Tag: kate davies love

Sock It To Me Monday

Posted on Posted in art, finished objects, knitting, socks, The Just CraftTagged , , , 16 Comments

I finished my springy socks! We have an Iris blooming in the yard, and my socks match. Recipe based on Hermione’s Everyday Socks. Yarn from Bone and Birch. I do love plain sock knitting. Next up, I’ll try some Rose City Rollers (Ravelry link).

I have so many sweaters I want to knit, but I keep queuing cables and colorwork patterns. Then I balk because my brain is not up for that. I guess I’m still decompressing from the pandemic year. So I’ve decided to make a Milkshake Cardigan (Ravelry link). It’s the most basic cardigan ever, which I need to replace my thrift store cardigan that had started unraveling. Now I need to decide which DK yarn in my stash to knit it with. I’m leaning toward the Tunis yarn, because it’s so yummy. This is my first Joji Locatelli pattern to knit, though I’ve been following her patterns for sometime and have heard good things. I also purchased her new Straw cardigan pattern. It’s beautiful, but has cables on the shoulder seams. Nope. Not right now, anyway.

Part 2 of A Visit to Tarheelbilly Farm is live on The Just Craft. I had some sound issues, which I did not expect since recording in the fields — which I expected to be problematic — turned out fine. But recording on the porch of the house was much more complicated. It has me questioning my ability to make a good podcast, but I am going to try to think of it as a learning experience. I did the best I could with the sound in Audacity, reducing the noise and amplifying Charis’s voice. I felt that what she was saying was so important I had to do my best to get the episode out. She is very candid about her thoughts and feelings on racism in the knitting and fiber arts community (and the events of 2020 in general) and even though I struggled with the sound, I’m proud of this episode. I think I’ll take a break before I start the next one, though.

I’ve been steadily working on my felt art for the gallery show in September. Some pieces I really love, some not so much. Some get stitching, some don’t. It’s intuitive but I am finding that I tend to stitch on cultivated landscapes and don’t on wild ones. So there’s a method, even if it wasn’t conscious at the outset.

Oh, I forgot to mention I joined Kate Davies’ Bluestockings Club! Again, I think the first pattern may be a little more than I want to undertake at this time. But it’s lovely and I’m sure I’ll get around to it eventually.

Gooood Friday

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, yarnTagged , , , 12 Comments

Interweave has a new podcast called Knitting Nerdcast. Knitting podcasts aren’t usually my thing. I’ve tried and I can’t get into them. But this one is my jam. Check it out! I am definitely going to try Outlander again, for the knitting. (I will look the other way during the steamy scenes because they embarrass me.) They talk about combination knitting in this episode, because that’s how they knit in Gilead. That’s also how they knit in Kenya. I couldn’t remember what it was called when I was there, so we called it Kenyan knitting.

I signed up for Daily Om’s Yoga for Empaths. It’s basically yoga that focuses on grounding. Day 1 was a little challenging, but what Day 1 isn’t challenging? I feel better and it was crazy inexpensive for 21 days of yoga practice, journaling prompts, and recipes.

con-alma-124(Photo copyright Kate Davies.)

My favorite designer in the whole wide world has a new pattern out today. I love the orange, but I’m going to make it in Tarbet blue. That’s my happy color.

milarrochy-new-shades-06-copy(Photo copyright Kate Davies.)

Did I purchase yarn for another project? Yes. Yes I did. I am also going to look for some fabric — I will check my stash first — to make a button down shirt. I may dress up like Kate Davies for Halloween, or every day.

Or, I will dye my hair black and circle my eyes in black eyeliner and dress up like Noel Fielding. I’m pretty sure we were separated at birth and I want him to be my best friend. But for real, all I need is a furry neon jumper to wear with some skinny jeans and pointy boots.

Or I will wear my Arachne sweater with a rhinestone spider pin for Halloween. Yeah, probably that.

Squishy Mail!

