Year in review

Settle in because this is going to be long, but hopefully full of pictures...

It's the end of a year. I don't really know what all I finished before I started this blog in June, but I think it was mostly quilting things. I thought I would take this time to look at all the things I have accomplished (with fiber) this year.

First spindle, first Merino, very thick, but still soft

First attempt at dying with food coloring

First completed skein

Then there was the time I tried processing that raw fleece...

Socks for a friend

More of the giant spindle

Hand spun and hand dyed

New fiber, new spindle

Much finer yarn

Dying before combing

Finished skein

Yes it did get finished!

First pair of socks, first lace, first shawl, and first real skein of hand spun

Results of that dying project

The shawl is finished!

The results if a pound of Cotswald, a student spindle, and some food coloring.

Once it got processed, it came out nicely.

Plying

Novelty Plying

So many colors!

The hat got finished anyway...and a matching bag

I got a wheel!!!

Fiber Festival

Fiber Festival returns

Attempts at novelty plying and new dying techniques

Hand processed, spun, and dyed

Phone Cozy from the Festival

Mittens for Tiny, yes they got finished!

New York Fiber

I Spy a finished scarf at at least one mitten

400 yards of singles

New shelf for the future space

And to top it all off, something new, 311 yards of BFL, with about 9 ounces still in the fiber stash!

These aren't even all the things I've done. I also completed that Fair Isle Bag, another lace shawl, a long sleeved shrug, and a few other little things I am sure. I'll see if I can get pictures up today sometime.

Overall, I think it has been a very productive and educational year. I have grown so much as a knitter, trying all sorts of new projects and techniques. I started from scratch with spinning, and now am making decent sock weight yarn. I've learned about sheep from the Festival and The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook. It's been a good year!

I finished one!

So after months of not working on it, and it sitting in a box, bag, or other long forgotten location, it's done.

Draped on the tree; it is a Christmas present after all!

To be fair, I did complete many other projects since I cast this on, and as you can see below, it's not like a had help or encouragement from my family (two or four legged, most issues were brought about by the four legged members) to finish this. 

Yes, we put things on this cat, mostly to see if he will move or not.

 It really is a nice scarf. It's for my husband, made from a Caron yarn, that they apparently don't make anymore. It's called Natural Caron or something like that and contains 75% acrylic yarn and 25% merino yarn. It was my first venture into natural fibers and I started it...I don't even remember. I guess it had to be two years ago. My husband was working in VA, my daughter and I had come down from NY to visit for Christmas, I finished a Tumbling Blocks scarf made from Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick (back when it was 100% wool) and decided to make another. He said he wanted one that was thinner since the first scarf covered his neck and half his face when left unfolded, so I went to the store (I was still going to Michael's for my yarn then) and got this Caron.

I got home and pulled out all my knitting books and showed him all the different patterns available, including some online, and he picked a 4x4 basket weave. That's when the problems began. Man, basket weaves do look nice, and I really want to do something with a double basket weave pattern someday, but they are boring and tedious. At least that was my take. You switch between knitting and purling every four stitches, which is just long enough to want to start mindlessly doing one or the other, but then you have to stop. The repeats are 5 rows long, which again, is just long enough to start to loose track and mindlessly knit, but again you can't. So to sum up, it's not something you can do in your sleep, but it's not something where you have to pay attention to every stitch, and I guess that's where I am in my knitting now, I either want something insanely easy, like a bunch of stockinette stitch (preferably taken a step further to be knit in the round), or something fairly difficult, like lace, color work, or cables.

Closer shot of the dreaded basket weave

 I guess that means I have graduated to a new level of knitting. I used to be fine with minimally complex patterns like this, an entire ribbed scarf, or something like that, and the large amount of inches of stockinette needed for a larger project like a sweater scared me, but I have found the zen of stockinette and at this point in my knitting life, I would either like to be in that zen mode, or be completely ripped out of it by something difficult and challenging, not wade in the lapping waves of something you sort of have to pay attention to.

Steeking success...I think

So I finished my daughter's mittens. It was a bit odd and a bit nerve wracking to try the steeking, but I think it worked out alright.
I crocheted around the stitches that needed to be cut. That was interesting. I was using the same yarn so it was hard to see where I was working, I was working from the inside of the mitten, and since I'm not a crocheter I had to use a size E hook with mittens that had been knit on size 1 needles.
The cutting went fine, though I did have a raw end pop out while I was picking up for the thumb.
Overall, well we'll have to see once she wears them a bit, but I think it went ok. It certainly gives me more security to try steeking on other projects.

