Green gloves

I have finally finished the fingerless gloves I've had nearly finished for ages. Somehow the weather is making crochet more appealing again.

The pattern is Something New by Donna Durchunas published in Issue three of Inside Crochet and she says they were inspired by a pair in a Lithuanian museum. The design is lovely with a shell patten on the arm and hand is more of a mesh, differing on the back of the hand and the palm. I really like how they turned out though I haven't decided if I'm keeping them or giving them away. The colour isn't one I wear that often and the wool was originally bought with someone else in mind. It is a very nice sock weight wool from The Yarn Yard.

I would happily make these again but if I did I would re-write the second half of the pattern. I don't know if was me just not being used to patterns but it felt like as I went on through the pattern it went from something you could follow exactly to something more akin to notes you would make to remind you about a pattern you already knew. I know space can be an issue but there was a certain amount of frogging and harsh words at time particularly while doing the hand sections.

I must say so far I am really enjoying Inside Crochet. It is nice to have a British Crochet magazine and the patterns have been a nice mix each magazine so far.

Wool, needles and hooks at Lidl

I don't work for them or anything but I am a fan of Lidl's weekly specials.

This weeks specials at Lidl are crafted related knitting, crochet, sewing etc. I've just picked up some packs of hooks (3 for 1.29) and they also have standard knitting needles, circular needles and double pointed ones.

Also on this week is various packs of yarn ranging from double knitting to stuff like pompoms on string and a whole bunch of sock wools, 75% superwash wool, 25% polyamide for 3.99 for a pack of 4 50g balls including a sock pattern.

They also have various sewing kits and a set of divided see through boxes for holding bits and bobs which looked pretty useful.

If you cook they still have a fair amount of the last set of specials at least in the two Cov stores which include a whole variety of silicon baking trays, muffin tins and so on including a variety of winnie the pooh molds.

Costume meme

Ganked off Isis Wardrobe, who makes some lovely 18th century outfits.

1. What was your first costume?
The first I remember was for a fancy dress competition at primary school. I used my mum's academic gown as a base for a bird outfit with a card board beak and big feet.. it was either a puffin or penguin I don't remember which for certain. I think my brother was a cardboard box robot.

2. Did someone get you into costuming? Or on your own?
Well probably my mum. we made costumes for fancy dress competitions or indeed just to dress up for as long as I can remember.

3. What is your favourite costume?
Very good question possibly my wedding dress which was Elizabethan though there are parts I wasn't happy with it still looked very good.. I really should remember to scan some photos at some point However doing the whole lot including Jon's outfit, the best man's, my brother's (who gave me away) and two bridesmaids was very good and having the best man wanting to keep his even thought he wasn't a costume person was great.

4. Which is your least favourite costume?
There have been several mostly when I haven't really given myself enough time to make them properly. Can I say the dress I wore for my mum's wedding ? Sorry mum I know I couldn't get to a fitting or anything but a busty, dumpy young adult was never going to look good in the pink ruffled outfit that her little sister though was fabulous!

5. At conventions, do people compliment you on your costumes?
I don't go to conventions but I have had compliments and roleplay events.. well technically I went to one convention but it was quite small.

6. How many have you done?
Costumes? Lots I used to make them for a living so I lost count.

7. What are the top 6 on your list of "Want to Costume!"
It constantly changes..
I NEED an underbust corset.
I have recently spent some time looking at 1940/1950 stuff and want to do a really nice outfit for that era and possibly got to some tea dances.
I want a really nice over the top victorian outfit probably a bustle dress, with hat and fabulous coat too!.
I also want a steampunk outfit which could overlap with the victorian but I'm thinking more female engineer/explorer.
I'd like an 18th dress with panniers.. my current roleplay character keeps refusing to let me make something really nice though. Ideally with a proper 18th century fabric.
I'd really like to do a really well trimmed empire line outfit with a proper long spencer jacket and hat
Oh and making proper more modern shoes not just turn shoes !!

8. What female costume do you want to do most?
I want a underbust corset but that isn't really a costume.. otherwise I'd love to do something really OTT but just don't have the time or brain power.. possibly a steampunk outfit which included metalworking to make it!

9. What male?
A really fantastic 18th century outfit for Tom or indeed a steampunk one for him probably with a full flowing coat, high collar.. nice fitted waistcoat (possibly corseted), fitted trousers, spats. and room for plenty of pockets and guns..

10. What do you prefer to do, make or buy your costumes?
Make though i am gradually finding people who's work I trust enough to consider buying from Plus I have less time for myself these days.

11. Your most memorable experience? What makes it so memorable?
My wedding was pretty memorable. I made outfits for all the wedding party, about 1/3 of the guest were in costume, mostly 16th century. we had a bill block with crossed bills standing at attention outside the door of the church and a bishop to take the wedding service! Plus we did it on a shoestring and had the reception in the vicarage ground (mum being the vicar) with dancing and so on laid on my friends and family.

12. Your dream costume?
Something that makes me seem taller and elegant.. at 5"3 at a push and rather dumpy even with good curves elegant is had to achieve. I do a really good cleveage though!

13. Is there a pattern in your costuming? If so, what?
Yes it's lead by what roleplaying systems we are currently playing mostly.. this changes over the years.

14. Your most recent costume?
Umm I got halfway through an 1950's outfit but ended up not finishing it or going to the event it was for due to Jake dieing but I do plan to finish it.

15. What do you prefer? Cosplaying in a group or on your own?
Well costume for me is for setting the scene and that's not really relevant on my own!

16. (and one I added) What skill are you most proud to have learnt?
How to make proper 15th century hoes and how to pick the fabric to get the right stretch.. just cos i made so many when I was making re-enactment costume for a living and they were the bane of my life.

Goodbye Jake

Today we had to put our cat Jake to sleep. Yesterday he was found on a neighbours drive obviously hurt. We took him to the vet and by the time we got him there he was in shock. Over the next few hours he was obviously fighting to keep going but the vet decided he had been savaged by a dog which had picked him up and shook him. You can't tell in this photo but he was already missing a leg and there was a big wound in his abdomen where the leg would have been and teeth marks on the other side. Both hips were broke and so was his tail.. even then he fought to live and showed progress.. but come this morning he was doing less well and the nerve reactions in his leg were getting worse not better .. he needed them to be OK for any operation to mend the hip to be possible as he wouldn't be able to use the leg without it. When we went to visit it was obvious he wasn't coping and was slipping away so we agreed for the vet to end it..

I am just glad I don't know who's dog did it because I might not be able to restrain myself. It is a dreadful way to go but he never did know when to back away, always stood his ground even when it was stupid to do so and obviously missing a leg didn't help his agility though he would never have admitted that.

Good bye Jake we will miss you very much.