Knitting, Fiber Art, and Lofty Thoughts
You probably can’t tell from this photo, but on the edges of this border, I’ve been making a mistake: purling when I was supposed to be knitting and vice versa.
But since I’ve been making the mistake consistently, I’ve decided I like the way it looks and I’m calling it a “design element”.
We were supposed to go boating today but our lake excursion was canceled. What ever will we do today?
Look at that sleeve happening! I was afraid I might run out of yarn so I ordered another skein from Cestari. Luckily they still have this dye lot.
I’m really enjoying Traditional Danish Sweaters and this Aastrup Sweater is my favorite pattern in the book. Of course I would extend the body. Thanks to quiteayarnblog for mentioning this book on her blog.
Bob’s birthday is tomorrow and I’ve already given him his present, a Pendleton wool flannel shirt in the MacLean Tartan. It’s itchy, though, so we’ll see if he wears it. I found it used on Poshmark so not a big deal if he doesn’t.
Are you glad it’s Friday? I’m glad it’s Friday.
I finished my Farrow Dress.
It’s very frockish. Super comfy and cool in the linen. Maybe it will dress up a bit with some sandal clogs. (Yes I used “dress up” and “clogs” in the same sentence.)
It was a new method of making pockets for me. I’m calling it the “apron method.” There is another complete layer of fabric across the inside front from the seam down. Since this is a medium weight linen, it makes it a little heavy. It’s not a good pattern for French seams but I made it work.
Not bad. Do you like it?
I got a little work done on my art piece. Do you like it? I’m liking it. I guess the real question is how long will I do this before I go home and have a glass of wine?
Or should I bring the wine here and keep working?
This is my choice for selfie of the week.
(Edited: I replaced the gym selfie because I thought this one was more appropriate.)
The felting part of the process is also the fastest part of the process.
I still have needle felting to do, and then framing.
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.
I blogged before bed last night, and I deleted it in the wee hours due to a 1am panic attack. Don’t ask me to try to make logical sense out of it. There isn’t any.
Selfie a Day
5.26.19 Studio
A friend of mine posted a selfie on Instagram the other day. She looked great. Another friend has been taking daily selfies for years, although I don’t think she posts them all. She said it’s educational to watch how you change over the years.
I was taking photos of Bob, and he said his kids say there are more photos of him on my social media than there are of me. It’s true. It’s because no one ever takes my photo.
So I decided to start the selfie a day, though I’ll spare you from a daily post. I’ll pick the best one from the week to post.
Great Lakes Fiber Show
I purchased one pound of Shetland roving, some handmade birch dpns, and this wonderful orange basket from Ghana. All my baskets are orange. I just realized.
There were hanks and hanks of gorgeous yarn, of course. But I was controlled with my spending. I needed the roving for my art piece. I needed the dpns because I’m going to start knitting with wire again. And I didn’t technically need the basket, but I will put it to good use as my studio transport.
The Photo of Bob
Snapchat has the best stickers.
Yep, it’s a shriveled up sweater, AKA lace. Cricket Hitofude is coming along. I hope to have it finished by this Saturday so I can wear it when I meet the Mayor of Indianapolis.
Yep, it’s a garden. We put in new beds and went to the heirloom plant sale today. They are a little wilty from being transplanted. So glad to have something of a garden, even though it’s smaller than I’m used to. I’m too busy to take care of a proper garden.
Yep, it’s some flick carded Romeldale CVM. I’m able to keep the natural colors more distinct this way. I won’t start felting it until next week.
More travel this week. Homestretch!
I started my Emerson Pants, mini-swatched the new sweater, and carded some wool.
I am wondering if I have the wherewithal to make my own jeans. Wouldn’t it be great to have jeans that fit perfectly? I think so too. I will have to think about that.
I have connected with a few of you over on Instagram, and you will already know I’m sporting a shiner right now. Yesterday I thought it was funny, but today I am over the novelty of it and feeling sorry for myself. It’s nothing exciting. Sty + vomiting = shiner.
I fell off my spending fast when I saw this gorgeous lavender wool and cotton yarn from Cestari while I was at Broad Ripple Knits in Indianapolis on Thursday. I got four skeins, enough to make a spring pullover. I had trouble finding a suitable pattern, but Instagram to the rescue. Someone posted the Cumulus Blouse, and although this pattern is categorized as lace, it’s knit with two strands together and the gauge is perfect for my new yarn at a looser, drapey gauge.
I’m currently trapped underneath my cat which is why she is a prop in my photo.
I’m making good progress on Hitofude. Only four repeats left and the sleeves will be done.
I looked at my Hollywood Pants pattern and realized I am too big for it now. Instagram overheard my dismay and presented the Emerson Crop Pant pattern. $12 later and I’m happily taping together the pattern pieces. You may remember I have some linen waiting to be sewn at the studio. I may make these full length instead of cropped. We’ll see.
I hope you have a wonderful Saturday full of crafty goodness. I have a little work to do, and then Bob and I are putting together new raised beds for Satur-date. ❤️
And of course I will squeeze in as much crafty self-care as I can!
When I get too busy to knit, I get a little weird. My brain works better when my hands are moving. So this morning I made sure to get a round of knitting in.
I got my first Shave’em to Save’em sticker for my passport! If this blog had smellovision you would be able to smell lanolin and sheep butt. This is going to be a wet felted art piece, but I have to wash the fleece first? It does get washed during the process, so I’m not sure, honestly. I might try felting it raw just to see what happens.
I travel every week this month.
I look forward to catching up on everyone’s blogs soon!
