Talkin' 'bout my girl...(and yarn. Always yarn)

I'm squeezing in post between activities and e-mails and orders -- aren't you happy? Stay tuned for the fibery goodness, but first you must suffer through the cuteness of the kiddos...mwoohaha! Yesterday was one of the happiest of all happy days...my little girl's birthday. sigh. I love that kid. She turned nine, and a lovely little nine year old she is. As luck would have it, it is spirit week at her school and yesterday was "Hollywood Day" so my little star got to dress up as, what else? A Cheetah Girl. The before picture, attempting to convince her silken bone-stright hair to do something else...

and the next morn, resplendent in all her Cheetah-licious glory...


(Little brother is sporting a quickly sewn/thrown together Luke Skywalker, Jedi, costume.) She fairly squeed when I produced eye shadow for her to wear. She's such a girl! This weekend, after her first-but-certainly-not-last play performance, she'll have her family party along with her little cousin, and then next weekend, the house will be invaded by 4 other lovely little girls for a slumber party. Wish me luck!
On the fiber front, I have resurrected the Hip in Hemp skirt, and am enjoying it this time around, and it is now the main project of choice.

I have found that the length will be a bit lacking for the size 8 (hmmm...she is nine now...ooops) but she is quite thin, so I am just adding repeats to match the size ten in length. I do hope I have enough yarn. Blogless DonnaD had suggested I switch to Addi lace needles as the M1 left and right stitches, and knitting through the back loops were driving me crazy with this yarn (lovely stuff, but not forgiving like wool). What a difference! I have to say a miss a bit of the slickness of the regular Addi's as the yarn does really stick to the lace needle finish, but it was likewise slipping off too readily with the regular turbos, and the points FAR outweigh the stickiness issue. I wonder if Knit Picks Options would be the perfect choice for this project? One of these days, I will get a set and find out. I am even considering knitting another one of these skirts out of a skein of Kauni EQ (the rainbow colorway) that I have in the stash for the Girl for the winter, and the best part with that will be NO ENDS. I am going to have quite a few ends to weave in at this point.
I've been dyeing quite a bit for upcoming wholesale orders and took the opportunity to try out a new base yarn I think I will be carrying -- a 60% seacell, 40% silk lace/lt.fingering weight yarn (700yrds to 4 oz. -- what do you think? lace? fingering? hmmm) I was skeptical as to how it would take the acid dyes, but I am rather pleased so far! It does take color less deepy than wool (esp. superwash) as I expected, but there is no fading and bleeding and it DID TAKE. I stuck a little bitty skein (less than an ounce) in with a pot of Black Pearl, and then knit it up into a little Perdita Bluebell bracelet. The grays and blacks came out lovely, but the blue in the colorway doesn't show up well, but that could just be where it was in the pot. (I have another skeinlet that I hand-painted today, so I'll see how those colors take. ETA -- it is drying but looks great! no bleeding, not a bit of color in the rinse -- yay!) To knit with though, this yarn is just lovely and so soft when blocked! I can certainly see making a full shawl of this. I will order some to have dyed and ready for Revival this summer. Really, really great stuff. (Horrible, horrible picture). I used swarovski crystals for my Perdita instead of seed beads. Love those crystals.

Lastly, I frogged the RPM cuffs of the Eye of Jupiter socks and instead started Bellatrix (designed by the late and very, very great MommaMonkey, Gigi Silva).

And I screwed them up. I didn't knit enough plain rows between pattern rows and the resulting sock will be all loose and bunchy at the ankles. So, they will be frogged again. I do like how the drop stitch pattern plays with the colors, tho, so I may continue with this stitch, but perhaps put 4 knit rows between pattern rows instead of the called for 3. I'll do the dirty deed tonight, I think, if I don't make it to knit night. (Another Brownie meeting. We've been so darn busy lately that I just haven't had the energy to go back out once I've gotten home.) Unless, of course, I do go and Laurin is there...I just might have to let her pull out a few rows. She really, really loves frogs. lol

