In Homespun Vintage, Jane Crowfoot brings us a collection of both knitted and crocheted, sometimes combing the two, projects to add to the coziness of one’s home. The pillow selection is truly inspired and diverse leading one to a possible overdose of soft charming pillows all over the house.
Detailed instructions and glorious photographs make this book a delight and more than good company for a cup of tea and a quiet moment of planning. I’m very glad I’ve added it to my collection.
Posted in Book reviews, Crocheting, General, Knitting, Patterns, Uncategorized, yarns | Tags: Fiber Arts, household items, knitting and crocheting, pillows
I was thrilled to find a copy of Weldon’s New Woollies for our Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen. It is part of the Knitting Series No. 24 and was originally published in 1935 and Iva Rose Vintage Reproductions have issued a wonderful unabridged edition complete with advertisements.
I’ve found that many of the old patterns are well thought out and fill a definite need. One of the items I have not been able to keep in stock at craft fairs is a keyhole scarf adapted from a WWII pattern so finding this edition was very exciting for me. One project that I’m very much looking forward to making is the Battle-Dress Under-Collar which looks much like a tailored button cowl. The Ribbed Helmet with Peak is another one I’m itching to try as soon as I’ve filled all of my orders. I can see now that I don’t have too much yarn, but more that I just don’t have enough time.
If you do get the opportunity to peruse this booklet please do, and then let me know if you found a project that would make you or someone you love very happy.
Posted in Book reviews, General, Knitting, Patterns, Uncategorized, yarns | Tags: advertisements., Fiber Arts, Patterns, WWII knitting, yarns
AUSTENtatious Crochet by Melissa Horozewski is a fun collection of crochet vintage-style patterns. In addition to lovely projects with nicely written directions, this book is laced with tidbits about Jane Austen. I was pleased to find a crochet book of this type as it seems that the patterns aren’t quite so prevalent in this craft.
Emma’s Hood is a favorite of mine and I wear it faithfully in the winter months. It is comfortable and roomy, yet warm. The All-Buttoned Up shawl was a breeze to make and another staple in my wardrobe until a friend weedled it out of me. I look forward to starting the Becoming Jane Sweater for myself because not only do I love the pattern, but Knitpicks Gloss yarn is wonderful to crochet. All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a bit of vintage in their wardrobe and truly enjoys crocheting.
Posted in Book reviews, Crocheting, Patterns, yarns | Tags: book reviews, crochet, Fiber Arts, Jane Austen, Knitpicks, Patterns
This is the game plan for this year so I’ve been scurrying to organize and plan not all of my time, but a good way for me to stay on top of all of the things I would like to accomplish this year. It seems to me that “organizing” has been an on-going project in itself so clearly I have another issue in my midst and it’s time to correct that one so that I can happily schedule my time for the tasks on hand.
It took me fully a week over Christmas break to sort out my yarn stash and my studio. The studio still needs fine tuning…I have some storage issues to address, but I think that overall I have a working area and a way to track both my studio/show items and the items I make for the different groups to which I donate. This was a big part of my chaos, I believe, and I truly hope that this will settle things down here.
I would also like to have more items made up to hand off as needed. I do not have one single afghan made and it was mentioned to me earlier in the month. For years I had at least 2 or 3 at all times in addition to lap robe/baby woobies. Puzzling how that changed in my life, but I hope to address that topic as well this year.
I’m not call them resolutions but life plans instead because that has a more permanent sound to me. Have you any plans for your new year?
Posted in Donations, General, Organization, Organizing, Uncategorized, yarns | Tags: crochet, Fiber Arts, Knitting, organization, stash, storage, Wool, Yarn
Tomorrow morning, at 12:01am, begins the spinning event Spinzilla 2015 and I have signed up as Rogue Spinner thanks in part to my good friend, Jenna. I got the original email from The Woolery announcing it and pondered it for about 90 seconds before deleting it, but Jenna then shared it on my Facebook page and I could see the writing on the wall. Ultimately, if I turn into a decent spinner, I will have Jenna to thank for it. I know that I couldn’t ask for a better spinning buddy/mentor because the woman is fearless. This helps quite a bit.
