by Kat | Aug 24, 2018 | General, Making
It’s a 2-fer Friday! I finished up my AC-esque tee yesterday, I also finished weaving in the ends of last years End of Summer MKAL and I love them both!
I learned so much in the construction of this tee and I absolutely want to do this again! One thing I know for sure is that I need to practice stitches! Even a simple running stitch performs differently in knit materials. I see some more stitch sampling in my future! Ha! Also, AC patterns run small… holy cow. However, a quick fix of a side gusset solved that problem. I used one of Steve’s no longer worn Old Navy tee shirts which I cut apart and put back together. The front pieces are double layer (with a white tee shirt). I love how this double layer worked! It feels so substantial and is really much nicer than just a plain old tee shirt. I think for my first try, this worked very well!
Now, the End of Summer Wrap…it is huge!! I used Briar Rose Fibers Joyful and it is so soft! However, I am ashamed to say that just 3 partial days of knitting were all that stood between unfinished and finished. The unique construction of this shawl is also just wonderful! And, the huge rectangle shape is so wearable! It’s pretty sad that it languished in a basket for the better part of a year, however, I think this will be in heavy rotation this fall!
How about some links?
First up, Beth Brown-Reinsel has a couple of new Gansey books out: Gansey Style Accessories and Knitting Ganseys
Churchmouse Yarns & Teas has released a new fall collection that has some really lovely pieces! Plus, they included a little bonus hat pattern that is free!
Not a sweater knitter? This week has some lovely things for you!
The Sweater Was Strong this week:
And, finally… this one is for Carole! Beach Hair Don’t Care
That is all I have for the week! See you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Aug 20, 2018 | General, Making
In the ongoing reorganization of all things crafty in my house, I found several languishing projects that needed to be prioritized for finishing. Sometimes the best way to hold myself accountable is to post it here, out in the open for all to see.
This gives me the perfect opportunity to update my “Make Nine in 2018” goals. I have replaced some items from my original plan.
- Alabama Chanin-style t-shirt – neck and arm binding and some seam stitching are all that stand between me and a new top! A question for all you experienced Alabama Chanin girls…
should I cut out the insides of the stars or do I leave them as they are?
- Laura Aylor’s End of Summer MKAL from last year…seems appropriate to finish it, right?
- Strokkur… sleeves and yoke to go…This would be a lovely addition to my cooler weather wardrobe, so it is moving back into the rotation!
- Autumn Forest – I am not to the half way point yet, but this is a nice semi-mindless and portable knit!
- Two more Esme Tunics… one flannel and one with bell-sleeves!
- Another Uniform Top
- Tegna is underway and I am almost done with the lace portion!
Sadly, this is not the entire list of things I have languishing but, these are the things that I have prioritized for finishing! The others I am pondering…do they stay, or do they go!
I also realize this looks like I have made nothing from my first “make nine” collage… I have made oodles of Esme Tunics and Tops… and I love them so much, they are like my uniform! So, an updated with some knits switched out for the following reasons… I foolishly put 2 items on my list that required me to spin the yarn in order to then knit. I am so out of practice with spinning and I don’t think a sweater spin is the place to work out those kinks. Consistency and all that being important in sweater knitting… so they have moved off the list to be replaced by things that I want to finish.
Last week, Karen shared some great inspiration for completing things. I am taking a page from her and setting aside time each day to work on this list until it is complete.
What are you making today? Do you have a “must finish” list before the season changes?
by Kat | Aug 10, 2018 | General, Making
There is a part of me that is entirely ready for the neighborhood kids to all be back in school… really.badly. However, that will mean that summer is ending. Yeah, the inner debate is most interesting, let me tell you! Ha!
