In addition to work, I’ve also been working on several fiber projects! I finished a pair of socks for my sister-on-law that were originally meant to be a Christmas present, but ended up being a Mother’s Day gift. I adapted the heel on the Jaywalker sock; I quite like how it turned out and would consider doing that again, but this time I’ll take notes!
I started my long anticipated Ink cardigan last spring and promptly lost steam on the collar, so I dug it out and I’m about halfway to the dividing for the arms and body point. I LOVE how this is knitting up, and plan to have it done for this fall/winter, as I need another layering piece for work. I love the cable, I love the yarn, and I’m super excited about having the finish garment. Plus, as a sweater in fingering weight it will be quite wearable.
The other garment I’m currently working on is a summer top, Vanora. I decided that rather than knit it in two pieces, I would seam the shoulders and join in the round after the underarms. Now that I’ve done that, the next exciting bit is going to be when I get to the hem…in several inches. So, until then, it’s half a row of lace and half a row of stockinette. I’m using the Lion Brand Coboo yarn that I made my tank out of last year; it’s a sport weigh cotton/bamboo blend which drapes nicely, and is cool enough for a Texas summer. I’m looking forward to having this done and being able to enjoy it! This is a picture of the back lace pattern.
Since I had only one pair of movie socks hibernating (not like I’ve had the chance to go see a movie in the last few months!), and since I’ve been watching my way through Star Trek’s the Next Generation, I decided the time had come to cast on my Trekkie yarn in an easy, vanilla sock pattern. I think I’m going to do an afterthought heel with forethought gusset; I’ve got a little more time before I need to make the final decision. I’m getting the itch to do a more patterned sock soon, but I figured with a cable and a lace project, a vanilla sock would round out my WIPs nicely.
Since I last posted I have finished the delightful yarn from my birthday fiber from last year, and I’m dreaming about what to knit with it. I plied this on my wheel; I have improved as a spinner dramatically, and I’m quite pleased with how this turned out.
Not only did I finish that project, but I tested out the Andean plying technique on a little oddment of fiber with pleasing results.
Now I’m working on spinning up an indigo dyed batt from my good friend Rebekah, and I’m still trying to decide it if I want to try chain plying it on the wheel, or make it a two ply. It’s coming out super fine so I’m inclined to chain ply it, but I have some time to keep deciding what I want to do with it. Stash Dash is coming up, and I’m hoping to reach 5k again!
Lastly, I decided to treat myself to a life-long dream, but ordering a Schacht Cricket rigid heddle loom. I got the 15” size as it seemed like the most versatile starting point, and it arrived on Friday. It was super easy to assemble, and I had it warped in no time. I learned quite a bit from that first project; I ran out of yarn so the one end is rather purple, but it was well worth it for the learning process.
I’m currently working on a set of four cowls out of early, very lump handspun, which is turning out to be all I hoped. I continue to learn; I got my warp centered properly this time, but still need to work on my warping calculations a bit. After this set of cowls is off the loom, I’m going to put in my finer heddle and work with some laceweight that has been sitting in my stash for over a decade. I also have ambitions for dishtowel weaving this summer, so stay tuned!
Parting shot: If my knitting is on the floor being photographed, that *obviously* means I want Neko to come sniff/lie on it, right?
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