Category: Knitting and Making

A first FO of the year: How to knit a sweater in a couple of weeks

March 17, 2023

After a sluggish start to the new year and a lot of indecision about what to knit next, I took a step back and thought about what I like to wear. What, if anything, could I complete in the next month or so that might slip right into my wardrobe? Then it occurred to me that the sweater I reach for most often, and which could perhaps do with a break, was the everyday sweater … More A first FO of the year: How to knit a sweater in a couple of weeks

Late Wovember Italian Wool Inspiration: Beautiful blended undyed shades

February 1, 2023

Today I want to share my final Wovember inspired post on the local Italian wools I bought at La Fierucola in Florence last November. This yarn enables me to spotlight two more Italian sheep breeds, and a Spanish cousin. Despite so many stunning naturally dyed shades on the stall, this time I was attracted to the beautiful natural greys of Verde Filo (Green Thread) Lab, it was a hard choice, but I think you’ll see … More Late Wovember Italian Wool Inspiration: Beautiful blended undyed shades

A Summer in the Making: A new Finished Sweater

August 29, 2022

Goodness me, sometimes yarns can be as prevaricating and evasive as people. You know the sort, those that lurk in the stash for years, hiding behind the prettier and softer skeins, wary of putting themselves forward as candidates for any particular project. Then, when they do it’s with such a lack of conviction that the combination of yarn and pattern doesn’t work and they enter false start and disqualification territory. Although I have to admit … More A Summer in the Making: A new Finished Sweater

Pie dish dyes: Quick and easy stovetop dyes to make your scrap projects sing

August 17, 2022

In my previous post about my serial Barn Raising blanket projects, I spoke about dyeing up leftovers of solid coloured yarns to make fun variegates and speckled yarns. Today I want to show how I do this using just kool aid, a pyrex pie dish, a few small glasses and a tea strainer to create fun colour effects. In the past I’ve shared how I used microwave dye methods to create tonal and long colour … More Pie dish dyes: Quick and easy stovetop dyes to make your scrap projects sing

Perennials are not just for garden beds; Knitting Barn-raising blankets for comfort

July 12, 2022

One of the key elements of planting a garden is, for me, building up the stock of favourite perennials. These are the plants that make your garden home, and as they appear a flourish each year feel like returning friends. While I’m still trying out how various long loved favourite plants will thrive in our new garden and experimenting with how new ones will cope with its harsh heat, in my knitting basket I have … More Perennials are not just for garden beds; Knitting Barn-raising blankets for comfort