The end of the year has rolled around so quickly. Here I sit packing a suitcase and trying to think where all that time went. Even though I have, as previously noted, spent a lot of time doing rehab work on our church, I managed to get a few fiber-related projects completed. I like to focus on something with each project – a new technique, a particular color experiment, a new fiber, etc. – and these are no exception.
To that end, I am cleaning house. My library is overflowing and I really don’t use most of the books that much so I plan to be much more selective in my book purchases. No more, “If knitting/weaving/spinning is in the title, I need it in my library.” For knitting pattern books, I need to see I will make at least one more pattern than the price of the book would cost in patterns. Ravelry provides an excellent on-line library of searchable patterns and a pretty decent search engine to get within one or two degrees of the ideal pattern. I am spoiled – patterns are available with a click and I can download them to my phone for easy reference on the road. My “Funky Grandpa” sweater is a good case in point. (It is now complete and looking lovely.)
I made a few double-width blankets for our local sale and I couldn’t be happier with the result. I used up a ton of yarn (although I did have to buy a unifying colorway to have enough). All Cascade 220 and all very cozy. I hope to make a couple more this year. I do wish there were some way to finish items like this with a front loading machine, but I have a few good friends who still have top loaders. (Thank you, Sue! – check out her classes for the new year.)
I’ve also had some good spinning time. I bought myself a Canadian Production Wheel that I am slowly learning. He and I have not yet fully bonded. I am sure that once I get him tuned up, we will be best friends. In the meantime, my Louet and I have been productive. She is light-weight enough to carry to spinning events and sturdy enough to handle transport. My Matchless is my first love for classes and fine, high-speed spinning, but the Louet seems better for more casual efforts. I am beginning to have quite a herd.
I wove a few scarves to try and achieve that beautiful fall color we saw as we trekked back across the continent. While I am happy with the results the perfect scarf continues to elude me. I am pretty sure crackle is the right weave structure, and Tencel is the right material. It really is a matter of figuring out the right colors. Until that happens, I have a warp wound for scarves when I return and a plan for some dishtowels. I also have finally got a warp on Big Bertha. New yoga blankets, this time weft-faced are in my future.
But for now, we are going to enjoy our family (growing again with a new granddaughter), a little travel, and the holiday spirit. I hope the new year brings you all peace, joy, and lots of fiber. See you in the new year.
Always a treat to see what masterful hands, a keen mind and creative talent can do with mere threads. Gorgeous all! Safe travels and good fibers in your future. Happy New Year Lisa!
oh good–I was hoping to hear from you! Love the progress reports. Happy New Year to you and yours!
Happy New Year! And congrats on the new arrival! So glad you have a plan for dishtowels, too, as we love ours and would love to have more in a different color palette, just for variety. Love to you and Erik both.