Jeanie's Hand Knits

I have moved!

2011-07-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

I have moved to a new blog address.

Please visit me at:

jeaniefarleyknits.wordpress.com

Thank you!

Cute little toys...

2011-05-30T13:48:00.001-07:00

Turkish Spindle, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

I happened upon this cute little Turkish Spindle on Etsy about a week ago! I fell in love. I had a tiny Turkish spindle on order with Jenkins Wood Working but it has a seriously long wait and I just couldn't stand it so I cancelled the one order and ordered this one up. I had it in a couple of days. The little bag behind it was a purchase I had made a month ago at Far North Yarn Co. and is made by Lantern Moon. It is three nesting bags and each of them now have a purpose. The spindle fits perfectly in it nestled on a little bit of spinning fiber. I have gotten the swing of spinning with it. It is fun and portable and plain old cute. I am working on some keeper fiber now and hope to show you some of those results eventually!

Mixed Blessings results...

2011-05-30T13:44:00.001-07:00

Spun FCK Mixed Blessing, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Here is my plied, soaked, beaten (it was a bit unbalanced) and dried fiber from the two braids previously shown. Don't the colors blend beautifully together! It is such a fun and unique yarn. Definitely bulky and it will most likely become a baby object. I am thinking a bulky sweater and stripes worked into it somehow! We will see. I still have half of each braid and I am thinking (well with the brainstorming of my BFF, Farrah) that I will spin up singles and ply them against each other (not mixing the two color ways). That will give me some options to make something unique and maybe have a different hem and color area on a garment. Want to see the cute little toy I purchased? Stay tuned!

My first BULKY spinning job...

2011-05-30T13:40:00.001-07:00

Fat Cat Knits Mixed Blessing Fiber Braids, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Oh, I have not mentioned that I have been spinning more than usual lately. I am not sure why but spinning seems to be interesting me this spring. I have been challenging myself to learn new techniques. Spinners can get into serious ruts and that is me... Never taking chances with the fiber that I spend precious money on. I decided at the fiber retreat to just go with it, learn new things and try to be a little more creative. Some time ago I purchased these two braids from a de-stash link in Ravelry. I love Fat Cat Knits fiber. She is amazing with color and she has this wonderful sense of how to mix two different color ways into these "mixed blessing" sets. So I have been sitting on this fiber for some time trying to decide, what shall I do with you. I sat down at the wheel yesterday after some chores were done and before company showed up for a BBQ. I split the braids in half and started spinning. I wanted to preserve long color draws so I did not split it into thinner sections. As I started this fiber decided to be thick and I created my first bulky fiber wit it! I am so please. I spun 1/2 of the first color braid and 1/2 of the second color braid and I plied them against each other. At first I was a bit nervous because the colors are so different but as I started I could see exactly what FCK could see and they blended perfectly with each other!
Stay tuned for the results...

Don't you just love long weekends?

2011-05-30T13:28:00.001-07:00

Spring Herbs, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Happy Memorial Day weekend bloggers! I am doing a brief update about well, what is going on in my fiber life! This picture is not fiber related, I know but I just think my herb garden is so cute and I accomplished this as well as mucking out my perennial garden this weekend so I wanted to share! I have about 5 mini posts to share and I would like to apologize for the mini posts but I still cannot figure out how to post my URL pics into Blogger so this is how it is going to have to happen!
Stay tuned for some fiber posts up NEXT...

Navajo Ply in Twilight by Abstract Fibers

2011-05-22T22:36:00.001-07:00

Nply, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Here is a close up of my fiber that I have been Navajo Plying. Isn't it gorgeous! I am building quite a collection of hand spun. I suppose I better start using it in some projects!

May Madness!

2011-05-22T22:35:00.001-07:00

Nply, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

It has been a crazy busy May... I don't even know where to start! Tanner's graduation, fiber retreat in Big Lake, Elliot's promotion to middle school, the last day of school, Opening Ceremonies for Dimond West Little League! BASEBALL, BASEBALL, BASEBALL every night until 10 or so! Life is busy but in between all of the stuff I have managed to work on my knitting and my spinning. Do you remember the reference to the fiber retreat in Big Lake? What fun we had and what happens at Fiber Camp, stays at Fiber Camp! No really, I was there with 3 of my favorite people and I took my weekend to try new things. I spun from a batt, plied with thread, mastered spinning merino and had a little lesson in Navajo plying which I have been wanting to learn for a long time. Trinette was super and gave me a mini lesson which made so much sense. I came home and bombed my first few attempts but yesterday while spinning with Farrah I showed her the video of the lady I wanted to be like and she ummmm figured it out! I was still struggling but a few little tactile prompts from Farrah and I had it. It is so rhythmic and soothing that I just love plying this way and it also is a great way to spin and preserve long color sections. I am using it on some fiber that Cathy brought me from OFFF called Twilight. It is merino and silk and it is just beautiful I am spinning it in a way to have very long color draws and the N-Ply is preserving them very nicely. Check out this video sometime if you are looking for a nice way to Navajo Ply.

Citron

2011-05-10T14:32:00.001-07:00

Citron, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Pattern: Citron by Hilary Smith Callis
Yarn: Mama Llama Silken Cash (discontinued)
Needles: Size 6 Knit Picks Options

Graduation Pretties...

2011-05-10T14:31:00.001-07:00

Citron, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Yesterday my oldest son graduated from high school. To say that my life is entering a new phase is a small statement. I still have two boys left at home but this was the start of things to come and I have been a little "strange" this last week! I can't really put my finger on it but maybe it is best to just say, life is changing!
My in-laws flew in from Montana this last week and in order to show them the very best of all times we drove them to Homer, took the ferry to Seldovia and my Dad took us out Halibut and King Salmon fishing on Kachemak Bay! We were successful at not getting skunked but we did not limit out either (well I did ;-)). During the long 5 hour drive down and 5 hour drive back and bits of time in between I worked on Citron. I had a goal. Get this little number done in time to wear for graduation! It took me all of the trip and into the night Sunday but it was blocking while we slept and I shopped for the right outfit Monday morning! I love it. It is soft and cozy and a very pretty knit. The long rows are long, the ruffle is 540 stitches x 11 rows. You do the math! It is a bit tedious but the end result is worth it. Details in next post!
Here is my handsome graduate and my wonderful family!

Color Work!

2011-04-27T22:30:00.001-07:00

Fair Mittens, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Can you say SUNSHINE!

2011-04-16T22:31:00.001-07:00

Today was a beautiful Alaskan spring day! The temperatures were in the 50's. Wasilla was the destination. Today was the Spring Fiber Fling hosted by Denise Morrison of Fiber and Ice. The decision to come out was last minute but boy am I glad it was made.
After sitting inside around the table gazing out onto the frozen lake with sunshine streaming in the window, we decided to set up on the dock! The pictures tell the story!

Yes. Those are my toes. In flip flops. On the frozen lake.
Watch out says that bird!

Location:Wasilla, Alaska

Good morning!

2011-04-13T08:16:00.001-07:00

Good morning!, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Jeanie get out of bed! I don't want to. Jeanie you have to take your car to the shop. I know. Get up. I don't want to. This is the conversation going on in my head this morning. Why can't we just be lazy. Like the dogs!

First new project on the needles... fruity, yes, I think so...

2011-04-12T11:07:00.001-07:00

Citron, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Pattern Notes:
Citron by Hilary Smith Callis
Mama Lama Silken Cash
Size 6 Knit Picks Options with 24 inch cable

So I couldn't stand it. I had to cast on a new project. Here it is in it's beginning stage! Citron by Hilary Smith Callis. This is a free pattern on Knitty and it is fun, springy and perfect for a cute tank top or strappy dress. The yarn was gifted from Farrah, you are going to see that a lot here in the future. She seems to be my yarn go to girl! Stay tuned in for updates on this project and possibly the beginning of some new ones!

OK... are you sick of me yet???

2011-04-11T22:25:00.001-07:00

Cedar Leaf Necky, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Pattern Notes:
Cedar Leaf Shawlette by Alana Dakos
Fleece Artist Sea Wool
Size 6 Knit Picks Options

This is my third finished object of the weekend... Oh did I forget to mention my last project - Fireweed Hand spun Cowl - was finished yesterday while snuggling up with my husband as we watched Avatar? Sorry, I forgot to mention that. At that point I gave myself permission to cast on a new project and then I had a little talk with myself...self, you are so close to finishing Cedar Leaf Shawlette. Just 14 leaves to go. Finish it up and then you can feel good about all of those new projects that you have in your knitting bag... Do it! So I did it! It was painful. I love the final project. I am glad I finished it. It is a beautifully written project and a wonderful accessory. It was painful to finish and let me tell you why! This shawl starts out quick and moves along great and then you start the clever edge, where you knit the leaves and attach it to the last row of stockinette. And you get through 6 leaves lickity split and then it is just painful. If you could memorize the 18 rows that make up one of the leaves it would be so, so, so much easier but I couldn't.

OK friends... I am done bombarding you for the evening. I think I have covered all that I have done. I feel very accomplished! Three finished objects in one weekend. It is kind of like my version of spring cleaning! Now I have three projects that are ready to jump on the needles. Two are purple if you can believe that. One is for a baby girl due in August. One is a squishy lovely ribbed lovely for me. The last is fun springy and fruity! I can't wait to share them with you!

Finally, I am typing this blog post on my new Apple Bluetooth Keyboard while I look at the screen on my iPad. How slick is that!

Fireweed Handspun Cowl

2011-04-11T22:15:00.001-07:00

Fireweed Handspun Cowl, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

First I need to mention that the last project - Bestie Matchy Socks was project 1 finished this weekend - Saturday evening to be exact...
Back to my current project! This project does not have Fireweed on it. I just think that the colors look like summer in Alaska. Bold and vibrant Fireweed. There are some lengths of colors that are tall like Fireweed so... Oh and it is my project and I love Fireweed so, there you go. This yarn is hand spun. It is fiber from Fat Cat Knits. I just love her colors. She is great at what she does, I highly recommend you get a couple colorways and she is fantastic at telling you what colors will work together! Case in point. These were not a duo (which she does often). I asked her to pick two to do color work together and these were her choices. My bestie Farrah drew up a design that I found on a different cowl and whallla a cowl is born. This cowl is warm and was knitted to wear under my cross country ski gear this winter but ummm, I finished a bit late so it will be ready to go for next ski season! Look for more posts about my spinning FCK fiber. I have a couple more beautiful skeins of yarn that are looking for a great project!
I don't have many details to post about this one as the yarn is truly one of a kind and the pattern is kind of well one of a kind too!

Bestie matchy socks...

2011-04-11T22:06:00.001-07:00

Bestie matchy socks, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Pattern Notes:
Lifestyle Toe Up Socks
Opal 6-Ply
Size 2 Knit Picks
Knit using magic loop two at a time

Project numero two because I can't spell it in Spanish!
Bestie matchy socks... these are exactly what they are. Simple toe up socks using Farrah's left over yarn from her socks that match, exactly, except mine are a tad bit shorter since they were made from the leftovers. I used EVERY last bit of yarn in finishing these socks. Double's photo shoot soon to come... Fun easy project using my go to pattern but this time instead of a short row heel we both used a heel flap that is perfectly ingenious... I will fill in on the pattern notes later as I need to pull that info! You can also see it on my Ravelry page. Hey if any of you have not been there check it out at www.ravelry.com and find me by typing jeaniefarley! Ravelry is the BOMB! Hey, they need to develop a blogging mechanism and all of my problems would be solved! This yarn though is Opal and it is 6 ply! LOVE it. Make for knitting sock quickly! I think 4 ply sock yarn is to be saved for shawls and such! 6 ply sock yarn is for nice comfy thick quick socks!

So I have been asked...

2011-04-11T21:57:00.001-07:00

Ptarmigan, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Pattern Notes:
Ptarmigan by Jared Flood
Cashmere purchased in Italy - lace weight held double
Size 6 Knit Picks Options

Hey Jeanie... when are you going to update your blog! For reasons that I don't want to complain about, blogging life has been kind of complicated, blogger, flickr, computers, ravelry, double photo's etc. Why can't it just be easy! So here I am, posting a few blogs tonight, in a kind of crazy sort of way. I am going to share some finished objects and then I will again later try to update them with links to project pages etc.

FINISHED OBJECT Numero Uno...
Ptarmigan Cowl ...
I used my remaining cashmere that was purchased in Italy on this. I held the yarn double. It is sooooo soft and sooooo warm and I think next to my fiddlehead mittens, possibly my favorite knitted item in my wardrobe...
This is a fantastic project for beautiful yarn. It looks great being sporty, dressy or casual. It is a wonderful piece!
DO IT!

Stay tuned as you will be getting quite a few mini posts from me tonight...

Fur Rondy = Fun in Alaska!

2011-03-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Let's start this post off with some festivities...
Fur Rondy (read about the history here) is a fun time in Anchorage and for all Alaskan's and more, to come out and celebrate our state and all of the wonderfulness that goes with it. I have lived in Alaska almost my entire life and I have not participated in many activities. Yesterday Clint and I ventured out and enjoyed all that is Rondy. Yesterday was the kick off of the Iditarod and with that comes the end of Fur Rondy. The activities that we enjoyed, Running with the Reindeer and the Miners & Trappers Ball. Here are some highlights of the day, night and early this morning! Yep, I think we hit the sheets at about 2 am this morning...

