I casted on for Aberlady last week while sitting at KH. There were quite a few F words thrown out as I casted on 384 STITCHES. Before the cast on, I did a swatch and got about 8.5 stitches per inch, which is not what it should be, but I will live (cover your ears Elspeth). I figured knitting in the round will generate tighter stitches than knitting flat, and there’s always blocking to fix issues. I will also check my gauge after the band and see if I need to drop a needle size.

Which brings me to my next gripe. WTF is wrong with needlemakers? Why do they all have to create their own version of US 2s? For example, here’s what the major needlemakers consider a US 2 in mm:

- Crystal Palace - US 2, no mm stamp or specification ANYWHERE. I measured mine and it’s 2.75mm.

- Skacel Addis (site is not working) - US 2=3.00 mm, sigh.

- KnitPicks, fixed circulars - US 2=2.75mm AND 3.00mm. Yup. You get to pick your version of US 2s.

- Inox circulars - US 2=2.75mm. Inox make this clear and obvious on their package.

** Of course, this is not a complete list of makers. But, this does show the most common needles one can find at your LYS. So, what is the correct answer? What is a US 2 needle? Well, according to Wikipedia, a US2 is 2.75 mm NOT 3mm. I know there are differences between US and Britain, and other countries but please people just pick one system and stick to it. I vote for metric only.

Happy Times

Moving on to happier times. Here’s the beginning of Aberlady:

I’m using a thrifted sweater’s yarn. I picked up a charcoal merino sweater from Goodwill for $5, and got loads of yarn! The photo doesn’t really pick up the color accurately but believe me when I say it’s a pretty heathery black.

The fun continued this weekend as I tinkered with my new old sewing machine! I got a Kenmore 1030 off Freecycle and it’s a beauty! I just need to pick up bobbins and a bobbin case, and hopefully I’ll be set. I can’t wait to start sewing up some projects. Oh and for you sewing mavens, this is a 1976 model, made in Japan! SWEET.

Now for some laughs. I’m spinning up some roving that I’ve had in my stash for the last year or so. Before I started spinning, I predrafted my roving and put it in a plastic bag by the spinning wheel. What follows is evidence of my cats’ crazy condition. I call it fiber love. My cats have a thing for roving, they love all of it. They will lie on top of it, knead on it, jump into the bag with it, eat it, and attack it. All of it in the name of fun and love.

Lobo sniffing the roving

Lobo licking her paw after touching the roving

The bag can surely fit the two of them

Pikachu loves just sitting on top of it

The wonderful Schacht company has released a new spinning wheel geared towards beginners and those that want to carry theirs around more easily. It’s name is Ladybug. See how cute it is!

I heard about this new wheel while reading the Violet Rose blog which is maintained by Jane Patrick, aka Mrs. Schacht. The wheel has been out for several months but I haven’t seen much buzz about it. Anyone have one? Ravelry has a few posts but not much info yet. It sounds like the wheels won’t be available to shops until next week. UPDATE: Boogie just reviewed this wheel.

As some have heard in the DC/MD/VA knitting/spinning community, Springwater is closing. The *entire* store is basically on sale, and eventually all of their teaching equipment will be sold off. As soon as I heard the news, I headed down there to offer my support and reserve three spinning wheels plus a drum carder. They have Schacht, Louet, Kromski, Majacraft, Babe, Ashford, and maybe a few other makers. I reserved a Schacht (yes, I already have one but if the price is right I can’t pass this up!), Ashford, and Majacraft. I’m leaning towards the Majacraft and Schacht but now that I see Schacht has new portable one I may have to go with a new Ladybug. Oh decisions.

Yesterday, while visiting Springwater I helped them out by purchasing more fiber. I got 13ozs of purple merino top, and 13 ozs of white cashmere/merino top. Both are divine! I’m thinking of collecting wild colors and making my own tweedy yarn.

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…

And here it is! This may seem like a lot but believe me I was quite restrained compared to last year! The combs will be used shortly as soon as I start washing the cormo fleece! And then spin, spin, spin!

STR in Lagoon

Spinner’s Hill batt, 1lb

Llama roving

Cormo fleece and Pucker Brush roving

5 skeins of Cormo yumminess!

Pair of Viking Combs from Indigo Hound

I’ve been dreaming of Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival for months! Then it came and now it’s gone. Things were quite hectic leading up to last Saturday’s event and still are, but man I had so much fun! The ladies were a hoot and great partners in this yearly adventure. Our troop ran into Dani, Holly, Jasmine, Shanti, Kel, and so many others!

Now before you get too excited I don’t have pics. Yes, I suck. I do, however, have a list of my purchases and pics of those will come soon. In the meantime, just dream and wander over to the ladies blogs and laugh at the sillyness. Ooohhh I forgot to mention that I met Alice Field! Alice is the shepherdess behind Foxhill Farm, and the award winning Cormo fleeces. She won last year’s Grand Champion prize and I’m pretty sure she won this year again!

- 5 skeins of worsted weight Foxhill Farm’s Cormo cross from the American Cormo Association booth in brown

- 3 1/2 lbs of yummy Cormo fleece (Foxhill Farm) from the American Cormo Association booth

- 1 lonely STR skein from The Fold (thank you Holly, you rock!), Lagoon

- 4 ounces of Llama roving from Briar Patch Llamas

- 1 lb of Spinner’s Hill wool/silk batt in lovely blues/teals

- 3 ounces of wool/mohair roving in blues (can’t remember vendor’s name but I’ll find it) from Pucker Brush Farm

- A pair of Viking double row wool combs from Indigo Hound

- 1 bar of soap from Leslie’s Garden

And I think that’s it. I think. Next time I must focus on books! and more equipment like a Woolee Winder, handcards and a diz.

What did you get?