Ewenique Fiber- The Blog

Heh, Heh!

2008-02-14T21:06:00.009-06:00

That title is supposed to sound like a cough, but how do you write a cough? Huch, huch?
The point being that I've been down for nearly a week with what I can only describe "The Yuckies". No hiking has been done since Saturday, a little knitting took place (nearly a miracle, that one), and I took several uncharacteristic naps yesteday (I never, ever nap).
This blog is long overdue for some photos, so her we go

These are my most beloved, dear ones at my recent birthday celebration. Husband dear and my son both had fevers that day, but didn't tell anyone until after the party.

This is one of the hills near my home that I'd been hiking.....for those of you who've wondered what hills in Txas look like.
And finally, a picture of a bottle of the liquid version of the laundry soap I sold until last year. The powdered version was too labor-intensive to be done on a commercial scale, so I came up with a liquid version that I can make in larger batches.

Not the most exciting photo, I know, but I've had a lot of fun working on the project.
Saturday I'll be hiking at Eisenhower park, come rain or shine.... I'm crossing my fingers for the shine option!

I'm Going to the Grand Canyon!

2008-01-20T09:06:00.000-06:00

One of the fun things about offering free knitting patterns is seeing what other knitters do with the patterns.

Check it out...there are lots of Ingas being knit, in all colors and textures of yarn. There are Ingas being started, like Monster Yarn's. There are finished Ingas, such as Deborah's fluffy version, Alice's Neopolitan Inga, Alice Knit Wonderland's bathing beauty.
Ther are also modified Ingas like Adrian's bright and shorter Inga, and lillmore b's ribbed one (I may make one like this). Here are lots more photos to see on Flickr.

Now for an explanation of the Grand Canyon title. I've commited to train with Hike for Discovery and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society while raising funds for blood cancer research and education. You can read about it, and make a donation if you like, on my Hike for Discovery webpage here. I just put it up!

A Happy New Year

2008-01-07T10:21:00.000-06:00

I'm back from the trenches. It was a busy, and fun, holiday season for Tread Lightly Herbals. I entered several shows from Oct. through December, and since it was my first year selling soap through shows, I didn't know what to expect. Did I have enough inventory? Too much? As it turns out, I had made enough soap afterall, but just barely! The most memorable show was The Wolfson Christmas House, a beautiful Victorian mansion in downtown San Antonio that opens to shoppers for 1 week in November. It's fantastical with all the handmade gifts and holiday scents and decorations. They even had a quartet playing holiday tunes on the porch. I made friends with several fellow venders, and hope to participate again next year.

In personal news, we spent a week in New Jersey/ New York, and even made it to Times Square for New Year's Eve. I saw Phantom of the Opera, The Nutcracker, and visited a few museums in the city, too. Fun times....

I can now work on making soap...lots and lots of soap. My next big show is The Lavender Festival in April, but with Valentine's Day coming, I really do need to get soaping. By the way, I've added gift certificates to the online shop. You can read about them here.

As the World Toils

2007-09-25T12:51:00.000-05:00

I've been running on a trail near my home each morning, enjoying the cooler mornings. I've taken on another couple of farmer's markets and in doing so have had to cut down on my computer time....this is my excuse for not blogging for so long. The knitting has also taken a back seat to more pressing issues, such as soap production ans sales, and studying for tests and courses. I do miss knitting, and I'm sure I'll find time for it as soon as the holiday season passes. I've signed up for every holiday market/luncheon, etc. that comes my way. Things are getting exciting!

In other news, I"m terribly worried about the monks and other protestors in Myanmar. Let's hope things don't get violent for these peaceful demonstrators.

Kauni Yarn Source

2007-08-09T18:05:00.000-05:00

I've had a number of emails from people looking for Kauni Yarn, so I thought I'd re-post the link to the shop from which I bought mine.

I bought it from this shop in Denmark. Be sure and choose your currency from the drop down list in the page's sidebar.
It took a week and a half to arrive, which I though was really good. Shipping for my 2 balls was about $13.00.

Good luck getting yours!!

Newsletter and New Soap Added to Shop!

2007-07-31T17:50:00.000-05:00

I've been slacking on the blogging again, I know, but I;ve been working tirelessly on the business end of things.
I've got a new handmade soap to introduce: Scarborough Fair.
Scarborough Fair has, you may have guessed, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme. I've also added Lemongrass essentail oil, which results in a lemon-minty scent. The soap is as gentle and moisturizing as our other soaps, and is seliing well at the Farmer's Markets. Here is a pic:

I've also added a monthly newsletter sign-up link to the shop's home page.

Each issue will contain a coupon code worth 10% off the purchase of that month's featured item. It is a small newsletter, really, but just another way to keep in touch. Sign up if you like....August's letter is ready to go!

In knitting news, I've got a tiny bit of Kauni Cardi progress to show (embarassingly little):

It is such a fun knit, I don't know why I've ignored it this week. All this talk of knitting is making me want to, so I will!

Soap Gift Sets added to Shop!

2007-07-14T12:20:00.000-05:00

Progress on the Kauni cardigan has been slow. We had visitors (Mom amd my sister), and I've also been working on a new section of Tread Lightly Herblas: Gift sets!

I'm excited about this new aspect of the business as people often buy my soaps to give as gifts, and the gift sets help make it even easier for them to do so. The sets can be mailed directly to a recipient or to the giver's address, and a gift card with a handwritten message is enclosed.

See the selections here.

I'll post pictures of the cardigan progress when I have more to show, and next week a new soap will be added to the shop!

Kauni progress, and Free Knitting Pattern

2007-07-11T13:02:00.000-05:00

I don't have a lot of progress to show, but here it is:

I used a twisted german cast on, which is supposed to keep rolling of the cast-on edge to a minimum, but as you can see it is still curling. Blocking should fix that; after all, as a Sheep once said, "Blocking is a girl's best friend"!

In other news, I ve added another free knitting pattern to the shop's knitting pattern page:

The Fingerless Cabled Mitts. I wrote this pattern for Margaret at Inspirations Yarn back in 2005, and she has decided to offer it as a free pattern now, so there it is. I made my pair with her handpainted "Latte" Merino yarn, and just love them.

DH's phone broke this past weekend, so he (we came along) spent the better part of today (and this weekend ) agonizing over whether or not to get an iPhone. I'm tired of looking at phones, and iPhones, and phone/PDA's....I just want to sit on my couch and knit for a while. The Kauni Cardigan a fun knit, rather addicting, really, as you eagerly knit to see what the next color change will look like. My colors are not contrasting sharply, which I guess is what I wanted, but it would be fun to see orange against blue, or green against prurple. I've heard of people frogging to change the way the colors blend, but I think I'll leave it as is for now. Muted is good, muted is good, muted is good......

Kauni Yarn, Wound Up at Last

2007-07-09T15:00:00.000-05:00

I lived one of my worst yarn-mares: the tangling of the skein during ball-winding! With a lot of time, perseverance, and some carefully chosen expletives spoken under my breath (littlest one was here), I was able to weave my way through knots, broken yarn, and poorly skeined strands to bring you:

The Kauni yarn balls.
It was actually only the first skein that was a mess. The second sailed through my fingers, and I had to use my Yoga talents to conitue winding through the burn in my bicep....my face was soft and non-reactive, I tell ya!

That little 3rd ball is the yarn I wound off so that my color repeats would be 1 color apart from ball to ball. I'm not completely sure that will work (mine is not an engineer's brain) but it makes sense to me to do it that way, so far.

I'll update as I progress (or digress as the case may become) through this project.

The Kauni Yarn Has Arrived!

2007-07-06T23:13:00.000-05:00

It is more beautiful than I'd expected, since it is more muted than it appears to be in photos. Of course, once I knit the contrasting colors side-by-side, it'll look more vibrant, but hopefully not garish!
My camera batteries are charging, so I don't have a photo of the yarn to share today....maybe Sunday after I wind it into balls.

I'll be working at the Farmer's Market tomorrow, so if you can come out (Tess, are you out there?) please stop by and say hello. I need to clarify the location:
The market is on FM 1863 in Bulverde. If you take HWY 281 N, you'll exit "FM 1863, Bulverde", turn Left onto 1863, go for 1 mile, and you'll see us on the right. The market runs from 3 to 6 PM on Saturdays, and is a bit of a one-stop shopping spot for organic fair and such.

Hope to see you there!

Let the Sun Shine!

2007-06-29T11:09:00.000-05:00

We've had so much rain this week. Normally we are dealing with water restrictions at this time of year, so road closures due to flooding are unusual for June, to say the least. The sun is out, I just finished a tough workout, and I'm feeling fine!

I've joined a knitalong: The Kauni KAL!
I haven't done a KAL in years, so we'll see how this goes. Steeks are involved, and that is the main reason why I've joined. I've done little steeks on practice swatches, but never on a real garment.
My yarn for the Kauni cardigan should be arriving next week, and I've ordered the Kauni EQ colorway, which is the rainbow colorway that the pattern was written with. I considered using a different colorway, but the color changes are much more interesting with the rainbow colors, so EQ it was.

Next month's new soap has been made and is curing. I actually made it last week, and I'll post it in mid July when it is cured and ready to go.

I'm secretly hoping that my yarn comes today, but since it is coming from this shop in Denmark, I'm probably just setting myself up for dissapointment....but one can be hopeful!

Rosebud Handmade Soap Added to Shop!

2007-06-12T22:35:00.000-05:00

The new soap is all ready to go:

Rosebud Soap soap has the creamiest lather I've ever felt! I owe it to the rose hip powder. Dried rose petals are sprinkled on top for effect, but you can just brush them off before you hop in the shower, or leave them on if you're lucky enough to be heading for the bathtub.

I have also added wooden soap dishes to the shop. I have had several requests for these since I often suggest to people that they use a draining soap dish with handmade soap...it truly prolongs the life of the bar if you keep it from sitting in water. I love the simple lines of the dish, which is made from one piece of Juniper.

I was down with a fever (yep, I caught the fever bug), so what did I do with all that down time? I started a new knitting project, of course!

This will be a pattern for the shop (the only part of Ewenique Fiber that remains is the pattern page).

