What have I been up to?...

Spinning...



and more spinning...



These lovely bobbins are 2 out of the 3 I'm spinning in Frabjous Fibers Blue Faced Leicester (BFL) in the color Olive Tree. It's the first time I'm trying this method, but once it's all grown up I'll have a 3-ply yarn. Kind of excited about it.

Day 180-365: Tour de Fleece - Prep

This is one of my projects for Tour de Fleece. It is a spinning challenge that takes place during the Tour de France every year. It's been a long time since I've played with fiber and I'm looking forward to it.


Bonus Photo:


Bonus fiber photo of 8.5 oz of superwash merino from a Sheep-2-Shoe kit. This will also be apart of the Tour de Fleece challenge.

Is The Doctor In?

For some time now I've been having an itch. NO! Not the kind you need ointment for or even the one that requires you to put on that ridiculous open ended gown. There really is no flattering way to wear it, is there.

Anywhoooo, getting off track. I'm talking about that little tickle that calls on you. I've been feeling the spinning itch. I haven't spun in over a year and it's quite sad really. I love it.

Why did you stop?, you ask. Well it's kind of a lame reason. I don't have a proper chair. I know your all What?? but my issue was with the long bouts of time spent in one position at the wheel. The couch was too soft with no support. Dinning room chair was too hard which dug into my thigh after an hour of sitting. I ultimately stopped spinning because I just couldn't get enough done and be comfortable doing it. Kinda defeats the purpose of that zen like zone you go into when spinning.

Over the holiday weekend I couldn't take it any longer. I pulled out my Lendrum and dusted him off. Once I had all my supplies needed I then thought the easiest chair to move into the living room would be the computer chair. The casters make moving it easy enough and then I thought, Hey the seat is adjustable. I raised it up as high as it would go and would you believe I spun practically all weekend long.



This was my first attempts. Of what I'm not sure. I was just happy to be back at the wheel again. It turned out to be more fingering to DK weight which results in a thick and thin feel.



I then wanted to test myself on trying a thicker weight yarn. I was trying to correct the consistency and not have a thick and thin, but didn't feel my grove until I was practically done with last of my single.

For now this method of taking small amounts to get comfortable with the techniques and methods is helping. Ultimately I'd love to spin up enough for a sweater, but I still need more practice at the wheel before I head down that road.

Spinning Up Color

Saturday was a special treat, as I got to spin with the gals. A:) was a fabulous host and Knitterary joined us with her Catherine Parr.



This was one of my purchases from Stitches Midwest a couple of weeks ago... Mountain Colors Targree Top in the Indian colorway. It seemed so perfect to start this fall off with a bang! It's spongy and lofty and can't wait to spin the rest up. I would love to keep the colors together, so most likely a Navajo 3-ply. Unless I can get the bobbins to line up with the same colors.

Don't Forget!
My Blogiversary is this Friday and if you post a comment containing 3 unique blogs you'll be in for a chance to win sock yarn!

Wednesday Nights are Stitch 'n Bitch Nights
If your in the South Suburbs of Chicago join us at Panera Bread at 7pm till close for tons of laughs.

Today is Wednesday!

Thank you to everyone who has left a comment, you guys are awesome! Seriously, you made me tear up. After writing that post I felt lifted. Like a great weight was gone and I'm so grateful to have this outlet. Otherwise I would most likely take it out on my husband. He doesn't deserve that. Thanks again.

Lets talk knitting...

Slowly but surly I've been getting this together.



Second version of the Windmill Beret. It's funny looking back... it was SO HARD!! and now, not so much;)

In Spinning News...

The BFL Redwood Forest is all spun up and is measured out to be 9 wpi (wraps per inch) or a heavy worsted/bulky. Now I only need to toss this sucker on the needles to get me a great scarf.



I'm still a little confused as to the yardage... but I love it no less. If I were to guess, perhaps 200 - 250 yards.


I leave you with this quote. Can you guess where it's from?

I'm in the persuasion business and frankly I'm disappointed by your presentation.

Navajo Plying

When I first started spinning I had started with the idea of producing sock yarn. I've gotten fairly good at keeping my singles consistent, although some rough spots on the plying have always hung me up.

I believe I over twist on both the singles and on plying. I'm working on it, but it's hard to pull back because I feel I might pull back to far and I don't care for the look of under-plied yarn.

Then I found this gorgeous roving that brought back my Spinning Mojo.



Do you remember the Redwood Forest BFL I picked up a while back. Well, I turned it into this:



It is a dream to spin with. The only issue that was pressuring me was the plying. I wanted the colors to come out right... kinda the way you see it now. Then I checked my single bobbin and plied a small strip onto its self. It's a good way of making sure your consistent.

My results were way to thin. I've been trying for so long to accomplish fingering weight yarn that now it's hard to go in reverse. sigh.

