That’s Better

This may amaze you, so I want you to be prepared. Sit down, brace yourself. Are you comfy? Stable? Ready?

I’ve been knitting.

It’s true! I’ve actually been knitting things and LIKING it. I think I can tell that winter is slowly approaching, and I want more sweaters. I’ve been working on the bubble pullover, which now has bottom ribbing and the very beginning of some sleeves. I knew you wouldn’t believe me, so I took a picture.

Bubble Pullover

I can’t wait for this top be done. It’s going to be so comfy.

I’ve also been BUYING yarn. Not a lot, I am still kinda dieting with Rhinebeck coming up. The last thing I need is to have too much yarn and fibre again. So I picked up some new sock yarn, and some Rowan. This sock yarn is going to be a cat Bordhi pattern, I think they will be a perfect match.

Yarn Stash - Dream in Color

I have been knitting for over ten years now, and have never once touched Dream in Colour. When I saw it I HAD to buy it. Also, it’s gorgeous.

And the Rowan isn’t exactly an ugly duckling, either.

Yarn Stash - Rown Country

It will be a hat at some point.

It certainly feels good to be back to knitting, at least cooler weather is good for something.

Dexter

I told you I had a spinning surprise, right? Well, here it is. And it’s a boy.

Dexter

His name is Dexter, and he’s a Bosworth Journey wheel. Jonathan Bosworth is an amazing woodworker, and this wheel is a mechanical marvel. It’s gorgeous, smooth, addictive, and satisfying to spin on.

These wheels are unique for many reasons, but one of my favourite things about them is their orifice. Unlike the normal tube that you need a hook to get the yarn through, they have a “u” shaped orifice that makes spinning many different types of yarns, even artisan yarns, a lot easier.

Dexter

The best thing about travelling wheels is that they are compact, and this one takes it to a different level than most by also being it’s own case.

Dexter

He’s so perfect I can’t even stand it. Right now I am using him for a silk/merino blend, and I like how the smooth fibres and the smooth treadling of the Journey wheel match each other. I’m kinda in spinning bliss right now.

I don’t want you to get the wrong idea and think that I have forsaken my Kromski. She’s still in use and is definitely a work horse of a wheel that I can’t imagine parting with. Also, she’s very pretty as well.

My Kromski

But now I just have a spinning family. Two siblings, each with their place in my heart. I can’t wait for Rhinebeck this year, I am going to buy the shit outta some fibre.

Leetle Hats

I finished up a batch of hats and sold all the nice ones within one day. Not bad! I enjoy making little doll hats because I can change up the designs on each one so I am not bored and they are definitely instant gratification. Here are some shots of my favourite from this batch, made for Blythe dollies:

Green Blythe Hat

Red/Marroon  Blythe Hat

And I just love how cute my dolly looks in this last shot:

Slouchy Blythe Hat

Right now I am at the finish line for a special doll outfit which will go on ebay at some point in the next two weeks are so. Also, the spinning surprise is coming soon! I just need to take pics, because I’m lazy.

Two-fer

I finished the Bellatrix socks a bit ago but haven’t had a chance to get pics what with the moving and what not. They came out cute. I hated them, then I didn’t mind them, now I kinda like them and am beginning to see that they are charming. At first the yarn was really bugging me because I felt like I didn’t like the colours knit up together as much as I liked the actual hank. It’s growing on me as well. It’s like fungus socks, slowly taking hold and rooting in. What do you all think?

Bellatrix

Yes, no?

Bellatrix

Hrmmmmmm.

I also finished up spinning the Verdant from one of my fibre clubs. I tried to make it chunky even though I am no good at it. For some reason I can’t draft evenly for a chunky yarn, so at least I have something I can work on. Out of the 8 oz. I got 344 yards split into three hanks.

Verdant Handspun

It’s pretty. For some reason the only thing I can think of to make is a scarf. It’s 70% merino wool, 30% fine young mohair. I like this blend, but I definitely have some improving to do on the drafting.

My current knitting projects include a batch of dolly hats that I will be selling to help with the furniture funding, a one of a kind dolly dress design, and finishing off some of the lingering UFO’s I’ve had since before my whole life was uprooted. The passion for knitting has been revived, so I promise it won’t be all spinning all the time around here… Although, I do have a spinning surprise I need to share with you, but I’ll save that for another post. What could it be? The excitement around here just never ends!

Llama and Sunsets

I finally have internet working in my new apartment and it has definitely made it feel more like a home. That probably says something about my lifestyle that I shouldn’t be comfortable with, but I am.

I have been working on a bit of doll knitting to help fund furniture, and should have the lions share of that done this weekend. The stash sale was insane and nearly everything is gone. I don’t feel regret. Sometimes at night I dream about the yarn that gt away, but I know it was the best thing for both of us. I will always think of you fondly, sold yarn.

I finished up the llama I was spinning on one of my drop spindles and ended up with 222 yards of some nice sport-weight-ish yarn. It’s going to be perfect for a hat!

Llama Handspun

I love it. I love llama. And for one last love of the day, I love my new apartment. Why? The view, of course. These were taken from my back deck at sunset.

Sunset

Church at Sunset

Church at Sunset