Knit for Victory Challenge: My entry

I'm coming in just under the wire here for the knit-along over at By Gum By Golly.  The Knit for Victory challenge started before Christmas, but mercifully we have until the end of January to finish up.  I chose a small project that had been floating around in my head for a while, but the story of this simple piece is a bit convoluted so I'll explain.

Two years ago I purchased a fabulous coral-colored coat and made a simple tie-on hat to match.  Details are over at the Hometown Victory Girl blog (here). Well, I've worn that hat to death and decided that I needed more. 

Enter a pair of alpaca gloves from my wonderful husband.  Warm and gorgeous, I decided to make a jacket to match.  So this past Fall I restyled a 1960s wool shift dress into a bell-sleeved jacket (here).  The gloves were great with the jacket, but (you guessed it) I wanted a hat.  Enter this knitting challenge! 

Knit Collar

"They want what for that?!  I can make it myself."

It's those famous last words that knitters, sewers, crafters and general do-it-yourself-ers have uttered time and time again.  And that is exactly how this project came about.  A couple of weeks ago, I found myself in a chichi boutique looking at overpriced clothing.  I found a knitted collar that was simple in design and easy to knit.  I tried it on, noted all the construction details, the size, the weight of yarn and promptly put it back.  Next stop, the yarn shop.  

I purchased a ball of Amazing by Lion Brand Yarn in the Violets color and worked this up on size 6 needles.  Lately I've been adding bits of purple to my closet.  Don't ask me why.  I do not own a single stitch of purple clothing, in any shade, but for some reason, it's calling to me.  You know the saying, "You don't get old.  You just get more purple."  Apparently I'm there.

So this I what I knitted up.  A short wrap-around collar that criss-crosses in the front.  I've worn in under a blazer.  It's perfect for keeping the chill off my neck, but doesn't get in the way like a traditional long scarf.  I love the aesthetics of cowls, shawls and ponchos, but I hate fussing over my clothes all day.  I like things to be streamlined and stay put.  Well, except my skirts; there, the bigger, the better.

I did this using only the knit stitch.  Starting at one point, I increased to get the spade on the end, decreased to the narrow section, and increased again for the wider neck portion.  Then I tried to make the other end match because (of course) I didn't keep any notes.

 

On the underside I stitched on a small length of ribbon.  To close at the neck, one spade slips through the ribbon.  A buttonhole could be worked into the knitting here, or a snap could be sewn on as well.  

 

Then I crocheted a flower and added that to the end with the ribbon loop.  And of course an orphan button to finish off the flower. 

And if I get too hot, it easily folds down.  So what's the verdict?  I like it.  Fast project and easy to wear.  So if you're like me and struggle with the Buy It or Make It dilemma, take heart.  Some things really are worth making yourself!

Project List...again

Just a peek at a few more of the projects I've been working on.  Seems I have deviated slightly from dressmaking these days.  But the winter months just don't inspire me as much.  Maybe a pair of wool pants is in order, but eh, I can get by.  These quirky projects stretched my creativity a bit more than banging out another pair of pants from the old tried-and-true pattern.

Project #1:  My daughter has just decided that she wants to be a vet when she grows up.  This stems from her ever-increasing love of horses.  Oy vey!  Do you realize how much more hay we're going to have to put up?!  Well, for her birthday last month, I sewed up a doctor's bag.  I used scraps of white wool and leftover red bias binding.  It has a magnetic snap in the closure and measures approximately 8" tall by 12" wide.  It was a hit.  Perhaps she can start doctoring the calves . . .

Project #2:  I don't know any farmer who doesn't have bags and bags of used baler twine sitting around the barn.  Seriously, we have 50# dog food bags crammed with the stuff!  Yes, I've seen the Boy Scouts make rope out of it, but I'm just not in the market for lassos right now . . . not yet, anyway.  So I decided to take my crochet hook to this lone spool of twine because I am in the market for more outdoor rugs.

Technically this isn't "used" twine, but one orphan spool is not very useful (for those of you who aren't familiar with the inner workings of a baler, you have to have two spools working together to tie up your bales of hay).  It is a bit stiff, but I don't have to deal with all the knots that would be in used twine.  I'm doing a single crochet and will go until I run out. 

Project #3:  Because my first peek-a-boo pin-up towel turned out pretty well, I had try another one.  This time I went for a more risque pin-up.  This platinum blonde fan dancer has no need for a wooden spoon.  :) 

I perfected my embroidery stitch a bit so the outline is cleaner and her face turned out much nicer.  I also used lace on the hem as rickrack was just too 'domestic' for this beauty.  For a look at the original 1950s towel that inspired these, check out EllynAnne Geisel's blog on her vintage linens.

And as was true with many of the fan dancers of the 1930s, this girl is sans her sheer panties.  I really enjoyed making this towel as the peek-a-boo concept lends itself perfectly to the type of girl.  I think I need to do a BoPeep pin-up with a shepherd's crook next (and ruffled undies). 

Crocheted rag rug

Consider your fabric stash.  Remember when you first discovered how great sewing and quilting was?  Remember how you bought yardage to accommodate all the projects swirling around in your head?  Remember the days before fat quarters and charm packs?  This is the perfect project to use up those outdated calicos by the ton!

Cut 2 1/2" wide strips the length of your fabric.  Try to use pieces that are at least one yard in length to avoid a lot of seams later.  Shuffle and stack your strips to ensure that colors are distributed well.  Or pick them out willy-nilly as you sew!

 

Sew strips together by placing wrong side on top of right side.  Set the strips at a right angle to each other and stitch diagonally from corner to corner.

Chain stitch your strips to speed up the process.

  













Cut the threads that link your seams and cut off the tops of the corners, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

Press diagonal seams open.  Press strips into quarter folds to hide raw edges on the inside.  This ensures that you won't have fraying strings in your finished rug.  However, you may skip this step if you want a more primitive look. 

Roll fabric strip into a ball.  Crochet to desired size using double crochet on a Q hook.  A one yard section equals 2 stitches.  Sew additional balls onto your tail in the same fashion as before.




After slicing a full 18 yards of fabric, I have a rug measuring 24" x 44" to put in my back hall.  Folding the fabric strips resulted in fairly lofty, structured rug.  If strips were not ironed and simply "bunched" while crocheting, I think the rug would compact down on itself more.  Unfortunately, my low levels of OCD wouldn't allow me to go down a path that ended in bunching and fraying.  But regardless of the strip treatment, after a few days of wet puddle boots and numerous cat naps (literally), this rug should look like a well-loved family heirloom!