Category: design

Vintersoll Final

Posted on Posted in design, knitting, sweatersTagged , , 18 Comments
New Magpie Color
It works!

I want to thank everyone for their input. I finally went with Solstice DK in Desert Rose, which is a warm pink. I loved the walnut but didn’t trust myself to dye it. I think Kathy mentioned peach and it stuck with me.

Four Colors? I love these together.
Hmm…

I noticed some people are adding a fourth color to their Vintersoll. This is Solstice DK in Wicked Game. I like the addition, but I will have to think about if I really want to knit four colors. I have an alternate plan for this yarn if not.

And it’s good I have an extra skein or two because I am playing yarn chicken with Arachne and I may be losing. I’m a loose knitter, which is why I’m knitting Vintersoll in DK instead of worsted.

Virtual Knit this Sunday? 1PM EDT? DM your Skype ID to me if you are new? Hmm??? Silliness aside, I NEED my Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit time. It’s my only social activity aside from when kids come to visit.

Vintersoll: A Color Game

Posted on Posted in design, knitting, sweaters, what makes me tickTagged , 11 Comments

Original Vintersoll design by Jennifer Steingass

The teal will be the main color. I have an extra hank of Solstice DK, and I can dye it any color I want! (Mwah-ha-ha!)

I wanted this rust to work, but the color values are too close. Although if I used the cream for the motifs, it might be fine.

Eggplant would work.

If the brown were a little darker, it would work. I really like the brown.

This could work, and I would probably choose this if I wanted to use a variegated yarn. But –admitting to a knitting quirk — I don’t like to mix fiber content. I’d prefer to dye the Solstice DK.

The light gray surprised me. It would work.

Same with the organic walnut.

What do you think? Leave your vote in the comments!

This is my favorite part of knitting. It’s why I have so many projects on my list! If you look at the projects on Ravelry for this design, you’ll see all sorts of gorgeous combinations!

A Scarf for Hans

Posted on Posted in design, knitting, scarves and cowls13 Comments
Hans’ Scarf Design Schematic

Hans has asked me to knit him a scarf. The symbols/lines have something to do with music. I asked him to draw the scarf so I would understand what he had in mind. He’s asked for it to be navy and gray, and we chose Woolfolk Far for its softness.

I’m not sure how to knit this. The background is gray and the designs are navy. Should I raise them in purls? Brioche? I guess I have some swatching to do!

Year of Projects 2020-2021

Posted on Posted in art, design, finished objects, knitting, sewing, Year of ProjectsTagged 35 Comments
I made my own header image for YOP because I’m extra that way.

I decided to jump in and join Year of Projects. I have been inspired by Liz’s updates, and I thought it might be good motivation for me to blog along with my ever expanding, massive list. I read the group rules, and it seems pretty easy going, so if I fail (indubitably) it will be no big deal.

Without further ado, here’s my list!

Fiber Art

“Sunbleach” 2019
  1. I have a group show in November 2020, and I need to create a piece or small group of pieces for this. I have some ideas.
  2. I have a solo show in September 2021, and I need to make a body of work for this show. If I start on this now, it feels doable. I have some ideas. Once I have a firm concept for the show, I’ll make a sub-list of pieces.

Knitting

Deschain Tee in Quince and Co Kestral

Oh dear. Hold on to your butts. If it is on this list, it means I have the yarn.

