I realized after making a pair of legwarmers last summer and getting a lot of wear out of them in the fall, that they are such a useful thing to have in my wardrobe! I find it an especially good option to have when the morning bike commute is chilly, but the day and afternoon are warmer. They can serve as an extra layer of warmth when needed and removed when the leggings are sufficient enough. So, I knit a few more pairs!
I acquired this yarn through a fellow knitters de-stash. The Marie Kondo phenomenon swept through my knitting group and I became the lucky recipient of this yarn. I believe it was dyed with green kool-aid because, when I blocked it, memories of wonder bread sandwiches, rippled potato chips and lime kool-aid at my childhood babysitter's house came rushing back.
I didn't follow a pattern for these because legwarmers are basically tubes with optional shaping (I shaped these). I used an oblique stitch pattern from the Sensational Knitted Socks book.
Ravelry link: here
Inspired by Melody Leggings, I made these striped legwarmers:
The yarn is Cascade 220 Sport and again it is a tube with some shaping. When I make up my own pattern, I like making 2 at the same time, so I am sure they match. I started that way with this pair, but abandoned that strategy after I got tired of untangling the 4 skeins of yarn. Luckily some notes about shaping and counting stripes made an easy chore of creating a matching pair.
When my friend Jamie saw all of my legwarmers coming off the needles, she inquired about the possibility of having a pair of her own. Conveniently, she already had the yarn she wanted to use but didn't have the time to make them. So, I did. As you might guess, they are a tube. No shaping this time because the ribbing is stretchy.
The yarn is Socks that Rock Mediumweight. I think Jamie purchased this yarn on a Rhinebeck trip, so it is from her deep stash (probably 2009, maybe 2007).
With that, I think I might conclude the legwarmer streak. The motivation to knit them is a lot lower at the moment, considering it is 90+ degrees F outside today. But, when the temps dip in a few months, I will be ready!
I finished that sweater I was knitting on our Madison trip. And, I do not like it at all. I haven't had a sweater fail this big in a while. The upside is that the yarn felt wonderful to knit and after the muted legwarmers I knit this summer, the color was refreshing.
Ok, the details:
Pattern: Vasa
Yarn (both held double): Malabrigo Lace and Sun Valley Fibers MCN Lace (from really deep and fairly deep stash!)
Ravelry Project: Here
This sweater is decently comfortable but entirely unflattering to wear. The color was a poor choice for me. I was hoping the yellow would be mellowed out enough by the turquoise but it is still too yellow to look nice on my skin. The odd armholes and the horizontal stripes tip the scale too far to the unflattering side for my body. I have only worn it once and I wore it as a warm layer underneath another shirt. It is a little too bulky for that but I just wasn't ready to admit defeat without wearing it at least once!
I am chalking this one up to a process knit and will be on the lookout for the right recipient to inherit it. The yarn is really, really nice, so I hope it finds a good home.
Once was not enough! I had to make another Washi Dress! I made this dress just the same as my last one except this time I omitted the keyhole in the neckline. I kept the same alteration in the waistline so that it is about 2-3" lower than the pattern calls for. (Click through to my last version for more notes about sewing this dress.)
The shirring on my first dress is holding up really well, so I did that method for this version as well. Executing shirring still feels like performing a magic trick.
I left the neckline facing unattached for this version, but think I will need to go back and tack it down so it behaves better. It is a little flippy.
I think my next Washi will be the shirt/tunic version. I am digging the comfort and the silhouette this pattern produces, so I am not ready to jump off the Washi train yet!
I've noticed a pattern. Every spring/summer, I worry that I may have lost my knitting mojo for good. The idea of sitting still long enough to knit seems like a lot to ask of my body that wants to bike, garden, go to the dog park, walk around a lake with friends and so many more outdoor things. I think about the things I could knit and I just can't think of anything I need or want. I worry that maybe I own all of this yarn and I am not going to want to knit it.
