tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23092807789233393952024-03-13T19:03:05.188-07:00Yin & YarnSometimes knitting, spinning and sewing related and sometimes not. Because that's how my life is.Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-77197834351434280412011-08-07T12:36:00.001-07:002011-08-07T12:59:21.206-07:00Sewing lessons
bucket hat in progress
Note to self:
Remember to check the bobbin for adequate thread *before* starting the topstitching!
Maybe one of these days I'll manage to remember this repeating lesson.
And why is it that I only run out of thread when the topstitching is going really well for a change?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-70469564928134760372011-07-03T21:12:00.000-07:002011-07-04T10:43:21.734-07:00Quilting Rough DraftI am finally making some progress on my quilting project!
I'm currently trying to decide which block combinations I like the best. Probably won't be making a scrap quilt again any time soon - too much agonizing over the different pattern and color combinations!
An experienced quilter friend encouraged me to just go with the first combination that looks good and then move on to the Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-85112478553327697202011-06-20T23:06:00.000-07:002011-06-21T06:07:18.042-07:00Mend-O-Rama(Or: possibly the most boring blog post ever...)
Since the weather was somewhat less than inspiring Saturday as far as gardening was concerned, I decided I would spend the day sewing.
My original plan was to work on my current quilting project but in order to set up my sewing space I needed to move the mending piled in my sewing chair. I started to move the rather large pile to the Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-37097298792046309352011-06-05T08:32:00.000-07:002011-06-05T08:48:29.286-07:00MendingThis has been a really busy time for the garden so there hasn't been a lot of crafty activity going on.I haven't really felt motivated to work on my knitting projects so the Sommelier sweater remains in it's 'to be sewn up' state.I have been doing a bit of work on my ongoing quilting project, mostly cutting out the remaining squares for piecing. I did take some photos but I was using my little Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-311660603046799192011-05-24T05:39:00.000-07:002011-05-24T05:58:15.494-07:00Time to redecorateI realized the other day that I'm kind of bored with my current blog template but I haven't been able to decide on a new one. Blogger only seems to offer a few in the dashboard design tool and they were okay but after previewing all of them several times I had to admit that none of them really grabbed me.I looked at some free and allegedly 'new Blogger compatible' templates (like those here, Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-1101743189900323942011-05-22T07:43:00.000-07:002011-05-22T08:27:14.809-07:00The Finishing Faeries Have Been DelayedThe knitting portion of my Sommelier sweater is finally complete.I had to tweak the back neck band a bit to get it to fit better. In spite of my experience with the specified stitch pickup counts for the front bands, I went ahead and picked up the designated number of stitches for the neck band. Readers Reader Internet, I'm not sure why I was surprised that the stated 136 stitches were too Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-7883215983133444082011-05-14T11:31:00.000-07:002011-05-14T11:35:43.462-07:00No Talent RequiredOr "What was I thinking?"I'm off to a beginning watercolor workshop shortly. I'm not sure what possessed me to sign up for this - I think I may have gotten a bit too caught up in the excitement of Artswalk last month.The brochure states "no drawing experience or talent required" so theoretically I should do just fine, especially since I definitely have no drawing or artistic talent.I'm going withDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-78129761014835243872011-04-27T20:53:00.000-07:002011-04-27T21:10:12.493-07:00It's that time of year againAllegedly, it's Springtime here in the Pacific Northwest*, a time when a young man's thoughts turn to flights of fancy and a knitter casts aside recalcitrant sweaters in progress in order to muck around in the mud and rain, planting seeds and carefully tending the dream of fresh organic summer vegetables.In a rather impressive triumph of hope over experience, I'm planning to keep up both blogs Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-62198526697177112972011-04-26T22:04:00.000-07:002011-04-26T22:29:53.837-07:00SommelierInspired by the most recent period of Mercury retrograde*, I organized my hoarder's corner spinning area and the gathered up the various 'knitting in progress' projects scattered throughout the house to assess the situation and possibly actually finish up some projects. In the process, Sommelier managed to float to the top of the heap and make a bid for my attention.The more detailed project Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-41790169748173942922011-02-28T06:10:00.000-08:002011-02-28T06:28:41.761-08:00Hats!I went to the Madrona Fiber Arts winter retreat and had a lovely time (as always) visiting with friends and shopping the market.One of the things I bought at the market were some hat kits from Butternut Woolens.When I got home from the retreat I got one of these kits out 'just to try it' and couldn't put it down. I had forgotten about the instant gratification aspect of bulky yarn and size 11 Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-38440524129616297672010-09-27T22:32:00.001-07:002010-09-27T23:04:52.708-07:00September SpinningAs a result of the rather late (and some would say 'non-existent') summer this year, canning season has been a bit extended and has dragged on through most of September. This is what my spinning time looks like lately:Mmm, Spicy Garlic Dills! We will enjoy you.I probably have a bit more to go in October when I eventually completely give up on the notion of having any ripened tomatoes and Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-74068466306009228222010-08-12T19:29:00.000-07:002010-08-12T19:48:30.421-07:00Temporary HiatusCasa del Chaos has been busy living up to its name, I have been rather understandably distracted caring for Mr. CPA after his bladder cancer surgery, a subsequent post-surgical infection requiring