Last time was the beginning of October, and I was ready to embark upon Repeat #7, with the remainder of Skein #2. I was using 21% more yarn for each Repeat and predicting a total of 11 Repeats.
In the midst of Repeat #7 and mid-October (10/15/23) I discovered a dropped stitch from several rounds back...
I captured it with a stitch marker, then fixed it when I reached the appropriate column.
The repair is a little tight but surprisingly doesn't look bad in this photo. I do think it will even a bit during blocking.
Also toward the end of Repeat #7 I printed out a second copy of the bulk of the pattern since my mark-ups were filling up the white space and I think I have at least a few more Repeats to go.
***
Today is Christmas Eve, and I am finally getting to the point of finishing this post.
I finished Repeat #7 Thanksgiving Weekend (November 22).
Repeat #7 used 18g, which is 6% more than Repeat #6. I am still using skein #2.
As I mentioned in my plan last time, the first thing I did was move this project to two 60-inch circular needles.
The first needle was a bit grabby with the yarn, so I wiped down the second prior to using it and both are running smoothly, after the first couple of rounds.
I finally finished the first skein about 3/4 into the 5th Repeat.
It is interesting that Repeat #5 used the same weight of yarn as Repeat #4 (14g each). I can only assume that one of my weights was not measured accurately, since I have a habit of using my scale where ever I happen to be. I'm curious to see what happens in Repeat #6.
In thinking about it further, I suspect that the finish weight for Round #3 was incorrect, which means the delta that gave me 27% increase was also incorrect. This is a good reminder that each and every step matters when it comes to an accurate predictive analysis.
Finally more than a month later, and earlier this week, I finished Repeat #6. The yarn used was 21% more than Repeat #5 and I'm still in Skein #2.
The wrap is starting to show it's Kidney Bean shape, and is still on a pair of 60-inch needles.
If the 21% increase in yarn per Repeat continues, then I should be able to get 11 total repeats out of the yarn I have.
I am continuing to work on this project primarily during the mornings. Each Round is now taking more than 2 hours over several days, and each Repeat has 13 Rounds. Which means that my forecasted end date is continuing to move out. ;-) Currently I'm hoping to be complete in early March 2024.
Since last time, I tried to put this project on one circular needle, but it wasn't quite ready...
So I moved it to two of my longest US0s. These are 40 inches long...
This was a dedicated project until about the end of March 2023, when it started to get boring. So I did some work on other projects to give my mind something else to focus on.
This was also the point of leaving our temporary housing toward the end of the major portion of our remodel. It was in to the second part of the first pattern repeat and about 2.5 inches wide.
Working on it a little here and there for much of April, I am complete with the 2nd pattern repeat as of early May 2023. The project is about 4.5 inches wide, and I have used less than half of the first skein.
These are still the 40-inch needles...
This project then spent most of May and June resting, only picking it back up in early July 2023.
Since then I've been working with a less-is-more strategy. Generally I only work on it in the morning while I'm having coffee and catching up on the news from the previous day. Then spending any other available time working on something else.
Each round is currently taking about an hour and 15 minutes to complete, usually over two days. Each round also increases by at least 4 stitches.
As of this writing, in mid-August 2023, I have completed Repeat #4 and used most of the first skein.
Repeat #4 used 27% more yarn than Repeat #3. So assuming this rate stays constant, I should be able to complete 10 total Repeats. Which means that I am 40% complete if you count Repeats, but only ~15% complete if you count skeins used.... lol.
Each Repeat adds two inches to the width of the wrap.
I will continue to keep track of yarn usage since the yarn is discontinued, and I, therefore, only have what I have.
I have also filled out my two 40-inch circulars and will be moving this project to two 60-inch circulars next.
According to Ravelry, I first saw this pattern in June 2017, nearly 6 years ago.
In the most recent December (2022) an image of this project kept popping into my head. So I had started looking for it in my queue and list of favorites. It took a while to find because the image I had was of my intended version, not the published version. lol.
Then, a couple of weeks later, on NYEE, I saw a note from the publisher of Knitty Magazine that said Shibui Knits was discontinuing their yarn brand. So I went straight to their website, looked around and happened to find the exact color and weight that I had in mind for this project.
It's a Merino+Silk blend, with 40% being Silk. So the result should have lovely drape.
So I bought the pattern, printed it out, promptly made the notes of the modifications I wanted to make, and ordered the yarn.... and THAT is how easily my actual queue/active project list gets too long. This project had been percolating in the background for nearly 6 years and then came together in about 10 minutes on New Year's Eve Eve 2022.
The yarn arrived as our remodel was starting. So I set it aside in the tiny office of our temporary housing, thinking I would get started within a few weeks.
In early-February, I decided to wind the first ball and swatch the project.... but since my winding tools were packed away, I improvised with my knees...
Gauge is not important for this wrap, so my swatch is just a few rows to ensure I was getting the fabric I wanted...