Summer has finally set in, and I'm already missing the cooler days. The Lavender I planted this year is looking fantastic, and I've ordered a book on Lavender growing in this part of Texas, so hopefully my little herb garden will continue to grow.
It is time for bed, and having spent the day catching up on all the neglected house and business duties of the last few days, I am ready for this day to end!

What Day Is It?

2007-06-07T22:00:00.000-05:00

This week has flown by. My in-laws visited earlier in the week, and we had a great time. We took them to brunch at the converted home of a family that started a flour mill here in the late 1800's. The home is now a museum/gift shop/restaurant, called The Guenther House, and it is quaint and interesting...perfect for visitors. Other than that, we just stayed around the house with them.
I will be adding a new soap to the shop next week, and I'll post here when I do.
I'm often asked how I learned to do some of the crafts that I practice. I'm a self-taught knitter, spinner, soaper, and herbal gardener.I'm a serial how-to book reader. I go through a couple of these books a week. Amazon has a deal where, if you have a business, you can create a little storefront with books for sale that relate to your business. It is still Amazon who sells them, with Amazon doing the shopping cart and all, but I get to choose the books that go into my liitle spot. The books I've chosen are all books that I own and use myself, and from which I've learned at least one important thing...many are ones that I refer to over and over again for advice or such. I have many other books in my personal library that are not listed because they are out of print or only sold through the publisher, but the titles I've chosen are those currently available through Amazon that I think are worth reading. I've mostly listed knitting books, since I learned to make soap through trial and error, but I listed a couple that have good charts and basic ideas.
Anyway, the link to the storefront is now in my sidebar under "visit my shops".
Tiniest daughter has a fever tonight, and I suspect she will be wakeful so I am turning in a little early in anticipation of a rough time. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2007-05-26T09:46:00.001-05:00

Whether or not the weather will allow the Farmer's Market to happen today is uncertain.

One minute the sun is shining, the next it is raining! Even if the sun prevails, I'm afraid it may be pretty muddy, so I'll wait to decide if I'm going until later this afternoon.

Last night we sat out on the cul-de-sac (we have a picnic table out there) with our neighbors, drinking wine and watching the children play. We are so lucky to have such a great social setting for Kim.... and for us, too.

The sun seems to be taking over the sky now, so I'm going to get ready for the market. The vast amount of rain we've had this year has been great for my little herb garden....even the Lavender I planted from seed is growing!! I can, for once, use the word "lush" to describe the plants in our yard. The beauty of rain in our part of the country is that it often only comes at night and in the early morning hours, so we get the benefits of the rain without the activity-inhibiting part. Gotta love that!

I made a new soap this week. Since it won't be ready for a couple of weeks(it has to finish curing), I've decided to introduce it in June, and to try and introduce a new soap each month. I'm even toying with the idea of a "Soap of the Month Club".

Another post without a picture would be too dreary, so here are some photos from the personal album:
Easter on the Cul-De-Sac

Handmade Soap is Up!

2007-05-20T16:32:00.001-05:00

I've got the soap page up on the Tread Lightly Herbals web-shop:
Tread Lightly Herbals Handamde Soap.

I sold at a Framer's Market yesterday, and it went really well. It was fast and furious....I never even had a chance to walk around to the front of my booth to snap a picture for the blog. As soon as I started setting up, people started buying. I sold several bags of laundry detergent, lots and lots of soap, and some lip balm. Too fun. I plan to do it again this coming Saturday. For those of you who are in the San Antonio area, the market is in Bulverde, on Bulverde road west of HWY 281 (next to the wine bar if you know where that is). Come out and see me Saturday's from 3-6PM.

Not much else is going on this weekend...I guess I've been spending lots of time on the soap business. I'm starting the ABS Diet for Women, mostly to strengthen my abdominals (and drink more smoothies). I pulled those muscles in my back again that gave me problems last year, so I've decided to take some control of the situation and get my core muscles stronger.
I also jst need a boost to get back into weight workouts, which I love once I get going. We're getting a new blender just in time for the smoothies!!

Big Changes

2007-05-14T15:13:00.000-05:00

Hello....yeh, I know it has been way too long since I've blogged. I got out of the habit when I was logged out of my blogger account for a couple of weeks, and then just stayed out of the blogging habit. I hope to be on here more regularly.

So what are the changes? Well, my soap business has done much better at keeping me busy than my fiber business had, so I'm making Ewenique Fiber part of Tread Lightly Herbals, rather than visa-versa as it has been. I've been working on a web-shop for the handmade soaps, www.treadlightlyherbals.com, but there aren't any pictures of the soaps up yet, so don't go over for a look-ey just yet.

Oh yeah, I'm also making/selling all-natural laundry soap, and that part of the website is ready:
Tread Lightly Herbals Natural Laundry Soap.

I've been using it for a while and I love it. It is also fun to make all the different scents. It does come in an unscented version for those who are sensitive to synthetic detergents. I've been making and using it on our laundry for a few months, and youngest daughter, who is hyper-sensitive to synthetics and is the reason for my learning to make soap in the first place, hasn't shown any sensitivity reactions to it. Yeah!!
So there you have it. Ewenique Fiber's website will be closing down soon, but I'll be adding a page of knitting patterns to the soap shop.
Mother's Day was great, and I just got a call from 2 of my cousins whom I haven't seen in years. They are on their way over, so I'm off to speed-clean, or at least to tidy up a bit before they arrive.
More soon, and here is a recent photo of my son and me:

I Love my IPOD

2007-03-01T21:42:00.000-06:00

I know it's a lame title, but a true one nonetheless.
DH bought me an IPOD for my recent birthday, and each night after the rest of the family goes to bed, I put on my headphones, peddle away on my little bike-thingy, and catch up on web stuff. Time flies when you have an IPOD going. Soapmaking is even more enjoyable with the tunes playing, and housework is easier. Okay, so I haven't actually put the last one to the test, but it seems like a logical conclusion.
Today was a very busy day for this laid-back woman. I re-stocked my craftmall booth and got to visit with my favorite craftmall employee, Daniel, the guy who quit his professional job in healthcare to work at the craftmall so he could sleep at night and keep from grinding his teeth to a fine powder. He is an inspiration in the art of following your passion(he sells his hand-sewn dolls in the craftmall) and making sacrifices to take care of yourself.
A big chunk of my afternoon was spent driving my 17 Y/O to her college campus for the purchase of a bus pass. She has wrecked 2 cars in the last year, so she is now (temporarily) going to be a mass transportaion user. The second wreck occured night before last (a sleepless night for all as we were called to the ER). A man, who we can only assume wanted to end his life, stood in the middle of the highway, and she luckily reacted quickly enough to not be part of his deathwish, but she drove off the rode and into a ravine (and over a fence and a couple of curbs), and both she and her truck have some bruises and healing to do. It could have been so much worse. Silly me, I stopped the endless worrying once both of my older children started college, only to learn that the old belief must be true: It is a mother's endless worrying that keeps her children safe.

It is a terrible photo of me (where are my side-swept bangs?) but a good one of her, so ther it is.

Handmade Soaps Added to Shop!

2007-02-27T15:25:00.000-06:00

Sorry for not posting for so long...you can see what I've been busy doing:

There are dozens more like that in my home, and the house has never smelled so good. I've only added a few of them to the shop since I'm selling both online and in a craft mall and need to catch up already!
Here's the link to the shop page:
Tread Lightly Herbals
Thanks to all the support you readers have given my shop in the last year...I'm so very excited about this new division of Ewenique Fiber.
In knitting news, I started but changed my mind about a chunky knit vest (maybe when I was more twig-like), and I've been itching to dye some sock yarn, so let me know if you'd like a custom color and I'll whip it up for you.
No spinning has occured, I'm sad to say, but soap-making is pretty darn fun so I'm not too sorry.
Spring is in the air in Texas, and I've been riding my bike with my youngest around the neighborhood. DH and I have an anniversarry coming up, so there is a (much needed) date in my future, and Spring Break is just around the corner. I've sowed some Lavender, Calendula, and Chamolmile seeds for the garden, and the seedlings are begining to germinate. I love this time of year!!

Shop Update!!

2007-01-24T18:43:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I've announced an official shop update.
The Smitten Hat pattern was added over the weekend. I had it set up so that the the shopping cart would automatically take you to the pdf link, but there were too many issues with that so....I will now email you the pattern as an email attachment within a few hours of purchase. I check my email all day long, so you'll probably get it in less than an hour, but we'll say 8 hours to be on the safe side. Thanks to all who have purchased it.
I've just now added a new page to the shop: Tread Lightly Herbals Handmade Soaps and Salves.
There's a wonderful Hand Butter, a Barrier Butter, and of course the Bunion Balm:

They are all made with Shea Butter as a base (the Hand Butter has Avocado Butter, too!) to which essential oils and other goodies have been added.
Soon I'll be adding hand made soaps to the new page, as well as the Smitten Mittens pattern to the patterns page.
With all the rain and sleet around here of late, I've had lots of time to devote to the shop!

The Smitten Hat- New Knitting Pattern!

2007-01-20T21:55:00.000-06:00

I've just added a new pattern to the shop:

I love this hat...it's pretty (if I may say so myself), it fits well, and it was a blast (fun and fast) to knit.
It is an instantly downloadable pdf file, so you can have it done in time for Valentine's Day if you like. Check it out:
Smitten Hat(scroll down to bottom of page)
The heart patterns are based on a traditional Fair Isle star pattern.

In other news, Bunion Balm tins have arrived (finally) and I'll add it to the shop next week.
Thanks to those of you who have kept our family in your thoughts...it seems to be helping.

