Sunday, May 25, 2014

Two for One

Hi everyone,
Well, there's rather a lot to show this time so I think I'm going to split this post into two.
Starting off with a skirt I made after seeing a sew-along on Daisy's blog and being inspired to do a bit of garment sewing.


The pattern is McCalls 3341 as used in the first series of the Great British Sewing Bee.
Of course by the time I bought my fabric (on a recent trip to UK) and got it sewn up everyone else had finished but I enjoyed it for all that.
I was so pleased with the skirt that I decided to tackle a dress next which is presently at the cutting out stage

The fabric is inside out - much nicer than it looks here.

I've done quite a bit of knitting and spinning.
Last time I showed some fibre I was spinning and here's the shawl (details on my Ravelry page) I knitted up from the spun yarn



and I've spun some merino silk fibre into this very soft and smooshy yarn. The colour is not showing up very well on my monitor. It's a kind of rich blackberry colour. I'm not sure what I'm going to knit with it yet.


Margaret asked to see a picture of my spinning wheel so here it is.
Isn't she pretty?



Now on to the knitting.............a pair of socks were finished a few weeks ago



and here's a very small start on the Entangled Vines cardigan I've started


So I think that's it for this knitting/sewing post. I'll be back tomorrow with the cross stitch.
Thanks as always for visiting :)

Margaret

24 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Very stylish skirt! Love the color. I hope you have a fabulous pair of shoes to go with it. :o) How satisfying to create a gorgeous shawl from yarn you've spun. The blackberry shows up beautifully on my monitor.

hazel c UK said...

I love your skirt Margaret the color is gorgeous. Your spinning Jenny is pretty and can imagine you spinning all that pretty yarn the colors are lovely. Your socks are nice and can see why Dee wanted them.

Look forward to seeing the stitching projects.

Hugs
Hazel c uk

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Lovely projects! Love the shawl from your own yarn. The colors are so pretty.

Carol-Ann said...

Your skirt looks great and very smart and I love the colour of your shawl and yarn. Thoughts of knitting a pattern entitled "entangled vines" conjures up all sorts of imaginings! Looking forward to your next post.



Cindy said...

How exciting to knit something with yarn you spun yourself! Love that shawl.

Christine M said...

You have been busy, Margaret! Your skirt and shawl are lovely.

Vickie said...

Beautiful skirt! And that shawl! Wow!

Giovanna said...

What a lovely shawl, and how special to be able to make your own yarn. Congratulations.

Ali said...

Beautiful projects and you've spun the wool too! Well impressed.

Unknown said...

It's a lovely skirt! I finished mine a few weeks ago, and I'm hoping to start a dress soon, too! I'm fascinated by your beautiful yarns...Chrissie x

Margaret said...

Oh oh oh oh!!!!! Wow! I love your spinning wheel! I'm so in awe of your spinning! How do you spin so evenly? Admittedly I've only tried spinning a little, but still. Such beautiful yarn! And your shawl -- the colors! Gorgeous! Love your socks and the merino silk too! Oh and the skirt. lol! I love that start as well. I've been dreaming of knitting recently. I think I need to get back to it. Still trying not to get into spinning. Much as I'm tempted....

Michelle said...

Oh Margaret how wonderful to be able to spin the yarn - I can imagine you sitting there. The skirt is lovely and is just the exact shape I always look for to wear. The socks are stunning well done xx

cucki said...

Wow..
Lovely projects...I love the shawl from your own yarn. The colors are so pretty. Big hugs x

Caz said...

Love the colour of the skirt Margaret,, as you know I am a fan of your handspun yarns. Nice choice for the cardigan!

angelasweby said...

Margaret, what a lovely post to brighten a dull rainy Bank holiday Monday. Firstly I adore your spinning wheel. She is indeed a treat to behold. She conjures up images of fairy tales and princesses spinning beautiful lengths of silken yarn and there is your silken yarn just to prove fairy tales are real after all :-) I love the rich blackberry yarn and can't wait to see what you will knit. You truly are a remarkable cottage industry taking a project from beginning to completion. I adore your dainty shawls and this one is a beauty.

Love the pretty skirt and the dress fabric is gorgeous even inside out. Wonderful post, Margaret. Xx

Penny said...

You are a lady of many talents. :) I love the fabric you chose for your skirt, and your shawl is beautiful! Can't wait to see your stitching!

Carol said...

I'm so impressed with your skirt and dress, Margaret! It has been years since I sewed clothing. I think the last thing I made was a skirt for myself when I was first married almost four decades ago!

And your shawl and socks are so pretty. I always enjoy my visit to your blog--you are so multi-talented :)

Melissa said...

Beautiful work, Margaret! I've been thinking about sewing something for myself and now that I've seen your skirt, it's given me ideas!

Lili said...

Nice projects!
The fabric for the dress looks perfect for Summer.

Hugs,
Lili

Barb said...

You are brace! i never sew clothing! the yarn is just beautiful!

Ashley cramp said...

Margaret wow your skirt is divine I love the fabric and cannot wait to see your dress...well done.
you know it makes blogging so worth while when i see i have inspired someone to sew...thank you,
bestest love Daisy j xx

Brigitte said...

That skirt looks absolutely gorgeous, what a wonderful colour this is. And the dress will be just as beautiful.

Great knitting and spinning. And ohhh, those colours, fantastic!

Sheryl said...

Beautiful, beautiful shawl.

Paula said...

I seem to have missed the fact that you now have a new spinning wheel. I have just bought a very old one but unfortunately it isn't working too well and due to its age I can't get parts. I will just have to save for one like yours and use mine as a display in the shop. I'm very envious. The yarn you have spun looks very professional. Well done x