Monday, November 19, 2007
RSC Raven
Funny story about when it arrived. As you may (or may not) know, we have recently moved to Arizona from North East England. In England about the worst insect you can find is a garden bumble bee. Nothing scary at all. In Arizona however... between rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, scorpions, tarantulas and a host of other nasties, it is a different story. To say I am jumpy about insects is an understatement. Can you imagine my reaction then when I opened this months kit to find 3 HUGE spiders in there. I kid you not, I froze with fear and could not BREATHE for all of 5 seconds, I THOUGHT THEY WERE REAL! Afterwards thought it was hilarious, but for that space of time (which felt a whole lot longer than 5 seconds) I seriously couldn't breathe! It was a little gifty from the Blue Moon ladies in celebration of Halloween (kit arrived a week or so before Halloween).
On another note, I have finished one, and am past the heel on the other Summer of Love Lace sock in Rockin Sock yarn, Nodding Violet colorway. I haven't grafted the toe on this one yet. I am pleased with how they are turning out. The color pools on the lace cuff, then feathers beautifully around the foot. They will be a gift, need to hurry and get them finished in time to post for xmas. Should make it OK (although knitting time is severely reduced lately by pesky situations life throws at you, as well as time spent on spinning, my new found passion!
Aspen spun...
As I don't own a wheel yet, my only option for plying is using my drop spindle. I really would have liked to ply it with itself, but I decided I wouldn't have enough yards, and as I was using the spindle it would be a lot easier to ply with another yarn. I therefore decided to ply it with some Rowan 100% Alpaca that I already had. The alpaca is the larger ball underneath the Aspen:
I have already plied and used the yarn to make a cowl, which I LOVE! Not sure how much use I will have for a cowl in Arizona though :) I haven't taken pics yet. I will take some soon and get them uploaded. Things are pretty hectic still (hence I haven't really posted since before we moved!) but hopefully we will start getting more settled soon...
I also recently received Octobers fiber from Spunky:
It is called "Goblin Eyes" and is Romney. The purple is less blue and more deep purple than it appears in the picture, but other than that the colors are pretty true. Haven't started spinning this one up yet, but the pictures from others on the Spunky club site look gorgeous!
Friday, October 26, 2007
New Drop Spindle
She then showed me her work in the shop. There were beautiful wet felted pieces in the form of bowls, hats, bags and landscapes to hang on the wall (check out her website here for some pictures of what she sells), as well as knitted items, and of course the yarn and roving. Kathy is just so friendly and helpful, I am a new spinner and I learned so much from her in our short trip yesterday! She also sells a line of handspun yarns that she calls "hidden treasures" Wow! (see pictures on her blog here, although they don't do the yarn justice! Has nothing to do with Kathy's photos, you just can't capture in a picture the textures, colors and beauty of these yarns). There is a mix of fibers in there for a textured effect, including ribbons, and then periodically there are beads, buttons, feathers etc. Truly wonderful works of art. I felt so inspired being around her store and seeing her work.
I bought a GORGEOUS new drop spindle from her. It was made by a gentleman from Kundert Spindles, and I am just ecstatic over it! It is Maple, with accents of Red cedar, Maple and Bloodwood on the whorl. It is truly a beautiful piece of art, and was hand turned to create such a well balanced spindle. The one I was previously using was a homemade DIY job, which worked well, but oh my gosh! After using this new spindle last night, I could never use anything else again! The quality of what I was spinning increased ten-fold and it was such a pleasure to use! I feel like a real spinner now!
I also bought roving from Kathy. The brown and black in it is from her llama, then I think she said the colored fiber was Shetland. It also has some angel tinsel through it. I started spinning it last night, and am really pleased with how it is turning out. It looks silvery grey, with flecks of the tinsel shimmer, then tweedy bits of orange and white.