Popping in

Well, it's been a while, and I can't say it won't be another while before I post again. (a little note -- I did attend NH Sheep and Wool and just want to say OMG, I had a fantastic time seeing everyone! I was there from about 11 to 5, and saw so many wonderful people -- some major surprises, too, in the form of old friends from my home town -- I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEY WERE KNITTERS! Let alone spinners! yay for hometown girls! I confess I browsed lots and shopped little, as I need to be good. This is a recovery year for us. And I took no photos -- bad blogger! but you all know I love you!) This is the crazy, crazy time of year for me. SOOO many year end activities for the kids -- cub scouts cookouts, girl scout outings and ceremonies (I'm her leader -- yikes), soccer, the ever present karate classes and graduations, a play, BIRTHDAYS (apparently there were a lot of little girls born in the spring of 1999, and not only does my Ladybug know them all, but she is one), and, and, phew! I'm out of breath already. This also is the time of year when the wholesale orders come in in earnest, plus I will have my own booths and store to stock, so yeah. I may be silent from time to time! I can't wait for camp. I am in a rush to get everything done before we leave for a two week respite once school is out. And you can bet the wheel, some choice fibers, and a few select knitting projects will be packed along.
I did finish the boob sweater, and it is quite cute, but as today is set to hit 80 degreess, I am thinking it will be put away 'til Fall. I did crank out some very quick little socklettes for the Girl a few weeks ago, and try as I might to convince her that they were just too big around and I should finish them for me and make her a different pair, she just wasn't having it. Smart kid. (This yarn is crazy nice.) I used a remnant skein that had been dyed in the Maui Sunset colorway and cast them on mostly as a sample to see how the hand-painted technique would stand up to different stitch patterns. I just don't have enough pictures of my yarns to show.

I did the cuff in a regular ribbing to start on 64 stitches (sz 1.5 needles) and then went into 2 repeats of the Monkey pattern.

I was so happy at how well it still showed the pattern and there was no crazy flashing -- something I don't always mind, but I know a lot of knitter's go crazy about. (Sock #2 is done, and looks exactly the same, so I didn't bother her for another photo shoot.) I then did an Eye-of-partridge heel and half way down the foot reduced to 60 stitches, then knit on to the toe, all stockinette. I am pleased, and so was The Girl.


Yes, it pooled around the heel and gussets, but again I don't mind and it is to be expected, quite frankly, when you have SO many more stitches in that area. The best way to avoid this, if it bothers the knitter, is to throw in an afterthought heel, so as not to interrupt the stitch count and flow. (More on this later.) The yarn is my Shimmer bamboo blend and it, Perfect, and Satin are all dyed on the same length skein, although each will prob knit to a different gauge. Classica and Good Harbor come pre-skeined in smaller circumferences. The circumference on which the sequence is painted plays into the patterning, as does gauge and stitch pattern, so there is always a bit of mystery. Any three, four, or five knitters could pick up the same skein I used, cast on the same number of stitches on the same needles, and get different results based on their tension. To me, that is the fun of it all!
I've also bee working away on my Eye of Jupiter socks and decided to go toe-up, 2 at a time, 64 stitch circumference on 1's in a stockinette foot with the cuff to be decided later. I have thrown waste yarn in these for an after-thought heel. (see? no pooling interruption.)

I was anxious to get into some patterning on the cuff and I really, really don't like a short-row heel (read as "I suck at it") so this is a great option for me, with, of course, the added bonus that if I wear out the heel, I can just rip it out and replace it! I'll get photos of the process of putting the heel in, but it is easy-peasy. I finally landed on the patterning from RPM for the cuff, but i have to say I'm not loving it. I'm slogging along for now, but slowly, since I'm not sure if I want to change. The knitting and the look just aren't really doing it for me. Stinks to be fickle.
I did update the shop a bit on Saturday, and have a few more things to list today -- including some special orders -- so I think I'm gonna bring the puter outside to my front porch and hang out with my puppies in the fresh air while I work. Yeah, I may be busy, but this life has it's perks.

I'm so steeking excited...

I cut my first steeks! I'm so thrilled with this technique and am so glad I gave it a whirl. And you know what, I think I might actually like this little sweater. It definitely says, "Hey, look at me! I have boobs!"

(Holy crap is this a bad picture, but you get the idea.)
Thankfully, it becomes a bit more tame when worn over a nice button down shirt, as I intend it to be worn.
Here are a few picks of the big moment, after sewing the edges with the sewing machine.




I have yet to pick up the stitches for the ribbing around the armholes, but the neckline is complete. Then, I need to figure the best way to finish the messy insides, (crochet?) but they are secure, and, hey, I've been known not to weave in ends and just tuck them in, so who knows? It isn't really about being lazy,just impatient. I want to wear what I've done!
The other reason for my great excitement is that the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival is TOMORROW! I can't wait, and will be searching for you all there! Yippee!
Do you think someone had too much coffee this morning?

LOVE!

YAY! I love, love, love my new shawl! Yes, the Big Red Blob is a blob no more. I was very concerned when it came off the needles that it would be much smaller than I wanted, but no beed to fear. It came out to a fantastic 78inch wingspan so it wraps around me perfectly and stays put. Also, I ended up loving the lighter spots in the uarn. They give just the right amount of variation. I did not have any desire to do the crochet edging, so I instead looked up (on Knitty) the instructions for a picot bind-off and applied this technique. It gave the shawl just the finished look I was aiming for -- a little bit of detail, but nothing too fancy. This is my "casual" shawl. There isn't a single thing about it I don't like. Wanna see?





