Standardized... sorta

At the last spinning guild meeting, I brought up a discussion about control cards and the fact mine came with a WPI chart that differs from the one on my WPI tool.

One member lamented the fact that there was no standard definition for WPI.

But there is. However, it provides a *range* of wraps per yarn weight. (This photo is from Yarnitecture, by Jillian Moreno.)

The lesson here is, no matter what weight you think your yarn is, always, always, always knit a gauge swatch before starting a project.

Knitting: I am at the 33" mark with the Reader's Wrap and have used up nearly a whole 8-oz. skein of fisherman's wool. There are two more skeins in my stash, so no worries about running short. While knitting, I contemplate maybe dyeing the whole thing once it's done, but I'm not sure how the wool will take dye. Like swatching, a test sample is called for.
Spinning: I decided to take a week away from spinning while I plot my next project. I have a lot of Tunis red roving that I spun up a while ago. I didn't like the results, so experimented with mixing in various amounts of white, gray, and black. But now I've decided I *do* like the plain Tunis red, three plied in what feels like an Aran weight yarn. Hopefully, I can duplicate my effort.
Weaving: I am almost done with the first towel on the current warp. I'm toying with the idea of double weaving the second towel, to create a heftier fabric. It's not uncommon to double warp a loom, so I think this will work, or work well enough.

It's been a year since my last outing, which was to the Jay County Fiber Arts Festival. This year's event was cancelled. However, they plan to have a virtual festival on April 24, with virtual classes and the marketplace. There is a class on fiber prep that I just might take, given I have several fleeces in the garage, just waiting to be processed.

Black merino top

A while back I was fretting about plying superwash merino with non-superwash merino. I decided not to, which I think was the right decision, as the superwash came out darker than I expected. Instead, I spun and plied the non-superwash merino to use in conjunction with other colors in either weaving or knitting.

Fiber: DMFibers merino top dyed black
Wheel: Ashford Joy 2
Technique: Nothing special
Spun: worsted, Z-twist at an 8:1 ratio
Plied: 2-ply, S-twist at an 11:1 ratio
WPI: 10
Yardage: 494 yards
Weight: 237g (8.36 oz)

When skeining, I wrap up 50 yards at a time. When weighing each skein, I get an idea of how consistant I am across the whole effort. In this case, I am happy to report that each 50-yard skein was within a few grams of the others. Not bad for an amateur.

There is definitely enough yarn to do *something* with. Black goes with just about any color and helps them pop. While black may be a boring color to spin (and difficult to photograph), I think I will make good use of this yarn.

Art day

Yesterday my 10-year-old granddaughter and I had an "art day". We stopped at United Arts and Education to make a few purchases (including a stuffed penguin I had promised her around xmas and a new jigsaw puzzle for me), then we had a "touchless" visit to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art to see the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards exhibition, followed by a stop at the Allen County Public Library to take a gander at the Three Rivers Gem and Mineral Society display and the Fort Wayne Artists Guild members show. Whew! There were several "paintings" done in needle felting at both the art museum and the guild show, which inspired my granddaughter to create her own after we returned to the house.

Knitting: I've completed 25 out of 60 inches on the Reader's Wrap. Almost halfway done (except for the pockets).
Spinning: The black merino top is finished; separate post to follow.
Weaving: I'm about halfway done with the first kitchen towel.

The local spinning guild includes a member on the west coast who is creating a digital magazine with a colleague in New Zealand. It's called tinyStudio: Creative Life. A free special edition may be found here. Both these talented ladies were able to attend our most recent meeting to describe the magazine and talk about creative fiber arts in general. It was a unique experience for our guild and one that would not have been possible without Zoom and a reason to use Zoom instead of meet in person. Both the fiber guilds I belong to are talking about having hybrid meetings going forward - in person AND via Zoom - as many members do not live in town or may be unable to attend in person for one reason or another. It's a new era.

I received my first Covid vaccination this past week. It didn't hurt a bit and I experienced no side effects at all other than to feel surprisingly optimistic about the future. My second shot is in several weeks, but even then, precautions must continue to be taken. However, with a little luck, we will return to some semblance of "normal" soon.

Eek!

I have several fleeces in the garage, stored in feed bags. While out there the other evening, I saw the top of one of the bags MOVE. A mouse or vole popped up. Finn, my indoor/outdoor cat, had been wanting out in the garage lately, and now I know why. I let him out there and left the light on for him; hopefully he did his job. The next day, I dumped all three fleeces out, but found no evidence of nests or droppings, so the little bugger must have been just helping himself to some bedding. Ugh.

Knitting: I have knit a total of 18" on the Reader's Wrap; 42" to go.
Spinning: I am halfway through plying the black merino top.
Weaving: I wove a couple more inches on the towels. My 24" rigid heddle is a bit much for my shoulders. I'm experimenting with some mock waffle weave on my Samplet loom.

