To Boldly Knit

by admin Posted on May 20, 2012

I know my last post was all about new patterns I want to sew, but lately I seem to have a greater desire to knit. I have a number of projects I want to finish, and they seem to just drag. on. My purse sock, for instance, still isn’t ready to have the heel turned on it, and I have  been working on this sock for four months now. It’s like a black hole of sock knitting! Maybe it’s just imploding on itself due to it’s properties.

This sock is Viper Pilots (Ravelry link), knit out of Woolen Mill St Yarns Star Trek (it seems to be a discontinued colorway), worked on mostly while watching Stargate Atlantis. Maybe the problem is there is so much sci-fi coolness knit into this sock, that it just implodes from all the awesome? That can be the only explanation for 3 inches of a sock taking four months.

These are going to be J’s birthday/wedding/Christmas socks. Maybe I’ll get them done by the end of the year.

 

 

 I have spent the rest of my time getting ready for this years Tour De Fleece. I decided to finish spinning up some Corriedale I have been working on for about 6 months. I finally have two bobbins full, and now I just need to ply them. The fiber is also from Woolen Mill St Yarns, in her Cinderella colorway. What can I say, the woman does impressive dye jobs. I can’t buy enough of her stuff.

(I also got a new lightbox to play with. I’ll figure out optimal settings with it eventually.)

 

 

 

 

Once I finished spinning those singles, I started on an art batt I bought at Wool Gathering in OH last year from Roving Acres.It’s a 1 oz art batt consisting of Alpaca, Merino, silk noils and angelina. It’s been a little difficult to spin up. I am not sure I enjoy art batts. They seem to have a mind of their own on what they want to be, and no amount of wrangling will make them anything else. The singles are turning out awful pretty though. I’m sure the final yarn will convince me I love art batts and need hundreds more and that wasn’t really troublesome, was it?

 

 

 

 


 

 

This past week was J’s birthday. I don’t know if you guessed from the theme of his socks above, but he is a bit of a sci-fi fan. Every year I make him a special birthday cake, and this year we went with a Star Trek Theme. It’s just a basic chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, but he loved it (and ate most of it. I would be more hurt if I liked frosting).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I doubt this week I will actually get some sewing done, but hopefully I can make a sizable dent in that sock and my spinning.

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Spring Inspiration

by admin Posted on May 3, 2012

I know it’s not just me, but every time spring comes around I have this urge to START ALL THE THINGS!!! and then never finish them. I look through magazines, pattern books, and websites imagining what new knitting project to cast on, or what new dress to sew myself. I can’t look my lingering WIP’s in the eye during this time of year- when nothing they can do satisfies me, no matter how much I loved them in the beginning.

 

So, in an effort to stem this desire, let’s look at all the things that have caught my fancy. Maybe blogging about them will be enough to get me through a few weeks of working on winter shawls just one chart shy of being done, and fall sweaters finished but for want of half a sleeve.

 

First up, a pattern I bought this week for a cool summer dress. I love the casual and feminine look of this style. I need to find just the right fabric to go with it. I would do style C for this one, I think. the skirt is a little less full.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up is Amy Butler’s Rainy days pattern. I love uniquely patterned items, and it seems so hard to buy a cute raincoat in a grown women’s size these days. I’ve never worked with a lined fabric before, but I am looking forward to the challenge!

I’m also dying to make this bag for myself. I tend to stick with boring, grown-up looking bags. No more! I have a fun paisley print I think will be great for this pattern. (pattern in Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects Using Cottons, Knits, Voiles, Corduroy, Fleece, Flannel, Home Dec, Oilcloth, Wool, and Beyond )

Finally, I just purchased this pattern for myself. I have a Kobo, but haven’t been able to find a case for it that matched my style. I have heard good things about this pattern, so I hope it works out! It has taken me months to get a copy- my local stores have been out of stock for weeks, and it’s 75% off online- I’m wondering if it is being discontinued?

 

So here are things I’m looking forward to making in the next few months- I can’t wait to see how they turn out!

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How Sweet it is

by admin Posted on May 1, 2012

To have a project that takes only 5 hours from start to finish. I  am fairly new to sewing. I made a wall hanging about 15 years ago with my grandmother one summer, and a fleece jacket one Christmas, but that was about the extent of my skills. Three years ago that same grandmother gave me my current machine, and I hated to let something  just sit around rusting from disuse. So my goal this year was to start sewing a lot more of my clothes/decorations/etc.

Over Christmas I bought “More Retro Aprons” and decided I should try one. I have also been doing a lot of experimenting with bread  baking, and learned quickly that flour and pretty much any clothing don’t go well together. I need to wear an apron. Store bought ones nowadays are always so boring, so I figured why not make one? They can’t be too difficult, right?

Now that the wedding is over I can finally sit down and focus on all the crafting I have wanted to do. I decided to start out with an apron this weekend. I bought some novelty print cotton at Joanns, and got to work.

The fabric is less yellow in actuality. It’s been gloomy here again this week, so it was difficult to take a photo with accurate color.

