Strings & Yarn

I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time, but just haven’t been able to think of a good name for it.  So I am asking for ideas, and if you would be interested in doing something like this.

This is a cross between charity knitting and a swap.  Basically how it works is I will knit a square, then I’ll send it to the next person, and they will attach another square.  When I send the blanket, I’ll also send a little something special along, maybe some chocolate, coffee, or a skein of yarn.  Nothing huge, but something fun.

In the end we’ll have a fabulous blanket for a charity of our choice, goodies, and no seaming!  Plus I love the idea that the blanket will have traveled.  If we get enough people together we can get two blankets going.

What do you think?  Have a good name for it?  Want to participate?

I’ve finally dyed the wool for my Lady Eleanor (hence the reason for the purple thumb a few days ago.)  After seeing so many beautiful Lady E stoles across the internets, I decided it was about time I made something so cozy and comfortable.  However, buying Noro Silk Garden for 100 bucks wasn’t really an option.

Instead, I’m going the time intensive way.  I ordered bulk white Merino from Amy at Spunky Eclectic  and dyed a trial batch first.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to try to Navajo ply, or just do large chunky singles.  After giving the Navajo plying a good try, I’ve decided to go with the big chunky singles.  They have a much softer, lofty look, and that’s what I want.

After that was decided, I dyed up the colors I wanted, but the first time didn’t come out dark enough.  I almost started spinning but decided against looking like a giant easter egg when I am wearing this comfy stole.  Into the dye pot again, and this time I didn’t skimp on vinager or dye solution.  I’m very pleased with the colors, and can’t wait to play with the color combinations.

However, the fiber will have to wait.  I have a major spinning on the wheel for project spectrum that I’m hoping to get done by March.   Update on that one soon.

Five days of blogging!  That’s more like my old self and it feels good!

As you know, I’ve got a few free sock patterns over there on my sidebar.  As I was roaming around my stats the other day, I found two sites that have huge lists of free sock patterns.  I thought you might like checking them out.

“Sock” it to Me! - Free Patterns edited by Knitty Chick

Stickamera 

Both seem to have free patterns listed for other things as well.  However, if you are looking for a free pattern.  Knitting Pattern Central has a large number of freebies with many different catagories.  Happy Knitting!

I’ve been absolutely obssesed with the Clapotis, and it’s coming along nicely.  Although my main goal tonight is to get some blocking done so I can have a new sweater soon.

I’ve started going to a spinning group that meets a few times a month and somehow I walked away from my first meeting with a fleece.  It’s a lambs fleece from Fox Hollow Farm and Fiber.

I washed it this weekend.  Since it was my first time washing, it was sort of an all day affair.  It worked out well though, because Saturday was a beautiful day here.  I was able to do some work in the garden, prune the roses, and clean up some of the beds.  Not to mention get rid of the pesky holly, blackberries and ivy.  The hollies are spread everywhere and are parasitic, so they end up killing the good plants.

Since I don’t have cards, I’m going to be flicking the ends of the fleece with a dog brush.  This is three pounds of goodness that I got for super cheep.  I think I’ll be spinning my first sweaters worth.

Of course I will be dying it, but I’m not sure if I can wait until after it’s spun.  Plus my dying equipment will handle yarn much easier than that much fleece at once.  I’m thinking a deep rusty red.  What do you think?

I just love saying this.  Try it a few times.  Then try it like Cartman and you’ll feel super cool.

When I found this I decided I had to make it for Anthony as a sort of Valentines treat.  Let me just say, it is everything that it promises to be.

I don’t have any pictures, because it’s gone.  It didn’t last very long in this house.

I wasn’t to comfortable with boiling the unopened can of sweetened condensed milk for 3 1/2 hours, so I turned to the internet for advice.  I found out if you open the can into a baking pan, cover it with foil, put it into a larger pan with water in the bottom and bake it at 475 for 1 1/2 hours you get the same tasty caramel.  If that didn’t make any since go here for instructions on how to do this safer.

If you haven’t seen this issue of Anticraft, you must check it out.  Lots o’ fun for everyone.

I can’t believe how long its been!  I hearby vow to be a better blogger and get back into the habit of blogging more often.  Really what’s happened is that I spend most of my time on-line reading other blogs.  Then I don’t have time to show off all the stuff I’ve been working on.

I’ve finished my most favorite yarn yet!  I dyed some wool top in all different shades of purple and blue.  This is what it looked like on the bobbin.

I knew I was in love right away, which is rare.  When I’m spinning singles I often have a moment of doubt.  Are the colors going to look good together?  Is everything going to clash and look like poo?  Of course, this wasn’t the case because purple is my favorite color.  If you ever see me in person, this will become obvious immediately.  I always have something purple either on, or nearby.

I then dyed some solid purple (solid is a loose term here) and spun that up as singles also.  Plyed those two babies together and this is what was born.

I lurve it!  It’s been hard not casting on right away.  Actually it is the reason I caught up on some other projects (More on that another day.  I can’t possibly catch you up on everything in one post.)

I cast on last night and this is what my Clapotis looks like so far.  I really like how the yarn is knitting up.

I also did a ton of dying today, and to wrap this post up, I leave you with a very purple thumb.  As it turns out, when you get dye powder on your thumb, sticking it in the hot dye bath to rinse it off is not a good idea.

Yes that is Anthony in the background.  Nobody Home, Noooobody Home!

As I mentioned before I got a wonderful KMKS package from Tammy.  This is what it looked like when I opened it.

I couldn’t believe all of the goodies.  This box was packed full!  Here’s what it looked like when I pulled everything out.

Chocolate, Knitting needles, measuring tape, coffee, stitch markers and so much more!   I was seriously spoiled in this swap.  Do you see the beautiful hand knit booga bag?  It’s the perfect colors, green and purple.  I loved it so much that I cast on for my pattern right away, Corazon from Winter 06 Knitty.

I wore them last night and they are so squishy and warm.  Thanks Tammy!

The release for the seventh Harry Potter book is offical, July 21st.  That means that Rowling must be done writing and they are in the editing process.  This time I’m going to make it to a midnight release party for sure.