It’s a Process
Having decided to dye the blanket, I thought I should do a bit of research. Armed with a bit of reading, I first washed the blanket (it hadn't been washed for years...because it had been in the blanket chest, not because I'm filthy). Then I dug out my old jug of synthrapol from a previous tie dyeing phase and ran it through with a shot of that out of some vague notion that it would be helpful. Then, while the blanket was still wringing wet, I trundled off to mix up the dye. I used all three packets, and I [...]
This Could be an Error
At some point in my youth and childhood, I went on a trip to Ireland. While I was there, I got a blanket (from this company). It seemed ruinously expensive at the time (I was a teenager, that was a lot of hours of babysitting), but I loved it and wanted it beyond all reason. It lived in my room for many years. For the last decade or so, it has lived in the bottom of my blanket chest. Its fall from grace is not its fault. It's a lovely, sturdy, wooly blanket. It does all of the things a [...]
So Much Better (Plus Giveaway)
So, as promised, I'd like you to meet someone who really knows her way around the bead shop. May I introduce the lovely Laura Nelkin? I got to know Laura when she was design director for Schaefer Yarn. She got in touch with me when I was very new at this pattern thing and asked if I'd like to do a design for Schaefer. This was an incredibly generous thing to do. I was a complete newbie and was totally making it up as I went along. Her encouragement was a tremendous help. Laura has recently made the switch to [...]
Not So Smooth
I occasionally get messages complaining that my knitting always looks better than that of the writer. Seriously folks, this is because I cheat. I tend to only show you the pretty stuff. The stuff that isn't working out? That gets tossed against the wall and sworn at and then ripped. But just so you know it happens, here's an example of something that isn't working out. Now this had promise. The stitch pattern is pleasing, yarn is lovely, the beads are shiiiiiiiiiiny, and the silk thread is interesting to work with. See? Far too pretty to throw away. But this [...]
Pesky Real Life, Part II
I like to look at all of the 'my house is so pretty' blogs. Well, sort of. I like to look at them, but then I tend to look around at my actual house (the one with the extra cat and the pile of laundry and the dishes in the sink) and think it all looks a bit...less than stellar. So, on the off chance that you too occasionally look at those sites and are left feeling a bit glum, I'll present my closet. I assure you it is not a magazine closet. It is not full of custom shelving [...]
Pesky Real Life
You know what I've learned...it's damn near impossible to take a good picture of one's closet. At least my closet. Possibly you can take good pictures of your closet. Your closet is likely painted, maybe with some sort of decorative painting technique (but a pretty one, not one of the scary 80s ones). You probably have an area rug and a picture hung on the wall and some sort of charming lamp. Possibly even some sort of lovely tiny chair to sit on while pondering your perfectly-coordinated wardrobe. I? I have an old closet. My house was built in 1920 [...]
Awfully Nifty
So I think I've explained before that my knitting isn't actually anything all that special. Now to be fair, I'm a perfectly competent knitter. More importantly, I'm good at looking stuff up if I don't know how to do it. But I'm not one of those people who turn out miles and miles of beautifully even knitting. And really, I'm ok with that. I've been knitting socks for less than four years (and my pre-sock knitting was limited to two weeks where I learned how and two weeks where I made a few terrible scarves with a several year break [...]
Book Yarn, Part IX
I know. Trust me, I know. That's an awful lot of pink. There are even pink blotches in the background (that would be my rose bush, the most neglected and most prolific rose bush you've ever seen...and no it's not blooming now, I took all of these pictures one evening in June and have just been posting them as I go along ever since). I don't normally do pink. But for these two, I'll make an exception. On the left is Hazel Knits DK Lively in the color Cotton Candy. It's a 90/10 merino nylon blend and it is magical. [...]
Seriously…the Kitten?
Somewhat to my surprise, I've gotten a few messages asking about Douglas. Now I'm torn. One the one hand, I'm flattered that y'all care about my wee stray kitten. On the other hand, I'm hesitant to over-kitten the place. This is supposed to be a knitting site, not a kitten site. But, in the interest of keeping the peace around here, here's one more shot of wee Douglas. He's all settled in and growing like a weed (he now weighs three times what he did when we got him). He has impeccable manners and is very very friendly. I promise [...]
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