Knitting

Much to See, Much to Do

Posted on by Dan

The problem with waiting so long between blog posts is that stuff starts to pile up. Unfortunately, I’m going to leave you with a bunch of stuff to look at, but not much to read (it’s a beautiful day and our yard is calling to me).

Virginia finished up another crochet afghan. This one is made up of granny squares, using Jamieson’s Spindrift.

Crochet Granny Square Afghan

(More photos can be found on our Flickr page)

She also finished a tank, knit using Louet’s Euroflax Linen.

Essential Tank

The pattern is the “Essential Tank” by Wendy Bernard in her book Custom Knits.

Socks!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any finished socks. She’s started a renewed effort to knock off 52 pairs by the end of May (I think she’s at 40, having started last June).

Socks (36 of 52)

Socks (37 of 52)

Socks (38 of 52)

Socks (39 of 52)

The Garden
I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to feel the sun and dirt on my skin. There’s nothing like being shut up in a hospital room for three month-long periods, and then told to not go near the stuff for the rest of the year, to really make you appreciate the sore muscles, new calluses and dirty hands that come from playing in the yard.

Brick Path in Cutting Garden

Our “cutting garden” got a bit of a facelift with a newly-bordered brick path. And, speaking of cutting gardens, our house has vases in practically every room. Nothing brightens the room more than a bouquet of daffodils.

Daffodils

I was also given a couple of black raspberries from a coworker’s yard. They seem to be thriving from the transplant, and hopefully will even produce something this year.

Transplanted Black Raspberry

No more talk. Must go play. So, if you are thinking about staying inside today… get off your ass and get out there. Enjoy the fresh air, sun on your skin, dirt in your fingernails.

Much Knitting

Posted on by Dan

Virginia has been determined to finish off a bunch of projects that have been on the needles for a little while (of course “little while” is a relative term – for me, it might mean months and months, for her, just long enough to start impeding on the creative process). Nevertheless, I’ve hardly had a chance to keep up with the blog posts, so this one will showcase three of the projects most recently finished.

But, before we go in to that, I also want to say thanks for all the encouraging and thoughtful comments and messages re. my last post. I can’t say it enough, it really does make a difference getting through difficult periods knowing there are people who genuinely care about you.

Now, on to the knitting…

Handknit Mittens

These mittens are knit using a combination of Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Fleece Artist 2/6 Merino. The pattern is Theresa Gaffey’s mitten pattern #49.

Pure and Simple Henley (255)

I’m happy to benefit from so much great knitting. This sweater, Pure and Simple Henley, is made with Misty Alpaca Chunky (it is unbelievably soft, not to mention warm).

Magnolia Sweater

For herself, Virginia knit this Kim Hargreaves design (Magnolia, from Rowan Vintage Knits). She used a combination of Kidsilk Haze and Kid Classic.

Magnolia Sweater

That’s it for now. There are several more projects lining up in the cue – not to mention a sweater that I’ve been knitting on for almost two years. If I can just finish that button band…

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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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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Of Mittens, Socks and… Weaving!

Posted on by Dan

I promised I’d post some yarn-related projects. So, without further ado, here are some that Virginia has recently completed.

These are Finnish Mittens from Folk Mittens. The pattern is by Marcia Lewandowski. Virginia knit these using Misty Alpaca’s worsted-weight yarn. One of the things that I like about these mittens is that she knit them for me. I like my hands to be warm, and these certainly do the trick.

Finnish Mittens

Also off the needles is another pair of socks. These are made using Trekking, and are based on the Waffle Rib pattern in Charlene Schurch’s book Sensational Knitted Socks.

Waffle Socks (28 of 52)

I knew it was only a matter of time before the weaving bug bit Virginia. It finally did with Mr. Kringle visiting early, bringing a 24-inch rigid heddle loom. No sooner had the box been opened and loom assembled, that a “test” project was started.

Virginia's Foray into Weaving

This colorful weave was created with some Fleece Artist superwash merino. Given the speed with which this project started and finished, I’d say there’s bound to be more to share in the very near future. And, I must say, the bug has rebitten me, and I feel myself being pulled away from the felting fun I’ve been having.

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