We were fortunate to find a small, furnished home, with a full kitchen, laundry, and internet, that was very close to our home.
It was a sweet little place with a lot of charm that had been recently updated and the owners were very nice to work with.
It was clear that it was an old house, but I didn't realize how old until a very snowy day, and I noticed this mark in the sidewalk.
Then I discovered this article about the builder. Apparently he was quite a scoundrel, though I suspect we would use a different word today. Anyway, it was fun to find some history on our temporary home.
The neighborhood we stayed in was quiet. Surprising to me since the houses are so close together. We could hear the neighbor sometimes working in his shop or chatting with another neighbor... but it was never to the point of being able to understand what they were saying. Also we could hear the train sometimes and a few barking dogs.
There are a lot(!) of squirrels in town and they are all very-well-fed. One would site on the fence and watch me thru the window while I was working. lol.
There are murals in the alley and the neighbors we met were quite friendly.
Jazz Band Mural
Abstract Mural
Toy Fire Hydrant with a note saying it's for Dogs Only
Honestly it was a very cheerful neighborhood and we would definitely stay there again.
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. ;-)
One of the things we knew we wanted to do sooner, rather than later, was to update the kitchen in our new-to-us place.
So after mostly settling in and living in the house for several months, we embarked upon the design portion of our Kitchen Remodel last September (2022).
This project would require us to move out for a few months because we were also planning to replace all of the flooring.
What was two different Vinyl floors that were two different colors and textures, as well as two different heights, along with some carpet, is now a Hickory Plank floor, throughout.
A long-term dream has finally been achieved, and I love it so much!
The construction portion of the project began in January (2023) and we got the house back at the end of March (2023). We are taking a slow and deliberate approach to moving back in.
At this point, a couple of weeks later, most of the shelf liners have been placed and many of the necessary items have been located, unpacked, and organized. So for Easter Dinner, we had our first proper meal in our freshly remodeled home.
The footprint of the kitchen is the same, but the flow between the sink, refrigerator, and stove is improved and the storage has been maximized.
The Bay Window now feels like part of the kitchen, rather than a separate room. I love the new window bench, which will be getting a custom cushion to make it more comfortable for sitting.
We also have storage in the Laundry Room now... and revisions were made to improve the venting of the Dryer and shore up the Floor.
There are still a few things outstanding, including the range, as well as a bunch of punch list items. Fortunately, we heeded warnings and kept our old appliances.
Once we're feeling settled again, we'll embark upon the next project. :-)
In late January (2023) the Yarn Fest Schedule was released. So I took time to review the offerings and list of expected vendors.
For the first time I can remember, I made a list of classes I was interested in for an event/semester and every single one worked together in a schedule.
This is remarkable. There is always at least one (usually a lot more) that have time conflicts. I took this as a sign that I would be able to take at least one class at Yarn Fest later this year (April 2023).
These are the classes I was interested in, with Spinning and Steeking as my highest priorities:
Spinning Long Draw
Estonian Lace
Orenburg Lace
Kitting with Beads
Thrumming
Fixing Mistakes in Knitting
Steeking
As March began, it became clear that my Twisted Rib Stocking Cap would be completed soon and that I likely would have time to complete the homework for the Steeking class. Also one Saturday afternoon class would be ok, both in time commitment and amount of new information, as well as not impact my vacation budget from the Day Job.
So I stopped by The Loopy Ewe to pick up some Cascade 220.... I have other colorways of this yarn in my stash, but would be unable to access them until well-after our remodel was completed which would not give enough time to complete the homework.
I have been working to get Cascade out of my stash, but the reality is that it's a good option for learning/workshops. Mostly because it is consistent/predictable, 100% wool, and not very expensive. Therefore I don't care if I damage it in the process of learning new things. So now I have a few more colorways to work with.
It only took me about 8 days to complete the two swatches. However, I am happy to have it complete prior to moving back into our house, because I have not had time to work on this over the last couple of weeks.
Now it's time to get all of the other required supplies organized.
As of last time I was about half-complete with The Twisted Rib Stocking Cap... and I had been working on nothing else for 16 days and it was starting to feel like a slog... So I took a short break of about two days to set the plan and finish the Button Band on my SOS Sweater, which I posted about last week. It's amazing what a small break can do for energy and productivity. :-)
As I was getting close to the end of the tube. I added the blue marker to help judge the time and length remaining..
My intent was to do the crown decreases in 4 sections, but I decided that I liked the top of the my recent Heel Stitch Hat better, so once the length was complete, I finished the top of the hat...
I divided the hat in half, then did a double-decrease at each end, with a 3-Needle Bind-off from the inside to make the top closure.
I really love this yarn. I should have enough for a pair of mitts now that this hat is complete... but on to some other yarn for a little while. ;-)
Since last time when I completed the sleeves, I have embarked upon my very first Button Band.
Picking up the stitches was easier than I expected.
It's a bit bunched up in this photo, but I'm very happy that my existing long circular needle is long enough for this task.
The pattern instruction was to pick up and knit the first row in one step, but I wanted to err on the cautious side and understand why they wanted a multiple of 6 stitches first.
The reason is that this Button Band is ribbed in 4x2 like the sleeves. I decided to add 4 stitches so that the rib would be the same at the bottom on both sides, and therefore should also match as the sweater is buttoned up.
At this point, I have the Navajo Line completed as well as the next few rows. I am ready to make the Button Holes, but first I need to confirm the hole size required...
In comparing the button options I selected earlier in this project, I've decided on the bottom one. It's a slightly oval button made from Olive Wood and stained in a Walnut finish.
Button Hole Help:
I am using Shropshire for the Button Band, and I love working with it. It has a nice amount of stretch and softness.
Due to the stretch of the Shropshire, I decided that I will make the button hole only 3 (instead of 4) stitches wide...
And the Button Band one or two rows wider to accommodate the oval buttons I selected.
One more row was enough...
I marked the locations for the Button Holes..
Then confirmed the button would fit appropriately in the new holes before knitting the rest of the Band.
With the Shropshire being so stretchy I decided to do a Standard Bind-off, per the pattern instructions. However, I think a Slightly Stretchier bind-off would have been better.
Now, with my first ever Button Band being complete and the life lines all removed, the remaining tasks are sewing on the buttons, Kitchenering the armpits closed and weaving in the ends. So close!!
I can't seem to keep it down to one active project for very long... As I was working on the Button Band for my Save Our Sheep Sweater, I had another urgent hat project come up.
I thought I would make the Principessa Hat with the information I learned in making the Baker's Hat, but again something is not making sense between the brim and pattern sections. I'm going to have to try this pattern with a yarn closer to the intended gauge.
So I've made a pivot and improvised a plan... I'm calling it the Twisted Rib Stocking Cap.
The current plan is to knit the entire hat in twisted rib, then work the crown decreases in four sections.
I knit during the Colorado Kennel Club Dog Show over Presidents' Day Weekend...
and more while spending much of another day in a waiting room...
At this point, I think I'm about half-complete with this hat.
I hope you have a nice Fiber Arts Friday. Be Well.
I returned to Colorado in 2009 to live a more simple life. Right now that means finding my way as a solo business owner after an unexpected divorce. I am still raising Alpaca and 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.
