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…

I used to share many links on this blog and then I just stopped. I’m costantly coming across cool links, and great resources that I wish I had the time to use! I’m also really great at procrastination and putting off hard work.

Of course, I’m assuming I have LOADS of readers and I will continue in that fantasy.

Books and reading resources

Japanese knittings books - YIPPEE. Now I don’t have to guess what they are on Amazon. Aimee/Holly can we get these for the store? Like this one:

Want tips on how to start a fair isle project? Need direction on what to read? Well head on over to the Fair Isle & Norwegian Knitting blog.

How about color theory? Fiber Fool can help you out with that!

Need help coming up with a color palette? This tool does it for you by picking out the colors from a photo! Or look through these.

Does that pattern call for a discontinued Rowan yarn? Yes?! Here you go for substitutions.

Crafty fiberists

Flint Knits: check out her Autumn Aran Sock made from adapting an aran sweater pattern.

Pine Cone Lodge: wonderful fair isle work. She’s doing a pattern out of the Poetry in Stitches book.

Honeybee33’s tutorial on bust darts is complete and detailed. Perfect for those that need some extra consideration in their knitting.

Wanna get technical with that spinning? Start here.

Are you up for a mystery sock challenge? Maia Spins has put together a 4 part pattern: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Happy FRIDAY!

Yesterday on my drive home, bored out of my mind, I was thinking about my top 5 singer/songwriters and who would they be. This was sparked by some “Cinnamon Girl” playing on Sirius and my love for Neil Young. And then I started thinking about the two things I would need if I had to get rid of my possessions. Music and books. I could survive with those two in my life but would be sad to not have my beading, knitting, or spinning hobby to keep them company. I digress back to my top 5 singer/songwriters, here’s my list and split by gender:

1. Neil Young - THE MAN. He doesn’t need instruments to make beautiful songs. He knows how to construct memorable lyrics, and sing with a soulful voice.

2. Bob Dylan - Blashphemous that he’s not #1 on my list. He just doesn’t compare to Neil.

3. Elliott Smith - WOW. Why, oh why, did he have to die so soon?

4. Johnny Cash - What can you say about the man in black that hasn’t already been said?

5. Nick Drake - Another one that died too young.

And for the ladies:

1. Bjork - she may have poor fashion sense but this woman is incredible. Her ear for sounds is incredible.

2. Cat Power aka Chan Marshall - whether she’s drunk or not this woman can produce some heart wrenching songs.

3. PJ Harvey - such a strong voice in such a small body.

4. Patti Smith - THE queen of cool.

5. Neko Case - She has several albums out and they just keep getting better.

Do you have any favorites?

Now for the two things to do. I was just reading Erin’s post about what to do if money were no object. For me, I would say travel to Japan for 3 months, and volunteer at an animal shelter. I’m obsessed with the Japanese culture and feel the need to get immersed, live among that society and return with arms full of kimonos. As for animal shelter, there is plenty of animals that need help and assistance.

Oh boy, how fun! Rhinebeck 2007 was everything a girl could wish for and more! The setting was magical, the vendors delightful, the food absolutely delicious and the company stupendous! I’ve posted my pics for you all.

And now for the purchases rundown..Check out ravelry for more yarn details.

1. Buttons from Autumn House Farms:

2. Dark brown skeins from Foxhill Farm (Cormo cross), and 2ply sport skeins from Ginger Hill

3. 2ply sport cone from Ginger Hill, and yummy browns from Brooks Farm

4. Two 4 ounce bags of yummy Cormo/Alpaca/Angora mix from Foxhill Farm

5. 4 ounces of delicious carded Angora:

6. Drop spindle from Hatchtown Farm

7. Fiber tops from Abi’s Farm: Pink merino top and natural colored opossum/merino blend

On and off the needles

So much! Well, not really. I’ve finished some wonderful projects but can’t for the life of me remember to take pics. You will just have to trust me when I say I’ve done them.

Project: Grandma’s stole
Pattern: Print O’ Wave Stole
Yarn: my own handspun laceweight, aka cursed yarn. This yarn was knitted up several times, and ripped several times, but it survived! Fiber came from the Silkworker, and it was a wool/silk blend.
Needles: US4 circular
Modifications: I didn’t calculate the yardage very well and ran out of yarn. The border was not done.
Thoughts: Pattern directions are AWFUL. I love Eunny’s work but this pattern lacks editing. I suggest reading this great post ahead of casting on, and find some patience.

Project: Socks for moi and then gave away to Luxecraft
Pattern: Crusoe
Yarn: From Luxecraft, purchased in Colorado
Needles: US1 circular
Thoughts: No modifications needed. I followed the pattern 100% and got beautiful socks. The socks almost exactly like the Knitty pics!

Project: Stole for moi
Pattern: Simple feather and fan
Yarn: My own handspun laceweight, from this gorgeous fiber!!
Needles: US 7 circular
Thoughts: I blocked this too long and got more of a scarf than a stole! As I told the ladies I will be ripping this back (I know the horror!), and starting all over again with more stitches and less length. I am determined to have a PERFECT cashmere/merino stole.

Those are my finished projects and now for what’s on the needles:

1. Spiral boot socks using Regia Silk

2. Lady Eleanor using Noro Silk Garden

3. Aberlady. This is my first Starmore pattern and I’m so excited! Right now I’m trying to figure out which yarn to use. The pattern calls for a 4ply such as Rowan 4ply Soft, and I’m hoping to use my School Products Lace Merino. Here’s the catch, while both yarns have the same gauge (28sts over 4in on 3.25mm needles), they don’t share the same weight. The lace merino is 3,400 yards in one pound and the Rowan 4ply Soft is 1,730 yards in one pound. If I stick with the School Products my sweater will be thinner and won’t have the same look. What to do? Double up the yarn and change the pattern? Thoughts, anyone?

We interrupt today’s post with the latest GREATEST news… He has won! HE WON! Yup, good ol’ Al Gore has won the Nobel Prize for Peace!!!! So what that he shares it, who cares that the other half belongs to the UN Panel, he was won this for his great work!

Congrats! and now can you please step up and show these idiots how a presidency should be run? Please, pretty please.

Sincerely,

Mimosa Knits