Sew I See!

Here's another long-overdue finished object report! This is a project I've written about multiple times before, back when it was still in-progress.  Basically, it's a Catherine wheel pattern worked in two colorways of the same yarn.  The whole thing was inspired by this lovely scarf , which the crocheter called her "Rhubarb Scarf", because (if I recall correctly) the colors of the yarn and the ruffled edging reminded her of rhubarb.  (I think you have to sign in with Ravelry to see the scarf at the link above.) I dyed my own yarn, and because of the crazy colors, my resultant scarf bears little resemblance to its inspiration, but it was an interesting project, all the same. "Rhubarb Scarf Wannabe" Pattern:   "Noro Catherine Wheel Scarf" by Michelle Mooney (Pattern free on Ravelry) Yarn:  Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Weight Solids, "Soft White" hand-dyed (see below) I think I used three skeins, though there was prob...

I don't have a lot of craft-project progress to report, but there's a little . - - - - - - - The faux cathedral windows denim quilt is still just sitting there, clamped down in the old Singer, looking at me reproachfully every time I go in the room.  The last time I was working on it, the upper thread kept breaking.  Very frustrating!  (Especially after arranging/positioning the quilt just so, only to have the thread break a few stitches later.) I have a short list of possible problems and solutions.  I'll start with the easy ones-- changing out the thread (in case it's a bad spool), then (if/when the new thread doesn't help) putting on a new needle.  If that doesn't work, it will be time to start fiddling with the tension settings, but I'm hoping it won't be necessary.  (It was working fine not long ago!  Those tension settings shouldn't need changing, should they?) I'm tempted to just bundle the whole thing up and donate it, but I...

(Ah, dyeing!  What other crafty pursuit offers such rich opportunities for puns?)   I've dyed yarn for the edging of the Catherin Wheel scarf (a.k.a. the Rhubarb Scarf Wannabe, which in almost no way resembles the inspiration scarf). I took my last skein of "soft white" Deborah Norville's Premier Serenity Sockweight Whatever-It's-Called yarn... a microwave-safe bowl... a little white vinegar... and globs of No-Taste Red and Royal Blue Wilton food dye (gel form).  I followed the same basic procedure for microwave dyeing that I described (at length) in this blog entry -- only all the yarn went into a single bowl.  (Not fussing with multiple colors and mini-hanks really speeds up the process!) Here's an "in-progress" photo: And of course, when I gently rearranged the hank to check that all the yarn got some dye, I realized that there were undissolved blobs of red gel at the bottom of the bowl.  So now there are some highly saturated red sp...

Inspired by a tutorial video mentioned in an earlier entry, I decided to dye some semi-solid yarn. I started with cream/natural (I think they call it "aran") Fishermen's Wool.  Wound the whole skein onto the swift into a large hank and tied in a few places (as always).  Pre-soaked the yarn.  Heated a large stock pot.  Mixed up some food coloring... I basically followed the method in the video.  I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, and for a while I was concerned that it was going to be plain ugly. Fortunately, there's almost always the option of adding more dye, and until it dried, I was pretty sure that I'd need to over-dye (dye it again) to get some variation in color.  When it was completely dry, though, there seemed to be enough subtle shading to keep it interesting, so I wound it into a gigantic cake.  Not sure if you can tell from the photo, but that's a lot of yarn for one cake!   The winder could just bare...

Back as promised with details from the dyeing! Administer caffeine now , because this one's a rambler... (Or, you know, skim and/or skip at will.) - - - - - - - The goal was to dye yarn with (what I believe are usually called) long color repeats. The key to long color repeats is to not just make one long hank of yarn by either whirling it onto the swift or wrapping it around chairs, end of a table, etc.  You can do that and carefully dip or paint sections in different colors if you want short repeats, which read as blips of color in knitted or crocheted fabric. For example, I dyed this yarn with lots of splotches of color, which was lots of fun to do: And then I knitted it into this hat, which I found disappointing: It was just too mottled for my taste. Striping it with another, darker yarn, though, yielded a result that I did like, because it broke up some of the mottling.  Still, though, I think you can see what I mean by "blips of color": ...

