The sun cooperated and came out momentarily yesterday (and today). Which meant a chance to get decent pictures of the minis I was adding to the shop. There are just 3 ‘leftover’ sets being added, so act fast! They are all remaining from my easy knits.co.uk hexipuffs and are as vibrant as can be:
So head over to the shop and get them while you can!
I’ve also spun up 6 new yarns this past week. We’ll see if any make it to the shop for the February update…
XO,
~L
As promised, the update is now live. Seven handspun yarns posted and available. Unfortunately i have to hold on the minis as the weather is so incredibly dreary this morning and I cannot get a proper picture. Hopeful for this afternoon *fingers crossed*. If not, I will post when eth updated should be expected 
For now, these are the yarns added:
Quick head’s up, I’ve put aside 7 yarns to be listed on Wednesday this week in my shop. I will also have three ‘leftover’ mini skein sets available. Working on my Hexipuff quilt means lots of sock yarn leftovers to share!
There may be more treats, but for now these is what’s planned Be sure to stop by and check it out!
Still suffering from that sinus infection I mentioned several weeks ago. How can that be? I really don’t know, but I am ready for it to go find a new home…
on to what really matters… 2011 finished out with a few more yarns:
And I’ve already spun my way into the new year with a few more:
Dahlia:
Pop Art:
Name TBD:
And a little turquoise mini:
All in all, it’s been a busy few weeks since I last posted
That said, no spinning this week, hanging out in Austria for my real job. However I have a week off coming up soon, very soon, and I plan to see some spinning accomplished. I’ll say for now that I’m targeting to be spinning a lot of red and pink, in hopes of a shop update, for an anticipated February ‘Hallmark’ holiday
xo,
~L
Down and out with a since infection, but still trying to find time to spin through the madness. The madness being working full time, prepping for Christmas and being sick It all works out somehow…
Fiber sources: Corgi Hill Farms, Bohoknitterchic Spins and LushMommy.
Oh December, how did you get her already? I remember just a year ago December had me in a tough spot, to move or not to move? How time can move so quickly.
That said, I feel that I accomplished a lot this year, with still a month to go. Also keep in mind I lost at least 6 weeks of knitting/spinning this year with the move.
My few of my knitting accomplishments:
~ Cables (many of them in the past month)
~ Short rows. Really, they’re not that scary
~ I knit 4 shawls
~ I made 3 baby sweaters/vests
~ I knit a cape for Danger Baby
A few of my spinning accomplishments:
~ I figured out how to Navajo Ply
~ I learned to spin an intentional Thick n’ Thin thread plied yarn
~ I started mixing up the fiber I spin, using more than one batt or braid for a yarn
~ I spun 15 yarns for TdF (while working full-time as well)
~ Total count for the year yet to come
I also opened my Etsy shop this year. I created two custom orders as well, which I really enjoyed.
I am working out my goals for 2012 and making a list to hang above my desk in the craft room. ONe of those goals includes spinning a yarn per week. Expect lots of yummy handspun next year. I also want to begin dying yarn (beyond kool aid), so keep an eye out for that adventure as well.
For now, the remainder of December will be finishing up projects and a few yarns I have on various bobbins waiting to be plied.
Year end collages closer to month end
XO,
~L
This week finds me back in the US visiting family and friends in Columbus, Ohio. It’s odd, after 9 months, to come back and visit. In some regards it feels like we never left because of how overwhelmingly familiar it is. IN other regards there have been so many little changes. It really is a mixed bag of emotions.
Yesterday was a crafty day for me. I dropped the kids and my husband off with my mother-in-law and took off in search of plying thread and fabulous yarn before heading off to the knit group that I co-founded. I really couldn’t wait to see everyone and catch up!
I hit up Joann’s first. For better or worse, I was very successful. I bought cheap wooden letters that represent the initials of my girls and some bright colored wool (from the new Martha Stewart Lion Brand collection). I also bought craft glue. Do you see where this is headed? Soon there may be a tutorial on yarn wrapping of letters… we’ll see how successful I am Beyond this craftiness, I also bought something like 20 spools of sulky thread for plying and wrapping the yarns I spin. I know it’s not cheap, but it works so well and is worth it.
