This summer, I went to St. Louis. I made a side trip to Loopy Ewe. During my time there, I decided to go on a ‘rainbow hunt’ and I found this fingering weight yarn by Studio June Yarn in ‘Sunshine and Rainbows’ colorway.
At the time, I bought two skeins.
A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a third. Whatever I make with this yarn, I want to make sure I have enough. And yes… I have a plan. 
One can never have too many rainbows.
During Ravelympics 2010, I was a part of Team Manic Purl, lead by Chrissy of The Manic Purl Podcast. There were not many spinners on the team, but it was a fun, supportive team. Even still, I didn’t not achieve my goal. Color me surprised when I got a message on Ravelry that I’d won one of the prizes!
Wollmeise in the colorway, Saami.
Coolness! 
I am so glad that it is Friday. It’s been a rough week.
Since my handspun shawl is kinda stalled until I can spin more fiber 
, I pull out the Ulmus and started working on it. I try to have about three projects on the needles for this very reason. The Ulmus still an enjoyable knit even though I haven’t worked on it for a while. My favorite part is the color sections, seeing where the colors will land.
I will say that my stash has been calling to me again. I never realized how noisy fiber can be. Which fiber to be exact, you ask? (I know you didn’t ask, but humor me, please. )
Alpaca with a Twist’s Big Baby – two skeins of luscious alpaca yarn – bulky. It’s telling me that it wants to be a scarf. A Christmas present scarf. But… that would be silly, right? Starting a scarf, destined to be a present, one month before Christmas…
…wouldn’t it?
Ok. I realized, as I have been knitting my handspun shawl that with the yarn I have, it’s not going to be a big as I want it to be. So I’m going to have to buy and spin some more fiber. Plus, Christmas knitting it calling to me and I want to get some things done in that regard. Knit more ornaments, plus, I just bought a simple crochet dishcloth pattern yesterday.
It’s called JustRight and BigTime Dishcloths by Neatly Tangled Designs. I bought some cotton, thinking I would knit them, but now I think I wanna get out my crochet hooks and try this pattern. The pattern looks very basic, although I’ll have to learn how to do a half double crochet again.
Oh! I just realized that never showed you the cotton I bought!
I know, I know – more blue & purples.
Oh, and even though I can’t remotely start a new project, when I bought the crochet pattern, I also bought the Attabi set – both the Cowl and the wrap. The woven stitch is very easy and basic. I think a beginner would have no problem with this pattern and would end up with a very impressive looking garment. 
ttfn!
I love when the yarn label tells exactly what the yarn is.
It’s Fibranatura’s ‘Yummy‘.
I couldn’t have described it better!
It followed me home from the yarn store.
Honest.
Do you knit everyday? I do. It’s very rare that I’ve missed a day since the beginning of the year. I never expected a ‘hobby’ to become so much more than that – Therapy – Solace – just something to do while waiting in line for 30 minutes a the bureau of motor vehicles or to quiet the mind when there’s just too much goin’ on in there. Therefore, it’s been kinda scary the last couple of days when I was almost too tired to knit. … I said ‘almost’. Even if I only have time to knit a couple of stitches, I make sure to make time for my knitting. It’s that important.
I shall end this post with pictures the two small skeins of sock yarn I got at the yarn store yesterday to expand the color palette of this years ornaments.
.
I love this one – It’s ShibuiKnits Sock in the colorway, Peony.
.
and I wanted a purple so I got this – Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet in a pretty periwinkle.
My handspun shawl is still growing. I still love knitting it. I got a longer needle and it make knitting much each easier w/out my knitting being so scrunched up.
One more thing – go visit The Kniterella View – She has instructions to make a yarn ball wreath. Who needs the Starbucks version when you can make and customize your own! (And if you Google ‘starbucks wreath’, you see other people who have made one as well.)
ta ta for now!
Oh My Goodness! Just like I couldn’t stay away from my spinning wheel this summer, now it’s the knitting. Yarn I didn’t know what to do with is now screaming at me, telling me what it wants to be. I’m not complaining, mind you, because I know what it’s like to have a creative block, but it’s frustrating that I can’t start every project idea that seems to come to me almost every day.
The most recent one is a possible blanket. Remember that 100% organic cotton yarn I bought back in April?
My original idea did not work and I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out what to make with it.
Recently, I remembered some yarn I bought at a fiber fest this past Spring.
