Stash Buster Cardigan Is Done

 I combined two yarns from a friend's stash to make this cardigan for myself. I used Elizabeth Zimmerman's percentage method, found in Knitting Without Tears, which is more a method than a pattern. I think it would have been difficult to find a pattern to use the two yarns. The percentage system also helps create a well fitting garment:

Winter is definitely here now, so the cardigan will be put to good use. 

Deciding The Way Forward

 

I've finished round 16 of the Spring Doily. I've run out of thread and time (I'm about to move house) so the sensible thing would be to take a leaf from muskaan's book and Stop Tatting. But I really like those last two rounds, and the way they enhance the scallop outline. A friend suggested I use a completely different thread to do the outer rounds. I'm a bit worried that would draw the eye away from the overall design, but it's a possibility. I also have a different brand of size 40 white thread. It doesn't match - there's white and there's white. But I'm going to try tatting round 17 with it and see how it looks. If it doesn't look good, I can try working with completely different thread colour. Or colours. I thought of using green with a different colour for the 'flowers'.  Decisions, decisions....

Sewing

 

I've been sewing jewelry bags again. I had to make extra this month, 30 tiny ones and the usual 15 small ones. Anne, the silversmith, is doing well. 

The tatted doily in the picture is the Spring Doily from 2020. I have made some progress on this year's doily, I'm now just over half way on round 16. 

Little Hats

 

I've finished two little beanies to go with the gloves shown in the previous post, to make two sets:

I underestimated how much wool would be needed. I had to dye some more wool for the second hat. The wool is rather thicker than the wool I spun for the gloves and first hat. I had it lying around after I spun it for an order that didn't work out, so this was a good way to use it up. The patterns are from The Ashford Book of Spinning, by Anne Field. The fingerless gloves are actually a mitten pattern, which was easily adapted. 

Little Gloves

 

I've finished knitting two pairs of fingerless gloves for an order.  It's hard to tell in this photo just how small they are, so here's another picture with a pen for reference of scale:

I need to prepare for tomorrow's craft meeting in a retirement home, so the beanies and other projects will have to be put on hold. I'd love to be able to sit and tat (the last round of the Spring doily came out today) but I don't think I'll have time to tat. 

Progress On Different Fronts

 

I've made a start on round 16 of the Spring Doily.  There's still a long way to go. 

I've spun and dyed two hanks of wool, so I'm ready to knit children's gloves and beanies. 

And I've put together the different parts of my cardigan so that I can knit the yoke. 

Round 15 Done

 

I've just finished tatting round 15 of  Renulek's Spring Doily. Round 17 came out this morning, so I'm still two rounds behind. 

I had to do a fudge on this round. I realised that I missed one ring and chain on the previous round, so I joined two rings into one picot

This is how it should look:

 I didn't block this round because I think the wayward onion rings will be  brought to heel by the next round. 

I won't be able to tat exclusively because I have an order for children's gloves and beanies. I'm a little dubious about the wisdom of using handspun wool for children's accessories, but if that's what the customer wants, so be it. 

Back To Tatting

 The market went pretty well. I sold some handspun yarn, gloves, keyrings, a  puppet, and the bracelets were collected. I didn't spend more than I earned, which is always good! 

I didn't get any orders, so I've got a chance to go back to my Spring doily. I'm almost half way through round 15.