Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Châle Saison

Hello, hello! What an exciting time we’ve had since I last popped on here! On February 16th our little Grandson was born and let me tell you I have had the hardest time focusing my brain on anything besides updates and photos and baby snuggles! He is the light of our lives without a doubt and we are all completely smitten with him!

In much less exciting news, I finished my Châle Saison shawl out of some absolutely beautiful yarn from Cog Yarns that my eldest son and daughter-in-law gave me for Christmas!  The colours are absolutely beautiful and the yarn is so very soft! I used two full skeins to make the shawl.


I cast on my shawl straight away on Boxing Day. Châle Saison is a free pattern on Ravelry by the designer Laine Poudrée. I was quite impressed with both the pattern - it’s so straight forward - and the speed in which I was able to knit it! I actually finished it February 8th despite pausing to knit a few things for the baby in January (booties, socks and a Puerperium Cardigan)

I finally took the plunge (or my shawl did in any case) and I gave it a good Euclan wool wash bubble bath and blocked it out this weekend. 


My timing was impeccable because winter hit again yesterday (we had another extreme weather closure day which made it two closures in as many weeks! You won’t hear me complaining! Lol) I was able to bundle up in my shawl today to ward off the chill as I headed to work. My shawl cuff is from Knox Mountain Knitting Co. in case you were curious. 

I’ve got some other knitting finished in the last week too - both projects that have been in my WIP basket for awhile but I’ll save those for another day. I also cast on a pair of socks last night. It would seem my knitting mojo has returned with gusto!!






Tuesday, February 13, 2024

The Boalsburg Top

Hello, hello!  I'm back again!

I've been pattern testing for Itch to Stitch* again and this one is such a good one! Ok - I've pretty much loved every pattern that I've tested for Kennis.  I do realize I'm probably a broken record on that subject, but they just always fit me so well.  I've made so many of her patterns over the years and I don't think I've ever been disappointed in any of them.  Some of them maybe my fabric choice has led to me feeling kind of "meh" about them, but certainly not the pattern's fault.  It's as though she creates her patterns just for me! LOL!

Sarah stands in front of her plant stand showing off the mock neck collar of her colour blocked Boalsburg top

So let me introduce you to this newest pattern.  Boalsburg is a dropped shoulder beauty that allows for either colour blocking or a single colour sweater with some interesting seam details.  My favourite thing about it is the fact that it's allowed me to use up some randoms bits and bobs of fabric in my stash that weren't big enough for any single project.  

Stash busting is one of my goals this year. Obviously not one I'll stick to rigidly. I'm not about to sign up for the Last Sewist Standing Challenge or anything like that.  I'm still going to get new fabric and not feel badly about it - I love being part of the Minerva Ambassador team, so I'll have new fabric coming to me through that, and sometimes a project just calls for something that I don't have readily at hand.  But my thought is, that if I have something suitable, I'll try to use stash fabric first when possible.  I'm going to see if I can take the stash down at least a bit this year, because my sewing room is slowly being taken over by it.

Sarah, in front of her plant stand once again, shows the full front view of her black, grey and purple colour blocked Boalsburg top

Anyway, back to the subject at hand.  The Boalsburg.  My first one was a wearable toile basically.  I didn't finish any of the seam allowances and didn't worry too much about my thread not matching well because I wasn't terribly sure how I would feel about it.  I felt a bit iffy about my fabric choices.  Now I'm thoroughly annoyed with myself because I love it and wish I'd taken more care in the inner details. Thankfully no one but me can see those minor details and because the fabric is jersey, it's not going to fray at all, so no need to worry there.

As I said, this first version is jersey and made entirely from fabrics from the Fabric Snob's Luxe Solids line.  The Thistle coloured one was leftover from my Sunday Romper I made a few summers ago.  The black from my sweater knit/jersey Lamma Hoodie and the grey I can't remember what it was used for.  

For my second version, I dug through my bins of fabric and found some sweater knits all of the same weight and gave that a go.  This time I used matching thread and finished off all the seam allowances with my serger so that I'd be just as happy with the outside as the inside of my sweater.  

