Sorry, it has been a bit since my last post. IRL and all that. You can always catch up with me on Instagram (@vixenpath) where I post a weekly snippet. The link is on the sidebar.
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| Spring bonnet for a goose |
I believe in keeping your promises. I made a promise to my friend that I would make her goose and three goslings...hats for spring.
This caused some serious hilarity in conversations but in the end, it really provided me a big challenge.
When you say that you can make something that fits any body type then you should be able to make something for say a teddy bear, a favorite doll, or in my case, a bunch of really cute geese.
My sister was nice enough to take me over to measure the diameter that I was working with since it was different from when I made them Christmas Hats.
The hats have this lovely little flower petal motif that works into feather-and-fan (what pattern would you expect a goose to have? lol).
The collar has an i-cord that makes it adjustable so it can be tightened up around the neck if need be.
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| the happy family wearing their new hats |
The goslings gave me a bit of a challenge. I took the original flower motif and shortened it while still keeping the petals and feather and fan for the edge. I was very happy with the way they came out.
So yes, I can happily say that I kept my promise and move on to the next hat in my life.
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| working on Laurene |
I have loved creating this hat. I adore the motif that the mosaic knitting creates. The Latvian Braid looks so amazing here as well.
I have never made a top-down hat before and this has been quite a journey. This week stopped me in my tracks as I tried to figure out how to write in the pattern fixing the jog that occurs at the join.
In the Latvian tradition, it is known that this jog occurs and it is okay. They put it in a place that is not so conspicuous. The yarn they used is more of a fingering/sock weight so it also is more compact and less noticeable than the worsted yarn I am using for this hat.
So, knowing all that is one thing but knitters like options and I like to give them plenty in my patterns.
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| close up of a Latvian Braid |
I think I have decided to write the history in the pattern and then give a video link for a step-by-step option for making the join less noticeable. You do this by using duplicate stitch very carefully to mimic the path of the braid.
It isn't an easy thing to do and every time I try it I get a different result. That is why I don't have a video yet to accompany this post but I am working on it.
Still, IMHO I think it is worth the little bit of fiddliness if you are worried about how it looks.
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My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Ukrainian people. There are not even words to describe how horrible it must be to be displaced and deprived of basic human rights.
I have been moved to tears by the outpouring of support from other countries. The people who are taking in refugees and giving them care and comfort are heroes in my eyes.
In a crisis, most knitters take up their needles and start working towards helping through their craft. While I know these items will be appreciated, right now they need the most basic of necessities: housing, food, and financial assistance.
I understand that not everyone can provide financial assistance. There are other ways you can help and make an impact. Razom For Ukraine has links on how to write or call your elected officials. This can make a huge impact and create a sincere show of support. Also, they have made it easy with scripts and letters that are easily copied for your use.
Airbnb is providing free temporary housing for displaced Ukrainians that is funded by the Airbnb Refugee Fund.
Two fiber people I follow are giving back to help the Ukrainian people:
Cassipinka - created a hat pattern that is free and is made with the sunflower motif of Ukraine. She asks you to donate the amount that you would have paid for the pattern to the World Central Kitchen, The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, or Global Giving Organization
Miss Babs has an entire sunflower-themed palette that donates 30% of all funds to the World Central Kitchen.
If you search on Etsy for Ukrainian crafters. You can buy digital knit patterns and your money goes directly to a person.
I find it helpful to have an honest resource to keep updated on the war crisis. #Ukraine Facts
There is always something you can do and it means more than you know.
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Safe socially-distanced hugs 🤗
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Sending love and light to everyone being affected by this virus.
May you be safe.
May your loved ones be safe.
🙏
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Sending love and light to everyone facing discrimination, hate, prejudice, inequality, or racism.
🙏🙏💖💖🙏🙏
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Vixenpath is a safe space.
If you are:
LGBTQ+
Black
Brown
Asian
Any race
Coming out
Anything.
I am a safe person and I will always hold space for you in love and light.