The waffle weave experiment came about because the waffle weave study group made a presentation at last week's weaving guild meeting. I have not been attending the (Zoom) meetings lately as the programs have all been about harness loom weaving. Most of the waffle weave program was for harness looms, but they included a bit on how to do it on a rigid heddle loom. I've been working from a book and struggling a bit, but at least it has sparked my interest in weaving again. Next month's program will be presented by the inkle weaving study group. Inkle weaving is another technique I enjoy but have neglected.

I am scheduled for my first Covid vaccination this week. My SO has had both doses, had a mild reaction after the first, no reaction after the second, and reports that he feels better, less anxious, than he has for a while. Of course, masks are still necessary, but the vaccine provides an extra layer of protection. I'm psyched!

New tools

In a previous post I commented on how I tend to get the yarn I spin, not the yarn I want. To help alleviate that problem, I purchased a spinning control card from the Woolery. Having never handled a spinning control card in person before, I was not sure what to expect, so I'm also not sure if this is a common design.

It is made from acrylic, which is not pretty like some wooden ones I saw online but completely functional. There are slight grooves for each size; I expected the grooves to be deeper, but again, I don't know if this is common among control cards. The instructions seem to assume one is spinning 3-ply. Do most spinners create 3-ply? I think most of the ones I know stick to 2-ply. I haven't tried out this little tool in real life yet, but will once I am done with the black merino. I'll keep you posted.

Knitting: Still inching along on the Reader's Wrap, literally. My goal is to knit at least an inch each day. I also ordered some sock yarn from a Ravelry member, so I can fix some socks I knit for a friend.
Spinning: About 75% done with spinning the singles from the black merino top.
Weaving: I actually did some weaving on my 24" rigid heddle loom! I am not the towel-weaving type, but I have a lot of 8/4 cotton warp and towels seem like a good way to use it up. I had warped the loom quite some time ago, finally wove a couple of inches of weft the other day.

kay T left an interesting comment last week about experiencing pilling problems with Cascade 220 Superwash. I took a look at items I knit using this yarn and didn't notice any excessive pilling HOWEVER. A sweater I knit with it does pill something awful. I wasn't planning to knit the sweater in superwash, but we were at Webs in Northampton MA (spring 2014) and they were having a sale and this yarn was the only one I could find in the color and weight I wanted.

I saw my hip doctor for a follow-up and all is well with that joint. I come back in five years. Then I saw a shoulder surgeon (they all specialize). After some discussion, the tentative plan is for me to call in July to schedule surgery for the fall; I don't want to miss out on gardening season. Perhaps this impending surgery will compel me to finish a poncho I started long ago, to wear over the sling.

I couldn't resist

More powdery snow fell this week and I could not resist scooting around the backyard on cross country skis despite my hip surgeon nixing that activity. My yard is large but not large enough for it to be much fun for skiing. My hip was okay, but my shoulders did not like it. This week I have my annual follow-up appointment with the hip surgeon and a prelim appointment with a shoulder surgeon.

Knitting: Inching along on the Reader's Wrap. I had been alternating stockinette with reverse stockinette, but decided that might be problematic when I add the patch pockets. I ripped back and am just now almost caught up.
Spinning: I'm almost halfway done with the black merino top. It's not very interesting to spin, but I still try to put in 20 minutes a day.
Weaving: My SO was telling me about how many compliments he has received recently on a log cabin scarf I wove for him. I glanced at it and saw a broken warp. While fixing that, I found a couple of other broken threads, plus I straightened out some snags. Once it gets a restorative bath, he can have it back. In the meantime, he will just have to use his alpaca knit one.

Isolating the broken warp

Ends to weave in

This scarf is woven with Cascade 220 Superwash because a previous scarf that should have been handwashed met its demise after machine washing. The fabric feels a bit flimsy to me. The areas I fixed now have extra threads where I wove in the ends, and they feel more substantial. If I decide to weave another scarf in Cascade 220 Superwash, I may double the warp and/or weft. But first, I should make a test swatch.

Happy Valentine's Day!

My SO and I don't do anything special for Valentine's Day since (for us) everyday is Valentine's Day. We make a point of appreciating each other in real time, like when his car needs a jump or I need to visit the ER. We both have a bit of a problem asking for help - gotta be strong and independent - but it sure is nice to have someone to rely on, for everyday things and not-so-everyday things.

Knitting: Still plugging away on the Reader's Wrap. I also discovered a hole in the Lopi mittens I knit in 2007. A recent issue of Ply Magazine described one way to fix holey socks, which helped me figure out how to fix these mittens: remove the top of the thumb and reknit it. Fortunately, I found some leftover yarn in my stash.

Spinning: I started spinning the black merino top I ordered by mistake. (Idle question: Do you ever return fiber (roving, yarn, etc>) ordered online but not quite what you expected?) I contemplated leaving the yarn in singles, to ply with other colors, but right now I am leaning toward two-plying it and using it as a contrasting color for weaving.

Lately I have been watching Star Trek: Voyager. The most recent episode touched on aspects of Vulcan philosophy that resonate with me, perhaps because they have a lot in common with Stoicism. For example, instead of allowing one's emotions to rule one's mind, strive for the mind to control one's emotions. In these trying times, it is easy to get cranked up emotionally when we need to keep our cool. I am finding this concept to be calming. Live long and prosper!

