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January 30, 2006
There's One In Every Bunch...
..And it's mine! Three bags of sheep tape measures came in, and Judy told me one of the blacks was mine! I've been dying for one since I am the ultimate black sheep!
Last month, I won some wonderful merino/tencel fiber from Chameleon Colorworks thanks to Spindlicity. I've become so enamoured with the handle of the fiber, I'm going to buy some in white to dye and spin for sock yarn. I also dyed some of my own Corridale. The colors turn out pastel because I didn't use enough vinegar. The colors still turned out nice. The next two pictures are the merino/tencel and then the corriedale. Don't you just *LOVE* the shine of that fiber?? Wait till you feel it!
I've spun up some bamboo, black alpaca/glitz mix, the yummy Chameleon Colorworks fiber, and a think-n-thin yarn that I plied with black thread.
Finally, I am still working on Mariah. I'm finished with one sleeve, and making progress on the second, but I needed something else. I've been playing with fair isle, so I can make some lovely fair isle socks. Right now, I'm making a treasure bag with Truffles and an asian motif. I also started an anklet sock today, just for the purpose of learning how to my an hourglass heel, which has turned out quite nice so far. My friend Bobby came by and said "Wow! It's going to be a sock! It looks like a regular one!"
Posted by Holly at 12:08 AM | Comments (1)
January 19, 2006
Mostly Pictures
I've been meaning to post, but I've been sick for a while, so today, I'm just posting a few pictures. I'll type more later.
Kirstie rules! This was her gift to me for Christmas! She has one too of course, and one day, we'll have our own Drivebyknitting.com hoodies. Hell yeah.
Sparkly black alpaca (sparkles are hard to see)
I ordered bamboo top since the carded fiber wasn't spinning as evenly as I would like. It however is very straight as opposed to the crimpy fiber I carded, giving it a very different feel to it.
I'm also about to order dyes to start dying roving to make my own sock yarn. I've had some inspiration so w'll see how that eventually turns out.
Posted by Holly at 11:41 AM | Comments (1)
January 09, 2006
Secret Pal 7 Survey
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand?
I won't lie. I'm a yarn snob. Acrylic is my kryptonite. And I despise self stiping sock yarn. Also, I don't like novelty yarns.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Yes, as the proud new owner of a Ashford traveller, I do spin. I can crochet, but I don't.
3. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
Most of my needles are in my Denise Interchangables box. My other needles don't have anything.
4. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I've been knitting for 3 years, and would consider myself pretty advanced.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Lilac, hands down
7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
If I'm in a candy mood, yes. I love unusual chocolates.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I dye my own fiber now.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
I love Indie rock, punk, folk, electronica, techno, ambiant, new age, alt country (NOT country country!), a little bit of pop, and adult album alternative. I can play MP3s.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I love blues, greens, and teals. I hate bright orange and banana yellow. Other shades of those colors can be okay.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I live alone with a chinchilla.
12. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes to everything but the poncho.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Ooh, tough one. I live to knit with alpaca. I love small gauge yarns like lacewieght and sock yarn.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
acrylic
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
lace, aran knitting, and socks
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
socks or shawls.
17. What are you knitting right now?
18. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes!
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
No preference
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
bamboo
21. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, but I've be considering inversting in those.
22. How did you learn to knit?
From a booklet
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
hahahaha, don't ask!
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
I like Pucca and San-x charcters
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Halloween
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Not really
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None
28. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Enchanted Motifs from Interwaeve Press, Lorna's laces shepherd sock
29. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Double knitting
30. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Yes, I knit socks. I wear a size 8 shoe.
31. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)
December 8th. You just missed it!
Posted by Holly at 10:14 AM | Comments (2)
January 03, 2006
Finally! A real update!
It's time to actually post some pictures and all that good stuff. I've done my first experiments with kettle dying. I dyed some silk roving in hopes that it would make it easier to spin, which seems to have worked. I also dyed some gray alpaca. I really love te colors I got.
I've also taught myself to spin from the fold for interesting color blends. I've found I also spin thicker, which I do like also. I'm tired of teeny tiny singles!
Some Wensleydale spun from the fold.
As I said, I'm now knitting Mariah from Knitty.com. So far I'm on the first sleeve and almost done with the first ball of yarn. It's a big project for my first sweater, but I think I can handle it. As long as Nana can help me sew the zipper in, I should be good.
Kirstie will be in town tonight, so some knitting companionship is heading my way!
Posted by Holly at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2006
Happy New Years!
I know, I know, I haven't posted in ages. Very soon (either tomorrow or the next day) I'll be posting my latest efforts. I've been dying some silk, and it's turned out lovely. I'm also working on my first sweater, the lovely Mariah from knitty.
Soon! Very soon!
Posted by Holly at 10:41 PM | Comments (1)