Fiber Fool

It seems I often have bits of sock yarn lying around. Often not quite enough for baby socks, nor did I know a baby until this past week. So, when I first got my Weavette for my birthday I started just weaving squares now and again from the left over sock yarn. The weight seems about right most of the time and it is very interesting to compare how the yarn looks knit versus woven in a single strand. I always leave an extra long tail at the end to allow for seaming.

Now, I started to accumulate quite the collection of squares. So, I asked a friend of ours if she would have any lavender from her garden to spare in exchange for some sachets. She hooked me up with enough to fill probably 30 - 40 sachets. Since the lavender is just going into sachets I didn’t get too picky about stems being in there as they too carry the essential oils that release the lovely scent. So, I took the large paper bag that she gave me the lavender in and stapled it shut then stomped on it a bunch. I pulled out the larger pieces of stem that didn’t break down during the stomping. Then it was time to begin the inner packets to hold the lavender.

The loom I have is 4 inches and the final squares are about 3.5 inches once removed from the loom. So, I took some scrap cutain liner (muslin or other tightly woven scrap fabric will do) and cut it into forty 3.5 inch squares. I then sewed two together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and left about 1 - 1.5 inches open on one side for turning and filling. I clipped the corners before turning right side out. Then I pressed them.

Filling these are a bit of a challenge. I used a sheet of paper for a funnel and gently shook it and the pillow together until they were comfortably full. I did not want bulging sachets and I wanted to be able to machine stitch them closed. Once filled I sewed over the open end very close to the edge to close. Since they will be covered there is no need to take the added time to hand stitch them closed.

To cover, take two weavette squares and turn one so you have the longer tails at diagonal corners. Then using a tapestry needle just start stitching the two squares together. Because you are using the yarn from making the squares the stitching is nearly invisible. I try to get two sides stitched from one tail, then I open it up slightly and weave the end in and then start stitching the third side with the other long tail. Once the third side is done, tuck in one of the muslin packets and stitch the fourth side shut. When I get to the final corner I like to make a little loop from the tail(s) using a square knot. That way it can be hung from a hanger or nail in a closet or bathroom, or it can be tucked into a drawer.

You could also fill the muslin bags with cedar shavings or a blend of cedar and lavendar to ward off moths. To just add a nice scent to a room you could use any fragrant dried flower or blend of flowers or even whole spices. Try roses, chammomile, orange blossoms, peppermint leaves, eucalyptus, juniper, bay leaves, cloves, all spice, cinnamon, or even tea that is past its drinking prime.

You can use any shape or size of the Weavette or Hazel Rose looms. Just cut your muslin pieces to match the size of the woven pieces once removed from the loom and sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and you should have plently of room to give a nice finish to the sachets.

Now, if only I could locate my Weavette book so I could play with some other textural weaving patterns! *sigh*

It has been one crazy weekend! Of course Friday noon/afternoon was the pot luck and white elephant exchange for my water aerobics class. There were only a few people from my class that went, but that was okay since I used to be a part of the class before mine. I still knew the majority of the people there. We did the white elephant a little different than normal. We each had a package and then someone read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and each time we came to “the” we passed the package one to the right. There were too many people for the common trading and/or stealing, but a few people tried to trade for my elephant. He was a big hit! :-)

Friday night we had two couples over for dinner. Thankfully DH did all the work for that one. We had a great Italian bean soup, zuchini fritti, fried ravioli, a cannelloni bean dip (similar to hummus), and the gorgeous 4-strand braid of Olive Oil and Saffron Challah. Oil was on the menu to honor the first night of Hanukkah. I was also thankful that the two couples seemed to have gotten along quite well and had plenty to talk about. I always get a little nervous when mixing up our circle of friends. I don’t know why, but I do. But it went great.

On Saturday we had a friend over to watch a couple holiday movies he hadn’t seen before. Then DH and I did a date night. We decided we had been doing too much running around for the holidays and needed a bit of time for us. We went and saw The Holiday (which I thought was a very fun holiday movie) and then had a late dinner out.

Sunday we were invited to two holiday activities. We declined the second one and it ended up being a good thing as it was out of town and we got snow and very slick roads yesterday. Instead DH cooked (more of the challah and sweet potato latkes) and I made a significant dent in the gift wrapping. Then we headed to Scimoria for a Latke party. We ate yummy latkes, played driedel, and watched The Hebrew Hammer.

I’m tired again just thinking about all of that! Whew!

I’m also getting really nervous about actually getting to MN for Christmas. It isn’t looking good. We had snow yesterday that leaft the roads pretty slick and we are scheduled for more snow through Wednesday. Nebraska is also scheduled for that as well as freezing rain through Thursday. Sioux Falls has snow for sure on Thursday and some on Friday and the same for Willmar. Our plans were to leave Thursday night. It really isn’t looking good. To beat all of this we’d have to leave tonight which definitely isn’t going to happen. I’m going to be crushed if my one chance in six years to have Christmas with my family doesn’t happen.

