Fiber Friday | 8.24.18

Fiber Friday | 8.24.18

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!

Make It Monday | 8.20.18

Make It Monday | 8.20.18

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.

  1. 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?
  2. Laura Aylor’s End of Summer MKAL from last year…seems appropriate to finish it, right?
  3. 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!
  4. Autumn Forest – I am not to the half way point yet, but this is a nice semi-mindless and portable knit!
  5. Two more Esme Tunics… one flannel and one with bell-sleeves!
  6. Another Uniform Top
  7. 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?

Zipper Tales

Zipper Tales

On Wednesday, I headed off to JoAnn’s to find a separating zipper and a “Knit Picker”, the zipper I found but the knit picker? No luck there, but I did find these needles with a latching eye. I thought they would work better, especially since I could not get this zipper.

Yesterday, I began the Zipper Undertaking on my Rock the Lobster

Step One: Determine how many loops to “pick up” on my zipper and mark my “dots” on the zipper tape. How did I determine this? I used my row gauge, which was 8 rows to the inch. **Key tip if you cannot get the above zipper – use a wing needle on your sewing machine and contrasting thread to easier see where to pick up stitches! A wing needle makes a larger hole in the zipper tape making the insertion of the darning needle much easier. I stitched on paper first to count stitches per inch and adjust stitch length so my gauge would match.

Step Two: Pick up the loops and place them on a spare knitting needle.

Step Three: Pick up the same amount of stitches plus two on the sweater (why two extra stitches? The bottom of the zipper tape when lined up with the bottom edge of my sweater was had a space of 2 stitches between the bottom and the zipper teeth, I just did the I-cord edge to continue to the bottom of the sweater edge)  and place on another knitting needle in preparation for this applied I-cord method (on step 3, I inserted the needle through a stitch on the zipper and a stitch on the cardigan.)

Step Four: Repeat the above steps on second half of the zipper. Oh, and how did I make sure the zipper was even on both sides? When I started the second half, I began with the zipper closed with both halves together. Once I had a few stitches complete, I unzipped and continued with the I-cord join.

Step Five: Cover zipper tape and steeked edges with ribbon (which I have yet to do. But, the row of picked up stitches on the zipper will make the perfect edge for stitching one side of the ribbon on.

If you click on the images, you can scroll through the gallery:

Things I learned: I thought I could mark my stitches with a dressmaker pencil, but the point of the darning needle was not sharp enough to penetrate the zipper tape. The wing needle made a nice hole, but it was impossible to see on the black zipper tape, so contrasting stitching solved that problem.

The first half went slower than the second half, but I completed both sides yesterday. Now I just need to find the perfect ribbon for the inside! I highly recommend this method of zipper installation as it gives an absolutely gorgeous finish! And, again – thank you Vicki for making this recommendation!

Now, how about a couple of links?

This is a gorgeous transitional knit!

Thinking about fall? Aine

And, finally (and free!) Verity

That is all I have for the week! Happy Friday and I will see you all back here on Monday!

Sometimes Monday | 8.13.18

Sometimes Monday | 8.13.18

Are for making.

My list today includes more Cherry Tomato Jam, some Peach Jam, and a Plum tart.

Also, that Basil infused cocktail from Friday got very high marks! I based it on this recipe. It was bright and refreshing. Changes I made: I used regular vodka (not citrus flavored) and no tonic water. Served with a twist, it was the perfect start to the weekend!

Oh, and this will be done today! Well, at least the knitting will be done! Up next, steeks and a zipper!

How was your weekend?

Fiber Friday | 8.10.18

Fiber Friday | 8.10.18

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!

Fiber Friday | 8.3.18

Fiber Friday | 8.3.18

I don’t know about you, but I am having a really hard time with the reality that it is August…my brain doth protests much and seems to be stuck in July.

However, yesterday when I posted about a Blanket for Annie… I had hoped that I might get a few knitters who wanted to help. But, I never ever imagined that I would have TWELVE knitters! I have emailed Ann and Kay and I am waiting patiently to hear from them. Blanket knitters… look for an email later today and THANK YOU!! I am so excited!

I had so many finishes this week, but not the Mystery Shawl! KK’s beautiful bind off is slow going but I love how it looks. Also, I think I am doing one too many petals in my flowers, but I like how it looks so I am continuing with the extra petal but, as you can see, I have more than enough yarn. I will settle in this morning with Paris in the Present Tense and see if I can make some good progress on it!

However, my favorite finish is my Notorious Dress inspired by Vicki! I love it!

How about some links to round out your week and perhaps give you some inspiration?

The sweater was strong this week on Ravelry: Sweatershirt and Shamrock if you are a “pullover” person. Or Soyokaze and Margot (Lady) if cardigans are your jam. Don’t like sleeves? Joji has just the thing for you in fingering or sport weight!

Want to knit sweaters for wee people? Bean Cardigan and Waszka

There was some amazing inspiration in the Rectangle Shawl Category this past week as well: Fauxtarsia Wave, Obvious are all gorgeous. I love that eelliotknits posted more yarn ideas for her Fauxtarsia Wave on IG yesterday.

Like short-rows? Then Arabian tales and Summer Dunes have exactly that!

And, for you wash cloth knitters… who can resist Macaron Cloths?

And, I love Cover Your Plans and I might need to do this for the planner I carry in my purse!

That is all I have for this week! Have an amazing weekend and I will see you all back here on Monday!

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