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February 25, 2007
Two, two, two posts in one weekend!
I know, it's pretty shocking, but I've been working on a few different things. I just couldn't wait another moment to share. I've knit, I've dyed, I've beaded. My socks are coming along quite well. I love them. REALLY love them. However, the pattern leaves a bit to be desired. Once the gusset is finished, you should have 68 stitches. Check. Rearrange the stitches, so the 25 stitches of the instep are all on on needle. Check. Divide the other 48 so there are 16 one each of three remaining needles... Wait. Stop. Last time I checked, 68 minus 25 was 43. Fortunately, I'm a smart cookie, and realized the author's error. All in all, they are gorgeous though. I'm just dying to finish the pair so I can wear them out and show them off.
I also came to the realization that I need to start pimping some goods on Etsy. So this weekend I've made several sets of stitch markers sized just right for lace and sock projects. And after months of sitting on 100 g of undyed sick hankies, I need to dye them and sell them. I've been working on that a bit today. Hopefully by this weekend, I'll get a few things listed. Once I do, you'll be the first to know.
I also created a new AIM screen name, so if anyone would ever like chat with me, I'm "MCKnitsALot." Why? Because I'm a gangsta. Or a dork. Probably the latter. In my defense, I was under the influence of Punjabi hip-hop when I came up with it.
Also, Tabitha and Sonya, comment here if you didn't get my emails this weekend, I've had some trouble with my anti-virus, but people seem to be getting my emails now.
But now... bring on the pretties! First up, are the socks. Going quite well after having to rip them out the first time.
Here's a few sets of stitch markers, all modeled on size 3s.
My first batch of silk hankies.
I also dyed some Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool with Wilton's in and experiment. First, I wrapped the yarn into a hank around my sewing board.
I then filled three jars with my 'dye' and placed them in my dyepot. The yarn was submerged into each of the jars and the the water was heated.
The finished hank.
And finally, the yarn re-skeined with my niddy-noddy.
Posted by Holly at 10:54 PM | Comments (4)
February 24, 2007
Grinny Possum Retreat '07
The Grinny Possum Retreat was this last weekend, and we had a great time. Wooded Glen, the conference center where the retreat was was so nice, and with all the snow that weekend, beautiful as well. It was a weekend of knitting, spinning, food, laughing, food, workshops, and did I mention food?
I packed along my wheel and knitting, with the intentions of finishing my Latvian mittens, but the lure of the Nordic Light socks was too great. Of course, one I was nearly done with the leg of it, I found the cuff didn't fit so I had to rip it all out and start again with some adjustments. I STILL haven't finished the mittens, but maybe I'll do that this weekend. Maybe.
Anyway, about the retreat. We had so much fun, and I net a few people who I hadn't met yet. I think I managed to convert Tabitha to the dark side with the wonders of spinning. After Ann's spindling class, She was drafting very well. At that point, it was time to go in fo the kill : I put an empty bobbin on the wheel, showed her that basics, and she was off.
Saturday night, we sat around in the main room of the lodge, knitting by the fire. Judy should be a comedian, or at least have a blog that picks up where You Knit What left off. We were going through Nicky Epstein's "Knitting Beyond The Edge" and ripping on all the weird stuff she continually comes up with.
Enough talking for now, it's time for pictures... with minimal interruption.
This was the view as we ate breakfast Sunday morning.
Knitting around the fireplace.
Ann taught drop spindling.
There was also a mosaic knitting workshop.
And crochet...
Tabitha takes a turn at the wheel.
I think everyone had a wonderful time, and now I can't wait for the next retreat in November!
Posted by Holly at 09:01 AM | Comments (5)
February 13, 2007
Turn off my brain!
I haven't been knitting quite as much this week. I've had too many ideas in my head. Don't get me wrong, the Latvian mittens are nearly done. I'm in the decrease portion of the second mitten, then I'll do the thumbs. Hopefully, by this weekend, I'll be done and I can start on the Nordic Lights socks. I shouldn't start on them yet, I know. After all, I'll have five items that I'll need to get done for the state fair. I'm going to enter the current mittens in the miscellaneous category. The Rona shawl will be in the shawl category.
Other ideas in the works:
- Baby booties- yet to be determined pattern
- Handspun item- Swallowtail Shawl
- Socks- Norwegian Stockings
- Felted item- Hounds tooth purse(I'm in the design stage of this now)
- Scarf and mitten set- yet to be charted pattern.
Not to mention that Kirstie and I are collaborating on mittens that I'll be knitting for her. Plus an item I have an idea for but can't mention right now. And remember the Lizard ridge throw? I really need to finish that one day.
I haven't spun much the past two weeks either. I'll get to this weekend, as I'm going on a spinning and knitting retreat with all the women from Grinny Possum. I'll have plenty of pictures to post next week!
I find myself at night though lying in bed, getting new ideas, new things I'd like to knit. It's pretty bad when knitting keeps me up at night.
Posted by Holly at 10:05 PM | Comments (1)