tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85798992024-03-23T14:11:13.364-04:00Serenity Farms...raising Corriedale sheep and wool in the middle of the mitten!Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-75000871107129867482018-12-17T08:15:00.003-05:002018-12-17T08:16:38.366-05:00A Sweaters Quantity ~ Ep 3 of the My Wool Mitten Podcast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the show notes and links for episode 3 of the My Wool Mitten podcast. You can view that on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5MnLb6brUw&t=2061s" target="_blank">here</a> (and I apologize for the length of the episode during the busy month of December!) So grab your knitting or spinning, put the kettle and join me as I talk about sheep and spinning and the inspiring time (for me at least!) of the slower pace of winter. You'll even get to briefly meet our two Barnevelder chickens!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">((And I forgot to do the pattern give-aways! Oh dear...))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Make-a-longs and other podcasters (wool and knitting heroes!) are ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Emily at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDmn3T9xUz0WZou3dBfy1iA" target="_blank">Fibre Town Podcast</a> and Ravelry Group. I'm participating in her HandspunWinter Spin-along.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Caroline and Knut at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWIysTkI6x0_842TeZdrKzg" target="_blank">Honer och Eir</a> on Patreon and Instagram for fearless and creative dreams in wool and fiber</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Marlies and her beautiful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqVe1Z5nmcnoFHHOImPr15g" target="_blank">Yarn Brew Podcast</a> and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/yarn-brew-podcast" target="_blank">Ravelry group</a>. One of the most meaningful makers I know, she is hosting the MeaningfulKAL as well as posting delightful Vlogmas videos this December</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Laurie at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSdd1on0Mtg" target="_blank">Chickenwood Studio</a> podcast is another dedicated maker of so many things! I love hearing her wool stories.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Corriedale fiber I show in the podcast that had been made into roving was processed right here in Michigan at <a href="http://www.zwool.com/" target="_blank">Zeilingers Wool Mill.</a> Also, the Romney-Border Leicester yarn I used for my Tensho Sweater was spun at Zeilingers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tensho-pullover-artist" target="_blank">Tensho sweater </a>on Ravelry and at the <a href="http://www.threadandladle.com/" target="_blank">Thread and Ladle</a> website (Beatrice has a lovely podcast as well!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am working on a test knit sweater for Elly at <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/leaf-yarns-and-podcast" target="_blank">Leaf Yarns</a>. I'm also knitting a shawl (not shown) out of lovely yarn from the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/leafyarns" target="_blank">Leaf Yarns dye studio</a> available through Etsy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I mentioned I would share the links to a post I created here on the blog some time ago about how I go about washing raw fleece for processing, and that is <a href="https://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2013/11/wool-washing-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm on Ravelry and Instagram as mywoolmitten</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-87467339959176386062018-11-20T08:09:00.000-05:002018-11-20T08:09:04.686-05:00With Wool In Hand - Ep 2 of the My Wool Mitten Podcast<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So...have you heard? Yes, we now have a podcast! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can find it on You Tube as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7nZE6TEaTk" target="_blank">My Wool Mitten</a> and episode 2 is now up. I decided it was easier for me to post show notes with links to patterns, producers and things mentioned on the episode here at the blog. Of course, if you have any questions about anything you see there please feel free to contact me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/mywoolmitten/tensho-pullover-artist" target="_blank">Tensho Sweater</a> by Beatrice at <a href="http://www.threadandladle.com/" target="_blank">Thread and Ladle</a> . I also want to knit her <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ash-point-pullover" target="_blank">Ash Point Pullover</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to be doing a sweater test knit for Elly from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCZwpSk2mn8YGvMRt2ESdg" target="_blank">Leaf Yarns</a> and I'm so excited for that! Elly dyes the most beautiful yarns, be sure to check them out as well as her podcast</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caroline at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/honerocheir/" target="_blank">Honer och Eir</a> - inspiring yarns, fibers and podcast on Patreon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ali at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zHjSzIy194" target="_blank">Little Drops of Wonderful</a> podcast and Ravelry group</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/memory-keepers-hat" target="_blank">Memory Keepers Hat</a> turned cowl pattern by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb54mo7ImX6P_6xXBeWxaqg" target="_blank">Lina-Knits</a> (there is also a Memory Keepers Shawl, and Lina is hosting a KAL for the patterns in her Ravelry group and on her podcast). I made my cowl with our farm yarn "Wise Woman" along with yarn from Tiffany and Ethan at The Woolen Homestead </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mpg-multipurpose-garment" target="_blank">MPG</a> (multipurpose garment) cowl pattern by Emily at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDmn3T9xUz0WZou3dBfy1iA" target="_blank">Fibre Town</a> and her podcast, that you really must watch if you aren't already! I will be giving away not one but TWO copies of this pattern - one from me, and one generously donated by Emily (thank you!) - for the next episode</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Micron Testing for Wool (in case you're interested) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool_measurement" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.ymccoll.com/" target="_blank">here</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.louet.com/s17/" target="_blank">Louet S-17</a> spinning wheel (but any of the Louet wheels are good)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I remembered them all! Thank you for watching the podcast and if you haven't already, please consider hitting the subscribe button there on You Tube and then the little bell that will notify you when I new episode is available x o</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-26801665979474322822018-11-08T07:52:00.000-05:002018-11-08T07:52:39.556-05:00Roving in the Wind<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning Friends! I just wanted to take a minute to draw your attention to our "farm products" blog, in case you didn't know about it. It's listed in the side bar of this blog over on the right, or you can click on this link to go to it <a href="http://mywoolmitten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Wool Mitten</a>. It's just a separate place where we can list items produced here on the farm that are available for purchase, when we have them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now, the only thing we have to offer is some lovely white roving from a Corriedale ewe "Hannah", raised here on the farm and processed at <a href="http://www.zwool.com/" target="_blank">Zeilingers Mill</a> in Frankenmuth, so a completely Michigan product! It's a lovely spin, so check it out if you're interested. You can also email me at serenityfarmswool at yahoo dot com if you have any questions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you happen to be visiting here after watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFnwlwobR8U&t=4831s" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead</a> podcast, welcome and thank you Tiffany and Ethan for the shout out. If you haven't already, check them out - they're so much fun and so talented! They dye some amazing yarn colors</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-89873664077676181082018-03-17T10:45:00.002-04:002018-03-17T10:45:39.852-04:00Thumbs For Our Mittens<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now we need thumbs for our mittens, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I don't think I can improve on the directions shared in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coUORHiPymU" target="_blank">this</a> video by Knitpicks for picking up the stitches for the afterthought thumb! Clear and simple. Well done! Our friend Rachel at Treehouse Knits also has a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGvrU23l8xs&t=674s" target="_blank">tutorial</a> that would help you work these stitches, be sure to check her out (and watch her podcast if you don't already!!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below are my stitches, all picked up. I do this exactly as the Knitpicks video mentioned above shows except that I normally use dpn's, or whatever is easiest for you. At this point, my waste yarn is still on the stitches, but I'm about ready to carefully remove it</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEK3Pjp_JN36I8KOiT9Xh0jQKP4GdfqHegP4Pvyn23SsrRMpP-3hR9eH7tcTPzNhoqNyJln2gOYll3zFAioVaI4uIs6OPPKr0WnTDtLTjIP8nlmm6Iwq3mVCXNokVanTmcARb/s1600/20180315_074901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEK3Pjp_JN36I8KOiT9Xh0jQKP4GdfqHegP4Pvyn23SsrRMpP-3hR9eH7tcTPzNhoqNyJln2gOYll3zFAioVaI4uIs6OPPKr0WnTDtLTjIP8nlmm6Iwq3mVCXNokVanTmcARb/s400/20180315_074901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now here is the thumb opening, waste yarn removed ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See my awkwardly drawn red circle in the photo? That's where I would begin knitting around for the thumb. For years I made the beginning of the thumb round at the "edge" but by moving it to this spot on the underside of the thumb it was just a little neater, at least in my knitting! In the picture below, I've tried to show how this would be - the white needle is needle 1 (beginning of round), the red needle in the background is needle 2 and the green needle is needle 3. I would be just ready to start the next round in this photo</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5DIeQKALGNizQL4Ld73VOjaZtQLShR7i7PhVIrGmkCl1kdKLtJTXuJwOx5ICjKrl2UbrRGUB_fAd_bxUFtptjeS9yf5pelv7wCQ2FwDAI6C-C90HT0Xpn5gNvnjqh3K-CDkJ/s1600/20180317_101314%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="1600" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5DIeQKALGNizQL4Ld73VOjaZtQLShR7i7PhVIrGmkCl1kdKLtJTXuJwOx5ICjKrl2UbrRGUB_fAd_bxUFtptjeS9yf5pelv7wCQ2FwDAI6C-C90HT0Xpn5gNvnjqh3K-CDkJ/s400/20180317_101314%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I pick up my yarn at this point and work all the way around in plain knitting, making sure my stitches are all facing correctly and picking up one, or even two, stitches in those corner spaces IF it seems I need to. There seems to be two different thoughts on this...one that says you <i>should</i> do this to close that gap and another that says it will tend to distort the thumb if you do. Make that decision for yourself. If you end up with a "hole" or gap at the corners, similar to those on the gusset of a heel in sock knitting, you can always close it up after finishing using a tapestry needle and bit of your yarn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the thumb...if I have chosen to pick up extra stitches, I would knit another plain round and on the following round, decrease those extras by simply knitting two together. From there on, nothing fancy, just knit until it is the length you want to cover your thumb, then knit 2 together all the way around. Break the yarn, leaving a length of a few inches, enough to thread onto a tapestry needle, draw that through the remaining stitches and snug it down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">For the fingerless mitts, we do exactly the same as for full mitten as far as picking up thumb stitches, only this time you're only going to work that thumb till about the top of the knuckle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Just like for the top of the mitt, I then did the I-cord bind off, following the Craftsy tutorial <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/article/i-cord-bind-off-tutorial/" target="_blank">here</a>. Or mimic whatever <i>you</i> did for your mitt (garter rows, ribbing, etc.