Archive for January, 2007

Get Your Tivos ready

January 31, 2007

Get Your Tivos ready

The Discovery channel’s program How It’s Made will show how wool is produced. It will air later today at 5:30 pm and again Feb. 7 at 12:30 pm.

For those of us without DIY, HGTV is showing Knitty Gritty episodes through February 19th. I believe they’re on at 11 am every day. New ones will be premiering Feb. 1st! See Vickie’s blog for more details.

Next Wednesday, Lost is back! Don’t forget, they’re moving to 10 pm.

Next Thursday, Survivor is back. Looks like they have a lot of trampy young girls this season

Ahhh just what I need– couch potato time. Hopefully I can get cracking on these:
Sock in progress
Just a basic shortie sock with Regia 6. No real pattern, for when I don’t feel like spinning.

Brown Sheep Mill Ends

January 30, 2007


Brown Sheep Mill Ends
Originally uploaded by plath.

I ordered two pounds of roving from Sheep Shed Studio’s huge bale sale, and I really wish I’d ordered more. Here’s my loot– a mix of wool and a bit of mohair. They included a little bag of the red roving for free. It’s only $6.50 A POUND. Go snag some before it’s too late!

I also got my Coffee and Yarn swap package yesterday from Maia. It may have been a bit late, but she made up for it in the amazing yarn (one skein has beads!), and delicious smelling coffee. I can’t wait to brew some this weekend. Good thing I took a picture right when I opened the box ,because the chocolate is already gone ;)
Coffee and Yarn Swap

I’ve been spinning a bit as well. Here’s what’s currently on my bobbin. It’s an alpaca blend with a touch of glitter.
newest  yarn
This is the first batch of roving that I’m not doing to much pre-drafting with. I’ve been working with sliver, and have predrafted almost everything ahead of time, but I’m trying to actually draft this as I spin so I can get the hang of it.

And this is waiting for the twist to be set:
New yarn

Winter Weather Advisory: Issued at: 10:25 AM EST…

January 26, 2007

Winter Weather Advisory:

Issued at: 10:25 AM EST 1/26/07, expires at: 6:30 PM EST 1/26/07

Winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 pm est this evening,
A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 pm est this evening.
Snow, heavy at times, will impact most of the region this morning with visibilities reduced to less than 1 mile at times. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected along and north of the m 59 corridor, with up to an inch possible further south. This snow will change to freezing drizzle by late morning along and south of the m 59 corridor, and by early this afternoon along and north of interstate 69. This will lead to some light glazing of ice.
A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

Why can’t it do this on days when I can stay home? Sigh. I want to hole up and spin and knit. I don’t want to drive in this crap!

I’ve been spinning a bit this week: It’s Spunky E…

January 23, 2007

I’ve been spinning a bit this week:
Waiting to be plied
It’s Spunky Eclectic African Fine roving. I can’t remember the colorway… I was all set to ply it last night, after a huge spinning fest, and a hinge on my wheel is loose, so I couldn’t. Grrrr.

We ran into some delays at the Detroit airport before taking off for our Chicago trip, so I made sure to pick up a few books for the return flight. The first book I snagged was A Bride Most Begrudging

I didn’t notice when I purchased it that it’s a Christian Historical Romance. I knew it was a historical romance (that much is kind of obvious), but I didn’t notice the Christian slant. I must say, I was pleasantly suprised that it wasn’t heavy handed at all. In fact, I didn’t even know it was until I took a look at the dedication page (which is a bible verse) after I was halfway through, and it clicked. There are a few biblical references here and there, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A bit cheesy, but still a very good read, even if you’re not into Christian romances. Definitely not as naughty as the Philippa Gregory novels, but still good.

I also picked this one up:


I’m trying so hard to like this one, but it’s just not working for me. I usually like the chicklit books, and I also like knitting related novels, but this one is almost as if they took a bad chicklit novel, already written, and decided to throw the slightest bit of knitting at it to make it have a niche market and sell.

I also decided to do something drastic this week. I joined this:
stashalong-2 I’ve decided to work through my yarn stash, at least for a few months. Fiber doesn’t count, though, so I’m kind of cheating.

Speaking of fiber, Shannon RAOK’d me with some fiber she had in her stash.
RAOK fiber from Shannon
A non-spinner, non-knitter with fiber? That’s cuckoo! Thank you so much Shannon! I can’t wait to spin it up :)

We didn’t have time to do a ton of things in Chicago, but we did make it to the Art Institute, Sears Tower, and a nice big Giordano’s pizza . Oh was it good! We also ate at a Portillo’s/Barnelli’s restaurant in Schaumburg (where we stayed), that was very tasty and kitchy, with a 50s diner feel.
I wasn’t super-impressed with the Art Institute’s collection, though I did enjoy a few paintings they had. I leave you with my new favorite: Farm Near Duivendrecht by Mondrian. I really don’t like Mondrian’s later work, but this just struck me.
Farm Near Duivendrecht - Mondrian

Finished mittens

January 19, 2007

Finished mittens
Originally uploaded by plath.

Just in time for Chicago! Wish me luck in the windy city– I’ve never been ;)

Handspun mitten

January 18, 2007

Handspun mitten
Originally uploaded by plath.

And you thought I’d just let my handspun sit and look pretty. Nope, I cast on for a mitten last night, and here’s my progress. My gauge is a little small for the pattern, but I have small, narrow hands, so it works ;) I’m hoping to finish this one and knit up the match tonight, as we leave for Chicago tomorrow night. I think these will be just the thing to keep my hands warm.

The pic was taken with my camera phone at work, so sorry for the quality.

First plied yarn

January 16, 2007


First plied yarn
Originally uploaded by plath.

I have 90 yards of plied yarn :) I have no idea what I’m going to do with it, but I’m happy with how it turned out. I think I could have plied it a touch firmer, but for my first shot at it, I’m pleased.

I haven’t forgotten the knitting, though. I cast on for this hat:

Hat

It’s Debbie Bliss tweed, and Jason and I are heading to Chicago this weekend where it will be collllld, so I need a hat to wear. I’ve just started the decreases.

Not a lot going on here, just slugging through the days. I just passed the estimated due date of my miscarriage yesterday. I did better emotionally than I expected, but it’s still hard to realize that we would have a child right now. It hurts.

Close up of my first yarn Originally uploaded by …

January 12, 2007

Close up of my first yarn
Originally uploaded by plath.

Here’s a shot of my first yarn, all skeined up. More pics here. I’m so happy with it, and just giddy with glee at spinning my own yarn.

I also did my first batch of dyeing last night with Gaywool dyes in colors Avocado and Garnet.

Finished Roving

I love how easy they are. I just mixed the dye powder with water, poured it on the roving, sprayed with vinegar, wrapped it in plastic wrap and then microwaved it. I wish I’d put a bit more green in, and diluted the garnet, but it turned out ok I guess. Can’t wait to see what it does when I start spinning.

I also received a spinning book this week:

I can already tell this is a fantastic book, and I’ve only really browsed through it so far. I can’t wait until this weekend when I have more time to thoroughly enjoy it. There are great pictures showing everything from carding to dyeing to spindle spinning and wheel spinning. The patterns are kind of ick, which is what I’ve heard from other people, but there is a nice sock pattern, a basic pullover sweater and a few nice hat patterns (and a few fugly garments). It’s completely worth it for the spinning instructions though. I highly recommend!


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