Tag Archives: Knitting

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Two In One?!

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That’s right! TWO finished objects in ONE blog post!

Actually I have not been nearly as productive as that. I pulled out an old kitty bed project from several years ago and finished it up, and then used my homespun to make a simple cowl.

The kitty bed simply required binding off and felting, but since I have an older front-loader, felting is problematic. I ended up boiling it on the stove for awhile, beating it up a bit with a wooden spoon, and then throwing it in the wash.

It didn’t come out too badly, but there’s still quite a bit more stitch definition than I would like for a felted item.

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Fortunately, the kitties aren’t that picky. They love that it’s wool, and that’s that.

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They’re settling in rather well here; Dilly hasn’t quite decided what she thinks of them yet.  She follows them around, and keeps a close eye, but if they get too close she hisses and runs. Sushi and Mister cat are rather more angry still.  All in good time, I suppose.  I am NOT, however, looking forward to the next several months of bratty/destructor kitten behavior.

For the cowl I knitted up, I simply cast 80 stitches onto my size 8 circulars and knit every round until I had used up almost all of it. Then I bound it off, and voila!

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I’m pretty happy with it. It’s a good, thick, solid cowl; perfect for colder days (that we don’t really get much here in the fall, but whatevs).

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The colors are everything I want them to be and more; like autumn in a cowl!

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Who Turned the Heat Back On?

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After we got used to some absolutely beautiful, crisp, autumn weather, we are back into the mid-seventies now.  We all feel like we are roasting alive!

All of the soups, stews, and warming foods we had planned seem downright ridiculous now.

So do all of the holiday decorations I am seeing going up everywhere.

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The sheep have been chasing the shade all around the field. They’re not fans of the heat, either. It means there are still too many flies around.

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I’ve also had to turn the air conditioning back on; in the fall and winter the back of our house (which is all windows) gets direct sunlight the ENTIRE day. It’s great when it’s cold out. Not so much when it’s unseasonably warm.

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The kittens, Poppet and Widget, are settling in nicely. We had them separated for awhile we we awaited their FIV/Feline leukemia tests, and also because they were so tiny we worried about the dogs stepping on them.

They’re still pretty darn small, but they’re learning to navigate us a bit.

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They LOVE the dogs, and Cini, especially, loves them.

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Widget is only slightly larger than Cini’s paw.

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Had to throw in this picture Neve took of Oona playing in the leaves!

A nasty cold virus has been making its rounds here for weeks now, and we are trudging along trying to get through it.

I’ve been occupied with new knitting; not only did I cast on a pair of socks, but I’ve also started swatching for my next Shepherd sweater AND an additional sweater pattern called “Chimney Fire”.  I couldn’t help myself! After Rhinebeck, i want to knit all the things!

Bring back the cold weather!

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Pumpkin Day, and Spinning Love

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After I bought a bag of wonderful fall-colored roving at Rhinebeck, I could not stop thinking about how I needed to spin it!

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Though I am still very new at spinning, one of the things I learned is that it makes it easier to keep practicing when you are spinning with fiber that you love. So, caution (and thoughts of saving it for when I am an expert) aside, I jumped in and spun that baby up into three spindles.

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Once I had three spindles of single-strand I couldn’t wait to see how it would look all plied together.

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Boy, it did NOT disappoint! I am so in love with this yarn I have made!  It isn’t a very large amount, but definitely enough for a nice autumn-y cowl. Now I can’t wait to get my wheel going again!

In the meantime, Halloween is very nearly upon us, and the kids kept reminding me of the many things that needed to be done, like pumpkin carving.

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This year I let Oona do all her own tracing and cutting. The only help I gave was removing the pieces, since it was a bit fiddly for her.

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They made such a glorious mess.

You know who wasn’t complaining about that, though? The pigs! Pumpkin day means it’s time for their annual treat of pumpkin guts.

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They loooooove pumpkins. In a few days (before total rotting can set in), they will be given the Jack o’lanterns as well. But for now, we are enjoying our day of handiwork!

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Emily’s Raven, and my “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme.

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Oona’s pumpkin

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Neve’s pumpkin.

Now that Pumpkin day is accomplished, there is only really Trick or Treating left. Tonight we’ll watch Hocus Pocus and bask in the last remaining glorious bit of October before it is done.

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Up Next in Knitting

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Now that we are quickly heading into fall, and I’ve finished my Shepherd sweater, I’ve been itching to cast on some fun new knitting projects. I’ve got several in mind, and I’d like to work something up for each of my girls, but until I decide what to pick for them, I’ve got another pair of socks started.

