assemblage

seeking clarity

anais has been given some antibiotics and should be on the mend in a day or so. my work is sadly increasing whilst i am parked on the lounge next to my daughter but at least i can knit.

i managed a very short jog around our dog park for the first time in 3 months on the weekend. and my knee held. my loss of fitness is incredible and i will need to tackle some serious distances between now and this.

and sewing? ah, sadly on hold succumbing to my lack of clarity. the late night thoughts are evolving so i am sure my sketches will require some attention. soon. ish.

mother's day

my mother's day was fantastic.

dinner out with my recently returned husband the night before.

and a sleep in.

till noon.

yup.

no kids.

thanks, mum.

and hoping for a return to this girl veeeeery soon.

roll with it

my experience with habu kits has always involved concern during the creation process that the garment may. not. fit. (a horrifying thought for one who only knits for oneself)

a continual state of unease. a constant checking of measurements with the tape. regular cross-checking the pattern with my long hand row chart. attempts to stretch it to my bodily canvas as i complete a limb or section. a downgrading of my mind's eye image.

and incredibly, thus far, each end result has far exceeded my expectations.

working my way through this kit has meant more adaption and development of the pattern than previously. i believe the drape of the knitted garment will also affect the end product; knitted from cuff to cuff across the body sideways, not a traditional up the body design.

i have done my first ever gauge check. i have reconfigured the pattern's stitch count. i have checked my garment against the pattern's dimensions. apparently it matches.

and yet i still have concerns this jacket will not fit me. and nearing the end of knitting, i have decided to redo the back. all of it.

much like my week. i have managed 3 hours of work total; i was unwell, my daughter is now unwell, my husband is away.

just going to try and roll with it.

nature's vessel wednesday II

another vessel wednesday dedicated to one of nature's specimens.

a seed pod collected on the walk to school from what is commonly acknowledged as a weed in melbourne.

delicate and diaphanous papery seeds tightly packed within the gloriously elegant form.

trousers

 

voila!

fully lined, high waisted pants in the stainless steel denim fabric.

oh, how i love this textile! (still working on mr assemblage who asked if i planned to iron it - a resounding no! perhaps my favourite part is the requirement to NOT iron. he he he).

so, the details:

time: too, too long to tell. the amount of adjustments to obtain the correct waist fitting was getting ridiculous frustrating.

material: lightweight denim / stainless steel blend with black bemsilk lining.

concept: minimal detailing to permit layering and allow the fabric to speak for itself: a fitted form to the waist and hips to "flatten" fabric, loose wide leg to allow fabric to crumple and contrast.

method: high waist, straight leg pant with hidden zip to right hip.

result:  comfortable pants that can be dressed up or down. the steel blend creates crisp detailing and folds. lovely.

notes: if i made these again, i would probably add a pin tuck of two to the side seams for detail or perhaps an interesting back pocket with zip placket.

styling: y's felted wool jacket, girl-friday handmade fabric brooches, molini laceups.

nature's vessel wednesday

collection of nature's vessels.

gathered on expeditions.

with children.

seed pod from the playground.

seed pods from the streetscape.

shells from half moon bay.

lucky girl

we made a long desired batch of these cookies, first eyed over here.

and they truly lived up to expectations.

big. chewy. just like the picture (rare and yet surprisingly true). and incredibly popular...

anais' summation: 'yucky girrrrrl!'

lucky girl indeed.

addendum: for the aussies struggling to find molasses for this recipe, i admit that i adapted the recipe (no surprises there, really). i used golden syrup instead of molasses and brown sugar replaced the white sugar to obtain the caramel flavour. bon appetit!

to prepare

some pieces of vintage japanese textiles i found bought yesterday to team with a piece of knitting.

my haul collection includes a handpainted silk kimono sleeve lining, hemp kimono fabric, textured silk and polyester kimono fabrics.

perfect for my next small domestic project.

skirt with bustle and crumple

project: new denim skirt

time: a day to one's self with no children, no husband and no work. bliss.

material: lightweight denim / stainless steel blend (the steel lends an unusual heaviness to the fabric which renders it similar to a heavyweight linen)

method: long a-line skirt with small bustle to kick extra volume at the back

result: subtle yet quirky detail to basic skirt.

notes: i love this fabric - to fully utilise the crumpled appearance created with the stainless steel blend, ironing is outlawed. hehe he.

next project: perhaps some fully lined wide legged higher waisted pants. or a double wrap skirt using the right and wrong sides of this fabric

note to self: return to shop to purchase more fabric

cast on

i've started.

i must admit to it being the second start...

the first start was going to mean giving the piece away when completed.

so, undo 70 rows and adjust the stitch count and re-start.

i hope this will be my only false start.