Category: finished objects

Coffee Filter is Go

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First fabric coffee filter

This is my first fabric coffee filter. I wanted to test it out before I made more. It works great! I used this pattern. I also used their fabric, but you could use a cotton muslin. I didn’t have any. I also didn’t have any paper filters to trace since I was using the muslin bags, which I don’t recommend. Not cleaning out the muslin bags was motivation number one for me to get a move on for this project.

I know Sarah is moving, but is there any desire for a virtual Skype knit? I miss the company of knitters.

Year of Projects 2020-2021

Posted on Posted in art, design, finished objects, knitting, sewing, Year of ProjectsTagged 27 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.

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!

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.

Enchanted Kimono Robe

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Have you ever seen the film Enchanted April? I haven’t watched it in at least a decade or maybe longer. I hope there is nothing offensive in it. I sometimes think fondly on an old film and then rewatch it and find myself appalled by something I never noticed before!

Anyway, in the film, Josie Lawrence is wearing a lovely silk kimono robe. I’ve always wanted one. I have shopped robes but never found one I liked or felt good about buying. Then I decided to make one, and I shopped silk but couldn’t find quite the right thing. I finally settled on this cotton lawn with cranes and peonies (printed in Spain).

This was a very zen make. I didn’t follow instructions or a pattern. I measured and cut rectangles and sewed them together. I made the sleeves extra long for extra waftiness. Isn’t it great with the pink tile? I purchased this fabric several months ago, before I’d even seen the pink tile! Happiness score = 😃

Bob and I walked our local rails to trails bike path this morning. It wasn’t too far and it was a well kept path. I got all my steps in today!

I can’t wait to drink my coffee on my hammock swing tomorrow in my new robe.

Sunday Sewing

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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.

A Week in One Day

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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.