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Now turn your mittens inside out and darn in the yarn ends. What could be easier!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">So tell me about your mittens! Have you cast on? Have you finished them up? Have you joined the Basket of Mittens KAL 2018 on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>? Are you tagging them on instagram #shareacupmittens and #basketofmittenskal2018? Do you have questions or any helpful tips?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I'm feeling an overwhelming urge to cast on a new pair myself ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Part 1 of the mitten recipe <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2018/03/such-simple-way-to-start.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Part 2 of the mitten recipe <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2018/03/on-to-finer-things-mittens-part-2.html" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-19104629824166021922018-03-06T19:40:00.000-05:002018-03-06T19:43:56.250-05:00On To Finer Things - Mittens Part 2<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To finer yarn at least ~</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8eW2Aptgx80d3Fjfiw6wQ8G0x4zItIwgW-bKUbhGktx02PhCyHTNn-f2gt2W2AGL_McGpB3Si56X9qff6M_3zcxOuwT1rEBrQcY-5tk-I3lxMSInm5ze9WaKhENYzTL52gQU/s1600/20180221_155932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8eW2Aptgx80d3Fjfiw6wQ8G0x4zItIwgW-bKUbhGktx02PhCyHTNn-f2gt2W2AGL_McGpB3Si56X9qff6M_3zcxOuwT1rEBrQcY-5tk-I3lxMSInm5ze9WaKhENYzTL52gQU/s400/20180221_155932.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Fingerless mitts, in fingering weight yarn using magic loop and 2 contrast colors</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can probably guess that to make a pair of Share A Cup mittens with fingering weight yarn, the <a href="https://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2018/03/such-simple-way-to-start.html" target="_blank">pattern</a> will stay pretty much the same except for number of stitches and size of the needles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">~ <b><u>SHARE A CUP FINGERLESS MITTS</u></b> ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You'll need a skein, 438 yards (400 meters) of pretty fingering weight (sock) yarn (MC) and approximately 100 yards (91.4 meters) of contrasting color for your cups (CC) (the mustard gold of the cups above). If you'd like to do a third color for the background of the cups, as I did with the white in the sample above, you'll need only 100 yards or less of that as well (CC2). A short piece of smooth yarn in a shockingly different color from your MC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Needles to give you a fabric you like with your tension. I used size US 2 (2.75 mm) and US 3 (3.25 mm). This makes a fairly flexible fabric, if you prefer something denser go down to a US 1 (2.25 mm) and US 2 (2.75 mm). I should say here that I use the larger needles size on my color work section. I just know from experience that this is going to give me the nicest final fabric. If you're color work tension is fine without changing needle size, then just stick with the smaller needle throughout. By the way, do you know this tip for selecting needle size to suit your yarn if you aren't sure ~</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagVSNghp0epKYBpsyPxhdu29KMUEdEy6i438Gq85NZ52ly76eUcMb5xp03Mb6ZQWkOi-hF4vpHDFGLxhDp7zVRAxCZc2_X1s84pWYqa3GArn9BBr3TyM-2rNZQdfAplMIdDx5/s1600/20180226_164846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagVSNghp0epKYBpsyPxhdu29KMUEdEy6i438Gq85NZ52ly76eUcMb5xp03Mb6ZQWkOi-hF4vpHDFGLxhDp7zVRAxCZc2_X1s84pWYqa3GArn9BBr3TyM-2rNZQdfAplMIdDx5/s400/20180226_164846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Slip a piece of your yarn into the needle sizer to give you an <i>approximate</i> idea of what needle might work best (particularly helpful with handspun). Of course, your personal knitting tension is still going to dictate the final decision but I find this to be a helpful tip sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A beginning of the round marker. Sewing up needle to weave in ends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A DIFFERENT SORT OF CUFF:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As in the worsted weight version of the mitten, the easiest cuff in the world is to simply cast on with MC the number of required stitches (in this case 60) on the smaller size needle, join in the round and begin knitting to make a nice rolled cuff. Or work back and forth to make a garter stitch cuff (in the round, that would be k 1 round, p 1 round). If you prefer ribbing on the cuff, do a few rows of rib. I like to have about 10 to 12 rounds worked before I start the color work section.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But maybe you'd like to do an I-cord cast on to produce a nice edging like this ~</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lK_esaCNxSzPB62VEPCYPa3aPvSjRLodl4Vu-Mba1LzpChDSYAIEAO67mRQiSOo1sW0G53mW8IsJbtbe129cN1KFeYByPDKOpn9yDKLJ9Pg9z3X2163iXohoYQXhkl_ubVrB/s1600/20180221_155653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lK_esaCNxSzPB62VEPCYPa3aPvSjRLodl4Vu-Mba1LzpChDSYAIEAO67mRQiSOo1sW0G53mW8IsJbtbe129cN1KFeYByPDKOpn9yDKLJ9Pg9z3X2163iXohoYQXhkl_ubVrB/s400/20180221_155653.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">VeryPink Knits has a nice video tutorial on how to do the I-cord cast on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxNtbWYXrvg" target="_blank">here</a> (all of her tutorials are helpful!) But honestly, on this small item, I think the simplest and fastest thing to do is just a 3-stitch I-cord with the number of repeats that you need stitches (in this case 60). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>3 stitch I-cord on the right (colored pencils on the left)</i></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />Pick up stitches from the I-cord </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Z80wNup1NMinZ0Shg7AeK9TBRErQ_hWbkmRiOgdPRrhuGno4MmTXZLVpbSiC5dKhZ62h_5bOe1smXK-7-pqHgzZFIKbQ4tu1W6z1ywBbIj2DrewetnloCy_ShzAw1ZqCcFH/s1600/20180221_120201%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Z80wNup1NMinZ0Shg7AeK9TBRErQ_hWbkmRiOgdPRrhuGno4MmTXZLVpbSiC5dKhZ62h_5bOe1smXK-7-pqHgzZFIKbQ4tu1W6z1ywBbIj2DrewetnloCy_ShzAw1ZqCcFH/s400/20180221_120201%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">...join, and begin working in the round, knit plain for 10 rounds. Switching to larger size needle, work 1 more round, then begin the motif. I'll repeat them here so you don't have to look back at the previous post </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Left mitten motif</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Right mitten motif</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Follow these charts, using one or two contrasting colors (your choice) with the larger needle. Knit 1 more round plain with the MC before switching back to the smaller size needle to finish up the hand of your mitt. Work until you reach the base of your thumb, the spot you want to place your thumb opening. For me that was 25 more rows with the fingering yarn. Remember <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2018/03/such-simple-way-to-start.html" target="_blank">the tip</a> of adding a few extra stitches to allow for ease around the thumb area? I didn't find I needed to do that with the finer yarn, but do add them if you need it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Red yarn for the afterthought thumb</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">For </span><i style="background-color: white;">the left hand</i><span style="background-color: white;">, knit around until you are 10 stitches from the end of the round. </span><i style="background-color: white;">With your placement yarn</i><span style="background-color: white;">, knit the next 8 stitches. Now, slip those 8 stitches </span><i style="background-color: white;">back</i><span style="background-color: white;"> to the left needle and knit them again with your working yarn as well as the last 2 stitches of the round. If you look at the photo above, you'll see the red yarn for my thumb stitches. It's just going to hang out there as you finish knitting the hand of your mitten. When working </span><i style="background-color: white;">the right hand</i><span style="background-color: white;">, you will knit 2, work your 8 thumb placement stitches, then knit on to the end of the round. I find that giving myself 2 stitches before the side of the mitten keeps it from distorting, rather than placing it right on the edge.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Continue knitting until you reach the place you want your fingerless mitts to end, usually right around the knuckle of your middle finger. I knit 20 rows, decreasing 2 stitches evenly spaced on that last row (I found that helped to snug up the top of the mitt) Bind off with an I-cord bind off to match your I-cord cast on (if that's how you started your mitt) I find <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/article/i-cord-bind-off-tutorial/" target="_blank">these</a> instructions from Craftsy's blog very clear and easy (lots of good tips on that Craftsy blog!) If you started your mitt with ribbing or garter stitch, I would stop knitting the hand of the mitt a few rows sooner and then work either ribbing or garter to match your cast on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In the next post, we'll finish the afterthought thumbs on our mittens! In the meantime, what edging have you used? Did you try the I-cord? I love the look!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I wanted to apologize, too, for taking so long to get this second post up for you! Sometimes life...right? I'll be faster getting the thumb post up. And thank you again for knitting along. Don't forget to ask any questions if you have them either in the comments here or over in the Ravelry group for <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead</a>. And post your project pictures there for a chance to win the March prize ;)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-87328426654375173882018-03-01T08:31:00.000-05:002018-03-05T04:46:27.859-05:00Such a Simple Way To Start<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's get started with some simple mittens! Pour yourself a cup and pull up a seat at the table...(and if you haven't already, please read the <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2018/02/come-and-share-cup-mitten-recipe.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>). This is a very long post. I wrote it as if you were sitting here with me and I was talking you through the steps of making the mitten. I'm going to put the sockweight version in a separate post, just so your eyes don't blur.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It takes a little thought at the beginning, but honestly if you just want to give the mittens a "one time through" as written, just to see if you like them, they're bound to fit someone you know in the end and you can take the first pair and go on from there (whew, that's a long sentence!). The easiest thing is, if you have a mitten pattern you like to make that fits you well simply plug the ten-stitch repeat of the motif into it on the cuff (or anywhere you want to cups to be!