tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88431305149514008822024-03-04T20:38:23.103-08:00Things I Make. Plus Rocks.I make lots of things. Sewn t-shirts, knitted sweaters, canoe gardens, canned veggies, crocheted pillows, refinished chairs, and so so much more. I'll share them all here.
And rocks, because rocks are cool.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-71567499297597718092018-03-28T00:35:00.000-07:002018-03-28T00:41:25.285-07:00fo: Basil the Lamb<div style="text-align: center;">
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Folks, Basil turned out ridiculously adorable! He's charming the crap out of my customers in the shop, and I'm pretty sure there's going to be a flock of sheep cuddling up all over Whitehorse soon.<br />
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Pattern: Fuzzy Mitten Lamb, by Barbara Prime<br />
Yarn: Drops Alpaca Boucle and Drops Nepal<br />
Needles: 4 mm (knit flat, then seamed, stuffed, and sewn together)<br />
Mods: None at all.<br />
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This was a good pattern. Well written and easy to follow, and despite a lot of people converting it to in-the-round, I chose to just go with the pattern (hazard of knitting store samples - there's only so much you can deviate from the pattern).<br />
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The boucle yarn, on the other hand, was a nightmare. It took a while to get the hang of it - those loops like to pretend to be stitches on the needles, the little shits - but it never got comfortable for me. That said, the final result was <i>well worth the trouble</i>. The fabric is soft and squishy, and absolutely perfect for a little lamb.<br />
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I don't have much for pics of Basil without his sweater on, but that sweater is knit separately. It's actually a pattern from the same designer called <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/squirrels-polo-neck-pullover">Squirrel's Polo Neck Pullover</a>, and probably would have been better if I hadn't...ahem...over-stuffed Basil's limbs and tummy. Story of my life. But it was a good first run with knitting a garment for the little guy, and I'll be using the pattern as a base for variations soon. This little bugger is going to have a more extensive wardrobe than me!<br />
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(Basil was pretty stoked about his first sweater though.)<br />
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The ADORABLE toque was knit by a friend of mine who wanted to contribute to Basil's wardrobe. It's perfect! Sadly, I don't have a good pic of the pompom, so you'll have to take my word that it's equally adorable.<br />
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I need to knit him a fair isle sweater soon. And a cowichan sweater (I already have the most perfect buttons). And some shorts. And some booties. And probably a headband because why not. And maybe sew him a kilt. And jeans. SO MANY IDEAS. SO LITTLE TIME.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-91467476593765409832018-03-12T01:58:00.003-07:002018-03-12T01:58:39.919-07:00wip: Fuzzy Lamb and some other stuff<br />
Whew, it's been a while! I've been busy teaching classes, running a busy shop, trying to catch up on paperwork (ARGH PAPERWORK), and training a new employee. I'm definitely creating though. My current favourite project is one I just started on Saturday, but that's been on my brain for a while now.<br />
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Fuzzy Lamb is a ridiculously adorable pattern by Fuzzy Mittens, and I've been itching to knit it ever since a customer came in looking for yarn to knit it a year ago. When I opted to bring in Drops Alpaca Boucle, I knew I had to knit it up into this cute little lamb!<br />
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Though I have to tell you, the boucle is a nightmare to work with. Cripes, I keep catching up those little loops, decreasing and increasing is a mess, and forget reading your fabric! It's so ridiculously soft though, that it's worth the effort.<br />
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As you can see, I've got the body and legs done. Two more limbs and a head, and I'll be able to start stuffing and sewing this adorable little stuffy.<br />
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Guys, I'm so stoked to have this little buddy in the shop. I'm definitely going to have to knit a wee little sweater for it, and I can see working on a bunch of clothes and accessories for it. EEEE so fun!<br />
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In other news, my sock class finished up this afternoon. LOOK AT ALL THE SOCKS! Almost everyone finished up at least one sock in the 3 week class, and a couple finished both today. :) I also finished up my pair, but I'll post about that another day, since I need to lengthen on and sew in about a thousand ends.<br />
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Also, Lady Aurora was stunning the other night, dancing right over-top of Whitehorse. I should have driven up Grey Mountain for a view of the northern lights over the city, but instead I hoofed it down the path behind my house to get away from the streetlights and oogled the light through the trees. Sorry for my crummy photo; I refused to deal with finding my good camera and just used my camera phone.<br />
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In a way, it's easy to forget how lucky we are here. People make the trip north just to see the lights, and I often don't bother to go out to watch them. But sometimes, you just need to go out and appreciate just how stunning our world is, and what beauty can be found, even in your backyard.<br />
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Ever seen the northern (or southern!) lights before? I grew up watching them in Manitoba, but the displays are stunning up here. You should definitely come up to see them (in the winter only - we don't even see the stars in the summer, with 20+ hours of daylight), and definitely pop in and say hello to me at my shop! <3Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-15352769337474982812018-01-30T00:33:00.000-08:002018-01-30T00:36:37.364-08:00fo: #rightbrainmutany projectI may be weird, but I actually like doing the year end inventory at the shop. Well, the counting bit at least. Gives me a chance to spend some quality time with the yarn, when I barely have a chance to glance at it most days during the holiday season.<br />
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This year, I was chatting with one of my volunteers and glanced down at the Briggs & Little Heritage shelf, and saw three skeins of yarn sitting side-by-side. And then I felt like I got smacked in the face with them.<br />
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Sometimes a yarn will misbehave and appear to disagree with anything you try to use it in, and us Knitter's and Crocheter's will have to resign ourselves to leaving that yarn alone until it tells you what <i>it</i> wants to be.<br />
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These three skeins SHOUTED what they wanted, and no matter how much I fought it, I couldn't ignore their demand. They wanted to be this:<br />
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The image I got in my head was narrow but deep gradient cowl in some sort of textured stitch, where the three colours transitioned from one to another.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZdZ5fJkIBULfTDxB9TSXqOR12NspBF5Tc4Wl6Fv9WmxWXbgO2sK3-X_lqPG0C-3GistXFhmndfWm_2kMBy4Szm-YPr2vqsvHv7xLo8_cX0Jyb7HGTBtRRN35LunR9Tnh9ZXdGt_EBUg/s1600/rightbrainmutany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="853" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZdZ5fJkIBULfTDxB9TSXqOR12NspBF5Tc4Wl6Fv9WmxWXbgO2sK3-X_lqPG0C-3GistXFhmndfWm_2kMBy4Szm-YPr2vqsvHv7xLo8_cX0Jyb7HGTBtRRN35LunR9Tnh9ZXdGt_EBUg/s400/rightbrainmutany.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Natural White, Ragg, Sheep's Grey</i></td></tr>
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To get this, I held two strands together throughout the whole project. First, I held two strands of the natural white together, then one strand of natural white and one strand of ragg (itself a marled yarn), followed by two strands of ragg. To transition to sheep's grey, I repeated the process, holding one strand of ragg and one sheep's grey, followed by two strands of the grey.<br />
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I found the transition from the natural white into ragg was sharper than the image slammed in my head,and the transition from ragg to sheep's grey nearly invisible. But I can't bring myself to care because the end result was stunning!<br />
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The textured stitch was just a simple Irish moss (k1, p1 around for two rows, then p1, k1 for two more). I cast the sucker on at our last Fibre's Guild meeting with 6.5 mm needles, but after knitting a few inches, realized the fabric was too tight. <br />
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So I ripped it out and started fresh with 8 mm needles. Much better!<br />
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I'd originally planned this cowl to be something like 30" long, but then I realized that was a ridiculous length, and also I would need more yarn - probably just an extra ball of the ragg, but I wanted to keep this within the three balls. It's actually a perfect size (about 18" long and 30" around). Easy to toss on and artfully fold in whatever way I need, whether as a fashionable cowl or obscuring most of my head and face when we hit -30C temps. And the textured stitch locks in heat, so I'm always nice and cozy in this sucker.<br />
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Why do I call it the #rightbrainmutany project, you ask? Folks, I'm not a monogamous knitter. I just realized the other day that while I own approximately 30 cords for my interchangeable needles, I only have 2 in my knitting case. I have a lot of wips. But this project? It DEMANDED my attention. I tried to work on other projects, but this one wouldn't allow it. My right brain took complete control and didn't let me go until this thing was off the needles.<br />
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I had this project done in 3 days, so I guess there's something to be said for monogaknitting. And let me tell you, it was a battle between brain sides when I had to be Not Knitting at the shop.<br />
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(Right brain often won.)<br />
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Have you ever had a project take over your brain? Or had a part of your brain mutany and take over you? And I've only just noticed that I've been spelling "mutany" wrong all this time. Oh well, I've been hashtagging it wrong as well, and I'm not going back to change any of it! Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-39294641730667866672018-01-10T00:14:00.000-08:002018-01-10T00:14:32.776-08:00A Long Overdue fo: Whitehorse 2015 Year in Temperature ScarfI don't even want to go dig up the old posts on this project. The fact that it was knit and (nearly) finished in 2015 should say enough. Though to be fair, the sewing in of ends only just got finished a couple of months ago, and not by me either but a friend who was tired of seeing it with it's sporadic fringe.<br />
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Without further ado, here is my finished <a href="http://ravel.me/sewingonpins/myits">Year in Temperature Scarf</a>!<br />
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Yes, this is the slatwall chalkboard in the shop. It makes for a fun display! For those who don't know, this is a conceptual project, where you choose colours to represent different temperature ranges, and knit rows for each day in the colour that represents the temperature that day! <br />
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If you look closely, you can see each of the months labeled, the black deep colds at the beginning and ends of the year (which represents average temps of below -30C), and the swath of light pink that represents my trip to Mexico in June of that year (it was my only chance to use light pink!). My favourite bit is the change from deep cold in early February to above zero temps within the week. Oh Canada.<br />
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Here's the temperature ranges I chose:<br />