It’s ‘Island Cotton’ in the colorway ‘Sunset’ from The Weaver’s Loft. (yeah, I know…again with the rainbow… )
Both yarns are very similar in texture and weight. I thought maybe if I knit squares and have a mostly natural colored blanket with a few splashes of color, it would be pretty. On US size 10 needles, that would knit up pretty quickly, I’d think. I’ve been wanting to make something for an aunt who is allergic to wool. This might fit the bill. (Even if a blanket doesn’t work out, I think the two yarns would work well together.)
If push comes to shove, I could use the other skein I got from The Weaver’s Loft in a similar fashion and make something for me. (It’s also Island Cotton and the colorway is ‘Twilight’)
So much knitting, so little time. BUT… it gives me something to work toward, right?
I forgot to show you the yarns I have in my stash to make the log cabin blanket. Some are leftover from projects and others are full skeins that I never ended up using. It annoys me to have all this yarn sitting around so I happy to have a project to put it all (or most of it) to good use.
I couldn’t have planned this project better. Blue, purple & red are my favorite colors!
I finally finished this hat. It was sitting on the needles for way too long and last month, I finally sat down and finished it in one sitting.
Pattern: Gretel by Ysolda
Size: Regular (I did the slouchy last time)
Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Summit Hill in colorway Aquamarine, not a whole skein
Needles: US 7
Started: December 15 2008
Completed: May 17 2009
I love this pattern. Well worth knitting again. This will make a nice gift for a dear friend. It’s nice to have a Christmas gift done so early.
…aaand… this past weekend, I was knitting like a fiend and finished the heels on my Monkey-ish socks so I just need to do the legs and the cuffs. I don’t have a lot of knitting time during the week ’cause I usually only have enough mental power for spinning at the end of the day so this part might take a while, but I love knitting these socks – a combo of my creativity with that of the Cookie A. Lots ‘o fun, in my opinion. (The yarn is Dream in Color: Some Summer Sky … perfect for this time of year, wouldn’t you say? )
This is the Sherman short row heel, great for someone who doesn’t like to deal with wrapping stitches.
I decided not the carry the pattern all the way around the leg. I really like how it looks.
and I got a new knitting book!
and I know what I’m going to knit next … Oh… the anticipation.
I wanted to make some socks. So I bought this:
Dream in Color Smooshy: Nightwatch
and this:
Dream in Color Smooshy: Some Summer Sky
But I needed one more color. I looked high and low in the sock yarn section at my local yarn store but I couldn’t find the color I wanted – Yellow. Actually there was a yellow but it was too Easter-Eggy. So I made the decision to dye yarn to get the color I wanted. So I bought some ivory colored ShiBuiKnits superwash sock yarn. … I mean, I just wanted a single color … how hard could it be? *thinks of previous dyeing yarn disaster* So I set to work this past weekend, using the crock pot I got from Goodwill for the first time.
Well, I am yet at the stage where I can translate what I have in my head to the dye pot, but I managed to get a nice color and there’s even a little variation (and I do mean little) to the color.
I think it came out nice, don’tcha think?
Now that you’ve seen the colors, can you guess who or what inspired them? (startrouble, if you read this, please don’t answer ’cause you already know. )
I’ve been spending quite a bit of time at the yarn store over the last month … wanna see some of what I bought?
Cascade 220
Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock (Flamingo Stripe)
Plymouth Earth Mainland (Alpaca & Silk)
Alpaca with a Twist Big Baby (Lumber Jack)
Alpaca with a Twist Big Baby (Mountain)
Five skeins of Dream in Color ‘Nightwatch’. I’ve already started Lady Eleanor with it. I have no goal for completion because I want to enjoy the process of knitting this stole. Such lovely yarn to knit with.
Here’s some lovely photos for you to enjoy.
Happy knitting!
ok. I LOVE the first section of Knitting Workshop! It answered practically all the questions I had when I was a beginner knitter. … about joining in the round …. purling the ‘easy way’ … and knowing the difference between the ‘back’ & ‘front’ of a stitch.
and……. LOOK! at my ‘swatch cap’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SPECS:
Lion Brand Wool
Size 6 US needles. (DPNs & 16″ circular)
Cast on: 84 stitches, increased to 112
Gauge: ? (I haven’t measured yet)
I’m so proud of this! It fits!! It’s a little long, but I’ll roll up the ribbing and my ears will be warmer. This is the first hat I’ve made that fits me!