I also picked a coordinating green for the ties and ruffles on this apron. For this being my first ever project with ruffles, I will say it went a lot better than I anticipated. It was kind of fun tugging on the basting thread to make the gathers!

Anyway, a review of this pattern. I did style B from the pattern book and omitted the accent fabric for bias tape and trim. I also got rid of the pocket- it was in an awkward place on the chest. In hindsight, I would like a pocket further down on the apron. I may go back and add one, just to have it. We’ll see. The pattern itself was extremely easy to follow. I am notorious for making mistakes and having to rip back and redo something, and that didn’t happen at all here.  Everything was very straightforward and clearly illustrated. Definitely worth the money.

And here’s the final product! Not perfect, but pretty darn good considering my skills. I am very proud of this, and am thinking of making a matching one for my sister. The project only took about 5 hours from start to finish, and was so much fun the entire time. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for feminine apron patterns.

 

I am not sure what my next sewing project will be- I may go look through my Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders book and find something small and cute in there to entertain me until I can get the fabric for my next big project.

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Let The Sun Shine

by admin Posted on April 29, 2012

Because it won’t wake us up at 6am anymore! My most recent finished product is a set of curtains for our bedroom. One of our windows faces due east, and as summer sneaks up on us the light keeps waking me up earlier and earlier. But no longer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fabric was basic quilting cotton from Joann’s. We don’t have much in the way of fabric stores nearby, and this does the job. There was no pattern used, I just collected some tips from other curtain patterns and then went off on my own. I think they turned out nicely considering my lack of experience.

These were made using my Singer Touch N Sew 603E. This machine was my great-great aunt’s, and is at least 60 years old, but it still works like a dream. I hope this machine never dies. I don’t know what I’d do without it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my spare time the past few weeks I have been busy restoring a 1919 Singer 66 machine. I will post pictures and a blog attempting to chronicle my attempts to make it usable again. I have also been knitting, I swear! it’s just not very interesting right now. I’ll try and get a photo and make it as entertaining as possible.

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Why I’ve been gone

by admin Posted on April 27, 2012

I have a completely valid reason for being absent these past few months. Here, let me give you a hint:

 

That’s right- I’m married! here are a few more highlight photos of the day:

 

I’ll be back in a bit to post about everything I’ve had an opportunity to work on since the wedding- it’s been nice having free time again!

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2011 in review

by admin Posted on January 23, 2012

Sometimes I feel really bad about having this blog, since I absolutely never update. I keep saying I will, but that seems to only last for about a week before the drive disappears again. So New Year’s resolution: To actively document all my crafting and learning, and use this blog as a way to document it. Maybe if I view it more like my own personal scrapbook, it will get some more attention.

So to begin, Let’s start with a look back at 2011, in terms of Things I’ve Made.

Almost exactly one year ago, I decided the only response to a snowstorm was to knit cowls. How could knitting a cowl not help when it’s snowing out, right?

So I knit two very basic cowls, just to give me something to do.

February saw lots of knitting on a secret project, but it really just looked like a giant white blob at the time, so we’ll skip it for now.

March was filled with lots of creativity! I joined a “hand/homemade” swap, and needed something cute to send to my swappee. So I busted out my Great-Great Aunt’s old Singer 600 sewing machine, knit a drawstring bag and sewed a lining into it. The lining fabric was just a cheap cotton in an easter print, but very cheerful and cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My coworker was expecting his first child in the spring of 2011, so I figured this was a perfect opportunity to knit a baby sweater pattern I had been drooling over. This is “Baby Yours” by the Yarn Harlot. The pattern was adorable, but I think next time I might knit it all in one piece. If it’s going on a baby anyway, I’m sure the kid won’t mind that the structural integrity is a little wonky.

( I apologize for the poor picture. I was running on a deadline, and didn’t have time to wait for good lighting).

Over the summer I knit nothing except my wedding veil. I knit it out of Knit Picks gloss in white, 1600m. Here is the veil progress through 2011, with the exception of blocking photos. I didn’t block it, so I have no proof. I’ll need to get a photo of it sometime before the wedding.


Of course, that doesn’t mean I couldn’t partake in other crafts! I decided it was time to give my great-great aunt’s machine a solid run, and sewed a dress to wear on my trip out to Japan in June. I originally cut the dress WAY too large, and ended up having to dismantle, recut, and resew the entire thing. I still love the final product though. It’s so nice and cheery, perfect for a sub-tropical island.

Okinawa Aquarium
(Ignore the wrinkles. It had just survived 48 hours of straight traveling).

This fall I needed a quick project to work on when I got tired of the veil. The perfect project for me is of course, the trilobite hat.This took just a few hours to knit up, and is perfect for any north-midwest geologist or paleontologist. I love this hat. I even knit it up with my own handspun merino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, what year would be complete without a pair of socks for J? He now officially has more handknit socks than I do. I have threatened not to knit him another pair until I have some, too!
IMAG0057

I also knit a pair of mittens for a friend who got halfway through one, and realized she despised colorwork. These were a blast to knit, and I wish I could have kept them for myself! Pattern is Mystery + Manners by SpillyJane.
Mystery manners mitts
IMAG0080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, I was laid off at the beginning of November this past year, so I had to get a bit creative with Christmas gifts. My soon-to-be niece and nephew each received quillows. Unfortunately, I only took a photo of hers, and it’s not even a completed photo!
Natalie's quillow

J received a pair of pajama pants, but convincing him to pose in pj’s for a photo is like trying to convince a cat that baths are really lots of fun.

