Tag Archives: Knitting

In My Crafty World, 1 April 2012

Posted on April 1, 2012 by | Comments Off on In My Crafty World, 1 April 2012

It’s been 2 weeks since I’ve updated y’all on how my crafty world is going….

I’ve been focusing on spinning a bit, since I’ll be traveling in April for a conference and I know I won’t have a lot of spinning time so there’s no point bringing the wheel or spindles – I can knit during a workshop pretty unobtrusively, but spinning draws attention. And I knit on planes…so I know I’ll have knitting time, which is why I’m focusing on spinning.

Also the Ravelry group for Spunky Eclectic is doing a stashdown. I took a ton of pictures of the stash I want to spin down – mostly I want to spin down the stuff that is not appealing to spin, which is the white stuff I bought for dyeing, and some random stuff I bought to see how it spins (and sometimes it’s a combination of the two).

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Remember the BFL/silk that my friend Jenn gifted to me? If you don’t, here’s a reminder:

Floating Down as fiber

The colorway is called “Floating Down”. Well, I got a 460 yards of a 15 WPI yarn from 4 oz, which is pretty good yardage:

Floating Down as yarn

As for the Color Me Pretty Sweater for my niece, it’s coming along. But it’s knitting, so I’m not really focusing on it. I did get some knitting on it done Friday night, during Tony’s gig. The sweater is full into the body now, and it’s stockinette in the round all the way for a few more inches. It will be good plane knitting. As for Tony’s gig – it was not his usual stuff, but if you want to hear all 45 minutes of awesomeness (Tony’s the one playing the piano), just download the link on this page. It’s 432 Mb so it might take a while. I hope you enjoy it!

I also worked a little more on a baby sweater for my co-worker. The baby has been here for a few weeks already! I’ll probably prioritize finishing this first, and then finishing the Color Me Pretty sweater. All this spinning is really driving home the fact that I need to knit up what I already have! It doesn’t help that I’m part of 2 spinning clubs, and get 12 oz of fiber each month. I’ll likely drop the batt club that I’m in, I’ve found that I prefer spinning top to batts….but I don’t hate spinning batts, either! I really love the yarn I get from the batts, though…mostly because I get a lot of sparkle in them. April’s shipment will be 6 months in the club…I may wait it out and do a year, who knows?

Weaving? None. But I signed up for a bi-monthly weaving club, that ships in the even months, so in 2 weeks I’ll have something to weave. Yeah, I should probably cancel my batt club, since I’m doing the weaving club.

I also spun up some mystery wool. It was white, and somewhat of a longwool, but not as coarse as Wensleydale. I want to say it’s Romney, because that’s what it feels like, but I can’t imagine when I had some white Romney around or bought some. I did have some shetland, but I recall it being more downy than what this is….anyway, there was only a little bit of it, 11g = 3/8 ounce, and I did a 2-ply and got 38 yards out of it. Then I dyed it apricot (who knew green + pink = apricot? Not me!) and it’s hanging to dry now.

Comments Off on In My Crafty World, 1 April 2012

Tagged , ,

Still Here!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by | Comments Off on Still Here!
Sock Madness Round 2 - Submitted last night
After a week of knitting and planning to exhaustion, I'm happy to sit at my computer to take a break.  I found out this morning that I've made it on to Round 3 of Sock Madness!  After completing the first sock using US 0 sized dpns, I nearly kicked myself because I'd forgotten that gauges change with cables.  My right sock ended up way too small around my ankles, but fortunately was long enough for me to continue without frogging the sock.  I plunged forward using US 2 dpns and ended up with a sock that didn't cut off my circulation a day and half later.


My first "official" pattern - Garter Stripes Cardigan
for 0 to 24 months
This particular round was interesting, as it featured an afterthought heel which I'd heard of, but never tried before.  I used to be one of those who, after reading the specs of a pattern, would not attempt a pattern if it featured a technique I didn't know.  After this past year of picking up skills left and right, I've changed that behavior.  I guess I've found that it was much easier to learn something new than it was to find a pattern with techniques I'd already mastered.  Not to mention that it makes me feel better if I make a mistake because, hey, I'm learning.


