Spring Fever

Posted on by Dan

It would be an understatement for me say I can’t wait for Spring, and the warm weather it will bring. We had plans last year of taking some of our yard and using it for growing some staple veggies (tomatoes, red peppers, beans, etc…). Needless to say, we were thwarted in our attempts. And, as I spent last March and April observing the changing of the seasons from my hospital room, I couldn’t help wondering about the year to come. Well, Spring is around the corner and I’m plowing ahead with last year’s plans to start some seeds indoors and get some homegrown goodness to enjoy this Summer.

Seed Packets

It might be a tad bit early to be starting some of these plants indoors (given that the danger of frost doesn’t end until mid May). But, I’m starting them anyway… well, at least some tomatoes, red peppers and some hot peppers. Perhaps I will start some more in a couple of weeks and stagger them in the hopes of staggered yields come July and August. We shall see.

Peat Pots

I’m no farmer, but it sure is fun to think about dirt and sunshine and fresh food growing. So what if I’m a little early?

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Ripple Wrap (and a Happy Valentine’s Day)

Posted on by Dan

Ripple Wrap

Ripple Wrap

The colorful world of crochet continues to expand. You saw some of Virginia’s projects in progress a couple of posts ago. Since then, Virginia’s latest project, a wrap, features 12 colors of Cascade 220. That’s 12 out of a possible 220 colors available. Which, in my mind, makes it seem like she’s still got a long ways to go before all possibilities have been explored.

Ripple Wrap

Of course, the endless possibilities are one of the reasons we create. While a project is planned and executed, the next one begins to take shape. Inspiration can strike from many different angles. I can’t speak for the rest of you, including Virginia, but I believe we owe it to ourselves to make room for our ideas to grow. Maybe they won’t pan out, but you won’t know until you have tried.

Me, I may have gone a bit overboard with the needle felting inspiration this last month. But, without it, I wouldn’t be able to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day in quite as fun of a way as this:

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at ScratchCraft!

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House Favorites

Posted on by Dan

You’ve seen both of these make appearances on ScratchCraft multiple times, but in different forms. The beautiful thing is that there is no limit to the types of combinations available for us to make and sample. I’m talking about mittens and I’m talking about pies. Virginia likes making the former and I the latter.

She just finished making Charlene Schurch’s “Pattern 1” from the book Mostly Mittens.

Mittens (Pattern 1)

These are knit with some lovely yarn by Simply Shetland. It’s their Lambswool and Cashmere blend – super soft, super warm, perfect for keeping hands cozy.

Mittens (Pattern 1)

I prefer taking a more indirect approach to keeping ourselves cozy and warm. It starts with a few basic ingredients, then add some heat, serve with tea.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Winter seems to be dragging on in Minnesota, and for everyone bemoaning the fact that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow (meaning another 6 weeks of winter), I say, “If only we could be so lucky.” It’s going to be awhile before Summer rolls around. In the meantime, Strawberry Rhubarb pie (made without refined sugar, of course) does the trick.

So, really, these are not just house favorites, but house necessities. And, ones we’ll continue to make and enjoy for awhile.

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Woven Scarves

Posted on by Dan

I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing fiber get transformed into something that is not only beautiful, but also useful. Virginia continues to explore the various ways of doing that. Over the last couple of weeks, she has worked on a couple of simple, but elegant scarves. These are both woven on her rigid heddle loom – such a simple machine, but the possibilities for creation (even with just a basic weave) are seemingly boundless. In the case of these two recent projects, different yarns were used for both the weft and the warp, the last one using some of my handspun yarn.

Woven Scarf

Woven Scarf

Woven Scarf

Woven Scarf

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The Call of Crochet…

Posted on by Dan

Crochet Afghan - In Progress

Crochet Afghan - In Progress

Crochet Scarf - In Progress

Crochet Afghan - In Progress

…is much like the siren’s song for Virginia. These are four projects that have been in the works for various lengths of time, and when she’s not rotating among them, she’s busy plotting new ones. I think it’s good to take advantage of when inspiration strikes – even if it strikes more often than not. (More photos of these projects can be seen on Flickr.)

And, albeit a couple of weeks late, happy new year! Thanks for hanging in there. I wasn’t going to have any blog resolutions that dealt with quantity and frequency, but I do intend to keep sharing (when there’s good, scratchcrafty stuff to share – which I hope is often).

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