Il arrive avec un peu de retard mais voici Célestin l'ourson, prêt à répandre un peu d'amour autour de lui 🧸
C'est le nouveau patron de la_fabrique_de_lou que j'ai eu lachance de tester
Il est très agréable et rapide à réaliser, un vrai plaisir avec sa jolie petite bouille.

N'hésitez pas à craquer pour son patron !
https://www.etsy.com/shop/frlafabriquedelou/

🧶 Coton Maxi sugar rush de Scheepjes et crochet 1,25 mm
📋 Modèle : la_fabrique_de_lou

#amigurumis #crochet #crocheting #handmade #artisanat #creation #crochetlove #crochetlife #crochetproject #patron #patroncrochet #amigurumipattern #crochetpattern #ourson #patterntesting

Ya'll want to pattern-test a CONSIDERABLE kiwi? This friend is ready for testing.

Fill out this form to express your interest:https://forms.gle/XGzTfVwDZzKy2J1XA

#HollysHooks #Crochet #Amigurumi #Kiwi #ConsiderableKiwi #PatternTesting #PatternTesterCall #FatAssBirds

2026: Ongoing Projects and Plans

I hope you all had a nice, calm transition into the New Year. I was mostly crafting, sorting my yarn stash and making lists of projects i need to finish and of projects i´m planning to do this year.

I have started a lot of projects in the old year (which is quite normal for me), but that also means, i have to finish them before i can start a new project. (I love starting new projects.) I hope i can manage that in the first 3 months of 2026.

Knitting – What to finish?

At the end of January last year, i started the „Attractive Box Coat for Spring„, which is a free vintage pattern on Ravelry (and Trove).

Ravelry link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/attractive-box-coat-for-spring
Trove Link: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167969920

I´m still working on the back piece of the cardigan, once the weather got warmer (and that happened quite fast last year) i cast on some other projects. I also planned to knit long sleeves, which makes the cardigan more winter/spring suitable, at least for the region i live in. But there is still plenty to knit with this cardigan.

At the beginning of February i startet the „Saint Malo by Rachel Søgaard“, which is a free Pattern on Ravelry.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saint-malo-3

I´m not really happy with it, but i nearly finished it…i hope. I made it with a cotton boucle yarn i found at the thrift store. I really like this type of yarn, but maybe i choose the wrong size or the wrong needles, i don´t know, but it is quite big. Still, i won´t frog it. It is a summer top (i´m planning to make short sleeves), its okay if it is bigger.

After that i had a time, where i didn´t want to knit that much. So to get back into knitting, i started the „Pebble Tank from Purl Soho“ from leftover stash yarn at the beginning of July.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pebble-tank-2

I think the only thing i have to do, is the I-cord around the armholes and the neck. Nothing more…
This project is probably the first that i will finish.

At the beginning of October i had the urge to knit again, so i started a few projects i already finished and two (or better said 3) which are still in the making.

One of those was the „Oleander by Audrey Borrego“ in a wonderful bright royal blue. This project is for someone else, but needn´t to be finished soon. So i do have some time for that.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/oleander-13

The next was something for me, which i had on my queue for a very long time. It is the „Elegant Suit by Australian Women’s Weekly“, again a free vintage Pattern.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elegant-suit
Trove: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/4813773

I will knit the cardigan, but not the skirt. I don´t think the skirt would be very useful for me, because i probably would have to line it with stretch lining. The fabric i got with my yarn is very fine and rather drapey.
This will be a very long project i think. Light fingering weight yarn on 2,5 and 3 mm Needles takes time.

The last project i started last year is a „Scrap Stash Busting Blanket„, but i don´t plan to finish it in the near future or this year probably, because it takes a lot of time and i´m already running out of my leftovers.

Which brings us to the planning stage of my knitting!

Knitting – What to dream of?

This year i want to knit more vintage patterns. I have so many in my favourites on Ravelry, it is time to start working on them. Which also means, that i will probably be knitting a bit less, because many of those are knit in very fine yarn weights with fine needles (- not all of them, but many).

The first i want to knit is the „Cardigan Sweater No. 401 by Emile Bernat & Sons Company“ from 1956 with nice Dolman sleeves. I got the yarn, which i think i will use, for christmas. This is one of the few, which is in worsted weight yarn, so hopefully it will knit up a bit faster.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cardigan-sweater-no-401
Free Vintage Knitting: http://freevintageknitting.com/free-sweater-patterns/bernat51/cardigan-sweater-pattern-no401

© Emile Bernat & Sons Company

The second planned project is „Katren by Australians Womens Weekly“ from 1952

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/katren
Trove Link: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/46229407

Another project in fingering weight yarn. I will probably use the same yarn as the Elegant Suit. I really love the look of it.

