Knitting Complete

I managed to finish the knitting yesterday. Here are the pieces laid out together.

There's a long way to go before I have a finished jacket. I have the yarns for embroidery laid out in this photo.

Colors on the left are for duplicate stitch--in the same 3-ply yarn as the body of the work--to fill in the leaves. The colors on the right are a 2-ply, Finull, also from Rauma, and will be used for chain stitch to outline the scrolls and vines. It's going to be wonderful.

When the embroidery is done, I'll seam the pieces together, then add the neck and front edgings.

I'm really happy with how this is going. And I love the quiet time this knitting requires. This is not take to the track meet knitting--I'm working up a design for another jacket to serve that purpose!

 

Almost Ready For Embroidery

I've reached the sleeve cap on the second sleeve. Can't wait to block this and start the embroidery.

For knitting in the round, on smaller diameters I definitely prefer working with long dpns. I find the needles on circulars to be too small for my hands, causing cramps. Longer dpns are hard to find in the standard brands, so I picked up these. They are sets of 4, so I picked up two packs in two different lengths a while back, and get a lot of use out of them. Because they are not standard US size, I do have to check with a needle gauge to make sure they work with the other needles I'm using.

In the meantime, I'm swatching for a jacket in bulky yarn. I experimented with the corrugated rib yesterday--but I was at my son's track meet, and couldn't concentrate on choosing an approach to managing the yarn consistently. I was going to knit it flat, but the corrugated knitting really wants to be in the round, so I guess I'll be steeking! I'm not sure, yet, though. Steeking would add bulk to an already bulky yarn. Still, knit flat this broken rib pattern is 75% purl, and knit in the round it's 75% knit. I think I actually have made up my mind. This is going to be a big cozy jacket with a collar and pockets if I have enough yarn.

 

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Reviving the blog! Knitting Recap

 Reviving the Blog

It's been a long time! I guess the COVID-19 shutdown affected every little thing. 

If you're interested in seeing some of the things I've been working on, and some I've even finished, check out my Instagram

Right now, I'm working on the second sleeve of the "Fitted Jacket with Embroidery" from Norwegian Knitting Designs. There are some truly stunning versions of this sweater on Ravelry. I started this in January 2022 and set it aside for several months. I picked it up in late March and worked the first sleeve. And I have about three inches to go before the sleeve cap shaping. 

This is a big project. When the knitting is completely finished, then the embroidery begins. I'll be using several autumnal colors to give the sweater a warmer overall look. Right now I call it the ketchup and mustard sweater, but I think it will be stunning when complete.

Here's the thing: I have only once ever embroidered any piece of knitting. This will be an adventure!

How do I keep track of where I am when knitting? I use two essential tools: color coded stitch markers and highlighter tape. And I have to have a calm and fairly quiet knitting environment--I read the pattern one stitch at a time, after all--it takes a lot of concentration!

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Black Aoud

Never thought I'd be saying this,  but I just fell in love with a men's perfume. I have a table full of perfumes in my office, which I've listed on Etsy. Actually there are a couple more batches to list, but I'll get to that eventually. I had not smelled a single one of them until last night, when my son came in, looked them over and then tried the one that is described as the strongest of the scents offered by this particular perfume house: Montale. I was ready to be bothered all night. Instead, I couldn't get enough of it. I love it. It's true that it is strong, and lasts a long time. I think that's probably not for everyone, but I surprised myself.

SligosMuse is open on Etsy

I think it's time to get back to this blog.

It has been a little over 4 years since I posted. And so much has happened. And in the last four months I have finally returned to knitting, crocheting, and spinning, and retooled for weaving, even if I haven't started that yet.

So now on to the next adventure---my Etsy shop opened not long ago. Initially I am offering supplies to make gift samples of some wonderful fragrances. It's a fun project, and I because I got an amazing deal on these fragrances, I want to share. After all, even with a large family, there only so many people you can send these fragrances to.

I'll be selling hand knit items as well, and some handspun with knitting patterns to go along with it. That will come in due course.

Until then, take a look at what I've been working on lately, not in any particular order, and with no description. Except the second red and white snowflake stocking is about two thirds done, so a finished photo soon enough:

             

Sylvi

I knit this coat for a friend who was moving internationally and needed a red coat where she landed. I've always wanted to knit this pattern, and it was a perfect opportunity!

A quick recommendation

So, I recently won a free copy of the YNAB (You Need a Budget) software as an attendee of one of their webinars. That was cool. What I thought was even cooler is that they offer the software for free to students--just thought some of you parents/students out there might like to know about that. This link will get you a discount for yourself, if you're at all interested.
http://ynab.refr.cc/CQRW5DP

And here is the link for college students .

The website has lots of educational and community forum support.  I think it's a pretty great way for a person to start out.