Victorian working class boy costume; pants.

Our son has decided that he wants to join us at our victorian events this year! He wants a working class outfit. Which will pair nicely with my 1840-1850's working class costume.

I have made him a pair of grey wollen trousers for him with Laughing Moon pattern #106, California pants. The pattern doesn't come in childs sizes so I made the smallest size, 28 waist. And took it in at the side seams. The pants are also much to long but will be given a wide hem just before the event. Hopefully this way he will be able to fit in it for a few years as all the seams can be let out.

Pants front, closed button fly, pockets and wooden buttons.

Front open, button fly with bone buttons.

Pants back, waist cincher.

We didn't purchase any new things for this costume. I already had the pattern lying around for years, unused I might add. The grey wool fabric was a left over scrap from his previous costume. He went with us to one victorian event when he was a lot smaller.  And got really cold and bored. So we left him with his grandparents every year since. The brown tweed woollen coat was a gift from a friend who's son had outgrown it. The red scarf I knitted myself and is actually one of my first knitting projects in years. The grey tweed cap I bought in a store for his previous victorian adventure.

We still needs shoes and a knitted sweater or flannel shirt and vest, but I think he already looks the part!

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newsboys_Strike_of_1899

Source: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/

Autumn colors

I always feel a bit sad when I put away my summer dresses in storage and take out the autumn and winter (and often a large part of spring) clothing. But I do love the colors of autumn, so when I came across this yarn I immediately fell in love.

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I had been wanting to do some broomstick lace crochet for a long time but was scared of because the technique looked quite complicated. When I saw this yarn the idea of making a simple broomstick lace scarf popped up in my mind again. On Ravelery I found this wonderful tutorial in English and Dutch, although I read English fairly well, I do prefer a tutorial in Dutch when I am learning a new skill.

I started on the scarf yesterday, while I have a lot of costuming projects, with deadlines approaching fast and household chores that needed to be done as well. I managed to do most of them and still work on the scarf as well. I am happy!

The other project I am working on is a combination of cuirass and french vest bodice for a friend.We do not have enough of the lovely petrol blue velvet for a cuirass bodice, so I am trying to combine it with a vest bodice. Alas the vest bodice pattern is cut several sizes too small, so that is why I am using the cuirass bodice pattern as well. It's one of those projects that seemed simple enough at first but is much more complicated than I thought. On the other hand I do like a challange!

The other project is a 1840's work dress for myself, both projects need to be completed at the beginning of December.

My viking hangerock or pinafore or apron dress had become pale after wearing it for a few years. As it is still fine, it has only one patch to cover up a burn hole. I decided to dye it again to refresh the color.

Here you can see how much the color has faded. The darker band is normally covered by my tabletwoven band, protecting the color from light. It has been dyed with union skins which is know for it's light sensity. 

The apron turned out darker than I had planned, next time when refreshing a color, I will use half of the original amount of dyestuff. The silk scarf, woollen yarn and small patches of wool fabric are from the second dyebath. The small patches where to try if the woollen fabric I bought a few months ago where dyeable with natural dyes.

I also finished my husbands woollen viking nalebound socks, that I started on during the vikingmarket in the Archeon.! Which means I can cross one of my winter projects of the list.

I also made these two cute amiguri owls!

The yellow one is made with Baby owl ornaments by Josephine Wu. And the blue one with the Confused owl by Karissa Cole

So I finished a lot of projects but also started a lot of new ones. 

Knitted Katia Toledo Scarf

I saw this Katia Toledo yarn at Pipoos and immediately fell in love with it, the colors and the softness. And conviently forgot how much I dislike knitting with special yarns like this.

I needed a present for a friend and decided to knit her a scarf. When I started it was 30 degrees outside and I was sitting in the shade in the garden.

Brei beschrijving

Zet 18 steken op met breinaald nr 12 (moet deelbaar zijn door 3)

En brei 1 steek recht, 1 omslag, 2 steken recht samenbreien.

Elke naald begint steeds met 1 steek recht enz.

Gebruikt 3 strengen Toledo en brei met de volle draad.

Copyright Pipoos.

English version:

Cast on 18 stitches (or another number you van dived by 3) with needle size (US) 17 

Knit the first stitch, yarn round needle, knit 2 stitches together, repeat.

Ever row starts with a knitted stitch.

You need 3 skeins of Toledo yarn en knit with the whole thread.

(This is my very first attempt at a translation of a dutch knitting desccription.  )

Copyright Pipoos

In my opinion the scarf is relatively short. I would cast on 12 or 15 stitches if I would knit it again or use more yarn.