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Sunday, September 28, 2014

Sock Ownership

This week I finished the Rainbow Socks; they were supposed to be for me, but youngest has been admiring them since I started them and apparently my subconscious decided they were meant to be for him.   I'm going by the fact that although they do fit me, they're a touch shorter than I prefer, which means they fit him really well.
Apparently my camera is not too impressed by the colour changes and didn't cope well in night lighting.
I finally got a photo of the Drop Leaf Shawlette on me; selfies are not something that I take to naturally, but at least the scarf looks good!
From my iPad; oh for a real camera to capture the colours, but the DSLR is not good for selfies
As a reminder, this is what the colours really look like:

I'm in the process of warping up my next project using Vintage Purls yarn, here's the warp ready to go
The colour is called Lure
and the colour that's going with is is Faded Romance; I've chosen to go with the same type of yarn instead of the handspun as the handspun isn't superwash and the warp I'm using is.   I'll experiment later, but at this point I want a useable scarf and I'm planning on applying for the Creative Fibre Award for New Weavers so something that looks as I planned it is a good thing.
I think this will work brilliantly with Lure.
This project is my first pattern that's not a basic plain weave or twill; admittedly it's also my third pattern full stop, but I see no reason to keep it safe when there are so many lovely things to try!   This will be a point twill pattern so the threading is reversed in some sections and it should be very pretty when done.

Project Progress:

Test knit is now all together and ready to cast on.  I've made my beading assistant, got the yarn wound and the beads are chosen; might start on that tonight or tomorrow.

Evenstar Shawl is onto the first lace pattern and I've just realised it needs beads too, going to have to go shopping for that as my only pink beads are a blue based pink and will shriek.

Neptune High Socks have been restarted; I was going to do them knee high, but have never done knee highs before and doing that with a colourwork pattern seemed the height of folly.   Now doing my usual calf length

Breakwater is almost at the point of finishing the raglan increases; might turn this into my take-along knitting as it's fairly simple.

18th century gown - the sleeves are pinned in and I've got the extra hooks and eyes ready to go.

And now I need to go and do a little more work in the studio; at least 99% of the stash is now updated (including fibre stash).    Still have the fabric stash to do, but no Ravelry for that and the options I've found online don't fit my needs.   I really need a spreadsheet with photo's so will have to see if Excel can support that.

And to finish off, I have proof of spring here in Christchurch
Pretty tulips at the Botanic Gardens in Hagley Park

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Juki now has a name!

I've decided to name her Jemima, not sure why but it feels right.   She's done well on everything I've thrown at her so far which includes stretch fabric and faux fur (not good quality fur either).    I've done all the machine sewing I can with her on the eighteenth century dress, the rest is hand sewing.
The lumpy bit on the closest side is the sleeve; that's now partially pinned in place.
I have determined that I need more hooks and eyes on the front; there are currently 6 which is how many were on the pattern, but I think I need at least 5 more for a smooth front.   I may also need to shorten the body, but won't know that for certain till I try it on me with my stays etc.   I'll do that once the sleeves are in.
I've also got a new steam station to try out, Spotlight had a deal on a Semco one and considering I dont' much like my current iron I figured it was worth a go.   It's all set up and I'll try it out on the ironing today.

In knitting news I've finished the shawl I was working on, took me 14 days total and I love it!   Downside is it's taking up the studio floor so I can't get to the ironing board to test that new iron till it's dry.
The pattern is the Drop Leaf Shawlette by Tamara Ell and I've called mine Dragon on a Leaf as the colourway is called Dragon's Breath.
So now I need to work on Evenstar and some socks before the pattern and yarn arrive for my test knit.

First bobbin of 4 done, am about 1/3 of the way through the second and hope to finish that next weekend.
In spinning I'm currently working on some Romney that has been in the stash since before the first earthquake.   Once this is finished I should start on some grey to make stockings; I want to work with colour, but do kind of need the grey.
Speaking of spinning and knitting, if anyone reading my blog is in Christchurch and is interested in joining a group of very friendly knitters, spinners, crocheters and weavers do come along to our guild meetings.   We meet at 11 Tanner St on Monday and Saturday from 10am till 2pm and would love to have some new members.   Our fees are (in my opinion) very reasonable and you gain access to an excellent library and a lot of experience!

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