a plain shirt, transformed

I bought a few large button down shirts at the Salvation Army last fall. I had just gotten my new sewing machine and I had the idea to take the shirts apart, embellish them. . .just play around with them. I never got to it, like a lot of my projects.


Yesterday, after I couldn't take the heat in the garden any longer (it was 90 degrees in the sun here!)


I came inside and went a bit sewing crazy. I made two raw silk pillowcases. Those are quite elegant, but not interesting enough to post. I also did a bit of crocheting and some sock knitting yesterday. I had one heck of great day off!

The shirt project is great fun. It's not over yet, but I'd like to share my work in progress with you.

I'm going to slit the sides, for the shirt is quite unflattering and probably will hang better with open side seams. It also needs cuffs. I can't decide whether I want to put buttons on it or not. Perhaps I'll put ties on it if I think it needs something to close it with. I ripped a long piece of the same checked fabric for a head wrap: Wearing this shirt with a head wrap made me feel like Lucy Ricardo, and I wish I had these gingham checked espadrilles I saw on line to match the outfit!

working on the chambray shirt

First, I put pockets on the front. I just had to cover up the little logo.















Then, I cut off the cuffs.









I put a new collar right over the old one.











Lastly, I put on strip of fabric over the button placket and put a big circle on the back.

finishing the shirt renovation

I sewed on one cuff. I was undecided about it. It seemed too heavy. I went and slit the sides of the shirt and put binding on them, creating more of the smock look I was aiming for. Meanwhile, the one cuff stayed on. . .



. . .but today I cut it right off. I found a few scraps of another handspun blue plaid and I got all excited!



I put the half circles over the remainder of the original shirt's sleeve button placket. Then I put binding over the raw edge.

A few more finishing touches and the shirt is done. I might put a big button at the neckline but I'm not sure yet. If I do, it'll be a button made from the blue and white checked fabric. Here's the shirt:

look ma! no cable needles!

As promised, here are instructions for knitting cables without cable needles. I'll show you the basics. You can figure out all the other permutations. I sometimes use the needles to move the stitches from one needle to the other. Other times I just use my fingers. It depends on the yarn and it depends on my mood. It doesn't make one bit of difference how you do it. Find what way works best for you and if it works out, if the stitches look nice and even, you're doing it correctly. There is no one "right way"!

Please leave a comment if you want more pictures or explanations.

right twist

Okay. Here we go! Just a simple four stitch cable to start out with. Let the stitches you want to manipulate come off the needles. I guarantee you, they're not going anywhere. This is NOT as scary as the first time you cut a steek! So, go ahead and let them stitches hang!



Transfer the first two stiches to the left hand needle. This is the same as "hold two stitches in back".












Transfer the remaining two stiches to the left hand needle and knit them off.












All done!

left twist

Take all the stitches for the cable off the needle.











Next, put the the last two stitches on the right hand needle. Then, put the first two stitches on the left hand needle. This is the same as "hold two sts in front".Lastly, transfer the stitches from the right hand needle to the left hand needle and you're. . .


. . . ready to knit the stitches off!














You've made a left leaning cable without a cable needle!

a well loved sweater

This is a Classic Elite Pattern I made years ago. I used to not wear it much 'cause it is NOT flattering on my body, but this year I decided "so what?" and started wearing it. . .too much. The original pattern calls for white cotton, but I was afraid of getting it dirty, which is reasonable enough; I folded over one sleeve to cover a stain I can't get out. . .

This was a blast to knit. I usually alter patterns, but I couldn't find one fault with this one.

i'm just not sure

I haven't crocheted something since I was around TEN years old! I'm just not sure, as the title says, if I like it. I'm enjoyingcrocheting but. . .the results? Hmmm. What do you think? Be honest.

I believe that I need to dye the yarn in longer spaces for granny squares. Or not. Perhaps I won't make the cardigan I was planning to, but will make instead make a pre-worn looking lap blanket. The single ply lace weight looks rather dull. It has absolutely no sheen.

I wish I could afford some wool/silk!

I can't really believe I'm crocheting. I used to have a serious prejudice against it! Knitting was good. Crocheting was bad. My mother was a crocheter. Perhaps there's a connection, Dr. Freud?

two balls of yarn

Here's the last two balls of yarn I've dyed stacked upon each other. But you can see that, can't you?

ball of yarn

Oops! I forgot to take a picture of my second microwave dyed skein while it was hanging up. I just adore how they look when they're still in a skein!

I'm having a craving for green, the color of leaves, lichen, moss. . .