I've got three things on the knitting needles at the moment, no socks though, but I'm concentrating on a light summer top I'm making for myself. For this I'm using some pretty pastel knobbly sort of yarn I found in the local op shop (thrift store).
I only have four balls so it's been a bit of an adventure to see just how far it was going to go. Not too far at all, as it turned out, so I had to purchase some balls of pale pink cotton yarn to eke it out in stripes. After knitting part of the back four times in various widths of stripes, I've settled on two rows knobbly and two rows plain, so I know I will have enough to finish this project. Finally I'm on the right track with this project, so will just keep on knitting.
Soft and pretty for summer
And after such a long time of procrastination, I have finally dealt with the mending. First up was a small lumbar cushion which had a hole in the corner of the velveteen cover. Not actually a hole, as it turned out, just the seam had come undone. So that was an easy fix, the seam was restitched, the cover was washed, and it is now looking as good as new and I'll be able to use it again.
Then I had to fix the neckline of a summer top, which was too loose, which I can't abide. I threaded some shirring elastic through the top of the back neck band to pull it in a little and secured it. Now it fits so much better and doesn't slip off my shoulder. And it didn't take too long to fix, either.
The last one was an alteration - I had a pretty dress purchased ages ago from Hilo Hatties in Hawaii, which was also much too loose in the top. I was heavier back then. This dress has been residing in the back of the wardrobe for quite some time, lonely and forlorn, and needed a new lease of life, I decided. Out came the scissors, I chopped the bodice off, made a simple elastic waist band, and now I have a new summer skirt to wear. I've got a couple of tops I can wear with my new skirt. Once again, I wondered why completing these simple fixes took me so long.
Gemma doesn't care much for mending, although she will happily jump on my lap when I'm knitting, and I have to quickly gather it all up. Luckily she settles down to snooze and so I can get on with knitting a few more rows. Here she is after I disturbed her looking out the window - she's always on the lookout for birds. When she sees then hopping about on the lawn she focuses on them, making funny little chirpy noises. I'm sure she is saying, "I really, really want to catch you, but I'm stuck inside and you are outside hopping about".
Don't bother me, I'm busy trying to look for birdies.
20 comments:
Pleased you worked out the right pattern to make the summer top.
I don’t know why meaning does take so long. As you said all in in no time.
The revamped dress looks lovely as a skirt.
Well done with the mending. It might feel like a new purchase as you have another outfit to wear.
The pink cotton teams wonderfully with the pretty knobbly cotton. I love what you have knitted thus far. Your refashioned skirt can now be worn and enjoyed again. Such a great idea, Jenny.
Lovely yarn. Isn't it satisfying when you finally do some of those jobs you have put off!
The yarn color is beautiful for a light top. Oh Hilo Hatties! I went there in 1993. I remember all those colors. You picked a cute top. I didn't get anything there that day. I thought things were a little over priced--even though they did seem to be a nice quality. I bet the top will bring back sweet memories of your visit to Hawaii.
Nice job re-making the dress into a summer skirt, Jenny. I don't know what it is about mending but it is something that i always seem to be putting off!!
the sweater looks really pretty with the alternating light pink...
Hugs, Julierose
I’m not fond of mending either. I’m always surprised how little time it takes to do once I get around to it. I like the stripes on your top you are knitting. The skirt will get lots of use too. Sewing is such a handy skill to have! Gail at the cozy quilter.
That is such pretty yarn! Great find!
Jenny, I do really like your optimism regarding summer, still raining here and cool. Like the skirt from a dress, and knitting is always good to have handy.
The beginning of your summer top looks really pretty, Jenny! The pink will fit right in with the knobbly yarn color. The skirt is fun, too - what a great way to remake something you weren't wearing!
sounds like a good work day of mending. The knitting looks great.
I also hate mending and wait until there's a few things to do, My cat also talks to the birds through the window, funny things that they are
Well done in getting the mending and alterations done. I pretty much get my mending done right away, it's the alterations or refashioning I have a bit of a pile to do.
Love the summer top, it is going to be so pretty.
God bless.
Pretty yarn for a summer top. Well done on mending and fixing small things. Great idea to turn the dress into a skirt! Pretty fabric. I don't like doing such jobs either, I took me more than a year to fix the handles on a shopping bag! lol
The yarn that you are working with is so pretty, Jenny. I really like the skirt too. Enjoy your week.
We always seem to make mending and alterations bigger in our heads than they really are. I often find I do that, then when I do the work I realise how easy it was. Maybe we just hate mending!
Pretty wool for your top, good to read you worked out what to do. I think we all leave little jobs and then wonder why when it doesn't take that long. Great idea to make the skirt.
Great solution to make that pretty yarn go further! And the dress becoming a pretty skirt idea. I'm with you on why I procrastinate about certain things when once I make myself do it, it's done so quickly and I'm so happy! Beautiful Gemma. Bella watches birds a bit, more interested when she's on the deck with me. She's not allowed off it, and is usually very good about it!
Hello, my procrastinating sister. LOL. Well done on your mending and giving your nice Hawaiian dress a new lease on life. That will be such a pretty top. Very clever to work in the stripes to make the yarn go further.
Your knitting is inspiring! Just yesterday I attended a small gathering of five friends who knitted together (I worked on round loom knitting a tiny doll). We talked about thrift store yarn - also called "table yarn" here, as it's yarn from a deceased knitter/crocheters stash that's picked up from a donations table. I was asking how one knew how much yarn could be used for such and such a project. That part can be baffling for a new-er knitter. I'm happy to see how you've worked out yours. And your mending is inspired! Some of it was almost too easy to fix, and another - that skirt - being a very worthwhile effort that ended with a "new" garment. Good job!
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