I know it's hard to see, but there really is some crochet on there too. You can at least see the ends up there.

So I guess I get to try steeking?

On Friday nights I go to a local Starbucks and knit with a group of great people. It's fun and we hang out for 3+ hours and some knit, some spin, and a few even crochet. So I have been working on my daughter's mittens there, and last night I finished the body. I still have to do the thumbs, but the main part is done. So I was binding off as everyone was packing up, and turning then right side out (I knit them inside out, but I'll get to that in a bit) and realized that one thumb hole is on the wrong side...that's what I get for knitting without a pattern right?

So the way I see it, I have a few options:

1. I could rip out and knit again, it's really only about 4 inches
2. I could knit another mitten and use the one with the wrong thumb for some sort of Christmas decoration, like an ornament or something
3. I could sew up the thumb hole I currently have and steek another one on the correct side

 Well, it's the 14th. I still have a couple to several feet left on my husband's Christmas scarf. I have other things I want to knit. I "like" learning new things...right?

So I guess that means I'm going to give steeking a go...wish me luck!

Knitting, Knitting, Knitting Away

Still working on all those Christmas presents. I seem to be in a knitting mood rather than a spinning mood, which is nice for my Christmas presents and nice for my malabrigo Book 4 quest, but every time I look at my wheel, it just seems sad. Maybe once I get through these presents, I will have more motivation to spin.

What about the rest of you? Do you have more than one craft you work at? How do you balance your time between them? Do you just do whatever strikes your fancy at the time, or do you have a schedule? Inquiring minds and all...

Christmas Projects

See the thing about knitting small projects it that they only go quickly if you use normal needles.

I finished the shawl and started a pair of mittens for my daughter from my first skein of yarn spun in New York. I'm working top down, two at a time, magic loop (although the two at a time might have given away the magic loop part), on size 1s, and they're cabled...so yeah, not going as quickly as I hoped, but if they keep her hands warm, that's all that really matters right?

So close

I'm in the final stretch for one of my projects from the Malabrigo Book 4, the Abalorio circular shawl.
It's the lovely end point, where even though the final 8 rows have 576 stitches, I have been knitting like crazy. There is a knitting group I go to on Friday night, and last Friday, I had 9 rows left, the final increase -taking it to 576 stitches- with another 8 rows and the bind off.
Since then, in addition to painting my daughters room, I am currently on the last row.

It's that crazy end of project enthusiasm. I've been working on a scarf for my husband for almost a year, really I started it last January, or maybe even January 2012? If I spent the amount of time knitting on that as I have this shawl, it'd be done in another three days. I mean the scarf is 24 stitches wide, so if I did only 576 stitches a day that would be 24 rows a day, which would amount to almost 5 inches. But I'm in the middle of it, and I don't have the motivation.

Well, I will be finishing the shawl tonight (sorry, no pic yet, it's a Christmas present for a friend), then I have a pair of mittens to make for my daughter, and then I WILL work on my husband's scarf. I should be able to get it done by Christmas... I hope. I've decided that I'm not going to buy any new yarn until January. We'll see how that goes.

A Fiber Themed Thanksgiving

Despite what may or may not have happened back in Plymouth at the "First Thanksgiving," it's always good to take some time to be thankful for the good things in your life, because chances are very high that if you are reading this, things could be a whole lot worse for you right now.
In keeping with the theme of this blog, I'm going to focus on the fiber related things I am thankful for, but know this real list is much longer.

1. My family, whether my husband and daughter who give me time to spin, knit, shop, or stalk projects on Ravelry, they are great enablers and supports of my hobby. Maybe someday soon my daughter's fine motor control and attention span will develop to the point where I can actually teach her some fiber crafts. I can't forget my parents and In-Laws who are certainly enablers as they give gifts of fiber, yarn, notions, or money ear-marked for other items (like my wheel- Thanks Mom!), and then just as happily receive my gifts of (sometimes clumsily) handmade items.
2. Books, in a time when they are cheap, readily available and cover topics that would filled a passport if you had to research yourself.
3. The Internet, again taking vast quantities of information from all over the world, and making it available to you in your pajamas. There is hardly a topic that you can't find a blog post, article, or video about. It has certainly helped the learning curve. It also gives you access to just about any item you could think to want, fiber, yarn, notions, or patterns (Ravelry).
4. LYS, despite the easy and comfort of the Internet, there is something to right about going to a shop and seeing all that fiber in person. The wonderful ladies (usually, though I've been in a few shops where men take charge) are always so friendly to everyone who walks in the door. They are so eager to help you find the right item for your next project, or just let you browse and be calmed by the visual and textile stimulation around you.
5. Knitting groups, it's always good to have a close group of friends, but there is just something about knitting friends. You always have something safe to discuss in the beginning, and then form tungsten level attachments as you watch and comfort each other after ripping out those 10 rows for the umpteenth time.
6. Sheep, and all fiber producing animals, we couldn't do what we do without you. Well, we could, but who wants to spend a life working with acrylics when there is alpaca in the world?