A couple of days ago, something reminded me of a scarf that I've admired for years-- Moonstitches' Rhubarb Scarf .  I'd like to make something similar.  The stitch itself seems simple enough.  It's a version of the well-known "Catherine Wheel".  What's more, there's now a free pattern inspired by the scarf , so you don't have to fiddle around with working out a pattern for yourself.  (It even includes a ruffled edge!) However, for me, the allure of the original scarf has at least as much to do with the color choices as it does with the stitch pattern (though that scrumptious ruffled edge has definite appeal).  But that yarn is Japanese, difficult to locate (possibly discontinued), and when located , is not the right colorway-- and costs more than I'm willing to pay, anyway.  The yarn in question (Diakeito Diamusee Fine) is a "light fingering"-- and I happen to have a few skeins of perfectly dye-able light fingering yarn in my s...

Various and Sundry: The linen stitch cowl was put on almost-finished hold because I'm not sure how "tall" I want it to be.  Also, because I was getting a little tired of it.  (I do love the way linen stitch looks, though, and I'm saving all my smaller remnants of wool-based yarn for a linen stitch scarf.  There are some gorgeous examples on Ravelry.) - - - - - - - When I put down the cowl, I picked up some old, on-going WIPs.  The "So Ugly It's Cute" afghan and the "Granny's Daughter" afghan, to be exact.  I added 40 mini-grannies to the Ugly-Cute bag and 20 micro-grannies to the tin where I'm keeping those.  I have more of each kind waiting for end-weaving before I can add them to the tallies. If I keep the Ugly-Cute afghan on the small (one-person) size-- and I probably will-- I think I can glimpse the end of the project, in the distance.  (Well, I can glimpse the end of the mini-granny-making portion.  Then there's...

I actually took a few craft-related photos, earlier this week!  (It's hard to believe, I know.) - - - - - - - A few doilies... ...including two of the same pattern. This is the Peony Doily , which is a free pattern. There are a few issues with the pattern, but nothing too bad, and it gives a pretty result.  Then there's an Octoberfest doily: I've made this one before, too, but I seem to have forgotten to take a photo before I gave it to my grandmother... I blocked and photographed another doily at the same time as those, but it's a Christmas present, so it'll have to wait.  :o( I think the two Peony Doilies are the first I've shared here that I made from my stash of Cébélia size 10.  I've had it for a while, now, but was waiting for "the right pattern"-- or to finally feel that I was accomplished enough to do it justice, somehow.  Then we had to plan for our trip, and my inner drama queen / worrywart / worst-case-scenari...

I added some more motifs to the Gypsying afghan, over the weekend, and this afternoon I laid it out on the bed where I could look at it.  Placing the still unattached motifs beside it, I think I've worked out how many more rows/columns I need to add.  (Two of each.)  Then I'll have to look at it again and give it a test run.  ;o)  I want it to be at least long enough to stretch out under.  Once it's long enough, I'll fill in the big gaps with half-hexies.  Then there's the border to consider... I have to say, I'm very pleased with it, so far.  I only wish I were closer to being finished.  We've definitely reached the point (which I encounter in just about every project) where I want it done so I can move on to something else.  This almost always happens-- even when I enjoy the process.  I'm impatient to start something new. - - - - - - - Speaking of next projects... I think I've decided to go ahead and frog that beret...

Augh! Where does the time go?  It's already Thanksgiving (and then Black Friday) this week!  Monday is my husband's birthday ( already?! )... and then the month of December will be whisking by, with all its gatherings and obligations. How does this happen every year?  I love the holidays in theory , but gosh, they have a way of sneaking up on me every single year .  I never seem to be prepared in advance, even when I started making gifts back in January! That said, I don't actually have many gifts left to make (if only I could say the same about my gift- shopping , which I haven't even begun).  There are three or four that need some finishing... A few more that need washing and photographing (which I've been putting off because I want to make sure they'll smell fresh when they're opened and not like they've been stuffed in a drawer or closet for half a year)... Then there's a bigger sewing project that is not even halfway done.  (Fortunately, i...

Yep, I gave in to temptation last week (so the wet sheep smell is long gone (g)) and treated myself to some yarn-dyeing!  (After a draining, depressing Tuesday, I needed some fun.) I started with a skein of Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in "Natural".  I know that this yarn isn't considered of the highest quality by many, but it has its good points.  It's readily available in even big-box craft stores (where you can use a coupon to get it at an affordable price).  The yardage is fantastic-- 465 yards of worsted weight per skein.  And it's 100% wool, which is perfect for playing around with dye.  It's not superwash (which means you can't just toss it it the washing machine-- hand washing is a must), but that makes it good for felting, if you've ever wanted to try that.  It's not the softest yarn ever and may be a little scratchy against the most sensitive skin, but for something like hats or outerwear, I think it's just fine.  So, with such...