Pattern Fantastique Glacial Tee

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my first attempts at sewing with merino jersey. Although my pink Paola Turtleneck Tee wasn’t a winner due to the lightweight fabric, my other merino jersey projects have been far more successful – starting with this Pattern Fantastique Glacial Tee in Argent Grey 100% Merino Jersey Knit 200g from New Zealand Merino and Fabrics.

Sewing plans – stashbusting edition

Despite my continued insistence that winter last forever, the proliferation of seasonal sewing planning posts doing the rounds has reminded me that summer is on its way (shudder). Here’s my contribution, with a bit of winter, a bit of summer, and mostly just trying to make plans with stash fabric that has been in my wardrobe for at least a year.

STAY WINTER FOREVER, DAMMIT.

Handy responses to commonly heard phrases

Warning: contains GIFs.

Do you have a chronic illness? Have you heard the same tired comments 50 times already this year? (No, I’m not contagious, Jan.) Instead of having to think up answers to the same old questions time and time again, I’ve provided a handy guide for those phrases that crop up time and time again.

Merino Paola Turtleneck Tee

It started with a top. This top, to be precise:

Oh Country Road, you can do no wrong.

Suddenly I had visions of a wardrobe filled with long sleeve merino tops – warm, moisture-wicking and odour-repelling.* A few online orders later, and I had enough merino jersey meterage to begin my wardrobe plan (more on the other garments later).

My first colourwork – Saudade

I’ve finished my first Fair Isle project, Saudade! In my last post, I mentioned I’d been struggling to achieve consistent tension as a beginner to stranded colourwork. You guys assured me I was on the right track with my technique of spreading and holding in place the stitches on the right needle before knitting on the left with a new colour, and that any imperfections would come out in the wash.

Worn with my Rockcliffe Scarf.

Two Winter Tops – Frankie and Hemlock

Would you believe I’ve finally been blogging long enough to start posting repeat garments? These are a couple of winter tops I whipped up to sew through a bit of stash fabric.

Bronwyn: it’s not me, it’s you

Warning: contains GIF

So long, Bronwyn. I tried so hard to make this pattern work – I started it top down, three times in three different ways, before conceding to the pattern instructions and beginning from the bottom.

Finalist in the IPM Indie Royalty comp

The finalists have been named for The Monthly Stitch Indie Pattern Month “Indie Royalty” competition, and I’m one of them! Ok, they liked every entry so we’ve all become finalists. The winners are still decided by votes, so please jump over to The Monthly Stitch and cast your vote. I am lucky to be among some very rad sewists who sewed a whole outfit (or more!).

My outfit consisted of the Named Helmi Dress, Named Esme Cardi, So Sew Easy leggings and Solas Hat. Full post here.

And thank you for your votes for my “Eyes Have It” Dress in the “New To Me” competition – I won a £100 fabric hamper to Minerva Crafts!

Solas Hat

I gave you a sneak peek of my Solas hat in my Indie Pattern Month post – now here is the full review. Solas is an unusual design and one that didn’t catch my eye when it was first published for Ysolda Teague’s Knitworthy 3. But as I was in need of beanies this winter and wanted to experiment with different styles, I figured I’d get my money’s worth from my Knitworthy purchase and give it a go.

Worn with my Named Helmi Tunic Dress and Named Esme Maxi Cardigan. New specs from Clearly Contacts.