Summer Knitting & Sewing Fix: Lace Test Knits, Spinning Backups & Upcycled Projects
I’m so glad to be back at my wheel—knitting, spinning, sewing, and sharing life from our little Arkansas farm. This week has been tough (hello, mystery bug in the house!), but staying cool in the AC has given me plenty of cozy craft time. Let me take you through everything I’ve been up to: from test knits and yarn adventures to upcycled skirts and free audiobooks I’ve been loving.
Knitting Mojo: Test Knit Success!
After a bit of a slump, my knitting mojo has returned—just in time for three exciting test knits!
The Laulu Tee Test Knit
I’m knitting a V-neck tee designed by Sari Nordlund and I’m thrilled to report I met the deadline: Yoke, neck shaping, and both sleeves are done on time!
Construction: Instead of the usual V-neck increases on the inside edges, this pattern asks you to increase on the outside so that a gorgeous lace-and-cable panel can shine. The neck opening is quite shallow, so I bound off loosely to make sure I can easily pull it over my head—no neckline face-plants here!
Yarn: I’m using The Wandering Flock’s Cotton Lino base in “Pyrite,” a green-gold blend that drapes beautifully—linen, cotton, silk, and a touch of alpaca give it softness without bounce.
Blocking note: Picking up stitches for sleeve cables has left a bit of puckering where the body meets sleeves. I’ll be giving it a good soak and brave blocking session to smooth everything out.
Yarn economy: I knit the entire yoke on just one skein, added my second skein to finish the sleeves, and still had plenty left to power through the body. Since Cotton Lino is a splurge base, it’s a relief to know I only need 2-3 skeins total to complete a wearable tee!
This pattern should officially release in a couple of weeks—if you love charted lace with cables, keep an eye out!
Top-Down Texture: Tori Knits NYC Prospect Pullover
Next up is Tori Yu’s “Prospect Pullover,” a drop-shoulder sweater worked from the top down in North Bay Fiber’s Heritage DK base.
Yarn vibes: The Heritage DK is a lofty wool-and-something (it feels like mostly wool spun with air)—perfect for spit-splicing, so I can join new balls without weaving ends. https://www.northbayfiber.com
Stitch pattern: Simple knits and purls arranged in stripes of texture that mimic an Aran-style look without complicated cables. I chose a light “Sandpoint” shade to really show off the raised stitches.
Progress: I raced through the yoke, knitting it in two days. Next on my list is the collar—once I finish this ball, I’ll cozy up to that neat, folded neckline.
Because the test knit isn’t due until mid-September, I have breathing room, but I’m having so much fun I just want to keep going. Yarn support from Jill at North Bay Fiber means I get to keep playing with this squishy goodness!
Spinning Plans: Handspun Dreams & Backups
I’d hoped to spin up my own fiber for Andrea Mowry’s latest test knit, but life—and pandemic-style viruses—got in the way. My spindle practice has been focused on refining technique, and I’ve only managed to spindle-spin a bit. Rather than stress, I put together a backup plan:
Yarn backup: Pairing two skeins—“Reminisce” from Farmer’s Daughter Fibers (Val) and “Dyed in the Wool” from SpinCycle (Goldie)—for a tonal duo that will still look gorgeous.
Why backup plans rock: Having handspun ambitions is wonderful, but sometimes deadlines or energy levels call for a reliable Plan B. These two prep-dyed fibers will knit up beautifully in case my handspun isn’t ready in time.
Sewing Spotlight: Upcycled Henrietta Skirt & Denim Dreams
On the sewing front, I dove into Spaghetti Western Sewing’s Henrietta skirt pattern using actual curtains from my grandma’s house!
Upcycling win: The scalloped-edge curtains gave the skirt unique detailing. To get the right width and length, I pieced panels thoughtfully, and I love how airy it turned out.
Sheer reality: It’s extremely translucent—wearing it solo would be ambitious—so I’ll pair it with a lightweight silk slip underneath. A smooth slip avoids bulky linings and keeps the skirt’s drape delicate.
Fit tip: I recommend checking finished waist circumference before cutting. You want enough room to pull the waistband comfortably over your hips, but not so much extra fabric that it overwhelms your frame.
I also prepped two more paper patterns: the Protea pants (not cut yet) and the Just My Luck jeans in an 8 oz narrow-stripe railroad denim. I pieced in cotton quilting fabric for hidden pocket bags—a little nod of fun. These barrel-leg jeans are next on my sewing table!
Racing the Clock: Tour de Fleece Spinning Challenge
July 25th marks the end of the annual “Tour de Fleece” spinning challenge, and I still need to finish my pressed-flowers cardigan fiber before the deadline. With spindle spinning and family health taking priority, I’m running out of time—but it’s been a joyful (if slightly rushed) process. I’m aiming to complete my fiber spin and ply it before the deadline, then it’s straight to the wheel to prep for knitting.
What I’m Listening To: Free Audiobook Finds
When my hands are busy, my ears are free—and I’ve discovered a few great audio gems:
A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Diane Freeman (Audible freebie): I haven’t started it yet, but it was recommended by a viewer and sounds delightfully genteel.
A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari (Libby eBook + Audible): Set in 1923 London, featuring Saffron Everliegh, the first female research assistant at UCL. Expect greenhouses, dark gardens—and murder mysteries at dinner parties.
Hamish MacBeth series (Prime Video): A ’90s cozy mystery series set in the Scottish Highlands—accent heaven for this Anglophile. If you remember the TV show, let me know if the audiobooks live up to the nostalgia!
Switching between reading on Kindle and listening on Libby/Audible keeps things fresh. Do you have any recommendations for historical mysteries or cozy dramas? Drop them below!
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Wrapping up
Phew—that’s a lot of making in one post, but it’s what keeps me inspired even when we’re all under the weather and melting in Arkansas heat! What are you working on? Knitting, sewing, spinning, or something entirely different? And of course, I’m always hungry for book and TV show recommendations.
If you enjoyed this sneak-peek into my craft life, give this post a thumbs up, hit subscribe (if you’re on YouTube), and share your latest projects in the comments. Until next time, stay cool, stay crafty, and happy making!
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