Roundup (looong post)

Well, it's kinda cold out there! The kids have been home from school for the past two days (after having Monday off for Martin Luther King Jr. day) due to ICE. Yup, ice. Everything is covered with natures sparkly bling-bling, which, although lovely, can be just a bit problematic. We are one of the lucky houses on the region that has not lost power, but a tree went down in my neighbors yard taking out some wires, so the road is closed IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. ONLY IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE -- which means no sanding IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. So, we haven't budged. I awoke Monday to the sounds of crashing branches, but thankfully it was deep in the woods. Last night, however, I heard a nice big BANG that freaked me out. I search with a flashlight for any damage, and found none, but couldn't get the image of these trees...

...crashing down on my roof, right above the Boy in his TOP bunk, so I took him out of his bed and had him sleep in mine. (I later ended up on the couch. Even with the king bed, I felt like a mommy sandwich.) So here we stay, cozy and warm, surrounded by yarn and fiber...yarn and fiber, you say?? Do tell. Ok, I will!
I've been spending my free time, when not doing laundry (mountains) and playing board games, spinning this fantastic roving from Spunky Eclectic called Brain Freeze (all the more appropriate for the times). This yarn was gifted to me by the fabulous Gina of SleepyEyesKnits podcast fame, and I think I have finally succeded in spinning singles fine enough to ply into sock yarn. I can't wait to see how the colors look when plied! I have 2 4oz batts that I am spinning into singles and will then ply together. Oh, yeah, that's a heck of a lot of sock yarn. Yippee! Maybe socks and mitts???


As for knitting, I have MANY WIPS, and , well, no FO's since I last posted. Ug. Stil no further progress on the sister scarf (bad sister, I am!), or the grandmother gauntlets, my multidirectional scarf may have gained a triangle or two, still have to cast on sock #2 on both Rachel's watermelon pair and my Cervina Naples pair (basic stockinette on both), and I have about 1/2 the foot left on Rachel's Butterfly Bows sock, and don't even mention her Debbie Bliss sweater. Of course none of that stopped me from casting on two new items -- the much needed and excused casting on of Jason's helmet liner, ribbing done; and a sample sock in Berry Blast Sock Options Sport for Sereknity.

Today's plan is to dye some corriedale roving, finish the helmet liner and sock, and finish spinning and plying the Spunky Eclectic. Oh, and cut fabric for sock bags.
Kendra and I had grand plans of setting up dueling sewing machines on my dinning room table and cranking out bags on Monday, but the ice has set us back considerably. I do have to get on it tho, as some of my current wholesale accounts are clamoring for kits and I HAVE A NEW ACCOUNT! A new Windham, NH store, The Yarn and Fiber Company (www.yarnandfiber.com) has decided to carry Sereknity products -- all of them! I have a huge order to fill for them, and Am also way behind in sending products out to One Planet. I'm hoping the kids will cooperate and let me get something done today, and with a little luck they'll be back to school tomorrow so I can really get cranking.
In other news, I got this wonderful note from my Spin to Knit Secret Pal...

"Dear Heather

Just thought I'd let you know that the magic 8 ball says you just might be receiving a surprise sometime soon :) I'll be at the post office by Friday with a little treat for you!

From
your knit to spin secret pal"
Yay! I can't wait -- she seems like a real doll, too, and I am anxious for the secret part to be over so I can REALLY get to know her. I am hard at work on my pals goodies, too, but wasn't all that thrilled with how the pygora came out. I mentioned the dye didn't take well in a previous post, and I am now certain that it was dyer error, but I decided to spin it anyway, rather than re-dye. I like it. It is a honeydew melon color I am going to call Midori Melon, but as hubby says, it is much more tame than I normally do. A nice color, but hard to know if it will be her taste. I am going to throw some more goodies in her box, tho, including some of that buttery corriedale for her to spin, so I do hope she will be happy.
This...

to this...

to this.

oh! And I almost forgot! I am thrilled to announce that I will be offering Erica and Chris' Down to Hearth handmade soaps on Sereknity.com! I have been using their Lavender Eucalyptus daily and it is scrumptious. She is even making a special non-scented oatmeal soap for my exema prone baby boy. He is so excited. Make sure to head to the site and register to get e-mails. Once my yarn comes in and is dyed, I hope to get it up and listed for a "grand-opening" and will send out a coupon to everyone who has registered. I'll also try to get a helmet liner project update up tomorrow -- we are well on our way! I even have the first one in hand from Gigi!
Until next time, a few more weather pics...