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I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sport. Most people who knit this chose a palette that follows the standard colours used to represent temperatures ranges on weather reporting (red orange yellow green blue purple). I wasn't a fan of how they came out though, so I picked my own colours! I love blues and purples and burgundy, so of course that had to be my range.<br />
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I knit this sucker in a 1x1 rib and did two rows of each colour for the average daily temperature for each day. Ravelry tells me I cast on 44 stitches and and I honestly can't remember anything else about it. <br />
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The whole thing measures just shy of 10 feet. This scarf only really gets broken out when it's super cold, since I can wrap this thing around my head 3 or 4 times! Makes me laugh every time I put it on, and even more when I try to take it off and boggle at the amount of wraps.<br />
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Anywho, now that Christmas Retail Insanity is over, I'm hoping to get back into blogging. There may be a flurry of posts in the next little bit, as I've been mentally composing a ton of them in the last month or two. I'm glad to get this one off my list at last! It's always nice to get an old, long-term project finished up, complete with a post. <br />
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Have you ever tackled a conceptual project like this, and would you consider it? Where would the temperature range sit on my chart above in your area? Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-49282810990116068992017-11-15T02:10:00.000-08:002017-11-15T22:02:45.589-08:00Repairing a Well-Loved SweaterSo not all Store-related knit work is as fun as knitting store samples. I'm open to taking repair jobs from customers, since despite telling myself I just don't have the time and energy, I can't leave poor damaged knitwear that someone's grandma or mom knit then. Though I've learned to be more picky on the jobs I take on.<br />
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This sweater is one of the repair jobs that taught me that lesson.<br />
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This beauty was brought in by a local gentleman along with two other sweaters. Um, about a year ago. Oops. They were all knit by his Mother years ago, and she's since passed away. This is an important job. The first sweater was an easy repair - a couple of broken strands and some mostly-matching yarn to fix the hole. This is the second sweater, and boy did I under-estimate the work needed on her.<br />
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There are no before pictures, but there were quite a few holes in the sleeves. Mostly at the elbows, but while repairing those, I noticed how thin the fabric was getting around the holes, and on other sections of the sleeves. You can maybe see my patches above and below.<br />
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Maybe because I'm damn good at these sort of repairs - patching large sections and creating new fabric. Though there's only so much I can do to match the yarn colour.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I only noticed the hole while taking these photos. You can sort of see a patch I started months ago. Obviously I didn't finish the section back then.</i></td></tr>
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Sadly, looking over the whole sweater for other thin sections, I noticed just how brittle the yarn is getting. I'm really not sure how long this poor thing will last, but hopefully it'll last a bit longer. The armpits in particular are looking so strained and brittle, but there's only so much I can do here. I've decided, for now, to leave this section be. I'm going to tell him to bring it back in if he has any problems. I may sew a fabric patch over the whole area if needed, rather than reinforce the entire area.<br />
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The last section to be repaired (other than a few wee holes around the colourwork at the bottom of the sweater) was the ratty hem. I wish I'd taken a photo of it before hand, or even from a few hours ago. I'd say about 2/3rds of the bottom hem were falling apart. Mostly just on the cast-on row, but there were a few sections with broken strands a few rows down.<br />
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It took a few tries, and abandoning the hem to practice on the sleeve hems, but I managed to work out how to do a sewn reinforcement for most of the edge, with a few areas where I had to build up the fabric by picking up clean stitches and knitting the fabric up, then bind-off the edge. My yarn is a bit more red than the sweater yarn, so you can kind of see what I'm talking in these photos, especially the one below that shows one section that I had to build up the fabric.<br />
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The sweater is having a bath right now. Ye gods, I didn't realize how dirty this sweater is, poor thing. I was hoping to take it to work tomorrow because I think he's coming by then, but I feel like I should leave the sweater in the bath overnight. I added a bunch of moisturizing conditioner to try to add some moisture back into the fabric. Don't know if it'll work, but it can't hurt.<br />
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Oh, and here's a shot of the yoke colourwork. She really is a lovely sweater. Despite the time and effort of this repair, I'm glad I could give it some life!<br />
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Do you ever tackle any big repair jobs? I know I didn't before this.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-58094349269070620612017-11-08T23:35:00.000-08:002017-11-08T23:35:14.112-08:00fo: (Pumpkin Spice) Fredrika SocksSo remember that sock I mentioned at the end of <a href="https://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/2017/10/fo-unanticipated-christmas-stocking-and.html">my last post</a>? <br />
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I uh...finished them.<br />
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These were the quickest socks I've ever knit. Granted, I shortened them to ankle-length to get the pair from one ball of yarn, and the yarn itself is worsted. But I don't really attribute either of those to my speed.<br />
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I entirely blame the pattern itself. It was addicting! Each section was quick and interesting, with 4 different (but relatively easy) charts to finish, and a unique heel method that had me fascinated by the whole process - both times! They just seemed to fall off of the needles.<br />
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Which is good because it's -17C outside right now and my floors are damn cold!<br />
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Pattern: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fredrika">Fredrika</a>, by Tiina Kuu<br />
Yarn: Custom Woolen Mills <a href="http://www.customwoolenmills.com/wool_shop/wool_yarn/cwm_sock_yarn/cwm_sock_yarn_4ply">CWM Sock Yarn 4-ply</a><br />
Needles: 3.5 mm<br />
Modifications: Shortened to ankle-length<br />
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I actually knit these as an excuse to use one of Custom Woolen Mill's new sock yarns. I'm not a quick sock knitter in general, and I resisted using their 2 ply (fingering weight) yarn. And then the 4 ply (worsted weight) yarn arrived, and there ended any resistance. This yarn is hardy and rustic - entirely my sort of yarn, and with 30% nylon, it'll hold up to all sorts of dragging my feet around my home. This colour called to me too, and I'm so excited to wear these suckers!<br />
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If you have any sort of interest in sock knitting, do yourself a favour and knit these socks. The pattern is even free, so you have no excuse! I'm torn between making another pair, or tackling <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hot-chocolate-socks">this pair</a> that my fingers are itching to start.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-74243322016298603722017-10-28T01:59:00.000-07:002017-10-28T02:04:00.589-07:00fo: Unanticipated Christmas Stocking, and Another OopsFolks, I hate all things Christmas when it's still October. Or honestly, before Remembrance Day on Nov. 11th (do you have that in the States? Elsewhere?). But I've unfortunately learned that when you're in retail, especially in yarn-related retail, you kind of need to start thinking Christmas earlier than that. Mostly because smart knitters and crocheters have started their Christmas creating by now.<br />
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Ugh.<br />
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So this year (unlike last year), I dived in early and I got a Christmas sample made up.<br />
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AND IT'S SO CUTE I COULD DIE.<br />
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Okay, so it's not very <i>traditional</i> for Christmas, but whatever I knit a Christmas stocking. And do I know my customers? Yes I do, because I had a lady with her friend come in just as I hung this sucker up and promptly freaked out about the adorable little sheep and decided to make one herself.<br />
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Though we had a good laugh because she loved my colour choices but didn't want to copy me. Oh my dear, it's not like we'll be wearing these stockings out and get all embarrassed because OH NO WE HAVE IDENTICAL CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS YOU HORRIBLE COPY CAT YOU. :)<br />
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Seriously though, who can resist that sheep?! I couldn't - the sheep is precisely why I knit a stupid Christmas thing in October. Stupid cute sheep.<br />
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Pattern: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-stockings-19">Christmas Stocking #103</a>, by Briggs & Little<br />
Yarn: Briggs & Little Heritage (with a bit of Custom Woolen Mills 2 ply Mulespinner, because I had a bit of cream and brown on hand for the sheep)<br />
Mods: Only did 3 sections on the leg; changed up the heel flap for my standard heel flap method; lengthened foot of sock; did contrast heel/toe.<br />
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I loved working with this pattern, and B&L yarn permanently lives in my yarny heart. The pattern was great because it has multiple charts you can choose from on the leg, so you have mix and match to your hearts content. I kind of want to knit another one in blue with a snowflake theme!<br />
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Though not right away because I have way too much else to do. For every project I show here, there's at least 3 that I've finished that I never blog about. Certain bits of owning and operating a shop is getting easier, which frees up more time to deal with all the other stuff I never realized I should've been doing! Haha oops.<br />
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That doesn't meant that I'm not making time for personal project though. For instance, winter is officially here in Whitehorse, and that means that the floors of my basement suite is getting DAMN COLD. Being a knitter, that means that I have to knit myself new thick woolen socks. Obviously. And when <a href="http://www.customwoolenmills.com/wool_shop/wool_yarn/cwm_sock_yarn/cwm_sock_yarn_4ply">Custom Woolen Mill's CMW 4 ply sock yarn</a> arrived, I knew immediately that they were the One.<br />
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And despite telling myself I couldn't start it until I finished a different store project and 2 repair jobs, tonight my hands conspired with my cold feet, said <i>screw that</i>, and I got the cuff of an ankle sock knit.<br />
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Oops.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-91930473567905030042017-09-23T20:55:00.000-07:002017-09-23T20:55:13.341-07:00OopsSo despite having several finished items to share with you, I haven't managed to find the time to take decent photos yet (and the one sweater now needs to be reblocked because I've worn it so many times, it's a bit stretched out). Instead, I'm going to show you the new project I started!<br />
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This project is another <span style="color: #0000ee;">accident</span>. Wasn't anywhere near my queue. Wasn't even on the radar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpaYjkH_lbCSmnYAbOlphSjtYr749BZdg6s3EbAzhVTommG7EsHT4VXxxMn8l3w0sCQ5hyZTTtE2rxyuACe01-EvavdDll17AlXapP4hyOqCfiIjeq1kA6hRRkdvB8rB_KyF431o9uBA/s1600/fair_isle_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpaYjkH_lbCSmnYAbOlphSjtYr749BZdg6s3EbAzhVTommG7EsHT4VXxxMn8l3w0sCQ5hyZTTtE2rxyuACe01-EvavdDll17AlXapP4hyOqCfiIjeq1kA6hRRkdvB8rB_KyF431o9uBA/s1600/fair_isle_small2.jpg" /></a></div>
