Christmas in July

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: July 28

Current Location: Bethesda, MD

I definitely missed updating this blog in June, so, my apologies. I have no excuses except my own inherent laziness.

Still no travel for me at the moment. 😦 I’m spending most of my time working and trying to make money to pay off my exorbitant medical bills, but I was able to enroll in a health insurance plan, so that’s helping a bit with ongoing tests and doctors’ visits.

On the other hand, in the last two months I’ve completed several projects, which is very exciting for me! One knit, one crochet, and one sewing!

In June, I signed up for a beginner sewing class, and I have successfully made a tote bag and a pair of pants! This was a lot of fun, and very different from anything I’ve done before, and I’m looking forward to taking the next class in the fall.

Also, even though it’s only July, I’m thinking ahead to fall and winter already. I’ve had a number of people request my lacy crochet snowflake decorations, so I’m putting some of those together to sell this fall. Let me know if you have any requests or any particular design you liked, and I’ll make sure to get some ready for you!

Finished Projects:

Casablanca Afghan by Tinna Thorudottir Thorvaldar

This blanket has been an ongoing project for over 2 years. I’m not sure what to do with myself in the evening now that it’s done, lol. I’m so happy with how it came out, and I can’t recommend Tinna’s patterns enough! I have another one of her patterns for which I specifically bought Icelandic wool yarn, and I can’t wait to get started on it!

Ryelight Socks from Tincan Knits

BEHOLD! I HAVE MADE ANOTHER SOCK!!!!

They are not well-matched, but are close enough that I’m satisfied. I enjoyed the process of shaping a piece of clothing while I knit, and I’m feeling much more confident in jumping into more advanced projects, including the sweater I intend to make one day.

Clothing!!

Check out this cute bag and my super comfy pants THAT I MADE MYSELF!!!

The bag is a basic tote pattern that the instructor provided, and the pants are a simple pajama pant pattern from Butterick

Snowflakes

Cranked out a few of these while marathoning Stranger Things. I have a few new designs I’m trying this year, and I’ll be sure to have plenty available for anyone who wants them!

Current Projects:

Weaving

LOOK! I’M MAKING MORE THINGS!

The second session of my rigid heddle class was canceled, so I signed up for a 4-shaft weaving class and am playing with the giant floor looms instead. This is a much more involved project than what I did before, even though it’s just very basic 4-shaft weaving. It’s taking a lot of concentration, and I’ve yet to get through an entire class without injuring myself somehow (so far, have cracked my knees on other looms in the room and stabbed myself with a loose wire while looking for a 10-dent reed).

Wedding Shawl in Burnish from Purl Soho

No big progress on this one. Between work, weaving, and my health, I haven’t made much progress this month.

Up Next:

Not a lot going on in August for me – I’ll continue weaving, and I’m planning to sign up for another sewing class, although that won’t start until after Labor Day. My next big adventure will be going to Massachusetts for a week-long weaving intensive course, which I am getting more and more excited about!

See you all next time! ❤