March Madness... of sorts

Boy, I'm not averaging very well, am I? It's been over a month since I last posted. Let's see what do I have going?

1) New slippers - after my dismal start on this project, I have put it aside for future endevor. I still want to make them, but I got so frustrated when I found out I was using the wrong size needle(yes I swatched, but it still seem to come out way bigger), and 2-ply instead of single ply. Now with the weather getting warmer, my motivation has waned.

2) New Scarf - sounds silly for someone who does as much knitting as I do, but I don't have a scarf and this last winter I rally missed having one. I found some alpaca/llama/silk blend on the internet, but was disapointed in the color when it arrived. I thought it would be much more red. It's darker, more like a maroon. So I spun it up, but haven't found a pattern I like ( haven't looked very hard either)... I don't know, maybe I'm waiting for something to really jump out at me. I was thinking of doing something moebius with this, but to do that, I need a longer needle to do that special technique. Again, now that the weather has gotten warmer, my motivstion has waned.

3) Doily - I started an pink varigated doily awhile ago. It was just some short ball I had, and wanted to make a little something quick. I can't even remeber what the pattern is, but I should really concentrate on finishing this. I have maybe 3 or 4 rounds to go then bind off. It's pretty, what I can see of it, I just put it aside ( my new glasses, which I thought would cure many og my vision woes, has solved some problems, but not everything).

4) MysteryShawlAlong group #1 - I signed up for the group in January, and just kind of watched the progress of the few members. I lurked and thought about doing it ( the design was pretty enough). Well, 2 weeks ago I finally couldn't take it any more - I casted on the needles, and finished the first 3 clues in the first weekend. Now i'm on clue 4, and it's taking a little bit of time. It's not too bad really, it's just that I came late to the orogram, and now they are starting the next shawl ( a whole other headach in it's own rights!!). I started the shawl on size 6 needles for clue 1, switched to 7 for clue 2, advanced to size 8 for clue 3, and now I'm using size 10 for clue 4( I couldn't quickly find my size 9 needles). It looks great. I can't wait until I finish and block. I am using some fine wool I got off e-bay last year. It's way too thin singlely, so I use 2-strands at a time. Once done, I am toying wiht the idea of dying this. I 'm thinking a pretty wedgewood blue. I just feel like some blue. I am trying to finish this before plungging into the ...

5) MysteryShawlAlong Group#2 - the first clue was posted last weekend, but I can't get to it yet. First I had a problem (well the vendor actually had a problem) with the connection to paypal, so I went direct to the vendor to pay (she received the payment last weekend), but I am waiting for the permission granted to join the yahoo group so I can access the files. I can read all the posts, and it doesn't sound like anything major as yet, but I want to et the file. I was thinking I could get clue #1 so I start when everyone else does, and it wouldn't take long to get it done and out of the way, then contiune with the first shawl, as I am on repeat #4 of the recommended 6.

6) Dye experiment - I bought some purple Wilton's dye to play with. I had some med brown wool in various stages of porcessing, and I wanted to find out what the differences would be to dye at different stages. A - in the lock, uncarded B- carded wool C- spun wool.
I have the first 2 parts done, but need to finish with the final step. I will have more of this to report soon.

7) Baby stuff - I have 2 friends expecting babies in a few months, and I wanted to make them something. They are both expecting boys - one chose "pirates" as her theme, and the other chose "under the sea". I have a great idea for a blanket/quilt for the pirates, but when I explained to my DH what I wanted to do, he poo-pooed the idea. I'm still thinking this over, haven't given it up yet, just reconsidering. It would be really cool, but would be a lot of work. I don't know if it would workout the way I want, and my time is precious.... whine, whine, whine. I did find a washcloth with a skull and crossbones on it, I thought was cute, so I may do that anyway. I also found a bag - "Queen's booty bag" that is knitted and flted. I thought this would be a cute diaper bag. I was thinking of making this up, and if it didn't workout, I could keep it for myslf...it's suppose to be reversable, so I was thining of using red/blue combination of yarn. If I do this, I know I can do something similar with a fishy theme, maybe using green/yellow combination. Still thinking on this.

Well, as you can see I've been sort of busy, but I just haven't finished anything yet. You know, I started this blog to document my progress on various projects, but what it's turned out to be block for blogging, as I get a little embarrassed at how little I finish. Life has a way of getting in the way, so progress can be slow at times. I just have to remember it's not how we finish the race but that we DO finish!