My favorite design - Falling Leaves Jumper
I'm also in the midst of putting together crafts and yarn for a few craft/vendor fairs.  One has already passed and a HUGE one is coming up on April 24 at Potowatomi Casino in Milwaukee.  I'm very excited about this one, as I'll be setting up an area almost like a booth at a yarn trade show in hopes of raising some additional capital for the shop.  After the first show, I did figure out the yarn capacity of my car and got some very funny looks while travelling.  


And as if I didn't have enough to do, I've been convinced by my mother to write a book of patterns for baby clothes.  To raise money for that venture I started a Kickstarter campaign, so if you like my designs, please contribute to the cause (and there are some great rewards out there too).  I've got quite a few sketches ready and some other ideas that need to make it onto paper, but funding is mainly to get materials for testing patterns, making swatches, paying a photographer, etc.  I have also made plans to attend the publishing workshop at Stitches Midwest in August.  I will be booking the class soon, just have to price hotel stays etc.  Wish me luck!


My son, Peanut, modeling a few of my impromptu
child hat designs.  Above - Groundhog ; Below - Packers/Sport Beanie

Comments Off on Still Here!

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Knit Local

Posted on March 31, 2012 by | Comments Off on Knit Local
If you're in the DFW area, you might really enjoy the first class fiber event going on in Grapevine this weekend:  The DFW Fiber Fest. 


President Anna Hulse (with mini mascot, Ike), has put together a wonderful event for knitters and spinners featuring lots of excellent vendors, top drawer national and local instructors, and admirable fundraising projects, all in one weekend.


Her army of volunteers makes the details come together seamlessly.  At least, I haven't heard about any seams showing.  Just today, I saw hundreds of happy spinners and knitters come through the convention center, beaming from learning new things and nabbing great bargains on treasures.


A busy home school family of knitters and crocheters takes in the sights, and takes some of the sights home with them.


Brenda, one of my former tri-loom students, shows off a gorgeous piece of weaving she completed with her homespun yarns.


We met so many wonderful friends today, and sent them home with yarns, rovings, sheep magnets and more.  We're right by the food concession, so you can stop by on your way to grab a nice bite to eat.


This evening, we were proud to help sponsor the Ravelry event, "Unraveling Ravelry," with speakers Mary-Heather and Sarah from our favorite knitting website.  The place was packed.


As much as I have loved and used Ravelry over the years, it seems there are whole truckloads of good stuff I have yet to plumb there.  We learned how much the site changes and grows, with the help of user suggestions and updated technology.  The power of this functional and aesthetically pleasing website is easy to underestimate.   Take some time to poke around on Ravelry if it's been a while since you checked out the search features, or the new abilities we have to catalog our patterns, stash, libraries, etc.


I looked down my row and spotted longtime friends of the farm, Dawn Bahr and Amy Semifero.  Ravelry has brought so many of us knitters and spinners into friendship and community.


Did I mention world-class instructors?  My spindle hero, Abby Franquemont, is here at the festival, teaching all kinds of spinning classes I should have signed up for, but didn't.  Thank the Lord she has them out on DVD, so all is not completely lost...  I hope to get the chance to thank her for her book, "Respect the Spindle" which has helped me so much advance my spindling skills.


Mary Heather visited with the hoi polloi after the presentation.  She tells me that they won't be attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year, which is where I usually run into them.  It's been fun having them in our neck of the woods this time.

Tomorrow is Day Two, of three, so I hope to spend a little time in the main vendor hall and get some more photos where the real action is.  The trick is to watch your check book while you're in that huge room of temptation.  No one is around when you need support to curb your stash enhancing.  In fact, most folks are happy to encourage you to go ahead and pick up that amazing treat.  After all, we deserve it, right?

Comments Off on Knit Local

Tagged , , , ,

Hey there Spring!

Posted on March 24, 2012 by | Comments Off on Hey there Spring!
Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12



So spring came early, huh?

This was my Dappled Nishiki willow on the 11th, just ready to pop,

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

and today it is totally leafed out and looking great.

