Category: design

Wednesday WIPs: a Mid-Week YOP Update

Posted on Posted in design, dyeing, field trips, knitting, life, Works in Progress (WIPs), yarn, Year of ProjectsTagged , , , , , , 21 Comments

My weekends have been fairly busy, and I haven’t been able to post a Year of Projects update in a bit. So here’s a combo post!

Knitting

I am working on sport weight socks for Bob, a Halloween cardigan, and my Arrowhead cardigan. The yarn shown in the featured image is from my stash and will be used in a Summer Solstice Ambah knitalong. I am also working on my knitting pattern design for the Volunteer Sunflowers yarn mystery box.

The Halloween cardigan is from the Fall Favorites Collection, Pumqueen version. The yarn is Cascade BFL, which I am really enjoying working with. I’m modifying the pattern to be a cardigan with a steek.

Sewing

I am focusing on project bags right now. I hope to have a finish to show by Friday. But I did sew matching KISS pajama shorts for Bob and me.

Dyeing

I continue to experiment. I am mostly focusing on the Volunteer Sunflowers yarn mystery box yarn. Only one week left to order. Please share with people you think would be interested!

Spinning

I haven’t been doing this. I hope to start back up next month.

In other news:

We have two baby groundhogs in the garden right now. They are so cute.

We enjoyed our trip to ParaPsyCon III at the Ohio State Reformatory. Very creepy and lots of fun!

Planning a Gansey

Posted on Posted in design, knitting, sweatersTagged , 19 Comments

I’ve had the book Knitted Ganseys by Beth Brown-Reinsel for such a long time. I have always wanted to design my own gansey and knit it using the guidelines in the book.

In the spirit of “conserve” (my word for 2022) instead of buying yarn, I begrudgingly trawled my stash for something appropriate. This Quince and Co Tern in Sea Star is fingering weight, but close enough to sport, especially with my loose knitting. Since the content is wool and silk, I knit a swatch to see if the stitches would be crisp enough for a gansey, and I think it works. It will be a nice, light, spring gansey. And, yes, I will probably put an anchor on it somewhere. I’m thinking ladders, wedding lines, a tree of life, and an anchor in a quiet spot. As someone who has moved from place to place throughout my life, an anchor is a symbol that is meaningful to me, even though I don’t live a nautical life.

Have you ever wanted to knit a gansey? If so, are there any symbols that are particularly meaningful for you? If you would like to learn more about ganseys, I found this article Ganseys for Dummies on the Knitting Genie site. I especially liked this bit, “The modern word ‘yarn’ comes from the Old Norse ‘garn’ (Old English ‘gearn)’. That initial ‘g’ in Old English was actually pronounced more like a cross between a ‘h’ and a ‘y’. So the ‘gan-sey’ may just be a corruption of ‘yarn-sy’, ie: ‘thing made from yarn’.”

I can’t wait to start knitting on my pink yarnsy. I have some math to do first, though.

Winter Solstice Hand Warmers

Posted on Posted in free patterns, holidays, sewingTagged , 10 Comments

My youngest asked me about some handwarmers to use on her walks through the woods. I did a little research, and they are easy to make. Many sites come up if you google “DIY hand warmers.” I read a few to get the gist, and then proceeded to make my own. The following recipe makes two 3 inch square hand warmers.

What you need:

  1. cotton, linen, or wool fabric scraps
  2. whole flax seed
  3. a little dried lavender or other herbs if you are feeling fancy and want them to have a fragrance, although the flaxseed smells wonderful on its own
  4. small funnel
  5. cotton thread preferable, but poly thread works

Directions:

  1. Cut four 3 and 1/2 inch squares of 100% cotton fabric. (You could also use linen or wool, but don’t use anything synthetic.)
  2. Finish one edge of each square separately by serging or zig zag stitch. This will be the top edge seam.
  3. Place two squares together with right sides together, top seams matching, for each hand warmer.
  4. For each hand warmer, sew or serge the other three sides together with a seam allowance of about 1/4 inch. Finish the seams with a zig zag stitch if not serging. This is important, as flax seeds are small and you don’t want them working themselves out.
  5. Turn the hand warmers inside out. Turn the top edges under 1/4 inch. Press.
  6. Sew around all the edges of each square, about 1/8 inch from the edge. Sew along the top edge as well, leaving about 1/2 inch open so you can fill the pouch with flax seeds.
  7. Using a small funnel, fill the hand warmers with whole flax seeds as full as you can without allowing them to spill out.
  8. Stitch the opening closed either by hand or using your sewing machine.