© Australian Women’s Weekly

The third project is the „Quickly-Knitted Jacket by Australian Women’s Weekly from 1941, which i hope will really knit up quickly. It is in worsted weight yarn and i´m planning to make longer sleeves.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quickly-knitted-jacket
Trove Link: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47485812#

Another fun thing, do you recognize the woman in the picture?

© Australian Women’s Weekly

The fourth Project is „Zelda…persuasive flattery by Australian Women’s Weekly“ from 1939. The name alone is amazing.

Ravelry Link: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zeldapersuasive-flattery
Trove Link: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/51270950

© Australian Women’s Weekly. Used under the Creative Commons License

I would like to knit more than that, or better said in my head i would like to cast on more projects, because i really love those design, but i only have two hands and the same time everyone else has. I will be very busy knitting wise this year.

Which is not my only hobby. Well, actually knitting is my only hobby, because sewing and drafting patterns is actually my profession, although last year again was very frustrating. But i hope it will be better.

Sewing – What to finish?

I have to finish the E-book for the „Wrap Trouser„, which i started years ago. It is a summer Project, but a bit complicated to sew (and therefore to write the instructions). I hope to get the Pattern Testing Call out in February.

The second Project i´m working on is an oversized Blouse with a rounded hem. Again there are some things – construction-wise – i´m not sure if i´m able to describe properly. I already made three Mock-ups, but a fourth won´t hurt.

The third Project is my „Dress with Kimono sleeves and two skirt versions“ (those are all working titles, maybe i just call it differently). That is the project which is nearly finished and hopefully the Pattern Testing Call wil go up in January. If i´m fast next week, maybe in two weeks. ( I still have the hope, that if i „announce it publicly“ i have the pressure to work faster.)

This is one version of it:

The fourth project is in its very beginning. I´m currently making a mock-up. It will be a Jacket with a diagonal Zipper closure and a Stand-up Collar. I already decided on some changes, so there will be soon a second mock-up.

The fifth project is in its planning phase. It is a simple shirt pattern with short sleeves (and one version without sleeves) and other design elements. I´m drafting the pattern for it right now and will make some Mock-ups soon.

I´m also sewing some „private“ things like pillow cases and curtains and more. So plenty to do right now.

Sewing – Planned Projects

This year i want to make more Shirts, Blouses and Skirts, maybe some Trousers, although i love Dresses the most.
I´m planning of making a Pyjama Pattern (i´m not sure, if it ends up for private use only, because not many people make pyjamas anymore), a turtle neck pullover and some bags.

All of those listed projects are not in Vintage style or Vintage inspired. Actually, at the moment, the only vintage style pattern i´m making is the dress above. But don´t worry, i will make some vintage inspired things this year. But those are all still in the drawing/planning phases, so i can´t really tell exactly how the end up looking.

As you can see, i have lots of work to do! I just hope i didn´t bite off more than i can chew.

What are your plans for 2026? Do you have lists and plans?

Thank you for reading, till next time!

#craft #crafts #Knitting #PatternTest #PatternTesting #plans #sewing #Stricken

Attractive Box Coat for Spring pattern by Truth

MATERIALS: 8 skeins (short sleeves, 10 skeins (long sleeves ‘Sun-Glo’ Shrinkproof sports wool, shade No. 2138

Ravelry

Pattern Testing Call Skirt “Bella”

I’m looking for Pattern Tester, who want to test my Skirt Pattern “Bella”.

This sewing pattern is a skirt perfect for every occasion, with seven rounded godets, a straight waistband, which ends in a button closure and a seam zipper in the center back. The patterns allows you to make a straight skirt, with godets or without, as well. It is drafted for medium weight, woven fabrics (preferably Chambray, Panama, Velvet, Linen, light Cool Wool or Trevira etc.), but also Knitware with max. 5% Elastane (Scuba, Jersey etc.).

