Lempi sweater

I created this post in July, 2024, but for some reason, never posted it. Gah! So here it is.

I can't believe I have not created a primary post about this sweater. The knitting has been long done, but I didn't consider it complete until it had buttons. I've taken it to spinning guild meetings sans buttons, but it could not go to the county fair without them. So now it is officially DONE.

Pattern: Lempi, by Tiina Kaarela
Yarn: Cascade 220, naturally dyed with a variety of materials and methods (see list below)
Needles: US8 (US6 for ribbing)
Modifications: quite a few!

I started this project in June, 2023, and sewed the buttons on June, 2024. Instead of rewriting what I posted on Ravelry, I will just copy and paste what is there.

The pattern is written in Finnish, translated to British English, and I'm struggling a bit with the instructions. Also, my gauge seems to be off, so I am knitting a swatch to double check.
The neck is *way* tighter than the photo, too.
***** The swatch reveals that even after blocking, my gauge is off. But I like the fabric that results from using US8 needles. So instead of going up a needle size, I'm going to knit a size larger.
So, I started over, but using US6 instead of US4 for the collar. Also, used an alternating long tail cast on and went right into the ribbing.
***** Some of the instructions are foreign to me. Instead of a "wrap-and-turn", they call for a "double stitch". And I could not figure out the buttonhole instructions, so I just did the usual YO-k2tog.
***** Too many errors, so ripped back almost to the beginning. Now I am using wrap and turn instead of the DS.
***** Again, with the errors! I was knitting along, fat, dumb, and happy, when I realized I had skipped two buttonholes. I tried dropping stitches and repairing the problem but ended up ripping back about 50 rows. And THEN I screwed up the spacing of the increases, so had to rip back about 8 rows to fix that. *sigh*
***** 8/21/23 - FINALLY reached the ribbing. This will be long enough to be a sweater dress.
***** Pockets. Ugh. For some reason, I have 22 stitches on one side, 23 on the other. I am going to do a k2tog on the "long" side, to even them up, as otherwise the stitches work out for knitting in the round. BUT after the pickup round, the "front" edge will be purl so that the fabric will bend, and at the next round, will purl two stitches at either "end" of the pocket, so it will fold along the edges without bulk.
***** Done with knitting and blocking, just need to sew on buttons and fix a hole that opened up under one arm.
***** Sewed on buttons made from deer antlers - UGH. Replaced them with buttons from JoAnn.
***** THIS SWEATER WON BEST OF SHOW AT THE ALLEN COUNTY FAIR OPEN CLASS COMPETITION!!!

And now, for posterity's sake, here are the details about the naturally dyed yarn:

Yarn	Material	Mordant	Modifier
Cascade 220	Dahlia (dried)	Cold alum	Iron
Cascade 220	Sycamore bark	None	None
Cascade 220	Sycamore bark	None	Iron
Cascade 220	Onion skins - Combined dye bath exhaust	None	None
Cascade 220	Dahlia (dried)	Cold alum	Acid
Cascade 220	Sycamore bark	Cold alum	Alkaline
Cascade 220	Dyers coreopsis	Cold alum	Alkaline
Valley Yarn Wool	Queen Anne's Lace	None	Iron
Valley Yarn Wool	Queen Anne's lace	None	None
Cascade 220	Onion skins -Secondary dye bath exhaust	Alum	None
Cascade 220	Dyers coreopsis	None	Alkaline
Valley Yarns Wool	Queen Anne's Lace	Alum	Iron
Cascade 220	Tomato vine	Alum and cream of tartar	Ammonia
Cascade 220	Dahlia (dried) exhaust	None	Iron
Cascade 220	Tomato vine	Alum and cream of tartar	Iron
Cascade 220	Dahlia (dried) exhaust	None	Acid
Cascade 220	Onion skins - Primary dye bath exhaust	Alum	None

Leno curtains

These curtains have been a long time coming. My goal was to have a pair of lacy panels to hang in my bathroom window, something that would let some light in while obsuring the interior. Those objectives appear to have been met with the leno weave structure, although I should view them from outside after dark, to see just how obsuring they are when the light is on.

