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Happy Midsommer!
Name: Katie
Date: June 20
Current Location: Stockholm, Sweden
And here I thought I wouldn’t have such a long gap between updates. *facepalm*
So, my life and changed a great deal in the last few months. I’ve given up my apartment in the US and I’ve decided to do the digital nomad life full-time, with my first stop in Sweden! I arrived two weeks ago and have been buried in an intensive Swedish language course for that entire time. In other news, I can now eavesdrop on approximately 15% of what I hear on the bus!
With the language class taking up most of my day and then the evenings spent working my day job, I haven’t had a ton of time to play tourist yet. I have, however, had time to check out a couple of the local yarn stores!
Wincent Rowan
Just a block away from the Odenplan metro station, this shop is all elegant, dark wood paneling and cubbies of yarn stacked to the ceiling! Truly a beautiful little shop. They also have several hundred colors of embroidery floss for those looking for a different fiber hobby.
Slöjd-Detaljer
The first store I stopped at on my very first day in the city! It’s definitely a general crafts store rather than yarn-specific, but they still had an entire wall of yarn options available.
Klara Tyg & Garn
A cozy little gem tucked away down a side street, this is my favorite shop I’ve visited so far. It has that crowded, cluttered, comfy feeling, with yarn and hooks and needles and notions. It’s the sort of place where you walk in and think, “I would like one of everything, please and thank you!”
This is also where I made my first Sweden yarn purchase – Creative Cotton Dégradé from Rico Design. I was enamored with the beautiful color changes, and I plan to knit a shawl with this!
Current Projects:
The Aztecana Blanket from BebaBlanket
Still in progress – I just need to finish the border. I’m refraining from sharing more photos at this time as it’s a gift for someone who may very well read this blog, so you’ll have to wait with bated breath until it’s gifted later this year, but it looks VERY nice 😊 (please take my word for it 😭)
Advent Scarf
Still slowly but surely working my way through this one! I brought a few of the mini skeins with me, so it’s going to get longer while I’m here in Sweden.
Drops Summer Halo Tee (Attempt #2!)
While I liked the first one I made, it ended up much more cropped than I’d anticipated. I blame my lack of swatching and general inexperience with creating sized clothing items. I had a bunch of Cloudborn Alpaca fingering weight yarn and I decided to give it another go and see what happened. Learning nothing from my first attempt, I also did not swatch this time.
After futzing around with the neckline for longer than I’d like to admit, I’ve made it through the lace in just a few days and I’m plowing my way through the yoke and towards the sleeves. Go me!
It’s a little difficult to see this color against such a light background, but the lace is looking good! Up Next:
I’m here in Stockholm for the next month and a half, and there are at least three more yarn shops I want to check out in the area. I also have weekends planned in Helsinki and Tallinn, with a short list of yarn shops to check out in both!
Do you have any suggestions for yarn- and fiber-related stops I should make in any of these cities? Let me know!
See you all next time! ❤
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Long Time, No See!
Name: Katie
Date: March 6
Current Location: Bethesda, MD
Hey folks!
It’s been a while! Between the holidays and the US ripping itself apart, I haven’t been in a writing mood for the last few months.
But it’s my birthday today, and I do enjoy sharing my progress on my fun and fuzzy fiber projects. So, if you are still interested, I am still writing!
My major focus right now is trying to complete all of my WIPs so I can either store or gift them before I head overseas and reduce my stash. …we’ll see how well that goes.
Finished Projects
Christmas Gifts
Now that December is behind us, I can share the final results of my frantic Christmas Crochet Marathon.
Behold! The many beautiful blankets that were distributed to my friends for the holidays.
Current Projects:
The Aztecana Blanket from BebaBlanket
This one’s really coming along! I’m super excited to see it when it’s finished!
Temperature Blanket 2024
Finally finished the main body! …and it’s not a rectangle o.O
I need to go back and review the pattern I used, because theoretically, this should have been a rectangle and not a wonky 6-sided rhombus.
I do, however, quite like it, despite its unexpected shape! I’ll be doing a black border around this one, which will hopefully let me cover up a bunch of the ends so I don’t have to weave in ALL OF THEM (T.T)
A cute advent scarf! I got two dozen beautiful mini skeins of sock yarn that coordinate beautifully with each other, and I’m (slowly) working my way through this sampler pattern. It’s taking longer than expected, as I keep making mistakes learning the new stitches, but I’m making prodigious use of lifelines and am slowly but surely getting through it.
Casablanca Afghan from Annie’s Kit Clubs
Trucking right along on this crochet kit blanket. I’m having such a good time working on it – there’s so many ideas and stitch techniques that even I, as a 20-year crochet veteran, am learning something new with every kit!
