A Shirt

I've been trying to upgrade my shirt collection lately. I bought one new pattern on sale a Jo-Ann's, and dug out some of my tried-and-true patterns.

Cute pattern, but not exactly what I was feeling at the moment.

I've made this one-turned out nicely, except I made it out of velour and I found myself constantly tugging and adjusting.


So I went with this one-probably bought in the 90's or earlier, but I think it will work fine. I'll just eliminate the shoulder pads. It's a big shirt and will be nice to wear by itself or with a tank top underneath.

Now what fabric-the one I bought in Billings a couple of weeks ago:

Or this one from my stash:

Turns out, that without some creative laying and pinning the green piece wasn't enough for the big top. Being in a hurry, which is normal for sewing for myself, I opted for the larger teal print. It's all cut out, but I had to get thread, and I still don't have buttons for it-why don't they make buttons that match the fabric that they manufacture? They could get together on this and make more money, I think!

I'm home from church with a bug, or I'd be sewing right now. I read about these bloggers that sew or knit when they're sick, but all I'm capable of is sitting in my recliner with the remote, moaning and blowing my nose!

I managed to get a job interview the other day. This would be a receptionist for an insurance agent. They have a ton of applications, given the economy, so I'm not holding my breath. But at least I know I have enough qualifications that someone wants to meet me.

Oh yeah, and the youngest grandkid started Kindergarten this week!

He was ready and rarin' to go-no shyness here!

Well, back to my recliner!

Pants

Here, finally, is my post about my new pants pattern. My old pattern had kind of a tapered leg, which wasn't terribly stylish and I thought it made me look a bit frumpy. Off to Jo-Ann's and the pattern sales.

This is my old homemade pattern:


Here is the pattern I selected:

The only problem is that I am, in the words of author Peg Bracken, a "round bottomed pants stretcher." Zippers and I don't like each other-they bubble over my fat tummy, and depending on the day they might have a tendency to bind around my hipbones. So I selected View C-straight leg-and proceeded to revamp the pattern. You can kind of see it on the bottom right.

First I took my measurements and selected the closest size. (No, I'm not telling!) Then I measured my crotch and added a bit of length, since I have a terribly high waist.

Then I added an elastic casing and took out the taper from waist to hip-so it would pull on easily. I had to add room in the hip, just so I could have a bit more "sit room."

And-all my 5' 4" height is in my legs, so I added a couple of inches to the length.

My "muslin" was a piece of crinkle cotton. Turned out to fit perfectly and will be very wearable for summer.

Then I dug in my stash and made two more pair!

I'm definitely liking the cut of the leg!

Crocheted Swiffer Duster Cover Tutorial

Finally, as I have promised for two months, I've finally put together a tutorial for these covers.

Materials & equipment:

4-ply acrylic yarn-about three or four ounces. Use the bargain bin cheap stuff-static is a good thing with these dusters. This is a great stash buster. You can use one color or have a different color for the loopy part and the base part.
Size H crochet hook (gauge isn't important)
Yarn needle

For base, chain 21.

Round 1. Do 3 sc in 2nd chain from hook. Sc across to last chain, 3 sc in last chain. Do not turn.


Rotate work and do 3 sc in the other side of the last chain. Sc down second side and 3 sc in the other side of the first chain you did the 3 sc in. Join to the first chain with a slip stitch.


Round 2. Chain 2 and start dc around, making dc ONLY in the back loop of the stitch, and making 3 dc's in the center sc in the 3 sc in the previous row. This forms the corner. Dc down side to next 3 sc, 3 dc in middle sc. Dc around to next corner, 3 dc in center sc of the 3 sc. Dc to fourth corner and make 3 dc in center sc. Dc across end to ch 2 and join with a slip stitch, making sure that both ends have an equal number of double crochets.


Round 3 & 4. Dc around in the same manner as Round 2, being sure to only catch the back loop of the previous round and that your ends have an equal number of stitches.

Get your Swiffer out and lay your base on it. Mine is the Pledge brand and I don't know if there's a size difference, but if there's a big difference in size, just do one more dc round. It should be somewhat smaller than the Swiffer.

Round 5 . Ch 1, sc around in back loop of previous round. This is forming the sides, so you don't have to turn the corners from here on. Join with sl st to ch 1.

Round 6. Ch 1, sc around in BOTH loops, join with a sl st to ch 1.

Round 7, 8, 9. Ch 1, sc 4, dec. in next two stitches. Repeat around-if your single crochet count is off, its okay, we're just making kind of a sleeve that stays on the Swiffer base. Cut yarn and pull through loop.

It kind of looks like a funky slipper.


Now here's the fun part. Make a slip knot and starting in the center, insert your hook into any of the loop we left when we single crocheted the first round. Attach it with a slip stitch. Chain 4, slip stitch in the next loop. Continue around, and slip stitch in the first loop.

