Measured Threads – Page 5 – A Fiber Arts Studio | Weaving & Knitting

December 6, 2015December 6, 2015

Be Kind To Your Socks

Now that I am selling more of my Measured Steps socks, I thought I would put up a post about caring for them. I typically use high quality German sock yarns when I knit. They are a superwash wool/nylon blend, which means that you can machine wash, gentle cycle and tumble dry on the lowest heat setting if you so desire. But, I always recommend to hand wash, lay flat to dry or drape over a towel bar. I use mild shampoo and lukewarm water, let them soak in the sink while I take a shower, rinse and squeeze out water, roll in a towel and press on it get out even more water. An occasional rinse with hair conditioner is nice too. If you lay them on a heat vent, they will dry overnight. You can wear them two times before washing if you let them air out between wearings.

They should not shrink appreciably in the washing machine and dryer if you follow the instructions from the yarn company, but there is abrasion in washer agitation and tumble drying which can cause the wool to pill and look worn sooner than if you hand washed your socks. If you insist on machine washing, turn them inside out and put them in a lingerie bag to keep them from rubbing and getting snagged on things. The good thing about the yarn is you won’t ruin your socks if they end up the the washer/dryer by accident, but if you treat them kindly you will keep them looking their best and lasting longer. I also recommend not walking around in your stocking feet in the house. Put some slippers on,e specially if you have rugs (friction again). Keep your toenails trimmed to help keep the toes from wearing out. Yes your socks will eventually wear out, but I usually get 3-4 years of frequent wear out of a pair of socks made with good quality sock yarn.

November 15, 2015November 15, 2015

Friendly Socks

Today I cranked a pair of socks for a friend. I only had to start the first sock over once. That is great progress considering I restarted the first sock 4 or 5 times on my last pair. Of course I was trying to get my tension and number of rows for the foot correct so I was really sampling. I actually had two, perfectly made, complete socks that were ripped out, one too short for my foot and the other too long. I used the same tension settings today for these, but forgot the heel spring and I dropped a stitch in the ribbing that went all the way down so, since the ribbing was too loose, I just ripped and restarted. I adjusted the number of rounds I knit in the foot for a size 7.5 woman’s shoe. The yarn is unknown. My friend Karen lost the label so I have no idea of the fiber content, brand or care instructions. My guess though, is it’s a superwash wool/nylon blend. It can probably be machine washed warm on gentle and tumbled dry on low, but all sock will last longer if treated a bit more gently by hand wash (I use shampoo) and laid flat to dry. If you are a cranker interested in the details, you can see them recorded in my projects on Ravelry.

November 13, 2015November 13, 2015

Sock Hop

I have started cranking out some socks again. Above is a pair I knit for me out of Berocco Sox Corib. Now I am working with my warm German sock yarns that you can see pictured below. I bought some some collections, so they will have similar patterns within the collections, but different colorways. Some are very bright and some are more subdued and conservative. (Plus I have a new colorful collection of Opal Potpourri yarn on the way and will post those pics as soon as they arrive.) If you want a particular size and colorway, let me know and you can choose from the sets below. Normally $28 a pair but friends and family can order a pair for $25 (if paid by cash or check (ladies sizes) until the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday November 25. I can usually have them ready within a week but will let you know if they will take longer. Shipping is not included. Men’s sizes will take longer since I want to get the ladies sizes knit first. I need to switch out cylinders re-set the machine for a larger foot size. That all takes time and I prefer to knit as many as I can on one cylinder before switching it out.) Extra large men’s feet (above size 12) may cost more if I have to use more than one ball of yarn (in that case heels, toes and perhaps cuffs will need to be knit in a solid coordinating color which I have to buy). Send me a message through the contact form here or on my Measured Threads Facebook page if you want some.

IMAG3212 — Over the Rainbow Collection (numbered from the top row left to right as #1 to #4 & bottom left to right as #5 to #8)

Hot Socks Collection (numbered from the top row left to right as #1 to #3 & bottom left to right as #4 to #6)

Morning Dew Collection (numbered from the top row left to right as #1 to #4 & bottom left to right as #5 to #8)

November 10, 2015November 10, 2015

Fiber Arts Sale

I am selling some of my handmade items at the upcoming Fiber Arts Sale at the Weavers Guild of Greater Cincinnati. The sale begins Friday, November 13 at 4 p.m. and continues on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. The work of many skilled artisans of the guild will be available to purchase for yourself or for Christmas gifts that show you care enough to give hand-made. My cowls that are pictured here are hand-knit with luxurious merino wool hand dyed in Uruguay by a family business (Malabrigo Yarn) that hires local women, uses environmentally friendly dyeing practices, and sources the wool from non-mulsed sheep that are shepherded in the hills of Uruguay. They are a warm and cushy fashion statement. If you can’t make it to the sale, contact me about knitting one just for you!

Some of my indigo dyed, shibori style cotton napkins are also in the sale. They are priced for sale in pairs so that you can make a set of 2, 4, 6 or more, and each napkin is unique. Indigo is a classic color and shibori-inspired fashion and home decor items are really trending right now. They sure make a for snazzy table at a dinner party or just for you family meals.

I have a dye day coming up and can make more napkins, along with generously sized silk scarves that flatter everyone.

I also have submitted handwoven cotton and linen towels to the sale. The warp is ring spun natural cotton and the weft is a blue cotton/linen blend. Each has a unique weaving pattern. They are individually priced, so you can buy one, two, or all four if you get there in time! Want to commission a set of towels for a gift? Contact me and I can make something similar to meet your needs.

The Weavers Guild is located at 480 Gray Road, near Spring Grove Cemetery. I’ll be there from 4-8 p.m. on Friday evening. Get there Friday if you want the best selection, there is always a line waiting to get in.

October 26, 2015October 26, 2015

Jeans Recovery

I repaired an old but still serviceable pair of jeans today. The button had pulled out of the waistband and left a hole where the button should be. One can’t just sew the old button back on (even if it could be found) because jeans buttons attach with a rivet. I know you can buy a new riveted button that can replace the missing one, but it needs to go next to the old hole since it will just pull out immediately if attached in the same spot and then won’t line up with the zipper. Alternatively you can reinforce the waistband with a double layer of denim behind where the missing button should be before riveting a new one on. Instead, I cut a square of fabric including the button out of a worn out pair of jeans that I am saving to weave a rag rug. I had to slightly enlarge the hole that was on the jeans I was fixing, pushed the button through the hole and sewed the square of fabric onto the good pair. Reinforcing and replacing at the same time! Shown is the back side after I sewed it on my sewing machine. The square of fabric making the repair has to be big enough to sew around the button with the presser foot on (button side up of course). I can wear my jeans again!