Week 46 of 2024

I finished weaving the "woven" towels this week-

 This one woven with natural 16/2 cotton for the tabby, and navy 8/2 cotton for the pattern weft. I hemmed this one on the reverse, compared to the other towels on this warp.

After cutting the towel off the loom, I spread out the warp in a different reed (original sett at 30 ends per inch, new sett at 24 ends per inch) to weave a sample with the rest of the warp. I wanted to see if the pattern would weave up with squares as opposed to diamonds, and if the width of the horizontal and vertical lines would be the same. The original pattern is made for linen threads that aren't readily available to me, so I needed a bit of experimenting to see what will work with regular cotton. I was pleased with how the sample turned out, and it was much easier to weave (quieter too).

Temperatures have been quite warm for this time of the year (over 200 days since the last snowfall!).

Photos from Around - 

Can you tell why someone gets stepped on occasionally - poor GingerSnap, the camouflage cat, always hoping for a treat in the kitchen.

Even sleeping by the food dishes, so he doesn't miss out.

A bald eagle down the road.

Sunset.

More interesting clouds.

All the best!♥︎

Week 45 of 2024

I finished a couple of projects this week -

An elongated Courthouse Steps mini quilt inspired by one on the Temecula Quilt Co blog. I used strips cut at 1+1/4", starting with a 5+1/2" long one for the centre. The quilt is about 12" x16".

Free motion quilted with an oak leaf and swirl design.

I had a little blank spot on the wall of mini quilts in my sewing room (I can see a few more blank spots!).

Also the hat I started last week (Lucy Hat by Carina Spencer).

It was a joy to knit, and I love how the colours came out (I spun a three ply yarn to blend the colours, it also made for a nice, round yarn).

One warm day this week that finished off another ball of yarn.

Photos from Around -

The hens are so friendly - Becka trying to get a closer look at the camera.

These two girls were keeping a close eye on me as I worked.

Playing their favourite game. GingerSnap will lay down on his back when he sees Molly half way across the yard - how does he know she isn't a predator!

Frosty morning walk.

Turkey tail mushrooms on a stump.

The sky full of geese.

All the best!♥︎

Week 44 of 2024

I started knitting a hat with the yarn I finished spinning last week-

The pattern is the Lucy Hat by Carina Spencer. It is one of my favourite hat patterns. I knit two, 10 years ago, but this will be my first one with handspun yarn.

Getting big!

Photos from Around - 

The clocks changed last night, the cats didn't get the memo and were wondering where lunch was.

These girls are always ready for a meal too.

A calm sunrise earlier in the week.

 

All the best!♥︎

Week 43 of 2024

This week I finished spinning a skein of yarn-

It is about a worsted weight, 3 ply yarn.

I won this beautiful fibre batt during Tour de Fleece this past summer. It is a mixture of all kinds of fibre, and was a joy to spin.

Colder temperatures on the blanket (and more yarn finished).

Photos from Around -

I finished canning yesterday (the last of the tomatoes in chilli) - the shelves are nice, and full for the winter.

Still some drying to do, and fermenting some of that garlic too.

The days are getting shorter, but the hens are still laying lots of delicious eggs.

They have had to spend more time in their enclosed run because we have seen coyotes and foxes around.

Sunrise.

All the best!♥︎

 

Week 42 of 2024

Just a few works in progress this week - 

I put my other socks on hold and started a simple pair.

Some warmer temperatures this week! I see a few ends I need to weave in.

Photos from Around - 

Poor Miss Molly sadly waiting for her most beloved to come home.

Nine eggs today - such a variety of shells.

Sparkle seems impressed too.

Well deserved treats for the hens.

Miss Maggie keeps an eye on the hens, but from a distance.

GingerSnap has been unwell again and sleeps a lot, and everywhere!

In the mint, in the garden,

In sunbeams,

Even with Miss Molly.

Sunrise

 All the best!♥︎

Week 41 of 2024

I finished making a string of Prosperity Hens -

It is from a YouTube tutorial by Pin Cut Sew.

I used all kinds of things I had on hand. I used fabric I had dyed years ago and didn't know what to do with (the colour runs, so a quilt is out of the question), also cotton yarn I dyed at the same time, and wooden beads, and bells I had been given. The hens are stuffed with leftover wool quilt batting.

It was nice to use things I have had for a while.

October is celebrated over on Ravelry as "Socktober" - I thought I would be able to knit two pairs of socks this month, but I will be lucky to knit one pair! The garden harvest is still being processed.

These socks are knit from fibre that I carded after dyeing (I also added a bit of angelina for sparkle). The colour is pretty uniform so I thought it would be perfect for a lace pattern. The pattern is Sheri's Posies Socks by Wendy D. Johnson.

Someone was pretty curious about the temperature blanket.

Photos from Around - 

Treat time.

Little lion.

I had some help harvesting the last of the Swiss chard.

Such a happy girl.

Miss Maggie wasn't so happy to be chased by her though.

Sunrise.

Sunset.

Big variety in egg sizes (different breeds, and some just started laying). All delicious, and we are so grateful to have fresh eggs!

All the best!♥︎