Another Tanit-Isis Shrug...

I love my houndstooth shrug immensely, even with it's imperfections, so I was ready to cut into my "real" fabric.

This is a lovely piece of mohair/silk knit that my mother gave me. I believe she picked it up at Waechter's Fine Fabrics while on a visit to North Carolina. It is absolutely divine, and I wanted to make it into something special, but not so special that I wouldn't wear it often.

And that I why I chose this pattern. I think it works as well with jeans and a tee shirt as it does with a black pencil skirt and red lipstick. This time I left the sleeve length as drafted (this is the size medium). It's definitely a little longer than a 3/4 sleeve, more like bracelet length. I like it.

For the closure, I again didn't want to risk a buttonhole in this fine knit, so I sewed on a wee snap and attached a pretty lace covered vintage button over the snap. The color of the knit is quite unusual - lilac in some lights and pale pink in others - so I was surprised to find this button that coordinates so well, both in color and style.

I am completely thrilled with this shrug and I know it will get a lot of wear, but there will be more to this story... I still have a yard of this knit, and while I was considering finishing options, I posted my conundrum on Facebook and Ann suggested facing the edges with silk chiffon, rather than using the bands as per the pattern.

I tried out a few options and I really like the look of the chiffon facing, particularly with some crystal seed beads decorating the edge. I'd like to make this again, in a more special occasion version, doing just that.

Tanit-Isis Vintage Shrug

So, after the teaser on Saturday, were you dying to know where you can get your hands on this adorable shrug pattern for yourself? I suspect many of you actually recognized it. 

My failed attempt to look as cool as Tanit-Isis. At least you can see the drapey sleeve.

The pattern is from the lovely and talented Tanit-Isis, and is available for free on her blog. I know, how awesome is that?! Click here for the pattern.

I made this out of a houndstooth burnout knit from FabricMart. Since the pattern only has one seam , matching the "stripe" of the houndstooth was effortless as long as your layout was on grain. the edges are all finished with self-fabric bands, which makes for a very easy and quick make. From printing to wearing this took me about 2 hours, but that includes some kvetching about what fabric I wanted to use.

The shrug fastens with a button on the neckband. The pattern calls for a buttonhole, but this knit was way too thin to support a buttonhole well, so I just used an elastic loop. Isn't the button pretty? It is vintage glass and seemed appropriate for this.

The only trouble I has was that this knit isn't particularly stretchy and I should have taken that into account and made my front band a bit longer to compensate. I have some rippling around there that isn't very attractive up close. I'm pretty sure it isn't going to stop me from wearing this though.

I did make one alteration to the pattern, which was to lengthen the sleeves. I generally like a 3/4 sleeve personally, but I wanted to wear this over long sleeves. I just extended the sleeve length to the full width of the fabric, tapering in to the wrist. I love how snug this sleeve is, although in my not very stretchy knit, it is a little tricky to get the band over my hand. Live and learn. The 3/4 length wouldn't have this problem, even in a particularly stable knit, and the style is unfitted enough that the stretch isn't needed for fit. So, this was a trail of the pattern, and I intend to use it for a lovely soft mohair knit my mother sent me. I'm not sure that I want to finish the edges with the bands in that fabric, so I may play with some different finishes. I'll keep you posted with what works for me.

Ottobre 03/2010-6&7

I think this might be my favorite of the Christmas gifts I made this year.  Little girlie outfits are so fun to create!

The outfit is completely handmade - knit and sewn.  I even crafted the flower clip!

Both dress and bloomers are from the 03/2010 issue of Ottobre.  The dress pattern is for a short summer tunic, but I wanted this to work for winter wear, so I lengthened it considerably.  My niece, for whom this was made, isn't yet mobile, so long skirts won't get in her way.  I love this bloomer pattern!  As with all Otto patterns, it is really beautifully designed, with a higher waistline in back to accommodate a diaper bum.  The sleeves and leg openings are gathered with elastic shirring, which is easy to do and cute.  The zip is an invisible zipper, which I would put in anyway, but the pattern actually did call for it.  I love Ottobre.

The knitted items are the Joyful cloche, and the Confection Baby Shrug, both knitted in Red Heart Shimmer yarn.  Rav notes are linked for the knitters.  It's hard to see in the picture, but there is a metallic thread running through the yarn that gives it a sparkle.  It is so cute in person!!  Both hat and shrug pattern included decorative eyelets, which I threaded with a sheer green ribbon to coordinate.  The flower on the hat is actually a removable hair clip, so the wee princess can wear it or not, as she (or her Dad and Mom!) choose.