Knitting, Fiber Art, and Lofty Thoughts
I haven’t made very many so that’s probably not saying much. Or maybe that means it is saying a lot! I stacked it up on top of my head so you could see it. I didn’t use my Katrinkles tools. I used my hand. Old school. OG pompom.
I’m thinking about writing up these patterns, just for fun. I love this color!
Happy Sunday, Blogville! I hope you are all healthy and happy and enjoying your time at home. Are you knitting a lot? I haven’t had much time or energy for knitting, but I did finish my saffron cowl.
I love the look on Henry’s face in the second image.
I can’t say it was a very satisfying knit, but it was simple and it’s warm and comforting to wear. I’m ready to start an equally simple, warm, and comforting hat to match. Mmm… stockinette.
It was a rough week for me, as I’m sure it has been challenging for many. At work, we made the decision to close our stores temporarily. It was the right decision but a stressful one to make. We have remote projects that need to be done, so staff will have work and be paid. We also gave everyone an additional two weeks PTO should they need it.
Quarantine is not a big deal for me as I’m an introvert and work from home all the time anyway.
I did a little sketching today and it served to remind me why I don’t often sketch. I don’t enjoy it and I’m always disappointed with the results. I am trying to reframe my drawing as a process to work out design problems, as I learned at Vogue Knitting. I can apply that to any medium.
Kate Davies is having a design contest for Milarrochy Tweed. This time it is neckware. I would love to submit something, even if it’s just an exercise to design something, make it, and submit it without further expectation. The theme is “My Place”. I thought I could make a cowl version of my Birds of Blendon Hat.
Henry moves into his own place this week with a friend. That leaves Hans at home, and he is with his Dad half the time. They are leaving the nest! They all have birthdays in March but it was pretty low key this year. We did go to Bakersfield for tacos and margs on Harald’s birthday (my oldest.)
Mexican Coke for Hans.
What are you knitting? And what are you watching? We are watching Devs on Hulu — really good — and I started Valhalla Murders on Netflix. I love me some moody Scandi crime dramas. It was a diversion tactic to keep me from watching Shetland a third time.
I made a shirt today. I wanted a high (but not tight) neckline, 3/4 sleeves, short length (to go with high waisted pants) and a loose comfortable fit. And I wanted to get in on the floral trend. I modified the Ace pattern.
I found this knit fabric on sale, presumably because it is an autumn floral. I love the more subdued colors, but it is still a lot of color for me.
I tried to get a good shot without asking for photography help. This was the best I could do. It’s a little blurry, but you get the idea.
Sock it to me Monday
I started a sock! I decided if I don’t like knitting socks and everyone else does, then I’m probably not doing it right! I cast on a Blogville favorite, Hermione’s Everyday Socks. I am using some gorgeous Arrowhead Fibers Basic Sock from my stash, in Wintergreen. I started on two circulars as the pattern suggested, but switched to Magic Loop, which is slightly less stressful. There’s still a lot of needle flopping going on, but compared to stitch dropping on double points, maybe it’s ok? I’m knitting short socks for clogs and modified the ribbing. Keep me in your socky thoughts and knitty prayers.
Wednesday WIPs
I received the Chinook Fleece Artist in Jewel, my main color for Whit’s Foursquare Cowl. I cast on! This yarn is so soft and I think the colorways are perfect together. The variegated is my Celtic Colours yarn. This is a comforting and simple knit.
I cast on my Farmhouse Cardi in Black Welsh Mountain. This yarn has some VM in it. (That’s vegetable matter to us laymen.) I don’t mind picking it out. It reminds me this yarn is not far from the farm. It’s nice and squishy.
Still knitting on this Shetland Tweed Throw when I need something simple and chunky.
Friday FO
Oh yes I did! I finished my Seamwork Billie. It looks like PJs. It feels like PJs! It was a fun make. Next time I’ll pick a fabric that doesn’t make me wish I had a little red cowboy hat on.
