More Spinning or "What am I gonna do with this yarn?"

Ok, time to oogle!

So, I've been practicing spinning out of some gifted mystery fiber. It's probably BFL although we can't be sure because it wasn't labelled. It foofs up when it's underspun and BFL does that so I'm guessing that that is what it is.

I'm having less trouble with the wheel since the last guild meeting. When I was plying up the undyed Corriedale, I needed Lance Armstrong thigh strength when the bobbin was getting full. I have learned more about proper tension and I'm getting much better at spinning evenly. I was able to make these two skeins of lemon lime somewhat heavy worsted weight (I didn't check the WPI yet) yarn.

The bottom one isn't as nice as the first one but it's still very good. They're both spun much more evenly than anything else I've done prior to this and the twist will set much better when they've had their bath. I also made some autumn/pumpkin colored yarn in a light bulky weight that I didn't show you yet but I had some left over.

I also had a bit lemon lime left over on one bobbin so I decided to ply them together. This isn't at all beautiful; however, it was a lesson for me. I could easily see how the yarn was twisting together and work on my plying skills. This was only a few yards, a sample for me. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's a strange color combo.

Maybe one more skein out of mystery fiber and I'll be ready to tackle some of the nicer stuff I bought....like these:

That's BFL for the Evergreen Grove (I bought two of the Evergreen Grove) and Mixed berry Rambouillet. The lovely one on the bottom was irresistible to me. It's merino and it is lovely! I am saving that one. This give me a chance to try different fibers. By the time I spin and use what I have, I'll be ready to tackle that one and it'll be fall. Gorgeous. I actually love all of them. Not shown is 8oz of solid Louet Corriedale. I will show you that next time along with my current knitting projects which aren't going anywhere because all I do is spin and do exercise on the wii fit nowadays. Also, not shown is two skeins of autumn colored mystery fiber that is the color of the one in the mixed skein above. It's very pretty!

Now, in other news, remember that pair of Seeded Ribbing socks I made for my little boy? Well, I got an e-mail on Ravelry that they'd like to use my picture for the pattern page! I didn't get 'top booking' but if you ravel Charlene's Seeded Ribbing socks, you'll see my socks! On my little boy's feet! I made them! (Both, the feet and the socks.) I was ... honored! So, if you're looking for me and want my autograph or something, I'll be the one in the Jackie-O sunglasses and poofy scarf at Rhinebeck 2009. I'll also be carrying around 30lbs of fiber like some people I saw this year. It'll be really fun to go to Rhinebeck as a spinner. Only 10 more months!

Goodbye, Summer 2008

I woke up this morning and it was only 69 degrees. In only two more days, school begins here in New York. The skies are lovely and absolutely clear but there is that feeling of fall in the air. In no time at all, we'll be picking pumpkins somewhere. Fleeces and long sleeves will make their appearance, chilly chilly mornings, very cool and very crisp. Gone is corn and tomato picking as we soon welcome the harvest time.

I thought I would post a few nice summer pictures today, just so we can remember what it was this year. Summer eye candy seems a nice way to say goodbye to the season. FO at the bottom of these for those of you keeping track of knitting things. First up, photography.

Jones Beach tower and Seagull.

Goodbye Summer......sun set at Jones beach, ugly light post in the way....

Not to spoil the mood, but I did finish one last pair of socks for the season...the seeded ribbing. If you want more pictures, Ravel them here.

Pattern: Seeded Ribbing, More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch Start Date: 8/24/08
End Date: 8/30/08
Yarn: Brown Sheep Wildfoote, Blue Flannel
Needle: Knitpicks Options, Magic Loop Method, two at once, size 1, 2.25, 48 sts casted on.

I used about 1 skein of yarn for these little boy sized socks. He loves them so much, he wore them all day yesterday, even to the beach!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Seeded Rib Socks..

Yes, another pair of socks is on the needles. I can't have my son feeling left out so I started these during the closing ceremonies of the Olympics on Sunday night. Start date is 8/24/08. I worked on them after I took this picture and I am nearly up to the heel flap. Maybe tonight I'll do that and take another shot!

