Saturday, December 10, 2011

Spinning Spinning Knitting

Well it took some time to make friends, but I can now operate my wheel. (ish)  I will need a lot of practice but I have made yarn singles.  She is fast and if I get to cocky, she will break my yarn.  I am still thinking of a name for her as is customary for new wheels and their owners.  I think a name from the 1800's would suit her.
Adeline, Coraline...  I am not sure.
Knitting up a storm, finished the knitting on DH's Sweater, Just have to sew in the sleeves.  Finished Summer Mystery Shawl for the SSK KAL and started the Knit Girllls KAL with my Haunted Vineyard Yarn.  I chose to do Yvaine by Liz Abinante I am also knitting a pair of Froot Loop Gloves by Natasha Sills for my SIL.  I still have to finish the heel and cuff of one sock for DD and start another pair for other DD.  Phew Good thing the only things due by Christmas will be the gloves!
Well time for another Day of work.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Spinning My Wheels

OMG I got a spinning wheel!!!
It is a late 1800 to 1930ish unsigned Vezina Canadian Production Wheel.  She is GORGEOUS! and in fabulous condition.  I only paid 90 bucks for her at auction and also got a vintage skein winder in good shape.  The skein winder even still has most of her square head nails.
Both are functioning, but I need to learn to spin yarn before I can use the skein winder LOL
Here are some pictures.


Saturday, June 4, 2011

Knitting and Gardening Storm

Well I have been gardening my heart out and have successfully moved most of my shade garden.  I tried to move 2 rose bushes that suddenly appeared in another garden, but I broke the tap root on one too close to the plant, so I think that one is done for.  The other one is looking pretty pitiful, but I think it may survive.  I have 2 more flats of plants and flowers to go into the ground so I am going to finish my chores so I can get out and dig.
Knitting is getting a work out also.  I have turned the heel on the recast on sock and I am doing the gussett decreases.  Seems that the sock will fit better this time.  Also I have been putting on some rows on the back of DH's sweater.  I have 2 more inches to get to his shoulders and then I can bind off and pick up the front.  Not sure how to do the short rows, but I will figure it out.  The circle sweater is coming along and I am getting good at turning cables without a cable needles.  Now if I could only remember the pattern, it would go sooo much faster.
Well I had better stop procrastinating and get going, I do have to work today also...

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Wet Wet Wet

OMG is it wet here.  I has rained just about every day since the snow melted.  I am having to dig in wet mud, the weeds are humungus (good thing it makes for more to yank on while trying to dislodge that huge root).  The up side is when I replant, I don't need to water.  The hole is already saturated with water.
Had to move the garden this  year.  The pine trees the original owner planted have grown up and put that garden into mostly shade.  I can now move my shade garden on the side of the house back there and enjoy it from the patio.
On the knitting front, I finished a sock for my nephew and when he tried it on I promptly ripped it out.  The kid has huge feet, but not that big!!!!  O'well. Restarted with 4 fewer stitches and going to knit 1/4 to 1/2 in shorter on the foot. Gonna have DH try on his sweater again to see if the back is long enough to bind off the shoulders and add in  some short rows for the collar.
I started the Cable-Go-Round sweater by Heather Lodinski in Cervinia Sorrento.  I missed the errata, but I like the pattern on the inner side just fine.  May be a bit sewing in the sleeves as the fabric will be a little bit different.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Well....

Life is finally looking up.  DH made it thru another layoff (we get them every 6mos). I have been selected for some projects at work and I am really busy, but it is another feather in my cap on my way up the ladder.
I am knitting socks like crazy.  And yes I am still working on DH's Sweater.  Good news so far it fits him very well.  Had to make some modifications in the original pattern set up, but I think it will turn out well.  I also finished my first lace shawlette. (was to be a shawl).   I have started a circular cabled shrug.  I am have a blast knitting and I am finally truly madly addicted.
I purchased a drop spindle from knit picks and have tried to teach my self spinning.  With a bit of help from youtube, I think I have the hang of it, I just need to practice.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Thank God for the New Year

2010 ended absolutely horribly.  The entire year was filled with struggles and losses.  The knitting lessons with my niece didn't go well at all either, but maybe in the future we can try again.  The girls have the knit stitch down, but still no interest.  I think if I can get the girls to show an interest, my niece will be interested to try again.
I am still working on DH's sweater, but I had to restart it as it didn't fit... Forgot to switch up to the right size needle once the ribbing was done.  Not all was lost, I realized I had chosen the wrong size for him anyway.  The new sweater will be a bit big, but once it is washed and blocked, it should fit perfectly.  If not, I'm felting it and making it big enough for me.
On to 2011 (which started out where 2010 left off).  It can only get better from here on out (I hope)