Still Behind

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!

Playing Catch-up

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.

Highland Schottische Kilt Hose

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)

Pickles and (take a guess) Socks

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.

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

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)