Weaverly

WIP or UFO?

Do you call these WIPs or UFOs? I'm not sure. I started the lavender neck scarf over three years ago as a project to tide me over the rough spots during our move to smaller quarters. I finished knitting it last year and it languished in a box in my closet until this week, when I washed it and blocked it. It's one of those asymmetric thingies. All it needs now is a darning in of the ends, and it will be ready to wear on these nice fall days.

The hat is my go-to project for handspun, a simple watch cap with a roll-up brim. It's great for variegated yarns. I've knit dozens of these. I think I can knit it in the dark.

And speaking of fall days, the Sustainability Center is a fall haven for walkers. Every turn of the path reveals more wonders, especially in the slanting early morning light.

There are a few late Black-eyed Susans.

A new crop of chard - how about those juicy red stems?

And in front of the Student Center, a yarn bomb! My walk is complete.

Back in the studio, I have finished the halvdräll towels in linen and hemp, and they are now hemmed and washed. They softened up beautifully in the washer. 

Here's a closer look. The tabby weft is a different color in each one, otherwise they are identical. 

Bits & Bobs

Doodling around at the computer, I came up with this 16-shaft draft with amalgamation. I'm still tinkering with it, but will probably use something similar as my next warp on the dobby loom. Click to enlarge.

Meanwhile, I've been enjoying hiking. These pictures are from yesterday at the Carrick Creek Trail at Table Rock State Park.

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Just finished reading Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller. Gorgeous.

 

A Garden Visit

With the return of good weather, we had the urge for a road trip yesterday. We drove to the University of Georgia, State Botanical Garden of Georgia, in Athens, GA. What an amazing place! There are miles of trails and multiple themed gardens. The Heritage Garden is the star, with its many regional plantings and displays.

Hanging long-necked gourds. A real show-stopper.

There were masses of this 5-ft. tall perennial in bloom: Tradescantia virginiana. For your information it's otherwise known as Common Spiderwort. I much prefer the scientific name! There is nothing common about this beauty.

Back at home the first towel on the halvdräll, the one with the red tabby, is finished.

For the second towel, I'm using the same hemp pattern weft, but this time with a gold cotton tabby. It's subtly different.

For a long time I've felt the lack of adequate lighting in this room, particularly when it comes to threading heddles. I purchased a strip lighting kit and installed lights under the castle. Here's what it looks like with the strip lights on in an otherwise dark room, kind of Halloweenish.