Category — Knitting

I’ve been slowly plugging away at my multiple craft projects.

I’ve made progress on my Wrapped in Hope quilt:

Progress on my 3-ply handspun sock yarn (I’m finishing the third bobbin of singles now):

And progress on my happy accident socks:

In other news, almost all of the February 2010 sock club is out the door. it should start arriving late this week. The colorway name is Pele’s Fire. I love it!

waiting for labels

I’ve just finished the last of three large wholesale orders that I dyed over the month of January. It feels good to complete such a large body of work on schedule.

With that behind me, I’m looking forward to having time over the next week to dye yarn for a shop update and possibly even get a jump on next month’s sock club shipment.

I’ve made a bit of progress on my siggy swap blocks, but other than that, there’s nothing to report on the quilting front. I do, however, have a new pair of socks on the needles– Garter Rib Socks (Rav link) from Sensational Knitted Socks.

I love this pattern because it’s so easy to memorize, but looks really intricate when finished. I’ve only just started the cuffs but I’m already in love.

working on the cuffs

Can you see that color? Deep purple and navy overdyed with black.

This was a happy accident that I loved so much I couldn’t put it up for sale- who knows if I’ll ever be able to make it again? My husband laughs at me for this, but I know you all understand.

Something hit our house hard last week. My son brought it home from high school, then my youngest son (who had just gotten over something else) got it, then my husband succumbed. Just as they were all starting to feel better I got it, and it knocked me off my feet for two and a half days. Yesterday was the first day that I have felt even remotely stable on my feet. Hubs and I haven’t had coffee in over a week and now that the withdrawal is most certainly over, we’re thinking of not starting again. In fact, we had herbal tea this morning.

Now that we’re all better and the house is disinfected, I’m back to work. I already have the dyepots steaming and I’m printing invoices from Thursday’s update. It feels great to get back to normal!

One good thing about being knocked on your butt by a germ is that you get plenty of guilt-free fiber play time. I had just received my copy of Abby Franquemont’s new spinning DVD, and I spent a leisurely afternoon watching and learning how to do supported long-draw, a spinning technique that has intimidated me to this point.

I finally had to learn because this year I’ve decided to make my husband a handspun Cobblestone. I ordered 32 ounces of beautiful dark brown merino cross lamb roving from natchwoolie on etsy, and the way the fiber is processed really necessitates a woolen method. So, being unable to do much else, I finally decided that it was time to learn.

As it turns out, the technique feels pretty natural to me now that I’ve gotten the hang of it, and I was able to spin two full bobbins in not much time at all. The first skein is drying now, and it looks like it’s going to be a very, very warm and cozy yarn. I can’t wait to make my test swatch!

I also managed to finish my Multnomah shawl but not without a small amount of drama. I got to the middle of the last repeat when I ran out of yarn.  It makes a lot of sense because I had 400 yds of yarn to start but apparently I didn’t pay close enough attention to the yarn requirements. Bad knitter! I had to rifle through my personal stash and managed to come up with some merino/nylon sock in the same colorway. I was worried that it would be painfully obvious that the end of the shawl was done in a different base, but it’s upstairs blocking and I can hardly tell. Whew!

Photos of both coming soon!

I’ve been dyeing like crazy for three very good reasons:

1. I haven’t done a proper update for almost a month and my junkies customers are getting antsy.

2. I was accepted to be a participating vendor at Craftland.

3. Any of you who receive The Loopy Ewe newsletter already know that very soon, Fiberphile will be available there! I’m so honored to be asked to sell at TLE, and am hoping that this new arrangement will make it easier for all of you to get the Fiberphile yarn you want with the added benefits that Sheri so generously extends to her customers.

Anyone familiar with the dye process knows that dumping yarn and dye in the pot is only part of the dye process. The yarn needs to simmer at a temperature just below boiling for at least half an hour to properly set the dye. During these waiting periods, I’ve managed to get a fair amount of fiber-related project time in.

knit with fiberphile MCN worsted- available soon!

The first was a hat made from a brand-new pattern, Ripple by Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic.

I love this hat, even though it’s huge on my head. I will go down a needle size the next time I knit this pattern, and there will most definitely be a next time.

