Me-Made-May 2019 - The Turtle Skirt

This post will be the last of four posts that I have finally got around to writing for Me-Made-May 2019. They have been posted in the order that they were intended to be posted throughout the month, so you will most probably see this one first then scroll down to see the rest. So I hope you enjoy.

The last Me-Made that made its way out for Me-Made-May was my 3/4 circle skirt that was one of the very first pieces of clothing I made for a mostly adult me. I say mostly adult, I think I had just turned 18 at the time. I'm not entirely sure but I remember drinking a horrible bottle of wine to celebrate redecorating my bedroom at the same time.

The pattern was a self drafted pattern from some instructions that I found on Pinterest. Whether the formulas from this website or my maths at the time were off it is hard to say. But the pattern I drafted was meant to be a full circle skirt, and I did cut out enough pieces to create the full circle.

The fabric I used I found in a box in our house, and if I remember rightly was originally used to make toddler Lottie a pair of shorts and a vest top. Which I seem to remember wearing on a family holiday to the Isle of Wight. I may be corrected later by Mam. The fabric was a white jersey type fabric with cartoon turtles on it, which is quite cute.

I had never sewn with jersey before (and never have done since) so on the actual sewing side of things, it is a little bit of a car crash, but its held together and still functions as a skirt, so why not just wear it around the house on a summer's day?

I mentioned that I was intending to make a full circle skirt, and yes I did have all the pieces, but I did find that once I had sewn three of the pieces together that actually that size fitted around my waist and that actually if I added another panel in it would have been horrendously too big. So I left out the last panel and sewed up the skirt. Which to be fair wasn't too bad.

But there ends all the different makes for Me-Made-May 2019. Writing this on the 9th of June I can say that I did indeed wear a Me-Made almost every day for Me-Made-May. Whilst it was challenging at times I did manage it, with the exception of one day, where I wore a skirt I had made for an hour before deciding I felt too uncomfortable in it. So here's to a successful May, and to many more Me-Made clothes in my future.

Me-Made-May 2019 - Hermione's Everyday Socks

My last actual pair of socks for Me-Made-May I wore on day 14, and they were a lovely pair of Hermione's Everyday Socks, a free pattern that you can find on Ravelry. These were a pair of patterned socks that I had my eye on for a long time, and I managed to get just the right yarn for the project.

The yarn I got was Malabrigo Sock in the Ivy colourway. The sock yarn is 100% Merino and very soft. This is the first time making socks out of merino, so I will have to see how it holds up and maybe not wear them when I am likely to be hard wearing on my socks.

The socks didn't take me too long to make. The pattern was easy to remember and once I was going I was off. The only modification as such that I made was to adjust my needle size. I didn't gauge swatch but I knew that if I was to use the patterns required number of stitches then I would need to go down to a 2mm needle instead of the recommended needle size for the pattern. I also used DPNs instead of two circulars mainly because I think I prefer that method, and because I only really have one sock size circular, and that is my one super long one!

The socks I came out with at the end are lovely, they are comfy and I am in love with the colour. I would definitely make it again.

I believe I wore these socks a few times throughout Me-Made-May and they stood up pretty well. One day I did wear them to work, and the heels did become a little felted at the back. Which was a bit sad, but I will see if there is anything I can do about it, the felting isn't that bad really. I think I won't wear merino socks to work again though.

Me-Made-May 2019 - The Last Pair of Leftovers

Day 13 was for the last pair of leftovers socks I own. Both socks from this pair are made from the same brand of yarn - Drops Delight I think, and both pairs of socks were made around a similar time.
The red sock was made first, and was leftover from a pair of socks that I made Mr M for christmas. He loves those socks and I am very glad. The second one was a leftover from a pair that I made for my Mam. Although the socks were a little bit on the tight side, I still think she wears them... hopefully.

Looking back at the photos I got when I was knitting both the socks I thing they were made on a 2mm circular needle. Which means that they will by 64 stitches all together. The red sock, was made cuff down and I think with a heel flap and gusset heel construction. It fits okay, but is a little on the small side in terms of length and does like to slide down my foot. Which can be rather annoying as it is a shortie sock and the cuff doesn't do anything to help. But I like to wear it because I made it and I can be a little strong willed like that!

The purple sock I believe I tried a new type of sock construction. I did this sock toe up, but also on a 2mm circular needle. For this one I needed to learn how to do a turkish cast on, which was interesting, seeing as all the tutorials I could find all used two circular needles, instead of one long one. At the time I tried to start this sock I was away from home and only had one needle, which was rather frustrating.

I managed the cast on, and then created a video explaining how I did it, which is on my youtube channel if you are ever curious (it is one of the first videos I did so you might have to scroll back a little to find it).

This sock was also the first time I think I had ever done a different type of heel then the heel flap and gusset that I had learnt to do first. I think it was a german short row heel, or it might have been a wrap and turn. The two I find are ever so similar, so I'm not sure what I used.

