New Experience

Being a spinner, I find myself on occasion thinking I want a fleece.  At the LYS, the owner has some already cleaned fleece that she sells by the ounce.  I brought it home and took a brush to flick the locks open.  This is what I had after I finished flicking it.  I took it back to the LYS and ran it through the drum carder.  

I spun the two batts and then plyed them together.  This is my finished yarn.  I have around 210 yards of a light worsted to worsted weight.  I think the finished yarn is awesome.  I am not sure that I will ever get a raw fleece since I am really not that into dealing with cleaning it but it sure was a fun thing to try.

Socks and Spinning

My sock knitting mojo had taken a serious dive, but I seem to have found it possibly. I haven't finished a pair of adult socks since October of last year.

I started this pair of Charade Socks last week and so far they seem to be working out so far.

I had started a pair of Gentleman socks with this yarn but they were way to small so I frogged them yesterday and started a pair of Anniversary Socks with the yarn. I am enjoying knitting this pattern so far. I hope they will continue to work out.

At least my spinning is still going okay. I haven't had a lot of time to spin lately but when I do get a chance it turns out pretty good. This yarn is called Aquarius and it is a three ply. I have over 200 yards of a DK to light worsted weight. I am still trying to figure out what to knit with it.

When Knitting Fails You

You resort to spinning.  I started a new sock project with some hand spun that I finished last year.  I am trying different Cat Bordhi patterns from New Pathways for Sockknitters with my handspun sock yarn since most of them are toe up patterns and I can use up most of the yarn that way.

You start a new spinning project.  I am trying to turn this into a 3 ply worsted weight yarn.  I don't usually try to spin like that but we will see what I get.  The color is Aquarius from a dyer somewhere in Iowa.

 Last but not least, you fondle pretty new hand spun yarn.  This is the yarn that I intend to make a scarf for my sister with but I really like how it turned out so I am a little tempted to keep it for myself.  What do you think, would you keep it?  I am thinking this yarn would make a good Argosy.

Third Time is a Charm

Well, it seems that Noro Kureyon Sock has a mind of its own. This yarn did not cooperate much in the pattern and yarn matching department. First, I thought it wanted to be the Undulating Rib Socks. Apparently not. They ended up in the frog pond.




Thinking that the second pattern (Ravelry link) I picked would work, nope. I admit that I was constantly messing this pattern up. It might have had something to do with not liking to knit my socks toe up.



So the third time was the charm with this yarn. I was able to complete the Cabled Rib Socks from the Favorite Socks book. I will probably knit with this yarn again (in a very simple rib pattern or a plain sock). The reason why you ask??? These socks are warm. I think living in Minnesota a girl needs warm socks.

Where the Yarn Speaks

I have always heard "the yarn will tell me". I never believed it until now. My friend Linda sent me this yarn. I guess it wanted to move up here in the cold. Maybe this yarn needs a therapist because I would have stayed where it was warmer. I am really glad that it wanted to come here though. Thanks again, Linda.



This yarn finally got an "attitude adjustment" and is becoming a pair of socks FINALLY. I am using the Cable Rib Pattern from Favorite Socks. I do enjoy the pattern but I am not enjoying the cables stitches on size 0's too much.




This yarn has dreams of being a Christmas ornament, little does it know that it will be my next sock project. I am thinking Diagonal Cross Rib Socks or Embossed Leaves from the Favorite Socks book. Do you see a pattern developing here? All of a sudden I have been wanting to make the patterns out of this book. I got this book last year for Christmas and it wasn't until the last pair of socks I made did I get the "bug" to make so many of them. I am still trying to avoid making another pair of Monkeys. I should just give in and make another pair though, huh?




Last, but not least by any means, what would a blog post from me be like without a gratiuitous picture of Buddy.

Forget Snow, Bring on the Yarn and Socks

First, the yarn. This is my third attempt at spinning and plying. I love to spin and wish I had more time to get better. It is Corridale top that I dyed with some green and yellow Kool Aid. There is about 420 yards of approximately fingering weight in the two hanks. The yellow didn't show up much but it made it a really pretty spring green. I am deciding what to knit with it. I will use this for something but I am not sure what.



Second, the socks. I will admit to having four pairs of socks in progress right now. Two pairs I haven't touched in a LONG time. These are the two pairs that are seeing a little knitting action. I am making a pair of Monkeys for myself and the first one is done. I am working on the second one now and I am almost through with the leg and hope to get to the heel this evening.



This is the beginning of my Swirl Sock. It is the Loopy Ewe sock club. I really like the yarn it is Cherry Tree Hill. I was obsessed with it for a couple of days and then life got in the way. I am hoping to have both pairs done by the end of the month. The picture does not do this yarn justice. I hope to get a better picture later.

Been Busy

It has been busy around here lately. I am babysitting for the neighbors tonight but this week has just flown by.



Monday was the Parent Tea that served apple juice and hot cider for the Punkinbug's preschool class. The absent minded knitter forgot to take the camera to take pictures during the event but managed to get a picture of the graham cracker house that we built together before the little girls of the house snarfed it down for dessert after supper on Monday. I really had a good time and I think the Punkinbug did too.

Tuesday, I got all my Christmas shopping done. Now I just have to wrap it.

Wednesday, I had Mom's group and just hung out at home and knitted on my sock.



I have been working on the Autumn installment of the Loopy Sock Club. I am done with the first sock and about a third of the way done with the second one. I am so glad I got to participate in this club. It is great stuff. I think they are turning out pretty good.




