Life is getting Larger!

Wanna see?

Several more pics of the mods and details I added are here.

I’ve got a few more mods planned to make it more functional for me and to help it hold it’s shape better. For next tuesday’s post I’ll have a completed bag to show you as well as one of my next crochet projects! Want a hint?

Also, I picked up the latest Crochet Today! after seeing Bron’s post on it and plan on making the granny style purse & sunglass case as a birthday gift for a dear friend who never reads my blog. And if she does happen to read this, oh well I don’t mind if she knows. I’m gonna use some LB Microspun in Coral, Fuchsia and White.

Tour ‘de Fleece ‘07

It’s that time again!

Yeah!! Last year I missed signing up for this and although I probably could’ve just jumped in I wasn’t a skilled enough spinner at that point for it to even be enjoyable.

I love how this spin-along is low-key. No rules, just guidelines and the challenge of it. Ahhh…. fun spinning! Now if I’m gonna have enough prepared fiber on hand to spin I’d better start shopping!!

Attention fellow spinners!! Any suggestions on a somewhat economical fiber that is also soft enough for next-to-skin wear and fun to spin? I’m leaning towards trying some Shetland or Wensleydale. It doesn’t need to be handpainted or anything just clean and free of VM. Let me hear your opinion!

SOS Update & Sunday Spinning

The first Nightshade sock for SOS is coming along wonderfully! I did a 2×2 rib for the leg, a garter stitch short row heel (which is my new fav!) and now I’m cruising down the foot.

So far they fit hubby like a glove so it’s full steam ahead on these!

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I’ve finally pulled out some gorgeous silk I was gifted with by Jan back when I first got my wheel. I was too afraid to mess it up for a long time but my skills have improved and while it’s not the perfect 2ply laceweight I was hoping for, I’m really happy with it. I named it Safari for future reference.

I’ve also working on some coopworth and silk that I’m calling Morning Glories.

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Spun Stitches KAL: I’m making slow progress on the blue merino-silk. I’m trying to be patient and spin a true laceweight with this so I can get the maximum yardage and because my grandmother deserves the best!! But I’m getting really antsy to start knitting the shawl! This project has convinced me I should start saving for a Woolee Winder.

Eye Candy Friday…my first one!

One of my favorite things to see first thing in the morning is a clean kitchen.  There is nothing worse than waking up to a pile of dirty dishes that need to be done before they stink up the house!  That would put anybody in a sour mood.  So I present my kitchen sink all clean and shiny.

SOS ‘07 begins with Nightshade

At 5am yesterday morning I cast on my first handspun sock. It decided to accompany me to the newspaper office to place an ad and then to McDonald’s for breakfast with the munchkins where it grew.

Then we were off to Reasor’s for a some edibles and it tagged along. Even got a little bit friendly with the checker! His name is Pat, and turns out he likes socks. Who would’ve thought?

At the end of the day I had knit 6 inches of leg ribbing. Today we should see a heel!

Celebrating 10 Years Together!

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary.  I can’t believe time has passed sooooo quickly!

I love you honey more than I could ever tell you.  I plan on spending the next 10 years showing you how much you mean to me.  Thank you for being the man of God that you are and for loving me unconditionally.  Happy Anniversary Billy!

(photo is from my sis-in-law’s wedding last Labor Day.) 

Summer of Socks Goals

FIRST, my son Teddy says “thank you very much” for all the birthday wishes!!

Now on to socks!

In approximately 2 more days, the Summer of Socks will officially begin!

Of course I do already have 3 pair of socks on the needles, 2 pair of which MUST be finished. Then I still have my Sockapalooza socks to begin. However they will be included in my SOS total. Does that stop me from creating a great list of must-knit socks for the KAL? Of course not!!

Here is my list of socks to be knit during this summer, starting June 21st.

1) Baudelaire (Sockapalooza4) in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock / Teal

2) Sidewinders by Nona in StoneBarnFibers Fingering weight / Watermelon Tourmaline

3) Penny Socks by Maia in Fearless Fibers Superwash / Marrakesh

4) Lombard Street in Fleece Artist SeaWool / Raspberry

5) Pembrokeshire Pathways in Cashmere Merino Sock by The Knittery / SeaBreeze

6) Knitty-Gritty Sockettes in Crystal Palace Panda Cotton / Fall Herbs

7) Custom Knee-highs in KnitPicks Memories / Yukon Boot socks in my Nightshade handspun

IF I get all of these done, I will end up with 5 new pair of socks added to my wardrobe for fall, socks for my sock pal, socks for my sis-in-law, and socks for my hubby.

