than enough machines to keep me going in my lifetime so I don’t think I will be adding to my collection any time soon……….unless a nice embroidery machine manifests itself very cheaply.

I am a Brit living in the USA, sometimes I spell like a Brit and sometimes like an American. Sometimes I use slang and even make grammatical errors. I blog for the pleasure of it and to record my endeavours in the event that my memory fades, as I am sure it will with more age. I will be able to look back and remind myself of the things I have made along the way. So please forgive my mistakes when reading about my life making things here in the hinterlands and I hope you get as much enjoyment from my blog as I do from reading the blogs I follow.