This and That

With our old placemats getting worn out, I needed new ones and thought I might learn something by using someone else's pattern.

I ordered a "warp to go" kit from Vavstuga. The colors and yarns come already chosen and there's minimal math left to do. The result is seven placemats and a runner.

I've been wanting to knit a summer, lace sweater for myself with this cotton/linen yarn, Juniper Moon Farm, Zooey, for quite a while.

 Even though it turned out well, it's not what I had in mind.

So, for my next sweater, when I knitted up a small sample of the stitch called for in the Rowan pattern, Landscape by Martin Storey, with a a pretty, gray, tweedy yarn in my stash (Classic silky wool, a wool/silk/nylon blend), and didn't like the resultant cloth, I decided to go off-road. A pattern is not a rule, I can use it as a suggestion. There are no "yarn police".  

 A few trials later, and I found this stitch. To me, it looks tailored, like a herringbone.

And the stitch works perfectly with this boxy bodice and fitted sleeves!

I didn't expect to like the style on my body type. I don't. I love it!

How long has it been since I've used my marudai? Years! I brought it out to do some kumihimo (think fancy, Japanese lanyards).

I sewed myself a pair of pajama bottoms with a color coordinated, Karen-made drawstring. 

This is Sari silk. I don't know how it's made. My guess, based on no facts whatsoever, is that the old saris are used as curtains, couches and wallpaper. Then, a bunch of cats are sent into the room and allowed to have at it. Do you have a better idea?

And here's a pretty picture of Gingie showing off among the poppies.

On Suzie, I've spun up this RedFish 50/50 Silk/Superfine Merino.

And made it into 556.5 yds of two ply yarn.

Next up is this soft fiber I just picked up at WeFF.

I've dressed Julia with this gamp kit from Halcyon, but I've barely gotten started. I tend to be a monogamous weaver. Right now, I'm focused on the rugs on Sophie.

The original plan was to use up some stash warp and weft. Drab, I know. 

Then, I happened on this bag of Pendleton selvedges at WeFF. The colors didn't wow me, but I thought they might be okay with my blah warp. 

Just okay? It's great!

Taking my time

After finishing so many projects, I'm taking my time with the next ones.

And even taking my time, these baby blankets went pretty fast. They were all on the same warp and are all about the same size, but I didn't beat as hard on one of them. Can you tell which?

I didn't realize until I was trying to take some artsy pictures that this blanket's colors are the same as the colors of the bush and its flowers!

All the yarns are 8/2 cotton from my stash. 

The design is similar to one I saw on a Vavstuga video.

I've never woven from a kit before. It's like a mini-class, teaching me some fun facts about this kind of weaving as I go along. I ordered the yarn and pattern from Vavstuga. I'll have some placemats and a runner when I'm done.

I'm taking my time, knitting a sweater. 

Being somewhat housebound, I thought this would be a great opportunity to catch up a little on some of my fiber stash. But, I like to spin barefoot or in stocking feet, so when the house is cold I don't get much done. So, I'm taking my time spinning up this fiber, called Sari Silk.