Tempus fugit 🕰

Wow, 2023 speeds ahead.  Using the wayback machine, I need to catch things up since last September. We went to Ireland the last week of October. We visited friends along the way and made it up to County Donegal.  It was a treat to see Studio Donegal, where the tweed continues to be woven by hand.  

The mill shop at Kerry Wollen Mill, Co Kerry, Ireland.

It is where I bought the Kerry Gold color way of KWM

Aran Wool 3ply.

A lovely green tweed warp. The sound of the 
shuttles going back and forth was nice to hear.

Looking down at the at the warping room and all

the cones of yarn. A look just to the left, and on to the...

Cutting and sewing room. Pattern pieces hanging

at the ready.

  A closeup of some lovely wool tweed pieces

for garments.

Piece by beautiful piece. 

I produced quite a bit of knitting the past year, and expanded the sweater choices for the Pick A Sweater class at beWoolen.

Blomst

Forêts Paisibles, Ris, Anthology,
and Dreaming of Provence 

Cassis, Goldwyn Folly (with a dash of Anthology), 
and Inovec

Of course there are WIPs. One is fingering weight, which I love (but what was I thinking?!) and the other two are Aran weight.  

Simple Sweater TCK

Classic Cardigan, TCK

Lara by Di Gilpin is a fun and quick knitting project.
Donegal tweed for the body and some leftover KWM
in Kerry Gold from the Cassis for the neckband.

On the loom and on (and off) the needles

20.04.2021 Only one of my looms (the small Good Wood) is empty at this time.  Recently, I re-warped the tapestry loom and made new string heddles for it...only because I could not locate the other heddles.  I lost one warp thread in the process.  My current read is Rebecca Mezoff's book, The Art of Tapestry Weaving: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Techniques for Making Images with Yarn.  It is a good book with plenty of photos and well-written instruction for self-guided learning.  

Sampling on the little loom.

Schacht Tapestry Loom, cotton warp approximately six-inches wide.

A couple Saturdays ago Louie and I into the shop and I plied a full bobbin of Jacob yarn from roving purchased years ago at Shepherd's Harvest Festival.  It will be helpful to have more Jacob if needed for a knitting project in the planning stage.

My office (using the term loosely) is a bit cramped, so it was time to reclaim yarn, needles and markers from a couple of UFOs.  The blue Gansey is frogged along with the Eid Top.  I would get more wear out of a blue cardigan and keep the Eid Top's yarn and repurpose into another colorwork vest.  

Looking pretty good.

I love the yarn colors, yarn type and the pattern, but
sometimes one just cannot get into the groove with a project.

It was the end of the road for this Gansey.

Needles and markers reclaimed from the depths of the knitting bags.

I finished a shop sample for beWoolen using the beautiful Tahki Donegal Tweed yarn.  The pattern is Strange Brew from Tin Can Knits using Aran weight yarn, top-down construction with short rows at the back, and extra colorwork at the cuffs and bottom.  This was such a fun knitting project and the class is going well with all the lovely sweaters in progress.  Next will be a cardigan version...steek!

Happy knitting!

C19 Tapestry

21.05.2020  Businesses are opening, spring has sprung and we are still safe and well.  It has been nice to get out for walks and bringing Gus along for a stop at Dairy Queen for Blizzards and a Pup Cup.

On April 16, I began the Explore Tapestry weave-along through Schacht Spindle Company.   The WAL came at the best possible time because I had not used my new tapestry loom and the colorful mini skeins of handspun yarn were the perfect choice for the project.   The course ran for five weeks, from warping the loom to finishing the weaving.  Each week at least two or more techniques were featured by Jane Patrick with written instructions, photos and videos.  Having only made small tapestries on a hand-held loom, I was ready to learn how to use my loom.  When I saw the Arras loom, I thought perhaps I should have waited, but the it was released after I purchased the 25-inch Schacht tapestry loom.  Once I got the hang of warping and using a spacer at the bottom to keep the weaving from slipping, the loom was easy to use.  It is lightweight and moveable, a plus!

