Hello everyone! I am alive and kicking again, full of energy for more sewing and knitting!

Yes, I picked up my knitting needles again and nothing can stop me now. In fact, knitting was the first craft I mastered. When I was four or five, my mum showed me how to do basic stitches and subsequently tiny scarfs and blankets filled my dolls' wardrobes.

Before I embarked on my last trip, it was out of the question to take some sewing with me; nobody would let me sew in a hospital :) So knitting seemed a natural alternative and also fitting for the season. I ran to a yarn shop - an amazing place which I am going to dedicate an entire post to - to get some beautiful wool for a very simple cardigan. And look how nicely it matches the autumnal landscape!


The other day I visited a friend who is expecting a baby to transform her regular jeans into maternity ones. She lives near Tokyo University, famous for its gorgeous park; the park is packed every spring for hanami and in autumn for momijigari. Now you can understand why!

Don't you think my new cardigan could be a perfect camouflage if I played "hide & seek"?

The combination of the warm weather, the smell of autumn leaves and the chai tea which we drank beforehand made me absolutely mad and uncontrollable!


The cardigan, classified as 'easy', is based on Phildar pattern from Catalogue n63. To knit a similar cardigan, you need to know two basic stitches: knit and purl stitches. My knitting style is Continental, as opposed to what is known as English style.

Construction-wise, you cannot find anything easier! The cardigan is made up of two parts, with integrated sleeves represented in the middle of the scheme. Once you've finished both parts, sew them together stopping at the notch. Don't forget to make buttonholes!


I'd especially like to draw your attention to the buttons! I found them in a vintage shop and each button was the price of a meter of fine silk. With my eyes closed, I gave my credit card to the shop assistant and immediately threw away the receipt. But to me, it was worth it. I think they match the colors of the cardigan perfectly! In the end, if we want to justify ourselves we can always find a way, can't we?


As great as sewing is for self-reflection, knitting is good for watching movies - this cardigan equals seven movies and one audio book! Whilst I am working on more knitting, I am also continuing with sewing projects. A couture skirt which I've been working on over a week is only waiting to be lined. I can't wait to show it on here and share a couple of new techniques!

I woke up this morning to discover that Maider from Masustak-eguzkitan nominated me for the One Lovely Blog award!

• Thank the person who nominated you and link back to her in your blog
• Share sever facts about yourself
• Nominate 15 bloggers you admire
• Contact each of these bloggerss letting them know they've been nominated.

 

When shopping for the necessary materials for the set, I was amazed by the amount of "baby stuff" in a local craft shop - from the super soft baby-knit fabric and knit bias tape, to pre-cut round baby-velcro which does not irritate the skit and simply glues to the fabric!


Thinking how babies grow fast, I've cut the bigger size for the set. But still, it looks so tiny! Sewing this set was like sewing for a fairy or some little creature :) I really enjoyed the process as well as the fast that I was not concerned about the fit. Sewing for kiddies should be more rewarding and less stressful since they don't care about the perfect size, don't you think? 

Since November 1st, Japan is ready for Christmas! Every single shop is displaying Christmas decorations, flower shops sell wreaths and Christmas trees - madness! Yet it is still 20C and people are wearing t-shirts!

My growing interest in knits could not be outshone even by couture sewing. During the week at the seminar, everybody (including Susan) was wearing knits on a daily basis. Nobody can deny that knits are much more comfortable for an active lifestyle; they don't need to be perfectly fitted, they are easy to look after and not difficult to sew. I asked Susan many questions about knits but she does not sew with them much and suggested that I take a Craftsy lesson or read books regarding this subject. When I returned home from New York, I purchased  this wonderful book by Kerstin Martensoon, It's easy to sew knit and stretch fabric.

This book helped to dispel a couple of myths about sewing with knits which I had previously believed, such as the idea that one should only sew knits with specific thread for knits, and that a serger provides a better finish. As a test knit garment, I took on this t-shirt from the HomeSewn book which I previously reviewed here. The design is very simple: one front piece and one back piece with integrated sleeves + bias binding around the neck.


The only two changes I added to the S size was to lengthen sleeves and bodice by 2cm each. I used mainly zigzag and tricot stitches and I finished the hems with a double needle. For the bias binding, I used pre-made band. Only after I started attaching the band did I realize that my t-shirt looked like the American flag, but I hope it's not that bad after all.

Sticker shop in our neighborhood