yarn junkie

moved to http://craftyamber.vox.com/

2008-05-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

so with ravelry I haven't felt the need to blog about knitting. For me it is feeling redundant. So I started a general "craft" blog here to keep track of my knitting, stained glass making, paper craft, whatever stuff I make. Come by and see me :)

what pattern did I use for that hat from the last post?

2008-02-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

It's the Marsan Watchcap and I LOVE the pattern. This is my 5th one. It's a twisted rib stitch so it gets a ton of texture and is very stretchy:)

I've used handspun, superwash worsted wool, wool/cotton... it all seems to work well :)

looming

2008-01-31T18:42:00.000-08:00

so I've been mostly playing with my loom lately. Once you get the thing warped the weaving part goes really fast. And I'm getting better at the warping... not great but better :)

I finished up a scarf in beaverslide wool:

unlike with knitting you can't see the whole project while makin git. The scarf rolls up onto the beam and you see it all when you are done. SO at about the half way point I changed my stripe size... by accident. It started as 4 rows dark red 8 rows dusty red. That turned into 4 rows dark red and 6 rows dusty red. Oops. I'm a new enough weaver that I will just chock that one up to practice and not worry about it.

And another scarf (less mistakes) using a natural alpaca for the warp and some handspun navajo plied yarn for the weaving part:

This one I am happy with :)

and I've started a new one:

using knitpicks gloss for the warp and knitpicks decadence (alpaca) for the weft. So far so good. I like the subtle brown on brown part. Makes me want to make another one in all brown.

also been plodding along on candy stripes form the IK holiday issue:

and a hat for my husband:

using Filatura Di Crosa Zara. Should be nice to wear if I ever finish it :)

high school...

2008-01-23T18:03:00.000-08:00

You paid attention during 86% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

Weaving...

2008-01-23T14:43:00.000-08:00

My husband got me a Kromski Harp rigid heddle loom for my birthday:

The weaving part is super easy (at least a basic plain weave is) but wraping/worping (not sure the propper term) is hard! My tension is all over the place (the warp is the long string that goes the length of the project).

but I made a small scarf with some handspun & sock yarn:

It's a little short but otherwise I am happy with it.

Now I'm working on a longer scarf with a cotton warp (from artfibers) and beaverslide fishermasn wool. The cotton warp is even more wonky in tension than the sock yarn was. But it's still going ok:

and a bit of spinning (my first traditional 3 ply - 1 strand "hot rod" bfl and 2 strands natural bfl):

it makes me think of fruit stripe gum :)

post christmas selfish knitting

2008-01-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

So I've been working on a few non gift items just-because-I-feel-like-making-them projects.

it's just a basic entrelac pattern using Tilli Thomas Pure and Simple silk. So decadent to work with.

this is candy stripes form IK holiday issue. I'm using some long stashed rowan kid classic (it's for me).

and a little spinning and navajo plying:

and most exciting.... I got a loom for my birthday. It came yesterday and I have no idea what I'm doing but plan to spend some time with it this weekend :)

christmas knitting

2007-12-24T10:33:00.001-08:00

So here are some of the finished items (see my project page for all the yummy details):

and then I'll have a few more things to knit but not for people I'll see tomorrow :)

Happy Holidays!

navajo plying

2007-12-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

I wanted to try novajo plying with my yarn rather than the traditional plying... so here is my first try:

it's romney wool and is very over twisted and feels like rope...

second try:

wool blend and much better, but a very chunky yarn.

and the third time is apparently the charm:

merino fiber from handpaintedyarn.com. The single is much finer and I made sure not to overspin the single, then worked really slowly while plying. This one I love. The color stays together very nicely. I can see using navajo plying quite a bit.

something amazing has happened

2007-11-29T11:25:00.000-08:00

I finished a project. Well actually two! Anyone who checks in here semi-regularly will notice that I start a lot of projects... and finish not so many.

