Changeroom Revelations

We have been busy since launching our new sewing channel on Youtube: Violet May Handmade and unfortunately our blog fell by the wayside! 

We are back with the release of our our new video, Changeroom Revelations.

This blog is now going to be dedicated to our sewing and we have a new blog A Crafty Yarn which is all about our Crochet and Knitting. We also have a Youtube channel for this, A Crafty Yarn Crochet & Knitting Podcast

We have been sewing for awhile now, and were finding it difficult to work out which styles suit us. Often you spend a lot of time making a garment that you liked the look of, only to find that the finished garment is not quite the fit or style that you were after.

We decided to take a day out to try on different styles. After selecting a few different dresses, we set about finding the ones we liked. Even though Caitlin and I are very different sizes and shapes we found that the same styles suited us both and gathered tiered dresses were a no-no! It was very enlightening, and we came away with a really goodidea of the styles that we would like to make in the future. To see more on this, head over to our Youtube channel.

Our makes:

Caitlin finished her New Look 6210 using a lovely polyester spandex called Bouquet from Spotlight. It was a very enjoyable make and the first time she did a v neckline in a stretch fabric. Such a great throw-on dress for the impending summer days!

Caitlin also made the Simplicity 8872 dress using a floral rayon from stash. This is not a style of dress she would normally wear and was a little unsure. She omitted the tie around the neck, instead closing it with a brooch. It certainly gives off autumn vibes with the long gathered sleeves and muted colours. With the addition of a cute little belt it looks gorgeous.

I made the Sew Simple Miranda T-Shirt pattern, using a knit fabric from Spotlight. I really like this pattern and love the cute fabric. This is my staple T-shirt pattern and will definitely be making more.

 

Until next time,

Happy Sewing!

Samantha & Caitlin xx

 

Violet May Handmade Podcast Episode 3

It has been a busy few weeks with lots of crocheting, knitting and sewing. We have finished a few projects and made lots of progress on others. Even though we are still having some quite hot weather, the subtle changes of season are in the air and the nights are drawing in. Looking forward to when we can crochet and knit by the fire.

 Finished Projects:

Miss C has completed her  Elements Hat  by Nancy Said using a chestnut coloured, pure wool 8 ply. The pattern has a lovely texture and the addition of a white faux fur pom pom, has lifted it to the next level. We used a 6" plate to trace around on the fur and then sewed a gathering stitch around the edge, pulled it in a filled it with stuffing. A very simple project that has such impact.

I have finally finished the Cloud Nine Cardigan by Iron Lamb using  Drops Nepal in Fog & Forget-me not. I am really pleased with the finished cardigan and I am sure my Mum will love it.

Miss C has also finished the Gooseberry fool by Lisa Cook from the Delicious Crochet Shawls book. A quick project to crochet using an Aran weight yarn.

What's On Our Hooks:  

I had a small amount of yarn left from my Single Skein Necklet and we decided to make a start on the Crochet Memories Blanket pattern by Hannah Siegmund. This is the perfect project for small scraps or mini skeins. You only need about 7 grams for one square. 

 

The Recovery Shawl by Helda Panagary (Inside Crochet Magazine Issue 152)  is a very simple, enjoyable make. We work a little on it each evening and it is amazing how large it is getting. They are both looking gorgeous.

Miss C has started on her next crochet project, the  Amazing Grace Angel Wing Shawl by Beatrice Ryan Designs, which is a free pattern. The yarn she is using is producing a beautiful pastel effect. 

 

I have started my Bobbly Beauty Scarf by Marianne Rawlins, from Simply Crochet Magazine 124, using Calypso in the colour Pressed Lavendar, a gorgeous 8 ply slub yarn from Bendigo Woolen Mills. This is a lovely project to work on with my favourite bobbles. You can never have to many bobbles!

Work has begun on my Star Stitch Glovelets. I am loving the colour and the stitch. This was a new stitch to me and Nina has a tutorial on her channel to show you how to do this. 

Miss C is also working on a pair of crochet gloves. The Booklover's Fingerless Gloves by Nancy Said. The lace edging on these gloves is going to be so pretty. 

The Desert Irony Poncho by Crafternoon Treats is a new project for Miss C. She is really enjoying it and finding it fun to work on. She is using Stylecraft Batik in the colours, graphite, mushroom, mint, rose, heather, plum and silver.

What's On Miss C's Needles:

Miss C has completed the body of her knitted Rosa Jumper by Along Avec Anna. She is using Bendigo Woolen Mills Luxury 4 ply in the "Truffle" colourway, held with Moda Vera Faux Mo in a mink sort of colour. Work has been halted as we had to order some needles as she didn't have the correct ones the sleeves. 

