Seppa - Little Things

All those little touches to help bring a character to life.

Ring:

I find myself uncomfortable when I don't have a ring on a certain finger, but I also don't want to lose the special ring off my hand in a forest or field, so a substitute ring is needed.

Behold, Seppa's ring. I tried to be simple, yet just a little bit interesting, and tried to keep with the prescribed colour palette. Unlike Ieri's ring, which has an out-of-character history to it, I found this ring today in a Sainsbury's store.

Pearlescent 'gem' in a silver band.

The torso-warmer or waistcoat:

The camel-coloured boiled wool jersey fabric that will help me stay warm. I got it cut out last week. It needs a little bit of trimming at the sides, but otherwise, it's ready to sew. I picked up some potential clasps and buttons for it. I still haven't decided how I'm going to close it, but I want to try to avoid buttonholes, and go with ties or toggles.

It will need embellishment, I will probably end up using size 3 crochet thread or some sock-weight wool yarn. I'm not expecting it to be on display, it's a middle layer to help me stay warm at night or when the day is colder than usual.

You may have guessed, but yes, I did reuse the top portion of the Simplicity Nativity gilet pattern.

100% wool, boiled jersey fabric.

Neck gaiters:

Instead of wrapping scarves that could come loose and be a hassle; I'm making a few other items to hide the mask's edge.

Crochet neck gaiter

The first is in crochet and I had a pattern, and then went off-pattern to add some visual appeal and to make the stitch pattern obvious. The stitch pattern is a V made of (UK) tr. Where I went off-pattern: I did only thirteen rows of V-stitch, I didn't make it as wide. I added to the pattern at the top and bottom of the tube with single row of (UK) dc, which helped give the V-stitch definition.

I made it in aran-weight cotton yarn.

Crochet neck gaiter, front view

Crochet neck gaiter, back view

Knitted neck gaiter

This one's a freeform thing. I tried to limit the palette of colours and yarns; colours: white, cream, beige, brown, with some blue, there is no black; yarns: mostly cotton, but there is some flax linen, and bamboo-derived viscose in the piece. I mostly stuck to knit and purl stitches, but there are a few yarn overs and attempts to k2tog. It's still in progress. Most of it is knitted flat, but there are occasions where I knit-in-the-round. The 12mm needles are too large for any yarn on its own, so much of it has anywhere from two to four yarns held together. I was aiming for a rustic flavour to it. Maybe Sister Elspeth of Pickham Monastery of the Marchers taught Seppa to knit and this is the result; I'll have to ask the player if they're up for that. She has agreed, huzzah!

Doing this one has been fun; I don't have to panic over pattern, I am free to play, and mistakes are acceptable.

Sometimes flat, sometimes in the round. I haven't settled on the wooden toggles.

Hypothetically the front.

A close up of the various yarns. Cotton-linen bouclé, smooth cotton plaited, and fuzzy bamboo-derived viscose yarns.

Another section. And a hole where I fluffed the yarn over.

These two neck gaiters have been good stash-busting projects; I'll have to do more of them, and maybe a few calf and knee warmers to peek over the tops of the planned leather boot gaiters.

Knitting and crochet... and new glasses.

First off, if you want to see any of these links, you'll need to be logged in to Ravelry as a member. Otherwise, they're not going to show up.

 

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More about knitting. The Baktus is finally finished. Ends dealt with and I put in a tassel at each end as well.

 

Then I did a hat in Rowan Bamboo Tape. I also finished that one with a tassel. I put myself as less than enthusiastic about it because it's too loose around the band, it's a terminal issue I have with ribbing... my ribbing is always larger than the actual plain stocking stitch when it's supposed to be smaller. I think it's because when I switch from knit to purl that it takes up two stitches of space. Meh.

 

I started the Magical Cosy Warmer and finished the actual knitting; I haven't sewn in the ends because I'm still trying to decide if I'm just going to frog it and maybe do it again with 200+ stitches instead of the 160 of the "medium"; which according to their instructions ought to have fitted me. It fits... tightly... Too snug to actually wear with anything else. No. I don't like tight garments. I'm too pudgy for tight garments.

 

Ugh.

