Crafty Weekend

There are a lot of local activities going on this week leading into the weekend!

Hello Craft's Summit of Awesome is going on now right here in Portland. The Summit closes its lineup of workshops with a Day of Craft and party. Crafty activities will continue into the weekend with the Show of Awesome at Doug Fir Lounge (Crafty Wonderland, one of the sponsors, used to host monthly craft shows here).

Friday through Sunday is Oregon's Black Sheep Gathering, and annual fiber fest, featuring a livestock and wool show, contests, workshops, and a trade show. You can find Bumblebirch stitch markers at the Kathee Nelson Art Yarn booth. Kathee's a fellow local independent dyer and has the loveliest silk yarn. If you're heading out to Eugene, be sure to stop by her booth!

Saturday is the famous WWKIP Day (that's World Wide Knit in Public Day). You won't be able to avoid seeing knitters walking around with their projects on display in cities all over the world! Many of them will participate in photo scavenger hunts, such as the one organized by Sock Knitters Anonymous, a Ravelry group.

Bumblebirch has a bit of crafty going on in the studio this week...a new colorway is in the works. Check in again soon for a sneak preview!

Two Basic Cast On Methods, Remedied

When I first started knitting, I used to panic about what kind of cast on method to use. Now I don't panic, but I have developed preferences and experience. Until recently, I would avoid 2 particular cast on methods: the backwards loop cast on, and the long-tail cast on.



The backward loop is called the "beginner" cast on because it's so simple, and when I first started knitting everyone told me to use this method. My problem was that by the time I knitted to the end of the first row, there was huge gap of slack between stitches at the first cast on stitch (the slipknot). So I cast on one more stitch than needed, then drop the skipknot at the end. Problem solved!



My problem with the long-tail cast on is that I either overestimate the tail length and waste too much yarn, or I underestimate and have to start the whole cast on edge over again (usually multiple times). But there's a solution to this!

I was catching up on some knitting podcasts and heard about a brilliant way to fix this problem: use both ends of the ball of yarn. I haven't found a video demonstrating this, or even much discussion online, so here's the basic theory:

1. Hold both ends as one and make a slip knot. This will be the first 2 stitches of your cast on edge.

2. Position the yarn as you normally would for long-tail cast on, with one strand around the thumb and one around the index finger. You'll want to decide whether you'll knit your item from the "inside" or "outside" yarn and put that strand around the index finger.

3. Cast on infinite stitches!

4. Snip the other strand, leaving a tail long enough to weave in.

At least I don't have to avoid these cast-on methods anymore!

Sew Good to Me

I've been on a sewing kick lately. I can't stop churning out bags and tea wallets and blankets and more. Here are a few inspiring finds from etsyland:



1. Modern Quilt by quiltedbykaren
2. Hanging Fabric Storage Bin by sewingmomma
3. Handbag/Wristlet by honeyddesigns
4. SnackSleeve by agreensleeve
5. Organic cotton deer mob napkins by ohlittlerabbit
6. Round and Round Pillow Cover by kanom
7. Recycled Sail Throw Pillow by reiter8
8. Linen Patchwork Coffee Press Cozy by SometimesCrafter
9. Modern Baby Quilt by BlueElephantStitch

Works in Progress

Aside from the usual distraction, there really has been quite a lot of work going on in the Bumblebirch studio.

The Summer line of stitch markers is ready! All 8 new colors of Droplets and Petite Droplets will be listed in the shop soon!

In addition to new stitch markers, I'm pleased to announce a new colorway:

Peony

This colorway is inspired by the flowers we had at our wedding: cream and blush pink. It's just in time to celebrate our 2nd anniversary on May 25th! Peony is available in any of the Bumblebirch bases.

Me with my bridesmaid and bouquet-maker Caela

Happy May, everyone!

Sewn Bind Off

I can't believe I haven't used this stretchy bind off before! I've knit so many projects which would benefit from the sewn bind off, so I'll have to make it my standard sock bind off from now on.

Rainy Days

I don't know about your city, but it's been rainy around here!



1. Miniature Raindrop by ashleyg
2. Bloom and Grow Archival Print by swallowfield
3. Rain Bear Print by daphnecellophane
4. Ca Va Screen Printed Card by twoguitars
5. Feeding Birds Print by matteart
6. Umbrella Charm Necklace by PetitSimplicity
7. Friends Fine Art Print by michelemaule
8. PDX Raindrop Magnet by bishopart
9. Silver Cloud Ear Posts by FreshyFig