• it’s a ripple

    A crocheted ripple blanket, worked in neat ripple.

    it's a ripple.

    it's a ripple.

    Cascade Eco Wool, 10 skeins total in about 8 shades (some colour sections are longer). Yarn held double, with a J / 6mm hook. Yes, it’s pretty firm, but it did loosen up quite a bit in the wash. I probably could’ve gone up at least one hook size, but I like the density. It nearly covers the top of my double bed (though I didn’t get any photos of that, oops). I started out making it for myself, but ended up giving it to my partner for his birthday yesterday. It’s still in the family.

    it's a ripple.

    it's a ripple.

  • ripping, ripping, ripping

    It’s been a rather unproductive long weekend. I started a crochet sunhat out of a single skein of Euroflax linen, only to have to rip it out about five times because it sucked!

    crocheting with linen

    The beginning went okay.

    crappy hat

    Too big.

    crappy hat

    Too ruffley.

    hat/bowl

    Too small!

    I think I might fiiiinally have hit on the right combo. Needs a wash, then we’ll see. My knitting hasn’t really been behaving either – I had an idea that I tried to sketch and swatch out, but I don’t think I can actually do it except for at full size (and the swatches didn’t look very good either). And I’ve been working on a cabled pullover with lovely O-Wool Legacy DK, but I’ve had to rip out the back a bunch of times too!

    finally on track

    I think I’m finally back on track. Of course, with this heatwave (40C/100F with humidex!) I might just make a few more batches of ice cream instead of knitting.

  • I went to Columbus, and I ate ice cream

    I skipped going to TNNA last year because I had just come home from my epic UK trip, but nothing got in my way this year! Yes, I go to talk to yarn companies and see what’s new in the industry, but really I just go to catch up with my internet friends in real life, shop, and eat a lot of Jeni’s splended ice cream. I didn’t even take my camera this year, so these are all somewhat crappy iphone shots.

    I didn’t have a booth, so I was pretty free to roam around. I got some great yarns, and I found a few things I was looking for! It’s always an inspiring trip, and like everyone else, I’m now overflowing with ideas that my hands aren’t fast enough to knit up.

    Jeni’s – I went 5 times in three days, but I only took one photo:

    jeni's

    That’s juniper & lemon curd on top, and hiding underneath is brown butter almond brittle. It’s a good thing I don’t live within even shipping distance of Jeni’s, because it would be rather dangerous. I am, however, about to dive into the world of the Jeni’s cookbook, so…I’d better start working out more.

    Cute blurry friends.

    blurry friends

    Epic baby cuteness.

    epic cuteness

    Comfest – screwed up people’s phone signals due to sheer volume, and there were SO MANY PEOPLE out on the streets. I took a short walk through and saw a Jeni’s truck, many fried foods, music stages, and a lot of people drinking in the park. I think that’s pretty much the spirit of it.

    comfest

    Such a great time. I love TNNA, and I hope I can make it out to the winter show in California in January!

    First up on my needles from the show is some awesome chainette linen from Shibui – I am very excited about it.

    shibui linen