Lithuanian Ribby Mittens

This pattern is the result of Robin Hansen reverse engineering a pair of mittens found in a museum shop in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Her personal contacts reveal that this is a common style of mitten among Lithuanian knitters. They are knit from worsted weight yarn using size US1 needles to achieve a gauge of 7-9 stitches per inch despite the textured fabric. I found knitting this needle/yarn combination more difficult than I expected; it was hard on my hands and shoulders as well. At least the weather is still wintery here, so I can enjoy wearing them in the snow.

Pattern: Lithuanian Ribby Mittens, from Ultimate Mittens by Robin Hansen
Yarn: Cascade 220, in gray (MC) and red (CC)
Needles: US1
Modifications: see below.

I did not intend to modify the pattern, but I found the instructions difficult to follow and somehow wound up with three extra stitches after the thumb gore. The mitten top and thumb turned out too long and pointy for my taste, so I flattened them by knitting a round of k2tog, a round of k, another round of k2tog, another round of k before pulling the remaining stitches together. I also offset the thumbs enough to create right and left mittens.

They fit perfectly but felt stiff and bulky. After a warm bath, they softened up but also grew a bit, so now feel too large. I wore them to shovel snow and despite the tight stitching, they did not seem to be warmer than other mittens I have knit. Through regular use, they should felt a bit, which will tighten them up.

Graham in Karabella

After knitting three Graham hats in a row, I think I am done with this pattern for a while. It's easy, it's (relatively) quick, it garners compliments, but enough is enough. The pix of all three look alike, but there are subtle differences.

Pattern: Graham, by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Karabella Yarns Aurora 8, in 'Anthracite' (dark gray)
Needles: US6 and US8
Modifications: Made the hat longer, 8" total

For some reason, hats don't look good on me. Making this one longer helped, though. I meant to weigh it before distribution, but it is still under 100g. The yarn is very soft, but like the Lion Brand Cashmere Blend, it feels like it won't hold up well.

Wool weather

Baby, it's cold outside! Temps in the single digits at night, the teens during the day. Perfect for layering the handknits while staying inside and reading on the couch. I just started Craft: An American History, by Glenn Adamson. It's very readable and very interesting.

Knitting: I finished another 'Graham' hat; post to follow. I think I am done with that pattern for a while. I also finished the Lithuanian mittens; yes, a seperate post to follow. No progress on the Reader's Wrap.

And that is about all I have to report. This past week I had my kitchen cabinets refaced and the vanities in the two baths replaced, which meant emptying cabinets (which went fast) and cleaning, reorganizing, and refilling them (which is taking a LOT longer). I also started another jigsaw puzzle, to help me make it through February. And I am scheduled to get my first Covid vaccination in March. Things are looking up!

Jailhouse Rock

The instructions that came with this Sheep 2 Shoe kit were for making 3-ply sock yarn. I have given up on knitting socks with yarn that lacks nylon, as they wear out too fast. I've also given up on using merino, as it too does not last. (Simply Socks produces a sock yarn made from Corriedale and nylon, and that is now my go-to sock yarn.) Then I agonized over finding some superwash merino in black, to ply with this yarn, but that search was fruitless. So I finally just created a two-ply, which I really, really like.

Fiber: Blue Moon Fiber Arts superwash merino top in 'Jailhouse Rock'
Wheel: Ashford Joy 2
Technique: Nothing special
Spun: worsted, Z-twist at an 11:1 ratio
Plied: 2-ply, S-twist at an 11:1 ratio
WPI: 9
Yardage: 387 yards
Weight: 237g (8.3 oz)

I really wanted this yarn to be DK weight after the fact. In other words, I spun and plied it, and THEN decided it should be DK. Wishful thinking. Still, I crammed it into my wpi counter before admitting that it really is worsted.

Another so-called plan was to knit or weave the yarn with as-yet-to-be-spun black yarn, but I'm thinking it is dark enough just as it is. One skein, the last one, has a lot of joins in it, so I will use it to work up some swatches while I decide what to use this for.

This roving was gifted to me by Qutecowgirl who just released a hat pattern on Ravelry called Pascal. It's free and looks like a fun knit, so check it out!

Design ideas

My SO and I sometimes walk the mall, and I noticed this sweater in one of the store windows. I looks like it is mostly garter stitch with an i-cord chain on the button band. I've never seen that before.

I also encourage you to check out the patterns on the recent Knitty release. There is one for a sweater (Halmstad) that is knit in the round, like a capelet, with steeks to separate the arms from the body. Very clever!

Knitting: Last week I forgot to mention progress on the Lithuanian mittens. The body of each mitten is complete and I have started the thumbs. I have just reached the start of the crown on another 'Graham' slouchy hat. AND I'm marching along on the Reader's Wrap.
Spinning: I finished plying the 'Jailhouse Rock' yarn; separate post to follow.