Up Next:
So, I am seriously considering fleeing the country. At the very least, I’ll be spending time in Sweden this summer. I’ll likely be in the DC area for the next few months, though, frantically crafting up a storm!
See you all next time! ❤
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Master Weaver – Check!
Name: Katie
Date: October 18
Current Location: Greenfield, MA
Hey folks!
Ok, so I’m not actually a Master Weaver, but I’ve completed my weaving immersion and have had SUCH a great time! I’ve learned so much and been able to try out all kinds of different patterns and techniques! It was also just wonderful to take a few months to dedicate myself to a craft, squirreled away from daily life in a lovely old farmhouse in the woods. It was incredibly peaceful, and I am so grateful I was able to participate!
Check out all the cool things I made!
Finished Projects
Green/Purple Granny Square and Pink/Brown Granny Square
My obsession with Granny Squares continues…
Current Projects:
The Aztecana Blanket from BebaBlanket
Cruising right along, although it may end up with a different recipient than originally intended…
Another Granny Square – Gray/Purple
Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t actually like Granny Squares all that much?
Up Next:
I’m hoping in a car and taking off for a New England road trip before I head back south to DC. Stay tuned for some fall foliage pics!
See you all next time! ❤
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Weaving Up a Storm
Name: Katie
Date: September 10
Current Location: Greenfield, MA
Hey folks!
I’m up in Massachusetts at the Vävstuga Swedish Weaving School for an 8-week immersion program. I’m having a blast and learning so much – it’s a bit of a firehose of information. I’m also continuing to work while I’m here, which is quite the balancing act. It’s a lot, but I’m very happy that this program worked out for me!
We started Day 1 by taking apart and rebuilding a loom from the ground up, and it’s been basically a nonstop fiber party since! We’ve made towels, matching bands, and yardage, are planning blankets for our next personal project, and have wound on no fewer than 8 warps for group projects. There’s such a variety of weaving techniques and styles that we get to work on – I’m super excited about trying drawloom weaving, smålandsvav, and an overshot Christmas Star pattern, but other projects include damask, deflected double weave, and upholstery.
It’s also so nice that I get to spend time in the woods of Western Massachusetts during the fall – the weather is cool, sunny, and lovely nearly every day!
Finished Projects
Towels
Broken twill variations across four towels, with a variety of striping patterns. Hemmed and ready to go!
Band
The matching band which will be attached to the corners of the towels for easy hanging
Yardage
~4 meters of fabric that I’m debating how I will use. I’m thinking a skirt, but that will require me to learn how to sew. *facepalm* I always need more fibercraft hobbies, right?
I’m very pleased with how the color gradation came out, and I owe a debt of thanks to my fellow student, Susan, who suggested both of the colors I ended up using in my weft.
Current Projects:
Green/Purple Granny Square
My obsession with Granny Squares continues…
The Aztecana Blanket from BebaBlanket
A gorgeous pattern I’m frantically working up so it will be finished in time to gift to its intended recipients. I’m using Hobbii Universe yarn in the colorway Interstellar for the design, with their Classic Acrylic in a light peachy-apricot for the main color.
Up Next:
I’ll be here in Massachusetts for another month and a half, then I’ll be renting a car and taking a leisurely road trip through New England before I head back south to DC.
See you all next time! ❤
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Sweltering Under the Heat Dome
Name: Katie
Date: July 12
Current Location: New York City, NY
Hey all!
We’ve been stuck under a heat dome for a few weeks here in the mid-Atlantic, and it’s been miserable to go outside at all. I’ve been sitting in front of my fan and busying myself with work, reading, and fibercrafts.
I took a break and headed up to NYC for a long weekend with an old friend 🙂 We got far more drinking done than crafting, but it was still a solid trip, and I was so happy to see her. We visited a beautiful club on Long Island Sound, and it was beautiful to look out over the water, even in the heat. I’m planning to visit her again when I go on a New England Road Trip later this fall.
Next month, I’ll be heading out to Vävstuga Weaving School for their Swedish Weaving Immersion. I received a full scholarship to participate, and I’m so excited! I can’t wait to share photos of all of the incredible fabric I’m going to make.
Finished Projects
Snowflakes
I’ve sent out my first batch and have plenty more crochet thread. Let me know if you want any!
Current Projects:
Giant Blue-Tone Granny Square
I enjoyed the rainbow one so much, I immediately started another one in a different colorway! Perpetual granny squares may be my new go-to travel project. They’re light, easily transported, don’t require a pattern, and if they unravel a bit, it’s easy to fix. What’s not to like?
The Aztecana Blanket from BebaBlanket
A gorgeous pattern I’m frantically working up so it will be finished in time to gift to its intended recipients. I’m using Hobbii Universe yarn in the colorway Interstellar for the design, with their Classic Acrylic in a light peachy-apricot for the main color.