  1. Pride Socks. Just one sock to go!
  2. Purple emPower Bandaner. Almost done! This is a gift, so I probably won’t post an update until it’s been gifted.
  3. Shetland Tweed Throw. This is coming along. It’s enjoyable TV knitting.
  4. Arachne. Deadline Halloween, of course.
  5. Franca. For my Mom. I caked all the yarn today! This is unusual for me. I usually only cake up one or two hanks. But winding the yarn has become a real chore for me in my new house. I don’t have a permanent setup for it. So I decided to wind them all.
  6. Peerie Flooers. I have the J&S Shetland yarn for the original version of this that you can see in the show Shetland.
  7. Four Square Cowl. I could knock this out if I focused on it for a week. I would love to wear it this fall.
  8. Farmhouse Cardigan. This is the sweater I was so excited to get the Black Welsh Mountain yarn for. What an investment! But I cast on, made a mistake in my knitting, frogged it, and now it’s all sitting in a bag waiting to be cast on again.
  9. Midnight Merino Raglan. When I found out the pattern has you knit the pieces separately and sew them together, I lost interest. But hey. It’s my knitting and I can do it however I want! I need to remember that.
  10. Celtic Myths Shawl. I am so close to finishing this.
  11. Celtic Tree Handwarmers. I haven’t swatched or cast on yet, but would love to have them done by fall.
  12. Gryffindor Winter Ferns Hat. I haven’t swatched or cast on.
  13. Mistletoe Kisses Socks. These were supposed to be for the Christmas in July KAL, but since socks are my least favorite thing to knit, if I get them done by Christmas in December, I’ll consider it a win.
  14. The Oa. Cast on but languishing. I still want to knit it. In other words, I won’t be frogging it.
  15. Teal Niamh. I purchased some Nomad Noos High Mountain Yak yarn for this in a moment of weakness. At least I got the Fruity Knitting discount.
  16. Pink Rhodes. My goal for this is to cast on in January or February so it will be wafting-ready by April or May.
  17. Con Alma. Next spring?
  18. Seavaiger. Oh yes I did.
  19. Shoalwater Shawl. (Starting to sweat.)
  20. Oxbow Cardigan. Sarah is running a KAL for this in November, and I have red Fibre Co Arranmore tweed yarn for it. Will I knit it this year? Who knows?
  21. Hot Waffles Hat and Mitts. I have some beautiful blue yarn for this.
  22. Sunset Slouch.
  23. Cabin Kitchen Towel Set.
  24. A Scarf for Hans.
  25. Pumpkin Spice Latte socks.

HAHAHA there is no way I will finish all of these projects in 2020-2021. But at least they are on a list now. And yes, I still have more yarn!

Knitting Design

My goal for design is to sketch a design 5 days each week, and knit one of my own designs in this 2020-2021 year. It can be anything. It might be a headband. It is not allowed to be a blue beanie.

Sewing

Enchanted Kimono Robe
  1. Yates Coat in navy wool.
  2. Cotton Twill Ottobre Cargo Pants. I have navy stretch twill and gray twill fabric for these.
  3. Poudre linen curtains. The linen is a very soft pink. We are just waiting on the curtain rods and I will get started. Yay, more rectangles and straight lines to sew!
  4. Coffee filters. I use a pour over and I have been using muslin bags to filter the coffee and it is such a mess! I have some organic hemp and cotton on the way. This should be a quick and gratifying make.
  5. Sew something amazing with this plaid flannel!
  6. Vintage Halloween Rachel shirt.

Fiddle

My Music Journal and New Strings
  1. String my violin.
  2. Sign up for online lessons.
  3. Daily practice.
  4. Weekly lesson.
  5. By June 30, 2021 I want to be able to video myself playing a song for you. Don’t get too excited. It will probably be a very basic song. But once I surprised my friends (and myself) by launching into an improv version of Three Blind Mice. So who knows?

Tapestry Weaving

Remember way back in November 2019 when I purchased a tapestry loom? I also dyed some Cotswald SE2SE yarn with turmeric and it came out so beautiful. Well, I want to weave some placemats with it. The gold will look hideous with our pink tile, so maybe they will be gifted.

I think I may be on the 10 year plan for Year of Projects.

A Matter of Practice

Posted on Posted in design, knitting, lofty thoughtsTagged , 2 Comments

You may remember me saying I should sketch a knitting design every day as a matter of practice. Today is Day 1. I received a new journal in the mail, and today I wrote my first pages and made my first sketch.

I like this design. I would enjoy knitting it and wearing it. The sketch isn’t showing the increases to make the gently flared sleeves and body, so I’m assuming those are happening along the sides and insides of the sleeves.

Here’s another design I like from Interweave’s Wool Studio. I may knit this one someday.

I am looking forward to practicing my violin when my new strings arrive. I’m also practicing exercise and good eating habits.

Practice is having faith that if you focus enough on something, what you desire will manifest. But I must remember to take a day off to stare at the trees. I guess that’s a matter of practice, too.

Creation Hive Knitters

Posted on Posted in design, field trips, hats, knittingTagged , , , 4 Comments

This week I’ve been at Creation Hive looking at products and talking product development. Today we talked woolens, and as I had suspected, they are accomplished knitters!

Jane, middle, and Jacqueline, right, picked up my Bousta Beanie in Milarrochy Tweed and carried on where I left off. Jane then cast on her own hat using locally produced wool yarn. They don’t have circular needles here, but we’ve found a source for them.