What a cutie model demonstrating my new spindle:
As a note, if you happen to be around Tucson, Arizona on Saturday 3rd November, Kathy has organized the "Tucson Wool Festival 2007" to be held on her property.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Rockin Sock yarn shipment
I got (in order from top to bottom):
Sugarplums in Mediumweight
Mesa in Mediumweight (seeing as I now live 'round the corner from Mesa!)
Nodding Violet in Lightweight
Philosopher's Stone in Lightweight (possibly my fave colorway of them all!)
I also got a skein of "Downpour" in lightweight, which are nearly a pair of Cedar Creeks.
They are a little big for me as they will be a xmas pressie for my hubby (hence just a plain cast on edge instead of the pretty picot edge in the pattern). I am really pleased with how they are turning out. They are fun to knit, and I got into the pattern straight away, didn't take long to be able to knit them without referring to chart.
Apologies...
Firstly I have started spinning my BFL in "Embers" colorway from Yarn Yard. *Remember I am a new spinner!!* Because I am a newbie it is slubby, but I am really pleased with the results, and the colors are gorgeous! I am not sure what the wpi are yet.
I also received my first package from spunky fiber club, and it is just so gorgeous! Just truly, beautiful, and so shiny! It is 2 ounces of Superwash Merino Tencel in "Aspen" colourway, apparently inspired by "the Yellow Aspens, the big teal blue sky and the large mountains [with] snow caps". Can't wait for my new kit to arrive!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Ravelry
My first package from Spunky Electric arrived today (which did manage to perk me up somewhat!). Wowee it is beautiful! My camera is broken so no pics at the mo' I am afraid, but hopefully I will get a new one within a few days and will post more info with pics then. As a teaser, the colourway is "Aspen"...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Spunky Club
Being the sucker that I am for clubs, I have also just joined the Holiday KAL/CAL. Basically from 22nd September we can count every holiday project that we get finished by 31st December. I think with us moving next week, and all of the current and future upheaval that is inevitable, I need all the help I can get to work through that ever-growing list of projects I want to get done for Christmas!
Monday, September 17, 2007
The problem with late night knitting!
In the meantime I moved on to the booties. I designed some to match the jacket, and am quite pleased (one done, one to go). Will post pics of the finished objects soon. I am also going to do a matching hat. The whole project has been a fun knit, would definitely do it again.
Have been pretty busy this week with the impending move (10 days and counting!), and on top of that "little guy" and myself have been unwell. So I am still busy on the heel of sock 1 of my Summer of Lace socks. Think it will be like this for the next few weeks, but I am trying to snatch any knitting time I can get!
Friday, September 14, 2007
The perfect socks for me!
If you are into socks, and particularly ones that are totally unique (certainly from most that I have ever seen!), then you need to check out the patterns for sale here. They also have a pair of cute gingerbread men socks which I would love to make for my little man. Think he might have to wait till next year however, even with my history of totally unrealistic targets, I know there is no chance of me getting them done for Christmas!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Embers roving
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Choccie Gorilla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKdQC-hbY7k
Spinning
The fibre is Shetland fleece, in a fawn colour, which I bought while at Woolfest back in June. I bought it as a practice fibre, as it was washed and carded, and only cost £5 for 250g. 250g was a huge bag! I thought it seemed cheap, although as I am a newbie I have no idea what the going rates are for fibre yet!
I also bought a bag of beautiful Alpaca fibre in a gorgeous golden colour. I haven't taken any pictures of that yet, but will do soon and post them. I did however get a picture of the cutie alpaca who generously donated the fleece:
I bought the fleece at Woolfest, from a stallholder representing the Alpaca Centre. I looked it up after we got home, and we went for a visit. It was a great, we saw the alpacas and had a lovely coffee and scones in the tearoom. They also have a shop selling alpaca fibre clothing etc. If you are into fibre and around Penrith, England at all, I would recommend stopping by. Plus they were all lovely friendly people! And how cute is this alpaca!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Summer of Love Lace cuff
I am really excited about these socks, pictures just can't do them justice. I think they will be beautiful! I am looking forward to getting them finished and being able to wear them!