Next up, I am finishing the little vest that will need to be steeked. I'd like to have it for this weekend as it looks like it will be a bit chilly and may well be the last opportunity I will have to wear it. If the weather holds out for Saturday, I'll be wearing the red shawl, if not, my vestie (under a coat!) at the NH Sheep and Wool. (So who's going?) I fully intend to be there ALL DAY and come home with a nice fleece or two. What is it about spring that makes me crave fleeces and my drum carder? We will be camping again in Maine soon and I have promised to bring my wheel and teach the owner how to spin, so i need to have plenty of supplies and options, right? After all, we will be there for two whole weeks this time! Gotta stock up. :)
(also -- for those who have yarn on order, esp. my Eye of Jupiter fans, I am working on it starting...now! the kids have returned to school today after their vacation, and the yarn has been soaking, so I have a full few days of dyeing ahead. )

Technical difficulties...

There may be some wonky things going on with the site this afternoon. Fear not! We haven't crashed, nor disappeared. Hubby is updating the shopping cart and I am hoping this fixes some of the bug people were running into registering and checking out. Thanks for your patience! It shouldn't be long.
(knitting note -- on the LAST REPEAT of the BRB...hoping for some photos off the needles by tomorrow!)

Ummm...been a while...

How are ya? Soooooo...I don't have all that much to tell ya! What have I been doing? hmmm. Well, we have been busy doing yard work ( I am DETERMINED to have a nice yard this year; the past few years have focused on interior and structural renovations, so the yard went TO HELL). Spring cleaning, even. I know -- don't fall over. I said at the beginning of the year I was re-dedicating myself to my home. I meant it!
Lest you be worried that I have entirely gone to the dark side, don't be. It ain't spotless (yet?) and I have been spending equal amounts of time with the kiddos and the yarn. the little girl and I had the most amazing weekend the week before this last when daddy and J went on a sleepover on a battleship with the Cub Scouts. (Needless to say, they had a glorious time, but "sleep"over is a bit of a misnomer.) I gave R the choice of a sleepover at her cousin's (with mommy in tow) or time alone doing anything she wanted. She chose ME and didn't care what we did. Stay home, hang out. Get girlie. So that is what we did, with the exception of going to dinner. We hung out, snuggled, and she slept in my bed after a movie and we chatted and just spent time together. Best time ever. sigh I love that kid.
On the knitting front, I am still plugging away at the BRB (Big Red Blob) and have forsaken the vest for this. I am a bit sad about this, as I am anxious to cut those first steeks, but I really, really want the shawl done for NH Sheep and Wool. I think I'll be moving onto the final border leaf portion in the next row or two, so, provided the kids let me have the time (it is vacation week) I'll have it done in a few days. Then for the blocking and a vigorous de-hairing! My poor boy Chewie is shedding like crazy and his fur is ALL OVER this shawl. I still have not found just the right comb to help me harvest this furry goodness, either (yup, I want Chewie mittens).
I have been dyeing, and have a few fun new colors to show you. I have to say, tho, don't ever come here expecting to see too many calm or neutral colors. I'm finally embracing the fact that I just like. bold. color. CRAZY color. Seriously -- it's socks! why the heck not?? Sure I have some respectable colors (Gothic Rose, Black Forest Fudge and the new Black Pearl), but the wild ones really charge me up. Take Kismet, for instance.

Or maybe the all new Barbie Girl.

I'm tickled that camping season is on its way, so I also came up with this... (Campfire)

And the BSG inspired Eye of Jupiter (presently sold out on etsy, but you can order it here.

I cast on these socks in EoJ the night before heading down to WEBS to see the Lady herself.

I have had this colorway running around in my head since catching up on all th episodes I had missed during a Sci-Fi marathon, and Friday got down to it, knowing Stephanie was a fan of the show and wanting to bring her a little something. I know what a long day it is for her signing and wanted to make her smile the way she always makes all us knitters smile. She seemed thrilled. I hope she likes how it knits (tho I fear they aren't really her colors). In case you had any doubts, she was as funny and charming and wonderful as always. And a big thank you to Caroline for driving and to her, Chris and Ericka for such wonderful company. Oh, and Chris...YARN FIGHT!!!

Kickin' in

Well, the antibiotics have done their job, and I am 98% back to normal and getting very restless now, anxious to get back to the dye pots and insanely trying to tame the carnage that has beset my house. I did five jumbo loads of laundry yesterday. I have been writing down new color ideas all weekend in anticipation of a big dyeing session -- or lots of them -- this week, but especially today, as I have folks waiting for yarn tomorrow night. And guess what? The boy is home sick. AHHH! possible sinus/ear infection. I'll get a lot of prep done today while he is home and resting, and probably dye into the night tonight. It just can't wait any longer!
As for knitting, I reached an impasse in the vest. As previously stated, I began the vest as a mindless, knit-in-the-round project for sick knitting. I was fairly certain at the time that when I split the project for front and back flat knitting I would be unhappy with the change in stripes, but I wasn't hugely invested in the project so just slogged on. As predicted, I didn't like it.

