Category: Blog

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-

It was glorious in the garden today. Perfect for pruning work, which is progressing nicely-

We were mostly out back today, reining in the big cherry tree and thinning out the smaller cherry as well.

Prunings are piling up fast,

Amazing how much new growth these trees put on each year!

Sheep seemed to enjoy the beautiful weather as well. Here they are cheering us on from the sidelines 🙂

Other pre-garden season garden work involves taking stock of the seed inventory and establishing a seed starting schedule

Here are this years selections, all snug in their seed cozy, awaiting their planting dates

which are recorded in my 2026 garden plan spreadsheet

And in wool work, I’m excited to report that I’ve got my Pluviae vest assembled, and am now working on finishing.

Bottom twisted ribbing first, then armholes, and then…….. a doubleknit buttonband, which is a new thing for me. Was having a little bit of a hard time envisioning how it worked, so I did a little sample in scrap yarn earlier in the week to try out the technique

It is really slick. Results in a nice, substantial fabric that lies flat, and has a nice edge. And the buttonhole thing is so simple that it is kind of genius. I’m really excited now to get to that bit.

Perhaps I’ll have a finished object to share next week!

Also got some knitting done (Pluviae vest, right front) so wins all around! 🙂 Will catch up on photos later.

Take care folks, and have a good week-

Well, I’m back from the 2026 Expo, and it seems like the KoolAid class was a success. Folks seemed to have a lot of fun coloring their wool, and two hours proved adequate to get everyone through the process. We had some particularly adventurous young students who hit upon a really nice deep forest green result by combining Blue Raspberry Lemonade, Grape, and Orange, so sharing that here for future reference

With the Expo in the bag, I can now focus my energies back on the Pluviae vest! I’ve got two out of three pieces compete (back and left front),

and I’m a few inches into the right front. Getting a lot of good practice on my right-handed knit stitch. Not sure it will ever feel entirely natural, but I’m definitely getting more consistent with the repetition!

And, earlier this week, I completed my third stash blanket!

Feels good to have repurposed all that handspun from the ill-fated saddle shoulder sweater of years ago. And I like how the strong colors really pop out from the dark warp.

Alrighty folks. That’s all I’ve got this week. Here’s hoping the groundhog gives us some good news tomorrow! 🙂