Spinning Update

Hi Everyone 

I’m ready to start swatching for a new sweater project today. I’ve been spinning yarn to knit part of the project. There is a need for more yarn  to complete my plan. You can read about the fibres and the plan here and here. 

So far, I’ve developed the yarn to be used for a lace element of the sweater. I’ve also acquired some mohair, to be held with the newly spun yarn. More yarn is needed to complete my sweater - yet to be decided. Lots of decisions to be made.

            

My plan is to start the lace element and decide which colour yarn suits the sweater. I could go for navy or grey. I need to hold the mohair together with the yarn for both the lace section and the additional body/arms element. The mohair is navy in colour, obviously, this will affect how the final fabric looks. I’m quite excited about this knit. It will be a challenge for me, concentrating to produce lace - not one of my strong points !

However, I’m pleased with how my spin has worked out and am looking forward to this project. I’ll cover this story in more detail as I produce various elements of the sweater.

Thanks for calling in today.

Knitting Update

Hi Everyone 

I think, I’ve finished my new Nuuk sweater ? My hesitation is there because - I’m not 100% sure the fit is as good as it should be ! That said, it’s more to do with how I can wear my sweater rather than the actual size. Initially, I wanted a much wider body shape and Ive ended up with something which is quite snug. I’m not doing anything just now, I’ll ponder the fit for a while and make my decision in a few weeks. It’s important to me, that the sweater is truly wearable. 

         

I love the colour of the Nuuk, the fabric of the sweater is lovely and it’s so very soft. I like the long sleeves, this is the hack from the original design by Jonna Hietala. I’ve created a cropped length for the sweater, which is perfect.

Generally, everything is good with the project. It’s just that little question about the amount of ease I have. If things don’t work out, I’ll rip out and start again. I’ve used up all the yarn I have with this version. If I choose to knit a wider body for the sweater, I’ll loose some length on the sleeves. Perhaps, I’ll need to go for a half sleeve ? However, for now - I think I’ve finished !

Thanks for calling in today. Have a great weekend. I’ll be back on Monday with more Making stories.

Spinning News

Hi Everyone 

I re-started spinning on a regular basis last week and have completed my first batch of yarn for quite some time. This is a bit of an experiment and Im not completely sure if I’ve got enough yarn for the project I’ve chosen ? You can read all about the details of the fibre I’ve used here.

          

So far, I’ve transferred the yarn to the niddy noddy (tool used to wind skeins of yarn). I will soak and dry the yarn today. It will be ready to knit in a few days. As you can see in my photo story (bottom left) - there was a little of the grey/blue yarn left so I created a small swatch to check the gauge. I’ve split the swatch and knitted half with 4mm and half with 6mm. Looking at the result, pre soaked, I quite like the smaller 4mm needle fabric. This may change after soaking/blocking. 

The garment I’ve chosen to knit with my yarn was featured here, earlier this week. The design is a sweater with a central front and back section, using a beautiful lace pattern. The pattern instructions combine an aran weight yarn with a mohair, held together. My own yarn, I would describe as a weighty double knit rather than Aran but the swatch is giving me the information I need to alter the numbers. I’m reasonably confident I can make the project work for me.

I will need much more yarn to finish my sweater, a mohair and additional aran weight yarn. The yarn I’ve created will only knit the central lace panels, so lots more thinking to do. I’ll keep you informed re all my decisions. At the moment, I’m planning on needing a month or so to complete my sweater, if all goes well.

Thanks for calling in today.

Five New Rings

Hi Everyone 

My Silver work this week is focused on rings. I’m using some PMC Silver components on traditional Sterling Silver rings and developing a Spinner ring.

The ring bands have some shaping and finishing tasks to complete and the clay components need to be fired. Then, I can attach the components to the rings.

            

I’m also making a Spinner ring. This design will have two spinning elements  - a fine plain Silver ring and a Silver beaded wire ring. Hopefully, I can complete my job list by the end of the day. 

Thanks for calling in today. 

Sewing Hilda

Hi Everyone

Way back in August, I started a little sewing project. All was going well, you can read about my initial plans here. The project is a skirt, a very simple gathered skirt onto a shaped front waistband with an elastic section on the back on the band. I also wanted to line the skirt. For some reason, I find the need to give my designs a name. The name of this skirt is Hilda.

Holidays interrupted my progress and since, I’ve been struggling with decisions about how to construct the waistband. I’d prepared, pinned and temporarily attached the waistband to check the size and shape were suitable. All seemed to be good. Most of my indecision was wether to use a piece of elastic in the back of the waistband or use shirring elastic. The original inspiration came from a skirt in my wardrobe which used the shirring option, you can see the original skirt in the link. Eventually, I’ve come to the conclusion, a single piece of lightweight elastic will be best. The elastic will be hidden in the waistband and it’s all about doing a gentle gathering job. 

            

I (especially) like to produce very neat solutions to sewing construction, the inside needs to be just as good as the outside. Yesterday, I made good progress with Hilda. The skirt and waistband are sewn together. I’ve also overlocked all the layers together, so the lining, the main fabric and the waistband are all attached and neatly finished. I have a small open section on the back of the waistband (top line) which will allow me to slot in the elastic. I’m going to attach my elastic on the line of the side seam on either side of the waistband. The elastic will only fit across the back of the skirt. The fit is working well and the skirt sits quite low on the waist. I like this fit, I have a very short upper body and a high, tight waistband doesn’t suit me at all.

Today, I’m hoping to complete the waistband section and then it’s just the hems to finish. I may have time to complete my project ? Hilda is very much a Summer thing, however, I’m also thinking it would be fine with thick tights and boots for Winter. This revelation has spurred me on, I’ll share the finished garment when I’m there.

Thanks for calling in today.