The reindeer are gearing up for another run down the street. There is a female in heat at the other end of the street and oh how they are eager to get to her!

Here is the 4th Avenue crowd. All excited to be running or just watching the crazy costumes.

Where's Waldo?

Dinner anyone? (This guy is from Maine, we visited with him at the Miners & Trappers Ball)

Do you see the almost naked man?

Clint and I all dressed up in our costume. Clint has beaver fever! Or the fever for the beaver. He found a union suit with a hatch door and Julie dreamed up these wonderful beaver costumes. Yes, these vests were for sale, at Khol's, FOR REAL!

Our group won best "Anything Goes" group costume. What an honor. OK there was only one other group but heck! We won something.

We had so much fun!

Let's talk about knitting...

First I want to share my mittens that were displayed in the last blog post.
Pattern: Fiddleheads
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed in 6 colors
Needles: Size 3
I absolutely LOVE these mittens. They are lined with cashmere that I purchased on my trip to Italy last summer and they are so soft and warm inside. One of my favorite knits EVER!
Modifications, NONE. If I were to make these again I think I would do the cast on differently or even do a provisional and the same on the liner and do a three needle bind off or an icord bind off with them together! Picking up those stitches evenly was a bit difficult. It took some time. I also cast on with a dark color which added to the difficulty. Look at the inside. They are just as pretty!

Here are some of my works in progress!!!

Cedar Leaf Shawlette
I am using Fleece Artists Sea Wool for this project. It has been in my stash for ages and I am excited to have it used. I think it lends nicely to the design of the shawlette.
This project is super quick and starts with the long edge while using short rows to do the scoop. The last part is knitting the leaf border and you do this at the same time as attaching it to the shawl. It is very clever. I plan on finishing this project up today!

Basic socks! No pattern, just winging it! I am using some yarn that is left over from my besties socks... Hey, I think we might match, exactly...

I have so much more that I have been doing. I plan on doing a spinning post here soon to show off some of the spinning I completed during the last month as well as a project I am knitting from handspun and some newly aquired fiber.

Please, please don't go...I'm beggin you to stay!

2011-02-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

I know, I know! It has been almost, oh wait, it has been over a month since I have posted to my blog. What horse nonsense is this! I have been knitting, living, working and well, obviously NOT blogging. I am again limited on time but here is a snippet of what I will post about when I have the opportunity to actually write a bit more...

See you soon!

Crosswalkers!

2011-01-30T11:05:00.001-08:00

Hello. I finished a project. Yeah. Hurrah. Yipee yipee yippee!

Pattern: Crosswalkers (free Ravelry pattern)
Yarn: Red Heart (I know, I know) Heart and Sole in Razzle Dazzle
Needles: Size 2 Knit Picks. I knit these two at a time.

I loved how quickly this pattern knit up. It is a great pattern for busy yarn. The miter just looks neat in a really busy pattern. Would I change anything? You bet. The pattern starts out with the make 1 on the edges and the decreases on the middle stitches but at the heel shaping this all changes. When knitting these as I did, two at a time magic loop, I had to take everything off the needles. It was a chore. I would start the sock the same way it ends to make this easier to accomplish. I would also do the leg on at least a half size needle larger than the foot. The mitered pattern has less stretch in the leg but since the foot is only half miter there is more stretch. I used 72 stitches instead of 80. I could understand the 80 stitches if using a smaller needle.

The foot on mine is a bit baggy. I didn't go down a needle size like I should have. I think a good wash will make these fit perfect.

The yarn. Surprisingly for Red Heart, which I generally loathe, I love it. The fiber content is all natural except for the nylon which is a necessity in socks. It washed up so soft. Try it. You will be surprised.

I am also making progress on my Medium Weight Pullover. I have separated the arms and am working on the boring stockinette body!

This weekend I pulled out my sock yarn blanket and decided to get in some blocks. This blanket will be 16 x 32 when done. Do the math. That is 512 squares. I have about 30 currently. I have a lot of work to do!

Well I am off until next time. Maybe I will have a finished sweater to share when we next visit! Happy knitting!

Busy but good!

2011-01-08T17:19:00.001-08:00

Today has been a busy day! Busy but good I sometimes say! Every other Saturday morning something magical happens. The house cleaning fairies come to my house and erase two weeks of use and abuse to my bathrooms, kitchen, floors and furniture. The beds are made up with clean sheets and when we walk in from being gone the smell in the air is NOT dirty boy, but rather clean, crisp and bleachy (one of my favorite four words)! While they are in the house doing their magic we disappear, leaving them to it!
Today started busy. Even though I have a housekeeping team, I spend the better part of my Saturday morning BEFORE 10am cleaning... Ironic. I know. I have to strip the beds, clean up the clutter and load the dishwasher as I want them to clean the stuff, under, the clutter. 6:30 came and I was up. We then cleaned up and headed out to run errands. We take this time to do returns, pick up household items and get that nagging to do stuff done. One the list today, return iTrip to Best Buy, use up four gift cards at Borders...

returns and exchanges at Nordstoms, pick up cards that were left on my desk at work, zip into the yarn store for wool wash to give with baby shower gift (ummm, there was a line at the register, I couldn't resist)...

pick up medicine for the dreaded cold sore on Elliot's lip, rush home to pick up extra car and off to a baby shower I went. Clint went the opposite direction to take Elliot to his first trumpet lesson.
Baby Shower...

Pattern: Chloe by Never Not Knitting
Yarn: Rowan All Seasons Cotton in three colors
Sizes: One and Six

I made these sweaters for my friends Shannon and Troys new baby and daughter Laken. Laken's favorite colors are purple, pink and green. They will have a matching sweater moment, I am so glad that she liked them. I hope to share a picture of them wearing them eventually. Baby is marinating for a couple more weeks.

I hope you have all had a busy but GOOD day too!

There's a hole in my sweater, dear Liza, dear Liza ...

2011-01-03T23:59:00.001-08:00

Now I pride myself on being a pretty competent knitter. I am no exert, I will not claim that but I have learned how to knit many items and I have spent a fair share of time tinking back, dropping back stitches, fixing knits to purls and purls to knits BUT one thing I have always struggled with is seaming. Armholes, sides, pockets, you name it, if the pattern calls for seaming I am pretty much out! So here I go. I pick a sweater pattern with NO seaming. I am cooking right along. I had a break in my yarn. I joined that bad boy up and for some reason had the most terrible yarn join imaginable. I stitched it up as best I could but it looked messy. So here is where things go terribly wrong... I decided to take my join out. Problem here is I kept taking it out. To much out. I ended up unknitting several stitches. Uh oh. How do you fix that little mistake. Well after saying a few choice words I captured my stitches and decided I would call on one of my expert knitting buddies at Friday night knitting, that would be the quickest most reasonable answer to my dilemma. Well that worked for about 5 minutes until I started researching grafting in this manner. I tried Kitchener stitch which was fine except for the beginning. I tried my own rubbish method I mean really how hard can getting those 6 stitches to mesh could it be. Egads. I wanted to cry! I happened upon an article finally with this picture

and after several attempts I think my boo boo is pretty invisible. What do you think!

I think I will be able to say, this sweater has been a learning experience...

Fin.

2011-01-01T19:35:00.001-08:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

PRE-New Years Resolution

2010-12-30T14:53:00.000-08:00

Today I made a resolution to finish a WIP before I ring the new year in. I chose an one of my older WIP's that is a gift! The recipient does not know she is getting this, so she is not biting her nails waiting on it but I would love to send it to her so that she may use it during the winter months!

I of course am farther along that this photo shows but NOT MUCH! So I am going to hunker down on the sofa tomorrow, bright and early and knit away until it is done, including the fringe!

Project Details:

Pattern: Scrappy Scarf (sorry, this is a ravelry purchased pattern)

Yarn: Mountain Colors Bearfoot in colorway Bitterroot Rainbow

Needles: Size 8 Knit Picks

I CAN'T WAIT to achieve my resolution.

My 2011 New Years Resolution...

Take into account what I have before I say or act on my needs. I have so much! I need very little. I need to practice this everyday until it becomes habit!

UFO's and other stuff

2010-12-28T20:16:00.001-08:00

2010 is quickly coming to a close. With the New Year approaching I thought it would be a good time to analyze my works in progress! I would like to get some things finished! I know it won't all get done but I am hoping that if I recognize what is out there, I might actually make some progress on a few projects.

1. Skew Socks. Need to finish sock two, for that matter, need to start sock two.

2. Wicked Sweater. This is just frigging boring. But I love this design. Not loving the yarn however.

3. Sock Blanket. This one will come along slowly.

4. Scrappy Scarf. I need to crank this out. It is a gift you know.

5. Chloe.1 and Chloe.2. These have a quickly approaching due date. Chloe.1 is all but done. The other is just started.

6. Lightweight Sweater. Just started. Don't anticipate being done to soon. Will be my honor band knit!

7. End of May Mittens. Oh. I need to work on these. The weather is calling for them.

How about some finished objects.

Susie's Reading Mitts
Modified: No Thumb. Size 3 and 2.5. No picot on side facing elbow.

Squishy hat found on the cascade web site. Made for Kirsten. Made with Cascade Bulky Alpaca and size 10 needle. Quick easy cute knit.

What are your knitting goals?

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T08:43:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Farley Family!

Sporting our best last minute Ugly Sweater finds.

We hope you all have a wonderful day with your families and friends. Remembering why we celebrate this day. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Cute little somethings...

2010-12-22T00:01:00.001-08:00

Here I am. Typing on the iPad when I should be snoring just as loud as my husband (seriously). But I have been knitting away on the brightest project I have worked on in a very long time. Check out Chloe.

Chloe is being made for a dear friends daughter Laken and a matching Chloe or Chloe.2 will be made for Laken's baby sister due in February. I separated he sleeves tonight and hopefully now things will click right along.

I have another quick project soon off the needles. I will share it soon. I was able to make headway on it during board meetings so maybe I will be finished tomorrow.

Now. Of to snoring.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

2010-12-19T22:49:00.001-08:00

Lifestyle Toe Up Socks
Rowan Felted Tweed in Brown and Light Blue
Size 1.5 Needle
Magic Loop 2@a Time
Knit 3 Purl 1 Ribbing
Knit 1 TBL Purl 1 Cuff

Holiday Knitting!

2010-12-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

Holiday knitting is going well, chugging right along, knit 3 purl 1, repeat until a project is done. Fill up the sink, throw in some bubbles, soak, soak, soak, pull, stretch, form, ADMIRE. I love seeing a project done! I love putting away the scraps of yarn, placing the needles back in my organizer, buttoning up all the loose ends and saying once again, I have completed a project.

Since most of the knitting I have been doing is for "under the tree", I cannot post detail about recipients and really I need to keep photo's to snippets. Here are some to keep you coming back for the details...

What are you working on for the holidays? Besides all of this knitting I have been doing, I am working on re-decorating our youngest boys bedroom. That is what they asked "Santa" for. Santa had to hire Mom and Dad. Paint went up last weekend. The bunk bed gets picked up tomorrow and they will have to wait for the rest under the tree! My MIL will be spending the holiday with us. I am one of the lucky wives who's husband does the cooking in the house! YEAH me. So I am not thinking much about that. I think my focus will be on keeping the house picked up and making sure everyone's goodies are wrapped and in their socks before Christmas morning. We will go go my Sister's house on Christmas Eve for our annual party and Boxing Day will be spent attending church and having a yummy breakfast out (my housekeeping fairies are coming to clean that day).

What are you doing for the holidays?

and the WINNER is...

2010-12-13T16:35:00.000-08:00

One More Row!

One More Row and I are blogging and Ravelry buddies. We live 10 miles apart and have never met in person! REALLY! Well, I do think we may remedy this situation because she is the winner of my 1500 visitors blog give away!

So you tell me One More Row, wanna get together? I love Jitters!

Landmarks!

2010-12-06T14:30:00.001-08:00

I got an email this weekend. I though it was a pretty cool email. My blog has had over 1500 visitors from over 600 cities! Pretty cool that my ramblings would generate traffic. I am so happy you all follow me and are interested in what I am knitting and spinning and the happenings in my life. As the new hear approaches I will be reaching my one year anniversary of my blog and I would love to know what keeps you coming back! I want to make my posts relevant to you and try to write something useful. Please comment on this post and you will be entered into a grab bag drawing.

This bag is full of yarn and goodies. Some are left overs and some are brand new. There is a hefty amount of lace weight and enough for a pair of socks and that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a book or two and some other surprises. No peeking though. It is a Christmas give away. I will draw from the list of names from people who leave a comment on Monday, December 13, so don't miss out!
Whats on my needles you ask? Well for one there are two many projects on the needles but I am enjoying working on ALL of them.
First let me show off this beautiful cowl I am making from some of my Italian Cashmere. It is SO soft and special.

The pattern is Pretty Thing from Stephanie Pearl McPhee. This picture is lousy but I will post a photo shoot when I am all done with it. This pattern is easy. I was a little confused at first as she states to repeat row 1, 7 times around your needles. I took that for doing 7 rounds of row 1. Wrong. All she is saying is to do the chart round seven times as that is how many repeats are in the pattern. I added 17 stitches to my pattern so I have 8 repeats.

