Diamond Gansey

Posted on by Dan

I usually consider myself a lucky person, having home, hearth and health all in good supply. But, there is no question that the benefits of being married to someone who knits (among the other countless attributes that Virginia possesses) is something I am always grateful for.

Recently, she finished knitting and seaming the Diamond Gansey (by Martin Storey, from Rowan’s Knitting for Him). The yarn is Rowan’s Wool Cotton, which provides the perfect weight and drape for a garment like this. It also (as shown by the photos) does a very nice job of showing the stitch pattern detail.

Diamond Gansey

Diamond Gansey

I think I’ve mentioned before that I have unusually long arms, so finding a sweater that has long enough sleeves without being so huge around the body is difficult. Obviously, I’ve stopped worrying about it since most sweaters in this household are now custom made.

Diamond Gansey

Diamond Gansey

I’m allowed to boast a little since I didn’t do the work — I think it’s perfect.

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Fine Furried Friends

Posted on by Dan

What happens when you have long periods of waiting (away from home), an overabundant fiber stash (with some of that fiber a bit too slubby to spin), and a latent god/creator complex.

You make furry companions.

Bear and Chicken

Bear and Chicken

Bear and Chicken

Ok, the god complex might be a bit of an exaggeration, and something had to happen with that fiber — better to surround one’s self with furried friends than just furried bags of fiber.

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Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

Posted on by Dan

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

Though no kilt was made to accompany these, they’d be perfect for traipsing around the highlands.

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

These are from Nancy Bush’s Folk Socks, knit with Regia Silk (4-ply).

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

Virginia says Mustaa villaa is always an inspiration. Her particular choice of yarn for this pattern was too hard to resist and so she down-right copied her. 🙂

While she was wrapping those up, she finished another pair of basic socks (knit using ONline Supersocke).

Sock #12 (52 Sock Challenge)

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Pickles and (take a guess) Socks

Posted on by Dan

Virginia, I’m sad to say, is not going to have a finished big project for the month of July. Life, right now, is taking the driver’s seat, and leaving the projects we’d like to be finishing, well, unfinished. But, such is life, with its many ups and downs. We take it all.

However, I wouldn’t just post to the site without leaving you with some actual scratchcrafty goodness. Even though the big projects are on hold, does not mean the smaller projects are not being completed. These two pairs of socks, for instance, were wrapped up in the last week.

Sock #10 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #11 (52 Sock Challenge)

This last one is Mountain Colors Bearfoot doubled up. That means twice the squish, and probably twice the warmth.

For my own distraction today, I decided to try my hand at some pickling. I picked up 6 pounds of organic cucumbers, a bunch of dill and some garlic from the farmer’s market today.

Pickles, part 1

After comparing a couple of different recipes from several locations, I decided on a vinegar/water/salt solution, with added dill and dill seeds, peppercorns, and garlic. The solution boiled and then, after pouring it over the stuffed jars, I processed it all in boiling water for 20 minutes. The results:

Pickles, part 2

I think we’ll be ready for a cold, crunchy pickle in a couple of weeks… very exciting.

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Boards, part four (with added sock & spinning goodness)

Posted on by Dan

I’m going gangbusters with all the building. The weather has been so amazingly cooperative that I have to take advantage of it… knowing there is such a limited supply of good weather in Minnesota. The next thing converted from the old deck is this:

Chair made from old deck

We don’t live on the east coast, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy what will be our patio (see the dirt behind the chair?) on our new adirondack chair(s). I’m still working on the second, but this one, besides needing some waterproofing, is definitely usable.

Surprisingly, I was even able to finish another 3 oz. of Corriedale top that we dyed up. This is 2-ply and approximately 330 yards.

Handspun - Corriedale

I’ve got two more dyed bundles of this (different colors), that will hopefully be spun around the same weight (if I don’t fall out of practice from all the woodworking I’m doing), so I’ll end up with four yarns of about the same weight and yardage to use together (or separately, if Virginia decides she wants to use one).

Speaking of Virginia; she’s finished another pair of socks knit from some worsted weight wool that she dyed up awhile ago. Knit on size 3US needles, they have a denser fabric to help make them wear longer.

Sock #9 (52 Sock Challenge)

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