Despite mask wearing and hand sanitizing, both my SO and I managed to catch little colds this past week. My granddaughter experienced the same the week before, so it must be one more thing going around. My SO received his first Covid shot just before. He said sign up was easy, the actual experience went smoothly, and he has an appointment for his second shot in three weeks; he felt a bit punky the next day but otherwise no reaction. I know some areas are really struggling to administer the Covid vaccine, but locally they have all their ducks in a row.

'Graham' in LB Cashmere Blend

This hat looks like the last one although I knit it on the larger needles specified in the pattern. An easy, satisfying knit, with great instructions, especially for the decreases on the crown.

Pattern: Graham, by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Lion Brand Cashmere Blend, in black (75g)
Needles: US6 and US8
Modifications: none

This is not one of my favorite yarns. I purchased it about ten years ago to knit a pair of Mary Jane booties for my granddaughter. I never finished them - booties are so fiddly - and I discovered tinking them is just as fiddly. The yarn is soft and springy, but I don't think it will hold up well.

Found, Part II

I remember what else I lost but now have found: the ball of white Cascade 220 Superwash. It got shunted aside during a quick tidying up episode, but turned up on its own. I'm glad to know I am not completely crazy.

Knitting: I finished another 'Graham' slouchy hat; post to follow. And I started another one. Such an easy knit! I also started a Reader's Wrap, after seeing one made by Phia at Little Shop of Spinning. There is something about winter that makes me want to knit and knit and knit.
Spinning: Almost done plying the Socks that Rock yarn. So pretty!

Yes, I actually left the city limits to visit the Little Shop of Spinning in Roanoke, IN. One purpose of the trip was to return a borrowed album of photos from a natural dyeing workshop. Another reason was to deliver an old non-functional spinning wheel I had been using as decor. I decided I was done with it and posted a pic on FB in case any of my spinning friends wanted it. Phia's husband Mark is going to use it on a separate project he is working on; his only requirement was that the wheel spin, which it does. I managed to get out of the shop without any fiber but I did pick up the latest issue of Ply magazine.

Almost out the door. Say bye-bye, Beau!

Indiana is out of the red Covid-wise. I'm too young to qualify for the vaccine yet, so I got my second Shingrix shot instead. The day after the first shot, I felt a little punky. This one really knocked me on my keister the next day: low grade fever, chills, body aches, etc. I spent the day on the couch, dozing off and on, then slept 10 hours that night. I kept telling myself that my discomfort meant the serum was working.

On a brighter note, the cortisone shots in my shoulders definitely help. I hadn't realized how that constant discomfort was affecting me. And we have a new president! More discomfort relieved! We can all breathe a sigh of relief.

Found

One reason I have not posted much lately is I decided to do some household and fiber rearranging. I'm still not done, but in the process of moving a cupboard of spun and/or dyed yarn from one room to another, I found the samples I dyed using various parts of my false indigo plant. I have yet to dye with the roots, so once spring makes an appearance, I'll add that to the bunch. (I found something else, but now can't remember what it was because I suffer from CRS - Can't Remember Shit.)

Knitting: I visited one of my ortho doctors this past week and received cortisone shots in each shoulder to tide me over until I can schedule surgery (which will be after I get both doses of the Covid vaccine). While it takes a week or so for the cortisone to do its thing, a numbing agent in the serum gives a couple of days respite. So I picked up my knitting and overdid it. Now I can barely move my arms without pain. Ouch.
Spinning: I started two-plying the Socks that Rock singles. I gave up the idea of three-ply with one ply being black. I'm about halfway done, although I might run it through the wheel again, to tighten up the ply a bit.
Weaving: Now that I have new glasses, I laid out the sari yarn runner and started fiddling with the finishing. That will take a while.

Another reason I have not posted much lately is I fell down the jigsaw puzzle hole again. I thought this puzzle would not be all that difficult. I was wrong. The puzzle pieces were not cut in standard shapes.

ANOTHER reason I have not posted much lately is I have been feeling a bit broken. The pandemic and politics were bad enough, but then a college friend passed away from Covid, my ex-sister-in-law died from a stroke, and when I went online to find her obituary, I found her husband's, from this past November. The domestic terrorists trying to destroy democracy was the final straw. If we can just hang on for a while longer, the grown-ups will be in charge again and hopefully at least some things will get better. Stay safe!

Graham in black Superwash

I've knit this pattern a couple of times before (here and here). My daughter said she gets a lot of compliments on the gray one and would like more, in neutral colors. I dug through my stash, looking for yarn to use up, preferably a washable yarn because I know her. Here is the first of several.

Pattern: Graham, by Jennifer Adams
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash, in black (72g)
Needles: US5 and US7 circs and DPNs
Modifications: used 1x1 ribbed long tail cast on

The reason my daughter needs extra hats

I knit the medium size, which fits a small to medium adult head. The (free!) instructions are excellent, very detailed. This unisex hat is knit on the wrong side, so that the waffle effect can be achieved with knit rounds between the rib rounds instead of purl rounds. Quick, easy, and fun to knit!

Sixth time is the charm?