Lacy Rib Scarf Pattern

Hi! Just a really quick post for now. A fellow Etsian knit Rachel's Lacy Rib hat and requested some help in creating a scarf pattern to match, so here it is:

Lacy Rib Scarf

Heavy WORSTED WEIGHT YARN

Rachel lacy rib scarf

Cast on 29

Picot edge...
1,3 – knit
2,4 purl
5 k2tog, yo to end – knit last stitch
6,8 purl
7 knit
9 knit, picking up and knitting a stith from cast-on with each knit stitch
10 purl

pattern stitch

1 p1, k2, (p1, skpo, yo, p, k2, p, k2) 2 times, p, skpo, yo, p, k2, p
2 p3, (k1, p2, k1, p5)2 times, k1, p2, k1, p3
3 p1, k2, (p,yo,k2tog,p,k2,p,k2) 2 times, p, yo, k2tog,p,k2,p
4 repeat 2

Repeat pattern stitch until scarf is as long as desired.
Repeat Picot edge pattern, rows 1-8. Bind off and leave a long enough tail to fold edging over and sew. Weave in ends.

I'll get a picture up whenever mine is finished!

Ever determine the quality of your days in terms of...

..."I haven't knit a stitch??" Well, that's kinda been the measure of my time lately, and let's just say the projects aren't really growing. Except in number, that is. I did sit and knit on my multi-directional scarf I am knitting in Universal's new Poems yarn (no pic today) while at the Girl Scout leader meeting last night, and I didn't really care WHO didn't like it. I always feel as tho my mind is spinning a my world it swirling in the opposite direction and I just can't seem to get my footing. Ah, well, that's life I guess. Skipped karate class, today, tho -- sometimes, ya just gotta say no. With the Brownie meeting tonight I knew I just wouldn't have the energy. And besides! I needed to update Etsy! So yes, take a click on over and see some of the new stuff -- including the two skeins of cashmere....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I did head off with Joanne (of a Knitter's Garden) to Ingrid Byrd's Ward Brook farm today to pick up some native NE Corriedlae that is OMG like buttah! I'll be dyeing that up over the next week or so -- and grabbed a couple balls Ingrid had dyed to spin up for myself. I just love this stuff! I spun a batch from her b4 that was unlabled and I could have sworn I was spinning merino from the soft suishiness, but i found it easier to spin than merino b/c of the longer staple. It is awesome.
I also reieved a package of some special roving from Oregon I purchased to spin for my Spin to Knit pal. This is from Rainbow Yarns Northwest and it is PYGORA and award winning Targee wool. SOOOO soft and luscious and processed so beautifully -- it think it will be awesome to spin. I of course, got a ew extra ounces for myself, too. Terry, who was super friendly and helpful, also included a sample of RED 50/50 pygora silk blended fiber that, when I reach my hand in the bag, made me think I had touched a bit of heaven.



I dyed up two ounces of the Py/Targee blend in a soft green, but I'm not thrilled w/ the color -- I was looking for something with a bit more depth, and this came out very monotone and pale. I am going to try again and add some deeper green to it and see what happens. Not sure if I just had too little dye in the pots or if the fiber doesn't take the dye as strongly. We'll see!

In other news, I got the most amazing phone call last night -- JASON CALLED FROM IRAQ! I was right in the middle of the leader meeting, stepped out to answer my cell phone and could not believe what I was hearing. We chatted for a bit, and then he got off the phone to call the kids at the house. I was so overwhelmed (and thrilled, but emotionally overcome) that I actually gave myself a stress-type headache. I can't wait for him to be home FOR GOOD. He confirmed that he is due to head for home on leave on February 2nd, and I can't wait to show him what all you wonderful folk are doing for him and his fellows. He'll be staying with us for a few days, too (he loves coming here -- he feels such a sense of peace at my house, and it really does my heart good knowing that, let me tell you!) so I hope to get some pics of him in some of the liners and see if I can drag him off to meet the girls and guys at "knitting practice."
That's it for now -- knitting pics soon!