Pattern: Vogue 8349
Material: 5/8 yd White Polar Fleece, 4 X 4″ cream and white cotton
Time: 6-8 hours?? I’m unsure, but it was a full day’s project with a few short bathroom and e-mail breaks scattered in.
Cost: ~$10 plus pattern cost and time of course
Recipient: Someone in attendance at the holiday potluck of Susan’s MWF aqua fitness class. It is for a white elephant exchange. I just couldn’t help being literal in the translation even though that isn’t one of the many interpretations of such a gift.

This was a bit of challenge. Working with polar fleece was an experience, as was connecting so many pieces at the angles needed to achieve the three dimensions. There is definitely room for improvement in my execution of this pattern should I attempt it again (I likely shall as he is so cute I almost didn’t want to give him away). While the polar fleece makes it really nice for doing the ears and makes for a very soft and cuddly guy, I think if I try any of these other patterns it would be worth my while to do a mock-up in muslin just to get the construction down. I had a tough time where all four body pieces met.

I like the final piece even if there are some handmade quirks such as a tendency for lop-sidedness. I am hoping someone with grandchildren (though older ones as the eyes are just half-round buttons not the safety eyes) ends up with. If that isn’t the case I’d love to see the guy reappear next year. Though really, this is the first year that they have done an exchange so there may or may not be one next year.

This is my entry in the December/January gift-themed Whiplash contest. I haven’t tried entering before, but thought I should go ahead and give it a shot.

I have been occassionally sitting down to my wheel and spinning up this indigo dyed CVM from Handspun by Stefania that I got at Estes this year. It’s been on the wheel for probably somewhere around 6 weeks and I’m only closing in on the very end of ounce 2 of 3. But, I am hoping to have all three ounces spun and plied before we leave for Minnesota. I even think I may have a project in mind for it too! Shocked, yes? Me, use my handspun? LOL!

I think I have come to a conclusion that I’m not a spinning and knitting multi-tasker. While I may have multiple projects in process at a time it seems I get all consumed by one at a time. This means if I’m knitting I’m typically knitting and not working any spinning into the picture and vice versa. I’m trying to decide if this is a good thing or not.

On one hand, it makes me feel more prolific sort of. You know, how you feel great when you’ve knit a sock in just under 5 days? Nevermind that you accomplished basically nothing else besides that in those 5 days. I also have a suspicion that it helps keep my WIPs down (don’t laugh those that know me, I think the situation could be much, much worse).

On the other hand, it seems my spinning skills would probably progress at a faster rate if I didn’t get distracted by knitting for months at a time.

I guess it is something to ponder. Perhaps it would be of benefit to try to work out a way in which to spin at least once a week. Maybe that should become part of my Friday night/Saturday day activity now that we try to stay home during that time…

There has been knitting going on too, but sadly I can’t share that with you right now. Perhaps I’ll be able to share some cryptic photos in the near future. Let me just mention four words for you… wool, cables, silk, lace

Saint Lucia is a celebratory day in Scandinavia. Along with Advent, it marks the beginning of the holiday season. Despite it being a saint day it is observed by many, often with traditions that are more pagan in nature than Catholic or Orthodox. Today, it is always on December 13th, though it used to land on winter solstice each year prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.

Also known as St. Lucy day, it honors the martyr, St. Lucy of Syracuse who lived in Italy in the 4th Century. Little is known about her true history, though she is the center of many legends. One tells the tale of her eyes being gouged out for an admirer whom she did not love who felt her eyes were her greatest asset. They were said to later be restored by God. She is often represented in artwork as a woman with a dish bearing two eyeballs because of this legend. Another tale relates a similar story but the admirer tried to burn Lucia, but she prayed to God and he saved her from burning due to her kindness.

Lucy means light and that sums up the celebration in one word. It is a day of looking forward to the days growing longer and the nights shorter. Many of the customs also revolve around light and it is oftentimes referred to as the celebration of light.

Traditionally the eldest girl in a family wears a white gown and a crown of lit candles upon her head and carried a tray of coffee, Saint Lucia Buns (saffransbullar) and pepperkakor to her parents while leading a procession of any younger daughters in white carrying one lit candle each. They all sing a traditional song about the light Lucia used to overcome the darkness. Following the process it is common to sing more carols and songs about light and Lucia.

Until the early 20th century this practice was one done in homes only. Then in 1927 Stockholm elected an official St. Lucia for the city and began the traditional of a public procession. It has spread and most cities, schools, and other municipalities elect a Lucia and there is even a national Lucia crowned each year. Boys are also incorporated into these processions in various ways today.

In honor of St. Lucia, I made the saffransbullar last night. The St. Lucia buns are also called Saffron Buns in English. They are made of slightly sweet yeast dough infused with saffron. The dough is rolled into snakes and formed into curly “S” shapes and topped off with an egg yolk wash and two raisins. I had a fleeting moment when I thought I would get up very early this morning and make them, but DH talked me into making them the night before. He had baking to do so they were really finished about 1am anyway. At the darkest hours of the night, just as they should be!

If you want to learn more about St. Lucia, check out these sites…
- St. Lucia Day at Wikipedia
- St. Lucy at Wikipedia
- Lucia Morning in Sweden
- Lucia at Scandinavica.com
- Lucyfest
- Saffransbullar and Pepperkakor at Sweden.se
- St. Lucia Day photos at Flickr

There is also some great information in Swedish Christmas in America and The Swedish Table as well as a whole menu in Scandinavian Feasts.