At this month's Northern Fibre Guild meeting, I borrowed this book from the guild library so I could read up on Fair Isle knitting and play with some of the charts in the book. It's an interesting book with some gorgeous designs in it, despite the very strong 1970s vibe. Oh the sexy moustachio'd man poses! ::swoon::<br />
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And then this yarn arrived in shop.<br />
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And I had a closer look at the pattern on the cover.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/37218626116/in/dateposted-public/" title="Swatching for my new sweater"><img alt="Swatching for my new sweater" height="224" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4506/37218626116_fc9b731a07.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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And then I swatched.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/37399985795/in/dateposted-public/" title="Oops, started a new sweater."><img alt="Oops, started a new sweater." height="300" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4451/37399985795_8e476a46d3.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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And now I'm knitting a sweater.<br />
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Oops.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-65267159095856604282017-08-29T23:18:00.001-07:002017-08-29T23:25:18.999-07:00fo: Rolling Rock Henley<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This photo is a bit dark, but it's the closest to the true colour of this sweater, which is a dark grey/charcoal shade. The rest of the photos wound up too bright, but shows the details a bit better. Ugh photography - you are not my thing.</i></td></tr>
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Anyways, here's some photos (at last) of <a href="http://ravel.me/sewingonpins/rr">my Rolling Rock</a> that I knit during the Briggs and Little Spring KAL earlier this year. I love this sweater and I wear it regularly, but there's some major issues with it. More on that in a second.<br />
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Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rolling-rock">Rolling Rock</a>, by Thea Colman<br />
Yarn: Briggs & Little Sport in Dark Grey<br />
Mods: Not much on the upper body, all the waist shaping on the lower body. Shortened sleeves to 3/4 length.<br />
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<h3>
Things I love about this sweater:</h3>
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Henley neckline. Very cleverly done and well instructed. It makes for such a lovely neckline and one of my favourites that I've ever knit. The buttons were some old ones I've had in my button stash for yonks, which I found for about 30 cents at a thrift shop in Manitoba.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh wow, nice butt photo there Heather. If I weren't too damn lazy and wanting to go to bed, I'd go back and crop it. OH WELL BUTTS FOR YOU.</i></td></tr>
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Lace pattern on the back piece only. It's a lovely lace, is easy to remember, and I adore that it's just in the back. Granted, it didn't show up well in this rustic wool, but the texture is there and I love that the lace pops when I wear a bright tank top underneath!<br />
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Body shaping. I added a ton of shaping to the body below the bust to make this sweater fit me better. I think it turned out really well, and skims my body nicely. Not too tight, not too loose, but just right = Goldilocks shaping!<br />
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THIS YARN. Dear me do I ever love Briggs & Little yarn. It's rustic for sure, rough and a bit scratchy. But it's warm as all get out, and so long as I'm wearing a tank top to protect my lower back and tummy, I can easily wear this against the skin. It does soften up with washing, and I'm itching to knit another sweater from it.<br />
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Things I don't like about this sweater:</h3>
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The too-big upper body. So, I wasn't thinking when I cast this sweater on. I did choose a size that corresponded with my upper bust as I always do, but unfortunately this pattern has both that size and the one above it start with the same cast on amount, and you just add more stitches later on for the larger size (which happened to be my full bust size). By the time I started to realize that the sweater was coming out too big, I was nearly at the sleeve divide.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>MOAR BUTTS. But (hehe) you can also see how bad the upper torso fit is at the underarm. It's too wide across the upper back. You know, I could probably knit this whole sweater again and simply eliminate a few lace repeats form the back. Hmmm.</i></td></tr>
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Now, I don't mind ripping out a sweater if something is going wrong with it. Better to get it over with and redo it than to wind up with a sweater you won't wear. But I was in that KAL and I was determined to finish on time. I wouldn't be able to do that if I ripped it. I convinced myself that it would be alright. Dividing for the sleeves and knitting an inch proved me wrong. So instead of starting over, I started to do some aggressive waist shaping to get a good fit below the bust. Not sure what my reasoning was - probably the thought that I'd get the sleeves and lower body fitted well and maybe no one would notice the poor fit above the bust.<br />
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And you know what? It worked! Sort of. I point this problem out to EVERYONE, and they all say that the sweater looks great and they don't see anything wrong. I do, of course I do. Between the large size and the slight bias this single ply yarn creates, the neckline is actually skewed a bit, and the henley doesn't hold itself open unless I keep the sweater tugged down.<br />
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But you know what? I DON'T CARE. Love love love this sweater and I'm going to keep wearing it with pride. I'd like to reknit this pattern in another colour, and I'll try to get a better fit that time. But there's so many more sweaters I want to knit in the mean time that there's no sense in resenting the problems in this one. It's comfy to wear and looks great on me - what else could a knitter want?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-63134460759102158952017-08-16T22:36:00.003-07:002017-08-17T08:04:47.629-07:00sskal ProjectsOh jeez guys, it's been a while. Sorry, it's been a busy summer! As usual, I've been crafting a lot, I just haven't found time to take photos and, more importantly, write up some posts.<br />
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I've joined the Very Shannon <a href="http://www.veryshannon.com/sskal17">Summer Sweater KAL</a> again this year in an effort to finish up a few sweaters. My buddy Margaret has outright forbidden me from starting any new sweaters until I finished up some of the...more than I'd like to count...sweaters I already have on needles. And since I'm biting at the bit to start my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skogafjall">Skogafjall</a>, I'm focusing on some of my old wips.<br />
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I'll be knitting it out of some gorgeously rustic wool from Custom Woolen Mills in Alberta (Canadian raised sheep wool, Canadian milled, Canadian bought. Oh yeah, go Canada!), in two undyed natural shades (grey and dark brown) and some naturally dyed wool from a woman in Atlin, BC (green). SO EXCITED.<br />
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But first, I have to finish the second sleeve and then button band of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sewingonpins/amiga-2">Amiga</a>, shown at the top of the post. It's probably going to be the most wearable sweater I'll ever make, but dear pete is it ever a boring knit. Stockinette stockinette stockinette in solid black. UGH just magically be done already.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/36040463150/in/dateposted-public/" title="fo: A Simple Baby Sweater Knit from Diamond Luxury Fine Merino Superwash Aran"><img alt="fo: A Simple Baby Sweater Knit from Diamond Luxury Fine Merino Superwash Aran" height="224" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/36040463150_6e53e17048.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I've had a couple of other successes in this KAL though. I'd accidentally cast on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sewingonpins/a-simple-baby-pullover">a baby sweater</a> right before the KAL started, and finished it within the first week of it. It's a store sample in Diamond Luxury Fine Merino Superwash Aran and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-simple-baby-pullover">A Simple Baby Sweater</a>. Quick knit, though I found the instructions for joining in the round after the henley lacking. I added some notes on my Rav project page to explain it if you're interested. I love this little green sweater so much, and I'm tempted to swipe it and send it to my buddy who's about to have a baby!<br />
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I also tackled a really old wip. I pulled out my old <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sewingonpins/reverb">Reverb</a> sweater to reassess the sweater. It's so pretty, with this gorgeous yarn and lovely cables, and I was well past the arm divide when I put it down. But I put it down literally years ago, back in 2013, and my tension has loosened up considerably since then. There's no way I can finish this without it looking wonky, and the fabric was knit much tighter than I prefer now-a-days.<br />
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So I frogged it. Sad in a way, but I didn't realize how much it was weighing on my mind until it was just a huge ball of yarn again, so I'm glad I did it. SUCCESS!<br />
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One of the reasons I've been so busy this summer is that I'm spending a lot of time with both friends and myself. I feel better every day, though I'm still struggling with some parts of our breakup last winter. I can't even believe it's been nearly 7 months, but I'm relearning myself and I like the person I'm finding. I feel like I'm finally lifting my head up after being weighed down for the last few years, so obviously this is a good change in my life. It's taken a while to admit that, but admitting it sure helped.<br />
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So did buying myself a new toy. Friends, meet the Little Guy. We've gone on a few adventures already, and I can't wait to hitch him up to my little car and go camping again this weekend!<br />
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Take care of yourselves, folks. Hopefully it won't take so long for another update! <3Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-59240999625570295752017-06-19T23:53:00.000-07:002017-06-19T23:53:39.298-07:00Yarn Dyeing Experiment: LupineI've been plotting and planning to create my own line of naturally dyed yarn, and I'm now in the experimental phase. I'm not going to go into too many details yet until I have a better feel of things, but I'm sure I'll share more here as I learn more.<br />
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Today's post is about my first attempt at dyeing yarn with lupines. They grow thick and beautiful here in the late spring/early summer. I spent a lovely evening gathering a bunch of it the other night with a friend, and have gathered more since to freeze for future dyeing days.<br />
