My So- Called Handmade Life
a do-it-myself experiment in creating a lovely life
Monday, May 23, 2022
Making Guthrie while listening to Guthrie
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Episode 56: Big Summer Knitting Plans
Find me on instagram and Ravelry.
My question for you: What are some old pattern sources you have always wanted to knit or crochet from but have yet to use?
Monday, April 4, 2022
Siska Toque and Durand Cowl
Details: With the same US size 13 needles and yarn, I cast on for Siska. I ran out of yarn a couple of rounds shy of the length I would liked to have had. It's not a biggie. Lots of people wear their hats higher on their head than I do, like with this Kenora Toque. I personally like my ears mostly covered and a good size brim, wether or not there's a little extra peak at the top of my beanie. I think I could solve this by some creative blocking, if I want the extra room at the top, but I probably won't.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Episode 55: Ms. Fixit
Find me on www.myso-calledhandmadelife.com
on instagram as @mysocalledhandmadelife
on Ravelry as mamatronic
The #RecycleReknitRemake make along on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysocalledhandmadelife/
Windsor Headband by Tara-Lynn Morrison: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mamatronic/windsor-headband
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Illusionist Infinity Scarves
In 2021 I knit a couple of Illusionist Infinity Scarves by Two of Wands. The two color cowl looks very similar to brioche, which I have done, but without the headache of having to look up Andrea Mowry's brioche video and rewatch it so I won't goof it up. I found the whole process very chill. And knitting in 2021 was all about chill evening time relaxation.
There were no big, difficult projects for me that year- basically no podcasts or blog posts. I was at home, like everyone else, but also in my own little world of making. And it was okay. I've heard from a lot of crafters who backed away from screens after almost a year of pandemic. It's like the world was collectively burned out on information, ads, news, crisis.
I knit much less than in previous years. I mean, I had just moved and was organizing, purging, and refreshing things, but it was more than that. I just needed some quiet time to think. Instead of knitting I did a lot of walking. I moved from a situation where I was feeling cooped up to having trails in my neighborhood, so I took advantage of them almost every day. Most weekdays I didn't see anyone on them. I would take photos of cactus and dogs and pray and just rest my soul.
Details: Each one of these cowls used two skeins each of two different colors and size US 10 needles. For the first one, I used a color combo I had wanted to try since Lion Brand announced it's Hue and Me yarn line: Shadow and Love Song. (Remember that song by the Cure? Least. Liked. Cure. Song. Ever.) This version was my favorite of the two.
The second cowl was knit in Desert and Werewolf. It is an extra vivid contrast and the one I thought my daughter might choose of the two. I secretly thought the Love Song version fit her wardrobe better, but I gave her the choice as a bonus Christmas gift. You can see that it really suits her.
The fisherman's rib is a fun stitch and extra special when knit in contrasting colors. It also makes a nice reversible knit.
(more images on my Flickr)
So how did you guys rest your soul in the last couple of years? How did you do it? Was stepping back from the phone part of your strategy?Details on my Illusionist Infinity Cowls on Ravelry: mine and my daughter's
On the youtube channel Episode 50: So Much Hue and Me
Monday, March 21, 2022
Perfect Hats for Winter Dog Walking
Graduate Scarf and a Scrappy Seafarer's Cap
This scarf comes from a collegiate themed collection by Alexandra Tavel. Think Ali McGraw or Felicity. The inspiration for her collection brings peacoats, pleated skirts, and new, pristine notebooks to mind.
Details: The Graduate Scarf takes two balls each of two different contrasting bulky weight yarns. I used two balls each of Hue and Me yarn in the Salt and Arrowwood colors. I already had a hat in Arrowwood so I ordered a kit in the sample colors to complement it. Now I have a matchy matchy, school colors kind of thing going on. I thought I'd use most of the yarn, planning to knit it until I ran out, but I stopped a bit after the directed length because it was already massive.
With the remainder of each color and US size 10 needles, I knit a striped Seafarer's Cap as a gift- another pattern with school color vibes. I just striped randomly, no real plan except to use up all of the yarn. Lately I've been trying to use every last bit of a yarn that's left over from a project before moving on. Sometimes I make socks with it, or put it in the scrap crochet blanket bin. This time I knitted an accessory as a gift.
Have you tried Hue and Me yet? I think it is my favorite yarn for gift knitting, other than super wash sock yarn, as it is easy care and works up pretty quickly for someone like me who often waits until the last minute to decide I'm going to make a gift.
Some other patterns from Alexandra's collection that I'd like to try are the Library Wrap and the Campus Cardigan. I already have Lion Brand Just Hemp that I can use for the Rec Club Backpack, which I hope to make sometime for summer.
So I think we are in season 4 of Seinfeld at the moment. The more I watch, the more I am convinced George is the most horrible, and therefore, the best character on the show. Other shows we've been watching weekly are Raised by Wolves and Severance. Severance has an old fashioned mystery/thriller feel to it, sort of like Homecoming. We are always disappointed when an episode ends. Also, I adore Patricia Arquette.
(more images on my flickr)
I'm not sure what to think of Raised by Wolves. I love sci-fi, the storyline seems all over the place but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sci-fi shows that constantly introduce new "world rules"can sometimes get silly. Same goes for shows with heavy religious imagery (This is supposed to be based on the Book of Enoch. Have you ever read that? I haven't.) Religious caricatures in sci-fi are so often cornball, but it's good so far and I'm invested, even though I'm tired of Travis Fimmel's wild-eyed Ragnar expressions. Sidenote- the opening animation and theme song is so very good. As I watch it, I'm reminded of my son's thoughts on Dune: that it was peak me.
and on My So-Called Handmade Life Podcast Episode 51: Hopeful, Episode 52: Sneaky Extra, and Episode 53: Recycle Reknit Remake.