Crafty Weekend

This weekend was spent finishing up some craft projects.

First, I finished the Vest! How do you like those buttons? It is amazing what a great selection of buttons here are these days! I found these at Jo Ann Fabrics in Dover, DE.



Project #2:

I have been trying to teach myself how to crochet (notice the crocheted edging on that vest! :) ). Since I have accumulated a couple of crochet needles, I decided to sew up a little holder. I found this adorable fabric on sale. It was 99 cents for a fat quarter, which was just enough to generate this little beauty.







Isn't that cute? It took me about 15 minutes to make.

Project #3:

Instant magnets. My youngest son had painted these glass gems over the summer at a science camp. I purchased magnets at the craft store, and then hot glued them to the back of the gem. I also cut out some pictures from the most recent school book order - Sponge Bob and the boy from Unfortunate Events and glued them onto some little gems. The big ones are easier to see. I am going to get some more of those from the Dollar Store and do up some hearts for Valentine's gifts.





And, speaking of Valentine's Day...I have a surprise for tomorrow.

Vest Victory

Here is the vest I worked up out of some of my handspun yarn. I knitted it all in one piece, working up the back and then down each side separately. Button holes climb up the right front butare difficult to see in the picture. I am now in search of some great buttons to finish it off.

This vest was so quick and easy to knit! I feel very victorious! I think I will try it again, but use a zipper up the front!

The size 11 circular needles I used gave me a 3 stitch to an inch gauge. It took approximately 170 yards of my bulky yarn for the main vest, and another 20 or so for the crocheted edging. It was supposed to fit size 12 months, but looks larger to me. I have printed out knitting standards so as to measure the approximate size when I get home tonight. Both ot my brothers are expecting babies in March....so I will be knitting for baby x2 for awhile.

Toddler Vest



Now, just for fun, here are some pics of what's on the spinning wheel.

New Zealand Wool

Roving Drying on the Radiator


Singles on the Bobbin

Spinning Stash

My Handspun Stash is growing. What shall I do with all this yummy yarn?

President of War

I don't usually get political when it comes to my blog. But today has been the bloodiest day for our US Troops in Iraq. As Reuters reported a short time ago, we have now lost 36 more.

While surfing the blogs, I ran across this picture of our War President. It is a photo mosaic of soldiers lost in the war in Iraq. Fibermania explained that soon his entire body will be able to be represented by the dead. Sadly, we are now closer to that outcome.



The pictures "faces of the fallen" used to make this collage can be seen here.

Spinning Wheel

Spinning Wheel

I joined another ring. The Spinning Wheel Ring!

Guiltless Knitting

What a wonderful weekend we had. It began snowing a lovely, fine powder on Saturday morning, and by 6:00 that evening when the snow stopped, we had a manageable 6" in our yard. DH was able to get out and have the sidewalk shoveled and driveway driveable by about 8:00 PM. The kids played. My husband shoveled. And, I knitted. It was heaven.

On Sunday we got the call mid-day that school would be cancelled on Monday. The kids were happy; and, I two more guiltless days of knitting ahead. We got off easy in this area. Hopefully, it will melt quickly. Snow is pretty for about 48 hours....and then, I am ready for green fields again!

I have been working on several projects with my handspun yarn. I have SOOO much of it, that I have decided to develop some bulky patterns especially for it. The sweater pictured below is coming along. And, I am working on my own design for a child's vest out of some merino. (Will post pictures later).

What's In Your Bag Right Now?

IMG_1511
Originally uploaded by fiberEvolution.

On a recent blog outing I ran across a wonderful blog..the soul of hope...which asked the question of the week: What's in your Bag?

Well, since I needed to clean out my bag, I decided to throw it all on the floor and see what I had.

What a mess in that Vera Bradley bag! Notice the two packets of tissue and other crumbled up leftovers...it's flu season. You can never have enough tissue for yourself as well as three other runny noses! There were old grocery lists and receipts. Empty check books. Two lipsticks. Lots of pens...you can never have enough. The Counting Crows CD. Money and loose change - not in the wallet where it is supposed to be. Old ziplock full of grocery cards et al. It is amazing how much stuff can fit into one little bag!

I should have dumped my knitting bag. It is much more interesting!

Golden Yarn

Golden yarn


I had a little leftover roving and threw it in the microwave after dumping some leftover packets of koolaid. I like the darker goldish orange color.

Sable Yarn

I finally finished spinning up the dyed roving below. What color did the yarn come out? Well, it was a mixture of grey, brown and pink. I was very unhappy with the color of the roving, but liked it more once it was spun.



I had so much of the yarn (about 800 yards) that I decided to go ahead and knit it up...so I wouldn't have to look at it and feel disappointed.

I was pleasantly surprised with how the yarn knit up. I used a basic Yankee Knitter pattern for the Bulky Sweater. I was going to make a child's large for DS but it ended up too big - just big enough to fit me! What can I say??????

Here is the front of the sweater. I still have sleeves and neck to finish up.


And, here is the back. I used size 10 needles and got about 3 stitches to the inch. The pattern called for 3.5 stitches to the inch.....ACK! Well, it has turned out all right in the end.



It is really quite beautiful with subtle shades of browns, grey, pink and cream. I have to admit that I have been completely amazed at how wonderful this yarn has spun and knitted up. I am also happy with the stripes the dyeing/spinning produced once knitted. It is New Zealand Wool...very very WARM for these snowy days.

Back to Dye

I ordered another batch of fiber tops from RH Lindsey. I decided to try my hand at dyeing roving again. I received a large crock pot for Christmas, and would like to learn the art of dyeing in it.

Vinegar & Water Start the procedure.


Roving is then placed in the solution.


The roving is layered in the crock and then all dyed up.


I let it sit for about 3 hours on high. Then I let it cool for several hours more.

I started with brown, red and yellow dyes.

What a Mess!


Guess what color it ended up?

Stay tuned.

Quote of the WEEK

Cleaning out the attic on New Year's Day, 10 yo son remarks while taking in the stash:

"Mommy, you have SO MUCH yarn! Why do you keep buying more?"

Thanks Willy