 

I was steaming long with the Sycamore Poncho but I stalled. I stalled because of several factors, or excuses, whichever you want to call it. I got the main body done, but the third part where you start doing the netting isn't adding up or I'm not getting it lined up correctly and at the time, I couldn't figure out why. I think I have to go ahead and block it, whilst still incomplete, and then attempt to count rows and be certain I actually have the 60-odd required rows for each panel and then maybe mark where I should be putting in the dc's (US sc's) for the mesh/netting stitches to go in.

 

I want to do more crochet, found several new items, but the truth is, I'm having guilty thoughts about all the crochet pieces started and are 99.9% incomplete, but for things like sewing together and dealing with loose ends. It's the putting together and dealing with the loose ends that I dislike.

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New glasses... I think I'll have to ask for an alteration with regards to my pc glasses. Otherwise, I now have to sit with my nose practically up against the monitor to get clear vision with them. I'm sitting at arm's length from the monitor and it feels far too close, but that's the only way I get a clear vision with these things. I usually sit about 3' to 4' from my monitor. My knees are banging into the computer desk with the new glasses. :( I've already waited two weeks for the lenses. Ugh.

 

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Projects now in progress:

 

"One skein stole my Noro" it's a one-skein of Noro sock yarn to make a scarf. Wrap-n-drop stitches throughout with a row of 'yo, k2tog' lace every nineteen or so rows. I've got to do ten repeats of the 19 rows and so far, I've got part way through the fourth one. I'd like to have this completed before Autumn.

 

The other is one that's been on my 'get started on it' for a few years is a "Knit mesh top". It's the kind of top I'd wear. Loose, simple and not overly complicated. Suitable for wear over a tank top. Another one I hope to complete before Autumn.

 

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Looking ahead:

Winter's projects, assuming I don't completely stall, will likely be several hats >.> It's a good way to burn up surplus single balls of yarn... or balls of yarn over 100gr. If they're under that, I'll have to consider either a crochet or knit poncho/wrap/thing to use up single yarn balls of similar or complimentary colours.

 

I might give gloves a go as well. We'll see. I have the "Purple Sparrows" for fingerless armwarmers as well as "Wizard City Gauntlets" to muck about with.

 

Crochet... "Wrap round my shoulders" is calling to me. Though I might use the Yeoman cannel yarns instead of the other stuff, I like how the cannel holds up.

 

Shawls and wraps are jumping around at me, ones that I've been sitting on for years. Am trying to get enthusiastic about some of them and the rest that aren't, I might look at donating both pattern and yarn to someone for their benefit.

 

As usual, 'We'll see'.

 

Antiques

Today's adventure found me a few delightful objects, I'll have to take some photos tomorrow and add them here.

I found an early 1900s inkwell, brass with a leather cover, produced by 'Hawthorne - stationer, printer & co' on 36 Clumber Street in Nottingham.

Several military brass buttons and 'stay bright' metal buttons for various WWII uniforms. I figure they might go nicely on a hat or bag.

A sterling silver albert chain with a slightly crushed bear charm. It seems the bear is hollow and so its belly and muzzle were caved in. Still a delightful little charm about 2cm tall. Now to find a suitable pocketwatch to go with said albert chain.

Now, I'm not into football (either the US variety or the rest of the world's variety), but I did spot a medallion whose shape appealed to me. Sterling silver and engraved on the back...

I.S.F.A.
1936-7
N.E MANS

(hmm, "any man's"?)

I figure it would do for a charm on a bracelet or hat or some such.

The last and largest item was a sewing box. Three cloth-wrapped weights, a packet of Great Yarmouth sewing needles, four brass and nickle thimbles, several wooden spools of vintage cotton and Sylko, JP & Coats and another brand of threads, several plastic or metal crochet hooks and a needle (missing its partner), five pairs of scissors (all slightly different), 3 small squares of lace and two identical larger pieces of lace, some lacy and elasticated decorative ribbon. The box is wood with brass hinges, it's covered in faded decorative flower paper. Tempted as I am to try to spot-clean the paper, I can also see it has metallic effects in the paper and I'd rather not destroy it by trying to wipe it with a damp cloth. Admittedly, it's not in the best of shape, the hasp is completely missing and the corners and edges are a bit dinged. Still, it's a lovely box about 30cm long and about 15cm high. There's a divided wood tray inside. It's still quite servicable in its own way.