A Call to Arms

So here's the deal. You all know my boy, Jason, is stuck in that horrible hell-hole called Iraq. He and many, many, many other men and women. Hell-hole. Not here. There. HATE IT. SO, I have resolved to send helmet liners to Jay and his team of 30 soldiers. Presently, they are stationed in Mosul, but talk keeps swirling about that they will be moved even closer to the most intense action -- Bagdhad, and these folks need to know we give a crap, and want them healthy and safe. Now, I can't walk in front of them (ie, Jason) and shield him from every bullet and IED (although I honestly want to -- if I were single, no kids, I swear to you I would. I would! Not b/c I have any affection for this damned war, but b/c I'm his big sis and that is what I am supposed to do dammnit! Yeah, I'm emotional -- tearing up right now. But I won't curse any worse, I promise. Thank goodness for the backspace button.) Anyway, it is cold in Iraq now, especially at night when they are sent on most of their missions, and at the onset of winter, the whole platoon, Jay included, got horribly sick. They need warm stuff, and love, and they need it now. My goal is to collect 30 helmet liners by mid-February to give Jay when he comes home for leave to bring back w/ him to hand out to his "team". (Not sure what their "official" title is, but Jay calls them his "team" w/ me, possibly b/c I am ignorant to the military ways, and also b/c that is what they are -- a team.)
So who is with me? Will you pick up your pointy sticks for this cause?
I am looking for these liners to be knit in superwash wool, so the soldiers have little wash and wear issues (community laundry, remember) and definately wool for the warmth and the fact that it is non-flammable and self extinguishing. Remember -- war zone. Bombs. Bad stuff. Since they are in a desert area w/ desert camo, browns, dusky olive drab, and khaki colored wools are our best bet. I am knitting my first liner in Moda Dea Washable Wool in Ivory and will dye it after knitting. If anyone has a natural worsted superwash they want to use, that is fine -- I'll dye it with mine. The pattern can be found here http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I am still doing #@$%#@%$ Xmas Knitting!!!

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Will I ever be done?? And I don't even feel as tho I accomplished anything. The bus drivers fingerless mitts, s-i-l's mitts (for her b-day), ONE mitt for Hubby's gran, 0 for his mom, 5 washcloths for my wool-allergic father, and a started, now 1/3 done, lacy scarf for my sis(Stacy). SOB. Nothing for my bf-s-i-l, out of the 3 things I wan't to give her, and her b-day was yesterday. Basically, I suck. Me and deadines just don't mix.
Stacy's scarf is coming out awesome, tho, and I can't wait to block it. I am knitting the scarf from the December Magknits with the swarovski crystals knit into the edges, and I am knitting it in a gorgeous laceweight silk/cashmere blend from YarnBotanika. LOVE IT! I feel like I am knitting with air. It is very fragile, tho, so I have to tread lightly.

Christmas was fab -- the kids had a great time, and were spoiled rotten, of course. As wonderful as it was to have them home, I was going nuts not being able to get anywork done and really missed my quiet time. It was IMPOSSIBLE to listen to a podcast w/o having to shut it off ever 2 minutes to address some question or issue. So, back to normal now. I am now accutely aware of the need for a PLAN for this summer tho. Here are a few pics from the Christmas Carnage...




and a very cute puppy picture...

My dog is weird. She puts this sheep in her mouth and kneads the couch with her front paws much like a cat. Bizarre little creature. But hey, it makes her happy.

I spent the day dyeing on Monday, but there was a yarn-frenzy at knitting practice last night, so some of the fiber dyed went unphotoed. I do have more of the yarns to list, however, so those should be up in Etsy over the next few days. One really fun colorway I did was a custom order for Gina of SleepyEyes. She loved it! I'm hopping she will post a pic soon. I also have done a One Planet colorway for One Planet Yarn and Fiber, which I will be mailing to her soon. Be sure to cruise on over to that shop this week. They are having a customer appreciation sale on many of their items and yarns, including Indie Vendors such as myself, which doesn't happen often at all.

One last thing -- I have another convert! Kendra (blogless -- for now!) borrowed some sticks, a book, and some Debbie Bliss Merino Aran and produced this lovely swatch...

