I really thought I might have all the finishing work done on my Pluviae vest by today, but it is taking a bit longer than expected.
That said, I am finding it rather satisfying. I’ve had to learn a few new techniques to finish up this project: double knitting, tubular cast on, and italian tubular bind-off.
Now that I think I’ve got a handle on them, I can say that it’s been rewarding 🙂 I was having a really hard time with the tubular caston until I discovered this video tutorial by Roxanne Richardson.
and this Brooklyn Tweed one is pretty good for the Italian Tubular bind off-
Took me a couple of tries to successfully execute it in reverse, but now this old dog has a couple new tricks in her repertoire.
I’m not quite halfway through the buttonband-
Lots of rows, and lots of turning the work back and forth, but it’s developing nicely. Really like the feel- substantial, but soft and squishy. have to start thinking about buttons!
I’ve also been reading a cool book that I received as a birthday gift last month (thanks Mom)
Lots of good info in there- and many plants that I’d not thought of using for dyeing. Apple leaves and bark, for instance.
Apparently apple bark will produce color, and doesn’t require a mordant. We have lots of apple prunings this time of year, so I went out with my trusty garden knife and harvested some bark, which is now soaking in a bucket in the hoophouse. Some of the bark has a variety of lichens on it, so don’t know how that might affect my results, but will be exciting to give it a go sometime this spring.
Alrighty folks. Hope you all have a good week-
That vest is going to be one NICE wardrobe piece! Interesting book, too, though I have no interest in doing it myself.
Cool book! I hope you show us the results.