Something New

Whenever I'm overwhelmed with work I feel the need to start something new. In keeping with that I started a new cardigan today. I'm going for something thick and cozy. This was my swatch and the gauge was good enough that I kept going on the sleeve. The reds are not as bright as the picture and the green is really a forest green. Can't figure out why the colors aren't true as I took it in direct sunlight. I'm not sure what I want to do with the ribbing, so I used a provisional cast-on. Here's what I've got done so far.

The plan (at least for now!) is to keep going with green for the rest of the sleeve. Use the same combinations for the body, but instead of 3, 4, and 5 row peeries I'll use a couple of 13 row borders too. When I put the body and sleeves together I'll repeat the patterns in the yoke. After pouring through books the last few days I ended up using graphs from Starmore's article in Threads. I was really inspired by the graphs in Zilboorg's Fancy Feet too. I hadn't picked that one up in ages. I really think it's the planning process that I need when I'm stressed. Everything is in the realm of possibilities and you get so caught up in colors and patterns that you can forget 150 students - oh, crap, I just reminded myself - better get back to work!

New Project

Whenever I'm overwhelmed with work I feel the need to start something new. In keeping with that I started a new cardigan today. I'm going for something thick and cozy. This was my swatch and the gauge was good enough that I kept going on the sleeve. The reds are not as bright as the picture and the green is really a forest green. Can't figure out why the colors aren't true as I took it in direct sunlight. I'm not sure what I want to do with the ribbing, so I used a provisional cast-on. Here's what I've got done so far.

Here's the plan (at least for now!) - keep going with green for the rest of the sleeve. Use the same combinations but instead of 3, 4, and 5 row peeries I'll use a couple of 13 row borders too. After pouring through books I ended up using graphs from Starmore's article in Threads. I was really inspired by the graphs in Zilboorg's sock book too. I hadn't picked that one up in ages.

Stuck in Brown

I finished the brown handspun a few days ago, but I'm not sure if it's too short. I don't think it is, but it's just shorter than I usually wear. Maybe I'll wear it for a day and see how I feel. I could always rip out the bottom and add a longer garter stitch hem or put in 3" of ribbing like I have at the cuffs.

I'm trying to finish a hat that I'm making for my nephew out of 50/50 brown corriedale and greyish mohair. I want to have it in the mail by Tuesday. If I send it Priority mail it should get to Iowa on Friday. That's when we're having our extended family gift-giving party so it won't technically be late. Stephan wasn't able to come back this Christmas, but at least I got to see him at his brother's wedding in October. I know I'll get the hat done tonight, but what are my chances of making a quick scarf by Tuesday???

As you can imagine the kids are hyped to the max at school. They did get together and decorate the homeroom door this year, although I worried that conflicting artistic ideas were going to end in fisticuffs

Finished another one

I finished another handspun sweater yesterday - well, my interpretation of finished (which means I still have the side seams to sew up)! My camera is in Florida with Josh, he's at the Eagles/Dolphins game as I type, so pictures will have to wait. Hopefully I'll be able to sew it up and block it tomorrow night. I just got home - I'm taking a Vegas class (tonight and Wed) and the thought of focusing on those seams doesn't sound too inviting.

Snow Day (sort of)

The snow started on my way to school yesterday. The kids (those that showed up) were so wound up that we couldn't get anything done. We ended up with an early dismissal at 12:50. After tapdancing all day to keep the kids entertained, I plopped in a chair and knitted.

This morning I got up at 5:15 (why do I even bother to turn off the alarm on Friday night?) and started dyeing. The sea blue (teal, aquamarine, whatever) on the top rungs is the 2 lbs of corriedale I finished a few months ago. I used one package of Dark Green Cushings and 2 tsps. turqoise Sabraset. It was still a little too bright so I glubbed in some navy Sabraset I had leftover. This is going to be a hooded sweatshirt type pullover.

The dark plum on the bottom is one pound of the Cardinal Red romney I dyed last December. I did two pounds before I realized that using equal weights and equal dye doesn't necessarily mean the same shade :-) I used the same dyepot from the corriedale and just added more navy. After mixing with the red already in there it turned a really deep plum.

In the middle is another pound of the same romney. I used the Dark Green Cushings for that too. The red, plum, and green are going to be a heavy barn sweater. I'm mulling around ideas for borders, probably zig zags or some other geometric design going around the bottom of the body and sleeves.

While the dye was cooking I was able to wind a 4 yard warp for a scarf for Laura. I used the mohair/acrylic blend that I bought from WEBS during Stitches last year (2002). I threaded a point twill and got about 4 inches woven. Now, back to my chair, my knitting, and a drink!

Fun Little Tool

I remembered this nifty little tool I bookedmarked this summer. Although it's not really for acid dyes, I think it will give me a good starting point for mixing. I'm thinking about a teal or sea green so I think I'll start with 2:2:1 mix of royal blue 483, turquoise 480, and yellow 180 (Sabraset numbers). Maybe we'll have a snow day tomorrow (wishful thinking mode)

Ta Da!

I finished my first handspun sweater. I bought the fiber from the Woodchuck's wife (don't remember if she had a business name, but she sold fiber in his booth at MDS&W for a couple of years). It was so loud in the bag that I don't think I would have even considered it without seeing the sample she had knitted up. I had only been spinning for a year or two, so I didn't realize how much the colors mute and blend when they are spun and plied.

It's a little big through the shoulders, but overall I'm happy with it. I'm also psyched that I figured out how to take my own picture. Using the self-timer and putting the camera on top of my monitor is just the ticket. Of course, now I'll have to remember to close the closet door behind me :-)