Sunday, March 28, 2010

Just in case you were thinking...

... that it was all blanket, all of the time, let me assure that it's not. It's all blanket, all the time except for four hours I spent last night making pajama pants. See!

365.2.287

These are Heather Ross' Pajamas for Everyone in size medium, in some 100% cotton I bought on eBay ages ago thinking I'd use it for the backing of the Spiderweb Quilt. I didn't end up using it because it was more of a beige and black print that white and black, plus it had a lot more drape than the rest of the fabric. Anyhoo, it makes great pants.

Making the pants was a little frustrating though. You have to trace pattern pieces and parchment paper is all I have. Holy curing batman! And parchment can't be stuck together with tape, trust me, I tried. I also had to do a different pattern piece to fabric layout than suggested in the book which meant that the legs were a good five inches shorter than the pattern, but you see how they are hitting me perfectly at the ankle? Those would have been wasted inches anyway. Instead of folding the two yards on the selvage (short) edge, I folded it along the length (making a 1yard by 45" square) then just cut off the bottom part of the leg pattern that didn't fit on the fabric. As it ended up, the pants are exactly the right length for my 5'5", 31" inseam wearing self.

Once I was really to start assembling, my machine stopped sewing zigzags. It isn't catching the second stitch so even though the needle is moving back and forth all I end up with is a straight line of stitches. I changed the needle, rethreaded, took apart the bobbin holder and cleared lint, rethreaded the bobbin, messed with tension and NO, no zigzag for you! So I sewed a second line of straight stitch outside of the seam and I hope that will stop most of the fraying.

But after all that, they are a well fitting pair of PJs so in the end I'm happy. More coffee please.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Update

And this is where I nonchalantly announce that I made it to half way.

(79) 44 is the magic number

No big whoop.

When I lay the blanket on the floor...

Heh.

Monday, March 15, 2010

My muse

It sort of feels like...

(66) Derrière

... the only thing I've done with the blankie...

(70) Photogenic from every angle

.... for the last two weeks....

(74) Le Sigh

... is take pretty pictures.

601.

One row from halfway done.

Deep breath.

Knit.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

A bit late with the blankie update

It's been a bit of a theme this week and last that real life has very rudely interrupted my knitting time. While I was making good pace with an average of 10 squares a day, that average is going to take a nose dive. Last week I saw a play, went out three nights and spent a redonk amount of time in lab preparing for my lab meeting. So I only managed an additional 59 squares last week.

(60) 521

BUT, since I was tricksy with my last photo, by zooming out a little it looks like I achieved WAY more. Heh.

This week isn't looking good for the blanket either, although I shouldn't complain because it means I am actually living, gasp! A LIFE. On Monday I went to a Jeopardy viewing party where my friend Amy won!!

Anatomy of a Jeopardy WIN!

Last night was pub quiz and flip cup, then tonight I'm going out for dinner with friends, Thursday I think I'm hosting prospective students and Friday I'm taking a bunch to Broadway to see In The Heights. I have such a hard life. The blanket is suffering because of it ;o)