Tag: yop10

Virtual Travel and a YOP Update

Posted on Posted in finished objects, gardening, knitting, shawls and haps, Works in Progress (WIPs), yarnTagged , , , 15 Comments

I’ve started signing up for virtual travel events. I guess cabin fever is finally getting to me. Last night I attended a Barn Chat with Wing and a Prayer Farm that featured Gudrun Johnson and MJ Mucklestone sharing information on their knitting trips to Shetland. I missed this at Knit City Virtual, so was glad to get a second chance.

Today I attended a Spring Skye Woolly Meander. This was a warm and welcoming group that gathered for a virtual trip of the Isle of Skye. I was very unsocial, which I felt bad about, but I didn’t expect to be on camera as I was still in my pjs! But it was a beautiful event and Bob and I are looking forward to visiting Scotland in real life someday. I also learned about Shilasdair Yarns, so that’s on my yarn wishlist now.

Speaking of yarn, I purchased new yarn from Wing and a Prayer Farm for my Vintersoll (Rav link). My gauge swatch worked out. This yarn is a treat to knit with. It’s called Thelma and Louise and is naturally dyed and toothy but soft. I can’t wait to cast on. I love this golden color called Dawn achieved with onion skins and madder root,which will be the main color of the sweater.

But first I want to finish my Anker’s Summer Shirt (Rav link) in Blacker Lyonesse, which is also a very nice yarn to work with in wool and linen. The color is Serpentine.

I finished knitting my Water shawl (Rav link). It’s a lovely pattern and an enjoyable knit once you get the rhythm of it. Yarn is Quince and Co Finch in Bird’s Egg.

Gardening news: the peas are up!

Sunday Year of Projects Update

Posted on Posted in finished objects, knitting, sewing, The Just Craft, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , , , 16 Comments

I haven’t been keeping up on my YOP updates. Since it’s been a while, I thought I should do that today.

Sewing

I finished sewing my Ophelia Overalls, and I love them. I’m going to sew a pair for each season. These are my spring overalls. I’ll sew a linen pair in summer, a corduroy pair in fall, and a wool flannel pair in winter. Pattern is by Decades of Style. Fabric is organic cotton twill from Koshtex.

Next I’ll sew another Raglan Dress in blue cotton shirting.

Knitting

Water is coming along. I get frustrated with the lace sections, so it’s in time out a fair bit. It’s not that it’s difficult. I think I’ve got it, so I stop paying close attention and then make a mistake. It’s not great TV knitting.

I’ve knit a gauge swatch for an Anker’s Summer Shirt (Rav link). AJ is knitting one, and it was in my queue, so I thought, why not? Impromptu KAL. My gauge is spot on in this Blacker Lyonesse linen and wool, so time to cast on!

I also knit a gauge swatch for Kate Davies’ new long sleeved Treit in Foxglove. I’m having trouble getting gauge so I think I’ll sit on it a bit.

I’m going to let Bob pick out some yarn from my stash, and then cast on a new pair of socks for him. He really likes his Valentine’s Day socks and wears them a lot.

Felting

I have a new piece finished for March, and meant to lay out my April piece today. But I’m tired after all the sewing, so I guess I’ll do that next weekend. I checked my wool colors, and I should be good to go. No colors to dye for the next one.

Design

My cotton and linen slub tee is coming along.

Podcast

My new episode “Grow Your Clothes: Rust Belt Fibershed” is available! I had a great time on this interview and ended up having to cut quite a bit, but may have enough left over for another episode. If you would like to give it a listen, look for The Just Craft on Stitcher, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts, or you can listen at thejustcraft.com.

Baking

I made some banana bread today! I like walnuts in my banana bread, but can’t have them (tree nut allergy) so I added pumpkin seeds instead.

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

Shout out to Kelley of Ramen Needles / Dye Mad for adjusting my yarn club subscription when I asked her not to send me superwash if possible. She sent me this gorgeous silk and linen this month. 💙

Gardening and a YOP Update

Posted on Posted in art, gardening, knitting, life, sewing, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , , 20 Comments

This pretty yellow flowering shrub is not Forsythia! I thought it was, but I was told it’s Spice Bush, a native understory shrub, Lindera benzoin. (Someone commented on my Instagram photo and corrected me, thankfully.) We do seem to have a Forsythia on the other side of our property, though. Once everything is in full bloom I’ll do some pruning and take a photo so we can compare them.

This may not look like much, but I spent several hours digging up the weeds in the garden so I could plant the peas and cabbage and kale. Unfortunately, there’s a layer of clay under the top soil, and we haven’t had any new garden soil delivered yet. So even though I went ahead and planted them, we may not have any peas, cabbage, and kale this year. I’m really proud of myself for digging this up on my own and I only had a little help from Bob, who worked for 10-15 minutes to dig up a huge root system of some old ground cover. It looked like tree roots, it was so big! He broke the pitchfork handle trying to wrest it from its iron tentacle grip. Once he got it up, he shouted at it, “I beat you, you ol’ stump!” Which is a reference to my favorite scene in “Drag Me to Hell.” I haven’t laughed so hard in ages.

