Strings & Yarn

I glanced over the past week of posting and it’s all knitting, knitting, knitting. Well, I know not all of you are reading for my crazy fiber ideas and projects, so I’ll post about my last weekend.

I’m on Spring Break and originally we talked about going to Seattle and British Columbia, but that didn’t work out. Instead Anthony and I went to Portland last weekend for a quick weekend away. We are going to take the bigger vacations this summer.

We ended up staying at the Red Lion close to the convention center. It was nice, and we could just hop on the train right outside of our hotel. We were right in the free zone for the train so we hopped on the train and walked around Pioneer square for awhile.

I was able to find a few things to spend money on. I got a skirt at the Red Light Clothing Exchange. A lot like Buffalo Exchange and of course I was bound to find something I liked. I can’t go into a store like this without finding several things to try on. Luckily I didn’t look at anything but skirts, otherwise it may have walked out with a whole new wardrobe.

I was also able to go to Yarn Garden. (Yeah I know I’m not supposed to talk about knitting, but I can’t help it.) This was a huge yarn store! I really wanted to go to Naked Sheep (they have really cool bumper stickers) but I’ll have to save it for my next trip. I got some sock yarn for Anthony and a little gift for my sister. I even got Anthony to go into the yarn store! I told him he needed to pick out his yarn for his socks. I’m not sure, but he may not resist going in so much now.

So the last few days I’ve been snuggling with Jasmine, knitting, catching up on blog reading and overall doing a whole lot of nothing. I think I’ll be ready for another term in a few days…hopefully.

I know the title is lame, but that’s really what it’s called. Crafty Wonderland. Hmmm…. I hope this isn’t another example of why crafts get such a bad wrap. This is supposed to be a Arts and Crafts show in Portland, OR that happens on the second Sunday of the month. I’m not entirely sure if it’s happened before or if April 9th is the first one. If I’m ever up in Portland while it’s going on, I may go by, but otherwise I’m not too fussed. If you’ve ever been, or are planning on going, let me know what it’s like.

Link: Crafty Wonderland Arts and Crafts Show

Even though I didn’t participate in the knitting Olympics I have had quite a crazy month of knitting, and not much to show for it. Instead of doing a lot of knitting I’ve been researching a lot of knitting. I think I am ready to enter the world of knitting design.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she does have ideas and she is ready to put them out on paper and eventually for the public to see.

A few nights ago I such a flood of ideas that I couldn’t sleep! I ended up on the internet looking up whatever I could to get the resources for my dreams come true. I have been searching the blogosphere for advice, examples and inspiration to getting my designs out there.

Hopefully in the next few weeks you will notice some differences in this blog. A more organized side bar, a new header (hopefully) and possibly even a section for patterns. Whoopee!

If you live in Eugene, you have to check out Good Food Easy. It is a produce subscription program that Anthony has been doing for awhile and I am officially hooked. You wouldn’t think you could get amazing juicy oranges in Oregon, but you can actually get them several weeks in a row in your delivery. The produce is great, and you’re never sure what’s going to be in the bag each week, so it forces you to be very creative with your cooking. Not to mention you get several kick ass recipes each delivery too. If you don’t live in Eugene, search you local areas. It is well worth it.

I’ve finished two balls of hand spun yarn! I’ve really enjoyed doing this, and I can’t wait to choose a pattern to make with it.

I’ve been trying to do a little spinning everyday. Of course this is only possible since I’m on spring break now. I have two more lessons to teach today and then I’m really done! Since this is my first time spinning and I wasn’t sure about the whole plying process I just did a two ply. You can see it a little better in this pic.

Can’t wait to get enough to actually make a nice project from start to finish.

I think I’m so behind on the online yarn buying stuff. I found this a long time ago, but didn’t really pay attention to it. Recently I found the cheap yarn at KnitPicks again, and yet again was tempted by there amazing prices. Next time I need to get yarn for a specific project I will definitely head over here to see if anything matches what I need. In the mean time, I’ll continue trying to bust my stash with many small projects.

Link: Cheap Yarn at KnitPicks

I have a new renter! She is trying to start a monthly creative craft swap every month. Essentially you pay a little bit so she can afford getting supplies, she ships a bunch of random stuff and you use your creative prowess to make something cool. It’s a great idea, but she needs a few people to head over to her site and check it out.

Link: Ready, Set, Gluegun!

Here is some of my first attempt to spinning! Now this is directly off my homemade Drop Spindle into a skein. I haven’t plied anything yet.

Aren’t the colors yummy! Don’t pay attention to the weird light green bits. Those don’t belong. I got the roving at a local shop in Eugene called Dyelots. It’s a great shop with some wonderful hand painted rovings. I think next time I may get it plain to try dying it myself. I have pictures of my dyeing adventures to show you, just not yet. Check out the Joy of Spinning for tips if you are interested in learning. I’m hoping to find a nice drop spindle at the Black Sheep Gathering if I can.

I started this over winter break and finished it a long time ago, but it took me forever to finish it. Mostly because I didn’t want to weave in the ends. When I finally got around to weaving in the ends it didn’t take hardly any time. This was my first time doing Entrelac and it was really easy. It also kept things very interesting and I would be totally willing to do it again.

Here’s the pattern;
Link: Danica Scarf at Knitty.com

I’ve got all the information on the Black Sheep Gathering here in Eugene. It’s going on June 23 - 25 and they have all sorts of great classes offered. They also have various competitions for the serious knitter/spinner/sheep herder. I will definitely be at this woolly event. Even if I don’t get a chance to take any classes, the atmosphere alone will be enough to learn a lot from.

Link: Black Sheep Gathering
Link: Black Sheep Gathering Catalogue of Events