Carla Fredd

Contemporary Romance Author

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No more knitting(at least for now)

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It’s way too hot to knit here in the sunny south. Yesterday, it was 102! I’ve put knitting aside at least until the weather gets cooler. Sewing is taking up my crafting time now. I bought a new sewing machine. It’s a Brother CS6000i. I really like it. My first project was this Simplicity 3750 top Summer top - Simplicity 3750

This should have been an easy project but it wasn’t. I’m not a B cup so I put it aside until I can master full bust adjustments (FBA).

Skirt Simplicity 3634

This skirt is my current project. I was simple to sew once I had another set of eyes to check the hem line. I made it first with muslin to check the fit. Tomorrow, I will cut black crepe and make the skirt for real.

I didn’t think I would like making the muslin first but after the mistake with the top, I’m a believer. Make the muslin first before cutting expensive fabric!

I’ve added or will be adding a few sewing books to my collection. The first is Fit for Real People by Pati Palmer & Marta Alto. This book explains how to alter sewing patterns (except for pants. That’s another book). I need to change my patterns so that they fit me not a model. I bought this book because of the reviews on www.patternrewiew.com like this one. This book explains in detail FBA yay! The next book is Sewing Secrets from the Fashion Industry: proven methods to help you sew like the pros. This book shows example of many techniques that I think will make my project look polished.

Well, that’s it for now.

4th of July knitting resolutions

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The 4th of July holiday is one of my favorite holidays. What’s not to like about friends, food, family, food, playing games in the sunshine, did I mention food? Well, this July 4th I’m doing something different. I’ve made a list of all the knitting projects I want to complete before the end of this year.

Here they are:

1. Jocelyn. I’m 95% done with this one so it’s really a done deal.

2. Green Lace Shawl. The pattern is from the Spring 2007 Knit It! magazine – Better Homes and Garden Creative Collection. I bought this magazine for two patterns. I’m not brave enough to try the other pattern yet. The yarn I’m using is Lacey Lamb by Jade Sapphire Exotic Fibres. That stuff is yarn crack! I have the needles for this very simple shawl. It’s simple because there is NOT a lace pattern to be found. I’m not ready for lace. The thought of it makes my head hurt.

Lacey Lamb

3. Fetching. I have the pattern. It’s free from Knitty or you can just click on Fetching in the Next! Column on the right. The yarn I’m using is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (it’s is the specified yarn). It’s so soft and pretty. I think the right size needles a set of US #3 for me. I’m such a loose knitter.

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

4. Nautilus Hat – Her Hat. The pattern is free on the designer’s, Marnie MacLean, website. The yarn I’m using is Blue Sky Worsted hand dyes 50% Alpaca/50% Merino. I’ve never used this yarn but it feels great. It was a spurge for me. I don’t have the needles for this one. The first time I knit this pattern, I used a cotton yarn. Big mistake. I knitted a pancake not a hat. I hope to have better luck this time.

Blue Sky Worsted

5. Socks using the Universal toe-up sock formula. This pattern is also from Knitty. I’m using Trekking pro natura yarn. Yesterday, I bought a set of 5 Brittany US #1 needles. When I got home, there was only one left. I found one in the car, one on the floor next to my knitting bag. Who knows where the other two are! I’m so not happy.

Trekking sock yarn


These five projects might not seem like much especially compared to the output of some bloggers like Elisabeth. She’s amazing! My selection was very deliberate. I’ve been knitting off and on (mostly off) for years but I’ve never made anything other than scarves. Almost 16 years ago, I started a baby sweater for my best friends first baby. It’s ¾ complete and it’s been that way for sixteen years! This year, I’m determined to knit a fitted garment hence Jocelyn. I just loved the way the shawl looked in the magazine and I could actually follow the pattern. Then I went to Wooly Bully (my then LYS) and touched the Lacey Lamb and I was done. I wanted to learn how to knit cables and use double pointed needles. Can you say Fetching and Nautilus Hat? The sock is my stretch. I think you should always have a stretch goal. Knitting socks is a strange new world for me. I’ve been inspired by all the socks showing up on all the knitting blogs (here , here, and here. I hope to have my pictures up by the end of the year.

Has it been that long?

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Wow! Has it been that long since I’ve posted? Well, I’ve been busy moving and looking for a job and… of course knitting. I haven’t finished Jocelyn yet but I’m almost there. Here’s the back that is finished Jocelyn Backand here’s the front that is almost done. Jocelyn Front

I’m now learning how to crochet because the edging calls for it. I’ve never had the desire to crochet but looking at the projects by Brainylady has made me want to learn.

I’m also getting the sewing bug again. Yesterday, I bought these items.
Future Sewing Projects

Vogue V8108

McCall’s M5433 Top

Hancock Fabrics is having a sale with 75% off McCall’s and Vogue Patterns. I couldn’t help myself. Of course, I shouldn’t have bought these because all of my sewing stuff is in storage! I might have to go and dig it out.

This is why knitters must have other hobbies

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I noticed this on Saturday night after my knitting store Wooly Bully was closed.

Oh No! How did this happen? Why? Why? It looks like I carried the yarn to the back and started knitting. Oh No from the back

Needless to say, I put down my knitting. Wooly Bully opens on Tuesday. I hope Erica can tell me how to fix this.

Because I couldn’t knit this weekend, I decided to sew.

top

Batik Finished TopThe pattern is Simplicity 3893, fabric batik cotton from Jo-Ann’s. The top was pretty easy to make. I haven’t sewn in a while so this was a very satisfying project. It took about 4 hours to make this top. I don’t know if I will make this top again. It’s a little uncomfortable. Maybe it would be so uncomfortable if I lost a few pounds.

Hello world!

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Welcome to my new craft blog. I created this blog so that I could track of the knitting projects I wanted to complete now that I’m out of grad school. There’s no way I can make this a knitting blog only. I also enjoy needlepoint and sewing. For now, it’s all about knitting.

I’ve already begun my first post grad school project. It’s Jocelyn from Berroco Today’s Classic #217. I’m using Cascade Pima Tencel yarn color 7478. I haven’t gotten far with this pattern.

Jocelyn back

This is the back of the shell just before increasing begins. I hope to finish the back this weekend. Wish me luck!