So.... my intention was to post about a Christmas present today.
I've been working on it off and on for the last couple of months and have been very close to being complete for a few weeks.... but I've been doing more ripping out than finishing. :-/
So finally last weekend, I decided that I was not going to finish this project.... at least not for this Christmas.
So today, you get a cryptic post from me, hoping that all of your holiday making was successful.
Happy Hanukkah, Christmas, soon-to-be New Year, and Fiber Arts Friday!
Friday, December 27, 2019
Friday, December 20, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Mending
About a month ago, my favorite Patagonia jacket ripped. :-(
Yes I know they will repair it for free, but I was on the road and was going to need my jacket during that trip.
So I stopped by a Local Yarn Shop (LYS) and found an interesting wool/camel thread and some sewing needles.
I stitched my jacket up as best I could using a Whip Stitch while bleary-eyed, late at night.
This is not a great stitching job. Obviously I had a hard time keeping the feathers in, but it is functional.
I felt bad about the quality of my work for a few days, especially since creative mending is so popular right now. However, I was happy to be wearing my jacket during the very cold weather a few days later.
Then my jacket tore again last week. sigh.
I don't know if it's getting snagged on something under the airplane seat in front of me or what.... but again, I was in need of the jacket in short order.
This time my seam is better. I used the Blanket Stitch and was both more rested and had better light than the first repair.
I suppose my poor repairs invalidate the warranty on my favorite jacket. But I do enjoy the fact that I can repair my own garments and therefore extend their life and keep them out of the landfill.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Yes I know they will repair it for free, but I was on the road and was going to need my jacket during that trip.
So I stopped by a Local Yarn Shop (LYS) and found an interesting wool/camel thread and some sewing needles.
I stitched my jacket up as best I could using a Whip Stitch while bleary-eyed, late at night.
This is not a great stitching job. Obviously I had a hard time keeping the feathers in, but it is functional.
I felt bad about the quality of my work for a few days, especially since creative mending is so popular right now. However, I was happy to be wearing my jacket during the very cold weather a few days later.
Then my jacket tore again last week. sigh.
I don't know if it's getting snagged on something under the airplane seat in front of me or what.... but again, I was in need of the jacket in short order.
This time my seam is better. I used the Blanket Stitch and was both more rested and had better light than the first repair.
I suppose my poor repairs invalidate the warranty on my favorite jacket. But I do enjoy the fact that I can repair my own garments and therefore extend their life and keep them out of the landfill.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Friday, December 13, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Tempestry, New Normal
I learned about the Tempestry Project a while back. I don't exactly remember when, but a friend of mine was working on one.
Using data from NOAA, The Tempestry Project creates custom wall hanging kits to represent the daily high temperature at a given location during a given year.... for example, Fort Collins, CO, USA + 2009 + crochet.
I had been wanting to make one, but had not settled on a year or location. Then earlier this year, they announced they were working on a project called New Normal.
The New Normal kit takes the Global Annual Average High using NASAGISS data and compares that to a baselined average over 1950-1980.
The more blue the color, the colder the average compared to the baselined average. Likewise, the more red the color, the warmer the average was when compared to the baselined average.
I think this is an excellent representation of the threat we're facing.
This project is available in both a wall hanging or scarf as well as knit or crochet.
I have a few other projects in the queue, but I am looking forward to making my own New Normal Scarf.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Using data from NOAA, The Tempestry Project creates custom wall hanging kits to represent the daily high temperature at a given location during a given year.... for example, Fort Collins, CO, USA + 2009 + crochet.
I had been wanting to make one, but had not settled on a year or location. Then earlier this year, they announced they were working on a project called New Normal.
The New Normal kit takes the Global Annual Average High using NASAGISS data and compares that to a baselined average over 1950-1980.
The more blue the color, the colder the average compared to the baselined average. Likewise, the more red the color, the warmer the average was when compared to the baselined average.
I think this is an excellent representation of the threat we're facing.
This project is available in both a wall hanging or scarf as well as knit or crochet.
