Author Archives: Patti_is_knittinginflashes

About Patti_is_knittinginflashes

Living and crafting between the hot flashes

Jayne’s sock

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After last week’s yarn dyeing adventure, I balled up the yarn and began the Dorsal Fin socks for my granddaughter.

The yarn was pooling a bit in the cuff area but I soldiered on and the colors sorted themselves out on the leg.

The detail that runs up/down the back of the leg is not as visible because of the colors but it might stand out more when wearing.

The heel is turned and the gusset is almost finished. It’s just plain old knitting the rest of the foot and toe. This sock will be finished this week and the second sock started.

My progress was slowed down last week as I was digging and moving some large rocks around the deck and my hands ached too much to knit.  But that’s another story.Patti

Weekend yarn dyeing

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Our 11-year old granddaughter stayed with us over the weekend.  We went to Blackwater Falls near Davis, West Virginia, and walked to the falls.  It was a crisp, sunny day.  A bit chilly for our picnic but by sitting in the sun we managed to stay comfortable.

After we got home, Jayne and I dyed some Knit Picks Stroll fingering-weight yarn using Easter egg dye and some food coloring.  We soaked the yarn in water with three tablespoons of white vinegar before we left in the morning so it would be ready for us when we came home.

She decided on teal, purple and pink dyes alternating the colors all the way around the oval of yarn.  I bought some 20ml syringes to apply the dye.  They worked much better than the cheap squeeze bottles I used before.  The syringes did not leak or drip.

Once all the dye was on the yarn, we wrapped it in plastic wrap and placed the bundle in a glass dish.  Then we microwaved it for two minutes, let it cool anywhere from 5-15 minutes, and repeated that process for a total of four times to heat set the dye. (I was so involved that I forgot to take more pictures.  Oops!)

When the yarn was cool, she rinsed it thoroughly in warm to cool water with a little bit of clear soap.  The yarn absorbed most of the dye and she only had a small amount of purple dye wash out.  By Sunday morning the yarn was ready to wind into a ball.

I’ve already started knitting a pair of Helen Stewart’s Dorsal Fin socks (her choice) for her with the yarn she dyed.Patti

Rainy Window part 2

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Seaming knitted pieces together is first on my list of things I dislike about knitting.  Weaving in the ends is second.

Rainy Window is 99% finished.  The only thing that remains is…weaving in the ends.rainy window socks finished

The fit is great.rainy window socks side view

I opted for a fun, brightly colored yarn for the toe and I love it!rainy window toes in red

These will definitely go in MY sock drawer, just as soon as I weave in those ends.

What is your least favorite thing about knitting, crocheting, sewing?

Patti

A couple of things

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I can’t believe it’s already September!  Each season has it’s own special smells and I could smell Fall in the air yesterday.  The days are definitely getting shorter.  Are you ready for the change in seasons?

Last week was eventful in so far as we received some outdoor items we ordered way back in June.  Our new patio table finally came in and we have been eating out on the deck the past couple of days – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  This past weekend was Labor Day in the US.  Mr. Aitch and I hung out at home and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The sunny skies were welcome as it rained every day last week and finally cleared up on Friday. We really missed our evenings eating al fresco and though summer is winding down, we can still enjoy another couple of weeks on the deck.  You can read about the old table.

The fabric I ordered to recover the old cushions at the beginning of June was canceled by the manufacturer in mid-August.  Or that’s when I found out about it.  Back to square one with that.  I finally decided on a solid red for the front porch cushions, ordered it, and received the bolt of fabric last week.

One thing I didn’t like about the original cushions is that they are 3-4 inches narrower than the seat cushions.  That was something I didn’t realize before I made those covers.  I have to get new inserts anyway so I will make them the same width as the seat cushions. I can take my time over the winter months to make the new cushion covers for next spring/summer.

The Rainy Window socks are coming along nicely.  Sock number 1 is finished (except for weaving in the ends) and sock number 2 is more than halfway done.  The heel is turned and I have about one-third of the foot knitted.

My knitting set up over the weekend.  The audiobook I was listening to was hilarious.  FYI it’s not for delicate ears.

You can find me out on the deck knitting.

Patti