Don't her stitches look gorgeous?? YAY! Congrats babe, and welcome to the club!!

Spin to Knit Exchange Quesions and answers

The following questions came from my secret pal in the Spin-to-Knit Exchange...

1. Favorite color?

2. two ply or singles?

3. Favorite holiday?

4. do you like art yarn? (yarn with extra bits spun or plied in?)
or are you more of a "normal" yarn kinda girl? (for example, my
husband says it's not yarn if there is stuff spun in it. It's only
yarn if its plain :) )

5. ok, so I thought I would have at least 5 questions, but I can't
really think of anything else right now

Happy New Year!!!

And my answers...

1) I love COLOR. Pure and simple. Ther eis beauty in all colors, and I tend to move in phases. Recently, I was in a cool blue/purple phase (still a favorite), but normally my first response is red. Mu house is a mish-mash of navy and white, warm candlelight yellow and russet, mocha brown and caramel -- a little of everything. I love bold, bright colors, and I love neutrals -- anything inspired by nature. So, I'm pretty easy, I think.

2) Depends. I prefer two-ply for its durability, and simply b/c right now I am still working on perfecting my spinning. Trying to acheive an even, balanced yarn that I can use for, whatelse?, socks! lol I love all yarns, tho, and each have their uses. I love a soft almost unspun single-ply yarn, like Malabrigo (mmm), thick and thin fun yarns for various projects, from hats to sweaters. You name it. Except fun fur. No fun fur. and I am def. into natural fibers, but seeing as this is a spinning exchange, I think that is a given.

3) Favorite holiday, huh? Well, I love Halloween and Thanksgiving for the lack of emphasis on gifts. Halloween is just fun, but Thanksgiving is fab b/c it is ALL about family and love and generosity and just being. Love it. This is the one I host in my home, and delight in it. Christmas is wonderful too, when done right. When the focus is on family, not the crazy have-to-get-to-the-mall and buy the "best" gift, or why didn't I get as much as my brother crap. UG. Hate it. I do most of my shopping on-line so I don't have to get frusterated with nasty people and crowds and traffic, and focus on keeping the spirit and fun alive for my kids. And I like making gifts for folk, and putting lots of love into it. I just wish I were faster!!!! I have a lot of people to love!!!

4) I do like art yarn. Yarn is an artform in and of itself to me, and I am amazed at what people can do. My knitting to date tends to be a bit more conservative, since I am not a frilly dresser and try to dress my lumpy-two-baby-body in a way that calls the least attention to my undersireable spots. I like to use the more elaborate yarns and such as accent pieces. Love that. Often, I find the art yarns MUCH to pretty and special to knit with, and wuld just pet them now and then and marvel at the creativity with which they are conceived. So yes, I definately have an appeciation for these, and hope to someday experiment myself. (My present experimentation is with the dyepot.) Your hubby was silly. Of course it is yarn! lol

So how is that for a dissertation?? I hope I helped more than confused, but seriously, where all things fiber are concerned, I am always delighted.

All my best to you and yours this season and in the new year! ~Heather

A little gift from Iraq

Many of you know my brother, Jason, is serving in Iraq. I miss him horribly, terribly everyday. Christmas is especially hard, knowing he is there, in danger (and don't let ANYONE tell you "it isn't so bad" over there. It is.) and isn't enjoying himself, surrounded by loving family and feasting on goodies like the rest of us are. My heart really just isn't in it this year, but I try, for the sake of the kids. Anyway, my mom got a video from him today, and I had a real good cry. It isn't profound. It is short. But it's my baby, and I love him, and I just wanted to share him with you all. Please say a prayer for him and all of our other men and women serving bravely in the armed forces who are in harms way and away from loved ones. If you want to "meet" my boy, click the link.
http://ako.viditalk.com/view/?id=SWK4OQGZQH9JBLXNOSIR
Merry Christmas, all, and please let there be peace on Earth.

A Few Christmas FOs

Still much knitting to do, so this is going to be short, but I thought I would share some of my latest FOs as I was quite pleased with them. First is a boho inspired bag I made for the gift swap for my knitting guild organized by Joanne of a Knitter's Garden in Chester -- who got the bag, and loved it! I found this fabric ages ago and bought it without a plan but I just loved it and had to have it. There is still plenty left for a few more bags, too, so I will certainly be duplicating this one.


