Crocheting for Myself

One of my friends (Thanks Jenn!) shared a link to a crocheted sweater pattern that is basically two hexagon granny "squares"  with a little alteration.  This time of year I wear heavy sweaters day and night, and this pattern looks like it should be warm.  I decided to start one for myself.  I'm using a red acrylic yarn -- in deference to my husband's wool allergies and because it is machine washable and dryable.  Red because it is a color that makes me happy.

The original pattern is here:

https://makeanddocrew.com/day-date-easy-crochet-sweater-pattern/

Winter Wardrobe (Thrift Haul)

At the end of last season I cleared out all my sweaters that were getting worn, picked, etc.

When I unpacked my winter clothes I literally had three left, all of which are 3/4 sleeves.

I knew I wanted easy to wear and items I could wear at home without fear of damaging them.

Unless I need a special piece the thrift store is my go to place.

I spent just under $57 — including an impulse purchase of a pair of shoes. 

These were my “wild card” pieces.

The shoes are a European brand, appear to be totally new (no scuffs, no anything on soles)

 and I paid $3.39 for them.

The two tops on the right are new with tags.

The green sweater (mock turtle neck) got the top cut off in the photo.

Top left — I went three sizes too large.  The plan is to wear this long and baggy with leggings and knee high boots.

The black and white striped is a thinner sweater and perfect for indoor wear.

The cardigan will go with almost everything in my closet.

The sweater vest is an easy layering piece to go over any of my turtleneck tops or long sleeved t-shirts.

These are my snuggly sweaters.

The first two of the gray are longer tunic length and I’ll layer them over long sleeves. 

The last gray and the red/multi are bulkier sweaters that are quite cozy.  

I love the feel of both of them.

Sorry about the upside down receipt.

Indulgences

A few years ago I lost a lot of weight and I passed on most of my sewing patterns to someone who could use them.

I was perusing Ebay -- a dangerous pastime to be sure -- when I found a huge lot of various patterns.

Careful inspection of the photos showed them to be in my size and in similar styles to what I will wear.

There was also a variety of children's patterns mixed in, which I appreciate very much because I like to sew for my nieces and nephews.

How I managed to open the box upside down is beside me, but I did it.

Even more amazing is that she had packed all these patterns in this box.

I couldn't get them all back in.

I pulled through all the patterns and separated them according to gender/age.

I found three that I am passing on to my mama.

The rest all went into my sewing room.

There were a few crafting patterns, some girls and boys patterns, a couple of men's patterns, and a slew of women's patterns.

My biggest dilemma is deciding what to make first.

I've actually ran a test on a pair of knit summer capris.

I used fabric and thread I had on hand.

My daughter is calling these my 70's pants and says she isn't sure she'll be seen with me.

I've reminded her it is a parent's job to embarrass their teenage daughter.  :-)

Christmas Sewing

Lately my time has been very limited.  When I found myself with a few free hours and the urge to sew I pulled through my stash.  I found fabric leftover from a dress I sewed for my daughter years ago.  Possibly as many as ten years ago.  I'm trying to remember how old she was and cannot seem to do so.  I pulled out a toddler dress pattern and went through my zippers to make sure I had a matching one.  The results of my mornings efforts was a Christmas dress for my youngest niece.

Refashioning a Man's Shirt into a Blouse

I started with a long sleeved dress shirt that was my husband's.  The collar and the cuffs had begun to fray and it was beyond repair.  However, the rest of the shirt was in excellent condition.  He's quite taller than I am with me being far closer to 5 feet than his 6 feet plus.....so the shirt was perfect tunic length for me, but swallowed me whole so to speak.

I cut off the collar (being careful to save all the extra buttons for my button jar) and rounded the neckline.  A quick turn under and seaming finished it off.  I chopped the sleeves to sit just below my elbows...this length gives me the most year round wearing out of a top.  A quick hem and some tucking to shape them worked wonders there.  Now for the body I did two things.  I cut the shirt just below my natural waist to allow for seaming.  I did some slight shaping to the top.  I then gathered the piece I had cut off and reattached it.  The portion of the sleeves I removed was used to help make a tie belt for the back.  Then I pulled some clearance lace from my stash.  I had a partial spool left from a long ago project.  I added a lace that has a crocheted feel to the neckline and the sleeves.

This is really cute with a pair of skinny jeans and ankle boots.  It looks a lot more feminine than a t-shirt and given how low pants are designed to sit now I much prefer a tunic length.  The fabric is already soft from repeated wearing. 

The cost was $0 and a little bit of my time.  Not bad for a fall wardrobe addition.

Finished Project

This seems to be the week for finishing up projects. 

A few hours of British mysteries, channeling my inner Miss Marple and here's the finished product.  This vest will be packed away for next fall, but it fits well and will layer over a long sleeved tee or a blouse with no problems.