Yarn Along - June 29

With a long weekend coming up, I could easily get an attack of startitis. I intend to spend some of my time working on stash organization and purging, both in yarn and patterns. The problem is, I only get so far before I start browsing and then get the urge to sit down and cast on, especially if I suddenly find the perfect pattern for some particular yarn that’s been calling to me.

Actually though, I’ve been picking up older projects and trying to get them sorted out and finished up. This is one of them – a little baby cardigan from a vintage Workbasket magazine. I started it because I wanted to add the pattern and photos to Ravelry’s database and also to have a gift sweater on hand. The magazine had one tiny black and white photo. I lost some of my enthusiasm when I realized that instead of a stripe pattern on the body as I had assumed, it’s actually going to be an elongated stitch instead. I’ll give it a try, but if it looks weird, I’m going to do something else and just get the sweater finished, and not worry about adding it to Ravelry. The yarn is just some vintage acrylic but it’s nice and soft and I’m glad to be using it up.

As far as summer reading goes, I’m tackling AlexanderHamilton, in all his forms, starting with the Chernow biography. I have the Broadway book and CD on request from the library as well. I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to add more politics to an already highly political year, but maybe it’s best to get them all done at once.

Joining in with Ginny!

Yarn Along - June 8

Joining Ginny this week with a newer project! This is meant to be a summer scarf. You know how it is - you love to knit, but what can you wear in the summertime to show off your knitting skills? I have splurged a little on some new clothes, and actually put together some outfits instead of just buying odds and ends and hoping they work out. This scarf is meant to be an accent to one of the new outfits, although if it turns out as pretty as I think it will, I'll probably wear it often.

The yarn is Malabrigo Lace, a gift from my friend Donna. The pattern is Leaf Lace Scarf by Cayli Malone. I did fewer stitch repeats because I wanted a narrower scarf, and I know it will end up even bigger after blocking. Not really too concerned with the length - will most likely just knit until I run out. I'm using the yarn doubled, because it looked too open and sloppy with just one strand.

My book right now is Dawn O'Hara, which is Edna Ferber's first novel, from 1911. In case you aren't aware, Edna wrote many novels, some of which were later made into famous plays and films, including Show Boat, So Big, and Cimmaron. Although born in Michigan, and later a member of the Algonquin Round Table, she grew up and got her start in Wisconsin, so I've always been interested in her writing as a "local" author. One of her more well known quotes that comes from this novel: "Being an old maid is like death by drowning, a really delightful sensation after you cease to struggle." I'm enjoying this book so - so far it's a good summer read.

Catching Up

Yes, I’ve been neglecting the blog. Same old excuses. Either there’s not much new to write about, or else there’s too much going on to find time to write. I need to get in a better groove though, because at least it helps me keep track of projects and events.

Here’s a finished project I can finally share. Remember the christening gown a neighbor asked me to finish for her? Way back in 2014? Sad, I know! I got started on it right away, figuring out where her daughter had left off, carefully picking up dropped stitches, and setting forth with some amazingly matching vintage yarn from my stash.

And then I got to a complicated bit that needed some planning. The pattern, if you remember, was written incorrectly. I tried charting out their instructions, and came up with a misshapen trapezoidal piece of knitting. Instead, I was creating an entirely new bodice, but still trying to come close to the pattern measurements. I set the piece aside until I had time to concentrate.

And it sat. And sat. And became a bit of an albatross. And every time I saw Margaret I started to worry, because she’s in her late 80’s and what if I didn’t finish in time for her to see it? I finally set aside a weekend in March, and tackled the rough spot. It took a few more days of knitting after that, then washing and blocking, and another day of seaming and hemming (picot hem)! I happily called Margaret one evening and told her she could stop after church the next day and pick it up.

She was very pleased with the finished gown. I must admit, it turned out rather well. Light steaming, as always, helped soften the acrylic yarn and gave a much better drape, without ruining the stitch definition. I tested this on a small section of lace on the back side before I did the whole gown. I didn’t do a severe blocking, just opened up the lace enough so that it laid flat and looked good.

This kind of repair and restore project falls right into my wheelhouse. I love the challenge almost as much as creating a bespoke piece for myself or someone else. And of course having the weight of the obligation of my shoulders felt great too!