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It was a nice productive weekend. Yesterday I knitted my tail off and finished this:
It’s really stunning and I’m so excited about it. And, I even blocked it. I know, right? But blocking wires are my best friend.
And today I spun up the caldera batts into a lovely single:
I really loved this batt. It was a blend of romney, silk noils, tussah silk, bombyx silk, and viscose. It really spun up effortlessly. Now I just need to figure out what I am going to make with this. I only have 95 yards of heavy worsted. So, I’m thinking hat? Maybe?
And just for the record, my dog must be having quite the dream right now. All four of his paws are twitching frantically. Do you think he’s chasing squirrels? I hope he catches them. They’re stealing all of my birdseed from the feeders.
Today I’ve been trying to knit. And I say trying because I have been very unsuccessful at the attempt. I’ve screwed up the avalon scarf beyond repair. The only thing left to do is frog and start over. But I did try to knit a second avalon with some different yarn. I screwed it up on row 12 beyond repair also. I guess this is the knitting gods’ way of knocking me down after the merino triangle high that I was on this morning as I pulled out the blocking pins. So, looks like I’ll be giving it another go in a day or two.
I would like to start the absinthe socks though. And the cotton slouchy hat. Or maybe I should finish something that I’m already working on… like avalon.
Again, I’m so behind. But I’ve been making knitting progress. Lots of it. I’m just lacking in the spinning department lately.
I finished the Orchids and Fairy Lights hat. And I love love love it! The pattern called for Malabrigo worsted and size 7 needles. But I had this lovely Manos wool which really wanted to be this hat. I decided to use size 8 needles, as I have a large noggin. It turned out to be a good decision. The hat fits perfectly. Now, if it would only get cold again so that I can wear it… Oh, and this was my first knitted item with bobbles. I had always stayed clear of the bobbles as I wasn’t really sure that I was a bobble kind of girl. But I think that I might love them now. I definitely see bobbles on the horizon.
I also finished the swap gift for fabulous kikibowns. It’s the Emelia Lace Choker. It turned out to be a really easy lace pattern. I was plesantly surprised. And the yarn… Jaggerspun merino/chinese silk. It was the most wonderful laceweight yarn I’ve ever knitted with. I have plenty leftover, which is great. I want to knit more of these chokers. And I want to knit more of that yarn!
Now on to new projects.
First up is the Merino Triangle. I’m using the Shetland Triangle pattern. If there is such a thing as mindless lace knitting, this pattern would be it. I’m substituting a DK weight yarn (Louet Gems) for the fingering weight that was originally called for. I’ve also gone to a size 8 needle rather than the 6. This is definitely making the shawl a bit more substantial, which is nice. But this pattern is really letting this yarn shine. The Louet Gems is showing the stitch pattern so nicely. And this color is to-die-for! Cherry red. It’s just so vibrant!
And lastly, I’ve just cast on my summer KAL project that I’m knitting with kikibowns. It’s the Avalon scarf. She sent it to me (and the yummy yarn) as a part of the Eclipse swap. The yarn is called Twilight Inspired and is from The Fiber Gourmet’s etsy shop. I am one lace pattern repeat in and I’m loving this. I’m loving the yarn too. It’s giving the scarf an almost gothic feel.
Lots going on right now. And a busy week ahead of me. Lots to do, lots to do.
Just a quickie to share yesterday’s spinning adventure… ’cause I kinda love it.
I’m calling it Black Tie Affair. It’s black alpaca spun with white tussah silk, then thread-plied with silver thread that has been strung with red beads. It’s going to become a clutch for me. Rock.
Just got in from morning coffee with my dear Joe. I love Joe. While I find it funny that we both ended up in this same town, I can’t imagine being here without him. Cheers to old friends!