Sarah stands on her deck in the snow at dusk, wearing a dark grey, light grey and blue Boalsburg top in sweater knit fabrics

The dark grey fabric was from a Blackwood Cardi I made for my daughter several years ago, the blue from a Blackwood I made for my mama for Christmas this year and the light grey from my Coimbra Wrap Top that I made last winter!

Sarah, in front of her plant stand, stands sideways looking over her shoulder at the camera. Her arm is up so that you can see the colour blocking detail from the side seam

This is the softest, snuggliest sweater ever!  I'm so impressed with how it all came together. And will get lots of wear out of it.  It's a nice light weight so perfect for the days where I want to wear a sweater, but nothing too heavy.  

I've thought about making a single colour Boalsburg.  Several testers did, and they look fabulous, but I feel when a colour blocking/stash busting opportunity presents itself I should take full advantage of it!

The Boalsburg will be on sale for the release week over on the Itch to Stitch website if you're wanting to pick up a copy for yourself.



Saturday, February 03, 2024

A Wooly Catch Up

Well hello dear reader!  How are we already into February? It's shocking how time flies lately!  Is it too far into the year to wish you all a Happy New Year?  I hope your 2024 has started out well.

Anyways, I thought I'd pop on here to share a project I fully intended to share as soon as it was finished.  An honest to goodness knitting project!  If you follow on Instagram, you'll already have seen it a few times, but for those of you who don't, may I present my Lately Pullover!  It was a new pattern release last summer from the talented Shannon of Very Shannon Knits.  

A wip and balls of Cranberry Estelle Eco Shetland Worsted yarn showing the exact same dye lots even though the yarn was purchased a year apart from two separate shops in two separate provinces!

As soon as she released it, I was OBSESSED.  I was also completely obsessed with knitting it in my cranberry coloured Estelle Eco Shetland Worsted yarn that I'd purchased a year earlier at Wolseley Wool during a sale. Unfortunately I didn't have enough yarn.  I knew I would be at least a skein, possibly even more, short.  I checked Wolseley Wool, but of course they no longer had any in stock.  So I started scouring the Internet for the more yarn, because I just couldn't let go of the obsession of using that particular yarn for that particular pattern.  I found some at Purlin' J's Yarn Emporium in Ontario and decided to order another two skeins, busily trying to plan the best way to combine what would obviously be two different dye lots.

Imagine my surprise when my yarn arrived and it was the exact same dye lot!  What are the chances of that happening?!?  Two different stores, from two different provinces, bought a year apart.  I couldn't believe my luck!  Obviously my Lately Pullover was meant to be.

The photo shows Sarah's knitting project during football practice.  The field and team is in the background

I started knitting it mid-July, crazily thinking that maybe I could get it done so I could wear it during our Newfoundland trip in August, but alas, of course I didn't get it done.  I knit quite a bit of it through football practices, but it's hard to knit a wool sweater outside in the blazing heat of summer.  So I changed my deadline and decided that having it done before the freezing cold of winter would be good timing.

Photo shows a cranberry coloured Lately Pullover laying on the table swirled up in a pile


I did it!  My pullover was finished in November.  It took me about a month to actually block and unfortunately it's not got as much wear as I thought it would.  Not because I don't love it.  I do.  I absolutely do.  It's because this winter has been mostly a non-winter. El Nino has definitely put a damper on wearing warm wool sweaters.  I mean, it was +5C in Manitoba in January last weekend.  That's absolutely crazy - not to mention not just a bit disconcerting environmentally wise!!!!

Sarah stands in front of her plant stand in the dining room, smiling with her hands in her jeans pockets.  She is wearing her brand new Lately Pullover


But my pullover is at the ready for when the temps dip and I do want a cozy, warm layer.  (At least there's been a few times I could wear it and not be at risk of sweating to death, but certainly not as much as I had envisioned!)

Sarah sits at her desk in the library, smiling and cozy warm during a rare frigid day in January.  She's wearing her Lately Pullover

It did kick off a renewed love of knitting again and I've got several projects on the go currently and finished quite a few as well.  More on that another day... Right now I've got to get myself off the computer and down to the sewing room.  I have a few things on the go there too that I really want to get working on!  I'm taking part in the #FinishItQal over on Instagram hosted by Village Bound Quilts this month and I'm not going to get anything finished if I don't get at it!