A Time to Sit, a Time to Type

2007-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:00

Whew! The holidays were a whirlwind, and I'm glad to be in January.
The ski hats were all (6!) finished just in time to give to their grateful recipients, who seemed to really like them.
I loved seeing family at Christmas.
New Year's Eve was nice, but New Year's Day brought an unexpected sadness to my family that is too personal to get into, but if you pray in any way, please send some this way. Thanks.
I haven't done any knitting since the last ski hat was finished. Instead I've been working on another long-time love....making herbal concoctions! Doesn't that sound fun? Over the years I've made ointments for various things like dry cracked skin, contact dermatitis, babies' diaper rashes, etc. Two years ago I began suffering from bunion pain (not fun for a hiker), and last year I made a balm, Bunion Balm, to relieve my foot pain. It worked, and I've decided to sell it. It is all natural, all vegan, and full of good things like Shea Butter and essential oils. I'm just waiting for my balm jars to come, and then I'll let you know when I add it to the shop for purchase. I'm also going to sell other balms that I've made and used, and some hand-made soaps that have worked beautifully for my family.
I should have taken a photo of the hats before wrapping them, but I was in too much of a rush to think of it.
My husband and in-laws gave me supplies for making soy candles, so I've also been playing around with those.
I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday break.

I've been Tagged

2006-12-19T11:57:00.000-06:00

Annie has tagged me for the "Name 6 wierd things about yourself" thing, so here it goes:

“THE RULES:Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

1. I had perfect attendance for all 4 years high school, and was voted "Most Studious". I also had perfect attendance my last 3 years of college. Despite this, I've managed to be called "hippy" rather than "nerd" throughout those years by many people whom I'm close to.

2. I have an obsessive personality. This hasn't been professionally diagnosed, but I know myself pretty well. I' don't wash my hands all day long (did that enough when working as a nurse), but I obsess over my crafty projects to the point of ignoring housework and my personal relationships (other knitters may not think this is wierd). This explains the first part of #1 on this list, as studying how-to and pattern books has been one of my lifelong obsessions.

3. I only cut my hair 1 or 2 times a year. This explains the "hippy" part of #1 on this list. Note: Every year I vow to better keep up with my hair cuts, but my crafty obsessions get in the way.

4. I've never had a pedicure, nor a manicure. This only reinforces the hippy thing (see "Not"e under #3 above).

5. I was a vegan teen in the early and mid 80's. Trust me... this was wierd in the town I grew up in. Are you starting to see a trend here?

6. With the exception of the obsessive thing (and that is a big one) I don't think I'm wierd, or a hippy. I like to think of myself as earthy, but I'm not nearly as earthy as I aspire to be, and it has more to do with conserving resources than with haircuts. This isn't wierd.

Now I need to tag some people so they, too, can experience a soul-searching sleepless night (or was that just me?). I don't think I have 6 people to tag, but I'll try.
Tess (We miss your blog).
Lara (miss you, too)
Sheilah
Adrian

That is all I've come up with. Have fun with it!

2006-11-26T20:05:00.000-06:00

A bit late, but here is a photo of our smaller-than-usual Thanksgiving dinner:

I'm the one at the foot of the table. My children are all there, my son's girlfriend is beside him, and my mother is there as well.
My sister and her family usually join us, but stayed in Laredo this year. This year's turkey was the best I've ever cooked (I have a problem with over-cookin). The recipe I used called for making an apple glaze that was I basted and stuffed into the turkey.

My husband bought me some software from The Apple Store that I played around with all afternoon, and I've added another free pattern(the hat I made this week) to the blog to try it out. This one is in PDF form. Enjoy!

Free Knitting Pattern- The Inga Hat

2006-11-26T19:13:00.002-06:00

This is a downloadable PDF.
You'll need a Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free download) to open the file.

The hat is made with 3 colors of a dk or heavier sport weight yarn (I used KnitPicks Merino Style), and sizes 3 and 5 (US) circular needles in 16" length, plus dp needles size 5. One size fits all (about 21" around, can be manipulated during blocking).

Click HERE" to get the pattern.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-23T10:05:00.000-06:00

This year will be the smallest Thanksgiving I've hosted yet, but small and intimate sounds appealing. The other difference is that we'll be eating our Thanksgiving meal at dinner time rather than lunch. It'll be interesting to try and maintain enough of an appetite until then to have some of all my favorite dishes, so wish me luck!
I finished hat #5 of 6, and took a break from the gift hats to design and knit one for myself

Its a hat that fits like a glove!
I'm thinking of starting The Harlot Scarf from The Yarn Harlot next. Sheepish Annie made one in 2 days, and you know I'm all about the quick projects these days.
Anyway, may you enjoy a day full of grace, family, and blessings!

I'm Alive!

2006-11-13T16:09:00.000-06:00

Things got worse in the dental arena after my last post, and I am now feeling somewhat like myself. I spent several days in a purple-haze kind of Vicodin stupor, and several others in bed. This all provided some good knitting time, and I've finished 4 of the 6 hats that I'm knitting for Christams gifts:

I've started the 5th hat

These really are a lot of fun to knit. I need to finish making and attaching the little braids to the tops, and to block them all to size, then I can work on a hat for myself.
This weekend I went to The Kid "N Ewe Fiber Festival in Boerne, TX with my friend Tess. I came home with a shawl pattern and some lovely lambswool/Alpaca yarn in a natural dark grey color.

Howdy!

2006-11-01T20:58:00.000-06:00

Today I experienced the joy of having three wisdom teeth extracted from my little mouth. The doctor seems to have done a nice, clean job as there isn't a whole lot of swelling, just a bit on the more "involved extraction" side.
One holiday hat can be marked off the to-do Christmas knitting list!!
I've started on a second, which leaves 4+ to go.
The Bea Ellis Norwegian inspired hat kits are fantastic! I bought 3 and will be using 2 of the patterns plus the yarn, and also some Knit Picks Merino Style as well as Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino somemthing -or-other DK yarn to knit them all. I'm typing, and thinking, under the infulence of 2 Vicodin, so forgive me I make no sense, please.
I'll post pictures when I can better navigate such a task. To say I'm pleased with the results of the hat patterns is, well, true.
Happy Knitting to all, and to all a good-night! (oops, wrong holiday)

It's Getting Chilly Outside

2006-10-24T15:19:00.000-05:00

I finished my younger daughter's mittens last week, and she seems happy with them (it can be hard to tell with 4 year olds).

Now I'm working on a pair of my own design..well, maybe more of my own assemblage:

Some of you might recognize the yarn...yes, it is the Deep Argyle Vest yarn, but don't worry.... I have enough for both projects. This mitten is so pretty, and I haven't blocked it, nor added a thumb. They will be a gift for someone later this year, but I can't say for whom. (Can you feel the suspense?)
I used my handy knitwear design software to chart them:

Isn't that cool?
Once I finish these mitts, I'll sart on my next holiday knitting project:
take a look
http://www.beaellisknitwear.com/originals.html#hats
I'll be making all the small people on my gift list hand-knit hats. I can't wait to start. Two kits have been ordered and are on their way to my home!!

Got Nuts?

2006-10-16T10:51:00.000-05:00

My now 4 year old asked for a pair of mittens (ok, maybe I asked her if she'd like a pair), and SHE chose the colors and pattern from choices that I presented her. I'm happy to report that she chose Hello Yarn's free squirrel mitten pattern.
I made a few changes in construction, but am keeping as much of the adorable graphics as I can.

Using a finer gauge yarn and needles than the pattern called for gave me a mitten samll enough for her hand. I'm also making them from the top down, ala Anna Zilboorg, and I've replaced the date with her initials to help her put them on the right hand more easily and to help keep track of them should they be left behind at a friend's house or school.
The back is as pretty as the front:

Thanks for the fun pattern, Adrian!
I've been hiking on school days after dropping my DD off in the morning. The slightly cooler weather is perfect for it, and the air smells so fresh and wonderful in the hills, so I'm in heaven when I'm out there!

One Down, None To Go

2006-10-09T13:23:00.000-05:00

The first Marvelous Mitten is done.

It hasn't been blocked, and I don't plan to make its partner. The Alpaca, while buttery soft in the finished mitten, was just to hard to knit with at such a tight gauge. My finger joints still ache from the knitting. I've decided that wool is best for mittens.
In other news, I found this crawling along near the kitchen this morning:

Yep, it's a scorpion, and it was inside the house. We do find them occasionally, but they are normally dead or nearly dead when found. This guy is alive and kicking. I guess they're just one of the perils of living in the Texas Hill Country.
There hasn't been much work done on the Argyle vest...I want to knit mittens, and only mittens. I'm sure I'll put some time into the vest once I get the mitten knitting out of my system.

One Sheep, Two Sheep

2006-10-06T14:28:00.000-05:00

As there has been minimal progress on the Marvelous Mitten as well as on the Argyle Vest, I didn't expect to be bloging today. Then, I checked my mail.
Recently I mad a swaping deal with Sheepish Annie (I know I got the better end of the deal). I sent her some sock yarn that I wasn't likely to ever use, and in return I got much more:

She sent lots of goodies from the incredibly beautiful sate of Maine. My 4 year old has already claimed the keychaine as her own. Maine is a state that I've always wanted to visit but never had the opportunity to do so. Now I feel like an honorary tourist!! She sent postcards, a copy of "Yankee" magazine so that I can see all the great spots to hit on my imagined vacation, a tourist's pin to declare to all that I have (even if only in my dreams) visited Maine, and what every knitter who is virtually visiting Maine shouldn't be without: a Maine embossed tape measure. Sheepish even included not 1 but 2 pictures of her lovely self.(You did say I could do what I want with them, Annie.) It seems that her employer has gifted her with the SuperMega photo package this year, so she is sending a pic to anyone and everyone she has an address for. I asked for 2 as I have a plan for them (more on that another day). Have you ever sent her anything? If so,you too may soon be receiving a copy of her '06/07 photo. But best of all in the package was this:

a hand knit, by Annie, cotton dishcloth. It brings life to my otherwise earth-toned knitchen, and I love it. It makes me want to knit one of those spiral baby blankets or shawls.
Sheepish Annie, you totally rock! Thanks for the smiles and gifts.

Aren't They Marvelous?

2006-10-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

Inspired by Adrian's Marvelous Mittens, I searched for, and found, a copy of Anna Zilboorg's "Marvelous Mittens" so that I, too could knit a pair from the book.
The pattern I chose is simple once you get past the increase rows, but for some reason I am not making as much progress as I'd expected. Could it be because I stop and try them on after each row is knit?

The yarn is a baby Alpaca one that I bought from Elann.com a couple of years ago.
I'm trying to work on the Argyle vest, really I am, but I just can't stay away from mittens.

