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| Discoveries |
| 12.30.04 (7:54 pm) [edit] |
Not knitting content, but I have found something I really like. My chiropractor's office had a Christmas drawing and I won one of these. Not only is it fun, it is very relaxing. And I never thought I would say that any type of exercise is fun.
Tomorrow we go to Atlanta to visit my dad. I am already dreading what traffic we may encounter. There are also no yarn shops on the side of town where they live that I know of. If anyone knows of a shop in the Fayetteville/Peachtree City vicinity, please advise 8)
Happy New Year to all! I will see you again in 2005. Wishing all my readers the very best for the upcoming year.
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| Projects |
| 12.28.04 (6:40 am) [edit] |
They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, so don't laugh at this.
These are my first singles from the charka, and I was actually able to wind the whole length on the spindle to the tube without it breaking. This is also my first serious attempt to spin cotton. (Once I tried with a drop spindle and gave up after about 5 minutes.) Now, I am working with some brown cotton, and it is starting to get a little easier, even though the spinning doesn't look much better.
I persuaded Phillip's girlfriend to pose with her socks, so without further adieu:
Above are the first pair of socks I have had serious second sock syndrome with. Note to self: don't knit socks with Addis anymore!
Below are the lovely butterfly wings. Definitely a model for them makes them take flight:
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| New Chance to Learn! |
| 12.26.04 (2:22 pm) [edit] |
I got one of these
for Christmas, so now I am trying to work on spinning some cotton. Fortunately, a Charkha DVD, by Elaine Benfatto came along with the deal, so I am making a little bit of progress in learning this, at least. The nice thing about this charkha is that it has 2 ratios, an 80:1 for cotton and short fibers and a 16:1 for medium wools. I think I am going to enjoy this immensely.
The mystery gifts (scarf and 2 pair of socks) went to Phillip's girlfriend, Jessie, who is spending some time with us since her parents took a cruise over the holidays. Smart girl: she put on a pair of the socks, then her Birkenstocks. Apparently, she knows how to appreciate and wear handknitted socks. Pictures of her modeling them have been taken and will be forthcoming. It is always gratifying to make things for people who truly appreciate them. She returned the favor by giving me a lovely knitting book.
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| Merry Christmas |
| 12.24.04 (6:25 am) [edit] |
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 NIV
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| Socks and Things |
| 12.23.04 (1:54 pm) [edit] |
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For Elayne and anyone else interested in the sock pattern, it came from the 2001 Winter/Spring issue of Cast On. And yes, the socks do look much better when the ribbing is stretched. Perhaps I can persuade to lucky recipient to allow me to snap a picture of her modeling them. Countdown has begun... Christmas shopping and knitting are now officially all done. (We won't mention the cooking, though).
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| Play it Again |
| 12.22.04 (1:43 pm) [edit] |
Here's my second attempt to get a good picture of the scarf. Apparently, this is not an easy subject to capture for some reason, but it is somewhat clearer than the last one.
Also, please note that I am 7 pattern rows and a plain toe finishing away from being done with my Christmas knitting, and I only have 1 more gift to buy, and... tada... groceries have been bought. Let the festivities begin!
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| Christmas Goodies |
| 12.21.04 (9:34 am) [edit] |
Anyone keeping up with Elayne will have read her post on the Christmas gifts received from me. You are probably also wondering what she gave me, so here are a couple of photos.
Woo Hoo - Hand painted Mohair locks from Oak Tree Farm, Egginton, Derbyshire, England! Whee! Enough to make a luscious scarf. Also, 2 lovely shells to use for diz(zes) - by the way, what is the correct plural for that term?
Then, this oh-so-comfy and warm flannel scarf Elayne made herself. Great job, Elayne! Maybe later I can get a better picture. I must have been a little unstable when taking it, but you get the general idea.
Also, not pictured, is a multi-purpose pencil holder (which is being used to hold knitting needles, crochet hooks, scissors and various other articles. This pencil holder has a clock, alarm, calendar, thermometer and plays several different tunes!
Thanks bunches, again, Elayne!
Well, off to tie up some loose holiday shopping ends!
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| Moi? |
| 12.21.04 (5:36 am) [edit] |
I took this quiz, courtesy of Catherine and was a little surprised. the muppets never have been some of my favorite people. (Or does this mean I am like Ebenezer Scrooge!?!?)
Your Christmas is Most Like: The Muppet Christmas Carol |
You tend to reflect on Christmas past, present, and future...
And you also do a little singing.
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| Easiest Ever Fudge |
| 12.17.04 (2:00 pm) [edit] |
I just finished making a double batch of some delicious fudge to take to knitting guild tomorrow. This fudge tastes like the old fashioned kind you make in an iron skillet, except without all the fuss and bother of having to test for whether it makes a soft ball or hard ball, or whatever you do to make sure the fudge is all cooked. This reminds me of my mother's fudge that she really worked hard over. Here's the recipe. It takes about 5 minutes to make. If you try it and like it, let me know!
1 1b. Confectioner's sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
Mix above ingredients well in a 3 qt. microwave safe dish to blend. Add to the top of this mixture (without mixing):
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove and mix well, adding 1 tablespoonful of vanilla, and nuts, if desired. Spread in an 8x8 pan and refrigerate until firm. Enjoy!
