Baubles and Bobbles!

 

 

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! The Christmas tree is up and decked with an abundance of baubles!

I’m also up and covered (thankfully) in woolly baubles- a little less sparkly and pretty, I grant you, but still marginally dashing in its own way… I hope?!

This is my most recent knit (we’ll forget about the Swimsuit, as it still needs a few finishing touches!), and was started and finished back in August/ September.

I’m struggling to remember back to August, so I have no idea how long it took to knit- All I know is that it didn’t take me too long!

I must admit that I was a little daunted by this pattern. Yes it is a simple pattern to knit, but oh! All that stocking stitch! Have I ever told you that I HATE knitting stocking stitch? Well, I do. I have shied away from it from the word go. I have a great fear of a mass of uneven stitches, and often had trouble in the past with keeping the plain knitting looking nice and even. Luckily I managed to keep the knitting in this jumper relatively neat. Be proud of me people!

 

I used a couple of balls of Stylecraft Life from the stash. I thought this pretty purple would be a rather nice addition to my wardrobe.



To the detaily (I know, not a word!) bits....



 

Pretty bobbles around the neck- so cute!

 

 

 

^ This stocking stitch is SO neat for me! 

 

And I just adore the lattice and bobbly bits...sigh.

 

The sleeve showing a bit of the twisted rib...

 

 

I bought modern buttons for the Jumper-Cardigan as it needed 11. Ugh! Eleven buttons to sew on- that was fun... NOT!

Close up of my jingly jangly bits.

***

 

And FINALLY  (sorry) three showing me baubles off...

I'll be back soon with some more Christmassy bits (vintage of course!) and perhaps even a RAF Friday!

 

 

Cheerio for now,

 

T xxx

Knit for Victory: The Cape.

 

 

Hello everyone! Remember me?

 I have been feeling rather sorry for myself over the past couple of months, and still am rather. So, as you can imagine, blogging has been the last thing on my mind.

Seeing as I have totally missed the whole “Happy Christmas” and “Happy New Year” wishes on here, I hope and trust you all had a good’un anyway. My Christmas whizzed past and, as usual, ended up in a blurry mess of exhaustion. Then there was New Years… well, that was simply non existent!

 Not been up to much myself, so have little to report on great and exciting happenings. I have, however, finished one of my ‘Knit for Victory’ knits… Hurrah for a positive!

I’m extremely pleased with the outcome and swiftness of its completion. I’m pretty sure it took me a week to knit, and I’m in no doubt that it could have been finished in a weekend if I had set my mind to it!

To be honest, there’s not much to write about. The knitting went smoothly and the sewing up was a doddle! Unlike my other KforV knit, which is a right pain in the never mind.- honestly, I have never had so much trouble with sewing a knitted up before!

The only troubles I remember encountering were to do with the tension (the astrakhan yarn from my stash came up a tad too fine in comparison to the original), and a dodgy row (I was such a plonker and did two rows the same, and only noticed three inches later!), but apart from that, it was easy-peasy.

The whole garment was knitted in Stocking- stitch with garter stitch boarders, and comprised of only three pieces- the hood and two sides.

 

 

I was rather impressed with how the cape knitted up. The main part is just two pieces with a centre back seam. There was something very pleasing with the shoulder shaping- I loved how a flat piece of knitting was transformed into a boxy marvel with just a few decreases here and there!

Oh and I totally forgot to take a snap of the hood. Mind you, it was just a long strip of knitting, so hardly a visual treat!

 

 

 And the finished article...

 

I chose some super vintage glass buttons from my stash for the neck fastening. I decided to use something a bit more special for this just to lift the whole thing a wee bit- well, otherwise it's a bit bland being all black!

 

All in all, I'm extremely pleased with my little cosy cape. I consider it a great success (in my eyes!) and have plans on doing another when funds permit.. It's just so nice to have something that actually has turned out how it should. Of late I have had so many knitting failures! (more on these at a later date!)

 

Little Miss Pixie Hood! Oh how I love the hood!

 

 

Anyway, that is enough from me.

Hope you are well ....

 

 

Your

Tickety xxx

 

A Cover Girl Jumper. 1940

 

I feel really proud at the fact that I didn’t stray away from this bit of knitting… okay, so I may have strayed from a different knitting project to start this one, but still, I didn’t wander from this one and now it’s FINISHED!

The pattern is one I had been eyeing up for an absolute age, and then I suddenly remembered that I had the perfect wool in the same colours stashed away- Now, I say that’s a sign!

So with the perfect yarn of ply, colour and weight in hand, I started with great gusto and speed....

 

...And, due to the ply of the yarn and the size of the needles, the pieces quickly grew. Then, about two weeks later, excluding the intermission of a week’s holiday and a bout of flu, I suddenly had a super new jumper to sew up! Actually, I usually do most of the sewing up as I go along, and then it’s not such a daunting task at the end ( I know I’m not the only one that dreads the task of sewing up!).

I also had to knit with three needles, which is something I’ve never tried seriously before. I found it all a bit fiddly, though I managed the neckband in the end! For some reason I kept on dropping stitches at the end!

 

All teeth and yellow buckets!

 

Not sure what I was doing with my hands (how huuuuge do the look?)- Twas rather cold out, so I was probably trying to warm them up!

