I've Reclaimed My Knitting Machines

I am finally able to knit on my knitting machines again. I haven't knit in the 10 years that I been married. We don't have a basement and there just wasn't enough room. It was obvious my husband wasn't ever going to finish the addition made to the house and me a craft room, but what I have now is just as good. He moved the furniture out of the living and dining room, which we weren't using, and I converted it into my paper crafting and knitting space. I currently have three machines up, one with a motor with plans to add two more machines and one more motor. Oh happy day.

I've already knit and constructed my first two garments in 10 years--a jacket and a skirt. Can you believe it? The yarn had been around that long and so has the pattern. I used Simplicity 9361, released in 1995. I made view B. I'd made it previously in a different color of the same yarn. This time I did add a bust dart...because I'm anal that way. Although I added the bust dart, I was still able to use the same schematic from before. I always draw myself a schematic and calculate the stitches and rows, based on my swatch, of each pattern piece much like what you see in knitting patterns. I took about four days to do the knitting and three days to do the blocking and the cutting of the pattern pieces. I could have done the knitting in less time but wasn't in any particular hurry.

It's important to stabilize the shoulder and armhole seams to prevent stretching either out of shape. I use 1/4" ribbon. For the sewing, I don't use any special feet, thread or needles.

I spent two days seaming the skirt seams by hand and sewing the knitting pieces by machine. It's easier to mark the pattern piece with wax and chalk markings. The buttonholes were made on the machine and I even sewed the buttons on by machine.

And the finished looked....drum roll please...excuse the photobombing dog!

 Although I'd been away from the machine for 10 years, I didn't miss a beat. When I tell you I hadn't forgotten a thing, believe it. I am so impressed by the notes I've kept and how organized they are. Nearly every technique I've learned over the years are kept in binders and further organized using dividers. Most technique pages are encased in page protectors! How impressive is that? I've already started on another knitted garment but I must admit, the pieces are over 10 years old. While searching through my knitting treasures I found a plastic bag with all the pieces for a garment--front, back and sleeves. I've already blocked the pieces but need to look through my patterns to find something that will fit the knit pieces. Expect to see more of my knit creations in the near future.