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The two samples I knit up are in vastly different weights of yarn. The black and tan pair are knit in Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted, a wool mohair blend (the black) and my sport weight farm yarn held double (the tan). I used size US 5 and US 6 needles on 40 stitches. The variegated fingerless mitts are done with sock yarn, fingering weight, from The Woolen Homestead and our farm yarn sock blend (the white and the rustic gold) which is a little bit thicker but worked fine together. Size US 2 and US 3 needles over 56 stitches. I like the fit of them both for me personally, but here is where you should give a little thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're knitting for yourself, how do you like your mitten to fit? Do you like a snug, dense fabric or do you prefer a little room in your mittens? You can quite easily change the stitch count up a bit and still fit the cup motif, adding "plain" stitches between the cups, or try going up or down a needle size with the yarn you're working with. You've probably heard it a thousand times, but every knitter is different and your tension and knitting preference will make a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How shall we start? I thought it might be easiest to just go through the steps exactly as I made the mittens, and then discuss changes/options after. If you have a question, drop a note in the comments below or in the Ravelry group. Shall we try that? Keeping in mind, as I said in the previous post, this is more a mitten plan than a pattern - be brave and follow your knitters heart! Here we go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>~ <u>SHARE A CUP MITTEN RECIPE</u> ~</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Worsted weight variety:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A main color (MC) yarn and small amount of contrast color (CC). I used a readily available commercial yarn, Brown Sheep Lambs Pride (one of my favorites) that is 190 yards (173 M) per skein with plenty left over. I used less than 100 yards of the contrast color. If you want to add a third color for a contrasting background of the cups (different than the MC) you can certainly do that, as I did on the sock yarn version. You'll need less than 100 yards of that as well and we'll call it (CC2). A short piece of smooth yarn for the afterthought thought thumb in a shockingly different, easy to see color ;)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The worsted weight version with one contrast color & shockingly bright thumb placement yarn</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7a8qamCaKyyC0rafd32ZHxer1ufaVRVEu9e46RVgZT7PJDZ4g1G0ESeeQOW4uhAg5PbUsNa5E9-1XUZoEN7A2wKAt8zyHxZkS4Pxt7GAc-mMhYny_4NQL1FEKb6GbHOMU4iQ/s1600/20180210_233214%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7a8qamCaKyyC0rafd32ZHxer1ufaVRVEu9e46RVgZT7PJDZ4g1G0ESeeQOW4uhAg5PbUsNa5E9-1XUZoEN7A2wKAt8zyHxZkS4Pxt7GAc-mMhYny_4NQL1FEKb6GbHOMU4iQ/s400/20180210_233214%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sock yarn version, showing two contrast colors</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Size 5 (3.75 mm) and size 6 (4.25 mm) needles for working in the round, your preference (dpns, magic loop, etc) For denser fabric or snugger fit, try size 4 (3.5 mm) and size 5 (3.75 mm)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you need a marker to remind you where the beginning of the round is, grab one of those. I tend to just look for the tail of my yarn. A marker for your top decreases. You'll also need a sewing up needle for weaving in ends</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">EASIEST MITTEN CUFF EVER:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Using size 5 needles and MC yarn, cast on 40 stitches, join for working in the round (marking the beginning of the round if you need to), and simply begin knitting. That's it! Working this way, your stockinette fabric gets a nice little roll in it that is very pleasing and nothing could be simpler. I worked 10 rounds, changed to the size 6 needle and knit 1 more round plain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Cuff Options: </i> If you prefer ribbing on your mitten cuff, absolutely do ribbing, about 10 rounds, change to size 6 needle and knit 1 round. You could also make a garter cuff, if you don't like the roll of stockinette. In my second mitten, I cast on and did 4 rows of garter followed by 6 rows of stockinette, change to size 6 needle and knit 1 round. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One more choice is an I-cord cast on. This is what I did for the sock yarn version. I quite like it, and we can talk about that more in the sock yarn version discussion! Now, get ready to add your cups ~</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH5T2uUCJ3HPeAQZKYynKiV_Z1amo0bQLMn2hH9EQ0lgQXPGmyNnhFgnaxc0NXHILfb5Wn1GHQ91sfrSBDmAJjo7nZIUjiRw4OKUQIKOI3xlGEDcrUnJxxJuLbC9htM5f1-Xq/s1600/20180220_183437%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1326" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH5T2uUCJ3HPeAQZKYynKiV_Z1amo0bQLMn2hH9EQ0lgQXPGmyNnhFgnaxc0NXHILfb5Wn1GHQ91sfrSBDmAJjo7nZIUjiRw4OKUQIKOI3xlGEDcrUnJxxJuLbC9htM5f1-Xq/s400/20180220_183437%257E2.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Left hand mitten cuff (do you like my fancy motif writing?)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0OCyP8ibLKWugsX3FjPBT2gJmywJBy5zxSDDAg6au-Jj7m9llfzX-TLHjl0D0gQHt2usy_k8uSRH0NQF-AGbu72F0k6K0i88SHVCfNcqehYcUWmaA583jS7T2mMjLByecEsu/s1600/20180220_183148%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0OCyP8ibLKWugsX3FjPBT2gJmywJBy5zxSDDAg6au-Jj7m9llfzX-TLHjl0D0gQHt2usy_k8uSRH0NQF-AGbu72F0k6K0i88SHVCfNcqehYcUWmaA583jS7T2mMjLByecEsu/s400/20180220_183148%257E2.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right hand mitten cuff</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Please let me know if my chart is difficult to see, I'll make it darker if needed. </i>In my scribbles, the darker blocks represents the contrast color (CC), the lighter blocks represent your main color (MC) This is where, if you were doing a three-color version, those lighter blocks would be your second contrast color (CC2)</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Option</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">: I've given you a motif for each hand, I liked the idea of my cups facing different directions ;) But you can absolutely chose one and work the same motif on each hand, don't worry about changing directions. Knitters choice, whatever is easiest for you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Work these 15 rows using the size 6 needle. Over 40 stitches, this gives you two cups on each side of your cuff, front and back, with 2 stitches between cups. On longer color repeats, catch your floats (I usually do this every three stitches). Work 1 more round plain with size 6 needle, then switch back to size 5.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the size 5's, continue knitting plain until you reach the web of your thumb, the base. For me that was 12 rounds, but adjust for your hand. <i><u>Tip</u></i>: One of the complaints of afterthought thumbs is that there isn't enough ease through that widest part of your hand. My tip is, increase a few stitches as you prepare for the thumb insertion. For example on my 12th round, I increased 2 stitches (one on the front of the hand and one on the back) and that was enough for me. You may need to add 3 or 4, evenly spaced, or you may not need to add any. Now grab your piece of smooth, brightly colored yarn for thumb placement.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjBmZmFIX1P4goO3XA4EoFfKtKTAbrtM15le-ECIsI5Qx0pUdiffv1_ifpPqbadvey49xpGIHgUI3a6BoHiwgaE9gPbfg7HKWSym24tYNR9IsAwdjmoCyZwEFLsW8SCXXjlU3/s1600/20180213_182247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjBmZmFIX1P4goO3XA4EoFfKtKTAbrtM15le-ECIsI5Qx0pUdiffv1_ifpPqbadvey49xpGIHgUI3a6BoHiwgaE9gPbfg7HKWSym24tYNR9IsAwdjmoCyZwEFLsW8SCXXjlU3/s400/20180213_182247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've opened up the thumb stitches, just to give you an idea of placement</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For <i>the left hand</i>, knit around until you are 10 stitches from the end of the round. <i>With your placement yarn</i>, knit the next 8 stitches. Now, slip those 8 stitches <i>back</i> to the left needle and knit them again with your working yarn as well as the last 2 stitches of the round. If you look at the first photo in this post, you'll see I just leave the tails of my placement yarn (the red yarn) hanging out as I continue knitting. It's just going to hang out there as you finish knitting the hand of your mitten. When working <i>the right hand</i>, you will knit 2, work your 8 thumb placement stitches, then knit on to the end of the round. I find that giving myself 2 stitches before the side of the mitten keeps it from distorting, rather than placing it right on the edge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a rule of thumb (lol, no pun intended) that says your thumb stitches should be approximately 1/4th of the total number of stitches. Hmm, that never quite works out for me. Using the 8 stitches we did here, for example, we'll have 16 thumb stitches when we open it up. Now if that's to many for you, go down to 6 on the afterthought placement (giving you 12 stitches when you open them up for the base of your thumb). It's totally up to you and the size hand you are making these for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now simply continue knitting on size 5's in your MC until you reach the top of your little finger and are ready to start decreasing. (If you made any increases to allow for the thumb, for example I did those extra 2 sts, decrease them at some point, back to your 40 sts) For me, that was 20 rounds, but whatever gets you to the decrease point. <i><u>Tip</u></i>: Take a look at the photo above, the one where I've opened up the thumb stitches. That isn't just for show...I do this on nearly every mitten I make with afterthought thumbs! I don't wait until I'm finished the hand before opening it up and trying it on. For me, that's the best way to insure I've made the hand of my mitten long enough! Does that make sense? When I open up the thumb and slip it on my hand to test for length, I insure that I won't make the mitten to short. It's easy enough to do, I don't find the extra needles for the thumbs get in my way, but if you do, put those stitches onto a holder of some kind (thread them back onto the length of yarn possibly).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On to the top of the mitten decreasing. I can't remember what it's called, but it's similar to toe decreases on a sock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Knit 20 sts, place marker, knit to the end of the round. Then ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 1: ssk, knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk, knit to 2 sts before end of the round, k2tog (36 sts)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 2: Knit</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 3: ssk, knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk, knit to 2 sts before end of the round, k2tog (34 sts)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 4: Knit</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 5: ssk twice, knit to 4 sts before marker, k2tog twice, slip marker, ssk twice, knit to 4 sts before end of the round, k2tog twice (24 sts)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 6: Knit</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 7: ssk twice, knit to 4 sts before marker, k2tog twice, slip marker, ssk twice, knit to 4 sts before end of the round, k2tog twice (16 sts)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Decrease Rnd 8: k2tog around, removing marker (8 sts)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Break the yarn, leaving a few inches of tail. Using the sewing up needle, thread the yarn through the last 8 sts and pull tight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, this post is so amazingly long that I'm going to pause. My eyes need a break and so do yours! Do you have any questions? Do you have any suggestions? Have you found a mistake? What do you think so far? Let's pour ourselves another cup, stretch, and come back for the next installment, where we do the numbers for knitting with fingering yarn, and finally, we put in our thumbs! Be sure to follow The Woolen Homestead on Ravelry, where we have a group KAL, if you want a chance for a lovely prize at the end of this (and be sure to watch The Woolen Homestead podcast!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tag your mittens on Instagram as #shareacupmittens and #basketofmittenskal2018 if you're joining us for that!</span><br />