Next are the Fetching Mitts made out of a Debbie Bliss Cashmerino knock-off I knitted and gifted to Rachel's bus-driver (thank you, Jackie, for that great idea!). They came out nicely, exceot I have a real issue with holes where stitches are picked-up around the thumb. I finally settled on a Grumperina-type method of picking up stitches from the knitted piece, rather than out of the working yarn, and then knitting these through the back loop to twist. Any remaining gaps I cleaned up when weaving in the ends. I'm so picky about holes.


And lastly is the tote I made for Rachel's teacher. I soooo love this bag! Dying to make another. It was pretty easy, too, but unfortunately, I broke a needle and in doing so somehow threw the mechanisms in my machine out of whack (yes, technical term), and it crapped out on me (another technical term -- aren't I just brilliant?). Luckily, I had kept my old work-horse basic machine for Rachel to use, so I dug that out and was able to finish the project. Rachel said her teacher loved it, so all is good. This was another fabric from the stash, and thankfully I always buy plenty, so I can get another one out of this as well.



So that's it! Let's see, two more pair of smocked gauntlets left (one of four mitts knit), a "secret" project to be sewn together, two pair of Fetching, and two scarves -- and none of the last four have even been started!! A few people on my list will be getting belated gifts, don't you think? sigh.

ARG! ...tagged

Hmm. Not sure how I feel about this. I like being one of the "cool kids" as much as the next, but I also tend to avoid things like those e-mails that people send asking 50 questions about what type of TV you watch, or what color you would use to describe yourself, or who was your first kiss. But this one is kinda fun, although I have been having some trouble coming up w/ answers. (My husband, of course, has a long list for me.) Gina tagged me for the "5 things that are Weird about me" meme.
1. I am addicted to crime shows of every kind -- drama and reality. CSI, CSI:miami, LAw and Order, L&O:SVU, Forensic Files, the New Investigators, Body of Evidence, etc, etc.
2. I am probably the only female in America who doesn't give a crap who the next American Idol is, or the Next Top Model, what B-actor is the best amateur dancer, or who is most capable of surviving a completely contrived torture filled month on a remote island. Ick.
3. Some of my friends get the "baby itch". Me, I get kitten itches. Must. Have. Kitten. (I am entirely content w/ my children -- guess they don't leave me wanting!)
4. I love cereal and milk -- any and all kinds. I basically live off it. Morning, lunch, dinner, doesn't matter. Love it. Oh, and I like cold spaghettios right out of the can. hmmm. might go get some right now!
5. I consider the shower a sacred place. This is my haven. EVERYONE knows to leave me ALONE in the shower. It is the only completely private place I have. No noise but the rushing water, hot and soothing. I swear, I think this is the closest I get to meditation.
Of course, to all of my non-fiber friends, the knitting, spinning, fiber-obsession is the weirdest thing, but then I think they are weird for NOT appreciating the art, so hey! I guess weird is a bit subjective. I'm going to pray I don't get shot for this and tag Nora, Holly, Rachel, Jessie, and Chris at Ericka's blog. Have fun folks! If I had to do it you do too!!

Lilah's First Haircut

...enough said.

oooh yeah, Mommy Rocks

Friday night brought about a long-anticipated suprise for my little girl. You see, Rachel is a Rockstar. She and her three best friends have been calling themselves "the Cheetah Girls" after the Disney group since last year. So a few months ago I was alerted to the fact that the original Cheetah's would be playing in concert here in NH, and got my baby and me tickets. And didn't tell her. This week, I told her we would have a night out together, just the two of us. With Mommy working so much on Sereknity, she has been feeling serious mommy-itis. (Of course, if I worked out of the home, I don't think it would be so bad, but since she can see me, hear me, and touch me, she doesn't really get why she can't have me. But I digress...) This night was going to mean a lot to her. I arranged a manicure with my good friend Kendra, and being in on the secret, she designed fabulous pink Cheetah nails for Rachel...