End of May mittens. These started as a Christmas gift but have quickly become new mittens for me! I love this pattern. I have made it once before and decided to do it again. I am in a de-stashing mode and happened to have enough Alpaca Wool blend in my stash to make the pair. these are going slowly only because I am making them two at a time...
The holidays are coming quickly. Personally I have been very overwhelmed by the volume of STUFF that we have accumulated in our home over the last 10 years. It may be my fault. I have been watching a lot of episodes of Hoarders. It makes me want to de-clutter. So Clint and I have been doing just that. We have cleaned out the office, gone through our DVD collection, pitched our cassette tapes and I even organized the bathroom after having my wonderful husband install some shelves. The counter is FREE of my clutter and it feels so good. What are you doing this season? For yourself, for others?

Pictures talk. At least I hope they do!

2010-11-28T23:38:00.001-08:00

A little something for Rudder. Now I need to meet him!

Hand Spun Goodness...

Mittens ala Elizabeth Zimmerman. Hat from Spin Off magazine.

Just cuz!

A work trip to Kwethluk. Now this is Alaska.

Lola looks a little peeved but aren't they so cute.

More holiday knitting. Hand Spun featured again.

Sisters...Socks & Snippets

2010-11-10T22:48:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago my sister came to work wearing some socks that I had knitted for her several years ago. I asked her if I could look at them and admire them again. You see, those socks were a labor of love. Still a fairly new knitter I has worked on them for hours on a drive from Homer when just pulling into the driveway I crammed them into my bag. I am not sure what happened next but in the end I had stitches off a needle which was broken in half. These were my lovely rosewood double points. Perfect length. Perfect size. Perfect loss! I recovered and finished these wonderful socks.

Pattern: Harebell Lace Socks by Charlene Schurch
Yarn: Austermann Step
Needles: 2.75mm
Anywho... After analyzing these socks she said quite frankly. I want some normal socks. You know. Just plain. Not lacy. I am a pleaser so I came home. Analyzed the stash. Sent off some text photos. Looked over patterns and we collectively agreed on these.

Pattern: Retro Rib Socks from Favorite Socks designed by Evelyn A. Clark
Yarn: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock
Needles: 2.75 mm and 2.5 mm for heel
I modified the pattern to be toe up and used a short row heel. I love doing toe up two at a time. She loves her socks. Notes about this ribbing. It is very stretchy. Maybe go down a needle size. They are a little big but socks always shrink just a tiny bit.

Snippets! I love Rowan Felted Tweed! I want to marry it.

Toe up 3x1 rib socks. Using Wooly Nylon thread as toe, foot, heel re-enforcement!

Winter is here!

2010-11-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

If you live in Alaska you know winter has arrived. It has been weird though, snow, rain, snow rain. This craziness makes for ugly driving out there! It does lend to good knitting time though and lately I have been thinking about all of the wonderful gifts I want to make for Christmas. Ooops, what month is it? Yeah, so knitted gifts for ALL are out but the good news is that I have time for a few. I have my list started but I cannot divulge all of that in blog posts so I will have to just post snippets of things and you will have to leave the rest up to your imagination...

I will leave you with a picture that explains what I would love to be doing right now!

2010-10-28T21:33:00.001-07:00

It has been some time since I have updated my blog. Life seems to be busy, but not busy if you know what I mean. Example... Yesterday I came home and promptly went to my bed to rest. I slept all night. Work is busy though. Very very busy. Busy is good except I am so tired when I get home from work so fiber fun has been fleeting. I also just spent 4 days visiting my oldest nephew, Wesley, at Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison, Colorado. It was friends and family weekend and my sister invited me and Patti along for a girls weekend... The trip was fun and will be what I concentrate my blog post on...

The college had fun events planned. The first being and 80's themed dance. We had fun planning our costumes.

This is me and Wesley! I am glad he was happy to see his Aunt Jeanie.

Julie asked for socks. I though it was fitting to work on them during the trip to see her son at college...

Wesley plays football for the school. We went to a game. He red shirted this year so he got to sit with us. Basically he is a team member that is not yet playing. Hopefully next year he will get game time... Progress on the sock was slow. It was cold.

We went to Crested Butte for good pizza and beer.

I knitted while we waited for coffee. This place had a long line every day.

We went back to Crested Butte for a harvest festival that as it turns out was for the younger set. It would have been a lot of fun if I was 8.

And here is the bummer. I got the heels done on the plane ride home. Tried them on and they are to big. Rip out those lovely heels I did and re-knitting is in progress. They are a great design. Retro Rib Socks from Favorite Socks. I will post all details when they are done. On another note check out my handsome sons senior portraits.

Location:Long Overdue

Sophisticated Little Baby Sweater!

2010-10-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Friday, HELLOOOOO! I am so happy you are here.

Last night the mad dash was on to finish a baby present for a colleagues new little one, Ronan. He was born on Monday and I just can't seem to knit for babies when they are still roasting, I have to wait until they are born. I cast on this little man sweater on Tuesday night and here it is, all finished, even with the Wiley Coyote buttons sewn on (thank you Patti). Isn't it handsome?

Details!

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate (ravelry link)

Needles: Knit Picks Options Size 8

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted

GIFTS, GIFTS, GIFTS...

Remember my last post and how I told you I love gifts. Well, in addition to ALL of those wonderful things I got a few weeks ago, I was surprised again, by my good friend Cathy, with this lovely fiber and a little bag knit up to hold my spinning wheel oil. How sweet. Cathy attended the Oregon Fur and Fiber Festival (OFFF) and found theses treasurers for me! I feel so special. Last year Cathy, Zaynab and I attended the festival together so it was nice to be remembered even though I couldn't pull of going this year!

THANK YOU CATHY!

Random Thursday...

2010-10-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

I have not updated my blog for some time so today is RANDOM THURSDAY! My husband has returned from Singapore so life has once again become busy (weird how when I am a single parent I am less busy - maybe it is because I let the kiddo's get away with murder). So, while Clint was gone for 3 weeks some progress was made on a few projects.

Qiviut Fair Isle Softness (not the real name but...)

Here are the details!

Pattern: Basque Hat with Norwegian Pattern from DROPS

Needles: Size 4 Knit Picks Options

Yarn: 100% Qiviut from the Anchorage Museum -

this yarn is not labeled in a way that I can tell you where to purchase it EXCEPT at the Anchorage Museum. What I have been told is that the yarn is part of an educational project through UAF or it comes from Canada. It is lace weight. The green skein was 220 yards and I have a bunch left even though my dog kept eating it. The purple skein is 110 yards and I have just a tiny smidgen of this left so I would plan for at least 110 yards of each color.

I will plan on doing a photo shoot while wearing this hat (someday). The timing just has not been right.

Hand Dyed Silk Single Everglade Tam

This photo is blurry. I apologize. Again, photo shoots have been challenging...

Here are the details...

Pattern: Everglades (via Ravelry)

Needles: Size 6 Knit Picks Options

Yarn: Hand Dyed Silk Single (company unknown)

After blocking the HECK out of this hat I wish I had added one repeat to make it a bit more slouchy. I was really, really not sure what to do and decided to close up to quickly. This hat fits more like and ummmm.... hat but it is still really cute and I think it wears nicely fitted to the scalp!

BIG FAT FAIL...

I purchased a wonderful skein of cashmere in Italy. I blogged about it here.

I had a fantastic idea of using some of this cashmere for a woven scarf. My husband really, really wants a woven scarf, so, plan put into action. I borrowed my friend Cathy's ridgid heddle loom. It looked fun. It sat and sat and sat because you know, this cashmere is special. What if I make a total mess of it. I have never weaved before... Well, I got a bug, followed the instructions and got it all set up, PIECE OF CAKE. Moving right along, I cut the ends, made my surgical knots, and started to weave. Here in lies the problem. I was making gauze. Not at all what I wanted. I needed something different. So I took the project up the road to the local weaving wizard, Pamela of Far North Fibers. The result of my visit is sad but good to know, after all, you don't want to spend a bunch of time doing something that you don't want. We ended up un-warping the loom and bunching up all of those cut ends. I guess I will have to figure out what pretty lace project this yarn was destined for. Something with fringe would be nice since I have a bunch of cut ends. They will knit up too but I will have lots and lots of ends to weave in. Long story short, do a little more research BEFORE you begin a project. There were some other options but we decided that the yarn itself is to loosely spun to weave with. It will make a horrible mess with fuzz!

PRESENTS IN THE MAIL...

You know what I love. When a package is in your mailbox and it is something that you didn't order for yourself. Total surprise gifts from friends ROCK! I had one week (2 weeks ago) that 2 GIFTS arrived in the mail. I was also surprised with one thing that I did order and that week is what I call a fantastically fiberous week!

FIRST - FIBER

This fiber was sent to me by Gina Vincent. I have actually never met Gina but we are fiber friends on facebook because she went to school with my hubby! We happen to have fiber in common so we keep in touch and share projects that way! How fun is this fiber. Gina carded these up and thought I might enjoy spinning them.

THANK YOU GINA!

SECOND - STORAGE...

My BFF Farrah sent me this CUTE Owl Knitting Bag. I love, love, love it! I am sure she used her super duper swapping powers to gift this to me since it came from the maker! It is awesome and is big enough to fit a sweater project in! REALLY!

THANK YOU FARRAH!

THIRD - INSPIRATION...

I am so excited to start knitting designs from this book. I ordered it used off of amazon and by doing that I got a copy with a fantastic binding on the edge that allows the books to lay flat. I became interested in this book because of a fellow bloggers knitting. I can't wait to dig into it and pull a fantastic design. I hope mine turns out as good as this one...

THANKS PAT FOR THE INSPIRATION!

Spinning in the sunshine!

2010-09-20T20:32:00.001-07:00

Sunday afternoon in Anchorage was beautiful! Just absolutely gorgeous. So I had made arrangements on Saturday to do some spinning with a few friends. We wavered between coffee shops and decided on Starbucks. Who knew that coffee shops were so frigging busy on Sundays. It was CRAZY so we decide to sit outside on the patio and set up our spinning wheels.

Zaynab and I surrounded by fiber, drinks and sunshine. My mom is in e back trying to get her camera up and running.

Cathy gets her spin on. Check out the onlookers. We had a few of them. Even one lady asking all about the process and asking about classes.

Here is what I worked on. Beautiful faukland wool from Fat Cat Knits. I love the colors and just wait till you see it all plied and washed!

How yummy is this! I have no idea how much I have since I have not counted yet. But I love it.

And look how much the puppy loves me! He loves me so much he even loves my stinky gym shoes. I caught him napping.

So I have a very nice pink color that is going to be spun up next! It was paired by Ginny at Fat Cat Knits to be used for color work. I am not sure what will be made but I know it will be wonderful!

Knitting weather, ready, set, go...

2010-09-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

This week has been incredibly weird. It started out or rather ended last week looking quite promising as the sunshine had finally decided to show its face here in Anchorage. We had a marvelous weekend with warm temperatures and the beautiful bright blue sky! The moisture dried up a bit and everything was looking up. Along comes Tuesday, the day the FOG blanked Anchorage. And not just a little FOG, this fog was thick and heavy and everywhere. You couldn't even see in front of you when driving. What we heard was that if the fog had lifted, we would have had the most beautiful days of the summer Tuesday through Thursday as there was not a single cloud in the sky. I should have become a mountain climber at some point so I could have enjoyed that sunshine up there! Friday is here and the clouds have rolled in, the cooler temperatures are definitely here and it is feeling more and more like knitting weather!

The weekend before last I posted about our trip to Big Lake to dye yarn. What fun we had. I came home, rewashed my skeins as they still smelled of vinegar and I took some close up photo's of them so you can see the colors that we worked with and how things turned out.

This is my Faukland dyed yarn. This is the yarn that was dyed using the one color and gradually dyed from dark to light . It is a very nice purple color. It is very hard to take photos with true color represented. I love, love, love it!

This skein is Bamboo and Merino and was dyed using a hand painted technique similar to how I dyed my sock yarn. It is in shorter lengths though. I went from Orange, Darker Orange to a Pinkish Red. Unfortunately this skein has a couple dark splotches from me being careless. Hopefully when knitted up they will lend nice to the design...(I am allowed to hope)

This is the Bamboo and Merino yarn that was dyed using the crowded pot method. I did not initially choose the colors on this one but was lucky enough to leave with it! It was an extra, score me!

Here is our Silk and Wool crowded pot skein. I love this one, in fact it is half knit up for a cute lacy beret, pictures coming soon...

And last but not least, my self striping sock yarn. I am not totally in love with this yarn but I have been given orders to move forward with these toe up ribbed socks. They are a little to Christmasy for my liking but I will work on them, slowly, I think... I had a vision, it did not turn out the way I wanted it to!

Last but not least I would like to share a project that I have been working on. It is called Basque Hat (ravelry link) and is a Norwegian design Tam. I am using my Qiviut that was given to me for Christmas almost a year ago. The yarn was purchased at the Anchorage Museum.