Get the picture

I need to get anew camera! Our old one isn't convenient to use- bulky so less portable. I want a new one, and a printer to go with it, but money is something of an issue right now.... if I slowed down on buying other things ( wool/ fleece, yarn, pattern books, girl scout cookies...) I might actually save a little to put towards it.

Just a thought.

I haven't done too much on the spring cleaning. This last weekend, Presdient's Day weekend, we did get outside for a while, and do some yard work. Cleaned the rock bed in the front ( it had accumulated lots of dirt and debris amonst the rocks, so it was getting harder to see the rocks). It took quite a few hours, as I got the bright idea to pick the rocks out, clean out the crud, then put them back. Oh sure, it looks great now that it's done, but it took quite some time to accomplish. DDs said they'd help, but about 15 minutes into the project, they quietly disappeared to go ride their bikes. I felt kind of bad the DH was doing all the real tiring work- raking the leaves, sweeping the walkwys, while I sat on the ground sorting rocks. My back was sore ( don't know what set it off), so movement was pained. Sitting in one spot was easiest for me. Besides, I consoled myself with the knowledge that he doesn't do the tedious things well. Pulling weeds, or edging the grass was never his thing. He'd rather mow the lawn, rake the yard, or sweep the walkways. I think the idea was that he wasn't doing it alone, and all the work is needed to make the yard look nice.

I did get a box of fleece cleaned 2 weeks ago, and have been trying to work through it to card for future use. It's a nice chocolate brown, and OH SO SOFT when fresh off the drum, rolled into a fluffy batt. I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet, but I have about 4 lbs of the stuff. Have only carded up about 6oz., so I have quite a ways to go.

As for spinning my wheels, haven't had too much activity on that front. I did manage to finish the 4oz of Llama/silk blend I got of e-bay, intended to use for a scarf ( a nice accessory I lacked all winter, and kept thinking I should make one, but never got busy). I was a little disappointed when it arrived, as the color wasn't as red as I had hoped. Still, it was pretty, and soft. I managed to spin it up into a nice 2-ply yarn, and will be starting a scarf here shortly. I am just trying to decide what stitch to use. I have a felling it won't matter too much, as this stuff seems to be a little fluffy now, and expect it to only get fluffier, so I don't think a fancy pattern will be needed. Something simple. I'll look around, and hopefully come up with some ideas.

All for now, will post again soon (I hope).

Rainy day dull-drums

I have the spring cleaning bug. At least, I think that's what ails me. I am restless with my current project - a sweater made from some grey wool, not very exciting (I'll try to post pictures soon). I am itching to get back to my spinning wheel and spin something. I even want to get into my "sewing" room ( the junk collecting room in the house), and try and dig out my sewing machine. I will see if I can't get started tonight, by removing some of the boxes we know we want, and stack them in the garage for the time being.

I have several boxes of fleece I need to see if I can't do something producttive with them. Maybe start cleaning the fleece, so I can card the stuff to spin. I certainly have enough fleece to last awhile, and MUST STOP bringing home orphaned wool. At least for the time being.

It's raining today, and expected to be wet all weekend. Unfortunately ( or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), I have a birthday party to take a child to. Each DD has a different party to go to, so DH and I will split the duties. Bowling or jumper house. I think I'm heading to the jumper house. Wheeeeee! I guess if it's gonna rain this weekend, I should be happy I have an activity to take the younger child to that should be good at wearing her out. It ain't pretty when the girls get stir-crazy!

OK, let's see what I can get done. I need to reduce the clutter in that room, or at least better organize the stuff so it's not falling all over the place (of course the cats don't help by climbing the piles, causing them to topple over... That's my styory and I'm sticking to it). Wisk me luck, I'm going in.....

Where has all the time gone?

Oh my gosh, here it is, a week later, and I have hardly anything to report! I started the slipper as promised, but after almost finishing, I realized I had a few problems going....

The are reasons why this was looking so hugh. 1). I was using size 13 needles, not 11. The gauge was close, and as I was going to felt these, gauga often means nothing to a felter. At the time, I think this was the only pair I could find that was larger then a 5. For some reason all my circular needles were/are hiding from me. Maybe the cats are taking them to play with....heck, they play with a lot of my "tos". Darn cats!!!

I digress.