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I only collected the flower stalks, and used only the flowers for the dye bath. If you had to guess what colour that would produce, you'd probably guess blue or purple. You'd be wrong.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/35420007395/in/dateposted-public/" title="Lupine Dyeing Experiment"><img alt="Lupine Dyeing Experiment" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4285/35420007395_51e13a67b9.jpg" width="224" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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While the dye bath was a lovely burgundy/pink shade, the yarn initially came out looking a sad shade of greyish-green after steeping overnight. I was disappointed, but figured I'd overdye it with something else. I toss the first dip yarn into a bath with pH neutral wool wash and an extra skein into the dye bath to exhaust the dye. I left for work and left it be. When I got home, the exhaust bath yarn was a paler sad shade of greyish-green when I pulled it out and into a rinse bath. So imagine my surprise when I reached into the wool wash bath and pulled out a skein of lime green yarn!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/35420014545/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lupine Dyeing Experiment"><img alt="Lupine Dyeing Experiment" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4222/35420014545_99afd567d6.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>First dip yarn on left, exhaust bath yarn in middle, undyed yarn on right.</i></td></tr>
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I'm not entirely sure what caused the change, but I suspect the soap adjusted the pH and affected the colour of the yarn. The chemistry is fascinating! I'm so happy with the results - even the exhaust bath yarn.<br />
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For a bit of background here, I used Briggs and Little Sport yarn, divided into 25 g skeins for experimentation. I premordent the yarn with alum, with cream of tarter as an assist. I forgot to rinse the yarn before moving it from the premordent pot to the dye bath, and I thought that was why the dye seemed so disappointing. I suspect that my water isn't a pure as I'd like. I'll probably have to get bottled water to get more control of my results.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/34578397234/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lupine Dyeing Experiment"><img alt="Lupine Dyeing Experiment" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4275/34578397234_0866c7271a.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I already have a couple baskets worth of yarn in the freezer for future dyeing!</i></td></tr>
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I want to play a bit more with lupine, see what happens when I modify it with iron and copper solutions. I can see this one making it into my final line of yarns.<br />
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Have you tried natural dyeing yet? I'm fascinated with the chemistry behind it, and have been consuming all of the books I can on the matter. Know of any good ones to recommend?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-26012954907595927402017-06-15T11:35:00.001-07:002017-06-15T11:35:44.896-07:00fo: Gramps SweaterBack in February, my wonderful, life-saving employee had a baby - an adorably disgruntled-looking little boy that has stolen my heart. Seriously guys, I've happily avoided holding any babies since my Mom plopped one in my arms when I was 19. I like making faces at them, and that's about it. But this little guy? I steal him as often as I can. I've volunteered to baby-sit him, ffs. He's a little pouty grump and I adore him.<br />
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So of course I had to knit something perfect for him. What's more perfect for a grumpy-old-man baby than a grampa sweater, complete with elbow patches? Nothing, I say!<br />
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Pattern: Gramps, by Tin Can Knits (one of my favourite knit designers)<br />
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash<br />
Size: 1-2 years (since they have 12 bajillion sweaters that'll fit him up to 9 months)<br />
Mods: Shortened the pockets a bit, and that's it. What do I know about baby fits?<br />
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This is a clever pattern. Knits up really quickly, but pay attention to the instructions for binding off the neckline. To pull the shawl collar in and prevent a floppy collar, you need to do a decrease bind-off around the neck. I didn't do this at first, and then ignored the sweater for way longer than I want to admit before I ripped it back and fixed it. <br />
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It took 30 minutes. Why do I do this to myself?<br />
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ISN'T THIS THE MOST ADORABLE SWEATER?! I can't get over those elbow patches.<br />
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The buttons though, they definitely bring it to another level. These are buttons made by a woman in Scotland that I carry in shop. They're not super popular, but I think people just don't know what to do with them. Might have to make another sample with them featured!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/34435252674/in/dateposted-public/" title="Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat"><img alt="Fo: Gramps Cardigan and Matching Hat" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4287/34435252674_6fe50e6578_z.jpg" width="225" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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The matching hat was thrown together last minute from left over yarn based on Tin Can Knits Barley Hat, though I just knit the body of it in stockinette. I love the floppy loose pompom!<br />
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Seriously, I'll be knitting this pattern again. It turned out soooo good, and is a breeze to knit!<br />
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Do you have a go-to baby pattern you make up for friends and family when they have wee sprogs? Haha have you ever had a baby charm you despite your nature? I can't wait to see little sprogy in this sweater...once he grows up a bit. :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-25206549847317915952017-05-27T09:58:00.000-07:002017-05-27T09:58:00.349-07:00fo: Welcome Home Tapestry<div style="text-align: center;">
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This project has been done for a while now, and the pictures taken nearly a month ago. It's about time I finally shared!<br />
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A while back, I <a href="http://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/2017/02/sneak-peaks-at-some-of-wips.html">mentioned</a> that I'd learned to weave on a frame loom. I took a class a friend of mine taught at the store, and I'm so glad that I did it! We built our own looms, and learned a few different stitch techniques. Or I would've if I hadn't plowed on through and finished my tapestry ahead of everyone else. <br />
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This is the one I wove in that class. I gifted it to a friend that let me stay at her place for 3 weeks while she was out of town and I was homeless after the breakup. She's a wonderful friend, and volcanologist to boot (that will make more sense when you read the description below).<br />
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It's mostly Icelandic wool, either commercially spun (top white and bottom black) or handspun (dark grey and bobbly cream), but the medium grey was Briggs & Little Heritage yarn. The item attached to the medium grey is actually a piece of vesicular basalt (volcanic rock with gas bubbles) wrapped with silver and sewn onto the tapestry. I was really inspired by the gorgeous shades of the Icelandic and of the layering that can occur with extrusive volcanism (lava flows). The whole thing was an ode to Iceland's geology, really. <br />
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I really love how this turned out, but the bobbly handspun second from the top intrigued me! See the little hill in the contact with the white? That formed naturally from larger bobbles stacking up as I wove. I really wanted to play with the nature of this yarn, and so the inspiration for my next design was born.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/34751162282/in/dateposted-public/" title="Tapestry details"><img alt="Tapestry details" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4225/34751162282_deb492f265_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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For this one, I just wanted to play with the thick-thin texture of the cream handspun, so I paired it with an evenly spun black commercial Icelandic wool and alternated rows of each yarn. I messed up the first part of the tapestry since I initially tried weaving the handspun over and under every two strands (called the warp threads), but this really affected the texture and smoothed out the effect that I wanted. I'd also planned to use some white commercially spun Icelandic wool to try to show off the distortions, but I didn't like the effect (and only realized well after it was too late to pull it out). Ah well. <br />
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It was fun to see how the handspun would stack up. There was actually a lot more extreme waves in the fat white section above, but the thick sections started to line up to fill in the thin sections, and I wound up with less extreme waves. <br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/34783098421/in/dateposted-public/" title="Tapestry details"><img alt="Tapestry details" height="225" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4243/34783098421_a3dc2d4d4e_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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On the other hand, there was less chance for the handspun to "fix" itself in the narrower bands, and they formed some cool waves. I love the texture of this tapestry.<br />
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And since it's one of my favourite features of my previous tapestry, I made sure to include a thick rhya at the bottom.<br />
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I was a bit lazier with this tapestry though. On the previous one, I weaved in all of the warp threads at both the top and the bottom. This time, I just wove in the ones at the end so they wouldn't protrude and hid the rest behind the rhya. Haha GO LAZINESS!<br />
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This tapestry was started before I moved into my new apartment in March, and was made as a "welcome to your new home" for myself. It was an essential thing to focus on when I was feeling so lost, since I find weaving really captures my focus and attention. Especially one like this, where I was really experimenting with the material and engrossed in the results. <br />
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Expect to see more tapestries from me in the future! They're so fun to do. I do need to make some for the store, since my friend has really hooked people into this art form.<br />
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As an aside, this is the first time I really felt artistic in a long time. Unlike with the majority of my knitting and sewing, I felt like I wasn't just following instructions but actually using my artistic spirit to create something unique. Not that knitting or sewing can't be artistic, nor that others haven't created works of art in those mediums, but I never felt that way in regards to my own work; I don't consider myself an artist when it comes to sewing or knitting, but I definitely felt like one with these tapestries. What do you think? Do you feel like an artist, or at least, artistic when sewing or knitting? I always feel like I'm making pretty but practical items. I guess practical can be artistic as well, but I guess it comes from a prairie farming background, where you make what you need because it's necessary - hard to look at those skills as artistic as well.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-88528805802552456322017-05-13T00:30:00.002-07:002017-05-13T00:30:28.561-07:00Briggs and Little kalThis post is probably a little incoherent. It's late, I'm tired, and I just want to blog, dammit! Also I swear I wrote a blog post about this, but obviously I just daydreamed that one. <br />
