My First Cotton Cardi

I tell you, this is my first cotton cardigan using the pink colourway cotton yarn. I only get 3 balls (400m length of each) of it for originally want to knit a shawl. Later, I change my mind and want a cotton cardi that I never have. But what pattern should I need and always worry whether it is enough for a cardi, may be only enough for no sleeves. So it is decided to have a sleeveless one as pictured.


The inspiration cames from Vanessa''s Cherry. Firstly, I knit difference stitches of the lower and upper body. I don't feel comfortable when the back is finished and sorry to take the picture before ripped it. I rip it from the waist band (not rip the whole one from the shoulder), rejoin the yarn and start to knit from the waist band down to the bottom. Can you see that the diamond lace pattern is up side down compared with the upper body. This cotton yarn is hard to block that it seems not balance between left and right side. I hope it will be alright when join with the front (has not been started yet).

I think I am addicted to this diamond lace pattern.



I suddenly find a convenience way to block my knitting stuff, as don't want to pin it on my bed. It is quite trouble to pin to the bed that I have to do it early in the Sunday morning, otherwise it might not have time to dry it. Try to show you when I block the front of this cotton cardigan.

A bad news

Hi, everybody, my bad news.

THE SEWING MACHINE IS OUT OF ORDER AGAIN.

This is the second time within a year. The last fix is one month ago. The same defect area - the thread in the lower bobbin case cannot be pull up through the needle plate. The technical has already warned us that some plastic tools inside is aged, so the machine will not be any long lasting, unless a metal one is changed. Only a similar parts can be replaced for he does not have that exact model.

SIGH.... I don't why mine is so easily broken down. How about yours ? Which brand should I buy ? Can anybody tell me ????

I think I better go back to my knitting. Finally, I have an idea what pattern should be knitted using that pink colourway cotton yarn. I will show you when the back is finished.

Sewing a Shirt

After the sewing machine is fixed, I have a thought to sew a shirt for myself. This is the first trial after at least 15 years ago.

Browse thru all my sewing books collection. These old books are mostly published at 198x, so they are all at least 20 years old.






The top of this dress is my chosen pattern for it is simple for me. Following the instruction to draw the pattern onto a paper and adjust the body measurement against my exiting shirt.





Outline the pattern onto the fabric.









After my try hard and effort, a shirt is sewn.










I am quite satisfied with it. I have changed the collar, not same with the original pattern. The original collar is so ugly after sewn and I don't why. My mother suggests me to have a "stand" collar, for it is simply and easy, this is what you see of the shirt. Don't have a close detail look of it for it has some deficiency in some area. I will try to fix all of them in my next attempt.

One is complete, this makes me have an intention to make a second one, third one, fourth one,.......