So, saturday is before me and I’m still at a loss on how I’m going to spend it. A drive to civilization sounds like a good idea as I could desperately use a bookstore, grocery store and Target. But that means gas. And time. And the realization that Christmas is 3 months away has suddenly appeared, meaning that I need to start haulin’ ass if I’m going to keep my promise to only give handmade gifts this year. So, I need to plan. And I need to be realistic, as it is common knowledge that I tend to set my goals a little too high at times. Plus there’s the Twilight swap… I’ve too many ideas. And my swap partner is so awesome that I can’t help but have a gazillion ideas. Edit, Jenn. Edit.
Oh, I almost forgot! Weekly spindle pr0n:
Oh yes. BGD, your spindles are like heroin. It’s a murano glass flower top whorl spindle and it might be my new favorite. The weight of the glass whorl is so perfect. One of these days, I’ll put down the spindles long enough to get some knitting done. Hopefully this happens soon as Christmas knitting is the big dark cloud hanging over my head and I don’t think that handspun yarn is a practical gift for non-knitters.
A quick update: I need to get back to the red heart socks. I’m done with one sock, and I have a good start on the second sock. I just need to make the time to finish it. Ahhh! Too much and not enough time to do it all!
So, I should go be productive, right? Affirmative. And I should not let the Twilight board on ravelry suck me in. Because if it does, I may never get anything done…
So yeah. We all knew that I couldn’t keep my vow to not start a new project until I completed 4 of my current WIPs. BUT my new project is for a good cause. I’m test knitting. It’s a most groovy scarf for the lovely troismommy over at ravelry. It’s called Tourniquet.
It’s knitting along quite quickly, actually. And I rather love it. The charcoal grey and red together are stunning. I wish that I had not been so impatient and had ordered some better yarn for it. But I really wanted to get going on it, so I just used some wool/acrylic that I had in my stash. (luckily I had the right colors!) It’s all good though. I have an excuse to knit another one! I had hoped to have it finished today, but I got a little distracted by an afternoon nap (I haven’t taken a nap in sooo long. It was blissful!). But it should be done in the next day or two. It’s going to be wonderful for this winter.
In other news, I’ve ordered another Butterfly Girl Designs spindle. SOMEONE STOP ME PLEASE AS I AM OUT OF CONTROL! I keep buying spindles (plus I’m in the middle of making two… I’m making the whorls out of fimo clay. I just need to run to the hardware store for some grommets.) And don’t even get me started on the knit picks order that I’m about to place. Must. Buy. More. Yarn. (that will sit in my stash for a few months before I even give it a thought, only to then go out and buy more yarn) I needs it… my precious!
Back to the Tourniquet.
I’m in going through some serious sock knitting obsession right now. My most recent yarn shop excursion ended with an armload of shibuknits, koigu, and silk garden sock. I even received some unexpected sock yarn for my birthday last week. I want to knit practically every sock pattern that I see on ravelry and I have even been sketching some personal pattern ideas that have been swimming in my head. Socks, socks, everywhere. And I still haven’t worn a pair of socks outside of the house since last April when I went to see the Yarn Harlot.
I finished the Noro striped socks. Can you say love?
Seriously, I’m hopelessly in love with these socks. I don’t care that it’s 90 degrees outside, I just want to wear them everywhere. I need to make another pair of these. And they were surprisingly easy. Alternate stripes, afterthought heel. Easy peasy.
And here’s my newest sock: Red hearts.
This pattern (A Pair of Hearts Socks by Donna Pye) is super easy with a little twist. Plus, how can you not love the cute cliched hearts in china red Shibuknits? If I ever find reason to celebrate valentine’s day (which is doubtful), I’ll wear these socks.
Yesterday I sat down to a couple of movies and churned out the most freakin’ gorgeous fingerless gloves ever. Seriously.
Is that not the most gorgeous red you’ve ever seen? I love how the double cable fits the red so well. I loved every moment of knitting these gloves. So, I’ve cast on a second pair today. Oh, yes. I am a process knitter.
I really just want to do nothing but wear these gloves and stare at my hands. I love them that much.