I lost track of how many times I crocheted the border on this baby throw, just to rip it back and try again. Running out of yarn didn't help, either. In the end, I settled for two rounds in the lavender instead of three, but I left the last end to weave in at a later date, just in case I find or buy some more yarn. (Right now I am on a fiber diet.)

Pattern: F870 Shell Flower Baby Throw, by Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in lavender
Needle: I for initial chain, H for the rest
Modifications: see above and below

I had to start with a larger hook to meet the blanket dimensions - I guess I chain tight - but then switched to the H hook for the rest. The pattern was fine until it got to the instructions for the border. Once I started fiddling with the edge, the instructions *almost* made sense. Since the bottom edge already had a row of single crochet, I broke the yarn and started on the side following the bottom. For the vertical sides, I worked 3 sc into each shell row. For the top (and then the bottom), I worked 6 sc for each shell. Each corner had 3 sc. I could not get the hang of the suggested reverse sc to finish, so abandoned that idea.

At one point, I crocheted two rounds in white Modo Dea Washable Wool yarn. It's more of an Aran weight than worsted, also is not plied but braided? I later deemed it too heavy for the Cascade 220 Superwash, which seems a bit light for worsted.

So much anguish over a baby blanket! I did enjoy crocheting something for a change, although my shoulders did not find it much different than knitting. Something about the micro movements really irritates. As long as I can crochet and knit, though, I will continue to do so.

Hip hip HOORAY

This past week marked the one year anniversary of my hip replacement surgery. I think about my artificial hip everyday, not because it bothers me but because it doesn't. There's not too many things I want to do that I can't. I'm back to walking the dogs 2-3 miles most days, I can perform most of the PT exercises for my back, and I can even trim my toenails. It's a miracle.

My shoulders are another matter. The back exercises I can't do depend on having stable shoulders and mine are not. They both hurt but for different reasons. I keep exercising them as best I can, which both helps and hurts. Crochet and knitting have to be limited, weaving too. I hope to have them re-evaluated this winter, but don't want surgery until after next year's growing season. Meanwhile, I soldier on, with the help of aspirin and emu oil.

Crochet: The lavender baby blanket sat on the coffee table for a few days while I contemplated the white part of the border. It just looked wrong. So I ripped it out and resorted to having only two rounds of single crochet in the last of the lavender for the border. I didn't weave in the final end, just in case I find or buy more yarn I can use.
Knitting: No progress on the Lithuanian mittens, as I ran out of yarn... sort of. I've been deconstructing a sweater and using that yarn, but more needed to be steamed to get rid of the kinks. (BTW, steaming works a LOT better than soaking to recover used yarn.) I'm in the decrease part of the slouchy hat, but didn't pay attention to the excellent instructions and had to backtrack a bit. Moving forward there now.

My self-imposed quarantine ends Monday. It hasn't been too bad, not a lot different than regular Covid life other than not seeing my SO; we've kept in contact with texting and Duo. I did more of some things like reading, tried new things like listening to classical music via YT, etc. I held off on starting a new jigsaw puzzle - saving that for xmas, which will be just my SO and me, again. My kids and I usually have a major get-together in May, to celebrate their birthdays and Mother's Day. Hopefully, we will be able to do that in 2021.

Happy holidays and stay safe!

Oh, fudge

Occasionally I get on a baking kick and, if I'm lucky, I am able to give away most of what I bake so I don't eat it all by myself. I wasn't quite to lucky with a batch of Russian tea cakes (a.k.a. Mexican wedding cakes). My SO took some, but my granddaughter did not like them, my daughter is doing a round of Whole30, and my son-in-law doesn't care for sweets. Once I recovered from indulging in all that butter and sugar, I made a small batch of fudge. It is actually too rich for me, but I still can't resist. Hiding it in the refrigerator helps.

Crochet: I finally finished the lavender baby blanket. I used (now discontinued) Moda Dea Washable Wool for the border. Despite its description on Ravelry, it is not a plied yarn. It is also considered an Aran weight. I think it will be okay; separate post with more details to follow.
Knitting: Slogging onward and upward with the Lithuanian mittens. After deciphering the instructions for the decreases, I discovered I will not have to do anything creative to implement them. I'm enjoying the knitting of the 'Graham' slouchy hat - quick and easy. I'm past the ribbing and into the body.

Indiana is still living in Crazytown re Covid. My son-in-law tested positive this past week; his fever broke last night, so he is feeling better. He stopped by my house last Tuesday for a few minutes, started showing symptoms Thursday, so I am quarantining, just to be safe. Or rather, to keep others safe. Fortunately, there is nowhere I need to go - my calendar is wide open until the first week of January. Stay safe!

Puzzled

After months of itching to do a jigsaw puzzle, I broke one out a week ago Saturday. At first, I limited working on it to about an hour a day, but after a while that turned into many hours a day, especially the closer I got to having it finished and off the dining room table. It turned out to be more difficult that I expected - all that black! - but I persevered.

So that itch has been satisfied for a while.

