Monthly Archives: March 2025

Spinning Clouds

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I have been lacking craft motivation lately. I haven’t felt like doing much now that we can be outside again. To break up my doldrums, I pulled some cashmere cloud from my spinning stash to put on the wheel.

This is the Cumulus fiber from Oink Pigments that I picked up at SSK 2024. It’s 80% merino and 20% cashmere so its BUTTER soft. I split the fiber in 1/2 and I will make a 2-ply. I want something drapey and soft to make a cowl of sorts?

The fiber is spinning quite lovely. Some parts are coming out solid colors and others are marled depending on how I draft the fiber. My muscles are out of shape so I am only spinning 20 minutes at a time to get back in shape and reduce the strain on my hands. I did my default short forward draw so my hands are getting a workout.

Happy Spinning!!

Synthe Sleeves

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Over the weekend and thanks to one gymnastics class and full evening of bounce house fun, my Synthe has sleeves!

I didn’t have US 9 needles on short circulars to make the sleeves so I decided to make due with US 8s. I also almost completely ignored the sleeve instructions. My arms are full near the shoulder and then taper past the elbow.

I worked almost six pattern repeats from the body and then added three decreases across the next six repeats. I then worked five more plain repeats before doing one last decrease at the “cuff” and then cast off. These are going to 3/4 sleeves. The yarn is very rustic and I don’t want to feel the fabric on my wrists. For SURE I am going to wear and undershirt under this garment.

Happy Knitting!!

A Vaas Brim

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I had a four hour public meeting to sit through last week so my Vaas Hat made a reappearance. Good thing too, as I finally got the brim turned and attached.

This yarn doesn’t photograph super well but it is a very lovely green. My eyes lean hazel and green some days and my complexion is quite fair. I can’t help but think this would look lovely on me when it’s finished!

Now I need to find more knitting time to get this hat finished!

Dividing For Synthe

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My Synthe sweater is moving right along despite how many stitches I am adding each round.

I had to stop several times and measure frequently to make sure I was getting proper length. My gauge is close but not 100% correct. I really like when patterns have measurements and schematics. This pattern, at my gauge, required a full extra repeat of the pattern to get my full yoke depth.

I have divided for sleeves and worked an inch down past the divide. And then I think I will start both sleeves. It is easier to turn a small sweater than a full body!

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Vas Hat

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My hat mojo may be waning but it sure does make for good travel and meeting knitting. After finishing my Scandia Hat, I had not “on the go” knitting available. So I grabbed a skein that was already wound and got started on a basic beanie.

I have used a LOT of Rios over the last year so I am pretty confident in my gauge. I based on my normal 88 stitches on US 8 needle. I was not in the mood for ribbing today so this hat will have another stockinette brim.

I did get myself a fancy pedicure to brush away the winter doldrums! Here’s hoping soft yarn and clean toes will get me all the way to spring!

Happy Knitting!!

Swatching Rainbow Radiate

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I have been excited about working my Synthe and I have had this thought for many years to make another Radiate. This time with a rainbow yoke. I wear my previous version a ton and would love to have more sweaters in my rotation.

I have several skeins of grey yarn that are rainbow speckles. I have two skeins of 316 Dye Studio House DK and four skeins of Wichita Woolery Tweed DK. They are different but close enough I can alternate skeins to make this work. And the kicker is a Hue Loco Phyllis DK in a rainbow sampler set to work the yoke.

I swatched in the round and cut my strings. After a bath and block I measured and I am bang on stitch gauge but my row gauge is off. I will have to adjust my project when I am working sections that are depended on length. I have more rows than the pattern, not unusual with Joji patterns as she is a loose knitter. I can deal with this as long as I pay attention and use measurements.

I can’t decide if I will start this one after or concurrently with Synthe. Do I need two sweaters?

Finished: A Scandia Hat

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I think I zoned out in my winter doldrums and next thing I knew, my Scandia Hat is done!

Pattern: My own basic beanie “recipe” with 100 stitches

Yarn: KnitCircus Divine DK in Pet Rock Speckle

Needles: US 7s

This hat ended up using 75 grams of yarn so that was 195 yards used. It fits my large noggin so I have not decided if I am going to keep or gift this one. The yarn turned out lovely with a nice mix of dark and light speckles. KnitCircus knows how to dye yarn! I must admit I am feeling my hat mojo waning. I am feeling more sweater-y.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Synthe

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I finally knuckled under and cast on my Synthe sweater. My swatch told me I was on gauge and I am making the 44 1/2 size.

This starts at the neck and appears to not have a neckline. Just cast on and get straight to stockinette. The pattern shows no rolling but I don’t have confidence in my version. I may have to add some reinforcement to my neck opening.

So far the knitting is fast as the stitch count is still increasing. The yarn, Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, has a lot of veg matter in it that I am picking out as I go. I am not alternating skeins yet but I may do that as I get to the main body. My biggest hurdle is keeping the stitch markers from opening and falling off.

Happy Knitting!!

Half Of My Advent Skeins

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I decided not to wait until to spin the last half of the 2024 advent spinning calendar to ply the first half. I call it spinners prerogative.

I chain plied these singles to maintain the colors. I think overall I got a heavy worsted that is mostly uniform with some thick/thin spots. I was worried about the colors being too crazy but I think they came our mostly rainbow, in a good way.

My singles were just a tiny bit overspun and a bath washed that right out. The finished skein was 181 grams and 212 yards of yarn. I am going to tuck this into the spinning bag where my other half of the fiber for motivation to finish the rest!

Happy Spinning!!