Last weekend I spent the days organizing the yarn and fiber stash. It was a mess. I had bags all over the house stuffed with projects, tools, patterns, and gods know what else! Lobo decided she could help out by taking residence on top of plastic bags. Why on earth she decides that’s a good place, I have no idea. She’s an odd bird.

This weekend I tackled my books and patterns and acquired a few more mags and a book! I got the new IK in the mail, picked up IK Holiday Knits, and the latest KnitScene. Then I got really crazy and stopped by the Yarn Garden to see if the pattern I had ordered was in. That would be a no. So, I bought this:

I got loads done this weekend!

It all started with doing some serious knitting and reading with the help of Pikachu. I finished spinning the Pucker Brush roving:

Fiber: Mohair, first cut, close to kid mohair
Vendor: Pucker Brush
Color: blues
Weight: about 7oz
WPI: 27
Ply: none

Lady Eleanor is done! This was super easy and very boring to knit. Lobo feels the same.

Pattern: Lady Eleanor, Scarf Style
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, 71, 6 balls or so
Needles: US 10

I want another weekend like this…

Oh boy, I tell you, sometimes life grabs you and shakes you around and makes a mess of things. It seems that the universe has turned against our dearly loved elderly family members. Erin’s grandmother suffered a heart attack, Lolly’s grandfather passed away, and then my grandmother landed at the emergency room, and then went in for open heart surgery. As soon as I heard about this I jumped on a plane and headed to Miami. All is well now, as much as it can be…

Project updates

Before I left for Miami, I finished two projects! Yes, two! I know it’s shocking to hear. I finally finished Kepler and DH’s socks.

Project: Kepler sweater

Pattern: Kepler by Emily aka Fathom Harvill

Yarn: Green Mountain Spinnery, Double Twist in Blueberry Aquamarine, about 5 skeins

Gauge: 4.25 stitches to the inch in stst

Needles: US 8s addi turbos, and US 6s for i-cord

Notes: Awesome pattern! Very easy to follow and a wonderful design. I’m extremely happy with the fit and no modifications were made.

Here’s an upclose shot of the band:

For DH’s socks…no finished pics cause they are boring. Just picture another of these but for the other foot.

Project: DH’s steel blue socks

Pattern: Gentleman’s sock in railway stitch from Knitting Vintage Socks

Yarn: Lana Grossa Meilenweit Boot, not sure of colorway

Needles: US 1s and 0s for cuff

Notes: Loads of modifications! I didn’t follow the pattern just used the railway stitch for the body and plain stockinette for foot. I knit this toe up with 32 cast on, but the second was 30 sts cast on, and the heel is short row.

New projects and distractions

On my trip to Miami I started a new sock project. I’m knitting Dalarna from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush. I’m using Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4ply in red and US 3s. Let’s see…I’ve also resurrected Tendrils (Knitty Spring 06) which was put aside last August. I’m using my own handspun with beads and I’m hoping I will have enough yarn. This has been ripped once before and may need it again. I think I will have to weigh the yarn and see if I can determine the number of yards I have.

…switching gears here. Has anybody noticed that the Sheepie festival has updated their site? Registration opens April 3rd for the classes. I’m trying to figure out if I’ll be able to take the 3 day spinning class and get down in DC in time for the Arcade Fire show, who by the way rocks!

Speaking of rocking I’ve been consumed lately by Lime & Violet’s podcast.  These ladies crack me up. I love their sense of humor and ability to laugh out loud with such energy. Best of all is their weekly yarn pr0n update where they share their recent findings.  Another obsession of mine has been Prison Break not on TV but on DVD. The suspense, action and writing is quite good. Oh, and of course Michael’s tattoos are gorgeous!

I finally finished one sock for the DH after many ripping sessions and calculations. He was quite picky on fit! I’m using Lana Grossa, Meilenweit Mega Boots Stretch in a boy color. Now I need to get psyched up to start the next one.

Now for the fun stuff! I’m done spinning up the merino/cashmere handdyed yummyness! I’m waiting for my Springwater class to start before I attempt to ply this up. I’m still not sure if I will do 2ply or navajo:

Looks like Wendy has done a short video on doing cables without a cable needle. Check it out.