The emerging argyle pattern is more visible in the above photo than in person, and seeing it makes me want to work on the vest for a while. I've been knitting fair isle with 2 hands, and while my left hand yarn tension isn't consistent (I'm a thrower not a picker), it is so fast and fun that I'm going to do my 2 colored stranded knitting this way despite the inconsistencies in tension. My hope is that I'll get better with experience.... and then there's always the magic of a good blocking!!

Lots of FO's

2006-10-01T18:07:00.000-05:00

I've been just aweful about blogging, so I'll try and make it up to my rapidly dwindling in numbers regular readers by showing you some pretty finished objects.
Remember the black and tan twill tri-loom shawl that I was working on? Here it is completed:

I love this shawl! It is a 50/50 blend of wool and alpaca, so it is warm and soft.
Next I made a pair of Estonian/Norwegian/Latvian inspired mittens:

They are my favorite finshed object of the year. I used a chocolate sock yarn for the main color, and a variegated sock yarn for the contrasting color, and sort of combined various shaping and pattern ideas from Elizaeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac, Nancy Bush's Folk Knitting in Estonia, and Lizbeth Upitis' Latvian Mittens. These mittens fit like a glove, and I can't decide if I like the front or the back best.
I also finished and gifted the baby bonnet from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts pattern:

Not my best work, but the baby's mother seemed to genuinely like it, and she's since taken a real interest in my knitting.
I've now started working on the Deep V Argyle Vest from Eunny Knits

I absolutely love working this pattern, and the colors I chose make me smile frequently. As Eunny says, the argyle pattern is "intuitive", and I've hardly even had to look at the chart!
Okay, so maybe that wasn't "lots" of finished objects, but this is the most I've had to show in some time. My passion for knitting has returned with an intensity that has me pouring over books and patterns and drooling over color cards and swatching like never before. I may be anti-social and obsessed right now, but I'm happy.

I Love a Good Party

2006-09-04T08:42:00.000-05:00

Kim's party was this weekend, and we had a good turn-out:

I made a ladybug cake for the event. It is always fun to see friends that we only get to see once in a while. After the bulk of the guests left, our closest neighbors stayed for an after-hours party. I've said it before but it bears repeating...we have the best neighbors!!
In fiber news, I made a Sett Gauge (WPI Tool) out of maple to match the maple noste:

I have a couple of projects in the works. First is a new tri-loom shawl (Mom loved the previous one and it has now gone to its new home with her):

I love the look of the herringbone stitch (reverse twill). I was going for a black-and-tan kind of look, and I think it is working out nicely.
I'm also making a little bonnet for a new baby born to a neighbor last week. The pattern is from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts", but it doesn't look like much yet:

It is supoosed to take 2 to 4 hours to make, but I am such a slow knitter...I think I've already put 4 hours into it with about 1 more(at least) to go. I hope to finish it tonight.
We've all been playing with Kim's new toys today. My favorite? A potholder loom, of course.

Tool and School Talk...and Nostepinde Eye Candy!

2006-08-29T14:14:00.001-05:00

I did the first of many to come once-a-weekers in my daughter's school library. They had me re-shelve books, make bookmarks, and log in returned books, which isn't so simple when the computer system is down! I had fun, but did feel a bit lost at first. Oh, and we had a fire drill!!
In sort of fiber news, I photographed the spinning tools I've been making:

They are all for sale, and here are descriptions from left to right:
1) Nostipinde made of red oak- this one fits well in smaller hands as it is thin-handled. $14.00
2) Nostipinde made of Sugar Maple- I love the curvaceous bottom. $18.00
3) Nostipinde made of Purple Heart-this one is good for large hands as the handle is a full one! $18.00
4) Nostipinde of Alder wood-has a nice feel to it, with lines burned into the wood to emphasize the cuts. $18.00
5) Nostipinde made of Chicarella- I love how the character of this wood showed through in the final piece. This is my
husband's favorite. $20.00
6) Nostipinde with 1" sett gauge (WPI tool) built in to handle, made of Red Oak- simple lines. $18.00
7) Sett Gauge (WPI Tool) made of Mahogany - has both 1" and 2" gauges. $16.00
The noste's measure between 10" and 11" in length.
You can email me at: sheila (at) eweniquefiber (dot) com
using no spaces and replacing (at) and (dot) with their symbols. Shipping is $5.00 for Priority Mail to anywhere in the US, and I can take Paypal.

Ying-Yang

2006-08-21T10:50:00.000-05:00

We (that's DearH and I)

have had lots of beginings and endings to celebrate this month. First there was Cari's 17th Birthday (begining of her 18th year)
Yes, those are sparklers on her cake.
Then Kim started School

That is her looking apprehensive just before we left the house that first morning. She is going to a Montessori school, the same one that my 2 older children attended, and she really seems to like it.
Then Cari graduated from High School (one year early) and has already started college!

Now I'm in the throws of planning Kim's Ladybug Picnick Birthday Party for early September. I'm not feeling the balance yet, and I haven't finished fringing the plaid tri-loom shawl, but as soon as I do, I'll post a picture.

An almost Finished Object!

2006-08-16T14:50:00.000-05:00

I've finished weaving my second tri-loom shawl:(the left side of the pic is distorted by the sunlight)

I'd lost motivation to work on it when I realized that, to me at least, it looked more like a blanket than a shawl. Then my mother showed interes in it, so I decided to finish it for her. Once I resumed work on it, the weaving went quickly. I still need to add the fringe, and then I can start a new one. I'll probably do a herringbone pattern in 2 colors, or maybe a shawl with small blocks of autumnal colors.
In the world of wood, I've been making more spinning tools. I really enjoy working on the lathe. I'll post a picture when I have more to show.

Progress, progress

2006-08-11T19:04:00.000-05:00

Well, I haven't managed to make an 18th century reproduction one-piece spindle on my lathe that I'm completely pleased with, but I have made a few other tools, like a WPI tool, 2 garden dibbles (used for making and measuring holes when planting seeds), and some smaller practice pieces too. Here is the WPI tool, made of mahogany:

Next I'll make a matching nostepinde and orifice hook for a complete set.
My youngest daughter started school last week, and I've signed up to help out at her school. As an RN, I get to work in the Health Office when needed, and today I was asked if I could sub in mid September. I'm pretty excited about it. I'll be helping with screenings in October, and hopefully doing more subbing and assisting throughout the year. Imagine, me- a school nurse (well, a substitute).

As the Lathe Turns

2006-07-30T16:05:00.000-05:00

No, I didn't drown in the river, I just haven't had much to post about. I'm working on a new tri-loom shawl, and am about halfway through. I've also been playing with my lathe. I'm trying to re-create an 18th century drop spindle that I saw a picture of once. Progress is slow, but I'm feeling determined, so hopefully I'll have a finished spindle to show in a couple of weeks. My lathe tools are in serious need of sharpening, so I've ordered a sharpening system and should be making more progress once my tools are in better shape.
I had a big sale on my undyed fiber locally, and it went pretty well. I hope that once school satrts back up I'll be able to sell things at the booth without having to put them on sale! They've asked me to do another ddemo soon, but I think I'll wait until the weather cools down, which around here won't be until November.
I'm off to clean the wood shavings out of my sandals.

Mini-Vacation

2006-07-14T15:42:00.000-05:00

I'm off to the beautiful Texas Hill Country to spend a few days on the Frio River, which is the clearest river that I've ever seen. We'll be staying in a log cabin on a bluff over-looking the river. I'm so excited!! I can't take the CSM or the tri-loom, so I'm taking the pink shawl that I started a few months ago (the Gossamer yarn one)....I hope I can remember the pattern I was using.
Will post more when I return!

FO: Tri-Loom Shawl

2006-07-12T19:03:00.000-05:00

My first woven shawl is done! I finished it last night, and I am very pleased with it.
Here is a pic before taking it off the loom:

The weaving was fun and fast. The only good picture that I could get of it off the loom was this one in which my youngest daughter had placed one of her drawings:

I guess the white of the page kept my camera from brightening/distorting the shawl colors.
Here is a close-up of the weaving:

It is by no means perfect, but I love it none-the-less. I used my hand-dyed merino fingering weight yarn in the "girly" colorway. I'm now cutting yarn for a different form of tri-loom weaving called the "cut lengths method" that moves diagonally across the loom. I'll be using a thicker yarn this time for a fuller shawl.

In other news, check out this cool darning "egg" that I bought from http:www.islandgirla.blogspot.com:

It is made of cedar cleared from the aftermath of Katrina. John carves beautiful nostipines and darning eggs from wood he's cleared as a member of the Coastguard working in the area, and his wife Alicia sells them. Each piece is unique and I want to buy them all, but for now I have the cedar one. I found them through an online fiber sales list. The pieces are selling like hot-cakes.

The Looms, The Looms!

2006-07-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

I'm in the home-stretch with the triangle-loom building. The nail hammering just wasn't happening, so I yanked the nails out and began drilling holes for pegs. Drilling is so much more enjoyable than hammering.
The pegs were more expensive than the nails, but my cost for the whole project is still under $75.00, so I'm pleased!
I did a spinning demo at Homestead Handcrafts (the place where I'm selling my fiber goods) today. I had planned to do more spindle spinning than wheel spinning, but the spindle gods were not with me today, so the wheel and I danced our dance. As is usually the case with demos, there were more lookers than buyers, but I had fun talking with people about wool, spinning, knitting, etc. How can you beat a gig like that?

Happy Fourth!

2006-07-04T20:03:00.000-05:00

My neighbors/friends to the left and I decorated ourt children's bikes and had a good old fashioned "Fourth of July Bike Parade" around our cul-de-sac.