Oh! and the colorwork design is mine, all mine. After all, Elizabeth said ‘Don’t use mine. Make up your own’. So I did!
I was all fired up to make another. But the yarn is not co-operating. It’s Knit Picks Wools of the Andes. It is soft, but not as soft as the Lion Brand wool I was using. So, it’s going back into stash until it lets me know what it wants to be. In the meantime, I went to the Yarn Store today and look what followed me home so I can make more hats!
It’s all worsted weight yarn. The right three skeins are Cascade 220. I’ve never tried it before and I keep reading how much people enjoy using it so I wanted to try it.
The skein on the far left is dream in color. Does the colorway look familiar?
It’s the same colorway as the sock yarn I bought previously. I’d totally forgotten!! 
And as promised, here’s some images of some of my favorite spinning fiber that I’ve purchased:
From CJKopecCreations:
Custom Blended Wool/Bamboo Roving – SECRETS
From AllSpunUp:
Both below are from Spincerely Yours:
Superwash Merino/Tencel Top – Sedna
Superwash Merino and Tencel in Freya
Hope to see ya soon! Happy knitting & spinning!
1. Fetching - (the color is not even representative of it’s true nature. Digital cameras do not like red… mine especially. )
[Yarn is Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes Cranberry]
I’m actually nearly done with this one… but it is too small
(yes, just like Odessa 
…I detecting a theme here… )
So I’m going to rip this out and try again with size US 7 needles. The good news, tho, is that this is my very first cable project!! That was a goal for me to do this year. The cable needle is a little fiddly but ok. (I’m not ready to try it w/out a cable needle… I tried and it didn’t work.) I can’t wait to do more cable projects!
2. Bejeweled –
Neck scarf made from Carnivale handspun.
Here is picture of the front …
Below is the section that helped me come up with the name.
The only thing left to do is the bind off … but I’m not happy about which row I’ve ended on so I need to think about it before complete this project.
3. Socks –
These are in a holding pattern while I decide if I want to rip them out or continue them. The yarn is so pretty but the colors have become so muddy in this pattern and there’s a pooly-stripeyness that I just can’t get used to. And if the pattern looks familiar, it is. I modified the Cookie A.’s Monkey socks so I could do them toe up. There’s still one thing I wanna fix on the pattern. I learned a lot working on these. That’s why I’ haven’t ripped them out yet despite my frustration at knitting them.
4. Amethyst Socks
And, I’m still working on these socks.
I am on the heel of the 2nd sock.
Knitting on US size 2 needles goes sooooooooooooooooo slooooooooooow. But I’m still chuggin’ along.
Enjoy your week!
There has been knitting goin’ on around here and it’s time for me to catch you up. First up: Finished Objects (yes… that means more than one! )
Finished Objects
Yarn: Apple Laine Apple Pie
Colorway: Royal Blue
Needles: US size 3
Pattern: Basket Weave (6-stitch) from More Sensational Knitted Socks
Notes:I didn’t finish these in time to give them to the intended recipient…which I why I still have them. But I like them. The yarn is really soft.
Needles: US size 4 & 6
Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK (1 ball)
Pattern: Odessa by Grumperina
Notes: It only took me a week and a half to knit this. But it is too small. But that’s ok ’cause it’s basically my swatch. The gauge was given in pattern and I figured, if I’m gonna knit 4 inches in pattern, I may as well knit the hat. (I bought two balls of this yarn just for something like this.) But I really liked this pattern. Very easy to follow and a quick knit. Now I need to buy size 5 & 7 needles so I can make this hat in the correct size.
Next up: Works in progress… stay tuned!
Godot? No. Heels? YES!
Look how much I’ve gotten done on my Sockapalooza pal’s socks!
I wanted to take pictures when I’d finished the toes, but I couldn’t seem to put the needles down long enough to take a picture!
Ok… let’s first talk about the yarn:
Crystal Palace Panda Cotton – Lacquer Red
My first experience was not fun. I started out with US size 2 needles and let me tell ya … it’s was splitsville. Omigosh! I very quickly reached my frustration threshold. Finally, I told myself ‘Hey. This is supposed to be fun.’ And I was disappointed. I really wanted to make my pal some red socks. So I ripped it out and put it away. But for some reason… later that same day (it wasn’t a conscious decision), I picked up the yarn and my US size 3 and miraculously, much less splitting and I started having fun. It’s interesting how, when something goes wrong, a person blames his/herself (or the yarn) rather than thinking of other possible culprits (in this case, the size 2s).
