Year of Projects – Week 4

What a week it has been, and while I haven’t gotten to record my pilot episode yet for Wednesday’s release, I’m a little closer to ready. But today I’m here to share my project efforts of the week.

Stitched or Still-in-Progress

Still no finished objects to share yet, but I’m SO close! Having two projects to complete by Wednesday, I’ve managed to make steady progress on all three.

First up, the shawl for my July Camp Loopy project has ten rows of lace to go and then the garter stitch border. I’m thinking of modifying the design slightly to use a bit more of my contrast color.

Laurelie by Lisa Hannes using Leading Men Fiber Arts Spotlight (BFL/Nylon) in Darkest Hour and Drama Queen on US4 (3.5mm) and US5 (3.75mm) needles

Then the second Desert Vista Dyeworks sock – earlier today I was still working on the gusset! I managed to complete the heel turn before going to the movie theater. Then I knit up the heel flap during the pre-show commercials and the trailers. I knit up another 29 rounds during the movie! I’ll share details on the movie tomorrow… 😘

SHaGs pattern by Sarah Jordan using Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso in the Arizona Landscape colorway on US1 (2.25mm) needles

My other consistent project, of course, is the Aran sweater. This project looks to be about 45% completed as I am working up the front. Steady efforts mean this should be done by early September.

Byrne Clan Aran pullover by Clanarans using Aran Handknitting Wool from Blarney Woolen Mills in the Natural colorway on US4 (3.5mm)/US5 (3.75mm)/US6 (4.0mm) needles

My last knitting project is the shortie socks, and this one takes a backseat to the others. The only time I worked on it this week was at the movies when I reached the gusset increases on the DVD sock. No deadline means I only work on it when I can’t knit any of the priority items.

Nugget Peds by Laura Nelkin using Knit Picks Felici in the Game Over colorway on US1 (2.25mm) needles

Cast On Conversations

Since a new month is just a few days away, I’ve got plans to start a couple projects right away. I’m deciding which yarn to wind up for my DVD socks, and leaning toward the DK set (100g plus a contrast mini) so they’ll knit up quickly. That’s because my Camp Loopy project for the month is rather ambitious.

These are my yarn choices to knit a Butterfly|Papillon (Ravelry link!) by MarinJa Knits — lots of short rows to let the beautiful colors shine against the black! This kind of pairing always reminds me of stained glass.

Check back next week for the updates!

Travel Tales

This week I have a fiber-related day trip to talk about, so it fits well here! On Saturday, I headed north to Jackson, Michigan, for the 2024 Wine & Wool Festival. I’ve attended this event a couple times before, but it’s been a good long while…pre-COVID. I had been considering driving up for the event; when I learned that one of my designer pals was headlining a fiber retreat that included a visit to the festival, that was the deal-maker for me! I know Lisa Ross of Paper Daisy Creations from the Into the Wool Fiber Retreat that used to be held in Crossville, Tennessee. I’ve been a test knitter for Lisa over the years and particularly love her design aesthetic on shawls and socks.

Loved the opportunity to meet up with Lisa! She has started working on plans for additional retreats- check out her website or Ravelry group to find out more!

When I arrived at the Sandhill Crane Vineyards for the event, I made a pitstop and then started checking out the array of vendors. If only I had unlimited resources, I would have bought so much more! I was glad for a chance to catch up with one of the vendors, the owner of Supernova Dyeworks! It’s been at least five years since I’d seen her last, so it was lovely to visit. I bought some fiber from her as I love her color sense, and I would LOVE a reason to get spinning again!

Some fun fiber from Supernova Dyeworks may be my inspiration to start spinning again this fall!

While I did wander around among the other vendor booths, I was very restrained. I only bought two skeins, knowing I have a few two-color shawl designs in my queue. The dyer at Mint Rain specializes in self-striping yarns, and I think I still have a couple skeins from her in my stash. But because I have so much DVD yarn, I opted for these semi-solids, something I don’t often buy from indie dyers. The colorway names are inspired by Outlander.

Tough sock skeins in Sky and Sassenach from Mint Rain

This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 14th year, my first. If you would like to find out more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, please check it out; it’s a very welcoming group!

Knit on. 🧶

Responses

  1. ruthspory Avatar

    Oh what nice purchases. It is always lovely to attend a wool and fiber festival. All the other knitting projects look wonderful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar

      Some very lovely treasures you have there. Such pretty colors. The fiber will be a gorgeous spin too. Your shawl us very eye catching. Purple is my favorite color. The Aran sweater is such a classic. It will never go out of style

      Liked by 1 person

  2. highlandheffalump Avatar

    Beautiful purchases. I hope to one day attend that festival as I have friends in Michigan. The fibres are lovely, I’ll be interested to see how you find spinning the one with flax in. Everything is coming along nicely. Best of luck with the podcast.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Lucy Bowen Avatar

    Your projects are gorgeous, the shawl looks amazing – I’m really looking forward to seeing that. And your purchases are lovely 😍

    Liked by 1 person

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