Friday, December 01, 2023

A New Skirt for All Seasons

 Hello, hello!  I’m back here again today with a super quick drive by post to tell you about another new Itch to Stitch* pattern! I sewed it up a couple of weeks ago for pattern testing, but it’s just been released today.

This is the Quebrada Skirt. It’s a gored A-line skirt with a total of 11 panels (five in the front and six in the back). It has a center back zip and waist facing. The pattern also comes in two lengths but really you could easily make it whatever length you wanted.

I made mine out of a medium weight cotton twill. I figure i can wear it with a sweater, tights and boots in colder weather and with sandals and a tank or tee in warmer weather!


I keep eyeballing my leftover denims thinking it would be fun to do the panels in different shades of denim like one of the testers did. Or like Kennis, the designer did, maybe repurpose some of those old jeans that I have hung on to for so long. 

Or maybe I’ll just make some more cotton skirts. The Quebrada Skirt whips up pretty easily and quickly and I have some other cottons in my stash that would be perfect for it!

Tuesday, November 07, 2023

The Andes Jacket

 Well hello dear reader!  So sorry to have gone missing again for months on end.  We had such a busy summer, including an amazing trip to Newfoundland for ten days in August.  Then we got back and I was right back into the full swing of work and football season.

I've been doing some projects here and there, although not a lot because I have also been really tired. Our schedule was such that I was on the constant move the entire fall.  Home from work, throw some food on the table and walk the dog, then back out the door within 20 minutes to get to the boys to the football field on time.  Football season is done now though and I'm hoping since I'll have more time in the evenings, maybe I'll be able to get back to doing crafty things with more regularity.  I'm always happiest when I have time to be creative!

If you want to see some of the things I've been working on since I last wrote, you can check out my posts on Minerva or check out my grid on Instagram if you so desire.  I usually post my craftiness in one of those two spots. 

Sarah stands on an angle from the camera with her hands in her pockets, wearing a red Andes Jacket with black zippers.  There is snow in the background!

I did want to pop on here today though to tell you about a new make that I'm very proud of.  I did have some dicey moments in which I was sure there was no way I was going to finish it, because this week went south on me a bit, but I ended up having a good sewing session on Thursday evening and then another chunk of time on Friday and then finished up on Saturday.  I so often choose projects that are fairly easy and straight forward, but every now and again I do like to do a project that I can really sink my teeth into, so when Kennis of Itch to Stitch* posted a testing call in our group on Facebook for the Andes Jacket I applied right away.  

Sarah stands in the snow, on a slight angle to the camera, wearing a red Andes Jacket.  At this angle you can see the zipped pockets of the jacket.

The Andes Jacket is just the sort of jacket I've been hunting for!  It's made of softshell (here's an example at Minerva in case you're unsure of what that fabric is - I was until I went shopping for it!) so is a waterproof jacket that will be perfect for spring and fall. I've even test driven it on the weekend, when the snow turned to rain, but figure that might be the last opportunity I get since other than today, winter seems to be mostly here to stay.  The Andes has a slim, athletic fit, zipped pockets, a fully lined hood that now I'm wishing I'd put the optional drawstring in - walking east my hood kept blowing off my head on Sunday. LOL! It features a lower hem in the back of the jacket so keeps your lower back and butt warm too. It also has loads of topstitching which I always think elevates a project!

Sarah stands in the snow, facing the camera, hands in her pockets with the hood of her red Andes Jacket up.

I purchased my soft shell fabric from Marshall's Northwest in Winnipeg and the zippers and faux suede that I made my pockets and hood lining from our local fabric store Faye's Fabricvilla.  I was certain I would have black fabric and zips in my stash that I didn't bother even looking at Marshalls for them.  Regret! Regret!!  Of course I didn't have anything suitable, so I was stuck with the meagre choice in town.  I ended up spending a small fortune on the pocket zips because I had to get ones that were about twice the length I needed.  So annoying!!

If it's helpful at all, I don't mind telling you that I made a size 18C and graded down to the 16 at the hip for my Andes and I feel like the fit is perfect for me.  I also added one inch of length on the upper lengthen/shorten line so that the waist shaping would hit at the right spot.

