Sunday, February 27, 2011

This Would be Four

The Older Kid requested a sweater. But not for himself. For the Not-So-New Daughter In Law. (I need to find a shorter name for her!)

Seems that both he and TPO have Wonderful Wallabies (in gray and red respectively) and TPT is really still too tiny for one (but he's growing like a weed, so I should probably cast on soon--green, I think). Anyway, Momma needs one!

She picked out the yarn (Elann Superwash Bamboo, eggplant) when they were here at Christmas.

Last night, I grafted the top of the hood and the underarm stitches. It will be going out in the mail this week.

TPO has decreed that when going for a walk in one's Wallaby, the only way to go is Hood Up and Hands In Pouch.

And now you know!

Isn't it wonderful to be Three and In Charge?

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// posted by Ann @ 2/27/2011 12:57:00 PM 1 comments

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Off the Loom




Over the past couple of months, I have been doing a bit of weaving on my Flip (Schacht Rigid Heddle) loom and have a few things to show.

First up is a scarf made of several different odd balls of shades of purple and navy for the warp (chenilles and rayons and silks and something called "seta") with sock wool for the weft.

Overhand knot. Nice long fringes.

I love the faux ikat in the stripes. That's the seta ribbon-y stuff.





Next, two of a set of 4 placemats in various odd balls of mercerized cotton for warp. I used a soy blend for the weft.

I made a similar set for a friend but neglected to take a photo before I put them in the mail.

Used a zigzag stitch with the sewing machine to finish the edges, rather than knot the fringe.




Another scarf.

This one in some sort of blend in lime green and pinks-> burgundy for the warp and Brown Sheep Lambs Pride worsted in a variegated (kettle-dyed-looking) shades of pink forthe weft. You can see how it striped in the weaving. Interesting.

I was hoping that the warp would felt up a bit, but it didn't. I did not test the yarn before warping, so I had no idea when I threw it in the washer (in a mesh bag) for 5 minutes of cold water aggitation what the final result would be.

Final result: The Lambs Pride softened a bit; felted a bit. The unknown yarn that I used for warp sat there like a lump and didn't do a thing.






Here's a closer look at the weave structure and the twisted fringe. The green is much more obvious in person than it is in these photos.

I believe I used a 5 dent heddle to weave. The 8 would probably have worked just as well, though the fabric might have not been sufficiently drapey.





Obligatory bathroom mirror shot showing one possible way to wear it.


There's a huge basket of other odd balls calling my name. Some were "collected" on various trips, others are leftovers from projects past. Some were gifts. Some I purchased. All are lovely and deserve to be used.

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// posted by Ann @ 2/26/2011 12:17:00 PM 0 comments

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Three Down; Eight To Go



After several false starts (I think I taste-tested at least 4 patterns with this yarn including lace, cables, and a combination thereof), I finally hit on the solution: Let the yarn speak!

And it did!

This is Moda Dea Silk 'n Wool Blend (85 wool/15 silk) and of course, it's no longer available. It held up remarkably well through several trips to the frog pond.

Pattern is Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown Summer Cardigan (221) . I modified by adding 2" to the sleeves and a little to the length.




The fabric is lovely. Buttons are from my stash.

Color in this close-up is closer to reality.

And in case I feel like I haven't knit enough purple lately, I've started Sweater #4. A Wonderful Wallaby. In eggplant!

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// posted by Ann @ 2/06/2011 07:30:00 PM 2 comments

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Sounds In the Night

There are few things that make me cringe more than the sound of the snow plow/salt truck while it's still dark out.

This morning was a Cringe Day.

Our driveway was still have ice-coated because it's in the shade for the better part of the day. There's snow pack under that ice, if we could just break through, the blacktop would be exposed and the sun's warmth would help with the melt.

Ice melt (calcium chloride) is in short supply. We were able to score 100 pounds (2 bags) at a small independent hardware store. Customers were sitting on their bags so that they wouldn't lose out.

The Big Box stores were sold out (but promising there will be more on Monday).

Salt (sodium chloride) is a piss poor substitute.

Spring can't get here soon enough!

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// posted by Ann @ 2/05/2011 06:27:00 PM 1 comments

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Imbolc

Today, according to the Celtic calendar is Imbolc, the first day of spring. Bring it on!

It's also the feast of St. Brigid and time for a poem.


IMBOLC

So the skies rumbled and the snows came,
And everywhere down through the centuries of this gray night,
Came women gathering to pray,
And to sink their hands into the dark earth.

They gathered seeds and prepared them for planting,
They meditated in the icy darkness,
And they celebrated the lambing of the first ewe,
To hasten spring.

And when through the earth they felt the stirring,
They sang songs encouraging the tiny seeds to grow.

In the dark, wet soil you can smell their work still;
They are digging along beside us. Listen!

The north wind carries their song across the snow,
This Imbolc night.

As the Earth prepares for Spring,
Wise women gather in circles to await the promise of new life,
And to sing praises for the green earth.

And so do we, here now,
This year, and every year.

Welcome Imbolc!

--
Jill Yarnall

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// posted by Ann @ 2/02/2011 06:42:00 AM 0 comments

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