Finally, my dear friend JL received a pair of her own pajama pants, in a cat print. I will argue that the print is upside down because this way the cats are looking up at her, but it’s really because I get excited and rushed through making them without thinking. Whoops.
PJ pants

And there is 2011 in sewing and knitting projects! My goal for 2012 is to use my sewing machine more to create clothing for myself and J, and to push my personal limits with my knitting abilities.

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Tour De Fleece

by admin Posted on July 18, 2011

The Tour De Fleece is over halfway done! with thousands of people participating in the group on Ravelry, I was a little intimated. However I have a wheel that is feeling a bit neglected, and some spindles that probably think I have completely abandoned them, so my goals this year were:

Spin every day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

Finish my falkland that I purchased from FatCatKnits at the 2010 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

Learn how to use my new Russian Spindle.

Do some cool looking art yarn.

So far I am doing well. I have actually finished a few skeins of yarn! Here is some Ashland Bay merino I completed. I got about 230 yards of a 3 ply worsted from this. It is so nice and squishy. I want to just walk around holding it all day.

Tour De Fleece

The falkland has been taking me a long time. I’m shooting for a semi-woolen yarn from this. I have been spinning the top long draw from the fold. This technique does make a very lofty yarn with a lot of yardage. I was actually fairly surprised that the finished yarn ended up at 412 yards. Here are some in progress photos. I haven’t taken a picture of the finished yarn yet, and it may not be possible before my cat eats it. I walked in on her attacking it this morning. I guess she doesn’t like multi-colors.

Progress on the bobbin:

Tour De Fleece

I packed up Gertrude and took her to visit my grandparents at the lake this weekend. My littlest cousin enjoyed treadling while I plied the yarn. Here I am finishing up my plying in the kitchen. I had to move in there to avoid the dogs who had all gone swimming. They were locked on the back deck with me, and wet dog does not mix well with yarn.

Tour De Fleece day 15

I am now working on an ocean themed art yarn using beads from Jar-Jaf Miniatures. They have the cutest little wooden animal beads! I have a merino/mohair/alpaca/angelina blend that I am using to make this yarn. It looked bluish-green at first, but I am starting to wonder if it is too green for an ocean theme. I’ll post some pictures tomorrow and see what you all think.

Finally, I will leave you with this video my father took. I thought he was just taking my picture. No, no. He was attempting to embarrass me on the internet.
Dancing Spinner

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by admin Posted on March 11, 2011

As many of you may have heard, A large earthquake followed by multiple aftershocks shook Japan early this morning. My fiancee is currently stations in Japan. While his base was far enough away to not be affected, I feel obligated to assist those who are without homes and families as much as possible. Starting now, for the rest of the month, 50% of all proceeds from my patterns will be donated to Disaster Relief.

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Playing Catch-Up

by admin Posted on November 12, 2010

Here we are again, back with intermittent blogging. I’ve been pretty busy lately between work and preparing for my trip halfway around the world, so not much blogging progress has been made. I have been making some impressive progress on knitting. I finally finished my grandmothers mittens:

which you know, were for Christmas last year. Speaking of last year Christmas presents, I also finally finished the hat for my little brother. this is the PSU Hat, designed by myself. It is reversible, with one side being white with blue letters, and the other side being blue with white letters. It’s available as a ravelry download and will be available here as soon as I get this site formatted. In the meantime, here’s a photo of the white side of the hat.

I’ve made a lot of progress on my knitting goals for this year. My number one goal this year was to finish all the WIPs I have been ignoring for way too long. as of this time, I am down to only 2 WIPs from 2009 (out of 12. that’s progress. go me!), and have been able to complete a number of other projects in the meantime. My favorite non-goal project this year is my Hoodie Vest:

this is easily my favorite fall and winter top. It was a quick and simple knit, and an easy to follow chart. I am tempted to knit another one.

So there’s a mini-update on my knitting. I have two patterns for sale that I will be getting up on here shortly, and one free download. Check them out!

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Knit a Merry Christmas

by admin Posted on October 24, 2010

Hey all, here’s another quick post (I promise I’ll do one with content soon). I found out about this endeavor through Wendy’s blog, and thought it was such a good venture, that I wanted to help get the info out. Lynne, a fellow knitter, has a daughter who has recently taken command of a Navy ship. Lynne wants to send a care package to all the sailors of her daughters ship, many of whom are spending months away from family. Those of you who have been in the military, or have family members in the military know how hard it is to spend Christmas away from those you love. Lynne is asking for 278 knit hats by November 1. As of last week she had only received 27. I know it is awful late to be passing on the news, but I don’t doubt it can happen! I am going to crank out a few hats this week, and I would love for fellow knitters to help out as well!

Detailed information from Lynne about the project can be found here.

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