The yarn is Fiberphile MCN worsted, just as buttery soft and luxurious as my MCN fingering weight. This yarn is set to become available in October, so stay tuned!

handspun from alpaca/merino/silk roving

Another hat, this time from the pattern Robin’s Egg Blue. I was looking for a simple hat with a bit of interest, that would effectively show off the uniqueness of handspun wool. I think this pattern fits all requirements perfectly.

The fiber is Fiberphile Alpaca/Merino/Silk in an experimental colorway. I overdid it just a tad with the fuchsia dye, and it refused to set or wash out enough for me to sell. So, it’s mine. I can’t say that I’m terribly disappointed about that.

The button is one that came in a giant jar of vintage buttons that my mom got for me at a thrift store last year. She knows me so well!

three rows in

Finally, I have taken the plunge and started my very first shawl. After looking at lots of beautiful patterns, I decided on Ishbel by Ysolda Teague.

I chose this pattern because the bulk of it is simple stockinette and yarn-overs. The chart for the lace edging looks pretty intimidating, but there are written instructions included, so I will be able to follow the written instructions and mark my progress on the chart rows.

I’m currently 3/5 of the way through the plain part, so will soon be venturing into the lace portion. Stay tuned!

Sorry blog- it seems that I got a little too busy for you this summer. Two months without a post!

We’ve been busy, but good busy.

Busy watching our chickies grow:

Busy exploring the forest and finding interesting things:

And of course, busy making things; like this set I made for little Bean:

We’ve been busy watching our garden grow, too. We had so many sugar snap peas that we would send the kids out to eat them straight off the plants, and had many delicious stir fry dinners with pea pods as the main vegetable. And yesterday, Liam harvested our first ripe tomatoes:

And of course you all know I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t pursuing a new craft-related obsession. But that’s for another post.

You may have noticed I haven’t been around much. The kids are still sick- I think we’ve had three fever-free days in the last three weeks. School is still in session and there’s this little business I have to run! This is going to be one of those flow-of-consciousness blog pots, please don’t hold it against me! I just wanted to check in with you all even if I don’t have time for a terribly well thought-out post.

one down! love it!

First thing- the fun stuff! I did manage to finish the first twilight sock and start on the next. I’ve stalled just beyond the ribbing but hope to pick it up soon.

I sent also barely managed to send off samples to the phatfiber box in time for the March box. I actually did it last month too but with everything going on I haven’t even had a chance to blog about it or play with the wonderful goodies I received! I plan (hope, pray!) to make time to write a proper gushing post about the March box!

I’ve been working on getting the site ready to go. I have the needle cases and project bags designed, but I haven’t actually made any yet! I’m getting the yarn categories set up too- this requires lots of photo editing and such. Very tedious, but worth it when I’m finished, I’m sure! I’m really excited about this- it feels like everything is falling into place just as it should be.

new cashmere/merino blend - yum!

I’ve been dyeing as much as I can, including an incredibly luscious cashmere/merino blend and a new, super-squooshy superwash merino sock yarn. I am truly in love with these yarns. They’re beautiful, soft, and all-around delicious!

I’m hoping for things to settle down a bit here soon- in the mean time, I’m just going to hang on and (try to) enjoy the ride!

It’s supposed to be -10 F tonight. March is supposed to be warmer than February, not colder!!

I’ve been keeping busy with homework, filling orders and getting the website set for the switch.

What switch? As of some time this month, August Lately will no longer be offering custom handbags. Instead, I’ll be sewing knitting bags, project bags and needle cases. Fiberphile yarns will also be available on the site. I’m excited to come to this next chapter in my business. Stay tuned!

In other news, I received some new bases today- a lovely merino/cashmere/nylon blend as well as a merino/seacell blend. They are absolutely gorgeous right now so I can only imagine how nice they’ll be all dyed up!

twilight socks

I’ve also gotten some knitting done. I re-started Liam’s tanker socks and am about halfway up the feet now. I’m sure they’ll be finished by the end of the week. I also cast on a pair of socks with a new base I’m testing. It’s not as soft as my regular base but it’s a nice yarn. I’m just not sure if I want to carry another merino/nylon blend. Decisions, decisions…

Well, it’s not tomorrow, is it?