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The yarn is from last year’s Sock Club, in my favorite colorway, “Susan’s Stuffed Pumpkin”. I’m knitting the “Little Pumpkins” pattern again, just because it seemed so fitting!

The socks will be my portable project, and something I can work on when I need something easy and a bit mindless (since I’ve done them before I can kind of knit this pattern on autopilot).

My more ambitious next project is the new Shepherd Sweater (but of course!) from Pam Wynne.

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I am SO looking forward to casting it on!

Along with all this knitting I’ve been baking like a madperson.  I am just so ready for fall and all of its yummy treats.

One recipe I’m excited about is Susan’s Best Cinnamon Rolls Ever from By Hand Magazine.  I’ve made them several times now and I CAN’T. GET. ENOUGH.

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The great thing about this recipe is that not only is it luxuriously delicious, it is super straight-forward and easy to make. AND you can freeze them and them bake when you’re ready.

Perfect for chillier mornings!

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Shepherd Sweater, Complete!

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Almost exactly two years after casting it on, my Shepherd sweater is DONE.

I used farm yarn taken from the backs of our colored sheep for this project, figuring that a a shepherd I should wear the fruits of my labor!

However, it wasn’t always easy sailing. It took many frustrating attempts to attain the proper gauge; even so, the finished product is still a tad snug. I’m not overly concerned about that, but it adds to my “swatches lie” conviction!

The knitting itself was very enjoyable. I love Kate Davies, and I was thrilled that she collaborated with Susan on this. I can definitely see myself knitting this again; probably in the cream color it was original designed for in order to show off the cables better.

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I got lucky that it was my birthday so I had Maddie here to model for me.

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It’s probably a bit nit picky of me, but I do think some of the stitch definition gets lost in this yarn.  Still, I love the color.

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I haven’t gotten the buttons on yet. In fact, I haven’t even picked any out. I should really get on that!

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This wool will make this sweater a very hard-wearing garment. It should last quite a long time.

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It’s also super warm. Maddie couldn’t wait to get it off in the heat outside this evening!

I’ve already cast on a pair of socks and ordered needles for the next Shepherd Sweater, designed by Pam Wynne. What do you think, another two years? I hope not!

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Sweet Stuff

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Have you seen Magic Custard Cake????

Alicia Paulson blogged about it recently and I just had to try it. And now, you should, too!

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So creamy and delicious!

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I’ve made it twice now; my family keeps asking for more! It was super easy, and though I was sure it wasn’t going to turn out properly either time, it “magically” did.

Speaking of sweets, Oona turned 8 this past Friday.  As usual, she requested a Carvel ice cream cake. She decorated it herself, and where Neve usually writes “Treat Yo Self” or similar on her cakes, Oona wrote “This cake is MINE”.

Can’t say I blame her – those things are so terribly good (and bad for you!).

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You see the size of that thing? She has eaten almost all of it now – two days later – on her own. We all have some of it on Friday, but she has claimed it all for herself since. I told her to enjoy it, because at this rate I’m going to withhold all sugar from her until Halloween!

The news I am particularly happy to share, however, is that I finished the second sleeve of my Shepherd Sweater!

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I am now working steadily on the hood. In fact, I’ve done precious little else all weekend. My needles are on fire!

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Still Making

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I’m still hard at work being creative, though my time for it has been limited.  Spring means planting, planting, and more planting. When I’m not planting, I’m taking a look at how the fences, livestock, bees, and equipment have come through winter.  I’m taking stock of what has been accomplished in our school year and what is left to do in order to hit all of the goals we set out in the fall.  This year I am also getting ready for two weeks away in the beginning of June, which means streamlining how we do things so Paul, Emily, and Oona can manage without me and Neve.

But when I can, I am feeling all kinds of creative, and spending much happy time with my knitting needles and at my sewing machine.

Right now I am working on The Hollyburn Skirt from Sewaholic in a fantastic Denyse Schmidt fabric.

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I’d bought this fabric a few years ago and never did anything with it because I wanted something more than my stand-by A-Line skirt. Something with a little more character.  I’m thinking this is it.

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I’m feeling pretty good about my new little wardrobe I am slowly crafting. I may try to wear only me-made clothing this summer (aside from when I am doing livestock work, as that has to be hard-wearing, not-precious apparel).

I kind of wish that either I had more time with cool weather or that I was a faster knitter, because I think this skirt is going to look amazing with my Shepherd Sweater when it’s done.