I have a few other projects in the queue, but I am looking forward to making my own New Normal Scarf.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Friday, December 6, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Shave 'Em to Save 'Em, Tunis
 |
| source: Better Country Farms |
Tunis - This roving is so spongy!! I'm very much looking forward to spinning it!
The staple is about 1.5 inches
It took me a bit to get my form down. The 1.5-inch staple felt short, especially after spinning the Lincoln. This drafts very differently from the Lincoln, Karakul and Navajo-Churro.... it reminds of Southdown Baby Doll and perhaps the Black Welsh Mountain.
In fact, it's so much slower to draft than everything else I've spun recently,
that I started pre-drafting the roving.
... until Ruby the cat go a hold of my bump. :-/
Some of the roving was split, which spun faster, so I split the remainder of the bump as I worked on it.
Since this sample was in a center-pull bump, I'm decided to spin in one shot, then ply from a single cake. The bobbin starts to get really heavy, especially if I'm not diligent about balancing the yarn across the length.
and it's about all my ball winder can handle.
According to the Livestock Conservancy, Tunis are one of the oldest livestock breeds developed in the US. They can trace their heritage to a pair that were gifted to George Washington by the Bey of Tunis in the late 1700's. They were common until the Civil War, when the majority of the southern stock was destroyed.
Tunis were primarily used for meat and wool, though are also good milkers. With a docile temperament and both sexes being polled (without horns), they are easy keepers and appear to be gaining in popularity.
The staple is about 1.5 inches
It took me a bit to get my form down. The 1.5-inch staple felt short, especially after spinning the Lincoln. This drafts very differently from the Lincoln, Karakul and Navajo-Churro.... it reminds of Southdown Baby Doll and perhaps the Black Welsh Mountain.
In fact, it's so much slower to draft than everything else I've spun recently,
that I started pre-drafting the roving.
... until Ruby the cat go a hold of my bump. :-/
Some of the roving was split, which spun faster, so I split the remainder of the bump as I worked on it.
Since this sample was in a center-pull bump, I'm decided to spin in one shot, then ply from a single cake. The bobbin starts to get really heavy, especially if I'm not diligent about balancing the yarn across the length.
and it's about all my ball winder can handle.
According to the Livestock Conservancy, Tunis are one of the oldest livestock breeds developed in the US. They can trace their heritage to a pair that were gifted to George Washington by the Bey of Tunis in the late 1700's. They were common until the Civil War, when the majority of the southern stock was destroyed.
Tunis were primarily used for meat and wool, though are also good milkers. With a docile temperament and both sexes being polled (without horns), they are easy keepers and appear to be gaining in popularity.
The Tunis are listed as Watch, meaning that fewer than 2,500 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population less than 10,000. Also includes breeds that present genetic or numerical concerns or have a limited geographic distribution.
According to the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, the American Tunis actually descended from the Tunisian Barbary sheep. They are a fat-tailed breed, making the meat tender and tasty.
Final Yarn: Tunis
Single Duration: September 27 - November 25, 2019
Ply Duration: November 25 - 27, 2019
ounces: 3 5/8
yards: 218, 2-ply
wpi: 14
Ready to Submit: November 29, 2019
SE2SE Status:
Total Breeds: 22
Breeds Sourced: 16
Breeds Spun: 7
Breeds To Go: 15
Months Remaining: 25 (12/31/21)
According to the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, the American Tunis actually descended from the Tunisian Barbary sheep. They are a fat-tailed breed, making the meat tender and tasty.
This is one of the four rovings sourced from Aspen Kid. While this roving is from a farm in Arizona, it feels good knowing that I am able to support both a conservation breeder and local distributor of rare breed products. :-)
Final Yarn: Tunis
Single Duration: September 27 - November 25, 2019
Ply Duration: November 25 - 27, 2019
ounces: 3 5/8
yards: 218, 2-ply
wpi: 14
Ready to Submit: November 29, 2019
SE2SE Status:
Total Breeds: 22
Breeds Sourced: 16
Breeds Spun: 7
Breeds To Go: 15
Months Remaining: 25 (12/31/21)
I feel like this fleece would be really nice in a sock yarn.... lots of bounce. I'm looking forward to working with it more.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Friday, November 29, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Scrappy Palindrome, part 3
My Scrappy Palindrome Scarf is starting to get long....
