theraineysisters knitting and so much more

The food of life!  DD the Eldest asked for another Hitofude!  I made her a red one out of MTL tart that she wears constantly.  She loves the style and wanted another to wear to work.  How could I resist?

The yarn is scrumptious and from my stash: Sweet Fiber Merino Lite in color Sapphire (100% merino, 475 yds to 115 gms), an on-line Ravelry-inspired purchase.  It is very squishy and is a really deep blue with specks of lighter color showing through – like denim jeans.

I am teaching the Hito class at The Yarnery and thought if I made it during the class I could use my own knitting to demonstrate technique, construction, etc.  The problem is I am a bit behind!!  The entire top rectangle needs to be done by Saturday!  Oh well!

Surly is still travelling and I have been super busy lately so our blogging will be a trickle for the time being.  Hope your summer is splendid!

Dear Peeps,

I’m back!  Back into my daily routine.  I thoroughly enjoyed Camp and travelling with my knitting peep Kim.  Surly missed out this year but might go next year!

I spent money like a drunken knitter.  It was crazy!  My knitting funds are now depleted…

I couldn’t help myself.  One of the Campers (Denise of Lost City Knits) was wearing the Scatness Tunic by Kate Davies in Colours of Shetland — so cute!  I could see myself wearing it in so many ways.  I like that it’s not skin tight.  I selected Jamieson Spindrift and had to substitute colors.  As luck would have it, the famous feralknitter is a fellow Camper (Janine) and assisted me greatly!  She is sending me some yarn that was out of stock so I should be able to start this soon.

I have to share another picture.  I went to my knitting group last evening and Jimmy was there with his completed hoodie.  He has been working on it for Y E A R S.  It is not only his own design, but he created the colorway himself by spit splicing colors throughout.  Every few stitches.  All the way along.  We call it his DNA Sweater because the police could surely identify his remains easily with this garment!! 😉

Is he not adorable?

Sincerely yours,

A Happy Camper 🙂

While Susan went to Knitting Camp, my husband and I drove to Boulder, Colorado to spend time with our daughter and her husband.  We’ve rented a house in Nederland, a small town in the mountains above Boulder.   We are just off the Peak to Peak Highway.  (Yes, we are very close to where almost a dozen people have been hit by lightning in the past few days.  Yikes!)

I hope to get a lot of writing and knitting done; I’m close to having at least one F.O. to share in a few days.

In the meantime, I needed to wind a skein of yarn.  I can’t imagine a more picturesque view for ball winding!

I am trying to get organized to leave for Knitting Camp on Thursday morning.  I feel like a lazy slug and just want to lay around.  I am motivated by looming deadlines so tomorrow evening will see me in a more frenetic state!  I am going to Camp with my knitting peep Kim (Sally has other plans this year!).

I may not have much to blog about until I return next week! 🙂

I really do love my new sewing machine!  Every time I use the thread cutter, I love it more!  I worked on my dress today and got the binding onto the bodice.  It should be easy sailing from here!

I will have less time to sew and knit for the remainder of the weekend.  Somehow I got talked into TWO holiday dinners for the 4th!  I am not one who thrives on entertaining but I will buck up and do my hosting duties.

Have a great holiday, everyone!

PS – in response to Bekah: the pattern is ancient and very plain.  The tucks in the neckline are not part of the design.  I tried on the bodice and it gapped at the neckline so I added the tucks (and the gathers at the armhole) for a better fit.  I don’t always need to tinker that way but did this go around!  I will add a belt which I usually do as well.

Ebay has it!

PS to Pru: “Never give up.  Never surrender.”
Galaxy Quest

I finally used my new sewing machine and I love it.  Love, love, love.  It is a dream machine.  Yes, there is some getting used to, but it is set up like my other machine in many ways, so it is not completely foreign.

I bought fabric to make a work dress.  I use the pattern often, so each time I try to change things up a bit so the dresses aren’t identical.  With this new version, I decided to use bias tape to finish the neck and armholes edges.  I needed a bias tape maker of a size I did not own and could not find.

The internet came to the rescue!!  DIY Bias Seam Tape Maker!!  It really works!  I already had a super long needle and cranked out my own little package of perfect seam tape.

I hope to have this bad boy wrapped up to wear next week.  OTOH, my knitting is stalled.  🙂  Call it the summer doldrums…