Waxing Poetic

Sometimes the arts of spinning and knitting can be cruel.  Yarn doesn't turn out the way we want or gauge lies to us and stabs us in the back.  I would have to say that I am probably asking for a big tush whooping from the knitting and spinning spirits.  I am in love with my projects right now and they are AWESOME!!!!!!

This is some Panda blend that I am plying right now and it is so pretty.  It looks to be really even and I am excited to knit with it.

How can you not be happy with a project when it looks like this.  Such happy and pretty colors make my little heart sing.

They Are DONE!!!!!

I finished those socks that were preventing me from starting the Neon Spring Socks.  They are on the needles already but haven't taken a picture yet.  I finished them on Monday.

Some Finn wool that I dyed with some Kool-Aid last week.  I am really looking forward to spinning this.

Motivation to Finish

I really hoped to finish knitting these socks this past weekend, but it didn't quite happen.  I am on the last repeat with a toe to go, so I did make quite a bit of progress from this picture that was taken on Saturday.

I really want to cast on this yarn for a bright pair of socks so I think I will ball it up and put it in front of me as motivation to finish the others up.

Handspun Projects

I love knitting with handspun yarn.

ZuZu's Petals in Wild Ivy Vintage Merino

Just Knit It in Wild Ivy Stolen Moments superwash merino

It Kind of Spun Itself

This is Hello Yarn Evaporate Targhee that was a Yarn School color in Fall of 2010.  I purchased this from a friend who is moving away soon.  This is the half that I have not started spinning yet.

I started spinning this fiber before I left for work this morning.

This is how much I have left of the first two ounces.

This is the current bobbin shot with just that little bit left to go on the first bobbin and before I start the second one.


I have two other braids of Hello Yarn fiber, but now I wondering do I save them until I have a project in mind or do I just spin them because they are AWESOME.

Kiss Knitting Monogamy Goodbye

At least for a little while.  I couldn't resist any longer and cast on a Chickadee Cowl with some handspun.  I have only been working on it since I started but I reserve the right to work on my socks if the mood strikes me.

Saturday Socks and the Darkside

I finished these socks last weekend.  They are Charade Socks in Two Windows Dye Co.  Knitty Bitty sock.  
I used size 0 Hiya Hiya Sharps on a 40 inch circular.

These I finished before I started the previous pair. I just sort of made up a pattern for these and I used Lollipop self striping.  I used a size 1 Chiagoo 40 inch circular.

This is my current sock in progress.  I am using Araucania Huasco on a size 0 Hiya Hiya Sharp 40 inch needle.  The pattern is called Bowties are Cool.  I am not following it exactly I changed the heel flap since I am not a big fan of the garter stitch edges on the one the pattern called for.

I am going to admit that I used to think using Magic Loop was like going to dark side in Star Wars.  I was old school double point needles all the way.  I dabbled in two circulars some but I always preferred the double points, but one day I lost one of my needles somewhere so I decided to try Magic Loop.  I have gone to the dark side all the way.  All three of these pairs of socks were knitted Magic Loop.  

Spinning

I have been knitting quite a bit but haven't taken pictures of my projects but I have taken some of my recent spinning.  This is Wild Ivy BFL in Popsicles on Asphalt.  I made that name up for it.  It is around 280 yards of navajo plied fingering to sport weight.

This is the first bobbin of my Greek Mythology Persephone.  It is Polwarth/Silk and this one is called Despair.

This is Wild Ivy Merino in Spain.  I am still spinning this and I am planning to navajo ply it.

Three FO's on Friday

Hitchhiker

Forest Canopy Shawl

Nola Cloche

Project monogamy has been good for me.  I seem to finish the projects I start and I am always excited to start a new one.  I have a hard time deciding what to knit next as I want it to be a GOOD project since it will be the only one I am knitting at that time.  I have another one started that will be for the next post.

Crochet, Spinning, and Hitchhiking

I got on a crochet kick and crocheted seven new dishcloths.

I finished spinning the Eye of Jupiter corriedale.  I got about 172 yards.  It is a worsted weight that is very squishy.

I finally decided to knit a Hitchhiker.  I have been contemplating this for a very long time for some reason.  I have a feeling I will be buying patterns this year instead of yarn.  I really want to use up the yarn that I have. I do tend to pick free patterns but if I find one I really like I will make it from stash.  The stitch marker is where I started yesterday.

I moved the stitch marker to where I started today.  I am curious how far I can get today.

A Little Spinning

I am way behind on my spinning this year.  I have lots I want to spin but can't seem to get the motivation to spin more.  This is deep stash (yea Me), Woolen St. Mill Eye of Jupiter on corriedale.  It was in three separate pieces and I turned each one of them into 18 rolags.  I am spinning them supported long draw and I plan to navajo ply it.

Here is the bobbin shot.  I am thinking either a crazy hat or a pair of mitts of some sort.

This is my most recent finished yarn, 406 yards of superwash merino by Wild Ivy the color was Stolen Moments.  This was spun straight from the braid and navajo plied.  I am looking forward to knitting it soon.

