Soap, Steeking, a Skein, and a Shawl ... Odds & Ends

 

Saturday was soap day. I have just a small sliver left of the one I made last October. I'm trying a new recipe this year, it's supposed to cure quicker. "Basic recipe three" from Country Living Handmade Soap (c)1998 Hearst Books. Coconut oil, Palm oil, and Olive oil. So far so good.

Last Thursday was not so good. My car got totaled. Other car flew down a hill ignoring stop sign into intersection, hitting my car on the driver's side and sending it over a three-foot wide curb into an adjacent parking lot. I'm fine, but it was a most unpleasant experience. Pretty much feeling my old self again and now waiting to hear from insurance adjuster.

I made this sweater a few years ago...

I haven't worn it much. It's very bulky, especially in the color work where there are sometimes 3 colors in the same row. The yarn, Lettlopi, is very 'scratchy' as well. Ran across it while cleaning my room a few weeks ago.

It's time to take the matter into hand. I put a lot of time into knitting it and it is, after all, quite a beautiful pattern: FJÖRÐUR, by Bergrós Kjartansdóttir.

Shocking as it may seem, I decided to steek it and turn it into a Cardigan. I undid the collar then, using a thinner yarn, hand 'serged' a row on either side of the vertical center line using a crochet hook (pickup and single crochet a chain), then took the scissors to it. Not as bad as it sounds. I think I will use the sewing machine to reinforce the cut edges before knitting a band and collar. I tried it on after cutting, and already it's more comfortable for me. One thing though: I'm going to use a different--softer--yarn for the new collar.

Crocheted 'serging' on both sides of center line.

Cut open, waiting for bands and new collar.

Another skein of the 'creamsicle' colored wool is spun up.

Cormo? Maybe.  49 yds. Chain ply.

I've been knitting up the Wellington Fibres wool/alpaca/mohair blend that I spun in July. I'm taking a chance that I have enough to knit Celtic Myths Fingering Shawl (pattern ©Asita Krebs) in the gauge I'm using. I think I will just sneak by, but if per chance I run out, I'll find a solution; will cross that bridge if we meet it.

Celtic Myths Fingering Shawl (pattern ©Asita Krebs)