Crochet: I'm still struggling with the border of the baby blanket. I ran out of yarn, fetched a toddler sweater I knit for my granddaughter, with the intention of deconstructing it, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I decided to do the border in white/cream/natural, but the second yarn, while also superwash, is a little heavier than the main yarn. I am 95% sure I have some white Cascade 220 Superwash around here somewhere, but can't locate it. The vague border instructions in the pattern almost make sense, but there seems to be too few stitches in the border on the sides and too many on the top and bottom. It's just one thing after another.
Knit: I reached a decision point on the Lithuanian mittens. Somehow I ended up with an extra pattern repeat in the body. It's only three stitches, but results in an extra vertical ridge, which means that I have an odd number of vertical ridges, which means I will have to modify the pattern to take this into consideration when I start the decreases. Meanwhile, I received requests for more 'Graham' slouchy hats, in "neutral colors" (black or gray), so started one of those. The good news is I have new glasses and can now see the black stitches more easily.

And that's about all I have accomplished in the past week or so.

I read the NYTimes online. Each day they show the twelve states with the highest number of new Covid cases, per capita, from the day before (today Indiana was number four), and the highest average new Covid cases over the past week, per capita (Indiana is the hottest hot spot in the nation). It's crazy, almost as crazy as several of my neighbors who keep flying their Trump flags. Beam me up, Scotty!

Queen for a Day

I'm dating myself by mentioning an old TV show, Queen for a Day. If I were even older, I would mention the radio program. After watching The Crown, I've come to the conclusion that, like youth being wasted on the young, royalty is wasted on the royals. They have no idea how good they have it. I would not mind being queen, or at least a princess, for a week or three: breakfast in bed everyday, beautiful clothes, exotic travel for which someone else does all the legwork, etc. The nannies alone would be worth the effort of attending fancy balls, ribbon cuttings, and state dinners (which someone else cooks!) While jetting around the world on a private plane, there would be plenty of time for fiber arts, too.

Crochet: Judging by comments on Ravelry, I am not the only hooker perplexed by the instructions for the border of the shell stitch baby blanket. I will just have to make up my own.
Knitting: Still trudging along on the Lithuanian mittens; about halfway up the fingers. I had repaired one of my granddaughter's baby blankets, planned to redo it, but she deemed it adequate (plus I think she just wanted the blanket back).

Needle felting: My granddaughter and I worked on needle felting a snowman ornament. The core is made up of styrofoam balls; all I did was help add white roving. She added all the accouterments. (Oh, for cryin' out loud. I didn't get a pic of the finished project, just one of my bandaged fingers. Erk.)

Spinning: It occurred to me that instead of three-plying the 'Jailhouse Rock' singles, I could two-ply, and also two-ply the black merino top, then weave instead of knit something with them. The idea of spinning 8 oz. of black yarn leaves me a bit cold, though.
Weaving: I'm still working on warping the rigid heddle loom. I'm not ignoring it, I'm really working on it, just not yet satisfied with the results. If the warp isn't up to snuff, the weaving will be torture.

I hope you all had a safe Thanksgiving. It was just my SO and me here; dinner took about half an hour to prepare. My kids stayed home, my brothers stayed home, my neighbors went camping to avoid eating with maskless relatives. The numbers of new Covid cases per capita in Indiana is one of the worst in the nation - last week, the local school system went totally remote because there were not enough healthy bus drivers - although the numbers may be leveling out. We'll see if it stays that way through the holidays. Stay safe!

Copy cat

Last weekend I took my granddaughter on a gem and mineral field trip at a local county park (outside, masks, social distancing). One of the other families were all wearing the same hat that I assumed was hand knit. But then I noticed a tag on one that said "CC". I looked it up online and discovered the CC Beanie. Now I am seeing them everywhere, including in the clothing section of Kroger. There are also copy cat patterns avaible on Ravelry with hundreds made. I will probably make one someday, after I get something else finished first.

Crochet: The body of the lavender baby blanket is complete, but I am a bit flummuxed over the border instructions. I'll figure it out... eventually.
Knitting: The thumb gussets are almost done on the Lithuanian Ribby Knit mittens. Knitting mittens on US1 needles is a bit tedious.

Spinning: No luck finding black dyed superwash merino top. I'm debating on how to move forward: 1) buy undyed superwash merino top and dye it myself, 2) go ahead and use the non-superwash black merino top I already purchased, 3) not include a black ply while also deciding whether to ply the 'Jailhouse Rock' singles into 3a) 2-ply or 3b) 3-ply, etc. I'm open to suggestions.
Weaving: No progress on either the sari yarn runner or the warping of the 8/4 cotton.

Indiana is a Covid hot spot and the county I live in is now "red". My SO and I will enjoy our turkey Manhattans and pumpkin pie while "double bubbling." I'm not much for holidays to begin with, and I'm lucky my kids are close enough I see them with some regularity anyway. As far as I'm concerned, everyday should be one of thanksgiving.

Feels like March

It is wet and wild outside today - rain with high winds - which reminded me of March, until the temperatures started to drop. I am not a fan of wind. It is a good day to stay inside, do laundry, read, knit, crochet, etc.