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Because I love befores and afters, and because I can't stop myself from doing the same tedious spring posts every year, I have compiled a selection of pictures from the 11th of this month, and from today (the 24th), to show how happy our plants are here this very early spring.

One section of the daylilies on the 11th,

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

and today.

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12


Star magnolia on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

White bleeding heart on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Japanese maple on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Yarrow on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Irises coming up on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Honeysuckle on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Columbine on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Blueberries on the 11th:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/11/12

Today:

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

And a few random things too...

Strawberries survived the mild winter in the rapidly disintegrating coir hanging baskets. I guess they can just stay there another season, huh?

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

Weeeeeeeeeee little grape leaves,

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

teeeeeensy tiny lilacs,

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

raspberries and blackberries,

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

lots o' lamium and my favorite bleeding heart (shhhh, don't tell the white one in the other bed),

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

daylilies and mint in pots that never even got put away for the sorry excuse of a winter we had,

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

and new guy!

Spring Sprung early -- 03/24/12

I wanted something special for the space behind the composter and this is it: a "Blue Muffin" viburnum. I am hoping I get an okay yield on the amazing sounding berries it is supposed to get later in the season, but I do not have a cross-pollinator on my property, so we'll see. I'm sure I could be persuaded to plant another viburnum somewhere else in the yard...

In other news, I have started converting the tiny crawly hole in one of the bedroom closets into a walk-up attic (pictures soon), I am still sporadically adding to my wonderful little log cabin blanket,

haven't taken a picture in a while

the boys just keep getting bigger,

3-11-12

and we are now only two months away from Miss Lydia's arrival!

32 weeks - side

And that's all she wrote. For now anyway. :)

Comments Off on Hey there Spring!

Tagged , ,

The winter that wasn’t

Posted on March 24, 2012 by | Comments Off on The winter that wasn’t

It's been difficult to remind myself over these last few days that it's really only March!  Sometimes we'll get one randomly warm day in the very early spring, but a week of 80-degree temperatures?  Unheard of!  I wore sleeveless dresses to work these last two days....something I usually only do during July and August.  Crazy.

We didn't have much of a winter, truly.  I mean, yes, there was the giant storm at the end of October, but that was pretty much it.  We only had one real snowfall to speak of, in mid-January -- the day my grandmother came home from the hospital for the last time.  The good thing was that since we were all gathered for that, our nephew Thomas was here -- which meant that he got to introduce Ian to playing in the snow.  Who better to do it?

DSC_3678

DSC_3683

Ian LOVED the snow.  He seems to enjoy the cold -- even last winter when we went to Vermont when he was about nine months old, we noticed that he was all smiles whenever we went outside into the frigid temperatures.  Jim is beside himself with anticipation for next winter (or maybe the winter after that, if I get my way) -- he's been looking forward to teaching Ian to ski since, well, since before I even was pregnant with him.  :-)  I, however, am less thrilled about the prospect.  I'm no fun.

DSC_3685

Sadly, this was pretty much it for snow play this year.  We had a couple of other light dustings which he got to toddle around in, but there wasn't really another snowfall that lent itself to playing.

While we didn't get much snow, it was just chilly enough for a nice warm hat -- and luckily, Ian loved the one I knit for him.

Hat

Pattern: Child's Hat with Pompom, from 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders
Yarn: Malabrigo Seleccion Privada 
Needles: US7, I think? I didn't write it down!
Time: December 26, 2011 - January 5, 2012
Ravelry project page

Hat

(These pictures were taken outside in early January.  You can see how not-wintry it was!  Note that Ian's only wearing a fleece, not even a real winter coat.)

This was a quick knit, obviously, being a tiny little hat.  It only took me so long because I ripped it out and restarted it at least three or four times -- it took quite a while to find a combination of size, fabric, and pooling that I found satisfactory.  I'd like the pooling, but the hat would be way too big.  I'd like the size, but the pooling was funny.  Different needle size led to a good size, but the fabric was way too stiff....you get the idea.  I finally found a combination I was happy with, though.  I neglected to mark down which needle size finally worked, but I wound up casting on 84 stitches and working the pattern in multiples of 6 stitches instead of 8.  And, obviously, I left off the pompom.  Other than that, though, I followed the pattern.  Ian LOVED this hat, insisted on wearing it everywhere, and I think it will still fit him next year, too.  Hopefully he'll still like it!