Pattern: none
Weave structure: leno
Loom: Ashford 24" rigid heddle
Warp: Valley Yarns Cotton 3/2 (which is mercerized), in 2550 ('Nautical Blue')
Weft: Same as warp
EPI/PPI: 10/10-ish
Ends: 236
Finished size: 41"/44"L (from rod pocket fold to top of hem fringe), 20"W Finishing: Phillipine tie at rod pocket, twisted fringe at hem.

Using a temple to maintain the selvages, I started weaving them in January of 2022, and the first panel came off the loom in February, the second in March. After a long hiatus (until April 2025), I twisted the fringe at the bottom.

This past month, I created the rod pocket by folding the top and tying the fringe onto the main body of the fabric (as opposed to simply sewing the rod pocket), then finished by using the Phillipine Tie to make things look tidier.

Due to uneven beating, the two panels are different lengths. I'm hoping a few steamy showers will relax the fabric a bit so they hang straighter.

They are far from perfect. If I were to redo this project, I would be more careful about length (they are too long to cover half the window, too short to cover the entire window, hence the 3/4 coverage). I would also make more of an attempt to beat evenly, by measuring my progress with more precision. Live and learn.

Fiber guilds everywhere

Not satisfied with belonging to two fiber guilds here in town, I have joined the Michigan League of Handweavers and the Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin (Texas). Actually, I was a member of the Michigan one several years ago, to get discounts on classes at the Michigan Fiber Festival. One of my (now local) fiber friends is from Texas, has retained her membership in the guild, and speaks highly of it, enticing me to join. With the magic of Zoom, it is possible to participate remotely.

I hope there is a fiber guild or two where you live.

Knitting: One anklet is ready for the toe, the other over halfway there.
Spinning: During a Zoom spin-in with the Austin guild, I worked on the merino/alpaca blend.
Weaving: *Finally* hung the leno curtains in my bathroom, so now I consider them done-done

Once again, I have been working on the mess I call a studio, partially because the mess had extended to the dining room. Step one was to corral all the handspun into trash bags - TWO big ones! - so I could sort what was not yarn. I also disassembled the Great Grizzly with the intention of selling it, as I never completed one project on it. Now the dining room mess is in the studio in a not-so-messy state.

I don't have any resolutions for the new year. In the past, it seemed like they resembled wishful thinking more than goals. I am hoping to figure out what to do with all that handspun, though. Using handspun has been the theme of a series of programs with the Austin guild this past year or so, and those sessions are recorded. Hopefully, something there will inspire me.

BIG zebra socks

Sometimes you try something new and it works out. Sometimes not. These socks are in the latter category.

Pattern: Short Row Toe and Heel Basic Socks, by Wendy D. Johnson
Yarn: Zwerger Garn Opal 6-fach/6-ply, in 5306 (black) and 1450 (black and white)
Needles: US3
Modifications: None

I *thought* I had knit socks with this yarn before, but now I am wondering. The resulting socks are HUGE and thick and, after wet finishing, overly fuzzy. I see a future of pilling after very little wear.

I would not recommend this yarn for any project unless you want a halo effect. I knit the toes, heels, and cuffs in the solid black, but it doesn't match the black in the "zebra" yarn. It's not very often that I am this unhappy with a knitting project, but there you have it.

Checkered scarf

Sometimes a mistake turns into a happy accident. That is what happened with this scarf. I meant to warp for houndstooth, debated over whether to redo or go with it, chose the latter.

Pattern: none
Weave structure: checks
Loom: Ashford SampleIt
Warp: Patons North America Classic Wool Worsted, in navy and natural
Weft: Same as warp
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
Ends: 44
Finished size: 56"L (without fringe), 5"W
Finishing: hemstitched ends

I wasn't sure about the "candy-striping" along the selvage where I carried the colors, as during the weaving it looked loose. But after wet finishing, I decided I liked it.