And then, the leaves fall from the trees. The garden dies in phases as the days and nights get colder and colder. The sun spends less time in the sky and the darkness becomes present on both ends of my commute. What was my outfit in the summer becomes a base layer upon which multiple other layers are added. And, with all of this, the urge to knit returns.
It usually returns with such force that I have to hold myself back from casting on a dozen projects all at once. All of the sudden, I have need for hats, wristwarmers, sweaters, shawls, mittens and more. My most favorite spot in the house becomes one with plenty of warm blankets, a pot of tea, a good lamp and options for podcast listening or Netflix watching. I am often joined by a purring kitty under my blanket and a napping dog at my feet.
I don't know why I forget that this is how it goes each year. With a new season, comes a new focus. Each season brings with it a renewed energy for the pastimes that best fit what the season has to offer. With spring and summer, come long days of activity, boundless energy and a connection with the larger world. With fall and winter, a slower pace, a smaller sphere and lots of knitting.
I did work on a little bit of knitting in the warmer months. These legwarmers were made with the idea that my fall bike riding would benefit from a little extra warmth over leggings. And, it did!
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in Birches (this colorway was well named!)
Pattern: I modified the Leaf Lace Socks pattern
Ravelry Project Page: Here
It seems that lately I have a whole lot more to say about sewing than I do about knitting. I think it is related to the fact that I still have so much to learn about sewing before I feel skilled enough to execute projects in the way that I want to. This is sort of a funny place to be in being that my internet alias is a word play on my name and knitting. Even thought I don't have a lot to say about it, I still enjoy it and am still happily chugging away on projects. I am also still one to finish seasonally inappropriate garments. Case in point: Lady Sunnyside, pattern by Tavis Lavallee.
I had a few false starts with this sweater as it starts in the back center of the neckband and works out in both directions from there. I was a terrible pattern reader and kept messing it up. When I started over for the 3rd time, I vowed to read and follow it closely and it worked out perfectly.
The yarn is a wool/cotton blend that from Cestari Yarns that I got at a deep discount from a vendor at Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival in 2014. I think the yarn was about $14, which means it is quite possible that the button and yarn costs were about equal!
Bonus content: We tried to do a little family photo shoot with the tripod, camera and timer on our recent trip. It didn't work out super well focus-wise, but we did capture a few fun moments together before the mosquitoes became unbearable.
Thanks to Paul for taking all of the sweater photos in this post!
Hello! I have a new dress to show you! I worked long and hard on this one and am really excited about it. This is a slightly modified version of the popular Washi Dress pattern from Made by Rae. Let me walk you through the features of this fine pattern.
SHIRRING! This dress gave me an opportunity to try my hand at shirring. Whoo-ee! It is a magical technique. Basically, you sew stripes next to each other using elastic thread on one side and regular thread on the other. And then, after you have sewn all of your lines, you hit it with a blast or two from the steam iron and the magic happens! Here is the before and after:
BUST DARTS! KEYHOLE NECKLINE! PLEATS! The pattern has options for the neckline and an expansion pack for even more options! I went with the original keyhole neckline for my dress and plan to make more versions of this dress with different necklines. The pleats contribute to the relaxed fit of the dress. And the bust darts landed in the right spot without any modifications needed.
MODIFIED BODICE! People, I made 2 muslins to make sure my alterations were going to work and I am so glad I took the time to do that. The original location of the waist line was right underneath the bust and I feared that silhouette would end up looking like a maternity dress on me. By dropping the waist line down 2-3 inches, I feel a lot better about the fit.
WRINKLES! Ok, so they aren't a feature per se, but they are a part of the package with a 100% cotton dress.
LAYERING OPTIONS! I actually finished this dress in the early spring and wore it a few times with leggings, a cardigan and boots. I found that a silk slip does wonders when it comes to the drape and functionality of a cotton dress, especially when it is layered against other fabrics. The skirt of this dress has enough fabric that I can easily bike in it. Hooray! Since I opted against adding the cap sleeves, the fitted cardigan I used to layer over it worked well.
