Fly by posting

It's a big day in Minnesota. Anyone who is anyone in the State of Minnesota is reveling in the first above zero day since Monday by watching hockey. After all, it is Hockey Day Minnesota and we are the State of Hockey, doncha' know.

I'm off to watch the Gophers play hockey next (after a good afternoon of HS hockey viewing).

But I couldn't pass on showing the latest FO.

It's from the Swirly Girl Tam & Mitts pattern from an e-PatternsCentral.com. It looked like an interesting knit because of the short-rows and garter stitch stripes. And it was fun. The color isn't terribly true, but that was the best light of the day. Guess the warm front brought with it some pretty thick clouds and light flurries. Guess you can't have both heat and light in winter.

The pattern calls for a large pom pom on top. I haven't decided if I want to cover the cool center swirl with such a fluffy addition. I'll probably let Bubba decide if she wants one or not, since this is her hat.

Back to my recliner to enjoy a Gopher game now and a Wild game later. Go Minnesota!

She's a Super Star

There are just some kids that are loved, no matter how much trouble they cause their parents. And there are some projects that turn out stellar, no matter how much cursing, muttering and bitter recriminations they inspire.

This was, by far, one of the most frustrating knits I've created in recent years.

Mistake #1 - using the magic loop method instead of buying a 16" circular needle in the right size or using dpns. The fact that I was working hard to control the tension of the floats on the reverse side of the fabric made tightening up the "seams" on each side tough.

Mistake #2 - using the wrong size stitch markers instead of buying or making smaller ones. Compounding the problem was the fact that they were open rings, which meant the yarn was constantly getting caught in various markers and pulling them out of the fabric.

Mistake #3 - not reading the pattern instructions closely enough and getting myself off on the decrease rounds right from the beginning. I was supposed to work 2 rounds of the pattern before doing a decrease round but I decreased right off the bat. That made my chart off by one stitch right from the beginning. Trust me, the idea of tinking back with this rather grippy, snarly yarn, over-sized open ring stitch markers and the magic loop method was not something I wanted to attempt. So I just forged ahead with the pattern, adapting the pattern as I went and being complete surrendered to the idea that this was just a "teaching" piece and it didn't matter how it looked when I was done.

Mistake #4 - attempting to perfect the two-handed Fair Isle knitting technique with all the above handicaps in place . . . and a Stupid Finger, to boot.

Mistake #5 - not stopping and taking measures to correct any one of the above mistakes in mid-stream and forcing myself to continue to the bitter end with all the moronic handicaps that I'd created for myself. Sometimes I can be just a tad too stubborn for my own good.

I hadn't looked too closely at the tam when I cast off. I wove in the million or so ends, sought a proper sized plate for blocking and finished stretching it out for steam blocking before really looking at the finished product.

It was a "WOW" moment. In spite of all the difficulties and awkwardness in knitting it, it turned out very pretty. The "seams" are not all that visible (a loose looking stitch here and there is all) and the float tension issues seemed to block out beautifully with a good burst of steam.

When Peeps saw it, she immediately fell in love with it and claimed it as her own - which is a good thing because it turned out pretty small. (Being the theatrical little lady she is, she couldn't resist hamming it up for the camera a little.)

Harley was even impressed.

Then again, maybe he just wanted me to pay attention to him, instead of staring, entranced at the wonder I had wrought.

Snowy Weather and Little Blessings

While schools in our immediate vicinity have not been let out early, there was enough of the white stuff dumped on us this afternoon to get the girls a snow day from dance this evening. While most people would probably consider this a "so what" kinda thing, for me it is a little blessing (#1).

You see, I have this issue with books. When I read something that I like, I have a dickens of a time putting it down. Alas, I made the mistake of starting a book yesterday morning and I ended up spending most of the night finishing it. I managed to squeeze about 2.5 hours of sleep in this morning. To compound the stupidity of my error, Peeps had an early morning eye appointment and we just had to get up by 7 a. m. to get her out the door and to the doctor to make sure that her eye issues were still under control. (Note: They are - she is 20/20 in the good eye and 20/25 in the weak one and the crossing continues to lessen. Little blessing #2!)

