EDIT: This pattern has a typo! The correction is as follows:

Next 2 rows. SLEEVES: Cast on 15 (17,19) sts at end of each row. Work even in pattern on 111 (119, 127) sts for 6 1/2 (7, 7) inches ending at sleeve edge.

A few weeks ago, I found a sushi coupon in the mail and since it was date night anyway, Pj and I went out for dinner at our favorite sushi place. After dinner, we decided to postpone grocery shopping as long as possible and instead, went to the craft and fabric stores, just for fun. I almost bought some stuff for a new idea I had for my etsy shop but instead, I found some beautiful yarn on clearance and decided to spend a few weeks making something pretty for myself.

a peek at my yarn from my Instagram

I've never knitted with this super bulky yarn before but its so soft and the color was beautiful. I love to wear green in the winter. I find that surrounding myself in green, yellow and beautiful summer colors really helps with my seasonal depression. So, I picked up 5 skeins of this Deborah Norville Serenity yarn in Emerald and when we picked the kids up from my mother in law's house, I borrowed a couple pairs of vintage knitting needles from her Granny's knitting box.

I had no idea what I wanted to make but I was leaning towards a cardigan or a cape. I love my vintage knitted cape and thought it would be really beautiful to make one in this green. Unfortunately, I really couldn't find a pattern that I thought would suit this bulky yarn. I did, however, find my 1950s pattern book, Hats, Bags and Bulky Sweaters number 107 and it has this boxy, bulky jacket that I've had my eye on for a few years.



This fall and winter, I will be waiting at the bus stop so I wanted something cozy that I could slip into and dash out the door to get Olivia on and off the school bus. I love having big fluffy jackets and sweaters to curl up in on the couch and wear around the house. Living in a 1930s home can be very drafty in the winter and this yarn is practically blanket material! 

If you would like to knit the Gay and Casual boxy too, download the pattern for free from Dropbox.
This is a very simple, quick pattern and great for beginners to jump into.

Over the next 30 days, I'll be trying out the Brocade Underbust corset from Hourglass Angel. I've never done any serious waist training, wearing a corset all day, every day. Due to my lifestyle, I don't think I'll do anything that extreme this time around. I'll be wearing it throughout the morning and afternoon, while I do my housework and hobbies and following a smart diet and exercise plan. Let's see how it goes over the next several weeks!

I've chosen the Brocade Underbust corset , which laces up the back with steel boning throughout, which I can wear over or under most things. Since I have a short waist, I thought the 10 1/2 inch  length of this one would be good to try, nothing pinching or riding up. I like an underbust corset too, so I can wear any bra I like and the center front is gently curved at the bottom, not pointed, which is important for me for sitting comfort.


For the first week, I've been seasoning (or breaking in) my corset. I added new laces to mine. This corset comes with one lace, so you can have it tie at either the top or the bottom. I like it to tie in the middle, so I added a second lace. Seasoning a corset is so important to get yourself used to wearing it and get the corset to shape to your body over time without damaging it or hurting yourself. I've been wearing mine around the house for short periods of time, laced snug but not tight. While seasoning your corset, you should be able to fit a few fingers between yourself and the corset.



This corset is a good starting point for casual corset wearers or for costume. It has 12 flat steel bones and cotton twill lining. The brocade fabric is pretty enough to wear on the outside of your clothes. I also wanted to talk a little bit about flat steel vs spiral steel and how it changes the way the corset fits and shapes your body. There's a really fantastic article at Foundations Revealed with a comparison of the two on different body types, so you should definitely check that out when considering which type of steel would be a better fit for you.

I thought you all might enjoy this fun video from British Pathe about corsets and padding used to create the Dior New Look in the late 1940s. Check out that gal's corseted waist!



Stay tuned next week for an update on week two of 30 days of corset wearing for some before and after pics and we'll talk about eating, moving, sitting and going about your day in a corset.