I know there is a whole host of other things to be thankful for, but these are the biggies, and all lists have to end eventually.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and no matter where you are, or what your situation, take some time to think about the things in your life you are thankful for.

To Dye or Not To Dye

So I'm back to spinning my lovely silver/grey alpaca for the Kaleidoscope Cardi. The question is, do I leave it the natural silver color, or dye it? The natural color is quite lovely and does have a bit of a sheen to it, but there is always the infinite allure of dying.

Wheel set in the living room with alpaca in progress.

On the bobbin and some knitting au natural.

Keep in mind I have no idea what color I would dye it, and the silver/grey/flecks of black and brown would go well with just about anything I could wear.
Also, my fantastic M-I-L got me some really nice white alpaca, and I know her intentions are for me to dye it.
Plus dying the silver would mean another step.
But I want to hear what anyone out there has to say, although I can't promise to bind my self to any results.

Up and Spinning

Despite everything, I have been able to get my spinning wheel put back together, and I've even spun the orange long wool blend that I got at Trumpet Hill.

It was great fiber for a re-introduction. Everything spun so nicely, at least compared to how I had been spinning before the move. I'm still getting a bit of a "thick 'n thin" look in places, but overall, I got over 200 yards of 2-ply that is mostly a fingering weight out of 4 ounces. I figure that is plenty to make some mittens for my four year old this winter so I'm happy. Now I just need to finish a project or two so I can have time to knit (house drama will hopefully be over by the end of next week, then it's just back to cleaning and organizing, "pre-school" for the Little One, and trying to find a part-time job so I can continue to afford the nice yarns!)

I know I planned on plying with the Merino Nube, but man is that stuff tricky. I just can't get the right amount of twist, it either just falls apart from too little or seems to be going well and then snaps. It's going to take more time and patience than I have right now.

Last Fiber Festival Installment- At least for spinning

That's right. I've spun it all. Ok really I had it all finished before the move, but there are only so many hours in the day (speaking of which sorry for the silence on Thursday, we've had some move-in drama).

It's not a great picture as I took it on my phone, but I did it! And I have just over 400 yards of lace weight singles to work with. Once again, now I must find the right project...oh boy.

It is a very interesting colorway. There is a great deal of black as well as some muddled browns, but then there are streaks of these great jewel tones in teal, orange, pink, blue, and purple.

Any ideas for patterns, I'd love to hear them!

New House= New Craft Space

So we moved back to New York after a year in Virginia and moved back into our three bedroom raised ranch house, so it's not exactly new, but it has double the square footage that our apartment in VA had, so that means I get my own crafting space.

I'm going to be moving into the third bedroom with a cutting table, sewing desk, and my spinning wheel. This does leave room for our current futon (and hopefully a sleeper sofa eventually).

It's going to be a while until I can get fully moved into it because my husband's computer is in there currently and has to get moved downstairs first, and that's a whole different conversation.

BUT we are moving in the right direction. My husband put up a shelf with all my crafting books and some of my handspun yarn. :)

The fiber will not be staying there, but I got caught up in the moment and had to put it somewhere. I've got knitting/spinning on the left, quilting on the right, and a mix of magazines in the black holder in the middle.

There will be another shelf on the other side of the room, with a peg board in the middle to hang yarn cakes on, as seen on Pinterest.

It's going to be a process, a long one, but we're on the way. :)

The Stash is Growing, and WIPs are increasing...

So I still haven't gotten my wheel up and spinning yet, but thanks to my M-I-L and my own shopping, I have two pounds of new fiber! She got me 8 ounces of white alpaca, 4 ounces of Malabrigo nube, and a full pound of BFL! I also got 4 ounces of bright orange Corridale mix fiber from the LYS. So far the plan is to ply the orange and nube together and make some mittens for the little one.

:-D

I've started the Kaleidoscope pattern. I'm only about 12 rows in, but things are going well.

I am also working on the Abalorio shawl from Malabrigo Book 4. I'm not using Malabrigo lace yarn, and well, not all lace is the same. I am using Cascade Alpaca Paints Lace instead, and the gauge is, well, loose to say the least. It's not a huge deal, and still looks nice, but it does make for a less recognizable pattern. It is also looking pretty small. I am only about half-way through and working on 200+ stitches, so we'll see how it comes out.