I've never been so thankful in my life to have a teenage driver in the house. When I got him up and asked him to drive us to the doctor, he was eager to help. More than that, with the snow just beginning for the day, it was an opportunity for him to work on his driving-in-snow skills before he starts his behind-the-wheel training tomorrow. Even with his novice driving status, it was probably far safer with him behind the wheel, that his poor, sleep-deprived mom. Little blessing #3!

And yet, Hockeyman still has hockey (they NEVER cancel hockey in Minnesota - that would be sacreligious) and Bubba still has swimming (as of now). So I have a couple little trips to make today but not nearly as much as usual. Having taken a little nap earlier today (little blessing #4), I feel well able to deal with the two activities that remain.

As for another type of little blessing, here is a preemie hat for the KAL on Ravelry. I pray that eventually this tiny hat is a blessing to someone welcoming a wee one into the world.

Now if I could just get a good, solid night of sleep tonight, we'd move into the big blessing category.

You just can't keep a good woman down!

Well, the Stupid Finger is coming along nicely. Because I splinted and kept the blasted thing dry and clean for 2 days, I've got a good seal on the wound and have graduated from the full finger splint to a regular band-aid with some sports tape wrapped around it while knitting and doing other things that might irritate or open it back up.

I have to admit, I must have knicked the bone pretty good because it is ridiculously tender and sore. It actually hurts more than the avulsion fracture of the middle finger back in June.

All that to say that I'm back to my regular knitting style and have knocked off a quick preemie hat for the Hat Trick 2009 and k3tog PHK group on Ravelry. My next goal is to finish the Fair Isle Tam this weekend, before returning to the preemie hats.

Once January ends, I'll have to get back to my usual New Years Resolution of finishing off 3 UFO's before casting on anything new. Definitely should NOT be a problem finding plenty of projects to finish, since I think the UFO's have been breeding and multiplying in the basket. They are overflowing and threatening to overrun the house.

I just hope they don't start plotting a coup. Yikes!

Stupid Finger Part Deux

I don't know whether to lay the blame on my husband for buying me a new set of razor sharp kitchen knives for Christmas, myself for jinxing myself while opening gifts by saying I'd probably end up cutting off a finger because these knives are for professional cooks or the fates because they seem to have it in for my left hand fingers. But the "Stupid Finger" made a dramatic return when I managed to slice my left index finger to the bone last night.

Unfortunately, I manged to cut across the first knuckle, exactly along the area where the yarn traverses as I knit. Though I was able to stop the bleeding within 20 minutes, and I knew my tetanus shots were up to date and avoided a trip to urgent care last night, it tends to crack open and bleed unless I splint it and keep it immobile. Alas, my knitting ability is now compromised. (Stupid Finger!)

Thus, my second "goal" for Hat Trick 2009 for the Ravelry Puck This Group is on hold. I had spent a few days reading Knitted Tams by Mary Rowe, had worked up the charts and color plots for the hat and had even managed to get 3" of the hat done before the cutting catastrophe occurred. While I can knit a little by modifying my picking technique, it is just too hard to practice the two-handed Fair Isle knitting technique with a Stupid Finger.

Fortunately, I can manage garter stitch. So I'm back to working on Dancing Diva's blanket once again. And I may cast on a simple rolled-brim baby hat to work toward Goal #2 for the Hat Trick 2009.

In the meantime, my silver lining radar has already come up with some positives about the return of the stupid finger . . . like pawning laundry & dishes off on the kids for a week.

Hooray for silver linings!

First FO of '09

My needles have been smokin' around here. Nothing like some New Year inspiration to get the mojo goin'. Here is Koolhaas from Interweave Knits Holiday 2007 magazine, modelled by the ever lovely Dancing Diva, who promptly fell in love with the hat and has claimed it as her own.

I joined a knit-along on Ravelry, kinda as a way to get motivated to get back into regular updates and posting over there. Being a hockey mom, I've been part of the Puck This group for quite awhile. So when they announced Hat Trick 2009, it sounded like a blast. Three hats in the month of January was the challenge. I cast on around 5:30 am on New Years Morning and finished at 2:30 pm on January 2. SCOOOOORE!