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<br />Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-31367481355387273622018-02-22T02:34:00.000-05:002018-02-28T05:20:02.681-05:00Come And Share A Cup ~ a Mitten Recipe<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I used to like to teach sock knitting. For a time before it closed, my then local yarn shop was attached to a coffee house and so I sketched a little pattern for a coffee (or tea) cup motif to add to the sock pattern. Over the years I've knit that pattern on the cuffs or heel flap or across the toe of socks and I always thought that some time I'd put it on a mitten. Thinking again recently as I have been, about the symbolism of mittens - extending a hand, holding a hand, warming hands, the power of hands, I thought also about that little cup motif and how sharing of cup of something warm to drink holds meaning, too.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LI6RqAAQBe9K32iOSm4ZEm-dJ8AsnFSOszzxOY_1nXkGiHqVQVFAGha0z3QHJ7kPOwvGXmam3EQc9V4u4nGJL1EIwOxaM3cZKBgYfrhevb0o1n7GLBeCpy2YWZ0IZJuEYqkd/s1600/20180218_131325%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LI6RqAAQBe9K32iOSm4ZEm-dJ8AsnFSOszzxOY_1nXkGiHqVQVFAGha0z3QHJ7kPOwvGXmam3EQc9V4u4nGJL1EIwOxaM3cZKBgYfrhevb0o1n7GLBeCpy2YWZ0IZJuEYqkd/s400/20180218_131325%257E2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Fuzzy wool and mohair mittens</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I put the two ideas together. And I wanted to share them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not a pattern writer. And I'm not usually a follow all the rules knitter. I tend to take parts of the rules and use what works for me, a little from here or a little from there ;) So this is not a pattern. It hasn't been tech edited. It's just my mitten knitting notes, jotted down and shared. More of a mitten plan, if you will. A recipe. An offering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many brilliant mitten designs and patterns available, intricate, ornate, works of art. I love them all! I've made a few. I'll make more! But what represents me and my life these days (maybe always, lol) is something a bit more common, humble and straightforward, comforting but with a little dash of color to remind me of joy. My hands and mind simply aren't able to comfortably grasp much more just now, and tiny needles, tight stitches and tangles of yarn will do me in! So I went back to the basics, with a sturdy worsted weight yarn, solid needles and a few numbers punched into a plan and here we go - a fairly quick mitten, with the gift of a coffee cup going round.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is knitting around the kitchen table, folks!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBLaGRaR4y_4n6Awatd5C_45KxrgHS9Qk-RfT4zRgnrXUXWI5JEX3mtRoenIVKXdro3GkUBcxg1ZzgHOoS3Bmd6bdn9JXpQzmbdIc-ypvOLFEAn7o17Ooev5NS6cyW0Xy63OB/s1600/20180221_160146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBLaGRaR4y_4n6Awatd5C_45KxrgHS9Qk-RfT4zRgnrXUXWI5JEX3mtRoenIVKXdro3GkUBcxg1ZzgHOoS3Bmd6bdn9JXpQzmbdIc-ypvOLFEAn7o17Ooev5NS6cyW0Xy63OB/s400/20180221_160146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I said worsted weight yarn. But a lovely fingering or sport weight, when it's straight out knitting, doesn't boggle me to much ;) So you can see, it's pretty easy to change the numbers up and make a pair of mittens or mitts using the lighter weights. In the WIP photo above, I'm using Blueberry Crumbcake sock yarn from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoolenHomestead?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead</a> with a contrast of our farm sock yarn (Corriedale and Alpaca blend)</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My mitten uses an afterthought thumb. Sometimes called the peasant thumb, I think it's the easiest and most often overlooked way of making thumbs! I use it because it fits my hand well. I know that isn't the case for every hand, but I've learned a few tips over the years that might make it work for you if you'd like to give it a try. If thumb gussets have tripped you up in the past, the afterthought thumb might give your mitten knitting new meaning!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRvGHMAFPQQ2TRzsX_QQnusXpWNGwNIPvxHIy8UMN2AIteXzdBn6vwtFAK5jmH2ZOE3-gZl4xqGaZDW4Ih7j6ojfiItMNd2amUtvJuYzrgDlKcGU-bB2XXM-Pg9C6XcUMxmE-/s1600/20180213_153304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRvGHMAFPQQ2TRzsX_QQnusXpWNGwNIPvxHIy8UMN2AIteXzdBn6vwtFAK5jmH2ZOE3-gZl4xqGaZDW4Ih7j6ojfiItMNd2amUtvJuYzrgDlKcGU-bB2XXM-Pg9C6XcUMxmE-/s320/20180213_153304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ribbing is not my best knitting skill, especially in small circular objects. This mitten recipe will offer you a few other choices for the cuff to get you off and running on your mitten. The cup motif is a simple one, you're only going to use two colors at any time, so it's an easy opportunity to do a little colorwork if you haven't before (or mindless colorwork if you have!). It doesn't take much yarn. The black and tan pair of full mittens shown, knit in worsted weight to fit my medium sized hands, used approximately 135 yards of the main color and less than 60 yards of the contrast. I haven't measured yardage of the fingering weight pair, but by weight I've used less than half of the skein of main color.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Would you like to make a pair? I'd love to share! Grab your knitting bag, needles and yarn and let me pour you a cup, lets sit and knit together. I'll be sharing the "mitten recipe" here on the blog, and I'll do that over a few days time, starting with what you'll need to make them and then the cuff, moving on to the thumb and the simple matter of finishing up. Are you participating in the <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2018/02/full-pockets-year-two-of-knitting.html" target="_blank">Basket of Mittens 2018 KAL</a> (I hope you are!) If so, Tiffany and I are planning a little "KAL within the KAL" for March, using this pattern. If you decide to knit them and post to the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast" target="_blank">Ravelry group</a>, you will be eligible for an extra prize particular to these. That will run from March 1 to 31st. Not on Ravelry? I'd still love to see if you knit these mittens, so feel free to tag me on instagram, where I'm <i>@mywoolmitten</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you've made it this far, thank you for letting me ramble about mittens and sharing. If you have any questions, please ask away! And do consider making the mittens, maybe a pair for yourself and a pair to gift to someone. All in the spirit of <i>Share A Cup</i> ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Edited to add ~ my mitten knitting plans/goals for March are Roses Are Red by Pia Kammeborn; a cast on for NH Knits, probably the Selbu package I won last year (will double dip this one with Knitogrophy & Treehouse Knits Year Of The Mitten KAL) and another pair of our Share A Cup mittens. Any bets on how many I will actually get finished?</i></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-83285902496097131222018-02-20T20:51:00.000-05:002018-02-20T21:48:35.060-05:00Full Pockets ~ Year Two of Knitting Mittens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>((Oh my poor dear blog, how I do neglect you...))</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's hard to put into words how much knitting mittens (and gloves) means to me. The symbolism of warm hands, holding hands, hands reaching out, offering a hand to another. Not to mention living here in the middle of the mitten state. Friends I've made through knitting mittens. Warm and fuzzy feelings ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thinking on these things and knitting Pia's <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shine-mittens" target="_blank">Shine Mittens</a> last year inspired my own <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2017/01/2017-year-of-mittens.html" target="_blank">Year Of The Mitten 2017</a> and then the Basket of Mittens Knit-A-Long. My friend Tiffany of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead</a> podcast and etsy shop has been a wonderful co-host and her Ravelry group is where we base the KAL. Fun and relaxed, meant mostly to encourage and inspire, when asked we were most happy to continue for a second year the Basket of Mittens KAL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Come and join us! I have a goal ~ mittens for every pocket, LOL, so whatever coat or sweater or jacket I'm wearing, I'll have a pair of mittens to go along and not have to search for any (full pockets you see) But you can knit one pair, or six or a dozen it's totally up to you! Knit or crochet, full mittens or fingerless mitts, gloves. Make them for yourself or for gifts or charity. We occasionally offer prizes, too! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're on instagram, be sure to tag your project <b>#basketofmittenskal2018 </b>so we all can see. There are several other wonderful mitten kals happening this year and we welcome double-dipping! One thing we really try to encourage in this kal is sharing mitten knitting tips and hints, favorite patterns and designs. In that spirit, I have something I want to share with <i>you</i> about my personal favorite mitten technique and a little design to offer up. I'll be putting that here on the blog, beginning tomorrow (February 21) Not a pattern so much as a plan for making mittens. I'd love to see you here so I can share! Bring your favorite cup of something warm to drink ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mittens in progress, coffee always close at hand ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be sure to join <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead Ravelry group</a> if you haven't already to be eligible for prizes and show us your mittens!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWxmdnB7sbDX5InqxEHIqLIyoSwR4MudLf1udyFg4yIbf2mjfsl4STv5ipl8vMhD69XhAus_YfdEp-8AZxI_wmbVm9NC2XD1NXp2KarJ1PTGWpZUPRLcMA2pFJgOp9dQgsGof/s1600/20171003_183146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWxmdnB7sbDX5InqxEHIqLIyoSwR4MudLf1udyFg4yIbf2mjfsl4STv5ipl8vMhD69XhAus_YfdEp-8AZxI_wmbVm9NC2XD1NXp2KarJ1PTGWpZUPRLcMA2pFJgOp9dQgsGof/s320/20171003_183146.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Pattern above <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/minky-mittens" target="_blank">Minky Mittens</a> by Gretchen Tracy</i></span></td></tr>
