Knitting-Induced Breakdowns

I should not be allowed to make financial decisions about yarn without a responsible adult present. knitblr sideblog for @physicist-pi

[crochethub]

After 10 months of dedication, I finally finished! I confess I was hesitant to post it, since I'm not a professional, but I feel I achieved a good result. by TheresaZoe

[fibrecraft-woes]

I love that all it took to fix my "concerns about having enough yarn for the shawl" was to message the spinner and explain the concept and now I have 2 more skeins of dark Soay yarn and 1 of the fawn ordered.

She also had 3 more skeins of cream Boreray but we'll see how the Soay knitting goes first.

[physicist-pi]

I went to St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides for 3 days and it really felt... Idk how to explain it.

It takes 2.5 hours to get there by boat. It was once one of the most profitable islands for the lairds of the Hebrides. The crofters lived off the sea birds and until I got there I struggled to understand how a community in the hundreds could be sustained on birds alone and then I understood as the sky was flecked with countless birds.

But it was also evacuated in 1930, after millennia of human habitation. It was the edge of the Gaelic-speaking world and now it's inhabited by rangers and scientists and tourists, very few of whom speak the language that had echoed there for generations.

You can't see any other land, even on a clear day. When the sea mist rolled in off the Atlantic you could almost believe you were the only place in the world that existed.

And there were radar arrays on the tops of the hills, the bay was full of yachts, the helicopter came twice while we were there.

It was simultaneously one of the most connected and most remote places I have ever been. There was no signal and so I spent three days unplugged and it was genuinely a delight.

And there was this moment, around half an hour or so, between the last yacht leaving and the boat to take us home arriving when there were no boats in the bay, the helicopter wasn't there yet, the other guy camping had gone up the hill to look at birds and we just... Sat. Alone. No other humans in sight (not that you could easily spot people in the MoD building). And you felt the quiet and the isolation drape over you.

I understand why one of the volunteers said Hirta gets under your skin (and I'm not just talking about the several layers of dermis I left of the rocks after I took a tumble either).

It's this beautiful, desolate, life-teeming place. You can understand why the winters would be so harsh and yet the summer was so beautiful.

Greetings from the edge of the world.

[fibrecraft-woes]

...I ended up finding an Etsy seller with handspun Soay and Boreray wool and now I'm planning on making my mother a wrap shawl to commemorate our trip and also as a gift...

I cannot be trusted to make financial decisions about yarn...

For your delight, some of the feral Soay sheep of Hirta (none of the Boreray flock show up distinct enough in my photos)

They don't require shearing and peel themselves. There was fleece lying all over, usually covered in shit and in such small quantities it would have been the work of an age to get enough fleece to actually make yarn.

[fibrecraft-woes]

The yarn arrived today!

I had forgotten my umbrella swift has some... Performance issues, but I persevered:

2nd image is the amount of loose fibres that came off the skeins as I caked them.

I started on 3.75mm needles but I think it was a bit too tight, so I moved up to what I think are 4mm metal interchangeables and it already feels a lot drapier.

It's a very simple triangle shawl pattern, so I'm just going to knit until I fall asleep tonight I reckon.

Yarn is somewhat scratchy and rough, definitely an outwear project, but I'm curious to see what a lanolin wash and block will do to help with it all.

[fibrecraft-woes]

End of Day 1 -50 rows completed, and I'm fairly happy with what I've managed. Gone from 5 stitches to 105.

I was originally thinking of just, to ensure maximum value for the yarn, doing a solid block of the dark brown, then striping the light and midtone.

But now I'm wondering if I could maybe do a little set of stripes for the midtone through the darker body for some variation...

Excuse my awful doodle example, it is, as you can see in the screenshot, late.

Should I have stripes through the whole shawl?

Yes (Pros, looks prettier, more consistent. Cons: yarn chicken)

No (Pros: Less yarn chicken. Cons: not as pretty?)

Voting ended onJul 31

Throw it to a poll, let's see what happens.

