Close to my Heart

Weaving update

A few developments to show you today on the weaving front.  First, I completed my first scarf using some handspun yarn:

I used a commercial yarn, Berocco Comfort DK for the warp, and handspun for the weft.  I learned a lot weaving this scarf, most importantly that Berocco DK is really not suitable for warping (it's just not dense enough); it was really difficult to get a decent tension with this yarn.  As a result, the scarf is a little off kilter, although not really obvious from the picture.  I finally figured out about half way through the scarf how to really adjust my weaving to make it more even.  I also learned, finally, that one must start and end the weaving with hem stitch, doh!  Better late than never though!

At the Cowichan Fiber Fest last weekend, I was able to purchase a Leclerc Fringe Twister.  I followed the instructions here to complete my fringe. 

It's not perfect, but as I said, this scarf is a real learning experience!

And now for the big weaving development that I hinted about in my last post.  While at the spinning retreat I attended a couple weeks ago, I happened to mention to someone that I now had a little rigid heddle loom and would like to get something bigger.  This person is a weaver, and she said “I know a family who might have some they don’t want,” meaning her family (her husband knits/spins/weaves, how awesome is that?). She said she would take a look around and get back to me. The day after the retreat, she phoned and said that she had checked with her sister about her loom and that I was welcome to have it. I asked her what her sister wanted for it, and she said “she wants you to have it!” I literally squeed when I hung up the phone! I will knit her a pair of socks, at the very least, in thanks. Isn’t that awesome?  The loom arrived already warped and with weaving already on it, as well as some pencilled instructions and the yarn to continue the project. This will become my practice piece.

Here's it is, a 20 inch Beka:

Isn't she pretty?  I have woven a bit on it already, and it quickly became obvious the larger size of this loom would require a different set up than I had been using to weave previously.  My wonderful husband to the rescue, he built a stand for it yesterday:

 

I'm really stoked about this loom, and the fact that someone was so nice to give it to me.  It makes me smile just looking at it.  Aren't fiber people the best?

Blocking

Wow, has this blog ever been neglected lately!  Writer's block maybe?  Or is it just that with Twitter, Plurk and Ravelry, I have little inclination left to post anything here?  Yeah, I think that's it. And I don't think I'm the only blogger that has had this experience.

There has however been knitting and even blocking happening.  There have been two items finished and blocked in the last week or so, with another shawl finished about a month ago still waiting it's turn (probably because I feel it is the most complicated of all to block).  It's time will come eventually though.

Here's the latest though.  First, a handspun scarf, using the la Novia pattern from Knitspot:

I was actually going to be lazy and not block this too aggressively but I'm really glad I did in the end, the lace pattern opened right up.

I also finished Multnomah.  I love how this little shawl turned out and enjoyed knitting it as well.  Simple yet interesting, I already have #2 on the needles!

 

 

Further information can be found over on my Ravelry project page.  Back to my morning coffee now.

Two weeks later.....

Wow, two weeks since I've posted, it's been a while since I've gone that long!  Nothing too excting going on over at chez Close to my Heart, and that has certainly impacted the lack of posting.  Additionally, I've made some lifestyle changes in terms of diet and exercise which is taking some time, and I'm also trying to spend a bit less time on the computer.  I am however blogging regularly over on my new Diet and Fitness Blog, feel free to check it out.

In the last last two weeks, I finished a pair of socks:

And started another pair:

I also knit a dishcloth:

Project information for all of these can be found over on my Ravelry Project Page.

Yestereday I started something with the handspun I showed you in my last post, but haven't photographed it yet so will show you another day. 

A couple FOs

I finished up a couple projects on Canada Day.  I sewed the buttons on this little baby sweater:

And I cast off my lacy rib sock #2 to complete the pair:

And now I gotta run and get ready for work. You can find more info on my Ravelry project page if you are interested.

Toe Up

We're continuing to enjoy beautiful summer weather here, so I thought I'd change over to a summer theme.  I love changing up my templates regularly and Typepad makes that easy to do.  The Summer BBQ seemed appropriate since we are barbecuing a fair amount here at chez Close to my Heart.

The sock mojo is continuing this year, I counted my Sock FOs on Ravelry the other day, and I think I have completed eight pairs already this year.  While I'm not about to join the 52 pair plunge, I'm happy that I've already completed more pairs than last year and have no plans to slow down.

