Two Steps Forward

I was making such good progress on my raincoat, then my sewing machine rebelled. Again. This time it's not a tension adjustment; something is seized in the motor. I'm hoping that Sharon at the HummingBird Sewing can sort it.

Fortunately, I've got a thing or two to knit. ;)
I made excellent progress on the baby blanket yesterday - I'm over 1/2 done!!

I am on to my 3^rd swatch for the Twice Reversible Ribbed Poncho. I started on 6mm needles, as I tend to knit on the tight side. Just a stitch and a half too loose. So, down to the recommended 5.5mm needles. No difference!!


I'm nothing if not persistent in the pursuit of perfection ... a 5mm needles swatch is under way!

As soon as it's blocking, I'll be back to the baby blanket for an easy, seed stitch knitting evening.


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All The Projects

I spent yesterday feeling rather poorly. Some sort of stomach bug had me laid low. No sewing was done, and I spent more time just holding needles than actually knitting. The puppies made sure that I napped enough.
I feel better today. Still not quite right, but better.

Better enough to make some progress on my Amy Butler raincoat!





I am really enjoying seeing a garment start emerging from the pieces of fabric. The laminate cotton has its challenges, but it is really fun.
The colourful Kaffe fabric distracts from my less-than-perfect sewing skills, but I am quite chuffed with the early results.

I am loving my new iron! Helen picked it up for me from Costco.





I haven't had one in ages, but a necessary tool for sewing neatly, and really, I'm an adult. I have clothes that should be ironed.

I managed to cast on another Bernat seed stitch baby blanket yesterday.





It's for a co-worker who is expecting, yes, a boy!! I really do love this Baby Blanket yarn.

I also couldn't resist winding a few balls of Lorna's Laces Cloudgate.





I'm going to be knitting up the Twice Reversible Ribbed Poncho by Churchmouse for The Needle Emporium. I'm planning to swatch tonight.

The puppies took turns today distracting me. They're just too cute to be cross at!!











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Winner

Valentine's Day has come and gone. Still one of my least favourite calendar days. 'Nuff said.

I did draw, finally, for the Denise 2 Go needles ... Teresa, please leave a comment letting me know the best way to reach you about getting the needles to you. and if you're the Teresa I'm thinking of, text me!!
Thank you to Yarn Canada for allowing me to try the Denise 2 Go needles out and the opportunity to share them.
Thank you to everyone else for participating. Since I know most of you personally, it was hard not to hope for all of you to win. You can watch the drawing if you'd like. Since I didn't have an impartial person to draw, I let the camera do the job.

I sewed today!! For real sewing!! I'm so happy, it's taken so long to get everything sorted with the machine and all.



I did darts and pockets. I know, not terribly impressive, but visible progress!
And yes, Kaffe fabric ... swoon.

I really don't like seeing by incandescent light, so I've packed up for the evening, and will be working on the Secret Shawl. I'm doing a crocheted bind off/edging which is not just a simple edging, but it is perfect for this piece so the effort is worth it!

I am resting my leg, finally, until I'm really fit for the rigors of retail. I should've taken time for the get go, but I am not one to cry "uncle" until I'm ready to go down for the count. The upside is I am knitting, sewing and cooking to my hearts content. Both of my legs are grateful.
The cast comes off on the 26^th, but I'll likely not be for to drive and this walk much for at least a couple more weeks. But at least I will be able to bathe and shower at my leisure!! I will never take "jumping in for a quick shower" for granted ever again. It will be on my list of Things For Which I Am Grateful, right up there with eyelashes.



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Raincoat, part I

Well of course the work table needed to be assembled! Whatever possessed me to imagine a world in which I could just take something out of the box and use it!!
It suggested 30 mins as an assembly time.


Keeping in mind my less than peak physical condition, and my drill battery was dead, charger nowhere to be found, I think I did well.


I will not be hard on myself. There were no leftover bits, and the table performed perfectly!!





Amy Butler/Westminster raincoat - I got the exterior pieces cut out. I have rediscovered my inner perfectionist and she can't just cut off the larger sizes on a pattern in the interest of being faster. I managed, but it was painstaking. I need some tissue/tracing paper so I can make size specific pieces which will make the cutting of the lining a snap!!
And I made the buttons.


Amanda was almost as impressed as I was!!
Then there was how much standing is involved in perfect piece cutting. I really need to pace myself better.
Yesterday I may have done a thing or five too much; I was hurting hard this morning!! I have given my work wife permission to punish me as she sees fit should I not be using crutches at all times or overdo it.

It was also a good mail day; Ipsy & Rowan!!






I napped and am blogging in between knitting bouts. It has been a good day.

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All is as it was

Not much has changed since yesterday.
Knitting away on Seeder. One upside of not being able to drive (yes, curse my driving skills and having a standard; it's my clutch leg that's broken) is getting a ride. This means a nice 20 mins-ish of knitting to get my day started!

Crutching around work today. I joke that "it's arm day every day"! It takes its toll as the day wears on, but I'm going to have biceps of steel when this is done. Everyone is helpful - even customers, some of whom are sweet enough to put away their own fabric after I've cut it! But I'm stubborn, and while I try to modify some of my workload, I am kind of a full speed or all stop kinda woman. So, on I go.

I took a selection of (right foot) shoes to work today in case any single pair gave me grief, I could switch it up. My Chucks were solid though, and saw me through the day.


My poor toe doesn't cry out at the lightest touch, but is still looking rather pitiable.

I have tomorrow off, and am planning a sewing blitz. Looking ahead to warmer, wetter days,


this raincoat is on the cutting/seeing table. Amy Butler, ftw. It will be a sample for the store, then all mine!!

Back to Seeder, my fun for tonight!!


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