Crochet: Nineteen inches out of 24 are completed on the lavender baby blanket.
Knitting: The 'Past Peak' mittens are done; details here. I am about halfway through the thumb gussets of the Lithuanian Ribby Knit mittens.
Spinning: I purchased some black merino top from Dharma Trading Company only to realize upon delivery that what I ordered is not superwash. The mistake is entirely mine. I posed a question to my spinning guild about mixing superwash plies with non-superwash plies, but no one had any experience doing that. However, a source (local, no less) was recommended.
Weaving: I sent the sari yarn swatch through the washer and dryer with no mishaps. The cotton warp and weft shrunk a bit, which is what I would expect, to create a denser fabric.

I put on my big girl panties and got halfway through warping the rigid heddle for some cotton towels. I have so much 8/4 and 8/2 carpet warp that I would like to use some of it up.

I read the saddest story in the local paper today, about how some people who are donating to a local charity for xmas want to first know the voting preferences of the adult recipients or don't want to choose a child with an unusual name from the giving tree. I'm astounded and shocked and horrified by these so-called Christians who are being so petty and cruel, especially during the holiday season. I only hope the article spurs others to counteract these mean spirited gestures.

Past Peak mittens

When I purchased the yarn I used for these mittens, I thought the tag read "Past Peach" for the colorway. It was August, peach season, so this sort of made sense to me. More recently, "peach" seemed too long, so I thought maybe it said "Past Pear". That made less sense. With autumn upon us, however, the colorway became obviously "Past Peak" as the green leaves gave way to gold and red and orange, fading to brown. I could not find the designer anywhere online, so I'm guessing she gave up her hand dyed yarn business.

Pattern: Basic Mitten by Ann Budd
Yarn: Vermont Farmhouse Designs worsted in "Past Peak" colorway
Needles: US7
Modifications: Used a ribbed version of a long tail cast on; fiddled with the thumbs to make them less pointy

If I were to knit these again, I would go down a needle size, as the fabric really relaxed after a warm bath (sort of like I do). Apparently, I didn't notice this when swatching, although if I had, I might have adjusted the stitch count up, in which case I would be in the same place.

Zoomless

I intended to attend last week's weavers guild meeting. They have been hybrid meetings: some people show up in person and the rest of us watch from afar. However, the person in charge of the Zoom portion came down with stomach flu (not Covid) and there is no backup. The December meeting would ordinariy be a carry-in (that's Hoosier for potluck), but that ain't happening this year. I'm not sure what they are going to do instead.

Crochet: Twelve inches out of 24 are complete on the main part of the lavender baby blanket.
Knitting: I had to take a break from knitting because my shoulders were protesting. So the thumbs on the 'Past Peak' mittens still have to be fiddled with, but I have completed the cuffs for the Lithuanian mittens.
Spinning: I finished the 'Jailhouse Rocks' merino top. Hopefully, I will be able to find some black merino top for the third ply.

Weaving: No progress on the sari yarn table runner. However, I did work up a quick sample to send throught the laundry, so make sure nothing weird will happen when I wash the runner.

I confess to being relieved that the Biden/Harris ticket came out on top; that particular nightmare is over. What really appalls me, though, were the attempts at voter suppression. That is about as un-American as one can get. I am also disturbed over how divided the nation is. Maybe it is time for the United States to split up?

Two degrees of separation

Remember that game with the premise that everyone enjoys six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon? I know a couple of Hollywood actors, so I probably have that covered, but I've come to think of my nearness to Covid cases in terms of degrees of separation. My granddaughter is quarantined because someone in her class tested positive. I consider that one degree of separation for her, two for me. Needless to say, we did not make it to the gem and mineral meeting this past week, although she remains symptom-free.

Crochet: Work continues on the lavender baby blanket. I've completed about 7 out of 24 inches, then there will be several rounds for the border.
Knitting: I am basically done with the 'Past Peak' mittens except I am not satisfied with the thumbs, so will fiddle with those a bit before I consider this project complete. Meanwhile, I started another pair of mittens, Lithuanian Ribby knit mittens, in gray with some red. 'Past Peak' are worsted weight yarn on US7 needles; Lithuanian Ribby are worsted weight on US1, which is making my hands hurt a bit.

Spinning: Almost halfway through the 'Jailhouse Rock' top. Originally, I wanted to create a two-ply worsted weight yarn, but the merino top would not cooperate. Now I would like it to be three-ply, with one ply in black. The only problem is I can't seem to find any black merino superwash top. I may have to buy white and dye it myself.

My son and his girl friend sent me an Instant Pot for my birthday. I've tried several things in it, but am not sold on its usefulness. For one thing, it does not save on labor - you still have to chop those veggies. Sometimes it doesn't save on cooking time. And the results are not going to taste the same. So far, I like it for hard boiled eggs - so easy to peel, everytime! White rice is just as easy (and tastier) cooked on the stove. Yesterday I tried a pot roast - 1 hour of cooking instead of 4 - but I didn't care for the results. Another angle of IP cooking is it takes some of the enjoyment and sensory pleasure out of cooking. I'll keep trying, though. It might be like shopping at Costco - it takes a while to make it work for you. If anyone has any recipes to recommend, please leave them in the comments.

