Hot doggies!
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Hot doggies!
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A prototype of Cabled Fingerless Mittens that I am making as part of gift for a friend.
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Welcome to the Illustrious Order of Cast On Knitting Scouts!
]]>Wherein it is acknowledged that members are:
- Not opposed to alcohol.
- Into badges.
- Mostly in agreement that there is no right way to knit.
- Committed to diligent positive and accurate presentation of knitting and knitters, to editors, producers, directors, and those generally presumed to be part of "The Media" in an effort to close the gap of Public Knitting Literacy.
Here are the badges I've earned thus far, and the reasons why I believe that I earned them.
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In the summertime, when the weather is high,
You can chase right up and touch the sky.
Guess I have Mungo Jerry on my mind....
Anyhow, I started working on a lightweight sweater last week. Who is this for? ME! I'm so excited because I have never made anything for myself before.
Wow.
The pattern is from Gardiner Yarn Works. The amazing yarn I am using is by Elsebeth Lavold called Hempathy. Here's what a website has to say about this yarn:
]]>From Elsebeth Lavold's Enchanted Garden: The drape and feel of Hempathy resembles that of linen but the cotton content provides softness and the Modal lends it some elasticity. This enhances the knitting properties and helps even out the knitting for us uneven knitters. Just like Silky Wool, it knits up like a thicker yarn, but the finished garment feels thinner than the yarn would indicate. Many designs in Silky Wool can be knitted in Hempathy as well. Hemp, by the way, has anti-bacterial properties.
So far, its been a great summer project. Since it's Ghosthunters night, I'll probably get a lot of knitting completed. :)
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Here are a few more pictures of my spinning wheel. I love it.
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It started on Ravelry (as many things currently do in my life). After reading some blogs and posts from fellow Ravs, I decided to purchase a drop spindle as my "big purchase" at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival so I could "try out" spinning. How cool would it be to actually make my own yarn?
Based on glowing reviews and wonderful customer service, I purchased this beauty from the Bosworths at Journey Wheel. While I was at the festival, I also purchased some wool rovings from <sigh> Asheville, NC's Earth Guild and from Misty Mountain Farms that Sheila Bosworth has recommened to me.
At first, spinning was impossible. Keeping that damn spindle moving while I was drafting seemed like a goal that I may not reach. After learning a technique called the Park and Draft Method of spindle spinning, I began to understand the magic that was taking place between my fingers. The picture (above) was taken after one of my first successful attempts.
The next two photos were taken of what I consider to be my next best effort on the spindle.
The peacock blue yarn was plyed with recycled sari yarn I bought last year.
I decided to ply it with the sari yarn because the recycled fibers are so rough! I haven't enjoyed knitting with it at all, so I decided that the wool might soften it up enough that it would be tolerable to work with... and I was correct.
After a trip to Vulcan's Rest, I purchased a bag of roving made of 80% merino wool and 20% silk. This stuff spun so well, it made me feel like I was a spider.
I also felt like a bit of a harlot, Did I fall in love? Do I need another hobby? Spinning had suddenly become an obsession. I needed to develop my skills and MAKE MORE of my own yarn.
I got the pedal rhythm going, sang Sarasponda over and over, and completed some trial runs. Within hours, I created this hank from 100% Merino wool.
IMHO, it's not perfect but it's beautiful. I can't wait to knit with this!
So, now I am a spinner. Look out stash.
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4/28 Update: After a visit from the SPCA, the pups were moved into a bigger cage. Still not adequate, IMHO, but at least they can move now.
This atrocity is occurring at the house next door to me. Other than the few hours that I bring them into my yard and give them water, food, and attention, I think these puppies are in this cage almost all the time. Animal control isn't open until Monday morning. Anybody out there. . . please come and take these two darling chow puppies.
If I had my way, they would be sitting in my house with me now, but...
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Poor Aaron. He was lucky enough to help me make some skeins of flax. Doesn't he look thrilled to be helping his DM?]]>
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This product, advertised on Ravelry and available from Knitwitch, looks like one of those "must-have" products, like square knitting needles, heart-shaped stitch markers, and an electronic row counter.
The store owner, Brittany, writes of the product:
I gotta tell you, I have been using one of these yarn bowls and I'm wondering how I ever did without it! It is wonderful to not have to chase your ball of yarn all over the place AND it keeps the cat from laying on it! My yarn never gets tangled and the bowls are absolutely perfect for putting on the floor board in the car. They hold hand-wound balls wonderfully!
I typically keep each of my WIPs in tote bags (or gift bags if I have several projects going at once) and this works well for most days. I always have a project to take with me to work or to church, the movies, or wherever I know that I might have a minute to pull out my sticks. The yarn bowl wouldn't work for this; but, at home, where I constantly fight to keep the dog hair off of my work, these handy little pieces of pottery might work out well.
Wouldn't it be neat to keep a yarn bowl like this, some needles, and a ball of pretty yarn on your desk at work? Talk about temptation!
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