I also wasn't sure about the yarn, as it is rather "bouncy". But I was careful to not over tighten the warp and it turned out well. Not as much drape as I had hoped for, though.

On xmas, I usually bring some handmade objects for the family to pick over. Sometimes they find something they like, sometimes not, but they get first choice. I think this scarf may pass the test.

Houndstooth scarf

My SO *lost* the three-color log cabin scarf I wove him last year, so the replacement is something easier: houndstooth.

Pattern: none
Weave structure: houndstooth
Loom: Ashford SampleIt
Warp: Cascade 220, naturally dyed with rhubarb leaf (light color), mordanted with rhubarb leaf and dyed with rudbeckia and modified with iron (dark color)
Weft: Same as warp
EPI/PPI: 7.5/7.5
Ends: 42
Finished size: 59"L (without fringe), 5"W
Finishing: hemstitched ends and knotted fringe

Really, the only weave structure that could be easier would be a one-color plain weave. For houndstooth, the warp alternates two strands of each color, the weft the same.

I wasn't sure about how the colors kind of candy-stripe up one side, thought I might need to crochet over the selvages, but no, I like it just the ways it is.

In fact, I am a little embarrased about how much I admire the scarf whenever he wears it. Good job!

No excuses!

With a (relatively) clear calendar over the next few weeks, I promised myself that I would tackle those UFOs - and I have made a start. I also want to complete outstanding blog posts on FOs. That should keep me busy into the New Year.

Knitting: I *finally* finished the zebra socks - and I am even less happy with them than I have been, would NOT recommend the yarn. The footies (or anklets) are not going to match. Some say that life is too short for socks that match.

Weaving: The leno curtains I started in 2022 are finished and ironed, just waiting to be hung; separate post to follow (really!) Finished the checked scarf; and yes, separate post to follow. Today I am working on the tote bag, which involves sewing, not weaving - not my forte.

I hope you enjoy the holidays in whatever way, shape, or form that takes for you. This year my daughter is hosting the holiday meals, which is the best present she could give me. Here's to 2026!

Hiatus

I think I am "off duty" for the next couple of weeks, although I'm sure something will crop up. When I was still working, I tried to save vacation days for the last week of the year and used that time to get things in order for the coming year. A good habit to have.

One big event this past week was the spinning guild holiday party, which was also the end of our 50th anniversary celebrations. Ordinarily, members bring dishes to share, including entrees. This time I suggested that the guild provide the meat, and the request was for Honey Baked Ham (and roasted turkey). That was a hit.

Toward the end of the meal, our special guests - former members - shared some memories of the guild, many of which involved those members who have left this mortal coil. One of those long-gone members was well known for her cream puffs, so one of the guests provided those in rememberance.

Then there was the "Yankee Swap" gift exchange. One problem that is arising is sometimes the gift is something another member made. Also, at the very end, the last one to choose a gift was faced with her own gift... which she was happy to take back.

One can never have too many yarn bowls

My ulterior motive for staging this party was to drive home to the younger, less involved members the need for them to step up so that the guild continues for another fifty years.

Knitting: Started a pair of footies from sock yarn I think I dyed at a workshop and don't care for, first as toe-up, but I kept screwing up, so switched to top-down.

Top-down socks are a rarity for me

Spinning: Working on some fine yarn I don't care for much - I can't seem to get enough twist into it.
Weaving: Started a checked scarf because I screwed up the warping for another houndstooth scarf.

How NOT to warp for houndstooth

I like the checks, the selvages not so much

Another event this week was demonstrating fiber arts at one of the weekend farmers markets (my reason for warping the scarf). One member spun a combination of dog hair and wool, using her spindle. Two members spun on their e-spinners. Another brought a harness loom on which he was weaving a band. And I was there with my SampleIt and pocket loom. We had some items for sale but sold nothing.

Quite a few of those wandering through were wearing handmade scarves and hats and mitts, which led to conversations about fiber arts, which led to handing them business cards for the guilds, my not-so-hidden agenda for organizing these demonstrations.

