Category: knitting

  • baby it’s hot outside

    Not thinking as much about the wool today (although let’s face it, I’m all about the wool) – how about some cotton?

    I sewed this super awesome circle skirt today, out of some fabric I’ve had around from *last* summer. Really, really easy and fast – would have taken less than 2 hours from start to finish if I hadn’t messed up the waistband the first time. It’s an elastic waistband, but the first casing I made was too small to fit over my hips; it was the right size if I’d done a zipper instead. But I persevered, and just added another piece to the waistband to make it fit.

    It’s super swingy! I love that. Maybe next time not quite a full circle – three quarters, maybe. I’m feeling the sewing love now…bring on the fabric store!

    What? You want knitting? I gots a bit of knitting, too:

    That’s the first of the completed sleeves from the rowanspun jacket. The second one is juuuuust about done, then it’s time for some finishing. I’ve also been working on some commission stuff.

    (That isn’t complete, obviously.)

    Transit on strike? Stay home from school and make a skirt! I certainly had fun.

  • whoops, it’s late again

    I’m a night person – I like the house quiet and dark, and I tend to stay up late and sleep in. Tonight I went to the Victoria Day fireworks, then on the way back walked to Queen and Leslie, then a streetcar, subway, bus and walk later I was home. I was tired. But sleep? Nah. I plied up two bobbins instead (photos tomorrow).

    I finally managed to finish the fronts of the Rowanspun jacket (needs a snappier name!) and I think they look pretty good. I’ve also started a sleeve, which being on the short side and straight, should go pretty fast.

    Here are the results of the sock yarn dyeing (it was fun – maybe I should do more). I found it terribly difficult to get a good photo of the colour though, so you’ll have to take my word for it. It’s a pinky-purpley colour, with unexpected (although not unwelcome) flecks of blue. It’s quite varigated, and I quite like it!

    Hopefully I’ll be able to get better photos of the colour once I start the actual sock project!

  • ooh, sparkly

    On Monday dark-haired Megan and the lovely Denny came over for a few hours of dyeing – a bit rushed, but fun nonetheless. Unfortunately I don’t have pictures..there was roving, and two skeins of sock yarn for Megan, and some cool mohair locks. Denny left me with a whole bunch of nylon sparkle stuff for me to experiment with, and check it out:

    Cool! I dyed these in small jars (pesto and relish!) in the crockpot, just a squirt of dye and a splash of vinegar in each. For the green, I just squirted some yellow and blue right onto the fibre and filled it up with water. It’s tough to convey the sparkly-ness of the nylon, but this might help.

    For some reason all the dyed colours really, really remind me of this show I used to watch when I was a kid – I can’t remember what it was called, but it involved these three guys in a rock band. They looked like KISS, but had these crazy sparkly foil wigs in red, green, and blue. Does anyone know what the hell I’m talking about?

    Anyway. A new yarnly project! I saw this on someone’s blog, although i can’t remember now – Denny, I think you’re going to love it:

    It’s called soumak weaving, and I’m just using my Weavette as the frame and various handspuns. It’s super fun!