I am already thinking ahead to the next sock project.I am thinking of using this yarn. It is Seacoast Panda in Signs of Spring. I really like this yarn and this colorway. The colors tend to swirl around the foot which I really like. I am thinking of Monkeys maybe but not sure yet. I am open to suggestions if anyone wants to add one.

My Ears are Warm (for the Moment)

Well, I finished my Foliage hat. I love this hat. I love this yarn and I absolutely adore the little model. He likes to "borrow" it and wear it around the house. "Hat" he says. I hope he lets me wear in when I go outside.



I used the Malabrigo merino worsted in the Curacao colorway. I started it on November 24, and finished it up November 27, 2007. It was a very easy knit and quick too. I am thinking of making some for gifts.





I did promise so yarn in the last post. Well this is Socks That Rock in the Sugar Plum colorway. I think Linda would like this one.




This one is Grinchy. Both are my preferred Lightweight sock yarn. I think this yarn is awesome and I love to knit with it. If I ever win the lottery (which I don't play so that isn't happening) I would order every color.




Last and probably least, is my current sock project. I think this yarn is jinxed. I can not motivate myself to work with it. I am hoping to plug through and maybe give them to my sister in law. I want to finish them to get this yarn out of my stash but at this point I am tempted to frog them. Maybe it would make a pretty scarf I don't know. It is KnitPicks Memories in the Fly Fishing colorway that is now discontinued.

Hey, I might dig out my lace scarf and work on it instead, I never know.

More Hats

I promised more hats in my last post. Well, I don't want to disappoint my fan base so here are the hats that I have made since last week. All three were made out of KnitPicks Swish Worsted. I love this yarn. It washes up well and is pretty soft. The blue hat has already been washed and hardly any pilling at all. I even washed it with a load of jeans to test it out. I am considering using this yarn for a sweater I want to make. The three colors are Dark Navy, Sunshine, and Ballerina. I used the Fiber Trends Pattern for Easy Mittens and Hats.





Here are the little "angels" and their hats. I have no idea about the funny face on Punkinbug.




Since the children are having warm heads this winter, I think it is my chance to have a warm head too. I have just cast on the Foliage hat for me. I am using this Malabrigo in the Curacao colorway. I hope it turns out okay. I am not much of a lace knitter but I am going to give it a go. I will probably use the other hank for a scarf because my head isn't that big.


Go Kansas Jayhawks!!! I hope they beat Mizzou tonight.
Next post, yarn?????

A No Pictures Post

I have learned a big lesson. Never buy more than one hank of sock yarn from a company until you decide if you like it or not. I have two hanks of the Perchance to Knit and I am pretty disgusted with it. It did not help that my daughter cut it either. I am so tempted to swap with someone if they are interested. I know that the sock fits so far, I am just really unhappy with the yarn splitting so much.

I was able to find jars. Dh picked them up for me at the Wal-Mart in the town where he works. I have 27 jars of salsa canned so far this year plus I have about 50 more tomatoes that are ripe that I need to turn into something else.

Happy Knitting

Always Behind

I can't believe it has been three weeks since I last posted. It seemed all I did for about a week was frog stuff. I have been reading alot too. I am probably the only person in the world that wasn't all over the Harry Potter book when it came out. I have only read the first two. I read those a few years ago so I started over at the beginning and now I am on the second book. It will be a while before I get to the last one I think.





I have been knitting on a pair of Jaywalkers, (yes I know I am behind everyone on those too). I am making this pair for my sister in law. I am using the Socks that Rock lightweight in Chapman Springs. This yarn is holding up well considering how many times I have started over.






I have finished the first one and I am almost to the heel flap on the second. This yarn is great for this pattern. It really shows off the yarn without a pattern getting lost in it.

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I have also made salsa. I love making salas but I wish my recipe made more at one time. I never seem to have enough tomatoes at one time to make more than a few pints at a time, but the husband claims it is the best salsa he has ever had so I will trudge on and make more throughout the summer and fall.




Some really pretty yarn came to live with me. It is a hank of Seacoast Merino/Tencel in the Autumn colorway and a hank of Dream in Color in the In Vino Veritas colorway. Now which one to knit first????

Happy knitting.

From Stealing the Mouse to Marshmallows

I think our Mouse Thief has started a life of crime. He has moved up the criminal ladder to marshmallows. I found the Mouse Thief in the kitchen with his hand in the bag of minature marshmallows. He really likes them. Oh I hope that motorcycles aren't next.


I also got my Socks That Rock yarn in the mail the other day but this is the first chance I have had to post it. The colors are Chapman Springs for a pair of socks for my wonderful sister in law and the other color is Knitty Rocks and that pair will be for ME!!!! There was no way that she was getting a pair with that yarn and I wasn't.



Happy Knitting!!!

Yarn Yippee!!!!!

I got some beautiful sock yarn that I had to show off. I have to thank the the Loopy Ewe and Lisa Souza. The yarn on the left is Zen Yarn in Peppermint Mocha and the yarn on the right is Violet Pink Ribbon. I can't wait to start knitting with them.

First, I have to finish this Blossom sweater that I am making for Elisabeth. We were supposed to go on a trip to visit family this weekend but the weathter got kind of icky so we all stayed home. It was nice to have Brett home for a couple of days in a row. When your husband only gets one day off a week that is really nice. We went to Sioux Falls on Saturday but I didn't get to any of the yarn shops over there. It is probably for the best since I have declared this month as a UFO month. I have lots of projects on the needles that either need to be finished or eliminated. I also am going to try not to buy any more sock yarn until I finish two pairs. I don't think that will happen thanks to Sheri.