I really dislike the panic that comes with knitting to a deadline. That would include Christmas, birthdays, and in this case, the disappearance of the writing system I have been using for decades. It disappears Oct. 1. Soooon.
This will be the last pattern I post up on ravelry. An Any Gauge Crewneck Cardigan. I’m almost there.
A little over half a sleeve to go. Everything else is on hold.
Deadlines, a great way to take the joy of knitting away. Not good for me. How about you?
Do we ever lose that feeling that September is the beginning of the year? School starts again and here we go. I don’t have anyone going to school, except my grandson, so it’s a false start for me but I still feel like I have to take a look at what I need to be doing as we head into fall.
There are always projects to finish up. Some will take longer than others and I’m trying to give myself reasonable timelines. I’m not too good at this.
This is the Contiguous Drop Shoulder Pullover for my daughter-in-law. She tried it on so I have some idea of what I need to do to finish.
I have finished the cropped body length she wanted but can you believe she has 22″ long arms? Tall people, geez. I will be knitting sleeves for quite some time. I’m giving myself a Christmas deadline. That seems reasonable, right?
Of course, I did cast on another pair of socks (speaking of Christmas, is too early to mention that word?). Toe up socks that I got started on while watching curling over the weekend. Watching curling behind the glass is good practice for knitting while not looking at my work. I only dropped one stitch. Not bad. Of course I only noticed after knitting an inch past it so I just added a new stitch where I needed to and will sew that dropped stitch in. That sort of decided which was the top of the foot and which the bottom.
A small project was important because I have two larger projects on the go.
This is the 4×4 Ribbed Tank for my daughter. I’m knitting in Summer Silk, silk/linen blend, by Shelridge Yarns. It’s lovely and soft.
Screenshot
The 4×4 rib does take some concentration because it’s not automatic the way 2×2 ribbing is for me. Another longer deadline. I may need another small project that I can finish. I’m not setting myself up very well here.
One last sweater, because where would I be without several sweaters to knit!
This will be an Any Gauge Crew Neck cardigan that I will publish as soon a I get it finished. Maybe this jumps to the top of the priority list?
What I really want to knit is log cabin squares of my handspun. This is calling to me constantly. I must be strong and not listen too often. Maybe if I tossed it in the furnace room I wouldn’t be able to hear it. Does this ever work?!
So here we are. Summer is closing out and knitting weather is coming. Are you ready?
It’s time to say goodbye to Northern Ontario for this summer.
Time to head home.
First we’re visiting friends. So a long drive but I’m totally looking forward to it. I’m currently working on two projects which are good travelling companions.
I have started the sleeves of my Contiguous Drop Shoulder.
It did take some figuring out to get the helical stripes going in the proper sequence. Two tries later, and several rounds where I didn’t quite believe it, it’s worked out. Yay.
I cast on my log cabin blanket. I am using my handspun wool. The red square, in Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather sport, is tradition for quilts. I think it’s going to look great.
My handspun wool is very thick and thin but that’s where I am right now with my apinning. I might make one of those frames with 4 posts for the corners, to pile up the squares so they can be blocked to somewhat the same size.
This square needs two more sections of grey and then one square down and many more to go, LOL.
I’ve been thinking of fall projects. Nothing firm yet but fun to ponder. How about you? Thoughts about knitting fun coming up?
Last July I was introduced to spinning at the Elliot Lake Summer Fibre Camp. I didn’t know if it would take. I always said I wouldn’t learn because knitting is a big part of my life and who needs anything else?!
I borrowed a spinning wheel but was too scared to try it out until October. I watched a ton of spinning videos and then got busy. I spun and spun and spun. I love it.
This year I signed up again.
I was the only person who returned. There were 11 people new to spinning who were all struggling as I was last year. After 2 days it was amazing how many really got going and improved greatly after the first day.
I was able to help a couple people out with some tips that helped me get started. Next year I will be an official teacher. Yikes! That’s a big step.
After two days spinning outside we hit the Elliot Lake Arts Club‘s studio for a dyeing class with Lyn of Shelridge Yarns.
They dyed their spinning and some fibre with chemical dyes. I stayed for a bit but had promised to take my grandson fishing so only did a little bit.
On Day 4 we did natural dyeing which was greatly expanded from last year. We dyed with Logwood (purple), red onion skins (orange) and black eyed susan flowers (green/gray).
Can you see all the variation in colour we got? Natural dyeing is always a surprise. Skeins in the bottom of the pot were darker (we didn’t stir too much since there were other things to do).
Friday we plied up what we had done and it was all over. A great 5 days of fibre, fibre, fibre. Can’t wait until next year.
To set up the steek, at the top of the shoulder I cast on an extra 5 sts where the armhole will go. Then I continued knitting round and round for 8.5″, the length of the armhole, cast off those 5 sts and continued to knit round and round for the body.
So here we are. I’m ready with the scissors. But first, I ran a length of grey yarn down on either side of the 5 steek sts.
Then with cream coloured yarn I crocheted a slip stitch through the two legs of a column of sts, inside the grey line.
Now I cut.
Now that both armholes are open my DIL can try it on for some final measurements.
Just a couple more inches needed on the body for a cropped sweater. Then the rest of the summer will be sleeve knitting.