I probably paid too much, however, I'm delighted by the objects, they have an interesting feel. And now I just realised I genderqueered... a sewing box, but then an inkwell, albert chain, football medallion and WWII buttons... I guess I tilted towards the masculine...

Anyway, part of my reason for these is yes, I'm a creature for antiques with character, but also antiques I can use and... I think they'll be handy props for the book covers photography project ^_^ Go-go multiple use items!

Freeforming

I've been thinking and thinking and thinking and not doing freeform crochet. Until now, below are my second and third attempts. I've decided it's time to delve into all my wonderfully coloured Yeoman Cotton Cannele 4ply (US 'fingering') and play. I love spirals and I have to use a book to get them going, but after a certain point, I started going my own direction.



Another type of spiral, using instructions to begin with then going my own way past the directions point.



Currently, my intent is to build a shirt or tunic, we'll see how far I get.

And more about the magazines, leaflets and books

A few more images from the books. No, I won't photocopy these for someone, but I thought I'd present the covers and a few 'not quite close enough' inside photographs.

Phildar - this was given to me by a very kind co-student in my lace class. It has crochet stitch diagrams/charts for all the pieces in here. It does not, however, have any knitting charts.


The Harmony Guide books I got at the same time as the Weldons and Needlework booklets. I am collecting these as I like that they're lightweight and the pictures, instructions and charts are easy to understand. I have trouble with knitting charts, though, they just don't make sense like crochet ones do.

The Mon Tricot Knitting Dictionary I scored last year in a charity shop. Originally priced at GBP10/-, I paid a bit more, but it's still very useful. The stitch patterns are pretty clearly illustrated in black and white, except for the colourwork patterns. Also includes crochet, tunisian crochet and... what my fellow Americans call 'FSC' (foundation sc). However, it has a different name in this book.

From inside the Weldons booklet:

And from inside the Needlecraft booklets:

More vintage... this time in magazine form

And we have...



Weldon's Crochet No. 493, Vol. 42 - Weldon's Practical Needlework. Inside is an advertisement with a letter from a customer vouching for their product which is dated 1925. So I'm going to label this one as c.1925 as there's a pattern for "The Swastika and Bow Triangle", it's obviously before WW2. Now, before you get all hysterical, the swastika is an ancient symbol used by cultures (even Jewish) all over the planet, universally as a luck/peace/happiness/good fortune/auspicious.

Anyway, the next two magazines are...



Needlecraft - Practical Journal No. 70 ~ Crochet D'Oyleys. I got very excited with this one as it has patterns using hairpin and netting techniques besides standard crochet to create these. Photography is used to illustrate all the patterns, but the advertisements are illustrated (drawn) or just plain words. The illustrations make me think of 1890s-1910s, but there is an advertisement for London Wool 'should henceforth with all Patriotic Workers take the place of the German made article known as BERLIN WOOL'. This leads me to think that it's from 1914, WW1 era. And another advert saying 'buy only British or you could be buying straight from the Enemy'.



Needlecraft - Practical Journal No. 137 ~ Crochet Edgings, Corners & Triangles. Lovely filet patterns in this one, no other kind of crochet is used in these. Adverts are interesting, some are still stouty on the 'Use only British', but no mention of war. Dress styles and hairstyles make me think c 1920s, long silhouettes thanks to corsets from the bust down to the thigh, short hair, and hobble skirts.

Found some treasures at the Essex Lace Fair

Oh I found some wonderful books at the Essex Lace Fair! I am so very glad I attended this event. I discovered that Bead Fairs also exist here in Britain. *happy dance*

Anyway, on to the books, the vintage books. It will be quite a task to 'translate' these vintage crochet books into modern terms, oh and diagram them as well, so that it would be useful to those in the USA and the rest of the planet, should they want it. The instructions are written in an archaic form of British crochet terms, figuring out what the 'plain stitch' is amongst all the rest of the very wordy instructions will be fun. Still, the items photographed in these books are very pretty and could be converted to for use in today's world.

I've included a sample of the instructions and a plate from one of the books. They incorporate needle lace in their crochet patterns and also include braids amongst the crochet. One braid that instantly caught my eye was the 'Bigoudis braid'. The crochet patterns using implementing this braid are quite beautiful. I know we believe our lives to be so rushed and hurried, that we use fat yarns and don't have time to make things beautiful and comforting, but it would be a wonderful event if we could slow down and create (and use) such lovely objects once more.