tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224548042024-03-13T04:07:40.346-07:00Works in ProgressMostly my Knitting. . . but reading,and life tooPamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.comBlogger345125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-76977458334247389662024-02-04T11:30:00.000-08:002024-02-04T11:30:00.145-08:00Some Mitts and a Hat, Just Because<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/53507369844/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53507369844_32efb98854_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>It started with the mitts. Or rather, it started with wandering into a fabric and yarn store in Oregon with my nieces last year. "Hey, no promises, but if anyone sees anything they'd like, let me know, and we can talk about it." </p><p>Well, one of them saw a pair of fingerless mitts she liked. Kind of plain-ish, in dark gray or black. </p><p>It took a while, and a little back and forth, but we settled on some yarn I already had at home, some dark gray (the color is called Dorian [gray]). It was a gift my friend Andrea had brought from New Zealand. It's 45% Polwarth (a breed of sheep) 45% Alpaca, and 10% Possum (NOT a breed of sheep). We also decided on the simple but elegant <a href="https://ysolda.com/products/roddin-mitts" target="_blank">Roddin Mitts </a>by Ysolda Teague, from her Knitworthy 7 collection. Ysolda creates these great collections of gift knits for knitworthy recipients - the whole collection is released as a book, and mid-December, the individual patterns are released. So part of the wait was my frugality. But in the end, so worth it. This yarn and that pattern made for a really cozy, yummy pair of mitts. I highly recommend that pattern, with great links to instructions for a tubular cast on and bind off, which I did on these. </p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/53507207993/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53507207993_47266ccac8_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> After I sent the mitts away, or maybe even before, I started musing about how to use the bit of dark yarn leftover, and the sister skein of lighter (the color is Parchment) yarn I had to match. I decided to create a hat to match. I used almost every bit of the dark yarn to knit a brim or cuff in 1/1 ribbing, and then switched, as the mitts do, to 2/2 rib. Unfortunately, while I chose a number of stitches that divide evenly by 4, they didn't dispose themselves into symmetrical decreases. If I had to do the hat again, I'd try 112 stitches. BUT I still think it's pretty nice. I think it hits a plain but not too vibe that works with the mitts.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Roddin Mitts</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>by Ysolda Teague</li><li>US 2 and 4 needles</li><li>Outlaw yarn Bohemia Worsted, 1 skein, color Dorian - this yarn has been discontinued, but Outlaw yarn's site is <a href="https://www.outlawyarn.com/#/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></li><li>size M</li></ul><h4 style="text-align: left;">A hat</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>by me</li><li>US 4 and 6 needles</li><li>Outlaw yarn Bohemia Worsted, the rest of the Dorian leftover from the mitts, plus Parchment, 1 skein (there's some left)</li><li>Size M adult</li></ul>On Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/bsr2tg" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/xjmdik" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-43658692827668737722024-02-03T17:00:00.000-08:002024-02-03T17:00:27.245-08:00Socks to Celebrate<p> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/53185366527/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53185366527_f42335a239_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>A young friend mentioned quite a long time ago, that she might like a pair of hand-knit socks. Or maybe not, it was a long time ago. But I promised myself that when she graduated from university, I'd make her a pair of socks. And now she has. So I did.</p><p>They're <a href="https://ravel.me/painting-columns-socks" target="_blank">Painting Columns Socks</a>, designed by Stephen West. The fun color combination is from a <a href="https://www.labienaimee.com/products/westknits-sock-bundles" target="_blank">bundle</a> designed for Stephen's socks (there's a couple of patterns they would suit) from La Bien Aimee. It's been a minute since I've knit socks. It was fun to play with the colors, and the rhythm of the pattern made making two identical-ish socks pretty easy. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Painting Columns Socks</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>La Bien Aimee <a href="https://www.labienaimee.com/products/merino-super-sock" target="_blank">Merino Super Sock </a>: 74% Merino, 25% Nylon in Jake's palette: Main color - Emeline, Anemone, Sea of Decay, Kokko, Le Petit Nuage, Ecto 1</li><li>Size 3</li><li>US 0 needle<br /></li></ul></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-80230187969686385642023-09-17T19:37:00.000-07:002023-09-17T19:37:22.257-07:00Pressed Flowers Cardigan<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/53195068461/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="IMG_5061"><img alt="IMG_5061" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53195068461_75173d78d4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>I finished a sweater last week that I'd been working on since last winter. It was often put aside this spring and summer. I knit four and a half other projects while I worked on this one. But now it's done, just before sweater weather begins. </p><p>The pattern is Pressed Flowers Cardigan, the second of SIX Pressed Flower patterns <a href="https://www.savoryknitting.com/" target="_blank">Amy Christoffers</a> has created. First there was a shawl, then this sweater. Now there's a pullover, a cowl, a hat, and socks, as well. I can see why she kept going - the pressed flower design is really fun to knit and the fabric, with the flowers on a waffle-y background, is beautiful. </p><p>I knit this just as designed, in the original colors. The yarn is all from Spincycle Yarns. I purchased it as a<a href="https://spincycleyarns.com/collections/pressed-flowers-cardigan/products/pressed-flowers-cardigan-bundle?variant=43372546326744" target="_blank"> kit</a>, and later went back and ordered an extra skein of the grey. My row gauge was a bit off, and I did need about 1/3 of a skein more. Luckily (as there are no dye lots) it seems to be from the same batch. </p><p>The buttons are <a href="https://www.serendipitywoods.com/products/tilda-gardenlife-chambray-basics-buttons-cool-colors-16mm-8-pc-preorder-by-tone-finnanger?_pos=1&_sid=6775ff33a&_ss=r" target="_blank">Tilda Chambray Basic Buttons</a>, a fabric button ordered in two sets from a quilt shop. I realize creating this link that the buttons I got don't quite look the same as the ones on the page I ordered from, though the colors are the same. There is a warm color set and a cool color set. I used a few from each set attempting to coordinate with the flow of colors in the Dyed in the Wool yarn. <br /></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/53195433953/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="IMG_5066"><img alt="IMG_5066" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53195433953_f82a06b87c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Pressed Flowers Cardigan</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Size 42</li><li>6 skeins Spincycle Wilder, 100% American Rambouillet wool, 200 yds, in Light Grey</li><li>4 skeins Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, 100% wool (superwash), 200 yds/skein, Ghost Ranch </li><li>Size 3 and 5 needles</li><li>Tilda Chambray buttons (16mm)</li><li>on <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/iblm1c" target="_blank">Ravelry </a><br /></li></ul></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-90741513323301516032023-04-23T16:39:00.000-07:002023-04-23T16:39:50.931-07:00Soldotna Crop in Big Birdie<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52835176845/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4123"><img alt="IMG_4123" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52835176845_fb4c675bbb_z.jpg" width="479" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p>I finished a sweater and I love it!
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52835223248/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4119"><img alt="IMG_4119" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52835223248_7a166fdd14_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>
<p>I've been admiring other knitter's versions of <a href="http://boylandknitworks.com/patterns/soldotna-crop" target="_blank">this sweater</a> on Instagram for a while. The original pattern is a bit closer fitting, and knit with finer yarn. It also has some color-work through the body. But several people have been knitting it in intense colors in Dimond Laine's <a href="https://thelambandkid.com/products/dimond-laine-big-birdie" target="_blank">Big Birdie yarn</a>, a fluffy alpaca/silk yarn. </p><p>I'd made a <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2023/01/assorted-hats.html" target="_blank">hat</a> a little while ago to try out this yarn. So, I already knew it was light and soft. Honestly, the bright colors (pink!?) didn't feel like me. And yet, I loved these sweaters. (For great color inspiration on Instagram, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/margotchien/" target="_blank">this</a> account.) </p><p>Online, Big Birdie is mostly offered from The Lamb & Kid as a dyed-to-order event. So the next time there was an offering, I ordered yarn. It was a swing. . . . and a miss. I chose the gray (Gray is my Favorite Color) and hot pink (Pop Rocks) that you see above, along with an almost white called Oats and a black (Blackbird). Which wasn't the juicy combination I was aiming for. Next offering, I added a light coral-y pink called Pout (which is in the finished sweater too.) </p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52780980684/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_3994"><img alt="IMG_3994" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52780980684_a8cb53604f_q.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52834959019/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4029"><img alt="IMG_4029" height="320" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52834959019_75055f03f6_q.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p>Finally, I emailed The Lamb & Kid store, as I'd realized they carry some yarn in stock at the store that isn't offered in their online store. They were really helpful. I chose a color called Vixen, which is the dark red. Still, I was scared of that hot pink, which really was the focus of the colors I'd admired online. I knit this yoke FOUR times. (I'm missing a picture of the time I tried black, white, and hot pink.) This is a nice yarn, but soft fuzzy yarns are NOT easy to rip out, and they sometimes can look the worse for wear with this treatment. I was lucky to get away with this.</p><p>In the end, I forced myself to knit the sweater most like the ones I'd been admiring. The colors didn't look good to me till I reached the gray underneath the yoke (knitting top-down). But I'm really happy with my finished sweater.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Soldotna Crop</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Designed by Caitlin Hunter (Boyland Knitworks)<br /></li><li>Big Birdie yarn, 79% alpaca, 21% silk, 179 yards in 100 g. Colors are Gray is my Favorite Color, Pop Rocks, Pout, and Vixen. </li><li>Size 8 and 7 (US) needles</li><li>knit the smallest size for about a 44", flaring to 49" sweater. </li><li>on <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/jb3g6l" target="_blank">Ravelry</a><br /></li></ul></div><p><br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-40007644831427037212023-04-21T23:14:00.004-07:002023-04-21T23:14:50.938-07:00Waffles Puppy for Baby B<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52781200933/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4014"><img alt="IMG_4014" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52781200933_ec04016375_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p>What a cutie!</p><p>When I received the invitation to my niece's baby shower, of course, my first thought was, "what will I make?"</p><p>The answer was pretty easy -- some cute thing from Susan B. Anderson's collection of stuffed toys.</p><p> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52780731176/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4013"><img alt="IMG_4013" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52780731176_fbe7b82549_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</p><p>(The sweater has a hood.) </p><p>Over at <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/" target="_blank">Barrett Wool Co.</a>, there are lots of kits, but not all of them are in stock. I knew from a recent e-mail that there was a kit available for a Happy Bunny. It was cute, but I knew Sierra and Caleb are more dog people. I decided to order the bunny <b>kit</b>, but use the puppy <b>pattern</b>. It worked out great! (Though I do have some extra pink embroidery thread.) </p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52781144725/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4016"><img alt="IMG_4016" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52781144725_9edbc2fe28_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p>A cute puppy tail. <br /></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52780731246/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_4015"><img alt="IMG_4015" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52780731246_1d481c1bf1_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>He's now at my niece's house, waiting the arrival of Baby B. Only a few weeks to go.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/ymo4jz" target="_blank">Waffles </a>Puppy</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>from a Barrett Wool Co. <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/products/waffles-puppy-kit?variant=32574860329009" target="_blank">kit</a></li><li>from the <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/products/happy-bunny-kit?variant=44088323899644" target="_blank">Happy Bunny </a>kit, with the tattersall twist, red flannel twist, and dark button options. </li><li>made with embroidered eyes for safety.</li><li>fun to knit, and, if I do say so myself, adorable.<br /></li></ul></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-45209074271472792732023-01-24T20:33:00.000-08:002023-01-24T20:33:48.578-08:00Assorted hats<p> I've been on a hat-making binge lately.</p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52478035978/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52478035978_a11e33ec62_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>I guess it started last fall, when I finally knit up these<a href="https://northlightfibers.com/products/norwegian-star-mittens-by-deborah-newton" target="_blank"> two</a> <a href="https://northlightfibers.com/products/norwegian-star-hat-designed-by-deborah-newton" target="_blank">kits</a> from North Light Fibers, brought home from a summer 2021 visit to Block Island, RI. The <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/u3o82t" target="_blank">Norwegian Star Hat</a> and <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/zc1e3t" target="_blank">Mittens</a> are knit in a "have to touch it to believe it" blend of cashmere and merino wool that is <a href="https://northlightfibers.com/products/water-street" target="_blank">Water Street</a>. They're designed by Deborah Newton. This splurge-y set ended up a gift to my wonderful daughter-in-law. <br /></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52641557768/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52641557768_97ac278aa2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52640576182/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="240" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52640576182_2483f98c32_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>I've made <a href="https://ravel.me/hesters-hat-and-headband" target="_blank">Hester's Hat</a>, by Lori Versaci. I used the leftover yarn from my <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2022/12/new-favorite.html" target="_blank">Eye Dazzler</a> sweater for this one. I finished it on the plane to New York a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised NOT to find a picture of myself in the hat, because I wore it the whole trip. My next one, I will use a smaller needle and not knit quite so long before decreasing. The cuff is awfully deep, but also warm, and because it's a little big, my hair still looks okay when I take it off. Ravelry notes <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/8nzhsd" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52641557808/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52641557808_df88381d47_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><a href="https://ravel.me/warbler-hat" target="_blank">Warbler Hat</a>, a free pattern from Lamb & Kid Designs. I knit this one from a mystery kit (this means I didn't get to choose the color.) I wanted to try out the yarn, which is <a href="https://thelambandkid.com/products/dimond-laine-big-birdie" target="_blank">Big Birdie</a>, an amazing, soft, fuzzy blend of alpaca and silk. The pattern shows stripes, but there was only single color kits left when I shopped. The kit included a pompom. On <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/l4wqr2" target="_blank">Ravelry</a><br /></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52646103060/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52646103060_b1b12a963a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>And <a href="https://www.nativeknitter.com/shop/p/chaco-beanie" target="_blank">Chaco Beanie</a>, by Jennifer Berg (Native Knitter). Chuck asked for a <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/qcjt0a" target="_blank">hat</a>. I wanted to use the leftover yarn from the Norwegian Star set above, first, because it is too good to go to waste, and second, it was expensive. I love how the neutral colors suit the patterns inspired by the indigenous sites and artifacts at Chaco Canyon. By the way, this picture was taken on January 23, but in <a href="https://leavenworth.org/" target="_blank">Leavenworth, WA</a>, where it's not only winter, obviously, but also still Christmas! <br /></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52591172808/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Sophia’s cowl"><img alt="Sophia’s cowl" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52591172808_2983f1da18_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>I am also working on a second Hester's Hat to match my cushy cowl. Oh yeah, and I made another cowl. When Sophie was home at Thanksgiving, she asked for <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/57u2m" target="_blank">one</a>, exactly like mine. Didn't need to ask ME twice. It's like mine except it doesn't have that one, mis-slipped stitch I only discovered that same weekend.<br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-68918977690401565832023-01-22T19:57:00.000-08:002023-01-22T19:57:08.445-08:00Faro Sweater from September<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52635794517/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52635794517_72eb1575ef_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p> I finished this back in September, brought it to my daughter in October, but it was January before we got any pictures! </p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52636567629/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52636567629_2568b471eb_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>In fact, the sweater is different YET from these pictures, since we decided we'd like this better a bit more cropped, so I took about 1.5 inches from the length, and bound off a little tighter, so that the sweater draws in more at the waist.</p><p>It's the Faro Sweater, sold as a kit with hand-spun yarn from Camellia Fiber Co. It's a fun, novelty sweater.</p><p><a href="https://camelliafibercompany.com/collections/handspun/products/preorder-patrick-handspun-good-night-day-faro-pattern-bundle?variant=42394010189986&mc_cid=8e4c2da885&mc_eid=4e1d5ed836" target="_blank">Faro Sweater</a>, designed by Tara-Lynn Morrison of Good Night, Day. </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>yarn is bulky hand-spun targhee wool, in the Patrick colorway, 6 skeins, from Camellia Fiber Co. (see sweater link above)<br /></li><li>Size L/XL (about 44")</li><li>Size 15 needles - my row gauge was off with these needles</li><li>on <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/fpoxhi" target="_blank">Ravelry</a><br /> </li></ul><p><br /></p>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-56370660529397582212023-01-21T18:18:00.001-08:002023-01-21T18:18:21.465-08:00Sometimes I sew<p> For a long time I've admired Alabama Chanin sewing projects. I think I first learned about Natalie Chanin and her very hand-crafted designs on Modern Daily Knitting. Alabama Chanin pieces can be purchased <a href="https://alabamachanin.com/products/gia-dress-1?from=collection:Collection:collection&parent=shop" target="_blank">already made</a>, or you can make them yourself, from a <a href="https://alabamachanin.com/products/annas-garden-keyhole-tunic-kit?from=collection:Top%20-%20Kits:top-kits-1&parent=the-school-of-making" target="_blank">kit</a>, or using one of the <a href="https://alabamachanin.com/collections/the-school-of-making/books-1" target="_blank">books </a>Natalie Chanin has written to share her process. Almost any way you choose, you will have a hand-made garment, and you will have invested heavily in time, or money, or both.</p><p>So for a long time, I just lurked on the edges of The School of Making. But the day came that I had a coupon, a little birthday money, and kits for this shirt came out.<br /></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52637924781/in/photolist-2ocr89V-2ocr8ag-2ocrcsp-2ocrcwh-2ocrcwY-2ocrdab-2ocrdaw-2ocrdXy-2ocre1V-2ocrh8S-2ocrh9i-2ocrhXC-2ocrhYV-2ocriEE-2ocrjCg-2ocrjDJ-2ocskvK-2ocsm9i-2ocsmeD-2ocsnkg-2ocsnkm-2ocsrc4-2ocsriG-2ocsw6c-2ocswVd-2ocswVD-2ocsA4T-2ocsA5z-2ocsAY8-2ocsAYP-2ocsAYZ-2ocsBFW-2ocsBHe-2ocsCJx-2ocsCLX-2ocsDxB-2octg3A-2octg4Y-2octgLK-2octhZ6-2octhZB-2octhZS-2octhZX-2octi18-2octiry-2octn4D-2octr61-2octrLj-2octrP5-2octsJw/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52637924781_aac40b408f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52637924761/in/photolist-2ocr89V-2ocr8ag-2ocrcsp-2ocrcwh-2ocrcwY-2ocrdab-2ocrdaw-2ocrdXy-2ocre1V-2ocrh8S-2ocrh9i-2ocrhXC-2ocrhYV-2ocriEE-2ocrjCg-2ocrjDJ-2ocskvK-2ocsm9i-2ocsmeD-2ocsnkg-2ocsnkm-2ocsrc4-2ocsriG-2ocsw6c-2ocswVd-2ocswVD-2ocsA4T-2ocsA5z-2ocsAY8-2ocsAYP-2ocsAYZ-2ocsBFW-2ocsBHe-2ocsCJx-2ocsCLX-2ocsDxB-2octg3A-2octg4Y-2octgLK-2octhZ6-2octhZB-2octhZS-2octhZX-2octi18-2octiry-2octn4D-2octr61-2octrLj-2octrP5-2octsJw" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52637924761_232bbff4df_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>The words on the shirt are from a Roseanne Cash song, from the River and the Thread album.</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCtFDt9KoAg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><p>I love the song, I like birds, and I'd wanted to try an Alabama Chanin project.</p><p>I loved the process. I loved the hand sewing. And this project was just about the right amount of fussy for a first-timer. </p><p>There were two problems - first of all, sizing. I first ordered an XL to give myself a little ease, though my body measurements would indicate a L. But when I opened my kit, I realized this shirt was designed with negative ease. I really didn't want a shirt that had to stretch to fit my body. Though they didn't have to, the folks at AC agreed to exchange my shirt for an XXL. Even after that, you can see that though the shoulders are a little big, the shirt itself just fits. I even added gores at the side, because I still wasn't happy with the fit through the waist and hips. And to be fair, my hips are not proportional to my bust, according to standard sizing.</p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52638869292/in/photolist-2ocvXVW-2ocvYu1-2ocyAGM-2ocAQe1-2ocB42D-2nXhgZq-2nXdDmj-2nXdDn6-2nXh3YH-2nXh4bB-2nXhCrY-2nXiAmV-2nXj2kv-2nXjqTp-2nXjr25-2nXjr99-2nXjrdN-2nXjS2i-2nXjS85-2nXjScU-2nYDuVR-2nYDuXz-2nYDv8z-2nYDvsH-2nYFYFW-2nYFYN4-2nYHqwV-2nYHqzk-2nYHr4S-2nYJnKM-2nYJnYH-2nYJnZz-2nYJo5p-2nYJob1-2nYJPd3-2nZZ7Px-2o11aNn-2o11wKv-2o11wMe-2o7hMcM-2o7m7C7-2o7m7MF-2o7n2eF-2o7nqKb-2o7nqVX-2ocyANi-2oczU9g-2oczUcN-2nYDvuX-2nYFYVZ" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52638869292_0294db996b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>And then there was the color. This I knew from the beginning. Beige-y colors are not great on me. So after completing the shirt, and not wearing it, and not wearing it, I decided to gamble. I dyed my shirt, or rather over-dyed it. I used <a href="https://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/idye-for-natural-and-poly-fabrics.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAt66eBhCnARIsAKf3ZNGNZloEeet4pAco04avSM4CI4ygopnyV6BfIgu7MLttQPrKjbPA8VUaAscrEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Jacquard iDye</a> in color 429, Gunmetal. It's an upgrade (I think) from RIT dye, but is similar in that it's designed for easy home use. I did prep with a synthropol type wash, but otherwise just used hot water in my washing machine at home. The white and beige fabrics took the dye differently. The screen print and fabric paint didn't take any dye. The embroidery stayed dark. And the sewing thread fell somewhere in between. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out, though the color is more blue and less gray than I expected. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52615285377/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52615285377_50e45f1c7b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</p><p>And now I wear my shirt, for fun, in public. </p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52641425149/in/datetaken/" title="IMG_0400"><img alt="IMG_0400" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52641425149_257b4accca_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><p><a href="https://alabamachanin.com/products/bird-branch-t-shirt-top-kit" target="_blank">Bird on Branch T-shirt</a> - from an Alabama Chanin kit, made by me.<br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-65430882622199137612022-12-27T20:35:00.006-08:002022-12-27T23:30:03.101-08:00New Favorite<p>I finished a new favorite last week.</p><p><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52580623593/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52580623593_31af560347_z.jpg" width="512" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p>It's called Eye Dazzler by Jennifer Berg.</p><p>I had a wonderful time at Starlight Knitting Society in Portland, choosing colors. My inspiration for colors was this necklace from a trip last spring to Santa Fe, by Alton and Rita Sanchez. </p><p><br /><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52581384593/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52581384593_cf71015f69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I chose some wonderful yarn, the same yarns but different colors from the original pattern. The main color is Sunny's, in Recollect Worsted, by Farmer's Daughter Fiber. I stood for well, less than an hour, but longer than my patient husband really wanted, choosing Deep Bump in Spincycle Dream State for the contrast. As I knit the sweater, I realized that while Deep Bump was a great color, and it worked, it wasn't fulfilling my vision for this sweater. So, I ordered a skein of Family Jewels. The final zig-zag of this sweater, along with the cuffs, are in Family Jewels. Later, I also ordered an extra skein of the main color. I really think the pattern understates the yarn needed in the main color for this size (the 4th) although since I made a few tweaks to the pattern, I could be wrong.</p><p>As to tweaks -- the yoke extends pretty far (almost a swoncho) before the sleeves are separated out. I chose not to knit more rows of plain color before that split. That meant I had to make the main body of the sweater longer. I already have short arms, so the sleeves are still shorter than specified. This sweater has quite narrow arms. I think that's flattering with the otherwise over-sized fit, but you might want to take that into account.</p><p>I have been wearing this sweater nearly daily since I finished it. It's been cold, and I love this sweater.</p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/52581384723/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52581384723_91ea284468_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.nativeknitter.com/shop/p/eye-dazzler-sweater-pattern" target="_blank">Eye Dazzler</a> by Jennifer Berg (Native Knitter) knit in size D 44.5" (this is about 6" of ease)<br /></li><li><a href="https://www.starlightknittingsociety.com/yarn/recollect-worsted-farmers-daughter-fibers" target="_blank">Recollect Worsted by Farmer's Daughter Fibers</a>, 100% Merino Wool, 5 skeins</li><li><a href="https://www.starlightknittingsociety.com/yarn/dream-state-spincycle-yarns" target="_blank">Dream State </a>by Spincycle Yarns, 2 skeins Deep Bump and 1 Skein Family Jewels (lots of this left)</li><li>Size 6 needle</li><li>On <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/pc7u0s" target="_blank">Ravelry </a><br /></li></ul><p><br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-11906738746099830742022-07-06T15:23:00.001-07:002022-07-06T18:40:48.423-07:00Catching up<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52186461072_e05776418c_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nvxfJd%5Dfullsizeoutput_1c58b%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52186461072_e05776418c_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nvxfJd%5Dfullsizeoutput_1c58b%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" width="800" /></a></div>Do I still want to blog about knitting, or not? If you're still interested, here's what I have finished so far in 2022:<p></p><p>Two pair of <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/6vj72q" target="_blank">Bieldy</a> slippers (finishing Christmas gifts in the New Year, as one does), these for Tim (above - they're big) and below for Carley.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51844052656_577c1e0ed2_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2mZhjCQ%5DUntitled%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51844052656_577c1e0ed2_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2mZhjCQ%5DUntitled%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" width="800" /></a></div><p></p><p>Then I knit up my Mother's Day yarn and made this <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/dy7i4a" target="_blank">Candyline</a> sweater, <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52053147769_d662257878_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2niKZjZ%5DUntitled%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="637" height="799" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52053147769_d662257878_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2niKZjZ%5DUntitled%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" width="637" /></a></div><p>which isn't my usual color scheme, but I enjoyed wearing it at the end of winter.</p><p>Then came a <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/it55ds" target="_blank">Mood</a> sweater for me - something I've been hoping to knit since I made my daughter one a while back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52187932665_a8e448c056_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nvENbv%5Dfullsizeoutput_1c584%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52187932665_a8e448c056_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nvENbv%5Dfullsizeoutput_1c584%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" width="600" /></a></div><p>Then I replaced a <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/1ofn32" target="_blank">mitten</a> I'd lost LAST winter. It was lost on a slushy day when I went to Costco. I really tried hard to find it when it was lost - I went back and retraced my steps, and asked multiple times at the lost and found. But it was LOST. It took me a while to feel ready to start another. I reversed the colors on this mitten, afraid I'd run out of yarn, since the first pair used more of the dark gray color. In hindsight, I would have had enough for one more, I think. The new mitten came out a smidge bigger, but may shrink a bit with wear and washing. The yarn is not superwash, and fulls a bit, especially in the palm.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52152366853_4894f6a31f_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nswvGR%5Do8kqAWTpSlyohEigBjwTXQ_thumb_27126%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52152366853_4894f6a31f_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nswvGR%5Do8kqAWTpSlyohEigBjwTXQ_thumb_27126%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" width="600" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally, I took part in Modern Daily Knitting's Hello Brioche Knitalong, and tried brioche stitch (aka fisherman's rib) for the first time. This <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/plgip" target="_blank">cowl </a>could be mine, could be a Christmas gift - haven't settled on that yet. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52186461222_98561fe014_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nvxfLN%5Dfullsizeoutput_1c58d%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52186461222_98561fe014_c.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D%5Burl=https://flic.kr/p/2nvxfLN%5Dfullsizeoutput_1c58d%5B/url%5D%20by%20%5Burl=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/%5Dphenager%5B/url%5D,%20on%20Flickr" width="800" /></a></div>So there - we're caught up. If you're interested in information about pattern, color, or yarn, there's some linked text with each item that will take you to my Ravelry page, where you'll find that. <br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-86795416663125417832022-01-02T18:25:00.001-08:002022-01-02T22:11:02.373-08:00Christmas Knitting 2021<p> </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51680876241/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51680876241_b845ffe106_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</p><p></p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51756709774/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51756709774_0e0afd0bf7_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>
</p><p></p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51792650012/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51792650012_0fe0f3d83b_c.jpg" width="396" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</p><p></p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51793596891/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51793596891_06bbf93b47_c.jpg" width="800" /> </a></p><p>I made: A Strobus hat and mittens for Carley out of Jill Draper Makes Stuff Windham (the rest of the mini-skein set I used for the first set. I'm the model here)<br /></p><p>A Starry Light star of LED lights from Amazon for my Christmas tree. I intend to make two more to hang outdoors. Laura Nelkin designed this. Isn't it fun?<br /></p><p>Two pair of Bieldy slippers designed by Kate Davies for Sam & Sophia (originally intended for Carley and Sam but the sizing was a problem).</p><p>I want to knit two more pair of Bieldy slippers (for Tim & Carley) but they aren't done yet.</p><p>It was SO wonderful to have everyone home for Christmas, and to have a table full of faces for Christmas dinner. I didn't stress about not finishing all the slippers - I was committed to enjoying being with my family for Christmas, not about all I could or should do. </p><p>Ravelry links are <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/l0da0u" target="_blank">Strobus</a>, <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/n78iww" target="_blank">Starry Lights</a>, <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/1h01t6" target="_blank">Bieldy</a></p><p> If you're paying attention, you might expect two pairs of slippers and two stars in the new year. Carley's slippers are started, so hopefully soon!</p><p>Hope you too had a good holiday celebration. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-79618847184704598702021-11-03T18:00:00.005-07:002021-11-03T18:00:00.135-07:00Not a Spring Chicken<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51642920043/in/datetaken/" title="Zd%gIYjqRRKi6QvcbHOxNQ_thumb_26e8d"><img alt="Zd%gIYjqRRKi6QvcbHOxNQ_thumb_26e8d" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51642920043_93c6cde27a_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>She's a Mother Hen. Knit as a favor to my friend Junie, and to amuse myself. Probably more the latter. And isn't she funny? She just tickles me.</p><p>I love how naked her white self looks.</p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51643556925/in/datetaken/" title="3078o6QxQvCfskxd+UB%gw_thumb_26e8e"><img alt="3078o6QxQvCfskxd+UB%gw_thumb_26e8e" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51643556925_5f43426f2a_c.jpg" width="601" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>And I love the chick and egg in her pockets.</p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51641873642/in/datetaken/" title="AZ22o7PURB2urrhmGIffGw_thumb_26e91"><img alt="AZ22o7PURB2urrhmGIffGw_thumb_26e91" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51641873642_d501c1bce8_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>I love her silly, cozy hat and cardigan.</p><p>And guess what?</p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51642921048/in/datetaken/" title="e9Tdfu3qTpSZ3DdVTwCB8A_thumb_26e90"><img alt="e9Tdfu3qTpSZ3DdVTwCB8A_thumb_26e90" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51642921048_19134524eb_c.jpg" width="581" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>Yep, I love her chicken butt.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Mother Hen</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> designed by <a href="https://ravel.me/mother-hen-3" target="_blank">susan b. anderson</a></li><li>from a <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/collections/kits/products/mother-hen-kit?variant=39367315816497" target="_blank">kit</a> from Barrett Wool Co.</li><li>Home Worsted Weight by Barrett Wool Co. in Picket Fence, Poppy, and Humble Gold (chicken) and March Wind for the gray cardigan. </li><li>US 6 and 7 needles</li><li>poly fiber fill</li><li>on <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/ww680j" target="_blank">Ravelry </a><br /></li></ul></div><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-77514151322026654892021-10-30T17:51:00.001-07:002021-10-30T17:58:22.672-07:00More branches on the family tree<div class="separator"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"> <br /></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Our family tree has been growing branches - both our two were married within a year of each other. So yes, we are the people who have had <i>two</i> weddings during this pandemic. I've thought about starting a support group. There were date changes, venue changes, emails un-inviting guests (most of whom took this with good grace and even kindness), extensive measuring of table placement, custom masks, and in the end, two beautiful weddings of two lovely couples.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"> </a> <br /><br />Sophie and Tim were married in our back yard last August. </p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn39xmeec5DzpygH5T3p0dE-SjqGnOHpuVXZ8P4y-IQYMNDlWTGmjIvIbTjkTBEAtUx9Rtj8zFrVMN4cPUtSGKyFpsWuDdfhS1dBIT9fhQuDTIbFe-f070HV4p8-KHFBN4oIhw/s2048/Henager-Hurson-Wedding-3050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn39xmeec5DzpygH5T3p0dE-SjqGnOHpuVXZ8P4y-IQYMNDlWTGmjIvIbTjkTBEAtUx9Rtj8zFrVMN4cPUtSGKyFpsWuDdfhS1dBIT9fhQuDTIbFe-f070HV4p8-KHFBN4oIhw/w400-h266/Henager-Hurson-Wedding-3050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And Sam and Carley had a very small ceremony in May, in Hood River.<span> <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fWZWNGea86x0tSGi9HSTYdqkf8Rvtqb8X2y2nNHn6Sj2GG05M1ithMztVuV3sJwYDkdujgWsqt7sDtmLEj9jVhyphenhyphenPchyphenhyphen4suHBJLSuBMiugxtuYBrwBp9skY0HalP4NDGQepvH/s1600/Carley%252BSam_JenJonesWeddings2021-190.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fWZWNGea86x0tSGi9HSTYdqkf8Rvtqb8X2y2nNHn6Sj2GG05M1ithMztVuV3sJwYDkdujgWsqt7sDtmLEj9jVhyphenhyphenPchyphenhyphen4suHBJLSuBMiugxtuYBrwBp9skY0HalP4NDGQepvH/w400-h266/Carley%252BSam_JenJonesWeddings2021-190.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p></p><span>Both weddings were beautiful.</span><p style="text-align: left;"><span>We are so happy to have Tim and Carley as part of our family.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>But weddings do mean presents. We had an easy time with a gift for Sophie and Tim, but Sam and Carley at first didn't want anything. Which just felt wrong, not of them, but for Chuck and I, not to celebrate with a gift. But then Carley got back to me - maybe I would make them something? A blanket?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>And this is what they chose! <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51571645418/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51571645418_fbe1242680_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Tree Rings, designed by Andrea Rangel, from Brooklyn Tweed's <a href="https://brooklyntweed.com/collections/wool-people-6/" target="_blank">Wool People</a>, Volume 6. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>I've long admired these shawl-like blankets that I associate with Brooklyn Tweed - a shawl-like piece of knitting, made blanket big by using heavier yarn and made interesting with a tweedy, textured yarn choice. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> They chose the color "Wool Socks" which was out of stock on the Brooklyn Tweed website when I went to order. So then I thought local (sort of) and ordered the yarn from Tolt Yarn and Wool, a store I hope to visit some day. And boy, am I glad I ordered from them. The pattern called for 13 skeins of yarn (which is a lot) and in a fit of optimism, that's all I ordered. But then, since it was a blanket, and blankets don't really need to "fit", I chose my gauge and needle size based on the fabric I liked, without measuring. So yes, my blanket ended up a little bigger. And yes, I needed more yarn. Which I ordered twice, because I was SURE one more skein would be enough. And it almost was. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Till it wasn't.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Luckily, they had more, both times. And so I finished that interminable border, that I finally <i>did</i> memorize, though I still kept track of the rows.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span>Unblocked,</span> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51540359388/in/album-72157601289743347/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51540359388_51b0d1ac3b_c.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span>and one more shot for texture.</span> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51570599542/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51570599542_933a2c72e0_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>And one for fun - <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51633813385/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51633813385_2cf9b0f6ee_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://brooklyntweed.com/products/tree-rings" target="_blank"><span>Tree Rings Blanket</span></a></h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span>by Andrea Rangel</span></li><li><span>Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, American Targhee-Columbia wool, in the Wool Socks color, 15 (!) skeins </span></li><li><span>US 7 and 10 knitting needles</span></li><li><span>On Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/78z82x" target="_blank">here</a> <br /></span></li><li><span>For Sam and Carley, with love</span></li><li><span>Wedding photo credits: First photo by <a href="https://ajoscott.com/" target="_blank">A. Jo Scott</a>, second by <a href="https://www.weddings.jenjones.co/" target="_blank">Jen Jones,</a> Hood River.<br /></span></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></p>
<span></span><br /><br /><br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-18510161514841557682021-06-06T13:41:00.000-07:002021-06-06T13:41:20.686-07:00Bunnies for babies<p> Have I gotten this small animal making out of my system? I don't know. They are interesting to knit. They knit up quickly. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51191941850/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51191941850_ea215b2e35_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>
And when you finish, they are so stinking cute! </p><p>These are from the Mini-Christopher Bunny <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/collections/kits/products/mini-christopher-bunny-kit" target="_blank">kit</a> designed by Susan B Anderson, from Barrett Wool Co. </p><p>I've always considered myself pretty resistant to advertising and impulse buys in general. Most of my life I've tended to decide I want or need something, and then figure out the details of buying it -- I buy yarn for something I want to make, I buy a new dress for a wedding, or an outfit because I see a gap in my wardrobe. But these days, I'm not that person! I got an email from Barrett Wool - with key words like "mini" and "special batch" and "botanical dyes." And suddenly there's a package on its way, and I'm busy thinking about who I can knit them for. </p><p>Granted, there's a lot of pleasure here, even before a child loves them. The yarn is lovely, soft wool. Natural dyes make for subtle, interesting colors. And even though these are knit of fine yarn on small needles, they knit up fast. There's very little sewing - other than fastening the head on the torso, all the other body parts are knit on as you go. This also means they "get cute" quickly. </p><p>This pattern was written for a bigger bunny, with bigger yarn. But the only change to the pattern to make a mini bunny was to use smaller needles and smaller gauge yarn. I'm thinking this opens a lot of possibility for size and gauge shifts for little creatures like these. <br /></p><p>I'm not totally pleased with the green sweater. I tried both the brown and the gray yarns as contrast, and neither showed up very well. I suppose I could have used the red, or substituted some leftover yarn I must have somewhere. But in the end I left it with the gray. And after trying it both ways, decided I liked it better on the brown bunny. The pattern also includes pants, but I wasn't sure I had enough yarn, so no pants.<br /></p><p>The kit came with safety eyes. I added them as instructed to the gray bunny, and then as I knit along, I kept thinking about a child chewing on this toy. And how I could imagine the eye getting chewed on, and coming out. Then I did a little googling and learned that safety eyes aren't actually recommended for babies (or pets). So with some difficulty I removed the eyes and instead embroidered an eye later. <br /></p><p>I did think of a couple of babies for these bunnies - the first grandchildren of our long-time next door neighbors. They're on their way to two little boys - cousins just a month or so apart in age. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Christopher Bunny </h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>a kit from Barrett Wool Co. designed by Susan B Anderson</li><li>size 2 needles for the bunnies, and size 4 for the sweaters</li><li>the yarn is fingering weight <a href="https://www.thespinningloft.com/sheep-o-pedia/cvm/" target="_blank">California Variegated Mutant</a> wool dyed with goldenrod (green), madder root (red) and walnut (brown) and left natural (gray).</li><li>black embroidery floss, polyester stuffing <br /></li><li>On Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/50heyb" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></li></ul></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-33227261133821337772021-05-13T13:30:00.001-07:002021-05-13T13:30:00.185-07:00Strobus Mitts and Hat<p> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51137005950/in/datetaken/" title="Strobus"><img alt="Strobus" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51137005950_7c905d7b03_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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These started EITHER because I had a discount at Modern Daily Knitting for my birthday and was intrigued by the Windham mini-skeins, or because I wasn't happy with my current hat collection, or because a certain niece let me know how much she still enjoyed a hat I made her 4 years ago. All these things are true. I bought the mini-skein set (I think with a birthday discount, based on the date). I have enough yarn left after this set to make one of my own, so eventually I'll improve my own hat situation. And these will go out the door as an un-seasonable birthday gift, to await dog-walking and hikes next fall and winter, to someone who has been wearing another hat for four years or so. <br /></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51136638469/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51136638469_54a822ae01_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>
I really love this yarn. It's Windham, by Jill Draper Makes Stuff. Modern Daily Knitting sells two different sets of <a href="https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/windham-mini-skein-sets/?attribute_pa_color=shade" target="_blank">mini-skeins</a>. I bought the "Shade" set. The other one, clearer and brighter colors, is "Sunny". It's a non-superwash (ie hand-wash only). In my opinion, this is a good thing - the yarn keeps its bounce. The palms of the mitts might felt a little with wear. The yarn is just more "wooly." It will felt, which means I was able to spit-splice my joins at the color changes. But it is also merino wool, so it's very soft. I enjoyed playing with the colors of this set. It made me use colors that I didn't love, along with colors I did. It forced me to put colors together that ordinarily I would not have. All that makes for a more interesting set, in the end. I will say that if you like things all matchy, you should buy a full skein of the color you'd like for the cuffs of hat and mitts. The hat ribbing left only enough of that dark green for the stripes in the mitts, not cuffs and thumbs. <br /></p><p>The pattern would be a good one for someone who wanted to branch out beyond simple stripes but doesn't feel quite ready for stranded knitting. You only knit with one color at a time, but by slipping stitches you get the chevron pattern. <a href="https://ravel.me/strobus" target="_blank">Strobus</a> is a latin word for pine or pine cone. The pattern includes instructions the hat, mittens, and fingerless mitts. I chose to make the mitts because I think they'll be used a lot for dog walking. I know I find I'm always taking my mittens off when I walk our dog, so I think mitts are a better choice. The hat is size L and is just big enough for me (I have a large-ish head for a woman, but not abnormally so), and the mitts are size M. I think the large mittens would be really big. Someone with a large head, or a man, might need an even bigger hat. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Strobus</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>designed by Mary Lou Egan</li><li>Windham mini-skeins, Shade. Sold by <a href="https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/" target="_blank">Modern Daily Knitting</a> as 12, 1oz skeins, 55 yds/oz. Six skeins used. 100% merino wool. By <a href="https://jilldraper.com/shop/ols/categories/worsted-weight" target="_blank">Jill Draper Makes Stuff</a>. </li><li>Size 7 and 4 knitting needles</li><li>Size L hat, size M mitts. </li><li>Color is most accurate on the top photo<br /></li></ul></div><p><br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-68356278967623451082021-04-11T19:36:00.001-07:002021-04-11T19:40:14.303-07:00There's always that one sweater<p> You know that sweater - the one you finish right before the weather warms up. (Note the forsythia blossoms - spring is here.) This year, that sweater is <a href="https://ravel.me/achikochi" target="_blank">achikochi</a>, by eri shimizu. According to shimizu, " ‘achikochi’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘here and there’." And the arrow motifs on this sweater point here, and there. </p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51060651333/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51060651333_b67e167336_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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The yarn is a souvenir of our niece's wedding, in October of 2019. We stayed in Independence, OR and found the little yarn shop for <a href="https://rosemary-ridge-farm-yarn-and-fiber-arts.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rosemary Ridge Farm</a>.
</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51110601091/in/album-72157602964970598/" title="IMG_4519"><img alt="IMG_4519" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110601091_817664099e_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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This isn't the shop - it's the Airbnb we stayed in. But at least for me, it evokes all the fun memories of that weekend. All our kids staying with us in this little house. My niece's lovely wedding. Beautiful fall days walking around this little Willamette Valley town. And finding a yarn shop on one of the only days it was open. That sold yarn from individual sheep. My yarn is from Monty and Martha - the Martha yarn says lace weight, but seemed to knit up to the same gauge as Monty, labeled fingering or sock weight. The Martha (white-ish) skein was 100% Shetland wool, while Monty had mohair and nylon as well. Between buying this yarn and knitting it up, I bought the yarn specified for this sweater for another project (the Forever Mitten). And to be honest, I think it might be a bit better for this sweater. But though this yarn knit up on the stiff, wiry, and "will it fluff out enough to look good at this gauge" side, it turned out fine. And adds to good memories.</p><p>I originally didn't knit the bottom ribbing quite as long as the pattern specified - it's about half an inch shorter in these pictures, and it bothered me enough that I added a half inch or so later. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51061369446/in/album-72157710513775206/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51061369446_c4428bd037_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p>It's a small difference, but worth it.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51110543268" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51110543268_041ed8d674_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>I also tweaked the neckline - shown in it's unblocked glory here.
The neck is quite unfinished, and on my sweater, wanted to roll so that the wonderful first motif couldn't be seen well. So I used directions from my <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2020/09/yokester.html" target="_blank">Yokester</a> sweater, which had short-row shaping to build up the back neck, and then added just a couple of rows of ribbing. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51061374151/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51061374151_7fbbf94995_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
Altogether I'm happy with my modifications and I love this sweater. We bought a <a href="http://i.refs.cc/yhUXLAPW?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjo2Njc4MTgyNzR9" target="_blank">Bonfire</a> for our backyard, and it's the perfect sitting by the fire sweater. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">achikochi</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>designed by eri shimizu</li><li>Three 400 yard skeins of Montgomery Sheepkids yarn, 74% Shetland, 11% Mohair, 15% Nylon, and two skein of Martha, 100% wool. I am not sure if I used more than one skein of the white yarn. Both from Rosemary Ridge Farm, born and raised in Monmouth, Oregon.<br /></li><li>US size 6 needles.</li><li>Size M</li><li>On Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/9gplcr" target="_blank">here</a><br /></li></ul>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-51462645122681142782021-03-31T23:48:00.000-07:002021-03-31T23:48:18.670-07:00Mood Cardigan<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51010876965/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51010876965_4ff2e8573d_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p> This is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mood-cardigan" target="_blank">Mood Cardigan</a> from Modern Daily Knitting's Field Guide No. 15, Open. It was designed by Jeannette Sloan. </p><p> I loved this yarn, I loved knitting this simple lace pattern, and I think this sweater will be fun and easy to wear. I knit this for my daughter, but I would like one too.</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51010877740/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51010877740_7a73d9a99f_c.jpg" width="600" /></a> </p><p>Nice details are the miter in the ribbing (which can be worn at the neck or waist), and a tubular bind-off.<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50818734221/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50818734221_def6eea685_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Mood Cardigan</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>designed by Jeannette Sloan</li><li>Neighborhood Fiber Co. <a href="https://neighborhoodfiberco.com/collections/rustic-fingering?page=1" target="_blank">Rustic Fingering</a>, 100% Merino Wool, 475 yards/114 g. 3 skeins. Oliver colorway. </li><li>US 8 needles (with a 9 for one bind off (to keep it loose) and a 7 for the ribbing)</li><li>On Ravelry <b>here</b> </li><li>Size S <br /></li></ul></div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/51079369008/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="690" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51079369008_eb4139a5bb_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-34457220681895836412021-02-16T09:46:00.002-08:002021-02-16T09:46:39.396-08:00Squad Mitts<p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50914640488/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50914640488_c01cfc24cf_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Fingerless mitts have been problematic for me. I get the usefulness. In fact, that's why I made this pair. I will be our dog's sole walker for the next few weeks while Chuck recovers from ankle surgery. And Diggory's cooperation is reliant on treats. Treats are hard to manage with mittens or even gloves. So, I made these Squad Mitts. They're from Modern Daily Knitting's first Field Guide, No. 1, Stripes.</p><p>I'm happy with how they turned out, but the fingerless glove problem remains. Cold is hard on my hands. If I don't keep my hands covered in the cold, the skin around the nail splits and peels. It's ugly and it hurts. My fingers still get cold in these, with all the problems that go with that. They help a little. Keeping my treatless hand in my pocket helps. For now, I'm off the hook, as we have too much snow here for dog walking, at least if your dog is little like Diggory.</p><p>All that said, if I liked fingerless mitts, I'd love these. I used leftover Plucky Knitter Primo Sport, knit very tightly. This pattern calls for fingering weight yarn, so I thought using small needles for this heavier wool would help my warmth problem. I love the dense fabric I got. I didn't manage to finish my starting and stopping points as nicely as I'd hoped. To be honest, these are dog-walking mitts, so while I wish the beginnings and ends were more invisible, it doesn't bother me enough to warrant the effort to find a remedy.<br /></p><p>I moved the colors around between the two mitts to allow for a little more color play. They match my down jacket, and the gradient <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-weather-scarf.html" target="_blank">Weather Scarf</a> I made about 5 years ago (coded to high temperatures for 2015). </p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/squad-mitts-close-personal/" target="_blank">Squad Mitt</a><a href="https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/squad-mitts-close-personal/" target="_blank">s</a></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>designed by Ann Weaver</li><li>Available in MDK<a href="https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/mason-dixon-knitting-field-guide-no-1-stripes-2/" target="_blank"> Field Guide No. 1: Stripes</a></li><li><a href="https://thepluckyknitter.com/products/primo-sport" target="_blank">Plucky Knitter Primo Sport</a>, 75% Merino, 20% Cashmere goat, 5% Nylon; 275 yards
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105
grams </li><ul><li>Bellini (coral)</li><li>Bubbly (pink)</li><li>Silver Linings (very light gray)</li><li>Dovecote (grayish blue/green) </li></ul><li> US 2 needles</li><li>Size S</li><li>Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/d8miha" target="_blank">link</a></li></ul> For now, we're waiting for better walking weather.<br /></div><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50950514957/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50950514957_39d7c53ec9_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-42164479725662103322021-02-14T15:11:00.006-08:002021-02-14T15:18:26.149-08:00Sleepy Kittens<p>Aren't these two adorable?<br /></p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50897237966/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50897237966_bea3953799_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<p>They are designed by Susan B. Anderson, originally for Making Magazine No. 4, <a href="https://makingzine.com/collections/magazine-1/products/no-4-lines" target="_blank">Lines</a>. They're now available as a kit (which includes the pattern) from her company, Barrett Wool Co. Or more accurately, you can ask to be notified when a <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/collections/kits/products/sleepy-kitten-set-kit" target="_blank">kit</a> is available. </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50897236831/in/datetaken/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50897236831_3a939da6ae_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br /></p><p>The original pattern has a girl (gray kitten with pink and white nightgown) and boy (kitten in striped pajamas), but since I made these for a pair of brothers (to welcome a new baby in the family), I made both kittens in striped pajamas. The kit comes with the sage green yarn (called Bay Leaf). I borrowed some orange/gold yarn from a set of <a href="https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/shop/windham-mini-skein-sets/" target="_blank">mini-skeins</a> of Jill Draper Makes Things Windham that I bought from Modern Daily Knitting, so that the two kittens aren't the same. I loved the very soft, but rustic looking gray yarn (Barrett Wool Wisconsin Woolen Spun Worsted) for these kittens. The kit includes plenty of yarn, but doesn't include stuffing or fabric for the sleeping bags. <br /></p><p>For the sleeping bags (the instructions are in the pattern) I used some quilting cotton from a local store. The prints are coordinates that match a "Guess How Much I Love You" print. </p><p>It was hard to send these two away in the mail. But I did make them as a gift to welcome a new baby, so away they went. </p><p>I highly recommend this pattern. The knitting was fun. There were some interesting techniques with links to helpful tutorials. The limbs and ears are knit in as you go along, so there's minimal finishing. They didn't take long to make. And when you're done, you have something SO cute. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Sleepy Kitten Set</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>designed by Susan B Anderson</li><li>Knit from a Barrett Wool Co. kit</li><li>US 5 needles</li><li>Barrett Wool Co. Wisconsin Woolen Spun Worsted (100% American wool, 100 g/250 yards)</li><ul><li>Rain Shower (main color - gray)</li><li>Birch (white)</li><li>Bayleaf (green)</li></ul><li>Jill Draper Windham (1 oz/55 yards, 100% wool) (probably Harvest Gold - skeins are unmarked)</li><li>polyester stuffing</li><li>cotton embroidery floss for eyes and mouth, sewing thread for whiskers, pink yarn for nose</li><li>7.5 x 36" piece of fabric for each sleeping bag, also stuffing for pillow. </li><li>In <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/it7vjq" target="_blank">Ravelry</a> <br /></li></ul>I also sent this book:</div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006241710X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006241710X&linkCode=as2&tag=workinprog00-20&linkId=6cd17ce1afc81bf53e79be17e34d5f90" rel="sponsored" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=006241710X&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=workinprog00-20" /></a></p> because I love to get new babies started with books.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-12979131031517494542021-01-24T17:36:00.003-08:002021-01-24T17:36:54.236-08:00Forever Mittens<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50872348427/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="fullsizeoutput_1bb5a"><img alt="fullsizeoutput_1bb5a" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50872348427_4ac7168c58_c.jpg" width="600" /> </a></p><p>I finished these mittens on the way to Leavenworth for a birthday ski trip.</p><p>Even though I didn't end up wearing them to ski - I ski in a heavier pair of mittens I knit a few years ago - it was fun to have them when we were out walking to get dinner later.</p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50858491527/in/album-72157710513775206/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="799" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50858491527_4338566677_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I love all the classic touches on these mittens - the corrugated ribbing, the Latvian braid, and the stranded pattern. This yarn is SO lovely - soft lambswool, NOT superwash, so it has all its lovely wooly qualities. It blooms beautifully with a good soaking. (I just went down a rabbit hole at their website, dreaming of all the beautiful things I could be making with this yarn.)<br /></p><p>The pattern is from Making Magazine, which I highly recommend to anyone who likes to "make" with textiles. It's especially geared to knitters, but also to sewers and quilters. And each issue is so beautiful, even if you never make anything from it. <br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Forever Mittens</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>designed by Carrie Bostick Hoge</li><li>from <a href="https://makingzine.com/products/no-6-black-white" target="_blank">Making Magazine</a> No. 6, Black and White, October 2018 </li><li><a href="https://www.bichesetbuches.com/the-wool-shop/le-petit-lambswool" target="_blank">Le Petit Lambswool</a> by Biches & Bûches, 100% wool, 270 yds in 50 grams, Dark Gray and Off White (bought as a kit from Making, but no longer available from them)<br /></li><li>US size 1 and 2 needles</li><li>"young adult" size (really based on the fingering weight yarn)</li><li>on Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/9bizuv" target="_blank">here</a></li></ul>Nordic skiing is a great pandemic activity. Visiting <a href="https://skileavenworth.com/" target="_blank">Leavenworth</a> is better when it's safe to eat indoors in a restaurant, but this was still a fun way to start a new decade. <br /><div><p></p><p><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<p></p></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-28908814335502592602021-01-10T15:36:00.001-08:002022-07-06T15:31:49.573-07:002020 Knitting <p> Not a lot - that's how much knitting I accomplished this year.</p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p></p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50822724332/in/dateposted-friend/" title="2020 Knitting etc"><img alt="2020 Knitting etc" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50822724332_691c4b2191_c.jpg" width="534" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p>In so many ways the COVID pandemic affected our lives, and my knitting. I knit new<a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2021/01/two-stockings.html" target="_blank"> Christmas stockings </a>for Tim, my daughter's new husband, and Carley, who had planned to marry my son in December. We thought everyone would be in the Northwest for the wedding at Christmas. But travel became unwise and the wedding venue couldn't accomodate the event, so instead I sent the stockings off to Connecticut and Alabama. </p><p>I started the <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2020/09/yokester.html" target="_blank">Yokester</a> sweater (the blue one) in February and didn't finish till August. A LOT happened in those months. I actually knit on this sweater in South Africa while wearing the Stonecrop Cardigan (actually I mostly wore the cardigan on the plane). I took a break when almost finished, to knit the <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2020/06/breathe-and-hope.html" target="_blank">Breathe and Hope</a> shawl. And then finished the sweater after my daughter's August wedding. </p><p>I started Breathe and Hope as an act of solidarity. Solidarity with Andrea, my daughter's mother-in-law, as we both hoped for a wedding for our kids in August, somehow. (Andrea knit a Breathe and Hope too, or at least she started one. I think her yarn eventually became socks.) Solidarity with Sophie and Tim, as we reworked their long-held plans for a big wedding and instead created a small backyard event. And solidarity with knitting designers, yarn companies, and Yarn Folk, the shop I ordered the yarn from. And then, when it was done, and the wedding was over, and colder weather came, I realized I would never wear it. I was able to give it as a gift to a friend instead, which was its own kind of hope. </p><p>I finished the <a href="https://pamsknitting.blogspot.com/2020/02/stonecrop-cardigan.html" target="_blank">Stonecrop Cardigan</a> just before we left for our trip to South Africa. I've since worn it a lot - including on the plane and during that strange ride home after our trip, when the world had just shut down because of the COVID pandemic.</p><p>Only 5 items this year. I also started one of a pair of mittens, which I expect to finish soon. I knit most of a Mood Cardigan, which you'll hear about soon. And, I knit a great deal of a Achikochi sweater, much of this knitting during a drive to Alabama and back to deliver Sophie and Tim's wedding gifts. I also made a few masks (much fewer than many folks, but a few), including these two for the bride and the groom. I was able to use scraps leftover from the alteration of Sophie's dress for her mask. </p><p>Ravelry has a challenge tab to set a knitting goal for each year. I absolutely did not meet my goal this year, but I don't feel even a little bad about that. I knit a lot, but did not increase my knitting time because of the stay-at-home order. In the spring and summer, I actually worked a bit more than usual, as the non-profit I work for tried to equip the refugee community we serve with good information, masks, and other things they need. Everything was harder this year. I'm happy with the projects I did complete, and look forward to a few quick completions in this new year.<br /></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-1505676891356776082021-01-06T17:47:00.000-08:002021-01-06T17:47:27.964-08:00Two Stockings<p><br /> </p><p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50704029157/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Untitled"><img alt="Untitled" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50704029157_9e42c07418_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50703170583/in/album-72157601289743347/" title="Carley’s stocking"><img alt="Carley’s stocking" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50703170583_aa1d3d8f85_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p>We thought this was the year we'd officially have added TWO new family members by Christmas. Sophie and Tim were married on August 8, in a small, beautiful wedding in our backyard.
Sam and Carley planned to be married in an even smaller ceremony when they were in the Pacific Northwest for Christmas.</p><p>Unfortunately, in 2020 style, things didn't turn out as planned. Sam and Carley still plan to be married, but later, when it's safe to fly home, for instance.</p><p> But in the meantime, two new Christmas stockings. These stockings are now a couple of thousand miles away, but they'll come home again for Christmas some day. And someday Carley will officially and legally be part of our family, as she already is in our hearts -- and on the mantel at Christmas.</p><p>The most amazing thing about these stockings might be that I still had the ORIGINAL yarn I used to make the rest of the family's Christmas stockings (and mittens), twenty-some years ago. Savers for the win! Now if I could only get more of the stocking hangers I have, bought from Strosniders Hardware in Bethesda MD, about the time I made the first round of stockings! <br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://knittingtraditions.com/product/christmas-socks/" target="_blank">Christmas Socks,</a> by Beth Brown-Reinsel</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Creskeld Guernsey yarn, in red, green, and white (which is a warm white), now discontinued. This pattern calls for Guernsey yarn, which is very dense and tightly spun. [And now I just went down a rabbit hole, looking for Guernsey or Gansey yarn. It's hard to find.] One skein of 100 grams has about 246 yards. Hand wash only.</li><li>US 2 needle. (I think)</li><li>Modified to add a stripe with their names on it. (Use knitter's graph paper, or any graph paper, and chart it out. It's a little fiddly but not hard. Make the stripe about the same number of rows, and exactly the same number of stitches, as the other bands of the sock.)<br /></li><li>On Ravelry <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/s76yrs" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/buv9x6" target="_blank">here</a></li></ul> <br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-43987024990666763592020-09-19T14:20:00.000-07:002020-09-19T14:20:51.086-07:00Yokester<p><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50360889982/in/dateposted-friend/" title="3tyORgPBRTaim3sTXc9p4A"><img alt="3tyORgPBRTaim3sTXc9p4A" height="800" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50360889982_a955ae2b21_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p> I finished this sweater FOUR weeks ago. We were just on the eve of leaving for a cross-country drive, helping my daughter and son-in-law move to Montgomery, Alabama. I could share this sweater when I got back, right? Well, we returned on Sunday evening, the day before Labor Day. There were wildfires burning throughout the west. We were never in danger, but there was a little smoke in the air. And then we woke up to this: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIj-yqMM3hd7VGVi6ig2wEuGjdEU8gQNvKp6Ey4j1SW6DIZVmjy9gIpghwkYDooamIYSdFTgJmQOhR7gXEkFiQkDbMR8vvFHTEBgeGSM9Tdk72ta3-HeF6dbR8XZv5DHtjyvQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_1b8da.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIj-yqMM3hd7VGVi6ig2wEuGjdEU8gQNvKp6Ey4j1SW6DIZVmjy9gIpghwkYDooamIYSdFTgJmQOhR7gXEkFiQkDbMR8vvFHTEBgeGSM9Tdk72ta3-HeF6dbR8XZv5DHtjyvQ/w400-h300/fullsizeoutput_1b8da.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>Smoky air. Here in Washington state, our air quality scale goes from 1-500. We had several days of 500 on the air quality index. Anywhere from 301-500 is considered hazardous. Everyone was discouraged from spending time outdoors. And any pictures you took, indoors or out, were dark with an orange tinge. <p>But today, here we are. At last, clean air!!</p><p>So I am sharing my latest finished sweater. It's called <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yokester-2" target="_blank">Yokester</a>, by Hanna Maciejewska. It was knit front the top down. I used a silk and wool blend yarn from Farmer's Daughter Fibers that I found in Ashland, Oregon, last year when we were there over Memorial Day weekend. It's odd to think now about that weekend, sitting in the dark with hundreds of other people watching live theater. </p><p>This pattern had options for short or long sleeves, and a smaller or wider neckline. As you can see, I opted for long sleeves, and the smaller neckline. The pattern photos show a lovely wide neckline (which on my narrow shoulders tend to have a bit too much of a Flashdance vibe) so I wanted the smaller neckline. Unfortunately, I cast off too tightly the first time and couldn't fit the sweater over my head. With a looser cast off (using a tubular bind-off) it fits just fine.<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50360728801/in/dateposted-friend/" title="IMG_7464"><img alt="IMG_7464" height="600" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50360728801_bafe7cb781_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></p>
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A closer picture of the lace yoke. It didn't look like much till I blocked it (washed and laid out flat).