In actuality, I liked the stripes better this way, and considered frogging, but I knew I wouldn't cast on again since I'm really not super thrilled with the colors, so I ripped back and now...

I'm going to STEEK. What better project to try this on for the first time than one in which I'm not hugely invested? I did some internet research for the best way to approach the armholes and ended up deciding to put the "cast-off" stitches called for in the pattern on waste yarn and then casting on (backward loop) the same number of stitches over the gap before re-joining on the other side. I decided to work the steek stitches in purl to make them easier to differentiate and am working the armhole shapingas directed on each side. Fortunately, the pattern doesn't call for neck shaping to start until the armhole shaping is done, so I don't hav eot worry about all the steps at the same time. I plan to work the neck opening as a steek as well. I'm really excited to be taking this leap. I know some people blanch at the thought of taking scissors to their knitting, but really -- it's just yarn. Yarn is my friend. We can do this. And especially in this case, where I haven't spent hours and hours on an intricate Fair Isle design, I have no worries. I so thoroughly enjoy knitting in the round that I am simply thrilled at the possibilities this opens up for me. So, on with the knitting, and next time...the cutting! (And lest you worry, the big red blob has not been abandoned, but is being worked a bit at a time. The rows are getting much longer now, so progress seems so much slower.)

I'm still standing...and knitting

Well, it has been a week now and I am starting to get better in some ways, but the cough seemed to be getting deeper, so yes, I went to the doc, and yes, got anti-biotics to head off bronchitis, so let's hope for a big up-swing. I have yarn to dye! I haven't wanted to go anywhere near the dye pots, or rather the citric acid powder and dye powder as they can be respiratory irritants and even tho I have a new respirator, I don't want to prolong this any more than I need to. So, onward and upward. Oh, and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your concern and well wishes!!
In the mean time, I have had little brain capacity for the big red lacy blob, so I cast on a nice mindless knit, a little cropped vest from Twilley's in some Universal Poems from the stash. This yarn was meant to be the Bar Harbor Bag, but I wasn't feeling the colors there, and quite frankly I'm not too thrilled with them for this project either, but I'm reserving judgment until the end. I'm hoping it will be nice w/ jeans, although the colors are a bit too dull and yellowed out for me. It is serving its purpose, nonetheless, as a nice mindless way to keep my hands busy while I rest. I am knitting it in the round, instead of flat, as called for, because, well, I just don't want to purl. It's my knitting and I'll do what I want to. :P
I also resurrected and old, old knit much in need of finishing. Nearly a year ago I began a Norberta for Jacob -- he picked out the yarn, and I bought many other color combinations for gifts, btw -- and it was knit, but the pieces never sewn. I dug it pout, grabbed some batting and gave it a go. He had no recollection of the project, but was thrilled ot get his new friend nonetheless!


He has been dubbed, fittingly, Spike, and spent his first night as a fully realized toy exactly where he should, in the arms of my boy. I love knitting for my kids.

I have the plague.

Get thee away from here! Save thyself! You shouldn't even be reading this. Seriously, I feel like sh*t.
Run. Away.

Don't believe...

...everything you see on TV. Reality shows? Blech. Let's just say I know some things, and things have a way of getting misrepresented through creative editing. That's all I'm sayin'.
In other news, I heard from Eric, and he has told me to keep my eye out for big things in the future, and I'm looking forward to that. In his e-mail he said "I wanted to THANK YOU so much for your support...love the yarn thingy...!!! very cool...! " Yarn thingy. Silly muggle. I've asked for permission to post the e-mail sent to subscribers here on the blog -- it has great info about upcoming projects -- so I hope to share that with you all soon.
I also want to spread the love to some other friends in our lovely little knitting world. Ericka will be participating in the MS walk (read her great story here) and I'd love for you to head to her blog and give her a shout out and any help you can. She will be offering some prizes for donations, including a couple of skeins of Can Do!, so we are getting love all around there.
Also, Holly EQQ of the amazing Oceans of Fiber has been going through some nasty health issues (and getting a very frustrating medical run-around. Ich.) and could use a boost. Head on over, read her story, and if you are in the mood for some GORGEOUS fiber -- esp. her locks, yum! -- Pop on into her store or check out the Circle the Wagons sale that was set up to help defray her medical and travel costs for her upcoming surgeries.
OK, enough ads -- now, the knitting!
I introduce, the big red blob...