But I actually have a couple done :)

I started a little squishy ball from "knitted Toys" by Zoe Mellor in July. I knit 3 of the little pieces and then put it down. In 2 afternoons I knit the other 3 and sewed it together. Not sure why it took me so long to get back to this one. Nice easyish knit (had to keep track of shaping the pieces). I used some Cascade D'oro (discontinued 50/50 wool alpaca) and Valley Yarns Stockbridge (Webs almost identical yarn - yarn.com). I needed less than 25% of a ball of each color.

I aslo finished my mom's poncho from a couple posts ago. Don't have a new photo yet though :)

lots of undocumented spinning

2007-11-18T11:18:00.000-08:00

I have been spinning more than usual and posting about it less... so here's some catch up.

"deep woods" superwash merino (fat cat knits - etsy)

"royal" superwash merino (pigeon on roof studios -etsy)

"explorer" wool (spunky ecclectic):

"pulse" bfl (spunky ecclectic):

I finally got around to washing and photographing these the other day (the color is a little off... the short daylight hours are making accurate color photos hard)

quick update

2007-11-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

I've been knitting...

my tree jacket (the sleeves have been separated - it looks too red in this photo):

Yarrow Rib Socks for my aunt (first one done second one almost to the heel):

Harlot Poncho for my mom (she really wants one... )I added a cable down the front and back. Using Cascade Eco Wool:

and some spinning

bought soem blue/pink merino at a craft fair:

and here is the final yarn:

also some bfl in "vivian" from fat cat knits on etsy:

and the yarn:

knitty surprise

2007-11-09T09:07:00.000-08:00

this is at the top of my need to cast on list!

Oblique

I have some Elsabeth Lavold Angora in a dark Plum color that could work really well!!! (perhaps I need to finish like 3 scarves and 2 sweaters before I dig in though) :)

got tagged

2007-11-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by abmatic.
Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.
3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).
4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

stuff about me:

1. I love animals. For the most part I prefer them to people. And I don't get people who don't have/want pets.

2. My sense of color is a little "special". I think most colors work together.

3. I'm afraid of fish. When I've gone snorkeling in the past I always worried the fish were going to bite my toes. I have the same mild fear of the beach... but with sand crabs. I'm protective of my feet. Maybe that is why I am digging sock knitting so much.

4. When I was a kid I used to race remote control cars with my dad and brother. We belonged to a little club that did this. I consistently beat all the guys in races (I was about 9 years old and most of them had to have been in their 30's or 40's). I learned early that there was nothing I couldn't do as well as the guys could.

5. I work in computer animation, but that is not what I went to school for. My major was photography and my minor was graphic design. I don't know a lot of people who do as a profession what they went to school for.

6. I am a bit of a control freak. When we got married last year I had so much trouble letting other people help me (except for my husband... he helped very well). We made the invitations ourselves (and the favors, and did all the flowers, and wrote the ceremony). I finally had to deligate some tasks to friends and family but it was hard to let go of some of the control.

7. I don't plan to have kids of my own but really want to be an aunt. So I really hope my brother has a kid or 2 :)

ok tagging kgirl, octopus knits, adrienne

socks have consumed me

2007-10-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

finished a pair:

Yarn: claudia handpaints fingering
Color: chocolate cherries
Pattern: Madder Rib Sock from Knitting Vintage Socks
Needles: Knit Picks Options Circs #1
Yarn Quantity: 2 balls

And stated another:

same book (Yarrow Rib sock). Using knit picks simple stripe yarn. These will be for my aunt and I wanted them to machine wash well. The yarn is kinda fun. my first socks with the self patterning yarn.

spun some BFL

2007-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

the fiber:

single ply:

and 2 ply:

Fiber is from pigeonroof etsy store. and the color is "vintage". This is one of my more sublte colorways of handspun. I'm pleased with it.

Ravelry has made me a bad blogger

2007-10-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

but here are some finished projects.

The 2 scarves I started on my camping trip.

Irish Hiking Scarf in squishy soft merino:

garter stitch scarf in some older handspun of mine (BFL):

and my madder sock (I finished one and am on the toe of the second... but I realized I decreased too fast on the toe of the first one. so I'll have to rip it out and re-do the toe. the new one is fitting better):

pooling different on each sock... oh well.

