Big Geek Knit Blog

I am back....misc Monday

2011-04-04T07:29:00.002-04:00

Not really a video...but I just discovered these wonderful women from Iceland. Seems fitting on this rainy day. Look! The album cover shows them knitting! They can't be all that bad! I have been thinking of closing my blog as I feel I don't have much say. But thinking it over I am going to give it one more go! Enjoy your day and check out Amiina. They are wonderful.

this moment...forcing spring

2011-03-04T07:27:00.001-05:00

this moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Thank you soulemama

Misc Monday! And Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T07:33:00.001-05:00

My new favorite band. First Aid Kit. I've already gushed about them earlier, but look how cute they are in their sweaters. Do you think they are hand knit?

this moment

2011-02-11T07:23:00.003-05:00

Misc. Monday...Camera Obscura

2011-02-07T07:27:00.000-05:00

This band is just so fun! Love them to pieces...hope you do too.

this moment...I'm excited about my new mitten

2011-02-04T07:12:00.005-05:00

Misc. Monday

2011-01-31T07:05:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this song via my husbands MySpace page. I love this band (Decoder Ring) I believe this is a song from a movie. I thought it was a fitting wintery song. Just beautiful!

this moment...we got the yarn and the kitty cat

2011-01-28T07:15:00.003-05:00

Misc. Monday

2011-01-24T06:53:00.002-05:00

Another of my favorite bands. They are from Iceland and this music always reminds me of crisp cold days. How I would imagine it to be in Iceland. AND how it feels right now here in New York State. Brrrr... it's cold outside.

This moment....another ahem...spindle.....

2011-01-21T06:57:00.003-05:00

Mittens!

2011-01-19T07:11:00.003-05:00

Not just any mittens either. Handspun yarn mittens! This is a pattern I found on Ravelry. They are called the Tip Down Mittens and it is a great pattern to showcase your handspun yarn with. I used less than 4 oz of yarn. Which is about what I spin typically at a time. I think though the next time I make these I will make them a little wider along with the thumb a little wider. I thought I would run out of yarn and I didn't. They are great don't get me wrong, but next time I am going a little bigger and I want to line them.

Misc. Monday

2011-01-17T06:48:00.000-05:00

In an attempt to blog more I have been thinking of things to actually blog about. And seeing as how this is mostly about something I love, knitting and fiber arts, why not expand and let you know about other things I love. Music, books, photography...you get the idea.

I stumbled upon these lovely lasses from another blog: Vivienne Mcmaster (Vivienne will probably be another topic) Anyway, I stumpled upon them and just fell in love with their music. I of course went to Itunes and bought their music. Anything I could find. I wasn't disappointed. I don't think you will be either. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

this moment...new spindle!

2011-01-14T07:20:00.003-05:00

Just as promised

2011-01-10T20:26:00.003-05:00

So I have started a mitten using the handspun from the previous post! It was to be a mitten the whole time. I typically never plan when I spin. I just go with it. But this time I wanted mittens.

I am getting kinda nervous though. I don't want to cut the yarn yet to start the other mitten because I am afraid I won't have enough. So I unwound the ball and rewound it so I can start from the other end. This is as far as I am. Wanna know why?

I started something else! Groan......It involves these pretty yarns:

I am so fickle! Stay tuned for this one too.

this moment...new year...new handspun yarn!

2011-01-07T06:41:00.003-05:00

2010 Round up and Happy New Year!

2011-01-06T21:58:00.004-05:00

Wow, I can't believe I have not been here in almost a month. I bet you thought I was lost in the snow bank from my last post! Or not... Well one of my resolutions is to blog more. So be prepared... I have lots in store in 2011.

Recapping 2010 - looks like I did a lot of spinning, knitting shawls and hats and scarves! Not one sock made it to the finishing line. I think that needs to change this year. Also, MORE SWEATERS! I need to knit up some of this yarn! Shawls will be a given. Just love them.

My first project of the new year will be shown soon. It's a project using handspun. Stay tuned!

this moment...snow...lots of snow...

2010-12-10T07:06:00.001-05:00

this moment...a finished scarf!

2010-11-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

this moment...frost

2010-11-12T07:24:00.002-05:00

this moment

2010-10-22T07:33:00.003-04:00

Harmony

2010-10-16T16:40:00.004-04:00

So today is our wedding anniversary. My husband and I have been married for 17 years! Wow!

I thought it fitting to show this piece of art we were given a while back. It shows a man playing a musical instrument and a woman weaving. While some may look at it that the woman is doing all the work while the man is relaxing... I see it as two people doing what they love the most. Which pretty much sums up the two of us.

My husband loves to make music. He is a guitar player mostly, but can play other instruments. He doesn't really play the flute or whatever it is that this guy is playing. (He likes to releax too)

I love to work with fiber. I love to knit, spin, crochet. Where as I don't weave (yet) I am very interested to add this to my growing love of all things fiber.