[fibrecraft-woes]

So I saw the way the poll was going and decided to go for the stripes. Have managed to get 2 done (24 rows apart) and finished the first dark brown skein. Glad I added the stripes to break stuff up.

The big thing I'm concerned about is not actually having enough yarn to make a proper shawl -since it's basically increasing by 100 stitches/row every 50 rows, each skein will go a lot less distance in terms of row count.

The seller also has 2 skeins of Black Hebridean but it's marked as Fingering weight, and while the yarn weight has been very all over so far, I don't think I'd be capable of fudging that without messing with needle sizes and I don't want to do that.

Messaged the seller to see if they have any fleece they were planning to spin to restock, but not holding out much hope. I'll keep an eye on the Hebridean or maybe ask about that as well.

Urgh. It's true knitting is mostly maths and resource management.

[physicist-pi]

I went to St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides for 3 days and it really felt... Idk how to explain it.

It takes 2.5 hours to get there by boat. It was once one of the most profitable islands for the lairds of the Hebrides. The crofters lived off the sea birds and until I got there I struggled to understand how a community in the hundreds could be sustained on birds alone and then I understood as the sky was flecked with countless birds.

But it was also evacuated in 1930, after millennia of human habitation. It was the edge of the Gaelic-speaking world and now it's inhabited by rangers and scientists and tourists, very few of whom speak the language that had echoed there for generations.

You can't see any other land, even on a clear day. When the sea mist rolled in off the Atlantic you could almost believe you were the only place in the world that existed.

And there were radar arrays on the tops of the hills, the bay was full of yachts, the helicopter came twice while we were there.

It was simultaneously one of the most connected and most remote places I have ever been. There was no signal and so I spent three days unplugged and it was genuinely a delight.

And there was this moment, around half an hour or so, between the last yacht leaving and the boat to take us home arriving when there were no boats in the bay, the helicopter wasn't there yet, the other guy camping had gone up the hill to look at birds and we just... Sat. Alone. No other humans in sight (not that you could easily spot people in the MoD building). And you felt the quiet and the isolation drape over you.

I understand why one of the volunteers said Hirta gets under your skin (and I'm not just talking about the several layers of dermis I left of the rocks after I took a tumble either).

It's this beautiful, desolate, life-teeming place. You can understand why the winters would be so harsh and yet the summer was so beautiful.

Greetings from the edge of the world.

[fibrecraft-woes]

...I ended up finding an Etsy seller with handspun Soay and Boreray wool and now I'm planning on making my mother a wrap shawl to commemorate our trip and also as a gift...

I cannot be trusted to make financial decisions about yarn...

For your delight, some of the feral Soay sheep of Hirta (none of the Boreray flock show up distinct enough in my photos)

They don't require shearing and peel themselves. There was fleece lying all over, usually covered in shit and in such small quantities it would have been the work of an age to get enough fleece to actually make yarn.

[fibrecraft-woes]

The yarn arrived today!

I had forgotten my umbrella swift has some... Performance issues, but I persevered:

2nd image is the amount of loose fibres that came off the skeins as I caked them.

I started on 3.75mm needles but I think it was a bit too tight, so I moved up to what I think are 4mm metal interchangeables and it already feels a lot drapier.

It's a very simple triangle shawl pattern, so I'm just going to knit until I fall asleep tonight I reckon.

Yarn is somewhat scratchy and rough, definitely an outwear project, but I'm curious to see what a lanolin wash and block will do to help with it all.

[fibrecraft-woes]

End of Day 1 -50 rows completed, and I'm fairly happy with what I've managed. Gone from 5 stitches to 105.

I was originally thinking of just, to ensure maximum value for the yarn, doing a solid block of the dark brown, then striping the light and midtone.

But now I'm wondering if I could maybe do a little set of stripes for the midtone through the darker body for some variation...

Excuse my awful doodle example, it is, as you can see in the screenshot, late.

Should I have stripes through the whole shawl?

Yes (Pros, looks prettier, more consistent. Cons: yarn chicken)

No (Pros: Less yarn chicken. Cons: not as pretty?)