I do actually love it, even though I have named it so. As with all lacy-type projects scrunched up on a circular needle, it doesn't look like much now, but I know it will. This pattern has been SO EASY! I have even been able to take it as my travel and chat knitting. I think I am going to do a few more repeats of the leaf lace pattern before moving on to the next lace section (which looks even easier) because I want this to be BIG and I have 11oz. of yarn. My only complaint is that I left some small un-dyed spots in the yarn, knowing it wouldn't be for sale and thinking I would like the variation. In other colors I do -- like Lilacs in Bloom -- but I don't like it as much in the red. I may end up going back with a q-tip and touching up the spots once it is knit. Am I crazy? We'll see how it looks all finished first.
Hip In Hemp? Well, this is all we've got.

I just can't get into this. The thought of all those ends to weave in at the end (Ericka, I seriously don't know HOW you did it...) and I am disliking the awkward maneuvering of the M1L and M1R stitches. I will say the switching from regular Addis to Lace Addis (thank you, Donna!) has made a huge difference in the knitting and forming of these stitches as the sharp points really help, and the yarn previously kept sliding off the needles at inopportune times with the original Addis, but not with the slightly grabby lace finish on the newer version. I think my biggest obstacle right now is that the blob is just so much more fun. I'll have to finish it and then leave the skirt as my only, so I have nothing to fall back on. The girl really should get her skirt. I mean, goodness, I never even put thumbs on her mittens. BAD mommy.
And, as promised, I have sock pics for you! They have already been through the was, because, well, who can resist wearing newly knit socks IMMEDIATELY? I am powerless.

Can Do! in Classica Merino/Nylon cranked on Kelly's CSM on 60 stitches. LOVE them.
In truth, I have knit very little over the past few days, and dyed not a thing. You know I'm sick when I don't want to knit. After sending the kids to school yesterday morning, I went straight back to bed and stayed there until noon. The symptoms of the head cold really aren't all that bad, considering, and the cough only bugs me when I, well, cough, but I just feel generally depleted. I am hoping to be back to myself by tomorrow night so I can make knitting at Y&F with my peeps. I miss my peeps. :(

Brief.

Today, I am sick. Last week, it was the girl. Such is life with school age children
I have been knitting -- a new shawl -- and loving it, and knitting another -- Hip in Hemp -- barely, and not really enjoying it, but more on that another time. I stopped in for a quick update and a thank you. So far, I have been able to send Can-Do $140 in donations (the first wave of yarn is on its way), with more yarn ordered and waiting to be dyed! Thank you! I am thrilled and so very grateful of the support. My yarny peeps rock! (As for reality TV, it sucks, but again more on that next post.)
Next post, pics of the big red blob, Can do! socks, courtesy of Kelly, and a few more pretties.
Ciao!

Blown Away

*** First, let me thank you all for your kind comments -- I swear I wasn't fishing for compliments! I was in a bit of a funk and, well, I just thought i would share in the spirit of letting you know that I do care that much about "getting it right" and making beautiful things for you all. You all rock, you know.***
Ok, so why am I blown away? Well, I have to take you back to my hellish night last Sunday. Between the scary dog moment and the comforting little son time, I had an amazing and inspiring surprise. Hubby enjoys watching "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" and left the TV on that channel when the show was over and he left the room. Me, being too engrossed in the knitting of the blue shawl, didn't bother to hunt down the remote and search for a new show and ended up with Oprah's Big Give being the background to my knitting. I half watched as contestants were given $4800 and 8 hours to find SOMEONE of their choosing and make a difference in that person's life. Throughout, I was impressed by three men who, at the very start, decided to pool their resources and find an orphanage in Denver to help. The three men raised $260k in 48 hours for this organization. As I half-heartedly watch, I kept getting a niggling sense that one of these contestants looked familiar, but, no...couldn't be. Couldn't catch a name. Then, the end. The inevitable Survivor like who-will-be-sent-home moment. They called on the familiar face..."Eric?" OMFG. Eric Klein. It was him -- a guy I knew -- my crazy High School crush. Haven't seen the kid in 20 years and here he is. On Oprah. And this isn't even the amazing thing.
I, of course, had to grab my laptop and see what there was to see about this story. Turns out in 2004, Eric was awarded a financial compensation meant to repair his orbital eye socket after it was damaged in by a drunk driver in an accident. But he didn't fix his eye. He hopped a plane with hardly a plan and went to tsunami ravaged Sri Lanka and began to rehab a village. (You can see his video of this here.) His disgust at government inaction and political money=grabbing at our relief dollars prompted him to create Can-Do (Compassion in Action Network -- a Direct Outcome Organization). He is everywhere -- Rwanda, the Katrina Ravaged areas of the US, you name it, he is out there helping people and making a HUGE difference. The Big Give is just a way of getting awareness of his organization out there, and, hopefully, money for it.
I am, absolutely, blown away. It isn't so much that it is Eric, but rather someone -- anyone -- I knew that is doing such amazing selfless things. Someone who, really, was not particularly remarkable in that he'll-do-great-things-future-president kind of way who has had the courage to take a risk and hop on that plane. I mean, who does that?? he has made me believe I can do something. Can I hop a plane and build a school? No. But I can use my resources. What is it that I can do? I can dye yarn. I can sell it, and raise money. I can encourage you, if you don't like the yarn, to help fund the programs Can-do is working on. They'll let you know exactly where your money is going. Let's show the world what we knitters can do!
So, here it is, "Can do!" on new Classica 80% superwash Merino/20% Nylon...



