June 2005 Archives

In order to reduce some of fiber stash I've decided to purchase a spinning wheel...the hand spindle is not fast enough to crank this stuff out. I also would like to explore spinning up some yarns and selling them at the local consignment store (same place I have my jewelry).

So...which one to get? Lendrum, Schacht, or Kromski? I know they're all different but what's the best value? This will be my bday present to me. Yippee!

Birthday Gifts & RAOKs
Speaking of birthday gifts I'm 95% done with my mom's gift. I'm knitting a lovely stole from Knitty. I'll put a picture up when I'm done.

Long way overdue are thank you's to the following ladies for the wonderful RAOKs I've received the last several months...yes months and I'm now just getting around to it. I've been meaning to say hi and thank you but time flies and never have the cards in front of me when I think to do it. Except for today!

Thank you to Maryellen, Chrisse, Marina, and Tori, for your wonderful gifts!

Thank you for your gift! I was quite surprised to receive your items - very thoughtful indeed! My favorite was the asian knot thingie. Very cool!! and the knitting needles, and the beads, and all of it! Thanks again for a wonderful experience.

Birthdays and Reminders
So for me, this time of year is a little bit hard to deal with. Actually, it's weird how the mind works but my mental block began about 2 weeks ago. Why, do you ask? Let's see...June 9, 2004 my son was born, it was the most wonderful and scary event that's ever happened in my life. Scary because he wasn't due for another 13 weeks, wonderful b/c I got to meet him.

That was just the beginning of our adventure. The next 5 weeks was spent holding our breath waiting to see how his body would deal with this premature arrival. I got to hold him twice, change his diaper, take his body temperature, and watch him gain weight. Then he got sick -- very sick, and what seem to be a slow recovery ended on July 16, 2004. Julien Robert Velis Potter passed away that night in our arms.

This Summer and every Summer hereafter will always be full of reminders but not all sad ones. There's wedding anniversaries, birthdays, and yes, a death reminder but that's ok. Slowly but surely the death of my son has become easier to deal with. Some days are better than others and as long as I have a supportive network of friends and family I will be ok.

That's it for today.

Two weekends ago I had the great pleasure of working at an alpaca farm near my house. The place is called Ameripaca and they raise and sell alpacas. Their farm has over 300 alpacas from Suris to Huacayas. Lovely creatures! Anyways, I helped out one of the vet techs weighing and feeding the little crias (newborns). I also got a chance to meet some of the younger males (they all have separate eating areas).

Belvedere is one of the young males waiting to be weened from his mother, and this Spring he was sheared for the very first time since his birth! He has a luscious grey fleece with the very tips dipped in a rich brown (see below). Anyways I met him after he was sheared and thanked him for his lovely fleece which I now need to have cleaned and prepped for spinning.

2lbs of Belvedere's fleece

Since this is a desirable color the price was more than average but that's ok! I just love the combo of grey and brown and can't wait to spin it up. For those of you seeking an alpaca fleece source I would recommend contacting your local alpaca breeder...they're always looking for people to buy their fleece.

My first scarf made just for me!

Pattern: Monette, Rowan Vintage Style
Yarn: KidSilk Haze, US 4

This is the lightest, most beautiful thing I've ever knitted! I swear!!!

Purchases
Ok, here's the haul from Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I present to you...

Fluffy balls from Wild Meadow Angora:

Three Waters Farm mohair yarn, and wool/mohair fluffly fiber

More yummyness from Three Waters

Dyed mohair locks from Three Waters

From Tess' Designer Yarns

Here's what I'm using for knitted gift...Frill

This is one lovely hank of Kaalund's Expression in Waterlily. Gorgeous 100% kid mohair, lace weight yarn. Purchased at KnitHappens...now don't buy up everything I need to get some more.