There have been a few struggles along the way with this Tam. I love the design, the chart is easy and really the floats are all managable. The struggles I have had have nothing at all to do with the pattern. They have to do with my evil, yarn hating dog, Sterling. I went to the gym the morning after casting on this hat, knitting bag was on the floor (my fault) but in my defense, the project was buried under 3 books and all of my knitting "stuff" bags. BURIED. I received a phone call after my very relaxing yoga class from my 11 year old informing me that Sterling had "hog tied" himself in my $80 skein of green yarn. Yep, I pretty much have had to piece that one back together, I have to rejoin every so often as my knitting progresses. After I wound it all back up with loose knots I set it on the couch ready to knit, ran to the restroom, came back to the ball, in the dogs mouth, as he was bolting under the dining room table (his clever hiding place). BAD DOG. To further this story along, a week or so later I was working on the Tam from hell. Set the project on a TV tray away from anything the dog could climb on to fetch the project and EVIL YARN HATING dog managed to get ahold of the whole dang project again and proceed to do the exact same tangling mess he did with the green to the PURPLE. YEP, now he made a mess of the second color. Well, I managed to untangle that one without scissors all while staring with daggers at the evil yarn hating dog. We have had a few more run in's with yarn. I obviously have not learned a good way to store my projects. Ziplock bags may be the answer in this instance. Long story short. My new puppy Sterling LOVES yarn. I am sure he fantasizes about clever ways to get ahold of my projects and rip them apart. (I found him on the dining room table yesterday)! All this said, I need to find an even more clever way to keep him out of it!

Dying in Big Lake

2010-09-05T17:29:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a fun and eventful day as we traveled North to Big Lake. Big Lake is about an hour and a half drive and we were headed there to dye some yarn. I have dyed yarn once before in my own kitchen and had a good time but by going to Big Lake we were learning from the pro! Denise Morris of Fiber-N-Ice dyes yarn for a living. She has a beautiful new workshop and store addition that we were able to work in! We learned a few different techniques as well as worked with several different different fibers and yarn types.

Here we are getting ready to dye our hand painted sock yarn!

Here I am painting my yarn! I used Steel Gray, Vermilian, and Teal.

Zaynab stuck with two colors. Golden Ochre and Steel Gray.

Nannette spent a lot of time working out her colors. Her sock yarn turned out beautiful.

Cathy is working on our second hand painted skein. This time a thicker bamboo and merino blend. It feels yummy.

Here is an example of crowded pot dying. We made four skeins of silk and wool singles. Purple, gray and teal.

Caiti is demonstrating the gradual dying process. Using one color the yarn starts out dark and gets lighter and lighter.

Here is all of the yarn hanging after being rinsed and quickly spun out in the washer.

Here we all are (Caiti is taking the picture) after a long fun day of "dying".

Sara showed up for just a while too and she and Caiti showed off some of the yarn.

I ended up bringing home:
1 skein of sock yarn
2 skeins of bamboo merino
1 skein of silk wool blend
1 skein of faukland

I also got to sneak three short skeins in that were used in the crowded pot.

Dying yarn is fun. Can be time consuming and it takes time to think about the outcome. I am excited to knit something with my new yarn.

Puppy vs Yarn. Puppy wins (at least for now)...

2010-08-26T20:07:00.001-07:00

Remember that post. The one that said puppies and yarn don't mix. Well this is why.

Project number one in chaos due to Sterling Archer!

Is he mischievous? I think so. He also likes toilet paper. Oh and...

Laceweight Madelinetosh yarn that I just used to cast on 400+ stitches. But how can you be mad at this guy...

Who sleeps with his babies.

One last yarn photo, taken a few weeks ago. My stash!

Happy untangling everyone!

Slugs and a scarf... oh my life and rainy days!

2010-08-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

I am going to slip in a quick post! Life has been busy with a new baby in the house (Sterling - insert gratuitous dog photo here).

Sterling was not feeling well this day (he hurt his toe nail) and he was literally sleeping like a baby in my arms - while I was driving! Bad driving but frigging cute dog!

I have been doing a whole lot of nothing (nothing = walking dogs, feeding dogs, walking dogs, stalking dogs to make sure no one is having accidents, trying to get dogs to sleep, did I mention walking dogs?).

And did you know Alaska has a new record this year...

30 consecutive days of rain!

I am sure you can sense my mood, dreary, down, a little blue. Yes, we have had some nice sunny streaks, followed by a downpour or sprinkles at some point during the sunny day. Yes, we understand the lower 48 states are sweltering but we are not and we wouldn't mind some sweltering weather in Alaska. I will trade, I will, I will. I just dream that I am going to wake up to big fat snowflakes and it makes me want to squish down farther in my bed. Oh and the slugs, the slugs, I swear, I have NEVER in my life seen so many slugs. We had at least 100 on the back of the house the other morning. In fact, they were pry crawling out of the lawn saying help me, help me, we are drowning in the lawn! GROSS!

On to some knitting! I have so many wants to knit right now but right now my focus is on a colorful project. This Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf which is SIMPLE, SIMPLE, SIMPLE. I am making this scarf out of some yarn that I bought over a year ago in Montana. It is Mountain Color Yarn Bearfoot in the colorway Bitterroot Rainbow. I chose this crazy colorway because it is named after the Valley that my husbands family has lived in since the 60's. It is a beautiful place the Bitterroot Valley and that is also where the yarn company comes from. Here is my Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf with 400 stitches cast on and about 1/2 inches of width done. This is a special one and has a special place to live when it is done! Can't tell but just know, it has a home.

Puppies and yarn...

2010-08-08T16:17:00.000-07:00

don't mix! That's all. The end!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Stinking cute baby hat...

2010-08-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have a finished object to share with you. It is a fabulous little baby hat that I made as a stash busting project. I am a little bummed though as I do not have any little girls to give this to. It is going into the "gift box" for when I will get the announcement, usually from my husband, that there is a co-worker expecting and to get on with making a gift. Here it is for all to see.

Pattern: Sweet Baby Cap -http://grosblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/sweet-baby-cap/
Yarn: Artyarns Super Merino in a purple color -leftover from my Wicked Sweater
Needle: Size 2 Knit Picks

This is a quick but very sweet pattern and paired with the right yarn it is very soft and sweet. I may try again and do stripes like many others have done.

Onto another gratuitous puppy picture. He is just so freaking cute. I can not help it!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Who said I was trying to de-stash?

2010-08-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Well it certainly would not have come from my mouth, did it? Yesterday I got a call from the local yarn store that my yarn had arrived. What yarn you say? Look at this pile of wonderful...

12 skeins of blue sky ALPACA SILK. I ordered this yarn in a soft cream color because the sweater that I have chosen to knit has this classic appeal. Good with jeans. Good with a skirt. Cream seemed a logical classic choice for "lightweight pullover".

Other knitting stuff that is going on! Gauge swatches. I hate them, hate them, hate them... but when jumping into a sweater knit on size 2 needles - a gauge swatch is a necessity! So here is my swatch for my lacy sweater.

I absolutely hate carrying the yarn like I did but APPARENTLY this is the appropriate way to do a gauge swatch when the pattern is knit in the round. Pretty right?

And onto our dog photos. Isn't he cute after his haircut. He got tuckered out at work and cuddled up with his chew bone in his new bed! We love this little guy so much. Lola still isn't sure but she will come around.

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sterling Archer... Again...

2010-07-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

I know. I am wearing out but here is a better picture of him. Awake. Alert. Oh my goodness. We are in trouble.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sterling Archer

2010-07-30T21:17:00.001-07:00

Meet the newest member of our family. Sterling Archer. He is a four month old Shih Tzu. He joined our family today. What a sweetie. We hope he will become a good companion to our five year old Shorkie named Lola. Currently she is a little put off but she will warm up I think (HOPE).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Technology rocks! Knitting does too! Sometimes they work together...

2010-07-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

I have been knitting, honest I HAVE but I have also been distracted this week with my new toy! Even though I got to go to Europe this summer, I begged and begged and begged and due to all of that begging my honey let me order an iPad for my birthday! I ordered it on my birthday but it only arrived this week! It was agony waiting for this to come in the mail as I am an instant gratification girl. I went basic and ordered the 16gig WiFi version! It is the cheapest one out there and I thought, hey, it is all I need. It does everything a laptop at home will do (ALMOST). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my iPad. So does everyone else in the family. So I have organized it and aside from going through thousands of photo's that desperately need to weed down I have everything on it that I think I will load for a time. Some of my favorite things...

1. Kindle for iPad - reading on the iPad is wonderful!

2. GoodReader for iPad (I can view all of my knitting patterns - no more printing out patterns)

3. Angry Birds - it is just fun

4. Browsing the internet, in my bed

5. Updating Ravelry from my bed using the camera syncing options and plug in's to upload pictures to project pages (some work still needs to be done here but it works 80%)

6. NETFLIX - I can watch anything on my iPad that I would be able to watch on my computer and via the WII. IT IS AWESOME...

7. 1.5lbs.

OK. I will stop going on and on about my iPad. I don't know if it is wrong but I have been going to bed with it. I still sleep next to Clint but the iPad is right in between us!

WIP: I have two new projects on the needles. I do not have enough of either of them done to really show off pictures but first I am working on my second Wicked Sweater.

This is a picture of my first Wicked Sweater!

I love the fit of this sweater so much that I decided to make it a second time (and because my sister has stolen my first one). Right now I am about 1/2 done with the raglan increases and got a little bored so I put it aside and cast on for a cute little baby hat. This is another stash busting project and I found it on Ravelry when viewing projects other people have done with the one skein of yarn I had left from yes, my first Wicked Sweater! How is that for grouping of my projects! This little baby hat has many little points and here is a photo of a finished one (not mine).

My mood: Has been OK. The weather has frankly been SUCKY and unfortunately that really plays on my mood! I am still logging my food and exercising at least 5 days a week! That helps. The arrival of my iPad has really helped.

Reading: Well I was just getting into the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and then I went to Sams Club and saw the book for the Life and Death of Charlie St. Cloud (the movie is starting on Friday) so I downloaded it from Amazon and read it in a couple of days (on my new iPad). It is a good, quick read and makes me want to see the movie even more. I think it has a very spiritual feel and really hits on some good points about life and death and living! The movie will be a tear jerker and a mushy romance but I like those movies and I am totally ready for it!

this and that...

2010-07-23T16:24:00.000-07:00

I finished Ishbel last night. It was nice to finish a project all the way and be able to have a destination all planned out for it! I agreed to knit Ishbel as a KAL with a lace knitting group in Portland. Another shawl I told myself, I never will wear this, why am I knitting it? Because Farrah asked me to and it is nice to be part of a bigger project. Close to completion I was invited to a colleagues retirement, moving, last day of work party! I thought, wow, I have this beautiful knitting lacy shawl and Sheri always admires my knitted items, this is perfect. I will give it to Sheri as a retirement, moving, last day of work gift. I know she will enjoy it and wear it! So, I madly cast off last night, soaked the little number and blocked it out. It dried incredibly fast. I took several photo's of it with the light changing in my house. It is not the best light but I like it! It is all wrapped and ready to give to Sheri today at her party!

I really enjoyed knitting this one!
When I was done blocking this shawl I was pumped up to start my next project and work on some stash busting (maybe because I just ordered 13 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca for a sweater project, EEEK). I quickly set up the swift and ball winder and created 4 lovely balls of Cascade 220 Superwash for a second Wicked Sweater (see this post for previous Wicked I knit).

I think that this is going to be a lovely fall sweater and I am going to try to make a 3/4 sleeve on it. It really depends on my yarn and how much I can get out of these 4 skeins...

I also wound up one skein of my new Madelinetosh Prairie in Mourning Dove that I purchased to make Pia. I will work on swatching this in my "spare time".

(Interweave Knits)

Other items on my list...

Reading: I just finished my book by Kathy Reichs and was excited to do so because I have been itching to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I started as soon as I finished the other. I have heard good things about this book and I am super excited to finish so I can watch the foreign film based on the book (subtitled) and will be eagerly awaiting the American movie that they are casting for currently.

Mood: I am feeling pretty good. I started to log my food using Weight Watchers Point System (on my own) and have lost 5 pounds. I am ready to loose the remaining 35. I have been getting up in the morning for walking and strength training with my neighbor. I am happy to report that today is the FIRST day since starting to exercise that I have NOT gone back to bed only to rush getting ready and to work on time (sort of on time).

Weather: We will just drop it there. What weather. Alaska has been weird, wet and dark this summer. I am praying for an Indian Summer!

Girdwood = good fun!

2010-07-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Two of my knitting friends and I have been discussing getting away for the weekend to do some knitting. It finally happened. Girdwood is a little ski town 45 minutes south of Anchorage. Easy drive, quiet, off the road, relaxing ~ just what the doctor ordered...

1. We had a wonderful dinner at Jack Sprat's.

2. We watched the debut episode of Covert Affairs on USA.

after a gorgeous day we had a nice sleep and woke up to RAIN... however, rain is relaxing so we...

3. Enjoyed a great breakfast at The Bake Shop.

4. Relaxed in the condo while knitting and napping.

Cathy working on a sock, I am working on Ishbel, my shawl, Zaynab is working on a cool scarf!

5. Ran up the circular staircase about 100 times to pee (my water habit is getting better and in this case giving me some exercise too).

I highly recommend a Girdwood getaway to all of my girls...

My knitting progress this weekend. I worked on the Ishbel shawl. It is coming along nicely.

Getting back to the reason I am blogging...knitting...

2010-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

So my blog posts have been void of "knitting material" as of late so I thought I would get caught up with some knitter worthy blogging... I was reading a friends blog today and I really liked her format so I am going to give it a try.