Sarah is standing in the snow, wearing her red Andes Jacket facing the camera

Anyway, I am rambling on here, but suffice it to say, I'm incredibly happy with my new jacket.  I wish I'd had it on my trip to Newfoundland and it would have been great at the football field!  Oh well, better late than never.  I'll be prepared for next year's football season!

If you're interested in getting a copy of the Andes Jacket pattern you can pick it up on sale for the release week over on the Itch to Stitch site!




Tuesday, July 04, 2023

Icaria Pants and Reynolds Top Co-ord Set

Well, the day is finally here that the Icaria* pattern has finally been released so I get to show them off properly. I have teased them a few times on both Instagram and Minerva while I’ve been waiting, so you quite possibly have already seen them.

They’re actually a project I did as part of the Minerva Brand Ambassador team, so the gorgeous linen viscose blend fabric was kindly sent to me by Minerva in exchange for review of it.

I was excited to see a woven, elasticated waist pant with a very similar shape to my favourite Samara Pants of a few summers ago when it came up in the Itch to Stitch Testing Group. I have such faith in Itch to Stitch patterns and their consistent fit for me that I cut straight into my good fabric without hesitation. This is definitely not the first time I’ve done that in testing. It’s a pretty bold move, admittedly, but one I’m usually prepared to make, crazy as that may be.  

I know my fabric makes it hard to see the details of the Icaria pants so I thought I’d pop the line drawing from the pattern in here so you could better see what I’m talking about. Did I mention you can make these any length by easily cutting a shorter length or adding length to the bottom. It’s as simple as that! I chose to make mine the longer length of the actual pattern.

I’m all about the faux jumpsuit /coordinating set so as soon as I signed on to test the Icaria I was already thinking about top possibilities. My two contenders were the Itch to Stitch Santorini Tank and the Helen’s Closet Reynolds Top. I decided for such a vibrant print I’d do the Reynolds for maximum summertime vibes.

I’m so enamoured with this set!! If you’re wanting to see more pics or more about the fabric please feel free to head to Minerva - I’ve got all the details over there! If you’re interested in the pattern for the Icaria Pants, it’s on sale right now for the release week over on the Itch to Stitch site. 



Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Closet Core Sepia Pants



Hello and happy almost end of the school year!!! There’s two days left and the it’s SUMMERTIME!!! I’m just a little bit excited. I have so many plans for sewing and gardening and just plain old recovering from what felt like a long, tough year.

Anyways, enough rambling. I popped on here to show off my new pants! I’ve been on a pants making kick since making my linen Peppermint Wide Leg Pants for #sewfrugal in the spring I’m wearing them lots by the way since the weather turned warm and I quite like them! I did end up running some elastic through the waist because they were a touch too big.

For one of my recent Minerva Ambassador projects I had chosen a really nice mid weight cotton twill. In the time I took waffling over whether I should make the Closet Core Pietra Pants or the Papercut Palisade Pants the May pattern for Closet Core Crew (which I subscribe to) came out. The minute I laid eyes on the Sepia Pants I immediately abandoned all other plans and knew they were the pants I wanted to make with my twill. (You can read my entire post about my project on the Minerva site

I absolutely love this pattern! The shape is loose but not sloppily so, and there’s darts at the ankles to bring the fullness in a bit. There’s also a dart at the knee which is a fun detail. The best though is the pockets. The front slanted patch pockets are double layered! It’s such a unique look! And they were so much fun to sew. Ireally took my time making them and thoroughly enjoyed the process!

As soon as I made them I knew I wanted another pair. I really wanted to try the pattern in a lighter fabric so one day after a doctor appointment in the city I popped into  Fabricland and it was my lucky day! Not only had my doctor appointment gone much better than expected but Fabricland had a 55% off sale and I snagged a great lightweight linen/cotton blend for an amazing deal! 

This second pair is every bit as good as my first pair which just goes to show it works well in completely different fabrics! The linen ones are perfect for hot muggy days (like today!) 

These pants really do fit all my favourite summertime pants criteria. Loose fitting, elasticated waist and cropped. Win, win and win!! 

Next week I’ll be back to show you yet another pair of summertime pants I’ve made. I just need to wait for the pattern I used to be released (yes, I was pattern testing again!), although if you’re on Instagram or Minerva and follow me you may have seen a sneak peek. 

Until then I hope you have a great rest of the week and a fantastic start to the summer!