Knitting, Fiber Art, and Lofty Thoughts
In other news, I sewed a manatee bag for my sister for her birthday.
I finished knitting my Kenora Toque for The Wooly Thistleās Colorwork KAL.
Iām quite proud of my floats. Itās blocking now, and itās a tad large as my gauge is 20 stitches to 4 inches instead of 22, but close enough. Iām waiting for a black pom pom to arrive to sew on. Iāll take another pic once itās final final.
I recreated the yarn emoji. š§¶
Happy March!
Iāve got a chance. Iām takinā it. Do you remember that show? Iām old. I remember it. Is that the same guy from An American Werewolf in London? It is, isnāt it. David Naughton.
I joined The Woolly Thistleās Colorwork Accessory KAL and Iām really enjoying this slipstitch pattern Kenora Toque. Look at my loopy floats.
I donated a handknit cowl made with the merino yarn I was given in Kenya to our fundraiser silent auction at work. The winner chose vermillion for the color (one of my favorite colors!) and I dyed the yarn today.
I sewed my project bag for our Water shawl KAL. I have enough fierce merpeople fabric to sew three more bags: one for Marilee, one for Bonny, and one for…? Even the fish are giving attitude on this fabric. I love it so much. Iām making a gradient bag for Sarah. Iām not sure what Laura wants yet. Am I missing anyone? Our KAL starts March 1.
When I look at the mermaid with the ship on her head, I think about the film Revolution with Nastassja Kinski. Itās been a long time since Iāve seen that film, but I remember it having stunning costumes.
What are you making today? Are you watching any old films from your youth?
I finished my Lucky Number Cowl, otherwise known as the Litmus Cowl (Ravelry link). I really enjoyed knitting it, and I enjoy wearing it even more. It’s soft. It’s warm. It goes with everything. The colors make me happy. It doesn’t get in my way like bulkier scarves do. Yarn is Moondrake Co 2020 Advent. I have about half of my Advent yarn leftover. I may use it for matching mittens or a hat, or maybe I’ll just save it for a scrap blanket that will happen some day.
The orange and green stripe is my favorite.
It has been a bit of a rough week, but I’m looking forward to participating in The Woolly Thistle’s Colorwork Accessory Knit Along. Tomorrow is the cast on party. And starting March 1 is our Blogville Water Shawl Knit Along, which I’m really excited about.
What are you working on? Are you staying warm? Are you as grateful for warm, wooly knits right now, as I am?
I knit Bob a pair of socks for Valentineās Day! š Yarn is Barnyard Knits OOAK in Bobās favorite colors. Pattern is a basic 72-74 stitch recipe with my own modifications to fit Bobās feet.
So close! This has been such a fun knit. I can’t wait to wear it. Pattern is Litmus Cowl. Yarn is Moondrake Co Advent. I call it my Lucky Number Cowl, because there are 14 rounds in a stripe, and that’s my lucky number.
This post is an update to my post yesterday.
I am really loving my classes at KnitCity. In addition to Fair Isle Techniques with MJ Mucklestone yesterday, I took Combining Creativity and Culture with Francoise Danoy from Aroha Knits. I enjoyed learning about Maori culture and her design process. I asked her about cultural appropriation. She said she only shares Maori symbols that are okay for anyone to wear, and since she is of Maori descent, she feels supporting her with a purchase of her designs that feature Maori motifs is cultural appreciation, not appropriation, I appreciated her response to that, as it is a topic that comes up a lot in fair trade. I also fell in love with her Ocean Pathways Cowl (Ravelry link) which Iām going to add to my queue.
The happy hour with The Grocery Girls, GG Made It, and La Bien Aimee had over 500 participants! It was a lot of fun, and I think they did a good job trying to make sure everyone felt welcome and had a good time.
Yesterday was Sheep School with Anna Hunter and Shetland Hap Overview with Gudrun Johnson. I learned a lot in both classes. Iām going to start my Hansel Hap soon, and maybe start my farm life in a year or two with chickens, which Anna calls āthe gateway animalā. I also took a natural dye garden class with Caitlin Ffrench, and I learned I can use apple tree bark for pink – which I didnāt know – and our black walnut hulls and leaves in dyeing, which I knew but havenāt started collecting. These will be fun things to try that are already growing here. Weāve got a lot of work ahead already just clearing the woods and getting the garden ready for planting.
Today my classes are 5 Steps in Choosing Colors in Fair Isle Knitting with MJ Mucklestone and Wool Traceability with Anna Hunter. Iām sure they will be great. Iāve been really impressed with this event, the teachers, the content, and the professionalism of the event organizers and platform. Maybe some day Iāll be able to attend a Knit City in person!
Note to future Alissa: maybe take less classes next time? They are great but Iām feeling a little overwhelmed. Today I may attend in PJs with the camera off.
I took today off from work so I could take some classes at Knit City Virtual. My first class is Fair Isle Traditional Techniques with Mary Jane Mucklestone. So excited! Hereās my Turtledove progress. I just divided for the sleeves. It wonāt be long now! Look at those pretty increases.
Sewing
I finally finished sewing all the curtains. Adding these to the living room allowed us to rearrange the furniture, which Bob likes to do fairly regularly to rewire our brains. I was glad not have to make panels for these, although in hindsight, panels look nicer. These block out more light, though, which is nice for TV viewing.
Knitting
Iām plodding away on my Lucky Number Cowl and Turtledove. And my list keeps growing. š³
Fiber Art
I hope to finish stitching on piece number 3 today. Then next week I can frame it and lay out piece number 4.
This has been a Year of Projects Update. You can read my updated list here. You can find out more about the group here.
Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry. You might also leave a comment for me to remind me to go check my messages.
Just a reminder that our Water shawl (Ravelry link) knitalong starts in about a month. In case you need to buy yarn. (Of course you do!)
I will be sewing a water themed medium-sized project bag for all participants who complete their shawl between March and June. The bag will be the same pattern as my winter solstice project bag.
Each bag will be cotton and/or linen, fully lined, with a wave ribbon. Iāve already picked out the fabric for my bag!
I realize Merpeople with attitudes may not be for everyone, so here are some other mix and match options.
If you have a preference for your bag, let me know in the comments. Thereās a yard of each fabric so I can pretty much make any combination.
Marilee will be making stitch markers for participants who complete their shawl as well. Iām so excited! She makes the best stitch markers.
I feel that water is a great March to June theme, as the ice of winter melts into water and flows into spring.
Hereās my weekly music share, on theme.
Today is my 4 year blogversary on WordPress! This photo has nothing to do with that, but I got dressed up today and wanted to share. Itās also Friday Eve and itās been a really long week. Iām sitting next to a fire with a glass of wine and a cat on my lap. I also might have rearranged the furniture so I could be closer to the fire. One more day, then itās going to be a PJriffic weekend with lots of stitching.
