Just a reminder that our Water shawl (Ravelry link) knitalong starts in about a month. In case you need to buy yarn. (Of course you do!)
I will be sewing a water themed medium-sized project bag for all participants who complete their shawl between March and June. The bag will be the same pattern as my winter solstice project bag.
Each bag will be cotton and/or linen, fully lined, with a wave ribbon. Iāve already picked out the fabric for my bag!
I realize Merpeople with attitudes may not be for everyone, so here are some other mix and match options.
I hope someone loves manatees as much as I do.This is a pretty gradient with a teal linen base, lined with a gray watercolor.Same but lined with teal watercolor.
If you have a preference for your bag, let me know in the comments. Thereās a yard of each fabric so I can pretty much make any combination.
Marilee will be making stitch markers for participants who complete their shawl as well. Iām so excited! She makes the best stitch markers.
I feel that water is a great March to June theme, as the ice of winter melts into water and flows into spring.
These Skeindeer mitts have been in my favorites for at least a year. I really want to knit them. And since I made gingerbread dough yesterday, and plan to make cookies today, I thought it was a good day to share this pattern. (Ravelry link)
Here is the surprise birthday sweater ornament I made for a friend. I enjoyed it so much, I’m thinking about making a garland of these. Pattern is Tiny Sweaters (Ravelry link).
I finished my Shetland Tweed Throw and it’s already JoJo’s favorite blanket. It needs a good blocking but that will have to wait for a warm and dry day to hang it on the line. I’ll share more about the project when I can get a good photo.
I am on the foot of the second TransPride sock. I caked up my sparkly yarn. Holiday knits soon!
I only just realized it’s Sunday, so that means it’s a Year of Projects Update day. Yep, it’s been that kind of week. So Happy YOP day! Only knitting updates this week.
I did a curtain! I learned a lot while making these curtains, and I hope all subsequent curtains will look a little more polished. But I love this fabric. I think we made a good choice.
After finishing the curtains for one window I decided to treat myself by whipping up some new PJ pants. Inspired by Sarah, I went for these knitting sheep. Her fabric is way more cool, but this flannel is super soft. I think itās meant for babies, like me.
And I may be adding the Less Is More Cowl to my list in this sparkly yarn Karen sent me. Itās got a subtle gold sparkle. Iām really wanting a sparkly cowl to knit and wear for the holidays. I wish my photos showed more of the sparkle.
What about you? Are you planning your holiday makes? Are you making for you or someone else? Is anything going to be sparkly? Iām planning to be selfish with my sparkly makes in December.
This broom was a gift from my friend Iderah, but itās too small to ride. I would model but the cowl is still a little damp. I hope I enjoy wearing this cowl as much as I enjoy looking at it.
1. Whatās the spookiest TV show you have ever watched?
2. Have you watched the new season of Unsolved Mysteries? For that matter, did you watch any of the many, many old seasons of Unsolved Mysteries? If yes on any of that, do you find this a spooky show?
3. Do you watch any ghost hunting show? What is your opinion on these shows ā fiction, plausible, donāt know?
4. Are there any genres of horror movies you canāt/wonāt watch?
5. What kind of horror movies do you enjoy and why?
Answers
1. The spookiest TV show I have ever watched would have to be Kolchak: The Night Stalker. X Files is a close second.
2. Yes, I have watched the new season of Unsolved Mysteries and I enjoyed it. Iām not sure if Iāve watched old seasons, but I would probably like them too.
3. I loved the original Ghost Hunters series. Thatās the only ghost hunting show I can watch without bursting into laughter.
4. I will not watch slasher films. I donāt think they are scary and I find the violence gratuitous.
5. I enjoy paranormal horror films. I believe there is more to this world than we understand and I find paranormal horror fascinating and thrilling. If kids are involved in a horror story, sometimes that bothers me, like the film Sinister which is on our October watch list. It was a good film, though.
I thought this was a good time to update our watch list for Halloween! These are in no particular order. Some are favorites we watch every year and some are new to us this year. There are a few on this list I would not recommend.
I had so many creative plans for this staycation. Then, at some point last week, I stopped doing anything productive. I read an entire book in one sitting, and I hiked. I donāt regret it.
Felting
Haze Over Maize, Granville 2020: wool and cotton floss
I finished a piece for the upcoming group art show. I was trying to skip the photo stage and create something from inspiration. I spent a lot of time stitching on it. I enjoyed the process as it was very meditative. It is too big for my barnwood shadow box frames, so I had to order a new one. This turned out pretty much how I imagined it.
I tried felting angora yesterday, as an experiment, and it was a disaster.
Knitting
Iāve almost finished my first Halloween sock! š And I have cast on almost all the October things.
Today this blog post about The Doldrums of Creativity was in my inbox. (FYI When I share things, I do not get compensated in any way. Iām not an influencer or anything like that.) It was a helpful read. I really like the part about having faith in your ideas.
I needed a project change so I picked up my Foursquare Cowl, designed by Whit. The variegated yarn is the Celtic Colours yarn I purchased in Nova Scotia last October. The purple is the same yarn but a different colorway. I think these colors are really gorgeous and Iām looking forward to wearing this cowl soon! Fall colors are my favorite. Or are they?…
We are all artists. We use our supplies be they fiber, yarn, beads or whatever to create pieces that express our vision. This vision can have texture or color. Letās talk about color.
What is your favorite color? How is this color reflected in your crafting?
My favorite color changes. It was cerulean blue for a long time. But right now Iām really into orange and red. My favorite color to wear, however, is grey.