What is on my needles: As of today I have one shawl on the needles. This shawl is called Ishbel and is by Ysolda. I am making this shawl as part of a KAL (knit a long) with some gals from Portland. I was gifted some beautiful Queensborough 80% Alpaca, 20% Bamboo from my bestie Farrah and decided that it was the perfect yarn for this shawl. The beginning of the shawl is stockinette stitch so it is a little slow and boring going but it will soon get exciting... here is my first day's progress...

I have also finished ONE of my Skew socks. I have blogged about these socks before and if you know me you know that I am pretty good about getting one done and then taking a break before making sock two. I love these socks. they fit GREAT. I will most definitely finish the pair... as for when... here is sock one patiently awaiting it's partner...

Lola want's a pair. Oh that would not be good, I would have to make 4...

Comfy, clever socks. I will have the set ready for clog weather for sure!

What is my MOOD: If you read my last blog post, you will know my mood. No need to go through it again, other than I am sick and ready to be done with the head cold...

What am I READING: I am currently reading the third book in the Kathy Reichs, BONES, series. It is called Deadly Decisions. I am interested in these books mainly because I am addicted to the television program. The books are really very different than the series but I like them. I am really excited to get through this book because I just downloaded the books from the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and I can't wait to get started... I read my books on my iPhone now using Kindle for the iPhone. I just know that it would be much easier on an iPad but that would be another expense!

What is the WEATHER: Today is BEAUTIFUL. The sun is shining. It is warm, hot even and I am inside updating my blog! I hope the sun decides to keep shining. I am really ready for the sunshine in Alaska (we had it in Italy).

Europe, knitting and turning 29 for the 9th time...

2010-07-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my birthday. I am getting older. I was never one that felt like getting older was a big deal until this year. For some reason it is hitting me. Is it because it is an ODD year? I think maybe that has something to do with it. I know that sounds strange but even years are happy, odd years seem sad. Like next year the prospect of 38 does not seem bad, but 37 just has a weird ring to it. Enough depression.

I promised more photo's of my European adventure and I always come through with my promises. It is hard to pick a few photo's to choose when there are so many good ones... I hope I show off Italy well and that you all get to experience through photo's taken by me and my good friends, the wonderful time we had...

Top Row: Pelican in Mikonos, Clint, Anna and Patti in Voltarra, view of Mikonos...

Middle Row: Pretty alley in Voltarra, Anna, Jeanie and Trish with the sunset, Clint and Jeanie spiffed up for dinner...

Last Row: Windmills in Mikonos, Anna, Julie, Clint & Jeanie in Barbarino, Pelican in Mikonos...

Top Row: Clint on gondola ride, sculpture in Murano, Jeanie in front of the Bridge of Sighs...

Bottom Row: Patti, Jeanie and Anna on gondola ride...

Top Row: Julie in Pissa, Clint and his wives (joke) Patti, Jeanie and Anna, Clint and Jeanie in the square at Voltarra...

Middel Row: The Duamo in Sienna, Patti, Jeanie and Anna in Split, Croatia, Clint at Torture Museum in Voltarra...

Bottom Row: Children crossing sign in Italy, Anna and Jeanie on drive to Voltarra, our pool at the villa...

I have so many more photo's that I could share but it would take days and days. I hope you enjoy what I have shared!!!

Europe is amazing and if you ever have the chance, do it! I highly recommend it! Just give yourself enough time to see wonderful things. There is so much.

European Knitting...

2010-06-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

On June 12, my husband and I embarked on a European vacation with 16 family and friends of which children were NOT included! This vacation or "holiday" as the Europeans call it included 3 countries (4 if you count a layover). What I didn't realize is that we took off on Knit in Public Day so true to the calendar I pulled out my knitting on our first leg of the trip, the 9 hour flight over the north pole headed to Frankfurt Germany from Alaska.

Here I am working on my Skew Sock. Cooking with bacon and grease.

I made pretty good progress on sock one but I am not a very good holiday knitter. During my vacation I had the goal to visit Chianti Cashmere. I had read about this cashmere goat farm on Ravelry and later her beautiful web site so I emailed and inquired on visiting his amazing place. I wanted to see the goats. Understand the business and leave with some products. Due to some unfortunate circumstances the business did not have inventory to speak of except this little basket with the softest cashmere I have ever felt. I was given a tour, lesson on goats and how the fur is gathered and processed and I even got to meet the 2 day old babies. Wow. What an adventure. Oh the drove there was a major adventure and I have my friend Anna to thank for getting is there safety.

The mama goats and their babies.

The workshop and showroom.

The main house and view.

My score. Yarn and spinning fiber.

More view and the owner and I.

Sneak peek for next time... Our Villa, Tizzano, built in the late 1300's. Tuscany, Italy. The Chianti region.

memorial day fun...

2010-06-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

What a glorious Memorial Day weekend we had in Alaska! The sun stayed out (almost all night long), the bugs were not to terrible, a few of us made it a 4 day weekend and overall it was a wonderful time! We had promised the "Grandma's" that we would make it down to their neck of the woods for the weekend but as it approached hubby decided that he really needed to spend some time in the garage (building, organizing and getting ready for fishing this coming weekend). I was feeling conflicted as I really like to take the long weekends and go South to Homer and Seldovia since it is quite a long drive, I like the extra day to make it a semi decent weekend. I asked my girlfriend Patti to join me on my adventure so that I could please the Grandma's and also myself... We hit the road early Friday morning with one of mine, Elliot and hers, Chance. We made it to Cooper Landing in time for breakfast at Sunrise (my friend Farrah's Mom works here so we stopped to see if she was in, no Sharon but Farrah's Dad and Pumba the dog were there having breakfast).

After breakfast we made record time to Homer! First order of business, walk around the Homer Spit and have a good LINNER. We visited The Deadliest Catch store and did a little bit more shopping. We had to stop and get some saltwater taffy at The Salty Girls and then go down on the beach and skip rocks.

The next morning we got up early to head over to Seldovia on the NEW SELDOVIA BAY FERRY! Besides seeing my folks and my Mother in Law this was the highlight of my trip. I have been a part of the building of this Ferry (I have written ALL of the checks to have it built). The Ferry just started operations this last week so we got to ride on it while it is fairly new! What a beautiful boat!

One of the reasons I like to go to Seldovia over Memorial Day Weekend is because of the festivities... This is the 5th year that they have had the Chainsaw Carving Competition and this year the Artists were creating something for the new Childrens Park. It is amazing what one can do with a log, chainsaw and small hand tools. Here are some shots of my favorites.

I just learned that the seal/sealion or whatever it is came in first and the salmon with saddle came in second. I wish I had pictures of them more completed because the winner had another otter in front and starfish foot holders. You can check these out on the Seldovia web site.

Other things we enjoy doing when in Seldovia are visiting the beaches, skipping rocks, riding bikes, drinking coffee and walking from one end of town to the other. Here are some pictures of our trip to Inside Beach.

Oh and how could I forget the boys excitement. Papa took them fishing. First they went out on Saturday night, Papa thought he would troll for salmon but they got into the halibut. After trying for a few hours the halibut were bait stealers and they came home with nothing. They decided to be troopers and go out early the next morning before we caught the ferry back to Homer. Those two little ones and Papa got up at 4:30 am to make it out with the right tide and what do you know, they all caught their limit!

Halibut tacos were the featured menu item at our house last night!

After the ferry ride back to Homer and a few more hours hanging out with Grandma Little we were on our way back to Anchorage and Elliot didn't last for 10 minutes before he was out for the count! He slept until dinner in Soldotna and then we laughed at Bill Engval the rest of the ride home!

Sweet sweaters, thoughts on Italy and Greece and my little athelete...

2010-05-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy week and a half. Good and bad stuff has happened and today I am having a talk with myself about life, raising kids, the way to feel when they let you down and being happy they are alive.

Yesterday was a bummer of a day for my oldest son. He was in a car accident. He is OK. That is what is important. He rear ended a friend from school. It was a lousy situation that unfortunately ended with him being the at fault party even though the person in front of his friend chose not to use their blinker, causing a brake slamming situation and a rear ending! OK. With all that said, all the kids are OK. The cars are damaged, tickets are involved and points are on drivers licenses. In the end - it is all about MONEY and that is it so life will go on...

Knitting has not been very productive lately, due to a lot of factors, but mainly because baseball season has started and our 10 year old decided this year that he was going to become a baseball star. A star has been born. He is doing fantastically. He is pitching (in the first game the first inning out of three, the second game he pitched two innings out of three). He finally got a pretty good hit the other night and has stolen quite a few bases! I think he understands how the game works!

Here is Elliot proudly displaying his Scrappers Uniform and also one of him on the pitchers mound before his FIRST PITCH, in his FIRST GAME OF HIS LIFE!

My newest knitting project is a cute little lacy sweater to wear in Italy and Greece (that is if I get in gear and put some inches onto it). The yarn I found is really soft and it is called Mirasol Cotanani. It is 50% Cotton/50% Merino. It might be a little warm but I am counting on the lacy-ness of it to keep it sort of cool. It should be nice over a cute sun dress. The pattern is "A Little Something" and can be purchased here on Ravelry. Below is my progress so far...

Italy and Greece is quickly approaching so we have been dieting, walking, doing planks and working on our beach bodies, just in time to eat glorious Italian and Greek Cuisine. I guess I will repeat when I get home! I can't wait to explore and see the beautiful scenery! More on my upcoming vacation later!

Handspun shawl...

2010-05-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a fair amount of time since I have been able to share a "knitting" blog post. I am so excited about how this latest project turned out I just can't wait to share the lovely photo's. So I was perusing my blogs that I frequent on Google Reader (awesome tool by the way) and I saw this lovely shawl that Jared Flood (Brooklyn Tweed) had knit with some hand spun Romney. I think he calls it his "Romney Kerchief". This shawl did not come with a pattern, just some notes on its construction. There lives in my stash the perfect hand spun yarn for this shawl. I cast on, tore out, cast on again, tore out and played with this for about two days before I figured it out (or at least almost out). Here are the results.

Aren't the colors lovely. This fiber is Blue Faced Leicester in colorway Fireside Chat and was purchased from Northern Lights Fiber Co.

Construction is not difficult. I cast on 10 stitches. Increased using M1L and M1R after and before the three edge stitches and on either side of the two center stitches.

row 1 was knit and increases, row 2 was knit, row 3 was knit and increases, row 4 was knit, row 5 was knit and increases, row six was purl.

That's it. Oh and on the last repeat I just knit all of the rows, even row 6, that mimics the three garter stitches on the top of the shawl.

I in no way made up this construction. I fell in love with the shawl on Brooklyn Tweed's web site, followed his notes and this is what came of it. The right hand-spun yarn, as he said, makes the shawl.

ON ANOTHER NOTE...

My nephew Wesley Thomas Rabung graduated today from Chugiak High School. Way to go Wesley.

Andy, Wesley, Julie (my sister), Nic, Mitchel

The proud Rabung family!

Oh and he is the first of my sister's and my 6 boys to graduate. Next year my son Tanner and her son Nic both hit the stage!

Spring...

2010-05-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

a. The season of the year, occurring between winter and summer, during which the weather becomes warmer and plants revive, extending in the Northern Hemisphere from the vernal equinox to the summer solstice and popularly considered to comprise March, April, and May.

b. A time of growth and renewal.

Here is a glimpse of spring in my neck of the woods...

Spring, "springs" a little later in Alaska than in other parts of the world but every day there is a little more green.

I am about finished with my latest knitting project, just doing the sewn bind off on the edge. Blocking and photographing should be taking place this week! Stay tuned.

more wonderful Alaska weather

2010-05-04T23:16:00.001-07:00

This is the photo I had in mind today when I first posted about our weather.

I found this little beauty as I was cleaning out my garden of last years growth. That dead growth was protecting my little crocus!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

this is a blog, isn't it?

2010-05-04T10:36:00.000-07:00

I have not logged in and blogged in awhile! I have not had anything substancial to say I guess. I have not really been doing much as far as knitting (I have been doing a lot but I have not finished anything lately). So I guess I will just check in with all of my knitting friends.

The weather in Anchorage has been phenominal. We have had the most beautiful sunshine. It is that time of year that we stay here for. We Alaskan's put up with snow, cold, wet, dirty, snow, did I mention snow. Around mid May we start to understand why. The mountains are glorious, the grass begins its journey to green, the final bits of SNOW melt and reveil the little tiny plants that will thrive for a few months! It is worth it!

My new office is located near downtown, on the outskirts. Close enough to be in the thick of it but just far enough out that we are not bogged down with buildings on all sides of us. Currently this is the view out of my front window...

Around 3 a guy will come out from behind our building (a long term hotel is behind us) and fly his remote control airplane. Men and Women will gather around 4 to start practicing for softball season (it is a BIG deal here in Anchorage). The sounds of summer come alive as the work day winds down. I love our new office location. It makes me want to wake up! Oh and we have a wonderful place to walk at lunch!

So today might not be talk of knitting, but I hope it is worth reading. What is it like where you all live?

~Springtime Cowgirls ~

2010-04-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

My sister and good friend Zaynab are having a show this coming 1st Friday. The show will be held at Her Tern (Skinny Ravens parent store), Friday May 7 from 4 - 8 pm. Their show is going to be amazing and is going to feature leather goods. These two ladies are doing wonderful stuff with leather! It is amazing to watch. Yesterday, after pestering my sister for days, we went down to the leather studio (the basement of our office) and Julie cut out my bag and with a little (I mean just a little) help from me, we put this together and it is ALL MINE and ONE OF A KIND... I LOVE IT!