I think it's about half-way finished.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
I think it's about half-way finished.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Making Cranberries
At my first thanksgiving with my Mother-in-Law, she served the most wonderful cranberries. They were made from scratch, and while still tart, there was a depth of flavor unknown to me prior.
Ultimately she gave in to my requests. She swore me to secrecy and then gave me the recipe.
I have been making these cranberries ever since.
My favorite instruction is "Simmer for quite a long time."
No specific time. No specific appearance.
Just "quite a long time."
This makes the engineer in me uncomfortable.... not that I'm good at following directions. But I do like a general idea of where I'm going and how long it might take.
The artist in me thinks this is the best instruction I read each year.... it's up to me to determine what done looks like.
The manager in me takes this instruction to heart.... this is my annual reminder to ensure that the people I work with have the autonomy to do the work they've been hired to do.
Ultimately she gave in to my requests. She swore me to secrecy and then gave me the recipe.
I have been making these cranberries ever since.
My favorite instruction is "Simmer for quite a long time."
No specific time. No specific appearance.
Just "quite a long time."
This makes the engineer in me uncomfortable.... not that I'm good at following directions. But I do like a general idea of where I'm going and how long it might take.
The artist in me thinks this is the best instruction I read each year.... it's up to me to determine what done looks like.
The manager in me takes this instruction to heart.... this is my annual reminder to ensure that the people I work with have the autonomy to do the work they've been hired to do.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: For the Love of Ravelry
I've extolled my love of Ravelry before, including when I recently bought yarn that was not the color I intended.
I had decided to keep the wrong yarn, and have a general idea of a project for some of it, but I have far more yarn than I need.
So when I received a message asking if I was willing to part with one skein a few weeks ago, my answer was, yes.
It turns out the inquirer lives and works in the area that I travel to for work. So we decided to meet up at a local yarn shop for knit night to exchange the yarn.
We started the evening as strangers, grateful the other was willing to meet in a public place among people we both knew. We knit together and told stories. We learned that we know several of the same people thru our day jobs.... and we finished the evening as friends.
I love that something so simple and ancient as knitting, using a tool so contemporary and wonderful as Ravelry, can bring people together so easily.
I had decided to keep the wrong yarn, and have a general idea of a project for some of it, but I have far more yarn than I need.
So when I received a message asking if I was willing to part with one skein a few weeks ago, my answer was, yes.
It turns out the inquirer lives and works in the area that I travel to for work. So we decided to meet up at a local yarn shop for knit night to exchange the yarn.
We started the evening as strangers, grateful the other was willing to meet in a public place among people we both knew. We knit together and told stories. We learned that we know several of the same people thru our day jobs.... and we finished the evening as friends.
I love that something so simple and ancient as knitting, using a tool so contemporary and wonderful as Ravelry, can bring people together so easily.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Dog Show: Southern Colorado Kennel Club, 2019
After a long layoff, Ramen and I competed in the Southern Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show over Veterans' Day Weekend.
Ramen loves the show environment, and spent the 4-hr drive like this... excited to go to the show!
Since we were the only TM entered, we had the opportunity to compete in the Regular and Owner-Handled Working Groups all three days, and he received this nice mat for winning Best of Breed on the first day.
The Leonberger Club was having a specialty, so we were able to show many people the difference between Tibetan Mastiffs and Leonbergers.
We were also able to talk to people about Tibetan Mastiffs and LGDs in general.
This nice man sketched a quick portrait of Ramen.
I was able to get a little knitting done during a rest break.
We saw many of our canine and human dog show friends, and made many new ones. We also met several soccer players at our hotel who were in town for a tournament.
