May 13 2021
I had been searching the partment for my RED magnetic pin cushion. I had the two , other white, together for years. But felt the need to use the red one for something else. But a couple of months ago I wondered what. Did I give it away, throw it away by accident? Then when looking for a paper clip to use to thread a shoe lace through a wind chime that had broken- I found it!
Using Lion Brand Mandala yarn 5.3 ounces ( not worsted weight- looks like 3 ply)
I will know when I finish this skein the dimensions and whether I have to use more yarn for a shawl.
#6 - 36 long circular needle
cast on 5 stitches
pattern is a repeat of 3 different rows
but always first 3 stitches are: slip one, knit one , yarn over knit one- making 4 stitches ( increasing one stitch each row)
last 4 stitches always KNIT
first row pattern: sl 1, k1, yo, k1 knit all to end
second row pattern sl1,k1,yo,k1. PURL all to last 4 stitches then knit those.
third row pattern: sl1,k1,yo,k1-then k1,yo,k1,PURL 2 together repeat to last 4 stitches.
repeat those 3 rows until you have the measurements you need. obviously
This morning noticed I made an error and had the left needle stick through the shawl itself- that was fun knitting through and fixing LOL
July 7 am ready to start to do long cast off , over 200 stitches.
July 8
cast off 239 stitches. took me over 40 minutes. used a#11 bamboo needle as I could not imagine doing a "long" cast off which would take days.
measures 60 inches at the top and 34 inches each side
Lion Brand Mandala color wizard
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washed nicely today July 11. But it is stole size not a shawl which would have to be wider by 10 inches at least to wrap around.
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finished and washed and will donate
I bought a bobbin winder last year on line through Joann Fabrics. It was over 25 bucks. The winder on the sewing machine has not worked in a few years and I finally had used the last of the collection of bobbins I had in assorted colors. Not caring if anything matched. LOL Well at first it was a bitch to use because the instructions were minimal and in tiny print. I went to youtube and found a video dealing with the issues and all was fine ONCE. Then it would not shut off or wind evenly. So frustrating! I am considering buying pre-wound bobbins I will accept just black and white if necessary. Something else to research.
Maybe 6 months ago I decided to tackle a project using all the leftover sock yarn and other small needle knits like triangle scarves and a couple of hats. After many attempts a 6 foot long scarf evolved. Sock yarn is not itchy so it is perfect for me. Included in this is 2 skeins I bought at St David's thrift shop 3 years ago. It was not enough to "make" anything so I used that too.
will I ever get going on this project. At least I opened the pattern and sorted out the pieces by size.
who the heck would make a 36 inch tall doll out of this. Some scary face on the pattern!
I hope to cut out one of these days! Just as a trial.
***I have had this yarn in a tangled mass for decades . Little by little I tackle it- very frustrating and done in small ball batches because it would get so bad I had to cut it! But it is beautiful wool so I persisted. I think it was end of March when I finally completed the process.
March 25th
tangle undone!
I will incorporate these tiny balls of yarn into a medley of other fine wool purple yarns for a scarf.
ugh I swear none of my clothing fits anymore. I no longer donate my clothes as they are worn out to begin with. So I find a use for them.
March 2021
black corduroy skirt. too long and too tight at the waist BUT perfect for drafter dodgers at the base of my inside doors. Folded or rolled the material into a long tube and tied off in 4 spots with yarn to hold it together.
photos in no particular order LOL
next the dress turned into knit and walk storage
March 25
I loved this dress, Mom and I had the same dress. It was cotton long-sleeved and had mirrors in the bodice. I have tried it on every year for decades. Last year I couldn't even zipper it at all. good grief. But did not want to part with it. Then I decided- yes need to make a bag out of it for my knit&walk projects each morning. It fits into a cart on wheels.
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August 4 2021
well that knit and walk bag is history. It kept slipping in the cart so I took it out and replaced it with an old laundry bag I had that I no longer use. Clothes pins hold that in place and it is a light color. But the other day a light bulb went on and I thought I can make a skirt out of that mirrored dress. Working on it now.
Measured from the hem up to 29 inches and marked that with a white crayon. Then had to go to youtube and refresh my memory of how to do "gathering" by machine sewing 2 rows at the waistline.. Did that then wound a black bobbin and sewed near the gatherings. I needed it to measure about 39 inches. my waist ugh. Taking a break now- just so much leaning into the sewing machine that I can do each day.
we will see.
well that went well NOT. Now I get to stitch rip the whole thing. It was a little too big in the waist and too much work to fix it. I tried it on anyhow and good grief. I am definitely will not wear a skirt ever again. It accentuates the Pillsbury Dough Boy waistline and makes me look even frumpier than I am if that is possible. It will make a great room darkening curtain at the kitchen door when it is already depressing out there and I want to block the light. ugh photos later.
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