I present you two green feet. My Pomatomus feet.

click image for larger pic

and upclose shot

————-
Pattern: Pomatomus from Knitty Winter 05 by Cookie A.

Yarn: Socks that Rock, “County Clare”, lightweight

Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm), one circular

Notes: This is a stretchy pattern that should be swatched but who has time! I started with 1s and went up to 2s. The first sock was knit top down as per pattern. The second was knit toe up with one less repeat and no pattern on foot. I loved the pattern! Very easy to memorize and loads of fun to knit. I highly recommend it.

Spinning news

I’ve finished about 3 ounces of the merino/cashmere blend I dyed in November. Here’s the beautiful bobbin:

I’ve been spinning this quite thin so I could have enough for a shawl. I will eventually have two bobbins full and then ply the two together.

Next project

I’ve started Kepler and have two arm bands, and the front band done. Wanna see?

Here’s the front band

And a close up

I’m using Green Mountain Spinnery’s Double Twist in Blueberry. I’m going to focus on this project and try to not get tempted into another sock. BUT. I tell ya my latest purchase (during holidays) of Schaefer Anne is calling my name. I. MUST. RESIST.

Up Next…possibly

After this sweater is done I’m thinking of knitting up some yummy baby camel yarn from School Products. I got enough for a long sleeve sweater. Here’s pic from their site:

I’m thinking of doing this pattern from Karabella. I just learned that the owner of School Products is also the Karabella founder.

Pattern: KK409

I leave you with the devil, aka Pikachu, sitting on our present from the MIL. She made a quilt depicting a photo we took on our last trip to Chile. The quilt is gorgeous! and I’m sure she would not find this funny but this is sooo Pikachu. Look at that face of defiance.

Sorry people I dropped out of the blogosphere for a lil’ while. I’m back with loads on my mind and equally long lists of things to do. I’m really digging reading up everyone’s New Year’s resolutions and what they have or haven’t accomplished this past year. But before I start my own list and I need to bring you up to date with latest projects.

Here’s one bobbin packed full of 50/50 romney/mohair. This was a b$tch to spin. The roving was full of neps and lanolin which made it difficult to spin finely, but I did it! Now I need to spin the other 4 or so ounces and ply. Here’s a post talking about this purchase.

My So Called Scarf
Lovely pattern and even prettier yarn! I had a blast knitting this, nice and quick.

Details:
Yarn: Manos in 113 (Wildflowers), 2 skeins
Pattern: Sheep in the city
Needle: US 11 straight, bamboo

Lists for this year

There’s so much I want to accomplish this next year and hopefully I will. One thing that has been on my mind is global warming. I can’t stop thinking about how we’re ruining the most beautiful thing we as humans have…the EARTH. It’s hard for me to understand the ignorance and lack of understanding, but worse the lack of interest. The DH and I watched “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore last night. I was in tears at the end, not because our way of life may change as a consequence but thinking about the death and destruction of animals, innocent animals. Whether you believe or not that the US is responsible for much of the problem, it just simply DOES NOT matter. The fact of the matter is this…the environment is changing much faster than it *should*, and we as humans are destroying the very thing that keeps us alive. Remember we need food, air, and water.

Part of this year’s resolution is to get as many people as possible to WATCH THIS MOVIE and ACT. Change your light bulbs, recycle, conserve energy, petition the government to change emission laws, etc. Just do something.

Ok, I’m done ranting and hopefully you will listen. Back to lists.

1. Spin up more of my stash. I can’t buy more fiber until MSWF. NOPE I can’t.

2. Knit from stash including from roving stash.

3. Keep better notes about projects, document the little things that add up to a lot.

4. Exercise. I’ve joined the 100 miles by April 1st. I’ve gotta get moving.

5. Change jobs

6. Move houses but not until above happens

7. Take a spinning class [Springwater has a class in February about drafting and plying]

8. Keep in touch with friends

9. Get rid of cable TV [done! accomplished this past week]

10. Read more. Watch more foreign films. Yes, both of these are related.

That’s it for now I’m sure I’ll add more before the month ends. I leave you with this happy cat.

Lobo, enjoying the day as usual

Blissfully happy next to me