//THE WARDROBE PROJECT//: December 2015

Hello guys! I'm taking this blogging thing more seriously lately and I'm quite happy about that! So Christmas is approaching really quickly and I've yet to begin my presents! The time race is real and I'm anxious to see if I'll be able to make it!

But on a more sewing related note now. This it the new Velo Culottes pattern from Sew This Pattern. When Annie was looking for pattern testers, I immediately volunteered! Her drafting skills are exceptional, and after all the fun I had with her Pin Pegs skirt, I knew this one would be no different!

The pattern is ideal for advanced beginners/intermediate sewers. There is a zipper to insert, a waistband and a pocket. There are two version included - Version A (knee length trousers) and Version B (shorts)

Since here in Greece the temperatures are dropping every day and winter is knocking at our front door, I decided to make a more winter-friendly version. Although, I have to warn you, that using a heavy fabric like mine, is not recommended in the pattern, mainly due to the pleat effect. But it worked for me! I went for the Version B(shorts) in size 12, without any modifications, other than shortening the hem by 1cm more, to work for my height, and used a heavy cotton fabric I had in my stash. The pattern was a delight to sew, with very clear instructions, that everyone could follow!

The style is something I've never tried before and I can say, that I like it a lot! It reminds me of the French chic street fashion!

I love the versatility of this pattern! Choose a lightweight silk for the perfect summer shorts or a light weight wool for a more autumn/winter look! Make it in a bold color or a print for a different effect! Style it with flats, heels or boots! The possibilities are endless!

*Disclaimer: I received this pattern from Annie for free to test, but all opinions are my own. I sent feedback on the draft to Annie. I was not paid to test this pattern, and was given a free copy of the final pattern as compensation.*

I used to have an on-again-off-again relationship with knitting! I learned to knit almost 5 years ago, but I never dived into it seriously. Maybe it was the cheap acrylic yarns I used to buy, maybe I didn't paid much attention to the patterns, but I was always afraid to knit a big garment, like a sweater. I've knitted quite a few neck cowls and scarves, but I always wanted to be able to knit garments! So I decided that this time around I'd make it happen! So, very proudly, I present you my very first wearable sweater!!

As most of the times, I found the pattern in -the-heaven-of-knitting-stuff- Ravelry. For my first endeavour, I wanted something fairly easy that I could knit while binge watching my favourite series (at the moment is Once Upon A Time, which I seriously recommend that you watch, if you haven't already!). The pattern is the Didi&Catcat sweater pattern from this amazing French blog named CatCat et son dressing. She knits the most amazing modern garments and I fell in love with her designs, even though my knowledge of French is actually non existing! I followed her instructions for a mini version of her original pattern, because I wanted the sweater slightly less oversized.

With the help of the trusty Google translate, I was able to finish this sweater in less than 2 weeks. The pattern is actually two rectangles for the body and two rectangles for the sleeves knitted in garter stitch and sewed together at the end. You don't even need circular needles for this one! The only modification I made was tapering the sleeves at the end for a more close fitting result.

For this, I used size 5(US8) and size 10(US15) straight needles and approximately 9 skeins of this Air Alpaca yarn from Katia Yarns in the Medium Grey (205) color. The yarn is so soft and lovely! I spritz blocked the sweater, because the yarn is quite delicate. This was also my first time I tried blocking properly!

So what about you? What are you knitting this winter? What was your first knitted item?

You can also find me in Ravelry!

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