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*