The bustle is still not turning out the way I wanted it to. I had thought about purchasing a bustle sewing pattern and then work out the measurements from there but bleh, too much effort. I know, so is using my own body measurements since I have to stop randomly and check against my body if it's going to work. My thoughts are that I just didn't plan it out properly. I have a bad habit of that, get an idea and just jump right in without thinking it through and planning out the steps.

I thought this would be a good project for when I needed a break here and there between editing the CZMA. That in itself is a hard task. I want to add to it but I don't want to add anything that would kill the interest of the readers. I want to take away some stuff but that would result in me having to pick and choose what I should get rid of and to be honest, this is one of the few stories I've written and then gone back to read where I haven't just hit the delete button on the whole thing. And I've already cut out a whole lot of crap from it. It was 50104 words, now it's hovering just over 23000. That's more then half but it was honest crap I removed. I wasn't going to turn into an Anne Rice and spend pages describing the intricate details of tables and doors and walls and all sorts of boring crap. No offense to Anne Rice, she's a really good writer but tends to go a little heavy on the details that have no bearing on the stories in her vampire books. I prefer her non vampire books, they don't take a whole chapter just to describe a door and have more interesting storylines if you ask me.

Okay, I'm not sure how talking about crochet frustrations turned into my writing frustrations but that's the way my mind works. I have a childless weekend so perhaps I should get back to both my projects. It doesn't help that I also have to finish a hat I'm being paid to make as a christmas gift.

*air smooches*

Hustle a bustle and you get a sad face.

So the crochet bustle idea is not working out as well as I thought it would. Now I have to frog it like crazy and rethink how I am going to do this. So many stitches now have to be torn out, the ball rewound and the project restarted. I think instead of going from the top and working my way down, I'll work it from side to side and use either buttons, a drawstring or an elastic band to close it at the top. My thinking is for the elastic band although the drawstring will mean I can wear it still even after I finish losing the weight I've been getting rid of. If this reworking doesn't work, I will probably go with the petticoat idea I've been toying around with. I dunno why but I have a thing for ankle length skirts, lace and frills.

*air smooches*

Back to designing...

If I've not mentioned it before, on this blog at least, I have plans to design an entire Steampunk costume done in nothing but crochet. This is a big project for me since a) I'm new to designing my own crochet designs, b) I've only written one pattern before and that was for my first pair of leggings, and c) I'm not allowed to go yarn shopping until the yarn I have is nearly completely used up.

I have an image of what I want this outfit to look like. It's beautiful, it's full of lace and ruffles and it features a lot of my favorite colour, purple. So why am I so nervous about doing all this? Because I tried to draw the finished outfit on paper and it looks like shit. That's because I'm a horrible artist. Even my stick figures look terrible. On the plus side, I'm a very stubborn lady so I will have this made. I will make this, I will wear this, I will look fabulous.

So tonight, even though it is 10PM as I write this now, I am plotting the first piece. While I know the smart thing would be to start from the inside out, I figure I'll save the bloomers for when I'm feeling confident enough to tackle bloomers. Since I've already got the leggings, I think I can skip the undergarment for now and head straight to the next layer. I'm going to start with a laced bustle. This seems like a very simple place to start and after looking at thousands of pictures of Victorian Bustles, I believe I can make one. I know, I could quickly sew one up but a) I need to use up as much of my yarn as possible with this outfit and b) I like the challenge.

So wish me luck darlings. I might post the pattern. I haven't decided yet, we'll see how it turns out and how generous I'm feeling.

*air smooches*

I did it!

I made it through NaNoWriMo in one piece although my brain feels like mush. I finished it yesterday with a word count of 50104 and man, does it need a lot of editing. I actually managed to read through the whole thing yesterday without deleting it after I put it into the word counter. It will take me a while to polish it all up nicely but once that's done, I think I will be ready to send it out and attempt to get it published. Wish me luck on that front. I did try to put some steampunk into it but I don't think it really works, I'll know more if I can after the editing.

This means I can get back to everything else I had planned. Blogging, crocheting and attempting to design an entire crocheted steampunk outfit.