BUT!!! I am so excited to do a little test run of the Endless Summer Tunic! I have a MUCH too large Dress No. 3 that will work perfectly, and this brings me to the bottom of my re-purpose stack! I traced the pattern out yesterday and plan to do some cutting this morning! All this sewing has really made clear that I need to do some re-ordering of my “craft office” … I need a space for the sewing machine to live where it is easy to access, but not in the way. I have been mulling this over in my mind all week so if there is any rain at all this weekend, operation craft room reorganization will be underway!
I also have this insane urge to cast on all the things… really, every day there is something new on Ravelry that catches my eye. AND, Kym taunted me yesterday with her start of Tegna…But, I am determined to ignore this urge and knit faster on Rock the Lobster! I now have about 3 inches to go before the ribbing and then the STEEK!! And, I want to thank you all for the GREAT zipper tutorials!
So, how about you? Are you craving a new knit? Here are some links to tempt you!
Stop the presses – have you all seen the Autumn Issue of Pom Pom Quarterly? I especially love Sky Map – the stitching possibilities!
Have you seen this gorgeous cowl by Erica Mercer knit with my friend Carla’s CJKoho Designs yarn!
Eddy Hat and Cowl the “lite” version of The Eddy Sweater/Wrap
Sweater season is fast approaching: St Catherines and Lambert both caught my eye!
And, finally… a new take on a knitted beverage accessory: Dreieck (and it is free!)
And, that’s a wrap for this week…my list today also includes the utilization of some of the Basil from the Basil Jungle in a libation for Happy Hour tonight. I will let you know how it turns out on Monday! Have an awesome weekend!
by Kat | Apr 23, 2018 | General, In This Moment
I spent the weekend contemplating how best to photograph my Lunar Phases shawl. I am not sure I got it right…it is HUGE and not at all easy to photograph! And, I did not block it aggressively at all. I just gently blocked each of the phases to their original dimensions and then gently stretched out clue four that joined the clues together. For all its size, it is not at all heavy but rather it is incredibly light – it is easily a wrap for cool summer nights!
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Backwards?
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Forwards?
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Backwards?
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The joins…
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Oh, the joins!
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Clue Two
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All her glory!
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The clues joined
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Clues 3 and 1
This morning the 2018 Women’s Prize shortlist was announced and I am trying to comprehend how The Idiot and Sing, Unburied, Sing can even be on the same list, much less a shortlist!
Knitting ennui continues, but I think I might be turning the corner. I pulled out some insanely deep stash late last week and did some swatching with a modicum of success! I started a new sweater on Friday and I also have made some progress on knitting mates for single socks! I also found some yarn that will work beautifully for a new Vodka Lemonade (this one, sadly, no longer fits.)
And, because Laundry is Life… the mountain awaits me! I hope your Monday is painless and over quickly!
by Kat | Jan 4, 2018 | General, Making
December 31st, I completed my last stitching, in the last month of my year long project. I have to confess, it was most bittersweet. I felt both an incredible sense of accomplishment coupled with an intense melancholy at the ending of this epic project.
Yesterday morning I began the process of steaming each sampler, readying them for assembly in their final destination of 3 separate wall-hangings.
I apologize in advance for this photo heavy post, but here is my Year of Stitching in review:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Which brings me to this year’s project… I began this on the first day of winter, December 21, and my idea was to do a square each day. But, it was lacking… so much. In my review of last years pieces, I was reminded how much I like the puzzle-like quality of some of the pieces best of all. BUT, rather than take out the stitching I had started, my idea will be to work this in by stitching around it. The past two days have seen this addition, and what better than two days of crazy clear blue skies and sunshine! After yesterday’s running stitches, I felt a sense of ease and rightness come over me and I knew I was on the right path. The other thing I am going to give myself some leeway on this year will be the option to stitch for longer than 15-20 minutes. This also feels very good and really just makes sense to me. After all, I am much more comfortable with the stitching process than I was at this time last year. So, less fussing and more stitching.
As always, if you want to start your own year long stitching project, I would be happy to help you get started! Just leave a comment and I will help you begin!
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