Fleece to Finish Project

For those who have fiber animals, here is an opportunity for you to participate in an event.  Many of our past fiber study groups have done a similar project.   Each person in the group chose a sheep breed, did a study of that breed, collect the fleece to distribute to other members of the group.  Then there was the spinning of each breed for our own workbook.  It was a year long study with great results.  We learned about different breeds, quality of their fleece and how it could be useful for our needs.

A link to the actual discussion is here: FLEECE TO FINISH

INFO:, 
There will be an emphasis on 3 areas:

1. Washing/processing fleece January we’ll discuss the washing methods we all use and make up our very own booklet..
2. Plying February to April will focus on plying methods with a particular look at Andean plying so we can make our own document on plying too.
3. Finishing items eg knitting, felting, weaving or crochet etc March to April we’ll look at what we do with our processed fleece - ie end products- knitted crocheted felted woven.. Other?

Shetland Isles

Many moons ago, I was privileged to receive a couple of nice Shetland fleeces from a friend.  Shetland wool is extremely interesting to process--it takes some time and energy to get the locks just right.  Needless to say, I kept the fleeces in their lovely little storage bags until I decided it was best to pass them on to someone who would process them with the care they deserved.
Of course, now, I'm sorry that they went to another home!!  But, here is the skinny on Shetland sheep and their fleece.



• Shetland sheep are hardy, low maintenance animals, easy lambers and good mothers that fit with our 'no fuss' philosophy of animal husbandry,

• Shetland sheep produce a high quality fibre in many attractive natural fleece colours, that has a ready market and is also useful for our own fibre works,

• Shetland sheep can be used as dual purpose meat and fibre producers if required,

• Shetland sheep have distinctive personalities,

• Shetland sheep have a well run North American Registry   (NASSA), and

• Shetland sheep hark back to our own Celtic/Viking roots.

Susan Crawford  is publishing a book on Shetland.  Susan has studied hand-knitted garments and accessories from the 1920s to 1960s, which are held in the Museum's archives. She has chosen 25 pieces, recording their construction stitch for stitch then recreated them for the Vintage Shetland Project. These pieces – all with their own unique story to tell – have been developed into comprehensive multi-sized knitting patterns, complete with instructions, technical advice and illustrated with colour photography shot on Shetland. 

With an essay reflecting on the story of each hand-knit item this book is a treasury of Shetland knitting patterns and an insight into Shetland's rich textile traditions.

What peeked my return interest to Shetland fiber and knitting?  Hazel Tindall's blog!  I was reading through different Shetland knitting patterns and came across her blog with this cool "Benon Headband"

West Coast Fiber Arts has a super booklet on Shetland knitting project.

Shetland Fleece types

Here is a video on the processing of Shetland Fleece.  Wish I'd had youtube back in those days!  

Knit Along Socks With Lucy!

Even if you know how to knit socks, this is a perfect opportunity to study and knit along with

a world famous knitter, Lucy Neatby!

This is a free class on Craftsy.  If you are not a member, it's easy and free to join.

I'll be knitting along on these year long projects to knit

three different sock patterns--top down and toe up.

Join me on this project!

COLOR--Be Calm!

Did you get into the latest 2015 craze?  I wrote about this in another blog several months ago.

I have two or maybe three coloring books for adults.  On the other hand,  I must have (mumble, mumble) children coloring books!  Okay--I was into the craze loooooooong before the "adult" books came out.

It’s about “getting back to basics,” said Karen Larson, a Lathrup Village, MI graphic designer who has designed two adult coloring books.

Larson said coloring books offer an escape from today’s ever-electronic world and let you do something with your hands and be creative.

“It’s addictive, it’s meditative, it’s relaxing,” said Larson. “I find lately I’ve been really overbooked, so I take just a half hour to color and it does the trick. It soothes you, relaxes you. It’s that whole key of getting away from electronics.”

In her area of Detroit, there are even coloring workshops being held at Public Libraries!  Can you believe?!!  I would so be there!

I love love this coloring book that my friend Judy P gave me this summer!  It is designed by

her friend, Susan Schmitt.  I haven't taken the time to color though--it's such an entertaining book, I almost hate to mess it up.

Here is one of the pages from the book.  Did you know: Art has long been considered therapeutic. A 2006 Swedish study found that mindfulness art therapy for women with cancer helped significantly reduce symptoms of physical and emotional distress during treatment.

I found a wonderful coloring book at our local Sprouts Grocery store and here is

the display at the Barnes and Nobles!  Get on the band wagon--break out those

coloring books--whether for adults or children--get some wonderful coloring pens

and relax, mediate and enjoy your therapy!

