Some New Pictures and New Wool
I took a class from JC Briar at Stitches East 2011 called Slick Set-In Sleeves to knit a sleeve from the shoulder down using short rows to shape the cap. Once the sleeve is finished, the body and sleeves are knit together by removing a provisional cast-on from the underside of the sleeve to generate live stitches. It is all quite ingenious and seamless.
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I, however, screwed up the first set of instructions and knit too many short rows at first. This added a little pouf to the top of the sleeve but no big deal. My problem was trying to remember how I did it so I could replicate it on the second sleeve. I also forgot how to do the provisional cast-on and ended up using a traditional one and later picking up stitches. The side with the PCO looks much smoother, needless to say. My SIL learned Japanese short rows, which I need to look into which eliminates the wrap and closes up the hole by slipping a stitch.I swatched some of the Plymouth Tweed to see what it looked like for the jacket I want to do from Jean Frost’s new book Custom Fitted Jackets and from whom I took a class from at Stitches East 2011. I am going to make one of the starter jackets and see how the custom fitting works out.
I ordered a lb of California Red from Applerose Farm in NJ after seeing it advertised on the Fleece Sale board on Ravelry. Gotta stay off there. This is the source that Sasha reviewed on the Spin Doctor podcast last fall and it was every bit as nice as she says. It is creamy with red hairs in it which give it a rosy tone, the roving is springy and crisp. It is not reputed to be a soft fleece but this one is not terribly harsh. I am thinking of plying it to bulky weight and knitting a pair of felted clogs from it if I can find a top loader washing machine to felt in. I have perfected my long draw with this roving and it is really a lot of fun to spin.
I have wound off a few storage bobbins of Gotland. Gryphon, the fiber dog, got a hold of one and started chewing it but he didn’t do much damage (none to the singles and a little to the bobbin but it looks like it will still work. I am thinking that this will become the Boyfriend Jacket from the Jean Frost book.
Finally, a 3 day weekend to pay homage to the vets, sit by the fire, and get some chores done in that order. I seem to be stuck by the fire. OH and Happy Birthday Gryphon