I am using the same US0 needles as the Clown Fish Socks and I ordered a couple of longer ones for the later stages and set everything aside again.
Since I want a generous scarf/wrap when complete, and am using US0... or 30% smaller than the prescribed US3 needle, I thought I would aim to cast on 30% more stitches than the pattern called for, but ultimately just pulled out a length of yarn and cast on until I ran out of tail, using Judy's Magic Cast on, which is essentially, my preferred Long Tail Cast on, but using two needles.
I ended up casting on 422 stitches while watching the Live Broadcast of the Flyball Competition at Crufts.
It doesn't look like much on these tiny needles. lol.
Over the rest of the weekend, I set up for the end increases and knit a couple of rounds, using my 16-inch circulars... I'm definitely going to need the longer needles sooner than I expected.
This project is being worked from the center-out, which I think this will be an interesting effect.
I have a long way to go, so you'll likely see a lot of it here over the next several months. ;-)
My Ravelry queue and favorites list are full of projects that include lace... but I've stated (at least) a few times that I'm not a fan of making lace. However, I do want to be competent. So I keep trying it. Hence, Copperbranch.
The last time I posted about this project (October 2020), the body of the wrap was finished and it was time to embark upon the lace portion.
I then took my unplanned hiatus, and only started working on this project again a few weeks ago.
I have several other projects stalled for various reasons and we are preparing to move house (and farm), so I have packed all of my in-process/stalled projects except for this one.
That's one way to make me work on lace, right? lol
So far, I've only spent 5-10 minutes per session and am now 4 rows into the lace portion.
Yes, blazing speed, I know. (sarcasm)
Of course, I do have two spinning projects still available... but not getting much attention right now.
I decided to tink back a few rows, since 42% of the total yarn is required for the edging/lace portion. This way I am being conservative, since I do not have a third skein of this yarn.
I now have a lifeline in place, 25 sections, and 3 stitches on each end for a total of 406 stitches. 106g have been knit and 87g remain, leaving ~55% of the total yarn. Lace is next.
Soon after that I finished the first skein, started the second, and then set it to rest over the summer. My plan was to pick it up in the winter, but I was busy with my Inspired Words project.
Now that my New Normal Scarf is nearing completion, I've been thinking about this project more.
I picked it up on Saturday, May 2nd. It was a cold and rainy. I wanted a simple, quiet project for a few hours. I listened to music, drank hot tea, and sat under a blanket in my comfy chair and added the last few rows necessary to prepare for the lace portion. A completely lovely afternoon.
Then I recounted my work and reviewed the pattern instructions.... only to realize that the edge was supposed to be 6 total stitches not 6 on each end. oy.
So do I tink it back a few rows, at over 400 stitches, or go to one more section bigger?? hmmm.
Soon after my trip to Stitches West, while I was cataloging my take, I was feeling inspired to make something with some of my new yarn.
This Japanese Mohair+Silk yarn is very special. I knew it had silk as soon as I walked into the booth.
The people working the booth had asked me what I planned to make when I purchased the yarn.... I had no idea other than it would be something to go around my head, because I love the smell of silk.
I decided on a simple pattern that would feel lacy, without having much lace.
After playing around with the pattern, I decided I didn't like the color change, so I decided to make the piece with only the gold yarn.
After working on it for a bit and ripping it out, then starting again a slightly different way, ripping it out again, and then starting a completely different pattern, I have decided that I don't love knitting with mohair... or at least I don't love knitting with mohair lace weight yarn and the needles I was using.
I think I need pointier and smoother needles.... even though I was using Addi Turbo Lace needles.
I do love the colors, so maybe these will be better for a weaving?
The last time I used a mohair lace yarn, I added it to a thicker yarn to give a little fuzz to my SantaClava's beard... so maybe that's another idea.
In the meantime, this yarn has been sent to my stash.
Years ago I submitted my first-ever Fiber Arts Friday post. I was still pretty new to fiber arts and The Alpaca Farm Girl was hosting the weekly link-up.
A few years later, The Wonder Why Gal started hosting Fiber Arts Friday.
I went through peaks of posting and linking up each week, as well as valleys of posting less than once each month.
Over the last year or so, when I had something fibery-related, I still used the Fiber Arts Friday label. It's one of my favorite bloggy traditions. So in 2017, The Wonder Why Gal has passed the torch to me. I hope to do my predecessors proud, and I hope that you will join me here each week to share your fiber-y adventures.
***
I finished spinning this Bison+Silk a while ago, but just got around to washing it. It was a very nice preparation from The Buffalo Gal in southern Wyoming. I acquired it at the Estes Park Wool Market a few years ago.
The silk gives it a nice luster and it's quite lovely after being washed.
I've decided to join a new-to-me team this year, Team Spin Your Stash. I think it's appropriate for what I plan to do... everything has been in my stash for at least a few months, some for much (much!) longer.
