Friday, February 25, 2005

Mall Inspiration

Well, DS#2 turns 11 today! Happy Birthday Willy!

In anticipation of the snow storm yesterday, I took off very very early to go Birthday Shopping at the Christiana Mall. I don't go to malls very often, since we live in a rural area, and since it is a 45 minute trip to the mall. It probably also has something to do with the fact that I have three boys, and boys could really care less about shopping - unless it is for electronics.

Well, electronics was what I needed and I ventured to the mall for the APPLE computer store. Willy wants an IPOD for his birthday. Unfortunately, $300 is out of my budget; and, I feel that spending that much on an electronic device for an 11 year old kid is just plain dumb (they lose stuff, they break stuff, etc....) So, I was really pleased to see that Apple had come up with a device that was under $100. That would be the IPOD Shuffle. It was $99 and affordable, so I shuffled up to Christiana, Delaware to purchase one.

I arrived at the mall before most of the stores were open. This gave me time to roam the mall with a cup of Starbucks coffee. One thing became very apparent. GREEN as in GRANNY APPLE GREEN is the "IN" color for spring! Every window in every store featured this color. From kids clothes, to adult clothing to the Pottery Barn Store to Williams Sonoma which was featuring APPLE GREEN Le Creuset crocks!

And, guess what? Here is my son's new Apple SHUFFLE:



Yep, it's APPLE GREEN too!!!!

Once I was safe at home with my gift, I decided to dye some merino yarn I had spun the night before. I threw in some roving just for fun.

Guess what color?


Wednesday, February 23, 2005

You know it's bad when....

- you wake up in the morning, and you have a headache right behind your left eyeball
- you get in the car to drive the kids to school, late again, and you realize you are on empty.
- you go ahead and try to make it - and you do with 3 miles to spare
- your youngest realizes its a "Jeans Day" and he forgot to wear jeans and is dressed in regular school clothes...he won't get out of the car...but humiliated he finally does as older brothers snicker at him in their jeans.
- at work you get nothing done...just surf blogs all day and dream of fiber
- at lunch you run by the thrift shop on your daily quest...hoping its "$3 bag day" so that you can buy up old wool sweater to felt and then make something..but it's only $2 a shoe bag day...can you make anything with old shoes?
- you remember you better get gas. and make it to the station. when you leave the lady behind you honks furiously...you look out your window only to see that you have forgotten to screw the cap back on and it is hanging out the side of the car.
- you get out of the car mid intersection and screw the cap back in...
- you pick up your kids and race home thinking about the project you want to work on rather than what to make for dinner, or the fact that the house is a mess...
- your brain hurts so you decide to spin...
- you finally make it to bed, but dream all night about spinning and knitting and CLAPOTIS.....

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Spinning Singles

I love the way my spun yarn spins into singles.

spinning singles

When I ply it, it takes on a new life. This reincarnation is always good, but different than with what I started. Thus, I wanted to try and learn more about spinning singles yarn. Specifically, how to get more of a "balanced single" that would be okay to knit with.

Where does one go if they have any type of knitting/spinning/fiber related question? Knitter's Review, of course!



I checked out their spinning technique feeds and found lots of advice. I decided to follow some of the tips, and went ahead and started to knit some of mine up.

singles on 8's

I wonder what I should make with it?

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

CLAPOTIS ANONYMOUS

Okay...I am really going to do it. Or am I?

Almost every blog I visit has CLAPOTIS mentioned. Everyone is knitting it. Is it a "must have" for the spring season? Am I missing out on something great?

I love KNITTY and their patterns. I think CLAPOTIS is really cool too. I have even printed out the pattern. I got SO close to ordering yarn from KNIT PICKS that it made my palms sweaty.

But, somehow I found the courage to stop.

My stash is just too big. I have too many projects going. And, I really want to knit CLAPOTIS, but I just can't do it. I must resist.

I need help. I need support. I need CLAPOTIS ANONYMOUS.

clap
anon

Grand Piano & Handspun?

Help!


Grand Piano & Handspun


There is more...


That is just one room.

My kids think it is "normal" to have Yarn and Roving and Spinning Paraphalia and knitting Books EVERYWHERE. Is there disfunction here?