Withdrawls

We got into our new house last Tuesday. The movers emptied the boxes wherever  there was space. I have been spending the bulk of my time sorting through all of our things to see what we do and don't need, putting things away, and reorganizing the things we are keeping (for the record, the DH has sold a spare mattress box springs set, a spare set of snow tires from a car we traded in two years ago, various baby things, various kitchen things, replaced a broken toilet seat, put up some curtains, attempted to hang a shelf - he would be done with that, but one of the bracket screws overlapped with a screw in the stud so he has so fiddling to do there, and went back to work on Monday). Not to mention taking care of the little one. Needless to say that there has not been much time or energy for knitting, and (tear) my wheel is still in its box from the move.

I have been able to start a new pair of socks. These are for me this time, imagine that. I had gotten some Patons Stretch Sock a long time ago, but it was packed in Virginia and came out in New York, so now that I have it, and know how to knit socks, I'm working on a pair.

And I did make it to one of the two LYS's here in the Capital Area, Trumpet Hill. Wow! It's a tiny, but it has some great things and GREAT prices. I got 4 ounces of locally grown and dyed fiber for $9, can you believe that! And it wasn't even the least expensive fiber there, though the other fiber was much courser and I still have plenty of Cotswald and Jacob left to knit.

I did make it through the beautifully dyed wool/tencel blend from the fiber festival before we moved, so those updates will be coming soon. And I do intend to check out the other LYS soon. Hopefully I will have more to say next week, and more time to say it...

Handspun Hat

I finished it. Here is a finished item from hand processed, hand spun, hand dyed yarn.

Well this hat has sure been a process. The hardest part by far was figuring out a pattern and more specifically a gauge for the final hat.

I started with just the Raspberry Lemonaide and was having issues even with size four needles. I figured there wasn't a ton of use for this brightly colored yarn outside this project so I finally decided to just ply it all together, figuring that the worst case scenario would be that I would have to un-ply it. But once I had it at a heavier weight, that is a 4-ply yarn, things worked out much better.

I do need to watch my over-spinning as the yarn was quite stiff and there were several times that I held the yarn and let the hat untwist in the air to release some of the tension. Perhaps if I had finished the yarn first that may have helped the situation. Although, I do like the slant of the stitches. It gives it a look of intent instead of just a stockinette stitch hat with a short rib boarder and interesting colors.

It was a fun experience, and now one of the items from my list on September 28th is done...too bad I've started about three more since then.

Post Festival- Alpaca Batt

 In for installment two of Fiber Festival Recap. Today I'm going to talk about the Alpaca/Faux Cashmere/Angelina batt I got.

It's 0.7 ounces of fiber. I wanted to try spinning a batt and liked the colors and amount of this choice. I got a small batt because I didn't want to get stuck with a bunch of something I didn't like spinning from.

I started by unwrapping it and pulling off a section, but that left me with a lot of shedding Angelina and having to connect sections of fiber more than I wanted to. So about half way through the batt, I just started spinning from the entire batt. It wasn't really any different, I just had more in my lap.

I spun the whole batt as one single and then made a center-pull ball to ply it back on itself. I really need a ball winder, because every time I do my own center pull balls, I end up with a bunch of knots (but a swift is on my to buy list first).

I think I got between 50 and 75 yards of two ply that I have been knitting into a phone cozy on size 1 needles.


Phone Cozy
Materials
50 Yards of sock weight yarn
Size 1 dpns
1 markers
darning needle

Body
Use Judy's Magic Cast on to cast on enough stitches to span the width of your phone and placing markers at ends. (My Samsung Glide took about 25-30)
Knit 3 rows.
Knit 1 and increase 1 tbl, K to end of needle, K until last 2 stitches, Knit front and back, K 1, repeat on other needles
Knit length of your phone.
Cast off front half of stitches.
Continue st st across remaining stitches, ssk first stitch on all RS rows until three stitches remain.
Continue in I-cord for 5-6 inches.
Bind off these stitches.

Flower "Button"
Cast on 40 stitches.
Work in st st for 4-6 rows ending on a WS row.
K2tog to end (20 stitches).
P2tog to end (10 stitches).
K2tog to end (5 stitches).
 Cut a long tail. Using darning needle, thread tail through the remaining 5 stitches and pull tight. This will curl your flower into a spiral.
Use rest of tail to sew flower onto desired location of cozy.

Weave in ends.
Block if desired.


Wrap I-cord around flower to secure cozy.