So, I’ve tidied my spinning corner a bit and given up on the chocolate Jacob that I was spinning just until I get through this next week. I can’t remember where I got this 2 pound bag of Corrie cross roving, but once I signed up for Spinzilla and started rooting around in my baskets of roving this bag began winking and waving at me. The goal for both Spinzilla and personal is to get the 2 pounds spun before Sunday, Oct. 11th, at 11:59pm. This will work twofold for me. I should be able to get the mile of yarn goal and I will have enough of my spun yarn in dyeable form to make myself an item from yarn completely processed by me from roving to finish. Lofty goals I have today.
So, this is one of the many things on my plate this week. I have a show at the Riverton Fall Festival this coming Saturday, 2 doilies to finish preparing for entry into the fair on Friday, finding pattern ideas for my second crocheting class, and demos to set up at school for the students to experience during Spinning and Weaving Week, which starts tomorrow as well. Looms will be traveling as will my wheel one day this week. Now, tell me, what marvelous things are you working on this week? When I get to Columbus Day I will be seeking some inspiration….my mind will be a blank, I’m sure.
Posted in Craft fairs/shows, Crocheting, Dyes, Festivals, General, Spinning, Weaving, yarns | Tags: Autumn, craft fairs, dyeing, Fiber Arts, Knitting & Crochet, Loom, Pattern, Riverton Fair, Riverton Fall Festival, Spinning, Spinzilla, weaving, Yarn
I’ve started off the fair season this year misjudging time. Brilliant beginning! I was fully convinced that I had another week to go for two back to back shows which were last weekend. That certainly does elevate the adrenalin rushes to new heights! Happily I had stock prepared, but my felted hats needed a bit of tweaking so only a couple made it to the Apple Festival in Granby last Saturday. I will say that I was very happy to have finished up the fingerless mitts on Friday night and tossed them into my bag because they sold in the first 20 minutes.
So this lead to scrounging through the keyhole scarf stash to see what other fun yarns could be found to whip up into mitts. I love this yarn and mitts are the perfect use for it as it’s not as soft as I’d like for a keyhole scarf. The colors are literally brilliant.
And I’m somewhat ashamed of myself for not having more cotton items on hand when I know several people personally who have fiber allergies so I’ve started another group of keyhole scarves and woven scarves in cotton. Next is to find a cotton that will work for mitts as well. Here is my first cotton keyhole scarf in Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton.
So, all in all I’ve a bit of knitting and crocheting to do before my next show on Oct. 10th at the Fall Festival in Riverton. I also have to finish up the doily for my fair entry and I’ve just started to test knit for Round Mtn. Fibers. Their yarns are lovely, by the way, and I’m certain that you will hear about them next week! So, this is what my plans are for the coming week, what are your fibery goals?
Posted in accessories, Craft fairs/shows, Festivals, General, Knitting, Organizing, yarns | Tags: Autumn, cotton, craft fairs, Doily, fair entry, Fiber Arts, fingerless mitts, keyhole scarves, Knitting & Crochet, weaving, Yarn
The weather has been glorious so far on this Labor Day weekend and I couldn’t have asked for more yesterday to set up at the Colebrook Fair. My site was on the stretch of road behind the church so the ground was flat, well mostly, and with Lindsey’s help we were ready to go in no time. Our booth was shaded for much of the day and the temp stayed in the mid-70s. Perfect outdoor day.
There was something going on all day long which kept the foot traffic at a fairly high rate and I met some lovely people. I spent a lot of time laughing with old friend too. Love it when the day works out that way. Since it was my first time there I didn’t really have any expectations other than a wish to make back my site fee and see which items interested the crowd. I was more than pleased at the end of the day and a lady I met at Elihu Burritt day stopped in to see me about a hat. I will be felting today!
