Herringbone Sweater

Posted on by Dan

One of the many benefits of being married to Virginia is the resultant product of her prolific knitting. While my own projects seem to languish for years – waiting for a final push – she hesitates not, and makes good on her promises to finish time and again. Most recently, she knit me this:

Herringbone Sweater

It’s the Herringbone Sweater, a pattern by Erika Knight in her book Men’s Knits: A New Direction.

Herringbone Sweater

The two-color knitting makes for a nice, thick fabric that will keep me warm for winters to come (I’ll have to wait a little while, as it hangs as a shop model at The Yarnery). She used Nashua Knits Julia (a soft blend of wool, alpaca and mohair). Look at all those herring bones. What you can’t really see from this picture is the Herringbone Twill I’m beginning to weave on the ol’ tabletop – yet another distraction to keep me from finishing my own sweater (which sits in a pile in the other room).

Herringbone Sweater

As long as we’re making stuff, right?

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Dusting Off the Ol’ Wheel

Posted on by Dan

Ashford Traditional

It’s been a long time coming, but I knew I’d eventually get back behind my trusty, albeit neglected, spinning wheel. I realized the other day that with the arrival of Spring (or, soon-to-be arrival) would also come fiber festivals. I missed last year’s Shepherd’s Harvest. Even though out of the hospital at the time, my oncologist forbade me to go near anything that might possibly cause or seed some future infection. Needless to say, being around a bunch of livestock, wool and people would have fallen well in to the “forbidden” activities.

Not this year.

I plan on attending, and I plan on making up for lost time. Between now and then, however, there is still the problem of space (or lack thereof). Since I still have a healthy stash, I’m going to try my best to make a dent in some of the fiber that’s been marinating for the past two years (has it been that long?).

So, to start, I’ve finished two bundles of superwash.

Handspun - Superwash Colonial

This is spun from 3.7 oz. of superwash colonial top that we dyed ages ago. Both skeins are approximately 150 yards of 3-ply (navajo) yarn.

Handspun - Superwash Merino

This superwash merino I finished up during the final days of the Winter Olympics. The lines of gold throughout seem appropriate. There is about 230 yards on this skein, spun from 3 oz. of dyed top, and it is also navajo-plied.

And, I’m glad to say, spinning is like riding a bike. Even if you haven’t done it in awhile, finding your rhythm and balance comes quickly.

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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