Another aspect of this that is totally me is the fact that this thing is really dusty! (Ha! I never claimed to be a good housekeeper)

Anyway, Happy Anniversary my dear husband! I love you and hope for 17+ more years to be with you doing what we both love.

this moment...strumming in the backyard

2010-10-15T07:20:00.003-04:00

Yarn and kittens....2 of my favorite things!

2010-10-13T20:39:00.003-04:00

Don't you wish it could really rain balls of yarn? And the kittens. CUTE I tell you CUTE!

ok so it's for cat food. I still love it.

PS - I changed the look of the blog just one more time...looking at it with 2 blue balls just made me laugh. Ya know?

;-)

the weekending....

2010-10-10T16:17:00.006-04:00

It seems I have come down with a cold this past week. So this weekend I thought I would take it easy a bit and do some mindless spinning.

It would also appear I was pretty productive for not feeling too swift. I managed to finish spinning up some Merino/Bamboo/Nylon (4 oz to be exact), plying it and washing it too. I just love bobbin to finished shots, don't you?

Looks like ice cream! And it's so soft!

Next I finished up some sample spinning. This is only about 2 oz of mixed wool from Spinners Hill. It is so lovely though

I even did some dying! I will save that for tomorrow. I am not sure blogger will let me add any more photos today.

What a gorgeous fall weekend this has been. I hope you are all out enjoying the weather while it lasts.

PS - I changed the look of the blog. I like this more simple look.

this moment....yarn sometimes can be so darn sexy!

2010-10-08T06:47:00.003-04:00

this moment...something amazing and new and yes it does say Kromski. :-)

2010-10-01T07:12:00.004-04:00

I'm just knocking them out...aren't I?

2010-09-30T06:26:00.005-04:00

This is another Sock Head Hat that I made for a friend. This pattern is perfect for Collinette Jitterbug (the old yardage) There is just the right amount for this hat with just a little tiny bit left over. I hear the new Jitterbug has more yardage so you can at least make a pair of socks out of it.

Although I did make a pair of socks out of the old yardage. They weren't very tall socks. I see myself making a lot of these as I have a few skeins of this.

I can't believe how I am actually finishing up stuff. I am itching to start another sweater so I can wear this fall and winter. But I promised the husband a scarf. So nothing new, well except the scarf...until that's done.

Oh and I have started it by the way...

this moment...a finished sweater just in time!

2010-09-24T06:37:00.002-04:00

this moment....another cute cat picture

2010-09-17T14:04:00.003-04:00

Business time...

2010-09-15T21:26:00.003-04:00

Where oh where have I been? I must do better than post once a week!

I am very proud of myself. I am getting stuff done. My UFO's that is. But I think I will spread them out so I can have some blog fodder for the next couple of posts.

I gave you a sneak peak of a hat design I was working on. Well I finished it up!

I present: Theodosia

I am teaching classes at my favorite lys and shop owner Susan said we needed a beginner stranded knitting class. So I thought something with a bulky weight yarn would help get the job done fast.

I came up with the name Theodosia because the scrolly work on it reminded me of Victorian scroll work. So what do you do? Google those words and then narrow it down to a list of popular Victorian girl names. There you have it. The yarn is Berroco Pure Merino and it is super soft. This pattern will only be available through the yarn shop though as a kit for now.

I liked it so much I decided to make another one going the opposite way with the colors.

I haven't gotten very far....

this moment....i'm a gamer...

2010-09-10T07:11:00.002-04:00

this moment...respect the spider

2010-09-03T06:44:00.002-04:00

this moment...creativity! (my own design)

2010-08-27T07:16:00.001-04:00

This moment...serenity

2010-08-20T06:52:00.001-04:00

This moment.... I love my tools

2010-08-13T06:59:00.002-04:00

I love this pattern!

2010-08-11T19:05:00.005-04:00

Okay, so I really should be coming up with a fairisle hat pattern for a class I am teaching in September, but I was caught up in this beautiful pattern called the Aestlight Shaw by the very talented Gudrun from Shetland Trader.

The construction of this has my interest piqued. I can't stop knitting on it or thinking about knitting on it while I am at work.

It doesn't help that the yarn is gorgeous too that I am using. The yarn is from Carrie gosh do I love her yarns! It also doesn't help that she is close by.

I did get a tiny bit of progress on my fairisle hat though... wanna see?

Yep! I took a picture of the yarn. Now what to do with it...

this moment....my favorite shoes

2010-08-06T06:38:00.003-04:00

Shawls Shawls Shawls!

2010-08-03T20:57:00.003-04:00

I love them. They always fit and you don't have to worry about gauge too much....

I finished up 2 shawls this past week and I really think I need to branch out some. They look similar, but are really totally different.

First up is a pattern I saw in Ravelry which is called "The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief"

You may recognize this yarn from my last "this moment" post. It's a discontinued yarn from Schaefer Yarn Company called Little Lola. It is 100% merino and super super soft. It will be used more as a scarf than a shawl as it really isn't that big. I love the yarn over details and instead of yarn overs for the center increases it is made with "make ones". It's nice to try a new style out every now and then.