Temperature Blanket
We’re into June now, and I’m really enjoying watching the color changes. I was worried I wouldn’t have enough yarn, but I think I’ll only need second skeins of a few of the colors. I hear a lot about folks ending up with enormous blankets larger than they’d intended, but mine is turning out much smaller than I thought it would be. It’s still lovely and squishy, though.
Up Next:
Most of August I’ll be hanging out in the DC area, but I’ll send you photos of Massachusetts when I get there!
See you all next time! ❤
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Cooling Off Up North
Name: Katie
Date: June 10
Current Location: Portsmouth, NH
Hey all!
I ventured up to New Hampshire for a week to visit family and get out of the hot summer sun down in DC. I love me some average highs in the 70s and cool nights in the 50s, haha!
Between wandering my old stomping grounds downtown, at the library, and at the beach, I also spent a few days up in the mountains, lounging in the cooler altitudes. 10/10, highly recommend 😉
Finished Projects
Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer
I finally finished! I love how it turned out, however I definitely messed up the gauge on this one, as it is WAY too small for me to wear. Will make some adjustments on the needle size and gauge and maybe try this one again – see if someone larger than a toddler can wear the next one!
Giant Rainbow Granny Square
I was looking for something easy to bring on my trip north, and I plowed through this one over two plane trips and a couple days of downtime.
Snowflakes
It’s that time of year! I have my first orders for Christmas décor coming in, so I’ve started ticking away at snowflakes to get them done and in the mail on time. Let me know if you want any!
Current Projects:
Giant Blue-Tone Granny Square
I enjoyed the rainbow one so much, I immediately started another one in a different colorway!
Up Next:
Heading to NYC to visit friends next month!
See you all next time! ❤
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Springtime in DC!
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: April 20
Current Location: Kensington, Maryland, USA
Hey all!
It’s been longer than I’d anticipated since I updated. I’ve been making steady(-ish) progress on my various WIPs. I’m decompressing from my longest travels EVER (8 weeks is A LOT, let me tell you!), and I have so much work to catch up on! We’re also going into the busy season for grant writing, as there are tons of deadlines in April and May that I need to hit for my clients.
I’m house-sitting for a friend, which… kind of counts as travel? It feels like traveling, in a way. They also have several kitties who are just stinkin’ ADORABLE! Kitty pics for tax!
They are the cutest little helpers for my fibercrafts!
Finished Projects
Flax Light Sweater from Tin Can Knits
Look what I finished just in time for 80s weather to sweep into the Mid-Atlantic? 😭 😭 😭
Current Projects:
Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer
Nearly done. I have just another 2 rows left, which I’ve already done and ripped out twice when I’ve made silly mistakes, but we’re nearly there!
Temperature Blanket from ME!! (kind of. It’s less of a pattern and more just doing a full stitch C2C, LOL)
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this blanket as much as I am! I’m disappointed when I catch up to where I am in tracking the daily temperature, and I wait another week or two to sit down and hook right through another dozen rows or so.
The next time I do a blanket for the current year, I’ll wait until the year is halfway done before I actually start on the blanket, so I have plenty to work on and don’t have to wait impatiently for more time to pass to keep working on it!
Casablanca Afghan from Annie’s Knit Club
Isn’t this pretty! I’ve just about completed the first kit and am anxiously awaiting the second one. I’m so excited, you guys! It’s so pretty and intricate and textured!
Up Next:
Headed up to NH for some family time, and then to NYC in July.
See you all next time! ❤
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The Land of Magical Realism
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: Feb 24
Current Location: Bogotá y Cartagena, Colombia
Hey all!
My last stop on my trip was Colombia, specifically Bogotá and Cartagena. I LOVED Bogotá! The mountains that surround the city are utterly stunning, and the clouds and mist rolling down through the trees was beautiful!
Cartagena is a lovely little city on the northern coast with loads of Spanish colonial architecture. The weather is hot and sunny, the beaches are beautiful, and there are flowering trees growing on nearly every street.
Colombia also legalized graffiti recently, and while some of it has the layered, “just-practicing-my-signature” feel, other pieces are absolutely gorgeous! I wish I had spent more time in Colombia, and I’ll definitely be going back!
And, of course, my trip wouldn’t have been complete without ducking into a local yarn shop!
Finished Projects
Summer Halo Tee from Drops
I DID IT!! I MADE AN ACTUAL CLOTHING ITEM!!! Please with a first attempt, but something went sideways with the sizing, as this is much wider than I’d expected. I kept it shorter when I realized how wide it was going to be and gave it a cropped look, which I think is mostly working, but I SWEAR I SWATCHED FOR THIS PROJECT!! I met gauge! I did!