I only have this one skein done right now, and Kelly is cranking out a pair of sample socks that I'll be able to show you soon. $10 from the sale of every skein will go immediately to www.can-do.org. Pre-order sales are being listed on Esty, or you can e-mail me directly at heather@sereknity.com. I will also get it listed soon on the Sereknity.com website and will let you know when that is available. I'm thinking fiber, too.
Let's all do something great! (oh, and "Big Give" is on again tonight. I'll be watching!)

Oh, such random doings, with some pretty things at the end

(For now, a little tease...if all you want is the fiber and knitting, feel free to scroll ahead...)

I've been feeling very insecure yarn-wise lately. I keep wondering when everyone is going to discover I am a fraud. My colors really suck, resulting knits look like poop, and I should just get the hell out of this business before I bankrupt my family. Anyone else ever get to feeling this way? Perhaps not about yarn, but about whatever their chosen path may be? The wonderful blogless Kelly cranked out a few pair of socks for me on her CSM so I could experiment with painting various skein lengths. And I'm just. not. happy. I just can't seem to get the yarn to do what I want it to do. Now, I know stitch count and gauge have everything to do with a finished project, but I want to see more magic, dammnit! I am beginning to think I may just be overthinking things. Perhaps listening to the anti-pooling faction is getting to me. I am obsessing over this, even though I know there is nearly no way to avoid it (save for the kettle-dyes, which have a lesser chance of this). I haven't dyed to any significance in weeks. My perfectionist nature is taking over and paralyzing me. A friend, going through a rough time, recently got a tattoo on the inside of her wrist that says "Just breathe". I think I might need that. (edited to add -- I actually wrote this post a few days ago, and I think I am in a better place now...working on it!)
In other things, there has been knitting -- lovely knitting -- and I promise more of that later, and also horrors. Unable to bring the dogs with us to a family party on Sunday, I can home to discover that I had left a bottle of Children's Motrin on the coffee table, and Chewie-the-canine-garbage-masher ATE IT. Roughly 16 pills. 1600mg of ibuprofen. I immediately began to cry, killing myself for being careless, and certain that this was going to be IT. He happily jumped in the car for a trip to the Animal ER where they whisked us in to an exam room and after getting the details and doing the math they determined HE WOULD BE OK. Tears of relief -- omg I love this dog. They took him out, gave him charcoal to absorb anything left in his body and a shot of sub-q fluids to help flush his system, and $260 dollars later (that yarn order can wait) and a very drained but relieved mommy later, we left for home. and the store. To buy more Motrin. ug.
Get home; get settled; watch a bit of TV (stay tuned for THAT upcoming post); and hear the desperate cries of "Mommy, my throat hurts!" Remember the Motrin? Yeah, it was coming, but now even that isn't helping. A trip to the doc the next day confirmed my in-denial-worst-fears. Strep throat. He spent two days home with me, so of course, very little has been done around here. Thankfully, I haven't gotten it and at this point think I may be in the clear. I really want to be able to get back in the dye studio, or I'll never get my mojo back.
Now knitting, that is a whole other story. While I haven't been doing much dyeing, I have been knitting. I still have to get a pic of the finished Greenjeans, and I also pulled out the first sweater I had ever knit, but had never finished, as seaming scared the bejeezus out of me. This was from the free Lion Brand Pattern for a family of hoodies. I hated Homespun and so used Woolease Chunky instead (never checked for gauge, darn rookie) and knowing nothing about knitting and being self taught via the computer I began this sweater and my knitting career knitting every stitch through the back loop. A twisted stitch. It is no wonder I used to lament how long knitting took versus crochet. I learned the "proper" way to knit half way through the sweater and had to rip back almost an entire sleeve at one point when I realized I had been doing it "right", which, for the sake of consistency, was now wrong in this instance. 3 years this sweater has languished and been moved from hiding place to hiding place waiting to be completed, and now it is. But, I didn't get a pic, nor do I know yet if it fits the intended recipient. She has promised a picture when she gets a chance to try it on, and was thrilled with the gift, long time coming as it was. I am just glad it is off my back.
In celebration of all of my finishing, I could not resist the call of my most recent spinning project that wanted to be more that just yarn, it wanted to be more, of so much more. So I cast-on and I knit...

and knit...

and knit until it was done.