Next up is a shawl that I have designed my self! It is called "Hither To"

I used Aslan Trends Santa Fe Sock yarn for this. I really liked the colors and the yarn, but while knitting it I thought this isn't really great yarn for socks. It really is much nicer for a shawl. I don't know if my feet would like it. This is a simple shawl with a stockinette body and a border of yarn overs. See what I mean about the similarities? I just finished a shawl last month that was also like this. Really now, it's time to move on Beth!

I am not sure what is up next. I have another sockhead hat in the works and a sock to finish. Not to mention my sweater. The sweater is just going to have to wait. It's too dang hot.

this moment....

2010-07-30T06:39:00.002-04:00

It's summer....

2010-07-25T11:58:00.006-04:00

and my blogging has been kept to a minimum. Sorry! I have been doing some stealth knitting though. I have come up with a pattern for a cute triangular kerchief like shawl. Here is a little sneak peak:

It still needs to be blocked, photographed and typed up.

Yes, so summer has been really busy for me and for everyone else I am sure. We went to Ithaca last weekend and hung out with some friends. Which was totally fun and very relaxing. The hostess is also a knitter so we did a little yarn shopping. I picked up some spinning fiber from Knitting Etc. I got this :

On the package was a label from the dyer. It's from:
http://www.wildharefiber.com/. It's pretty isn't it? We then went over to Susan's Spinning Bunny Susan was so warm and friendly! I wish we had gone to see her first! Her yarns and fiber are amazing. My friend Lisa got me this: How nice was that of her! VERY! I brought her down a spindle and taught her to spin. She also bought some fiber. I have brought someone else over to the dark side..... and it's good.

Lastly we went to see the Flaming Lips and the Black Keys on Friday night. WOW. They were INCREDIBLE! I love Wayne Coyne. Hard. He is so awesome.

this moment...

2010-07-23T06:42:00.003-04:00

this moment...

2010-07-16T06:07:00.003-04:00

this moment....it's hot!

2010-07-09T07:16:00.002-04:00

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T12:34:00.002-04:00

Forcast: HOT HOT HOT!

Have a wonderful holiday!

this moment.....it's all about orange

2010-07-02T07:29:00.003-04:00

thank you soulemama

Simple Things

2010-07-01T18:52:00.002-04:00

I finished my Simple Things Shawl on Tuesday. This is such a cute shawl pattern and it's simple too. Hence the name..

I really like how the picture came out above. Its all soft and fuzzy, like the shawl.

Here is a better picture though:

I used Araucania Ranco Multy. This pattern is perfect for variegated yarn. It let's the yarn talk and not the pattern.

I also made some yarn!

I hand dyed the roving (which was a natural brown color) and it came out a deep plum. Its BFL and very soft. I got around 170 yards of a worsted weight. Which seems to be the only weight I can spin...This will become a nice hat or cowl.

Now I got to get crackin on a picture for tomorrow! (it's "this moment") and I got nothin.

this moment....i am looking forward to an almost finished shawl

2010-06-25T06:24:00.005-04:00

thank you soulemama

this moment....

2010-06-18T06:56:00.003-04:00

thank you soulemama

Another one finished!

2010-06-16T20:54:00.004-04:00

I finished the second hat. Just like I promised. I am not sure I am in love with this hat yet. It came out kinda big. That is why the lovely Heda is modeling it and not me. I may toss it in the wash and see what happens. I may wait until winter when I would actually wear it. We shall see.

The pattern was fun to knit. Here is the back shot:

I would make this again, but I suppose I would use different yarn. This one is kinda "nubby" Also I would go down a needle size. Should have checked my gauge....

Also, I have posted the recipe for the French Breakfast Puffs. I added it to my post below. It is an old family favorite recipe. Hope you enjoy!

French Breakfast Puffs

2010-06-14T19:00:00.004-04:00

Or we just call them Puffs around here.
I made 24 of these last night. There is one left.....
Would you like the recipe?

June 16th edit to add recipe:

Bake at 350 degrees
Serves 12

1/3 c shortening
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 c sifted flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c milk
1/3 c melted margarine
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Grease 12 muffin cups. Mix thoroughly shortening, sugar, egg. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and add alternately with milk. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 20-25 min. until golden brown. Immediately roll first in melted margarine then mixture of sugar and cinnamon.

I would double this batch because 12 just won't last long.
Enjoy!

this moment - dramatic skies at 9 pm....

2010-06-11T07:10:00.003-04:00

thank you soulemama

One down and one to go

2010-06-08T21:14:00.002-04:00

Yay for me! I got one done!

I started this hat in November. LAST YEAR! Sigh....

It was worth it though. I frogged it once and that was a good thing too. I love how it came out. Just in time for summer too! I did a lot of the knitting for this while watching Lost on Hulu. Perfect TV knitting project.

Now to finish the other hat. Who knows, I may even have that done before the weekends.

this moment...front porch knitting is mighty nice

2010-06-04T06:53:00.003-04:00

{this moment via soulemama} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Alright already....