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Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-66822808497315409942017-07-13T08:02:00.000-04:002017-07-13T08:02:13.677-04:00A Summer of "S" ~ sort of...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well <b><u>s</u></b>heep, of course!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUw-y8eIzR6eUjOXjRpo3T7Xz9etaWoRzPrlcaNUaC-v2juJ6B0WxDNTDdEBZQT5m0afeO_fVAi9TyHb7FjU5cznGgTYC5zb_-GdKaBctILNqsYDsEBs6XPCvTF9-nx0zHE0k/s1600/IMG_3173+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUw-y8eIzR6eUjOXjRpo3T7Xz9etaWoRzPrlcaNUaC-v2juJ6B0WxDNTDdEBZQT5m0afeO_fVAi9TyHb7FjU5cznGgTYC5zb_-GdKaBctILNqsYDsEBs6XPCvTF9-nx0zHE0k/s400/IMG_3173+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And <b><u>s</u></b>pinning ~ (<i>finally</i>, I've felt like spinning again! It's been forever...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>S</u></b>ome mitten knitting ~ (again, had lost the mitten knitting desire...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A <b><u>s</u></b>weater to finish ~ (which I am dutifully working on, even in the heat...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And a new one to begin, one with <b><u>s</u></b>oulful inspiration!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take one lovely </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/byebrookfarm/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Bye Brook Farm</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Romney lamb fleece from Maine. Blend it into roving with one of our <a href="https://mywoolmitten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Serenity Farms Corriedale</a> lamb fleeces. Decide that the beautiful blend deserves to do more than languish in the <u>s</u>tash (it's that amazing rusty black that reminds you of faded upholstery or vintage quilts, with threads of tinsel silver running through). Think longingly (so longingly that it's almost a physical pain, LOL) of how much you would like to be in Maine later this summer with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sarah of FiberTrek and her Wool Scouts retreat </span><a href="http://fiber-trek.squarespace.com/wool-scouts-retreat/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do a little sample spin of the lovely roving, and think of Maine sheep and Michigan sheep. Maine wool women and Michigan wool women. Start thinking about sweaters from handspun yarn that would be fitting for a Maine coast or a Michigan farm. Listen to Emily of Fibre Town Podcast's </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summer of </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">S</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 2017 </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/fibre-town-podcast/3631028/1-25" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a> . <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the idea of how to be a long distance dreamer participant of the retreat was born!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm spinning to knit a Maine to Michigan sweater! I searched through dear Ravelry to find a Maine designer for my pattern (I was already thinking of a few) and had pretty much decided on </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/second-grace" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Second Grace</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> by Bristol Ivy. But then, a few of my wool friends (Sarah and Patricia and Clare to be exact!) were knitting </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/seachange" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Seachange</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> by Jennifer Steingass. I didn't want to start another sweater until I finish my Gingerbread so I didn't cast on when they all did, but the Gingerbread will be finished by the time I'm done spinning the yarn for Seachange and then I will start in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My aim is to finish spinning and have the yarn washed and ready to go so I can cast on at the beginning of the Wool Scout retreat. Emily's Summer of S craft-a-long goes until September. I doubt I'll have the knitting done by then, but the spinning definitely! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So there...there is my inspiration. Will I stay focused and finish all these dreams? I hope so. I'm finding myself more single minded in my knitting and spinning pursuits these days. And I rather like that.</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-40124552620047152042017-04-08T15:31:00.000-04:002017-04-08T15:33:58.046-04:00April Showers Bring...Knitting?<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lack of blog updates do not mean that knitting hasn't been happening! Mitten knitting specifically but also....drumroll please....sweater knitting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, it's true, I started work on a sweater and this time, darn it, I aim to finish. Because the truth is that in all my years of knitting and despite many starts and intentions...I've never completed a sweater for myself. Can you imagine? LOL, I feel no shame in this but I have decided that it's a knitting goal I </span><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">am</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> going to accomplish in 2017. More on the sweater later, but right now I wanted to catch you up on the mitten knitting so far this year. (Have you been following along in Tiffany's Ravelry group </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? Much of our mitten chatter is happening there)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I'm continuing to diligently work on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/grannysheep/shine-mittens" target="_blank">Shine Mittens</a>. Slowly, but loving every minute of it. I had intended to finish them by the 20th of March, but it didn't happen. Now my goal is by the end of April. I started and stalled making a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shetland-garden-mittens" target="_blank">Shetland Garden Mittens</a> for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/nh-knits-podcast/3565006/1-25" target="_blank">New Hampshire Knits Mitten KAL</a>. I even won a wonderful prize at the cast-on "party"! But my fingers and hands were really rebelling against more tight knitting of lots of stitches on small needles and my gauge was terrible. I've set those aside to begin again at another time (possibly in the fall?) Because I LOVE the pattern!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another mitten pattern I was excited to begin was the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/grannysheep/reflecting-light-mittens" target="_blank">Reflecting Light Mittens</a> by Emily of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fibre-town-podcast" target="_blank">FibreTown podcast</a>. I knew I wanted them to be made from handspun. The handspun I had picked out Corriedale, with Lincoln as the contrast, is perfect mitten yarn. But again, gauge was off and after no less than three false starts....I've also set them aside until the Shine Mittens are finished. Might have to chose different handspun (luckily there is plenty of that on hand!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I mentioned that I won a prize in the New Hampshire Knits Mitten KAL? I was absolutely thrilled to win the Selbu mitten package donated by the truly marvelous Patricia from <a href="https://knitography.wixsite.com/mysite/blo" target="_blank">Knitography</a>. This was pattern and traditional Norwegian yarn to make them with! Oh how badly I wanted to cast on the mitten the minute the yarn arrived ;) But I also want to savor and enjoy the process, so they will be cast on after Shine is finished. I'm planning that for the first of May.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So those are the mitten updates. So far this year I've finished a full pair of mittens, a pair of fingerless mitts, and have been dedicated to a third pair. I need to kick it up a notch! We've awarded prizes in January (yarn) and February (pattern). No prize in March, but I think I'll get one out for April, probably from the Finished Object thread of The Woolen Homestead group (mentioned above) And I'm thinking of a large giveaway in May, watch for details.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, just a little bit about the sweater I'm working on. I'm totally weak for a good, relaxing KAL. And when darling Kate of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/hawthorncottagecraft-podcast" target="_blank">Hawthorne Cottage Craft</a> podcast announced her first kal for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gingerbread-7" target="_blank">The Gingerbread Sweater</a>...well, I just gave in. Partly because I had the perfect ginger colored yarn (our "Dunbonnet" from the moorit sheep). So I cast on and am really having a good time with it! It's knit in the round, top down but with interesting details. I'm at the endless knit, knit, knit stage but that's okay (need a little mindless craft these days)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that's it! What have you all been up to? At the end of this month we'll be shearing the sheep. Lambs should arrive after the first of May. Grass is slowly greening. I'm looking forward to our first ever Finnsheep yarn when it comes back from the mill (I mentioned it <a href="http://mywoolmitten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, on our yarn blog) and more Corriedale blends with Outlander inspired titles. OH, and I've finally...finally taken the plunge and started on instagram, can you believe it? Come and find me as @mywoolmitten! Strictly knitting and the farm related.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-85095183176993007512017-01-29T16:03:00.001-05:002017-01-29T16:07:21.358-05:00More of the Mittens!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we are at the end of January, three weeks into the Basket of Mittens 2017 "project". It's been great fun to see lots of people joining in, here at the blog, through Ravelry or Tumblr and from Tiffany's podcast, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhgG0R2CQlaOWc-rFhoqyQ" target="_blank">The Woolen Homestead</a>. We've been mentioned in a few other podcasts as well, how exciting! Thank you Jennifer of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1mtMWnIK616hmWBcswomxg" target="_blank">Driftless Knitting</a> and Ali, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtcF8dXQLS4DhrckEPeCtq2zGDw1NpeQr" target="_blank">Little Drops of Wonderful</a>! I love both of these podcasts, go and give them a look if you haven't already.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought I'd share a little of my progress and also try to answer some questions I've received. And at the very end, our first prize giveaway! First off, I finished my first pair...and within 24 hours, I lost them!!! Arrgh!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This picture shows one of the pair of mittens, pattern is Those Zig Zag Mittens via Ravelry. Now I know the finished pair is in this house somewhere! We have been doing some "spring cleaning", organizing and painting...they've simply gotten taken from the table and put somewhere they don't belong. I'm having faith they'll turn up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, not a good start to filling the basket, is it?!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm continuing to work on my Shine mittens, I'm knitting both mittens at once but on two separate sets of dpn's. I've finished the cuff on both, have the thumb gusset complete on one. Slow but joyful knitting those are!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my organizational efforts, I gathered together some WIP's (works in progress). UFO's (unfinished objects). All mittens....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And obviously, I have a thing for grey/silver (and cream), LOL! I couldn't help but think of Sarah of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/FiberTrek" target="_blank">Fiber Trek</a> ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we go, all sorted...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are five on the go mittens on this table (plus two that got left out of the picture). Maybe I don't need to cast on any new mittens for February, but rather finish these? What do you think? I don't know, I may need to cast on at least something colorful ;) But I'm going to make myself finish one pair from this group first, how does that sound?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to answer two questions I've been asked. One is from June, for a favorite pattern for handspun mittens. June, I've made several pairs from handspun, not from patterns that particularly called for it. I think if your handspun is close to gauge for the required yarn, it will work! I need to search my "archives" for photos of some I've made. <a href="http://yarngear.blogspot.com/2007/02/mittens-from-top-pattern.html" target="_blank">This</a> free top down pattern is one I like, and I've made a few times. Someone else asked if there were any good YouTube videos on making mittens, and the only free one I found that I thought was pretty good is <a href="http://tutorials.knitpicks.com/category/video-classes/kelleys-mitten-class/">this one</a> from KnitPicks. However, she uses magic loop and I'm not sure how easy that is for a beginner? Maybe I'm underestimating ;) Otherwise, it's got some helpful tips. I believe that Craftsy has a good paid for class on making mittens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, a reminder that crochet is totally welcome in this kal! And as you can see, WIPS are welcome, too ;p</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, <b><i>it's time for our first giveaway!