Happy Friday everyone!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I’ve had 3 migraines this week!!! Turns out there was something wrong with the furnace and it was causing fumes to seep into the apt. which were giving me the headaches. Its fixed and I’m much better.

I did do a little knitting this week, but not as much as I would like.

Did a little more work on the Fall Foliage Socks and on the tiny baby socks for Isabella (wanted to finish them but just haven’t). I did do some spinning the other night on the Merino, angora, silk blend. This time I think I got a better ratio of fiber. I had been mixing about 1/3 of each and it wasn’t staying together very well. This time I mixed about 1/4 angora, 1/4 silk and 1/2 wool, moved the wheel ratio up to the fastest spin and spun just a hair thicker than before and its working wonderfully! I didn’t remember to save any more merino when I sent it off to be processed so the small amount (maybe 2 oz. ) I have will have to do for experimenting with for now. I’m hoping to spin enough to do a lacey scarf out of that will wind up in the holiday gift box. If there is enough yarn.

Speaking of the holiday box, so far it has 3 things in it and there are 2 more on needles that will be there soon. Not too bad for August 1st. I ususally wait until mid September to even start planning anything . . . . so I’m a little ahead of schedule. I really want to try not to give anyone a ball of yarn and a promise this year! Hate when that happens!!!!

I also sent away for the TKGA Advanced Beginner certification, the first step toward Master Knitter Certification. I’m hoping to do the whole thing by the end of 2004. Honestly, from the sounds of it, part 2 is what I’m going to have the hardest time getting through. It requires knitting a vest and argyle socks, I’m not interested in ever knitting either of these things! I know who I can give the socks to, but have no idea what I’ll do with the vest. I wonder if they let you do kid sizes?

I haven’t tried spinning the mohair yet, actually, it may be a while before I get to it, in part because I’m not sure what I’ll do with it. I suppose the idea is to try it and decide if I want to order more from them but I don’t know if I should spin it alone or with some wool and what I’ll do with the yarn. . . . . maybe another scarf? Hmm, I’m getting ideas while I type . . . what about plying a strand of wool/mohair with a strand of wool/silk/angora? That could be an interesting yarn!?! And between the two their might be enough to actually do something with it? What do you think? Maybe if I can find an empty bobbin I’ll try a bit over the weekend to see what its like . . . .

Just cast on for my dad’s holiday hat . . . this is my 3rd try at getting the size right! It would be nice to finally have it done as I gave him the original 3 years ago!!! I gave him the matching scarf (2×2 ribbing) last christmas. Actually, in retrospect, it was both wide enough and long enough to be a shawl but since its for Dad we call it a scarf ;)

Thats all for now. I hope to get some things finished up over the weekend and perhaps even do a bit of spinning! Check back Monday to see what happens that stops me!