Ergo, I have my first "goal" of the month. I decided to try Koolhaas again, which had me kerfaffled the first time I attempted it. This time, however, the pattern made sense. It was one of those "doh" moments when I realized that k2tbl was not a decrease but, literally, knit 2 stitches through the back loopS. You can see how cleverly Brooklyn Tweed worked the crown decreases in the photo. Absolutely brilliant!

So brilliant that it took me a year to figure it out.

Final FO for '08

Merry Christmas to me. After the last minute spate of holiday gift making, I decided to do a little selfish knitting this past weekend. The results - a new pair of Maine Morning Mitts and a big, slouchy tam (of my own design) to match.

You may recognize the yarn. It happens to be the leftovers of Malabrigo from the Tweedy Vest I finished this summer. And I have just a little bit left and am experimenting with squeeking out a tiny neck warmer. It's looking pretty unlikely that I'll have quite enough yarn to finish it but the ol' grey matter is percolating some design options for making it stretch.

However, given the fact that Hockeyman's birthday is tomorrow (yup, he's a New Years Eve baby) and I have a to-do list of epic proportions to get through before his party guests start arriving tomorrow, I think I can officially dub these items as the Final FO's of '08.

Oh, and if you didn't notice it in the photo, it's snowing - again. After all, it is hockey season in Minnesota and my men are up in Hibbing this week for a hockey tournament. So of course there is going to be significant snow fall, just to make driving home an adventure.

Glad I stayed home to knit clean house.

Merry Christmas to all!

Wishing all of my friends & family the warmest of holiday greetings. God bless us, one and all.

(No animals were harmed in the production of this photograph - although the cats may disagree, citing extreme embarrassment and emotional distress over being forced into jingle bell collars and ridiculous reindeer antler hats. Our official response to their formal complaints of animal cruelty has been, "Suck it up, quit'cher whining and get in the spirit . . . or no Christmas presents for you!" I'll keep you posted on the results of the subsequent lawsuit being filed on their behalf by bleeding heart animal activists.)

Sheesh, like no one's ever been forced to wear ridiculous Christmas items by overly holiday-spirited parents.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blankie knitting . . .

On Friday, I had a panic attack (rather on the order of Sheepish Annie's Hysterical Mind).

Looking at the calendar, I realized this week is the last week of dance/swimming/hockey/girls' club/etc. before the holiday break.

So. Many. Teacher. Gifts. To. Finish.

GAH!

Life After Christmas Carol

I'm tired . . . exhausted . . . Christmas'ed out. I've actually threatened to start playing Easter music, just to get the Christmas Carol songs out of my head. Either that, or some of Hockeyman's head-banger style rock music. Not that Alan Menken's score isn't wonderful but I'm just tuckered out and want the music in my head to go away.

I've spent the last 4 days in sweats, sitting in my recliner, working on the one knitted Christmas gift I'm likely to have time for this year. (That's not counting a couple old projects that were nearing completion well before Christmas Carol kicked in, that I must keep quiet about, since loved one's may check in and spoil the surprise).

This gift, however, is for Dancing Diva and is not a stealth gift . . . at all. After all, she is a "teenager" and her tastes have grown beyond my ability to forecast or match. So when she asked me if I could reproduce this, I gave her the go ahead to pick the yarn herself. In all fairness to PB Teen, I won't be reproducing it exactly like their design.

For one thing, the Stupid Finger still won't tolerate that much knitting with 100% cotton yarn. I can work for a little while on washcloths, then I have to move to something softer, since the ol' digit is still stiff and achey (stupid finger!). So Dancing Diva chose some inexpensive acrylic instead (in massive quantities, I might add - did you see the size of that skein?!?)

In addition, stockinette stitch in acrylic won't lay flat, no matter how much you try to make it. So garter stitch it is. And my version is being made on 10-1/2 needles, so as to give some speed and, incidentally, drapey softness to the whole project.

The thing she liked best about the PB Teen version is the random stripes, so I'll try my best to make my version as random as possible.

Given my level of exhaustion, random would probably be achieved, whether I tried or not.

Random good, counting bad. Now if I could get enough energy to do some laundry, before I run out of sweats.

Photos, Finally

Sorry for the poor photo quality. The lighting was very low on the set and I had to do a little monkeying with the brightness and such to get a little detail.


