Knitting, Fiber Art, and Lofty Thoughts
Another reblog! I love this list of why knitting is good for you.
This week I have been overwhelmed with work. I am working long hours. When I’m not working, I am stressing about work. When I am not working or …
Too stressed to knit: what’s wrong with this statement?
Dear Readers, Today I want to share with you my latest shop update. Some pdf printable files for knitting and crochet vouchers! The idea for making …
Knitting/Crochet coupon/voucher Printables
Such a cute idea!
I’m excited to share with you my new mystery box for summer. I’ll be dyeing the yarn myself, and including an original knitting pattern design!
My newest yarn mystery box just dropped! The Volunteer Sunflowers colorway emotes a sea of emerald green foliage complemented by deep blues and pops of sunny gold. The Glow Box includes 100% cotton yarn from Virginia hand dyed here at Chestnut Hills Studio, summer sun skin care from Haven Herbs, and a glass progress keeper by Ann Tudor! The Shine Box also includes a handmade project bag, sewn from Virginia cotton canvas that has been Hapazome dyed by me with indigo leaves, and a knitting pattern to go with the yarn.
Only 10 are available. You can order at this link!
Enjoy the video below, which shows the dying of the fabric used for the project bags.
Everything is delicious. It’s surprising how red the raspberries made the switchel. We’re learning about Robert Burns by watching a BBC documentary on YouTube.
Knitting
I’ve reached the point on Freya’s Musselburgh Hat where it’s round and round in stockinette. This is going to make great relaxation knitting. I can see why this pattern becomes addicting for some. I also learned the pinhole cast on, which is pretty great.
I am making good progress on Arrowhead now that I make sure to knit one row per day. I thought I would treat you to a photo of where the steek will be cut when the time comes. I love knitting in Lettlopi and will definitely use it again.
Sewing
Nothing new to report since my pink velour sweatshirt.
Spinning
I’m going to spend more time practicing my spinning today. It’s been a couple of weeks. I’m going to use up my wool top that came with the wheel before trying a new fiber.
Burns Night Supper Prep
Last year, Liz sent me a link to a virtual Burns Night event. I had never heard of it, but I’m all in for a holiday that’s basically an excuse to party in January. I decided this year to do it our way — in front of the TV with food.
Bob will make vegan sausage with neeps and tatties for dinner. (Neither of us is interested in vegan haggis.) I’m going to bake gluten free oat cakes and as Bob doesn’t drink, and I don’t drink whiskey (or any hard alcohol) I’m going to try to make a raspberry ginger switchel with Bob’s homemade apple cider vinegar. We’re trying to find a way to watch the movie Red Rose, as neither of us really knows anything about Robert Burns. If we can’t find it, we will look for a documentary. Also, we will be wearing tartans (flannel shirts most likely).
Bob says he remembers being taken to a Burns Night Supper as a kid and being bored to tears with the poetry readings. I definitely dinna want a rrrepeat o’ tha.
This has been a Yearrr O’ Prrrojects update. You can find out more about the group here (Rav link) or here: Backstage Kath’s YOP bloggers list. You can read my updated list of projects here.
Hello. I have too many holiday projects I want to knit. I thought I would list them here so you can commiserate with me. All links are Ravelry links.
1. Christmas Pudding Socks. I ordered the solid yarn last year to make these, but then decided tonal yarns would be prettier, as shown in the photo. So I ordered some tonal yarns. I could be casting on by the weekend. I love the design, and it’s a good mix of colorwork and stockinette.
2. Holiday Doodle Cowl. I love the look of this, but it is allover color work. I have the yarn, which I ordered last year. I’m not sure I have the brain capacity for this one this year. Also, she’s updated the design, and I think I prefer the original version, which I have printed out.
3. Aurora Borealis Cowl. Work in progress. After I started it I realized how much I hate wearing one-sided stranded colorwork cowls because the floats on the back show. Not sure if I should forge ahead or frog a hasty retreat.
4. 12 Days of Christmas Mitten Garland. As I have constructed an entire advent ritual around this, I will definitely be making it. They’re tiny, too. I’m sure I can produce one mitten in an evening.
And then there’s my red Ranunculus. I’m on the stockinette now, so I should be wearing it by Christmas Eve!
Any tips on managing too-many-projects-not-enough-time syndrome? Project number three will probably be frogged. I’m thinking one and two will end up back in the drawer for next year. Or maybe one for Christmas in July?
You may have noticed I’ve been experimenting with backgrounds in my photos. I’ve been using the backgrounds I use at work for product photos, but I don’t want to continue to use them as I’m afraid I may damage them. So I’ve got some reclaimed barn wood heading my way for my small photography shots. Photography is for me part of the art of blogging, and a big part of my enjoyment.
I finished my Anker’s Summer Shirt (Rav link). Yarn is Blacker Lyonesse linen and wool in Serpentine. AJ finished hers as well, and it’s a similar color. Go over there and check hers out, too!
I tried really hard to get a good photo of my fabulous outfit. These are the linen Emerson Pants I made a few years ago. This outfit is so comfy. I feel ready for summer!
I had to share this one because my hair is fabulous and I look like a Breck girl.
Vacation is going well so far. I work on art in the morning. Then in the afternoon I knit. I’m going to knit a chart on Celtic Myths each day so maybe I’ll be finished by the end of the week. I cut out some PJs, but Bob is working this week and the sewing machines are too loud to use during the day. Bob and I walked yesterday after he got off work.
The garden is doing well. I’ve cloched the tender annuals for a few days until temps get back up in the 40s overnight. I have a few extra plants. I gave two to my oldest who is trying gardening this year.
Mother’s Day was lovely. My kids were here. We ate Mexican food. Bob made a custard tart. The kids will be back on Saturday to celebrate my birthday with me.
See you tomorrow for Sock It To Me Wednesday! I’m mixing it up for vacation week. Woo! Living on the edge!
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. I’ve 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.
If you have a preference for your bag, let me know in the comments. There’s 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. I’m 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.
Here’s my weekly music share, on theme.
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 it’s meant for babies, like me.
Year of Projects Update
I don’t have much else to share, other than I updated my list. I posted a knitting update on Wednesday.
I may be adding the Aurora Borealis Cowl to my list in Euclid Sparkle Sock from Superfine Yarn Co. It’s got a subtle silver sparkle.
And I may be adding the Less Is More Cowl to my list in this sparkly yarn Karen sent me. It’s got a subtle gold sparkle. I’m 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? I’m planning to be selfish with my sparkly makes in December.
headknits 