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Back in March, <a href="http://www.briggsandlittle.com/">Briggs and Little</a>, one of my favourite yarn companies ever, announced a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/briggs--little/3587637/1-25">KAL/CAL</a> for any of their sport-weight yarn. I've been itching to knit a sweater with their <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/briggs--little-sport">B&L Sport</a>, so obviously I needed to join. Plus I can't resist KALs.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/33600797303/in/dateposted-public/" title="Making progress on my Briggs and Little sweatwr. Doing rhe neckband before continuing on with the sweater was a smart move."><img alt="Making progress on my Briggs and Little sweatwr. Doing rhe neckband before continuing on with the sweater was a smart move." height="224" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/33600797303_e1a1be960f.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I'm knitting <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rolling-rock">Rolling Rock</a> by Thea Colman, and I'm loving this pattern. It has an interesting contiguous shoulder line, which is a combination of a set in and a raglan sleeve on a top-down sweater. I found it mostly flew off the needles, except just before and the first 6 inches after the sleeve separation, which is always ALWAYS a slog for me. It has a gorgeous lace detail all over the back of the sweater (which I apparently don't have a picture of just yet), and it's both easy to knit and makes the sweater fun to knit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/34560304306/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Body of my Rolling Rock is done!"><img alt="Body of my Rolling Rock is done!" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4187/34560304306_00cdbf4305.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Haha you can see exactly which section I steam blocked to see how the yarn relaxed.</i></td></tr>
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Now granted, the KAL ends on in a few days on May 15th, and I'm NEARLY THERE. I have 1.6 sleeves to knit, and I'll probably be pulling a few late nights to finish it. Like um, tonight. I hope I can finish, anyways. Because I literally have 6 other sweaters on the needles and I should probably finish one or two of them before I start the sweater I plan to start this month. On top of all of the shop knitting I need to do. AHA yeah, I might have a problem...<br />
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Wish me luck folks! Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-32761876356074525122017-04-03T13:04:00.001-07:002017-04-03T13:04:41.631-07:00fba on Darling Ranges Bodice<br />
I'm finally sewing up <a href="https://megannielsen.com/collections/dresses/products/darling-ranges-dress-sewing-pattern">Darling Ranges</a> from Megan Nielsen Patterns! I always feel like I'm the last to attempt these popular patterns. I've been half in love with this one forever, but I'm trying to work from patterns I already own (because I have a lot, and am half in love with most of them too). Except during Me-Made-May last year, I won a prize through a giveaway (more on that next time) that included this pattern. It's been on the back of my mind ever since, and as the pattern <i>also</i> came with fabric to sew the dress up in, obviously it was the one I reached for when I was considering a new project!<br />
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Except as usual, I knew I had to modify the pattern. A full bust adjustment was definitely in order.<br />
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The first thing I did was trace the front pattern piece. Since my body measurements are quite different than the pattern sizes, I used my high bust measurement (38", size M) for the shoulders, graded to size L at the underarm after the arm scythe, then graded to an XL at the waist. My current waist measurement is actually, erm, a bit larger than the pattern fits to, but I also knew that the fba would add some width, so we're going for it.<br />
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Since I was pursuing my Fit For Real People (FFRP) book to refresh my memory on how to do an fba, I decided to tissue fit the pattern. No pics of that process since I was just in my bra at the time, but it showed that I needed a 2 inches added to the piece (1 inch fba on each side).<br />
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There's a tutorial on Megan Nielsen's blog about <a href="http://blog.megannielsen.com/2012/04/how-to-do-a-full-bust-adjustment-fba/">how to do an fba</a> for this pattern, but it was based on her previous design, which had a dart on the side, not at the waistline. I chose to just go with a normal fba based on FFRP, while adding a dart to the side to redistribute some of the dart width. You can see that adjustment above, though I forgot to add some length on the right side of the fba.<br />
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I retraced the adjustments onto a new sheet and tried it on. (I'm using parchment paper because it's what I have on hand. I love working with this stuff, but scotch tape doesn't stick to it for very long and that's such a pain, let me tell you). The fit was better, but the side dart I added was too high. I chopped that sucker out and shifted it down a bit.<br />
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AND here's the final result. While tracing this version, I raised the neckline by about 1.25 inches as per <a href="http://blog.megannielsen.com/2012/04/darling-ranges-sewalong-how-to-raise-the-neckline/">Megan's tutorial</a>. I probably should've rotated some more of that lower dart width to the side dart, but ah well. I think this'll do, and I'll make any further adjustments on the next dress. If there's another dress. I hope there is, because this one seems darling - lets see how it works on me!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/33665202292/in/dateposted-public/" title="FBA on Darling Ranges Bodice"><img alt="FBA on Darling Ranges Bodice" height="375" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2909/33665202292_cd3b87a4c9.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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In case you're curious (I always am), this is how the piece stacked up against the original. I lined up the shoulder and the front centre edge since that hadn't changed much. You can see the width and length added to the piece (I'm a little worried about that added length, but the tissue fitting seemed to sit fine on me so we're just gonna give'er on that one), and the changes to the dart location and end point. I forgot to mention, but at some point I lowered the vertical dart a bit since it hit above my apex.<br />
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Yeah yeah, boring post. I haven't even showed you the fabric this'll be made from! Mostly I just wanted to write out my adjustments here for future reference. Hopefully I actually get to sewing this dress up, because I think it's going to be a great addition to my wardrobe, and I'm feeling like I need a change to my style. But more on that another time.<br />
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Geez these are a pain to do, but it's worth the time to adjust the pattern. What annoying-but-worthwhile pattern adjustments do you have to make?<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-27966728943277115892017-03-30T00:06:00.000-07:002017-03-30T09:03:07.919-07:00fo: Birch-Newsprint-Clocks-Whatever Quilt : finally done!So uh, do any of you remember the quilt I <a href="http://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/2015/03/guess-whos-quilting.html">planned out</a> and quickly sewed up back in, oh, March 2015? The one that I stated in <a href="http://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/2015/03/wip-quilts-and-sweaters-and-garment.html">this post</a> that only needed to be bound by the bias binding I'd already completed?<br />
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I just finished that sucker last night. Oops.<br />
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To be fair, the mostly-finished quilt got tucked away for one reason or another ::coughIhatebiasbindingcough:: and then forgotten until I moved into my new place. And then I got into a fight ::coughinstigateditinafitoffrustrationandheartachecough:: with the Ex and basically cut him out of my life while I heal before I could claim the blanket I bought in Mexico. This meant I had no blanket for the couch in my often-chilly basement suite. AND THEN I started using the unbound quilt, so now my couch is full of wee little threads of yarn that came off the edges of the quilt, and the thing was starting to get a little ratty.<br />
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Obviously it was time to bind that sucker. The moment that the sewing machine was unearthed, I did so.<br />
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Guys, don't look to closely at the binding. I vaguely used <a href="http://cluckclucksew.com/2013/01/machine-binding-tutorial.html">this tutorial</a> and completely machine-sewed the binding on. But instead of neatly stitching the final side down, I triple-stitch zigzagged that sucker down. To reflect the triple-stitch zigzag that I "quilted" the blanket with. Yes.<br />
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Whatever, I don't care how ugly the edging is, because I now have a cozy and bright couch blanket to snuggle under on my evenings off as I knit and watch unending episodes of Last Week Tonight on youtube and read shoddy Star Trek fanfic. :D<br />
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My life is obviously complete. <span style="color: #0000ee;"></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-9858574249528230092017-03-05T10:50:00.001-08:002017-03-05T10:50:08.326-08:00Mending Slippers, Mending HeartsWe're nearly a week into March and I still keep thinking it's January; I feel like I've lost February - where did you go February? Nearly a week into March means that I've been in my new apartment for that long, and while I still feel like I'm couch surfing, it should feel more like mine soon. I'm hoping to get the majority of my Stuffs packed up and moved to the apartment, and I'm looking forward to getting settled in here. Some stability will help immensely.<br />
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I've been plugging away on some projects, but the best one of late was mending a pair of slippers. Guys, my new apartment - while awesome! - has cold floors, and the slippers I have with me had a couple of holes in the left slipper. :( Last night, I grabbed some spare wool yarn and a needle, and fixed that sucker right up while listening to my favourite audiobook (World War Z).<br />
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I've never mended socks or slippers or anything in this way before - in a cross-hatched woven technique. I've duplicate stitched a lot of small holes in knitting before, but these were too big to get away with that. It's a bit rough and probably should've been woven tighter, but I'm proud of how they turned out. I have a set of leather patches to add to the bottom of theses slippers...somewhere, so I'm not overly concerned about how these will hold up since they'll be covered.<br />
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The mended patch works for now though, and my feet are snuggly warm in my newly fixed slippers!<br />
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I don't think I've blogged about these before. They're a cute pair of bunny slippers from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hopsalots">this pattern here</a>, knitted and felted a few years back (my <a href="http://ravel.me/sewingonpins/h3">Ravelry project page</a> with no pictures tells me summer 2014). I never got around to finishing them - the poor left-footed bunny never even got a nose on her. Maybe once my Stuffs are here, I'll dig up that pink yarn and fix her right up. Maybe give them both some eyes.<br />
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It's a little thing, but it's nice to have these in use again. It's one of the few personal items that I have at the apartment that I haven't had to go out and purchase nor moved around with me from couch to couch these last 6 weeks or so. A little touch of home in my new one, and it's amazing how much better that makes me feel. :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-61189973293363585122017-02-22T23:43:00.001-08:002017-02-22T23:43:27.427-08:00Sneak Peaks at (some of) the wipsFirst of all, thank you to everyone who commented on my <a href="http://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/2017/02/wip-lonely-shawl.html">last post</a> (and those who didn't but thought about it or contacted me elsewhere). You all are wonderful - I've forgotten how supportive this community has been, and I hope to start finding my way back into it in the coming months. I suspect a lot of my feelings are going to be channeled into more creative pursuits, because that's my jam apparently.<br />