Photo 1: Middle Class Victorian Woman

Photo 2: Fezziwig Ball Gown

Photo 3: Weathy Victorian Woman

The green shawl and bonnet are used with the Fezziwig Ball Gown in another scene as well. Nothing like multiple-use accessories.

Only comment I have to make - in spite of the corset taking 4" off my waist measurement, the crinoline still makes me look huge! Gah!

No time to post more. The house is a shambles, we have another rehearsal tonight and I have to leave shortly to get Hockeyman to the rink to catch the team bus to tonight's game.

No photos but . . .

The first dress rehearsal came off . . . well, with a few hitches.

First hitch, I forgot the camera, so someone could snap some photos of my costumes in all their glory. I'm hoping tomorrow will go a bit smoother and I'll remember the camera. So stay tuned for photos.

Second hitch, I managed to pull a drawstring out of my Fezziwig dress, leaving me with a repair to be made before tomorrow's dress rehearsal. I was supposed to wear that dress to a promotional performance this evening but had to switch to my Wealthy Victorian Woman costume instead. Not a big deal at all but driving to and from the event in a full crinoline and corset was a bit awkward.

Third hitch, Dancing Diva managed to slip and fall on the stairs in our garage and has a massive bruise forming on her hip. She's finding it difficult to walk and I'm very worried about her ability to perform for the next few days. Time will tell . . .

Obviously, I did manage to finish all the pieces I had on my to do list, although I still want to make some minor alterations to a few things (adding lace to petticoats, making a few alterations to make things fit better, sewing hooks on skirts - that kind of stuff). I also would like to make a jacket for the Middle Class Victorian Woman costume, but won't push it too much this week. If it doesn't get done, I'll cope.

Well, off to fix dinner and do a few chores. The DH is making a valiant effort not to let things fall too far behind but, since he's out in the cold putting up Christmas lights, I should step up and get a few things done, too.

Or I could take a nap. Oh so tempting!

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing, Keep that Gal a Sewing . .

No time to chat much but wanted to give a quick update. Five Elf Doublets were delivered on Tuesday and I was free to finish my own costumes.

In 48 hours, we'll be getting ready for our first dress rehearsal and I'm frantically sewing away on the remaining pieces of my costumes.

Here is the corset, minus the seam binding and lace trim on the top and bottom. I figured I can rehearse in the corset without the trimmings but I can't go on stage without some outer garments. So the finishing of this is on hold, temporarily.

I'm currently finishing a blouse. I've yet to finish the crinoline but it only needs a couple more layers of netting and the outer petticoat. I also have a jacket cut out and ready to start.

Last, I'll whip up two skirts. If I have time, I need to make a pinafore for one of the little girls but that will be a big maybe, depending on time.

Forgive my brevity, but must get back to the sewing machine. Ta-ta.

Let the race begin!

Ten days until Christmas Carol opens . . .
Six scheduled rehearsals left . . .
Three of them dress rehearsals . . .
Nineteen costume pieces done . . .
Eleven costume pieces yet to complete . . .

Yup, stress levels are high here at Christmas Carol Costume Central.

Latest FO . . .

Let the Dancing in the Streets Commence!

I'm deep in the last minute world of A Christmas Carol technical work. Hours of costuming, set work and everything else that goes into a large production is keeping me from posting about all the exciting things that are going on around here.

However, I did have to let my friends know that Hockeyman has completed his try-outs for the High School hockey team and received word today.



He has earned a spot on the J.V. squad!


He has worked so hard all these years on improving his skills with making the H.S. team as his long term goal. I am thrilled that he has had this dream come true and will keep you posted as to how the season progresses.

Woot! I'm now returning to my regularly scheduled happy dancing.

Victorian Unmentionables

While I would never show a picture of modern undergarments in a post, doesn't it seem like an ironic twist that I should be posting photographs and details about Victorian undergarments? Especially considering the almost absurd level of modesty and decorum exercised during the Victorian Era.

One of my favorite scenes in "Meet Me in St. Louis" is when Majorie Main's character, Katie the Maid, was shaking a pair of freeze-dried bloomers in Rose Smith's (Lucille Bremer) face - outside in the yard, no less. Rose's shame and embarrassment is funny to me. Totally cracks me up every time. Yet if someone started shaking a push-up bra in my face in public - oi!