Posted on Posted in fiber love, knitting, Works in Progress (WIPs), yarnTagged , , , 9 Comments

With all the things going on in the world, I thought it was a good time to redeem my Fairlight Fibers gift card that Bob got for me for Christmas.

My main goal was to get the J&S yarn for the original Peerie Flooers hat colorway (center). I also splurged on some yak (left), tussah silk, and nettle blends (right) because I was curious. She has some great free patterns on her website too!

But right now I’m stitching on my Shetland Tweed Throw because no thinking is required.

My Silly Knitting Quiz

Posted on Posted in knitting, life, what makes me tickTagged , , 13 Comments

1. Share an image of a knitting pattern you love but would probably never knit.

2. What is your favorite knitting technique?

3. Yarn: wool, alpaca, cotton, linen, hemp, silk, or acrylic?

4. Needles: wood, bamboo, metal, plastic, or casein?

5. Would you go on a knitting vacation? If yes, which country’s yarn shops would you like to visit?

6. Lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, or bulky? (If you had to choose just one)

7. Do you eat while knitting? If so, what?

8. Speckled yarn: yes or no?

9. Favorite knitting slang word?

10. Can you do anything else while knitting? Watching or listening to something doesn’t count.

11. Favorite knitting pattern designer?

12. Favorite yarn brand?

13. Intentional felting: yes or no?

14. Who taught you to knit?

15. What’s your next knit?

Here are my answers:

1. Share an image of a knitting pattern you love but would probably never knit.

Also there is a pattern for his long underwear.

2. What is your favorite knitting technique?

2-color stranded

3. Yarn: wool, alpaca, cotton, linen, hemp, silk, or acrylic?

Wool, of course

4. Needles: wood, bamboo, metal, plastic, or casein?

Wood when I can find them

5. Would you go on a knitting vacation? If yes, which country’s yarn shops would you like to visit?

Yes, please! Probably Shetland is my number 1 but I would also love to go on a Finnish knitting holiday, if there is one. Iceland would be on the short list as well, along with any Scandinavian country.

6. Lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, or bulky? (If you had to choose just one)

DK

7. Do you eat while knitting? If so, what?

Rarely because I don’t want to get food on my knitting, but occasionally chocolate

8. Speckled yarn: yes or no?

Hell no

9. Favorite knitting slang word?

Knitty Litter: The knitting related detritus that collects all over the home when one knits (I tend to scatter much knitty litter when I’m deep into a project)

10. Can you do anything else while knitting? Watching or listening to something doesn’t count.

For some time I have been on a mission to learn to read a real book while knitting, but I am not coordinated enough, apparently. I would also like to knit while walking, but same problem. I think someone should teach a knitting yoga class. There’s cat yoga, and even goat yoga. There should be knitting yoga!

11. Favorite knitting pattern designer?

It’s still Kate Davies. There is something about her simple precision and elegance that appeals to me, with just a little quirky fun.

12. Favorite yarn brand?

I have to say, Scout by Kelbourne Woolens is becoming my favorite yarn. But Peace Fleece will probably always be my favorite brand because of their mission. I would love a sweater quantity of Peace Fleece yarn for Christmas.

13. Intentional felting: yes or no?

Slippers yes, but anything else, no. I like drape.

14. Who taught you to knit?

A friend but it didn’t “take” so I took a class a couple of years later. I’m mostly self-taught

15. What’s your next knit?

These slippers for myself in raspberry red

Please answer on your blog, and let us know in the comments if you’re playing along!

Thankful Thursday… on Friday

Posted on Posted in inspiration, knittingTagged , , 13 Comments

Well my week got away from me and I missed my Thankful Thursday post. I am thankful for so much in my life. I am truly lucky.

But today I’d like to express my gratitude for this online knitting community. It has really meant so much to me to get to know each of you via your blog. And there have been some days when it has kept me knitting and making, which brings me joy. So thank you.

I went to my LYS today for an hour or so of Open Stitch. It was well-attended by a lovely group of regulars. I am hoping I might become a regular, too.

Do you have a regular knitting group you attend? I would love to hear about it.