Thank you Jane and Schacht Spindle Company for the Explore Tapestry weave-along!

I was pleased with the results using the colorful mini-skeins.

The Ghiordes knots got a trim before moving on to the extra sections.

Weaving the circle was a slow process and had quite a learning curve.
 The sun in the section below came out oval rather than circular. 

Once I finished the circle the weaving was done!

Cancelled, but still occupied

04.04.2020  Today is a lovely day.  The sun is shining, currently it is 22-degrees F and the high for today will be 48-degrees.  We are healthy and keeping busy.

Today would have been the first day of the two-day North Artists Studio Crawl, 2020.  This week the powers-that-be cancelled Shepherd's Harvest Festival.  The cancellations are a good idea given the continuing rise of cases locally.  Jim and I get outside for fresh air and venture into a store for groceries and other necessities if we are lucky enough to find what we need.  I have some  cotton masks ready to sew this morning.  The last time I went to Target the social/physical distancing seemed to be better amongst the customers and there were signs notifying patrons that the carts are regularly disinfected in addition to the wipes available as you walk into the store.  The state department of health has a website with news releases, updates and information, which I find more helpful than the national network news programs.

02.05.2020  Best laid plans, I certainly waited long enough to post.  There is quite a difference in the temperature, although it is another nice day--sunny and 72-degrees F.  Jim, Gus and I have been well.  I sewed masks for the local hospital and then last week sewed more for the neighborhood fire department to distribute to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.  Around the cities there were hundreds, if not thousands, delivered to those in need.

Zoom has been a way to connect with my fiber friends and my artist friends.  I host a knitting group on Thursdays and the Rum River Handweavers Guild once a month.  Otherwise, life goes on, we stay busy and enjoy life.  Below are scenes from the past month.  Stay well!

Early into the shut down, Mary and I helped during the spring shearing and were able to cuddle lambs.
This one was a day old.  It was freezing cold in the barn, but the little lambs were nice and warm.

This little girl is Olive.  Her mama, Molly is on the left with Olive's sibling.  She loved to be held and would sneak out of the penned area to follow us around the barn while we waited for the shearer.  She caught sight of me and was running up to get a cuddle.  It was a lovely afternoon!

I managed to finish spinning and plying 4-oz of Romeldale/silk from Ewespun Fiber Mill.

I was preparing for a Lopi sweater class at BeWoolen when everything shut down, and I plan to reschedule the class.  It was cold enough for a few days and I was able to wear my new sweater, which was so nice and warm.  After stash-diving, I came up with some more primary colors and made Katie's Kep, the Shetland Wool Week 2020 hat.  Gus enjoyed stealing the blue ball of yarn multiple times.  I was not amused.

The star on top of the hat is so pretty.  I lightly fulled the hat to improve the fabric and the fit.

Schacht Spindle Company is having an explore tapestry weave along.  It came at the perfect time--I warped the new loom!  There were a few challenges during the warping and initial weaving, but I learned and adapted during that learning curve.

Week 1 was worked to the red and green section (adding the spacer at the bottom before the twining kept the weaving from slipping), week 2 is the color blending/gradient, and week 3 are the rectangles and the shaping.  I used string markers, which made the triangle much easier to shape correctly.

Week 3 completed!  Tapestry slits, interlocking and shaping.  

