2015: Don't blink or you might miss it...

Back again.  Perhaps this will become a habit?

Last post we spent some time catching up, but didn't really get a chance to chat too much about what's on deck for 2015.  I've blown through the Gregorian calendar new year, Chinese new year, and now we're halfway through March, so... no time like the present.

As you know, last year was about Stash Appreciation, i.e., using what I have, and solving problems with creativity over credit cards.  This year will be about Construction, i.e., building on what I have.  So what do I mean by that?  Well, it's about using stash in a broader sense.  For instance, there is my "educational stash."  I have built up quite the collection of fiber arts resources, such as general how-to knitting, spinning, crocheting and weaving books and DVDs, stitch pattern dictionaries, region specific traditions (such as Shetland and Estonian lace traditions), color work for knitting and color blending for spinning, and so on.  Like my yarn and fiber, a lot of these resources were purchased in anticipation of that ever elusive "one day" when I would learn all of the tips and techniques that lurk therein.

Then there is my "tools and materials" stash, such as the buttons, buttons, buttons I purchased last year, but haven't used much because I haven't mastered making buttonholes; the fabric that intends to be lining in the various knitted fashions that whirl unrealized in my brain, but hasn't been used yet because I haven't really learned how to work my sewing machine; the spindles and carders and combs and hackle for processing fleece and fiber, which I've used (of course), but could get so much more out of; the "Sample-It" loom--stained, but unassembled--meant for trying out and learning weaving patterns beyond simple plain weave.  I could go on, but I'm sure you see where I'm going.

And as always, there's the yarn and fiber stash:  the fleece that I bought to process so that I could  understand working with fiber at a fundamental level; the pre-processed fiber that is waiting to be dyed and/or spun in myriad ways; the yarn that is waiting to be used in patterns yet to be discovered and techniques I have yet to try--old familiar friends that have been with us through the past year and will be with us for years to come.  (Have I mentioned that I have A LOT of yarn and fiber?  Yes, still.) 

Wise folks in my cold sheeping support group have mentioned more than once that one of the illusions we create for ourselves by buying stash is that we are also buying the TIME to do the things we imagine doing with our purchases.  The reality is, you can't buy time, you must MAKE it.  I say again, no time like the present.

Projects

This year will be a little different from last year as far as goals and events.  I will still be doing the occasional Ravelry activity (go Team Chesire Cat!) and you can see if you look to the right that I do have year-long goals in progress, i.e., knitting 100 skeins and spinning 15 miles.  But rather than being driven by imposed themes, I believe I will be best served by focusing on a few specific projects that will require some of the skills I want to work on.  You know me well enough to know these projects won't be the only things I work on, but hopefully they will be the constants.

Here they are, in the order of my interest:

Cormo/cashmere/silk cardigan

I once mentioned that we would talk about Cormo.  In a nutshell, the Cormo sheep breed resulted from crossing Corriedale sheep with Merino sheep.  Cormo wool is usually next-to-skin soft and has a lot of crimp, which makes it quite springy.  It is a lot of fun to play with.  Here is a picture of the Cormo fleece I have, which was the last fiber purchase I made before I started cold sheeping:*

This is pre-washed fleece (you can do that sometimes), which is stored in an old pillow case. 

For years now, I have been fantasizing about a Cormo, cashmere, and silk fiber blend.  I have yet to find the blend available for purchase.  You can occasionally find Cormo with silk or Cormo with cashmere, but not all three together.  I have mentioned time and again that I want it to a few vendors I know, but so far no one has come through for me.  Well, I have Cormo, I have cashmere, I have silk, and I refuse to be thwarted, so I will have my blend.**

Here are the cashmere and silk, so you will have truly seen this project from the beginning:

The skills/experience I expect from this project include blending different types of fiber in a sweater quantity; dyeing and color blending; utilizing a new stitch pattern, practicing set-in sleeves, improving buttonhole construction and other finishing techniques.

Merino cardigan

I have two fleeces from Merino sheep that I've had in my stash for a few years.  The first is a "white" fleece:

You can see why I put "white" in parentheses.  This fleece has not been washed yet, but when it is clean it really is white.  As I mentioned, I've had this fleece awhile, and I have washed handfuls now and again to play with, but I still have a good amount left.

The second fleece is a natural light brown color:

It also needs washing.  The brown fleece is a lovely color, but not particularly flattering for my skin tone, so my plan is to blend the two fleeces to create an oatmeal colored yarn that I think will work quite nicely for me.  This will give me the opportunity to work on cleaning and processing fleece, blending, another new-to-me stitch pattern, more set-in sleeve, buttonhole, and finishing practice (because you can never get enough of that).


The Coat

The last project is actually the continuation of an on-going project that I've mentioned before.  Remember that Shetland yarn I was spinning last year?  Well, I think it's time to start knitting the coat.  Here is a picture of the pile of Shetland yarn, waiting to be wound into balls:

The big skill I'll be getting from this one, besides the standard sleeve and finishing techniques, is learning how to add a lining.  So I will have to stop dragging my feet and actually make friends with my sewing machine, which could open up whole new worlds.  Stay tuned.

Remnants

I can't believe I forgot to tell you last post that I finished that Sleeping Beauty wrap I was working on for that Folklore and Fairytales challenge:

I attended Stitches West a few weeks ago.  Yes, I behaved myself and didn't buy anything.  The set-in sleeve class was inspiring, which is why I have so much set-in sleeve practice lined up for the coming year :).

That's all for now.  Be back with you soon! 
  

















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*Not to be confused with my last yarn purchase, which was the Courchevel from MinkYarn.com.

**I originally hoped to buy the blend because 1) blending fiber by hand is a lot of work and 2) I thought I might want to use each of the fibers separately for other things (which obviously hasn't happened yet).