Making Progress

The sweater is getting longer. I have finished the increases and joined to work in the round for about 14 inches of stockinette give or take. It is great for TV knitting. I don't think I will get a chance to wear it before this fall though so I have plenty of time to finish it. I also have about three more sweaters I want to make this year too. We shall see.









I am FINALLY on the second Boring Brown sock. I am just starting the heel flap so I am hoping to have them done by the end of the week.











Just a cute picture of a little boy.

Spring Has Sprung

At least here in Minnesota. We have had a large range of weather here this week, Thursday was almost 90 and yesterday it was 41. I kind of wish the weather would make up it's mind already. Since Spring is here that means that grass is growing so I mowed for the first time this afternoon, actually I just finished.




I have been working on my handspun shawl today. I have almost done a whole repeat today which is saying something considering the rows are getting pretty long. I think it is turning out pretty good so far. I am hoping to have this done soon.

Not to Me

I was making dinner the other night when I told Punkingbug that I was going to use Penne pasta instead of elbow macaroni to make it.





She claimed she didn't like that kind. I told her the ingredients were exactly the same and showed her on the box that they were the same. She still said, "I don't like that kind." I told her they were just shaped different and they tasted the same.




She replied, "Not to me they don't"

Bathrooms, Boring Brown and Beautiful

It has been pretty quiet on this blog for a while. I kept meaning to post and then something would happen and I wouldn't get around to it. I have one really good reason for being quiet lately.



I was busy painting and redecorating the bathroom. I thought about the before picture as I was starting to paint the yellow on and then I thought "Nah, don't worry about it". I wish I had though because I think it looks so much better.




I have been knitting this brown sock too. It is wonderful yarn (Regia Silk), a great pattern even though a little fiddly with the knit purl knit all in one stitch but I like how it looks though. I think it is just the brown that I don't like. I know the color isn't right here but it is a chocolate brown.






I really haven't been spinning much either, I did get a little time in today. This is my current spinning project.

Happy Easter (there is Knitting Content)

Happy Easter to all my blogging friends. I am so thankful for a Savior that was willing to die on a cross for me. The best part is He came back to life how amazing that is to me. I hope all of you are having a great day.




I started a shawl out of my Raspberry Bonkers fiber. It is moving along rather quickly. I am not sure quite how big I am going to make it but I think I will really
enjoy it once it is done. I also have a couple of dresses that will go with it for church which I think is pretty cool.






I finished some spinning this week. This is some Gales Art BFL, I really like this fiber ALOT. It was so easy to spin and the colors that she comes up with are amazing. I already have more of her fiber on a bobbin already.










In an effort to use up some of my stash I dug out this Cascade Fixation to make a pair of anklets. I am not sure if I should rip them out and start over with more stitches since when I tried them on it looks like ribbing and I am not sure how comfortable that would be to walk on. I did have some success with a short row heel though.

Serious Aunt Pride

Check this out.

That is my nephews sculpture that is headed to New York for the finals.
Way to go, Jake.

Happy Feet

There is a little girl in Kindergarten today with very happy feet. I finished up these socks for the Punkinbug yesterday. She wasn't feeling very good so I think they cheered her up a little bit. Her older sister, Punkin, is wearing the pair I made for her today too. It is great that my girls like handmade socks.




I had a gift certificate from the Loopy Ewe that I was having a hard time spending. When I get a gift certificate I usually wait until I am sure that I can get something really good or a very good deal. This is the haul from that gift certificate. Five bumps (or whatever you call the way roving is put up) of Gales Art Fibers Black BFL aka Spinners Crack. From left to right, Stormy Sea, Grape Vine, Gum Ball, Deep Blue Sea, and Proud Peacock. Now I just have to decide which to spin first.

Handspun Gorgeousness

I just had to show off my latest finished handspun. I think I have enough to make a small shawl out of it. I am planning on the Adamas Shawl. (Ravelry Link) I have about 500 yards of it so I think it will work.

Hat 2.0 in Handspun

I seem to be on a little bit of an accessories kick lately. I have knit two hats and a scarf this month. I am also still working on another scarf. This was knit out of my handspun that I dyed with some egg dyes. I will admit that I enjoy knitting with handspun more than commercial yarns these days. I am even wanting to see if I am brave enough to spin enough for a sweater.




For the top I used the decreases used in the Turn a Square hat and I find I like how it looks. I think this will be my decrease of choice for simple hats which is what I usually knit when it comes to hats.

Paint Me HAPPY!!!!!!

Well first off, it is 66 degrees here today with no wind. Woo Hoo.

Second, the trees are budding out so that means that Spring is coming sooner than later.

Third, the Jayhawks won yesterday. It wasn't pretty but a win nonetheless.







Fourth, beautiful, lovely, gorgeous, smooshy handspun scarf.










I think I am in serious love with this scarf. It makes me super happy that I spun, and knit it. I guess the only bad thing is that the weather probably won't give me much of a chance to wear it for a while but after this winter I am okay with that.

It Just Doesn't Last

At least the handspun doesn't in my stash. This is some Corriedale that I had that I dyed with some egg dyes.