And blocking.

And finished!

The pattern is the Forest Canopy Shawl (I was inspired by this one of Jackie's) and was knit in my Blue Hawaii Falkland wool handspun, 4 oz., 2 ply, but don't ask me anymore details. I was too anxious to cast on to stop and check WPI or yardage (although I believe it to be a sport weight just under 300yrds.)I kept knitting initial lace pattern until I felt I had just enough for the border and lo-and-behold I was exactly at 195 stitches, right where the designer wanted you to be. So, no mods! Just a lovely little shawlette that I can't wait to wear.
(I'm back at the dye pots today -- if you have requested anything of me while we were at Spa or any other random group, and I may very well have forgotten or not known if you were serious, but you are, PLEASE e-mail me! A think a few people are wanting Blue Hawaii fiber such as I used for me shawl, but I'm not sure who and in what fiber. Gina, Kelly, I have your requests!)

Well, I guess it's about time...

...for the obligatory Spa post. For me, it was great. The drive up was hell, for certain -- 3 white knuckle hours in the snow. Once we arrived and joined our friends, I happily handed the keys of the people mover over to Chris so we could all head off to Pedro O'Hara's for dinner -- and DRINKS. Muchly needed. Back to the Hilton Bar for a few more, then off to bed. I was happy to turn in a little early as I wanted to make the most of the following day, but was sad to hear I missed a lot of spinning fun in the "Town Hall". Funny thing about me -- when I am at these sort of events, I get so restless, flitting around from place to place and group to group (yeah, wonder where my son gets it!) trying to see as many friends and sights as I can. We (Ericka, Chris and I) did explore the tastes of Freeport a bit taking in a breakfast at a local Stickybuns joint and later, sushi. Mostly, I was lazy, and I liked it. I got very little spinning done, but my one real coup for the weekend was the seaming of Poppy. YAY! I had never seamed a sleeve before and thought it best to wait for expert advice. Blogless Alpaca Kathy gave me a hand Sat. eve while we had huge amounts of fun in the hall with only a few stragglers -- most attendees were at the fashion show -- and later both Terry and Cheryl checked my work and gave it the OK. Terry also gave me some great tips for the future and I will never again avoid a pattern because of the need to seam (although I still love a top-down-in -the-round raglan most). And here she is, Poppy (head cropped to protect the hideous -- seriously, bad pic!)...


It is still in need of a crochet chain edging to combat the under-curl, but I've worn it three times already anyway. It is now drying along with the newly blocked Mr. Greenjeans. Yes, that's right -- sweater #2 is complete, but more on that later.
As for purchases, I was sickeningly good. Finances have been tight, and we certainly aren't out of the hole yet, so if I could make it myself, or wouldn't get to it for some time, it didn't come home. That said, I bought 4 skeins of yarn. 4. And one little jar of my favorite lavender-lemongrass-patchuli hand cream. All these came from Nancy Benda of the Spinning Bunny. The yarn was two lovely skeins each from her cormo and her cvm sheep, the cormo in a natural creamy white, and the cvm in a nice soft oatmeal, both woolen spun for a delighfully springy yarn. Kelly had a laugh at my need to knit with natural colors, after always playing with color. Seriously, I never once looked at this yarn as a canvas, as I do my own base yarns. Something about knowing that they came from her sheep makes the need to leave the yarn natural very strong. I plan to use the two colors to make some nice, subtle fair-isle mittens and maybe a matching hat. I am still in search of just the right pattern.
I did manage to finish a bit of spinning and start a new batch. I finished a skein of solid green plied with a variegated handpaint (my own)

in order to free the bobbins and then started a batch of Blue Hawaii Falkland that I had been saving for myself. I often have a tough time getting the Falkland to take the dye strongly but this batch was SATURATED and oh so bright.

The trade off was that it got a teeny tiny bit felty, so I didn't want to sell it. I got the first bobbin done, splitting the roving in half down the full length and then stripping this out into 6 different smaller strips. Once I got back home, I stripped the remaining portion into two relatively equal strips and spun from those. It seems to have created some rather intersting striping in the finished yarn, which still needs to be transferreed from the bobbin to niddy noddy and set. I'll get pics up soon, as I may need some help deciding just what it will grow up to be. My original plan -- as it always seems to be with 4oz. of fiber -- was for socks, and I do think the bright colors and stripes would be great or this, but depending on WPI, I may lean more toward a small shawl, wrap, or scarf. hmmmm
As for the Mr. Greejeans/Bluejeans/Jericho sweater, I finished this yesterday, a little sad I didn't make it under the wire for Feb., even with the leap day, but am thrilled to have it done none-the-less.



