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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! ❤

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! ❤

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.

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! ❤

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: Dec 26

Current Location: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland

Hey all!

I thought this was going to get posted sooner, but life got in the way. Sorry about that! As an apology, have ALL of the photos of everything I’ve made and been working on since November.

Since I don’t have enough to do, I decided to add Bobbin Lace to my repertoire of handicrafts. I went to an open house at The Textile Museum at George Washington University a few months ago, and they had loads of resources for spinning, lace making, weaving, knitting, and crocheting. I was in heaven! But I’ve been working on the basics of bobbin lace, which I’ve been interested in since I saw a Youtube video about Spanish women on the coast of Galicia who’ve done it for generations. Bobbin lace has been woven across Europe for centuries, predominantly in Italy, France, and Belgium. I love the art because it’s functionally weaving on a smaller scale, and it doesn’t require a massive loom. I’ve made a bunch of small sample pieces, and I’m looking forward to building on my skills to make larger items.

Vavstuga was incredible, as always. I’m planning to apply for their two-month weaving intensive next year and dedicate myself to 8 weeks of developing into a proper weaver.

While in Massachusetts, I made a long-overdue pilgrimage to Webs, the largest yarn store in America, which was just a wonderful as I’d always imagined! I came back with an incredible haul of yarn, notions, and A LOOM!!! I finally pushed the button and bought myself an inkle loom! I’ve just started working on it the last few days, and I’m very pleased at how my first band is coming out.

New Hampshire was fun, and I got to see my brother’s new house. I also finally got to deliver my Tree of Life afghan to its intended recipients!

I also had a work trip up in New York City, and took a brief pause to duck into Knitty City again and grab some yarn for yet another project! …I have a problem. Please send help 😭

Current Projects:

Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer

Haven’t even looked at this one for weeks as I’ve been desperately knitting my fingers off to get holidays gifts completed in time.

Birka Band (link: http://ladyelewys.carpevinumpdx.com/2020/08/27/tablet-weaving-for-the-absolute-beginner-birka-6/)

A free pattern courtesy of Elewys of Finchingfeld, and my first ever band on my inkle loom!

Finished Projects

Dish Towels, Tablecloths, Napkins

I had an absolute blast in Massachusetts at Vavstuga working on a whole pile of stuff. I ended up with two tablecloths, four matching napkins each, and 3 dishtowels (plus buttons!)

Ear Warmers and Hats

It’s that time of year, and I’m (still!) frantically trying to finish everyone’s gifts. There are definitely some that are going in the mail late 😬. Not everyone has gotten their gifts yet, but I’ll share the ones that have already been delivered.

Up Next:

I’m leaving for a two-month sojourn across Central and South America in January and February. I’m already plotting the yarn stores I’m going to visit and what projects I’ll be taking with me!

Happy Holidays, and see you all next time! ❤

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: Nov 12

Current Location: World Culture Festival and Kensington, MD

Hey all!

So this post is later than I’d planned, as my life was insanely busy in October. After I returned from my sister’s wedding, I had approximately 3 hours to nap (after 16-straight hours of travel and a good 30 hours awake) before we kicked things off with the World Culture Festival, which my belly dance school was performing in. It was so much fun, but also very stressful and time consuming. I enjoyed it, but I don’t know if I would do it again. It was also on the National Mall and there were fancy, important dignitaries there, which meant we had to go through Secret Service/National Park security, which meant I couldn’t bring any knitting or crochet with me to work on during the hours of waiting. 😭  The injustice of it all!

The next night, we also performed at Art All Night – a citywide celebration of art in different neighborhoods. There were dancers, singers, musicians, and all kinds of visual art exhibitions across the city. We performed our fall caravan piece rather than the WCF number, and it was in a high school gym rather than the national mall, but still a lot of fun! The audience was very appreciative, and seemed to enjoy our mini belly dance classes in between numbers.

I spent two weeks in October cat-sitting for friends, and I think I successfully turned the two kittens into yarn fanatics. They were very intrigued by watching crafting Youtube videos with me, and supervising my knitting in the evenings.

Also, check out this signed copy of ‘No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting’! The author lived locally to me for a good chunk of her life and signed the library’s copy ages ago.

Current Projects:

Whippoorwill Shawl from Carina Spencer

Took seven tries to get through the first twenty rows, but by jove, I’ve DONE IT! This one has been on my to-do list for a year or two, and I’m very excited to finally be getting on with it! I’ve had the yarn ready for ages, and it’s so soft and wonderful to work with! There will be some contracting color on the edges, and I have a beautiful leafy green that will look lovely with the grey I’m using for the main body.