IV antibiotics and hospitalization for possible heart attack (fortunately this turned out to be Pericarditis with Pericardial effusion and not a heart attack, for which we are both exceedingly grateful)Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-62527129195663679902010-08-01T09:33:00.000-07:002010-09-27T23:06:39.127-07:00Grandkids say the darndest thingsSetting:7:00 pm Wednesday evening. Mr. CPA and I have both arrived home from our 10 hour workday and have taken delivery of the three G-kids who have been in Portland for the last week visiting their dad (otherwise known as the oldest son). Three of the five people in the room are overflowing with energy, the other two? Not so much.The energetic people in the room have just floated several Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-83367621248476540492010-07-12T12:45:00.000-07:002010-07-12T13:29:25.070-07:00Tour de Fleece - Day 10first bobbin completedpretty much the same boring off-white yarn as before... I Navajo plyed* (or Chain plyed) my completed TdF bobbin on Saturday evening.Finished Yarn InfoSpinning notes: I usually ply at two-thirds of original spinning twist, but I followed Fleegle's tip on Navajo Plying and plied a bit more firmly - about three-fourths of original spinning twist. (I didn't bother Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-46908099635169785762010-07-10T21:08:00.001-07:002010-07-10T21:08:31.319-07:00Tour de Fleece - day 8So far I've spun every day ( although only the tiniest bit this morning since we were busy working on a home renovation project today).There's quite a bit more yarn on the bobbin since my last update, but it's hard to tell from the photo:I'm getting ready to ply this up tonight. I didn't post any details about this last time so here are they are:Singles twist angle: 27-30 degreesGrist/size: 25-30Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-85536011575146845752010-07-07T23:05:00.001-07:002010-07-07T23:05:48.856-07:00Tour de Fleece - Day 5Progress as of bedtime on day 5:White fiber, finer grist - it's a bit like watching solid color stockinette grow as far as blogging goes. Also, kind of slow going now that the holiday is over and I'm back to my regular work schedule. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-82406884051403207972010-07-06T06:15:00.000-07:002010-07-07T22:10:25.942-07:00July Already?I can't believe it's been nearly two months since I last posted. June was a very busy month here at Casa del Chaos! I'm not going to try to catch up in one post because it will be too much.Tour de FleeceI'm doing Tour de Fleece this year. Here's my progress as of yesterday morning (day 3):Tour de Fleece - Day 3That's more of the angora blend (actually a Dorset/kid Mohair/Satin Angora mix) thatDenisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-79222032324046940802010-05-12T22:04:00.000-07:002010-05-13T18:48:54.080-07:00Spinning is the new avoidanceI was sick with an ill-timed, weekend stomach virus and after a not-too-successful attempt at getting some gardening done Saturday, I retreated into the house to suffer in silence* and total non-productivity for the remainder of the afternoon.By late afternoon Sunday my new diet of delicious extra-dry saltines and ginger ale had restored me to a point that I wanted to do something that felt Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-88142167175591156342010-05-09T10:51:00.000-07:002010-05-09T11:10:55.220-07:00Hobbies are like potato chipsWhat's the best solution to not having enough time to devote to one's current hobbies? Why to get a new one of course!I am the proud owner of a Schacht Mighty Wolf 8 harness loom!Here's a photo from the sale listing:I don't actually have it in my possession yet since there are some logistical issues involved in picking it up (like a 456 mile one-way drive for one thing and dog-sitting Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-21627735523396647402010-05-02T20:17:00.000-07:002010-05-02T20:56:08.720-07:00Sample SweatersI'm a sucker for shop samples. The opportunity to try on a sweater to see that it fits and flatters me is reassuring and alleviates the anxiety that I usually have when knitting a sweater (I fret the whole time that I'm spending weeks (or months) knitting something that in the end will make me look frumpy/lumpy/dumpy).So, yeah, shop samples seem to practically propel my credit card out of my Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-7374436662186186622009-08-16T21:56:00.000-07:002009-08-16T21:57:43.101-07:00But is our children learning?Submitted without (much) comment:Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-71556580894026219692009-08-16T21:25:00.000-07:002009-08-16T21:27:34.370-07:00A long overdue update!For now I'm blogging here:Suburban SodbustersI may be back with knitting sometime after September.Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-12133252308982435912008-03-28T14:59:00.000-07:002008-03-28T20:52:51.216-07:00Today's LessonApparently my new favorite color is 'out of stock' with 'unavailable' being a close second.::sigh::ETA: how could I forget the also popular 'discontinued'?Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-21543679458718683872008-03-02T19:14:00.000-08:002008-03-03T05:25:02.444-08:00FO Report - Leaf Lace Shawl the oh-so-flattering back viewPattern: Leaf Lace Shawl by Fiber TrendsYarn: Lisa Souza Baby Alpaca Lace Colorway: Olive TonesStarted: November 2007Finished: January 2008Measurements (unblocked/blocked)Top edge: 58 inches / 74 inchesCenter (top to bottom): 26 / 38.5 inchesSide (one side of "V"): 34 / 54.5 inchesNeedles: Knit Picks circular 2.75 mmProject SummaryI originally started this project Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2309280778923339395.post-59280344646155159932008-03-01T21:37:00.000-08:002008-03-02T07:10:17.413-08:00March 1 – Caterpillar Day "Life depends on a silken thread" - club mottoMr. CPA and I aren’t exactly what you would call ‘joiners’. We’re a bit quirky and non-conforming and we like it that way.However we are thrilled that 26 years ago today, Mr. CPA became a member of an exclusive club in which almost no one actively seeks membership. The Caterpillar Club.There are no dues or meetings and the club is fairly small Denisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04437196445561866076noreply@blogger.com16