I've made a bit of progress on the tri-loom. I hope to have it ready for use by the weekend, but that may be a bit ambitious. Sheepish Annie suggested that I try a nailgun, and for a few minutes I got excited about the prospect of getting all those nails in with a pull of the trigger (I even started a Google serach) until I remembered something: no nailguns are allowed in our home as DH has had to sew up more than a few eyeballs (not anyone we know) after nails were thrust into them by such guns. I've always wanted one, though, but I have to respect DH's feelings about them since he is really supportive of my fiber activities, and is truly concerned about nailgun dangers. We also don't own any bungy-cords...yes, they tend to spring back and insert their gigantic hooks into the eyes of unsuspecting users. Those ratchet style cords work pretty well and are much safer.
On a happier note, it is raining!! We have been on water restrictions for a month or so, so the rain is more than welcomed. It is all dark and stormy out, and I love it.

What was I Thinking?

2006-07-02T19:47:00.000-05:00

As promised, photos of my progress on the tri-loom:

Looks pretty good, until you take a closer look:

That is a corner with, oh, 35 or so nails..OUT OF 500 PLUS.. that I need to hammer into the frame. It took me about 3 hours to get those nails in, so I may have a loom by the end of the month if I ignore the laundry, children, and meal times. I made the mistake of choosing a very hard wood, not realizing that nails do not like to be pounded into very hard woods. The drill only seems to slow things down. Can you hire people to hammer nails into looms? The $200.00 I was avoiding having to spend on a manufactured loom seems negligible now.
Oh well, it did get my mind off of NIcaragua for a while, and that was the whole point, right?

Worried...who's worried?

2006-07-01T21:01:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with my wonderful 19 y/o and his girlfriend yesterday. It was a going-away lunch date for us as he is leaving for Nicaragua on a mission trip (I was never that good!). I'm genuinely excited for him...I think he'll have a fantastic time, but I can't help but worry. They'll be in a city (rather than out in the wilds of Nicaragua) but still.....
So what is a fiber-obsessed mom who deals with stress and worry by sketching out shawls and petting fiber to do? This called for a serious fiber project, one that would involve major distraction from reality in the form of hours of online research and some serious planning. I'M BUILDING A LOOM!!
Okay, it isn't quite so impressive as it sounds. It is a triangle loom, which is very simple, really; but wait,it gets even less impressive: after a trip to the lumberyard and some more sketching, I excitedly laid out the pieces of red oak on the floor. Dear hubby came home, saw what I was doing, and pretty much took over the project. I know, I could have stopped him, but I honestly cannot say that I'd do a better job of it than he would, so I stepped aside( for now). Tomorrow I take back the reins as I begin the tedious hammering of close to 600 nails into the rails. I'll try and post a picture of my progress tomorrow (unless my fingers are too swollen and numb).
There is of course a yahoo group for tri-loom weaving, which gave me hours of research material to pour over. You see, aside from a couple of pot holders that I made in third grade, I've no weaving knowledge/experience, so for now I'm sufficiently distracted, sort of. Here is a picture of my son, my daughters, and me. (this past Christmas)

The New Louet Victoria

2006-06-28T19:32:00.000-05:00

A few of you have asked, and I finally have some info on the Louet Victoria which is to be released in November.
First, the pictures (from Louet):

Now the specs (also from Louet):
It is approx. 1 and 1/2 feet high when set up, and folds(see pics) to 22'X14"X5.5", weighing just 7.7 pounds(wheel itself)!
It is a double treadle, scotch tension wheel with ratios varying from 1:6 to 1:14. Later on a high speed set for ratio’s higher than 1:20 will be developed. It comes complete with its own carrying bag. This bag can be carried as a hand bag, a shoulder bag or a back pack. It also contains a lazy kate with two extra bobbins. The overall weight is 5.2 kg (11 lbs- I take it they mean this is the wheel plus all bobbins and accessories that ship with it) and cost is expected to be $550.00 to $595.00. Very cool! If you'd like to pre-order, I am taking orders with a non-refund-able $100.00 down payment, or you can pay in full and I'll adjust as needed depending on the final retail price (which, as always for my shop, includes shipping).
I set up my booth today- it looked great by the time we (my 3 year old "helped out") were done with it. I'm sorry I've been such a sporadic blogger...I guess I've been side-tracked by the booth. Now that it is done, I can leisurely add to its inventory and this will hopefully free me up to blog more often.

It's Hot Out There

2006-06-20T09:07:00.000-05:00

Temp's are lingering around the 100 degree mark...needless to say I'm staying in these days. I haven't done a lick of hand-knitting since my circular sock knitting machine (CSM) arrived...never thought be able to relate to machine knitters. I'd always believed that hand-knitters and machine-knitters came from 2 different camps, but most of the people using these antique machines are also handkntters, and there are quite a few spinners and weavers in the camp, too.
One difference between them and me is that I've not really made any socks!! The designer in me is having too much fun manipulating shapes on the thing to spend time making the obvious sock!
I made this on Sunday:

I know-it's not a lace shawl, but it was fun to make. Inspired by the lovely Estonian puppets on the cover of the latest Spin-Off issue, I shaped it by making a 2-thumbed mittten with a heel throw in. Just in case you can't tell, it is a gecko.
My goal: to make a shawl on the CSM. I am just kidding of course...or am I

Whew!

2006-06-10T23:29:00.000-05:00

Starting in July I'll be selling my wares in a craft mall near my house...so I've been working on my inventory and on my concept of how I'd like to present my things. I'll have a 3 foot by 4 foot space (not much, I know) so I'm hoping to get the most out of it. I'll have spinning fiber, handspun yarn, patterns and kits, etc., plus some smaller hand-knit items.
Sooo....if you are in the San Antonio area, come by and see my stuff at Homestead Handcrafts on Blanco road outside Loop 1604. I'll keep the space at least through the Christmas season. I'm very excited about this venture, and I figure at the very least I'll meet some other crafty people in my area.
My sister and her children visited for a couple of days. We laways end up having lots of fun doing the silliest things. This time we had a HUGE boys -vs- girls stuffed animal fight. We have 5 children between the 2 of us, and 4 of them are in or about to start college, which is what made it really silly. There were bunnies, puppies, a lobster, and other various fluffy guys flying back and forth. In the end there were 2 minor injuries, but it was worth it. (Okay, so now you all know how big of a nerd I am)

All Spinning Fibers are On Sale

2006-05-28T16:34:00.000-05:00

That's right, I've put ALL of our spinning fibers on sale.
Have a look: Fiber Sale
I cleaned, oiled, and painted my new (to me) Autoknitter circular sock knitting machine

I've even made a couple of small projects:

This is a set-up bonnet, which is a reusable tool for casting on stitches. I used some of my Ewenique Fiber merino yarn that I had left-over from the Waves Shawl.
I also made these felted booties:

I'm having the darndest time learning how to turn a heel on the machine. I end up with holes on the sides. Guess I just need to keep on practicing!!

It's On the Way!!

2006-05-17T13:53:00.000-05:00

If you follow my blog regularly, you know that there are two fiber-related toys with which I have re-occurring obsessions. One is the Ashford Knitter's Loom, and the other is an antique circualr sock knitting machine. Well, about 4 weeks ago I finally decided to take the plunge and buy a circualr sock machine!! It took a while for the seller to ship it (had to wait for the check to clear, then had health-related issues) but today I received the tracking info for it. I've been dreaming of it for the last month, and there were times when I didn't think I could wait another day for it to come, but now its arrival is in site and I am beside myself with joy! Here is a picture of it: it isn't the prettiest thing at this point, but the prettier they are the more expensive they become. The important thing is that it works.

I've bought all kinds of little gadgets for using it, and patterns and instruction books and DVD's and videos.
In other news, Ive added the Waves Shoulder Shawl to the shop, both as a pattern only and as a kit with our Superwash Merino hand-painted yarn.

Finished Object - Waves Shoulder Shawl

2006-05-11T21:05:00.000-05:00

This is a shoulder shawl, perfect for cool summer evenings or chilly restaurants.
The shawl is worked in one peice, and only requires 1 skein of yarn!
It is the first in my "Shawl-in-One" ("one" because you knit it all at once) pattern series. The edging is worked together with the body of the shawl so that when you are done knitting, your done...no picking up sts or sewing on an edging. The pattern has an easy repeat that was fun to work.
Specs:
Finished Size: 55" wide and 23" from bottom tip to upper edge
Yarn: 1 skein of Ewenique Fiber's Superwash Merino fingering weight yarn (395 yards) in the "Peace" colorway.
Pattern: my own- the "Waves Shawl"
The shawl can be made larger by using 2 skeins of yarn and knitting additional repeats (approx.80" x 36").
I'll add the pattern to the shop soon.

***UPDATE!! 5/16/06: The Waves Shoulder Shawl pattern and kits have been added to the shop.

Mantra of the day: ouchhh, ouchhh...

2006-05-09T12:15:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I worked out for the first time in 2 weeks, and I can really feel it today! I even went light on the weights, but I guess 2 weeks is enough time for that muscle atrophy to set in. It takes months to build them up, and only days to lose 'em. Nature can seem cruel.
I'm working away on a small shawl made with some of my hand-dyed merino yarn. I'll post a picture when I'm done, which should be later this week if all goes as planned. I plan for it to made with only one skein of the fingering weight yarn (395 yards), because I like the shoulder sized shawls...they are so great for this time of year.

Well, I hate to blog and run, but I need to get to the post office.
So as not to leave you without a picture, here is a recent one of Kim from the family files:

..that's just how I look on a dyeing day!

Shop Update!!

2006-05-03T12:52:00.000-05:00

The shop is updated. I've added Superwash Merino hand-painted skeins and bulky wieght Merino hand-painted skeins to the yarns page, and some un-dyed Blue Faced Leicester top to the fiber page.
Go check it out!

We Have the Best Neighbours

2006-04-30T19:37:00.000-05:00

I had to have surgery on Friday morning (outpatient, really not too aweful), and was told to stay in bed for the rest of the day. When I emerged from our bedroom around 4PM I found this:

Courtney and Trent, who live to our right, sent dinner-in-a-basket, all homemade, and complete with strawberry short-cake and flowers. Courtney (who has 5 children) had written a little note on each item's lid instructing my husband in how to put it all together.
Helen and Rick, who live to our left, sent a bottle of Chardonnay over, which will be enjoyed to the last drop (not all at once, of course).

In fiber news, I've been skeining, dyeing, and re-skeining lots of yarn for the shop.

