Wanderlust armwarmers

Wanderlust Armwarmers, Rachel Price and Kate Burge. Source

I need a shorter knitting project. I need a break from the sweater I've been (not) working on for the last several weeks. So, to knitty.com I go (of course).

These are designed to show off handspun, though I can just as easily see them in malabrigo. For my part, I just bought some undyed, and somewhat vaguely described "domestic wool" roving this morning. How fortuitous, no? I do love the colorway they used here, but I'm feeling like I'll go purple. Yes. I don't often make single ply yarns, either, so this might be a nice change, and anyway, a more complex yarn would just get lost in this pattern.

The construction looks super simple, just some sideways cables and a bind off for the thumbholes. I love big, squishy cables like these; so much bang for your buck, effort-wise. And the ravelry reviews seem overwhelmingly positive for this project.

It is decided. I'll report back.

Open Studio -- Rolling Mill Texturizin'

So, here's the thing. I don't own a rolling mill. Those things are real expensive-ish. So a major plus of taking classes at MAC is that I get to use all their cool toys, rolling mill included.

Step 1. Anneal yer copper. I used 18 g.

Step 2. Make some steel wire squiggles (I used 18 g. because I wanted to make deep impressions in the copper, since I'll be doming it later on).

Step 3. Tape the squiggles to the copper (not shown: sandwich this between two pieces of brass sheet--you never want steel to get anywhere close to the rollers).

Step 4. Run it through the machine, a couple of times if necessary.

Step 5. Cut out your individual shapes.

Like I said, I'm going to dome these suckers (I made 5 circles, plus the other assorted oddments above). I'll keep you posted on what I end up with, jewelry wise. I'm pretty sure pendants are the direction we're going here, though.

MAC Class--The Star and Rueger Folds

This week, we covered the star fold (center), and the rueger fold (center bottom). 

Process photos: 

And, aspirational images:

Fancy-ass Rueger Fold, courtesy Charles Lewton Brain. Source

Earrings by Claire Sommers Buck. Source

When worlds collide: fiber and metal jewelry

Sources, from top left: 

1. Zsa Zsa Bellagio

2. Hazel Cox

3. Lynette Andreasen

4. Michaliny Owczarek

5. Bstudio on Etsy

6. Filo Rosso

7. Lynda Fletcher

8. Lynette Andreasen (again) 

Today, to Seattle!

I-5 North between Portland and Seattle, you hold many wonders. Riot Grrl tourism is by far the best. 

I've got a busy few days ahead of me--so, I shall write more once I return.