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Also, I have about 10 projects that I'm actively working on right now, never mind everything that's in storage. Yeesh. Here's a sneak peak at 5 of them.<br />
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The Lonely Shawl is finished, I just need to get some good pictures of it. Guys, the hugs it gives me are wonderfully warm and cozy, and I'm so glad I chose it as my coping project. Also, I think I'm hooked on triangle shawls now. I'm already plotting more, though I've told myself I have to <i>finish</i> a project before I can start one.<br />
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Ugh. Stupid rules.<br />
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This is my latest weaving project. No, I haven't shown you my first one. More on that later, when I've made a bit more progress on this one and get a pic of the other. I want to tell you all about weaving! This tapestry is for me - it'll be my housewarming gift to myself. <br />
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Oh hey yeah, I found a place to live! Great basement apartment with lots of light and a few awesome features I'm not telling you about until I give you a tour when I move in. :) I'm so happy to have found a place so quickly - the instability of not having a place to live has been eating away at my mental state big-time, despite all of the wonderful people who have welcomed me into their homes. It's not the same as having your own space.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/32939495241/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sneak Peaks"><img alt="Sneak Peaks" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/626/32939495241_c3c5d732fb.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I've also got a few sweaters on the go. This one is my second Marion sweater (the first is a god-awful shade of green and a bit too short) and is knit from the most scrumptious merino/cashmere blend in the world! Though I kind of wish I'd picked the burgundy shade after all. The light brown shade isn't talking to me right now - which is probably why I'm not that far into it despite starting it back in November...<br />
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This sweater is a wee one for my employee's brand-spankin' new baby! Well, once he's aged a bit - making a larger size because Sproggy's Grandmum knit him approximately 10 bajillion sweaters up to about 9 months old. He'll be cold once he outgrows them all, so this one should come in handy.<br />
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Granted, that's only if I actually finish the darn thing. I made a big mistake on the collar and now it's in the wip timeout corner until I'm willing to undo the whole bind off.<br />
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~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~</div>
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And this last one is just a hint at the colourwork sweater I mentioned in my last post! I couldn't resist starting to swatch the colourwork section - though I suspect I've got the wrong needle size here.<br />
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SO MANY BROWN SWEATERS OMG.<br />
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~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~</div>
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The final wip is, of course, me. No pic right now though. Though I think we're all wips - you never really finish you until you're dead! But ah, I have my good days and bad days, but everyday gets higher up on the slope to doing better. If today's progress was a little shallow, the steep incline that finding an apartment more than makes up for it.<br />
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Thank you again for your support. I can't tell you how much it means to me. <3Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-14743748980681525202017-02-14T01:50:00.000-08:002017-02-14T03:55:15.584-08:00wip: A Lonely Shawl<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/32894435405/in/dateposted-public/" title="wip: Lonely Tree Shawl"><img alt="wip: Lonely Tree Shawl" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2510/32894435405_8b6b94b66f.jpg" width="300" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I started writing this blog post a few weeks ago, but things took a sad turn in my life soon after, and now the subject of this post has come to mean something else to me.<br />
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Back in January, I hosted a pop-up shop for Megan Samms, a textile artist out of Atlin, BC who weaves fabric and dyes yarn from Custom Woolen Mills (a wee mill in Alberta, Canada) using natural dyes. Her stuff is just lovely, and I have all the yarn I need to knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nehalem-2">this gorgeous colourwork sweater</a>. (Keep an eye out for more on this project - I'm desperate to start it.)<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/32762192941/in/dateposted-public/" title="Custom Woolen Mills 1 Ply"><img alt="Custom Woolen Mills 1 Ply" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/259/32762192941_5e569e8f47.jpg" width="265" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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I also bought a skein of her handdyed 1 ply yarn in this greenish-grey shade dyed from the South American Quebracho tree. See, I've been itching to add a triangle shawl to my wardrobe, and while black would've been far more practical, I couldn't put this pretty yarn down.<br />
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I balled the yarn up (by hand because this yarn breaks like a mofo if you put too much pressure on it, hense vetoing my ball winder set up), and found the pattern I wanted. But, I've been under a lot of stress lately, between the store, our busy schedules and no time to spend with the boyfriend, financial concerns, and some health issues that are rearing their heads of late. A tiny spat that got blown out of proportion showed that the boyfriend and I were obviously bottling crap up and lead to a talk that evening. I wanted us to work on drifting back together after so much time drifting apart. He didn't want to try.<br />
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So uh, I went into the talk expecting to making plans to work on our relationship, and basically left it homeless and alone. More alone, I guess. I was already near the breaking point, and this ratcheted my stress levels well beyond it.<br />
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But I've learned that I have an amazingly supportive group of friends here in the Yukon, and I'm so thankful for that. I'm not good at reaching out for help when I need it, but they've all rallied and are giving me the support I so desperately need right now. I don't have a home, but I'm not without places to stay. I'm overwhelmed with the store, but they're covering shifts for me so I can pack up my stuff. I'm so hurt and lonely, but they're pulling me out of my head and giving me strength.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/32504662070/in/dateposted-public/" title="wip: Lonely Treens Shawl"><img alt="wip: Lonely Treens Shawl" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3858/32504662070_1d9fedfdfd.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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This is more personal than I ever wanted to get on this blog, but I need another outlet, a place where I can reach out without having to ask, a place where I can write down the good things, but still look at the hard bits without downplaying it to the friends who worry about me. I'm going to be fine. I'm a strong and independent woman and I've survived much worse. This one just pulled the rug out from under me unexpectedly and it's going to take me more time to get my feet under me again, I think.<br />
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All of this leads back to my triangle shawl. I started it a week and a half ago because I needed a more complicated project to keep my brain distracted and my hands busy, but nothing too complicated that I couldn't figure it out with the on-average 4 hours sleep/night I'd been getting. And this shawl was the perfect project.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/32894435645/in/dateposted-public/" title="wip: Lonely Tree Shawl"><img alt="wip: Lonely Tree Shawl" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2069/32894435645_111356e133.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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It only recently occurred to me that the pattern name, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-lonely-tree-shawl">Lonely Tree Shawl</a>, was probably somewhat apt. It's become my coping project - the thing I pick up when I need to not think about stuff anymore. Sad name and what it represents aside, it also doesn't escape my notice that, once finished, I'm going to have this lovely item that will literally hug me when I wear it.<br />
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And while the shawl will probably always represent a sad point in my life, I very much appreciate the symbolism here.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-35165265261505922062017-01-11T00:51:00.000-08:002017-01-11T00:51:06.119-08:00fo: Foxes and Fireweed - My First Handspun Project!In November, a friend of mine taught a class at my shop. Only one
person had signed up and, despite having a list of things to do during
the class approximately 1.6 km long, I abandoned it all to join the
class.<br />
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What class was it, you ask?<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/30872958194/in/dateposted-public/" title="First Handspun Project"><img alt="First Handspun Project" height="300" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/480/30872958194_ca23e7bfb9.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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A drop spindle yarn spinning class! I had so much fun learning a new skill, and I got a bit obsessive with it. I wound up spending extra time at the shop - long after I should've gone home, spinning away on my little drop spindle.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/31677417396/in/dateposted-public/" title="First Handspun Project"><img alt="First Handspun Project" height="400" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/688/31677417396_e4112ce026.jpg" width="300" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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It didn't take long before I'd gotten the whole roving braid spun up into a single ply ball. I'd considered plying it into a 2ply ball, but the yarn changed a lot from start to finish, from short colour changes, over-spun sections, and rapid extremes in yarn thickness, to long consistent colour lengths and generally more consistent yarn thickness (though I still had some really fat sections in it).<br />
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The yarn ranged from lace weight to super bulky everywhere - it was hilarious to knit up! And yes, I knit it up immediately. I wanted to spin some more, but I was itching to see how it knit up. <br />
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I decided on a simple cowl design and, pairing it with some Briggs and Little Lite n' Fancy in cream to ground the wackidoodle handspun, I knit a striped cowl with seed-stitch edges. Here's the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sewingonpins/foxes-and-fireweed-cowl">Ravelry project page</a>, if you're curious. Folks, while my <a href="http://thingsimakeplusrocks.blogspot.ca/2016/12/fo-northman-mittens-and-some-blathering.html">Northman Mittens</a> are my absolute favourite knit of 2016, this cowl comes close to following it. Probably because I'm seriously in love with my cooky handspun yarn and the lovely Briggs and Little yarn I paired it with. I wear this thing almost daily - it's nice and warm on our freezing winter mornings, and the combination of yarns are super soft against even the most sensitive skin! :D SO DAMN PROUD OF MYSELF.<br />
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In case you're wondering, I named the yarn (and thus the cowl) Foxes and Fireweed because of the colours in the roving braid itself. It was dyed by a local artist, and it just makes me think of foxes darting around a roadside teaming with fireweed on a sunny summer day. Ridiculous imagery, maybe, but a common one here in the Yukon. :)<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/30905136873/in/dateposted-public/" title="First Handspun Project"><img alt="First Handspun Project" height="400" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/501/30905136873_22164a4a09.jpg" width="371" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Now that I'm finished with this project though, my fingers are itching to spin some more. Though I'm taking another class tomorrow with this same instructor - this time on frame loom weaving<span style="color: #0000ee;"> -</span> so it might be a while before I do so.<br />