2010-06-02T20:13:00.009-04:00

I want to start a new project so BAD!
But I am having UFO regret.
I am almost done with my sock head hat. So what's wrong with me? Finish it already!

Then I start the Deep Peace scarf/shawl. Which I can justify. I taught this as a class and I am going to keep it this way because I am sure I am going to teach this class again. So we are good with this one.

What's next.... oh yeah, my sock. Let's see, when did I start this? October 8th, 2009. Finish it already! But then start the other one right away!

Moving on...my other hat. This too is almost complete. Perhaps not as complete as my hat above, but really I am thisclose. Finish it already! Will ya?

Don't even get me started about my sweater. I really can't get much enthused when it's 90 bajillion degrees out and I have wool in my lap.

So here's the deal. I am going to finish both the hats then start a shawl.
K?

hazy hot and humid...

2010-05-31T17:38:00.004-04:00

I'm hot and sweaty and really hot. Even the cat is hot.... poor cat

I don't feel like doing much of anything at the moment. I do feel like spinning. Perhaps it's because I don't really have to think while I am doing it. I dunno. I made another spigot spindle and to test it out I have spun up some super wash merino. I could only get about an ounce on here. Comfortably for me, others I am sure could fit more.

I decided to ply it on my wheel and see how it came out. It broke in one spot (crap) so I tied the ends together and kept going. I got about 110 yards of a very fluffy worsted weight. I was going for fingering, but when I washed it, it just bloomed!

Pretty pretty!

I wish I had some Popsicles.......

this moment....I enjoy evenings on my front steps where it is cool...

2010-05-28T07:05:00.005-04:00

Quisp!

2010-05-25T21:47:00.001-04:00

He's knitting! OMG!!!!

I used to LOVE this cereal! It tasted like Captain Crunch but looked like little saucers.

Distracted...

2010-05-24T21:06:00.002-04:00

Got myself a new gizmo on Sunday.

I have been wanting one of these for a long, long time. How freakin' cool is this? Way!

So I did a little "app" shopping. Free ones of course to start. Need to get my feet wet first. So my favorite at the moment is this app:

Comes in quite handy at work. I thought I was getting the one where I could say Shut up in all kinds of languages, but it only came in English.

Then I went for this doo-hicky

Yeah, I know, everyone has this too. But I am on the slow boat here. Trying to catch up.

If you know of any free apps that are cool send me a linky. Even the ones you have to pay for. I would gladly check them out.

I will have some knitting and spinning to show very soon.

this moment....some quite time with my family at my favorite park

2010-05-21T06:56:00.002-04:00

So close yet so far away

2010-05-19T07:13:00.003-04:00

Alrighty then. So I finished my sweater! YAY for me! Wove in the ends and everything. But something was stopping me from weaving in the ends of the sleeves.... they were bugging me. Here, let me show you:

This has happened to me before on my last sweater. The pattern decreases were all bunched up at the top. Then I knit straight from the elbow down to the cuff.

Looks funny.

I don't like it.

I showed the husband my finished sweater on me and he said: "Looks kinda big doesn't it?" He meant the sleeves. So it's back to the drawing board with them. Of course I ripped out my purple life line.

Thank goodness this yarn isn't slippery. I was able to rip back to the beginning of my first decrease.

I will let you know how I make out.

this moment - the cat wants me to finish my sweater too...or does he?

2010-05-14T07:17:00.002-04:00

I've said it a million times, I love making yarn!

2010-05-12T19:33:00.002-04:00

It just amazes me how you can go from a sheep (obviously not a blue sheep)
washing the fleece, dyeing the fleece, combing the fleece

to spinning the fiber on a homemade spindle....

winding it as a single ply yarn cake....

to plying it as yarn!

I blended some green and blue together to make the above yarn. It's all 100% wool. Romney to be specific. Someone thought it was mohair (its very hairy) I got aprox. 144 yards dk weight/heavy fingering.

Love Love LOVE!!! Now what to make.....

Happy Mothers Day! oiy.....

2010-05-09T07:03:00.002-04:00

My father once said, you never know about the weather up here in Central New York. Heck it even snowed on Mothers Day before!

Well now I believe him.

Sniffle sniffle.... my pretty lilacs! They are covered in snow! I was going to cut some for my mother. I still will, but can you believe it? It was just 80 degrees last week.

I put away my winter boots even....

Well we know this too shall pass...

This Moment.....I want to wear my near complete sweater

2010-05-07T06:51:00.004-04:00

Tragic.....

2010-05-03T17:25:00.003-04:00

So I had a bit of a mishap yesterday at my spinning guild meeting.

I broke my favorite spindle. My Golding...... (insert sad face here)

How did I do this? Oh, it's good.... real good....

I freakin sat on it. Can you believe it?

Can you see the crack? To the left? No? Well here, lemme show you another picture:

Now can you see it? Groan............ So what would you say if you just sat on your spindle? Well the first thing that came to mind and my lips was a very loud "SHIT!"