Thursday

Posted on Posted in design, what makes me tick, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , 14 Comments

I have been exhausted all week. I don’t know if I’m coming down with something, but other than working, all I really want to do is sleep.

I am still working on this Ohio Star Cowl which may be better suited to a giraffe once I finally get the short rows done on the front. I really want to finish it!

The bad news is… Kate Davies had to put the Knitting Season Club on hold due to health reasons. I’m not sure where that leaves the design contest.

The good news is… my first Ottobre arrived! There are a few things I would like to make, but that means I would have to buy fabric! That wouldn’t be so bad, but I already have sewing projects lined up.

I recently read this article which has me wondering why I always want to turn my hobbies into a job. Granted, when I was home with kids making and teaching and selling my wares at craft fairs, that line of reasoning made sense. But now I have a job, a good job I love, and I seem to be good at it. So why don’t I just let my hobbies be hobbies and enjoy them? I don’t have to justify or monetize them, do I?

Friyay -All the Things

Posted on Posted in what makes me tick, yarnTagged , , , 3 Comments

I received my first installment of the School of Wool Club from Knitspot.

It’s a skein of sport weight Targhee! How did they know I love the squishy sponginess of Targhee?

Look at this beautiful yarn inspired by the coloring of the female cardinal:

(📷 copyright cornbreadandhoney)

And check out this Harry Potter inspired knitting themed enamel pin!



Did you hear Kate Davies is having another design contest? I want to enter but I have zero ideas at this point.

I’m so glad it’s Friday.

Sunday Studio Time

Posted on Posted in design, scarves and cowls, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , , , 5 Comments

I was good and completed my swatch for The Oa on the smaller sized needle. I haven’t steamed it yet. I also threw in a row of the green for color C to see how it would show up and I’m really glad I did, because it doesn’t! Show up that is. I also tried some knit 2 of A and C before binding off, just to be sure. Someone who has more experience with colorwork probably would have seen this coming. It’s ok, though. I ordered two balls of black and I’m sure that will work.

This week’s Knitting Season assignment was to write every day with the prompt, “Remember when I…” So I wrote about the time I dyed this silk top blue, spun it into yarn, and knit it into this tam. It’s a little beat up now. I wore it and so did some of the kids, which made me happy. It inspires me. I think I might like to save up and get a spinning wheel again.

I also spent some time working on this design for a colorwork Ohio Star Cowl and beanie.

And the original Ohio Star Bandandit is almost done, but I ran out of yarn! I ordered another 2 ounce hank and am looking forward to blocking it and wearing it. I want to knit another one with more texture work in The Fibre Co Arranmore Light in St. Claire, the bobbly tam yarn.

So it has been a productive week. I guess I am slowly but surely getting closer to reaching my goals.

People ask me how I do all of this on top of a full time job and my very part time work with Haven Herbs, and I can say with certainty it’s because Bob does all of the shopping, cooking, and cleaning. And he does it because he likes it. I do my own laundry and dishes, and clean the bathroom sometimes, but that’s really it. So shout out to Bob! ❤️ Also, I only have one kid still in school and he is super low key. ❤️

And I’m a much happier person when I am knitting. ❤️

ETA: I cut a steeeeeeek!

Nailed it!

Posted on Posted in shawls and haps, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs)Tagged , , 7 Comments

Hit the gauge smack on for The Oa and I love these colors! Now I’m supposed to knit it again in a smaller needle size, and I suppose I should do as I’m told, but you know I want to cast on the sweater now.

I am still making good progress on Celtic Myths. It won’t be long before it’s cabled knotwork time!

It’s Saturday and I don’t have to work and I might knit on the couch in my pjs all day.

ETA: My first version of this post was a little snarky. I felt bad about it so I deleted all that nonsense, but if you subscribe to my posts via email you get the original, unfiltered for snark version. Bob calls this “the real Alissa” and saves these posts for posterity.

It was just me grumbling about Instagram fatigue and how I should have artfully strewn flower petals in my knitting photos.