Voting ended onJul 31

Throw it to a poll, let's see what happens.

[physicist-pi]

I went to St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides for 3 days and it really felt... Idk how to explain it.

It takes 2.5 hours to get there by boat. It was once one of the most profitable islands for the lairds of the Hebrides. The crofters lived off the sea birds and until I got there I struggled to understand how a community in the hundreds could be sustained on birds alone and then I understood as the sky was flecked with countless birds.

But it was also evacuated in 1930, after millennia of human habitation. It was the edge of the Gaelic-speaking world and now it's inhabited by rangers and scientists and tourists, very few of whom speak the language that had echoed there for generations.

You can't see any other land, even on a clear day. When the sea mist rolled in off the Atlantic you could almost believe you were the only place in the world that existed.

And there were radar arrays on the tops of the hills, the bay was full of yachts, the helicopter came twice while we were there.

It was simultaneously one of the most connected and most remote places I have ever been. There was no signal and so I spent three days unplugged and it was genuinely a delight.

And there was this moment, around half an hour or so, between the last yacht leaving and the boat to take us home arriving when there were no boats in the bay, the helicopter wasn't there yet, the other guy camping had gone up the hill to look at birds and we just... Sat. Alone. No other humans in sight (not that you could easily spot people in the MoD building). And you felt the quiet and the isolation drape over you.

I understand why one of the volunteers said Hirta gets under your skin (and I'm not just talking about the several layers of dermis I left of the rocks after I took a tumble either).

It's this beautiful, desolate, life-teeming place. You can understand why the winters would be so harsh and yet the summer was so beautiful.

Greetings from the edge of the world.

[fibrecraft-woes]

...I ended up finding an Etsy seller with handspun Soay and Boreray wool and now I'm planning on making my mother a wrap shawl to commemorate our trip and also as a gift...

I cannot be trusted to make financial decisions about yarn...

For your delight, some of the feral Soay sheep of Hirta (none of the Boreray flock show up distinct enough in my photos)

They don't require shearing and peel themselves. There was fleece lying all over, usually covered in shit and in such small quantities it would have been the work of an age to get enough fleece to actually make yarn.

[fibrecraft-woes]

The yarn arrived today!

I had forgotten my umbrella swift has some... Performance issues, but I persevered:

2nd image is the amount of loose fibres that came off the skeins as I caked them.

I started on 3.75mm needles but I think it was a bit too tight, so I moved up to what I think are 4mm metal interchangeables and it already feels a lot drapier.

It's a very simple triangle shawl pattern, so I'm just going to knit until I fall asleep tonight I reckon.

Yarn is somewhat scratchy and rough, definitely an outwear project, but I'm curious to see what a lanolin wash and block will do to help with it all.

[physicist-pi]

I went to St Kilda in the Outer Hebrides for 3 days and it really felt... Idk how to explain it.

It takes 2.5 hours to get there by boat. It was once one of the most profitable islands for the lairds of the Hebrides. The crofters lived off the sea birds and until I got there I struggled to understand how a community in the hundreds could be sustained on birds alone and then I understood as the sky was flecked with countless birds.

But it was also evacuated in 1930, after millennia of human habitation. It was the edge of the Gaelic-speaking world and now it's inhabited by rangers and scientists and tourists, very few of whom speak the language that had echoed there for generations.

You can't see any other land, even on a clear day. When the sea mist rolled in off the Atlantic you could almost believe you were the only place in the world that existed.

And there were radar arrays on the tops of the hills, the bay was full of yachts, the helicopter came twice while we were there.

It was simultaneously one of the most connected and most remote places I have ever been. There was no signal and so I spent three days unplugged and it was genuinely a delight.

And there was this moment, around half an hour or so, between the last yacht leaving and the boat to take us home arriving when there were no boats in the bay, the helicopter wasn't there yet, the other guy camping had gone up the hill to look at birds and we just... Sat. Alone. No other humans in sight (not that you could easily spot people in the MoD building). And you felt the quiet and the isolation drape over you.