Pics are of the first blocking, which this morning's fitting proved to be too vigorous, once again, as it lost the waist shaping created by the cables, so it is laying out once again, sans blocking pins on the outer edges. I'll try for a modeled photo shoot as soon as it is dry. I am so glad I went for the smaller size, as this still has a fair amount of ease after blocking.

quick update -- I may be a hypochondriac...

Thank you everyone for your concern! It seems I had you all and myself worried for no reason. I did go to the doctor, and she gave me the all-clear. I probably just irritated the muscles with all this new, unaccustomed walking. She suggested ice, ibuprofin and good shoes and cushioning if needed, but by all means, keep on walking. Which is a good thing, because I did before I went to see her. ;)
Not much else to report...have to get READY FOR SPA! Hope to see lots of you there Friday night at the Hilton Bar! (Nora, book that flight yet?)

Crap. Crap. Crap.

First, let me premise my post be saying I am NOT a morning person. Not. So not. It takes me a while to rev up the mental engines. A cup of coffee, a cozy kid-snuggle, some mindless e-mail reading and Raveling and I might be ready to get off the couch. Now, that said, a few weeks ago, in the morning, hubby took the dogs outside for their morning business and Ta-shi wandered up to the back deck where a bag of lovely smelling trash was residing, awaiting removal. I noticed her mad sniffing and oh so apparent desire to tear into said bag, and in a truly Neanderthal-ish and primal move made the physical equivalent to a hefty grunt by kicking the door to startle her from her intended course of action. It took a minute or two, but after walking away I noticed a distinct and sharp pain deep in the ball of my foot. It hurt. Bad. I got my trusty block of frozen spinach used for just such occassions and nursed the foot most of the day. Although I didn't kick that hard, I must have hit it just right. The foot seemed to recover after a day or so and all was well until this morning. Once up from the couch, coffee coursing through my veins, I became obsessed with cleaning and decluttering and after about an hour of such began to feel that foot pain once again. (SEE why i don't clean?) Crap! What have I done? I am sitting here now, foot in the air, imagining a hairline fracture and fretting BECAUSE I CAN'T TAKE THE DOG FOR A WALK. Even with the grey, rainy day, I had every intention. We missed out yesterday (although Chewie got to play for hours with Coco and new friend Rosie, a gorgeous yellow lab pup) and it is so hard to develop a routine that I am freaking out. I'll nurse it a while and see how it feels later. Heck, the threat of loosing my walks could even make me go to the doctor.
In the meantime, paperwork for tax prep and Mr Greenjeans will be my companions.
dammnit.

Of Amanda, Jericho, Greenjeans, and long walks...

First off, I finally made an Amanda hat! Here is my lovely little model and recipient wearing her chapeau...
The only mod was to go down a needle size (I am an average tension knitter) to a size 8 to create a slightly smaller size for the girl. Fits great and she says it is very warm (and soft and cushy, too). Thumbs up, Gina!
Secondly, my Mr. Greenjeans is growing exponentially thanks to a marathon of Jericho.

OMG I love this show. Talk about quality TV -- which we can't often do. The Universal HD channel ran a marathon last weekend of the entire first season and what we couldn't watch or record I watched through on-line streaming at the above link. Seriously -- go watch it. I don't want it to get cancelled! (It was already brought back from the brink once...) This was the perfect pairing of easy knit and intense TV watching. There was no chance of being bored while I purled furiously across the entire inner expense of this sweater while intently watching the denizens of post-apocalyptic Kansas deal with survival and the best and worst it brings out in humans nature. Adding 2.5 inches to the body length had me casting off the body Wednesday morning, and I have now picked up the front ribbing. I am doing this first out of yarn shortage fears. Once this is done, I'll knit the sleeves until I run out. I am confident I'll have at least a 3/4 sleeve out of the rest as I used just a smidge over 2 balls out of four for the body prior to starting the ribbing. I can't believe how quickly this has gone and couldn't be more thrilled.
As for the long walks, I have been converted by Cesar to believe that the key to my puppy's happiness is walks - nice, long, energetic walks. Chewie and I, and sometimes Tashi, have been walking everyday for over a week now (other than during Wednesdays storm -- ICK) and yesterday I drove out our route to calculate the distance. 2.7 miles! As tired as I am, and as much as I hate the cold, I am very excited about this. I'm getting excercise! It doesn't cost anything! And I am already seeing a second digit on the scale I haven't seen in a looong time. I love my puppy.