I decked her out in the perfect Cheetah-licious outfit, we had dinner, and then off we went! And she still had NO CLUE where we were going...
Until we were right in front of the venue and I had her close her eyes, put the ticket in her hand, and told her to open her eyes and read...

SUCCESS!
What a great time. Of course the Cheetah's are a bit hokey for my taste, but perfect for a seven year old, and I'm sure she wants to be a Rockstar now more than ever. So happy was she that during intermission when I asked her if she wanted to go get a t-shirt (30 bucks!) or poster or something she said, "No, Mommy, I have EVERYTHING I want." sigh. I love my baby.
(and NO, I did NOT knit one stitch that night, and it was good. I had everything I wanted.)

Weekends are for Christmas Knitting...

I've had to place a self-imposed moratorium on working (ie dyeing or sewing for Sereknity) on weekends -- just so I can get my Christmas gifts done! I have MANY pairs of Fetching and Smocked Gauntlets to do (thankfully these are quick), I want to send a few hats in to my daughter's school for their clothing drive, and my kids need mittens! I am determined my family will have warm hands this winter! I also have a faint (very, very faint) hope of getting at least one scarf done for "someone" from the new Magnits -- the one w/ the swarovski crystals?? NICE. yeah, we'll see.
And so what did I get done? 2 Fetching mitts -- w/o thumbs. whoo. In my defense, however, I did make this bag...

...as a swap gift for my "crew's" Holiday party, hosted by the ever fabulous Gina (more about that later). The bag was easy, until I had to sew many layers of denim, corduroy and canvas together and bent two needles doing so, ran out of thread, and impaled my little piggies MANY MANY times on the numerous pins holding it together. ARG. BUT, good news? The recipient ("newbie" Mike) seemed to really like it. So all is good.
I did manage to carve out a little quiet time for hubby and I on Friday night, thanks to the children's katate school, which hosted a Pizza Party Game Night/ Parents Night Out. For us, it was "Parent's Night In", with hubby's favorite, Chicken Parm, on the menu. Nothin' fancy, but it sure was nice.

Saturday brought more fun and excitement with the visit of one of my oldest and dearest friends and her girls. My kids were bloody psyched to see the girls -- it really had been far too long, and Kendra and I finally got to just sit and chat and enjoy each others company. We just never get to do that. What a wonderful visit. And we sat and knit and crocheted, respectively, so we even got something done! And the best part? She wants to join me in the business!!! YAYAYAYAY!!!
On to Sunday and the Holiday Party; what a blast!! Great people, these Manchvegans. Fun, funny, they KNIT (and crochet!), make AMAZING Peppermint Cheesecake (omg -- I'm telling you -- O.M.G. -- can that Ericka COOK) and help me (barely) polish off a bottle of merlot (just so I don't have to say I drank it all myself -- thank you Chris!). My swap gift was an awesome book, Cables Untangled, by Melissa Leapman (autographed!). I love cables. sooo much. very very cool.
Gina giving Caroline a spinning demonstration...

The crew, Chris, Ericka, Jackie, Jenna, and Mike...

Gigi and Sarah...

The amazing pooping polar bear...

Lora...

Gigi's finished crochet mitts...

Mike with his new bag (and finished first project! a baby blanket!)...

So tomorrow, it's back to the dyepot in the morning, then off to watch my scrumptious nephew and niece in the afternoon, and with a bit of luck, I'll have some dry fiber from today to post to the Etsy shop -- I'm starting to fall back on the search pages again!
In the meantime, Lilah is getting on very well. She has a new, larger cage and is getting the hang of the litter box. The other animals have gone from being very watchful and suspicious to remarkably accepting. I managed to snap this shot of Lilah and Bella.
On two seperate occassions today, I caught Bella and Mouse GROOMING her! Too FREAKIN' cute!!

My one quandry is whether to pluck Lilah, or shear her. There are apparently many different opinions on this -- I've been told shearing promoted better fiber growth, but I am worried that it may leave her susceptible to wool block. I've already plucked her a few times, and she tolerates it quite well (she only fusses when I try to put her on her back to brush her belly). If anyone has experience with angoras that molt (although she is mostly German, the Satin cross in her has left her able to molt) I would love your input on the subject.
******14 more knitting days 'til Christmas!**************