Two for One Felting!

So I was on the golf course, the place where many great ideas start and grow while I walk the 8K through the beautiful parkland whacking away at the little white ball. I was thinking about a couple of felting projects and trying to get psyched up for the hour and a half of rolling each would take. It is the only part of the felting process I find tedious, and the only thing that keeps me from felting everyday! Then, in a eureka moment, the thought came to me! Two for one! What if I laid out the first scarf on bubble wrap, sprayed it with hot soapy water, covered it with more bubble wrap, laid out a SECOND scarf, then wrapped it all in plastic. Rolling all up in a jelly roll style, I could roll two scarves at once, and skip half the rolling!

I could not wait to try this, and here are the photos of the first layer, a scarf made from Colinette Roving in Bright Charcoal to match my Colinette Art Cardigan. This one is made from two layers of roving, with no gaps. It will be a warm woolly scarf with Swiss cheese holes cut into it after the first two rollings (15 minutes for each rolling).

The second scarf is made with silk chiffon in black, layered with wispy thin merino roving (same as above) leaving plenty of silk showing between the merino lines. This will make a sheer, light scarf for more moderate temperatures, still matching my Art Cardigan!

The pair were rolled together for 5 - 15 minute sessions, unrolling and rolling up over a pool noodle from the opposite side after each session.
The scarves were finished with the same process, tossing in the sink several times, then hot and cold baths repeated until firmly felted. Rinse in cold, wrap in towels, and hang to dry... both look great with the sweater, and if it weren't over 30C ( 86F) I would model them!! :)

Scarf One.

Scarf Two.

Colinette Art Cardigan

Yarn: Colinette Art, 5 skeins (100 grams - 173 meters)

Gauge: 17 sts and 26 rows = 4 inches in stocking stitch

Size: Roomy 44 inch chest.

Needles: 4.0mm (US 6) circular needles required for front bands so I use them for every piece.

Stocking stitch : right side Knit. Wrong side Purl.

Seed stitch: row 1: k1, p1 repeat across row. row2: knit the purls, purl the knits.

Back: Cast on 85 sts. Work in seed stitch for 2 inches. On last row increase 9 stitches evenly across the row. Change to stocking stitch, and work until 16 " from start.

Raglan shaping: Cast off 8 sts at the start of next two rows.

** decrease row**Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit to last 4 sts, knit 2 together, knit 2**

use decrease row every 2nd row 22 times. Then every 4th row 5 times.

Cast off remaining 24 sts.

Left Front: cast on 43 sts. Work in seed stitch for 2 inches, increasing 4 sts across the last row. Change to stocking stitch, and work even until 16 inches from start. Cast off 8 at the start of next right side row. (underarm side). Start decreases on that side only by the knit 2, knit2 together method every 2nd row for 22 repeats, then every 4th row, 5 times. ***ALSO at the same time decrease one stitch at the neck edge, every 6th row 11 times. (the neck edge decrease should be done by knit 2 together at the edge.) Continue both decrease edges, until 10 sts are left, and the piece should be about one inch shorter than the back. Cast off 10 sts.

Right side: same as left, but reverse the decrease shaping to mirror the left side.

Sleeves: Cast on 33 sts. Work in seed stitch for 3 inches. Increase 5 sts across the last row. Change to stocking stitch and shape the sleeve by increasing one stitch each end every 6th row 13 times (64 sts on needle). Work even until sleeve is 18 inches long (or chosen length to underarm).

Cap shaping: Cast off 8 sts each side. Then using the Decrease Row method, decrease one each side every 2nd row 10 times, then every 4th row 9 times. Right sleeve (right side facing) cast off 4 sts, knit to end. Purl next row. Cast off 4 sts. [left sleeve, (wrong side facing) cast off 4 sts, purl to end. knit next row, cast off 4 sts.]

Sew raglan seams. Bands: Pick up 120 sts on right side front (up to neck edge only) Work in seed stitch for front band, about 1.5 inches. Place button holes evenly spaced along the lower part of band only [I put three]. Cast off loosely. Do the same for the left side band, without buttonholes.

Collar. pick up 70 sts from the neck edge including the top of the front bands. Work in seed stitch for 4 inches, then do 5 rows of stocking stitch before casting off loosely. This last bit will roll into a nice edge for the collar.

Really soon now...

I finally got the cardigan finished, and put the buttons on and went outside to take the photos... I am just about ready to post the pattern now. I need to spend an hour or so typing and editing my chicken scratch notes into a comprehensible pattern! Maybe this evening...stay tuned! By the way, I am looking towards the morning sun and it is already over 23C / 74F on the way to 29/83. Really too warm for such a wooly thick sweater! But I DO love summer makeup, sunglasses and lip gloss! I am standing in front of our tomato and snow pea patio garden. We have already had lots of peas and a few cherry tomatoes! I love summer!

The second photo is some knitted earrings. They are knit with HABU stainless steel in shiny black. I will also post this easy pattern, which is knit in a rectangle, then squished through some beads, before stretching out into interesting shapes (these shapes hold because of the steel)

Now I am off to the sewing room for a bit of sewing... check the other side (upper right square link) to see what I have been sewing.

Almost Completed...

Here's a great peak at the almost finished Colinette Art Sweater! I am making a large collar to frame the neckline. I really recommend this yarn. It is SO soft by hand, yet really sturdy (it's hard to break the yarn end by just pulling it!) So I think it will wash and wear really well for a long, long time. It also has a soft drape (not stiff like many worsted weight wools.)

You can find it at your local yarn shop OR order directly from the wool mill in Wales HERE.

While completing this, I am planning my next knitted garment. It will be from that lovely merino-mohair Fleece Artist "Merino Angel". The swatch is open and airy and light as a feather. I am thinking of a whisper light tunic... hmmm.

My knitting hours have been reduced so far this summer, lots of golf and sewing. I am sure most of you agree, it is a little more difficult to embrace knitting, especially with the merinos and silks and other warm woolies, when it is hot and humid outside. The hidden gem of summer knitting, is the surprise of finding on those first cold fall days, the summer-time merino knit that you tucked away in the cold section of your closet in anticipation of the inevitable cold spell that WILL return to our fabulous country! So keep tucking them away!

Aspen and Art

I just wound another skein of Colinette Art. I have finished the first sleeve, and started the second sleeve. So we are nearing completion of the Art Raglan Cardigan. Here is a photo of young Aspen perched on the ball of yarn. The first few times she tried this she wobbled and fell off, but now she knows to hold still!

Plugging away...

Before I can get to my new Nova Scotia yarn yummies, I have to finish my Colinette cardigan. I have been feverishly at it for days, and I have finished the back, both fronts and am on the first sleeve. I like the feel of this yarn. It is really soft, and very sturdy, so makes a fairly dense fabric. I think it will be best for outdoors or really chilly Canadian winter days indoors.
Meanwhile, I am also sewing up a storm and have made a bustier for a friend, and a casual sundress for me this week. I have 3 tops and 3 shorts in the queue, along with the last 2 bridesmaid alterations, all to be done next week.
I will save the photos of the knitting for the finished product. Stay tuned and keep knitting!

Nova Scotia Weekend

I spent last weekend in Nova Scotia, visiting Dad along with my sister (from Winnipeg). We flew in Friday and out again Monday. While there, we stopped at Gaspereau Valley Fibres, a lovely wool shop in Wolfville. I found some great yarns, some Fleece Artist, and Habu and lace weight...

During the trip, I got a lot of knitting done, and finished these striped socks.
Also during the trip we ate some of this....

My favourite!