Now all I need to do is get through the holidays.

Have glue gun, will travel

This week's weaving guild meeting was our annual holiday party. Besides eating, we participate in some kind of craft. I didn't attend the party last year, but there were complaints that the craft was too hard. This year's craft was super easy, yet it is possible to mess it up.

We were provided with the popsicle sticks already glued together in a xmas tree shape. All we had to do was wrap the sticks with yarn, tacking it down here and there with a spot of glue, then trim the outer legs of the triangle. If one wraps carefully, weaving the yarn in and out, no floats are created. I obviously did not execute this step carefully.

One recommendation I would make is to attach the hanging thread *before* wrapping with the yarn. Otherwise, fun and, yes, easy.

Two of our members are husband-and-wife. Husband came dressed as Father Xmas and handed out ornaments made from inkle bands. I've seen crocheted versions of this craft. Another fun and easy project, once one has the weaving or crocheting done.

Weaving: Finished my SO's scarf; separate post to follow.

Is that all I did this week?!? As far as fiber arts, I guess so.

My SO and I visited a new-to-us gallery here in the Fort: BIPOCA - Black Indigenous People of Color Art Incubator and Gallery. We met Clydia, its owner, at an exhibit opening at another gallery and decided we needed to check her place out. AMAZING! And out of my price range except for a handbuilt ceramic mug I purchased.

I also learned of another guild, one that has been active for 50 years but has practically no online presence. It flies under the radar, but is in need of new members. I plan to check it out in January.

Snow day

I pity students these days - no more snow days now that they can do "e-learning". As a retiree, I can still designate a snow day for myself, which I did today. Thankfully, the Best Neighbor in the World lives across the street and makes good use of his big snow blower all up and down the block.

Crochet: Some quickie xmas-themed items.

Knitting: For some reason, the zebra socks are stalled at the bind off.
Weaving: Decided to scratch that weaving itch by warping the SampleIt for my SO's scarf.

I admit that I don't know a lot about art, yet I try. Recently, my SO and I visited an exhibit at the Garrett Museum of Art called "Women Take the Walls". The only works I liked were by Vivian Visser, and I probably liked them because they are made from natural materials. On our way out, we passed a piece I had not noticed before: a log standing on end. Hmmm. I have quite a few of those in my backyard. Perhaps I should submit this one to an art show?

Perhaps title it "A Bit of Snark" or maybe "Jaded".

Back to the museum

One thing my SO and I have learned is that curator's tours or opening nights are not the best time to view art at a museum or gallery. Sometimes we skip the evening events since we know we will have to return. And back we went to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to view Paper Made II again.

This piece intrigued me, maybe because it is something I could duplicate. I removed the sheers from one of the patio doors, but there needs to be *something* there. Perhaps my version of this weaving?

I remembered to photograph the information card this time.

"The Blue Route" refers to the blue stripe through the work (I assume).

The FWMoA has a LOT of glass work, which I am not a fan of, but I like this William Morris piece (which happens to have been donated by my ex-sister-in-law).

We also attended an opening at Kinhouse Gallery last night. No pics because crowded. But I met someone new who told me about another local art guild that has been in existance for 50 years, yet I had never heard of it. Their online presence is practically non-existant. This new friend also runs a gallery, so we will have to visit it post-Thanksgiving.

Knitting: On the cuffs of the zebra socks, which is good because I am itching to knit something - anything! - besides socks.
Spinning: The last of the Romney is chain-plied, so *that* is finished... except for setting the twist, labeling the skeins, etc. Someday I will dye it as well.
Weaving: I ordered some supplies from Wawak so I can finish the tote bag.

I'm getting the itch to weave more. Maybe towels? And a scarf for my SO because he lost the last one I wove for him. I was really proud of it and never had a chance to share it with the weaving guild. Wah!

A night at the museum

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art has a monthly event on the second Thursday, when they are open in the evening (and free admission!) There is usually a "curator's talk". This past Thursday, we lucked out and heard three of the artists whose work was in the exhibit.

