Category: Knitting

About three weeks ago, I started on a new project. Knitting a test knit poncho. Initially, I was going to use alpaca… but I had recently purchased some raw mohair that I really liked and I thought the shimmer and the halo effect that mohair possess would look amazing with this poncho.

 

Three weeks later, and I’m finally knitting. Yes… it really DID take three weeks to get the mohair ready to knit. I had to clean the mohair, card, pick out tiny bits of vegetable matter and spin. It gets better…

Last Friday, the knitting designer sent out an email reminding everyone that we were at the halfway mark for this knitting project and to let her know if there were any issues. None for me, since I hadn’t even begun knitting. I had finished spinning and was in the process of dyeing all the handspun mohair yarn. Once I finished dyeing my handspun mohair yarn…

 

I started knitting on Monday evening.

and I’m thrilled to say that I’m at the halfway mark. I have not had a chance to devote too much time to knitting, however, I AM a fast knitter. I can’t wait until this is finished. It’s incredibly warm. Mohair is warmer than wool.

In other news…

When I need a break from the above project, I will create a hat or perhaps a cowl that uses beads. I’ve included two videos below.

 

I’m thrilled to say that I did complete my test knit lace cowl. In fact… I adore this pattern so much that I’ve decided to create a hat using the same four row repeat. You can see the WIP (work in progress) at the top of the above picture.

 

But back to my test knit…

There were a few errors along the way, which meant I had to rip out some of my work. I’ll be quick to say that they were all my errors. This pattern was written clearly and there was no confusion on the instructions on my part. I did learn a lesson, when my mind tells me to stop… I should listen. Seriously! Of course I didn’t, and that’s when the mistakes happen. My tired mind could not keep up with anything besides the basic  ‘knit and purl’ stitch and that became apparent with some of the silly mistakes that I made, which I had to rip out and do over. This four pattern repeat was not complicated, tossing in a few extras stitches proved too much for my tired brain to handle. Hee hee

Guess what? I’m knitting another test knit and this time it will be a cape! I love capes and have two or three woolen ones, but I’ve always wanted to knit one. My daughter does not like them at all, but me? Give me a drapey cape and I’m wearing it. Yes, I’ll choose that over a coat. Add a comfortable liner and I’ll wear it during the coldest weather.

The cape is from the same designer and… drum rolls, I get to use the cable stitch. It’s my favorite. Originally, I was going to spin the yarn using my much beloved merino, but there’s this inner voice that is saying, “Opal, use some of your alpaca fiber!” That fiber has been patiently waiting on the sidelines for about two months or so, and so I do believe I’ll listen to that internal voice. After all, cool weather and alpaca fiber go together quite nicely… and I can’t forget that alpaca fiber is three times warmer than wool, which is perfect for someone like me who gets cold quickly. This is my second test knit within the past few months. Why am I doing another? The reason is quite simple, in doing so I will complete the project in a timely manner and since this is another project, for me, this works out perfectly. While I tend to make time to craft, several times weekly, I rarely include myself within the crafting equation.

This is the second hat I’ve made with my handspun yarn and it’s incredibly soft. 

I knit this hat using the Finn/Alpaca blend that I spun a few months ago. See, the above picture?

This past Thursday, I started knitting this hat and I completed it the very next day.

See! I must say that I’m thrilled with how it looks. The first hat, that I knitted from my handspun yarn was knit early last week. I used some of my first handspun yarn to create that hat.

Last week, my nephew visited us. He came Tuesday and went back home yesterday (Saturday). We enjoyed his visit.

I made much more food than normal. My 13 year old daughter has a lot of energy, add in my nine year old nephew and boy does it get interesting! God blessed us with wonderful weather and so we spent a lot of time outdoors.

One evening… we even caught fireflies.

Here’s hoping you all are taking time to celebrate life!

Yesterday evening, I started crocheting a last minute birthday gift for my daughter. It’s right around the corner. See! It’s a crocheted bath puff. Now that I think about it, I haven’t crocheted anything in a few years.

I still have a few more rounds to do, and since I do have time, this will be completed some time today. This morning, before taking my daughter to school, I took the following pictures.

Here’s what has been happening outside.  Say hello to Eclipse, the outdoor cat. He’s super friendly, so I would not consider him feral and we feed him so he hangs outside our place.

Here’s a view of our garden.

It’s too big to include it all in this shot, but you get the idea, right?

And here’s a snapshot of some of the irises.

..and one of the woodpiles. It’s been so chilly here, we’ve been using our woodstove… in May! Brr

Here’s Mr. Bentley, the old man. He’s 10 years old. He’s super sweet and just likes to hang out and rest. He sounds the “bark alarm”  when there are strangers coming in the driveway, wind is too threatening, people talking or or whatever… 😜 He’s an equal opportunity barker!

Last but not least, here’s our newest, Bella!

She’s a Bichon Poo and she only knows one speed… and that’s fast! Even though I was only outside a few moments with Mr. B, this was how she greeted me. She always does that. She is my shadow.

Yesterday, this organization came across my Facebook feed. Despite the slight embarrassment at the name, I must say I’m intrigued with the organization. Since I do enjoy knitting and donating to those in need, I bookmarked the website and returned when I had time to learn more about Knitted Knockers.

I most likely will start making some of the knit prosthetics so they can be distributed. I will check at my local organizations first, to see if they have a need for them. If not, I’ll send my knitted knockers to the organization.

If you need guidance, there’s a video tutorial, broken into three parts, to assist you while you make the knockers.

Knitted Knocker Tutorial – Part 1

Knitted Knocker Tutorial – Part 2

Knitted Knocker Tutorial – Part 3