Fiber Art

I felted a new piece today. This is a peek at some unfelted fiber since I’m not showing the work until the show starts.

Knitting

When I started getting excited about knitting again, in 2018 I went to A Wool Gathering with my friend Sara. While we were there I picked up two hanks of this linen and cotton slubby yarn with the intention of making a simple drapey top to throw over tank tops in the summer. I finally cast on yesterday. I’m counting this toward design since I knit a gauge swatch, calculated the width I want, and cast on the number of stitches — even though it’s literally two squares of stockinette seamed at the sides and shoulders. The most basic design ever. Gotta start somewhere, right?

Other than that, I’m knitting away on Water and my Malabrigo Rikke hat.

Sewing

I don’t have any new sewing to show, but I’ve got Water KAL bags to make and I want to cut out my overalls this week.

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

Yesterday we met one of our neighbors. He mentioned our lot might have been a cemetery at one time? Which explains the limestone pillars. It’s just a rumor, but hopefully we won’t dig up any old bones! No, our house isn’t haunted. I also got bitten by one of his dogs. This was not his fault, as she was on a leash and I stupidly reached down to pet her. His other dog, though, a bulldog named Hammy, was off leash but friendly and adorable. Have you ever been bitten by a dog? It was my first time. I have a small tooth shaped hole in my arm. I will be more cautious about dogs now!

YOPing on a Sunday

Posted on Posted in art, knitting, recipes, sewing, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , 18 Comments

I updated my Year of Projects (YOP) list today, and it felt good — a reminder of why I should keep doing Year of Projects.

Fiber Art

I reached out to the gallery owner to share my work so far, and make sure the show was still on in September. And it is! So yesterday I looked through my photos for inspiration. I think I will spend some time sketching today. I have four pieces completed, although the fourth is in the still-hemming-and-hawing-and-stitching phase.

Knitting

I’ve been working on my Water shawl since I finished Turtledove. I’m almost to the short row panes.

I also need to cast on the Getting Warmer cowl (Rav link) for the silent auction winner for our fundraiser at work This will be a nice mindless knit for when Water is too challenging for my evening brain.

Sewing

📸 The Avid Seamstress

This is the raglan dress I’m making in the plaid flannel, although I think I will make the sleeves elbow length and a little more fitted than these.

📸 The Avid Seamstress

Here’s the short sleeved version which I will make in a blue cotton shirting. They have a tutorial on their website if you would like more information about this dress. Today my plan is to piece the pattern together.

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

Bonus content: I am trying my hand at making vanilla extract. At work we are developing a partnership with a Fair Trade vanilla bean farm. Extract is super easy to make. I split the beans and dropped them in vodka. They have only been in there 2 days and it already smells amazing!

📢 Sunday Sunday Sunday Year! Of! PROJECTS!!! (projects projects projects)

Posted on Posted in art, knitting, scarves and cowls, sewing, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged 29 Comments

Sewing

I finally finished sewing all the curtains. Adding these to the living room allowed us to rearrange the furniture, which Bob likes to do fairly regularly to rewire our brains. I was glad not have to make panels for these, although in hindsight, panels look nicer. These block out more light, though, which is nice for TV viewing.

Knitting

I’m plodding away on my Lucky Number Cowl and Turtledove. And my list keeps growing. 😳

Fiber Art

Sneakapeekaloo

I hope to finish stitching on piece number 3 today. Then next week I can frame it and lay out piece number 4.

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

Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry. You might also leave a comment for me to remind me to go check my messages.

🤓 Nerd Alert! 🐑 Sunday Year of Projects Update 🧶

Posted on Posted in fiber love, knitting, scarves and cowls, Works in Progress (WIPs), yarn, Year of ProjectsTagged 21 Comments

I took a wonderful Breed Specific Knitting workshop from Longway Homestead yesterday. It was a gift from Bob for Christmas. I learned about breeds and wool and crimp and staple length and microns. Conclusion: I want to raise Shetland sheep.

Knitting

I’ve updated my YOP list. I also rearranged the order to try to reflect a chronology. I will probably continue to do that as I make my way through the list. There’s not much else to say other than look at my beautiful Moondrake Advent Litmus Cowl! It’s knitting up fast. Knitting stripes is fun!

I bundled yarn by colors and am making my way through the rainbow, with stripes of the big skein in between hues. I numbered the bundles so I wouldn’t forget the order. 🤓

Fiber Art

It’s a long weekend so I’m going to frame “Hay for Days,” start “Blue Moon,” and dye some fiber.

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

Noodle Club

I received my first Noodle Club subscription yarn from Ramen Needles. It’s super fun. It also glows under a black light. Now I’m looking for a black light. I’m not sure what to do with it, so I will stash it away and percolate on it. It’s single ply merino and silk. Might make a nice Pembroke Scarf (Ravelry link).

Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry.