The exhibit was titled "Paper Made II" and represented about half of the entries to said show curated by the magazine Fiber Art Now. One of the artists present not only exhibited a dress made from National Geographic maps, but wore a paper dress and carried a bag woven from paper. Another artist had a wire and copper mesh piece that had been dipped in flax mush; over time, the copper oxidized and "ate" some of the flax and the artwork continues to evolve. The work of the third artist present was this huge series of nested rings of paper that were suspended from the ceiling; one could walk under and around the piece for different perspectives.

I apologize for not getting names or taking more photos, but the gallery was a bit crowded and a second group was scheduled to come through. I did find some inspriration from this piece, although I would not use paper but yarn (of course), probably felted. The grommets and chains show how a similar piece could come together.

One of the other spectators was wearing what I will described as a "stash sweater". I wanted to chase her down for a photo, but she escaped before I had a chance. The front was blocks similar to a log cabin quilt but larger; the back knit from many colors. More inspiration.

Knitting: Progress on the zebra socks is slow, but I keep plugging along. One of the dishcloths is finished; I think there is enough yarn left over for a slightly smaller second one.
Needle felting: One of the local art spaces is having a fundraiser and is asking for holiday ornaments to sell, so I started one (after the program as the recent spinning guild meeting featured needle felting).
Spinning: All the Romney is spun! And almost all three-plied! There is just a bit leftover that I will chain ply.

My SO and I continue our accountability group. He is a photographer who greatly edits pix in Photoshop and has been grinding out one each day. I don't complete much, but I'm motivated to do *something* each day. That was the goal.

Perseverance

I subscribe to the New York Times online, which gives me access to their puzzles. One of my favorites is Spelling Bee, where the player identifies as many words as they can from the provided seven letters (one of the letters is designated as a "must have" in each word and there is at least one "pangram" that uses all the letters). One's level is determined by the percentage of words one finds. I usually make it to "Amazing" on my first go-round of the day, eventually achieving "Genius" by lunchtime. Once in a great while I find them all and am crowned "Queen Bee".

I have various strategies for figuring out the words - looking for prefixes, suffixes (especially -ed and -ing), compound words, etc. - but mostly my high level of achievement is from pure persistance.

Persistance is also needed in fiber arts. I've learned it (more or less) for knitting and crocheting and spinning, but not so much weaving. Until this tote bag project. Once the loom is warped, the actual weaving (at least, if it is plain weave) is a piece of cake... as long as one sticks with it. And it doesn't take that long. The body of the tote bag involved an hour a day for three days; the strap I finished in one day (with a break or two). And then that part was done.

Now comes the hard part, for me: finishing. The number of WIPs in my project list on Ravelry is testament to my lack of perseverance there.

Knitting: Turned the heels on the zebra socks. For some reason, I started knitting a dishcloth, from yarn I dyed with dyes left over from the tie-dye program at the spinning guild.

Spinning: I've taken to spinning a bit, then plying a bit, to work through the last of the Romney.
Weaving: The tote strap wove up nicely on the inkle loom; both it and the fabric went through the wash today.

For an audio book, I listened to John LeCarre read his novel, The Constant Gardener. Then I checked out the hardcopy version of the book from the local library and was surprised at how long it was. Well, it turned out the audio version was abridged. Boo!

Hello, darkness, my old friend

Daylight savings time ends tomorrow. THANK GOD! I am not one of those people who likes to be out and about until 10pm during the summer, prefer the morning light. So I am looking forward to what will now be early dog walks and early evenings when I can just sit and knit (or whatever) in the dark.

Knitting: Speaking of knitting, I am making progress on the zebra socks, about ready to turn the heels; and I was right - they are turning out weird, which I decided to embrace.

Spinning: More Romney has been plied; I feel like I am in the homestretch.

Weaving: With much swearing (and Annie MacHale's help), I managed to warp the inkle loom for the tote bag strap.