I understand why one of the volunteers said Hirta gets under your skin (and I'm not just talking about the several layers of dermis I left of the rocks after I took a tumble either).

It's this beautiful, desolate, life-teeming place. You can understand why the winters would be so harsh and yet the summer was so beautiful.

Greetings from the edge of the world.

[fibrecraft-woes]

...I ended up finding an Etsy seller with handspun Soay and Boreray wool and now I'm planning on making my mother a wrap shawl to commemorate our trip and also as a gift...

I cannot be trusted to make financial decisions about yarn...

For your delight, some of the feral Soay sheep of Hirta (none of the Boreray flock show up distinct enough in my photos)

They don't require shearing and peel themselves. There was fleece lying all over, usually covered in shit and in such small quantities it would have been the work of an age to get enough fleece to actually make yarn.

[scian-of-follies]

Scriptorium cat collection is now in my shop!!! With criossanna (trad Irish belts), bookmarks, and patches inspired by the medieval Irish poem Pangur Bán and the inky cat paws left on medieval manuscripts. The pattern using the pick up weaving method is also available!

Visit scían hayes (Snáithe Scéil)'s Shop!

I've opened a shop. Come take a look!

[stahsm]

Overlock Stitch by @clothes_reetzy

[thatisuseful]

Damn, that's useful

[fluidstatick]

Finally a hand sewing tutorial on a hemline that isn't just the ladder stitch! the ladder stitch disappears when you tighten it, but it's not meant for hemlines because it breaks really easily! The overlock stitch is more stable, so it holds much longer, and it won't pucker or warp the fabric!

[watsdaughter]

tags by @gallusrostromegalus

[teaboot]

OH HELL THE FUCK YES

[crap-userrname16]

[not-available-for-comment]

Haven’t had a chance to watch the tutorial yet, but I’m seriously considering making this for my gf’s niece

[knittyboi]

Going through old pattern booklets i forgot i had; please enjoy this vagina cardigan

[abigail-nicole]

OP i need to knit this i need it i need it im a professional gynecologist and i need to wear a vagina sweater to work

[knittyboi]

!!! PLEASE DO THIS !!!

I will scan the pattern for you just say the word

[abigail-nicole]

Raiding my stash ready to swatch I will be held accountable for this

[knittyboi]

Go ahead and get yonic with it!! I scanned the whole booklet for yucks, there are some great late 80s patterns in there. The file sharing link should be good thru 10-06-26, if it expires just shoot me a message and I'll re-upload

https://limewire.com/d/sDP3G#4JbcmhiLHe

[abigail-nicole]

AHHHHHHH VAGINA SWEATER

[fibrecraft-woes]

Ok, this is a long shot but here we go.

I want to get better at sewing and more accurately pattern alterations (eventually hopefully moving up to pattern drafting).

My friend is 6'5" and I really want to sew her nice clothes especially as she's now out at work and could do with work wear appropriate attire.

Any recommendations for sewing patterns for taller women? I am aware "taller women" usually means like 5'10", not a full half foot on that, but I guess that will be easier to adapt from.

Or even patterns specifically targeted for trans women? I'm aware whatever I do, I will need to keep material for bust alterations as second puberty kicks in.

[thisauthorisscreaming]

Does it count as 'sword in the stone' if it looks more like 'sword in the cairn'...?

[chekhovs-raygun]

HEY I BET YOU WANT A

Clown Possum Crochet Pattern — Nichet Crochet

The OFFICIAL Clown Opossum Crochet Pattern by Nichet Crochet

you want a clown possum crochet pattern. reblog.

[ihavethemangoes]

FINALLY FINISHED !!!

I’ve been at this since like September. Originally the plan was to do five panels but by the time I reached three I realized it was absolutely going to be too heavy. If the back bothers me then I’ll just buy some black fabric and sew it on.

I pinned it excessively since I have been warned the feathers won’t flatten unless blocked aggressively. They still don’t behave themselves 100% but again, if it bothers me I’m willing to steam block it in the future. Super fun before and after pics.