I can’t say that I absolutely love working with this yarn, but I like do the soft fabric it creates. Since I’ve never knit with cotton before, it’s definitely a learning experience, which seems to happen often in the world of knitting. I was a little nervous about using a fiber I hadn’t used before and whether or not it would show off the pattern well.
And speaking of the pattern: (nice segue, hm? )
I had a hard time choosing the pattern. Not from lack of choices, but rather, lack of confidence. I may have been knitting for a year, but trying something new still ’cause some trepidation. I almost chose a very basic purl/knit stitch pattern … but I was drawn to ‘Crosshatch Lace’ from ‘More Sensational Knitted Socks‘ and no matter what other stitch patterns I looked at, I kept going back to that one. But after calculating how many stitches I need for my gauge, the ‘Crosshatch Lace’ had too few so I noticed ‘Scrolls’ from the same book. It’s very similar to ‘Crosshatch Lace’. Finally, I took a deep breath and dove into the ‘Scrolls’ pattern… and ya know what? I love it it. I actually giggled at seeing the pattern after completing the 14 rows of the pattern. (don’t laugh too hard at me … this is only the 2nd ever stitch pattern I’ve tried on socks!)
What’s next?
The heels. The short-row heels (Sherman style). *insert small groan* The heel is the bain of my existence. 
Only sheer stubbornness and determination keep me trying but I know I’ll finally do it to my satisfaction one day. That day hasn’t happened yet … but I’m very close.
Finally, let’s mention the toe:
For some reason, I seemed to have forgotten the figure-eight cast-on toe because after three tries, it still wasn’t working … so I tried the Eastern cast-on from the Summer IK issue (I vehemently dislike their new layout, btw) and as it’s very similar to the figure-eight, I caught onto it quickly … but I still don’t love it, so when I cast on for my 2nd Amethyst sock, I went back the figure-eight toe and, because of my attempts at the Eastern cast-on, the figure-eight toe came out better than previously. Isn’t this a pretty toe?
and oops … I almost forgot to show you the finished Amethyst sock!
Isn’t it purty? 8)
And if you’ve made it this far on my post, thank you! 
Also, Marce, at the The Brownberry Chronicles, has started a very interesting knitting discussion. Stop by and see what it’s about!
Well, I guess that’s it for now. … except for this little teaser…
Take care and I hope you enjoy your weekend!
Look what I have!
Meilenweit Cotton Spirit, Sockotta and Panda Cotton.
Unfortunately, I had to buy from three different sources because I couldn’t find one with all three. The little skeins of Panda Cotton are so cute! I think that’s what I’m going to use for my sock pal’s socks. It’s so soft. I know it’s a shift from what I showed you before, but this is based on communication with my pal so I hope she’ll like it.
Now I just need to find a pattern. I just got the ‘More Sensational Knitted Socks’ book so I know I’ve got plenty of options. Thanks again to everyone for helping me in selecting the yarn. I can’t wait to start knitting!!!
Have a good weekend!
Very Special Socks:
(sorry, they haven’t been blocked or anything yet)
Yarn: Paton’s Classic Wool
Pattern: My own basic pattern
Amethyst Socks (for the Cabin Cove KAL)
Yarn: Amethyst colourway from Cabin Cove Mercantile
Stitch Pattern: Woven Stitch from ‘Sensational Knitted Socks’
Easter Egg Hat
Yarn: Wool of the Andes worsted weight from Knit Picks
Pattern: My own, top-down
and I bought the yarn for my Sockapalooza 4 pal. It’s Claudia Hand Painted Yarn/Colourway: Carousel. I love it!!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Here’s the Very Special Socks:
Here’s MY sock with Dave’s yarn:
Sorry to be low on details … I’m kinda bummed, that along with my hayfever symptoms this year, I’ve (re)discovered that I’m allergic to wool. I know that there are alternatives and I will definitely explore them. This just puts a crimps in knitting AND spinning project ideas that I have for the next few months.
How many days until Friday??
For my next pair of special socks for a special person! (The first photo shows the color best!)
TGIF!!