</i></b> Are you excited? Did you even know this was coming? LOL...giveaways will be random throughout the year, I'll try to do them once each month but don't promise it. I'll try to coordinate with Tiffany to do some through her Ravelry group, too. For this first, though, I simply wrote down the names of everyone who contacted me in some way (blogs, Ravelry, email) and drew your name. I hope you'll trust me ;) The winner is **** drumroll please **** ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Ali, from Little Drops of Wonderful and via Ravelry!!!</i> The prize is one skein of yarn from the farm, wool from our Corriedale sheep, in natural colors...250 yard skeins. I'm so excited for the first prize to be given....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think next month's prize give away will be for a lovely mitten pattern, so stay tuned. And tell me, have you started your mittens/gloves? Still in the planning stages? Pulling out unfinished pairs? LOL, I'd love to know!</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-57278404196895566332017-01-07T07:14:00.001-05:002017-01-18T11:50:26.545-05:002017 ~ YEAR OF THE MITTEN<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because the world needs more warm hands. Because the lovely mitten is often overlooked in knitting (and crochet) circles by its sister, the sock. Because my nickname is "Mitts" (short for My Wool Mitten, something that I've come to be quite fond of!) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because I live in the mitten state. Because I've dedicated and named the yarn and wool portion of our farm production "<a href="http://mywoolmitten.blogspot.com/">My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farms</a>" And, well, why not? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over this past Christmas time, I knit a lot of mittens. And could have/should have knit a lot more. Mittens, fingerless mitts and even gloves are an easier gift to give then hand knit socks, I think. Socks need to be a pretty particular fit, don't you agree? While something for the hands can be a bit more forgiving in size - especially when made with lovely wool, a natural material so willing to be formed and shaped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All over the crafting community at the beginning of a new year, plans are made for knit a longs for socks. Year long knit-a-longs. Exciting monthly knit-a-longs for socks! The most popular podcasts knit socks. Enthusiasm is at an all time high! All well and good. But my love for mittens, my sad shortage of mittens in 2016 and the loss of one of my favorite pairs of handspun, hand knit mittens (probably laying in a snowy parking lot somewhere!) inspired me to crown 2017 the "year of mittens"! Surely there must be some of you out there who feel the same?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mitts above are made from a free pattern on Ravelry "One Cable Mitts" by Valerie Teppo. Knit from our yarn <i>A Breath of Snow and Ashes</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, let's knit/crochet hand wear in 2017! We can do it together! My goal is one pair per month, whether for myself or to gift. Mittens, fingerless mitts, gloves...something to cover and warm the hands. I want to fill a basket with mittens by the end of the year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A <b>"<u>Basket of Mittens KAL</u>"</b> Here is my empty basket, waiting to be filled. Maybe you can only knit one pair, or six. Maybe you make twenty-four, who knows? No rules here, just knitting fun and hopefully a new obsession for you (I hate to be in this alone, LOL)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think that today, January 7th - Distaff Day! - is a lovely day to start, do you? I don't have a podcast or a ravelry group, but if you would like to join in just leave a comment, follow the blog if you'd like to (not required). I am on ravelry as grannysheep, if you'd like to find me there. Because I'd really love to hear about more warm hands in the world (and there may be a giveaway of yarn or patterns here, wouldn't that be fun!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tell me your thoughts, share your mitten love (or frustrations). During the winter solstice, I cast on a particularly lovely mitten pattern from Pia of Kammebornia podcast (pictured above) called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shine-mittens">Shine Mittens</a> and I'll continue working on that. But today, for my official kick off, I'm beginning a pair of mittens called <a href="http://www.justcraftyenough.com/2011/11/project-those-zig-zag-mittens/">Those Zig-Zag Mittens</a> that my friend Lynn and I meant to start a month ago.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hurray for the year of the mitten, 2017!!! Let's do our part to make the world a place with warmer, gentler hands and hearts...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>NEWS FLASH! LOL, at least I think it is! My friend Tiffany, who hosts a lovely podcast called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast">The Wo</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/the-woolen-homestead-formerly-knittin-from-the-mitten-podcast">olen Homestead</a>, ha<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s agreed to play along for the year! So if you don't already, give her podcast a listen or come <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and join her <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ravelry group. Thank you Tiff!</span></span></span></span></b></i></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-89338419484625954872016-11-16T05:36:00.002-05:002016-11-16T05:41:09.465-05:00Just Because ~<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few pictures of yarns and knits and the colors of autumn ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We still have our natural color Corriedale yarns available for purchase...a lovely Christmas gift for the knitter in your life perhaps? Or to treat yourself? See more <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2016/09/its-all-about-wool-yarn-and-farm.html">here</a>, and of course I'm always available to answer questions ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-24607746955458869372016-10-17T19:14:00.001-04:002017-01-18T11:47:05.256-05:00Farm Yarn Friday...on a Monday<i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Update 1-18-2017 ~ "Wisewoman" is now sold out, but <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there will more available later this spring. I'll leave this post up for reference!</span></span> </span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because I set a schedule and unrealistic goals for m<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">yself, because real life and no time for the computer get<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s in the way of up<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dating things in a timely fashion<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...this new feature I was hoping for ~ <i>Farm Yarn Friday</i> ~ is coming to you on Monday this week. Hopefu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lly, this means you'll <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">see two yarns this week, one today and one actually on Friday<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has definitely felt like fall here in the mitten this past week (I love it!) And the moon has been brilliant. Finally, wool weather has arrived in full force!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today's Farm Yarn Friday is going to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">highlight</span></span> one of the Corriedale<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~Alpaca blends. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A 3-ply, heavy fingering weight, processed right here in Michigan at <a href="http://www.stonehedgefibermill.com/">Stonehedge Fiber Mill</a> . About a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n 80<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-</span>20 blend, 250 yard skeins made using white <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wool from our Corriedale ewes and white <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a</span>lpaca from <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nearby North Star Alpacas, my friend Maple's farm. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's called </span><i><b>"<u>Wisewoman</u>"....</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This yarn is such a dream to knit with! Perfect for shawls, cowls, hats and of course mittens!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It brings sparkling detail to colorwork, you can see in the gloves below, paired with two more of our yarns "Murmurations" and "Lord John Grey"...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We're so proud to take this fiber from the pasture fields, to the skirting table, to the mill and then to the knitting needles (or crochet hooks)! If you are interested in purchasing any of this yarn, you can find out how in <a href="http://serenity-farms.blogspot.com/2016/09/its-all-about-wool-yarn-and-farm.html">this post</a>. Wisewoman....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>"They say, in the old days when a man would go forth to do a great deed, he would find a wisewoman and ask her to bless him. He would stand looking forth in the direction he would go and she would come behind him to say the words of prayer over him...Bless me, then, wisewoman," he said softly, "and go...." </b>Dragonfly in Amber, Diana Gabaldon</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">NOTE: All of our yarns, at this time, are named for lines or scenes from Diana Gabaldon's series of Outlander books. If you haven't read them, I highly recommend a look!</span></span><br />