Stash busting plan

I have a LOT of Cascade 220 Superwash in colors that no one wants to wear anymore. My granddaughter used to love pink, but no more. I knit her a sweater in lavender which she found too hot. Then there are bits and bobs that are left over from other projects. What to do with all that yarn? Why, crochet baby blankets!

Crochet: Started (and started and started once again) a baby blanket that uses a shell stitch.

Knitting: Progress continues on the mittens.

Spinning: Started spinning some Blue Moon Sheep-2-Shoe superwash merino top, in 'Jailhouse Rock' (which I would have named 'Tie-dyed Rainbow'). I'm not making socks with it; I learned the hard way that sock yarn has nylon in it for a reason.

My SO and I have one more pottery class next week; we'll be glazing our pieces. I will probably take my granddaughter to her gem and mineral meeting later that same week, primarily because she earned a badge and I think it will be presented then. The city has okay'd Trick or Treating; I plan to put goodie bags on a table in the driveway for the little goblins. After that, I will curtail my already curtailed activities as Covid cases continue to surge, here and elsewhere. I'm not sure what we'll do about the holidays besides wait and see. Wear a mask, wash your hands, stay home if you can, be safe.

Corriedale Cross

This yarn is from some more of the roving that my fiber blogging friend sent me. The label said "Paradise Fibers Ashland Bay Corriedale Cross". I knew Paradise Fibers is the vendor (and they are still in business), but I thought maybe Ashland Bay was a sheep breed that had been crossed with Corriedale. Not so. Corriedale Cross is a cross between Merino ewes and Leicester or Lincoln rams. Or so the Paradise Fibers website says.

Fiber: Paradise Fibers Ashland Bay Corriedale Cross in ecru
Wheel: Ashford Joy 2
Technique: Nothing special
Spun: worsted, Z-twist at an 8:1 ratio
Plied: 2-ply, S-twist at an 8:1 ratio
WPI: 8-9
Yardage: 304 yards
Weight: 238 grams (8.5 oz)

I started spinning this fiber during a weaving guild zoom meeting and felt a bit flustered. Otherwise, I don't think I would have chosen the ratio I did. The twist is a bit tight, which creates a yarn with high grist. I'm not sure what I'll do with this yarn, but I can almost guarantee that it will get dyed.

Preparing to hibernate

Sometimes I feel bad about how little time I devote to fiber arts these days, but the gorgeous fall weather beckons. There is never a lack of tasks inside or out, but lately I have been out. Soon, though, the garden will be put to bed for the winter. Besides plenty of fiber and potential projects, I have a stack of jigsaw puzzles, a new Instant Pot, and a looming home improvement project to keep me occupied when it turns cold.

Knitting: I am back where I was a week ago, with completed thumb gussets on both mittens.
Spinning: I finished plying the Corriedale cross roving. Separate post to follow.

The spinning guild had another Zoom meeting, with ten in attendance. At the last meeting, I gently campaigned that we meet in-person, but Covid cases in Indiana are surging, so I don't see that happening anytime soon. We are looking for ways to continue in a meaningful way.

Noodles on doorknobs

My granddaughter teased me yesterday about the "noodles" hanging from doorknobs. She was referring to the ecru yarn that I am plying. After steaming the loose skeins to set the twist, I hang them on doorknobs to let them get completely dry before twisting them into a compact skein.

Knitting: Working on fingerless mitts (that may become regular mittens if there is enough yarn). I *was* almost done with the thumb gussets before deciding I was not doing them right (the pattern instructions are a bit vague). So I am back at the beginning of the gussets.
Spinning: About halfway through plying the Corriedale (which I now realize is a Corriedale cross). I was concerned that the twist was too tight, but the result looks balanced.

If memory serves (a BIG if), the yarn I am using for the fingerless mitts was hand dyed using mason jars and a microwave. Being curious, I googled to see how that is done and found a plethora of methods, some using Easter egg dyes, some KoolAid, some acid dyes, etc. There are so many ways to dye yarn, don't let anyone tell you their way the the only way.

My granddaughter is making her Halloween costume - a snowy owl. She is becoming proficient with a glue gun. (Photo courtesy of her mom.)

Don't forget to vote!

Wool hat weather

On today's dog walk, I wore a handknit wool hat for this first time this season. Temps below 40, no wind, perfect for rosy cheeks. I'm looking forward to wearing more wool as fall moves into winter.

Knitting: I picked out some yarn for the fingerless mitts that dates back to the Vermont Yarn Crawl of 2009. It's a bit coarse (Corriedale) and feels like there is still lanolin in it. I knit up a swatch to test gauge.

Spinning: Still working on the Corriedale roving.
Weaving: The sari yarn table runner came off the loom this week. It's quite colorful. I'm still working on finishing the ends (black warp yarn - looks great against the bright colors, but a pain to finish).

This morning I was saddened to read of the passing of Cat Bordhi. She rated an obituary in the NYTimes, which is saying something of the impact she had on the knitting world. I never mastered knitting socks on circular needles, but maybe I should give it another try, in her honor.