Spooky Knitalong
Quiteayarnblog and mildlygranola are starting a knitalong for the Arachne sweater next month. I’m intrigued (or have FOMO) and if I frog and forget about The Oa, I could use this Cascade Sport. I could make a purple Arachne with green web, or a gray Arachne with charcoal web. I’m leaning toward gray because I’m boring that way. I have just under the needed yardage, so I’m not positive I’ll do it. I still love The Oa, but if I were going to knit it, wouldn’t I be further along by now?
Yes, there is purple in my hair.
Three tassels for the win. Thanks for the feedback!
Three Tassel Thistle Hat
Solid Gold Pompom Beanie
I’m very pleased with it. And I did finish it on Twelfth Night! It’s still a little damp, but I couldn’t wait to share it.
Karen nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award! To be fair, she nominated every one who reads her blog. But I need blogspiration, so I’ll take it! There is also something about nominating 11 people so I will nominate the first 11 bloggers who read this (which is probably everyone)!
1. Dog or cat?
I like both. I’m more of a cat person but I aspire to also be a dog person.
2. What is your least favorite food that other people love?
Halva, pears, do people love those?
3. Where on Earth would you like to go but you know you never will? Why do you want to go there? Why will you not?
I would like to go to Egypt to see the pyramids but I probably never will. There are other places I would rather go, and Egypt feels a little scary.
4. What is your favorite household chore? Why? Make me love it too because I detest all of them.
I like doing the dishes. It’s rewarding to finish the job.
5. Your house is on fire. All living creatures will get out safely but you can only grab one sentimental item. What do you grab and why?
I’m assuming I’m wearing my wedding ring so I will grab the cd case that has all the cds full of pics of my boys when they were little.
6. Would you rather eat a slug or a spider?
No.
7. Do you prefer houseplants or cut flowers?
Houseplants. I love flowers but they always wilt and die and make me sad.
8. What is the absolute hardest thing you have ever had to do for another person?
When my Grandfather had dementia I had to hold him down to keep him from harming my mother and grandmother. I couldn’t let him up until the paramedics came. It was hard both physically and emotionally, but I knew if he had been in his right mind it’s what he would have wanted.
9. What was your favorite food as a child?
Black olives
10. Be honest, do you exercise as much as you should?
No.
11. . Have you ever met someone and you felt like you knew them? Did the relationship continue and did the feeling continue?
Yes and yes
Two hats down! Christmas knitting accomplished! Although I have three more Treads in the queue.
Hans and I volunteered at Global Gifts yesterday. We had fun!
Chrisknits posted a Three on Thor’s Day and I decided to play along.
Did you know some of our days of the week are named after Germanic gods? You probably did. It goes like this:
Sunday – Sun day
Monday – Moon day
Tuesday – Tiwaz/Tyr’s Day
Wednesday – Woden/Odin’s Day
Thursday – Thunar/Thor’s Day
Friday – Frige/Frigga’s Day
Saturday – Saturn’s Day… (that’s a Roman god)
Here are my three Treads for Thor’s Day.
You can play along too. It can be Three for Thursday if you prefer. I missed Wednesday WIPs so this worked out for me.
By the way, three is the magic number.
I’m still trying to get over the fatigue of this flu. I’m hoping this is my last day spent mostly in bed. I took a couple of days off work to rest.
Sarah sent me my project bag for completing The Weekender. Isn’t it wonderful? And she included a treasured skein of precious Garden Wool and Dye yarn. Thank you!
I finished my slippers and have felted them. They are blocking and drying now. They are looking pretty lumpy and I’m not thrilled with how I can still see the stitch work. But they fit and I’m sure at some point they’ll need a wash and felt up a bit more.
Today I’m thankful Bob is the cook and I don’t have to worry about Thanksgiving dinner. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving if you are celebrating!
I have an idea! What if we- this online knitting community – met up for a knitting holiday somewhere! We could plan and save and in a couple of years go on one of these Stitchtopia Knitting Holidays! Or some other one. It doesn’t have to be theirs. What do you think? Doable? Or worst idea ever?
Also, mildlygranola, I want my project bag. 😁
