Which color should I paint my nails first?
It’s snowing here. Is it snowing there?
Happy Mail Day!
Category: fiber love
Saturdye
Today Bob pruned one of our Apple trees and I saved the bark for dyeing. I’ve not done this before but I’ve been doing some research on it.
Our apple trees are old and neglected and they need a good prune. We think we can probably cut them back a little harder, but we’re going to look into it first.
I read that the best part to use is the inner bark and twigs. I focused on the green wood as there was a lot of dead stuff coming off. I have no idea what’s better for dyeing but the green shoots made sense to me.
It was suggested to soak the wood for about a week before using them in a dye bath. I used our double ceramic filtered well water to avoid any metals and other weirdness. I’ve got them sitting in a sunny window. JoJo is curious and also mad that we went outside and didn’t take her with us, which we never do. But if we leave the house, when we come back she yells at us for awhile to express her discontent. Or maybe she is just asking us where we went and why didn’t we take her with us? We’re always telling her it’s not safe out there for her (foxes, coyotes, falcons, crows the size of… well, the same size as JoJo) so she’s probably worried about us when we go outside.
I also dyed some wool with acid dye today. This color is silver and you can see I am able to recreate my results from a few weeks ago. The Merino takes the dye well. The Shetland is middling, and the Romeldale-CVM which is unprocessed and sunbleached takes the least color. I used vinegar in this bath.
These will be perfect for my next felt piece which is about a stormy day in Iona, Cape Breton.
I received what I think? is my last installment of my Fairlight Fibers yarn club. I guess she got a little behind on her shipments as I canceled in January after six months, which was what I had originally signed up for. But it kept charging me so I had to go in and manually cancel. I enjoyed this club but wanted to try some new ones. Anyway, this gorgeous yarn is 50/50 alpaca and rose fiber. That’s right. Rose fiber! It’s very soft and has a lovely sheen. Not sure what to make with it. Something special.
I hope you’re having a lovely Saturday, whatever you’re doing. I need to catch up on my Water shawl as all my KAL pals are way ahead of me!
🤓 Nerd Alert! 🐑 Sunday Year of Projects Update 🧶
I took a wonderful Breed Specific Knitting workshop from Longway Homestead yesterday. It was a gift from Bob for Christmas. I learned about breeds and wool and crimp and staple length and microns. Conclusion: I want to raise Shetland sheep.
Knitting
I’ve updated my YOP list. I also rearranged the order to try to reflect a chronology. I will probably continue to do that as I make my way through the list. There’s not much else to say other than look at my beautiful Moondrake Advent Litmus Cowl! It’s knitting up fast. Knitting stripes is fun!
Fiber Art
It’s a long weekend so I’m going to frame “Hay for Days,” start “Blue Moon,” and dye some fiber.
This has been a Year of Projects Update. You can read my updated list here. You can find out more about the group here.
Noodle Club
I received my first Noodle Club subscription yarn from Ramen Needles. It’s super fun. It also glows under a black light. Now I’m looking for a black light. I’m not sure what to do with it, so I will stash it away and percolate on it. It’s single ply merino and silk. Might make a nice Pembroke Scarf (Ravelry link).
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.
Sheepy Finn Yarn Complete with VM
I received my first breed specific yarn of the month from Longway Homestead. It’s soft, but not soft enough for neck wear. I’m thinking mittens or hat. I’m going to wait until I take the Breed Specific Knitting workshop before I decide, though. I think it will have nice drape. Can you smell the lanolin? Mmm… schmeepy. I’ve always wanted to try Finnsheep wool.
Speaking of grown in Canada, after yesterday, Bob was ready to make a run for the border.
Finally, if you’re a Clara Parkes fan, you might enjoy The Daily Respite.
2020-2021 Year of Projects Half-Year Update and a Resolution
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
- 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. 4/12 finished.
- 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
Knitting List
- Anker’s Summer Shirt (Ravelry link) in Serpentine Blacker Lyonesse
- Arrowhead Cardigan (Ravelry Link) in Lettlopi
- Celtic Myths Shawl. I am so close to finishing this.
- Breton Red Cardigan to match my raglan plaid dress
- Skipwith in black Rauma Finullgarn (Ravelry link)
- Hansel Hap in Ramsay Farms fawn katmoget Shetland with Jamieson and Smiths for trim colors
- Peerie Flooers. I have the J&S Shetland yarn for the original version of this that you can see in the show Shetland.
- Hearth Rug in Black Welsh Mountain Bulky
- Celtic Tree Handwarmers. I haven’t swatched or cast on yet, but would love to have them done by fall.
- Gryffindor Winter Ferns Hat. I haven’t swatched or cast on.
