This month I decided to combine my sewing and knitting update into one because, truthfully, I have not been doing a huge amount of either lately. I just have one project that I am really enjoying working on right now, so let’s start with that first!
As I mentioned in my last knitting update, I haven’t felt like working on my winter projects since the weather started warming up. So I was already in the market for a new cast-on to reignite the knitting mojo. Then I stumbled upon this locally produced alpaca and alpaca-wool blend yarn in a thrift shop craft supply bin. I could not believe the bargain price for these skeins! The green and gray toned skeins are both alpaca wool blends, but the dark red is 100% alpaca. They all came from a Colorado alpaca farm, although I can’t find any information suggesting they are still actively producing fiber. I brought this home and knew I needed to use it to make a squishy, cozy, everyday shawl to replace some old, worn out acrylic ones I have been wanting to get rid of.
Of course, being thrifted yarn, it was a little dirty and in need of being washed in case they contained any bad bugs. So I used some gentle detergent and vinegar to thoroughly wash each skein, air dried them. (Oh, that amazing freshly washed wool smell! Took me back to my hand-dying days and made me really want to get back into dying yarn again!) After they were fully dry, I wound them into balls. Unfortunately, all skeins had at least one break in the yarn, but the red was the worst, with several weak spots that were broken and will need joined as I knit.
The pattern I chose for this shawl is the tried and true “Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl” which is a free pattern that has probably been made by thousands of people since its release several years ago. This classic triangular shawl was designed by Sarah Bradberry and is easily adaptable to any weight or gauge of yarn and any size desired, perfect for my project goal. I am switching between the three colors of yarn somewhat randomly to create different widths of stripes and even different sequences of color. I’m loving the repetition of the pattern stitches and the way the shawl is working up. It is so soft and cozy! I know it is going to become a go-to cold-weather accessory for me when it is finished.
In sewing news, my Candy Stripe Summer Dress is finished! As noted last month, I had just some hand sewing and the buttons to finish. Making the fabric covered buttons was fun, and they turned out so well that I definitely see myself making more covered buttons to match projects in the future! Hand-stitching eight buttonholes was not so much fun, but they did turn out much better that way than they would have if I had used my finicky and unreliable machine to whip them up quickly.
I do not know if I would make this dress again, even though it was enjoyable to sew and turned out perfectly well. I just don’t think this particular silhouette suits my body type all that well. I prefer more of a fit-and-flare or A-line dress shape. This dress is cool and comfortable, though, and will certainly get worn a lot over the summer, whether I am doing housework, gardening, or running errands. I would consider using McCalls 5606 again but make the shirt option instead of the dress. I do like the grown-on sleeves, and I think adding pockets to a shirt would make it a very handy piece to have in my summer wardrobe. I might also try the shorts pattern if I found some suitable fabric for some khaki shorts. I have never made myself any sort of trouser, so that would be a learning experience, especially as I would want to lengthen the leg a good bit!
All that being said, I am very happy with this project, especially the fabric choice. I will have to keep my eye out for more seersucker to make dresses and tops from in the future! The colors are just what I was going for, and I look forward to wearing this piece all summer!
That’s all for today, friends! Until next time, happy stitching!
Kiel