I then seem to have done a little more knitting on the leg of the sock before starting on the cuff. Which was unusual seeing as I normally go straight from the cuff into the heel. I don't know if I was trying to give a little more height as I would have in a heel flap, but it seems likely. Without actually having written down how I did this sock, which was a very bad idea, I did manage to create a sock that fits quite nicely. It cups my heel more and is a lot more comfortable then it's pair. Maybe I should try and recreate it sometime.

Me-Made-May 2019 - The Stevie

Day 12 of Me Made May was my Stevie and I fell in love pretty quickly. I took my newly made Stevie out to Bath for a weekend away that I had planned and got some lovely photos of it out in the wild as I was enjoying myself in sunny Bath.

Stevie is a pattern by Tilly and the Buttons, and you can get the digital download or order a paper pattern to be posted out to you on their website here. The pattern is both a top, and a tunic dress which makes it quite versatile. I however am not really a dress person, so I stuck to the top version.

I used some 100% cotton that I picked up in my local Hobbycraft, I'm not sure what sort of weight cotton, but it was on the medium side I think. (Hobbycraft don't really like to put labels on anything...) The sewing went well and I really did enjoy it. The only thing that started to frustrate me was that there wasn't enough of a seam allowance to create a rolled hem. The instructions just give to turn up the hem on both the sleeves and the body once and then find a way to finish the raw edges.

To start with I only pinked the edges with a pair of pinking shears, but after wearing it once and loving it I suddenly felt terrified that the edges weren't quite strong enough and I was scared I was going to loose my beloved top! That probably won't be the case, but I am the kind of person who is always worrying about something.

So after wearing it for the day, I very carefully turned over the tiny bit of hem left and hand stitched a running stitch through it to try and hide the raw edge and hope that it wouldn't want to fray.

The last adorable thing I love about the Stevie is the back. There are two options, a tie back, or a little button and loop. I had to pick out the perfect button for this project and I am so glad I found it. It may be designed for a child garment, but those who know me and indeed the fact that I am still really a child at heart will agree that this is the right button for this project.

Now I am writing this post a little while after I wore this, and in fact a little while after the end of May, and I have already been able to make adjustments to the pattern for myself and make another one, which became my birthday top. I added an inch and a half hem allowance for both the sleeves and the body, which allowed me to create a rolled hem and not worry so much about fraying. I however didn't use the whole inch and a half allowance on the sleeves which does mean that they are ever so slightly longer, which I quite like - but more about that top on my next podcast.

For now, here is the picture of the cute little button on the back, and this top will certainly get more wear for years to come.

Lemmon Juicer Podcast Ep 15: The One With All the Sewing

Welcome to the Lemmon Juicer Podcast, put the kettle on and get stuck in.

Instagram: @lemmonjuicer
Ravelry: sockbug97
Ravelry Group: Lemmon Juicer Podcast
Blog: www.lemmonjuicer.blogspot.co.uk

Extended Shownotes you will find on the Blog or in the Ravelry Group.

Finished Objects:
Madison Scarf: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Sockbug97/madison-scarf  - Made out of Malabrigo Rios in the Purpuras colourway, and knit on a circular needle at quite a loose gauge. It was a fun a intuitive knit and was finished pretty quickly.

Spinning: Green Batts - Batts I picked up from a yarn shop, no idea what sort of fibre content they have, just know that they are wool and they are green! Spun into a simple 2-ply with my wheel.

Stevie Top: https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/products/stevie - A lovely pattern, and as I has discovered easy to wear! Made out of a blue cotton with a button and loop fastening on the back. Fabric and button were from Hobbycraft.

Delphine Skirt: From Tilly and the Buttons book Love at First Stitch - This I made to try out some new skills and techniques, not sure what it will go with in my wardrobe yet though. Fabric from a bargain bucket in a fabric shop near my LYS.

Hoddie: A self drafted hoodie pattern from YEARS ago, finally finished it. - Made from a pigs flying fleece from many many moons ago, I finally put some cuffs on it and it is now rather wearable.

WIPs:
Baby Cross Stitch:https://www.sewandso.co.uk/product/train-birth-record-cross-stitch-kit/1001851 - Whilst I did not show this today, it is very much still a WIP, although some progress is being made. Next time I'm pretty sure it will be done.

Galewood Gauntlets:https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Sockbug97/galewood - Finally got cracking on making the second one and fortunately the mojo is returning. Made with Devonia (John Arbon) 4-ply in the Bleeding Heart colourway.

Lyne Socks: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Sockbug97/lyne-socks - Slow progress but I do have a HO, one sock done and the cuff of the other also completed. Loving the pattern and even more so the yarn: Gamercrafting Yak sock, in the Lagoon Mist colourway.

Socks for me: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Sockbug97/lottie-socks - A pair of sock I'm making without a pattern for myself. On a 2mm circular needle with 64 stitches. It is a fraternal pair, one is already finished and the next one is getting on. Yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners, Bo Peep in the Teddy Bear colourway the other is Bergere De France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Jaun colourway.

In The Shed:
Niddy Noddy: Making a niddy noddy out of windfall wood.

