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.