Makes for the Boys

A few knit fabric practical sportswear I made for the men in my family. These are patterns that I've used many times and I've tweaked enough to fit the recipients.

First - two joggers for husband and son. The fabric and the pattern are the same, cotton and viscose, very light french terry for the home office in the summer months. The pattern is Jack by Vikisews, which i bought for husband, when he was a size bigger. Being lazy and thrifty in the best way :), I just adjusted the width to fit his new size (-1 cm from all parts, a total of -4 cm). 

I've tried several other men's joggers before, Burga and Shkatulka, but Jack from Vikisews is the best, in my opinion. My husband prefers his joggers with an elastic at the ankles, so I added coordinated grey rib knit.

Pattern: Jack by Vikisews

Size: 44 (L) Height: 178-184 cm

Fabric: cotton viscose French terry

Time to make: 5 days

The second pair is for our son, his has straight legs without the rib knit and is one size smaller - so I removed -2 cm width from every pattern piece, a total of -8 cm. I also had to add some length to the legs, to compensate for the lack of rib hems.

Pattern: Jack by Vikisews

Size: 42 (M) Height: 178-184 cm

Fabric: cotton viscose French terry

Time to make: two weeks

The third make is for my father - a long sleeve blouse. I've made this pattern many times for the boys, this time I chose the biggest Burda size - 54. The fabric is very soft and stretchy cotton with lycra.

Pattern: Burda #132 from 12 / 2020

Size: 54 with with added length

Fabric: cotton knit with lycra

Time to make: 4 days

I made some of my usual mods - I added a small pocket for interest, I also added cuffs to the sleeves and finished the neck, using my favourite method with a contrast knit fabric tape. I hope it fits well.

Baylovo 2026

According to weather forecasts, Thursday was to be the only day of the week without rain or thunderstorms, so we decided to free it and have a nice trip in the Sofia valley. 

We drove to the village of Baylovo and hiked to Spasova mogila, along the country roads and field tracks, enjoying the strong sun and the solitude of the vast crop fields. 

The landscape around Baylovo is really amazing and totally worth the one hour drive, half of which takes us through busy city boulevards and heavy traffic - not a tiny price for the peace and quiet of Elin Pelin's native village.

Hike info:

Date: 14 May 2026 

Destination: St Spas Chapel

Mountain: Spasova Mogila

Total length: 12 km

Elevation gain: 80 m

Total duration (plus rest): 3 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 2 / 10 

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: men's boxers, Burda Cargo pants, Burda longsleeve

I:  lingerie, Burda blouse, legwarmers

The chapel on Spasova mogila

The wild lilacs are already in bloom

On a lazy sunny Thursday midday the fields and tracks were completely empty, but for a lonely tractor very far away in the fields and the birds, singing their small hearts out from the bushes and trees around the land.

We sat on the hill and spent at least an hour, basking in the sun, watching the fields and the mountains in the distance and enjoying our delicious tortillas. 

On the way back we went down Spasova mogila towards Golema Rakovitza and then returned to Baylovo along the country road between the two villages, thus making the hike circular.

Yellowhammer (жълта овесарка) - pity, that my phone can't take a better picture from afar

After returning to the village, we took a short walk along the streets - Elin Pelin's house

The village church, where Dobre Dobrev, called by some the Saint of Baylovo, was buried.

The museum of Elin Pelin

We returned through an alternative route by Ognyanovo Dam, making not only the hike, but the ride to Baylovo circular as well.

Simeonovo - Dragalevski Monastery

The first days of May came with Gaby and cold weather, unrelated :) Despite the biting cold, we managed to squeeze a hike, literally between the raindrops, on Saturday and drove to Simeonovo, one of the residential areas of Sofia at the skirts of Vitosha mountain. 

The beech forest was already wearing its green spring uniform and was beautiful and enchanting. The cold rain, however, had turned into snow during the night and there were scattered patches of snow on the grass and a few fallen blooming trees. 

The sun was partial, mostly hidden behind the clouds, the air was cold, but the brisk pace and the engaging conversation with our daughter kept us quite warm.

Hike info:

Date: 02 May 2026

Destination: Dragalevski Monastery

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 13 km

Elevation gain: 310 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 4 hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

The trail is very pleasant and almost level, most of it is part of the low altitude Vitosha circuit.

The Aleko waterfall - after all the snow and rain this winter, the rivers are quite full watered.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

Husband: boxers, Burda blouse, Burda cargo pants

I: lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, leg warmers

Gaby: lingerie, Sinclair Journey jacket, knitted hat 

We had our picnic at the picnic area near the Dragalevski monastery, enjoying delicious tortillas, herbal tea and coffee together with lovely table talk. 

We had a quick walk around the monastery grounds and headed back to the car along the same trail. 

The Aleko waterfall again, from another angle

Despite the forecast for rain, the clouds held tight and the rain started only after we were already in the car on our way back home. A very enjoyable hike, even with the unusual May cold.

Dupevitza April 2026

Again on Dupevitza - mostly, because I wanted to fill our bottles with the delicious mineral water of Gorna Banya, but also, because the hike is lovely, the car ride is short and late April low mountains are gorgeous.

Based on weather forecast, we chose Saturday as the bast day for our hike - sunny, warm and low speed wind - perfect hiking spring weather.

The old barracks on the peak

Hike info:

Date: 25 April 2026

Destination: round trail to peak Dupevitza

Mountain: Lulin

Total length: 10 km

Elevation gain: 320 m

Total duration (plus picnic): 3 and half hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

We had our lunch on the tables on the peak, our tortillas and beer were tasty and scrumptious with the gorgeous views under the warm sun.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, blue longsleeve, cargo pants

I: lingerie, Sinclair Lotte sweater, leg warmers

The forests in the low mountains are leafing out, the wild fruit trees and bushes are all in bloom, the grass is taking over the meadows and the carpet of old brown leaves is being replaced with greenery and flowers.

This trail is abundant with nettles and I picked a whole bag of young cuttings, which I intend to turn into nettles quiche and shakshuka.

All Saints chappel

St. Cyril and Methodius Monastery