365 Challenge

I have done a couple of "365" challenges in my time.  One was photography--posted each and every day--that was a challenge for sure!  Just try to find 365 different and unusual photos to post each day.  You certainly look at life differently doing that challenge.

Here is another challenge for me--this is 365 quilt block challenge!  The challenge?  Make a small block each and every day--don't despair!  The blocks are posted for you through 365 Challenge Quilt website.  There are over 7000 quilters taking this challenge--will you be one?

 The blocks are going to finish at 3"!  Some will finish at 6"! 

Take a look at this photo!  Isn't this a fascinating quilt!  I've always been interested in small block quilts like "Farmer's Wife" but never had the courage to tackle it.  Now, I think this will be easy to tackle a day at a time!

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising

Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising plays host to an impressive collection of more than 8,000 textiles and garments from cultures around the world. Additionally, it is home to a wide range of 19th and 20th century western artifacts, including textiles, beaded flapper dresses, hats, shoes, handmade lace, and famous designer apparel. Design, history, and textile students and scholars enjoy access to more than 18,000 catalogued clothing, textiles, and interior furnishing objects.

There are four exhibits that launches, which opens January 30 in their new facility:

Mr. Blackwell: “Artist of subtle witchery”

Layers of Meaning: Color and Design in Guatemalan Textiles 

Tiny Bits and Pieces 

The Power of Maya Women's Artistry

A Book Challenge

Modern Mrs. Darcy website has a challenge for us!  This is a good one, especially if you like to read, as I do!  Some of these will be real challenges--like read book you previously abandoned--oh, my--how, will I stick to one that I've already discounted as worthy of my time!

A book someone chooses for me??  Really, I'd better find that

perfect person to suggest that book!

Hope you can fit one of these challenges into your daily readings.

Do You Finish What You Begin?

Motivation?!  Who needs motivation to finish what I've begun--Well, I do!  This little nudge will be just the thing to keep me on track.  And it's not necessarily just for sewing projects; but, all those projects that have been lingering in the background.  Several years ago, I vowed to finish at least two projects, before beginning anything new!  Now, let me tell you--that was hard to stick to, but somehow, I finished more than I begun.  Maybe, this year will be the same!
How about you?  Do you need that motivation?

the Finish-A-Long is is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete unfinished sewing projects. Every quarter, you post a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months. Then, when the three months are over, you post a link from your blog, Flickr or Instagram for each successful finish from your original list. 

The hosts for the year will be:

• Debbie - A Quilter’s Table - USA

• Jess - Elven Garden Quilts - Australia

• Stacey - SLOstudio - Canada (that’s me!)

• Jennie - Clover & Violet - USA

• Helen - Archie the Wonder Dog - UK

• Nicky - Mrs. Sew and Sow -UK

• Rhonda - Rhonda’s Ramblings - USA

• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada

Working on BH's 2015 Mystery..................................

Finally!! I got to my sewing room--I'm wading through moved furniture, stacked boxes, etc.  Flooring will be installed this week so everything has been moved from my weaving room to my sewing room.

But, I'm excited!  that I can actually get two of the clues finished for Bonnie Hunter's 2015-16 mystery~

Here is 120 four patches from golds and neutral fabrics

Another step was 1.5" finished half square triangles from grey and neutral--it was a constant

grey too so that was an easy one to complete--just 296, that's all!

But now, if you see from the photos--now of these have been pressed!

I'm thinking that could be an all day event...........................

We're Cooking!

Yes, it's the first of a new year and what do we do?  We start thinking about our

waist line and eating healthy-------again!

Every year, it's the same!

Recently, I found this recipe in January Southern Living Magazine.

It looked good and easy to prepare,

besides I had the ingredients on hand.

Our son, who thought he was getting a good deal, bought one, got one

on sale--Salmon that is!

Then he found out it was small sections of salmon--

He likes big slabs of fish, not

little sections.

Hence, here comes this recipe

perfect! for this recipe.

Ingredient

4 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon seasoned rice wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

1 pound fresh medium asparagus

8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed

1 small orange, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 (5- to 6-oz.) fresh salmon fillets

Garnish: toasted sesame seeds

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Keep Calm--And--Crochet

will start on 13 January 2016. The tutorials for each part will be released every two weeks on a Wednesday on  blog where they will remain available forever.

This is a mystery crochet-along for a rectangular mixed motif blanket where either blocks or rows will be introduced every two weeks. Lots of different shapes and stitches will be incorporated so it won’t get boring and there will be plenty of opportunity to play with colour!