Mambo! That’s Fun to Say: A YOP Update

Posted on Posted in hats, knitting, scarves and cowls, sweaters, Works in Progress (WIPs), Year of ProjectsTagged , , 15 Comments
Top 9 from Global Gifts Short North

When I was writing about my happy places, I was remiss not to mention Global Gifts stores. That’s where I work, but I work from my home office now. However, I was a store manager for four years, and the store was my happy place. It smells like incense and coffee when you walk in, there is global music playing, everything is handmade, everyone is happy, and there’s chocolate. Lots of fair trade chocolate. It’s a little different now because of the pandemic. There are masks of course, and no coffee samples. We’re at limited capacity to ensure social distancing. And now when I visit I realize I’m another potential germ carrier. So I make my visits quick, and shop online and pick up. I miss being in store. I can’t wait for COVID to end.

And to make good on my resolution-ish to listen to more music, here’s one that reminds me of Global Gifts.

Year of Projects Update

I’m on Franca sleeve island.
Litmus cowl: purple is coming
I’m ready to start the raglan increasing on my Turtledove.
I may sew some PJ pants today with this flannel.

I may also lay out the wool for a new fiber art piece and dye some brown.

I do have another resolution-ish for 2021, and that’s to knit as much yarn as I purchase, at a minimum. So outgoing has to equal incoming, although ideally outgoing will exceed incoming. Since I’m signed up for two yarn clubs, that means I have to knit 24 skeins minimum. I also may have just stress bought a sweater quantity of Peace Fleece. I’ve wanted to knit a Peace Fleece sweater for several years, so I bit the bullet and did it.

Therefore, I’ve added a couple of things to my list:

Peace Fleece Ronan in Siberian Midnight (Ravelry link)

Malabrigo Brambleberry Rikke Hat – I bought this yarn when I was in OKC. I’m not 100% positive on the colorway name but it is berry-related. Or maybe it’s their Anniversario colorway?

I wear my Christmas Village Rikke Hat all the time, so I’m going to need a new color, and this matches my coat. I love this stretchy German Twist cast on. It’s my new thing. I also learned a new stretchy bind off for Franca.

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

Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry. So far, it’s been me, Sarah, Marilee, Liz, Kath, Bonny, and Laura. Our group is growing!

PS: JoJo loves Meep. Loves her to death with her murder claws.

It’s Curtains! A YOP Update

Posted on Posted in knitting, sewing, Year of ProjectsTagged 15 Comments

Sewing

I finished the bedroom curtains. Each window is a different height so each pair had to be a different length. It took me a couple of tries to make sure the pairs matched each other… well, were close enough not to bother me.

I was curious why we use curtains to connote an end of something, and grammarist.com says, “The idiom it’s curtains for you is taken from the fact that the final stage direction in many plays is simply the word ‘curtain’ meaning it is time to draw the curtain and end the play.”

One more pair of curtains for the living room, and then it’s curtains for sewing curtains!

Knitting

I’ve made a good start on the second TransPride sock. Background art by Sydney, one of our delightful children. I think I’m going to frame them and hang them over our TV (the art, not the socks, which will go on another kid’s feet).

I’ve finished knitting the main part of my Shetland Tweed Throw, but I need to knit the i-cord edge. I had to order new double pointed needles for it. I’m also making progress on Franca.

Design

I’m taking a video class on writing knitting patterns. I’ve also checked out a few books at the library by the teacher. If I feel like this was worth my time and money, I will link it later.

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

Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry.

Sunday Year of Projects Update: Planning

Posted on Posted in holidays, knitting, yarn, Year of ProjectsTagged 18 Comments

I didn’t add too many finished objects this week. Just my Barley Light Hat. But I did add a few things to my list.

I received my copy of Shetland Wool Week 2020 and fell in love with the Strom Cardigan pattern. I started looking at yarn online and realized that SURELY I had enough Milarrochy Tweed in my stash for this. And I was right! The main color will be Tarbet Blue, top. The other blue may be a little close, but I’ve got a lighter and a darker one if needed. The pink on the sweater will be orange. 🧡

I got my yarn for the Water Shawl Knitalong.

I ordered this Blacker Lyonesse with the intention of making a suit. I don’t think this is quite right for that. Instead I think I will knit one of Wolf and Faun’s shawl patterns. I’m not sure which one yet. Maybe Madda.

I’m adding to my holiday makes! This Ramen Needles DK yarn is called Christmas Village. I was thinking of knitting a Rikke Hat (Rav link) which has been in my library for a while, but geez how many hats can a person make and wear? So then I thought maybe some mittens?

And while we’re lining up holiday makes, here is my December sock yarn.

That’s four holiday makes planned for December: two sparkly cowls, one pair of mittens, and one pair of socks. That’s realistic, right?

PS: Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit today. DM me on Ravelry (alissahead) or Instagram (headknits) if you want to join in via Skype.

Sunday Sewing and Year of Projects Update

Posted on Posted in holidays, knitting, sewing, Uncategorized, Year of ProjectsTagged 21 Comments

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.