I didn't really set out to knit my one-year-old a hat out of a $25 skein of Malabrigo (I'm generally all about the easy-care yarn for kid knits), but when I saw these colors I just couldn't resist.  What a perfect, bright, happy colorway for a little kid....and, of course, it's super-soft for his noggin.

DSC_3510

I had woolly things I kind of wanted to get to this winter, but now it's time to think ahead to spring and summer knits.  Of course, I'm certain we'll get one more snowstorm before we're truly 100% into spring.  Maybe over Easter -- it would be an appropriate counterpoint to the Halloween storm!

Comments Off on The winter that wasn’t

Tagged , , , ,

In My Fiber World, Sun Mar 18th Version

Posted on March 19, 2012 by | Comments Off on In My Fiber World, Sun Mar 18th Version

I grabbed all the pictures I’ve taken in the past few weeks, so here’s a version of what’s going on with me, based on the pictures I have. I know I just updated y’all yesterday, but today’s post has lots of pictures!

In the “knitting while traveling” series, first off is how to knit on a plane when you have a pattern:

Then there’s my answer to “how do I block a scarf in a hotel room”?

Unfortunately it’s a bit too pointy for my tastes, and I do want to re-block it:

Exactly a month ago, on Saturday, February 18th, I finished a Flower Scarf. What’s special about this scarf is that this started out as one ounce of white cashmere roving. I spun it, dyed it (with food coloring) and knit the scarf.

Here is a close-up that shows the color a little better (although it’s a bit washed out):

I acquired a loom while I was in California 2 weeks ago, and I have finished my first piece – the warp is a simple black cotton for weaving, and the weft is Noro Silk Garden sock yarn. This has not yet been blocked:

And I jumped right in and started another project – the warp is mercerized cotton and the weft is Jil Eaton CottonTail:

Here’s a more detailed shot:

I have continued to work on my niece’s Color Me Pretty sweater. I have just gotten to the point where I slip the sleeve stitches off and start working on only the body. This is the magical part of a raglan for me, as it’s when the piece actually starts looking like a sweater:

The yarn is a dark purple solid color, I’m not sure why the photo shows a gradient-type color.

Yesterday was a day full of shopping, and I picked up a seam ripper to finish getting all the cashmere I could out of the thrift store sweater I started on last week. I got the rest of the sweater pulled out and Navajo-plied it. It’s resting on the bobbin now, but I did have a full bobbin from Wednesday, which I took off, measured, bathed, and put up to dry. It dried this morning, and it’s close to 600 yards of what looks like a sock-weight yarn (I haven’t measured WPI yet, but it’s 3.75 ounces, or 109 grams):

I have been spinning more of the Hello Yarn BFL/silk that I talked about yesterday. I also took pictures of the fiber – here’s the fiber as a bump:

I think the colors show better as a braid, though:

I’ve spun up almost half (2 ounces). I’m thinking I might do a 2×2 cable with this yarn, but I’m not 100% sure. I will have to sample. I worry that the colors will muddy, but I think as a cable it will be more heathered. I’ve just split the yarn lengthwise into 4 parts, so there’s no fancy fractal spinning going on or anything, but I’m sure I didn’t divide it exactly equally.

Comments Off on In My Fiber World, Sun Mar 18th Version

Tagged , , ,

In My Fiber World, Sat Mar 17th

Posted on March 17, 2012 by | Comments Off on In My Fiber World, Sat Mar 17th

I posted about 2 weeks ago about what I was doing. My status is still the same, on the works in project – I have to re-block the Sagrantino Shawl, I have to cast on for the 2nd Monkey Sock, and I’m still working on the Crooked Little Scarf.

Cascade finally shipped the yarn I needed to make the Color Me Pretty sweater I want to make for my niece — because a few months ago, I showed her a sweater I was wearing that I knit and she said, “Aunt Sheeri, will you knit me something?” How could I say no? And then a few minutes later she said, “I have a secret to tell you. My favorite color is pink.” Which is not really a secret, but was really cute anyway. This is a top-down raglan sweater, and I have done the yoke so far and am just a few rows away from splitting off the sleeves:

I can’t wait to finish it!

