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.