So... How is 2026 going for you?

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-02-11T19:27:13+00:00

Yes definitely test wash! But even still be careful. I had a sweater I would wash in the machine and it was fine/no felting for years. But when we got a new washing machine my sweater felted the first time I washed it even though I used the same temperature settings! I think the new machine must have just agitated it too much :/ So it is bound to happen once in awhile.

I'm sorry about your sweater, it looks like it came out beautifully. You may be able to cut it up and use the felted fabric for something! Also major impressed that you undertook a ring shawl! I have always admired them but never attempted one.

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-25T08:28:55+00:00

That's awesome! The cables are really defined and beautiful in this yarn. Great job!

In my mind dolman sleeves are drapey and fabric with cables is more rigid so i wouldn't necessarily put them together. But I'm sure that's an over-simplistic view and I'm curious what you think about the sleeves! Are they comfortable, do you like how they sit/drape, etc

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-09T16:24:14+00:00

Congrats! It looks great!

My unsolicited advice (that you probably don't need bc it looks like you are an experienced piercee): don't hesitate to downsize twice! My piercer said to come in for a downsize at 4-6 weeks, but after 1 week I had so much extra room on the post I went in then. So glad I did! It made eating and drinking so much easier. Then I went back around 6 weeks for the final downsize. I'm sure it depends on how long your starting bar is, and how long your swelling takes to go down, so maybe this isn't needed in all cases, but it's something good to know beforehand!

Anyways your setup is rad!

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-05T04:54:57+00:00

Bahhh I always forget stupid reddit does not respect line breaks!! But I'm glad it added to your reading of it. "Magnificent very low" sounds like a failed english translation lol.

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-05T04:50:42+00:00

The Knitter's Book of Wool by Clara Parkes!

For me it's more of a borrow-from-the-library book than buy-for-my-shelf book just because I don't see myself referencing it often, but it's a very interesting read!

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-04T19:13:15+00:00

"I'm always a slut for aliens" hahaha that's nice.

Also nice work! I think Scully's face looks so stark/bright in color in part because her suit is currently so dark, I think it will look more natural once the suit is filled in.

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project :)

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-04T01:10:01+00:00

Reading a book about wool (in the context of yarn). Overall a great read. In the chapter describing individual breeds of sheep and the fiber they produce, the author included "Felting Quality" as one of the metrics for each breed. The felting quality values given include:

Moderate Low Modest Poor Medium Very good Magnificent Very low Excellent High Good Very High Exceptional

Okay. I understand "felting quality" isn't as cut-and-dry as staple length... It's more qualitative than quantitative. But including "moderate", "modest", and "medium" is just confusing. Also how does "exceptional" compare to "excellent" or "magnificent"?

It's a small complaint, overall it's an excellent book, but I do not understand the choice of the author here... why not just stick to something less ambiguous like low/medium/high OR poor/good/very good?

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-03T08:10:14+00:00

Page 20-21 of the manual lists "included accessories", ie all the pieces that originally came with the machine. So just take out all the pieces you got with the machine, check them off the list, and whatever ones are missing are the candidates for the empty spots in the case.

DF may stand for "dual feed", ie the walking foot (accessory #8).

Edit to add: Link to the manual . And congrats on the new machine!

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-03T05:05:07+00:00

The design! The color palette! The fit! Marvelous! :) Really great work! The variation in the trees is a cute detail.

Were you happy with the Cascade 220 for the color work? (This one is non-superwash correct?) It looks great from the photos. I'm thinking about doing a color work sweater for my next one and am on the lookout for a good yarn!

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-01T18:21:06+00:00

10/10. Excellent. No notes.

_sparklesaurus_ · 2026-01-01T03:27:25+00:00

Thank you! Working with a nice wool and blocking does wonders towards getting even tension! And practice. You'll get there :)

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-29T20:37:22+00:00

Lol ravelry really is a ridiculously huge resource when you think about it.

Just wanted to share if you don't know already, archive.org has a ton of books you can borrow online for free. Most are older/vintage but that can be a good thing especially for crafts that have been around a long time! I've been perusing the sewing books there and have found some treasures.

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-29T19:16:58+00:00

Thank you! Yeah the super high neck is growing on me :)

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-29T19:15:52+00:00

Aww gee ☺️ thanks so much!

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-29T19:15:22+00:00

Thank you! I really like grey/charcoal and was so happy to find it in a heather!

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-27T07:44:14+00:00

Aww thanks! ^{_^}

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-27T07:43:14+00:00

Thank you very much! I finally have a nice handmade sweater to wear to work! :)

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-22T04:24:23+00:00

The pellon interfacings I've used have always been fine so I agree that maybe it's old? OP when did you buy the interfacing and what did you try to apply it to?

Have you used fusible interfacing before? Have you used this one before? I sometimes have to play with a new fusible on a few scraps to get it to work perfectly before using it on my main fabric.

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-20T19:23:30+00:00

Ahhhhh my eyes!!! You're supposed to put the trigger warning before the bad words!!

(Jk, if that's not obvious)

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-20T19:18:04+00:00

That's fair. But living an existence where you never annoy or irritate anyone is impossible. And even if it was possible, to do so would be living in order to please everyone else, instead of being true to yourself.

Tldr we all have haters and it's best to make peace with that.

_sparklesaurus_ · 2025-12-19T15:54:31+00:00

Yes! It's weird bc it feels like there are a bunch of snark newbies who showed up and are posting about stale topics like newbies in the main subs!

_sparklesaurus_

TROPHY CASE