Itchy Wool in June
It's a true sign of an overboard knitter that she is willing to pile stacks of wool on her sweaty lap in the middle of June. Even more proof of her devotion: wearing the itchy wool shrug on a 95 degree day.Pattern: Top Down Shrug
By: Anne Lecrivain-Cozzoli of Moonlight Stitches
size: 40-42
Yarn: New Zealand Wool Pak (formerly known as Baabajoes Wool Pak), blue
needles: size 13
The needles were too big for this yarn. The fabric is loose and lacks backbone. I think I'll reknit it with size 11 and knit the next size up. As it is, I just needed to finish knitting this quickly so I could wear it as a sample and offer it as a pattern choice for my first intermediate knitting class. The students chose between this shrug, a baby cardigan and a simple, but lovely shawl. All choices feature top-down construction. This shrug pattern is perfect for the class because it is offered in several sizes, and it gives instructions for three sleeve lengths.
Father's Day was an inspiring event around here. The big boy loves sewing pillows (thank you very much Montessori school), and he decided that his dad needed a new pillow with a pocket for keeping his guitar picks. The pocket came from the rear of an adorable pair of corduroys worn by both he and his brother. I was so attached to these trousers that I patched the knees twice for each boy and I was clinging to them for a memory quilt project that I'll probably never get around to making. Seriously, picture low-rise corduroy Levi's on a 2 year old!
Labels: crafty kiddos, sweaters for me
lumpy beautyAllow me to introduce my first-ever handspun yarn. I don't think I can sufficiently describe the pleasure I am deriving from this tiny skein of yarn. I feel very proud.
My teachers Consuela and Mary were very patient with me. I learned on my friend Tina's gorgeous patio . We sat there spinning, sipping wine, and nibbling on canoli and natillas for dessert with the Sandia Mountains glowing pink in the distance. My goodness.
Happy Father's Day!
Labels: life in general, spinning
Snow Globes in JuneShould the Man of Steel be encased in a plastic vitamin bottle and then showered with glitter? He seems so helpless.
After a very long quiet spell, I'm resurfacing to share a few irresistible things. The first, of course are the snow globes we made today. This was entirely the inspiration of my nearly six-year old. The Indian warrior and Superman figurines look really dazzling inside their new homes.
Another recent creative surge led me to a thrilling shopping visit to
Purl Soho for fabric and the results are making me very happy. Check out the before and after:
The happiness is mingled with anxiety, as these chairs often snuggle up to the naked butt of a potty-training two year old. They are coated with three layers of scotch gard. Also, when the little guy is eating at the table, he
gets to sit on this oilcloth-covered chair (as in: Guess what?! You are the luckiest member of the WHOLE family! You get to sit on the shiny, flowered chair!):
The knitting is constant lately. I can't mention all of it here, but here's a little something I've been adoring between big projects:
Bombyx Silk from La Lana. Dyed with lavender flowers.
More soon. I promise!
Labels: crafty kiddos, dream swatch head wrap, home sweet home