…and yet…
Current Projects:
Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer
Still clicking away on this one. I’ve finally made it to the shaping rows for the frilly edge! …also struggling with gauge on this one, as it’s much smaller than I’d anticipated.
My fellow fiber people, we’ve really got to come to a consensus on what “fingering weight” and “sock weight” mean.
Flax Light Sweater from Tin Can Knits
I am THIS CLOSE (*holds fingers 6-inches apart*) TO BEING DONE!! I’m finishing up the last sleeve and then I will have MY VERY FIRST SWEATER!!
…just in time for hot Mid-Atlantic spring weather 🤦🏻♀️
Temperature Blanket
I spent the first two months of the year just tracking the temperatures in my excel sheet, and now I’ve actually started on my very first temperature blanket! (Behold, the terrifying peak of yellow in the middle of January, when it was nearly 80 degrees just a week after snowing)
This is a C2C Tunisian Full Stitch, and I’m going with a classic ROYGBIV color palette. I’m already hooked (no pun intended! Haha!) and planning other temperature blankets for my birth year, graduation year, the year I moved to China, the year I graduated university, etc. I cannot be stopped!
Casablanca Afghan from Annie’s Knit Club
I caved to the Instagram ads, you guys 😂. My sister generously bought this for me for my birthday, and I am loving the sumptuous colors and silky soft feel of their yarns. I feel like I’m crocheting with butter! I don’t even care that they’re 100% acrylic. Sue me, yarn snobs!
Up Next:
Back to the States to sleep for a month, then popping up to Canada for a (very) brief trip to see an eclipse!
See you all next time! ❤
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Knitting My Way Through Carnival
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: Feb 20
Current Location: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Hey all!
I’m down in South America for the first time, and I’ve just wrapped up my very first Carnival! No matter how much I thought I was ready for it… I wasn’t!
The big parade is actually ~30 parades over 5 different nights. The samba schools of Rio compete the first weekend to see who will have the honor of performing in the Champion’s Parade the second weekend. Picture an hour of the most over-the-top Carnival shit you can imagine – 600-1000 dancers, 15-20 costumes in every color, feathers, fans, glitter, confetti cannons, fireworks, a 100-person timpani section, 5 or 6 floats with 40-ft animatronics, water features, and light shows.
That is just ONE SCHOOL. It’s overwhelming, and it’s hard to believe that there will be 7 more performing that night!
I had a ton of fun partying at the parades, lounging on the beautiful beaches, swimming in a tropical lagoon, exploring the nearby forest, and dining on some of the most delicious food I have ever had!
On top of all of that, Rio is simply a gorgeous city. There are beaches, mountains, forest, and big city, all within minutes of each other.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a complete trip without a stop at the local yarn shop! I picked up some Mardi Gras colors for my Brazil yarn. I think I’m going to start a granny square afghan using the yarns I pick up on my travels. I have enough to get started with squares from Mexico and Brazil. What do you guys think?
Current Projects:
Summer Halo Tee from Drops
The body is done! …now I just need to pick up stitches for the sleeves, which I’ve been putting off because I don’t like that part, lol
Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer
Making good progress on this one as I’m procrastinating the sleeves on my t-shirt. It’s also a lot of plain knitting, so I can work on it while I have a show going in the background.
Finished Projects
Up Next:
Headed to Colombia for a week, then a brief stop in Panama City before I return Stateside.
See you all next time! ❤
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Knitting in the CDMX
Name: Kaitlyn
Date: Jan 25
Current Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Hey all!
Greetings from Central America! I’ve been in Mexico City for a few weeks, and I’m having a blast! I’ve gotten to practice a ton of Spanish, and my needles are clicking away on the Summer Halo Tee from Drops!
I’ve seen so much of this incredible city and had so much fun! Take a look at some of the highlights below:
I’ve also wandered in and out of some of the local yarn shops – I’ve gotta say, I love the bright and wild colors that are a staple in every shop here.
Current Projects:
Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer
The eagle-eyed among you may notice that this is smaller than it was. That’s because I royally screwed up and even my lifeline couldn’t save me. I pulled it out entirely and re-started. Le sigh.
Summer Halo Tee from Drops
Cast this on while I was on the plane and watching Fast X. Love the color, but I think my swatch was off – this seems like it’s going to be a little big. It’s only my second attempt at a sized clothing item, so I’m not too worried if it’s large. I’m nearly at the sleeves, and then it’s just going to be non-stop stockinette stitch all the way down.
This is actually a light turquoise-y blue… I swear. Finished Projects
*backs away slowly*
Up Next:
I’m here for another week before I head to Colombia and then Rio. I’ll send photos!
See you all next time! ❤
Have Yarn, Will Travel 