As well as posting information on this blog I’ll also be linking the information in my KCACO-UK Community Facebook Group year, is a great source for support and helpful tips from fellow Crochet-Alongers: Facebook page.

So on to the fine details of the CAL…this is a bit of a long post so bear with me!

DETAILS OF THE CAL:

1. There is no charge to join the CAL; anyone can join in as long as they have some yarn and a hook.
2. All featured pattern elements in the CAL will be FREE of charge patterns if released separately from the CAL.
3. For those that like a deadline I will be adding new details about each square every two weeks on a Wednesday at 7 pm-ish (GMT time) – see below for full schedule. For those that want to hook when they have the time then that’s fine too; no pressure to this CAL it’s all about having fun!
4. For this blanket I will be using double knit/8 ply/yarn weight #3 and a 4mm (US size G); though you could use worsted /aran/ yarn weight #4 with a larger hook (US size H) for a larger blanket if you wish to.
5. I will be using both UK and US crochet terminology in the pattern (UK/US) so you can pick your preference. I will also always link a conversion chart and any helpful information about each element including links about special stitches with the release of each new section.

YARN:

I’ve designed this CAL to be a stash-buster to use up bits of yarn you might have lying around (in my case lots) or you can buy new.  I estimate that you will need at least:

• 12 skeins of  Double Knit (1200g / 3600m / 3936 yards)
• 14 skeins of Aran / Worsted (1400g / 2744m / 2996 yards)

Please note that these amounts are approximated – actual finished blankets may vary depending on yarn and hook used and own personal tension when crocheting.  I would always round up a bit as some stitches take more yarn that others.  

As for colours; well this giant bag of multi-toned blues from my stash is going to be the colours I use this time.

New Year--New Beginnings!

Happy New Year to you!

There is a saying that what you do on the first of January

will follow you through to the end of December!

So, I'm going to KNIT today!

Last January 1st we were traveling and it seemed

all we did all year was travel and not much knitting was done.

I'm beginning with 2016 year of lace scarf designed by

Elizabeth Ravenwood on Ravelry, of course!

I did finish 2015 Lace scarf!!!! 

I used handspun wool/silk blend

The scarf has not been blocked yet.

I'm happy with this method of knitting.

Each month you have a section to complete;

easy to do--if you stick to it!!

Oh No Another Mystery KAL!

Sherwood Knits designed by Miriam Pike.

Shawl featuring lace knit from the top down. Pattern recommends Fria laceweight yarn (gradient yarn). 

I have the yarn! And this is a free knit until the pattern is released.

Release Dates
The pattern will be released in 4 increments starting January 1st.
1st pattern clue: January 1st
2nd pattern clue: January 8th
3rd pattern clue: January 15th
4th pattern clue: January 22nd

(Final pattern out sometime in February, once I have enough daylight to photograph the final shawl)

The pattern is a combination of written and charted instructions, but the lace is only charted (with written instructions for the chart, but the lace is not written out).

Want to Learn Something New?

Pattern Writing Series--Wow!  What fun!  An educational blog that will give you pointers on how to design your own quilt pattern!  The series will begin in January 2016.

The series will take you step by step from a quilt design in a sketchbook all the way through to a fully developed quilt pattern.  To make the series less abstract and more practical, I will be demonstrating each step by working through an actual quilt pattern (that will be available as a free pattern at the end of the series).

There is no right way or wrong way to write a quilt pattern, so a number of wonderful pattern designers will be joining me for round table discussions and additional posts to give different perspectives and opinions on the design and writing processes.  With me will be (in alphabetic order) Amy of 13 Spools, Anne of Springleaf Studios, Christa of Christa Quilts, Lorna of Sew Fresh Quilts, Soma of Whims and Fancies, and Yvonne of Quilting Jetgirl. 

Some topics that will be included are:
Design
Pattern basics
Text
Math
Illustrations
Testing
Finishing

Easy Peasy?

An earlier post on slow stitching shouldn't be discussed here, because

I Heart these two patterns!

What a super way to show off handspun yarn, which I have so much of (well, it is perfectly aged folks!)

These two patterns are in my recipe file

oh, okay, I might be slowly knitting away for some time!

Panorama Shawl designed by Kate Lore for Emerald Lotus Fiberarts

Designed by Caitlin ffrench--Simply Brilliance

Colors of the Season!

Whenever we travel or visit interesting places, I like to look for the most colorful

spot in the place.

I like how the light glows through all the colorful pinatas 

Nothing like the brightly painted buildings--look at all the angles

and the tones of the night accent the slowly sinking sun

what can be better than a setting sun over a city?