Last night was Trick or Treat here. Instead of locking the pets away while I jumped up to answer the doorbell periodically, I sat in a rocker on the front porch and knit. Before my time, this neighborhood had lots of kids. Now - not so much. A total of 16, including a few that were a bit old to be begging for candy. I think that is an all time low.

Road trip

On our way to northwest Indiana yesterday, my SO and I stopped at Zinck's Fabric Outlet in Ligonier. Several of my fiber friends rave about this place, so I wanted to take a looksee. WOW. That is a lot of fabric! Makes me wish I were more of a sewist. I purchased a few notions, but may return once I have a plan in place that requires fabric.

Knitting: I gave up on the original DK socks for my son, just did not like how they were turning out. So I purchased *more* DK yarn, in black for toes, heels, cuffs, and in a zebra-like colorway for feet and legs, which I think will turn out kind of weird. I made some headway on the headband.

Spinning: A spin-in at a fiber friend's house afforded me the opportunity to sit and spin for a while; working on some merino/alpaca blend that is turning out really thin (which leaves me second guessing the wheel ratio I am using for it).
Weaving: The body of the tote bag is off the loom; time to warp the inkle for the strap.

My son married his longtime girl friend this past summer. I knit them each a pair of socks for xmas, thought it would be nice to give a pair to my new step-granddaughter(?). Making the deadline might have been tight, but while perusing my sock drawer, I realized I have a pair I knit for myself that I have not yet worn. So those can be gifted, easing one holiday stress.

Accountability

I am reading Art Work, by Sally Mann. Right off the bat, she discusses the literal work involved in making art. Some of it is creative work, some of it is drudgery, and sometimes it looks like the artist is not doing anything at all, but it all goes into the finished product in one way or another.

One would think that when one is retired, there would be plenty of time for making things. Somehow, it does not work out that way. Other activities, even mundane chores like laundry or vacuuming, feel more pressing. I tend to do the things I don't like to do (i.e. housework) early in the day ("Eat the toad first"), but then I run out of energy for the "fun" things.

My SO has a similar problem. So now we are holding each other accountable by texting daily photos of what we are working on. It doesn't have to be a finished object, just a representation that we are each doing *something* besides the usual. For example, today he is experimenting with cyanotype, while I am weaving.

And by looking at the daily photos, I have a record that I can use when posting to this blog. Win-win.

Knitting: For some reason, the second toe of the socks for my son took three tries, but I am (hopefully) on my way. The headband is slowly growing.

Sewing: I'm not actually sewing yet, but I purchased two "fat quarters" that I want to turn into a zippered pillow cover, as practice for turning two of the tie-dyed muslin pieces into a giant zippered pillow cover. And I watched some YT videos on how to install zippers.
Weaving: The tote is about one-third woven.

If you look closely at the sock photo, you will see that I am listening to the Artist/Mother Podcast while I knit. Having finished Mark Twain, I needed a new audio companion, and while my children are middle-aged, I can still relate to most of what is discussed in these interviews. Kaylan Buteyn is local, co-owns Kinhouse Art, and has become a new friend.

Xmas socks for my SO

Nothing says I LOVE YOU like a pair of handknit socks... unless the intended recepiant does not want handknit socks. My daughter and granddaughter are not interested, but my SO is happy to get them.

Pattern: Short-row Toe and Heel Basic Socks, by Wendy D. Johnson
Yarn: Some kind of sock yarn from the estate sale that visited the spinning guild, feels like merino and nylon (ball band lost); Simply Socks Yarn for toes, heels, and cuffs, in 'Natural'
Needles:US1
Modifications: None to speak of

Why do I knit socks toe-up? Why do I knit the toes, heels, and cuffs in constrasting yarn? Because after years of knitting top-down socks and skating perilously close to running out of yarn, I figured that it would be better to run out of yarn on the leg. The contrasting yarn is extra insurance, as who wants short socks?

This colorway is "interesting" - wide bands of blues interspersed with narrow bits of white. I'm glad I was able to line up the stripes. The contrasting toes, heels, and cuffs also allows me some room to make the socks match.