Weekend whirl.......

My spinning is primarily accomplished on the weekends, when BG is not around.  He remains quite fascinated with the spinning wheel, and I just don't want it out and tempting him.  By the time he goes home, I'm usually too worn out to spin - with any deal of success anyway. So, it's kind of a weekend treat for me.

Ginny of  FatCatKnits fame, has a new thing going....a colorway of the month  SAL of sorts.  The color for March is "SweetTortie".  I had purchased a braid of it in January, and really didn't give the name much thought.  Little did I know, but the color of tortoiseshell cats was the inspiration for this particular colorway.  Many folks posted photos of their Tortie cats....gorgeous creatures!  Then it was pointed out to me that Sofee has the same colors in her coat, so......

Not to be outdone by a bunch of  felines, always up for a photo-opp.......

This weekend I spun up the first half of the braid - 2oz produced 306 yards of a light wt fingering weight yarn.

Spinning has given me an entirely new appreciation of yarn - the colors - the structure - the movement of the individual fibers themselves.

Plus it's just so darn much fun to do!!! 

Squatter's rights

Sofee has officially claimed BG's small chair as her own property.  He has pretty well abandoned it, in lieu of a larger wooden rocking chair (originally his mom's/uncle's - neither of which ever used it).  This little red chair is still in the craft/toy room, and Sofee hangs out in there a great deal.  Of course, when BG is actually here, she is usually out of sight.  There is no love fest between the two..... she's read the book on Chi's and kids (or perhaps she wrote the book - at the very least she was interviewed!)  ;) 

I'll be back soon with some finished projects.  And also...soon (I hope) with some lovelies that I ordered yesterday.  I finally fell over the ledge - totally splurged on myself.  The anticipation is over-riding the guilt right now though, so it's all good..... 

And Three weeks later......

Sorry....MIA.  Several folks have written expressing concern that I have not been posting.  Nope - nothing wrong.  Just life getting in the way I guess.  Sorry - I'll do better, I promise!

While I personally am fine, Sofee, well you know her allergies!  She is in the middle of the worst of it.  Poor little girl.  Her eyes are really bothering her this year.  We have a new ointment, but basically she needs to stop rubbing them.  We are balancing drugs and barrier clothing items with full-attention/lap time.  We'll get through this again......  I'm just hoping for early (and frequent) frosts!

  She could be a poster child.....poor little girl!

On the knitting front, finished are the "Deep in the Woods" mittens.  They've been on my Ravelry page for a couple of weeks, so sorry if this is redundant for many of you.   I made a few changes, which can be found on my Ravelry page.  Basically they are knit as pattern is written.  I really like them!

I started a plain vanilla sock.  Opal yarns can hardly make "vanilla" socks! Pretty wild!  This colorway is one from the rain forest collection of a couple of years ago.  Stash yarn. It's a project that I can take and run with.  Mindless knitting - hmmmm - that seems to be what I need these days. 

I am nearing completion on another pair of  "Knotty" gloves.  These are out of a skein of Cherry Tree Hill - stash yarn that is several years old.  Love them.  They fit a bit tighter than the reddish pair I recently completed.  Same needle size and stitch count, just a slightly different yarn weight. 

The post-lady has been VERY nice to me this past week or so. 

This Schauht Lazy Kate came to me on Friday of this week.  My WooleeWinder bobbins are just a smidge longer than the stock Lendrum bobbins, and would bind up on the Lendrum Kate.  I decided that I would prefer a horizontal kate, and decided to go with this model.  I have yet to use it, but hopefully I will like it immensely!

I decided it was about time that I figure out what I should be doing, so DH actually, purchased these DVD's for me.  I am a "spin by the seat of your pants" type of gal.  I do what feels right.....and for the most part I have been pretty happy with the outcome.  But the recent sale on these DVD's - well, I decided that perhaps it was time to see how things are "supposed" to be done.  LOL.....  (Lots of Luck) with that!  I'll be trying to break bad habits from now on......
 
And speaking of:  This fiber was especially dyed for me by JulieSpins.  I wanted to spin some light to dark transitional yarn.  Love this fiber.  She named the colorway "Teddy Bear", which is a perfect name!

With a little bit of manipulation, it has been spun into a nice hank of yarn.  It's not been sett yet, so not really ready for it's debut shot.  Also, only half has been spun at this point. I need to find the perfect pattern. 

And, a new sock book:  I pre-ordered this one.  I have knit many of Stephanie's designs and find them both beautiful and challenging.  Little dpns have been dancing in my brain since this beauty arrived!

