knitting along (scarf)

It’s Spring Break in my neck of the woods. I’m working on my long, long scarf. Remember in the late-90s, early-aughts, wearing a scarf that dangled down to your knees was a thing? I’m knitting one of those. Maybe it will make a comeback.

The yarn is from Walmart, one of those self-color-striping cakes, I think the name is Mandala.

At first I was pleased with the feel of the yarn, but the more I worked with it, it now feels rough and plastic-y to me.

I had to re-start this scarf four times. I’m winging the pattern, so I had to figure out something that wouldn’t roll. So I knit a substantial length each time, just to find the scarf rolled up. Undo. Restart. Try again. I thought the re-working of the yarn is what caused it to feel rough. Reworking fibers will do that.

But it really is the yarn itself. I bought a second ball to add on to the first, and it feels plastic-y overall. I would buy it again for a project like this (how often am I going to wear a super long scarf?) but I don’t think I would use it to make a gift for someone. That’s just me.

I do like the color choices, and how the fibers appear heathered rather than solid.

I would make another one, too, just to have something to do in the evening that I don’t have to think about.

If you are doing something spectacular with your Spring Break, do share!

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a brief look at a WPA project

I was doing one of those internet rabbit-hole things, when another blogger led me to this article about textile crafts created for the WPA. Milwaukee WPA Handicraft Project Online Exhibit.

The photos included here are ones I took directly from the article; I am using only a few to illustrate my comments. There are lots of photos, and it’s wonderful to be able to look back in time.

I was interested in the coverlet designs below. Look at those nursery beds. Would they pass all the safety inspections today? I’m impressed there was a nursery on-site to take care of the workers’ children.

That sailboat wall hanging will show up again in later photos.

There are lots of photos of wooden toys and dolls, but I am interested in the textiles. Such typical 1930s designs.

The WPA project taught skills to workers who moved on to find real employment. I know today’s corollary would be programs that teach unemployed people computer skills, but isn’t there also a need for physical skills? We used to make such beautiful things.

The above women are working on curtains, I think. The photo below I’m saving because I’d like to make some curtains just like those.

Aren’t they all so pretty? I wish we could buy these (affordably) today.

I’m interested in block printing, but that’s going to have to wait until after I retire. It would be great to design my own textile patterns (yes, I know about Spoonflower, but hands-on would be so much more gratifying).

And one day I will have time to learn hooked rug making.

This is just a small portion from the article. It’s definitely a bit eye opening to read the whole thing. So many lovely articles were hand-crafted, and so many people benefited from being given a real-world skill.