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When was the last time you learned a truly new skill? I feel like it's been yonks for me.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-61479131333106250182016-12-28T22:16:00.000-08:002016-12-28T22:16:02.989-08:00fo: Northman Mittens, and Some BlatheringYe Gods! Has this last 6 months been a major learning curve. Series of learning cliffs. Whatever it was, it was certainly busy! I forgot how hectic Christmas season + Retail can be, and I barely made it though it intact - the only thing that kept me going was my wonderful employee N and the promise of 3 full days off over Christmas.<br />
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But made it through I did, and while I know January will still be busy, I might actually be able to breath! ...maybe.<br />
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Anywho, there has been a PLETHORA of knitting and crocheting going on, and I'm going to try to bang out a few posts about that before 2017 - need to bolster my shoddy posting numbers at least a bit! Also, it's killing me, not being able to blog. Or read blogs. I miss you guys!<br />
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Okay, first (and recent favourite!) project to share is my Northman Mittens. Guys, this project basically reinforced that colourwork is probably my most favourite knitting technique! It's so fun, and feels quick because all you want to do is just one more round or 12 to see the pattern emerging!<br />
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Pattern: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northman-mittens">Northman Mittens</a>, by David Schultz<br />
Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/sewingonpins/northman-mittens">project page</a> <br />
Yarn: Outer mitten - <span style="color: black;">Ístex</span> Lettlopi in Fawn and White; Liner mitten - Drops Alpaca in Light Green<br />
Needles: 3.25 mm <br />
Mods: Raised thumb by doing 4 additional rows after gusset increases before separating out the thumb stitches; removed 4 rows from finger section. Did same mod for the liner mitten, and added more length to the finger section from what pattern suggests (they would've been too short).<br />
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These mittens are just what I needed. I lost my old Rasta mittens and my hands were getting cold, and guys, I swear this pattern stalked and seduced me. Everytime I went onto Ravelry - there it was. Three people came into the shop and pointed it out. One person came in and showed me pictures of their pair. It just had to happen.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/31294910360/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northman Mittens"><img alt="Northman Mittens" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/549/31294910360_9a453221b3.jpg" width="300" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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They took me a little over a month and a half to knit (Rav tells me Oct 5 to Nov 28), which is pretty good considering I was pulling 10-14 hour days, 6-7 days a week, including teaching way too many classes and the knitting that goes along with that! lol<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/30826096704/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Northman Mittens"><img alt="Northman Mittens" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5565/30826096704_be3964c398.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The top of this mitten demonstrates colour dominance really well. Colour dominance is where one colour stands out more over the other, and happens because one strand in stranded colourwork has to go a wee bit further than the other in the back of the work. Usually the strand that travels along the bottom of the row (aka the one held in the left hand of the two-handed colourwork technique) will be more dominant. In this mitten, I let the white be the dominant colour...except on the one row at the top of the left mitten, when I obviously swapped hands and didn't realize it until the mittens were finished. You can see how there's one row where the fawn shade stands out more than the white. Oh well, it was a good teaching moment for my colourwork class. <3</i></td></tr>
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I LOVED working with the Lettlopi yarn. I've had a huge crush on it for ages, and one evening I broke and started the project. The outer mitts just flew off the needles, and the pattern managed to seduce my entire advanced colourwork class when I was discussing colour dominance with them. They've got me half convinced to run a class on the pattern! Sneaky sneaky pattern.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/30826101244/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northman Mittens"><img alt="Northman Mittens" height="300" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/410/30826101244_3b04f7cafa.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Of course, these mitts are also lined, which both adds SO MUCH to the warmth factor, and also adds a soft layer between the itchy Icelandic yarn and my skin. I used Drops Alpaca, and I'm blown away by the results. They kept my hands nice and toasty warm when Whitehorse weather dipped into the -35C range! Plus when I brush the snow off my car and scrape the windshields, these mitts wind up COVERED in snow, but despite my steering wheel getting soaked as the car warms up, my hands stay dry and warm. THIS is why we wear wool, guys. :)<br />
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Good night folks! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, or whatever you celebrate this holiday season! If you don't celebrate anything, well, sorry that you have to deal with us crazies. :D <3Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-76048596278473867602016-10-22T22:17:00.001-07:002016-10-22T22:19:57.050-07:00fo: Phoney Costume! I have a good friend who comes to visit me in the shop fairly often. For a while, when she was unemployed, she'd come sit on my shop couch and crochet in the afternoons. She's a hilarious woman and I'm so glad to have met her.<br />
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So when she left her phone at the store yesterday (again!), of course I had to yarn bomb it! I'd planned to granny square it to within an inch of it's life, but did this instead.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/30386627262/in/dateposted-public/" title="fo: Yarn Bombed Phone"><img alt="fo: Yarn Bombed Phone" height="400" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5630/30386627262_9bb0f88d3b.jpg" width="300" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Does it look like a polar bear? That was the intention, but when I added little french knot eyes, it also looked like a screaming ghost. Considering that it's October, either one could work!<br />
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She got a kick out of it, regardless. Granted, it took longer to make this thing up than I'd planned, so she caught me while I was trying to finish the bottom piece. She hung around to crochet for a bit though, so I was able to finish it.<br />
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No there's no pattern, I just made it up as I went. I love being able to do that with crochet. :D<br />
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Admit it, you now want to yarn bomb someone's phone, don't you! Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-73347930099758316572016-10-07T00:13:00.001-07:002016-10-07T00:13:59.601-07:00An Update on Yarn Shop OwnershipHoly Hannah guys, apparently running a yarn shop is a life-consuming business! I now mentally roll my eyes a tiny bit when I hear people talk about me "living the dream" and how "it must be so amazing to be able to knit at work if you want to".<br />
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AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.<br />
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Apparently 12 hour work days AT LEAST 6 days a week (and I try to enforce one day off a week because I've been through Grad School, I know how easy it is to burn out) and the only knitting time you take is in sacrifice of things like "laundry" and "making a real meal". And when you find time to knit? It'll probably be consumed by sample/commission/repair work - forget about your own projects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/27867190262/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fo: Rainbows and Shooting Stars"><img alt="fo: Rainbows and Shooting Stars" height="300" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7756/27867190262_9f58c888e3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/short-notice">Short Notice</a> baby sweater by Taiga Hillard Designs, knit using Diamond Luxury Simpatico yarn. LOVE how this turned out - the yarn was pretty and the sweater knits up in no-time flat. Seriously, if you need a baby gift on short notice, this is a good choice in pattern! </i></td></tr>
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This probably sounds like complaining. It's really not. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I jumped into this new career because I'm a scientist and I totally did my research. But I do have to laugh at those comments above because it's obvious that they hadn't. That's okay though - it is a dream to many people and I certainly don't want to burst it. (Except...I sort of did to you folks...erm...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/29475890774/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fo: Aspyn Toque"><img alt="fo: Aspyn Toque" height="400" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8135/29475890774_c148358d97.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspyn">Aspyn Hat</a> by Melissa Schaschwary, knit out of ...well you can see. Fun knit, though those massive cables looked like garbage for the first few repeats. The yarn is SO SOFT AND SO TWEEDY, I'm in love. Honkin' big pompom (the photo doesn't do it justice) was added to help pull down the hat so it's more slouch and less cone-head. Those big cables be stiff! Also, make sure you use MUCH smaller needles for the brim, because I made a mistake and used 4.5 mm instead of 4.0 mm, and it wasn't enough - WASN'T ENOUGH.</i></td></tr>
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But anyways, I will say that I was a little unprepared about how consuming this would be. I've been wanting to write blog posts for a while now, but I have no energy to do anything at the end of the day. The only reason I'm writing this one is because I'm forcing myself to, because dammit I wanna blog!<br />
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I also wanna go for a run, but between a few ginormous orders at the shop and evening events every day this week, that's totally not happening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/29476430893/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fo: Entrelac Cowl"><img alt="fo: Entrelac Cowl" height="300" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8406/29476430893_cbbea5f6b6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Entrelac Cowl from a not so great pattern (I had to rewrite it and I've never knit entrelac before). This deserves a post all on it's own because I'm THAT DAMN PROUD OF IT, but alas that probably won't happen. Knit using Noro Kureyon yarn (2 balls of it) and in the round, I learned how to knit backwards (i.e. knitting stockinette without turning to do purl rows) to speed up the process. I'm plotting to do an entrelac class because there's just so much to learn from this technique! :D </i></td></tr>
