Friday, October 30, 2015

Sale on Craftsy Classes - Up to 50% Off!



Master a new skill for gifts that thrill, because there's still time to knit something lovely for the holidays (or yourself)!

Starting today and running through Sunday (11/1/15), get up to 50% off all online video classes at Craftsy, using my affiliate link.

My suggestions: A Giraffe, Save Our Stitches and, of course, my class!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

A Skirt Pour Moi

Chevron!

The messy thing is the scrap I use to test my settings.

After I started sewing a skirt for myself, my coworkers were all like, um, maybe a really thin knit fabric isn't the best third sewing project? What can I say, I like to live on the edge. Also, I didn't know any better.

My Singer 328K is designed to take two sewing needles, when you want it to. It seems like the natural choice for hemming, and even sewing, most knits. It also gives me two chances, instead of just one, to install a sewing needle backwards, so that adds a little more excitement and mystery when things aren't going all that well. 

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Sleepy Boomer


I hope you guys never get tired of photos of Boomer, because I sure never will! He loves to rest like this and purr when I'm lying on the couch, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing in the morning. 

Monday, October 26, 2015

Flowers of Summer


The day lilies were definitely starting to fade when I shot this (some months ago), but they're still lovely!

Friday, October 23, 2015

Two-Heddle Weaving

After washing.

On the loom.

I tried two-heddle weaving for the first time! I used two skeins of wool yarn that I picked up at Goodwill and was trying for a twill-like texture. 

I think, if the yarn had been less hairy and less willing to stick to itself, the spaces in-between the warp-thread groups would have evened themselves out, more. They did even out with washing, just not all of the way. 

I quite like it, anyway. :)

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Upcycled Burp Cloths



I'm using the Contoured Burp Cloth from My Happy Nursery, with Goodwill pajamas and a fleece sweatshirt as the fabric. It seems like a pretty easy project that will also give me a chance to practice my topstitching.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Pouf Accomplished!


Dark brown, square, a little wonky because I didn't do a great job on the corners, but I'm sure I'll do better next time.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Hopkins Fall Fiber Festival - Come Take a Class from Me!

This photo is from last year.

I didn't think it would do me a lot of good to just sell books, as I did last year at the Fall Fiber Festival. So, when they asked if anyone wanted to teach, I jumped at the chance! It's coming up in just a few weeks.

I'm going to teach one of my favorites: Beyond Basic Sock Techniques. It could be called "This is the stuff that makes knitting socks easier, faster and more fun," but that's waaaaay too long!

We decided to keep the classes small - 10 spots. There are two times: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. That's the same class twice, not a four-hour class broken into blocks. There's a little more information here.  

You're supposed to register by contacting me. My email address is on the page I linked to, above. When you email me to sign up, I'll write down your name. You can pay me at the venue. I will be able to take cash, charge or check. 

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Lovely Time in Pocohontas, IA



I had a lovely time last weekend talking about knitting, spinning, history and socks!!!! It was the first time the Little Sioux Spinners and Weavers Guild brought a speaker to their annual meeting and it was a total blast. Thank you to all of the wonderful ladies who were great students and an attentive audience. 

Monday, October 12, 2015

I'm Back and I Brought the Poly-fill


Yup, 5 pounds of it. Totally normal, right? I'm planning on sewing a bigger, square version of this pouf for the living room. I figure, the more stuffing, the better. We'll see how it goes!