Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Blech

I'm down right about now. Just things in life interfering with things I'd rather be doing. I lost my mojo (like so many other bloggers seem to be doing these days) and I haven't been spinning, knitting, weaving or crocheting like I should.

I try not to let things get me down, but sometimes it's a bit overwhelming. Life has a way of straightening itself out, but wading through the muck of the hard times can be draining and tiresome.

On a happy note I took that wonderful South African Fine Spunky yarn and knit a baby sweater.
DSC00485
Pattern: One Skein Wonder Baby Sweater from the book "One Skein Wonders"
Yarn: Handspun bulky south african fine from Spunky Eclectic's Fiber of the Month Club "Think Spring"
Needles: US 10's
Notes: The pattern claims that no button holes need to be added since the stitches are so loose that buttons will just fit through. This idea may work if you are gifting this to another knitter but if you are giving this to a non fiber-friendly individual I would suggest adding button holes to idiot proof the end result. I added a simple yarn over button hole every 3 inches in the second to last stitch of the sweater.
I loved this pattern it was a nice quick knit and the lack of seams makes me super happy. Also it looks great in a nice uneven rustic handspun. I wish I had one big enough for me to snuggle right about now.
DSC00486
DSC00487
DSC00488
See it's lumptastic!!

I have an old FO to share as well but I'll save that for later in the week so it's not another 10 plus days until I post again. Gotta dole out my rations in small portions otherwise this blog will starve!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I have pictures!

See I knew it, I blog about something and then I get all guilty that I have no pics to prove that I did anything so it's a self fulfilling prophecy "write about it and pics will come!"

First up an FO
DSC00455
Pattern: Daddy & Me Po' Boy Caps by Fully Woolly
Yarn: The blue yarn is Lambs Pride Bulky and the stripe is the Handspun from Hanksinthehood I showed you all last post.
Needles: US 5's 7's and 8's I wanted a looser gauge then the pattern called for.
Notes: Umm no real modifications to the pattern except maybe the stripe. I think it's a cute kind of jaunty hat and I hope I can wear it somewhere.
DSC00456
(ugh I look so effing sick in this picture, I should have put some lipstick on to pretend like my face had some color)
DSC00457
And here's a pic of the top of the hat, it's got that nifty pinwheel effect going on.
DSC00460

My friend said it looked like a rasta hat with a brim so maybe I'll wear it while I spin more hemp (I'm going for a theme with this hemp thing if you couldn't tell.)

And I have more yarn to share. This is the Spunky Eclectic FOTM "Think Spring." As you can see the colors are so obnoxiously girly that there was no way I could do anything but knit a baby sweater out of it. I'm knitting the One Skein Wonder Baby Sweater out of it and I think I have just enough yarn to make it.
DSC00454
It's a bulky yarn with some slubs and thin spots but it makes a wonderfully textured sweater all knit up. This is a fast going knit, I cast on Tuesday night and should be done by this evening, I knit in bursts no real time dedication to this project.
DSC00453
Doesn't it just scream BABY GIRL!!!!

Any who, the flu seems to be clearing up a bit. Thank you all for your kind words, I hope I'm well enough for this weekend I have some really cool things planned. If any of you are in NYC on Saturday swing by the Dance Parade in the 20's I'll be the bellydancer with Isis wings and a huge shit-eating grin. And my bestie Mollie graduated college (I'm so proud of her you have no idea) and she's planning a blow out, which I can't attend if I'm ill. Hopefully I'll get a few pics of the sweater before the weekend.

Is anyone else feeling the pressure to finish their winter knitting? It's getting brighter and sunnier and unless the project is lace weight I always give up my wonderful wool for warmer fibers in the summer. I try to spin still but I stock pile it until that first fall afternoon. What kind of projects do you like to knit in the summer?

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Bad Bad Blogger

I've been slacking. But I have good excuses. See I got my flu shot this winter, the company gives them out for free (I think its more cost effective to pony up for the vaccinations then to incur the sick days people would use) and I got mine when they were doling them out. I made it through the winter, no flu, barely even a head cold and then as soon as it gets nice and warm WHAM I'm sick with the flu. It's been a trying week, I've been trying to craft, trying to watch tv, trying to feel productive, but I'm failing miserable at everything. I spun some yarn
Shocking" 70 % Merino Wool 30 % Bamboo from Hanksinthehood
DSC00431
It's only an ounce but I got almost 80 yards bulky weight from it
DSC00432
I knit it into a hat as a nice stripe, as soon as I stop looking like day of the dead I'll take a pic to show it off.

I also purchased some hemp, and when it arrived I started wet spinning it while listening to Bob Marley (it seemed some how appropriate.) Hemp is nice to spin, its grabby and a bit stiff but I like it and I think I'm going to make the bag from the latest knittyspin when I'm done.

I also spun up some South African Fine from Spunky Eclectic's FOTM (no pics yet) it was the "Think Spring" colorway that so many people didn't like, pale pink and pale yellow aren't really my colors either, but a friend of mine just had a baby girl so I'm going to knit her a sweater out of it. I mean if anyone can wear pale pink and pale yellow it's a baby girl.

The guy I'm seeing came all the way out of his way last night to bring me chicken soup, a blockbuster movie, and gatorade. He also thought it would be best to walk the dog for me cause as he put it "damn you do look like hell" (so sweet he is.) But it was a nice gesture and it makes me feel good that someone's looking out for me. Anyway may you avoid this evil spring flu and hopefully I'll be up to pic taking later in the week