New Year, new scarf, new long-term project

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Where has the time gone? It’s 2018! The year 2017 flew by for me. Due to my left wrist/arm giving me issues, I haven’t done too much knitting.

However, a few days ago, I started knitting this infinity scarf. It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized that I somehow twisted the stitches…. whoops! That rarely happens and I’m seriously thinking of just leaving the ‘design flaw’ there. If it bothers me too much, I’ll rip out the stitches and start over. I’m a process knitter, so redoing this (which I’ve already restarted this already to create a different stitch) won’t phase me at all.

Last evening, I purchased this yarn and will start making a knitted blanket. It’s Paton’s Dk Superwash wool, the color combination is ‘Welsh Coast.’ I’m wondering how long it will take me to complete? We’ll see…

More socks…

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Since my last writing, I’ve finished a pair of socks for myself and I am working on knitting four at a time socks. Which means a pair for my daughter and another for myself! It’s a long and slow process since I’m experiencing a lot of wrist pain with my left wrist. Naturally, this is a bit frustrating for me since I’m used to knitting quickly. However, I’m doing my best to listen to the doctor and be attentive with my physical and occupational therapy. I’m hoping, in a few months I’ll be able to knit again. Until then, I have a few sewing projects that have been languishing for quite some time. I’ll be sure to post about the cute projects my daughter and I are making very soon.

Soapmaking: cold processed soap

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Last Sunday,

I was able to show a friend how to make cold processed soap. It sure was a lot of fun! They left with about eight pounds of soap, the two soap molds that were curing the soap and my first soap cutter.

 

Since I had planned on giving them the bulk of the soap I only had leftovers, which filled this cedarwood soap mold about halfway.

I promptly wrapped a towel around my mold. I’m unsure why, since I do have a cover for this mold, but it doesn’t matter, the soap was covered and insulated.

My friend received 36 bars of soap from the soap that was made at my home. How much did I receive from the leftovers? Six bars of soap and that’s fine by me. I have lots of soap at my home, easily 60 bars of soap. This coming week, I’ll be making a big batch of soap that might be ready by Christmas. If so, I’ll be giving away a few bars to my daughter’s teachers.

Knitting two at a time: Dusty rose cable knit socks

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I’ve been working on these lovely handknit socks for longer than I care to admit. My left shoulder and wrist have been giving me a lot of pain and so normal activities that would take me a week to do can languish for months, such as these handknit socks. My daughter has a similar pair in the same color scheme, but hers are mainly stockinette stitch (her request) almost the entire length of her socks. Also, her socks are crew length. The socks I’m making have surpassed that and might be knee-high socks if I allow myself to knit them that long. We’ll see. Currently, I must admit being a tad impatient since I’m eager to wear with my adored Dr. Martens. I’ve made a lot of progress on these socks and am now speedily in the long home stretch of knitting the cuffs.

The above picture was taken last week. I ordered additional yarn, in case I do want to make knee high socks and that should be arriving tomorrow, which is perfect since I’m might have 150 yards left on the current yarn skein. After I’m finished the cuff, I’ll go back and redo the heel. I think the heel is a bit too big and this will be the perfect opportunity for me to attempt to recreate heel socks. This will be the first time that I’ve attempted that and I must say that I’m looking forward to the opportunity.  While I’m doing that, I believe I will reinforce the heel and toe of the socks. The yarn used to knit these socks are made from 100% merino wool. I anticipate these socks receiving a lot of wear (even though I have plenty of socks to wear) and so it makes sense to make them as durable as possible, right?

Dr. Martens and customized shoelaces…

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Earlier this week, I fulfilled a long-time wish and purchased a pair of Dr. Martens. I’ve loved them since I was in college, but for some reason, I never got around to purchasing them until now. It was a want and spending over $100 for a pair of boots, isn’t something I typically do. But… Dr. Martens, tend to last a long time especially if they’re well maintained. I take great care of my items. I much prefer quality over quantity and so, I finally purchased a pair. The standard black shoelaces were instantly discarded and replaced with these shoelaces.

Just look at them, how can you not like them? Yes, I crafted them myself.

 

Recycled photo of my bias tape machine

 

That bias tape was created with leftover scraps from a bolero jacket that I’d designed and crafted for my daughter when she was nine years old, so… five years ago.

Where did I get the shoelaces? I made them from the bias tape, that I’d created with my binder tape machine, that was about two years ago, and I wrote about this particular bias tape that I’d made with my bias tape machine in this post.

Since my Dr. Martens arrived on Wednesday, I’ve been wearing them daily. To break them in of course… and I must say, I’m enjoying this simple pleasure immensely. My daughter said, “Mom, it’s about time you start working yourself into the purchasing something for yourself equation.” I imagine she’s right. Early next year, my daughter and I’ll be visiting the closest Dr. Marten’s store to us, which is located in Washington, DC and, I’ll be purchasing a pair of shoes for my daughter. She does love boots and owns a pair of Timberlands. Her favorite shoe is Sperrys, both are great quality brands, that last a long time… with proper maintenance.

Earlier this month, I celebrated my 47th birthday and while I don’t get into my own birthday, my daughter does. She sketched for me a lovely picture and, she wrote me the most beautiful letter. I’m framing both. What she gave me and the above boots make this birthday a bit more memorable.