how to: crochet or knit single row stripes

I first heard about this at knitting retreat. It’s a really simple idea and I can’t believe it has never occurred to me on my own. I love skinny stripes, but breaking yarn at each row leaves too many ends to weave. I always figured that I’d have to do two rows of each [...]

my creative space

I delivered the Chromium Star baby blanket tonight. I am in love and it was hard parting with it. The pic is before I put it in the wash. It looks even more beautiful once blocked. Would it be weird to make one for myself? I think just a little bit.
I think I can [...]

review: natural dyeing by jackie crook

This book has been on my mind on and off for the past year, but I’m working on so many different things. When would I ever find time to try something new? Last Wednesday at knitting group I spotted a copy in the Barnes and Noble 75% off clearance bin. For that price, I had [...]

thrifty thursday

I was all ready to post about something else when this sweater literally came over to my house and never left. My friend Tana is destashing some of her hand knit sweaters. I told her I’d be interested in the cardigans and she stopped by this afternoon with them. There were a couple of pullovers [...]

star swatch no.2: felted (i think)

It occurred to me last night after I posted the pic of my swatch that a before shot would have been nice. How else would you be able to tell that the stitch definition had been lost?

I crocheted another one last night and remembered to take a “before” shot this time. The second swatch [...]

star swatch no.1: felted

I usually don’t swatch. When I do, it’s never the 4×4 inch square I’m supposed to make. Mine are small. Calling them 2×2 inches is generous. Usually gauge doesn’t matter for a lot of the items I make.
Last week I made a swatch, not to check gauge, but to check the yarn label’s claim: machine [...]

summer colors

These cotton yarns kept me cheerful through a long holiday weekend of gray skies. Can’t wait for the sun to return!

plying sweater yarn

Click here for the Sew, Mama, Sew tote bag giveaway.

I’m still feeling a bit under the weather, but I managed to play around with my drop spindle for awhile today. This ball of yarn comes straight off the sweater. I’m trying to take it from lightweight to worsted. So far, not so bad. I’m kind [...]

sweater wool 220

After yesterday’s trade, I got to thinking about my stash. My projects are usually small: hats, scarves, fingerless gloves. There’s no way I’ll use an entire sweater’s worth of wool or cotton for anything. So, I’ve decided to keep some and share some. First up is the beautiful cream and gray wool I’ve been working [...]

she’s a very kinky yarn

After working with my white sweater wool, which I took the time to soak and unkink, I’ve decided that I prefer its smoothness for granny squares. So, tonight is bath night for the rest of this sweater wool!
recycle: I’m also in the process of unraveling another sweater. Just because. Maybe I should start listing [...]

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