Monday, February 14, 2005

Quilted Fiber

Over the weekend, I decided to pull out my sewing machine, and work with the fiber that I had knitted and felted for the tsunami quilt piece. I spent some time getting used to sewing on the felted fiber; and, it definitely got easier, the more you did it. I really liked how the stitches began to define the piece.


The end product sort of resembles the idea I originally had for the project - sort of. Unfortunately, the deadline for getting this to SPAIN would be tomorrow, so I guess I am a little late. I am not sure it is good enough for a quilt to be sold at auction, anyway. I think I will keep working little by little to refine this and to see where it takes me.

And, for some comic relief....
Here are the newest additions to our brood. Spot is the fat black cat who thinks that he is a dog. He will literally pounce upon Daisy, our 5 month old Golden Retriever [what were we thinking?], and wrestle her like a pro. This morning they were going at it, but did take a break to pose for this shot.



And, with regard to the Fantastic February Finish...I am onto project #2...the Merino Turtleneck of my own design. I am down to the last sleeve...it's killin' me but I know I can do it!

Friday, February 11, 2005

The Fantastic February Finish

We all have them. We all want to finish them...or do we? What can it be?

They are sitting in bags, pushed to the back of the bin, cramped at the bottom of the stash...

Those FORGOTTEN, UNFINISHED PROJECTS we all have tucked away.

I am embarassed to say that I have at least five (5) on needles at this moment. There may be a few that I have snatched the needles away from to - God Forbid! - start a new project.

Well, I have decided to make this month, or what's left of it, the FANTASTIC FEBRURARY FINISH month! I have already finished one project and have PLEDGED to finish one more!

The first one that I have finished was from the Vogue Knitting Winter 2003-2004 Issue.



I started this sweater last year at this time. I wanted to try out Lion Brand Homespun, and thought this looked simple enough. I was smart - knowing how I hate sleeves - and knitted up the sleeves first. The rest of the body was knitted in one piece, which I made it about 3/4 up. Then, I must have gottend sidetracked, and into the "knitting wardrobe" it went, not to see the light of day again until recently. And, ironically, it was the sleeves that saved this project, from the wardrobe of LOST projects. Since I had already knitted the sleeves, I thought, "Why not just finish it."

This is what it's supposed to look like:

You can't see it all that well but the collar is supposed to have fringe off of it. I decided against the fringe, because I am not really a fringey kind of gal. And, have you ever worked with Lion Brand Homespun? Well, if you have you know that the thinner yarn that is wrapped around the thicker (what is that called? I should know it from spinning!) doesn't do a great job of keeping the yarn together, especially when it is cut. Basically the yarn becomes a big Fringing nighmare. SO my sweater has no fringe.



Now, I really like this sweater. I bought a big button like the model has for it, but have been using BROOCHes since it is the year of the Brooch! ( that's what my dh says - who knows?) The yarn is really soft and warm. I was a little worried about pilling (sp?), but it have not had theat problem so far.

So, please join me. Dig out those projects! I challenge you to finish at least one!

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

More on Worthy Causes


Willy & his Violin
Originally uploaded by fiberEvolution.
MOTHER HAS SON PLAY ON STREET CORNER FOR MONEY TO SUPPORT HER YARN HABIT...

Just kidding!

On Friday, my son raised $70 in one hour playing his violin at our local "First Friday" celebration of the arts.

The money is to go to the TSUNAMI ORPHANS via his 4-H Club, the Rock Hall Rockers.




Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Worthy Causes



The Dulaan Project

Are you looking for a worthwhile project to help children? Well, here is the Knit-a-Long for you. Started by Ryan at Mossy Cottage Knits , this project is collecting hand-knitted items to send to children in Mongolia. It is such a worthy cause, to help needy children who must endure the coldest of winters!

I also have been working on a submission to the The Tsunami Quilt Project.

Here is my sketch of an idea, "Tusnami Hope".



However, figuring out how to translate this into fiber has been a challenge. I have felted some roving and plan to layer it on a knitted then felted background. I am not quite sure if this is going to work.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Valentine Treat For You

Wouldn't you like something new to do with fun fur? Well, here is my very own pattern for a Valentine Heart Pillow to make for a special sweetheart. It is my first attempt at putting together a pattern....I find that I am much better just knitting, and designing as I go; and, that actually putting on paper what you have done can be difficult! I hope that you will find this as quick and easy to knit and sew up as I did! I made two over the weekend, and my boys have all "ordered" one of their own.

Heart

Happy February!