Project Monogamy....Kinda

The sweater is in the penalty box because I have to reknit the sleeves because they were too long. 

 I knit and gave away this baby blanket for my great niece.  It is the Little Bubbles pattern.  I think it was well received.  I failed to take a picture of the completed blanket.  I knit on this exclusively until it was finished (at least at home that is where the kinda comes in).

I had actually started this shawl before the baby blanket but I decided to knit a blanket since my original plan didn't work out.  I picked this back up and this will be my at home project until it is finished.  I am using handspun Dark BFL in Gumball from Gale's Art.  

Spinning on a Saturday

I finished Frog and Carp and got around 409 yards of a two ply fingering weight.  I am not sure what this is going to become just yet.  I find that the longer I am spinning the less attached I get to my handspun.  Maybe it will be a gift for someone.

This is my current spinning project.  This is Wild Ivy Superwash Merino in Stolen Kisses.  I have plans to navajo ply this and make a kick sack for my great niece that is due in March.

A Mystery Knit A Long Revealed

I participated in the Stitchnerd's Mystery Cowl Knit a Long and this is the finished object.  I had almost forgotten that it was time to reveal them.  I used some yarn that I got at Hobby Lobby. It ended up being a gift for my son's teacher.  Punkinbug looks very stylish modeling for me.

Slogging Along

Project monogamy really makes for lousy blog posts.  I am really trying to finish this sweater that has been on the needles for over two years.  The only reason it has taken me this long is because sweaters SCARE me.  I am afraid of the sewing up and wondering how it is going to turn out.  I have a completed back, two completed fronts (except I still need to fix them where I messed up), and I almost have a completed sleeve. I have done one of the fronts and the sleeve just since New Year's Eve.  I am trying to finish this in time to wear to a baby shower in a couple of weeks.

I haven't been spinning too much so this is what I am working on now (mainly in between sessions with my sweater).  This is FatCatKnits in Frog and Carp superwash merino.  I am about halfway done with the plying.

Happiness and Heartbreak

A back and two front pieces equal happiness.

 Correctly doing the decreases on the back pieces also equal happiness

 Screwing up the decreases on the two front pieces equals heartbreak.

Still having to knit the two sleeves, button bands and collar also equals heartbreak.

A New Year of Goals

Well, a new year has come upon us so I have made myself some goals.

These are the ten things I want to do this year.

1. Take better care of myself and exercise more.  I did better last year and I want to continue.

2. Further develop my relationship with God.  I did read my Bible everyday last year and I hope to do that again this year.  (I already read for today).

3. Use yarn from my stash.

4. Knit more sweaters.  I am determined to finish the sweater I started in 2010.  I just have the two sleeves, part of the right front, button bands, and collar.

5. Project monogamy.  I will try not to have too many projects going so I can finish things in a timely manner.

6. Read 75 books.  I read 52 last year after I started keeping track in June.  I love Goodreads for keeping track.

7. Blog more.

8. Spin at least 26 braids with a main goal of 39.

9. Run a 5K without stopping to walk at all.

10. Find joy in everyday.  Remember what is really important and not to worry about things that don't really matter or that I can't control.

I hope you all have a great year.

One Last Post

My last finished project for 2012.  These are the Fletcher Mittens and I used FatCatKnits September Mythology Creation in Falkland.  I love these, I think they are awesome.  My husband said they were weird because if pointy tips but I am hoping to put them to good use since it has been snowing here all day.

This is the last project I started in 2012.  Just a basic sock with a little ribbing down the sides for interest.  I am using Lollipop yarns 80/20.

I hope you all have had a blessed holiday season and hope your 2013 is filled with lots of knitting and spinning.

Hats, Socks, and Mittens

 This is the last Simple Slouchy hat that I needed to get done.  I knit five of these hats since the beginning of October.

 These were my socks that were supposed to be for the self striping knitalong in September and October, I just finished them a couple of weeks ago.  Just took pictures this morning.

I have started a pair of Fletcher Mittens with some handspun from the FatCatKnits September Mythology.  This one was called Creation and the fiber is Falkland. The only thing I dislike about this pattern is all the ends to weave in but I think they are going to be really neat when they are finished.

Same Hat, Different Color Yarn

I love knitting this Simple Slouchy hat and since it is great mindless knitting I don't mind knitting it for other people.  This hat is for my boss's mother.  I am using Malabrigo worsted in Sealing Wax.  I love love love this yarn and it is so awesome to knit with.

Just a Minute on Monday

This fiber

turned into this yarn.

Frabjous Fiber BFL in Trapeze approximately 380 yards.  I might make a scarf version of the Clapotis with it.

A Hat with Braids

Thorpe
Universal Deluxe Chunky in Purple and Caron Simply Soft in Hot Pink
Needles Size 9
Started November 30, 2012
Finished December 2, 2012

I added a lazy daisy flower to the top and added three more strands of yarn for the braids.
Super quick knit, my girls are already asking for one for themselves.

Quickie Post #1

This is a hat that I knit for my boss. It is the Simple Slouchy hat and I used Malabrigo Worsted in the Polar Morn colorway.