The next shop update will be Wednesday May 3rd around 1PM, so stay tuned as I'll post here when the update is done!!

Shop Update!!

2006-04-21T12:06:00.000-05:00

I've added lots of spinning fibers and some new handspun skeins to the shop, and I've lowered prices on the Louet S17, and on Felting Kits!!

The fiber page has handpainted tops, and carder batts and rovings, Ashford dyed rovings, and undyed spinning fibers.

My in-laws are visiting afterall, and my wee-un is much better than the doctor had predicted, so we'll be going to Austin tomorrow....yippee!!

The Uninvited Guest

2006-04-19T16:20:00.000-05:00

It's a virus. A very nasty virus that means my 3 year old cannot play with her buddies for the rest of the week (I'm thinking of moving her bed up to the front window where she can watch them play in our cul-de-sac), that my in-laws may now skip our house during their visit to Texas, and that said 3 year old may not get to see her cousins in Austin (her favorite place in the world, I think) this weekend. It also means that I have to explain over and over again why all these plans have changed, and how long it is until next week, and how being contagious doesn't just cease to be because you are good at pretendiing that your throat is not all inflammed and your temperature is not hovering in the scary zone despite that dose of acetaminophen, oh and, that rubbing a popsicle on your forehead does not make the whole illness go away!
This virus also means that this week's (Friday around 1PM) shop update will be smaller than planned, but I'll post when I get it done.

Spring Is In the Air

2006-04-13T12:03:00.000-05:00

Things are starting to bloom around here:

I love this time of year!

Take a look at what
Karen did with the Ewenique Fiber Free Easy Garter Stitch Shawl Pattern. She added a beaded edging and used 3 skeins of La Boheme for a larger shawl. I think it is just beautiful!!

I plan a shop update for next week, then I'll be updating every 2 weeks or so after that.
I'm off to spin!

Child's Play

2006-04-10T13:38:00.000-05:00

See what I've just finished:

My youngest asked me to make her a doll, so I threw aside the bulky cable cardi and the Gossamer shawl, and made her a hybrid of a Knitted Babe and a basic doll from Toys to Knit. I managed to find yarns that were just the same color as my little one's eyes, hair, and skin. Next I'll be knitting a sweater and skirt set, and maybe some shoes for the doll. I had lots of fun working on it, and it was a nice change from the things I normally knit. The doll has been a big hit with its recipient, so I may make a whole wardrobe of outfits for it!!

Cabling Along

2006-03-26T17:55:00.000-06:00

I've been working on my Bulky Cable Cardigan this weekend:

The yarn has more specks of color than I'd anticipated, so I"ve been picking off a few of them as I go along. After a rocky start (I blame sleep deprivation) I've found this to be a fun and quick knit. So much so that I haven't been working on the Gossamer shawl much.

Finished Object - Lace Mobius Wrap!!

2006-03-23T09:27:00.000-06:00

Here is a photo of the lace mobius wrap. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Now I can start working on the Bulky Cable Sweater.
I won't be using the Gossamer Shawl pattern that I bought for the Gossamer yarn because I didn't like the single big yarn-over hole going down the center of the shawl. I'm going to knit it from the bottom tip up to the top, with increases near the start of each row. It is a travelling (ie mindless) project, so it may be awhile before I finish it (I don't get out much these days), but I'll post a pic when I have a bit more of it done.

Thing of Beauty

2006-03-16T16:20:00.000-06:00

A few of my purchases have arrived...take a look:

That is a circular bamboo needle from my new WEBS set. I adore the fabric I chose- "retro paisley". The bamboo is lovely and smooth, I absolutely love the set. As you can see, I've been working on the lace mobius. I'm going to try and finish it before starting on the bulky cable sweater.

Here is a picture of the needle set when open:

This is the gossamer yarn and pattern:

It isn't much of a pattern though, it should have been a freebie since it consists of about a couple of inches of text. I had doubts about the color of yarn I'd chosen, but now that I have it I'm so happy that I went with the pink. I plan to start the shawl later today so that I'll have an easy knit to work on when I need it.

My sweater yarn should be arriving soon, followed by the buttons in 2 weeks (they are coming from Canada).

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

2006-03-14T12:08:00.000-06:00

I'm so anxious to start on the bulky cable sweater. I've ordered these buttons for it:

I'm still waiting on the yarn, oh yeah, I decided not to use the stash yarn, so I ordered some Cascade 109 tweed in burnt orange!! I can't wait.

I could work on the green lace mobius wrap, but my ability to concentrate on anything other than my class material has been shot.

So I wait, and wait some more. Of course, I'm doing all kinds of other things like reading, writing essays, playing with my daughter, etc, but really....I'm waiting for that big brown truck full of lovely fiber goodness and bamboo needles.

Coming Up For Air, and Knitting

2006-03-12T19:52:00.000-06:00

Yes, I am still here, I've just been sadly lacking in time for knitting and spinning...but, I'm halfway through my course, so I'm going to take a little time to relax and soooo, to make up for the lack of knitting and fiber in my life this last month, I have ordered the following: (I hope my husband doesn't decide to start reading my blog now):

1.)The WEBS
interchangeable bamboo circular knitting needle set. I'm especially excited about this one!!
2. Glampyre Knits' Bulky Cabled Cardi, inspired by my friend Tess's gorgeous cardi. This will be the first sweater that I've knit in years! I've been on this shawl kick for so long now, I think I'm ready for a change. I plan to use some bulky merino yarn by Schoeller Esslinger from my stash. I'd include a pic, but it is too late to take one, so you'll have to wait for an in-progress photo.
3. 2 skeins of Gossamer yarn in pink with pink sparke.
4. This pattern for the pink shimmery yarn.

I think that is it. For spinning, I've ordered some silk noil, which I hope to dye and blend with some other fibers.
The knitting will be slow since I am a slow knitter, and I do still have a couple of months left with this course.
My husband and I will be taking a trip to Miami next month. It's a business trip (medical/retina practice management seminar), but our first weekend away from our little one, so I'm really looking forward to it. Grandma will be watching my wee princess, so I feel fine with that part of things.

I'll try to post more regularly. If I ever post a picture of yarn or fiber that you'd like to buy, but I don't get around to adding it to the shop, feel free to email me about it and I'll send you an invoice if you decide to buy.
Thanks for the emails asking if I'm okay- I've just been busy trying to learn a whole lot of new information to help my husband set up a private practice. Once we get that going, life should be back to normal for me.

Ahhh....fiber

2006-02-13T18:31:00.000-06:00

I'm taking some online courses through a local university, and boy are they interfering with my fiber-y pursuits!!
I could take it no longer. Today, I dyed some more Finn to spin, did some carding, and worked on this:

It is a lace mobius in-the-making. I'm not using a mobius cast on for it, instead I used a provisional cast on, and I'll just kitchener the ends together when I'm done, E.Z.(and easy) style. I love the color of the yarn, and it is lovely to work with-so soft and fluffy. It's "Lace Mohair", a superkid mohair blend from Karabella yarns in color 89626. I made the lace pattern up just for it. With all the reading I have to do though, it may not be done for quite some time.

I'm over the Hill!

2006-02-06T16:07:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was my 40th Birthday...the big one. I tried not to think about the specifics of it too much, and since all of our family B-day parties have a theme, I asked that the theme for this one be"De-emphasizing the '40' part".
I received 2 Barabara Walker books, jewlery, a painting, perfume, and the book "Simple Foods for the Good Life" (per request), oh and the elliptical machine, which I have used every day since DH assembled it.
Here is a picture. If you look closely at the right (as you're viewing it) side of my head, you'll see a strand of green roving (I had last seen it on my 16 y/o's head...after placing it there) and there you have today's fiber related content.

Namaste

2006-01-29T16:27:00.000-06:00

This is some of the Finn I showed you before spinning it into a soft-spun singles yarn, which is my favorite yarn type to spin, the type that comes most naturally to me, my "ohm" as a friend once said. I plan to add it and some others to the shop soon.

Has anyone noticed that the spinning wheel ring links on my right sidebar finally work? I'm pretty excited about being part of a spinning ring. I'm a bit of a loner, so this may be the only blog ring I ever join.

Remeber this shawl?

I have 1 knitting kit with the silk boucle yarn that I dyed in the same colors as the one pictured. I'll add that to the shop too, soon. It is a quick and easy pattern, with the edging knit at the same time as the center so that when you bind off the top edge, you're done.

My birthday is one week away. Just when I'd stopped thinking about the Ashford knitting loom, I came upon
this site
Aren't they cool?
Now I'm thinking of it again, only I've already bought an elliptical machine instead.
How long until Christmas?

Yummy!

2006-01-23T18:41:00.000-06:00

I dyed some Finn today and I can't wait to spin it.

I spun up the Finn that I dyed last week, and I'll add them all to the shop as soon as I get my computer back.

We've had the most glorious weather today...sunny, cool but not cold, breezy but not windy, just right. I'm glad I have portable spinning wheels and a comfy porch!

I'm here, sort of

2006-01-19T20:33:00.000-06:00

My computer has died, so I'm using my husband's when I can. Mine is supposed to be fixed and back to me by next Friday, so keep your fingers crossed!! I'm hoping that not all is lost, as in all of my files, pictures, programs, etc.
I dyed some Finn today. It is drying right now, so at least I'll have some spinning to do tomorrow to keep my mind off the computer woes!
I've also started knitting a new shawl pattern I've written, complete with fancy graphs. I haven't completely written it; some of the designing is done as I knit, but the graphs and general directions are good to go (luckily I made copies of the graphs before the computer died). It will be a more traditional shawl than I usually design.
Not having a computer sure leaves me more time for knitting and spinning. It makes me realize how much time I normally spend just browsing the web.

Here's hoping your computers are healthy and strong!!

Another FO!

2006-01-11T12:11:00.000-06:00

This took just a few hours to knit:

It is a mobius from Cat Bordhi's first book " Treasury of Magical Knitting". I made the smallest size, which fits around me just fine, but I wish I had made it a bit wider from top to bottom to cover my arms more. It is great nevertheless, and makes me feel like a dancing gypsy girl. I used Tahki Yarns New Tweed in color #015. I want to make lots of them- summery ones, lace ones, fringed ones, non-fringed ones!