The back panel on her Shawl Collar Cardigan is now complete and the stitch pattern is so pretty. The fronts will be quicker as they have less stitches. It is going to be such a lovely cardigan to wear.

Plans:

Miss C is looking forward to starting The Zen Spirit Scarf by Nancy Said, and the Cherry Bakewell Shawl by Lisa Cook.

Until next time,

Samantha & Miss C

 

 

 

Violet May Handmade Podcast Episode 2

Autumn is officially here in Australia. I am looking forward to the cooler months after some very hot summer heatwaves. We have been busy crocheting some new exciting things, in preparation for winter and have some finished projects as well.

Finished Projects:

Miss C has completed crocheting the Single Skein Necklet by Nancy Said in Cascade Heritage Waves colour, Nightshade. It looks fabulous and the lovely edge detail is very unique.

My Gelato Gloves by Nancy Said using a gorgeous yarn from Biggan Design Yarn in Royal Purple 8 ply are completed. I absolutely love the colour and the cute flower makes them extra special.

The Elements Gloves by Nancy Said are a very quick and easy pattern to work up and the end result is stunning. Made using a lovely chestnut brown pure wool yarn they will go with everything. 

What's On Our Hooks:  

I was lucky enough to be gifted a gorgeous skein of hand dyed yarn, which is absolutely perfect for the Single Skein Necklet by Nancy Said. I am really enjoying crocheting this and loving the way the yarn is working up, it is so pretty and pastel.

We have both begun working on the Sea Maiden Shawl by Nancy Said, using Lion Brand Summer Nights in Stargazing & Wildflowers. It is such a gorgeous yarn with a bit of bling, in the form of a metallic thread. The pattern is quite interesting using a picot, which is a new stitch that we have learnt. 

After falling in love with the Recovery Shawl by Helda Panagary (Inside Crochet Magazine Issue 152) we both went hunting in our stash of 4ply to see what we could use. We found a mixture of scraps and smaller balls of yarn that were perfect. We divided them between us and even though we are using the same yarns, they are so different.  We are really loving the pattern.

Miss C has begun working on an Elements Hat  by Nancy Said using the chestnut pure wool 8 ply, which will go with the Elements gloves that she has finished. The rib is a little tight, so she will make some adjustments to get a better fit.

We are both starting on a cosy pair of crochet socks, using the Sweetheart Socks pattern by Vicki Brown. I have begun the ribbing and found it was too small, so will have to go up a size.
 

What's On Miss C's Needles:

She has begun working on a new knitted project, the Rosa Jumper by Along avec Anna. She is using Bendigo Woolen Mills Luxury 4 ply in the "Truffle" colourway, held with Moda Vera Faux Mo in a mink sort of colour.

She has made some progress since last time, on her Shawl Collar Cardigan, but has been spending more time on her Rosa Jumper. 

One sock of a pair is finished, using Mayflower 1 class sock yarn in the Black colourway for the cuff and toe, and Atlas Happy Feet in the "Rose Garden" colourway for the main body of the sock. They are worked on 72 sts with 2.25mm needles. Such a pretty colour.

Dressmaking:

Miss C has completed her mini skirt from The Capsule Wardrobe Book, using a gorgeous cotton print, modern florals on navy.   

Plans:

The next two crochet projects that Miss C has planned are an Amazing Grace Angel Wing Shawl by Beatrice Ryan Designs. This is a free pattern and the end result is stunning. I have made two of these before that you can see here. She also plans to make a Gooseberry fool by Lisa Cook from the Delicious Crochet Shawls book.

I plan to make a Bobbly Beauty Scarf by Marianne Rawlins, from Simply Crochet Magazine 124. I am using a gorgeous 8 ply slub yarn from Bendigo Woolen Mills, Calypso in the colour Pressed Lavendar. I also plan to make a zippered cardigan using a vintage pattern. This will be more of a long term project.

I plan to make some project bags and Miss C plans to make the Stella joggers and a Freya dress, both from the Tilly and the Buttons book, Stretch!

There are plenty of projects to keep us both very busy!

Until next time,

Samantha & Miss C

Violet May Handmade Podcast Episode 1

 

Exciting things have been happening behind the scenes at Violet May Handmade! We are now on Youtube and our first podcast is live. We will be sharing our finished objects, wips and plans for the upcoming months. Producing a podcast was way outside of our comfort zone. Quite a lot of laughter was involved in the recording of the podcast and a great deal of editing was involved. Thank you Miss C.