I have great faith in these ladies developing a line of Fair Trade woolens in Kenyan merino wool yarn! It will support their textile economy as well. It’s a great solution and I’m thrilled to have played my little part in it. I can’t wait to see their creations and to bring them to the US through Global Gifts!

Vintage Is as Vintage Does

Posted on Posted in design, inspirationTagged , , , 16 Comments

Yesterday I received The Vintage Shetland Project in the mail. What a glorious book! Quiteayarnblog had posted about it and I knew it would be for me. It has knitting, history, and patterns! But my real reason for mentioning it is I want to ask you a very important question. Do you think I can pull off wearing puffy sleeves?

I know we all say, “You can wear anything you want!” But honestly, I think I may feel ancient if I dress in — what appears to me to be — a rather old fashioned style. I loved to dress vintage when I was younger, and it was easy for me to pull off. I think I may also have had a sweater like this when I was in my 20s.

Maybe I’ll start with the mitten pattern and use my Fairlight Fibers gift card. I’ll add it to my queue anyway.

Aren’t pics of images funny? How they distort and skew but seem real? There’s an art project in there. Postmodernism at its finest. It’s probably been done.

Today I was thinking I might challenge myself to sketch a design for a knitting pattern every day. That would be good practice.

Here’s a knitting fashion quiz for you:

1. Do you think it’s true “if you wore it the first time around, you shouldn’t wear it the second (or third) time around?”

2. Do you believe there is a “first time around” anymore? Have you seen fashion produce anything new lately that you would like to wear?

3. Do you knit things you would never wear just because you want to knit them? Do you gift them afterward?

Here are my answers:

1. As I get older, my experience is that I don’t look (or feel) good in retro or vintage styles like I did when I was younger. I look and feel better in classic and/or modern but more sophisticated clothing. In other words, my Mother was right.

But I will never get rid of my overalls!

2. I haven’t seen anything new in fashion since the 80s. Everything is a rehash, except the jeans with the clear plastic over the butt cheeks and I wouldn’t wear that. (ETA: Bob thinks this was only in a movie, but I thought someone tried to make it a fashion after that.)

3. I only knit apparel I have in mind for someone to use and enjoy. I love beautiful things but I am prosaically practical. I do occasionally knit art that is for looking at and contemplating, although it’s been a while.

Please leave your answers in the comments, or on your blog and let us know!

Craft Corner

Posted on Posted in design, hats, toolsTagged , , 16 Comments

Bob and I got rid of an old couch we don’t need anymore and turned a corner of the living room into my craft corner. I’ve already broken it in with some jeans hemming. I foresee the shelves on the right slowly being taken over by craft supplies.

Just in case you were wondering, this is my tassel maker set from Katrinkles. I don’t make tassels very often, but these are so adorable I had to have them. I also signed up for her stitch marker of the month club!

Thanks to everyone who suggested I should color in the Winter’s Fern chart. Since the gold is my favorite color of the three, I made it the main color.

You would think someone with a degree in art would spend more time coloring, drawing, and sketching. But that is never something I think to do. I will try to do more of it when I am planning projects.

I’m going to finish up my Tread Hats and then start my Jessica Jones Cowl. What are you working on?

Artist Date Sunday

Posted on Posted in art, design, inspiration, knitting, sewing, tools, what makes me tickTagged , , 4 Comments

Today I took myself on an artist date to a couple of galleries in the Short North, an arts district in Columbus. It was a special day – Sunday Bazaar- when artists are working or talking about their work in the galleries and shops.

At Studios on High, an artists’ cooperative, I met Jennifer Jolley Brown, a printmaker. She was trying a new medium for her, woodcut.

We enjoyed chatting about art and life, and I love this image she is working on. She gave me some woodcutting tips in case I should ever try it. I must look like a serial enthusiast. (Is it that obvious?)

Then I came back to my studio and stewed in my juices a bit. After a long leisurely stare out the window, I opened my new planner/journal.

I had this binder made on Zazzle. This is a Carl Larsson painting. The knitting on the table and the textile on the chair, which must be Karin’s, inspire me. Really, the whole thing inspires me. It’s a home scene but so light and colorful — how I would like for my home to be.

I worked a little in my wardrobe planner. My aspirations are so modest here. Surely this is possible!

I was inspired enough to trace and cut out the Ottobre jeans.

The plaid is for the pocket bags.

I missed a few days blogging, but I did catch up on your blogs today!