Clockwise from left: cashmere+silk, suri alpaca,
huacaya alpaca+bamboo, yak, milk, cashmere
My goal is to spin at least 10 minutes every day the Tour rides, Saturday, July 2nd thru Sunday, July 24th. As usual there are two rest days and one challenge day.
I don't expect that I'll spin everything I've set aside, but if I do, I have plenty more ready to go. ;-)
The bison down is very short and the silk is longer so it took a little bit to get in the groove, but not too long. I think I might be becoming pretty good at this spinning thing. ;-)
It's been a while since I sat at my wheel and I want to spin.
I have a vast supply of lovely fibers in various forms, but just a few in roving... Bison+Silk, Navajo Churro and Green Cotton.
For the last few years, if I didn't have a specific plan I would spin the cotton, but the kitten has done some work of her own and I'd have to fix it first.
So do I spin the Cotton, or Bison+Silk which is very soft but possibly challenging or Navajo Churro which drafts easily but will be rough on my out-of-practice fingertips?
We went to the opening day of the fair last Friday. I was joking with Hubba, telling him that we needed to go see my ribbons.
Both yarns are better than what I entered last year and there are a lot (A LOT) of very good fiber artists around here. So after receiving constructive comments last year, I really was just hoping for good marks.
Then, from a distance, I saw this...
and then this...
I'm so excited about the blue ribbon for my alpaca as well as a special recognition from the local weaver's guild... especially after getting no ribbons last year. :-D
I'm also very pleased with second place on my silk. This yarn was challenging to spin.
This is my first time with 100% silk. It was squeaky and a little sticky when drafting but I love the color and the rustic texture of the finished yarn. So I have mixed feelings about it.
Breaking the roving into thinner sections helped with the drafting, and it definitely mattered which end I started from.
I want to try hankies, so I will give it at least another try or two before I make a "final" decision on whether I like spinning 100% silk. ;-)
I was going back and forth between plying and leaving this as a single.
So when I broke the yarn while winding it into a cake, I decided to ply only the smaller portion.
This has yet to have a bath, but you can see that my plying was not very consistent... some is loose and some is tighter.
I'm fairly certain I am going to leave the rest as a single since I have a vague idea for a weaving.
After finishing my Replacement Hat in early July, I only had my Palindrome Scarf and Alpaca Cape left on the needles. Both are big and warm. So with it being July... a mild one, but still it was July, I wanted to work on something smaller.
I had 3 false starts with the last pair of socks I tried to make for myself, so I decided to go with Sock it to Me. It's a simple, toe-up pattern. I have successfully made it twice for Hubba and I have two skeins of a Bamboo+Merino+Silk yarn.
I figured this is exactly what I needed.
9 sts per inch is way too big
Insert expletive here!
I had already ripped them out twice before the above photo was taken. First for not following directions and second for gauge. Both times I re-checked my gauge and measurements, but when I knit Hubba's version I used 8 sts per inch instead of the nearly 9 sts I am getting.
So I ripped them out a third time... knitting the same gauge, but using 8 sts per inch for the math. It's still not correct. :-/
8 sts per inch is still too big
I don't know what I'm going to do.... other than rip it out a fourth time. :-(
I'm not crazy about the camo effect either, but I like working with the yarn. I think they would be comfortable socks to wear and I really want a pair of my own hand-knit socks... but *#^%!, this was supposed to be relaxing.... and done by now. :-P
Make sue to check in with everyone over at Wisdom Begins in Wonder for Fiber Arts Friday, even though it's Saturday.
We're nearing the home stretch. After this week is over, only a few more days of the Tour de Fleece.
Friday, July 18th
I decided I should finish out 3 ounces, which should be half of the never-ending green cotton from last week. But there wasn't much time for spinning today.
Saturday, July 19th - Challenge Day
I spindled silk.... this was my first time with 100% silk.
Sunday, July 20th
Back to my wheel and a small amount of cotton.
Monday, July 21st - Rest Day
I didn't feel much like resting today, so I finished out what I thought was half of my never-ending cotton.
Turns out it's only 2 3/4 ounces.... I spun about 1/2 ounce during this Tour de Fleece.
It feels good to have this off of my wheel. I will spin the remainder and then ply them together. But I am going to take a break from this cotton for a little while.
I have 3 ounces to go.
Tuesday, July 22nd
I much prefer spinning on my wheel over my drop spindles, so I moved the silk to my wheel... it's going faster on the wheel, but the fiber is squeaky.
Wednesday, July 23rd
Thursday, July 24th
I'm about 1/3 finished with the silk single. I plan to ply it when I'm finished.
My husband and I returned to Colorado in 2009 to live a simpler life.
Right now the goal of simple means we are busy. Busy fixing up our farm, raising Alpacas and Tibetan Mastiffs, racing wheelchairs, building flying objects, Alpacamundo, and Colorado Tibetan Mastiffs.
This blog is about these and the other things going on in my head. I hope you find it interesting, useful and inspiring.
