World Series

Congratulations to the Cardinals

We had a few additions this week.

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From the HelloYarn / Southern Cross Fiber update we have Scamper in Falkland.

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Hanging Gardens is a beautiful BFL/Silk from Cloudlover 

I finished my first lace shawl from Handspun.  There were a few places where the thick/thin really bothered me but my friends assured me that it would block out.  The pattern is Swallowtail and I replaced the nupps with beads.  It is slightly larger than the pattern.  Overall, I am pleased.  Now let's hope my swap partner is happy.

And in spinning.....

I spun up the WoolGathering October club fiber.  Big Thank You to Adrien and Ann for all the support and guidance.  This is the smooshiest, fluffiest, softest spin to date.  It is a polwarth/silk blend and I am sure the fiber played a BIG part in the squish factor.  Adrien and Ann have really helped me with my overtwist issued.  (Let's hope it works for my next spin as well.)  When I was plying, it was so puffy that I didn't think it would all fit on my bobbin.  4 ounces - 576 yards - 2 ply

Diva's and Drum Carders

Diva Girl aka Pumpkin has Spa Day.  She was over due but I admit that part of the motivation was to give the poor cats a break.  She has been so incredibly hyper and needy.  As soon as we head in the direction of Happy Tails, she starts shivering with excitement.

The cats had a wonderful peaceful day and Diva girl had fun.

I finished spinning 4 ounces of TurtlePurl BFL Silk.  It was dreamy to spin.  She is so amazing.  I was so impressed that she dropped everything and did a custom gradient dye in the middle of preparing for shows and having a very busy schedule.  My swap partner loves the color and is excited (I think).  Now to pick a pattern.....

It is Malabrigo Stock-up, so I finished another Malabrigo project.  Houndstooth mittens.  It is my first time doing colorwork mittens.  I was very please with how well the Malabrigo Worsted knit up.  I think the yarn went a long way to helping keep the tension even.  They are warm and squishy.



Nerd Wars.  Not really sure why I joined, but I am glad I did.

I admit, I am only Dork and don't fully qualify to be a Nerd. 

I was only going to do the dissertation and  NOT do any of the challenges.  That plan went down in big flames!  I have completed five of the six challenges.  I really don't want to do the last challenge (costume) but the inner dork says I must.  We will see.  Must be strong.



Had a wonderful time at Spin-in.  It is alway nice to see what everyone is working on.  I learn something new at every spin-in.

Ann was so nice and even brought her 

Fancy Kitty drum carder up for us to play with.

Uneven Balls

Knit and Caboodle

It was a crafty weekend.
Saturday was the Knitters Guild meeting.
Sunday was a Spin-in at Knit and caboodle a LYS. She is carrying quite a bit of fiber and even has a couple fleece.  This weekend she was showing some Mohair locks that just arrived.  Gorgeous!!

Angora Wool Blend

At Yarn School, one of the girls gave me some angora to play with.  I had never spun with angora before.  She recommended blending it.  I played with some of the mixed wool and made a batt.  It was amazing how a little bit of angora made such a difference.  The angora was white base with gray tips and the wool was a light purple.  I had about an ounce.  Adrian had provided some tips (I tend to over spin).  My spinning was better (maybe, I hope) but I over plied.
1 ounce      N-ply    approx. 85 yards.

One Big Ball

For those that will be attending the SSK, there is a KAL from October 15-November 30th.  Knit something from the featured designer with bonus point if you use a vendors yarn and extra bonus points if you spun yarn from a fiber from a vendor and knit with that.

I previously spun some Tempted fiber. When I spun it, it was in two balls.  The balls were uneven.  I was trying to figure out how to make them even because I wasn't sure which was larger or by how much.  If it was commercial yarn, I could just weigh it.  Well I wound them together into one big ball and marked the end.  Then wound them back into separate balls.  But now I know which one is smaller.    I think I am going to knit Fire and Ice by Wendy Johnson.  The pattern increases until you have used approximately 1/2 the yarn, then decreases.  I wanted to make sure I started with the smaller ball so that I don't run out.  We can't cast on for a few more days, but I wanted to have everything ready.

Pattern - check, needles - check, handspun with size indicated - check.

Fiberlicious

My first club package arrived today from Woolgatherings
It is very beautiful.  All the colors of the fall leaves that are changing and in a Polworth Silk blend.

Fiberoptic had an update today that I couldn't resist
More beautiful fall colors and a wicked gorgeous halloween gradient.

I finished two hats this week.  

Starving Artist by Laura Linneman
Malabrigo Worsted Deja Vu

Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha

Malabrigo Rios Purple Mystery

It is amazing what blocking can do for a project.  The Brambles Beret seemed very small.  After blocking it is huge.  

I cast on Through the Looking Glass by Janine Le Cras with The Unique Sheep Green Sheep Fingering Gradient in Henry.  Finished the set up section this morning.  Love how this yarn is knitting up.  Using Chia Goo Red Lace circular needles and they are fabulous.  Pictures when I make more progress.

Yarn School

Yarn school was amazing.  Harveyville Project

We arrived Thursday and set our wheels up in the gym.

We spent the evening knitting, spinning, swap/destash and getting to know one another.

Friday we split into two groups.  Our group went to the Dye Lab in the morning.

Then we went to an Alpaca farm for a fabulous lunch

In the afternoon the groups switched and we played with the drum carders, hand carders and learned how to drop spindle.

Saturday we broke into two groups again.  Beginning spinning / and those that knew at least the basics.  We learned how to make beautiful art yarn.  At lunch the goats and bunnies came over to play.  They were so soft and adorable.  Then more spinning.  In the evening we had a camp fire with smores.  Yum!

Sunday we learned to core spin.  Very cool.
Then there were prizes and the opportunity to purchase Hello Yarn.  Awesome.

In the end I came home with 5 pounds of fiber, made new friends and it was one of the best weekends ever.