Yet, here we are with a progress shot of Victorian Unmentionables going out into the public domain. Weird, huh?!

This is the corded petticoat that took FOREVER to sew. There are 24 corded pin tucks in it. Forgive the rather rumpled appearance but I had just dipped it in liquid starch yesterday and am just getting ready to finish the rather complicated pressing process today.

Next, I will need to dampen the petticoat, roll and wrap it in plastic wrap and put it outside for a few hours. Then it will be ready to steam press into crisp, voluminous fullness. While very time consuming, I'm hoping the stiffness of the starched cords will keep the rest of the costume from tangling around my knees and ankles. And allow me to slip through the rather tight spots behind the scenes, where hoops would be extremely difficult to maneuver.

You'll notice the deep yoke on the corded petticoat. I am actually constructing a full crinoline on this base piece, so I have basted guidelines into the yoke, to which additional layers of gathered netting ruffles and muslin petticoats will be attached. It will take a few more hours to complete but the end is in sight on this complicated piece of VU.

This morning, I worked on a pair of pantalets. A little hand sewing and some added closures, and that VU will be off the list as well.

That just leaves the corset. I'm hoping to get that finished by the end of the weekend, so I can start the actual outer costume pieces next week. In the meantime, I will start practicing some of the scenes in the Fezziwig dress, just to get used to moving around in a full-length dress.

After all this complicated VU stuff, construction the rest of the actual outer garments will be a piece of cake.

I hope!

Fezziwig Ball Dress Done

"The sun did not shine, it was too wet to play. So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day."

Well, that accounts for the lousy photos in today's post. I was so looking forward to donning the finished Fezziwig Ball Costume to do some in situ shots but the weather just wouldn't cooperate.

Being the immediate gratification kind of gal I am, I decided to post some bad photos of the dress on a hanger, rather than no photos at all. That way, when I finally do get a beautiful day when I can model the dress in all it's glory, you'll all gasp and wonder if it is the same dress at all.

Initially, I felt the dress by itself would be very bland, so I found some silky gold fabric to make the sash. That had triggered the idea to use some ecru lace around the neck. Not being content to just buy lace, I hunted through all the magazines until I discovered this little pattern. Though I would have preferred to have the lace flat all the way around, there is a drawstring around the neck to take up the fullness of the neckline. (All in all, a good design choice when I'll be gallivanting all over the stage in this thing.) But it made the lace gather as well.

From a distance, no one will see the lace detail anyway. It just makes me feel pretty and talented to have it on the dress. And there is something to be said for boosting one's confidence in this manner, when you have to perform on stage.

As you can see at the bottom of the dress, the lining shows. This is because the original pattern has a slight train. I left this on for now but plan on trying this costume in the dance number long before opening night. If the train interferes with the dancing, it will be removed. I will have no mercy (although it really is much prettier with the little train).

This morning, I started constructing the crinoline I'll be wearing under my WVW costume. At the moment, I'm cording a petticoat. Very time consuming but will be more authentic than going without any skirt support. The hoop skirts in the production are going on the younger girls (and frankly, I would look like a house in a hoop skirt). I'll be adding multiple layers to the crinoline, as recommended by Demode. I have yards of netting cut out, as I do sections of ruffles and petticoats. Also waiting in line is the corset (I'm a little intimidated by this one, because it requires some careful fitting) and some pantalets.

Once the crinoline is finished, I'll use the finished circumference to design the skirt to go over it. The corset will also need to be finished before I start the pattern drafting for the blouse and jacket. No sense in fitting it to my natural form when I'll be squeezed and tucked a bit by the corset. (Not much, mind you, just enough to smooth the ol' silhouette a bit. Still gotta be able to breathe to sing, you know.)

On the knitting front, I'm still working on the shawl. I started at the point and have been increasing my way up the thing and have gotten to the point where the rows take FOREVER. I want this to be a very generous, large shawl, though, and will persevere until it suits me.

Or I just can't stand it anymore.

Crochet Lace Obsession

I've rediscovered my passion for crochet in my hunt for Victorian accessories and trims. Pictured are the cuff length lace for the "Wealthy Victorian Woman" or WVW costume. Not shown is the long section that will be used on the bodice.

