Itchy fingers

Lately I have been itching to get back to tapestry weaving. I don't have any specific projects in mind, but would like to pack some weft, probably on the Saffron pocket loom for starters. But maybe I should finish my other weaving projects first?

Knitting: Still working on the Habitation throw; not even half done yet. I can't wait to get to the decreases, as then it will zoom along. Or at least, feel like it.
Weaving: I have the second curtain panel warped and tied up on the loom, ready to be woven. On the SampleIt, I have continued sampling, in a spaced leno that didn't turn out like the photo in the book, and Spanish lace. I think the Danish medallions and Spanish lace would look better with wool yarn and a more appropriate sett.

Spaced leno and Spanish lace

Spanish lace, detail

Today I'm wearing these socks and this sweater; winter just doesn't want to go away. (If you follow the sweater link, you will find yourself on one of my old blogs, where I was experimenting with combining fiber and gardening and everything else in my life, but I discovered I did not have the personality for that.)

Detox at Grandma's

My granddaughter spent the night last weekend. She's 11, going on 18, all arms and legs and a little bit of acne. She has commented that it is very quiet at my house - no TV or music, no traffic noises, no loud neighbors - and her mom says she comes home calm and focused. Sometimes we play chess or Monopoly (she beats me every time), sometimes we go shopping, this last time we played with clay. She is very talented artistically, but I have never been able to interest her in crafts - too tedious, I guess. Still, we find things to do and she has a good time.

Knitting: Still plugging away on the Habitation throw. The pattern is for a square, knit on the diagonal, but I want it rectagular. I'm done with the increases and am now marching along on the straight bit, by increasing on one end, decreasing on the other.

Weaving: I haven't rewarped the 24" rigid heddle loom yet for the second leno curtain, but I did warp the SampleIt so I can make more samples. Right now I am experimenting with Danish medallions.

I hope I am done with medical visits for a while. Besides surgery last fall and the subsequent physical therapy sessions, I've been to the gynocologist, the optomitrist, the dentist, and most recently my GP for a diabetes checkup. The numbers look good, but I can tell I am struggling a bit with my eating plan - too many refined carbs leave me feeling like a bottomless pit. So I am back to avoiding flour, sugar, and processed foods. After a couple of days of that, I already feel better.

Tired of wearing wool

There comes a time, usually in February, when I am done with long pants, long sleeved shirts, heavy coats, and wool in general. It's still cold here, so I am glad I have a variety of wool garments to keep me warm. But I'm thinking my brother's MO of spending February in Florida is not a bad idea.

Knitting: Still working away at the Habitation throw. Each row is over 250 stitches now, so it is slow going. Soon I will be done with the increases.
Weaving: Today I finished the first panel of the bathroom curtains in leno.

I hope I don't suffer from second-panel syndrome. I avoid second sock syndrome by knitting both at the same time. I can't do that with weaving as I have only one 24" loom... although I *could* purchase a 32" loom... but my shoulders would never forgive me.

Waffle weave wash cloths

After my previous effort at waffle weave dish cloths, I decided to make some more (they are a fun weave) to try to fix the hourglass shape the previous ones ended up with. My strategy was to not edge them in plain weave, as it seemed to not shrink as much as the waffle weave. The hems were really bulky and difficult to sew, and they are still rather hourglass shapped. But no matter. Now I have more wash cloths to use and give away.

Weave structure: Waffle weave
Loom: Ashford Sampleit
Yarn: Elmore-Pisgah Peaches & Cream in 'Shaded Pastels'
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
(I didn't take notes on the pre-wash/post-wash measurements.)

There is a pattern in one of the issues of Little Looms for waffle weave towels in a finer yarn. The corners of the towels in the photos look square, so maybe using a finer yarn works better for this weave structure. That pattern is on my to-do list.

Snow delay

I was expecting to receive my order from the Woolery yesterday, but we weren't even getting mail or newspapers for the past few days, thanks to the foot of snow that accumulated over two days. That shipment includes a new temple, which is holding up my weaving project, so no progress there. Maybe the package will arrive today.

Knitting: I've been diligently working on the Habitation throw.

Now that we seem to be on the downslope of Covid, there is the promise of fiber festivals in the air. The last one I attended was the Jay County Fiber Fest in Portland, IN, two years ago. Last year, they tried to hold it online - not sure how that went. Barring unforseen circumstances, the show will go on this year. I'm interested in an acid dye workshop. Also on the schedule is the Salomon Farm Fiber Fest, which occurs just up the road from me. I am definitely ready to enjoy some outings.

Infinity scarf

I received some unusual yarn at the spinning guild xmas party. Bamboo Bloom is made up of rayon from bamboo, wool, and acrylic. It is also a "thick and thin" yarn - skinny lengths interupted by untwisted chunks. I selected a one-skein pattern designed for this yarn. It's not my color nor my style, but I have been wearing it around the house, as it is quite warm and wards off the chill. The yarn has been discontinued, but one may still find it here and there.

Pattern: Bamboo Bloom Cowl and Infinity Scarf, by Stitch Supply Co.
Yarn: Bamboo Bloom in 'Spicy Mustard'
Needle: US10.5
Modifications: The pattern calls for knit stitch except for the fat bits, where one purls. I read a suggestion elsewhere to purl into the fat bits as well, so I did that. Not sure it made much difference.

This project made me aware that there are patterns written specifically for thick and thin yarn. Some of my homespun is just that (some on purpose, some not). Now I will have to reassess what I can do with it.