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| Whoosh! |
| 12.16.04 (3:41 pm) [edit] |
Shrugging off my annoyed mood and preparing to get back into knitting mode. Last night, Phillip and I watched the extended version (yes... 4 hours worth) of The Return of the King. Admittedly, we did take an intermission when DVD #1 finished itself. I managed to get a bit of knitting done on some more gift socks made of Sockotta. The pattern is called "Butterfly Wings" and is from an old Cast On magazine. Can you believe it!?!? It is lace, and I am knitting it. I had to modify the pattern somewhat, since I am using sock weight yarn and the pattern calls for sport weight. Hopefully, it will make the recipient very happy.
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| Not Knitting, Just a Lot of Griping |
| 12.15.04 (2:51 pm) [edit] |
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Arghhh... as you can see by my mood indicator, I am totally annoyed. I just cannot stand it when clients do not "get" what I am trying to tell them. In my job, we have a summary sheet that goes on each chart where we write notes, etc. It helps us to keep up with what to follow up on, etc. So, I go to this particular place today, where the first thing, they tell me, "We took all your sheets off the charts..." (Blood pressure going up a few points) "because if "someone official sees what you have wrote, we will get in trouble." (Well, not an exact quote, but a paraphrase). Okay, blood pressure going up even more. Well, duh - my job is to point out things for them to FIX, so they WON'T get in trouble. Besides, the "official ones" can look at my reports at will, and they say the same thing as my summary sheet. Of course, the operative word here is FIX. What a novel idea. Is it my fault they go a whole year and ignore my reports, then start to panic when the deadline draws near? I don't think so. So, I have to be inconvenienced because I am trying to be thorough and do my job right!?!?? Now, where did I put that Tylenol, anyway?
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| TBlog Taking a Sick Day |
| 12.10.04 (6:54 am) [edit] |
See how anemic my page is! I know that last night they were starting to have difficulties.
Yesterday afternoon, I arrived after an "over-nighter" to find a goody box from Elayne which she sent me for my birthday. Cool stuff indeed spilled out of the box when I opened it. 4 oz. of Tussah Silk Roving (natural colored and cut into 1 inch lengths for easy blending, a brown sugar n spice Yankee candle, some Aero knitting needles - size 14 ... um English size... according to my yarn gauge, that's size 0 - they are double pointed and look to be vintage and manufactured in England, and the "kewtest" little lamb night light. Thanks again, Elayne.
Donna and I are making plans to meet at Wild Fibre over the holidays to do some spinning. She needs to give her new, modified for folding, Kiwi a nice welcome party and has kindly invited me to join in! Date and time still not determined yet. Also, everyone be sure to stop by her blog and wish her and her husband a Happy Anniversary. Speaking of visits, if you haven't already, skip on over and visit Lissa at her new blog... leave a comment, too, if you wish. She likes 'em.
Also, I would like to wish my friend, Carolyn (not myself, another one), whom I have known since the 7th grade and who has faithfully kept up with me all this time, a very Happy Birthday today. I wish you many more happy ones to come, dear friend!
Oh, oh and oh!!!! I finally finished the gift socks on the slick Addis. Whew! What a relief - I haven't struggled like that with a pair of socks in over 2 years, when I was first learning how to make them. I've already cast on another pair, but on PONY PEARLS. No more "slip and slide" on those size 1's for me. :roll:
(Edited: Well, as soon as I hit publish, the color came back to my page... but if you see a white and black page instead, now you will know why.)
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| Addi-Pated |
| 12.07.04 (1:04 pm) [edit] |
No new pictures to show yet. I am having the worst time with the gift socks I am knitting. Seems that Addi and I just cannot get along. I have dropped countless stitches on this last sock. So, lots of ripping and fixing, etc. have occurred. I generally am not fond of slick needles - now I remember why!
Not much spinning going on here, either. The house is getting Christmas decorations, so that is taking up most of my discretionary time.
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| Fibery Day |
| 12.04.04 (6:12 pm) [edit] |
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Well, I went to the store and spun for around 4 hours. Most of the people in the store today were just beginning to knit, so did not show all that much interest in spinning. I had a good time, though. I also made some purchases, but shh... I can't tell what they are... Christmas presents.
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| A Spinnin' I Will Go |
| 12.03.04 (1:13 pm) [edit] |
So, it is settled now. Tomorrow I am going to Wild Fibres and sit around and spin. I think this is going to be lots of fun! I may have to pick up another goody or two while I am there.
I have been working on the Blue Faced Leicester dyed by Donna's husband. It must be nice to have your own dye artist in the family. What marvelous colors. I think this will make a great pair of socks.
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| Things They Don't Teach in Spinning 101 |
| 12.01.04 (9:15 am) [edit] |
Well, how should I know, since I have never taken a spinning class? It makes a good title, though. Anyhow, here's what I found out. If you are spinning a woolen yarn (which I rarely ever do) and make a center pull ball to do a 2-ply, setting the ball on the floor is definitely a no-no. You can see in the picture of the yarn a little muddled ball at the top. That is how the yarn wanted to snarl on me. Finally, a happy ending, as you can see, by holding the ball in my hand.
Okay, all you spinners are thinking this is elementary. Usually I spin worsted style and have had no problems before, even with plying silk, which is supposed to be very tricky plying from a center pull ball. I did it before I found out it was supposed to be hard and never had any problems. So, I was shocked at today's encounter.
This was the wool/mohair/silk blend I bought a Wild Fibres. Other than the plying fiasco, this roving practically spun itself. Well... I have some kid mohair and some Falkland wool... maybe I will put the old drum carder to use.
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