I have quite a few not-worthy-of-publishing tutorial videos on hand.  One of them was attempted while I was blogging on the Mirrix blog last year and consists of a number of outtakes of me standing beside my Mirrix saying, "Hello Mirrix Junkies!" Which I quickly decided was not politically correct, but is still kind of a funny thing to watch.  All my video tutorial attempts occur during Sam's naps which are about 2-3 hours long.  It is amazing to me how hard it can be to make a half-decent clip, and then how long it takes to shoot and edit the 5 minute video.  I need to start scripting future videos since I'm really camera shy to the point where even though I'm not in the shot I cannot form a normal sentence because I know I'm being recorded. Sometimes I ask myself why I do them, and then I realize I can't not because I love sharing textile hand-work knowledge!  Also, they com in quite handy for correspondence between myself and people interested in learning techniques that I use.  Since as part of my practice I share textile techniques in public or for free by way of grants I get a lot of questions by email, so these videos allow me to offer link instead long winded individual replies. That's not to say I don't love chatting with people over email about textiles or keeping in touch with students - making fast fibre friends is half the reason I teach! It's just, email jail is never my chosen destination.  Anyone who is smiling in recognition of that term understands.

So with that said, here is another quick, Sam's nap worth of video on how to finish those lose weft ends on the back of your tapestries.  Enjoy!
​
​Janna

I'm super excited to finally be offering this shrug design as a pattern.   It uses a few skeins of Malabrigo Rasta in natural making it the coziest garment in your closet (mmmm, merino).  It is perfect to wear in the fall when the weather is turning cold, and I wear mine inside the house constantly - it's like wearing a hug.  Um, yes I just said that, because seriously it is.  

You also have the option of buying the lovely ceramic buttons too,  which are made by Just Potters, a local social enterprise.

::: about the pattern :::
I’ve made over a dozen in various sizes and if made bigger than your measurements it can work well as an over-sized slouchy sweater too. The construction is designed in a way that allows you to try it on as you make it. It’s a super quick and easy pattern beginning as a simple bolero with no increasing involved, just a change of needle size from 10mm circular knitting for one arm hole, to 25mm flat knitting for the back and then back to 10mm circle knitting for the second arm hole. Next two simple sections of single crochet are added; one to increase length and add the two front panels, and the other for the collar.  Button-holes are not intentionally made since the crochet work is loose enough to fit buttons.  

The following are techniques employed in this pattern: Stockinette in the round, garter stitch worked flat and single crochet worked flat.

Suggested Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rasta
Yarn weight: Super Bulky (5-6 wpi)
Gauge: 9 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Needle size: one pair of US 15 - 10.0 mm knitting needles for knitting in the round, one pair of US 50 - 25.0 mm knitting needles for knitting flat and one crochet hook size 15.0 mm (P/Q)

Sizes 
​XS [S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL] (shown in size Medium)

Finished measurements
Chest: 30 [32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52] inches
Length: 19 [21, 24, 25, 26.5, 28, 31] inches

Materials
[MC] Malabrigo Rasta [merino wool; 90yd/82m per 150g skein]; color: Natural; 270yds [360, 400, 525, 540, 600, 600] skeins

Saige and Sky weavings at the Eastside Flea
Tumbleweed Shades' mahogany frames with maple arrows (40% off now!)
Ana Isabel Textiles' work in progress for IDS West in 11 days' time.