If you want to see more of my sisters work check it out HERE!

and the winner is...

2010-04-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

A day late is better than never, right! This morning I gathered up the names of the people who commented on my blog (thank you) and I put them in my cute little felted vessel. Brendan drew a name out of the vessel and we have a winner... Aunt Rachel in Hamilton, Montana is the winner of some hand spun yarn! I will get your package off to you on Monday!

500 Visitors - HOW ABOUT A DRAWING!!!

2010-04-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

500 VISITORS!!!

Wow! Who knew that this blogging thing could be so much fun! I just got a message that I have had 500 visitors to my blog so I decided that I would do something fun! I have some hand spun yarn at home that needs a home so - if you make a comment, I will put your name in the hat for a drawing. This drawing will take place on Friday!!!

Spring Fling Recap...

2010-04-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

(From top to bottom, left to right)

The Spring Fling Flyer, Denise was presented with a hand made banner, she cried! My new book! Orange Shetland Fiber Porn! Alpaca, Silk, Mohair Fiber Porn! Owl Project Bag that was in the mail when I got home. Buffalo/Merino Fiber PORN! A view of the "fling" My friends Cathy, Cathy, Toby and others!!!

What a wonderful weekend that was had by all in Wasilla. The Spring Fling hosted by Denise Morrison with Fiber N'Ice was a hit!!! I started my weekend at about 2pm on Friday and drove North to Wasilla. There I met up with my good friends Zaynab and Toby and quickly dropped our stuff off at Zaynab's Mother in Law, Sonia's, house. We then traveled to the Best Western Lake Lucille Inn where the Spring Fling was being held. When you walked into the conference room you were greeted with people feeling alive and ready for a weekend of fiber enjoyment. There were spinning wheels, fiber, yarn, tables set up for felting of vessels, wall hangings, scarves, painting on woven fabric, carding, combing, etc, etc, etc. Zaynab was busy all weekend with classes (felting, felting, felting and then some embellishing). I taught one class on magic loop and fingerless mitts. I spun up some of my first most extravigent purchase of buffalo (75%) and merino (25%). I did not do a whole lot of knitting other than my class but I just observed, learned, and visited with old and new friends. There are stories. A couple. I will post about those later. One involves a little boy named Chance and the other involves a felted scarf donated and found!!! Stay tuned...

The naughty deer...

2010-04-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

I have been working on another ear flap hat, chullo, toque, hockey hat - whatever you want to call it!!! Clint is getting ready to take off on Sunday for a couple of weeks and since this hat is for his work buddy, Jake, I needed to slam it out last night. When I got home from work I still had to close up the top, apply the ear flaps and finish of the edging with the icord bind off, oh yeah, and add the braids. So I hunkered down on the couch, remote in hand and watched Bones, Bones - NEW, Glee - recorded and the Mentalist and managed to finish the hat, blocking included! Here are some not so great shots of the Naughty Deer (I still need to work with Clint on the modeling thing - geez, pull the ear flaps down would you)!

Pattern: Chart from the "Fornicating Deer Chart" (on Ravelry)

Ear flap hat is personal - made up - perfecting!

Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alplaca - Three Colors

Needles: Size 4 Knit Picks Options

Project bags, can you ever have to many???

2010-04-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

My friend Alissa sent me a link the other day to a gal who sews project bags. She had one at FNK (friday night knitting) and must have seen this one and thought of me because I promptly had a link to an Etsy site in my email box. I was spending some time cleaning up email today and finally clicked the link - my jaw dropped! How cute is this fabric...and the bag... I LOVE it!

If anyone else loves these cute little bags and NEEDS and I mean NEEDS to order one for themselves you will find Vengancraftastic here!

Rip it! Rip it! Rip it! The knitters definition of "FROGGING"!

2010-04-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Skew has bit the dust - temporarily. I have decided to rip it out! This sock will be made again. The reason that I decided to "frog" it is because the gauge was WAY off. I was measuring 3 1/2 inches wide when I should have had 4. In ripping this out I will also be able to make the sock with the "proper" increases! So here is frogging in a nutshell, step by step...

1. Remove needles

2. Pull yarn

3. Keep pulling yarn

4. You are done frogging when the yarn is in a wrinkly pile and no stitches are present

Failure to follow instructions...

2010-04-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

I am in new project mode. I have started three new projects in the last week. I think that is what happens when your needles become empty, the hunger to complete things comes out and projects jump on the needles. So in addition of the two hats that I blogged about the other day I have also cast on a little sock called Skew. This sock pattern is free and is here at Knitty.com. It has interesting construction and I am just having faith that it will all work out. So I got started on this sock the other night, I was unhappy with the toe so I ripped and started again. I was having issues with the Right Leaning Increase (it is difficult to knit into that pesky little stitch) so I thought I would go to the internet to see how other people do it and that is when I discovered that I do not follow instructions very well.

Skew in Red Heart Brand Heart & Sole Yarn, colorway Razzle Dazzle

(traditionally I am a bit of a yarn snob but I have to say, this yarn from Red Heart is very nice)

I made the assumption that I would just be doing a lifted increase, one slanting to the left, one slanting to the right, easy enough right, except for that pesky knitting into the front of the right slanter. Well, this pattern calls for an entirely different increase that sounds similar in title but is completely different in execution. I tried out the stitch, looked to see if it looked entirely different from the increase that I was doing (it looked different enough). I have made a decision to NOT rip out the sock and start again. I am going to move forward knitting it wrong! I have learned a valuable lesson though - the stitch dictionary is there for a reason and I should READ IT! I am happy to report I am not the ONLY one who has made this error.

Did I fail or do I just get an incomplete?

2010-04-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

So last night I attended my last Icelandic Sweater Class. This class was meant for me to sew up the steek, cut my knitting and begin the finishing of the sweater! Well, I worked on a hat. I did not work on the sweater because the sweater was in a basket at home hibernating! I don't think that I have been afraid to say I did not enjoy working on this project, at one point I even resolved that I would not work on projects that I do not enjoy, so I took my own advice and put it away! The purpose of going to the class last night was to see how it is all done! Is steeking in my future? You bet. It does not look all that difficult and as for the cutting of the knitting, yes, scary, but really not to hard to do. I think the picking up of all of the stitches around the steek and making the inside look pretty is a bit more daunting! So last night I kept referring to my progress as "failing" but one of the other ladies who is still knitting said no, we are just taking an incomplete! (I still think that I am a failure because I am not sure I will ever pick up this project again). Oh well!

It is spring in Alaska and we all woke up to snow, gray skies, cold air and wet roads! BOO. I hope it just takes a hike and the sun comes out again tomorrow to melt it all away!

What are on my needles you ask? I am currently working on two hat projects, not one but TWO! Isn't that ridiculous? First off I am making a "Naughty Deer" hat. This hat is being knit in the tradition of my ear flap hats with all of my personal modification and I have added the "Fornicating Deer" chart as the design. This hat is being knit as a request to my husband's co-worker Jake, he is celebrating his birthday this month...

The second hat I have started is all but a band! It is a Bohus inspired hat which pattern is in the book called Hats On! I am working this hat along side my good friend Cathy.

My next course of action is to begin spinning again. I have been away from my wheel for far to long and I am dreaming of using it!!! I am going to look into ordering a high speed whirl for it so I might be able to produce a little more, a little more quickly!

Happy Resurrection Day!

2010-04-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

PHOTO BORROWED FROM IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC PARISH OF BETHEL, ALASKA
To my Family, Friends and Fellow Bloggers ~

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!

New wool socks, just in time for spring...

2010-03-30T22:01:00.001-07:00

Uptown Boot Socks from the book Favorite Socks. Yarn used, Malebrego Sock. Size 2 needle.

Well ideally these socks would have been done many months ago, before the spring time weather was upon us but I love them none the less.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A new day...

2010-03-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Good morning to all of my fellow blog followers and knitters and friends. It is a new day isn't it. Today I had that TALK with myself, you know the talk that we have when we make promises to ourselves, to shape up, ship out or at least try!!! These are the promises I made myself today.

1. Get to the gym at least 3 times per week

2. Get on track with my eating program

3. Work on my core with my fancy pilates reformer that is collecting dust

on the knitting front

4. Don't work on projects I hate (ummmm Icelandic Sweater might bite the dust)

5. Only have three projects going at one time (ummmm my needles are almost empty)

Five promises are enough right? The reason my promises are exercise and diet rich is because I am leaving on holiday in 10 weeks.

Holiday is 14 days in Italy, Croatia and Greece. My body parts are going to be exposed and they need a little, ummmm, work before we go!

The last couple of promises are because I have been terribly bored with my knitting lately and I want to work on things I LOVE, yes, that challenge too but also that I love! I have decided that I HATE Lopi, so why would I torture myself. OK, I have not totally abandon the sweater but it is close!

Hairbands and scarves...

2010-03-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just drove home from a three day client meeting in Chistochina and I was welcomed at the mailbox with two packages. Both of these packages were addressed to ME and I knew exactly what was in each of them. Both of them were wonderful, wonderful gifts that were sent to me from friends. The first gift that I received was from Little Byrd (see this post). Rebekah is a friend from the past and newly found in the present (she tells our story on the linked post). I won a drawing from her blog for the cute little hairband that I have on here (oh and I am modeling my last post finish object, Hayworth. Isn't it cute?)...

Rebekah made this headband and makes tons of other cute things she sells on her Etsy site, littlebyrdvintage. Check it out sometime, you will love what you see.

My second package contained some yarn that was gift forwarded from my bestie, Farrah. It is a group on Ravelry that swaps knitting stuff and instead of claiming it for yourself, you claim it for a friend. It is some beautiful peacock blue sock yarn from Cherry Tree Hill.

Isn't it wonderful to be gone from home and arrive to packages? I think so...

On the knitting front, I am NOT making very quick progress on my Icelandic sweater. A couple of reasons why...

1. It is boring knitting, roundy, roundy.

2. I am not in love with Icelandic Wool, Lopi (it is itchy, scratchy and catches on all of my dry hand spots)

Maybe I will invest in a manicure to help me through the knitting of this. I think getting myself to the fair isle part will also help.

GOOD NEWS THOUGH!

I am almost done with my Uptown Boot Socks. During my long business trip I worked on these socks exclusively and turned the heel, did the gusset and have half of the foot knit. In fact I have 24 more rows of pattern and then I get to do the toe. It have a feeling those socks will be on my FEET tomorrow, just in time for a fashion show!

More later. Have a wonderful Thursday!

Eye candy...

2010-03-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

HAYWORTH SHAWLETTE

by Victoria Lynn

Yarn: ShibuiKnits Sock (2 skeins)

Needles: Size 6 Knit Pick Options

Reviewing resolutions for progress...

2010-03-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

How many of you have made a resolution, just to forget about it? I have many, many times in the past but this year I really wanted to stick to my knitting resolutions. I revisited my post about my resolutions and I am happy to report that I am indeed making progress. Remember resolution #1. I do. It is a tough one...

Resolution #1: FINISH my UFO's (unfinished objects). Knit them, frog them, decide what they are to become once and for all!!! Here are my current UFO's...
~~Lace Beret~~ (frogged, wasn't feeling this one)
~~Tapestry Cowl~~ (frogged, lots and lots of work for a garnment I wouldn't wear much)
~~Selbu Modern for Kirsten~~ (frogged, sock yarn was not working for this one)
~~Woodlands Shawl~~ (frogged, yet another shawl that I wont wear BUT I made a hat for Kirsten with the yarn)
~~Cable Ribbed Wrap~~ (FINISHED, REVIEW FURTHER FOR POST UPDATE)
Sock Yarn Blanket
Uptown Boot Socks (worked on this project, finished sock one, sock two is well on it's way)
In the mean time I am working on my second sweater of the year, my Icelandic Cardigan. It is moving along and currently I am working on the body of the sweater and I have cast on both sleeves using magic loop and two at a time method. I have to limit my time working this as the wool is not the most pleasant to work with. It softens up after washing but raw is a little rough on the hands.
Other knitting news...
I finished the shawl that I started on when my BFF Farrah was here for the holidays. Hayworth is done and is currently blocking. I have spent the last couple of weeks determined to get a few projects off the needles and I managed to do it with a little determination.
Spinning has been a bit on hold for a couple of reasons. I am attending my Icelandic Sweater class on Mondays. That is the evening that I had dedicated to spinning at my friend Flow's house. It will resume this coming Monday as we have a break from class to get some major work done on our sweaters. I plan on working on my fiber for my sweater. I want to get that knocked out.
This post is void of photo's but it is for a reason. As soon as my shawl is blocked out I plan to have a little photo shoot of it and also of my Ribbed Cable Wrap. So check back soon!

Knitting with Icelandic Wool...

2010-03-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

It has been to many days since my last post. Life has been busy, but not busy! I am not sure if anyone else knows what that means but it is how I describe my life most of the time. I am a wife, a mother of three, pet owner, full time business owner and lover of my social life which includes knitting and spinning. My life is busy but not busy (in a bad way). I LOVE my weekends. I love to sleep in. I hate to clean house (complete opposite of how I was in my early pre knitting life). I hate to cook. So really when I describe my life and my weeks and my days I am average. A normal wife with three kids who work full time. With all that said, since my last post, I spent some time resting this weekend after an emotional Friday afternoon at our friend Alan's Celebration of Life. So many people turned out for the event, it was wonderful. Even the recovery dog, Meg, was there to meet everyone. What a special dog. If you are a interested take a minute to read her story. She did an amazing thing finding Alan so he could be brought home and put to rest properly. Tuesday was his funeral and burial.

