Inspired Hands

Finding those snippets of time

2017-04-21T20:42:00.001-07:00

It's wonderful having talented members in my family. My daughter plays for a symphony (percussion) and my husband takes pictures for the symphony. That means I get to go to rehearsals. Sitting, listening to a Disney medley brings back fond memories of the countless hours we spent watching the videos. Hard to believe that she is almost 26.

Waiting

2017-04-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

My husband laughs at me with all my knitting bags and projects. It is a great way to pass time while waiting. I have worked on hats, scarves, shawls, and now skirts. As I sit in the waiting area for his for latest eye surgery, I am thankful for something to do with my hands.

What was funny was that the nurse before surgery noticed my knitting. She remembered that I had been knitting with black. Here it had been 1 month and she remembered. Of course that shawl project is still in the works but I knew that the lighting was poor for black yarn.

Creative endeavors

2017-04-08T19:51:00.001-07:00

Long time, no see (or write in my case). So I am very fortunate to quilt with a group of ladies that are very creative. I am always in awe of their technical skills with quilting but I love to see how they are branching out in creativity. This is a perfect example. Our challenge is using buttons. Here is a quilter that makes the most exquisite hand appliqué quilts. For her to branch out into a whimsical quilt is inspiring (and who doesn't love 'A Christmas Story' and the famed 'major award'. My quilt is done (just need to get a picture done).

#11 2nd Sock Syndrome

2011-06-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

I love having my own knitted socks but always hate having to start all over for the 2nd sock. With the sock yarn challenge from Skacel, I finally tried knitting 2 socks at once for the May challenge. It is going well-only have about another inch to go. The problem....can't seem to find the project. Oh well, that can't keep me down.

The June challenge was a top down pattern with gusset stitches. Gusset stitches terrify me. I always seem to have gaps. So I watched the video (which helped immensely) and finished the 1st sock.

As you can tell, I can be done for about 5 weeks and enjoy 1 sock. I broke my foot 3 days after school got out. I have started the 2nd sock (so at least I can alternate which sock I wear). When I finish the anklet, I really need to find those almost finished pair of socks.

Happy knitting

#10 Dyeing roving

2011-06-12T19:38:00.000-07:00

So trying to catch up with blogging, I am adding many items that are in the works. At the dyeing party, I had a beautiful roving. Luckily for me, the weaving teacher was there who is an expert on fibers. She is thinking merino (yum). So I have plenty to spin this summer on those lazy days before I get back into summer school/beginning of the school year. I did notice that in some areas, there was some matting. We shall see when I spin. It always seems to happen in the green area.

#9 Dyeing yarn

2011-06-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

So being a teacher, I read different educational blogs. One teacher/trainer had written that she would read a book a day for the summer. The only way she was going to meet this goal was to read a variety of books, including picture books. So, how could I tie this in with my challenge...

Part of working with fiber is the joy of creating my own. When I went to my weaving guild in June, we had our dyeing party (you should see the look of my kindergartners when I say I am going to dye :)

The lady who hosted is in the middle of splitting her house between her son's and her new digs in Arizona. She was cleaning out and giving away lots of good things. One of the things I scored was a wool-mix yarn. I have no idea what it was but I figured, if I didn't like it, I could always make it into a scarf or bring it to our 'Dog' party in January. So what do you think-knit or give away?

The Wall

2011-05-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels like the wall is high. I am working on the latest sock challenge from Skacel and I have hit the wall. I guess I was smart to knit the pair at the same time. I just wish I could just finish them. Having 2 diffent patterns (front and back) for the leg is killing me. So what else to do but start a mindless pattern. I started a pillbox hat for Special Olympics. I have already made 2 hats (only 8 more to go).

Of course putting off finishing the socks is going to get me in the end. The next challenge comes on June 1st.

Happy knitting my friends.

#8 Cranked

2011-05-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

So trying to knit a pair of socks in a month can be a challenge when teaching. I was only 2 days into May for my April socks so I feel real good. Nice yarn by Skacel and the pattern went pretty easy. I have added the link for any interested in this pattern. Cranked Socks

#7 Left over handspun

2011-04-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

So my little sister still had some left over hand spun of mine. I decided to try a hat from HatHeads: 1 Man + 2 Knitting Needles = 50 Fun Hat Designs. With the hand spun, the thickness changes so sometimes it is hard to see the circles. I knit it with Cascade 220 heather. I still haven't mailed it to her (keep wearing it as I walk to school every morning).

Don't you love the laundry basket in the back that still needs to be folded (and yes, my husband will be working on that pile).

Have a great day knitting.

#6 Color Gamps

2011-04-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

My spinning & weaving guild had a project for us this last year. We were all going to make color gamps. The great part was the loom came already warped. At the end of the project, there was still some warp left over. I got the luck of getting the loom and so I finished off the warp. Guess I need to finish warping off my own loom.

#5 of 52 Failure proof?