Ta ta darlings *air smooches*

Barbie From Hell

A friend wanted to see some pics so here they are

My darling Wrimos~

I'm sorry, I fell behind yesterday and the day before and I have a lot of catching up to do. I will make it up to you all by writing 4000 words today. Yeah, lofty goal but I need to. I managed 5607 words by the time I fell asleep last night, 1000 words short give or take a few of what I had planned. According to the Wrimo Calander, I should 8335 words by the end of the day. To make up the slack, I'm going for over 9000.

I'm really looking forward to the end of November already just to see how close I can get to that finish line. Sure, I could cheat but then where would the sense of accompliment and pride be? Where would the knowledge that I can do it be? Exactly. So like the farmers of the world, I'm going to keep ploughing away at my words and see what I can harvest from it.

Hopefully I'll make my 4000 words early enough so I can start in on winter hats, mitts, scarves etc.

I have become.... A Wrimo!

That's right, I joined in the craziness of NaNoWriMo this year. It'll be my first year doing it so designing Steampunk styled crochet will be on hold for a month. The story idea I have involves Steampunk styled technology and zombies. That is all you're going to get out of me about it. I'm sorry, but I just don't trust humans as a general group when it comes to my creative ideas.

I'm off to a great start with the story. I managed to work in time yesterday for almost 1900 words. Perhaps today I'll be able to raise that to 3500 words. Well, I'm hoping to make it 3500 words, more then that would just be the icing on the cake.

On a plus side, my 8yr old daughter has been dreaming up ideas for steampunk outfits for herself. Once I have time to throw the outfits together, I'll be more then happy to post pictures of them. It just won't be this month.

For anyone actually interested, I'll pop on now and then to update how many words I have.

Priscilla, The City and I look fabulous.

Last night, my darling husband took me to the Theater in the great city of Toronto. Naturally, I had to look my very best for this grand ocassion since it's very rare to find a husband that would go to the Theater willingly, let alone to see drag queens.

My darling husband thought this was a tad overboard but that's what you get when you attach yourself to a former military man. I've been working on him steadily so he had fun last night as well. The leggings I made there (look to the right for the pattern) kept my legs nice and warm as well as keeping any unwanted glances at my delicate ankles.

One would think being dressed as such in Toronto, no one would pay attention or give it no mind. Most just took a second glance then walked on with a chuckle. To you all, I say I'm glad I cheered up your chilly walk home. The first actual comments I got was from a conservative couple walking by who thought I was crazy and/or on drugs. Whilst I admit to being just a tad eccentric, I wasn't on drugs unless you count coffee and cigarettes. I merely giggled girlishly at their comments and walked on with my beloved. My favorite comment came from a gentleman leaving work asking "Don't you hate all this premature graying going on?" as he ran a hand over his own graying head of hair. One lady did ask me if I was a member of the production and I told her "No, I just thought a trip to the Theater required dressing nicely." She laughed and we chatted for a bit in the powder room about how great the production was. And whilst I think I looked fabulous, the drag queens in the production were simply amazing.

Just a side note. This last photo was taken at Big Daddy's in Toronto. Amazing food, amazing jazz and wonderful staff.

And remember ladies: Life is an adventure. Dress accordingly.

Just an update

Such busy times for this lady here. Aside from preparing all my items for the theater, I've also been busy working on a new graphgan. It's going to be so nice when it's finished. It will be a simple black and white throw for me, or I might use it as a tapestry for the walls. If I do that though, I'll probably do it in tan color with black. Once the pattern is finished being written up, I shall post it for all to enjoy.

May your days be as delightful as mine are.

Victorian Lacy Leggings

As any proper lady will tell you, it is improper for a lady to show her ankles. What better way to prevent a gentleman from glimpsing your ankles then with a pair of ruffled lacy leggings? I first got the idea when looking for accessories for my outfit that I plan on wearing to the theater on the 20th. As I looked through various sewing patterns, I realized that some of the items I would want would take more skill then I have. Then I saw a pair of ladies drawers with ruffles around the ankles. These would be perfect except my sewing area is a little crowded with various pieces of my husband's stuff and crocheting an entire pair of drawers would be tedious. So I designed this pair of ruffled leggings. They are highly adaptable and you are more then welcome to sell them at craft shows or yard sales, I just ask that you give me credit and point any friends that would like the pattern to here. If you decide to post alternate an alternate style of ruffle for these, please point in this direction for the basis of the pattern.

And now for the pattern...

