Wick (D Gillies): Week 30, 18 August

Earlier this week, a story in a radio news bulletin caught my attention.  It should bolster the spirits of all those who hate going to the dentist. Researchers at King’s College London have discovered that toothpaste containing keratin can repair tooth enamel:

“The King’s College London team of scientists discovered that keratin produces a protective coating that mimics the structure and function of natural enamel when it comes into contact with minerals in saliva.”

While this is amazing of itself, I also wonder how they made the leap from protein fibres to applying them to teeth to repair enamel. 

Study in Black & White

These past few weeks, I’ve also been concentrating on a sewing project.  It’s a sleeveless coat using a costume pattern based on a man’s coat from the mid 18^th C.  Think ‘Outlander’.  While the pattern itself is straightforward, I’m making changes.  The most significant are to add pockets, lots of them – four in the lining and two ‘hand-warmer’ ones on the exterior.  The pattern only has two large, flapped pockets at hip level on the exterior.

Swirl of Michaelmas Daisies

A heavily pocketed sleeveless vest is a garment I’ve made repeatedly over the past 25 years.  They are perfect for wearing in the warmer months.  All your stuff can go into pockets meaning you needn’t lug a handbag.  I first got the idea after seeing a pattern on the internet – the ‘Shoppers’ Vest’ (https://saf-t-pockets.com/shoppers-vest-9500/).  The first was reversible.  When it was time to make the second, I realised that I’d never used the reversibility, and since then they’ve all been unreversible.  I varied the second by making it knee length.  The third had an appliquéd design.  The fourth was made using a different pattern entirely, although I used the original pattern as a guide to pocket placement.  I’d also planned to make detachable sleeves for the fourth, to extend its use into spring and autumn, but never did. 

Dancing Stem

Every seven or eight years, the current one wears out and is retired, and after 8 years of faithful service the fourth is due for replacement.  It will indeed be very different from the first inspiration, with fewer pockets, detachable sleeves, a stand collar, and sturdier, more tailored construction.  It’s been taking a long time because of the amount of hand sewing involved.  But I reason that it’ll be worn for years to come, and the better it’s made now, the longer it will last.

Ripening Fruit

And at long last, the gansey is done, and it can be seen above in all its unblocked glory.  I put in an extra spurt on Sunday morning and finished it in time for the weekly progress pics.  There’s still some problem solving to do – the extra long gussets will need to be taken care of. But I’m pleased that it’s completed at last.  I even have a full ball of yarn plus a few yards left over – there was no need to panic buy extra all those months ago.  As for the next, I’ve chosen the colour – Frangipani Greystone – but not the pattern.  I can get started on the ribbing while I make up my mind.