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

Scott Base Socks

8/26/2013

25 Comments

 
Picture
These socks have been off the needles for some time. They've been shooting me nasty looks from across the room and shouting, "Hey, LADY! Yoohoo. Remember us. Take our picture. Put us on the blog. We're pretty".  
Picture
I've been feeling spread too thin a lot lately. More on that later, but suffice to say, It's been a chaotic summer. Sometimes my real life gets in the way of my blog life. I have a feeling time constraints are going to increase before they decrease. But, I'll be checking in from time to time whenever I'm able. And, no, I'm not pregnant, just to throw that out there.
Picture
Back to the socks. If they look familiar, it's because they use the same stitch pattern as the Alec XL I knit for Mike. Actually, I cast on these socks more than a month before I started work on Mike's sweater. Which, says a lot about my productivity. The pattern is Scott Base by Sarah Ronchetti. And, they're everything that a good sock ought to be. Sturdy. Elegant. Classic. Understated. 
Picture
This stitch pattern is very easy to memorize and these socks make for a wonderful purse project. I like them enough, they rival Hermoine's Everyday sock, my long-standing favorite sock pattern, for the #1 slot on my list of favorites.
Picture
While we're on the subject of new favorites, I knit these with my new needles. I wish I could give credit to the blogger who guided me towards Dyakcraft, alas, I can't track down the post. Regardless, since I discovered circular needles, I've not knit with anything but. I also tend to knit pretty quickly, so I prefer metal needles. I have three sets of interchangable needles Boye, Knitpicks and Addiclicks, the latter being my preferred, but none of these sets contains needles smaller than a size 4US. I've also been building my collection of Signature Needles, but the smallest they run is size 3US. This is a huge issue for me, because I prefer to knit most of my projects with smaller gauge. All my fine tipped needles are fixed, which means having to buy multiple sets with different cable lengths. Not awesome. Well, the geniuses at Dyakcraft created an entirely new system of interchangeable needles that come exclusively in smaller sizes. The set contains needles Size 0US- 3US. I would have spread the word about them sooner, but these socks were the first project I used them, and I wanted to be able to back-up my endorsement.  
Picture
To be frank, I LOVE them. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. They (or I) were a bit clumsy in the beginning. Their steel construction makes them both heavy and non-flexible in comparison to other varieties of metal needle. It took me a minute to get comfortable knitting with them. Once we got acquainted, there was no stopping us. In addition to my admiration of their small sizes, I love that these needles come in a custom sewn and signed needle case, and they're craftsman made in Vermont, USA. Aside from the Heavy Metal set, they make an array of beautifully painted wooden needles and crochet hooks- Something for everyone. Go check them out. Dyakcraft is in no way involved in this glowing review. Heck, I'd be surprised if they managed to stumble upon it. I just really enjoy this product and I bet some of you would too. 
Picture
Pattern: Scott Base  by Sarah Ronchetti
Yarn: Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Tumbled Stone
Needles: Dyakcraft Heavy Metal Size 0US
25 Comments

Walk on the Wild Side.

8/7/2013

12 Comments

 
Picture
I warned you I planned to make more Datura blouses. I wasn't messing around.  I have a few more envisioned in my mind's eye, but I think I'll switch gears temporarily and give a few other summer blouse patterns a try before I revisit this one again. This particular version turned out a bit more... risque than I originally anticipated. After I finished it, I was nervous that I might be too old and/or bashful to pull it off. 
Picture
I scored a wonderful piece of embroidered chambray at an estate sale, and I couldn't wait to use it. My initial thought was to pair it with some leftover eyelet I'd used recently. But, I didn't have adequate yardage. I've seen lace paneled shirts walking around downtown all summer, so I searched my stash for a piece that would work well with the chambray, and a new idea formed.  Chambray and lace. Something about the combination SCREAMS 1990's to me... Probably because the 90s was the last time I can remember wearing them together. But, it's working for me in a nostalgic, throwback kind of way.  
Picture
I sewed this version exactly as I sewed my first Datura, skipping the front facing and using French seams throughout. My second attempt went together even quicker than the first, which makes it doubly difficult not to continue returning to this pattern repeatedly.  
Picture
I took this blouse with me to Wyoming for a weekend get away with my substitute photographer/sister. We had a very important first birthday to attend.  Gosh, time flies. 
Picture
And there you have it. My wild shirt, in the wild West. Oh, just in case you were wondering, This blouse was tamed with the assistance of my favorite "go-braless" tool.  
12 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

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive