Whatcha doing, Knittinhoney?

OK,  I admit it,  I actually swatched!    I decided to knit a garment that requires that it “fit”.   I have not yet ventured into that strange territory besides maybe a sock or a hat.   So the actual swatching step was not ignored this time.

The pattern is the U-Neck Pullover from the Filatura di Crosa Spring Summer 2008 Collection.  Its a short sleeved top and the yarn is a cotton/acrylic blend,  so it should be nice to wear year round here in Florida.

This is PeeWee. He is a six year old male Pacific Parrotlet. He’s been with me since he was just a baby. He rarely ever lets me take a picture anymore, but for some reason let me take this one. Must be that he is taking advantage of the “Warden, please let me outta here” look. He usually runs away when he sees the camera (I have a lot of pics of him from that angle). So you can get an idea of his “actual size” he is a 5.5 inches from head to tip of the tail and weighs in at 32 grams.

I have returned to sweep away the cobwebs and finally bring this blog back to life.

I took a road trip to attend the Spinning Day at KnitWitz  this past Saturday.  It was a lot of fun.  I went there with a spindle and some fiber (honestly I did not think I would even bring it out of the bag) but it took little coaxing to unveil the teeny bit of “yarn” that I had spun so far.  Spinning wheels and fiber were everywhere and there was little chance of my resisting.  Most of you reading this are aware of my inability to resist such fibery temptation.  I was shown how to Andean ply by wrapping the singles into a “bracelet” and plying back onto my spindle.  And the result…

YARN!  Nearly five whole yards!!

It was a great time, and I hope to return for more events like these.  More pics of the fun can be found at the Yarntender’s blog.

This is the needle felted snowman that I made using the kit shown here.  He will be watching as Santa makes his way around the world.  Yes, I am still just a kid at heart, and will be watching the Norad tracks Santa website today.

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday!

Just a quick post to show you what I’ve been up to lately…

 I received this yummy laceweight handspun  merino yarn (called SSSnake) from The Witches Stitches

I’m not yet sure what it will become someday, but It is sure to be something pretty!  I love the color!

I’ve also been working on this:

Its a drop stitch scarf made with some handspun yarn from Macek Designs.  The color is “Poison”.  I plan to finish it up today as there is just a tiny bit of yarn left.  I got the pattern here.

When I picked up the mail today, waiting for me was my order from The Unique Sheep

Included were a needle felting “Snow People” kit, some Sheep Soap, a hank of House Blend in the holiday colorway “Lights”, and a Pattern for “Twisted Mits” to make with the yarn.

Here is the yarn close up

The picture is a little dark, because I was running out of daylight. The colors are lovely and its sooo soft and squishy.

Well, I am moving along at a snail’s pace. Here is a pic after clue 3

and a closer shot of the detail

It’s pretty slow going for me (I am sure I qualify for the Tortoise Club) but I am finally finished with the second clue. I got a little hung up when I had an extra stitch at the end of row 167 (the last row of clue 2). It is looking pretty good, I think, and I am encouraged when I see all of the pictures of those much further along than I am. It is such a pretty pattern. Thanks DK!

In other lace news, I am getting ready for the Spring Shawl Surprise KAL got my yarn, and ordered some more addi lace needles in a few sizes. Oh, my yarn? Feast your eyes on this lovely cone of Jaggerspun Zephyr laceweight in the color “Juniper”. I got mine here.

I finally finished the first chart (through row 84). I have decided I love it with all of its… ahem… “character”. This is my first lace project, so I am not going to worry about a little mistake here and there, and I’m not going to point them out, either (beyond this disclaimer, that is).

I am having great fun with it, and have already signed up for another lace Kal beginning in January.

Aren’t these pretty? I just love them. Go see more here.