That’s it. Pretty simple!

Directions for use:

  1. Place the hand warmers in the microwave for 30 seconds on high
  2. Take them out carefully (they’re hot!)
  3. Pop one into each pocket. These will keep your hands warm for 15-20 minutes, maybe longer!

This made a nice little Winter Solstice gift for my youngest along with a chocolate. These would also make great stocking stuffers!

Number 9 Beanie: Friday Finished Object

Posted on Posted in free patterns, hats, knittingTagged , , 15 Comments

This beanie is for my oldest. Yarn is Valley Superwash DK in (starting at the brim) Classic Navy, Eggplant, Steel Grey, Squash, Forest, Burgundy, and Blue Mist. Superwash so if it gets thrown in with laundry, it will not felt.

My stitch gauge is 22 stitches to 4 inches on size 6 needles. I used size 4 needles for the ribbed brim. I cast on 100 stitches, knit 9 rounds of ribbing, then 9 rounds of each color until I reached 9 inches in length, maintaining the color order for the stripes. Then I began a five point decrease for the crown, starting with knit 18, knit 2 together, every other row for a stripe, then every row until 5 stitches were left. I won’t bother writing out the crown, but if you want that, leave me a comment. This is really more of a recipe than a pattern.

It looks like I missed a round of Steel Grey. Oops!

I hope this beanie fits and is loved. The last beanie was a little short, but gets worn. My children have big heads (for their big brains).

This post is JoJo Approved.

2020-2021 Year of Projects Completed List

Posted on Posted in art, design, dyeing, finished objects, knitting, sewing, Year of ProjectsTagged , , , , 24 Comments

Fiber Art

  1. I have a solo show in September 2021, and I need to make a body of work for this show. My goal is 10 pieces. 8/10 finished.
  2. I dyed most of my own wool for this work.

Finished Fiber Art

Haze Over Maize: Granville 2020 for Mother Artists at Work Show

Litmus Cowl in Moondrake Advent yarn

Finished Knitting

  1. Spring Socklings in Bone and Birch Honeybees and Violets Please
  2. Anker’s Summer Shirt in Serpentine Blacker Lyonesse
  3. Water Shawl KAL
  4. Malabrigo Anniversario Rikke Hat
  5. Getting Warmer in Handdyed Red Kenyan Merino (silent auction prize)
  6. Kenora Toque
  7. Moondrake Advent Litmus Cowl (Ravelry project link)
  8. Blue Turtledove
  9. Franca
  10. Pride Socks
  11. Purple emPower Bandaner
  12. Shetland Tweed Throw
  13. Arachne Sweater
  14. Four Square Cowl
  15. Mistletoe Kisses Socks
  16. Pumpkin Spice Latte socks
  17. Broom Riding Cowl
  18. Halloween Socks
  19. Trans Pride Socks
  20. Accidental Autumn Barley Light Hat
  21. Rikkemas Hat
  22. Meep the Christmas Mouse

Finished Sewing

  1. Birdies summer top
  2. Knitting alpacas PJs
  3. Raglan Dress in blue shirting
  4. Ophelia Overalls in brown twill
  5. Water Shawl KAL project bags
  6. Raglan Dress in plaid flannel
  7. Poudre linen curtains.
  8. Coffee filters
  9. Knitting Sheep flannel PJ pants
  10. Halloween Rachel blouse
  11. Winter Solstice project bag
  12. Manatee tote bag

I’m going to try to continue to post music with my YOP updates, as a way to keep up with listening to music intentionally. Here’s an old favorite.

This has been a Year of Projects Update. This is my final list for 2020-2021. I’m pleased with how much I accomplished this year. You can find out more about the group here (Rav link).

2020-2021 Year of Projects Half-Year Update and a Resolution

Posted on Posted in design, fiber love, finished objects, knitting, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of Projects38 Comments

Below is an updated half-year list that I will continue to edit as I complete and add new items. Scroll all the way to the bottom for my resolution. Don’t feel like you need to look at my list unless you want to.

