A Few Sheep Shy of a Farm

Fibery things:

Yesterday I finished spinning 2 ounces of Merino/Silk blend yarn, somewhere between a thin fingering and a thick lace weight, haven’t checked wpi yet . . . and I spun up 2 ounces of bubble gum pink merino top. Funny, but as roving it looks an aweful lot like cotton candy, yum! Both of these are going to become lace scarves, I’m working out the patterns now. I’d like to come up with about 5 different ones . . . the first is an “Old Shale” pattern which I did in the natural white merino. I’m pretty happy with the way it came out, a nice dressy scarf. The next one I’m going to try is a viney/leafy pattern which I think will be really pretty too!

It looks like Friday this week may be a dyeing day around here, just have to dig in the boxes to see if there is anything left to dye Perhaps its time to buy some more yarn! Hmmmm . . .

Today is a bunny brushing day, I’ve got appointments in the back yard when I’m done here. I’ve got one that is starting to blow her coat so she will take a bit longer than the rest and later this week there will be some serious plucking going on.

Actually, I have enough angora piled away that I’m thinking of using it with some of the merino to do one of the scarf patterns I’m working on.

I’m also trying to work through finishing the baby blanket I’m making for my niece. She’s not due until September, but the shower is the end of July and I’d like to have it finished by then . . . . I’m only 2/7th of the way done so I’ve got my work cut out for me there . . . fortunately, now that I’m home I have a bit more than an hour a day that I can work on it!

STILL working on the camera thought, but I may have him off to the store later today if I have my way, keep your fingers crossed

Okay, that was weird, I wrote a post and then it was gone!

Very strange!

I’ve finished the lace scarf, I wish I could show it to you . . . perhaps soon. I’m still working on getting a camera, DH isn’t convinced I “need” one! We shall see about that!

Anyway, I had brought the scarf with me over the weekend while we were away. I finished knitting the yarn I had and decided it wasn’t quite long enough so I spun up another 65 yards or so of the yarn and kept going. Yesterday I finished that yarn, wove in the ends and blocked it out. The finished size is 8 x 60 which seems like a good size for a light, lacey decorative scarf. It isn’t “artic wear” but should be a nice accent piece over a good wool coat.

Now I’m working on spinning up some merino/silk blend for another one. I’m looking at a different stitch pattern for this next one but think it will also be a lace scarf. I’d like to come up with 3-5 good patterns for lace scarves to be knit in roughly the same size yarn. I’m also playing with different fiber combinations. I saw a lovely silk/cashmere blend that could be quite yummy!

I’m also looking at getting the dye pots out agains soon, I’ve got a couple of ideas I want to try out. . . some colors that keep showing up that I think need to find their way into some yarn

I’m also working on a bigger, more long term project, but at the moment it’s “top secret” so I can’t really say much about it. What I can say is, “This is going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to tell you all about it” so stay tuned for pictures soon and the unveiling of the secret project!

Now I’m off to do a bit of reasearch

Spinning away . . .

I just finished plying off a skein of Merino. 3 ounces of yarn and approx 420 yards. I haven’t checked the WPI yet but I’m guessing its around 30 wraps per inch. . . boy do I wish I had a camera so you could see this.

Otherwise, I’m just about recovered from the cold I’ve had, just a bit of lingering cough. We are going to visit DH’s family this weekend, his Goddaughter is graduating from Highschool so we are heading out for the party. May try to convince DH to stop at Webs for some weaving cotton while we are going by there . . . wish me luck

Ahh, What I wouldn’t give for a digital camera again!!!

I’m lobbying, heavily, for a new camera. I feel it is only fair to ask DH to buy one since the one my former coworkers gave us as a wedding present was left behind on the back of a chair in a restaurant by said DH while on vacation, in Italy. Granted, its isn’t his fault that the waiter probably kept it (we were nearly the last ones out of the place) but still . . .

I’m working on a number of projects which I would love to take pictures of to post here. Stiped hats and mittens of hand spun, hand dyed yarns in bright magenta and grape soda colors . . . a lace scarf from hand spun merino yarn . . . spinning more lace weight merino . . . spinning embroidery wools to be dyed soon . . .

And the rabbit condos are finished. All the furry residents have moved into their new apartments and seem to be fine with the exception of one who, until it was fixed today, insisted on using a small gap in the top of the wire to pay frequent visits to her neighbor. Gaps closed, rabbits contained and all is well in bunny land.

Well, my little wiskered assistant has informed me that it is now feeding time at the zoo, so I’m off. More soon, I promise!

Happy Monday, I’m back!

Well, it appears I’ll be taking the summer off! Isn’t that exciting? Starting today I’m officially a Housewife! Not a role I’ve done full time before. Actually, this will be my first summer off in 20 years!

I’m looking forward to the chance to get the house better organized and to moving some of my UFO pile into the FO pile over the next few weeks.

I’ve been working on hats and mittens for the holiday gift pile. I’m finishing up a set from the yarn that A and I dyed a couple weeks ago. Grape soda purple with magenta stripes! Very colorful stuff. I’m going on the theory that since this is a kids set, 3 mittens per set is the proper number rather than 2 . . . I’ve done the hat and the bodies of 2 mittens, once I knit the 3rd I’ll do the thumbs on all three. After I finish this up I’ll be back to work on the blanket for my neice and perhaps even get some work done on the spinning for Mom’s shawl . . .

Well off to do some cleaning, more soon!