I have also started spinning some fiber gifted to me when I was down in the dumps by my friend Jenn, who is not only a superb human being, but also has an entry in the JMF design contest. You should vote for her!

Comments Off on In My Fiber World, Sat Mar 17th

Tagged

Loopy Wicker Cowl

Posted on March 16, 2012 by | Comments Off on Loopy Wicker Cowl

I created the Loopy Wicker Cowl for the Juniper Moon Farm Design Contest. The basic guidelines were to use up to 2 balls of either Willa or Chadwick. This is a very quick knit, I made both the single and 2-color version in a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. It is also very warm and soft. You could easily adapt this pattern to be wider, it works on a 6-stitch repeat with 1 stitch on either side (so multiples of 6, plus 2 stitches).


And special thanks to photographer Susan Gibbs and model Caroline Fryar of Juniper Moon Farm for allowing me to republish this photo from the blog post about the contest finalists:

Loopy Wicker Cowl
Size – one size fits most adults

Materials:
1 ball Chadwick
(if making the 2-color version, 2 balls Chadwick)
This pattern uses 70-80 yards of yarn in total.

Size 8 (US) needles
1 button

Gauge: 18 sts and 27 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette

Pattern notes: On the odd numbered rows, the yarn is wrapped twice around the needle when purling. These extra wraps are dropped in the even numbered rows and are what makes the long loops that form the wicker-like pattern.

Cast on 26 stitches.

Row 1 (WS): Purl entire row, wrapping the yarn twice around the needle when making the purl stitch.

Row 2 (RS): Dropping each extra wrap, K1, *sl 3 to cable needle and hold in back, k3, k3 from cable needle, repeat from * until 1 st remains. K1.

Row 3: same as row 1

Row 4: Dropping each extra wrap, K4, *sl 3 to cable needle and hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle, repeat from * until 4 sts remain. K4.

Repeat rows 1-4 until the cowl is 20 inches long (50 cm). Bind off by purling. Finishing by sewing a button on one end.

To make the 2-color version, cast on 10 stitches in main color, then 6 stitches in contrast color, then 10 stitches in main color. Follow the pattern as written but always use the same color to knit as the stitch below is.

Comments Off on Loopy Wicker Cowl

Tagged ,

How To Do Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel

Posted on March 12, 2012 by | Comments Off on How To Do Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel

I taught this at FiberCamp this past weekend, and since I made a handout I figured why not share it with you?

I made the handout based on what I learned from Cat Bordhi’s own video at http://bit.ly/sweettomheel. I bought Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel Socks: an ebook after making the instructions – I bought the book because I love the Sweet Tomato Heel and even though I already know how to do it, the book currently has 63 pages (62 plus a title page) and right now has 9 patterns – there will be 11 total, and folks who purchase the book get the updates, so whenever those last 2 patterns come out you will get them. The book also has great troubleshooting information and a few versions of the Sweet Tomato Heel, like the padded sweet tomato heel.

Buying the book was my way of saying “Thanks, Cat!” I understand that not everyone can do this, and that’s OK. I feel it’s OK to share this information because Cat herself shares it in a free YouTube video. I waited until after I wrote up the instructions so I wasn’t tempted to use the same language Cat did in the book, and thus plagiarize. If there is a problem, please definitely contact me, and I will change or take down whatever material is objectionable.

You can download the PDF of the instructions I wrote up for how to do Cat Bordhi‘s Sweet Tomato Heel.

Comments Off on How To Do Cat Bordhi’s Sweet Tomato Heel

Tagged ,

knitting is good

Posted on March 10, 2012 by | Comments Off on knitting is good
Alas, it was inevitable that I’d have at least one casualty in Project: UFO, but my Nutkin socks were not what I expected to end up frogging.  The beginning fit great… the Spunky in Mermaid was awesome… but somewhere along the line my tension went all crazy ass tight.  I’ve been wracking my brain trying […]

Comments Off on knitting is good

Tagged