Fiber Art

  1. I have a solo show in September 2021, and I need to make a body of work for this show. My goal is 12 pieces. 7/12 finished.
  2. I’m dyeing my own wool for this work. Above is sky blue and a mix of spruce and kelly green I’m calling Black Forest. Next up is a deep, rich brown. These are two different fibers: merino and shetland. They take the dye a little differently.

Finished Fiber Art

Haze Over Maize: Granville 2020 for Mother Artists at Work Show

Litmus Cowl in Moondrake Advent yarn

Knitting List

  1. Milkshake Cardigan
  2. Kiki Cardigan in Tarheelbilly Farm Tunis
  3. Arrowhead Cardigan (Ravelry Link) in Lettlopi
  4. Celtic Myths Shawl. I am so close to finishing this.
  5. Breton Red Cardigan to match my raglan plaid dress
  6. Skipwith in black Rauma Finullgarn (Ravelry link)
  7. Hansel Hap in Ramsay Farms fawn katmoget Shetland with Jamieson and Smiths for trim colors
  8. Peerie Flooers. I have the J&S Shetland yarn for the original version of this that you can see in the show Shetland.
  9. Hearth Rug in Black Welsh Mountain Bulky
  10. Celtic Tree Handwarmers. I haven’t swatched or cast on yet, but would love to have them done by fall.
  11. Gryffindor Winter Ferns Hat. I haven’t swatched or cast on.
  12. The Oa. Cast on but languishing. I still want to knit it. In other words, I won’t be frogging it.
  13. Teal Niamh. I purchased some Nomad Noos High Mountain Yak yarn for this.
  14. Pink Rhodes
  15. Seavaiger
  16. Long sleeve Treit in Foxglove
  17. Shoalwater Shaw
  18. Sunset Slouch
  19. Cabin Kitchen Towel Set
  20. Strom Cardigan
  21. Aurora Borealis Cowl
  22. Less Is More Cowl
  23. Peace Fleece Ronan in Siberian Midnight (Ravelry link)
  24. Taxus Mitts in Tukuwool Fingering (Ravelry link)
  25. Best Loved Shawl in Knitting Goddess Berry BFL-Masham (Ravelry link)

Finished Knitting

  1. Spring Socklings in Bone and Birch Honeybees and Violets Please
  2. Anker’s Summer Shirt in Serpentine Blacker Lyonesse
  3. Water Shawl KAL
  4. Malabrigo Anniversario Rikke Hat
  5. Getting Warmer in Handdyed Red Kenyan Merino (silent auction prize)
  6. Kenora Toque
  7. Moondrake Advent Litmus Cowl (Ravelry project link)
  8. Blue Turtledove
  9. Franca
  10. Paris (Twilight Tunis) Toujours Shawl (also dyed the yarn in a gradient for this)
  11. Deschain Tee
  12. Hermione’s Everyday Socks
  13. Pride Socks
  14. Purple emPower Bandaner
  15. Shetland Tweed Throw
  16. Arachne Sweater
  17. Four Square Cowl
  18. Mistletoe Kisses Socks
  19. Pumpkin Spice Latte socks
  20. Broom Riding Cowl
  21. Halloween Socks
  22. Trans Pride Socks
  23. Accidental Autumn Barley Light Hat
  24. Rikke Hat
  25. Meep the Christmas Mouse
  26. Midnight Merino Raglan Frogged

Knitting Design

1. I’m going to knit this eyelet tunic design in the Blacker linen merino, I think. (Nope, used it for Anker’s Summer Shirt)

2. Cotton linen slub tee

Completed Design

  1. Another Blue Beanie
  2. Hat samples for Kenya
  3. Saffron hat and cowl with OG pompom

Updated Sewing List

  1. A-line Tee in various woven cottons for summer
  2. Ophelia Overalls in Purl linen, teal corduroy, and navy wool flannel
  3. Emerson shorts in natural linen
  4. Pietra Pants in indigo linen
  5. Cotton Twill Ottobre Pants. I have navy stretch twill and gray twill fabric for these. (Or maybe I’ll make overall shorts?)
  6. A wrap skirt with this plaid flannel!
  7. Another Rachel Blouse In blue paisley cotton
  8. More PJ pants for spring