It is turning into a simple rolled brim hat. I am not sure who it will be for yet. Hubby says that these colors are too bright for me and he thinks it would be great for my Punkinbug.

A Hat

Every year, if I like my child's teacher, I will knit them a present. This year I really liked the two women that are teaching my daughters. They are both incredible women and I am very thankful for them. The Branching Out scarf went to Punkin's teacher.





Punkinbug's teacher got this hat. It matches her coat almost perfectly. I made it out of Cloud 9 which is 50 percent wool, 50 percent angora. It is so so so soft.




I had a little bit of the yarn left over, so Punkinbug's Froggy got a scarf. I thought it would be neat if she had something out of the same yarn that her teacher got.

They Are Done, Finally

It only took me the better part of two months but my Paradise Carolina socks are finally done. I think they are very happy socks. It is hard to stay in a bad mood when you look at them.






Since I finished a pair, I had to cast on another pair. We won't mention that I already have another pair on the needles for Punkinbug. These are actually some for a teacher that I made a pair last year for and she wanted some more socks so I said I could do that for her. She picked the color because brown is not a color I usually pick for socks. I believe in the brighter the better.




More yarn taking a bath getting ready for some glamour shots. These handspun yarns can be little divas.

What Do You Think???

I need an opinion. I need to know if this scarf is ugly or if it is okay. I am making this out of my handspun. Opinions are very welcome.

Where Did the Time Go????

Exactly six years ago, as I am writing this, I was in a hospital operating room. God gave us an angel. (eyes are tearing up now)





She got a little older and more independent. Here she is on her first birthday.





She got a little more stubborn and opinionated. Here she is on her third birthday.





I have truly been blessed by God with all three of my children. I enjoy thinking about the day they were born on their birthdays. Punkinbug you are such a special little girl. You bring joy, frustration, excitement and lots of love to my life. I am so glad I get to be your mom. I love you more than words could ever say. I hope you have a great day and enjoy being six. I know you are going to be an awesome six year old. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Progression

It started out as this.








It became this.









After a little time with some knitting needles it was becoming this.






Which in it's finished state is a Herringbone Neckwarmer.
Yarn: English Garden Handspun 180 yards or so
Needles: Size 8 Knit Picks Options
Started: February 27, 2009
Finished: March 3, 2009
Pattern : Herringbone Cowl Ravelry Link.



I really hope that he likes it. I just don't let anyone have handspun you know.
I might just have to knit one for myself one of these days.

Deadline Accomplished

I guess it was a good thing we had bad weather today. Earlier this morning you could barely see across street. I went in to take Punkinbug to school and when I came out it was like this.








Since the weather was bad, I was able to finish my deadline and get them delivered so they could go to their new home. I think they were very much appreciated and I was glad I got them finished in time.




Now I think I need to start a new project.

Glamour Shots

I promised glamour shots of the handspun with an attitude that was taking a bath the other day. I ended up with a little over 400 yards out of eight ounces of fiber. It is a sport to light worsted weight. One hank will be something for my wonderful husband and the other hank will probably be something for me or for a family member at some point. I would have posted the pictures earlier this week but I was busy spinning.






As you can tell by this. This is four ounces or so of some Gales Art Sibling roving. I had two hanks of this and I tore it apart taking colors out for this hank of yarn and the rest is going in a different hank to hopefully make a Jared Flood inspired scarf.








Now, I must really get knitting. I am knitting this on a deadline (one that I am not sure I can achieve). So if I am quiet for a few days you know where I am.

Letter from the Fiber

Dear Blog Reader,


This is me, or at least that is what I looked like when I came to live with this crazy woman.



Sometime in December, she took me out of the stash where I was hanging out with some really cool merino and started doing weird things to me. She kept pulling me and twisting me. I think I should call Fiber Protective Services but I don't have any hands.



Well if twisting me around and around the first time wasn't enough. She did it again. She turned me into yarn. She thinks I look pretty good.



Now I am taking a bath. What is up with you people???? Can't some yarn take a bath without pictures being taken??? Guess not huh? Thank goodness for bubbles or I wouldn't have any privacy at all.




Now that she is done with me, she has moved on. I feel so used. She left me in the sink for this tart. Well I will show her how beautiful I am going to be after I have been sufficently toweled and dried.


Sincerly,
English Garden Fiber purchased at the Yarn Barn in Kansas

The Wheel Goes Round and Round

At least mine has lately. I have been spinning quite a bit in the last few days. I am hoping to do even more today. I think after it finally clicked I am enjoying it more. I was able to go to Knit Night at my LYS this last Thursday and I met someone that is going to help me improve and give me some tips. I had a really good time and I hope to get to go again soon.




When I went to Knit Night I wasn't sure what project to take. I ended up taking three. I worked on the sweater which is almost to the end of the first of the six balls of yarn I have for it. I am making progress so hopefully I will finish it in time for next fall (or if I get my act together I might be able to wear it this winter, I do live in Minnesota after all.)




I started like gangbusters on this sock a few days ago and then I haven't really knit much on it for a few days. I really want to get this pair finished but other projects and my wheel are pulling me in different directions.

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day.