I finally added pictures to my new bag:

They are shots of some of my handspun yarn. I love how it looks as if the yarn is inside peeking out through "windows". that reminds me, I've added some new handspun yarns
to the shop.

I'll leave you with a picture from a recent trip to DC. (Hi Lara!!) That's me in the denim skirt, with Dave, Lara, and little Kimberly.

Obsession

2006-01-04T19:58:00.000-06:00

For weeks now I've been obsessing over the new Ashford knitter's loom.

I totally don't need another hobby, but the idea of weaving scarves and other projects no larger than 12" in width is just too tempting. I don't know how to weave. I have numerous unfinished projects that need attention, as well as patterns that need to be charted and typed up, but I keep coming back to that darn little loom. I've studied all of the pictures I could find of it over and over, imagined all the great things I could make with it using handspun yarns... Oh, tempting loom with your portability and ability to handle funky and handspun yarns, why do you fill my dreams and waking thoughts like a new lover?

I've fallen in lust like this before. Last summer I nearly bought an old circular sock knitting machine. Socks! I don't even enjoy knitting socks, yet I had imagined adding socks to the shop-all colors and sizes, cotton socks, wool socks, socks made from my handspun yarns. It is a sickness for sure, this fiber obsession. I felt free and relieved when I came to my senses about the sock knitting machine, so I'm waiting for this too, to pass. Did I mention that I can even get it at wholesale since I'm an Ashford dealer? A sickness, I tell you.

In other fiber-y news, I've been working away on the lace edging of my 'smaller than it should be but I got bored with the feather and fan part' Field of Flowers shawl
I'll post a picture when (if) it is done.

Post- Holiday Post and 2 FO's!!

2006-01-03T11:08:00.000-06:00

I spent the week after Christmas in Engelwood, NJ, visiting with family and playing in New York city. We saw "Fiddler on the Roof", Central Park, Times Square, ate knish, drank lots(too much?) red wine, and had an all-around fabulous time!
Here are picts of some of my fiber-related gifts

This is the knitting software I've been talking about. I'm still studying it, but hope to be "master of the knitting software that I got for Christmas" soon.

The Lovely Lara(the other knitter in the family) and Silly Dave gave me this groovy bag, which has a huge gusseted bottom that allows it to stand to attention when placed on the floor, making for the best knitting bag/purse. I'm one of those who uses the same favorite bag with every outfit until the thing falls apart, and this is my new favorite.

I haven't decided which photos to put in the round picture windows yet...I'm non-commital that way.

This is a skein winder for my Majacraft Little Gem. It fits onto the flyer shaft so that you can wind on yarn using terddle power! You may have noticed that it is not on the wheel....if I can find the little key for releasing the flyer, I'll be able to try it out.

DH gave me the skein winder, software, and this incredible book of lace patterns- the most extensive and well documented I've seen:

Here we have a hand crafted sterling silver shawl pin given to my by my in-laws. It was bought from the Knitter's Review Boutique, and is signed and numbered by the artist. I love it. In the picture I am wearing it with the finished Silk Shawl (the first FO).

Her are better shots of the shawl:

My second Finished Object is another shawl, which I started and finished on our trip. I've posted the Free Pattern for it in the post below! This is the Easy Garter Stitch Shawl: (send me a picture link if you make one)

I hope everyone else had a terrific holiday as well!!

Free Pattern: Easy Garter Stitch Shawl

2006-01-03T09:01:00.000-06:00

designed by Sheila Macdonald
This shawl is VERY easy to knit, and the simple garter stitch will showcase any colorful, funky, handspun, or otherwise fanatstic yarn! This variation of a garter stitch shawl features a slipped-stitch upper edge and a fringed lower edge.

Yarn: I used Fiesta Yarns' La Boheme yarn in the "Australia" colorway, 2 skeins (4 ounces,165 yards each skein). La Boheme
is made up of 2 strands-one is a thin kid mohair/wool and the other a rayon boucle. You could substitute with 400
yards of any heavier worsted or lighter bulky weight yarn.

Click Here to get the PDF pattern file.

Happy Holidays

2005-12-24T19:50:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone!! Fleece Navidad.

Has it Been A Whole Week?

2005-12-18T20:56:00.000-06:00

I can't believe a week has passed since my last post.
I've been working on a new pattern for a shawl. It will be a simple lace pattern worked in a silk boucle yarn. I'm waiting for my new knitting software before I publish the last 2 patterns I've written/am writing so I can include some good charts with them. If I'm happy with the silk shawl, I'll offer it as a knitting kit with the yarn that I'll hand dye.
I went to take a photo of my work-in-progress, only to find that my camera batteries needed charging.
My current camera is an Olympus C-740 Camedia with the 10X optical zoom, which was great when we first bought it a couple of years ago, but I think (from seeing all the great photos other bloggers are posting) that technology has improved, and want a camera with truer color. Does anyone have a camera recommendation?
Yipee...We are almost done with our Christmas shopping!! Oh no, I've forgotten again to send out Christmas cards. I REALLY suck at sending any kind of cards. This weekend was supposed to be the last chance to send them. I have a friend who actually sent hers out after Christmas last year. I was hoping to avoid doing the same. Maybe tomorrow.....

Babies

2005-12-11T19:10:00.000-06:00

Today, my first baby ever turned 19!!

He is so busy with full-time college, full-time work, and full-time volunteering that I don't get to REALLY spend time with him anymore, but today was one of those rare times when I did, and I savored every wonderful moment of it.

I think our tree decorating is finally done. You can see my other 2 babies in the foreground.

Here is the newest addition to our fiber family:

That is a Louet S17 that I finished with a great rusty-red stain, and that is available for rent to anyone in the San Antonio area for $15.00/week, or $45.00/month.

It has been very cold, so cold that I took this picture earlier in the week:

That is a real icicle she's holding.....a big deal for this part of Texas!

Handspun Yarns Are Up!!

2005-12-07T20:27:00.000-06:00

I've updated the shop with lots of handspun yarns which you can see here

Let me know what you think.

The Wheels are a-spinnin'

2005-12-05T18:00:00.000-06:00

I've been spinning hanks for the shop, and tomorrow I'll finish photographing them and setting the twist in them, then I'll add the new "Handspun Yarns" page to the shop on Wednesday or so.

I've been doing some Louet pricing research, and have found that I need to lower my prices some to be competetive with all the sales other's are offering, so check out the new sale prices (free shipping still applies):
click me

I feel the need to add a photo here, so I'll brows my photo library and give you something to look at. Be right back!!

Okay, here is DH with his favorite guys- The Wright Brothers (it's a silly pic)

I Tried

2005-12-01T20:03:00.000-06:00

I was unable to get a good picture of Mom's shawl in progress, maybe when it is done.
I've come to realize that I only really enjoy knitting, okay.... FINISHING, my own patterns, unless it is a gift that I'm knitting. I have 4 shawls in progress, but I've started and completed 4 of my own patterns since I began the first of those 4 UFO's.
I will finish Mom's, though, because my Catholic upbringing taught me to avoid the guilt that would surely ensue the abandonement of that project.
DH is getting me knitting software for Christmas that will create neat and professional graphs for my patterns. I can't wait!!
I"ll be adding a "handspun" page to my shop next week, so be looking for that.
No pics today.

Dying to Dye

2005-11-29T09:49:00.000-06:00

There are 50 jars of dye out there, waiting to be shipped to a very eager me. Needless to say, there isn't as much fiber activity here as I'd like there to be. I could make do with the dyes I have, but no combination of their colors really speaks to me.
I have been knitting my mother's Christmas present. It will be a self-fringing simple garter stitch shawl made of a soft kid mohair yarn that I bought from Brooks Farm Yarn at the Kid 'N Ewe. I saw Mom drooling over the sample shawl they had on display. My friend Tess is also making one for her mother, in a different colorway.
Mom's will be in a lovely lavender/blue/green colorway. Aside from a few knots, this yarn is fantastic, and since the kid mohair can be spit-spliced, the knots were not a big nuisance. I'll post a pic later today.

What I've Been Up To

2005-11-20T18:38:00.000-06:00

If you click here (or if you read on) you'll see what I've been working on this week (and just in time for Christmas):
click me

That's right..I'm a Louet dealer now!! Isn't that the greatest? I'm so excited about this, I haven't slept in 2 days.

I also dyed and spun up this soft, lovely Merino for the shop(I had to do something to calm myself down):

I call it "Santa Fe" because it has all those lovely hues you see in New Mexico... the caliche red, rust, and browns of the soil, the earthy reds, lavenders, and pinks of the sunsets.

Bottoms Up!

2005-11-14T17:22:00.000-06:00

The shawl is finished. It took me just under 2 weeks to complete, and that included time spent spinning the wool for it.

and the obligatory shot of the back:

It was fast, easy, and fun to knit. The pattern will be in its beta stage a bit longer, then I'll type it up and add it to the shop!
I may include directions for 3 sizes (full, small shawl, scarf).

Natural Medicine

2005-11-10T09:59:00.000-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days. I'm recovering from a nasty cold. Yestaerday I did nothing but knit.....no housework, no paperwork, no stress.. just knitting and spinning.
Here is a sneak peak at the Bottoms Up Leaf Shawl:

The leaf pattern and scalloped edge will show up better once I block it and pull out the points. I've fully enjoyed knitting it from the bottom up. Normally, when I knit shawls from the top down, I get bored and end up with a shorter than planned shawl, so I decided to design this one in reverse. You knit the longest rows at the beginning when you are most motivated, then it just gets faster as you work up. The pattern will be available through the shop soon, and I may even offer it as a spin and knit kit, and as a knit kit with hand dyed yarn or handspun yarn.

The Kid 'N Ewe was a huge success, and the most fun I've had in some time. I am planning for next year already!!

By the way, I've added the pattern for the Reversible Cabled Scarf to the shop, as well as needle felting kits, which you can see here on this page

Kid 'N Ewe

2005-11-04T21:14:00.000-06:00

The first day of Kid 'N Ewe was great fun. I'm too tired to say lots, so I'm posting some photos. Enjoy!!

