Dear Jan,
Believe it or not, I’m looking forward to Monday, if only to finally wear a sweater that has been knit for months but only yesterday got buttons added. Here we have Hazelnuss, from the Cirilia Rose pattern of Nuss and knit of Blackstone Tweed. It took me about 9.6 skeins on size 7 needles.
The knitting was done back in May, but finding the right buttons and then finally getting them sewn on took much longer, mostly because I wasn’t sure how to handle stabilizing the front edge. The final approach I took included a very narrow satin ribbon sewed along the inner edge of the lace rib that runs up the front, backing buttons to stabilize the actual buttons on that soft edge, and running that same ribbon around the neck. With the latter move I was able to control a slight tendency of the edge to curl out, too.
Something else I’m looking forward to is the arrival of the fleeces I dropped with Zeilinger’s while at Rhinbeck. They won’t be coming for many Mondays, but I did reserve a sample of each. I found some time this last week to play with the CorriedaleX which Erica is sharing with me. I used mini-combs to create a very soft and fluffy top, then spun up some very fine singles. Chain-plying gave me a very fluffy but dk weight yarn. I may swatch some more - what would a 5-ply look like? - but this would be a very nice sweater yarn, indeed!
In other fiber news, this last week I received the gift of some of Rising Moon Farm’s new yarn crop in return for a small favor. Catherine is far too generous, but I am far too thrilled with the yarn to refuse. You, too, can get your hands on some of this when she gets it listed on their website for sale. (Hah! I just checked their website and see that you have already bought some!)
Yesterday I played assistant at one of Gale’s photo shoots. I won’t divulge any details, as that is Gale and collaborator’s privilege, but it was my privilege to get to hold reflectors, tape back curtains, etc as the brains of the operation posed models and props.
Standing around holding a piece of foam core may not sound glamorous, but it did come with fringe benefits. I met one of the cutest dogs around - Rowan reminded me so much of Judit. He was totally sweet.
Another benefit was that in just watching what Gale does for a full day, I learned a ton. Lighting, modeling, attention to detail and more, not the least of which is that it really is winter in Minnesota and the light (especially when it comes through falling snow) is cool in temperature and fades fast.
Not that the kiddens couldn’t have taught me that, too. It is cleary time to snuggle in with sister, and even if someone annoys you by taking your picture, you can just go back to sleep afterwards.
But not until you go to work on Monday and show off your new sweater.
I hope your Monday brings you pleasure in some way, too.
Cheers,
Ellen
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
November 20th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Oh! Hazelnuss is gorgeous! I love that olive green tweed — it looks great on you and I’m equally impressed by the care you took in the finishing.
The shoot with Gale had to be tremendous. In that short class I took with Franklin Habit at Sock Summit I felt like I learned a lot…all day actually doing would be that much better. And yes, the pup is awfully cute, but I think the kiddens are even cuter.
November 20th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
gorgeous sweater/friend! woot!!!
November 20th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Now /that/ is a reason to look forward to Monday! Hazelnuss looks great, and I love the color. I’m facing that same hunt for the perfect buttons, and wishing that I had anticipated it before the years’ fiber festivals were over. It’s so much easier to find a match in person! Yours looks perfect, though, and I’m sure the ribbon will help to stabilize it.
Our kitties have moved past the snuggle-together phase to the fight-over-the-warm-spot-phase of life. It’s too bad, really, but I made them each a heated bed this fall, so at least the squabbles are slightly reduced. Sisters…
I can’t wait for those fleeces to arrive! Your yarn looks beautiful. =)
November 20th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
I just bought that same color and type of Rowan yarn for a similar cardigan…how nice to find yet again a fellow knitter with great taste. Hope it’s still this season when I finish mine!
November 20th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Beautiful sweater. A calm green like moss on the side of a tree.
November 21st, 2011 at 6:56 am
Hi Ellen - you were such a great help on Saturday. Thanks so much for everything. Your good taste and willingness to pitch in was a real boost for the fading fast team. What a sweet picture of Rowan!
November 21st, 2011 at 5:02 pm
I have used a similar technique to stabilize buttons and buttonholes. In the case of the button holes, though, I have used 2 lengths of ribbon, one on each side of the buttonhole. Then whip-stitched the ribbon together between the buttonhole openings.
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:58 am
That sweater is lovely and you are lovely in it!!! So delighted to see the kitties…Rowan is cute, but the kitties are my SQUEE!!!!!
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Hi Ellen,
What a fabu yarn! And I adore your tag.
I am knee deep in half finished projects. I think I want a finish-er for Christmas!
Hey, listen — I really did ask for the Rime sweater kit. I am really bandying around doing it the “proper way.”
What do you think?
November 29th, 2011 at 7:17 pm
The sweater is gorgeous! That turned out beautifully, and I like your button-stabilization solution. I am also very interested in your combing/spinning experiments - can you tell me what the staple length of that fiber is/was, and what combs you’re using? (Says she with many pounds of fleece to process.) Also, love the kidden photos!