Spin A Yarn for Ewe

Starting 2 things at once

2008-05-14T16:41:18-07:00

I did just that this week. Normally I start something new when I finish something else and finish the other languishing project but this week I went crazy and started 2 new things instead. I think I did it because I was going to use one yarn for the Pi Shawl but didn't like how it was working out so I frogged it and started the Shetland Triangle.

This is a much better match for this shawl plus it has been one I have wanted to do FOREVER and just haven't.

I still wanted to knit the other one so I got out some other yarn and cast on again. This yarn is much better suited for this shawl.

It kind of looks like a badly shaped hat right now but it is in between sizes and won't fit on the longer needle yet so you get the folded up version of it. I go back and forth on them although the Pi has been getting more action as it is a new shape for me. I can really see people getting into round shawls as there is no purling if you are doing stockinette which makes for some fast "rest" rows.

FO - Finally

2008-05-12T13:44:25-07:00

Last week was a busy one as I decided to knit up some dishcloths for my Mom for Mother's Day. She had said she really liked the ones she had gotten as a gift from a knitting friend so I tucked that info away until I needed it. So in between making those and working on the lace I actually got the lace done. I got all the cloths done too but I forgot to photo them but you know the ones worked on the diagonal.

Here is the lace.

This one is of it blocking where it is easier to see the whole thing or at least most of it.

I also took some outside photos but I didn't get any smiley ones so you get these.

I really love how it came out as the yarn seemed to stripe perfectly for the pattern.

The yarn as usual is great to work with and working it on size 7 needles sure was a fun change. My next lace is going to be on size 4's so it will be a little more slow going.

Breaking UP

2008-04-30T13:37:28-07:00

I had to show you how it is looking.

I really like it!

New Week

2008-04-28T13:17:25-07:00

I decided last week that I needed a fast and easy project so I decided on Thursday to knit something for the baby shower I was going to on Saturday. I had bought a cute Chicago Bears out fit already as that is Dad's favorite team but I really want to make something. I needed a pattern that would work for a July baby and a wool hat or socks just didn't seem to fit. I made this instead.

A Bunny Blanket Buddy. (I would of linked you directly to the pattern but it is from Lion Brand and you all know how weird that site is.) I used less then one skein of Sugar and Cream in what I thought was a very "bunny" color. It took one night and a little bit the next day to finish. I have to say the pattern is totally ingenious as it is knit all in one piece and the mom-to-be thought it was great. Plus it satisfied my need to complete something.

I am still working on both shawls but the one of my own design is getting a little more time then the other. Here is is quickly pinned out.

I really love the color of the yarn and this is close but not exactly right. I was just too lazy to find better light for it. I hope to have this beginning section done tonight and then on to the de-construction of it. I have a plan how I want to do it so coming back to this will not be too hard. Stay tuned...

Wednesday

2008-04-23T13:08:03-07:00

I started on my shawl design. This shot of it is from yesterday and it about double in size now from last night's knitting.

I really love the colors and how they are working in the design. This isn't even blocked which will help make the pattern even stand out more. I think I am going to work about 24" of this then break it up and then back to this. I was going to do a beaded cast on but thought it would compete with the yarn color too much. If I did it in more of a solid I would do a beaded cast on and bind off.

I am also still working on the Diamond Fanatsy handspun shawl. It is moving along and I really like the colors even if they do compete with the pattern.

I have sent out all the prizes so be on the look out for them. I know some have already arrived and thanks again for the support.

And the Winners Are....

2008-04-16T16:21:44-07:00

Thank you all for you very generous donations, we raised $950 for a great cause! Your generousity means so much to me and it will also be helping to save lives. I will be keeping you all in my mind and heart as I walk those 60 miles, now for the prizes!

First a beautiful superwash merino 2-ply which was dyed by the Sweet Sheep. There is 206 yards of it. It is called Berry Blitz and is a worsted weight.
This One is going to Keitha!

I also have another skein of handspun yarn. This time it is corriedale that was dyed by Spunky Eclectic for her club last year. It is done as a 2-ply and it has 281 yards making it about DK or a little lighter. It is called Strawberry Fields.
This is going to Lynae!

When we get to $100 I will add in this skein of hand dyed sock yarn. I dyed this one in shades of turquoise and really think it will make a great pair of socks. There is 440 yards and it is superwash. I called it Jewel of the Sea.
This is going to Linnette!

I will also add in this skein of beaded yarn. It is merino plied with silk and beads. There is 135 yards of it.
The winner of this one is Karen!

When we get to $200 I will add in this handspun merino, not superwash, that I dyed as roving and spun up 2-ply. There is 250 yards of this one and it is a DK/light worsted weight. Very soft and I love the colors I call it Sunset.
This is going to Lori!

I will also add in this skein of Rambouillet/Mohair/Angora blend. It is a 2 ply worsted weight and there is 156 yards.
This is going to Jill!

Now if we can get to $300 I will add this 880 yard skein of Zephyr that I hand dyed in purples and blues. It should make a very nice lace project.
The winner here is Stephanie!