It’s just all these other *things* that keep demanding my attention. But here I am, now, with a little knitting story to share.

My little one, Liam, loves tankers. This is what he calls army tanks. A while ago, I dyed some yarn that looked just like the camouflage on a tanker. It sat in the shop until one day my little one said “mommy, can you make me some tanker socks?” and so the yarn came out of the shop and became the start of tanker socks. I took measurements, checked gauge and verified the correct cast-on number of stitches. I was flying with these socks and feeling quite proud of my progress.

I was loving the way the alchemy yarn was knitting up- into a perfect, random pattern that looked strikingly like real camouflage! After I got the heels turned, I asked Liam to come and see how they were fitting. “Wait, do you have your foot flexed? Maybe it’s because you just got out of the bath and your feet are wet. It– Should– Fit!”

But it didn’t. No way, no how. Liam was a real trooper when I told him that these socks, somehow, were too small for his precious feet and that mommy would have to knit him another pair after these were done. So, I kept knitting, knowing that I could find some little boy who would love the tanker socks as much as Liam would.

rip little top-down tanker socks

Last night, as I took my socks out of the bag to knit, I discovered that one of the needles had been pulled out of all of its stitches. Also, some of the stitches had begun to unravel down into the sock. This was not necessarily a fatal blow, but since they weren’t going to fit Liam anyway, and I didn’t have a particular little boy in mind for them, I decided to frog. I won’t say that it wasn’t a little painful to unravel a pair of socks that were over half finished, but it’s ok.

I’ll be knitting the same socks again, from the same yarn. However, this time, I’ll be knitting them from the toe up, and I’ll know for sure that they will fit before I knit all of that pattern stitch!

Nine days of school vacation. Two sick kids. Two papers due. ‘Nuf said.

Other than trying to get kids healthy, keep the house a notch above disgusting, get ready for a major shop update and write two papers that might eek out a B (NOT my usual standard- yes, I’m a perfectionist) I’ve not had time for much else that requires actual use of my brain.

my first handspun socks- yay!

Good thing for me that simple 2×2 ribbing is pretty mindless! Yep, I finished my falkland handspun socks and I must say that I’m in love. I’m also, unfortunately, completely addicted to the subtle color blending that develops while knitting socks with handspun yarn. Now if only I could afford an electric wheel for plying. My calves get quite the workout doing all that plying on my little kiwi!

my first 3-ply handspun sock yarn

Proof that I am genuinely addicted: I also did a test-spin for my new spinning fibers that will be up in the shop later this week. I could have done a nice bulky or worsted weight but no — I did more sock yarn! 450 glorious yards of 3-ply superfine superwash merino handspun sock yarn! I LOVE this yarn. It is unbelievably soft. I think it’s going to be mother’s day socks for my mom because she’s awesome. If she weren’t, there’s no way I’d be giving this yarn away!

Well, now I’ve really got to get labeling. It’s been fun, folks! I’ll be back hopefully tomorrow with some fun goodies to share!

almost to the heels!

I’m making slow and steady progress on my handspun socks. I only have an inch to go before I turn the heels. I am loving the way this yarn is knitting up! Knitting with handspun is always like watching a magical process unfold.

I much prefer short-row heels. They go so much faster than heel flaps and I honestly like the look and feel of them better. I do not, however, like the fussiness of most of the short-row heel techniques out there.

I was absolutely elated when I discovered my favorite method- the one provided in the Lifestyle Socks Pattern from k1p1design1. The pattern author attributes the method to Priscilla Wilds. There are no wraps to pick up (yay!) and the method is simple enough that once you’ve learned it, you don’t need to refer to instructions. These, my friends, are my kind of short-row heels!

I’ll be in class all day tomorrow, so alas, no dyeing. I have 15 pounds of fiber calling to me and I can’t do a thing about it. I did manage a small shop update earlier this week, but there won’t be another major one until at least this weekend, probably later. Ah well, such is life when managing a family, two businesses, and a Liberal Arts degree.