What am I looking for?:

  • Sewist with experience. Pattern adjustments are not a problem for you. You know the most common finishing techniques.
  • Constructive criticism. Feedback, possible suggestions for improvement are very welcome. Good communication is the important to me. And with good communication i mean, that you should post in the group server on Discord / FB-Group or write an E-Mail regularly.
  • Sewers in sizes 2 – 32 (Gr. 32-62) I´m working with the Body-Measurements and not the Ready-to-Wear Measurements! Please make sure that you measure yourself correctly!
  • Secrecy. During the pattern testing, no photos of the sewing process or pattern may be posted in other groups or social media … that will come later.
  • Good photos. Since I am not a good photographer myself (as you can see above), my standards are not very high, but the fit of the skirt should be easy to see. Photos can be taken outside as well as in a building, there are no requirements.
    It would be nice, if you post some Work-in-Progress Pictures in the group server on Discord or in the FB-Group.
  • Punctuality and Reliability. Deadlines have to be met, but if somebody can not take part in the pattern test/ or fulfill the deadlines, he/she has to get in touch with me in time!
  • Advertising in sewing groups / your blog / Instagram etc. after publication!
    It would be very welcome, if you post your pictures of the finished garment after the Pattern Testing is finished!

The FB-Group Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/517706402339081/
The Discord server: I will send you the link via E-Mail.
(Please, only send a request to join the group after i accepted you as a Tester for the Pattern Testing! Any other request will be deleted.)
Because of the developements the last few days/weeks, i encourage you to join me on Discord. I prefer it to FB, but if you don´t want, it is fine as well.

If you don´t want to join FB or Discord, communication via E-Mail is also very appreciated.

What do you get?

  • A PDF sewing pattern in the your size and desired format (A4, A0), a size chart, a material usage list, a sewing instruction in German and English.
  • The chance to be on the finished E-Book Cover with your creation!
  • If you want, a mention, after the successful Pattern Test, with your blog post (of the pattern), your Facebook page, your Instagram profile or other social media channels, in the finished e-book. (Only one social media channel is mentioned).
  • During the Pattern Test, I stand by your side with words and deeds. You can always contact me. (There are no dumb questions!)
  • My sincere gratitude for your efforts and your support.
  • A request and invitation to the upcoming Pattern Tests, before the official Call. (Of course you can decide for yourself if you want to take part again.)
  • After the Pattern Testing the finished E-Book.

What should your application look like?

  • Information about you. (For example, how long you sew, what you like to sew, how your style is, etc.) Important: Don´t forget to include your Body-Measurements!
  • Why do you apply or why do you want to sew this pattern?
  • What size you want to sew.
  • Which format you would like. (A4,A0)
  • A link to your blog / Facebook page / Instagram/ Mastodon or other.

Make sure that your application contains all of the points mentioned above! 

Please send your application via E-Mail to: [email protected]

The Call for Pattern Tester runs until Mo. 27.01.2025 20:00 CET.

After the Call ends, i will contact everyone by E-Mail.

The Pattern Testing itself runs for 2 weeksfrom 28.01.2025 to 11.02.2025.

All finished pictures should be sent to me till the 12.02.2025 in the evening (CET)!

I´m looking forward to receive your applications!

#craft #crafts #PatternLabel #PatternTest #PatternTestCall #PatternTesting #sewing #SewingPattern

Opening up #patterntesting for my #emperorpenguin design!

Hello and welcome to my first attempt to get a pattern tested! Since I’m not sure how many testers will be interested, I don’t have a limit or a deadline as of now.

I can’t pay anyone, so what you’ll get for testing is the completed pattern in PDF form for free - and if I ever have to update the pattern, I’ll send you those updated versions as well. I’ll also thank you personally in the pattern listing, either with your username on mastodon or any other name you’d rather I use.

I haven’t posted the pattern anywhere yet. If you agree to be a tester, I will privately send you a link to a google doc. If you have an account on ravelry.com, I'll also send the tester code for my draft so you can link a project to it.

How I’d like this to go:

1. Testers email me at [email protected] to let me know they want to test (having it all there will make it easier for me to handle).
2. I send you the link (and the tester code if applicable).
3. You share any questions or criticisms you have about the pattern so I can change it if needed.
4. Once all is completed, I send you the finished PDF.
5. Testers upload your project + pictures with the tester code (if applicable).
6. I upload the pattern with thanks to anyone who tested in the description.
7. If you don't post on Ravelry, you can post pics here on Mastodon and link to the pattern after I've uploaded it.

I hope I’m doing this right! I’ll answer any questions here or through email. (But my carpal tunnel is flaring up so it may be a few hours from now.)

#patterntestercall #crochet #crochetpattern #amigurumi #AltText4Me

Frogged stitches, like so many purple ramen noodles. #knitting #frogging #patterntesting