I am actually waiting for an Etsy delivery that I will be sure to share with you all.  Nope - not fiber!  Something really cute....and I am so anxious to receive!  Be sure to check back to see......... :)  

That's about all I guess.  BG will start his little "pre" pre-school this week.  Only 1 hour each day (Tues/Thurs) a gradual adjustment.  We have been talking about school and reading books about going to school for the last several weeks.  He keeps zeroing in on the "school bus" aspect of school.  Sadly, I am his school bus.  Hope he's not too disappointed with that.  I'm very excited for him.....I think he's going to love it!  I'll keep you posted.  

Tis the season......

Yep....Allergy season!  I had hoped that all the rainy weather would make for an easier allergy season for poor little Sofee.  That may be true.....but it's starting in, and this year, along with the (best to be avoided) meds and eye-washes, I am prepared!

In years past, in order to deter licking and chewing of her front legs, I have made her wear her long-sleeved sweaters. She hated that - and who could blame her!!!  But I had to do something.   Last year I decided that I really should knit her a "shrug".  So.....I got busy yesterday.

I knit it out of Cascade Fixation yarn, so it's cotton and stretchy.  The best I could come up with.  The design ties across her back, with one little support band across her chest.  Best I could come up with.  Hmmmm....I never thought to search in Ravelry.  You never know....... there seems to be everything else in Ravelry.

She doesn't seem to hate it too much, (course she was getting treats during this photo shoot), and who knows --  she  just may set a new trend in doggie fashion!  

 Edited:  I just checked Ravelry, and yes, there are doggie shrugs, plus leg warmers.  The shrugs give too much coverage though, and the leg warmers - well there's nothing to keep them from being removed.  Sooo..... I am happy with my design.  It does the job, with minimal coverage, so she can stay cool.  BUT - leave it to Ravelry!  LOL

Sofee and I had a photo shoot today.....to show off her new Christmas sweater. She needed another long sleeved sweater, as in allergy season, those cuffs will get turned down and act as a barrier against chewing on her front legs. Until then, the sweater will be for warmth only - as needed. She much prefers warming disks and fleece blankets these days. :)

It is knit out of a Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn from my stash. I used 2.5mm dpns. A pattern of my own design, but obviously I could/should have lengthened it a little. I contemplated frogging and starting the "tail end" over, but chose not too. I hope to make her yet another sweater before next summer. I want to make one out of a cotton blend - cooler for her.

A couple of days ago, I finished spinning/plying this yarn. It is from the two braided rovings that I received in the November shipment of the FatCats Mixed Blessing Fiber Club. If you will remember, the idea is to spin and ply the two different colorways together. I admit that I have NO color-sense. So, I totally did as I was told. How's that for a color mixture!! I am going with blind faith on this one folks.......

But this morning, I started my mittens, and actually I am quite pleased with them! I am using Elizabeth Zimmerman's "recipe" for mitered mittens. I elongated the cuff area, and modified them to have a thumb gusset. But so far, I am quite smitten with them. If my plans go as hoped.....???.....I should have a matching/complementary partner mitten too. We'll see. If not, that's ok too. All's good with this spinning gig too.

Call me a bird brain....

But I really like birds. Probably due to the fact that my dad raised homing pidgeons when I was a child, and I spent many many hours at his elbow. I even had a pet pidgeon...."Pidge". (No, not very creative child.) Anyway.... DH, Sofee and I just returned from a little trip down to Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, just North of St. Joseph, Missouri. We usually try to get a fall trip in, as the last of the road trips till Spring. This visit was no disappointment. The mounds are caused from muskrat activity. Great sunning places for the birds. We saw quite few bald eagles, but I was not able to get any good photos. I was manning the camera this year....practicing for when Santa brings me a new one soon. These two bald eagles were just hanging out. Sort of a nice photo, silhouetted against the evening sky. When an eagle would soar too closely, this is what would happen....and the noise that was audible, very "other-worldly". Thousands and thousands of snow geese. Obviously the refuge is on their migration path. It's just an awesome sight. We saw quite a few pelicans and trumpeter swans also. Breathtaking!

We also stopped at my favorite fiber store, The YarnBarn in Lawrence, Kansas. That is where I bought my loom years and years ago. They are also the folks from whom I recently purchased my spinning wheel. They have a very nice store! We also stopped by the City Market in Kansas City. It's a great outdoor/indoor "farmer's market" with great prices and a very eclectic atmosphere. So...a nice little fall get-away. Oh...and Sofee..... She loves the Drury Inn. She can be a princess wherever she is! She travels very well - have bed will travel.

Awaiting for me when we returned was this lovely fiber. It's the fist installment of the FatCat's Mixed Blessing fiber club. Two 2.5 oz Merino braids. They are meant to be spun separately and plied together. I joined this club just to push myself into new colors. I totally love these, although there is no way that I would ever have chosen them for myself.