I knew when I purchased this pattern that I was going to work hard to get the sizing and modifications just right so that I can use it as a template for a lot of versions of this dress. After I make another dress and a few tunics (the pattern includes a shirt-length version as well), I will probably buy the expansion pack so that I can make even more variations! In other words, this pattern really works for me.
The details:
Thanks to Paul for the pictures and Uli for the co-modeling.
Pattern: Washi Dress size medium with modifications
Fabric:3 yds of Nomad by Urbanchiks for Moda Fabrics 100% cotton stock #31103
Right before we headed out of town for our trip up north, I had the realization that I didn't have a knitting project ready to go. I scrambled to match stash yarn to a pattern and came up with the Spiced Cocoa mitts (or are they wristwarmers? maybe fingerless gloves? wristers? who knows?!).
I was drawn to the pattern because of the great diagonal line and how the sections of different stitches all fit together so smartly.
Other reasons to make these included the fact that my other wristwarmers are getting a bit worn and the chilly morning bike commutes are much more pleasant when I am wearing wristwarmers.
photo credit to Paul
The yarn was purchased for a steal ($2.50/ball) at the Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival in 2014. One set of wristwarmers used just one ball of Galler Yarns Tweedy Pima.
photo credit (and pose suggestion) to Paul
The only modification I made was to lengthen the thumb by a few more rows. In retrospect, I could have lengthened it a bit more and still found them to be functional.
When I was taking pictures in the backyard, Uli kept trying to get in on the action. So, I let him. Lest you think puppies are always cuddly, I give you this evidence to the contrary. Photo also evidence that his puppy teeth have fallen out and his large and in charge adult teeth are coming in!
It really is a balance, you know. In my life and I am sure in yours too, there never seems to be enough time to fit it all in so you have to prioritize your responsibilities and do what you can to sprinkle in the lighter stuff whenever possible. For me, that means that lately this space isn't getting quite as much attention from me. I have wanted to be here. I have wanted to take more photos with my big camera. I have missed creating a record of the all of the great things (and some of the challenging things) that happen in my days.
As I get older, I have become more aware of how far I can push myself, of how much I can ask of myself. I have also become aware of what the consequences will be if and when I push too hard or pack too much in (Spoiler: I get sick and cranky). Time and time again, it has also been made clear to me how linked creativity (by this, I mean the act of creating something) is to my happiness, to my sense of balance and to what makes me feel like myself.
A few years ago, I took a Strengthsfinder assessment at work that put a frame around parts of myself I had never really pinpointed but that are at the core of who I am. I am not usually one to put much stock in inventories or assessments but this one really hit home for me! This assessment identifies your top 5 themes/strengths. My themes were: Achiever, Learner, Input, Responsibility, and Individualization. I've linked to the full explanation but let me do a little synopsis of the most relevant parts of these themes.
Achiever - You measure yourself by what you accomplish every single day of your life.
Learner - You are curious and have a strong desire to continually learn new things and skills.
Input - You like learning so much, you apparently had to get it on your list twice
Responsibility - You are only as good as your word. No excuses.
Individualization - You believe in individuals rather than generalizations and spend a lot of energy observing in attempts to understand each person.
Since the Achiever theme was the real lightbulb one for me, let me share their full explanation:
Your Achiever theme helps explain your drive. Achiever describes a constant need for achievement. You feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself. And by "every day" you mean every single day -- workdays, weekends, vacations. No matter how much you may feel you deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, you will feel dissatisfied. You have an internal fire burning inside you. It pushes you to do more, to achieve more. After each accomplishment is reached, the fire dwindles for a moment, but very soon it rekindles itself, forcing you toward the next accomplishment. Your relentless need for achievement might not be logical. It might not even be focused. But it will always be with you. As an Achiever you must learn to live with this whisper of discontent. It does have its benefits. It brings you the energy you need to work long hours without burning out. It is the jolt you can always count on to get you started on new tasks, new challenges. It is the power supply that causes you to set the pace and define the levels of productivity for your work group. It is the theme that keeps you moving.