Finished Sewing

  1. Birdies summer top
  2. Knitting alpacas PJs
  3. Raglan Dress in blue shirting
  4. Ophelia Overalls in brown twill
  5. Water Shawl KAL project bags
  6. Raglan Dress in plaid flannel
  7. Ace top, two versions (one shown above)
  8. Billie jumpsuit
  9. Enchanted Kimono Robe
  10. Poudre linen curtains.
  11. Coffee filters
  12. Knitting Sheep flannel PJ pants
  13. Halloween Rachel blouse
  14. Winter Solstice project bag
  15. Water project bag
  16. Manatee tote bag

Fiddle

I canceled my lessons because I wasn’t doing them. My new goal will be to practice fingering and scales when I feel like it.

Tapestry Weaving

Not into it right now. Back burner.

My One Resolution for 2021

I don’t normally make resolutions, but this year I’m going to listen to more music, intentionally. I normally listen to music all day while I’m working, but it’s the local public radio station. I like the music they play, but it’s passive listening. And I listen to Celtic fiddle music when I run.

For New Year’s Eve, Bob and I watched the first movie we bonded over. There’s a song in it by Gogol Bordello, and it’s kind of an ear worm, but I love it. So yesterday, I listened to a Gogol Bordello Essentials playlist while I vacuumed the house and had a really good time singing along.

My friend Sharon recommended I watch that movie, so she kind of started the whole thing. She’s blogging again, so check it out if you feel like it. I hope she will turn her comments on.

New Year’s Eve Slippers

Posted on Posted in art, design, finished objects, holidays, inspiration, knitting, sewing8 Comments
📸 photophreak
📸 elven

I love the French Press Felted Slippers pattern by Melynda Bernardo (Ravelry link). I have always fantasized about dressing up for a New Year’s Eve party, but I don’t think I ever have. I feel like 2020 is the year for dressing up at home with some comfy but fancy slippers. I might make these in a sparkly yarn and put a rhinestone button on them.

This is my last December HoliDaily. I really enjoyed posting a festive pattern everyday in December. I hope you enjoyed it, too, and that it wasn’t spammy. Just a reminder that I don’t get compensated in any way for anything I share. I do it for my own enjoyment.

I enjoyed my yarn advent photo taking so much, I had a calendar made. It’s hanging in my studio. I will use it to plan my projects in 2021.

I’ve noticed other bloggers wrapping up the year with a list of completed projects. I think that sounds like the perfect New Year’s Eve post for 2020.

“Haze Over Maize: Granville 2020“

Fiber Art

Two pieces completed. I’m not going to post pics of new pieces since they are for a gallery show in September 2021.

Completed Knitting

I’m proud of all the socks I’ve knit this year!
  1. Paris (Twilight Tunis) Toujours Shawl (also dyed the yarn in a gradient for this)
  2. Deschain Tee
  3. Hermione’s Everyday Socks
  4. Pride Socks
  5. Purple emPower Bandaner
  6. Shetland Tweed Throw
  7. Arachne Sweater
  8. Four Square Cowl
  9. Mistletoe Kisses Socks. I’m determined to finish these today even though JoJo chewed my needle and I had to cut the cable to get the knitting off, it was so mangled, and switched to double points.
  10. Pumpkin Spice Latte socks
  11. Broom Riding Cowl
  12. Halloween Socks
  13. Trans Pride Socks
  14. Accidental Autumn Barley Light Hat
  15. Rikke Hat
  16. Meep the Christmas Mouse

Looking back, I wish I would have completed more sweaters. I guess two isn’t bad!

Knitting Design

  1. Another Blue Beanie
  2. Hat samples for Kenya
  3. Saffron hat and cowl with OG pompom

Completed Sewing

Seamwork Ace top
  1. Ace top, two versions (one shown above)
  2. Billie jumpsuit
  3. Enchanted Kimono Robe
  4. Poudre linen curtains. Only one to go!
  5. Coffee filters
  6. Knitting Sheep flannel PJ pants
  7. Halloween Rachel blouse
  8. Winter Solstice project bag

In 2021, I’d like to sew more garments: another Rachel blouse, some pants, and a wool coat. And more PJ pants!

I hope you have something fun planned for New Year’s Eve. We’re still trying to figure out what to eat for dinner tonight, but at least we’ll have pie, both mince and chocolate! Happy New Year!

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!