Actually joining the AllSpunUp SAL, sight unseen, was for the same reason. I just LOVE this yarn. I posted a photo of the singles on the bobbins in a recent post. Those three bobbins produced these three skeins of yarn. A nice worsted weight - 505 yards. Not sure what I will make, but it will be warm and squishy, whatever it is. A hooded scarf perhaps??? We'll see......
I think my consistency is getting better. I am not a very scientific spinner.....I just do what feels right and enjoy the process. It's a total no-stress activity. I will probably never win a blue ribbon for my spinning efforts, but then since I will never try for one, guess that's ok. :)

And the "forever" stocking has monopolized my entire day today, but progress is being made. I am now on piece number 46 - out of 113. Sigh..... "forever" is supposed to mean that BG will keep it forever, but perhaps it just means it will take me forever to make it! LOL. That's ok...I wanted to make a stocking for him. It will be worth it, once it's all done. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.......

Another reason why.....

I love spinning.An accessory every spinner needs!

On Safer Turf......

After much ado.... I finally settled on a pattern for my socks. I call these "PlainJane in Patchwork". There is some minor color variation in the yarn - actually more noticeable in this photo than in real life. It's basically a solid seafoam/sage green. This pattern fills my need for a close-knit sock, while giving a little pizzazz - without driving me nuts with twisted/traveling stitches and demanding all of my attention. I considered the merits of a toe-up sock, as I was not quite sure of the yardage on this handspun sockyarn. But...cuff down it was, and plenty of yarn remains in the first 50gm skein. This is a pattern by Erica, of DreamsInFiber fame. She has quite a few very nice patterns....they appeal to the "practical" side of me. I have another roving of this same fiber blend, but a different color. I may tap into her pattern stash again. (Thanks Erica!) After I finish sock #2, I may do some charity mittens. My local "Curves" has a mitten/hat drive on for the holidays. Good cause!

This weekend (I usually spin on the weekends....those familiar with 16 month olds need no explanation of that practice) this roving, a Falkland roving by "Allspunup" (Etsy vendor), became this yarn:It's not quite as soft as Merino, but close. I love the subtle color variations. I can see it knit up with a solid color....in colorwork. It's a worsted weight, perhaps on the heavy side. I am not good at determining the weight of my handspun yarns. So many things to learn....... One thing I recently learned is that there are such things as SAL (yes....Spin-A-Longs). I joined my first one! Everyone involved has the same roving, and photos are posted after being spun. It will be really fun seeing the variations of final products....dependent on spinning and prep of fiber. Oh...and when you join, it's sight unseen. So I am hoping that the colorway is NOT purple/chartreuse/ or...you get the picture. :) But if it is...I can deal!

I have been a little worried about Sofee, as even though we have had a hard frost, she remains uncomfortable with her allergies. Each fall I worry that indeed it will not leave her. She was so uncomfortable this year....Colorado was not her friend! But, when I talked to the Veterinarian's office today to schedule her yearly checkup later this month, the gal assured me that dogs were still suffering with allergies. The weather has not changed enough to give them much relief. So...it's not just Sofee! I am so relieved! She has exhibited concern over ownership of her kennel. (You will remember that BG was crawling into it). Sofee has never spent much time in it, but now seems to like it quite a bit! vbg. So...it's off limits to BG! He is not allowed to infiltrate Herky's kennel at home......so. Wish me luck! He's old enough to understand "no".... just hope this grandma is strong enough to enforce it.

And last - thanks to all of you who gave support regarding the smoke ring fiasco. (actually I heard from a few new folks....so that was nice!) I think mainly, the problem was just the style that caused the giggles to flow. A good belly laugh is worth sacrificing a finished project - occasionally! It still remains....but will probably be frogged. The yarn is just too nice to waste.

Talk to you all later. Please - feel free to leave a comment. I really enjoy hearing from you....

Blustery days......

It's been 10 days since my last post. Not that I have not tried..... It's been that long since we have had a sunny day, allowing for decent photo taking. (Well, perhaps not really decent, but the best that I can do).

It's been cloudy, damp, drizzly, windy, a very "Blustery" 10 days, as Winnie the Pooh would say. Today is a bit of sun and warmer weather, so I ran outside, camera and fibery things in tow. I swear my neighbors must wonder about my sanity......Sofee has been sleeping thru the cooler temps - grateful for a hard frost, but still not totally allergy free. It seems to take a few weeks before she is comfortable. I am going to give her a bath today, and allow her to shed the long sleeved sweater. Hopefully her chewing will be greatly reduced....soon to be gone totally (till next mid August. sigh....).

So, on the spinning and knitting fronts: I finished these socks out of the Merino/Bamboo/Nylon roving. So soft and squishy. They are superwash. I hope they wear well, as I certainly do enjoy wearing them. Their mis-matched appearance doesn't bother me in the least. These were knit on 2.25mm Knitpicks wooden DPNS, my own vanilla pattern.

