Is it Instagram-worthy?

For some unknown reason, I've recently jumped onto the Instagram bandwagon. I've set myself a challenge to see if I can find at least one photo to post everyday on Instagram. I'm using both new photos, mainly taken using my phone, and old photos from my stash. I haven't set an end date for this exercise, so I'll have to see how long it takes before I'm bored.

The one thing this has done for me is to make me more aware of my surroundings. I'm now looking around more for things that are interesting or different or pretty, or whatever. I'm always asking myself, "Is it Instagram-worthy?" Anyway, you can follow me on Instagram. Other than the occasional finished knitwear and my feet in shoes, I promise not to bore you with the ever-annoying selfie!

FO: Alison Pullover

This is Alison Pullover from Knitscene Fall 2013. This is a classic fitted pullover. My yarn is 2nd Time Cotton from Knit One, Crochet Too. The pattern calls for a wool/alpaca yarn but I decided to use a cotton blend and also make short sleeves. I knitted the sweater as flat pieces, and I used reverse stockinette for the yoke instead of garter stitch. I used stockinette instead of garter for the sleeves.

I made my neckline a bit higher and rounder in the front, and I finished the neck and front edge with a row of single crochet followed by a row of reverse single crochet. I omitted the buttonholes so the buttons are just decorative. Even though the sweater is knitted with a cotton yarn, it's still too warm to wear in the middle of summer because of the thickness of the yarn and resulting sweater.

Sewing FO: V1387 - The Sleeveless Version

This is a shirt from Vogue Patterns V1387. I made this hipster plaid shirt not too long ago using the same pattern. I kept seeing all these sleeveless shirts in the stores and decided I should make one. I figured this pattern could be easily adapted to be a sleeveless shirt. Plus, I had this leftover silk/linen fabric that would be perfect for it. The fabric is great -- it is really lightweight but crisp and has a slight sheen to it. The crispiness does make the front pleats bubble out a bit, but I'm good with that. The shirt will probably soften after a few washings.

I used a narrow folded bias strip as a facing for the armholes. I did have to cut in the armholes a bit, especially on the back side. You can't see it in the photos, but the buttons each have a tiny rhinestone in the center for that added bit of bling.

This is actually the third shirt from the same pattern, so I really like it. The second one has sleeves like the first and is sewn from a white-on-white striped cotton. It's not the fastest shirt to sew -- the front yoke section along with the narrow collar and front band require some careful workmanship. The bottom edges are curved narrow hems. Finally, in order to keep things tidy, it's best to use french seams on the sides. The one detail that I didn't like about the pattern is that it leaves a bit of raw fabric at the corner where the collar and front band meet. For this shirt and the one prior, I sewed a small square onto the corner with stitches that turn at about a 100 degree angle. I clipped to the corner and turned the square to the inside. This leaves me with a strongly reinforced corner and no raw edge exposed.