Knitting

Still Behind

Posted on by Dan

I should just stop making promises about updating this blog with much frequency. I have good intentions, I promise, but I am unable to deliver. So, while time between updates increases, so does the backlog of projects to share (which is a good thing, since it means there will usually be something to share with you when I actually get around to updating). And, as usual, it’s Virginia who is providing the scratchcraftiness. If I were to wait for my finished projects before posting, you’d probably be fine with checking back once every 6 months or so.

Latvian Fingerless Mitts

Fingerless Mittens

These are from Véronik Avery’s book Knitting Classic Style. She knit these using Shetland Spindrift yarn.

Fingerless Mittens

More Socks!

Sock #18 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #17 (52 Sock Challenge)

I gave up keeping track of the actual number of socks she has made. I find it a little sad that I’ve become somewhat desensitized to these marvels. Thinking back to when I first started this blog (way back in the days of SPIN | KNIT – all that’s left is this archive…) I would have probably spent two or three posts devoted to a single pair. Now, it seems like I’m throwing whole bunches of them in each post.

I think a balance can be struck somewhere closer to the original aspirations of this blog. A project a post seems out of reach. But, a post with more than three projects seems to be little more than an inventory listing. And, since I’m unable to follow through with my promises, I’ll only reiterate that my intentions are good. Stay posted!

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Playing Catch-up

Posted on by Dan

It’s really quite astounding how quickly time sneaks by. There are several crafty updates that I want to share before the next round of goodies (which are finished — just waiting their turn in front of the camera).

I’ve finished spinning the 12 oz. of Corriedale (dyed four colors in 3 oz chunks). You may recall earlier posts (here and here), charting the progress. It really wasn’t that big of a project, it just took me a long time to finish.

Handspun - Corriedale

Handspun - Corriedale

These are also 3 oz. skeins with approximately 300 yards a piece. In total I have about 1,300 yards of 2-ply yarn in four colors that could very well work together, or on their own. No project in mind, yet…

Virginia wrapped up another pair of socks. This time using a stitch pattern from the book “Sensational Knitted Socks” and knitting with three colors of ShiBui yarn.

Sock #16 (52 Sock Challenge)

A few more pair nearly fell off the radar because I have been so slow in updating this blog.

Sock #15 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #14 (52 Sock Challenge)

Last, but certainly not least, Virginia celebrated her birthday last week.

Bouquet

Nothing brightens the home like the last flowers of the farmer’s market season.

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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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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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