Plus I will also add in this skein of beaded yarn. It is merino plied with hand dyed silk and beads. There is 130 yards of this.
The winner of this one is Betsy!

Now if we get to $400 I will be adding in another handspun, here is the first.

180 yards of merino/silk blend in a 2 ply and about DK weight. It has great shine which is hard to capture in the photo. This goes to Christine!

I also have a 600 yard skein of 100% silk lace weight.
This goes to Lynae!

I also decided to throw in a few more Surpise Yarns since you were all so generous!

First is Summer Carnival and this one goes to Linnette!

Next is Ocean a DK superwash merino for those instant gratification socks! This goes to Megann!

Next is some lace weight singles in a color I call Spring Blooms and it goes to Sondra!

And last but not least we have a merino/tencel handspun that goes to Donna!

Now for the Grand Prize my finished Secret of the Stole 2.

This one goes to Gina!

Swatch

2008-04-16T13:43:37-07:00

I did a swatch of what I am thinking of doing with my yarn. It is not in that yarn but the same yarn different color. It is leftover from my Icarus.

I used size 7 needles for this and I am not sure if they are too big or not. I used 6's last time and might switch to those for the actual project. The plan is to do the blocks at the start break them up and then bring the holes back into blocks at the other end. What do you think? Like it or is it too weird? Opinions are appreciated, really.

Last Day

2008-04-15T13:27:04-07:00

Actually tomorrow is the last day to enter the fundraiser/raffle. All of the prizes are up for grabs and I am adding in a few surprise ones since you were all so generous.

I am also working on a pattern for my Spritely yarn. I have just not been able to find anything that is just right and after I swatched it I decided it needs to be great. My brother, Alex, said he thought it would be neat to take a very modular pattern and then have it break apart as the stole moves along. Actually he didn't word it exactly like that since he is an artist not a knitter but that is how I took it. I am not sure how exactly I am going to achieve that but I do have a modular pattern to start. I think it will be a fun project and should be great for this yarn as the pattern should show up nicely even in the colors. Leave it to my brother to make a suggestion that might be the answer and he didn't even know it.

Pictures next time as I am just to lazy to get the camera out.

Wednesday

2008-04-09T15:08:21-07:00

I have been doing a little knitting and a little spinning.

Here is the knitting.

This is Diamond Fantasy in my handspun BFL. It is coming out nicely but this yarn may be too much for the pattern. Guess we will see after it is blocked as I am not ripping it out. The green stripe that is now at the top is kind of bugging me but I know there is more green coming up so it should blend in better then. Since it is worked from the point up it is fun to see how much the color shifts change.

Here is the spinning.

More lace weight singles in the merino from a few posts back. It is coming out very nice with more subtle color shifts and should be great for some pattern. I say that since I have no idea what to knit next.

I feel like my knitting is in a slump and that no pattern really is calling for me to knit it. I want something fun and I just haven't found it. I did see something yesterday that really sparks some creative energy so I might start this with a few changes. First off I don't like the mobius idea so I will for sure change it to a wrap and I also want to use my custom yarn that I got at Spritely Goods. This is the yarn

which of course is not anything like the pattern calls for so some swatching will be required so it will be long enough but I do think the colors will be great even without using 3 different ones. Even then I am still just ho hum about it. Maybe it is this crazy weather. I mean at Easter we were sitting by the pool trying not to get sunburned and now I am bundled up and praying for no rain. I know, I know it could be worse but I live in San Diego and it supposed to be nice by now and dreary weather gets to me. I could never live in Washington or Oregon I would be depressed all the time.

Any ideas for great new patterns with either lace or fingering as I have a ton of it just waiting. Anything not just shawls and stoles, I really need help!

Plus the fundraiser/raffle ends in 7 days and all the prizes are up for grabs and a few more surprise ones so if your waiting get busy!

Spinning

2008-04-04T09:08:32-07:00

Since I am still less then excited to knit after the Zephyros disaster I spun more yarn. This time I dug out one of the batts from HollyEQQ. She does great batts with lots of texture and fun stuff. This one had cotswold lambie, silk noils, rambouillet, and angelina. And the color.....well it is great. No wonder she called it Summer Carnival.

I striped the batt and pre-drafted it. I ended up with about 4 balls of it as I couldn't get the batt to stay together in one long piece, which for me is usually true with the textured batts. I decided to spin it as a single pretty much letting it do its own thing as the silk noils would just pop up and added lots of interest.

This is my best attempt at "art yarn" as I just like smooth and even but this sure is fun. I see it as an accent to a black hat or maybe some fingerless gloves. I did end up with 110 yards out of 2.4 ounces. Here is a close up of the lumpy bumpy goodness.

I did finally wind up my lace singles and started knitting with those, I mean no knitting projects makes for very boring sitting around in the car time. Once I get a little farther I will get some shots of it as the colors really look great. I also got the merino roving I dyed drafted and ready to go so the wheel will not be sitting idle as long this time.

Hey, the raffle/fundraiser is still going on for a few more days so get in on it now!