Whew, this week has flown by! I didn't even begin to touch on all of the things I was hoping to, but I did manage to finish off the tealeaves cardi (raveled here) in 32 degree celsius heat (ugh). Not exactly ideal knitting weather, but that's never stopped me before. I love this sweater, it turned out perfectly. Way too hot to wear right now even for a few brief moments, so it's tucked away to savor in a more appropriate season.
Did I mention we have no air conditioning in our house? We had to hit several air-conditioned thrift stores, yarn shops, and fabric outlets just to escape the incessant heat (a highly unfortunate necessity, I know... that's just what the Mr said). I did manage to whip up a little summer top in between shopping trips, although I'm not altogether happy with it. I followed all sizing measurements and seam allowances, but it still turned out waaay to big. And I used store bought bias tape on the neckline and armholes, so the whole effect is a bit apronish looking.
This is a regular problem with me and garment sewing, the way-too-big thing I mean. Is there some special top secret pattern reading technique that I don't know about? Does anyone have any insight on how to avoid this problem? I did manage to tailor it in a few spots to make it wearable, but it's still not what it should be. I'll be doing another in a smaller size and with a few other changes, more on that coming.
Now off to the lake for some desperately needed relief to finish off the week and indulge myself in some good reading. Wonderful summer wishes to you all! xoxoxo
Your tea-leaves cardi looks gorgeous - and how nice to make something that one can look forward to wearing at the end of the summer. Not sure what the answer is re the pattern sizing thing. For years I had the same problem but it was always my own fault for not trusting the pattern size and cutting larger in case it was too small! Like you, I find commercial bias binding needs to be deployed with care and much prefer to make my own from the fabric i'm using although this is a pain of one is in a hurry! I've tried to be more conscientious about checking what actual measurements pattern sizes relate to as I've been dabbling in Japanese and French patterns which make slightly different assumptions so it might be worth double checking what measurements your pattern thinks correspond to a particular size but I'm sure you've done this already. Have you had a look at the patterns from Citronille? there are some lovely patterns for tops on their website and I've found they come out really well. I've made Zébulon for me (twice) and Palmyre for my sister who is very petite. The patterns come from France in wonderful envelopes made form recycled maps too, for an added stationery buzz if that appeals! Have a lovely weekend Janine! E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | July 05, 2013 at 11:09 PM
I can't help re. the pattern thing, sorry, it year's since I did any dressmaking, but I do like the sound of the Citronelle patterns that Elizabeth's recommended.
I'm admiring your Tea Leaves though, and your tenacity, knitting in that heat, it's about 24 degrees Celsius here and that's way too hot for me!
Posted by: Annie @ knitsofacto | July 06, 2013 at 03:46 AM
your tea leaves turned out great!!! it'll be a welcome surprise when (i'm sure you now feel...'if'...) the weather turns cold! love the two skeins in the corner of the photo....wonder what's 'pending'??!
try to stay cool....we lived in an unconditioned house in North Carolina when the kids were really small; we used to walk to the grocery store every afternoon and hang out in the frozen food section!!
Posted by: steph | July 06, 2013 at 06:42 AM
Dear Janine,
I simply love the colour of your Tea Leaves; so rich and warm.
No air-conditioning here either and temperatures go up to about 39°C! It's our fourth summer in this region of France and people lament how disappointing the past two summers have been. I am secretly thrilled because I do not feel comfortable in high heat!
Happy, glorious summer to you and I can vouch for the Citronelle patterns too although I have only sampled the child-sized ones. Remember that French sizes are generally more petite than Anglo-Saxon ones.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 06, 2013 at 07:08 AM
So pleased that someone else experiences problems with sizing - I think my problem is that I'm so mean that I want to use every cm of fabric, so sew my seams far too close to the edge rather than using the 1.5cm seam allowance.
Love the Tea Leaf Cardigan and the fact that you carried on knitting through the heat.
I remember afternoons in the air condtioning at the cinema when the children got too hot during summer holidays.
Posted by: Anne @GtSlamseysFarm | July 09, 2013 at 03:50 AM
What an absolutely beautiful sweater. The color is just lovely. You are going to love it when it finally cools off.
Regarding the sizing issues, I think that it might be due to the fact that all sizing for garments is so misleading and none of it seems to be uniform any more. I have an awful time finding ready made clothes to fit me. I am short...5'2" and not very big. Pants that do fit are fashioned for teens. Very inappropriate and ludicrous on this old lady! I do have a bunch of very old pattern from my days of sewing most of my clothes. It would be interesting to dig one out and see how it compares to those of today.
Posted by: ellen kelley | July 18, 2013 at 09:36 AM