After starting the blocking for A Christmas Carol, I've found that I'll need a minimum of 2 costumes. Three would be ideal, though. First, I need a WVW costume for the opening scene in the Royal Exchange.

Also needed is either a "Middle Class Victorian Woman" (or MCVW) costume for the street scenes, or at least accessories that will tone down the WVW costume. What I do about this costume depends on how much sewing time I have after finishing the WVW and LRERW costumes and when I figure out if I have enough time between scenes to do a full costume change or not. There is only one very short scene between my first and second stage appearances, so I suspect it would be a very quick change - oi.

Lastly, I need a "Late Regency or Early Romantic Woman" (LRERW) costume for the Christmas Past Fezziwig Ball scene.

I have started the LRERW costume. It is going to be a very simple Regency-style dress, in a dark olive green color, with a gold colored sash and ecru lace trim. The goal of this dress is to quietly fade into a muted background, against which Emily (Scrooge's love interest) will shine in her brighter, more brilliant costume.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention terms like Regency or Victorian, here are some links that show the transition from Regency (1797-1825ish), to Romantic (1825-1845), to Early Victorian (1837-1860). Since Dickens published A Christmas Carol in 1843, most productions are costumed in the late 1840's/1850's time period. Our production is more in the 1860 time period. Depending on how far back you put the "past", you can end up in either the Regency or Romantic period. Frankly, these are some of my favorite costuming time periods. There is a lot of political and social reasons for the changes in fashion during this time and it makes for a fascinating historical study . . .

Okay, the History Geek in me is showing. Better stop before I put you all to sleep.

I'm running out of clever titles

With all the updates here at Costume Central, it's hard to come up with new headings. Bear with me if I get boring and repetitive.

However, here is the latest installment in the ongoing sewing saga. Two little bonnets for two sweet little girls.

I have to admit, these took more time than the dresses. All the trim needed be be hand sewn, including a wire around the brims to stiffen them, which were then covered with braid. Very futzy, putzy work but the result turned out to be worth it. My fingers are a bit raw, though. Gotta find my favorite leather thimble before I make my own bonnet. Ouch!

I also finished the petticoats and bloomers for the girls. Everything the girls need are finished now, so I'm on to my own costumes.

On that front, I did manage to finish my chemise and have cut out one of the three dresses I need for my characters. I also whipped up a little more crocheted lace to trim one of my dresses (I haven't decided which one yet) and have finished the drawstring bag. Next post, I'll show the finished bag in all it's glory and maybe even a little bit of lace.

Gotta charge the camera, first, though. Seems Hockeyman has found a new passion and he keeps using up the memory card and battery of our digital camera. Hmmm, guess what he wants for Christmas . . .

Costume frenzy continues . . .

Progress is occurring, in little bits of time, here and there. Most importantly, today's sewing had to be scheduled around voting. Fortunately, it only took only 45 minutes to get in and out of my local polling place. Even waiting until 10:00 am, which was supposed to be the least busy time, there was still quite a line. You know I thought ahead and brought a knitting project along and managed to knock off a few rows while waiting in line.

When I got home, I was able to finish the cape for Bubba's dress. She absolutely loves the color of the dress and cape together and is enamored with the rosettes I added to the ribbons. Add the Mary Jane shoes, white tights, and (eventually) some crinolines underneath, then give everything a good pressing and and I think we have a winner.

While in the cape-making mood, I whipped up Peeps little cape. I have to admit that the pattern I adapted for them was one of the quickest little projects. The serger was ideal for getting the two layers stitched together and then a quick turn and press job and I had a cape. Throw on a little bias tape around the neckline, some braided trim around the edges and some ribbon ties with extra florish and, voila, we have Victorian Capes.

I also managed to get the zipper in Peeps dress as well. I still need to put a row of buttons down the front of Peeps dress, but all in all, I think we can call this project done as well.

Next on the list is petticoats (with a bit of crinoline to add width) and little bloomers for each of the girls. Those should be really quick projects, given my recent speed training in the ol' bloomer making department. Then I'll be working on my own costumes at full speed. We just started blocking movements this week and I should have a fuller understanding of my character by the weekend.


If you all see some signs of fire from the Twin Cities SW metro area, don't worry. It'll just me be smokin' through the ol' costume to-do list.