My fall project is going to be a nice bulky tweed pullover from Knitting for Him. He has picked out "Shawl Collar Sweater" - ravel it here. Only a few projects in Ravelry so far so we'll see. It seems that it knits up with alot of ease and I'm considering making it out of Cascade 128 Chunky Tweed, the same yarn that I used for my Hooded Danbury Coat. My coat is also quite large (and STILL not blocked) so I'm going to carefully swatch out of the leftovers from that and calculate what we'll need. The yarn calls for even bulkier yarn but I can't afford the Rowan and I was thrilled with the Cascade so I'll use that.

Gotta walk just 1 mile this morning while reading Farmer Boy. I am re-reading the Laura Ingalls books as I walk across the country in my quest to be fit and literate. I read these back in grade school and they're great for treadmill walking, large print and easy words. One chapter is usually 20 minutes and it's perfect. I am not enjoying this one as much as the others, very descriptive. I don't remember reading this back in the day, it's the one about her husband's boyhood. It wasn't available on the bookmobile so I skipped over it when I went through the series.

Treadmill time!

A Trip to the City .. and my new project

Yesterday, I went to visit my co-workers in the NYC office. I took DD with me because she loves to see the city, the dinosaur at Toys R Us, likes the pizza, and loves the train. She's becoming more and more demanding, like The Brat in Willy Wonka, Violet. She even says, "I want it now!!"

Silly me, took her to NYC, took her to Toys R Us, took her to see the dinosaur and took the camera. I left The Sock on my desk at work so it didn't get to see the dinosaur! That would've been a great picture. The expression on DD's face when the dinosaur roared..holding the sock.

At first, he just examined the scenery....

I am working on a new sock! It's just a plain black one, using Charlene's Textured Rib pattern. I'm using STR, Black Onyx, 64 sts casted on, size 2 needles, magic looping, two at a time. This is my first sock on 2's. I went to the 2 because they're for hubby and I didn't want to run out of yarn going at a smaller gauge, especially with STR, which is nice but skimpy on yardarge. For some reason, the black feels thicker. I'm just about ready for the heel flap and I only started this about three days ago. Pattern = piece of cake. I'm thinking that I'm moving up to 'intermediate - experienced" sock knitter now. (Yes!! Goal in life, accomplished!!) I'm scaring myself looking at harder patterns. I looked at the chalet socks pattern, with travelling stitches, the zig zag socks from Vogue (easier by far!) and Bavarian Socks. You can see them on Grumperina's website, they're lovely. Being the expert (she's past 'experienced' knitter by far!) She notes the mistake in the pattern. I'll try it and see what happens and I'm leaning towards this as my next project....either Bavarian sock or Waving Lace. (I know...I'm out of control lately.)

Next question. This book has been out awhile. It's not that great of a book but it's more than 'ok'. The Bavarian sock, among others, are truly lovely. Why only five projects on Ravelry so far? (soon to be six)....

Then, he spotted her!! Ready to eat my baby! Poncho and all! Turn up your speakers!

Jet Lag Free!

Well, I made it back alive from Vegas. Of course, I can't find my camera and haven't uploaded ANY pictures yet. It was a rough trip. Heading out wasn't all that bad, landing was hard, very bumpy.

Looking out the window heading out, I saw crop circles. I also learned that no one really lives in the middle of the country. It's empty. And the Rockies just...start! All of a sudden, they're there. I've seen that in movies and I knew it was like that but it was still awesome to see it from 38,000 feet. Lake Mead was pretty cool, too.

I also survived two days of walking and standing and a sandstorm. It was great, sand blowing up, in my eyes, nose and the wind whipping up at 40 mph! The pool had a storm surge.

I'd best look for my camera...

In any event, I am nearly done with two pairs of socks. Not one, two. I will show them to you later.

Time to look for the camera.

Later, that same day..I found the camera.

Here's the crop circles.

See? What are those things. I mean, there is basically nothing around. They must be huge if I could see them from way up in the sky. Below, is a picture of my beds. I slept in them both.

And, here's some socks shots:

That's the pink ribbed sock. I am making two pairs out of the same pattern. This is on size 1 needles the other, blue and purple, is on size 0.

I am working on the mate to this one now.