And a finished Jaywalker (the second one is hardly started... but I'll be getting back to it soon):

and love the heel stripes:

finished 2 socks... so need to take some new photos

2007-10-11T18:49:00.000-07:00

Finished a jaywalker (need to knit the other one but here is an in progress shot (lorna's laces in flamingo stripe):

I love the thicker stripe on the heel :)

and from Knitting Vintage Socks here is most of my Madder ribbed sock (used Claudia Handpainted merino sock yarn in chocolate cherries... it's dreamy):

this one practically flew off the needles. Hopefully the second sock will go as quickly!

this weekend I'll take photos :)

what I knit while camping

2007-10-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

I started 2 easy scarves so I could knit in the car and also have something easy to work on while we were hanging out at the camp site. Well we hardly sat still so not too much kniting actually happened. These are some in progress photos of the scarves.

simple garter stitch scarf made from some early handspun. It was done on my spindle before I got the wheel. 2 ply bfl in "goldigger":

Also an Irish Hiking Scarf from some 100% merino:

I did manage to knit exclusively on these 2 scarves last week and finish them up. But I need to get some good photos to post.

camping is fun

2007-10-01T16:38:00.000-07:00

Big Sur is really pretty:

and campfires of course:

we also went to the monterey bay aquarium.

saw jelly fish:

and even a great shite shark:

I didn't do a ton of knitting but did work on a couple scarves. I'll get photos soon,

goin camping

2007-09-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

so I'll be gone until Oct 1st.

happy knitting all. I'll post some camping photos when I get back.

September 8th... oops

2007-09-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

it was my 3 year blog anniversary and I forgot. So anyhow... I've been doing this whole blog thing for awhile now. Mostly I post photos but that's because I'm not much of a writer... photos are more fun :)

thanks for reading!

one day on my way to work (Bay Bridge West bound into San Francisco)

my first pom pom

2007-09-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky
Color: polar & peace pink
Pattern: Hand Knit Holidays - Elf Hat
Needles: knit picks options #15
Yarn Quantity: about 55 yards total

I look like a dork with this hat on but I like it anyway :) I'll get my husband to take a photo of it on me soon.

tweed coridale spinning

2007-09-13T17:34:00.000-07:00

I've got one sleeve from boatneck bluebell re-knit sans flare (much better). One more to go. Also been working on the Tree Jacket. I really do love the merino I'm using. It's a little more purple less brown than the photo shows.

bought 2 oz of this dark pool blue coridale when the spinning studio around the corner from me had a going out of business sale (Deep Color).

spun that up into a single and then spun up about the same amount of natural white coridale fiber. Then plied them together to make this:

I think mittens from this yarn

boatneck bluebell sleeves part 2

2007-09-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

well I finished all of one sleeve and 80% or the second when it really dawned on me that I don't like a flared sleeve... the pattern is written with a pretty significant flare (see above flat sleeve). So I ripped back the 80% sleeve to where I added increases... and instead I'm decreasing 1 stitch at each end of the needle every 8th row. I just hope it turns out well.

That setback was enough to make me start another sweater because I'm tired of the blue bell. (although I have since been working on blue bell... I have one sleeve almost done again). I decided to start up the Tree Jacket pattern using 100purewool.com merino in a darkred/brown/purple color.

the yarn is so nice and yummy :) And after then endless stockinette stitch of bluebell it's nice to work on this one (still really easy but more interesting)

Pink merino handspun

2007-09-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

Bought some fiber from pigeon roof studios etsy shop. It's superwash merino in blush.

Fiber:

and the 2ply yarn (didn't get a photo of it as single ply):

I love yarn... so much possibility :)

another handspun scarf

2007-09-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

I started and finished this scarf last weekend. Some down time was really needed and a very easy knitting pattern paired with some movies fit the bill.

So made a garter stitch scarf from my Superwash merino yarn in Castaway.

in progress:

and all done:

Yarn: Handspun (superwash merino from spunky ecclectic)
Color: castaway
Pattern: garter stitch
cast on 20 stitches. knit each row untill long enough
Needles: knit picks options #8
Yarn Quantity: 180 yards

razor lace scarf

2007-09-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

also finally took some photos of this scarf I finished a week ago. It's a little scratchy for a scarf. I may try soaking it longer in eucalan.

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Sport
Color: Chartreuse 527
Pattern: 2 row repeat
cast on a multiple of 10+1
right side: k1 *yo, k3, slip 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1*
wrong side: purl
Needles: crystal palace bamboo #5
Yarn Quantity: 2.25 balls (270 yards)

Plaid Cardigan - photos

2007-09-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

IT was pretty hot at my place yesterday but I put on a bulky cardigan anyway :) And my husband took some photos for me.

A pleasant knit that moved along nice and quickly (size 10.5 needles will do that). It'll make for a nice light coat this fall. But I need to fix the collar... I need to knit it a little longer and bind off more loosly. I thought it was ok untill I saw the photos :)

Yarn: Rowan Plaid
Color: driftwood #166
Pattern: Give The People What They Want Cardi from Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits
Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars #10 for button bands and collar #10.5 for body and ribbing
Yarn Quantity: about 800 yards

Elf Hat

2007-08-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

from Handknit Holidays. It's done... except for a pom pom and some cords from the ear flaps. I've never made a pom pom before. I guess I'll buy one of those plastic pop pom maker circle things with the hole in them. Here is the mostly done hat:

and the huge stitches closer up:

I used Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky in polar bear and peace pink. It feels like strawberry ice cream to me. And used size 15 knit picks options needles. Nice and pointy!

Novascotia Alpaca

2007-08-30T10:54:00.000-07:00

Alpaca is so much more dense than merino, bfl, or falkland wool. This yarn is heavy and not bouncy, but has a nice sheen to it. Not quite sure what I'll make with it but here is the yarn:

and as a single ply:

and the fiber:

Sweater photo

2007-08-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Rowan Plaid
Color: driftwood #166
Pattern: Give The People What They Want Cardi from Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits
Needles: Addi Turbo Circulars #10 for button bands and collar #10.5 for body and ribbing
Yarn Quantity: about 600 yards

need a photo of it on me... will get one this weekend. But an actual completed sweater... a first for me in a loooooooooong time.

If all goes well...

2007-08-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

I should be uploading photos tonight! I never realized how much I depend on our computer at home.

so just so Jill and Seamus don't feel left out... here are my other 2 animals (we have a total of 3 cats and a dog)

Jill:

Seamus:

You saw Jack & Shasta :)

And in knitting news I think I'll swatch for both the Tree Jacket and the Phyllo Yoked sweater. See which one speaks to me. I'm at the elbow of the second sleeve of Boatneck Bluebell. So I'll get that one finished up before I start a new one :) I should also really knit the bottom of my Unisex knock-around pullover (bottom of post).. the one I abandoned back in August (2005). It's from Weekend Knitting.

Perhaps I'll Finish boatneck, then swatch for a new sweater, then finish up knockaround pullover... sheesh I have some knitting to do :)

my next sweater...

2007-08-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Phyllo Yoked from Knitting Nature in Valley Yarns Longmeadow olive perhaps (from my Picovoli that I frogged... the sleeve length would have looked really bad on me)

or

Tree Jacket from Zephyr Style in cashmerino aran (burnt orange) or Tess Superwash merino in verigated green

or

Ariann from Chic Knits probably in cashmerino aran (burnt orange) or elann alpaca in black. Although I have some rowan kid classic in navy that would look good too.

I'm nearing completion on my boatneck Bluebell sweater from fitted knits... so I'm thinking about starting one of the above... Just not sure which one. any thoughts?

computer tomorrow perhaps...

