Acquisitions/Collection Curation
I was going to make the Avena jumper using the pink and purple that I used to make my Fern and Feather jumper but I thought they’d be too similar, although opposite.
The community shop in Strathpeffer had some of the same New Lanark Aran yarn in the colour New Natural so this seemed a better choice for the contrast colour.
Felting
Needle Felting
I had a small Kilner type jar that a friend gave me containing some homemade body moisturiser. After I finished it, I gave it a good wash and then it was gathering dust with no purpose…aka clutter.
Then I noticed Living Felt on YouTube had a short video about making a felted top and sticking it to the lid. So that’s what I did and it is now a pin box/cushion. The synthetic sponge on my old pin box had literally turned to dust as it was 30+ years old so perfect timing to be replaced with this smart pot.
I also felted a couple of baubles, but they aren’t quite finished yet.
Knitting
Jumpers/cardigans
I mentioned Avena earlier, it’s a pattern by Jennifer Steingass. I cast it on this week, I should say I’ve altered the neckline as I like a tighter neck on jumpers and then have made a start on the yoke. It’s quite an addictive knit. The pink is the colour Verona and actually has flecks of different colours in. When it’s finished I’ll do some up close photos too.
Socks
Here’s a snapshot of my sock, that is slowly progressing as it’s just my “waiting in the car” knitting.
Spinning
I finished spinning and chain plied the Nature’s Cuddle blend from World of Wool (llama, merino, yak and silk). Oh my goodness it is so soft and squishy. I have been trying to spin a bit thicker to make a squishy bulky yarn. My 100g has given me 88.6m, so that’s super bulky. Enough for a cowl I hope as its super soft.
I also spun 100g of John Arbon Devonia fibre in the colour Nightshade. This is 50% Exmoor Blueface, 30% Bluefaced Leicester and 20% Wensleydale. It was such a pleasure to spin it, in comparison to the other yarn I spun it’s a little scratchy. It needs plying so I’ll show that next week.
Other News
On Friday I went to the cinema to see the National Theatre Live production of Vanya, a one-man show starring Andrew Scott in an adaptation of the Anton Chekhov play Uncle Vanya. He was fantastic in it, playing numerous male and female characters. I see it was written by the same guy that did the West End production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, which I saw in person in London years ago and loved. (I’d already read that book).
One of the advantages I had years ago when working in London 4 days a week was being able to get tickets to plays and musicals. Seeing the recording of the live play isn’t quite the same but better than missing out.
This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 13th year, but this is my 6th year participating. If you would like to find more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, as you’d be very welcome to join us. (There are 53 Sundays this YOP year, it happens sometimes!).
HighlandHeffalump 
Wonderful projects! Can’t wait to see the baubles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your Avena. Agree the cream contrast is beautiful. LOVE the felted topper idea. That jar/topper combination would make a really pretty way to store my blocking pins. I do miss going to the theater. Sadly hubby can’t stay away from a bathroom for an hour so can no longer go to plays or movies. I need to find a “girls night” friend!
LikeLike
I went alone and when I go to the cinema there are often other women or men there alone. But I’ve always been comfortable going alone since I was an au pair in Michigan at 19 and used to go the $1 cinema every week
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Avena is going to be super pretty. I like what you did to the neck. Your new pin cushion is cute. And having the pins in storage below it is ingenious. The Spun yarn looks very squishy. I bet it will be soft and warm in a cowl. Going to the cinema has gotten so pricey here. And heaven forbid if you want a drink or snack. I took my grand daughter to the movies and between the 2 tickets and 2 drinks and 2 snacks it was almost $100! Crazy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow, the NTL performances are between £17-£20 depending on which seat, normal movies are half that price.
LikeLike
Nice projects. That yoke is striking!
LikeLike
Wow the avena is beautiful! Will be watching your completion on that one. Your sock is beautiful, love the purple! And a nice spin, I’m trying to get back to my Pop Rocs spin, I told my self at the beginning of the year I would spin every day even if it was just for a few min, so much for that!
LikeLike
Your Avena is beautiful! Love the pink with the natural as the contrast – very striking 🙂 Love the clever pin jar/cushion too! So many lovely projects 🙂
LikeLike
That’s an impressive amount to achieve in a week. I’m looking forward to when I am proficient enough to adapt necklines – I’m the opposite and like a low scoop neck, so I can have a scarf to whip off in moments of heat 😳
LikeLike
I think this sweater might be my favorite sweater you have made. The yoke is just so pretty.
LikeLike
Arena is going to be wonderful. Your spun yarn is a beautiful colour and will make a gorgeous cowl. The pin pot is a lovely idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The jumper and the sock both look beautiful already, such rich colours.
LikeLike
[…] 🆕✅ Nature’s Cuddle (merino, llama, yak, silk) I dyed. Started on Traveller week 34, finished on Traditional week 35. […]
LikeLike
[…] 🆕✅ Nature’s Cuddle (merino, llama, yak, silk) I dyed. Started on Traveller week 34, finished on Traditional week 35. […]
LikeLike