Navigating a new normal

25. 03.2020
Originally this post was going to be a very different subject.  The North Artists Studio Crawl, classes scheduled at AFW, a new class to teach at BeWoolen, time spent with artist friends at the Rumriver Art Center, and finishing personal projects and projects to add to my studio space.  The projects are still in the works, however, life as we know it has changed.  Earlier today, Governor Walz announced the shelter in place order for Minnesota for two weeks.  I figured that we would not be far behind Wisconsin.  During the Jim and I have been keeping a low profile during the past couple of weeks.  The last public event for me was a brief demo at the Art-a-Thon on March 14, and then the Gansey class at Anoka Fiber Works.  By St. Patrick's Day, both the Art Center and AFW were declared temporarily closed.  Ben's girlfriend, Andi, had been in Iceland with a friend and the friend was able to catch her flight back to Seattle, but Andi's flight to MSP was cancelled.  She made it to Chicago, but was just one of many people in the massive crowds trying to navigate through customs for hours. We were all very grateful to know she was back in the USA, and eventually Ben was able to pick her up and bring her home.  Yesterday Jim, Gus and I visited the kids bearing gifts of coffee and toilet paper.  We were able to see them at a safe distance.  Because of any unknown exposure during her trip back to the States, Andi and Ben have (now) five more days of quarantine.

Gus and Tater Tot meet for the first time.  We all were happy to have a short visit.

In the meantime, I have been working on new projects.   

The class at BeWoolen will be the Anniversary sweater, but for myself, I am knitting the After sweater.  I made one for a sample at All About Yarn years ago and always wanted one for myself.  

01.04.2020
Life as we knew it changed quickly since I started this post.  Non essential businesses are closed, students are schooling online (where available) and for the most part folks are being good about social/physical distancing.  We can still get out to get some fresh air.  We picked up the camper and then did a little yard work.

Thankfully, there is plenty to do and to make.  Working on cleaning and clearing out drawers, organizing the art and fiber materials and tools.  Hopefully, the art closet will soon have some shelving, which will help contain the containers and free up some space in my small workroom.

We truly are in this together.  Stay well and take care.

Class one of three went and I will reschedule when everything opens up again.

A bit of cleaning--I knew I had a few old hankies, LOL

Gus was my yoga buddy.

Tea break!

It's hot...again

The past week has been really nice, but the heat and humidity are on again!  I met with a student last week and she is working on a brioche knitting project.  Brioche is my knitting kryptonite by sucking all the fun out of my knitting.  The end result of the technique is visually striking, but I find it fiddly to get through the process.  It was time to pick up needles and contrasting yarn to give it another go, so I am now knitting the boot cuffs.  Early yesterday morning I finally found a video that showed the technique beautifully and I could watch it without sound!   Since the photos were taken, the knitting has been frogged no less than five times and this morning, I chose a blue heather wool instead of a contrasting ball of Kureyon.  Getting the hang of the technique just takes patience.  Now that I understand the construction of the stitches, I can work on my muscle memory.

It is tempting to call this an ugh project, but I do love the contrasting Noro colors together.  

Yesterday was a busy day in a good way.  the weather was beautiful for painting outdoors, I had lunch with a friend, sent in my class fee for a fun class on Monday with another friend, and then went to the shop.  The painting session was not as long because of lunch, but I managed to get a good start on a small painting of my favorite willow tree.  In the short time I was able to paint the light changed considerably.  Snapping photos with the phone was helpful and the sun was peeking through on the willow's bark in the last photo.

After I set up the easel, I snapped a photo.

The light changed considerably within a half hour.

I was happy to see the bright spots of light on the bark toward the end of the painting session.

 Last week I had the urge to use a couple of the foraged sticks from camping trips for weaving.  The small stick was one from a few years ago when I saw stick weaving at Shepherd's Harvest.  Andrea had it as a children's activity and I thought it looked like fun.  I used handspun scraps.  In that same vein of creativity, I borrowed the lap loom from Mary and warped it with some cotton.  This will be a small tapestry landscape.  It looks amazing in my head right now.

Stash

Welcome 2019!🌲 There’s no stopping the march of time and the changes that come with it.  The highlights of the year was joining the Plein Air Club through the RumRiver Art Center in Anoka.  Returning to painting was gratifying and the group of artists led by Paul are generous and supportive of each other.  Each person has their unique painting style, yet we learn from each other.  I paint primarily with oils (water soluble, for convenience) and recently tried out acrylics, which I used many years ago and did not care for.