I am also working on the Baby Sweater, which I am thrilled with. It has a beautiful honeycomb stitch pattern which is simple, but really effective. It is such an easy and fast knit, but looks great! I also love that it has no seams to rub or irritate baby. I will post pics later, as I don't want the recipient to see it until after the baby is here, and they receive it as a gift. Not long now though...
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Flower Power!
My camera doesn't do the colours justice- they are actually far more vibrant, and really complement each other. This kit is a celebration of the 40th anniversary of 1967 - the "Summer of Love". Flower Power does it justice!
See the cute treat we got in this months kit: tattoos! A flower power chain and a moon:
The pattern is called "Summer of Love Lace", and is by the very talented JC Briar. It has a lace cuff, and is very feminine. I love that each pattern from RSC is so different from the others. You really get to try new techniques and looks, which for me is the whole point in a club. It does mean not every pattern or colour-scheme will necessarily ring your bell, but I love the surprise!
The pair at front left is knit in Flower Power.
So hopefully I will get the skein wound into a ball tonight, and maybe even get to cast on! *fingers crossed*
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Started winding Pretty Pirate
Thursday, August 23, 2007
One day, I will own a ball winder...
I also cheated a little today, and looked at the spoilers on other people's blogs for the new Rockin Sock Club kit. It is GORGEOUS! I will SO post pics when mine finally arrives, but just fabulous! How do you do it Blue Moon ladies? Another great pattern and totally drooly skein of yarn! Yippee! Should be here soon... *fingers crossed*
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Finished Solstice Slip, just in time!
I am currently waiting for kit 4 to arrive. Our first kit was "Inside Out" sock, as the cables on this sock make it reversible, with a different look on each side. You can wear them however you prefer! I love that. Funny thing though, one did this great striping, the other one pooled. My husband thinks it looks weird (he is really one for symmetry and traditional looks), whereas I love it. It really adds to the hand knit feel of the socks. These were knit in medium weight yarn, which makes them a little too heavy to wear in shoes, but are actually my most favourite to wear, really comfy and warm. Oh how I love Rockin Sock yarn!!
The second kit was a beautiful skein of Silkie yarn, absolutely gorgeous! This isn't the pattern that we got with the kit. I loved the look of it, but when I started, I got about 2 inches after the toe (again, toe-up socks), and realised that they just weren't for me. I used the heel from that pattern though, and made up the rest. I am quite pleased with them, and would definitely use Silkie from BMFA again.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Finally, get to "Eat my Greens"!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Lego made Knitting Machine
Friday, August 17, 2007
Darned Royal Mail!
On another note, I cast on the "Judy's Grandmother's Baby Sweater" from "Greetings from Knit Cafe" last night, using Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool. I am LOVING it, I think it will be just gorgeous. After my Ms. Marigold mistake, I was quite meticulous with this swatch!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Another one hits the frog pond...
As I say, I had knitted a swatch, however it was late at night, and my fingers were just itching to get cast-on, so I guess it is my own fault for being too eager. I substituted yarn to Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo, which is knitting up really nice, and very affordable! Is 80% Bamboo, 20% Wool mix, and cost me £2.15 per 50g ball, which I think is a snip. It is my first time knitting with bamboo, and I am happy with the look. I would definitely use it again. I was also thinking although it has 20% wool, it might be nice and cool for desert-wear in Phoenix. I am starting to think more of vests, cotton sweaters etc, and not so much wool sweaters, scarves and mittens. Not much call for them in the desert!
I am not going to immediately cast Ms. Marigold back on, am still a bit gutted to be honest... Plus I should soon receive Augusts Rockin Sock Club kit, as well as the first kit from Hipknits Project Club, which is a really pretty shawl. We get to pick our own colours for Hipknits, and the lovely Kerrie then dyes them before shipping with the pattern. For this one I chose colourway "Eat your Greens". Can't wait to see it. If only the postman could hurry it along...