Projects

This year I had promised myself I would blog once a week with a mix of projects and interesting knitting related articles. Here it is Fall and I haven’t been able to do that. I’m starting to think getting it together isn’t possible. I have so much going on that I can’t seem to stay focused or set goals. You would think by the time you were middle aged you’d have it figured out, but nope, not me. It’s a weird time for me. I feel like I’m transitioning. I just not sure what I’m transitioning into. Thank goodness I have my fibre arts to keep me sane.

I’ve been weaving but I’ll save stuff about that for my next post. Today I wanted to share a photo of my final Kitchen Mat.  I was so happy to finish it just a few days before Thanksgiving (Canadian). Originally I was worried about it sliding but it’s so heavy it stays in place pretty well. Of course my dog, Patches thinks it great to smush up or to lay on.

 

Even though I love this mat I’m not sure I’d make it again. It uses a ton of cotton yard because it’s three strands held together. And it was hard to knit up the last (white) section because it  it weighs 3.5 lbs. On the upside I have some left over yarn to make matching dishcloths.

Projects

My kitchen mat has been put on the back burner because of  all the weaving I have been doing. I’ve worked on it a bit in the evenings but it’s hot and so heavy I usually put it down after a few rows. It’s not the ideal project for the summer. Fortunately I only have around 65 rows to go.

All that’s left is the white section

This is basically where the mat is going to go when it’s done

Since my graphic design business is lagging I’ve decided to build stock of handmade products to sell this fall – just in time for Christmas. I’ll share what I’m doing next week. The items are woven. The feedback about them from friends and family has been encouraging which makes me feel good about making more.

I’m also looking for some seasonal work to fill in the gaps. It’s so difficult to find graphic design work or business out there, it’s disappointing. There has been no lack of effort to find work or new clients on my part. Sigh.

The upside is with my extra time I’ve been focusing more on making things. And maybe that’s what I’m meant to do. Make beautiful and useful things.

Projects

While I was on vacation my internet connection was spotty so I wasn’t able to do any blogging. I did do a lot of relaxing.  It was a week of board games, knitting, watching movies and vintage t.v. shows, photography and swimming. Just what the whole family needed.



So my latest project is a kitchen mat. The one I have now is hard to clean and the rubber backing is flaking off. I can’t vacuum it properly and when I throw it in the washer the rubber back comes off and sticks to everything. I decided if I knit one out of cotton I can wash it easily. The cotton is very heavy and my hope is I won’t need any anti-slip backing. If I do, I think I have some options that would work well like non-slip backing from the fabric store that doesn’t have to be stuck on the mat or waterproof bathroom caulking (hopefully it could stand being washed). I’m not going to worry about it too much for now.


There is no pattern for this Kitchen Mat – it’s seed stitched using three strands of worsted weight cotton. I’ll be sure to post the pattern when I’m done. By the way this thing weights a ton already and it’s only half done.