Moving on..... cause I got to. Before I sat on the above spindle, I took a trip to Lowe's on Saturday for one thing and ended up getting the one thing and the makings for this:

Pretty nifty eh? Oh and it spins like a dream....

This moment - I am loving my cats' eye lashes...

2010-04-30T06:30:00.000-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor, and remember.

Prairie Rose Lace Shawl....

2010-04-26T19:34:00.000-04:00

Is done. I have to say I really really really (3 reallys) enjoyed knitting this shawl. I even did the whole thing with out a lifeline! Wow! And CRAZY!

However........yeah but..... and uh, well....

I don't like the color. PEWP!

But all is not lost. I decided to send it off to a new home.

Mary Max. LOVES IT! And that's all that matters. I work with Mary. She is my friend at work. She KNITS! She totally gets the knitting thing. So she appreciates it.

Here is the ever popular "un-blocked" shot. Or as Jennifer (Holiday Yarns) likes to call "boiled ass" cause lets face it... unblocked lace looks like, well... boiled ass right?

but is sure blocks out purty....

Well, I guess I need to make one for myself now....but not now, now.

I have gone back to finishing up my light blue sweater. I may not finish it by the end of April, but I sure as heck am giving it a good shot.

This moment - the boy rocks the cello

2010-04-23T06:57:00.001-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Pretty Yarn Day!!!!

2010-04-20T19:50:00.000-04:00

I figured I shouldn't tease you with the bobbin shot from Friday...now it's time to come through with the goods

Dang, sometimes handspun is just so.... yummy!

It all started with this braid of super wash merino. As I un-braided it I noticed the dyer dyed the braid only. I was a little nervous as this is commissioned work. Do you see? There is a lot of white in this:

I needn't worry though. My friend loved it. This is 4 oz. by the way. I have another 4 to go.

I have decided to be random with my pretty yarn days so as not to feel the pressure and obligation of coming up with something on a specific day. So check back often, who knows when the next pretty yarn day will be!

This moment.... I love making yarn...

2010-04-16T07:12:00.001-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Happy Blogoversary to me!

2010-04-15T06:54:00.000-04:00

It's been 6 years since I have started blogging. It may not seem so at this new blog, but if you click the link to my old blog you will see. SIX YEARS! I know I haven't been a bloggin' lately, but I am trying to do better.

I say this all the time, but the people I have met through blogging have been wonderful and inspirational. Thank you for leaving me comments (even though I haven't figured out yet how to respond to most of you with this new blog)

And YES, I did get wax on the yarn.... sad face..... oh well.

ps - the husband want credit as production assistant for lighting the candles. Round of applause!

Deadlines.....

2010-04-11T19:55:00.001-04:00

I haven't made a sweater in like a year so I thought why not clean up some of the clutter then start your self a sweater? I gave my self a deadline of starting at the beginning of March and finishing by the end of March. It's April 11th. This is where I am at:

Not bad, not bad at all. But if you go to my project page on Ravelry you see I have 6 WIPS. SIX! And guess what I started yesterday?

A shawl.....

Am I hopeless? (no I am a knitter). So my new deadline for the sweater is to finish by the end of April. I would like to actually wear it before summer.

Do you think I can?

This Moment....

2010-04-09T10:16:00.000-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Saw this at http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/ and wanted to do it for some time.

I know I am not supposed to say any words, but yay spring!

A quick project

2010-04-07T07:16:00.000-04:00

My cousin's birthday is coming up and I wanted to make a quick gift for her birthday. Not something simple or basic, but easy enough as to not take up a lot of time (that I didn't have) I wanted something special too as she is also my godmother.

I decided to whip up another 198 Yards of Heaven Shawlette for her.

I can't say enough good things about this pattern. It is quick, well written, and easy. You only need 198 yards! Which is a typical skein of worsted weight wool. Well perhaps not typical....

I used 1 skein of Berraco Ultra Alpaca. It's a deep purple color. Almost eggplant. I am giving it to her tonight. Hope she likes it!

Edit post:

She loved it! Here she is modeling it:

Below is a picture of her sister-in-law modeling it too. I think she wants one now!

Yay! A success!

Lace Leaf Shawl

2010-04-02T21:40:00.000-04:00

So I am thinking, why make it so hard? I got so much to show and tell why not just start back slowly... no?

Right then! Shall we? I started this shawl in January and finished it in February....yes, it's already a moldy oldy.... But beautiful none the less.

I made this out of Schaefer Yarn Company Anne - Sock yarn. You can't beat the yardage on this yarn AND the colors are fab. It was for a class I was supposed to teach last weekend but because of my back blowout I have rescheduled it for the following weekend.

I do so love Evelyn Clark's patterns. She is a true genius.

The ubiquitous close up shot.

I have so many projects going on right now which is not surprising for a knitter right? I was trying to be good like last year and only start one project at a time. But who cares. I know they will all get done.

Yes I know.....

2010-03-29T18:59:00.000-04:00

It's been way too long. And I am NOT stopping blogging. Life got in the way for a while. Shame on that!

