On and Off the Needles, Wheel, Bookshelf, etc.

Projects off the sewing machine ...............

When I went to see my mom and sis last November, I offered to finish (I mean MAKE) pillow shams to match quilts that I made for them several years ago. None of us have been sewing much lately and have been concentrating our creative talents elsewhere. It was a difficult project for several reasons:

1. I am rusty on my sewing skills, and cutting things out with a rotary cutter.

2. It was hard for me to make myself sit down and sew with so many other projects calling my name.

3. I had to be very careful with cutting things out, as there wasn't as much fabric of the right size to use.

All I can say is IT IS DONE !!!!! I sure hope they are happy with their shams. I know it will make their beds look more "finished". I do feel good that the project is completed and I can cross it off my list.

On the Needles:

In between other things, I started on a pair of generic socks for my MIL who really appreciates handmade socks. They had some sock yarn on sale at the LYS and I couldn't resist. I'm almost ready to start the heel on the second sock.

Also on the needles:

Theis is the left front of the Printed Silk Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2008 issue (after you click on the link, just scroll down to the pattern). I am finishing up the armhole, then the shoulder decreases and piece #2 will be done!

Off the needles.....

Project specs:

Pattern: Striped Hat from the book Baby Cashmerino 2 by Debbie Bliss.

Yarn: Oceanside Organic 100% cotton by Plymouth Earth, colors #1 and #4

Needles: U.S. #3, Addi Turbo Circulars, and Brittany DPNs

Made for : A friend at work who is due to have her baby in about 3 weeks.

Time to knit: About 1/2 a day.

Comments: It was fun to make a hat with stripes. The pattern directions were to knit the hat flat and then seem it....well I knit it in the round so I have a jogs on my stripes. Oh well, now they know which side goes in the back!!

I have also been spending alot of time at the wheel, trying to increase my inventory of yarns to sell. I was thinking that I would have yarns ready to sell at the local Farmer's Market when it opened up again for the summer, but with my other full time job and duties at home, I was wondering how I would be able to do all that.

Anywhooooo....I talked to my friends/owners at the LYS and they are more than willing to sell the yarn there. The store is right on HWY 101 and they get tourists that pass through and want something that was made locally. Here is a little mix of what I have been spinning.

Here is what is on the wheel right now:

It is Corriedale pencil roving that I purchased at Black Sheep Gathering about 3 yrs. ago.

On the bookshelf:

World Without End by Ken Follett. I have been waiting for this book to come out in paperback. I actually gave it to DH for his birthday. We both fell in love with Pillars of the Earth and were anxious to read the sequel. Well, he finished the book in less than 2 weeks. It will probably take me 2 months since I mostly just read at night when I go to bed.

Long time, no blog....

I knew it had been about 2 weeks since I last blogged, but when I looked at my last entry today, I realized it has been almost a month. It didn't help that I was out of town for work for about 1 1/2 weeks. I am back home now, and other that having to do FAFSA applications for the 2 youngest boys, and college entrance paperwork for youngest, I am hoping life will be somewhat "normal." My definition of normal has changed over the years, and "normal" seems to be slightly less hectic than "crazy busy"!!

While I was out of town for work-related "stuff" I stayed with my son in Sacramento. He was calling me his own personal "Economic Stimulus Package." I wonder if he had an empty fridge on purpose so that Mom would feel sorry for him (who wouldn't feel sorry for a poor starving student?) and fill it up with food (that is what Moms do best, feed people!). I also helped him finish unpacking some boxes from his last move in Nov. and clean things up a little. For an 18 year old boy, the place didn't look too bad. It sure was nice to see him, and know that he appreciates everything we do for him....and to get caught up on my hugs and kisses!!

I did finish the Tyrolean Stockings. They were a faster knit than I thought they would be, and, of course, I loved doing the cable work. Now I need something like a jeans skirt and some nice clogs to wear them with and show them off.

Specifications:

Pattern - Tyrolean Stockings by Ann Budd from the Knits-Spring 2007 issue

Yarn - Cleckheaton Country 8 ply, 3 + a little of a 4th skein.

Needles - Addi Turbo, US size 3

Time to complete - a little over 3 weeks.
On my way down to Sacramento, I had to stop at the Boll Weaver Yarns in Eureka. It was good timing. She had 2 washed fleeces for sale, but the one that caught my eye and made me drool with the buttery softness of it, was a white Corriedale/Merino cross. I made myself stop at 2 pounds. Now, the big decision is whether to spin it and then try to dye it; or dye it first and then spin it?? Does anybody out there have an opinion??

I also bought some dyed top quality Merino in 2 different colors that the owner had dyed.....

(sorry, that is the best I could get on the color today),.... and some Corriedale roving that was hand-dyed by Carin Engen from Garberville.

When I was in Sacramento, I had to stop by Babetta's Yarn and Gifts. They had some beautiful hand-dyed silk hankies. They weren't labeled well, but they were with some hand-dyed roving from Chasing Rainbows, and if you go here and look at the "Tartan" colorway, that is what I purchased. I also bought some un-dyed silk caps and 5 different colors of Jacquard acid dyes to play with!

I even bought some yarn there, Berroco Palace, 2 skeins, color #8909 (50% merino/50%silk) to knit a hat.

On Feb. 26th and 27th, I attended a conference. It was very educational and the speaker very knowledgeable. So on Saturday, I was ready for another shopping fix, and found Filati Fine Yarns in Rocklin. They have a very nice store with some very fine yarns. They also have allot of knit samples that are very inspiring. I found some creamy lace weight yarn by Filatura Di Crossa that is 70%cashmere and 30% silk to knit a lighter that air lace scarf with. I also bought some Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss to make the Twisted Stitch Gauntlets from Knits - Holiday 2007 issue.
I truly need some help, I am soo addicted to knitting and spinning.......oh well, it could be worse. And with the failing economy, if I run out of money, I have enough projects to last me a very, very long time!!! I am lucky my husband is so supportive (and doesn't know where I hide all the yarn!)