Forgive my blury photo of Meg, being pet my Nadina, a close friend and Lee, Alan's Father.

On to knitting. Monday I started an Icelandic Sweater/Cardigan class. The reason I decided to try this class out was because in order to make this sweater a cardigan, I have to steek or cut my knitting. EEK is right. What a scary thought, cutting your beautiful knitting. It is one of the techniques I wanted to learn this year so here we go. Here is my progress thus far and here you also get a glimps of the pattern and the colors I have chosen.

Next I get to join in knitting in the round and get busy knitting up the body of the sweater. The next step will be knitting the arms and then joining it all for the color work.

Disqualified...

2010-02-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Yep, that is what I am. Disqualified from the KNITTING OLYMPICS. I knew when I cast on my sweater at Karen's house during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics that the sweater I chose would be a challenge for me to complete in two weeks. This is why I chose it, the Knitting Olympics are meant to be a challenge for a knitter but my life presented even more challenges and unfortunately I failed before I began. Several things impacted my decision to disqualify myself.

1. Our friend Alan died.

2. My cold is now in my chest and I can't breathe deep without coughing.

3. I am sleeping at night, instead of staying up until the wee hours like normal, which is seriously cutting into my knitting time.

So, thus, I need to bow out, quit, fail, disqualify myself from the Knitting Olympics this year. I will NOT finish a sweater in two days and frankly, I am not going to even try. Knitting is meant to be fun, exciting and adventurous, not stressful, which is what I would be if I tried to knit like mad to meet the deadline. I would indeed make a mistake, end up tearing it out and feeling frustrated all the while.

The sweater is cast on, I will finish it in the near future but before I do I have a whole other sweater that is going to be cast on Monday at the start of my Icelandic Sweater class. I am so excited about this sweater as it will be my first STEEKING project (in which I cut my knitting, YIKES, to make a cardigan). Stay tuned for updates on this project including photo's from my classes each week.

If you never change your mind, why have one?

2010-02-23T23:46:00.000-08:00

So some time back I announced that this year I would spin the fiber for a sweater. I also linked you to a beautiful sweater that I had every intention of using said spun fiber to knit. After spinning said fiber into a three ply yarn, I decided that three ply would not work. Then I decided to spin enough two ply yarn to do a swatch and see how that looked and felt, I liked my swatch. I like the pattern. I showed the swatch and pattern to several friends who did indeed like the swatch and also liked the sweater BUT and this is the most important part, did not like the swatch FOR the sweater. This is really important because you do not want to go to great lengths spinning up yarn for a pattern that ultimately will not work right. The pattern I originally chose needs a more drapy fiber. BFL is wonderful next to the skin but it holds a bit more structure. So after several more weeks pondering what I was going to knit with two pounds of fiber it was down to two choices. I think tonight I have decided (with a little hlep from my friends - did I sound like a Beatles song?) which sweater I will ultimately knit with my two pounds of fiber. What do you think?

Tea Leaves Cardigan

I think the organic nature of the fiber will lend itself nicely to the cardigan. Here is my first gauge swatch, which HURRAY, is right on!

Now all I have to do is spin up 1500 yards...

My sweet love is turning 40!

2010-02-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

This post has absolutely NOTHING to do with fiber, spinning or knitting. This weekend was plum full but not of fiber crafts. Instead I was preparing the house for my sweeties surprise birthday bash. I started planning this about 5 weeks ago sending out an invite with this photo collage.

You see Clint and I used to have wonderful parties. Every year we would invite our co-workers and family and friends over to share wonderful margaritas and laughter. Once we had our third baby we kind of slowed down. Life changed and the parties didn't happen for some time. I decided that we would bring back the famous "Farley Margarita Party" for Clint's birthday celebration. Here are some highlights of the night.

Take good margarita's and one surprised man and you get...

a pimped out man sporting a cane inspired from the movie UP (wonderful gift) with a bottle of gin taped to it, a ridiculous outfit his wife pulled together (nice hat and kiss me I'm 40 flashing button). The ice cream cake was literally melting but not from the candles, BUT because I am a moron and stored it in the fridge not the freezer, but hey, he blew out all those candles in one breath!!!

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY HONEY! I LOVE YOU.

Talk of lazy kates and socks...

2010-02-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

So my friend Alissa left a comment about my sock yarn yesterday and that she couldn't three ply yet because she doesn't have a lazy kate aside from the one she has built into her wheel and I remembered seeing this trick in a book I picked up called "Start Spinning". So instead of typing it all out, here is a photo of how you can construct your own lazy kate. Imagine a third bobbin in here and whalla, you can do some three ply!!! If you don't have an extra bobbin, try winding the yarn onto the toilet paper roll core.

Photo taken from book Start Spinning by Maggie Casey

Socks or rather, sock...

Here is my finished Uptown Boot Sock, so squishy, so lovely. Now I need to finish it's mate.

Cool Madras...

2010-02-15T23:54:00.001-08:00

Fat Cat Knits Cool Madras, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

Hello everyone! I am back with a fiber blog. I have been working on some spinning the last few evenings. It gives me a chance to get out of my head and sometimes you just have to do that. Here is my latest spin. The beautiful blue, green, yellow and white fiber is from Fat Cat Knits. It is Blue Faced Leicester in the color called Cool Madras. I spun up three very thin singles and did a normal three ply yarn. I over spun the ply intending this yarn to be used for socks. I did a little bit to much though... The yarn even after soaking was not cooperating so I wound it back on the knitty notty damp to get some of the kinks out BUT I might have over done that. I am not winning here. I was hoping for a 14 wraps per inch weight but I have a 16 wraps per inch weight which is light fingering. I might do a second soak to see if I can beef the fiber up just a little bit but overall the consistency is nice and the yarn will work well for socks on a smaller needle. Farrah just pointed out a wonderful pattern that the meager yardage (236) will work with. They are socks made just for clogs. I am so excited to make a pair for spring. I can wear them with my clogs and capris and not look like a middle aged man on vacation! For my knitting friends, the pattern Turkish Bed Socks or here on Ravelry, are going to be just perfect!

Tanner turns 17...

2010-02-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

17 years ago I had my first baby. 17 years ago, I was not much older than he is now. 17 years ago I became a mother. I took out my son's baby album and re-read some of the "posts" or journal entries as we used to call them... here are a few moments...

5.12.93 Tanner, you are such a beautiful baby and you are my pride and joy! You are my lover and I can't believe the things you do.

6.23.93 Today has been rough. You are cranky because well I believe you are getting a tooth. You have had a fever for a day and when I gave you Tylenol it seemed to help. Tonight you are a little better. You laughed at me when I sucked the snot out of your nose. Really laughed. It made mommy laugh too. Mommy calls you love and lover all the time. It may stick. I love you. Daddy gets to love and meet you for the first time in 14 days.

10.23.93 Another month and it is time to write again. You have grown so much. You keep Daddy and I very busy. You haven't been very happy lately though. Sick and ear aches. You will be better soon. Daddy and I are learning to experience struggles as we deal with new things. Be patient with us. Daddy and I love you very much but do make some mistakes. Be patient with us. We love you.

4.19.94 Boy the days are going quickly. You have grown so much. You really are turning into a little boy. Crawling on furniture and running around on sea legs. Your daddy and I sure do love you very much. I love you.

My handsome son...

a sad night...

2010-02-14T00:38:00.000-08:00

Dalon, my dear friend lost her husband today in a snow machine accident, avalanche. He is still missing. Please pray for her and her two beautiful boys and their family. My heart breaks for her.

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”

Ready, set, cast on...

2010-02-13T01:21:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the start of the Olympics and the start of the Knitting Olympics. I was going to stay home tonight and relax from feeling burnt out but I just could not resist showing up at Friday Night knitting. We had a little Valentines Day party and it was really, really nice to see all of my knitting friends. Tonight, during the Opening Ceremony, I cast on for Hanna. I can see already that this sweater will be a challenge but mainly because it starts off with A LOT of stockinette knitting - CAN YOU SAY BORING? I will move forward and keep going. It is looking beautiful.

On another note. I showed my sample of BFL around tonight, the fiber I am spinning for my sweater! I was given the feedback I thought that I would be given, that the yarn is a little to "stiff" for the sweater I had planned. I think I am going to have to rethink which sweater I plan on making. The fiber is beautiful knit up, it just doesn't move enough for the sweater I was hoping to make with it.

An update on my Thursday commitment to work on my WIP projects. I was dedicated yesterday and for that matter, all week to my OFFF KAL Shawl Project. I now have over 40 cables so that means around 40 inches. I have broken into the third skein of alpaca and am getting very close to needing my third skein of silk and mohair. Nannette gave Zaynab this card a few weeks ago and it was funny how Z told me that I was the progress knitter and she was the one playing with the yarn. In this instance it is reverse as she is done with her shawl and is patiently waiting for Cathy and me to finish. Cathy is going to be done in no time at all. I will get there - eventually...

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY...

AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Knitting Olympics

2010-02-10T23:50:00.000-08:00

I finally decided tonight that indeed I would participate in the Knitting Olympics hosted by The Yarn Harlot. I have never participated in this version of the Knitting Olympics before but joined the huge list of competitors tonight. My challenge is to cast on and finish (including weaving in ends and blocking) my next sweater, Hanna. The biggest challenge is that this sweater is knit entirely out of lace weight yarn (I have difficulties with lace weight yarn). I will cast on when the Olympics start. I will honor my Thursday WIP day. Wish me luck.

Devising a plan...

2010-02-08T01:25:00.000-08:00

It is Sunday night (oh crud, I did it again), it is Monday morning... I am sitting here watching re-runs (Bones, CSI, why can I watch these over and over) and looking online at my favorite web sites and blogs. I spend way to much time on Ravelry - WAY to much time and tonight I was curious. Is there a group out there for WIP (work in progress) knitting projects? Of course there is right, I mean, I can't be the only person with this problem - I KNOW I am not the only person with this problem. So hey, I found several groups/forums that talk about plans and define WIP's and basically are there for you to justify not finishing something. I understand why this happens. We see a project, the pattern is beautiful, the yarn is delicious and we excitedly get started and before you know it you have this beautiful project (most of the time) and then you get ummmm, bored. The project may be endless rows of stockinette stitch or just not moving along fast enough. You may just not like the way it is looking or don't see it will be useful after all. I for one have WIP's that meet each of those definitions. One thing I learned by reading the different forum posts this evening is

•If the WIP is ugly, or you just plain don't want to finish it - IT IS OK TO FROG IT (rip it, rip it, rip it out), or as one person wrote, THROW IT AWAY (which I cannot fathom but this is because the yarn I use is just to expensive). Maybe you chose the wrong yarn for the design or you just hate the pattern once you get into it. Don't torture yourself, undo it. Move on!!!

I have also decided to do something else that I learned from reading the forums.

•Pick one night a week and dedicate that evening to working on a WIP. One of the suggestions was to declare the night per week you are dedicating and announce it. That way you will hold yourself a bit more accountable and this effort might actually be achieved. I am declaring that Thursday evening will be my evening to work on WIP's. This seems to be a good long night of knitting because it is the one night I plant myself in front of the TV from 7-??? Thursday evenings have always been my BIG TV night with you know, Bones, Greys Anatomy and Private Practice on the TV I should get a ton of work done on my WIP's.

Here is my number #1 priority. Cathy, Zaynab and I purchased this project on our trip to OFFF (Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival) last year. We all eagerly began the project. Zaynab finished hers first, Cathy is danger close and I am running in the rear on this one. I want to get it done so that we can enjoy our wraps on an evening out as we all promised to do. Blocking may become a group event and I want to be part of that. Wish me luck on this monotonous pattern (my main reason it is a WIP).

Ishbel Beret

2010-02-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

Last night I finished a cute little beret for Elliot's best buddy, Cameron's, Mom Kirsten. Wow, that was a long sentence. I hope she likes it. This little beret pattern was written by Ysolda and can be found here.

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda

Yarn: Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Ebony

Needles: Size 2 for Brim and Size 6 for Beret Body

The pattern gave me a few problems and I ripped back, knit up, ripped back, knit up but I would not let it defeat me! In the end Jeanie won! If I do this beret again, I would put stitch markers between the lace repeats, which may end up being a pain since your round beginning changes twice. I would also make it just a bit more slouchy or just do the next size up! This one is size small.

I think it will fit Kirsten well, she is a little tiny thing. It is not a very warm hat but I hope she enjoys it!

Has spring sprung... I am organizing...

2010-02-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

As far as I know, the groundhog saw his shadow! That means for most of the world we have 6 more weeks of winter, however, we Alaskan's know we have at least 3 more months of winter ahead of us! None the less I went home last night determined to do a bit of "fiber" organization. I have been really inspired by blogs lately and have my list that I look at daily. One of the blogs I recently visited had a wonderful post about her knitting plan this year and how she organized it. Check out the Yarn Harlot's blog. All of her posts are GREAT but this one inspired me ...