I do have to say that I don't think of our dogs as being especially big.... I know they are large, but Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, St Bernards, Irish Wolf Hounds, and English Mastiffs are all bigger than Tibetan Mastiffs. So to see Ramen in the hotel room, I was taken aback.... he really is a big dog. :-)
I greatly enjoyed spending the weekend, one-on-one, with my special boy.
Until next time...
Ramen loves the show environment, and spent the 4-hr drive like this... excited to go to the show!
Since we were the only TM entered, we had the opportunity to compete in the Regular and Owner-Handled Working Groups all three days, and he received this nice mat for winning Best of Breed on the first day.
The Leonberger Club was having a specialty, so we were able to show many people the difference between Tibetan Mastiffs and Leonbergers.
We were also able to talk to people about Tibetan Mastiffs and LGDs in general.
This nice man sketched a quick portrait of Ramen.
I was able to get a little knitting done during a rest break.
We saw many of our canine and human dog show friends, and made many new ones. We also met several soccer players at our hotel who were in town for a tournament.
I do have to say that I don't think of our dogs as being especially big.... I know they are large, but Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, St Bernards, Irish Wolf Hounds, and English Mastiffs are all bigger than Tibetan Mastiffs. So to see Ramen in the hotel room, I was taken aback.... he really is a big dog. :-)
I greatly enjoyed spending the weekend, one-on-one, with my special boy.
Until next time...
Friday, November 15, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Vashon Sheepdog Classic
I learned about the Vashon Sheepdog Classic from a coworker.
Vashon Island is one of the large islands within Puget Sound near Seattle, WA. He and his girlfriend were going and it is now on my list of things to do.
Along with the Herding Dog Trials, there is a fiber and food market. If you've never seen Herding Dogs work, I highly recommend it.
As a breeder of purebred Livestock Guardians, I am always interested in seeing well-bred dogs doing what they are intended to do... and Herding is no different. Simply amazing!
My friend had a wonderful time at the Classic and was kind (and generous) enough to bring a present for me.... 2oz of washed and carded Yak Down.
If you know me at all, you know this is the most wonderful and thoughtful gift. :-)
... and because I love this video so much...
Don't Knit Alone from Lisa Berglund on Vimeo.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Vashon Island is one of the large islands within Puget Sound near Seattle, WA. He and his girlfriend were going and it is now on my list of things to do.
Along with the Herding Dog Trials, there is a fiber and food market. If you've never seen Herding Dogs work, I highly recommend it.
As a breeder of purebred Livestock Guardians, I am always interested in seeing well-bred dogs doing what they are intended to do... and Herding is no different. Simply amazing!
My friend had a wonderful time at the Classic and was kind (and generous) enough to bring a present for me.... 2oz of washed and carded Yak Down.
If you know me at all, you know this is the most wonderful and thoughtful gift. :-)
... and because I love this video so much...
Don't Knit Alone from Lisa Berglund on Vimeo.
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Friday, November 8, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Scrappy Palindrome, part 2
So I ripped it out, and started over with US7 needles.
I like this fabric better.
Also, since I am now using larger needles, I went back to my stash and pulled some more remnants for this project.
In this photo I have some of the first yarn I bought when I restarted knitting 12-13 years ago (green and beige). There is a whole lot of yellow left over from the Duck Feet I made for my nephew, handspun bamboo+silk+merino from my BFF Hat, kettle-dyed Manos del Uruguay, a tiny bit of MadTosh, a couple of black and white yarns that I used to make early hats and the little bit of blue-black left over from my fabulous Best In Show Winning Alpaca Wrap.
There's something really fun about these scrappy projects, very much like a patchwork quilt.... each section brings the memory of another project and the person or event it was made for.... and it's time to change yarns right about the time I start to get bored with the pattern. ;-)
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
I like this fabric better.
Also, since I am now using larger needles, I went back to my stash and pulled some more remnants for this project.