Does this come across braggy? That is not my intention. What I am trying to say here is that my head is FULL to bursting with to do lists and projects and obligations nearly all of my waking hours. A little snippet from inside my head for you: I need to make sure I email that person that I said I would and do we have enough toilet paper and it really would be great to learn how to weld someday and I wonder if I forgot to do anything that I said I would get done at work today and wow there sure are a lot of weeds in the garden I can't believe I let it get that bad and it has been way too long since I have gotten together with them did I say I would host next and shouldn't I be making my own yogurt instead of buying it since I know how and it isn't too hard to do and by the way I had better write up that list of things to make for Christmas gifts so I am sure to get it done on time and I wonder what she meant when she said that and this article looks interesting and I should learn more about beekeeping and I really wish I was farther along with that dress because I am excited to wear it....and on and on and on. My brain works really hard to make sure I get a lot done and don't drop any balls in the process. It is really helpful but also demanding. Sometimes you just need a little peace and quiet, you know? I have literally told my own brain to SHUT IT! Thankfully, it is able to obey if the circumstances are right.
For someone who wants to learn, make and experience it all, it feels like there is a cost associated with choices. When you chose one road, there is another road not taken. This makes me a bit sad because it really would be great to feel like one person can do it all. But, well, that is just not possible. On the other hand, you can choose to focus on the joys of what you do get to do! I try to train myself to think that way.
So, in that spirit, I am finding myself migrating towards a new balance when it comes to sharing images and tidbits from my life online. I have been finding that I can use my slivers of time left after I work and take care of my family, my house and myself to learn and make things (and try to relax!) or I can blog. And, well, the other stuff is winning out. That is, except for in one area.
Six months ago I joined Instagram on a whim while riding the bus home. I thought I was going to use it to be a lurker and follow a few people. But, since then, I have found it to be a quick, easy and fun way to send out a little contribution to the worldwide web. It ended up being a slow and gentle segue into sharing small snippets more often there and writing big posts less often here. Don't worry, I am not going to stop blogging, but I am really loving the ease and image-based community on Instagram. If you are on Instagram and want to connect, I am @TrinKnitty
For those that might want to see what I am posting but not join yet another site, I added a little widget to my sidebar. The widget is a slideshow of my pictures. You can click on a picture to see the caption. I am currently only using my camera phone to take and post pictures there so my photography is limited, but you can't beat the ease and seamless nature of that setup.
I should mention, I don't use Twitter, so my social media sphere is pretty targeted (Facebook for friends and family, Goodreads for books, Pinterest for recipes, Ravelry for knitting projects, a Feedly full of favorite bloggers). One of the things that I am loving about Instagram is that it allows me to put my toes in a different stream of content. There are so many beautiful, inspiring, peaceful, exhilarating, clever images coming through my Instagram feed from people that I have no real life connection to.
For example, a few weeks ago, it seemed that a ton of people from different parts of the country (maybe world?) got taken with the same bug: the rope basket bug. And, not surprisingly, it bit me, too! I made a trip to the hardware store to pick up two bundles of rope to give it a try, playing with the methods of starting it, the length of the stitches, the thread color ending strategies and handles.
True to form for an achiever/learner, after my 2 test baskets, I went back to the store and stocked up on ropes of varying size and thicknesses. These are addictive and satisfying to make and the variations are endless! I am having visions of a rug, placements, coasters, stacking bowls, tote bags with leather handles, painted rope, naturally dyed rope, thread color variations, wall hangings...and more! Why am I bothering to list them all out?! Just go check this guy's work out.
I want to end this post by saying that while this all might add up to sound like I am ditching the blog, I am not. What I am hoping to do is feel less responsible about it. It probably won't feel any different for you, but it makes a big difference to me. I want to feel less like I should blog and more like I can blog. From now on, I will pop in here when the mood strikes, time allows and I've got something to say. I won't feel the need to apologize for being away so long and you'll hopefully be happy to see me. Here's to irresponsible blogging and poor camera phone pictures! Hmm. Perhaps it is obvious that marketing is not one of my strengths!