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Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-63811006112541075942016-09-06T18:29:00.000-04:002017-01-18T11:44:13.856-05:00It's All About the Wool, the Yarn and the Farm<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I mentioned in my last post (way back four months ago) that I had something exciting to share with you all<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span> And it's taken me this long to prepare myself to share it...ah, life, you do have a way of throwing stumbling blocks and detours our way, don't you? But here I am again and thrilled to be able to talk a bit about what we have to offer. Can you guess from the photo what it might be?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, it's yarn!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Farm yarn. <i>Our</i> farm yarn. Completely Michigan grown, nurtured and processed. Small farm, small batch, heirloom quality Corriedale and Corriedale cross yarns. All natural colors. <b><i>Not just single breed yarn, but yarn from a single sheep (or two)</i></b>. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Woolen and worsted spun! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't tell you how excited I am to have this worsted spun yarn, it makes my heart and my fingers sing holding it in my knitting hands! If you've never tried Corriedale wool, this is a delightful way to treat yourself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to write a little bit more about each of the yarns individually, and the sheep who have provided the wool for them, but as we've been getting questions, I'll share quickly that these lovely skeins were spun at <a href="http://www.stonehedgefibermill.com/">Stonehedge Fiber Mill</a> in East Jordan Michigan. Each one is a 3-ply, plump sport weight. With names like <i>"Dunbonnet", <strike>"Breath of Snow and Ashes"</strike></i> <b>(SOLD OUT)</b> and <i>"Gravel Road at Dark"</i> <b>(ONLY A FEW SKEINS AVAILABLE)</b>. The moorit brown and the pale silver are both worsted spun yarns. The charcoal gray is a squishy woolen spun. There are approximately 250 yards each and if you are interested in having one of your own, the cost is <b>$20 per skein</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought it would be fun to offer a sample pack. Four Corriedale "skinnies" , junior sized skeins 50 yards each of the three foundation yarns plus one of our Corriedale~Alpaca blends (either the natural black <i>"Murmurations"</i> or crystal white <i>"<strike>Wise-Woman"</strike></i>) a total of 200 yards for <b>$18. </b></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ETA: Sample packs <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are not available at this time as three of the yarns are sold out. We'll offer them again<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> as we get more yarn back from the mill!</span></span></span> </b></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't tell you how proud I am of these yarns and how happy I am to have them. As you can imagine, there's a lot of knitting going on around here! For that reason, these have a very limited availability. If you're interested, I'd love for you to have some for yourself! We accept Paypal, personal check or money order for payment. I'm happy to ship outside the United States. Prices listed do not include shipping. <b>You can reach me at serenityfarmswool at yahoo dot com with any questions</b> and I'll be happy to give you a total with shipping and make all of the arrangements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy sheep, happy yarn.</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-89862046327942803192016-05-25T15:16:00.001-04:002016-05-25T15:42:28.508-04:00Fleeces and Fence Posts<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Well hello Blog! It's been awhile...how've you been? Have you forgotten me? No? I'm glad to hear that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fleeces and fence posts ~ so much I'd love to catch you up on, happenings and every day routine things. But I guess my farm life right now is dominated by these two things, fleeces and fences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of you know that we sold our remaining farm ground back at the end of December, first of January. What we have remaining now at this place is ten acres. Old fences, pasture barriers, needed to be moved. Because I wanted to save and re-use some of the woven wire and the cedar posts, this meant a bit of work! I don't have farm equipment - at least nothing like a tractor or skid steer, and the farm truck has some tire issues. So it was with a bucket and fencing tool, a hammer and a pair of pliers that I went to work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bittersweet job. So many thoughts running through my head. The passage of time. The loss of the land (not really a loss, I guess, a conscious choice, but still - no longer ours). A change in our lifestyle. And remembering, as I dismantle this fence, being in this same spot at a different time, putting the fence up with my Dad, who's no longer with us. I think about pausing from our work to sit on the tail gate of his truck - my truck now - to drink a cup of coffee. Working in silence. Admiring his efficiency and strength. Still <i>missing</i> him terribly every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's something, though, that's satisfying with this kind of work. It also tests your <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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patience and endurance. When my father put up fence, he intended it to last. To stand up to livestock and wildlife, and weather and time. So taking it down was really no easy task. But then again, now that I think of it, probably easier to take down a nice, strong and straight fence than one that is laying in the weeds or buried in the tree line. Anyway, I cried more than a few times in the course of this job, trying to remember things Dad said or how he did it. Mad at myself when I did things wrong, proud if I got it right. A few mishaps sent me to the house, crying to my husband, bless his heart! At the end of the day, tired and discouraged, I poured us both a cup of coffee and asked him to just let me cry and vent my frustrations, which he did. Then he called the neighbor and asked if they would bring their truck and pick up my rolls of newly dismantled fences from the pasture and bring them to the barn. They did and I felt better. The neighbor who bought the property came with his tractor and he and Alex pulled up the wooden fence posts. Friend and neighbor Caren came and hauled away wire we could no longer use. Alex and Mark rolled up the big wire for us, as best they could (have you ever wrestled with used woven wire?) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm glad that work is done. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kimber, a nice charcoal grey Corriedale with well defined, traditional crimp</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So in that time, as lambing finished, we also got shearing done. As always, I'm slow to get the skirting done. I like to do it myself and I like to take my time. So there are fleeces available, I'm slowly getting pictures and prices. <b><i>If you are a blog reader who has spoken to me about reserving a fleece, will you please email me again?</i></b> I lost a lot of saved emails, so please contact me at serenityfarmswool@yahoo.com if you are interested in Corriedale or Corriedale-Bond fleece this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also received a lovely, large shipment in the post right in the middle of all of this work and excitement ~ I can't wait to share with you what that's all about, but I think I'll just save that news for its own post! Thank you for sticking with me! Do any of you have stories or memories of working on the farm with your Dad or husband or someone special to you? I'd love to hear!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Edited to add:</i></b> Although we are down to ten acres here at this place, we still have the Round House and Burnham Barn and Woods, along with about eight acres of hay at the Burnham Farm ;)</span><br />
<br />Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-40792868826969789732016-05-08T01:56:00.000-04:002016-05-08T01:56:22.732-04:00It's Mothers Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Mothers Day ~ from Francie and one of her daughters, ewe lamb <i>"Nan"</i></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-3439377381630273972016-02-08T22:52:00.000-05:002016-02-08T22:52:22.112-05:00Knitting Blahs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just haven't been enjoying any of my knitting projects lately. It's making me sad, actually, and I hope it passes soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been doing a little bit of spinning ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-80938562110107170222015-12-25T19:56:00.000-05:002015-12-25T19:56:41.278-05:00Advent-A-Long ~ Finale<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we come to the end of the Advent mitten knitting ~ well, save for the thumb on the second mitten! Somehow, I managed to mix up the stripes towards the end (now how did I do that?!?) but its okay. And they fit me, so I'm going to get to keep them for myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I adored doing this project, it made me happy the entire way and I'll have such special memories of each time I wear them. I'm still working on one small gift knitting project that needs to be finished before Sunday, as well as a larger crochet project that's also a gift but in the meantime I want to pick up and finish the Outlander themed sock I began one year ago (can you believe it, it's taken me an entire year and I'm still only half way finished!) Its a great pattern but a bit fiddly and in black yarn so it's not a carry along project. Do you remember them, my Black Selkie socks? I know I'll love them when they're finished and I certainly don't want to wait till next Christmas to wear them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merry Christmas to all and any who might be reading this ~ are you already dreaming of what to be knitting, spinning or crochet-ing in 2016? I'd love to hear! In the coming days, we'll be separating the rams and ewes, the rams will go back to their bachelor quarters and after a few days of tussle they won't mind a bit. We'll put coats back on them, do our best to keep hay and chaff out of the growing fleeces. It's been a mild winter here but the fleeces seem very plush to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's love and blessings to you, and if I haven't said it often enough I really appreciate each of you who takes time to read and especially to leave a note! Seems like so many are leaving blogs behind but its still my favorite way to connect.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. To my friend Kate who reads the blog, if you see this post, would you email me Kate? I've been wanting to ask you about something and know I don't have your email (or its probably changed, lol) You can reach me at serenityfarmswool @ yahoo dot com Hope to hear from you!</span></i>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-61011881693987011372015-12-21T12:51:00.001-05:002015-12-21T12:51:36.846-05:00Advent Day 20 and 21<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There has been Advent Knitting, just not Advent Blogging! A few of you have asked so I thought I'd better update today ~ it won't be long and this project will be finished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we go</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDejHnWNYfJxMF1l_0O0dQeD_by96rugZsKzqSi_zEjJYR3SCgfHMPFckCz56VHJLwusgNztNMwoE5C8-PmMYAs0iDCGeL8aSVeXYRfeZ4WNkUBg3zPF1glSlgRLrWdCmPLYK/s1600/IMG_1707+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDejHnWNYfJxMF1l_0O0dQeD_by96rugZsKzqSi_zEjJYR3SCgfHMPFckCz56VHJLwusgNztNMwoE5C8-PmMYAs0iDCGeL8aSVeXYRfeZ4WNkUBg3zPF1glSlgRLrWdCmPLYK/s640/IMG_1707+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tea kettle holds my ball of yarn, to keep it from rolling around. A poor woman's yarn bowl if you will ;) You can see that one mitten is finished. The thumb looks pointy in the picture but it actually isn't. I might mention again, that I love an after thought thumb!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm happy to say that the mitten fits me perfectly...I was a bit nervous it was going to be to small, but its fine. And although I love a finished project as much as the next person, I'm going to be sad to see this one done, its been so enjoyable! </span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-4628664250814264282015-12-06T18:41:00.000-05:002015-12-06T18:41:39.220-05:00Advent Knitting Day 5 and 6<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Day 5 (Saturday), my BBAdventalong knitting went for a walk in the woods with me. It's unbelievable that in the first week of December we've got no snow on the ground and it's nearly 50 degrees!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband has been doing an exceptional job of chosing the yarn parcels each morning, and having fun as well. He chooses and then I knit while he's eating breakfast. It only takes about five minutes to knit the few rows on each mitten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought these two small logs had interesting lichen on them, a nice backdrop for the mitten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I've been doing is knitting three rows with the colored yarn, and two rows of the main color charcoal. I don't have a picture from today (Sunday's) knitting, the color yarn is purple. I also took the opportunity to weave in the ends of the colors I've used so far, keeping things neat. It won't be very long and I'll put in the placement for the afterthought thumb.