Real Talk:
These are some links to the people leading the conversations around racism and inclusion in the
knitting community, take a look at their stories and discover some new people:
@su.krita - https://www.instagram.com/su.krita/?hl=en
@thecolormustard - https://www.instagram.com/thecolormustard/?hl=en
@ocean_bythesea - https://www.instagram.com/ocean_bythesea/?hl=en
@booksandcables - https://www.instagram.com/booksandcables/?hl=en
@ggmadeit - https://www.instagram.com/ggmadeit/?hl=en

Layla F Saad's workbook: https://www.meandwhitesupremacybook.com/
Unfinished Object: https://www.unfinishedobject.com/
Vox Article: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/25/18234950/knitting-racism-instagram-stories

Music:
"Inspired" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Me-Made-May 2019 - Another Pair of Leftovers

Day 10 I wore another pair of leftovers socks (I think I have three pairs, so prepare yourself for one more after these!) these leftovers were from my first ever pair of socks, and a pair that I made for my friend Emma.

The first shortie sock made from the yarn from my first pair of socks I believe I made on a 2mm circular needle. I can't remember if this was the first time I had used the needle or not, but the sock wasn't without it problems. I had vastly misjudged when I needed to start the toe in the sock, and I was quite glad that I tried it on before grafting the toe.

It was indeed too short and I had to rip back the toe to put on a few more rows and starting the toe again. This may have made it wearable, but it is still too short. It likes to slip off my ankle, but oh well. It was a learning point, and we moved on.

I think that I made this sock with a 60 stitch count, which also makes it a little too tight on my foot. It was around when I made this when I realised that going down a needle size and not going up in stitch count meant that whilst the sock fit more tightly, it was a little on the uncomfortably small size. But we learned for next time.

The second sock is a leftover sock from when I knitted my best friend a pair of socks. This shortie was made a lot lot later then it's pair here, and was made on 2.5mm DPNs. This sock kept me company when I was working up in the office on the last month or so of my placement before I got my job. I became known for always having my knitting with me and taking it out everytime I had a break. I also took it on a course I was sent on as well, and everyone seemed to be interested in what I was knitting.

The stitch count on this sock was 60 stitches as well, but the needle size is larger. This size does seem to fit my foot nicer than the other sock. Both of the socks are made with one inch of 1x1 ribbing on the cuff before going straight into the heel. The heel I used was a heel flap and gusset type. Which at the time was the only one I felt confident in doing. I had tried a wrap and turn heel for the socks I made for my best friend, but I didn't really feel it went the way I wanted.

These socks are now in regular rotation and I enjoy them a fair bit. Here is the instagram story post from day 10:

Me-Made-May 2019 - Winging It Jumper

Day 9 for Me-Made-May is a cozy, stay at home jumper. This is the first adult sized garment I had ever knit. It started from when I had just finished a baby jumper and I thought "How hard can it be to make one adult sized". It turns out, pretty hard. I managed it, and it was the plainest and squarest jumper there ever was.

The jumper is made out of super chunky, acrylic yarn. I had one huge ball that my friend gave me, but she had got it from Aldi, and I couldn't find any more when I realised I wouldn't have enough for the whole jumper so had to find something else that would do.

I started off swatching to find the right needle size for the type of fabric that I wanted. I'm not a very good swatch maker, I just don't really know how to do them properly, and I always feel like I'm using up yarn that could be useful somewhere else. Which is probably why I have never cast off a swatch. Which may have been my downfall.

I cast on in the end, writing down everything as I went, although I am still yet to actually write up what I did! I went for a top down jumper in the round. Which is how the baby jumper was constructed, and the only way I knew how. Needless to say it has quite a wide neckline, I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it is what it is.

I knit down the plain body, I added one little stripe before I switched to the other colour in a hopeless attempt to make it look like the colour change was intended. I finished off the body with a rib. I then started on the sleeves, these I was quite pleased with in terms of matching the body of the jumper. I wasn't so pleased with the cuffs though.

I had made the sleeves longer then the body, but probably not long enough, sadly only something I realised much much later. One of the things I was proud of when knitting my sleeves was picking up stitches in the armpit before knitting the rest of the sleeve and avoiding holes.

The jumper sadly just got worn for the finished object photos and never again. For part of Me-Made-May I am trying to finish off or fix garments I have but I don't seem to wear. This was one of them. I decided that one of the reasons I don't wear the jumper is because of the cuffs.

I had no experience of jumpers, and I didn't even know that sleeves had shaping in them - such a rookie. The cuffs were the same size as the rest of the sleeves and just kind of flopped around my wrists, I didn't like. So I ripped the sleeve ribbing out. I knit 2 together for every knit stitch in the first row of ribbing and then I knit the same amount of ribbing as I had done originally. This made it so much better. I felt that I was able to wear it around the house then.

Only after wearing it for Me-Made-May, I then found out the things I don't love about it. But they are livable with. I'll be wearing it again sometime, and maybe thinking of how I can improve it. I will now leave you with the instagram story, hopefully this jumper will get more wear in time. Perhaps I will grow to love it - Happy making!