And to fulfill my "matching" need, these are currently in process. Opal yarn, 72 st, 2.25mm, "Snowboarding" socks. Pattern of my own making to fit my son last winter. I really enjoy knitting with Opal yarn. Wearing too, actually. I know there are much more luxurious sock yarns available out there, but I challenge anyone to find a more durable, long wearing one. They stand up to the test of time...washing, drying, all sorts of abuse so well. These will go into the Christmas box heading his way this year. He won't be home this year..... :( Yes, they do grow up and fly away.......

This is 250 yards of Superwash BFL (4.6oz roving). I think it may become a hat and fingerless mitts to match. Hopefully there is enough. Perhaps I will use the Jarod Flood "Square to round" cap pattern. That may not be the name, but close. It has been drawn to my attention that all of my handspuns are in the same color family. Hmmm.... perhaps that is correct. This particular skein has dark browns and greys in it also. It looks very Manly to me. It might eventually be inside that Christmas box flying off to my son also. We'll see. These skeins are Merino/Bamboo/Nylon sock yarn. Each skein is a little over 225 yards, so totally I got about 450 yards out of a 4oz roving. It's N-ply, which is basically a 3 ply yarn. I am very happy that I got that much yardage. I should make a more elaborate sock out of this yarn, since it's "solid", but you know me and my plain vanilla socks! I am trying to talk myself into a Cookie A pattern, or at the very least a Nancy Bush. It's a nice fingering weight. You can see there is still some variation in weight, and perhaps it is enough that an "artsy" sock pattern would not work out. Hmmm....that might be my excuse!

During this last week, DH was on vacation. Yes, the "Blustery" week....not fit for man to be outside. Grandpa and BG spent a great deal of time together. We did hit the library for another "Baby Book" time, and a trip to Great Grandma's house. We also stopped by the orchard and picked out the perfect pumpkin (about 4" in diameter! lol) Grandpa is a pretty nice diversion around here. BG's going to be quite disappointed when he comes tomorrow and finds only Grandma and Sofee here! He's teething....he has 4 molars all trying to poke thru at the same time...OUCH! Hope he's feeling better this week. Oh...and I've been warned. The "Little Dude" can now shimmy up on the couch! YIKES! "Watch out grandma...."

Bad, Bad Blogger!

Yep, that's what I have been. I think this is a new record of absence. Sorry....

Since last we visited much has happened. My Idaho sister has come and gone. Great seeing her come, so sad seeing her go. She is 8 yrs my senior, and somehow I always have such a warm fuzzy when I am around her. Sigh.... She says it's because she mothered me for the first 10 yrs of my life. Perhaps. Sigh.... She has always been camera shy (horribly so!) and I respected that this visit. So, no photos here. Sigh....

The Iowa State Fair has also come and gone. So, the summer has ended (or seemingly so). Actually the hot weather seems to be returning, but it will be short lived. I went to the fair twice, and I do believe that I saw every nook and cranny this year!

The garden has gone way past it's prime, as have my flower beds. We are still getting lots of produce, but the enchantment for the gardener has waned, and the weeds are having their hay day now. Soon it will all be tilled under and a new, fresh garden will come up in the spring. As the seasons go.....

Also, it's Sofee's allergy season. Ragweed we think is the culprit, as DD also suffers about this time of year. Sofee is on her meds, and I am looking forward to the first hard frost.

On the knitting front:BG's new hat from the blue handspun fits perfectly...well with a little growth room. Notice that left hand...a second later that hat was toast! LOL. Hope he keeps them on come winter time. Mittens are next on the list. Probably all for naught.....

I am working on the picot bind off on the shawl - hopefully will finish that up this evening. I am happy with the shawl, and actually think I might use this one! Finished photos in a couple of days.

As for spinning:
This roving became this yarn:It's Navajo plied again. 256 yards of somewhere between a DK and WWI may spin some natural white and do some color work with the two together. As for now, I will just enjoy and caress it once in awhile. It's Superwash Merino.

And I think last post I mentioned wanting to eventually knit a natural colored "oatmeal" sweater. I ordered 1 LB of roving. It's Oatmeal BFL from PradiseFibers. It is so very lovely....a dream to spin. So soft! I love the color (or lack thereof). So, I ordered 3 more LBs. I will practice, practice, practice, with the first LB, and swatch, swatch, swatch. Hopefully I'll be able to spin up and knit a sweater. Hopefully!

And to finish this post, I'll share our day. BG and I went to the zoo today. We met up with Erica and her two munchkins.
I think BG enjoyed the other children more than the animals, but that's ok. He still had a great day. I'll post a photo of BG and new friend(s)....if mom will give her permission. How about it Erica? I forgot to ask......