Chain 4, move to the next round and slip stitch in a loop. It doesn't matter which one, just be sure to start in the center round and move out-much easier to keep track of. Where you joined your base rounds with a slip stitch won't have a clear loop, so just pick up any thread-this is for the floor after all, and you can't see it when you're done.

Continue all the way to the last row that has exposed loops. You should have 4 rounds of ch 4 loops.

Cut yarn, pull thread through. With yarn needle bury threads.

Ta daa! You could use this either wet or dry, so far I've only used mine dry and LOVE it!


Note: I have changed the pattern a bit. Check out row 6-there are no decreases. This will be much easier to put on and off the Swiffer.

If you have found my pattern here and have tried it, I would LOVE to have you leave a comment so I can see how it worked for you.

Reusable Swiffer Wet Mop Cover Tutorial

First let me say I HATE housework! Anything I can do to make it go quicker and easier makes me happy. Housework cuts into knitting , sewing and "coffeeing" time. Funny thing, though, the elves don't come while I'm doing the fun stuff so every now and then I have to knuckle down and actually DO something!

This mop cover was born of that need. I like the wet cloths that go on your swiffer, but they have to be changed so often, several times when you do a whole floor, and they dry out in the container. I also can't tolerate some of the cleaners they put in them. My favorite mop is a big old-fashioned string mop, but then we're talking about a bucket, soap and actual work.

So today here is my first tutorial. Have fun with it-sure would like some feedback:

Materials:
Approx 1/4 yard fabric-I used T-shirt material, but I think some kind of knit microfiber would be the best-recycle a shirt or something, if you like. 1/4 yard would give you at least two covers, so they're pretty cheap to make. Be sure it's something you can throw in the washer.
15" piece 1/4" elastic
paper for pattern
pins, safety pin, thread, scissors

Make a rectangle on paper 16" x 8 1/2." Cut out and round the corners.


Pin to fabric-lay out with grain running the length or crosswise, doesn't really matter. Cut out and pin with right sides together.


Stitch around, using about a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave about 1 1/2" from start so you can turn cover.


Turn-you can press it to make it lay nice and flat, but heck, this thing is going to scrub your floor so unless you're giving them as gifts, I wouldn't go too crazy.

Topstitch 3/8" from edge all around-this forms a casing for the elastic.


Using a safety pin, thread elastic through casing. Stitch ends of elastic together.


Pin and topstitch open area closed. You could hand stitch it to make it nice and pretty, but like I said....


Voila'!


Ewwww-it really works!


The only thing that I didn't like was that it didn't slide as smoothly as I wanted, that's why I think the microfiber with a bit of nap might work better. This was new fabric, so even though I pre-washed it, there might still be a bit of fabric finish to make it not very "slidey."

A Pattern

I have a couple of teapots, cheapies that I got at the Dollar Store. They make fine tea, though, so I needed a cozy to keep my tea hot. After perusing the Net for something quick, warm and knitted, I became frustrated. I found a couple of patterns, even a nice crocheted one, but I am a knitter first even though I do enjoy crocheting. So I decided that it shouldn't be too terribly hard to make up my own pattern, so here it is. My teapots aren't very big, and the spouts are kind of short, but this pattern would work for the longer spouts, probably even better than the short.

Warm and Cozy Tea Cozy

Materials:
Small amounts of two different skeins of knitting worsted. I used a solid green and a brushed green, which made a nice look. About 2 ounces of each.

Equipment:
US #9 knitting needles
yarn needle
bodkin
Size H crochet hook

Gauge: 3 stitches per inch with 2 strands held together, but gauge isn't very important.
Cozy measures about 9" across and 7" high

First panel:
Holding two strands together, cast on 28 stitches. Knit 2 rows.
Pattern:
Row 1 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 2 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 3 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 4 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 5 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 6 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 7 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 8 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4

Repeat rows 1-8 three more times
Knit 2 rows
Bind off

Second panel:

Holding two strands together, cast on 28 stitches. Knit 2 rows.
Pattern:
Row 1 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 2 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 3 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 4 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 5 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 6 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4
Row 7 *K4, P4* repeat across, K4
Row 8 *P4, K4* repeat across, P4

Repeat rows 1-8 three more times
Knit 2 rows
Bind off

Sew panels together: for spout sew up one side 2" from bottom, leave a 1/2" hole, sew to the top. For handle, sew up other side 3/4" from bottom, leave a 3 1/2" hole for handle, sew to the top. Make sure you match the checkerboard pattern. Weave in threads.

With crochet hook and one of the yarns, make a chain 28" long. Thread chain on bodkin and weave through cozy about 1 1/2" from top. I used the checkerboard pattern as a guide, which looks very nice. Tie a knot near both ends of chain and trim tail to 1/2".

Enjoy! (I hope I didn't make any mistakes on this pattern. If I did, let me know and I'll fix them.)