We are generally a pretty hardy bunch, so the last few weeks have been overwhelming and a little bewildering. At least one person has been stay-at-home sick almost every day since the middle of January. A dental crisis and some overtime hours tacked on for good measure was more than I felt equipped to handle. But, as I explained to Laney when she was wondering why Daddy was out shoveling even though he was in misery, being a grownup means doing what needs to be done, even when you don't feel like it. It seems like the worst is behind us now, knock on wood, and I'm looking forward to everyone being back to normal.
There is, however, an upside to an entire family requiring rest and unable to leave the house: plenty of time for quiet hobbies. We may have been under a self-imposed quarantine, but I got so much accomplished!
Before, the illness, I finished the two cowls on which I'd been working. The Bear Hug is wrapped up and waiting for Ainsleigh's birthday,
while the simple circle scarf was finished in time for the family reunion. I forgot to put a tag on it, though, so I hope the cousin who won it has the good sense not to wash it. Whoops!
There was a dress I'd been wanting to make for while, and I figured sewing would be a good way to relax between clean-ups and trips to the washing machine. In theory, it may have been, but sewing never works out that way for me. This time, the machine, which worked perfectly when I put it away, kept skipping stitches. Nothing I did made any progress toward fixing it. After chatting with my mom and then my aunt, the previous owner of the machine, I took out the bobbin apparatus, which was much easier than expected, and removed a dust pile of startling dimension. With the dust removed, the machine worked much better. Since the dress was made from stretchy fabric, I also put in a stetch needle, which was the final piece of the puzzle.
During my trip to Jo-Ann's for a sewing needle, I also picked up another set of sock needles, which allowed me to get back to my Frankensocks. The ribbing is done on the second sock, but I didn't have the mental energy for the lace pattern. Instead, I worked on Oliver's slipper socks. I finished the first one, which fits perfectly, and started the second. He is pretty excited about them and frequently asks when they will be finished.
When I had the energy to focus on stitch patterns, I also worked on my Postcard cardigan, and the crochet skirt. For the most part though, I was spinning. I did lots and lots of spinning. It is something that, once started, doesn't require a lot of thinking. The movements are simple and cathartic.
On the wheel I spun 6 full bobbins, and a little bit extra, of fat singles for the Stormy Weather Cardigan, which I also started to crochet. The yarn is self striping, and my biggest concern was the rows would be longer than the color changes. The stripes turned out to be much thicker than I expected, so the vest will only go through the color progression a few times.
Another ounce or so of progress was made on my Shetland sweater spin. Once I finish a few of my WIPs, I would like to really focus on finishing these singles. The spinning, when I do it, actually goes quite quickly. Unfortunately for my sweater, I've been distracted by another, shiny spin. I knew almost immediately what I wanted to make (a hat to match my new coat) with this merino/sparkle top from Created by Elsie B, but I was hung up on yarn construction. Options included a 2-ply with thick singles; 3-ply; a 3-ply crepe (which I've used in the pattern to be made and loved), or spin two thin singles and make a self-striping yarn by chaining one single and holding the other alongside while plying, occasionally alternating the single being chained.
I ruled out the 2-ply in favor of a more durable yarn. While I've been wanting to try the striping technique, I didn't want a striped hat, so that was out. There is more potential for waste with a crepe yarn, and I didn't want to lose any yardage, which left the 3-ply. I love 3-ply yarns, it makes up most of my handspun, but I'm often disappointed by how the colors line up. I got aggressive with color management this time, more than I ever have, so I will let you know if it pays in the end. The fiber itself is scrumptious and I'm happy to finally be spinning it.
There is, however, an upside to an entire family requiring rest and unable to leave the house: plenty of time for quiet hobbies. We may have been under a self-imposed quarantine, but I got so much accomplished!
Before, the illness, I finished the two cowls on which I'd been working. The Bear Hug is wrapped up and waiting for Ainsleigh's birthday,
while the simple circle scarf was finished in time for the family reunion. I forgot to put a tag on it, though, so I hope the cousin who won it has the good sense not to wash it. Whoops!
There was a dress I'd been wanting to make for while, and I figured sewing would be a good way to relax between clean-ups and trips to the washing machine. In theory, it may have been, but sewing never works out that way for me. This time, the machine, which worked perfectly when I put it away, kept skipping stitches. Nothing I did made any progress toward fixing it. After chatting with my mom and then my aunt, the previous owner of the machine, I took out the bobbin apparatus, which was much easier than expected, and removed a dust pile of startling dimension. With the dust removed, the machine worked much better. Since the dress was made from stretchy fabric, I also put in a stetch needle, which was the final piece of the puzzle.
During my trip to Jo-Ann's for a sewing needle, I also picked up another set of sock needles, which allowed me to get back to my Frankensocks. The ribbing is done on the second sock, but I didn't have the mental energy for the lace pattern. Instead, I worked on Oliver's slipper socks. I finished the first one, which fits perfectly, and started the second. He is pretty excited about them and frequently asks when they will be finished.
When I had the energy to focus on stitch patterns, I also worked on my Postcard cardigan, and the crochet skirt. For the most part though, I was spinning. I did lots and lots of spinning. It is something that, once started, doesn't require a lot of thinking. The movements are simple and cathartic.
On the wheel I spun 6 full bobbins, and a little bit extra, of fat singles for the Stormy Weather Cardigan, which I also started to crochet. The yarn is self striping, and my biggest concern was the rows would be longer than the color changes. The stripes turned out to be much thicker than I expected, so the vest will only go through the color progression a few times.
Another ounce or so of progress was made on my Shetland sweater spin. Once I finish a few of my WIPs, I would like to really focus on finishing these singles. The spinning, when I do it, actually goes quite quickly. Unfortunately for my sweater, I've been distracted by another, shiny spin. I knew almost immediately what I wanted to make (a hat to match my new coat) with this merino/sparkle top from Created by Elsie B, but I was hung up on yarn construction. Options included a 2-ply with thick singles; 3-ply; a 3-ply crepe (which I've used in the pattern to be made and loved), or spin two thin singles and make a self-striping yarn by chaining one single and holding the other alongside while plying, occasionally alternating the single being chained.
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| Two spindle projects, rustic meets shimmer. |
I ruled out the 2-ply in favor of a more durable yarn. While I've been wanting to try the striping technique, I didn't want a striped hat, so that was out. There is more potential for waste with a crepe yarn, and I didn't want to lose any yardage, which left the 3-ply. I love 3-ply yarns, it makes up most of my handspun, but I'm often disappointed by how the colors line up. I got aggressive with color management this time, more than I ever have, so I will let you know if it pays in the end. The fiber itself is scrumptious and I'm happy to finally be spinning it.
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