Do you prefer bright colors or more subdued shades?
I like deep, rich colors, especially jewel tones. But I feel more comfortable wearing neutrals. So whenever Iām choosing colors for myself, I vacillate between those two options.
Does your color mood shift with the seasons? Do you carry one color all year and just change the accent color?
My color mood shifts, especially in the spring when I favor white, pink, icy blues and pale greens.
Is there a color you avoid? Or maybe itās underrepresented in your crafting?
Like others, I tend to avoid yellow. I really like yellow, but itās a color I canāt see myself wearing.
When you pick out your crafting supplies how important is color to you? Is it the first thing you consider or is it a bit further down the list?
I rarely choose to knit something based on color. Iām more interested in the fiber content, garment construction, stitch pattern, and how the yarn feels. Color is usually the last thing I choose, and itās a difficult decision for me. Iām not naturally gifted with an understanding about how colors work together, or how a color will make me feel when wearing it. So I deliberate over color choice. Unless itās stripey socks, and then itās all about color!
Do you ever consciously choose a different color palette just for the change?
If I try to consciously choose a different color palette, it becomes a very unnatural sort of 180 degree knee jerk move that usually doesnāt work out. Thatās why I joined a yarn subscription, so I can be surprised by new colors and try them.
Iād really like to knit something in a rich chocolatey brown. Brown has been out for a while, and Iād like to see it make a comeback.
Feel free to answer in the comments or if youāre answering on your blog leave a link so we can all read about your opinions on color and how it pertains to your crafting.
āEaster Greetingsā from Stitchcraft, April 1962! According to āeditressā Patience Horne, āeveryone is getting that āout-of-doorsā feelingā. I and my ā¦
Karen posted a sock quiz! I’m a notorious sock knitting eschewer but quizzes are great for personal development and blog fodder.
1. Do you knit/crochet socks?
I want to knit socks. I have knit socks. But generally, no, I don’t.
2. If yes, how long have you been making them? If no, why not?
It doesn’t sound fun. I’m primarily a sweater and hat knitter.
3. What is your preferred method? Top down, toe up? Which needles? Do you have a preferred heel type?
I prefer toe up so I can make sure the foot fits well. I hate a baggy sock. I prefer fine yarn for socks but they sure do take a long time! I like a well-turned heel. I’ve never tried an afterthought heel. Are their more flaps than that? Double point needles for me.
4. Have you gifted socks? Were they worn, loved and appreciated?
Never! I am considering knitting a pair for Bob, though. It’s a lot of pressure.
5. Could you make nothing but socks for the rest of your life and be happy?
If I can knit one more pair of socks (I’ve made two pair in my life so far) I could be happy the rest of my life never knitting them again. Or, who knows, I might knit another pair and enjoy them so much I will want to knit more! That’s my hope.
6. One of the most addictive things about sock knitting is the amazing selection of fingering weight yarn that is available. What is your favorite yarn for socks? Do you prefer solid or multicolor yarn? Do you have a fiber preference?
For me it will need to be crazy hand painted colors or solid yarn with textured knitting. Wool plus silk (for strength) is my favorite fiber combo. Throw some cashmere in there and I’m hooked.
Well, that was fun and inspiring. Maybe I will cast on a pair of socks today.
February Frogs:
I’m pulling out the linen stitch cowl. It is taking too long and I am afraid I don’t have enough yarn for it. My Hogwarts yarn will make a great pair of clog socks though.
I’m pulling out this Bousta Beanie. It’s not happening.
Do you like my new photo prop? It’s Fair Trade and I picked it up at Pachamama Market when I was in Troy, OH for a work meeting.
I think one should feel good about frogging and this wool felt sunflower does the trick for me.
Someone has been watching too much Great British Baking Show! I’ve never made mincemeat before, but I’ve tasted it, and it’s pretty gross. So Bob made his amazing gluten free pie crust and I made my own delicious and tart mincemeat! It includes Granny Smith apples, apple cider, butter, sugar, Bob’s pumpkin pie spice, crystallized ginger, and dried sultanas, cranberries, sour cherries, and figs. Also sunflower nuts and pepitas since I can’t have tree nuts. And orange zest and a pinch of salt!
My flavors are there, but the crust could have used another minute.
I’m going to eat one while watching the next episode.
I have a new-to-me favorite Christmas song. Enjoy!
Look at this gorgeous fabric I ordered. Unfortunately it weighs a ton. It is bonded! If I made a jumpsuit out of it, I’d feel like I was wearing a carpet. I think it will make a nice coat, though. So I’ll look for a coat pattern on Seamwork. I think my last issue of Ottobre has a coat too.
In the meantime, maybe I’ll try to make the jumper out of some knit fabric I purchased for a dress but never made. Then I can put it on hold until spring.
Whenever I get any new fabric or yarn, I take it to my studio. Then I think, why? I’m moving out of here in less than a month! I’m sad about giving up my studio, but I know it’s the right thing to do.
I don’t know if I will be able to sew after I move out. I’m guessing most of my things will go to the basement. I think I will keep my studio membership which allows me to use the sewing machine and sergers there. There is also a local sewing business where you can go and rent the use of a machine for $10 an hour. The problem is I need to be alone when I sew. I don’t have the ability to sew and chat, unfortunately.
(Image credit 
Look at this gorgeous fabric I ordered. Unfortunately it weighs a ton. It is bonded! If I made a jumpsuit out of it, I’d feel like I was wearing a carpet. I think it will make a nice coat, though. So I’ll look for a coat pattern on Seamwork. I think my last issue of Ottobre has a coat too.