Experimental Knitting

Remember this scarf?

It was a lovely scarf.

But I couldn’t help but think that it wanted to be something more.

So here it is, becoming more. A raglan open-front sweater coat.

At least, that is the general plan. I really like the idea of having the cable panel as a collar.

Here’s the layout:

A closer look at the shoulder and back increases:

The only difference between this and a regular top-down raglan is that on the front shoulder raglan seam you only increase on the shoulder side. On the front side you decrease. Tricky, eh?

And the fronts are going to end up knit side-to-side, where the back is top-to-bottom. So it might be kind of interesting sewing the side seams. But I’ll figure that out when I get there.

In other news, I have successfully installed a zipper in the Oregon Vest. Still have a bit of other finishing to do, and then it will be ready for a photo shoot!

And fresh off the wheel-

This is the white spot (and some surrounding intermediate coloration) off Mariah from Little Country Acres. Pretty, pretty, pretty.

Denise out.

Scenes from a November weekend

It was good weekend.

Here are some of the highlights:

More Border Leicester, this time navajo plied:

Finding ways to use and keep apples:

Leg of lamb:

Parsnips from the garden:

Having finished the knitting of the Oregon vest, I’m now officially “between projects” again.

Ugh.

Better get something going, or it’ll be a mighty long week.

Sheep to Swatch

Introducing the latest addition to my fiber stash:

Closer:

I’m always anxious to see how a new fleece is going to spin up, so I just grabbed a couple handfuls and gave it a go-

Flicked out:

To be spun in the grease, from the fold:

Plied (but still greasy):

Then to the bath (which is this case is an old peanut butter jar)!

All washed up:

And on the needles:

Ta Da!

I love swatching.

Bo Peep, by popular demand…

I think my bonnet is situated incorrectly in this photo,, but it’ll have to do:

Adventures in Fencing, etc.

This weekend we took our first steps in fixing the perimeter fencing on our property.

Before- the Short and Schlumpy fencing:

And After- the Tall and Tidy fencing:

And here I am between the before and after, digging post holes the old-fashioned way. We have since decided we’re going to need an auger attachment for the tractor. The old-fashioned way sure is good exercise, but takes an awfully long time.

And in other news, the Oregon vest is coming right along. Back and one front side done. Did a quick trial assembly and steaming to test the sizing,, and I think we’re in good shape.

The pockets are knit with the back of the vest, and then sewn in against each front side, leaving part of each side seam open for the pocket entry.  Neat, eh?

Anyway, I only have this much yarn left, and one more front side to go, so I’d better get spinning-

Gotta get this stuff plied and off the bobbins because Wednesday I’m going to a Comprehensive Spinning workshop with Judith McKenzie McCuin up in Bellingham. Then to top it off, Saturday is a fleece sale at Jonassons farm in Burlington.

Now that’s a good wool week!