Toetoe

This sweater has been off the needles for a while . . . patiently waiting for buttons.

Toetoe.

I love everything about this sweater.  It was an engaging knit with just enough action to keep me entertained.  

There are twisted stitches and a simple cable pattern running down the front.  I used a tubular bind off on all the edges.  The sweater would have been ready for action a while ago, but I took my time with the button decision.  I had a lot of fun considering different options.

The yarn is Marybelle DK in Sunflower.  This non-superwash base knits up beautifully and blocks like a dream.  It's a hearty wool that's not too scratchy.  I'm smitten and getting ready to cast on another sweater with this base.

In normal times, this sweater would have been a sample.  Since shows aren't happening any time soon, it's all mine and I'm thrilled that it's a good fit.  I still might use it for a sample some day, but for now I'm going to enjoy wearing it.

More Mohair

I'm determined to have a productive week, so I started the day with the dye pots.  That took some effort on my part.  I have a new project on the needles, and I could easily have gotten lost in the steady rhythm of this ribbing.

I'm still sorting out the buttons for my Toetoe, so I cast on a new sweater over the weekend.  This is Calliope, and it's been waiting in the wings for a while.  Obviously I still haven't had my fill of the cozy, fuzzy comfort of mohair.

While We Wait . . .

How's it going?  I hope everyone is hanging in there.  I knew we would have to wait for election results but that doesn't make it any easier.  

I can't concentrate on anything too complicated, but I have enough bandwidth to work on a simple knitting project.  I've been alternating between that and playing with buttons.

I need a few buttons for my Toetoe, so yesterday I rummaged through my button box.  It turns out I don't have many options that are both the right size and the right color.  I've settled on one that will work, but I'm not smitten with it.  That's OK.  Online button shopping is a great way to pass the time while waiting for election results.

The Homestretch

Every once in a while, I surprise myself with how much knitting progress I make.  In spite of a busy weekend with very little planned knitting time, I made my way off sleeve island and am in the homestretch of my Toetoe.  In case you're wondering, I'm using Marybelle DK in Sunflower.

Stitch by stitch it all adds up.  This has been a fun project, and it's coming together nicely, but I'm already looking ahead.

There are several new projects waiting in the wings.  Isn't that always the case?

To reduce the waiting time, I nudged this one into the on-deck circle.  It won't be long now.

Stitch by Stich

Knitting season is upon us and by extension that includes dyeing.  Since I'm not traveling, I feel a little out of sync, but I've made some adjustments.  Full steam ahead with all the colors.

In the mix with everything else, I manage to knit here and there throughout the day.  Stitch by stitch it all adds up.  This was my Toetoe earlier in the week.

The body is finished, and now it's on to the sleeves.

This one is taking shape.  After a few more short rows, I'll start decreasing.  Then this sleeve will really pick up speed.  Plus I have short arms.  It's a good thing because I'm determined not to linger on sleeve island.

This week's color inspiration matches my sweater.

Sunflower power.

September Reset

The world is still upside down, and every once in a while I need to pause and get my bearings.  Last week the lone 2020 event still on my calendar finally cancelled.  It wasn't unexpected.  In fact, I wondered why it took so long to throw in the towel on Fiber Festival of New England.  Rhinebeck, which is only two weeks before FFNE, cancelled quite a while ago. 

There's talk of a virtual FFNE, which would be wonderful, but the cancellation of the in-person event is actually a huge relief.  I'd been caught in a precarious limbo . . . trying to figure out how I would do a live event if they held it.  I have a big booth and could set up a one way path.  I could drive back and forth instead of staying over - although the thought of the extra driving time was exhausting.  I knew some vendors would probably cancel.  Would people even come out for the event.  The list goes on and on.

The cancellation brings some closure, and now I have a clear view of the remainder of 2020.  Except for a couple pop-ups in the area, I'm not going anywhere for the rest of the year - and probably beyond.  As an aside, if you're in the area, take a look at the right sidebar.  I have a couple pop-ups this week and next.

Now that I'm not plotting and planning for an event that might or might not happen, it's much easier to focus on other pieces of this business that's chugging along in the midst of a pandemic.  Samples still need to be finished, and that's where I've been putting my energy.

The bottom edge of my Toetoe needs another inch and a half plus I have a couple other projects that are all but finished.  Forward progress is a great motivator.

This fall will be completely different in so many ways, but I'm still embracing it.  Not even a pandemic can stop knitting season.

Sweaters and Summer

The summer heat is still here, and it's getting mighty old.  I'm not willing to admit defeat, but I have made several adjustments.  First, dyeing only happens in the early morning.  No all-day dye sessions right now. Second, a sweater project can't have my undivided knitting attention at the moment.

As an example, here's a quick Toetoe update.  In case you're wondering, toetoe is a New Zealand grass, and it's pronounced toy-toy. Pretty cool, huh.

My strategy is to knit a few rows every day and then move on to something that doesn't take up quite as much lap space.  I had to come up with a compromise, and so far this seems to be working.
I would like to focus more on this sweater, but the heat makes me crabby and my family already tolerates a lot of salty comments.

I know I don't have enough inches yet, but I'm going to give it a quick measure anyway.  It's encouraging to have my forward progress confirmed.

Monday Challenges

I should have known today was going to be a problem when the dog started barking at 5:00 in the morning.  I had to get up and see what all the fuss was about.  Nothing, apparently.  I eventually fell back to sleep only to have the phone ring.  It turns out my morning has been rearranged a couple times already.  Take a deep breath and keep moving.

Over the weekend I puttered around dyeing colors to match a new bundle in the works.  Good lighting makes all the difference, and this morning one of them looked different in the light of day.  Just dye another sample, my daughter advised.  So I did.

I do have real progress to show with one project.

The fronts of my Toetoe have been joined to the back.  Now it's easy back and forth.  I just have to make sure I follow the correct chart for each side.  With everything else that's going on, that seems manageable.

I'm off to tackle the afternoon.  With a little more coffee, I'm up for the challenge.

Twists and Turns

I'm always amazed by designers who come up with a fresh take on garment construction.  I enjoy a pattern that includes interesting twists and turns, and I'm in the middle of one right now.

This is Toetoe.  I rarely use the same color as the sample, but if you follow the link you'll see I'm a total copycat this time around.

I've knit the back through the armholes, and now I'm going to reverse direction and knit the fronts.  And it's in one piece.  It's all very clever, and I'm thrilled.  

I got this far last night, and the first thing I thought of this morning was starting the next section.  Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.