Home Improvements: Kitchen Remodel

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. :-)

Happy Spring Everyone!

Fiber Arts Friday: Yarn Fest 2023, part 1

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.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Twisted Rib Stocking Cap, part 2

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.  ;-)

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!!

Fiber Arts Friday: Save Our Sheep Sweater, part 16

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!!

Happy Fiber Arts Friday

Fiber Arts Friday: Twisted Rib Stocking Cap

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.

Fiber Arts Friday: Save Our Sheep Sweater, part 15

Upon starting the Jacob on the Body of my Save our Sheep Sweater, I decided that the grey Jacob breed band on the sleeves would be shorter and the Black Welsh Mountain breed band would be longer.  This has to do with the placements of the Navajo Lines and the fact that I wanted the sleeves to be about two inches longer.

Then after continuing the sleeves, I decided that I did not want the extra bulk of the Navajo Lines at my wrists.... but I really like the delineation between the field of the sleeve and the cuff.  So I put two lines of Hog Island where the Navajo Lines would have gone...

I finished the first sleeve on Monday, January 2, 2023 and the second on Saturday, January 29th, 2023.

I'm always impressed by the depth of black when I work with the Black Welsh Mountain.... what an incredible and naturally-occurring color.

Remaining now is to make the Button Band (which I've not done before), Kitchener the armpits closed, weave in the ends, and sew on the buttons.  It still sounds like a lot, but I am getting closer to the end.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Baker's Hat, part 2

Continuing with the Baker's Hat, this project has been my focus since starting it.

This means there has been some progress on one and no progress on the other active project.  I suppose this is a clue into how quickly I could make something, if I was not parallel processing.  But I must admit that I prefer to have options.

After finishing the body pattern, I tried the hat on.  It fits snuggly, which is how I like it.  I will knit about a half-inch in stockinette, then begin the crown decreases.

It looks very tubular in this photo, so I will mention that the Twisted Rib pattern provides a lot(!) of stretch.

As expected, there was a bit of color bleed in the wash, but vinegar > salt > vinegar bath did the trick.

And fully dried...

I really love this hat and am looking forward to working with this yarn again.

The yarn is small-batch-kettle dyed by Western Sky Knits of Montana  in the Winter Wheat Colorway and was acquired at the Estes Park Wool Market last summer (2022).  This colorway has some movement which I love, but not so much that it interferes with the structure of the pattern.... I think this is a beautiful hat... and am very happy to be able to do this for my friend.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!