This also means I do NOT need any more sockyarn for the summer. That does NOT mean I will not buy any more sockyarn over the summer. After all if I knit all I have during the summer what the heck am I gonna knit with during fall? Besides I’m only 2 orders away from Loopie Groupie status and rumor has it Sheri has Wollmeise coming!!

You want to see more pictures, right? Here’s one from this morning.

Spinning update next! 

Fried Fish in my Inbox?

That’s what happens when I have a busy week/end and don’t get a chance to blog.

My only son turned 6 years old on Sunday and we had a pirate party and fish fry complete with eyepatches and  “rum” punch.  Teddy, his cousin Billy, his Dad and his uncle Andy  caught the fish, some of which is pictured below (pre-fry).  Here are some pictures of all the swashbuckling pirate action.

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On the fiber front, major progress has been made on my Larger Than Life bag and the Monkey gift socks.  Pictures will come tomorrow.  I’m getting ready to cut out a dress and start knitting a Flower Basket Shawl.  I’m also making out my list of socks to knit for the Summer of Socks once I’ve finished my Sockapalooza knitting.  I’m stalled on my spinning but not for long.  That’s where I’m at in a nutshell.  ;)  Hope you all had a great weekend and a better-than-normal Monday.

Protective Eyewear Needed

Yeah, it is BRIGHT!!  The fabric I ordered from ReproDepot to line my Larger Than Life bag is here.  When I went to put in the order I was disappointed to find all my previous choices were gone.  However I had my daughter help me choose one and I think it’s wonderful!!

Now that it’s here I really want to get the rest of the squares done so I can see it all put together!    My goal is to have it finished by the end of the month.   Next choice:  what style handles or straps do I want?  Any suggestions?

A pattern has been chosen!

Thank you all for chiming in with your votes!! Bayerische came in first, Baudelaire second, Poseidon third and Pembrokeshire fourth. After studying the patterns a little more in depth and agreeing with SB about the likelyhood of Bayerische ridding me of my hair prematurely, I’ve decided to knit Baudelaire for my pal. I think it will be beautiful in the teal CTH and I’ve been craving both lace and cables so it’s a good fit. I still really like Poseidon and Pembrokeshire and have added them to my list of socks to knit for the Summer of Socks KAL starting later this month.

While trying to decide on the pattern for Sockapalooza 4, I’ve cast on another pair of Monkeys! They will be a thank-you gift for my sister-in-law Juliet. (turquoise, brown and pink were her wedding colors last fall)

She and my bro-in-law offered to take our munchkins for a few days so we can go kid-less camping for our anniversary later this month. We were planning to go up to Estes Park for the Wool Market and camp there but the funds for that trip didn’t come in like planned. I’m disappointed but it’s the time alone with hubby that makes it all better!

In other news:

Fabric has been chosen, ordered, and shipped for lining my Larger Than Life bag! I’ll show pics as soon as it gets here!

I’ve decided to be daring and try navajo plying my nightshade singles. (I could use your prayers on this one!) I really want these socks to be hardwearing so it’s gotta be a 3-ply.  I’ve ordered a Natural Coopworth Sampler from Spunky Eclectic so I can spin up a solid yarn in the same fiber for the toes, heels and maybe the cuffs.

Hubby and I have decided to have a portrait done of the two of us for our anniversary! So I’ve pulled out my sewing machine to make a new dress for the occasion. Here is my fabric and the pattern. I’m planning on crocheting a filet strip to cover the trim on the dress and for the tie at the waist. The fabric behind it will be a slightly darker green I think. I’m going to try and start cutting out the pattern pieces today and iron the fabric I washed on the weekend.  Sorry the photo is a little dark.  I’ll try and get a better one once I get started sewing on it.

I’ve been tagged with another meme by Bryony but this post is already long so I’ll save it for tomorrow.