Next stop was Temptations. I was convinced I would not be remembered… silly me. I walked in and Karen (the owner) immediately said “Liz! You’re in town!” and I grinned from ear to ear. We chatted a bit about my adventures to date and she offered to send me care packages as needed. Have I mentioned I love them?
I wandered the store with a short list of things I knew I needed; needles for two projects and yarn for them. However yarn for one lead to yarn for a second of the same. Sock yarn exploration for color blocked fingerless mitts led me to Madeline Tosh, which led to one too many skeins finding it’s way out the door with me. In the end it was 4 different needle sizes and 6 skeins of yarn. I don’t think that’s so bad, I just bought some very luxurious yarn. Sometimes you must splurge.
Before leaving, I caught up with Brian, a fellow spinner, and got to see his latest knit (Stephen West pattern) done with his own handspun. I also caught up on what his current wheel collection is. How I envy those with multiple wheels. When we move back I’ll have to convince Brian to start a spinning group with me
From there it was across the parking lot to Tehku Tea House for knitting and catching up. It was so incredibly fantastic to see Melissa, Lois, Laurie and Sharon. The tea house employees were as ‘off’ as I remember, but the company was fantastic. I look forward to going next Saturday as well, potentially with some out of town Rav visitors too!
OK, kids are starting to wake up. Well, one was up at 4:30, the other is now making funny ‘I’m waking up’ noises. So off I go. I assure you pictures will be posted soon of my finds. We’ll see if I resist further ‘temptation’ while here.
xo,
~L
As of late I’ve found myself knitting much more than spinning. I guess you could say I’ve found my knitting mojo, or I am just really excited about the projects I am working on.
One of the many projects currently on the needles is from Contemporary Irish Knits . And despite Carol being in the local knit group I attend, I will say without bias that I love the patterns in this book and couldn’t wait to knit a few.
The first project I cast on is Listowel (link to my Ravelry project page). I love the cabled heart on the back and it seems like the perfect project that I can knit quickly for both girls to keep them warm as the weather cools off. They will also serve as a memory of our time in Ireland. Reagan is up first, with yarn from Kerry Woollen Mills in Raspberry Speck. I’ll cast on Caitlin’s next in a mossy green color (also from Kerry Woollen Mills).
The project is still very much in progress, the back is complete and the first sleeve is well on it’s way. I will be sure to share, on the intended model, when completed:
You can also see that my most recent knits have included cables as well. I think I’m really enjoying after years of avoiding them
xo,
~L
October 14, 2011 has been declared ‘I Love Yarn Day’ by the Craft Yarn Council. I think it’s no secret, I do love yarn…proof:
Recent Spins:
Bingo Bash
Tucan:
Briny Deeps:
Eddie Izzard Inspired:
Oh yes, I love that fibery goodness. I also finished an adorable little vest for a baby that will soon be entering our world. I hope mommy-to-be, Evin, loves it as much as I do. From the pattern Milo:
Only my second time ever knitting cables… and previously it was only two very large cables!
Let me say, I LOVE this colorway (than you Blue Sky Alpacas). I’m not an orange person, but thought this was such a fun mix of colors, especially for a wee one.
Now if only I’d had time to be crafty today. How about you? Did you find time to show your love for yarn today?
~L
Friday I found myself with a day off. This means 5 hours, no kids, when it’s during the week. Which means ‘me time’ for projects! I found myself with time to spin, knit and dye yarn. So unprecedented. I decided to give stove top kool aid dyeing a try since previously I had only done it using a microwave.
The first yarn I used Lemon, Orange, Strawberry and Black Cherry. The yellow didn’t come out quite as bright as I wanted, need to work on that next time. The Orange and Strawberry are magnificent. The Black Cherry fits in, well, but not sure I’m totally sold on it for future dye projects. I used well washed spaghetti sauce jars (since mason jars otherwise were impossible to find) to try and split up the dyes and allow for the variety without muddying of the colors. All in all, I am in love with the end result.
The second yarn I used Lime and Lemon on. Again the yellow was not bright enough, and because I did not use jars on this one, a bit overpowered by the green. I still really like the mix of white, yellow and varying shades of green. Still a fun yarn.
If you’d like more detail on the ‘how’ I did this, do let me know as I’d be happy to post!
~L
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