My organization pertained to my stash as a whole and not just my sock yarn. The gratifying part of this process was that I only have a very small amount of stash yarn that does not have a purpose. It was nice to see that I really do have a reason for buying that beautiful fiber that I love to knit with!

This was my theory on the organization process... look at your yarn, did you buy it with a pattern in mind, find the pattern, buy the pattern, make a copy of the pattern and put it in a zippy with the yarn and needles if you can spare them. Bada bing. You want a new project, grab a bag.

New fiber - on the way to me NOW...

2010-02-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

I have made a new "blog" friend this last month. This happens when you frequent Ravelry (which I do often) and start to participate in forums (which I had stayed away from but since spinning have started to do a little of). Pat is a fantastic spinner, knitter and quilter and she shared a project recently (the one you will see if you click her name) that had me researching a fiber source, Fat Cat Knits. I love her colors, her ability to put two very different colors together for a shared reason, plying, fair isle, etc. She is a very sweet lady to work with and overall I feel because of Pat, my new "blog" friend, I have a new fiber friend, Ginny, too. Here is what is on it's way to me as we speak.

Aren't they yummy?

Have you ever had one of those days?

2010-02-03T00:56:00.000-08:00

Well I have, today was one of those days! When you are a Mom, you have the pleasure of going to the doctors with or without your kids (today was without) to discuss all the stuff that is going on with them (today was ADHD). Doing this usually bites into your work schedule which just makes the day all wonky. Then phone calls and emails and, and, and... without getting into it, I just had one of those days. This is a video that my friend Dalon posted on her blog. Hopefully it will make you feel better when you are having "one of those days". I know it worked for me...

On to some good stuff. Monday night Zaynab and I went over to Flo's house for spinning. Flo or as we call her "Purple Flo" is the woman that taught me to knit 5 years ago! I had gone into Knitting Grounds with my sister and fell in love, so I went back to get a knitting lesson but Zaynab was busy, she had a troop of Girl Scouts in for a lesson so she asked Purple Flo if she could give me a lesson. I have been knitting ever since. Those first few stitches were crooked and I missed a few that caused holes (and I ripped out my scarf over and over because I am, well me). It was really nice to see Flo again, remind her of our time together and get down to why we went to her house, SPINNING. I worked on spinning up my Blue Faced Leicester Fiber that is to become a sweater at some point this year. The weight is getting close but it is not perfect. I think I am going to have to quit trying to be a perfectionist. I am very happy with my first skein and I just hope it will get better and better.

Tonight I came home did a few chores and had a wonderful dinner cooked by my favorite Chef, Clint. I climbed into my bed, turned my TV onto channel 13 (ABC) and watched LOST as I knit to many gauge swatches. I hate gauge swatches - WITH A PASSION! I knit up three swatches and never got to my goal of 15 stitches in 4 inches. I will do one last swatch before I start the project but for tonight I am done. I moved on to working on my Hawthorn Shawlette. I am on chart number 4 row 5. The purl rows are getting longer and longer.

One last note, Clint took some photo's of Andy modeling his hat but I am clearly going to have to teach Clint what I mean in regards to modeling. I do not have one photo of Andy's face in his hat! I would have loved to see a goofy smile or eyes, or something but this is what I got!!!

It is Monday morning and I still haven't been to bed...

2010-02-01T02:21:00.001-08:00

Andy's Birthday Chullo, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

maybe that is because I spent all day Sunday lounging in my bed, watching movies and nursing my head. All week I have seemed to be plagued by my aching head and I decided to forgo my pain medication today and let it ride itself out. It finally did at about 8pm and I decided to get up, go to the couch instead of the bed and finish Andy's hat. I had his hat finished on Saturday but my iCord bind off turned out extremely tight and was making the ear flaps curl up really, really bad. I tore it out before the hat dried and left it for the night to mull on how I was going to finish this thing off. It took me all day on Sunday to return to the project, I know, hard to believe that I didn't touch my knitting all day long... Well the hat is done and it is ready to be given to it's recipient. Modeled photo's will appear as soon as my husband makes Andy model for them!!! A new requirement from people I gift knitted items to.

Have you seen the beautiful moon tonight?

2010-01-29T23:35:00.001-08:00

Moon 1/29/10, originally uploaded by jeaniefarley1973.

When leaving knit night we looked up to the sky. You couldn't miss it if you tried. It is just beautiful tonight. Then my friend Sara said, did you know tonight is the closest that the moon will be to the earth. Wow, she blew my mind away that she knew this, I have such smart friends! My camera does not do the moon justice but I took a few shots anyway! Oh, knit night was fabulous too!

Happy Friday!!!

2010-01-29T12:36:00.000-08:00

I love Friday. Friday is the day that ends a busy stressful work week. Friday is the day that I get to meet up with my knitty friends. Friday is the day before I get to sleep in. Friday is a GREAT day! Do you all love Friday as much as I do?

My husband who I love so dearly said to me on the phone the other day (Wednesday I believe), "It is Andy's birthday this week, he wants a hat." End of story. End of comment. Not will you make him a hat, would you be able to get that done this week... So I stewed on it for the afternoon and decided that Andy and Clint have become good buddies at work and it would be nice of me to make him a hat for his birthday, he has nicknamed me the yarn diva so I will show him what a YARN DIVA can do... I went home that day (Wednesday I think) and pulled out colors to begin a hat. I told my honey, sure I will make Andy a hat, do you think he will like these colors, so on, so forth. His response, you will have that done by Friday? Long story short, the work I did on Wednesday night had to be ripped out. I was trying a new technique of wrapping the stitches and it looked terrible so I frogged with the determination to start again on Thursday after work. Below is my progress as of today and I hope to get this hat done this weekend so Andy's head will stay toasty for the rest of the winter!!!

Clint and Andy share a toast at the local beer festival!

On another note...

Meet Temperence!

My newest owl bead that came to me from Australia. She is so stinking cute, I am not sure what I am going to do with her. My original plan was to make her into an orifice hook for my spinning wheel but I made one with the snow owl bead that I received last weekend. I am going to have to stew on what she might become! Her eyes get you but the detail is so awesome. I can't capture it with the camera, you will just have to trust me.

With that, have a great Friday everyone!

Updated sampling photo...

2010-01-27T00:06:00.001-08:00

I let the yarn dry and it is amazing how much BFL blooms. Here is a post wash test knit photo that also shows the color of the fiber a bit more...

Oh and after letting this dry I did a measurement on the yarn. When I blogged earlier I didn't think it was thick enough but after drying it thickened up to be bigger than I want. I am trying to achieve a sport weight yarn (12 WPI) and I spun up DK (11 WPI). It is close, so, so close but a little bit thinner single might just be the trick. I anticipate my final project will have a bit of variety though, as most hand spun projects do!

Spinning for "the sweater"!

2010-01-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

Tonight I came home feeling "fiber-y" but not ready to knit. I decided to pull my spinning wheel out and test spin a few samples for the big project I have decided to take on this year, spinning the yarn for and knitting a sweater. I have read a few articles on the subject, Knitty had an interesting one a few years ago called Spin me a sweater! More recently though I found a nice article in Spin Off Magazine called "Swatching and Sampling for the Oatmeal Cardigan. Now this is the sweater I contemplated knitting and it is still on the "possibilities list". Tonight however, I wanted to just get a feel for spinning really thin singles and trying it out as 2-ply and 3-ply to see what weight I could achieve. It has been interesting to realize how much effort goes into planning a garment. Here are my samples so far. They are a little damp so I cannot get proper measurements but I would guess that my three ply is a little bit thin for the sport weight that I am attempting to achieve. More practice and testing and finally, I will have a control card to refer to before I start to really spin the 2 pounds of fiber waiting for me...

My photo is terrible but you get the idea!!!

Sundays are for spinning, again...

2010-01-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

Well almost. I actually started the featured project on Saturday but it was finished on Sunday at around 1ish am so I will keep up with my Sunday spinning theme and post it today.

Whew! What a busy weekend. If you read yesterday's post you know that I started my day attending an Open House at a local Fiber Artists Studio. Today my sis sent me a text bright and early to come play at Upstairs Studio with her and Z. How could I say no, all I had looming ahead of me was more laundry, three stinky boys that I love to death, but they really want nothing to do with me and my Man, who was busy relaxing in his PJ's. Out the door again... I spent the morning and into the early afternoon playing with leather, a new craft that has been bouncing around the group. I had admired a wallet my sister had made and decided to tackle one while they played with silver and silver clay (I ended up taking home one of their pieces - I tell you, it is who you know - ;-). So here are some photo's of the new stuff. YEAH, fun, fun, fun. Keep reading though because there is some exciting news at the end of the post...

Fiber statistics:

Purchased pre spun from Sunset Fibers on Etsy

2 Ply

9 Wraps Per Inch - Worsted Weight

126 Yards, 4 Ounces

Lots of squishy love...

Leather Wallet

Design inspired by Julie Rabung

Made by ME

Needs two snaps, but otherwise finito...

EXITING NEWS...

I have been asked to teach a class at an up coming fiber festival in Wasilla. I am going to attach some details here, if you are not interested in my class, no problem, if you ARE interested in one of the other classes, sign up. We want this event to become successful for our large state as we do not have anything like this going on! I am not hosting the event, I have just been asked to teach so if you have some questions, feel free to ask but I will more than likely pass you on to the organizer. Oh and hey all of my out of state fiber friends (you know who you are), as my friend Z would say, COME, COME...
What color will your hands be?
Fiber N' Ice
SPRING FLING
2010
APRIL 16, 17, 18TH
LAKE LUCILLE BEST WESTERN HOTEL, WASILLA ALASKA
Denise Morrison

For specific classes offered please send me a message and I will forward you the registration form. I tried to post it here but it was messy and confusing and to hard to manipulate... sorry about that but I am HAPPY to forward the info to you.

Good night everyone. See you in the funny pages.

Saturday's Treasures...

2010-01-23T15:36:00.000-08:00

Today has been a full day already and it is only 2:23 pm. Today, Pamela of Far North Fibers hosted an open house at her studio and I had made plans to arrive and meet my good friend Cathy. It was a nice time of feeling wonderful fibers to spin, looking at her weaving projects and visiting with old and new friends. Pamela is such a wonderful host and I am so glad I got out of bed in order to attend. I also found some new treasures to use as I learn more about spinning. I am so excited to work with my new drop spindle. It is beautifully adorned with trees and birds and is hand made by Thomas C. Forrester in Canada. I also picked up a new sett gauge and an orifice hook all made by the same gentleman. The sett gauge is used after you have spun your yarn and it is a gauge used to determine what weight yarn you have spun. The oriface hook is a tool used to pull the fiber through the "orifice" of the spinning wheel. Mine did not come with one and I have decided that even though the orifice on my spinning wheel is fairly large and easy to thread the fiber though, the hook will make it even easier. As I was driving home I stopped to pick up the mail and low and behold I had a package from Florida. This package contained the most delicate and beautiful Snow Owl bead made by Mermaid Glass. I was actually going to make an orifice hook with this bead and still may but I had to have him, isn't he cute?

The last photo shown is the progress I have made on my Clapotis! It is moving right along and I think that the final project is going to be lovely. A keeper for sure.

Is there anything better than a GREAT haircut?

2010-01-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

I have a standing appointment, every six weeks to take care of my hair! Today was my day! I don't know if there is anything better than a fresh new hair cut. Sometimes it is a new look, sometimes it is just maintenance, today was a maintenance, mainly because I need to get some length before my June trip to Italy and Greece. If any of my friends in Anchorage are looking for a GREAT hairstylist, mine is wonderful. Alex (Alexandria Hutchinson) asks the right questions. She noticed a piece of hair that was falling strange while I was knitting and and asked me if I wanted her to fix it for me. She sits at my hair level when she cuts it instead of standing above me. She just has the touch. If any of my Anchorage friends are looking for a new stylist, she is great and I would love to share her info with you - just send me a message! I am not currently having her color my hair but she has in the past and she is AWESOME!

Does the world need another Clapotis?

2010-01-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

Well, apparently I think it does!!! When I was spinning my Fireside Chat fiber I envisioned it becoming a Clapotis. I did not spin the fiber specifically for this but after trying it out as some mittens last night, it was ripped out and cast back on as Clapotis. So far, so good. We will see when the pattern starts to emerge, so far it is a little triangle, but the colors are flowing nicely. What the heck!

What do you think? Should it be something different?

What is your favorite yarn?

2010-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

I have been sitting at home this evening admiring my lovely yarn collection. Some of my yarn has been purchased with a purpose in mind - perfect for a sweater or that hat pattern that I saw in the latest knitting magazine. Some of the yarn that I have aquired, however, does not have any purpose at all except for being beautiful. Here are some of my beautiful skeins of yarn. They will all eventually have a purpose but for now, I am happy to just look at them.

Sundays are for spinning!!!

2010-01-18T01:51:00.000-08:00

Another Sunday has come and gone and my day was spent spinning on my Fireside Chat fiber from Northern Lights Fiber Co. I could hardly wait to post this - the yarn is still drying...

I am still working out all of the details, mainly because I have more of this fiber to spin up but so far I have 375 yards of sport weight yarn. When all is said and done I believe I will have around 600 yards of this beautiful colorway! It is soft and lovely and I can't wait to find the perfect project for it!

Goodnight for now!

Time to rest the back and close my eyes in preparation for the busy week ahead at work.