Here is a shot of the back of my booth just before the doors opened:

and the side:

This is Bill Wyatt demonstrating on his great wheel.

Isn't it gorgeous? He makes several types of wheels, all beautiful and special. He specializes in mesquite wood, but will make wheels of cherry, bird's eye wood, black walnut, and others. Can you tell I was impressed? To top it all off, I learned how to spin (well, sort of learned) on the great walking wheel!!

This is the inside of the Brooks Farm booth, which was across from me. This is just a bit of the many hand-dyed yarns they brought, all beautiful.

Finally, the stars of the show:

taking a break

2005-11-02T15:48:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd take a break from my fiber festival preparations to bring you some family photos:
Here I am with my 3 year old fairy princess and my 18 year old Mad Scientist at a Halloween fair:

By the way, I'm not really short (I'm 5'7"), he's just really tall.

This is my 16 year old daughter, as herself:

Here I am with my mother-in-law, the Fairy Princess, DH, and our scarecrow "Scarlet":

This is me practicing holding a bunny. I'm hoping to convince DH that we need an Angora bunny. I hear there will be some for sale at the festival!!

I've tagged and priced and skeined and rolled and made to-do list after to-do list, and I'm still feeling like I won't be ready for the Kid 'N Ewe !! It's back to work I go.....

Beau Llama

2005-10-30T17:43:00.000-06:00

My in-laws are in town, so we took them to one of our favorite spots for brunch, and it just happens to be in Boerne, which is where the Kid 'N Ewe Fiber Festival will be. After our yummy meal, we took a stroll through town and of course I had to visit Eclectic Yarns where I picked up 4 ounces of this lovely, soft, chocolate Llama roving

.

Isn't it pretty?
I plan to blend it with some of my other fibers and either spin some yarn with that or sell the blended roving.

Harvest

2005-10-25T14:01:00.000-05:00

I've been pretty busy since returning home, and I've got lots of pictures for you.
First, do you recognize this snakelike creature?

Here it is demonstrating the super- cool feature of having a pull- through hole within each cable crossing that can be used to secure the scarf around your neck- no bulky knots(unless you want them); and unlike a regular key-hole scarf, it doesn't have a gaping hole in it when your not using the pull through feature!!

That's right, it is the Reversible Cabled Scarf, all done and ready for use.

I've also been spinning a bit. Here are two skeins. The bluish one is from a new roving colorway: Twilight. The other is the first of many to be spun for an Autumn Shawl that I'm designing. It is in the Autumn Fire colorway, but is more of a self-striping yarn than a tweed.

And finally, a shot of the lovely Joy's fleece. I've ordered it, and am anxiously waiting for its arrival. Joy's fleece is soft, with a nice luster, and a fiber length of 5". What more could I ask of a sheep!

I've also ordered a Finn Fleece, so there will be lots more dyeing, carding, and spinning in the weeks to come!

Back Home

2005-10-22T18:05:00.000-05:00

This is some of what I've been working on:

These will be available for purchase at the Kid 'N Ewe Fiber Festival- which is just 2 weeks away!!
I'm carding, spinning, and of course dyeing, in preparation for the festival. I have my site # confirmed, so stop in and see me in Exhibition Hall #2.

The Color Purple

2005-10-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

I took the quiz and my result makes me smile. Me, philosophizing? Maybe in my younger days, but age and experience have humbled me into more of a listener. Nevertheless, if I ever were to color my hair a radical color, it would be the color purple.

Your Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional.

You're always philosophizing and inspiring others with your insights.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

I'm working away on the scarf, and will post a pic when it is finished.

Home away from home

2005-10-14T16:50:00.000-05:00

I'm here in Chicago. Kim and I spent the day at Navy Pier, riding the ferris wheel and the carousel. Have I said how much I love Chicago? It is such a fun city to visit.
I had the shawl all packed up and ready to bring as my Chicago knitting project, then I switched it for the reversible cabled scarf at the last minute. I had agonized all morning over which to bring, and in the end the scarf won out. I may finish it by the time we return home.
I don't have any fiber photos for you today, so here is a shot of the view from our room:

Our hotel has a complimentary happy hour(1 free drink) and a complimentary breakfast buffet each day, and is within walking distance of Navy Pier, so I'm pretty well set for the week.

I Found It!!

2005-10-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

My camera was lost for a couple of days, and I didn't want to post without a pic. This is what I'm working on, spinning/knitting wise right now:

"What is it? "you may ask. It is a reversible cabled scarf -in- the- making. I love this new colorway I'm using- "Nutmeg". I think it looks masculine, so I'm making a fat, chunky, cable down the scarf to go with the yarn. My husband really loves the look of this colorway, too.
We leave for Chicago in a couple of days. I need to do a web search for spinning/knitting shops in the area so I'll have something fun to do while DH is in workshops. I love visiting Chicago, and we'll be right on the lakefront, so it should be tons of fun!

Fall is Here

2005-10-06T21:02:00.000-05:00

This evening there is a brisk, steady breeze, and I am in heaven!!
Ever since I can remember, cooler weather has meant a higher energy level for me. I feel like Tigger, pouncing about the house, and yard.
I'm spinning some pumpkin colored corriedale right now on the Little Gem:

If you look closely at the larger pic, you can see my first love- the Kromski Symphony, in the background.
I think I'll spin several skeins in the colors of Autumn.

Corriedale Rovings Up

2005-10-05T16:28:00.000-05:00

I just added the Corriedale rovings to my shop. You can see them here:
on this page of the shop

I'm working on a special promotion for the Corriedale rovings...stay tuned for that.

I've also put the Merino rovings on sale- $1.00 off the regular price.

Peacocks and Flowers

2005-10-04T15:05:00.000-05:00

YARN
Here is a photo of a 6.75 ounce skein of soft merino yarn that I hand-painted today in the "Peacock" colorway:

It is absolutely gorgeous, and I have 2 of them that I'll add to the shop later today! The second one is slightly smaller-6.5ounces, but that's still a lot of yarn- between 190 to 200 yards of bulky weight merino.

ROVINGS
Here is a swatch of a single ply of the "Peacock" colorway roving plied with a single of the "Heather" colorway roving:

I've also been carding. This is a pic of some "Monet's Garden" colorway roving that I carded today:

Honeycombs .....yah, yah, yah

2005-10-03T14:32:00.000-05:00

Look at these mini novelty yarn skeins I spun this weekend. I love making honeycombs ( that's just what I call them).

I've seen them called beehives or bubbles, too.

I'm doing a little dyeing today and have decided to do a little each day rather than one big dye day. I just have too much carding to do.
The Corriedale rainbow rovings will be up in the shop by Friday. I'm doing a Special Seasonal Colorway for the Fall in the Corriedale fiber only. I'll post a photo here before I put it in the shop.

UFO Sighting!!

2005-10-01T12:27:00.000-05:00

We(DH, Kimi, and I) took a trip to DC this past Summer, and I started the Shoalwater Shawl just before we left so that I'd have an easy lace project to work on while on the plane and subway. Well, I hardly put it down while we were away, but as soon as we returned, I set it aside. I've brought it out of the closet for a picture, and I'm hoping that giving it some attention will rekindle my interest in finishing it, so here it is:

That's Cherry tree Hill's Merino sock weight yarn in the Black Cherry colorway(I think). It is a lovely yarn, and it makes the Old Shale lace pattern look Victorian to me. I'm looking for some words of ecouragement here, so feel free to post 'em.

We're having a friend over for dinner tonight, so it's off to the grocery store I go. Have a wonderful Saturday!!

Sampler Shawl

2005-09-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

The sampler shoulder shawl is done and blocking. It looks like it will be 40" across the top, and 24" from top to bottom tip, including the lace border. Now all I need is some cooler weather, and I'm set! Last year I knit many, many shawls, and I can't wait to wear them again.
Her is a close-up of the shawl. I didn't notice until after posting the pic that I had photographed it inside-out : /
The rovings produce a tweedy-looking fabric when knit, rather than a heathered looking fabric. The colorways are, from top to bottom, The Ozarks, Monet's Garden, The Ozarks again, Peacock, and then there is a border in the Very Berry colorway:

The Very Berry Bulky Merino yarn skeins have been added to the shop. I'll be doing a big dye day next week, so look for more hand-painted yarns. I have the bulky single ply merino, and some New Zealand multi-ply wool in an aran weight.

I think I'll spin up some Corriedale in our "Cherry Cobbler" colorway to make Glampyre's One Skein Wonder for my next knitting project.

Berry Sweet

2005-09-29T16:51:00.000-05:00

Here is a shot of the bulky merino skein I hand dyed yesterday- it is so soft and squishy!!

I have 3 of them, each about 190 yards, that I will add to my fiber shop today or tomorrow.

Here is a pic of a merino roving that I carded this week

Yeah...I've learned how to post photos. Now I need to learn how to make the full-sized version smaller. I guess I'm off to Knitter's Review..........

Oh, and I do read lots of other blogs. I'll add one or two of the ones I read to my list each day that I post.

Begin the Begin

2005-09-28T16:12:00.000-05:00

Don't worry...I won't tell you my entire life's story. I've started this blog to talk about my fibery pursuits, both personal and business.
I've been preparing for the upcomming fiber festival in a neighboring town- Kid 'N Ewe in Boerne, Texas - for several weeks now. I've got Merino dyed and carded, The Wool Blend dyed and carded, the Romney dyed and mostly carded, and a huge shipment of Corriedale on its way!!
Corriedale is my favorite fiber- soft, not too short, with a moderate sheen, spins easily, and it takes dyes beautifully. The Romney does also, but isn't as soft. I can't wait to play with the Corriedale.
I'm knitting a sampler shoulder shawl, made up as I go, to showcase some of my shop's colorways. I'm up to the knitted on border, which I borrowed from Meg Swansen's lacy Pie Are Square Shawl in Knitting Around (great book). It's funny, but whenever I look at the balck and white photo of her shawl, I always picture it as being red, even though the book says it is brown.
Today I also worked on hand painting some commercially spun soft singles Merino yarn in the Very Berry colorway. It's lovely!! I'll add it to the shop this week, and post a pic here when I figure out how.