Blogging is not my strong suit.

I just really don't think I have much to say.  I really want to chronicle my journey, but I struggle with content.
I have decided that fiber arts are the way I need to go.  It is visceral.  I NEED to spin and knit.  I NEED the feel of the natural fiber slipping through my fingers.  With every fiber of my being, I NEED fiber.
Looking at pictures of fiber and yarn gets my creativity going.  I pick patterns and then decide how to modify them to best fit my needs.
I would love to design in the future, but I feel I need more time with the fiber.  Time to learn the ways each fiber is different, how they behave, and what works with what patterns.
I also want to dye fiber and yarn.  I don't think I have an eye for color or how the dyed fiber will look spun or the yarn knit.
For now knitting and spinning will feed my soul.

A few of my spinning successes.  You can find more detail at Ravelry under my rav name msbusyneedles

It's Been A While

Well it has been a while.  I have been knitting and have a case of cast on-itis.  I just have to start all the things.  I am still working on Jenn's sweater.   I have one and a half sleeves and the collar.  Then I will cast on for Ashh's sweater.  I have the fishy socks on the needles.  The lips are done and connected with about 1 inch of the leg done.  I will have to weigh the skein as I go because I don't think I will have enough for 2 socks and the fins.  We will see.  I spun 2 braids of Highland Handmades Falkland in the Dionysus colorway.  the first was Navajo plied and then the other was fractal spun and 2 plied.  Love them both.

Here are both Skeins

Navajo Plied

Fractal Spun 2 ply

The fiber was a joy to spin.  I highly recommend stalking her shop to get some fiber!  She is also a talented designer.  I think next on the wheel will be some Fibernymph.  I just love her stuff too!

I am going to Tennessee this summer to SSK!
I am so excited.  The retreat is paid for and I am booked on my flight.  
Enough for now...
Hopefully I can get into this blogging again.

From Alpaca Hell to some nice yarn

Well I finished the dirty alpaca fiber and Navajo Plied it to the tune of 255 yards of a dk weight.  It is kinda rustic thick and thin, and I'm thinking about a cowl or small scarf.  I am not sure of the color though.  I may give dyeing a try.  LaLa from The Knit Girllls podcast said acid dyes are good.  So I will check out the Knitpicks starter set.
Working on The Dragon Tongue socks still.  On the gusset almost to the heel turn on sock #2.  I have to reconfigure the pattern to mirror the first.  A LOT OF WRITING!  But it is turning out well and I am seeing how what I do to a stitch will affect  how it looks.  I will ask the designer if I can post my written instructions to go with her charts on the blog.
Garden is going gangbusters!  I'm going to have tons of tomatoes,  I'm down to 3 heads of lettuce.  One has bolted and the other three are getting close.  I am going to try to save seeds for next year, but in my gardens, lettuce is a perennial.  The zucchini is prolific of course, but the yellow squash is just not producing well.  Cucumbers are growing tons of flowers but I only have 3 cukes.  
Here are some picks of the yarn I finished.

Closer to the real color

this pic is closer to the color of the unspun fiber

Today I...

Today I...

Went for a walk.  It has been a while since I walked for exercise, but I walked 3.52 miles in 48.01 minutes.  that works out to about 13.37 min/mile.  Pretty good for some one so out of shape.  My goal is to do the route in 30 minutes or less.  Decided that the weight won't come off by itself and I am tired of feeling crappy.

So my reward?  Gardening and then spinning and knitting.

I did finish and ship out my Knit Girllls Afghan square #2 and Yesterday I finished my third afghan square.  Just need an address now to send it out.  May start #4 tonight.  Here are the previous ones I did.  I'll post more pics when my partners get their packages in the remaining rounds.

This is Number 2 and it went to Kristina in TX

This is Number 1 and it went to Angie in B.C.

FINALLY

I finally finished DH's Sweater!!!  Sleeves are on, but they are too long.  May need to shorten them.  Will see with some washes first.

 I have more fiber to spin.  This will be a gift so no pics until it is done.  I am working on my alpaca fiber purchase.  I am trying long draw, but the fiber was filthy.  Loads of veggie matter (at least I hope it was veggie).  I combed and carded the fiber again (with slicker brushes and mane combs from central tractor)  it is cleaner, but now it is in smaller bits and lets just say I am getting a lot of practice adding in fiber as I spin.  Would also help if I spun at the same ratio as the first 2oz.

So purest fiber preppers look away...
I tried to price fiber combs and hand carders online and WOW!  I can't afford that.  I don't plan on processing my own fiber anytime soon.  SO I was thinking that the had cards look like dog brushes (really big dog brushes)  and the combs you just need to have something hold the fiber while you use another to straighten the fiber and pull out all the bad bits (the mane and tail pullers look like they may work)

Tractor Supply here I come.

Center is my Ashford Flick Carder with my new hand "carders" and "combs"

I know they are not optimal.  I get small rolags and combing takes some time, but and it is a big but, for the amount of fiber processing I plan on doing in the foreseeable future 26 bucks beats the price of the real carders and combs.  Heck I paid 20 for the Ashford flick carder.  So until I can afford the right tools I will make sure I don't buy a raw fleece and I will make sure the fiber is cleaner than the one I just bought.

Have a great day

Sam

It's Been A While

Well it has been a while since I posted.  I have been knitting and spinning a bit.  The gardens are looking good. I have decided I am a very fine spinner.  I have trouble making thick yarn that is.  I guess that is okay since I am still in the mode of "I need to get the most yardage out of this fiber".  I need to sew on the sleeves of DH's sweater.  UGH!!  I just can't seem to sit and do it.  I also need to finish the second sock of Dragon's Tongue for DD.  I did join the afghan square swap with the knit girls.  That group are nothing but a bunch of enablers...   AND I LOVE IT.
I am watching some video podcasts now.
The Knit Girllls
Around the Twist
90% Knitting
Twisted Strands
The Fiberista Files
Knittin' on the Fly
The Anatomy of Knitting
Knitabulls
Knit Me Happy
Blooming Knits
Here are some pics of my latest spinning endeavors.

This is From FiberMonster in the Waterfall Colorway

I got about 447 yards

This is WC Mercantile in the Pickle Colorway

I got about 568 yards

And this is Three Waters Farm in the Couture Colorway

I got about 700 yards

You can see more details on my Ravely Page, MsBusyNeedles.

http://www.ravelry.com/people/msbusyneedles/stash

I think I have finally found my creative niche.  I love to spin and knit, and I am enjoying the community I am discovering.

Spinning with the Knit Girllls

Well before I knew about the Breed of the month with the Knit Girllls I purchased a sampler pack of fiber from WoolGatherings.  LOVE IT.  I have already spun 2 one ounce bumps of fiber on the Girllls list and I am working on another.  I know I have 2 months to spin each type of wool, but being a new spinner I am giving every thing a try so I can learn my wheel and fibers.  I ended up with 55 yards of Grey Masham and 65 yards of Shetland Humbug.  There is some thick and thin in the yarn, but it is pretty well balanced as a plied yarn.  I plied 2 singles of the Masham and Navajo plied the Shetland.  I am pleased with the Shetland.  Here are some pics.

Shetland Humbug


Grey Masham

I am also working on Gush or Dragon Tongue Socks a sweater for Wiley and a Scarf for my favorite "Wicked" step mother.  No really I love her dearly!