Finished Projects

Ear Warmers

It’s that time of year, and I’m frantically trying to get presents done for folks. Two testers of two different ear warmers here, both from TL Yarn Crafts

Up Next:

I’m heading north to Massachusetts to spend a week at Vävstuga weaving school, then heading further north to spend Thanksgiving with family.

See you all next time! ❤

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: Sept 30

Current Location: Mt. Baker, Washington

Hey all!

It’s been a wild month. I’ve had a dozen rehearsals for the World Culture Festival, flew across the country for my sister’s wedding, and had three doctor’s appointments. I’m the proud owner of a new tooth (yay, root canals! 🙄), and am pleased to announce that I have no slipped discs of muscular atrophy in my back. I know you’re all thrilled to hear it.

Washington State is gorgeous. It’s fascinating how mountains and pine trees can look so incredibly different from one side of the country to the other. The White Mountains in New England have a much more relaxed vibe than the mountains out West do – the trees here look like a solid wall of pine rather than a mountain slope.

Check out my attempt at being cool and hip and making a video of my travels!

I did bring a knitting project with me on the trip! However, I managed to start, rip back, and re-start it no less than 7 times, and as a result, have accomplished exactly nothing! I’ll be working on that project next month, and you’ll get pictures of it then.

This month, I’ve also been frantically working on Christmas gifts, since I work so slowly that if I wait until November, nothing will get done. I’ve completed 1.75 gifts, and have…nine to go 😭

Current Projects:

Tunisian Holiday Sampler

Block stitch square! Not quite finished, but a simple and easy repeat that’s kept me occupied

My First Sweater

I’m nearly done with one sleeve! …and still have an entire other sleeve to go…

The Amma Blanket

The two finished squares remain finished, but I haven’t done any more yet.

Sea Glass Scarf

This one is nearly done! Just a few more repeats to go to make sure it’s appropriately long, comfy, and squishy!

Finished Projects

Sea Crossing Shawl

This is complete and has been gifted to its forever home! I’m thrilled at how it came out, although I nearly ran out of the gold yarn and had to cut two repeats out of the final pattern. I’m mostly annoyed since I actually swatched for this pattern and it should have worked out. The slipstitch colorwork border was a lot of fun, and a technique that I will definitely be using for future patterns!

Up Next:

I have the World Culture Festival this weekend, and I’ll be house- and cat-sitting in October for a friend. Stay tuned for many pictures of kittens with yarn!

See you all next time! ❤

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: Aug 13

Current Location: Portsmouth, NH

Hey all!

July was profoundly un-exciting, but I did get to spend the last two weeks in my old stomping grounds of Portsmouth, NH. It was nice to escape the heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic and enjoy the lovely, comfortable New England summer. I spent most of my time wandering my old neighborhood, re-acquainting myself with the downtown area, and eating my weight in ice cream (as one does). It’s always interesting to see what’s changed and what’s stayed the same.

Best of all, I got to see some of my old friends who are still in the area, which made me incredibly happy. We still text and chat when we’re apart, but it’s not the same as getting to see people face to face!

I brought some of my knitting with me (of course!) and made good progress on my Sea Crossing Shawl (photos below).

Current Projects:

Tunisian Holiday Sampler

Check out this cool wave stitch! It’s not nearly as complicated as it looks, and gives such a neat effect!

My First Sweater

I’ve continued on down the sleeve, but have shifted my attention to other projects as they will be gifts for folks (and I’m on a deadline!)

The Amma Blanket

2 squares down, 18 to go!

Sea Crossing Shawl

I brought this shawl with me to Portsmouth, and I’ve made tremendous progress.

Sea Glass Scarf

I found this GORGEOUS yarn at Michael’s, and decided to let the colors shine with a simple textured pattern. I can’t wait to see how this scarf turns out!

Finished Projects

(avert thine eyes)

Up Next:

I’m staying put in DC for August, but will be heading to the Pacific Northwest in September for my sister’s wedding!

See you all next time! ❤

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: June 28

Current Location: Bethesda, MD

Hey all!

June has quieted down, work-wise, and I’m settling into the slower summer grind. Lots of admin work to handle at this time of year, since I have very little time the rest of the year to get it taken care of.

I’ve had a couple of days to dedicate entirely to fibercrafts, which has improved my mood, and I’m planning to settle in over the holiday weekend and craft away for a few days. We’ve been having really gross weather the past month or so – mostly cold. It’s only just warmed up the last few days, and it’s been storming for most of them.

Current Projects:

Tunisian Holiday Sampler

Blew through the next few squares in this pattern. I haven’t ever done a sampler before, and I’m really enjoying the taste-testing aspect of all the different stitches.

My First Sweater (Flax Sweater by Tin Can Knits)

We have reached A SLEEVE!!

