Fair Isle Beret

I designed this Fair Isle Beret few weeks ago. It is made with one of my favourite yarns, Artesano Aran. It's so soft and warm and so nice to work with, I have made quite a few garments from it. I'm still working on the pattern but it will will be available soon to buy on Ravelry.

Shetland Frock

Well, I've just learned that I will be heading back to University for an MA in Fashion & Textiles! As easily ecstatic as I am, I decided that a little refresher course would be required.

I wanted to make a dress that was inspired by all the colours and culture I see here in Edinburgh every day. I patterned and sewed this dress using woven Shetland wool purchased from Ragamuffin, and some Jamieson Shetland Spindrift for the lace bib. The lower part of the dress is pleated (kilt-inspired) with some hidden pockets inside the pleats.

The dress bodice features French darts, and empire waistline, and the focal-point of the piece, a hand-knitted Shetland lace pattern (feather and fan) for the bib.

I used the all-in-one facing tutorial from BurdaStyle so that this dress could be fully-lined. I'm really happy with how it turned out but having finished it, I've spotted a few things I would have done differently in the patterning and the construction. It was a good exercise and fun to get in the knitty-gritty of it again! I hope I'm ready for school now...