by carmen | Mar 25, 2011 | Dyeing, Knitting & Crochet
My custom order for the pair of ginseng hats is done. In working through the hats and trying to get a feel for ginseng as well as the soon to be married couple, I did a bit of research. When I read that the root was given in ancient times to open the heart, the work for the hats flowed freely.
I hand dyed the merino in shades of gray and blended them with a lovely dyed alpaca. The hats are not the same, but they have a sameness, they share the same fibre and the same inspiration. Love.
by carmen | Mar 20, 2011 | Knitting & Crochet
I’ve been going to Whistler regularily. At least twice a month. Either for WFM Board meetings or to get together with Gabi. We’ve been collaborating quite a bit this year and I’m excited about even more work that we discussed yesterday.
Friday day meetings means I get to sit back and enjoy the bus ride to Whistler. It’s awesome, environmentally correct and I don’t have motion sickness so the knitting is extreme. I was thrilled to finally finish my Urchin Hat. (Ysolda Teague) This has to be the best design for thick and thin yarn. The design is exceptional. It is really a revolution for hat construction. Even though the pattern has been out for a while…(.free on her website or from Knitty) I’ve been too busy doing my own thing to want to knit anyone else’s patterns…However this one stuck.
I found myself with an extra skein of Koi Pond, and well, here is the result.
My alterations to the pattern overlapped some of the short rowing a bit more and I jumped the gauge to 10mm needles to accommodate the yarn and to have more of an exaggerated tam. .
I love, love, love the hat and the yarn. I wore it around the house today. I want to knit one for everyone I know. I want everyone I know who knits to knit one. It’s not like I don’t have plenty of hand spun that will fit the bill.
I’m oddly and eagerly looking forward to my next bus ride. I think I’ll knit another one.
by carmen | Mar 9, 2011 | Dyeing, Knitting & Crochet, Spinning
It seems that I will always end up with a small part of my business being custom work. And when someone asks you to crochet them a manatee, well look at him…..how could I refuse?
Due to a small snag at the studio on Saturday(we blew a fuse) I was not able to work on my dyeing day. This meant I spent the entire day spinning singles. They definitely qualify under the 355 Project, and more so now that they have been kettle dyed….I didn’t want them all to be white….So yeah for me…6 more yarns under my belt and back on track.
Most of these yarns are between 115-125g and 100-115 yards which means that my slouchy yarn over hat works perfectly for this and can be completed in the one skein.
While I am immersed in the yarning I am trying to deal with a terrible heartbreak. Our middle cat (yes we have 3) is very ill. While waiting for the results of tests and sneaking in as many cuddles as I can, I am gratified to be able to spin. It’s keeping me grounded and hopeful.
by carmen | Feb 22, 2011 | Knitting & Crochet
So much of the focus on the 355 makes me forget the pure pleasure of knitting the hand spun.
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| Baby Cakes blended with lace weight alpaca. |
This is something for Gabi so you know that much better pictures are forthcoming. For those of you hoarding your hand spun, get knitting it. That is all.
by carmen | Feb 4, 2011 | Knitting & Crochet
I am thrilled. Claire and I are starting so much earlier this year….She’s picking me up in a few minutes and then off to Dressew and back to her place for an action packed afternoon….Crafting with others excites me.
Will post any great finds (I’m thinking buttons) and the results of our first “work day”. Cheers.
by carmen | Feb 3, 2011 | Knitting & Crochet
Gabi sent me this last night and I almost fell out of my chair. I know this sweater very well. I gave it great care. (hand dyed and spun the wool as well as designed and knit it). So you think I’d be familiar enough with this that I couldn’t possibly be surprised. Wrong.
Those blue eyes completely outshine my design. Are all the children in the Sea to Sky corridor this gorgeous?