- The Oa. Cast on but languishing. I still want to knit it. In other words, I won’t be frogging it.
- Teal Niamh. I purchased some Nomad Noos High Mountain Yak yarn for this.
- Pink Rhodes
- Seavaiger
- Long sleeve Treit in Foxglove
- Shoalwater Shaw
- Hot Waffles Hat and Mitts. I have some beautiful blue yarn for this.
- Sunset Slouch
- Cabin Kitchen Towel Set
- Strom Cardigan
- Aurora Borealis Cowl
- Less Is More Cowl
- Peace Fleece Ronan in Siberian Midnight (Ravelry link)
- Taxus Mitts in Tukuwool Fingering (Ravelry link)
- Best Loved Shawl in Knitting Goddess Berry BFL-Masham (Ravelry link)
Finished Knitting
- Water Shawl KAL
- Malabrigo Anniversario Rikke Hat
- Getting Warmer in Handdyed Red Kenyan Merino (silent auction prize)
- Kenora Toque
- Moondrake Advent Litmus Cowl (Ravelry project link)
- Blue Turtledove
- Franca
- Paris (Twilight Tunis) Toujours Shawl (also dyed the yarn in a gradient for this)
- Deschain Tee
- Hermione’s Everyday Socks
- Pride Socks
- Purple emPower Bandaner
- Shetland Tweed Throw
- Arachne Sweater
- Four Square Cowl
- Mistletoe Kisses Socks
- Pumpkin Spice Latte socks
- Broom Riding Cowl
- Halloween Socks
- Trans Pride Socks
- Accidental Autumn Barley Light Hat
- Rikke Hat
- Meep the Christmas Mouse
- Midnight Merino Raglan Frogged
Knitting Design
1. I’m going to knit this eyelet tunic design in the Blacker linen merino, I think.
2. Cotton linen slub tee
Completed Design
Updated Sewing List
- Raglan Dress in blue shirting
- Ophelia Overalls in eggplant linen, teal corduroy, and navy wool flannel
- Cotton Twill Ottobre Pants. I have navy stretch twill and gray twill fabric for these. (Or maybe I’ll make overall shorts?)
- A wrap skirt with this plaid flannel!
- Knitting alpacas PJ set
- Another Rachel Blouse In blue paisley cotton
- More PJ pants for spring
Finished Sewing
- Ophelia Overalls in brown twill
- Water Shawl KAL project bags
- Raglan Dress in plaid flannel
- Ace top, two versions (one shown above)
- Billie jumpsuit
- Enchanted Kimono Robe
- Poudre linen curtains. Only one to go!
- Coffee filters
- Knitting Sheep flannel PJ pants
- Halloween Rachel blouse
- Winter Solstice project bag
- Water project bag
- 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.
Yarn Club!
I think have one more month of Fairlight Fibers Yarn of the Month Club. I have loved every single hank, but this one — this one is my favorite.
I’m not sure what I’ll make. It’s toothy, which I like, but that means a cowl is out. Maybe gloves or mittens? Or a hat?
I’m going to miss my special deliveries. I’m all set for December, as I’ve ordered a yarn advent calendar. But whatever will I do next year? At least next year won’t be 2020 anymore. That will be special enough.
Yarn Club!
I signed up for a Fairlight Fibers Yarn Club right before we moved. Because I need more yarn, obviously. But look at my very first skein! It’s Magnolia pink! Perfect. I thought a yarn club would challenge me to knit out of my comfort zone. And I really like Fairlight Fibers’ yarn.
It’s very soft. I think I’m going to knit a Willow Cowl with it. When I first saw that cowl on Ravelry, I didn’t think it would be very flattering on me. But Caz from the Wee Sew N Sew Podcast knit one and it looked smashing on her, so I’ve added it to my favorites. Another project for the list!
Friyay FO
I finished my blue beanie from the Onion merino and nettle yarn. One can never have too many plain beanies. One can never knit too many plain beanies. Especially blue ones in scrummy yarn.
Quiet Knitting
I’ve been quietly working on Deschain. I’ve finished the front according to the pattern, but I think I’m going to add another pattern repeat. Even with blocking this may be too cropped for me. What do you think?
If I do another pattern repeat, I may have to forego the sleeves, unless I buy more yarn. I think this tee with no sleeves would be fine, though. Or shorter sleeves.
The lace pattern is Shale. It’s a very easy lace pattern that I’m enjoying knitting. Maybe I will make a Shale shawl in the future.
This linen yarn from Quince and Co is a dream. I have enjoyed all their yarns so far. I’m glad I have this to knit because suddenly it’s summer. How did that happen? Cold, cold, cold, cold, WHOMP, hot!
Sock It To Me Monday
I finished my Hermione’s Everyday Socks!
Yay!