 

 

Notice anything different? ;)

I started out with my hair rolled up!

 

This stitch is one of my favourites to use- I think this is the fourth time I've used this simple slip stitch pattern...

 

Here's a close-up of the stitch. Not sure what's it's called, but it's really easy to do!

 

Just posing near the compost, as you do.... I'll probably get the whole "why did you take the photos there..." spiel again , but I like the shapes of the crumbling fence, so there!

 

Just fiddling with Mr Gnome- he had fallen over!

 

Outfit Details:

Jumper: 1940's pattern- vintage wool from stash.

Blouse: Mummy make from a 40's pattern.

Skirt: Part of a suit made by Ma (who else!)

Socks: Knitted by me from a 40's pattern.

Shoes: My beloved '40's brogues. (one of my best charity shop finds.... ever!)

 

 

Cheerio for now...

 

Tupps xxx

Knitting For Victory!

 

Well Hello There!

 

 

Today I will be sharing my project entries for the 'Knir For Victory!' knit along, hosted by the ever so talented, Tasha; of By Gum, By Golly fame. :)

I've not been too great at keeping up with the blogs, including my own, so I didn't find out about the knit along until a week after the start date. Actually, I found out after quickly logging in and seeing Lucy's blog post pop up in my blog feed!

 

As luck would have it, last week I started a new knitting project, and it just so happens to be a wartime knit too! Cue my first entry....

 

 

It's a very pretty lacy blouse is it not?!  The pattern called for Star Sylko cotton, no.5 (I think) or 2 ply wool- so I chose a really fine cotton in a pretty lilac colour from my charity shop stash. I actually started this last Sunday and I must say, I'm really pleased with the results so far. I'm hoping to have this finished for Christmas, but I'm pretty sure that the making up will be fiddly, so who knows if it will be finished by my deadline!

 

 My second project is this dashing little Cape. Although not a pattern form the 1940's, it comes pretty close for being in a December, 1939 issue. I'm pretty sure any lady contemplating this pattern at the time would have been wishing for a speedy Victory! Kind of sad to think that they would have to wait over five and a half more years for it to become a reality.

(I'm hoping this project won't take that long!)

Oh and luckily I had a stash of Astrakhan wool, which also looks to be enough for the project!

 



 

And lastly, here's a simple knit form the unfinished pile! I'm adding this one in because I'm sure it would have stayed unfinished for many more months to come if I didn't inflict a deadline on myself! So far, I have completed two out of the five pieces (a sleeve and a front). To be honest, I really want to finish project to see how much leftover wool I have for a future Crochet project that I have lined up.... obviously I want the the jumper too but, at this moment in time, a stripy crocheted pullover is more appealing!

 

 

As you can see my chosen projects are quick and simple. I haven't chosen anything fancy because I get so stressed around this time of the year as it is, and I certainly don't want to complicate things any further with fiddly stitches. I have pledged that this Christmas will be a stress free Christmas (Ha! Is that possible?), and I'm sure these projects will see me through the coming weeks with a smile on my face, and not the usual tense shoulders and furrowed brow!  

 

I'll be back with regular updates, so wish me luck!

 

Oh and has anyone else joined the Knit For Victory knit along?

 

Right, I'm off to knit and watch White Christmas... I know, I know, it's too early! :p

 

TTFN,

 

Tupney xxx

 

 

 

 

 



Patterns Aplenty!

Well I never… I’ve finally had a good knitting pattern haul! My Charity shops have been lacking somewhat on the knitting pattern from for some while, so just imagine my amazement when I came across some more to add to my collection. I really was pleased as punch. :)

 

 ♥ ♥ ♥

 

The first bundle came from a local charity shop. I had nearly given up hope of ever finding a single old pattern in there ever again. Then, on Thursday, I noticed they had sorted out the patterns into neat folders (reminiscent of my own), and I thought to myself “oh go on, it will only take a jiffy to look in them”….and low and behold, I found these lurking in the back!

 

Five of the Eight patterns from the charity haul....

 

 ♥ ♥ ♥

The second bundle came from some lovely dealers who I know from my flea fair trips. (Many a treasure I have had from them- including my baby’s gas mask and set of WI sewing books.) I had a quick look at the pile, pulling out the three that I wanted, and then I was shown a little wartime cracker that was put away under the table…..I had to have it!

 

 

How about some woollies for the convalescing man?

Stump Sock, anyone? Certainly a pattern to make you think eh!

 

 ♥ ♥ ♥

 

My third and final bundle, consisting of a whopping 21 patterns, came from a charity stall. I also found Mammy a lovely pair of cherry red 40’s shoes from the same stall, and they were a bargain at £5! I’m. Not. At. All. Envious. Still, I can’t complain as I went on to find all the following patterns….

 

(there are some cracking designs in the Home Chat booklet)

 

 

 Victory V?

 

 I have designs on knitting these cami-knickers...

Beautiful Peggy!

I was really pleased about finding this one. I have a scanned copy of it already, but nothing beats owning the original!

 

 

 

  What can I say? Last week was obviously my week for finding patterns!

 

 

Must go, sunshine and some sorting awaits....

 

Tupps xxx

 

 

 

 P.S. Sorry for the large amount of pictures… I had to scan them all because my camera batteries need charging!