Of course, I had to get tickets in the raffle booth, the baskets that were donated were truly amazing. I admit that the after the gardening basket (full of tools, a tote, and a bird house) I headed for the gin & tonic basket, the wine basket, and the rum basket, but ultimately came home with the Colebrook History basket which amused me as this is the town I grew up in. I’m looking forward to perusing the contents and will post a picture next week when I finally get it all spread out. I am already plotting my strategy for next year’s fair…..
Posted in Uncategorized
Yes, it’s back. I admit that over the past few months the books I’d amassed to go through were mainly collecting dust and holding up various WIPs, but now that the yard work is slowing down a bit, or rather I’ve just given up on it, I’m back to sharing some of my favorite craft oriented books with one and all…or whoever reads my blog!
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but I tend to head to vintage clothing for inspiration and that hasn’t changed in the past few months. The book that is residing at the top of my browsing pile is Practical Family Knitting. This book has some wonderful patterns and it covers the full range of family clothing from socks to sweaters and a few interesting articles in between. I will have to do some size adjustments on the original patterns to adapt them to my non-vintage body, but I’m looking forward to the challenge of that and making some of these items up with the luscious yarns available now. Check back for updates on that endeavor!
Posted in Book reviews, General, Knitting, Patterns, yarns | Tags: Fiber Arts, Inspiration, Knitting, Patterns, Vintage books, Vintage patterns
It’s the last Sunday in August and I’m just amazed. It feels like I was just planting the garden a couple of weeks ago and now I’m looking at some lovely plants – both vegetable and weeds – growing in the garden. I’m seeing the first hint of color in the leaves and the past couple of mornings have had that lovely autumn crispness to them.
I’ve been busy all summer, but we’ve only managed one dyeing party so far. Perhaps today I’ll figure out the different dates and try to organize another before the snow flies although if the drive is bare, but dyeing then would be just fine as well.
And the show season has started. I was at Elihu Burritt Day in New Marlborough, MA. two weeks ago and once again enjoyed myself immensely. What a lovely celebration that is and I really do meet the nicest people there. It did take me an additional day to sort out the packing of the car – trunk has display items in it for the duration because really, I don’t want to carry all of this stuff in and out of the house every time I have a show. The schedule is just about a show every 2 – 3 weeks for the next 3 months!
So here is to preparing for cooler weather, falling leaves, and meeting many new people…it’s show time, folks!
Posted in Craft fairs/shows, Dyes, Festivals, Gardening, General, Organizing | Tags: craft fairs, Crafts, dyeing, Fiber Arts, Garden, New England
Are just the best! I did my yard chores yesterday, well some of them, so that I could spend today alternating between my three favorite past times…reading, black & white mystery movies, and fiber. It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a rainy weekend day so I haven’t had the time to indulge myself in an entire day of hobbies, but I intend to change that today!
As much as I love my deck time, occasionally the couch is the place to spend some time especially listening to the rain outside the windows while an old movie plays across the room. For the complicated movies, or like movies I’m going to watch today, I will work on a long cowl (the better to cover your head if needed style) while watching some amazing videos shared by a friend on Facebook or digging through my stash of VHS tapes and DVDs. I’m just in the mood for some good old fashion style and stories.
I will move on to the crocheted Log Cabin afghan that I started when I taught it as a class last year. It’s been languishing in a basket in the corner of the livingroom ever since and I just noticed it again yesterday. These two should keep me balanced and busy on this damp September Sunday.
And later today I shall once again take up the Crocheted Log Cabin lap robe I started a couple of years ago for an Adult Education class I offered. It’s been languishing in a basket in the corner of the living room and my new goal is to finish up projects and get stuff out of the house. Tidiness here we come! So, what are your crafting plans today and is the weather going to help or hamper those plans?
Inquisitive Felines and Fibers 