Happy Halloween 🎃 and a Spooky Viewing Quiz 👻

Posted on October 31, 2020November 1, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized14 Comments

I finished my Broom Riding Cowl. I love the way it turned out. Here is the other side.

My tension and gauge are a little loose. I may try to felt it a bit, but it’s superwash merino so it probably won’t. Pattern is Broom Riding Cowl by Vanessa Ewing. Yarn is Slutty Pumpkin DK from Less Traveled Yarn and Earl Grey Beatitude from Forbidden Fibers.

This broom was a gift from my friend Iderah, but it’s 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.

Marilee posted a spooky viewing quiz.

Questions

1. What’s 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 – fiction, plausible, don’t know?

4. Are there any genres of horror movies you can’t/won’t 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. I’m not sure if I’ve watched old seasons, but I would probably like them too.

3. I loved the original Ghost Hunters series. That’s the only ghost hunting show I can watch without bursting into laughter.

4. I will not watch slasher films. I don’t 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.

Movies We Watched in October

Shows

Tonight we will watch Nosferatu the Vampyre. It’s not Halloween without watching it. Maybe we’ll watch Vampyr by Carl Dreyer too. Those are my favorites.

Will you be watching something spooky tonight?

The Doldrums of Creativity: A YOP Update

Posted on October 11, 2020November 1, 2020 Posted in art, holidays, knitting, life, Uncategorized, Year of Projects13 Comments

View from our driveway. We live here! 🍂🍁

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 don’t 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

I’ve almost finished my first Halloween sock! 🎉 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. I’m not an influencer or anything like that.) It was a helpful read. I really like the part about having faith in your ideas.

This has been a Year of Projects Update. You can read my original list here. You can find out more about the group here.

Blogville Knitters Skype today at 1PM Eastern! Then my kids will be here for tofu Sloppy Joe’s and Nightmare Before Christmas.

My mums did not disappoint this year.

Wednesday WIP and a Color Quiz

Posted on September 16, 2020September 15, 2020 Posted in knitting, scarves and cowls, Uncategorized, what makes me tick, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged color, quiz8 Comments

Foursquare Cowl in Chinook Fleece Artist Yarn

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 I’m looking forward to wearing this cowl soon! Fall colors are my favorite. Or are they?…

This is the perfect segue into Karen’s latest quiz about color!

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. Let’s 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 I’m 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 I’m 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 it’s underrepresented in your crafting?

Like others, I tend to avoid yellow. I really like yellow, but it’s a color I can’t 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. I’m more interested in the fiber content, garment construction, stitch pattern, and how the yarn feels. Color is usually the last thing I choose, and it’s a difficult decision for me. I’m 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 it’s stripey socks, and then it’s 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 doesn’t work out. That’s why I joined a yarn subscription, so I can be surprised by new colors and try them.

I’d really like to knit something in a rich chocolatey brown. Brown has been out for a while, and I’d like to see it make a comeback.

Feel free to answer in the comments or if you’re answering on your blog leave a link so we can all read about your opinions on color and how it pertains to your crafting.

The Stitchcraft Sixties

Posted on April 1, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized2 Comments

“Easter Greetings” from Stitchcraft, April 1962! According to “editress” Patience Horne, “everyone is getting that “out-of-doors” feeling”. I and my …
April 1962: Overview

If you are not following The Stitchcraft Sixties, I highly recommend it. Tres drole.

Weekend Quizzaroo

Posted on February 27, 2020February 29, 2020 Posted in field trips, hats, knitting, scarves and cowls, Uncategorized, what makes me tickTagged knitting, ohio, wool, yarn4 Comments

(Image credit The Knitting Goddess)

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.

The new The Just Craft is up!

Christmas Eve Eve

Posted on December 23, 2019January 5, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized4 Comments

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!

Fabric Flubs

Posted on December 8, 2019December 7, 2019 Posted in sewing, UncategorizedTagged fabric, sewing12 Comments

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.

Are you a community sewist or a solo sewist?

When My Worlds Collide

Posted on September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 Posted in knitting, UncategorizedTagged boost your knitting, fair trade, knitting4 Comments

One of our vendors recently traveled to Puno, Peru to visit the artisans they work with, and they shared these videos.

I love the way the artisans carry the yarn around their neck, and how quickly they knit!

On the home front, my Boost Your Knitting book arrived. I’m so glad they put everything in a book at the end of the club, because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to complete all the lessons!

Ancestry and DNA

Posted on June 21, 2019August 19, 2019 Posted in Uncategorized8 Comments

I’ve been meaning to blog about my DNA test because I recently came across some new information.

These tests are only as accurate as the pool of DNA they have to compare it against. For example, I have documented French Huguenot ancestry, but DNA testing is outlawed in France, so there is no comparative DNA.

I found the West Asian DNA surprising, although you just never know for sure. But I was open to the idea, even though there is no family lore about it.

But I recently read about a man with documented Cherokee ancestry who had West Asian ancestry show up in his DNA test, but no Native American ancestry. The article went further to say that often people descended from Eastern tribes like Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek will show up as West Asian, because that is their original and closest descent, while Western tribes will show up as East Asian/ Polynesian. This made sense because we have undocumented Choctaw ancestry according to family lore. There probably won’t be any way to verify this until more First Nations people choose to have their DNA tested.

ETA: I’ve done a little more research and it sounds like this West Asian – Native American connection is a bunch of hooey. Live and learn!

I suspect the Baltic comes from my maternal Grandmother’s Vance line.

Also, you might have ancestry that doesn’t show up in your DNA test because you didn’t get those genes.

Still killing time at the BMV…

Follow Up

Posted on May 26, 2019 Posted in art, knitting, sewing, Uncategorized, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged art, fiber art, knitting, ohio, sewing, wool, yarn6 Comments

Isn’t this blue linen pretty?

I originally bought it to make another pair of Emerson Pants. But I thought it was too pretty for pants. So today I cut out a Farrow Dress instead.

(Photo courtesy of Grainline Studios)

I hope to start sewing it together tomorrow. Shout out to my Mom who sent me some birthday cash which I promptly blew on linen fabric from Lithuania. (I’m so glad I did!)

I also worked on my felt painting today.

This is mostly Romeldale-CVM and local (Ohio) Shetland wool. I’m hoping to get to the felting part tomorrow. This is for a group show with Mother Artists at Work in July.

I even knit on my Celtic Myths today.

Today was a good day.

headknits

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