Some Selfish Knitting

Hello all! Everything on my sewing table is unselfish and unrevealable at the moment (I'm really looking forward to squeezing some sewing for me in soon...) so in the little bit of me-time available in the evenings I've been knitting for me. I'm pretty sure by the time I finish this WIP it'll be too warm to wear until next year - not that you'd think it by the weather today  - but I'm just as sure I'll be gleefully pulling this particular cardi out every Autumn for several decades to come. Don't you just love finding a Perfect Pattern!

I saw this pattern and loved it in a Cleckheaton book (Country Wide? I think that was the name), but it was about $40, and I didn't really crave any other patterns in it. Couldn't justify it! But then about a month later I was flicking through a mag in the newsagency, and there it was! Every other pattern - really, every one  - was...er, lacking in wonderfulness, but at $10 instead of $40 I was willing to ignore that! It's more than I'd usually spend on a pattern, but I really, really love it :) So far I've done the back and one front, and am about halfway through the second front. It's 12 ply wool (think that's classified bulky outside Australia), with 7mm needles so it comes together reasonably quickly. And I'm loving the stripes - it just seems to go that much faster when you have lots of little 'progress markers' like that. :)

Mind you, I had to have a knitting hiatus for a week or so, when I picked up the bag and found a huntsman spider crouching on the pattern book. Lest any one of you who doesn't have huntsmans in your corner of world feel a bit judgy, make a fist. Now imagine finding this, the size of your fist, on your current project. I defy anyone to not feel, if only for a split second, the absolute necessity of moving house immediately. I know they're not dangerous to humans, but still! Couldn't quite bring myself to pick it up for a while...

On a happier note, I thought I'd share my amazing giveaway win from Fabric Tragic! First up, some lovely Christmas fabric. I've got a few ideas I like for the text print, but I love the little bubushkas so much I'm loath to use it for something I'll only see once a year. I've been planning to make some calico bags for fruit and veg shopping, so as to do away with plastic bags, and I love the thought of using this instead. Plus the background (unprinted) part looks like calico, so if I need more bags I can make some calico ones and they'll match nicely. Add it to the To Make List!

Next up some pretty purple cotton and some lovely pillowcases made by Sarah herself. :) No definite inspiration has struck yet, but I'm starting to think of some kind of summery top or blouse for my girl - think it would look gorgeous with white shorts... More thought required. :)

Some burgundy knit fabric - my favourite shade of burgundy, incidentally. I like the idea of a slouchy tee for this. I'm hovering between the Hemlock Tee (although very boxy styles are a bit iffy on me) and Papercut Pattern's Sloppy Josephine Tee (I like the more fitted arms on this). But I already have Style Arc's Rowe Tunic/Top which has been cut out ready to sew since June - I will get to it! - so I might wait to see how that looks on first and then decide. Also, a printed floral cotton that frankly would have been a more than satisfying giveaway all on its own! I just love this. It's a summer dress waiting to happen. Which brings us to...

A pretty much perfect 70s shirtdress pattern. And it's in my size! I'm planning to make it up sleeveless in the floral cotton. Then I'm planning to live in it over summer. There may even be enough left over to squeeze out a skirt too. Happy, happy me! And just look at those light-up knitting needles.... Sigh :)

Now I just need to wind up my Unselfish Sewing so I can get on with some self-indulgence!

What's on your sewing table at the moment?

Danielle oxo