Victorian Lacy Leggings

Materials
Sport weight yarn
2 skeins white or cream main color
1 skein contrasting color
Ribbon, roughly quarter inch wide in color matching contrasting color, should long enough to be able to fit around your leg just above the knee with plenty of room to tie it in a bow. (optional)
Hook size G/4.5mm

Skill level - Beginner / Easy

Pattern Notes
- There is no gauge to worry about with this pattern.
- This pattern is made to fit my leg. The row count for the legging is for the length of my lower leg from right above the knee to the ankle. You can increase or decrease the row count if you have a longer or shorter leg.
- You may sell the items you make from this pattern but you may not take credit or sell the pattern
- This is a highly adaptable pattern. Various edgings can be used in place of the lace. If you do use alternate edgings or laces, please link back to this pattern as the framework for the leggings and only give your directions for lacing or edgings.
- The leggings are secured to your leg just below the knee with a ribbon or you may use the crocheted rope like I have.

Directions

Leggings (make 2)

Chain 55 with main color
Row 1 ~ Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each remaining chain. Turn and chain 3. (54 stitches here and throughout rest of legging.)
Row 2 ~ Double crochet in second single crochet and in each single crochet across. Turn and chain 1.
Row 3 ~ Single crochet in first double crochet and in each double crochet across. Turn and chain 1.
Row 4 - 29 ~ Repeat row 3. At the end of Row 29, turn and chain 3.
Row 30 ~ Double crochet in second single crochet and in each single crochet across. Turn and chain 3.
Row 31 - 44 ~ Repeat Row 30. At end of Row 44, fasten off unless you plan to sew up the back seam with a slip stitch or single crochet. Weave in loose ends.
Sew up back seam.

Crocheted Rope (make 2)

Chain 111 with contrasting colors. (longer if necessary)
Row 1 ~ Single crochet in second chain from hook and in each chain across. Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Lacy Ruffles

Note - Special Stitches ~
Beginning Shell - Chain 3, double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet.
Shell - 2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet

Round 1 ~ Attach contrasting yarn with a slip stitch to the first row of double crochet that is at approximately the middle of the legging. Chain 1 and single crochet around each double crochet post. Join with a slip stitch to the starting single crochet. (54 single crochet)
Round 2 ~ Chain 1. Single crochet in first single crochet. *Chain 3, single crochet in next single crochet.* Repeat from * to * all around until you reach the last single crochet of the previous row. Chain 1 and use a half double crochet to join to the first single crochet of Round 2.
Round 3 ~ Chain 1 and single crochet around the half double crochet. *Chain 3 and single crochet in middle of next chain 3 space.* Repeat from * to * around until last single crochet in a chain 3 space. Chain 1, half double crochet into first single crochet.
Round 4 ~ Repeat Round 3. Instead of joining with a chain 1, half double crochet, you will chain 3 and slip stitch into first single crochet.
Round 5 ~ Slip stitch into first chain of the chain space then chain 3. Double crochet, chain 1, two double crochet (Beginning Shell stitch). *In the next chain 3 space, 2 double crochet, chain 1, 2 double crochet(Shell stitch).* Repeat from * to * all the way around. Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 at beginning. Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Skip 5 rows of the double crochet on the leggings and repeat Rounds 1 - 5 of Lacy Ruffles. Skip 5 more rows and repeat once more.

Once leggings are completed, thread the ribbon or crocheted rope through the first row of double crochet at the top of the legging like a drawstring. Personally, I like to thread it through every five stitches but you can increase or decrease this to your preference.
　
　
　
　

Welcome to Clockwork And Crochet

I have noticed there is a distinct lack of Steampunk in the world of Crochet. Now, to a refined lady such as myself, this is not acceptable. Thankfully, needlework of all sorts is an acceptable hobby for refined ladies everywhere. Even the unrefined, coarser ladies of the lower classes can enjoy this elegant hobby.

Here, I shall post every pattern I design myself towards correcting the atrocious error of very little crochet being in the Steampunk world. And should I ever excel at it, knitting but that is a long way off. I am all thumbs when it comes to working with two needles.

And on the rare chance I find myself in possession of a pattern by a fellow Steampunk Lady or Gentleman, I shall gladly give a review of the pattern, the person and a link to them.

But for now, I must bid you all adeiu. The hour grows late and I still have my first pattern to finish up.

Until next time darlings *air smooches*