Lost in translation

My favourite Ottobre issues are Spring & Autumn. This is because I'm in the Southern Hemisphere, so I get instant use of these issues. The Winter & Summer issues I usually wait 5-6 months before I can use them. The latest issue - Autumn 4/2010 is really lovely. I've already made 4 items, and have a 5th on the go, and I've had the issue about 1 month.

First up is the #1 "Papana" raglan T-shirt, for M. I often like to work out what the name is in English, but in this case, I'm really not sure it's the best idea... Papana is apparently rabbit poo!


This is made from a merino mix fabric - the kind that sports wear is made from. It's odd because it doesn't feel like merino, but when you get it wet or iron it, it has that woollen smell.

I was drawn to this style because of the ribbon trim - anything for an excuse to use my farbenmix ribbons. E helped pick out which ones to use. In reality, this meant that she took all the pink / flowery ones away to admire, so I used what was left!

Next is the #5 Loikka raglan t-shirt. Loikka apparently means bounce or stride. I like this name more!

It's not only made from the same fabric, but 4 of the 5 pattern pieces are the same as the Rabbit Poo t-shirt. I use snaps instead of buttons, and had a bit of trouble with the placement, and had to remove the first set... luckily that was on the "facing" side, so not visible. I left off the topstitching because my topstitching isn't very good, and I usually have to unpick it - this fabric doesn't like that kind of treatment... it pulls a bit.

Again with the ribbons...

Last up is #3 Rusakko sweatpants. (Rusakko = Hare... maybe the owner of the papana?)
I love the fit of these pants. The panels were a bit fiddly to do... really hard to get the gathering anywhere near even with a slightly bulky fabric. I wasn't that happy when I'd finished them, but they look cute and comfortable when on, so I've warmed them. Less warm about the fact that they've been worn once, and already have some miscellanous blue stain on them.

And because I haven't got any modelled pictures yet, here is a picture of a previous item:

The top is also Ottobre, 06/2008... it's just about too small now.