2011-04-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

There are times when I rip out knitting and other times I just don't care if there is a design flaw. Last September I gave my little sister some handspun yarn. I gave her a 'failure proof' scarf pattern. Only she could misintrepet k2, p2 as knit 2 rows, purl 2 rows. Now, normally, that could be okay but her knitting reminded me of my dear mom (rest her soul) who could add and subtract stitches in a scarf. My sister also couldn't follow 2 row repeats. She did ask me to rip it out. I explained what k2, p2 meant; and away I went. I ended up knitting the scarf while watching the Butler/UConn final game. It came out beautiful. Too bad my sister doesn't like her picture on the web. Technophobe :)

Pattern for Failure Proof scarf
Cast on in a multiple of 4 + 1
k2, p2 as long as you want scarf
Bind off

Happy knitting.

#4 of 52

2011-04-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

So knitting always takes me a while. Luckily, I like to be creative in other ways. Over my spring vacation, I spent time in Reno and Lake Tahoe. Even with the cold wind, the lake was beautiful. I created this panorama using PhotoShop Elements (and the help of my husband).
Enjoy.

#3 of 52 in 52

2011-04-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

I could say that my #3 is the dried apples that I did before I went on vacation but since I am always making dried fruit, I think I will save that creativity for a desperate week.

I am so happy that I finished my March socks for Skacel. I love them and they fit.

Looking forward to the April challenge.

Creating

2011-03-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

Why is it that some people feel the need to comment on when you do something creative? Like when I was knitting socks at a basketball game. The comment was...'You know, they sell socks at the store.' Of course, when she saw the finished product, she loved them. The other comment was when I was making jams last summer. My daughter told me that store jam was fine. Now that she is in college, she is begging for more jams. In fact, that is what I did on a rainy day, made jars of jumbleberry jam for my daughter.

Oh well, I guess people need some outlet.

52 in 52 #2 wristwarmers

2011-03-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

I wonder how many of us have those pesky unfinished projects. I wonder if I have 52? Anyways, while sitting watching my son play basketball on Monday, I finished my wristwarmers.

I am now in month 3 of the knitalong at Trekking Knit Along. I finished the February challenge of wristwarmers. I didn't use the specific yarn. I tried some of my handspun but it isn't consistent enough. Luckily I had 2 dear friends buy me yarn in the U.K. last summer. Of course, they both bought me the same yarn. I don't think they know how much yarn is in a sock yarn skein so I get to do lots :).

The pattern was fun & challenging. The one nice thing about this knitalong is I get to learn new techniques. I know it might be hard to see the twists going up the wrist but it was all done without a cable needle.

Now onto March's challenge. Another pair of socks with some new techniques. Who knew you could knit a garter stitch heel.

52 in 52

2011-03-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

I keep seeing these references on people's blogs. I saw one for bread (yummy) and one for pictures (with a specific assignment). I like the idea of challenging myself but as usual, distracted by all the choices. Then I thought, why not do something creative every week but in can be in any category. I know my limitations. I am knitting along with Skacel's knit along and I am having a hard time finishing in the 1 month time line. Learning lots but not able to keep up.

So I thought, why not have something done every week. For example, this fiber came in the mail in January. It is a superwash from The Sheep Shed. I don't always get to spin but have now finished approximately 300 yards. It is setting right now on my drying racks. Of course, I need to spin the solid brown fiber. Want to make a cowl that uses both. Obviously this won't be done by next week but who knows, maybe I will have finished another one of my projects. If not, I am counting baking!

1 Sock Down

2011-01-27T20:18:00.001-08:00

I love a handmade pair of socks. I hate having to start the 2nd sock. I think one, looking back, I probably could have knit both at the same time but with the knit along, I had no idea of what e heel was going to look like.

Will have to post at least one so you can see my direst socks down with a cable.

Teaching

2011-01-12T21:04:00.000-08:00

I teach 5 & 6 year olds for a living. I continue to work on learning new content, standards, and strategies. What gives me respite is my creative activities. Even though I posted that I was working on a sock knit along, it doesn't keep me from trying to juggle more than 1 project at a time. Two & half years ago, I started 'The Taste of Aran Knitting' (a 20 block cable sampler pattern). During Christmas vacation, I finished blocks 18 & 19. Trying to finish block 20 has been a challenge. That is when a good, no-let's say great teacher comes to the rescue. Cashmere Cottage Yarns has a variety of experts. If I can't find help from the wonderful owners, Jan & Judith, I can always ask one of the regulars. Carolyn saved my sanity by helping me learn some new types of increases. I am now on row 13. Of course, thank goodness for YouTube to help when you are at home and come to the next challenge. Happy creating.

Store vs. Homemade

2011-01-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

I love Costco. Living in a small town, Costco allows me to buy quality stuff. And of course, I always end up buying more than I need. But I digress. I bought wonderful merino/silk boot socks. 3 pairs for about $15. Why would I ever want to knit my own socks. So I decided to follow along the Skacel knit along. I am trying a new cable pattern. It means I am going to have to do gusset stitches. I have to measure hor far before the heel. All the reasons why I love Cat Bhordi. So I start a new challenge and listen to the wise cracks about how I can buy socks at a store.

