Thursday, April 14, 2016

handmade things and weather



Wow. What a doozy of a spring we've had. That snowy photo up there is from this past Saturday. As patient as I've grown to be concerning weather, I do admit that I've been daydreaming of picking up and moving south. I'm ready for a proper spring. And it seems as though that is what we have coming. To my complete delight, the next week (actually a bit more) is supposed to be in the 60's and 70's and mostly sunny. Honestly, it's not even the cooler temps that bother me here in Western PA. It's the lack of sun. We live in one of the least sunny areas in the whole United States. Lack of sun and maintaining good mental health is often a struggle, I will be honest. So the forecast for the next week looks absolutely amazing to me, and I am really looking forward to it. 

I am nearing completion of my Harvest Cardigan. I have one arm left and, of course, the blocking and weaving in of ends. I've tailored the pattern a bit to better fit my torso and long arms. I was, at first, worried that I would be short of yarn, but I think I'm going to be okay and maybe even have a bit left over. I have really enjoyed the process of knitting this cardigan. I am really loving this dusty purple color. I am using Cascade 220 superwash. I think I may have said this already, but I chose that yarn because it's a wool yarn (which I like), but it wasn't super expensive, which was important to me for making my first adult-sized sweater. (You know, in case I really messed it up.)

My next knitting project is going to be more socks and a shawl. I just purchased enough sock yarn to keep me busy knitting socks for months and months. Once it all arrives, I think I will have enough sock yarn to make ten pairs of socks. Good grief! Two skeins of that I had previously purchased. One of those skeins was hand-dyed local yarn that I had picked up while on vacation in Maine last year. The other skein I had purchased off of Etsy from this shop. I really am in love with the idea of having a whole drawer of handmade socks. I think that would be such a pretty and fulfilling sight ~ to open up my drawer and see all of my hard work and all of that colorful, wooly goodness! 

Another reason I am looking forward to some warm weather is so I can begin processing my alpaca fiber again. The drying process works best when I can spread the wet fiber out and let it air dry in the breeze and warm sun. I need more washed fiber so I can spin another bobbin of Inferno's fiber so I can ply it with the one I have already spun. I'm really anxious to see how it will look when it's all complete. It will truly be a treasure to have a skein of yarn that I processed and spun from start to finish and that is from one of our alpacas. 

8 comments:

Leslie Kimel said...

Your cardigan is looking so pretty--the color is really neat and I love the details! It's fun to see pictures of your interior decorating too. Your furniture is beautiful, and you have everything arranged so tastefully.

I'm so glad you'll soon be getting some spring weather!

Emily Boyd said...

Your cardigan is beautiful! I love the garter edging. The shawl you've picked out is lovely - the stripes are such an interesting pattern.
Sock knitting is my favorite. I love how portable socks are, which I think is why I make so many.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Hello again, Amber!! Can you please send me some of that snow????? :)

Billie Jo said...

You are so talented!
And I do believe we are to get some spring like weather this weekend!
Have a cozy one with your family. : )

harknessangels said...

Such a lovely cardigan! I have that pattern in my favorites, I was just looking at it the other day! I just ordered some Bergere de France. Looking forward to seeing your next projects!

harknessangels said...

Such a lovely cardigan! I have that pattern in my favorites, I was just
looking at it the other day! I just ordered some Bergere de France. Looking
forward to seeing your next projects!

Mereknits said...

Amber, your life is looking very beautiful from this end of the computer. Your sweater is beautiful, the snow while I am sure you are sick of it is gorgeous.
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Meredith

karen said...

I agree with you about the lack of sun, that is what has depressed me this year. This has been quite the gloomy winter and spring. However we had picture perfect weather over the weekend so I'm good for now. I love your sweater, looks comfy and pretty!!