I am on my back with a bad back at the moment will return shortly.
Don't give up on me yet.

sigh...

Woops! I forgot to blog!

2010-02-13T10:35:00.000-05:00

I promised my self that I would be a better blogger this year. I am trying I really am.

Doesn't help that I have been sick for a couple of weeks. First a stomach bug now a cold. Just don't feel like doing much of anything ya know?

I do have a couple of finished projects for 2010 though. First is a scarf that I made for my LYS. I taught this class too. It's a beautiful lace scarf. The yarn is Wagtail yarns and it is 100% mohair. So I didn't keep the scarf, it's being displayed at the yarn store which is fine. I hope it sells yarn! Here is a picture of it:

Next up is my new favorite hat. It is the Selbu Modern hat. Why do I love it so? It's warm, it looks good on me (I think), it's soft and I think my color work is getting better:

Not much snow in the background of this picture. It melted then we got some more. I am sure we will get much more before winter is over...anyway enough about the snow. The yarn I used is Dale of Norway Baby Ull. Love this yarn.

One of my goals for 2010 is to do more color work and this pattern helped alot. I have in my queue a hat with 8 different colors. Piece of cake right? Ha!

I am really going to try and do better with the blog. I have more handspun yarns to share (I will bring back pretty yarn Friday) and more FO's are in my future. I have like 4 projects going at once right now.

Knitting disaster 2010

2010-01-07T19:13:00.000-05:00

Yes, we have our first disaster of 2010. I am really surprised it didn't happen before. If you want to turn away you can.

I knit the son this great hat for Christmas. He LOVES it! (what's not to love)

In fact he loved it so much he put it in with his dirty clothes and YEP!!!

It got washed........ (poop)

Insert a sad face here..... :-( sigh.........

He did feel bad (a little) So now I gotta make another one. I really liked this hat too. So I don't really mind.

Got a bunch of stuff I am working on in the mean time.

My sock isn't really seeing much action these days.....

Perhaps it could be because I am making a scarf for another class I am teaching at my lys. This is a pattern that I didn't design. I am sure it will look a lot better when blocked. The yarn is gorgeous! It is Wagtail Yarn from Australia. It is so so soft. Like butter. I think it's 100% mohair too.

I am trying to feel the love for the sock head hat too.....

I have this horrible feeling it's going to be ginormous!
Please encourage me not to give up....

What the.... how did... whoa!

2010-01-03T13:06:00.000-05:00

Now how did I let this happen? January 4th and no Holiday well wishes? Jeesh! I am sorry. Happy New Year and Happy Holiday's!

I am going to do better this year about blogging. I really need to. So why not start with the 2009 round up.

So I knit a ton of shawls this year. Well maybe not a ton, but 6. Then I knit a couple of little shawlette's. I designed a couple of patterns (more to come this year!!) made a lot of hats and did a lot of spinning!

I am not really good about making and keeping New Year's resolutions. I see a lot of people are not going to buy so much yarn and knit from their stash. Which is good, but I am not going to promise that. No way. If I see something pretty, well.... I gotta have it.

I am going to try a new technique with my spinning or knitting. I don't know what it will be yet but I am going to try it. Perhaps short row heels on socks and navajo plying???

I need to make a sweater or 2 this year. That is a must. More socks can't hurt either. Shawls will just be a given.

I am also going to try and master fairisle knitting. I have a new book I got for Christmas "Norwegian Handknits" and it has some truly beautiful things in it. I want to make just about all I see in the book. But I think I may stick to mittens and a hat.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and here's to a new decade!

Hmm...... so the reveal was Sunday

2009-12-10T19:03:00.001-05:00

And I am just now getting this up! As Gilly would say.....sorry. Perhaps I need to refresh. I belong to a fiber guild and we had our Holiday Project exchange this past Sunday. I have been keeping this under wraps for quite some time now and I finally can show what I made with the handspun yarn I have been working on for the past few (5 or 6) months.

This was all spun on my spindle I will have you know. So what I made was La La's Simple Shawl (free ravelry download)!

I am really pleased with how it came out and so was Liz. I don't think she took it off the whole afternoon. Which makes me very happy. Here she is modeling it for me:

Here is a nice close up

And why not! Here is still yet another shot on Liz:

Well not only do I make something, I also received something and I must say I have worn this scarf every day since I have received it. It is a hand woven scarf! Noticed we all have the same colors (it was planned that way)

This has to be one of my favorite meetings of the year. You see what everyone has made. I loved each and everything that was made this year. Everyone in the group did a fantastic job. Here is a group shot:

I am not sure why this photo is sideways, but I can't figure out how to make it a landscape right now.

As you can see there were 2 shawls, a shawlette, 3 scarves, a tea cozie, a mobius scarf, a crochet neckwarmer and some fingerless mitts.

How talented are we?

Back to normal...

