Weaving Endeavors

Picture-lit today, sorry! Now that term has started, I measure my knitting time in minutes rather than shows or hours. That being said, I have still managed to finish the first blue Mystik Spiral sock, and get a little bit done of the first Baby Vertebra I’m planning to knit this fall. I worked a bit more on my handspun scarf; I’m into the second full ball now, and I’m turning the heel of the second Tintern Abbey sock (appropriately while I re-watch through Downton Abbey).

This weekend I was digging in the craft container for more looms for the loops I was recently sent, and found an old 'magic loom' in the weaving box. Intrigued, I pulled one out that looked like it had all the pieces, and what I hoped was a full set of instructions (we’re not great about putting things away like that around here…). A little quick Googling turned up the full instructions, as well as some more complex patterns. Sunday in between duties I played around a bit, and ended up with this—the plain vanilla square.

A little more playing around Sunday afternoon in which I tried to do a chevron pattern resulted in this:

Conclusions? Cotton has no give, and thus does not ‘plump’ out very much when removed from the loom. Following the chevron pattern was harder than anticipated. This is oddly captivating as an activity. I have no intention of making an afghan this way. I want to know how those smart coats in the pamphlets were made from squares. I want to tackle the chevron again armed with springier yarn and more experience. I saw this bag made of woven squares on Pinterest that I am pretty interested in making—we shall see how it goes! Since I have so much free time just now…

Call me the finisher

In this last week before the chillin’s come back, I managed to get a LOT done! Too bad Stash Dash wasn’t going… Boy am I going to miss the knitting time now that term is starting…

First of all, I finished a the sherbet Mystik Spiral socks; here is a close up of the ‘fore-thought gusset’ I’m continuing to work on.

I also finished spinning up the (probably) alpaca that I used the dried up cake dye on a couple years ago. Very different to spin than the other fibers I have tried so far, but such beautiful yarn!

Then, on Saturday, I knocked out the first of my Fake Isle hats. I love the way it turned out—it was hard to see what all the colors were in the ball, but I took a leap of faith and am pretty pleased with the result.

Want to see the floats? I find the inside of colorwork fascinating in its own right…

On Sunday I finished my Apatosaurus while talking to my youngest brother; he thought it was funny that I was so stoked. Muggle!

On Tuesday I knocked out the second Fake Isle Hat; the color is now all gone. I like them both, but the first one is going to be mine I think…

Tonight, Wednesday, I caked up some of my lovely Indian Corn handspun,

and cast on a Bias Loop cowl. This is what the first ball (that didn’t fit with the repeats) looks like knit up. So squishy!

I have also made some good progress over the last three or four days on the Lost Lake Mystik Spiral socks. I think I might finally have the last lingering issues (mine) ironed out now.

Now if you'll excuse me, my life is about to explode.