However, I dropped not one but TWO stitches, AND they’re behind my lifeline because they caught on themselves and didn’t unravel, so I didn’t notice the mistake until I’d already knit another dozen rows on top of it. I will be throwing myself on the mercy of my local yarn shop and begging for help to fix it.

The Amma Blanket

Well into my second square of the lovely Amma blanket, and still enjoying the pattern.

The Icelandic wool is incredibly scratchy, which I’m told will soften over time. I’ll likely save this one for the depths of winter to stay warm, and layer up underneath it.

Sea Crossing Shawl

My new project – the Sea Crossing Shawl from Valley Yarns. WEBS had a major sale, so I got the pattern and yarn for 50% off. Couldn’t resist! The yarn is buttery soft, and the pattern is an easy repeat, so this one is working up pretty quickly.

Finished Projects

Fancy Yellow Socks

The Flying Arrows sock pattern from Helen Waittes

Finally finished this! I’m torn, because I love the lace pattern here, but the sock itself is… not great. I’m thinking about re-using the lace pattern to make arm warmers or lacy gloves. Either way, there will be no second sock, lol.

Hat (no pattern by MY OWN!!)

I made a hat! I had so much lovely yarn left over from my advent calendar last year that I decided to make a hat to go with the cowl. This was my first foray into designing my own pattern, and it went…just ok. LOL

I’ll need to sort out some details before I start calling myself a designer, but I’m feeling optimistic!

Up Next:

I’ll be kicking around the city for the next month or so, then heading to NH in July/August, and possibly a trip to Seattle this fall!

See you all next time! ❤

Name: Kaitlyn

Date: May 26

Current Location: Bethesda, MD

Hey all!

As a professional grant writer, May is a bit of a disaster month for me. I’ve been buried in grants with every grant due within the space of a week, and most of my clients throwing last-minute requests at me. Good times! Working with multiple clients, I have, tragically, had little time to devote to my beloved fibercrafts.

HOWEVER, I still have some updates and news for all y’all lovely folks faithfully following my fiber journey.

Mostly, my big excitement is that I’m making my first stab at a knit pattern of my own creation! It’s not remotely complex, but I’m pretty pleased that I’m winging it and attempting to write it down. When I am a world-famous fiber artist, know that it all started here! 😂

For the upcoming summer, I’m doing more figurative rather than literal travel: over the last year, I’ve gotten back into belly dancing, and I’ve joined a local company! We’ll be performing at the end of the summer at a local festival as well as at a big international performance in downtown DC. I’m very excited to get a beautiful costume and perform on stage for the first time in over 10 years! (former competitive dancer, here <–)

I also attended the WEBS Spring Knitting Retreat, and got to take a stab at brioche and double-sided knitting. I love weekends where I get to hole up inside, eat snacks, and never leave my bed, LOL!

Current Projects:

Fancy Yellow Socks

The Flying Arrows sock pattern from Helen Waittes

I think I’ve probably griped about how poorly written this pattern is, but I’m nearly at the end and I just need to wing it as I complete the toe and kitchener stitch the end. The written instructions will absolutely not result in a toe of any form, so I’m getting a little experimental. Unlikely that this sock will ever have a mate, TBH.

Tunisian Holiday Sampler by TL Yarncrafts

Still ticking along with the next square: working corner-to-corner! This is a surprisingly fun stitch, very simple, and incredibly easy to remember.

My First Sweater

If I wanted to do a crop-top sweater, I’d be golden!

I’m cruising right along, and have made it through the yoke and armholes of my top-down sweater! Now I just have several miles of plain knitting to do until it’s as long as I want, and then I’ll go back and add the sleeves. Knock-on-wood this will be finished just in time for the 4^th of July! Perfect weather for wearing a wool sweater!

The Amma Blanket from Tinna

I’ve begun work on yet ANOTHER winter project, with the goal of having this one done by roughly Christmas. I’ve been planning this particular project for over a year, as the yarn I’m using is courtesy of my Iceland trip! I’m going with a blue-gray color palette in honor of the ice and glaciers of Iceland.

I’m slightly annoyed, as I actually did the entire square (more than twice the size of what’s pictured here), but I used the wrong hook size, and realized that I would run out of yarn long before I made it to the end, so I ripped the whole thing out and restarted using the proper hook size.

I’m not actually that annoyed, as, like all of Tinna’s patterns, this is super fun and a joy to work on! Here’s hoping it takes me less time to complete than my last blanket from her (over 2 YEARS of crochet on that one!).

Up Next:

No big changes for June or July – I’m plowing through work and hope to take a day or two for myself. I have some small trips around the DC area planned, and then I’ll be heading up to NH for a few weeks at the end of July.

See you all next time! ❤