2009-12-03T19:50:00.000-05:00

My brother from California came home for Thanksgiving....
He works at a winery in Napa....
We drank a lot of expensive wine....
Boy was it good....
I am sad that he had to go home....we always have a great time. But now we have to get back to normal (that is until Christmas)

I believe I mentioned that I have been doing a lot of knitting and spinning and spinning and knitting. Here are some of the finished skeins that I have spun up:

The above is superwash merino from Cosmic Fibers Yarn. I love Carrie's stuff. I am spinning this 4 oz top on my golding spindle. It feels like I am crawling along with this fiber, but I am getting a decent fingering/dk weight yarn. No plans on what it will eventually become. This here is about 156 yards.

This next skein is more of a worsted weight yarn. I think I got around 160 yards of it. It is also from the lovely and talented Carrie. I believe the fiber is Corridale? Not sure, but I love me some purple!

I am having fun with the photography of my yarn. I am getting the hang of it!

This Sunday is the big reveal of my mystery project! I can't wait to show the finished object. I am really pleased with how it came out. I hope the recipiant will like it too!

My fastest finished object

2009-11-28T19:27:00.000-05:00

The pattern is 198 Yards of Heaven and I must say this is. What a great pattern that uses only one skein of worsted weight yarn. I started this last weekend and finished it up yesterday. By finishing I mean blocking and weaving in the ends. I think the size 8 needles helped.

I am so going to make another one or two, or several of these. How can I not?

I used Berocco Ultra Alpaca and it is divine next to the skin.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T12:54:00.001-05:00

Hi All! I hope you all are stuffing your faces with turkey! I know I will be.
I am so happy this Thanksgiving as my brother from afar has come home. It is going to be very nice.

I have been busy spinning knitting and knitting and spinning. I will show some finished things very soon! Perhaps even tonight or tomorrow.

Enjoy your holiday!

bad blogger.... bad bad blogger I am

2009-10-28T18:58:00.000-04:00

What the heck is wrong with me? I thought I would be blogging MORE not LESS now that I can pretty much do it when I want. Well of course I do have to fight for online time here. There are 2 other people.

So what have I been up to? Well lets see... I believe I only had 3 skeins done for my guild holiday project. Then I got 4 done:

And I am happy to say that now I have all 5 complete:

I was a tad bit nervous. I had a goal though. I wanted to complete the spinning by October (check) and now that leaves me all of November to knit my project. I wish I could show progress shots. But alas I can't. Girls from the guild read this here blog and I don't want to spoil the surprise. But come December, I will definately be showing the finished project.

I have something in mind. But that could change at any second.

Oh and PS - I am not dissing you that leave comments. I don't know how to answer comments from Blogger yet. Your e-mail addresses don't show up when I get an e-mail notification. Some of you I have your e-mail. But I will figure this out to. I like to try and respond to all comments when I can.

Deep Peace is up on Ravelry!

2009-10-18T21:23:00.000-04:00

I couldn't take the pressure! I finally figured out how to get this up on Ravelry, thanks to Carrie of Cosmic Fibers! Really I was starting to panic. So I did e-mail some of you the pattern. Now you can just go and grab it on Ravelry. If aren't on Ravelry then I can e-mail you the pattern. But you have to give me your e-mail address. So I can now go to sleep.

Please send me pictures or send me a message on Ravelry your finished ones! I want to see them! Do you realize I don't even have one for myself? This one belongs to the yarn store! I think I need to make one.... don't you?

Good night and thank you for all your interest in the pattern. I need to get started on another one right?

;-)

Deep Peace Pattern

2009-10-17T17:36:00.000-04:00

Wow! I turn on the computer today and found like 19 e-mails about the pattern! I felt so warm and fuzzy! I have the pattern!!!!!! YAY!!!

But I need some help. How the heck do I upload the pattern to blogger? It is a PDF format and I can't for the life of me figure it out!

Any computer savvy people out there that can lend me a hand? I want to give you this pattern.

I don't even know how to get it uploaded to Ravelry either. I sent them an e-mail and haven't heard back. If this is going to be a pain, I can e-mail anyone who e-mails me at:

sandawich at hotmail dot com

I am sorry this is taking me so long. Please help!

;-)

In my time of dying.....dyeing?

2009-10-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

So much for blogging all the time right? Well sometimes life catches up to you and you have to do other things. Like go to a wonderful concert out of town with your family! Yep, Friday we left town (The husband, the son and me) and drove to Schenectady to see Ian Anderson. Yes, the guy from Jethro Tull. He was AWESOME! He did an accoustic set and yes he did Aqualung (but a totally different version) I think the only bad part of the concert was the lady sitting next to me checking her cell phone for the Yankee game score. Why do people do that at concerts? She paid 50 bucks like me to see the show, but seemed more interested in the game! I gave her a few dirty looks and she got the message but still.... I was very annoyed. So we stayed overnight at a motel with an indoor pool. The son loved that. Had a nice dinner then drove home on Saturday.

