Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive
Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Channel Cardigan KAL

1/31/2014

6 Comments

 
Picture
At the beginning of the month, Brooklyn Tweed released their latest batch of woolly wonders, BT Winter 14. I didn't waste any time adding most of them to my Ravelry favorites and queue. My absolute favorite pattern from this collection is the Channel Cardigan. The Channel Cardigan is a heavily textured, shawl collared, belted cardigan. It's classic design and effortless style had my attention at first glance.

I'm not alone in my love of this sweater. And, after some chatter on Twitter with fellow blogger Mari, we decided to cast-on and knit! We thought some of you might want to knit it with us! With permission from the folks atBT, we're going to co-host a Channel Cardigan KAL! 

Our official cast-on date is February 17, 2014! Hopefully, this gives anyone interested the opportunity to purchase the pattern (HERE) and gather the necessary supplies! Leading up to cast-on, Mari and I plan to discuss several aspects including: choosing the right size, yarn choice, reading charts, and specialty stitches and techniques, such as: working a tubular cast-on.  

Each week, we'll assign ourselves homework as we work our way through the pattern. And, we'll finish the fun with a project parade! 

The Channel Cardigan is rated as an advanced pattern, but don't let that scare you. We'll be here along the way to answer questions and you can reach out for support in the flickr group if you run into snags. We'll knit our sweaters over the course of 6 weeks. (The last day to submit a photo for the project parade will be Sunday, March 30, 2014!!!).
 
Will you join us?  If so, feel free to grab a button and spread the word!! 


 
Tres Bien Ensemble
  
6 Comments

(Wo)man cave in progress

1/28/2014

14 Comments

 
Picture
As of late, most of my WIPs have been home improvement in nature. In my imagination, all the projects I had planned for our new home were finished within weeks of moving. We were completely unpacked, everything had a new place before the holidays, and we were fully adjusted to our new routines and environment.   

In reality. All of this is taking a lot longer than I expected. The hard-work is paying off. Transformations are taking place. Things are starting to come together. Still, with numerous projects in various stages of completion, it's hard to feel accomplished and/or settled. So, lately, I've turned my attention to the one area of the house that is guaranteed to make me feel at home. 
Picture
That's Doc. She's one of our new roommates!
The biggest benefit of our new house is the space we've gained. It's an incredible difference. Previously, our dining room was also Mike's office and my sewing/knitting room. Since the move, I'm happy to report, there are no longer pins or needles on the table where we eat! Additionally, Mike and I have both gained our own retreats. Even before we completed the purchase of the house, I knew that this alcove in the basement was destined to become my studio space! 
Picture
When we started hauling boxes in, Mike and I were both genuinely surprised by the volume of supplies I've stashed. See, I've never been able to unpack everything at once before. I've gotten a lot... the majority, in fact, of my fabric and patterns at estate sales. This type of acquisition is most definitely a feast/famine form of shopping. A girl's got to buy it when she can get it, because it's not often an option. If you've never shopped an estate sale for sewing and knitting related goodies, I HIGHLY recommend you do! Crafters have always been stashers, but the general population doesn't know how to value the tools of our trade. As a result, It's been my experience vintage patterns, fabric, buttons, notions, and yarn at estate sales is priced for nickels on the dollar.  I digress... 
Picture
Now that I am able to access all my materials, I want to maintain them in a way that lends itself easily to accessibility. I want to know what materials I have to work with.Formerly, I stored portions of my fabric in a manner similar to Gertie. This method of organization is a fine way to store fabric; it's very tidy and a great way to keep inventory of fabric specifications, but it didn't allow me to see materials or prints very easily.  I built from this model and came up with an approach that better suits my needs.  To house my fabrics, I purchased an Expedit shelf and workstation from Ikea. In order to keep things aesthetically pleasing, I've been doing my best to fold each piece to the same dimensions ("12.5 x "12.5). 
Picture
Prior to folding each piece of fabric, I measure both the length and width I have available for use. In cases of mystery fabric, I burn test a small piece to determine the content of the fiber.  Next, I use my pinking shears to cut a swatch of the fabric and staple it to a 3x5 index card (Tip: I cut a swatch cutting template from an index card)  I write the fabric content, width, and yardage on the card and store them in anindex card file.  At the moment, my cards are loosely organized by fabric type. As I continue to fold fabric (which is a complete tease, let me tell you!) I've been adding notes regarding pattern inspiration and ideas. There's even enough room on the card to keep track of any comments I might have after working with a fabric, which may aid in my better understanding the qualities of the fabrics I'm sewing with, and, hopefully, improve my fabric handling and choosing skills for future projects. 

This process is incredibly time consuming, but I hope that doing it right once with assure I don't have to do it ever again. In total, I estimate I've already spent more than 15 hours folding fabric. I likely have another 6- 8 hours before I finish. Phew. How do you store your fabric? Are you engaging in any craft organization projects currently?
comments powered by Disqus
14 Comments

2014, or The Year of the Anti-Resolution

1/1/2014

6 Comments

 
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you are enjoying a safe and healthy holiday and start all your resolutions off on the right foot. What are you resolved to this year? Me? I resolve to not make any resolutions for 2014. The tail-end of 2013 brought a lot of change, exhaustion,and stress; rather than add more pressure to my own world, I'm comitted to reestablishing calm and normalcy to my situation. Is it odd to feel the need to grant one's self permission to go about doing this? Perhaps.
Picture
Picture
There will be knitting and sewing. Plenty of it. After all, these activities bring the calm. Additionally, with each project I complete, I hope to continue working towards the goal I set in 2013 to complete a one-of-a-kind personalize wardrobe. I think the lists I made then are still a good reference as to the types of projects I would like to work on. In fact, it's remarkable how constant and relevant the goal I set  in 2013 is today in terms of my ultimate ambition
But, I'm allowing myself the freedom to work at whatever pace suits me and to work on anything or as many things as I desire. Crafting on a whim.

It does sound a bit indulgent now that I write it. But, I think it's my best course for the year ahead.
Best of luck to you as you work to achieve your goals for the new year!
6 Comments
    “The
    follow us in feedly
    “Vintage

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

Thank you for respecting the intellectual property rights protected by the copyright laws of the United States and International Copyright Treaty.
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive