by Kat | Jun 10, 2016 | General
Happy FriYAY everyone! It has been what feels like a long week – insomnia has been an ugly companion most of the week. But, on the bright side – the lack of sleep has spawned an increase in reading and a good bit of thought organization.
I did some sampling this week (while waiting for the Shetland to rest for a few days before I ply it up) Above are some Gulf Coast locks that I got from Sheepspot and I was really not sure what I wanted to do with it. I flicked the locks spun them – this sample is a fingering weight that when plied springs up with a really lovely, airy loft – even though this is spun worsted. I have not washed the sample yet – but I have a bag of locks in this lovely orange-y red and one of a funky green.
It’s Fiber Friday, (thanks Rachel!!) and this post really got me thinking…I had this bump of fiber from ITW that I was really not enamored of the color, but I wanted to try out what Rachel did here, I split the fiber down several times – keeping the colorway intact, but breaking it into smaller segments with more repeats. I will spin up this orange merino that I got from Beth eons ago (really, eons – way back when she owned The Spinning Loft) and then ply the two together. I am really excited to spin this up to see how it turns out.
Plus, I have the Cormo on the Turkish spindle that I am still spinning. There was not much spinning outside with Sherman this week – I used the time to weed the garden beds that were in need of some attention. But, with those beds all cleaned up, I can resume spindling, guilt free!
There were some really great links this week in the fiber world:
I also made a tiny bit of progress on clue two of Kirsten Kapur’s Mystery Shawl, which I plan to finish up this weekend. I have picked up button band stitches on Indigo Cones and will be heading out to do some Pergola Knitting momentarily! That is all I have today, have a great weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Jun 1, 2016 | General, Making
It is Wednesday (although it feels like Tuesday to me!) and that means it is time for some Yarn Along with Ginny. But, really – summer officially beings for me today!
Why?
Well, the arrival of Clue 1 of Kirsten Kapur’s Mystery Shawl means the start of summer for me and that clue is here!
This will be the fourth time I have participated in her Shawl MKAL and I really like getting a bit of a pattern each week to work on. The first few clues can be completed fairly quickly, and they pique my interest for what will unfold in the remaining clues. This year will be extra special though as there are some blog friends participating (Hello Vicki, Patty, Margene, and Bev!!)
My yarn is caked, the pattern printed and as soon as I have my work for today done, I will cast on and get started!
Summer Knit-Along knitting is also making progress! I am making my way through the pattern repeats of Indigo Cones, I should have the back done today. Then it will be on to the right front. I have read ahead in the pattern and realized why I set this aside. The neckband instructions seem very unclear to me. I am hoping they will make more sense once I have the body of the sweater done. Time will tell, I will spend a bit of time today seeing if anyone has some good notes on Ravelry that can assist me. My fingers are crossed!
My summer reading has begun as well! I am working on my Book Bingo card. Book One – The Goldfinch, which covers my “with an animal on the cover or in the title” square! I am not too far into it yet, but so far I am enjoying it immensely!
What’s in your summer reading queue?
by Kat | May 4, 2016 | General, Making
We have had more than our fair share of rain recently. Although, I believe that this is the direct result of the lack of snow over the winter months. However, this makes for a soggy, wet backyard that has become the cultivator for mushrooms of all shapes and sizes! There is a plethora of dandelions thrown in for good measure as it has been too rainy to put down any weed and feed (and maybe there just needs to be a weed option, sans feed because with this rain, the grass is growing so rapidly it needs to be cut twice a week!)
All this wet weather does not make it conducive to be out working in the garden, but it is a bonus for knitting, spinning, and reading! (Along with laundry, vacuuming, and housework!)
In the finished object category – I finally finished my TTL Mystery socks. I only had about 3 inches of each foot left to knit – so it is really sad that I put the finishing off so long, but the last clues had me concerned as I was not I was not sure how great the leaf motif would feel on my toes. So I changed them up a bit, I continued knitting the top of the foot in the seed stitch pattern to the toe decreases and then changed to plain stockinette to finish the sock off. I think they turned out nicely this way and they will get a little soak later today.
I am plugging along on my Morenstowe socks and will have some uninterrupted passenger time when we head to Maryland on Friday so I am hoping to get them finished over the weekend.
I am working my way through the Sheepspot Cormo on my drop spindle – and I have 2 turtles done. I am enjoying how portable this really is and how fun! I still have a good bit of fiber to go yet, but should end up with about 300 yds of dk weight singles from my spinning.
I am almost done with Mink River and waiting in the wings is Cockroaches by Jo Nesbo.
That’s it for me this dreary Wednesday, I am linking up with Ginny on the Yarn Along today, but I will leave you with the masterful words of Longfellow from his poem, The Rainy Day:
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.
by Kat | Apr 29, 2016 | General, Making
Whatever plans I had for today went right out the window when the mail-woman brought this gem to my doorstep yesterday! A huge thanks my dear friend for loaning it to me! Fabric stash contemplation is commencing in three, two…
But, before I go, I do have some amazing links to brighten your weekend!
If you count yourself a maker, then perhaps this will interest you!
You still have time for a Whistle Stop
Interested in some color work that is modern?
A metronome for knitters
Do you fear yarn pooling?
Perhaps a quick trip to Etton is in your plans
Are you multi-craftual, then Kollabora might be the spot for you!
It’s a beautiful day to honor Mr. Rogers, so put a sweater on!
Have a good one, gentle reader! See you back here on Monday.
by Kat | Mar 30, 2016 | General, Making
Ten Years ago there were lots of new things popping up all over:
- Twitter was founded
- NASA launched New Horizon on its mission to Pluto
- Dexter and 30 Rock debuted
And…
Ten years ago today I wrote my very first blog post here, and while there has been some “down time” here at the blog, over the course of these past 10 years blogging has improved my writing skills tremendously and it has increased my sphere of internet friends. I am thankful for the first and blessed by the latter – AsKatKnits has definitely had a positive influence in my life. I would like to thank everyone of you who take the time to read my blog, occasionally or every day. Your interaction here means so very much to me.
Apparently, 10 years ago, all the cool kids were jumping on the blogging bandwagon – who knew! If you have not gotten wind of Kristen’s 10 Year Celebration – you should definitely go here and check out the merriment she has planned for the month of April.
But, today is all about reading and knitting. The socks from last week are inching along and I am about half way through The Marco Effect. But to celebrate today, I am having an EPIC bind off (crochet off?) of, what else, a Kristen Kapur design! Yes, mark another FO in my column for the year!