Then I decided to look into a 3-ply. That could bulk it up but I was getting nervous as I hadn't done that before. I wasn't sure if I could even do a test sample before hand. This brought me down some serious paths towards Navajo plying.

I had heard about it. The Yarn Harlot has posted about it before and why the hell should I not try something new!

The tutorials out there on the Internet are a bit weak and if I had the setup to do video I would. The best out there is by woman named Rexenne who posted a You Tube Video. What I like most about this video is the slow motion sections. Sometimes her hand goes out of view, but more or less it's enough to get you going.

The best thing about Navajo plying? you don't get the barber pole effect.



I still feel like I'm over plying but this turned out so good that I can't wait to finish the rest.

Traveling in the Redwood Forest

This is Frabjous Fibers Blue Faced Luster in Redwood Forest hand dyed colorway. This 8 oz of fiber is my inspiration bought from The Fold. Yes, my wheel has had a layer of dust on it and just the thought of it makes my eyes water. Can't let that happen... so lets spin.



If there is one thing about spinning that I've learned is that you should consider your finished project before sitting at the wheel. Sweater, scarf, socks? they all have different takes on how you spin and what you spin. My inspiration started with the fiber and then the idea of a warm scarf popped into my head.

I'm hoping for a DK or worsted weight yarn in the end, but I think I'm pulling out a sport if not fingering weight sample. sigh. Then a dear friend of mine Knitterary mentioned a 3 ply to bulk it up. Why Not? I'll have to do a little You Tube search and perhaps a few chats with my spinning buddy Knit and Run but I'm kinda psyched about learning this technique.

A Beautiful Blend

On Saturday, Miss A from Knit and Run invited me over for a little afternoon of spinning. I was very happy to discover another spinner and so close to home...gosh, just minutes from my front steps.

I was amazed to discover that she is also a very new spinner like me. I bought my wheel at The Fold back in May and she followed suite about month later. Miss A has also experienced several spinning classes, which I'm hoping to do in the future. So, while I was there I learned some great tips and tricks but most of all she got the spin bug back in me. Thank you Miss A...I really did enjoy the afternoon...and it just wasn't the plate of cookies that did it;)



This is the Sage Merino Blend I worked on that afternoon. It's turning out quite lovely and can't wait to get another bobbin going.

One Last Day

It's Friday people!! There is nothing like the Friday before a week off on Holiday. It will go by quickly and I wont even know it. Some people might be of the realization that the actual event is what is more exciting. Not me. It's all the moments that leads up to the event that I cherish most.

The best way to describe it is when I was in my young twenties. The club scene was the place to be and if your familiar with it, then you know that the club doesn't get jumpin' until after midnight. Boy, I've got some stories, but I digress. You see... you spend time picking out clothes, hitting the mall in search of the perfect "cute" outfit, hanging with my girls while we get all "cute" and this is hours before we go anywhere. I even remember back...there was perhaps 5 of us all crammed into a small bathroom gabbing and caring on...we broke out in song and I was so happy I remembered the words and also extremely thrilled that we were in a bathroom. We sounded sooooo good, at least everyone else sounded good;)

I think the only people who love my signing voice is my mother and my kids (below the ages of 8). Eric will deny any rumors of loving my singing voice. Ah, they grow up so quickly, but I remember Grandma telling me that she wasn't allowed to sing to him because she didn't do it right;)

Well, anywho...I got of subject there, but all I'm saying is enjoy every moment. Not just the main event...because in reality, sometimes it over so quickly that you forget what happened. Kinda like Thanksgiving...you prepare a meal for two days and in 15 minutes it's over. I think that's one of the reasons I love knitting. I enjoy each stage for what it is... what does that make me? A process knitter? I love picking the pattern, searching for the right yarn, casting-on and happy as heck when I finish a section or complete one piece of the big puzzle.

Here is some progress that I can post about:



This was picked up for Tour De Fleece and was intended as the challenge. Boy oh Boy what a challenge. The bundle was bought at Loopy Yarns and is 4oz Happy Hippie, the content is 100% Soy Silk in colorway Flower Power. I've only had the pleasure of knitting Shetland wool and Merino...so taking a leap to Silk was definitely a challenge. I might have to try it on my drop spindle...because the wheel is to fast and I'm struggling with the slippery and stringy quality of soy silk. It feels really nice on the hands, but gosh, I don't know what I'm doing wrong. So, back to square one. Oh, and for the record...the colors are that bright. Yeah, I think satellites will fall out of the sky if this goes outside at any given point in time.

Any Day Now

The Second Annual Tour de Fleece begins on Saturday, July 7th and I've totally signed up!

It seems pretty simple, here are the guidelines:

1. Spin every day the Tour de France rides, if possible. Saturday July 7th through Sunday July 29th. Days of rest: Monday, July 16th, Tuesday July 24th. (Just like the actual tour)

2. Spin something challenging Wednesday July 25th. (The last hard climbing mountain stage in the Pyrenees - Col d’Aubisque)

3. Take a button if you want one. Then we can use the button on our blogs in show of solidarity. Take it from here or grab a clean one from the flickr pool.

