Spinning Like Crazy

I finished spinning the camel down and can't wait to get some more. It's plied with copper thread so it shimmers and sparkles and it made me sad that all of it had to go to the knitters for the quiddich team. I guess I'll have to make more!

Since I'm not able to knit right now I dug through the fiber stash and spun up this great stuff - purple, orchid, and brown wool. There isn't much, but I'm thinking it will be great as trim for a purple and brown striped sweater. I don't usually like brown but I really like it paired with purple - but of course everything looks better with purple!

Right now I'm working on a braid of roving from squoosh on etsy. The colorway is Berry Tart, and it's full of berry goodness - lots of pinks and plums. I want to ply this with some thread, too, but use several colors instead of just one. I want some sparkle on this one, too. I spun it all on Jenny's kick spindle which I really enjoyed.

With all of the practice I've had lately, I'm starting to get pretty good at spinning. I really like it - it's very calming and engaging yet mindless at the same time.

Check out the score I got at Goodwill last week! Six dollars a pair for these great boots. Unfortunately, my feet are getting as achy and painful as my hands, so I won't be wearing them for awhile. They'll look great when I can wear them, though.

The other day I got in the mood to look at knit skirt patterns. In my quest I discovered so many great patterns in my stack of magazines - loads of great sweaters that I had forgotten about. I'll be marking all of the ones that I have stash for so I can (hopefully) get working on them soon. I've told myself to start using all of my magazines and books instead of letting them gather dust. We'll see how long that lasts.

Have You Seen These?

This is one of the new patterns from Lion Brand yarn to go with their new sock yarn. I love these so much but that much knitting in fingering weight would take ages. BUT - they have a version in worsted weight! I am dying to cast on. The problem? It's written as flat knitting - a long, thin strip of stockinette. I need to convert it to round so it will go faster. Won't this be cute under a skirt this winter? The bottom is like stirrup pants, so pretty socks would show. They also wouldn't be too bulky under boots, which would look great. Does anyone else plan to make these?

Ideas - My Head Could Burst!

I usually don't go for long without lots of thoughts of projects. Lately, though, it's been crazy. Since I'm home and have both stash and access to millions of patterns I've decided to make some gifts this year. The first gift also goes along with two knitalongs - the Harry Potter House Cup and the Selfish Knitters for October - make something for your hands. I've decided to make a pair of Dashing armwarmers for my brother. I think he'll like them - he spends alot of time outside doing his social things and he's a snappy sort of dresser. Of course, they will be made out of Simply Soft since I now have several skeins grabbed off of the clearance rack, but a washable yarn will probably work better since I'm sure his hands get alot of use - paintballing, biking, etc. I want to make him a cowl, too, out of the deliciously soft superwash merino that I got at the fiber fair last summer. Wool will keep his head warmer, don't you think? Mother loves the green Wollmeise from the club shipment, so she'll be getting a pair of socks, but I haven't really settled on a pattern - maybe Fawkes since I enjoyed it so much. I'd like to make her a pretty, lacy cowl, too, but I'm not sure. Mom, would you like something like that? (she's a reader!)
More ideas came in the new issue of Knit 'n Style. There's a really good article on steeking. I really want to try it now. Yes, the thought of cutting my knitting is a bit unnerving, but it's also kind of adrenalizing in a way. I'll be studying my Elizabeth Zimmermann for cardigan ideas - maybe something cabled since I've conquered that knitting milestone. Besides, can a person really have too many cardis?
I got a surprise issue of Verena knitting in the mail the other day. Oh my gosh. It's full of wonderful things. I want to make almost every pattern in it - seriously. I will be starting one rather soon, one I decide on the yarn for it. My issue is the summer one, but I want to make a sleeveless top that will work over a long sleeved shirt, too, so it will work for the upcoming coldness. For real, though, check out this magazine. It's fabulous.
I haven't gotten alot of help in the pain area lately - changing meds just has been messing me up. I can't knit or crochet nearly as much as I want to - and do in my head - so mostly I sit around frustrated. However, I just finished watching season one of Torchwood. Wow. I got the set free with my Dr Who, and I'm so glad. Torchwood is a great show. I want to find season two now and then find when it's on tv so I can keep up with it. The characters are so deep and interesting. I was surprised with the language - it's on BBC so the swearing is more like HBO - and there was some backside male nudity. It's not for kids but it's good and I recommend it to any sci-fi lovers.
What else? I suppose that's all for now - it's a no-kid weekend, so there's relaxing to be done! After the housework, of course.

Update Required!

I'm on a new medication that keeps me from sleeping, and last night as I lay awake I decided that I need a new look. See, I've been in yoga pants and tees since May. A new look is so needed. My new hair is probably part of the spark - I'm partly refreshed but not completely. I miss my boots. Eric bought me the greatest cowboy boots a few years ago - black with chains. I love love love them. They also happen to look great with my big black leather jacket that mom doesn't like because I look like a bad girl or something. Here's what I'm thinking, though: boots, fishnets, a sassy retro-esque skirt (sorta fiftiesish) and a slightly off-shoulder top. Something easy but stylish and unique. I suppose I need to start sewing - new clothes don't grow on trees, and in my small town chances are good that I won't find what I want. Any suggestions, ideas, offers for seamstress work? I'm all ears!