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But don't you worry about me (as uh, all my friends seem to be doing if the amount of assistance they're offering is any clue). Part of the reason I'm working so hard is that I'm trying to get everything in place to make my life much easier. It's been a learning curve (HA - more like a series of vertical learning <i>cliffs!</i>), but it's getting better all of the time. The store is nearly where I'd hoped to have it months ago, and I'll be giving you a little tour soon. And I'm getting some creative outlet in the samples I'm making up - many of them shown here in this post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/30104033925/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fo: Entrelac Cowl"><img alt="fo: Entrelac Cowl" height="300" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8721/30104033925_a18163a600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fell in LOVE with kureyon while knitting this. Lovely and soft with beautiful colour ranges, and the finished project has such heft that it stands up nicely on it's own. What a great cowl for keeping your neck and face warm for the winter! May need to steal this for the really cold winter days that are coming way too soon (seriously, I'm scraping the windshield almost daily now).</i></td></tr>
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The very best part though? I love what I do, every single day. Oh sure, there's some trying bits - but there's nothing like seeing a person's face when the light-bulb moment happens when they figure out a new stitch, or assisting a new knitter find their first project, or fixing a problem that's stumped someone (and bonus if they learn how to fix it themselves!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="false" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/barebear_sews/29476450213/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="fo: Alpaca Mitts"><img alt="fo: Alpaca Mitts" height="300" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5149/29476450213_17a7336232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alpaca mittens I knit on commission for a customer who needed some help. Well, I say commission, but these took so long to get done that I did the work for free. They turned out so lovely though, and beyond soft! that it was a joy to knit. <3 No pattern - I just made it up as I went. The yarn was a challenge since it was hand-spun locally raised alpaca, and the yarn went from fingering to bulky and back to fingering through the entire ball of yarn. Progressively. ANNOYING. But they turned out so cute, despite being reknit ...more times than I want to count, and the fingertips reknit 4 times (no exaggeration!) the last night alone. ARGH next time I follow a pattern! I couldn't stop putting them on though, so I'd call that a winner!</i></td></tr>
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This is a hard career I've taken on - but it's one that I'm loving, despite all of the challenges (or likely because of them). And while I'd caution anyone else looking to do it to put their research in and understand what they're getting in for (seriously guys - this job is all about customer service!), I'd sing the praises of this career to anyone wanting to tackle this challenge.<br />
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Just please don't open another one in Whitehorse - I think we have all the yarn shops we can handle with the two of us. :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-58509233992069319832016-07-19T19:08:00.001-07:002016-07-19T19:08:39.464-07:00fo: Spotted Cardigan!For some reason, despite having WAY less free time now that I run a shop than when I had a government desk job, I've been sewing a ton more. Granted, not much knitting, but I've been bitten by the sewing bug hard. Probably because I want to up my wardrobe now that I'm working a very public position in a creative field. That and I've sworn to never wear blue jeans in the shop while open; that's sort of forcing me to rethink my wardrobe.<br />
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Anyways, all that blather is basically to say that I sewed a top. :D <br />
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Actually, I sewed most of the top about 2 years ago, but only just finished it this weekend. All that was needed was the neckband and hems. Yeah, I'm not sure why it took me this long either. <br />
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ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S SO CUTE.<br />
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Long-time readers who followed me over from my old blog might recognize this (though I am wearing it differently). I sewed this cardigan up back in <a href="http://sewingonpins.blogspot.ca/2012/01/all-tied-up-in-grey.html">January 2012</a> in a heavier-weight light grey fabric. I have no idea where that cardi went, but I'd received this exact yarn from Stacie in late 2011/early 2012 to duplicate her <a href="http://www.staciethinksshecan.com/2011/10/spotted-cardi-and-giveaway.html">spotted version of this cardi</a>. Erm, I'm a little late, but glad that I finally got it done! This is going to be a great light-weight addition to my wardrobe. :)<br />
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Pattern: <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/48997">McCall's 6408</a><br />
Fabric: Stretch jersey knit burnout (rayon/polyester)<br />
Size: Small? That's what my <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/71295">Pattern Review post</a> claims. This cardigan ran really big, and I believe I cut a small and graded out at the hips. Despite the fact that my body measurements from 4.5 years ago placed me in the L to XL category. Oh Big 4 patterns, why you so ease-y.<br />
Mods: No idea. I just cut out from the pattern I traced out way back when. Oh, but I did hack off the sleeves at about 3/4 length and finished them with a strip of fabric sewn on. And I didn't hem it because I'm not sure how to do it without ruining the drape, and it's curling in a cute way anyways.<br />
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The fabric is a little thin, and I find that it bunches over my butt when I tie it in the front. I love it tied in the back though - It works really well with both my favourite little navy dress (which I so have to duplicate in a black fabric, like, NOW) as well as over my favourite teal pants and black tee. It's a bit of a bolder print than I'd go for now-a-days, but it is a lot of fun!<br />
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Yep, pretty happy about it! Don't mind the crummy photos though - I snapped them quickly before opening the shop this morning (hense the crummy light).<br />
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Have you ever finished a long-planned or half-sewn project that's been sitting around ready to be completed, and wondered why the heck you waited so long?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8843130514951400882.post-38731855719580779002016-07-03T13:37:00.000-07:002016-07-03T13:37:17.761-07:00Multi-Post: Canada Day, a Hummingbird Skirt, and a Dream WardrobeOkay friends, I'm going to mash 3 topics into this blog post, because I have a ton of post ideas and very little time to write right now. BTW, owning a store? Simultaneously epically awesome and completely exhausting! I love it. :)<br />
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Topic 1: Canada Day!</h2>
<i><b>HAPPY <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(belated)</span> CANADA DAY!!!</b></i> And to you folks in the States, HAPPY <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(early)</span> INDEPENDENCE DAY!!<br />
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I reduced the shop hours on Friday so I could go watch the parade in town, and I do not regret it for a moment! The parade was a ton of fun, and I went a little crazy waving and cheering at everything and everyone with my wee little flag. My favourite float was this one:<br />
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It's hard to tell at first, but it's a little glass-blowing studio! We've had one open up in town this summer, and I'm so impressed they got a float going for the parade! The folks on the float pretended to repeatedly heat and blow "glass" (aka balloons and umbrellas) and a few people walked along side, blowing more "glass" and giving out candy. I'm stoked to go do one of their glass-blowing classes - clever buggers also have a "date night" package, which is awesome!<br />
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I might've gotten into the spirit (though I didn't think of a float - NEXT YEAR!!!!) and was up until 2 am the night before (/that morning) knitting up an ugly colourwork hat for a Canada Day display. Don't look to closely at it, the colourwork is atrocious. But it did the job, and looked pretty good surrounded by all the red and white Canadian-made product and string I could find!<br />
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Topic 2: Hummingbird Skirt</h2>
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Holy crap I sewed a skirt!<br />
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Haha I've been missing my poor sewing room lately, and I've gotten an itch to sew that was getting unbearable. After closing up the shop at 4 on Canada Day, I came home to have some quiet me time (I'm an introvert - though granted a socially-inclined introvert. I've been needing some me-time to recharge after the last two crazy weeks). I'd planned to sit and work on a store sample and watch a movie, but the sewing room - she called! I wanted a quick project and, needing a skirt desperately in my wardrobe, I pulled out the pieces of a navy <a href="http://sewingcake.com/0289-hbird/">Hummingbird Skirt</a> (by Cake Patterns) that I'd cut out literally years ago.<br />
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I put on my favourite <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l67Ugd20m8">audiobook</a> and proceeded to sew for the next few hours. Ah bliss. Look at those pockets! I sewed them wrong at first and swore a lot while ripping them out, but otherwise everything went smoothly.<br />
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Hey look, straight side seam! I can't remember what size I cut (I'm assuming a size 45" - based on how this fits across my hips and the size range), but I did absolutely no alterations and the fit is pretty spot on. Granted, I'm not entirely certain how a skirt should fit, but it's pretty comfy. It might be a little snug across the hips, but seems fine. I'd probably add an inch or so length next time though. I'm actually sort of happy with this length, but I don't normally wear shorts and most dresses I wear are closer to knee length.<br />
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This is the best invisible zipper I've ever done! It really is invisible - there's just some weird shadows happening in the picture above. And some wrinkles and various fluff that accumulates in a yarn shop - what can I say, I finished it the night before and promptly test run it at work the next day.<br />
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Don't ask me what the fabric is - some sort of suiting that feels a bit wooly, but definitely has a poly-content. It was part of a box of fabric sent to me from a friend, and I'm glad to get more use out of it. :) <br />
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So I definitely need several more of these! I think they're going to be a wardrobe staple, that's for sure. :)<br />
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<h2>
Topic 3: Dream Wardrobe</h2>
During MMMay'16 (erm - things got a little insane and I never got photos taken of outfits the last week or so of May, though I did stick with Me-Makes. After hearing about the shop, I hope you now understand why), I won one of Zoe's giveaways! It was a fun little 'go to the <a href="http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/">Fabric Godmother website</a> and suggest a pattern you think they need to have on their site (mine was Cake Pattern's Tiramisu, btw - I do love me some Cake!), and I was so lucky to win one month of Fabric Godmother's <a href="http://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/dream-wardrobe/">Dream Wardrobe</a>! It was pretty cool, actually; Josie contacted me with a consultation document that I had to fill out, describing my colouring, my personal style, likes and dislikes, etc, and then she chose a pattern and fabric she thought would suit me. I received her package last week, and this is what she sent:<br />
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It's perfect! I love the simple but fun fabric, and I've been eyeing up Darling Ranges for years now! This was definitely a good experience, and I'll probably recommend this service to family members back home who want to send me something special for birthdays or Christmas's. <br />
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Itch to sew...RISING!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10477887672613694373noreply@blogger.com9