The second reason these are so hugh is that I was using 2 strands instead of just one. In my brain, it made sense, as I've done felting with one strand and two-strand projects. I think I was trying for a thicker overalll affect. I am about 10cm from finishing the first slipper, when I realized my problems. This has stalled out my progress. I don't kow what to do- proceed as I was and see what happens, or just undo and make as instructed? I have plenty of examples where I altered a pattern in some small way and the end result wasn't quite what I hoped. I am a little gun shy this time(which is kind of funny considering how much of this wool I have on hand, and even if this doesn't work out, it's not the end of the world....or IS it?).

I must admit, I have also been kind of pre-occupied with spinning lately. I have some wool I am in the process of spinning up so I can try dying it another color. I am much more excited at this prospect right now. It's kind of a brownish-white blended roving I got from SheepShack. I want to try overdying it with some red wilton's dye. But now as I think about it, I have some grey wool (same source) that is just about all spun up- most of it done in a 2-ply. Still have a few singles that need to be plied up, but wouldn't take long. I could go home and finish this first, then try overdying with some green Wilton's. I don't know if it will take the dye much, but it might be fun to see what I get.......hmmm the mind is already spinning off in that direction.......

Toeses still freezing...

Progress is slow on my new slippers. I have started them, am about 1/3 done with first one, but let me tell you, this is huge! I will knit one, then felt it up to see how it goes. If everything works out ok, I'll knit the second one. If not.... either way, Ill post before/after picture so you get an idea of how it looks.

I received my Christmas gift from BIL, and all I can say is " WOW "! 3lbs of Alpaca, in a beautiful russet brown. I am surpised how little this stuff smells(actually it smells clean but is still pretty dirty). I thought it would have an "earthier" smell to it, but not bad at all. I did pull some out to play with a little, but I want to clean it up before doing too much with it. I will try an wash the stuff this weakend. Too bad it's not spring/summer, the stuff would dry quick and easy, but the way it is around here, it's taking a little bit of time to get things to dry out. Oh well, good things come to those who wait. I can wait a little longer if it means really good alpaca!

Cold Toesies

Well, I found my first project of the year. As I was walking around the house the other day, I thought something was stuck to the bottom of my slipper. When I went to remove whatever the clump was, I found it was a part of the slipper itself. The sole was falling apart. When I spin, I kick off my right slipper, so I can feel the wheel better. I would often walk around the house with just the left foot on, so I must have managed to wear that slipper down faster then the right one. Drats! I found a cute slipper to try. It looks simple, warm, and practical. I have plenty of wool in my stash that would work great for this....(think big box of NewZealand Wool in corner of sewing room...ebay gone awry).

I have some aegen blue yarn that work great for this.

After that, don't know. I got some great dk brownish-grey yarn from friends for Christmas, I think from their recent trip to Ireland. It's a little bulkier then I've used in awhile. I am scouring the internet, looking for ideas of what to do with it. Nothing decided yet. Also received some great dk yarn from another friend, that's a greenish-black sock yarn. I don't know for sure howe much I have, but it sure looked like a lot of skeins ( I just didn't get around to counting it yet). I want to find a feminine styled sweater to wear at the office. This year I want to wear more dresses to work. Last year I wore a dress/skirt onve, so it won't take much to achieve this goal....I've been feeling like dresses lately (until I go outside into the cold, then think maybe it's not such a great idea), so I want something for the office. It may be time to head on a field trip to the fabric store...just me and my yarn. Sigh!

And so it begins....

Merry Christmas!

Another year has gone, and now we prepare for the New Year. 2007. I hope to fill the year with lots of fiber projects. I can't seem to find enough time in the day to play with the fibers- yarns, roving, materials.... especially with 2 daughters, ages 3 &7. Many times it's late in the night when I finally find some time (and energy) to play with my stuff. This is the gift I give to myself this year. Time for my "stuff".

Current projects...do I have anything at this time? Let me see, there's the baby blanket I started for some friends a few years ago, but for one reason or another, it was never finished, but now I have a different recipient in mind, and think it will do well to go home with them when it's done. I will dig this out, and see if I can post some pictures of it. I also have some wool I received for Christmas from dear friends, and want to do something good with it. It's a little on the bulky side, but I think it would make up into a sweater/coat, or thick sweater. The color is a natural dark brownish grey, and I'm wondering if it might be better to dye this another color. Something with more brighter, or rosier. I'm still thinking.

I also have some roving I am trying to find a good sweater pattern for. It was some roving I bought and have spun up (mostly by spindle), I love the look and feel, just looking for the right project for it....looking.