Possibilities

2011-01-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

So today I got my box from The Sheep Shed. I ordered a pound of the black tonal roving which is really a silvery roving. I also went for the gamble of super wash. I got a lovely brown with a yellowish orange. Can't wait to see the spinning. Will have to post pictures.

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

As I watched Julia & Julie last night, I thought of what would be my motivating challenge this year. I love cooking but when there is only 2-3 people in the house, I figured I would only want to cook the desserts and let my husband cook dinner.

I've decided that I will master my looms this year. As I am taking a break from sleying the loom (or should I say the loom is taking a break from slaying me). I must be missing 1 piece of direction when putting the warp on. I have figured out the sticks. but when I am taking up the warp, I end up with a tangled mess. This time, I even separated out the colors. That alone was a mess. I am making napkins and thought I would do a striped warp of 1" increments between navy & natural. So now I have 18 chunks of 8/2 cotton in their own little chained ropes. Every once in a while, I need to stop to disconnect the threads. I wonder if it is because it is cotton (couldn't be me).

Happy Creating.

Vacations

2010-08-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

It is amazing what can be done during a vacation. Even though school is starting to pick up (just started a mini boot camp for incoming Kindergartners), I am still finding time for me. Last weekend, I spent the day at the annual dyeing party for our guild. I tried the painting of a sock blank (will load those pictures when working on that project) and dyeing a warp and a fleece.

There is actually 4 chunks of fleece. This fleece is from a german dairy sheep from Blewitt Pass. I visited the sheep last summer and they looked like happy fleece (especially when it was time for the milking).

Over 3 days, I finished up the spinning & plying. Still need to work on not overspinning but I still like the product. Not sure if it will be part of a hat or something else (I think there is less than 50 yards). Will need to think about it...

Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Custom-Color Your Favorite Fibers with Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Custom-Color Your Favorite Fibers with Dip-Dyeing, Hand-Painting, Tie-Dyeing, and Other Creative Techniques Teach Yourself VISUALLY Hand-Dyeing (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer)

Pickled

2010-08-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

This summer has been an eye opener for me. I am reading Animal, Vegetable, Mineral and really thinking about the food I eat. I signed up for a share of local produce from the local CSA. I am trying new vegetables because of this (which means I am looking up new vegetables).

I tried the jam earlier and will try not to buy a jar this year. Now onto the vegetables. Between my produce box and sister-in-law. I had enough beets to try to pickle them. I had never tried a golden beet so I look forward to opening that jar.

I love the colors of these jars. What I am learning is patience. With jams, you can crack open one of those jars and enjoy (and also find out if this grand experiment worked). With pickling, you have to wait. Before this batch, I pickled wax beans. Only have to wait 2 weeks for those. With beets-not even supposed to touch them for 24 hours, then let them sit for a week to develop their tastes. As I told my husband, it is going to be a long wait.

Summer projects

2010-07-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

I love the summer because I have time. I don't feel like I have deadlines to meet, standards to achieve, parents/school expecting things of me. This summer, I really took a break from teaching. Yes, I taught for 1 week at a math institute (my way of giving back to the profession) and I attended a Writer's Workshop in Olympia to work on a piece for publication.

Some of the things I am working on this summer...

So I tried planting potatoes in a black garbage bag. I am not a gardener and I thought this could be the simplest way. Now it talks of watering the plants every day. I didn't. They talk of adding more 'starts' as the plants grow. I did once and then forgot about it. This weekend, I noticed the plants dead and it looks like my dog, Bonnie, had been rooting around. I was actually quite surprised that I had potatoes. Will probably roast them with some fresh zucchini.

So the guild is sending around pre-warped looms to work on a color gamp. This is the front.

This is the back.

And here I am almost done. Pretty. Now of course I have to wait until the other weavers are done before I get my section back.

Having time and a loom in the craft room means that I can then do my own. Still working on towels. I figure they can always be great Christmas gifts (especially the surprise gifts that always seem to be needed).

These are towels 4 & 5. There is something very soothing about doing twills & tabbies (not shown). Of course when all done, I will post my towels.

I even learned to tie a string heddle because somehow I missed a # 3 shaft (had done it on #4 and tried the cutting and bending the heddle back on-would not recommend to anyone).

Slow Wool

2010-07-06T21:24:00.000-07:00

Fleece-I seem to have it everywhere. I find that it is easier to clean the white fleece just because you know when it is clean. The brown fleece is a challenge. I'm not sure but I think that a brown fleece just has more lanolin in it. I really try not to over wash the fleece but I have a feeling that I am not washing the brown enough. My hands do feel good after working with it.

So I thought I would try spinning the brown. Well-too much lanolin and it is looking like an arty yarn. That is okay but it wasn't what I was looking for. I tried felting it and haven't seen it felt. Maybe too much lanolin. So now I am experimenting with mixing white with the brown.

The white doesn't seem to have as much lanolin so maybe mixing the 2 will do the trick.

So the white wants its' spot on the batt and the brown wants to stay separate.

Interesting mix. What I am finding is that even after carding the wool, I need to then use the hand carders to really mix the 2 fleeces. Maybe I am starting a new trend-instead of slow food, I am making Slow Wool. Off to spinning now.