Blocking. Did I Do It Right?

I am not sure. I think I did. I didn't ruin my shawl, so maybe I did :)

When I finished the shawl back in November, I didn't have a chance to block it before needing it. I also didn't know how to. After stumbling across a thread on Ravelry about how blocking can make your lace items truly stunning (and my luck is that I can't find that thread again), I decided to give it a go.

Here it is just on the floor before.

And on me before.

I soaked it for 15 minutes, rolled in a towel and laid it out flat on a blanket on the lounge room floor (one of the few benefits of having not got rid of the ugly carpet just yet - I can stick pins in it!)
There is a pin in each of the edging loops, down the middle line, and across the top sort of evenly. I tried to get it symmetrical, and left it overnight to dry.

I am not sure it made a huge amount of difference, but it is slightly bigger - both width and depth. It also feels softer and well, at least it has had a wash :)

So if you can point me to any great pages on blocking feel free to leave a comment.

Cheers!

Knipmode 101B March 2010 Top

Ever since I saw this pattern in the Knipmode special I have been wanting to try it. I finally got around to it a few weeks ago.

The fabric was a cotton interlock(??) with not much stretch - which is pretty much the only downfall of this top. It stretched out a bit when I had to unpick along the top front and didn't recover. But that is ok, because I still like to wear it (I might put some elastic there at some point if I can be bothered).

Things I changed - I shortened the elastic on the sleeve edges, and the bottom hem is different to the pattern, as it wasn't until I went to do the hem that I realised that I should've traced both parts for the length. Duh!! It would've made it much easier to hem had I done this.

Overall the top is comfortable and easy to wear. It is a good length for me and rather easy to sew once you work out exactly where you need to sew each bit and don't have to unpick it lol

Cheers!

Farbenmix Tini

Having had this pattern for quite a while now (oops, nearly 2.5 years!), and in my attempt to try and use my stash, I made one up for my niece for her 3rd birthday.

 
She picked the fabric from my collection for it, and it is just so cute! It originally came from my mum's fabric and was in two pieces. She said she made us pj's out of it, so it is pretty old.....
I had to fussy cut around some marks that were on it, but managed to get the bottom tier out of the pattern - just.

As my niece is 92.5cms tall, and the pattern runs 86/92, 98/104 etc, I went for the next size up. Well, not only will she be able to wear it all winter with leggings and a long sleeved top, but next summer and possibly next winter too! Ah well - she loved it and that is all that matters :)

Cheers!