In this photo I have some of the first yarn I bought when I restarted knitting 12-13 years ago (green and beige). There is a whole lot of yellow left over from the Duck Feet I made for my nephew, handspun bamboo+silk+merino from my BFF Hat, kettle-dyed Manos del Uruguay, a tiny bit of MadTosh, a couple of black and white yarns that I used to make early hats and the little bit of blue-black left over from my fabulous Best In Show Winning Alpaca Wrap.
There's something really fun about these scrappy projects, very much like a patchwork quilt.... each section brings the memory of another project and the person or event it was made for.... and it's time to change yarns right about the time I start to get bored with the pattern. ;-)
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Tibetan Mastiff Tuesday: Massage is Good
We are fortunate to have friends who are Massage Instructors.
I had the pleasure of being a massage-test-dummy at a sports massage practicum a few weeks ago, and a couple of our dogs had the pleasure of being massage-test-dummies for the canine program last weekend.
Aspen and Ramen have volunteered their services before and we are grateful that the Lang Institute for Canine Massage continues to call us back.
Being an experienced show dog, Ramen is well-versed in the Treat Pocket... He ensured he got treats from each of the students by moving down the line and poking everyone's Treat Pocket with his nose before he got on the table.
Aspen made sure the students knew how much she enjoyed the massage.
Massage IS Good!
I had the pleasure of being a massage-test-dummy at a sports massage practicum a few weeks ago, and a couple of our dogs had the pleasure of being massage-test-dummies for the canine program last weekend.
Aspen and Ramen have volunteered their services before and we are grateful that the Lang Institute for Canine Massage continues to call us back.
Being an experienced show dog, Ramen is well-versed in the Treat Pocket... He ensured he got treats from each of the students by moving down the line and poking everyone's Treat Pocket with his nose before he got on the table.
Aspen made sure the students knew how much she enjoyed the massage.
Massage IS Good!
Friday, November 1, 2019
Fiber Arts Friday: Modern Wheel
I test drove a sample of the Clemes & Clemes Modern Wheel at the Estes Park Wool Market earlier this year. It was the most smooth wheel I have used. So I instantly knew I would have one.... someday.
Hubba encouraged me to buy one, but I didn't want to make a decision so quickly... Spinning Wheels are not inexpensive.
But I couldn't get the wheel out of my head... I thought about it all the way home.... then I dreamt about it.
The wheel was still consuming my thoughts in the morning.... so I convinced Hubba to go back to the Wool Market on Sunday so we could order one.
Henry Clemes designed the Modern Wheel in the 1970s. It comes from a single sheet of plywood and uses every bit. There is no drop... no waste... only sawdust remains once the wheel is complete.
The treadle has a heel-toe action, so it's not a double-treadle, but it's not like the other single-treadles I've used either.... and I love the simple utilitarian look.
Several months later, I picked up MY new Modern Wheel at a LYS where the Clemes & Clemes team were teaching a class last weekend.
I started with a some carded Tibetan Mastiff... since I have a never-ending supply (!), I don't have to worry about ruining any of my purchased roving while I get used to my new wheel. ;-)
I still love my Louet, but she may not get too much attention for a little while. :-)
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!
Hubba encouraged me to buy one, but I didn't want to make a decision so quickly... Spinning Wheels are not inexpensive.
But I couldn't get the wheel out of my head... I thought about it all the way home.... then I dreamt about it.
The wheel was still consuming my thoughts in the morning.... so I convinced Hubba to go back to the Wool Market on Sunday so we could order one.
Henry Clemes designed the Modern Wheel in the 1970s. It comes from a single sheet of plywood and uses every bit. There is no drop... no waste... only sawdust remains once the wheel is complete.
The treadle has a heel-toe action, so it's not a double-treadle, but it's not like the other single-treadles I've used either.... and I love the simple utilitarian look.
Several months later, I picked up MY new Modern Wheel at a LYS where the Clemes & Clemes team were teaching a class last weekend.
I started with a some carded Tibetan Mastiff... since I have a never-ending supply (!), I don't have to worry about ruining any of my purchased roving while I get used to my new wheel. ;-)
I still love my Louet, but she may not get too much attention for a little while. :-)
Happy Fiber Arts Friday!