My easel is on the far left.  This was our last outdoor session in October.  It was very cold, but a glorious day with beautiful color and light where the Rum and Mississippi rivers meet.

Painting with fiber on the community felting project at Anoka Fiber Works

I enjoyed successful projects with the Gansey sweater and the handwoven tunic particularly satisfying. 

It is great when a plan comes together!

I snapped a photo of my pieces before taking them to the art center.  Sunup Over Castle Rock Lake, cotton and acrylic; Rustic Scarf, recycled sari silk and linen; and Handspun Vest, wool and wool blend.  The landscape was from a photo I took on our last camp out.  Mist was coming across the lake from the opposite shore.

The Rum River Handweavers had a show at the Rumriver Art Center in Anoka for the month of November.  We were the first show in the new gallery, and very successful.  We look forward to future shows!  

Last, but not least, we added our newest family member, Gus.  He came to us through Ruff Start Rescue .  He is a very smart and affectionate boy and although we have not had a puppy for 18 years and have been dogless since 2012, we are enjoying his company.  Since Jim is retired, he has a buddy to keep him busy when I am not around.  

Gus and Moosie.  The rug has since been removed temporarily, as Gus seems to love wool...this is a challenge for me...we will survive the puppy stage because Jim and Gus are attending puppy kindergarten.
Both of them are doing well in school.

Life at puppy level.

Catching up, round 3

Just a few short months ago I was enjoying a plain air painting session at an apple orchard north of Anoka.  I belong to the Plain Air Club through the Rumriver Art Center.  It is the same group that painted outdoors last winter when it was 16-degrees Fahrenheit.  We have a nice time together.  If the weather is inclement, we will paint in the studio.  I have my photos from painting sessions and travels for reference when I work inside.  On this day I was using the water soluble oils, although since that time I have been giving acrylics another try.  The  quick drying time works well for layering color, although I still prefer the buttery texture and feel of painting with oils.

A beautiful, early fall day for painting outdoors!

Between painting sessions, I planned a project for Jim.  Using colors of the Grey Wolf (NYLT) patch, I designed a scarf, and wove it on the Cricket loom.  The super wash wool is warm, soft, and easy care.  I like the design and want to try other color combinations.  The length is perfect for going around the neck twice with plenty of scarf to keep the chest warm.

 Fall progressed quickly.  It was very rainy and the leaves took longer to turn, but there were pockets of beautiful fall color to enjoy.

   A finished project (just last week) is the handwoven tunic.  It began as a jumper, but after fulling the fabric, I could not place the pattern pieces for the short length.  After sleeping on other ideas for a few days, I decided to make a tunic.  My inspiration came from the recent exhibit of Gudrun Sjödén's clothing at the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.  The wool tunic is a great alternative to wearing a sweater.  I shortened the short version of the pattern by about 3-inches and then added a piece on the side to smooth out the flare to the hem. I was able to lay the pattern, cut out the four pieces, and have leftover fabric.  The facings are lightweight linen and I used a Hong Kong finish on the inside.  The buttons are decorative, as I did not want to fiddle with buttonholes.  For ease of wearing, I added a snap and sewed the top button to the top layer, and then sewed the bottom buttons through all the layers.  The buttons came from a vendor at Shepherd's Harvest Festival and were waiting for the perfect project.  I believe this was the perfect project.  At this time there is no pocket as originally planned, but I can add it later.  

McCall's pattern from the 1990s, Harrisville Designs Shetland wool for warp and weft.

Winter is fast approaching.  The leaves are down, the geese are flying south, and the neighborhood turkeys are everywhere.  It was very cold recently and I bundled up for my daily walks.  The turkey prints were on the sidewalk beside the field and it looks as though they were deciding which way to go.