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A closeup of the Tiny Bobbles stitch at the wrist (it's also on the yoke, above and below the lace.
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And the finish at the bottom edge. </p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Yokester</h4><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>By Hanna Maciejewska at <a href="http://hadaknits.com/" target="_blank">Hada Knits</a></li><li>4 skeins of Farmer's Daughter Fibers <a href="https://thefarmersdaughterfibers.com/collections/yarn/products/foxy-lady-1?variant=32685645496374" target="_blank">Foxy Lady</a>, 70% super-wash Merino, 30% silk, 428 yards/skein, in the I've Got Dreams to Remember colorway. I had quite a bit of the last skein left. Purchased at <a href="https://www.yarnatwebsters.com/" target="_blank">The Websters</a> in Ashland, OR<br /></li><li>US size 3 and 2 needles</li><li>NOT knit to pattern gauge - so my sizing was adjusted for the gauge I was knitting (about 27 stitches and 37 rows in 4 inches. I used the instructions for the 47" sweater but finished sweater measures about 42.5" </li><li>on <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/tfyxs2" target="_blank">Ravelry here </a></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50360028928/in/dateposted-friend/" title="IMG_7459"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50360028928_fbc8562611_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_7459"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-23411388427624585642020-06-28T20:47:00.001-07:002020-06-28T20:47:56.833-07:00Breathe and Hope<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/9720213@N03/50056705077/in/photostream/" title="Fj5AVI2UQke02mruJp693w"><img alt="Fj5AVI2UQke02mruJp693w" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50056705077_0ac9301655_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
This is Breathe and Hope, a shawl designed by <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/designers/casapinka" target="_blank">Casapinka</a> to encourage local yarn store sales during the beginning of the COVID-19 shut-down. I bought the yarn from my not-quite-local yarn store, <a href="https://www.yarnfolk.com/shop/breathe-amp-hope" target="_blank">Yarn Folk</a> in Ellensburg. Ann had some great combinations to choose from, even when her doors weren't open. <br />
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I decided we all needed some hope then. Our family was just beginning to realize that the wedding our daughter (and her fiancé) were planning for August might not be able to happen according to plan. And so I chose this rather bright colorway in hope. </div>
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Now it's done, and we know the marriage is going to happen, but not the wedding as planned. We're planning a smaller (though not as small as possible) event in our backyard, with lots of space and hand-sanitizer. It's unlikely I'll wear this on the day (or evening) because, well, August is HOT here, and we are staying outside for safety. But we still have hope -- for a happy future for these two,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZKnV8K9vBKoBEURJAvvvFyIC2lSb3Cg54X3B_HGpEoh-JZ055JROvkG_ABKgcnpRVeluw5PEXjnv1ZCRg890v26Q4ew61aW8EF9TUG1iNbkNkxqB39oafYInnEUdE917QipL/s1600/IMG_9704.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZKnV8K9vBKoBEURJAvvvFyIC2lSb3Cg54X3B_HGpEoh-JZ055JROvkG_ABKgcnpRVeluw5PEXjnv1ZCRg890v26Q4ew61aW8EF9TUG1iNbkNkxqB39oafYInnEUdE917QipL/s640/IMG_9704.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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a small wedding in August, and for a safe way to have a bigger celebration in 2021.<br />
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This is a close-up of the "knotty stitch."<br />
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Details:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ravel.me/breathe-and-hope" target="_blank">Breathe and Hope</a> by Casapinka</li>
<li>the hot pink yarn is Studio Sock by Neighborhood Fiber Co., color Mondawmin, 100% superwash wool, 400 yard in 114 grams. </li>
<li>the variagated yarn is Chamomile Sock, by Earl Grey Fiber Co., 75% merino, 20% nylon, 5% Stellina (a sparkly thread), 438 yards in 100 grams, color Cherry Blossom.</li>
<li>US size 3 and 5 needles<br /></li>
</ul>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22454804.post-11810520808470066232020-02-24T17:38:00.001-08:002020-02-26T23:29:54.805-08:00Stonecrop Cardigan<h4>
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I bought the green yarn I used for this sweater when the Columbia Gorge Fiber Fest was still called the Columbia Gorge Fiber Fest (now it's the Knot Another Fiber Festival) back in 2016. I still had brown hair, <br />
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as this not very good picture of <a href="https://www.yarnharlot.ca/" target="_blank">Stephanie Pearl McPhee</a> and I proves. My friend (and my daughter's future mother-in-law) Andrea and her husband met my husband and I in the Dalles, OR for a fun knitterly weekend. We (the we that is Andrea and I) took a class from Stephanie. I bought this yarn thinking I'd make <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/endearment" target="_blank">Endearment</a> - a sweater I'd knit once for my daughter. It was (and still is) a great pattern and I like the sweater a lot. But then this fall, Andrea Mowry published the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stonecrop-cardi" target="_blank">Stonecrop</a> pullover and cardigan patterns. I wanted to knit this cardigan. So my yarn from the Fiber Fest, Posh B by Alpha B yarns, was repurposed. For the contrast, the pattern calls for Spincycle Dyed in the Wool yarn. I used Spincycle Dreamstate (a worsted weight) for the Humulus sweater. Ever since, I've been looking for an excuse to use the Robin's Egg colorway. So I ordered a couple of skeins and had a new plan.<br />
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A couple of yarn thoughts:<br />
I'm the ONLY knitter on Ravelry with a project using the Posh B yarn. There isn't another yarn by Alpha B with this fiber content. Back in 2016, in the Dalles, I remember a whole display of this yarn. Now I've checked the label about 8 times as I did my Ravelry entry and typed this blog post. I have the yarn tags. But otherwise, you'd think this yarn doesn't exist. <br />
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As for the Spincycle yarn, all the colors in Robin's Egg coordinate well with this Two Olives, Please green color yarn. But, the tan shades have very little contrast with the green. So the fair isle design shows up better in some parts of this sweater than others. I decided to commit to the Spincycle and I'm not sorry I did. I kind of like that some parts are more subtle than others. But someone else might make a different decision.<br />
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I followed the pattern as written except that my row gauge was a bit off, so when I calculated things like the sleeve length, I took that into account. I wasn't sure I loved all the bobbles in this sweater, and I knew I wouldn't enjoy making that many of them. So after a few experiments on my swatch, I left them out altogether, substituting a purl stitch when I came to them.<br />
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I also used smaller buttons than called out in the sweater. Mine were 7/16" (11mm) instead of 3/4". And I only used 9 of them. Since I was using smaller buttons, I made K2tog YO buttonholes. I used <a href="http://knitable.net/ButtonholeCalc.asp" target="_blank">this</a> site to plan the buttonhole placement. <br />
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I used my sewing machine to anchor the steek stitches, since I can't count on this superwash yarn to felt or cling to itself. Then I covered the cut edge in some Anna Maria Horner ribbon I have stashed away. <br />
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Stonecrop Cardi<br />
<ul>
<li>Pattern by Andrea Mowry (at <a href="http://www.dreareneeknits.com/shop/stonecrop-cardi" target="_blank">Drea Renee Knits</a> or on Ravelry)</li>
<li>4 skeins Posh B by Alpha B Yarn, 83% superfine Merino / 17% Cashmere, 382 yards/100 grams. Two Olives, Please colorway</li>
<li>2 skeins <a href="https://spincycleyarns.com/collections/dyed-in-the-wool-sport-weight" target="_blank">Spincycle Dyed in the Wool,</a> 200 yards/skein 100% superwashed American wool, Robin's Egg colorway</li>
<li>Size 3 (38.5" finished bust) </li>
<li>US size 5 and size 3 needles </li>
<li>Buttons style #400060163 from La Mode (tan)</li>
<li>Ribbon (not available anymore, I think) Feathers from <a href="https://www.annamariahorner.com/ribbon" target="_blank">Anna Maria Horner</a> </li>
<li>in <a href="https://ravel.me/Pam/tlk285" target="_blank">Ravelry </a></li>
</ul>
I suspect a little bit of my love for this sweater is a longing for spring. Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16174689614784153389noreply@blogger.com0