PS If you want to try your hand at making a rope basket, I like this quick tutorial.
PPS In a bit of serendipity, my blog widget that tracks geographic stats crashed and the data for the entire history of this blog was lost. A fitting time to wipe the slate clean, I guess. You might also notice that I reduced the content on the sidebar. The functionality of the blog lists has long been lackluster, so I nixed it. Let me know if there was anyone there you want to still read but can't find them now that I pulled the links. I'd be happy to point you in their direction.
PPPS Thanks for spending some of your precious time reading my words and giving me a place in your life whether we know each other in person or not. I value your presence.
I'd call myself a maker. More specifically: a knitter, an urban gardener, a food preserver, a cook, a baker, a reader, a photo taker, a budding sewist and an all-around dabbler. I enjoy using this space to record the things I see, make, eat, and do.
My husband and co-conspirator on the much linked to Mega Man hat. He is the house expert when it comes to all things with electrical cords/chargers and/or anything that requires configuring. When I first met Paul he was a smoker and a vegetarian. Now he is a non-smoker who enjoys making smoked meat in his BBQ. Paul recently dove headfirst into brewing beer and is quickly acquiring mad brewing skills. If you are really lucky, he will invite you to one of his Meat Meet Supper Club dinners or Beer Release parties.
Cast of Characters: Fanny
Fanny joined our family in 2008 and has been keeping our laps warm ever since then. When we met Fanny at a shelter in Boston, we thought she was a small, adult cat. We were wrong. She must have been less than a year old, because when we brought her home and fed her, she kept getting bigger and bigger and fluffier and fluffier. In addition to her stellar cuddling skills, Fanny’s claim to fame is that she is a polydactyl cat with a fused or “super” claw. We think she is super in every way.
Cast of Characters: Uli
Uli joined our family on Valentine's Day of 2015. We met him when he was just a few hours old and took him into our home at 7 weeks old. We are looking forward to many years of shared experiences and adventures with this inquisitive and energetic German Shorthaired Pointer pup.
Cast of Characters: Camilla Cordon Bleu
Camilla is our chicken with charm. She is usually the first one to come running to see if you have a treat for her. She is also the chicken most likely to be found perched somewhere she shouldn’t be or wandering off by herself to explore a new area first. Camilla is a Barred Rock, lays brown eggs and is the smallest bird in our flock.
Cast of Characters: Nellie Noodle Soup
Nellie is our bridge bird as she seems to hold the flock together. She usually roosts between Camilla and Petunia and can be found happily foraging alongside either one of them. The only thing that ruffles her feathers is finding herself alone. She is a Rhode Island Red and our biggest hen. Nellie is our first layer and lays brown eggs.
Cast of Characters: Petunia Pot Pie
Petunia is our crafty dodger. She is the hardest to catch and the last to be won over with treats. Her feathers are beautifully ornate which helps make up for her slightly bullyish attitude towards Camilla. She is an Ameraucana and and she lays light blue eggs for us.
In Memoriam: Tchazo
Tchazo, our Weimaraner, was born 3 days before Paul and I had our first date. During our first date, Paul and I egged each other on about getting dogs. Eight weeks later, Tchazo became a part of our lives. After almost 12 amazing years and countless adventures together, we said goodbye to Tchazo in 2014. Tchazo loved life, especially the parts that include eating, smelling, sunbathing, playing and cuddling on the bed. We will forever remember him and the lessons he taught us about joy.
In Memoriam: Jack
I adopted Jack at about the same time Paul bought Tchazo (see previous note about egging each other on), but since Tchazo was young and needed to stay with his mom for a few more weeks, Jack came into our house first. For a while, he HATED Tchazo but they eventually became 24-7 buddies. After nearly 11 years together, we had to put Jack down in March of 2013. Jack was a little crazy in the head, but we learned how to live with it. His favorite things included licking the floor, lying under the couch and gazing at me longingly. Jack was physically incapable of wagging his tail whilst being petted. I like to think it is because he was soaking up the love so intensely that it required his full concentration.