Nothing compares to the colors that surround you.

Planning!

Already!  I'm planning for January 1, 2016 NOW!

Here are a couple of interesting Knit Alongs that might be fun.

This one is designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood 

These mitts are the January Mystery Mitt KAL for the Fingerless Glove Fanatics Group on Ravelry. The pattern will be free through the month of January, and will be updated weekly with new clues on January 1, 8, 15, and 22. FGF welcomes all who want to participate! Just please don’t post any pictures of a clue in the thread until the next clue has been released.

This pattern combines lace and texture and works best in a solid, tonal, or gradient yarn. It is perfect for that one special skein of fingering weight yarn in your stash.

Beads (optional) add an extra bit of sparkle! You will need only 120 beads for the small/medium size and 136 beads for the medium/large size making it a great way to use up leftover beads from other projects.

Here we have a crochet and knit along!   This is designed by DeviousRose aka Krystalle Diaz

Pattern suitable for beginner knitters wanting to combine the very basics into something more, all intermediate knitters, and advanced knitters as a relatively mindless knit. Crochet version is suitable for comfortable beginners as well as more advanced crocheters looking for a mindless project. You will need to be comfortable either carrying two yarns along the sides of a work or weaving in the ends from the stripes. If you are not, it’s okay. A photo tutorial on carrying the yarn invisibly for stripes is part of the Prologue and will be available on Clue 1 as well.

Sounds like a learning experience to me! 

Happy stitching everyone!

Traditional Boxing Day

Traditional English holiday extends Christmas giving by David Johnson Despite its name, Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26 in Great Britain, has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages. Some historians say the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but took the following day off. As servants prepared to leave to visit their families, their employers would present them with gift boxes. Church Alms Boxes Another theory is that the boxes placed in churches where parishioners deposited coins for the poor were opened and the contents distributed on December 26, which is also the Feast of St. Stephen. As time went by, Boxing Day gift giving expanded to include those who had rendered a service during the previous year. This tradition survives today as people give presents to tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, and others who have helped them. The Day after Christmas Boxing Day is December 26, the day after Christmas, and is celebrated in Great Britain and in most areas settled by the English (the U.S. is the major exception), including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Bank Holidays Boxing Day is just one of the British bank holidays recognized since 1871 that are observed by banks, government offices, and the post office. The others include Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Whitmonday (the day after Pentecost), and the banking holiday on the last Monday in August. St. Stephen's Martyrdom The Feast of St. Stephen also takes place on December 26. St. Stephen was one of the seven original deacons of the Christian Church who were ordained by the Apostles to care for widows and the poor. For the success of his preaching and his devotion to Christ, St. Stephen was stoned to death by a mob. As he died, he begged God not to punish his killers.

Christmas!

"Unto us, a child is born!"  

I present to you this lovely, inspiring painting by 

Jenedy Paige.   Please read her story of how she

came to paint this baby picture.

I think about the swaddling cloth--as a weaver and spinner,

I wonder, did Mary need to spin the linen for this cloth to wrap her baby?

Did she need to weave the bands to embroidery?  

And what thread did she use to stitch her symbols?  Was it linen also?

Hand dyed with indigo?  

So many questions to answer.

I have the book by archaeologist, Jeffrey R. Chadwick, 

and now we read with interest the story of the birth of

a Saviour!

To you and yours

Merry Christmas!

December 24--And All is Quiet!

In our household on this day, we gather as a family for the evening dinner.  Some had to work most of the day, but we come together to share this peaceful end to a busy day.

We will snuggle up in our beds and began a restful night 

anticipating the arrival of Santa

Here's to you and your family

a blessed Christmas Eve

16 To Read in 2016 Winter

Okay, I'm thinking about the holidays--but, I get to thinking about what I want to read

this winter after the hectic holiday has gone.

I don't want to get those winter time blues!

Here is a listing of delicious books to devour this winter!

I have placed a couple on my list as gifts from family--

Sugar and Soul has the listing!  I'm already eyeing my first read--"Letters of Skye". 

I've read "11-23-63"--Interesting as all of Stephen King books are.

What will you read this winter?

New Craze--Homemade Laundry Butter!

I know we are all more conscious about our soaps for body and laundry; so, in that vein here is the new craze for you to investigate.  I don't have the time or energy to dive into making my own laundry butter now--but, it's on the list of things to do in 2016!
I Believe I Can Fry  has a recipe for this Butter

Custer Cottage  another blog about whipping up the good stuff

Budget 101 and frequent asked questions.

and a video to get you in the spirit of whipping up some butter for your use!