</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-24685578767966250762015-12-04T07:12:00.001-05:002015-12-04T07:12:43.173-05:00Advent-a-Long Day 2 and 3<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband, bless his heart, is doing a fantastic job of choosing which bag to open each morning - so far we have glittery green, red and then a jeweled blue. I didn't get a photo of Thursday's blue, but here is the red and green along with the second stitch marker that I made ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're having a lot of fun opening the package of surprise yarn and knitting over coffee in the morning. I'm loving the way these are coming together with the charcoal grey...I kind of wish I'd done socks now, it seems like they'd be a fun pair to wear through the winter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I didn't get a snapshot of Thursday's blue, I thought instead I'd share a picture of my little yarns gathered together waiting for coffee to finish!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm off to a Christmas lunch today, celebrating the Joy it means to us with a small group of friends. That isn't something I usually do, but I'll admit to looking forward to the time away. I'll be back with some new pictures later today or else tomorrow. Did any of you decide to do some Advent along knitting?</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-2579548321376135432015-12-02T23:39:00.001-05:002015-12-02T23:39:40.765-05:00Wool, Mittens and an Advent-a-Long<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(This was meant to be shared yesterday, the first of December ~ sigh. I always seem to be behind these days!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I might have shared before my love of knitting podcasts...you know, little snippets of the lives of other obsessive knitters and lovers of fibers? There are so many really great ones that I find myself having to do a forced cut-back of my time on YouTube ;) That said, there are three, well four now, that I never allow myself to miss. My friend Sarah at<b> Fiber Trek</b>, because its all about fiber, knitting, spinning and (mostly) grey wool! One day I hope to be able to sit down with Sarah in the wilds of Maine, or here at the midwest farm house, I think we could talk for <i>days!</i> The elegant and <i>always</i> inspirational Isabelle a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span> <b>Fluffy Fibers</b> - oh my goodness, I just feel so happy after watching and listening to Isabelle! And she has <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a very sweet and devoted house kitty who often makes an appearance on the podcast. </span>I've recently discovered <b>FO and Dye</b> with Dave and Elly, who are so much fun to watch - their podcast is usually short but sweet, they are adorable and I always finish watching them with a smile (one of these days I'm going to treat myself to some of Elly's lovely dyed yarns) And Elly has beautiful hair ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there is one podcast that is truly an <i>Event</i>, an epic event at that, and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that</span> is Dan and Kay of <b>The Bakery Bears Podcast</b>. Funny, sweet, smart, down to earth, dreamers, visionary, generous, kind, talented...there just aren't enough words to describe this husband and wife team and their <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">darling</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">little girl</span>! I get the feeling that there aren't enough hours in the day for all that goes on in the creative minds of the<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Jones'</span> ;) Really - treat yourself and stop reading my blog right now and go check them out, LOL! I'll be right here when you're done...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, the most recent brainstorm from Kay and Dan has been an "Advent Along" for knitters. If you're a member of Ravelry, you can find the details <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/bakery-bears-podcast">here</a>. I decided to participate by knitting a pair of mittens using random bits of mostly hand spun wool. I've plac<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ed</span> my yarns in some of the little drawstring bags I have that my Mom made for me several years ago. This makes the project extra special - its been five years now since we lost Mom, and I can think of her each day when I open one up to knit from. I decided to make myself some stitch markers as well and you can see those below ~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think the little bead looks like a Christmas ornament! Anyway, I put all my yarns in a basket (you see them in the first picture above) and Bill is helping me by choosing which bag I'll use every morning. So far, excitingly enough, the yarn has been first green with some bits of gold angelina and then red - can you imagine?!? My main color is charcoal grey wool and mohair, so I'm alternating three rows of the "surprise" colored yarn minis with two rows of the main color charcoal. Knitting top dow</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n (my favorite way, now, of making mittens) It really only takes about five minutes of knitting time <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- it's actually most difficult to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">put them away and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">not keep knitting! I'm going to attempt to post just a little update each day and to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cheerfully say hello, so be sure to check back. And I really don't think its to late for you to join along for a few min<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">utes of "stash-down" knitting between now and Ch<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ristmas if you wanted to. I'll probably share a few other knitting podcasts that I don't usually miss.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And finally, during this season of Advent ~ </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>"The Lord GOD will wipe away<br />the tears from all faces;<br />The reproach of his people he will remove<br />from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">" Isaiah 25</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Note:</b> I didn't post links with the podcasts because my laptop is being funny about it. If you <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">search for any of them by name on YouTube they shou<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ld be easy to find.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-64767932066088460932015-11-27T08:11:00.002-05:002015-11-27T08:11:17.696-05:00'Tis A Gift...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16hRCUDdAfLUeKspoC09soFYrmY0xS7U4GspG8Brh0CjScrpPVA80HTKsYWMaXuK15dEy7S6D0pQ8mZK0IS8z8qqJHTU_ws9TfPG68Gd3RggHTginAiVQHr7d5V7Ght3ysfmP/s1600/IMG_1528+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16hRCUDdAfLUeKspoC09soFYrmY0xS7U4GspG8Brh0CjScrpPVA80HTKsYWMaXuK15dEy7S6D0pQ8mZK0IS8z8qqJHTU_ws9TfPG68Gd3RggHTginAiVQHr7d5V7Ght3ysfmP/s400/IMG_1528+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a small, but lovely, Thanksgiving meal with just the two of us at the table...prayers for our children and families...after dishes are cleared a pot of coffee making and outdoors in the fresh air to do the chores.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So many blessings, so much to be thankful for ~ including all of you my readers and far flung friends!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free<br /> 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,<br /> And when we find ourselves in the place just right, <br /> 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,<br /> 'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",<br /> And when we hear what others really think and really feel,<br /> Then we'll all live together with a love that is real...."</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(A special hello to my friend Susan! </span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></i></div>
Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579899.post-12971761409023166422015-08-31T07:17:00.000-04:002015-08-31T07:31:50.123-04:00August This Year<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so we come to the end of another month ~ August seemed to go by in a blur. I don't have anything clever to write about but I do have a few pictures to share from the month gone by. Some knitting, some spinning, a new sheep to the flock. Market lambs are all sold and the pastures are quiet again, that's nice. Hay is laying in the field, not being baled because of rain...that's not so nice and could become an issue. Lots of green tomatoes on the vine, they need the sun and heat but I sure have been enjoying the cooler than normal temperatures - we even had a fire one night to knit by.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The phlox is beautiful again this year!</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmBQEIpvSZjC-7JNqiVJn0j7YbWmz0V-o8F_sEyK9K3syRL-An7BulO0c6mLWhyphenhyphenROuRGfPxdBwm84Y7Tvj_5PN-5-D0aKe4mLd87NEE1Kl-zZplH-dVXWrZ3QmxaSNCBeGKbb/s1600/Beauty+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmBQEIpvSZjC-7JNqiVJn0j7YbWmz0V-o8F_sEyK9K3syRL-An7BulO0c6mLWhyphenhyphenROuRGfPxdBwm84Y7Tvj_5PN-5-D0aKe4mLd87NEE1Kl-zZplH-dVXWrZ3QmxaSNCBeGKbb/s400/Beauty+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>A new double daylily, this one bloomed a long time.</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClY9F1kSJ5H-68Overjz3-WDbP3-gUw363BfH23GuoFizSPsCAxNBb_fkV0CB2yXIORYil6Gcq3CADP8OFUV8JAMOIdtoht5ZkZGaZGr7Lg9R7DeJujjX6m_-EorgD1rM-Wbu/s1600/RoyalStandard+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClY9F1kSJ5H-68Overjz3-WDbP3-gUw363BfH23GuoFizSPsCAxNBb_fkV0CB2yXIORYil6Gcq3CADP8OFUV8JAMOIdtoht5ZkZGaZGr7Lg9R7DeJujjX6m_-EorgD1rM-Wbu/s400/RoyalStandard+%2528800x450%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Nothing beats the old Royal Standard Hosta</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>A new planting, love the Stokes Aster</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Any day now, these Cherokee Purple tomatoes will be ripe!</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Another Simmer Dim shawl for a new Outlander reader</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutlf9mxrJO9mIEBRpgGy7MzUi9TlWo7WLBQstrnOu449yGMDr5O8tv3zolJ1jQqHE5HHapTqPDG4IN-ivLTb8lm0g11q1kwqSviKYAcogjs3N5h7H2ncsDUgzE72GgxlE5SKq/s1600/IMG_1461+%2528800x634%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutlf9mxrJO9mIEBRpgGy7MzUi9TlWo7WLBQstrnOu449yGMDr5O8tv3zolJ1jQqHE5HHapTqPDG4IN-ivLTb8lm0g11q1kwqSviKYAcogjs3N5h7H2ncsDUgzE72GgxlE5SKq/s400/IMG_1461+%2528800x634%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Knitting on the porch, sheep in pasture, Corriedale wool</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziZbJ_SmOOIlqNiynl2Fr4zOmaHv-hqbt-IjgHCWm705AnMrfDCGchJacwGFdTdho5PHrO_HIId-ug76HFP6D0J9uDxaC1jdPSnp1xBrt4pvDwSUPw4iElgFHSrs-p_fl2hhw/s1600/MarilChicken+%2528800x487%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziZbJ_SmOOIlqNiynl2Fr4zOmaHv-hqbt-IjgHCWm705AnMrfDCGchJacwGFdTdho5PHrO_HIId-ug76HFP6D0J9uDxaC1jdPSnp1xBrt4pvDwSUPw4iElgFHSrs-p_fl2hhw/s400/MarilChicken+%2528800x487%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Crazy new sheep "Maril" a black Finn and Edwina's chicken butt!</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And there you have it, a snapshot of August! What did your August look like? I do know that going forward into September, with only a week until the new school year here in mid-Michigan (and our Colorado boys already back to class) it's a time I want to spend in prayer for our kids going back to school. We need God's help and care more than ever, it seems, and I don't want to be a Granny who fails in that department! I can't go to the classroom with them but I can send them surrounded with the armor of God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gonna miss my guys when they're back in school...I get pretty used to having them here with me every day.</span>Cary ~ My Wool Mitten at Serenity Farmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16349458644831264576noreply@blogger.com6