Pattern is of course the feathered wings shawl by my favorite pattern designer craftyintentions.

[pterribledinosaurdrawings]

[pterribledinosaurdrawings]

@rubber-ducky-your-the-one replied to your post:

I need to know the thought procces that led to this

​What do you mean? Did I not make it clear enough in the drawings? Do you need a photo of all 23 waistcoats currently in my closet?

It's 26 if you count the 3 leaf bolero vests. This isn't even close to all the ones I've ever made, I've donated plenty of older ones to the theatre.

[pterribledinosaurdrawings]

#sewing dinosaur please share your wisdom #i want nothing more than to make a waistcoat #but i tried once and it was super difficult #do you know any patterns or tutorials for beginners?

I have made videos on sewing several of the things in this picture! Here's a link to my youtube channel.

Though I'm not sure if I'd call them beginner friendly. I go over every technique VERY thoroughly, but I mostly do 18th century or 18th century inspired stuff, which includes a lot of hand sewing and completely different tailoring techniques from what you'll find in modern waistcoats.

The first of the 3 leaf boleros I make in this one is pretty simple though, so that ought to be fairly beginner friendly. (The light green one)

You could make a super basic waistcoat with the same sewing and turning method and just add some buttons & holes. (I have tutorials for covered buttons and buttonholes too if you want to do those by hand.)

OH also! That brown monster print waistcoat in the closet picture is a print I designed that's available on Spoonflower.

That one's got more machine sewing than the brocade one in the first video, but I haven't made a video about that method yet. My most recent leaf one is machine sewn and turned, but hasn't got any pockets.

Edit: Forgot to mention my sewing blog is @vincentbriggs

[attackedbytwees]

I love the dinosaur edge detail on the white one!

[pterribledinosaurdrawings]

That one's light grey!

And I can understand the confusion since I posted it on this blog, but they're monsters or perhaps creatures.

[bwabbitv3s]

I finished the last constellation tonight. All 40 of them are now done! Went through and double checked and every stitch is in place for them and all the beads are in place. Which just leaves the milky way part to do.

[bwabbitv3s]

Started stitching the Milky Way in. Slowly making progress on it as I am hiding the travelling thread so the back will look nice.

Looks pretty cool and keeps the readability of the other stitches. Very happy with it. Just a thousand or so to do. As they are in a grid roughly every centimetre apart.

[bwabbitv3s]

Update on the constellation quilt. I have gotten the last Milky Way stitch done now. Which means the quilting part of this project is done. My next step will be to baste the edges down, remove the pattern, trim the quilt square, and lastly attach the binding.

[bwabbitv3s]

Progress on the constellation quilt has come along quite a lot now. Finished the binding on the quilt over the weekend. I prefer to machine stitch the binding to the front then hand stitch the back side. It gives such a nice finish to the quilt. Took the time to measure it also and it ended up being 72" by 72" (183cm by 183cm).

With that done I could finally start removing the pattern. Which is taking both less time and more time that I thought it would. As it rips really easily so that goes fast, but the tiny corners and removing it under the beads is slow. You can now see the difference in the glow effect with it against the dark front of the quilt instead of the pattern.

[bwabbitv3s]

Behold the stars of the constellations of the northern sky! I love how this quilt has turned out. It was a lot of fun to work on and the effect is so cool in person. Overall I would estimate it took about 90-100 hours to complete. Give or take 10 hours if you want to count the time I spent custom dying the fabric.

I made sure to get a nice photo of it in daylight. For once I also remembered to get a quilt label on it. The back really shows the difference in readability of the quilting on the ice dyed fabric compared to the solid front. Thank you everyone that has followed this. I am glad you all found joy in it.

Those that are interested, here is the pattern I used by Haptic Lab. I made the large northern hemisphere version, and plan to make the matching southern hemisphere one next year. I also got your back for the less crafty people. Haptic Lab sells finished quilts in this pattern, both as a large quilt and a small one.

[clickerpunk]

@fidgetspringer helped me take some pretty pictures of my knitted sweaters 💛