Ravenclaw-ness

It's been awhile - lots of personal problems have kept me less than conversational lately. I do have some things to share, though.

The Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup has been alot of fun so far. I have been recruited as beater for the quiddich team. That means that I was asked to spin some yarn for a whole-house project. I'm spinning some baby camel down - it will be trim on a hood for a little girl. The camel is so soft and fluffy - I had to chase my little girl out of it last night before she got too attached. I'm planning to ply it with some bronze thread to make it sparkle and be more Ravenclaw-y.

My first homework assignment was for astronomy class- make something star related. I crocheted a star lap blanket. I did have to modify my color choice, though, to black and gray because blue and gray just screams Dallas Cowboys and I really don't want that.

For transfiguration we were asked to pick a project that was something we hadn't done before. I already had a pattern that I wanted to do that had three new things - cables, stripes, and thumb gussets. I did go with the blue and gray for this, though, so it will match some other things that I have planned. I also learned how to make a reverse-image right/left pair, too. Yay,me!

Now, I'm sure you're wondering why there's a picture of me and not just the gloves. Well, some of you haven't seen me in awhile. Some of you have never seen me. It's not a great picture - pardon the kind of double chin effect - but here I am. Besides, I really like my new hair - shorter and darker than it's been in awhile.

For anyone interested, it's time to be signing up for fall sock clubs. I'm in the winter edition of the Knitting up a Storm yarn club. It's based on movies this time. First up is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Woo hoo! I'm really excited to see what Anna does for the colorway. The summer book skeins are all so pretty and match really well. Of course I'll be making something in honor of my man Sirius.

Speaking of men, I found Josh Bernstein's new show last night on accident. I've missed him. He makes me want to rush out on adventures...well, I'll leave that there. heh.
Finally, here's a little something to show off:

Know what it is? Here's another clue:

It's the first shipment for the Wollmeise sock club! It came today. I'm so loving the purple skein - it's called Elder Bush. It's so rich and wonderful. I think it will be a scarf or shawl or top or something that can be seen. The green is called Box Wreath. I'm not into green but it's pretty. I hope I don't get in trouble for showing a picture - in ravelry we're supposed to use a spoiler picture in our stash. So don't tell on me!

That's all for now, I guess. I'll go back to reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows now - I'm almost at the really good part!

I forgot to show!

Here's a skein I spun and am proud of. It's some roving from etsy called Razzmatazz. It's not even - there are some puffier spots - but it looks like real, store-bought yarn. I need to see how many yards there are and think about what to make with it. Suggestions??

Summer's Over

For the kids, anyway. School started on Wednesday and it's back to the routine. They both like their classes - so far. We live close to the school so they've been riding their bikes. It's good to have a schedule again.
I have been watching Dr Who on dvd. I must say that Billie Piper is really beautiful. She's so different than Hollywood actresses with their skeleton bodies and perfect teeth. After watching both seasons of her I feel a bit less bad about the filling-out I've done lately and my overbite. I haven't watched much with the other actress - I'm just through Rose and her mom (LOVE her mom) going to the parallel world. We did watch the season finale this summer which will make much more sense now that I've seen so much leading up to it. I'm addicted. I admit it.
Summer of Socks is almost over. I've made four pair and have two second socks to make - but they won't get done in time. But -- I'll have six new pairs of squishy socks to wear this winter. Yay! I didn't win any of the drawings and I won't win any of the other prizes, but that's okay. I've improved my sock-making skills alot and am pretty darn good with the DPN's.
My next adventure is the Harry Potter House Cup. It's a knitting and crochet contest (for lack of a better word) based on the sorted houses and the classes at Hogwarts - potions, herbology, etc. I'm in Ravenclaw, of course, and am anxiously awaiting the start - on September first, when Hogwarts starts. The assignments should be fun, if the conversations are correct- blending yarns and fibers for potions, nature motifs for herbology, that sort of thing. It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with.
I've been checking out the Fiber Friday posts on craftster lately - it's where spinners show off their latest creations. Wow. People are making some amazing yarns, both for knitting with and for looking at. They're using so many different rovings, threads, beads, crocheted flowers - my mind is swirling with ideas. Right now I'm combining two different rovings in one draft - naughty me - but with three spindles and Jenny's kick spindle I can really go crazy. (Hint, hint - if you have any spinning supplies you don't need, I would be happy to give them a home!) I need a great project for the handspun skeins I've collected. I really want to put them to good use and show them off.
Well, no pictures this time, sorry. I've got yardwork to do and dyeing to do (you know you want to buy some!) and school fundraising to go through - already!- so I'm off for now - and maybe I'll spend some more time with the Doctor.