May | 2008 | i make things - a "makey-thingy" blog

WIP it good May 29, 2008

Posted by jeninmaine in bebeh, knitting.
Tags: Andohalambo, baby, baby ull, bebeh, blanket, cap, dale of norway, diaper, Djevellue, fabulosity, hand-dyed, handspun, hat, Itchy Fingers, knitting, longies, sampler, Smariek Knits, soaker, sock, tess designer yarns, wool, yarn
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I know, I know, that entry title is old and overused, but in this case it’s appropriate so there.

Finally got around to taking photos of my latest WIPs, hopefully I’ll actually (gasp) finish something soon! I’ll post them in order of “most finished” to “least finished”.

I sized this down for a baby by using smaller needles and lighter weight yarn. I’m not very impressed with the way this yarn looks with this pattern, it seems really muddy to me. I so totally missed the ribbing at the brim, I’m not sure if I’ll leave it as is or try to tack it on later. Drat.

Pattern: Andohalambo Hat from Smariek Knits
Yarn: Jaeger Baby Merino DK in Hula Hoop, color 194

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So far, so good – doesn’t look like much (actually it sort of looks like a hat) but I’m almost to the gusset so I’ll be starting the legs soon. Whew! Joy’s handspun is striping so nicely, I’m really enamored with it!

Pattern: Itchy Fingers Longies by Jessica Jensen
Yarn: Fabulosity Yarn’s Cherlindrea, hand-dyed and handspun, OOAK

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I love this blanket pattern, mostly because it’s easy to carry around with me since it’s all little blocks. I may change my mind once I get to the part where I have to join them all together :)

Currently complete: 14/35 blocks

Pattern: Sampler Blanket by Margarita Mejia from Vogue Knitting on the Go: Baby Blankets Two
Yarn: Dale of Norway Baby Ull, Color 010

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I’m trying out a bunch of baby hats in Tess’ Super Socks and Baby. So far I love this yarn, the only downside is the dye is coming off on my hands and staining my birch Brittany dpns. I’m wondering how I can colorfast this after knitting without muddying the colors – I’m thinking I might spray some Dharma Dye Fixative (awesome stuff, a million times better than Retayne) on it in patches and let dry, then wash in Synthrapol.

Pattern: Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap / Djevellue
Yarn: Tess’ Designer Yarns Super Socks and Baby

Time? What time? May 21, 2008

Posted by jeninmaine in bebeh, dyeing, Etsy, kidlet, knitting, spinning.
Tags: bebeh, dyeing, kidlet, knitting, ladybug, schacht, yarn
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Whoa, I haven’t posted in nearly a month, that’s no good. I just haven’t had any time to do much crafting as I started back to work for The Man. The good thing is I’m able to telecommute so I can stay home with my new baby rather than putting her in daycare, the bad thing is it’s a LOT to handle, working full time, taking care of a baby, and then all the other housework and etc. It’s left very little time for leisure activities.

Some sort of good news is that I am also being laid off from my day job as of July 31, and at this point have no plans to seek a new full time job, at least not immediately. I’m thinking that maybe I’ll be able to take a real stab at my own handcraft business, I already have an Etsy shop so I can concentrate on that. The sad thing is I have a bunch of yarn ready to post, I just haven’t had time to do it. I’m also looking forward to being able to be here for my son before and after school as he starts Kindergarten this Autumn. I can’t believe he’s going to be five this summer. Where does the time go?

I did order the Schacht Ladybug wheel from the Portland Fiber Gallery, but I have to wait until late June/early July for it to come in. To say I am very impatient is an understatement! In the meantime I occasionally wrangle with the Louet though I’m still not feeling the love. Hurry up, Schacht!

I do have some knitting I can take pictures of, though I haven’t really done anything earth-shattering. In the meantime since I hate posting without photos, here are some of some yarn I dyed, and then of my two darling children who are by far the best thing I’ve ever made.