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September 24, 2007
Must...Stay...Motivated
I've done a LOT of knitting this week. Last Tuesday, I finished up my twisted flower socks while I was knitting with the girls. I really think they are just lovely. What do you think?
That night, I immediately cast on my Dickinson Pullover. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I knit with anything bigger than a 3, so suddenly 9's felt huge and awkward, but I've adjusted. I started with the back, and I'm already at the arm decreases, so I think good progress is being made. The only thing is, I'm already getting bred with the never ending cables. But I'm not going to stop! I'm going to keep stitching my way to a sweater. I've even been taking it to work and knitting during breaks in my training. A number of people are really impressed with it and with knitting in general. Don't you love the way two sticks and string are suddenly "magical"?
On the spinning front, I received a new batt and tussah silk from Abby's Fiber Club. I think I'm going to spin the batt and silk separately and then ply together. I'm not really sure what I'm going to make out of it yet, but I know I'll come up with something!
Posted by Holly at 06:48 PM | Comments (8)
September 18, 2007
Because Dana Said So.
Dana said it was time for an update, and I agree. I apologize, my schedule has been pretty wonky lately. I have been busy though with my knitting as well as other things.
First off, my Twisted Flower socks are nearly complete. I'm almost to the toe decreases on the second sock. I'm very happy with how they are looking in the CTH Supersock.
I've also received the yarn for my Dickenson Pull over. I must say, I'm very happy with how Wool of the Andes feels, as I've never worked with it before. I have to be honest, since I'm trying to be a monogamous knitter (only one project at a time). I cast on the sweater last night since I knew I'd get the socks finished today. It can't hurt, right? Wrong. I knit four rows and realized I'd knit something wrong. I had to rip out. Just a word of advice... when you make a vow to the knitting gods, do not take it back. They will inevitably reach down and bitch slap your project.
Just to show you the colorway I bought, enjoy the Dove Grey yarn.
In spinning news, my lace flyer came in this weekend. Oh how I love it. I put it on my wheel and played with it. I can spin lace with little effort now. This weekend I'll be taking the flyer back off to lacquer it. The only bad thing is I have to switch out my maidens every time I want to switch from the lace flyer to the regular or jumbo. It's worth it though and really very little effort.
Hopefully, I can spin enough for a good sized shawl for the fair next year.
Well it's time for me to start getting dressed for work, but I'll post the finished socks by weeks end, I promise!
Posted by Holly at 06:15 AM | Comments (7)
September 09, 2007
Secret Stash Exchange
1) When is you birthday?
December 8th
2) How long have you been spinning?
Spindle spinning for nearly 3 years, on a wheel, almost 2
3) How long have you been blending your fibers?
1 1/2 years
4) What types of blends do you like to make and spin?
I love to blend wool/silk/alpaca/firestar/angora... just about anything really
5) What types of fibers do you NOT like? Are you allergic to any kinds of fiber?
There's nothing that I really don't like or am allergic to.
6) What are your favorite colors?
Blue, purple, teal. Jewel tones and dark colors especially
7) What are you least favorite colors?
yellow and orange
8) What type of yarns do you like to spin? (singles, plied, novelty, fingering, bulky, ect.)
I love lace and fingering weight mainly.
9) What type of blending equipment do you use?
I have a set of Ashford hard cards and Red Barn Farm Wool Combs, but mainly on my Strauch Petite.
10) What type of wheel or spindle do you spin on?
I have an Ashford Traveller, plus a jumbo flyer and a lace flyer on the way.
11) What do you do with your handspun yarn?
Give it as gifts on occasion. knit socks with it.
12) What are your interests outside of spinning?
History, music, art
13) What types of music do you like?
indie rock, folk, old school country, adult alternative
14) What types of movies do you like?
Indie and foreign films mainly.
15) Do you collect anything?
lately, I've been collecting small, decorative boxes.
16) What types of candy and snacks do you like and dislike?
I love chocolate (especially dark), nuts, fruit candy. I HATE licorice.
17) Do you have any food allergies to common "goodies"? (ie: chocolate, nuts, etc.)
Nope, none at all
Posted by Holly at 02:47 PM | Comments (1)
September 03, 2007
A productive weekend
For once, it seems as though I've actually accomplished something. I spent nearly the entire weekend knitting. On Thursday night, I finished my first Kylan mitten and cast on its mate. I finished the second one last night. Three days... not too shabby. I'm happy with how it turned out. Now to get the pattern written up.
Having completed that on Sunday left all day today to cast on another project. I'm diving in to fair knitting right away. To begin, I'm working on Twisted Flower sock pattern from Cookie A. I'm using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in burgundy. In one day, I'm 3/4 of the way through the leg.
I love the twisting of the pattern. I'm using the cable needle-less technique that I used for the Crystalline Lattice socks. It really speeds things up. If you are doing wide cables though, I wouldn't recommend it.
I think the next thing on my plate is going to be an actual sweater. One that I will start AND finish. The sweater in question is The Dickinson Pullover from the fall Interweave Knits.
Since I'm going to claims training for 6 weeks starting next Monday, I think it's going to free up some knitting time for me in the evenings. Hopefully, I'll get a lot accomplished!
Posted by Holly at 09:08 PM | Comments (5)