A few years back, I went through a phase where I knit toe up socks exclusively, then decided I didn't like knitting short row heels and returned to the top down heel flap socks that I had originally learned on.  I could knit a top down vanilla sock in my sleep, and I think that contributed to my boredom with sock knitting in 2008.  This year I realized that a simple patterned sock was the answer, and recently, I also decided I needed to change up the sock construction as well.  Enter Wendyknits toe up slip stitch heel construction.  I finished her Nanner Socks the other day, very fun pattern to knit:

And I've cast on another of Wendy's patterns, the Lacy Ribs:

The variety of sock knitting options is one of the things that makes it so interesting I think.

Signs of summer

Hanging baskets add some lovely colour to the outside of our house:

Yummy grilled Sunday dinner:

And a very summery looking new dishcloth:

The weather here has been absolutely superb.  I've been able to hang laundry outside to dry, and have spent lots of time out on the patio.  More unseasonably warm temps in the work week ahead, and although I'd rather be outside than stuck in the office, I do have more energy and am in a better mood when the sun is shining.

Ah, summer!

Charity

I don't knit or crochet for charity nearly as often as I should, despite the best of intentions.  When my workplace recently solicited donations for a charity silent auction, a pair of handknit socks was requested. I made the said socks, as well as a few other items.  I hope everything will garner lots of bids! 

I chose the no purl monkey sock pattern once again as I knew I could whip them off quite quickly, and made them in just over a week:

I also knit this newborn baby set, using the Five Hour Baby Boy Sweater pattern, which did indeed take me around five hours to complete:

And finally, a set of crochet dishcloths:

Details for everything should you be interested can be found on my Ravelry project page.  I hope that my items will raise some money for a worthwhile cause, and that my coworkers do not find them hokey.

Knitting with Sugarcane

My favourite LYS, Fun Knits, recently received some interesting fiber, Araucania Ruca Multy which is 100% sugar cane from Italy.  The colours were beautiful and I had to try it.  I even knew which pattern I would make with it, the Storm Cloud Shawlette. 

I found the yarn rather splitty to work with, and would definitely not want to crochet with it.  It kind of reminded me of knitting with ribbon yarn, although it is not wide.  It is also rather slippery and easily slipped off the center pull ball, eventually making a tangled mess that I spend a few hours untangled (partly my fault as I kept going when the tangle first started).  I don't think I'd knit a large garment with it, but for small items it is lovely and I'm happy with my Finished Object.  I present to you, the Sugar Cane Shawlette:

Boxleaf Triangle

Wow, long time no post!  It's been a busy couple a weeks, and quite honestly, I didn't really have anything to blog about.  Hopefully the drought is over though, I have been busy knitting and spinning so will have a few things to share in the coming week or so.

Today's post is quite picture heavy, because I have a lovely new Finished Object to show you.  I present to you, the Boxleaf Triangle.  The pattern itself was well written, and that combined with the lovely yarn from Sugarbee Studios made for a very rewarding knit. 

Here's the pics:

The nifty edging that is knitted as you go:

And featuring the shawl pin from Uli of The Knitter's Nook, that I think looks like it was made just for this shawl:

Wedding Anticipation

Almost 15 years ago, there was a wedding with the cutest little flower girl ever:

 

This was of course the day Joe and I married, and the cute little flower girl was our very special niece Rebecca.  Fast forward almost 15 years, and Rebecca is all grown up and it is her turn to be the bride.  Tomorrow she will marry her sweetheart Will. The last wedding we attended was just a few months after our own wedding, Joe's sister's day and Rebecca was the cute flower girl at that wedding as well.  With such a long wedding drought, we are both really looking forward to the big day tomorrow.  Wedding preparations for this proud auntie involved purchasing waterproof mascara today (I'm a real sap at weddings, and this is a really special one) as well as some crafting in the last month or so.

A few weeks back was the bridal shower.  I bought some lovely items from the kitchen store the bride is registered at, but of course I had to include a handmade touch as well.  Sticking with her wedding and household theme of black, white and pink, I made this card:

 

And these dishcloths:

Information about the dishcloths can be found on my Ravelry project page.

My contribution to the the wedding day itself is this crocheted garter:

And of course the card:

 

Although the Bride and Groom will not likely be reading this blog post, I'm sure they know that Uncle Joe and Auntie Brenda wish them years of joy and happiness together.