Which brings me to the title of this blog post. As we are driving home (it's like a 2 1/2 hour trip) my mind starts to wander about what I am going to do with the rest of the day. So I decide I will dye some fiber and yarn, make lasagna, and apple crisp! Ambitious I know, but I did it all! Phew!
My dyeing was very satisfying. Wanna see? Of course you do!

I know, the picture is kinda crappy and doesn't even do the color justice. Trust me this came out beautiful! I used garnet for the red and peacock for the blue. I also dyed some alpaca fiber and roving, that will be another post. Here is another shot of the yarn. I was going to sell this in my etsy shop but I think I am gonna keep it for myself...

I promised a post about why I am such a geek didn't I? Well hopefully that will be next.

Look at me go!

2009-10-07T18:19:00.000-04:00

I'm bloggin' all the time now! Why? Because I can! YAY!!!!!!
(why didn't I get a laptop sooner?)

Any way.... you may remember a while back I started spinning the fiber we received from our guild for our holiday project. We received 5 little bags, 1 oz in each bag, of a different type of fiber. Remember?

This project is due the first weekend of December. I have 3 skeins done and started the forth. I am not nervous, I am not nervous, I am not nervous...... I will get it done, yes. Indeed.

Here is the 3rd skein:

mmmmm.....alpaca (50), merino (30), silk (20) I only got around 133 yards of this. Not worried. I have around 390 yards total for all 3. Plenty!

Here is what I have started next:

Here is what the top looks like:

It's superwash merino/bamboo/nylon. Lovely lovely stuff!

Why not a group shot?

I was wondering why the middle skein always looked fuzzy, then I realized it wasn't the camera! It's the angora. mmmmmm....say it with me now....

A N G O R A

Not to be left out is my last bit to spin:

This my friends is superwash merino and tencel. After that? What to make! I got plans oh yes. Big plans!

Stay tuned to see how much of a BIG GEEK I really am!

Ummm err I need some help

2009-10-05T19:17:00.000-04:00

I am making the ever popular Thermis pattern (non-raveler's: it's a cowl) and I am almost done. I decide not to follow the directions on the pattern for the cast off as it will take me FOREVER...

So I decide to just bind off ya know? Well look:

It's way too floppy. This just will not do! I think it would do this even if I had followed the directions.

Here is a shot of the cast on edge:

So What I am thinking is this...I am going to go down 2 needle sizes and see if it tightens it up a bit. Or else this is going to the frog pond. Which will make me very sad. I even bought some nice buttons for this too!

:-(

So any thoughts on how I could fix this would be greatly appreciated.

Over and out.

Deep Peace

2009-10-03T18:26:00.000-04:00

What a great day today turned out to be. After a week of rainy, yucky weather....the sun finally came out and I was able to not have to wear a coat!

I also taught my very first knitting class today at a local yarn store. It was a beginning lace class for intermediate knitters. I even designed the project! You know you want to see it right?

The name of this scarf/stole is called Deep Peace. I was on a Ravelry Forum and a gal I chat with came up with the name. This will be free pattern available soon. It will all be explained on the pattern. It came out pretty though! I used 2 skeins of Isager Alpaca 2 which is a lovely 50% Alpaca and 50% wool blend.

I am so proud of the 5 ladies in my class. At first I was a little worried that it was too hard, but they all went home confident that they could do it. Which makes me very happy. I should have taken a picture of all of them! We lost track of time, I didn't want it to end!

Here is another shot for you:

Keep bugging me for this pattern. That way I will get it up sooner!

Ciao!

Same old me, just a different look.

2009-10-02T15:40:00.000-04:00

Hi! I am over here now! I am having trouble at home accessing my old blog so I thought I would start fresh. I am going to be changing the banner and all that good stuff as I try and figure out how blogger works. So bear with me. Here is a funny story from yesterday:

So yesterday there was a blood drive at work. In the past I have always chickened out. I just couldn't bring my self to do it. Well yesterday I decided it was time. Plus I got a free lunch at a fancy restaurant out of it. I have done the blood work at the doctor's office before. You fill a couple of tubes of blood. No big deal. Well you have to fill a BAG of blood.

I go through all the steps. Read all the materials. Try to get out of it by saying "Well I did travel to the Virgin Islands on my honeymoon" does that count for being out of the country? Nope! Sigh.... So I go to the cot and I am good! They set me up, the blood is flowing freely. I am doing GREAT! Are we there yet I ask? Almost!!! I filled the bag, then they need more so they can make sure I am disease free and that's when I start to feel a little funny. And I tell them so. I break out in a sweat, I am light headed, my stomach is doing flip flops. They all rush around me with ice, fans and a paper bag for me to breath in. I am not even standing up at this point! Well I get my sea legs bag after about an hour. I dunno, I really don't think I want to do that again. I will if someone close to me needs it, but I did NOT like feeling that way AT ALL. So there you have it. I am still a big chicken!

Oh and another reason I haven't blogged much. RAVELRY SWAP FORUMS! I really need to step away. I am done (right after someone claims my yarn) Then back to regular blogging. I even have some knitting and some pictures to share of the Fingerlakes Fiber Festival I went to. later!