Finished Objects: Crochet

Miss C completed the Cable Car Cowl by Nancy Said, using  Bendigo Woollen Mills Alpine 8 ply (limited edition) Pink Heath and Scheepjes Wanderlust, Chicago. It is a gorgeous pattern that makes a very interesting stitch pattern and she is working on the matching gloves.

I made the Festive Cowl using Lincraft Cosy Wool in the colours,  Spearmint, Musk Pink, Natural Marle and Grey marle. I absolutely love the finished cowl.

What's On Our Hooks:

I am working on the Gelato Gloves by Nancy Said using a gorgeous yarn from Biggan DesignYarn  Royal Purple 8 ply. Just love the colour, can't wait to finish them!

 

I have been working on the Cloud Nine Cardigan by Iron Lamb using  Drops Nepal in Fog & Forget-me not. This is a birthday present for my Mum and I am on the home run with only the sleeves to go.

 

I absolutely love hats and have started on the Gypsy Slouch from the It Girl Crochet book. I am using Fuchsia and Raven in Cascade Aegean Tweed, which is a sport weight yarn.

Miss C has begun crocheting the Single Skein Necklet by Nancy Said in Cascade Heritage Waves colour, Nightshade. A lovely light weight scarf that will be perfect for layering up in winter.

This is Miss C's second Golden Rod Sweater by Eleven Handmade using  Patons Dreamtime Merino 4 ply, Gold Amber. It is going to be a lovely jumper to wear on those cold winter days.

 

Miss C is knitting the Shawl Collar Cardigan from the Patons #1224 Classic Elegance Book using the Cascade Aegean Tweed in the colourway Storm. It is a gorgeous texture pattern and will be a very versatile piece in her wardrobe.

Dressmaking:

Caitlin has made two beautiful dresses using New Look pattern N6650. The first one was made using two 1m pink rayon elastane jersey remnants from Spotlight. The length of the dress was determined by the amount of fabric she had.

 

The second is a longer version with a side split in a Navy floral jersey from East Coast Fabrics.

Plans:

We are both going to make the Sea Maiden Shawl by Nancy Said using Lion Brand Summer Nights Stargazing & Wildflowers. We got this gorgeous lace weight yarn on clearance and it so pretty with the metallic thread running through it. 

When I have completed the Gelato Gloves, I will begin work on a new pattern, the Star Stitch Fingerless Gloves by Nancy Said using  Spotlight Pure Wool Entwine 8 ply in a bright fun magenta.

Miss C will be working on an Elements Hat  by Nancy Said using a chestnut pure wool 8 ply, which will go with a matching pair of Elements Gloves that she just needs to sew in the ends on.

For our upcoming dressmaking I will be making a dress and track pants and Miss C will be making a mini skirt from The Capsule Wardrobe Book and Juno pyjama bottoms by Tilly and The Buttons.  

Stay tuned for the next podcast to see our progress, and hopefully a few finished garments too!

Until next time,

Samantha & Miss C

 

 

Christmas Makes And Handmade Advent Calendar Week 4

It has been a busy year with lots of handmade items lovingly made for Christmas. Having only started knitting this year Miss C made five pairs of knitted socks. She then decided that she would like to knit a couple of jumpers as well. We decided on some patterns that involved cables. Having only ever knitted socks she took it all in her stride and produced two absolutely gorgeous jumpers that will be treasured by the recipients for years to come.

 

My makes were a little more modest! I crocheted some dishcloths for my mother who has been wanting some for awhile. Using the Easy Crochet Dishcloth Pattern by Daisy Cottage Designs. I am really pleased with them and may have also made a few for myself. (I do love a dishcloth after all!)

 

For Miss C I made a tailors ham in a matching fabric to her thread catcher, using a pattern by Jennifer Lauren Handmade, to make pressing easier in her dressmaking projects. It is amazing how much sawdust one little pressing ham takes! Miss C absolutely loves it.

Day 22: Stitch Markers:

We got these for free with the Hobbii rewards points and thought they would be perfect and cute to use on project bags. We could use them for a particular project and would know what was in the bag. 

 

Day 23: Chocolate:

Who doesn't love chocolate!

Day 24: Something Crochet:

I made Miss C a lovely pair of Elements crochet gloves by Nancy Said. It was an easy to follow pattern and I really enjoyed making them. Miss C made me a stunning pair of crocheted Seashell earrings using a pattern by Golden Lucy crafts.

Day 25: Yarn:

For our final advent for 2022 we gave each other sock yarn. Miss C gave me a gorgeous skein of Heritage Wave in pink and blue tones. I absolutely love it. I gave Miss C a ball of Bendigo Woollen Mills sock yarn in the Pot Pourri colourway. 

 Until next time,

Samantha & Miss C Xx