A Little Bit of Everything

This is a close up of the roving I'm currently working on. Don't you love the way it looks all pre-drafted and ready to go?? It's spinning up beatifully. I'm planning on a pair of socks with this. I'll probably just go for a generic stockinette stitch pattern to show off the color mix - I can't wait! I finished the spinning last night and am working on plying this afternoon. It's so much fun to see how the colors randomly come together. I can also see the next phase would be to lay out the colors and plan how they will ply together. This is a little advanced for me right now, but it's always good to have something to strive for!



A finished sock - actually the second finished sock, so maybe I should say a finished pair. I really enjoyed this pattern - Roza's Socks by Grumperina from the Spring Interweave Knits magazine. The brioche stitch pattern is easy to memorize so the knitting just flys along.



Of course, I'm not going to admit to binding off the second sock too tightly - no no no . . . ;-)




I liked the pattern so much I cast on for another pair using some leftover Trekking yarn. I used a short row heel on this on though. I always seem to have troube with short row heels, and I'm determined to conquer them. I actually used the tutorial in the latest KnitPicks catalog to do these. It had very helpful photographs. I always get confused as to which way to pick up the wraps. Does this stymie anyone else or is it just me . . . It seemed to work pretty well this time. I'll try it again on my next pair just for practice.



Yarn purchases! This picture does not capture the color at all. It is really a beautiful heathered brown with flecks of red. It's Cascade 220 and I purchased it from WEBS during their May sale. Practically free as my mother-in-law would say! This is going to be the Notre Dame de Grace pullover by Veronik Avery in the Summer issue of Interweave Knits magazine. I spent this morning swatching and swatching and swatching for this. The pattern calls for a size 7 needle but I have to go up to a size 10. I think the yarn called for in the pattern is a bit bulkier than the Cascade 220. It should work out fine though. I do wish the magazine would tell you the type of yarn or maybe just use those little ball of yarn symbols that designate the weight of the yarn. It's very hard to tell just from the description of the yarn.



Then I picked up a WPI tool from KnitPicks for my spinning. Had to make that free shipping!



All because I purchased several balls of Andean Silk. This is destined to be my second Clapotis!



And I finished the Calorimetry from Knitty with my Spunky Eclectic hand spun. I had enough to work up a scarf too. The Rowing Cat is very pleased with the colors!


And here is a picture of our crazy cat. Once she gets comfortable, she does not want to move no matter what you do! She is literally slumped between the Rowing Cat's knees!

Congratulations National Junior Honor Society!

Congratulations to the Rowing Cat! She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society last night! Here she is with her proud (and mischevious) Dad and Pop (my Dad)!

And be sure to check out the new SSK Podcast! It's hosted by Stephanie and Shannon, pals from the Knit One Blog Too Webring! They are funny and interesting and I really look forward to each episode! Way to go ladies!

I'll be back this weekend with some knitting and I'll let you in on a secret - I've done a little yarn shopping!

Ahhhh . . . Knitting . . .

Don't laugh - it's my attempt at an "arty" shot! It's my "Forecast" Spunky Eclectic fiber of the month roving all spun up. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. I've actually already knit a Calorimetry with one ball and it came out great. No picture yet though - next time!



I'm very proud of the Rowing Cat - she actually mentioned that she wanted to knit a pair of socks! So, we purchased a skein of the Austermann Step with the Aloe Vera in it. I have to admit that it was a bit pricey - didn't really look at the price tag until we got to the register - but she loved it - what can you do?? She started the toe last night and is using my favorite, the Magic Loop method. It's great to show a kid something - they just dive right in - none of the adult angst of thinking that it's going to be too hard. And it's coming along great! Again, no picture yet. You can really feel the Aloe Vera as you knit and the knit piece feels very soft. I'll update as the sock progresses. I haven't decided yet if I would find the lotion feeling kind of wierd knitting along. The Rowing Cat doesn't seem to mind though.


Here's a picture of our little Tiggy. (I promised the Rowing Cat I'd post one!)

I did finish the baby blanket for Maria in Sweden! It also turned out just as I had hoped. I think I may have to pry this away from the Rowing Cat however. It is very, very soft. It's made out of Esprit yarn with Gedifra Techno Hair for the edging. Hope the new baby likes it! I might just have to order some more of this yarn and make a larger version for our couch - it's that soft!


Here is a picture of my latest spinning adventure. It is absolutely gorgeous roving from Scarlet Fleece Hand Painted Fiber from Holly Spring Homespun of At the Yarn Shop podcast. It is such a pleasure to spin with - and I'm getting it pretty thin! I have one bobbin spun and will be starting on the second today. My goal is a pair of socks from this!



Thanks for all the good thoughts and wishes! I feel pretty good this week - looks like it's about a 7 - 10 day cycle of side effects and then a respite until the next treatment. And that's great! I also think I'll manage the side effects better next time having been through one cycle now. But my hair is starting to come out today! I know this is the most devastating thing for many people, but I'm actually thinking that it's going to be quite the adventure - plus - it's something that doesn't physically hurt! I've put the call into my hairdresser - she already has a wig ready for me!

Not Much Knitting Going On . . .

Hi everyone - just wanted to post to say that I'm still here. Just not knitting or spinning very much. I've started treatment, so my summer is going to have its ups and downs. The toll the medicine takes on your body is just so surprising to me. Especially when you start out feeling just fine. But the weather is getting nicer and nicer and I have lots of help on the home front! I'm sure you all know how hard it is just to let other folks do things for you . . . well, maybe not THAT hard . . . ;-) I've just been focusing on very simple knitting with soft yarn - the baby blanket in particular! My brain just can't seem to focus on anything more complicated. I've been working on Grumperina's Odessa hat from Magknits and I keep having a heck of a time with the decreases. And the problem is 100% me - not the pattern at all! Crazy!

Thanks for all the thoughts you've been sending my way and I'll still be reading your blogs!!!