4. Wear yellow on Sunday July 29th to announce victory. Why not wear yellow on any day you feel particularly successful? (Yellow is the color of the race leader in the Tour - but here we are all 'race leaders')

5. Other colors if desired: Green (sprinter - think FAST), Polka-dot (climber - as in uphill), and white (rookie)


The only thing I'm concerned about is running out of roving. I've been pumping through my stash as it is. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make a fleece run;)

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THERMAL UPDATE:
I will soon have this Thermal added to my wardrobe. Not like I can wear it right now with Chicago hitting the 80's and the humidity bursting my hair into frizzes.



I bet this weekend I'll be seaming and blocking. Ahhhhh, the thoughts of finished objects leads me to the BIG Question that Knitterary pointed out last night at the SnB. What's next? Oh Hell...it's really a toss up. I'm thinking Kool-Aid Sweater for Little Mac, but that silk is calling me for the Sahara. Or I could be crazy wild knitter and do both!! And lets not forget the many socks that I want. sigh. I can't decide.


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OFF TOPIC:
I have a question. Is is inappropriate to discuss lose of virginity with a client during a lunch meeting? Gosh, if any of my co-workers read this...they'll know who exactly did said deed. Yeah folks, that's what I have to deal with around here. Oh, lets not forget the body part sketches being passed around the office last Friday. It's a mad house, but I love it. I couldn't make this up if I tried. It's all in good-naughty humor and it never gets personal.

Show and Tell

Last night I could have sat on the couch knitting the Thermal with little Mac watching Sesame Street, but I really wanted to spin. So why not? Pulled out Lenny and was soon spinning the Merino Cross Wool I bought from The Fold some time ago.

It has a different feel then the Shetland....bouncy, longer drafting motions, more of an oily feel and a lot more straw/hay matter. At least compared to the Shetland anyway. I'm trying for a sport or worsted weight... with the possibility of making nice warm socks. I love exploring the different fibers and getting a feel for each and how they react to the wheel. So....you want pictures? No problem.



That's what's left of the roving left to spin and here is what I worked up last night.



I'm hoping to do spinning in the evening and knit during my commutes to work. That way I get to do a little of both during the day and neither project will feel ignored.

The hand spun Shetland was dry when I got home, so I wound it up. Here is my Kool-Aid Black Cherry yarn.



The colors came out pretty cool. There are light and dark spots which isn't so bad. Since the light spots are really pink, I'm leaning towards a sweater or cardigan for little Mac. She ooo's and aaaa's over this yarn every time she sees it. I just have to find a good pattern and hopefully get it on the needles before the chilly Fall air comes around.



POOL UPDATE:

We went from slimy-broken-needs-new-liner pool to slimy-fixed-needs-chemicals pool. Not all over bad...it should clear up within the next couple of days. Right on time for the weekend. Hurray!

What do you say?

When your 19 yr old step-daughter comes to you and says she's going to become a mommy?

My step-daughter has been nothing but respectful and sweet for the short time I've know her. My husband and I have been with each other for close to 10 years. His active involvement with her has only really been for the past 7 of those 10 years. He has always been a good father, providing child support without visitation was really difficult and stressful. When she turned 12 she requested that her father come around and gradually her mother allowed such visits to happen.

When she was sixteen, she stayed the summer and I got my chance to play a role in her life. It was very nice to have the extra set of helping hands while in my third trimester. She was a great kid and still is, but very naive in certain life lessons. I almost feel like I've got the short end of the stick. We've tried counseling, therapy, long drives in the car with deep discussions of where her future lies. She's past the point of teaching her any life lessons....she will have to learn from experience. What a hard life she's set her self up for. I would say I have sympathy for her, but I don't. She new what she was doing and she'll have to live with the repercussions of her actions.

Having been there and done it...It just pains me to see the road she has chosen when she had the world at her fingertips. I keep telling my self, it's only a baby. Babies are the beginnings of new life and new hope. Sigh. What now? Do I fall in the category of a knitting grandma at the ripe old age of 32?

On the knitting front...I have no photos. My charger for my batteries is missing and the batteries I do have don't have the juice to even take one pic...you'll just have to wait till tomorrow. I went out and bought another charger and I'm patiently waiting for my AA's to get their butt in gear.

The Thermal is right on track, although I've been knitting and measuring 19 inches for the past 24 hours. What's up with that?

On the spinning front, I've spun up all the Shetland wool. One skein is drying in the bathroom and another needs to get off the bobbin. I plied the last of my bobbins last night and now I get to decided on color dyes. Any suggestions? I'm thinking blue or Purple...I'm really into those colors right now...oh, wait. How about a black cherry Kool-Aid dye?