Top 5 of 2013: Hits and Misses

I've decided to join the hoards (hosted by Gillian) and take a moment to reflect on the year of stitching and knitting that was...

This year has been a real revelation for me in regards to crafting and blogging. I started the year rather shakily, and I wondered if my crafting and blogging mojo would ever return. But return it did and in the most surprising way. It started with Amanda of Bimble and Pimble blogging about her first forays into knitting and her post of her version of Andi Satterlund's Mathilde Hat. Quite simply, I found the inspiration I needed to re-establish my mojo in a new direction (knitting) and find my place again creatively. I might have worked considerably on myself as well, but that's a whole other story that don't need telling.

This all culminated in a new love for knitting and an all shiny and new, re-named re-vamped blog! Yay me!

So without further ado, here are my hits and misses all in one post (Reflections and Plans to come tomorrow).

Top 5 Hits of 2013:

In no particular order...

1. "Two Fruits" Dress:

I simply love this dress. It's the best fit I've ever achieved! I love the style, the fabric, the buttons. It's just all good.

I feel a million bucks when I wear it, but, and this is gonna seem weird based on the above... I rarely wear this! I think it's partly to do with Gabrielle's recent observation that the things she truly adores get worn less. This resonates with me! I think it's a morbid fear of ruining it. But it's still a big win for me!

2. Gingham Negroni:

Ok, this one was a HUGE achievement for me and adored by P. This was a me-made birthday gift for my handsome hubby. It was the first item of mens clothing I'd ever made, and P decided to subject me to gingham. Pattern matching anyone? I am so very proud of this one and it gets worn lots.


3. Cape Cod Sweater:

Sigh... Swoon... I made this. 'Nuff said.

4. Scalloped Lace Hat:

I finally made myself a hat that suits me! It's soft and squishy and just all round delicious.

5. Fave Top:

Ahhh September was a good month for me! I wear this top to death. Unfortunately it hasn't stood up to the wear very well. It was made from a somewhat delicate rayon elastine, and now there are some tiny holes along and near the shoulder seams. I am actually petrified it's being eaten by moths, but we certainly can't find any hiding in our drawers.
And then onto the... Top Misses of 2013:

Notice I didn't use the title "Top 5 Misses of 2013"? I truly didn't have 5, so here are three. Might I add that this is probably because I don't sew terribly prolifically and hence when I do I am incredibly careful (and often lucky) with my choices...

1. Tiny Town Shirt:

Sob... sigh... just "no". Ruffles, blousey, puffy sleeves. I cannot be convinced that this was not a complete abomination of a shirt and a heartbreaking use of fabric I adore and had hoarded for ages. Next.

2. Mathilde Hat:

Whilst knitting this hat ignited my passion for knitting, it is just dreadful on me. Wrong colour, wrong yarn, and absolutely wrong style. My brother said it was very "Rasta" and with my curly hair I felt decidedly like "Dickie Knee" (a character from an iconic Aussie TV show, "Hey, Hey it's Saturday").




3. "Feeling Fruity" Dress:

Yeah, yeah, I know it kinda looks pretty. Dudes, it fits really poorly. So poorly it prompted me to enroll in Craftsy's Adjust the Bust course. Which I am, ahem, yet to apply. Oops. I do wear this, so it's not a complete fail - I just am not very proud of it (fit wise) and it billows in the bodice and grabs a bit in the waist after eating a decent sized meal. Not cool.


So there we have it folks. I actually really enjoyed this process, even though I didn't initially intend to join in. I'm pleased that there are only a few misses and some really fabulous (in my mind!) hits.

Tomorrow I am going to sneak in just in time with my Reflections and Plans.

Till then...