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Maybe in time for cooler nights in late summer?

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Winter Weekend

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More snow!

I know, I’m probably the only person on the eastern seaboard right now who gets excited over seeing snow anymore. Can’t help it.  Even after trudging out in it in the morning to put out fresh hay and again for evening feeding (and to knock the accumulated snow off the shelter) I was still smitten with it.

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The kids stayed mostly in their pj’s all day, snuggled on the couch with hot cocoa and popcorn watching Rise of the Guardians and Bob’s Burgers.

We also spent a not-insignificant amount of time watching the cat, who was watching the birds.

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She knows how to keep us entertained!

I was able to get a decent amount of knitting done on my Shepherd sweater. I’ve got one sleeve finished and I’m about a third of the way done with the second. I can’t believe how slow it’s going.  Not that I am a quick knitter or anything, but man! All that cabling really slows me down.

I’ve got some patterns pulled out that I am hoping to get to work on soon as well. I want to make a few more Renfew tops, some Espresso leggings, and at least one more Lady Skater.  I’ve also got some lovely Moda Crepe that I want to use to make another Lonsdale.

It probably won’t happen today, but it’s an exciting prospect to have it lined up.

I’m also toying with the idea of making a rain jacket with Minoru since I will need one in June, because……and here comes the super big news of the year……I am heading to Europe for 15 days with my sister and middle child!

Specifically, we are flying into Edinburgh, Scotland and staying there for 3 nights.  Even in June I will likely need a light jacket or sweater in the evenings.  My friend Jessie and her family will be there at the same time. We are already looking ahead to having a pint together in Scotland!

We are then taking the train to London (where a rain jacket will be a must) where we will stay for 5 days before taking another train to Paris. Happily, my friend Jennifer lives in London and we will be able to meet up with her while we are there.  We are also lucky enough to be able to stay with my friend Aurelie at her apartment in Versailles for 3 nights.  I haven’t seen her since before Oona was born, so I am crazy excited!

After Paris we are heading to Wiesbaden, Germany to stay with my friend Diana, who’s been there for work since August.

I am still amazed that we will see someone we know in each European city we are visiting!

We’ve got our tickets and our hotels in the UK booked and I can’t even tell you how hard it is now to just wait. I’m throwing myself into my knitting and crafting and garden planning  to stay occupied.

Before we get there, spring will come. The garden will be planted and the bees will be out gathering pollen and nectar. And most important of all, Susan’s baby will be here!

It’s going to be an incredible year!

 

 

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Sort Of Snow Days

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We have had a “sort of” snow day.  We had a dusting overnight and we’ve been enjoying watching the fluffy, light flurries we have been seeing off and on all day.  Though the snow has long since melted into the mud, we’ve been slow to start today, and slow to accomplish much. That’s what “sort of” snow days are about; things like enjoying that the Paperwhites finally bloomed.

 

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And that Mr. Cini is snoozing happily by my feet.

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I’ve also been enjoying my new little llama ornament I got for Christmas.  I have a fierce ache where Jerry belongs, and I love having this little guy as a reminder of him.  One day we will bring home another llama, I promise. Until then my task is keeping this one safe from the kitten, who likes to climb onto the fireplace mantle where he lives and secret him away to chew on him.

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Lastly, days like today are perfect for getting some serious knitting done.

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My Shepherd sweater. Still stuck on the sleeves. Or as my friend Tanya says, “stuck on sleeve island”. I feel like I’ve been working on this one sleeve forever and ever and ever. It’s killing me.  I want to be done so I can wear it. And start THIS year’s Shepherd Sweater!

 

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Shale

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Just in time for Christmas (though a bit late for baby’s arrival) I finished the baby blanket I was working on! I had intended to finish it before my cousin Libby’s baby was born, but alas, I missed that mark by about a month or so.  I packaged it up and sent it off as soon as it was blocked and dried, so now that her sweet daughter is warmly wrapped in it, I can show you.

The pattern is Jared Flood’s Shale.  It was a fun, easy, knit; and for people who aren’t constantly distracted like me, quick.

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I used Juniper Moon Farm Sabine in a natural colorway.  The cotton content in the yarn makes it a bit more forgiving of washings, which, with an infant is usually necessary.

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I am thrilled with how it came out, and as much fun as it was to knit, I can see myself returning to this as a go-to for baby gifts.

Now I am back to working on my Shepherd Sweater, which has been sadly languishing for far too long.  Perhaps I will make progress during our quiet holidays this year?