Lining....

When Lizard ridge was published in Knitty in 2006, I couldn't wait to get it on my needles.  Look at those colors!!!  Kureyon and the long color changes was so much fun to use....collecting a skein here and another there at yarn stores around the country was also much fun.  It was gorgeous when it was done.

Well.  One side was gorgeous.

I carefully folded it up and stuck it in my cedar chest, and it's been out of sight (out of mind) for the past 8 years.  

BUT.....today was the day to drag it out again.  And drag out the sewing machine.  And take a little dive in the fabric stash that survived the last purge.

I had a little help.  (I don't have a #12 on that ruler anymore)

 

While Freddy thought the blanket was pretty darn perfect just the way it was....

I still thought the wrong side was an eyesore---and, it was itchy.  A lining had to be an improvement.  This was sort of tricky.  Knitted fabric (especially something in worsted weight) is going to have quite a bit of give.  Woven fabric will have none.  How to get the lining just right?  I verified that a loosey-goosey overcast stitch was the correct way to sew the lining on, allowing some (make that a teeny-tiny ) stretch.... but how to line up the lining and blanket?  If the lining is too little, the whole blanket will curl in.  Too big? The whole thing will be wonkey.

Being the ace seamstress that I am....I found a tablecloth I had sewn a few years ago and decided this.is.going.to.work.  I had to add a bit of length to each end with some plain colored fabric, but overall, that tablecloth did the trick.  On to the hand sewing where I gave the requisite amount of blood to the work.  (Does anyone else have problems with straight pins?)

And...

TA-DAH!!!

 

It's far from perfect.

 

but it's not in the cedar chest anymore.

Comments

[MelissaPurls]

It looks great!

[Tracey]

Far from perfect? Ah, it looks pretty prefect to me, I love it!
And don't worry about not having a 12, it's over rated anyway ;)

[rusty duck]

It is beautiful.
And how often do you need the full length of a twelve inch rule, huh? HUH?

[kathy b]

I think it is amazing. Lined and soft and colorful. Wonderful finish

[Genie]

Well, you never cease to amaze me! Add stage presence to your talents.

[Marilyn Ann Denton]

It is beautiful!!

[tanna]

I love it, Steph! I'm on the trail of making use of the unfinished... doing what is necessary to make some things useful or out they go! ;) Great job. I can tell Freddie didn't care either way, but he should be well pleased that it is out of the chest! blessings ~ tanna

[Angela]

Looks fantastic to me! Beautiful blanket! Freddie makes me laugh!

[Katie @ Life With The Crew]

Great job! It is perfect for these dreary winter days. I love the purple scalloped edging. Doesn't it feel fantastic to put something into use that was just taking up space before?!

[Laura]

That backing is the perfect compliment! I love how the two came together!

[Camilla]

Oh my...
I LOVE THIS!!!!!
the beautiful saturated colors and design, what a lovely addition to your home.

[karen]

I love the lining and maybe I'll have to do this to my scrap sock blanket when it is finished. Maybe not, but I like the idea. I never ever tire of seeing Freddy!!

[Alina]

Freddy is the best! And your work is spectacular! How much time did it take you to finish it?

[steph@woolythyme]

the lining only took about an hour to put in---remember....the 'tablecloth' was already hemmed and all!!  I think I dragged out the knitting, though, for months!

[Alina]

All the work was so worth it!

[Andrew]

it looks amazing.

[Iris]

It looks amazing, and I love the idea of the fabric backing!

I have nominated you for a Liebster award - I realise you probably have more than 200 followers, but if you want to participate anyway you can find the questions on my blog. :)

[Tracy]

Ah, Freddie... he's such a good boy, wanting to help like that. And he probably things the rest of us can't read either--so who needs #12. ;o) But NICE idea with the lining--what a great result! The blanket is GORGEOUS--those are some happy colors! I think that's why I've never really done a knitted blanket before--the back looking kind of... meh... you know? This give knit blanket a whole new sparkle! And Freddy looks so pleased too ;o) Our pets are always sure to let us know when something's a good thing... LOL! Have a great week, Steph ((HUGS))

[DIane]

it's beautiful and I'm so impressed you lined it!

[Caffeine Girl]

It came out beautifully. I wish I could sew well enough to line things.

I am so impressed that you finished a WIP that was that old! May you be an inspiration to the rest of us!

[Tahnee]

Wow that is fantastic! Such a shame it was in a chest for so long. And what would you do without so much great help from Freddy?

[Anne at Shintangle Studio]

I'm swooning over your Noro blanket: what a great way to use those spectacular colour shifts Noro gives us. I want to start my own immediately. Not that I have the yarn, or anything, but I can dream, right? I'm not bothered by the feel of Noro, but I adore the fabric you chose for your lining. And I too love the purple scallopy border. Nicely done!

[Debby]

Oh it was much to beautiful to have been hiding in the cedar chest for all those years. I love the cushion cover/pillow too. Did you make that too?
dx

[steph@woolythyme]

what to do with all those embroidered pieces??  Yep.  That was done a couple years ago.  It's Freddy's favorite.  :)

[Jennifer Miller]

What a fabulous idea to cover the back of it with fabric. With my less than stellar sewing skills that would be most difficult for me, but I'll tuck it away in my memory bank for future use... Freddy looks like he is quite at home on it though!