2007-08-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

My husband is working on it today... so perhaps I'll have some photos to show tomorrow. I even finished a sweater... and for once it's not too big! It's "give the people what they want" cardi from Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits. It's almost dry and I really like how it turned out.

but in the mean time here is a photo of my dog shasta (pit bull boxer mix). This is from a trip to the dog park last month. She's a happy dog.

and on our kitchen floor waiting for food to fall:

oh computer where art thou

2007-08-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

Another of my photos... I've been assured that my husband will be getting our mysterious boot drive issues fixed this week or next. So hopefully I'll have some knitting photos to share soon.

But I finished another long term project. It's a razor lace scarf out of blue sky sport alpaca. A lovely yellow green color. It'd been on the needles since I started it on the plane to New York last March (06). It also traveled to Italy with us on our honeymoon last October (had to have something to knit on the plane). Hopefully photos will follow shortly.

here is an OLD photo of the newly finished scarf:

yeah baby

2007-08-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

I'm a raveler :) My user name is yarnjunkie. And I do understand what people warned about with the time suck this is. But there is a lot of good stuff in there. If/when you are in please look me up... I'm having fun with the future projects que... I have so many things I want to knit :)

Ravelry tomorrow perhaps

2007-08-19T08:50:00.001-07:00

* You signed up on June 15, 2007
* You are #9334 on the list.
* 62 people are ahead of you in line.
* 17162 people are behind you in line.
* 34% of the list has been invited so far

I'm such a list stalker :)

Photos - but not of knitting

2007-08-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

A little TTV photography inspired by Girl on the Rocks. So fun:)

here's how to do it.

yeah no photos

2007-08-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Mohair.You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to change your position once it is set, but that's okay since you are good at covering up your mistakes.
Take this quiz!

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Ravelry soo close

2007-08-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

* You signed up on June 15, 2007
* You are #9334 on the list.
* 582 people are ahead of you in line.
* 15864 people are behind you in line.
* 34% of the list has been invited so far

poor things... the last bullet point always says 33 or 34%

Home computer not working

2007-08-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

so I am without photos but can post text from work... I'm not much of a writer. I like to post photos. So you probably won't see much on here until my husband gets it working again (he broke it but I love him anyway).

In som e knitting news I finished the entrelac homespun scarf from a couple posts ago. And I have started up on a couple long abandoned sweaters. Boatneck Bluebell from Fitted Knits. I have one sleeve to go and need to sew up the arms and weave in the ends. Also got going on the sleeves for "give the people what they want"cardi from Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits. I'm using the lovely (and discontinued) Rowan Plaid for this one... it's such great yarn.

and I have some photos of my cats on flickr that I can just sprinkle in here so the posts aren't toally photo-less.

Yawning Jack :)

almost a Raveler

2007-08-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

* You signed up on June 15, 2007
* You are #9334 on the list.
* 1071 people are ahead of you in line.
* 14682 people are behind you in line.
* 34% of the list has been invited so far

some more of the spinning I did

2007-08-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

Fat Cats Knits merino fiber in buckaroo. I did what they suggested on the tag that came with the fiber to make it more tweedy. Separated it into 8 strips then using 2 strips of fiber (one flipped so the colors didn't match up)I spun it together. Then made it 2 ply. the color is more like tweed and less stripy this way :)

Also used some of my handpaintedyarn.com merino fiber. I tried really hard to make a chunky thick thin yarn. It was really awkward... I need more practice. But I think the yarn looks pretty regardless of how spazzy I felt while spinning it.

been spinning a bunch

2007-08-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fat Cats Knits superwash wool fiber in hobgobblin. This fiber was really nice to spin... long staple and has a nice sheen to it.

singel ply:

2 ply:

ummm zombies :)

2007-08-02T17:57:00.001-07:00

51%

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

51%

3rd time is the charm

2007-08-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Homespun yarn + needles = scarf I like

Entrelac scarf made with blocks 8 stitches wide rather than 10 (better width than before). I'm really liking how this is turning out. I've actually been faithful to this project... perhaps I'll finish something :)

Birthday meme

2007-08-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Wiki Birthday meme (January 10th). The rules are… you go to www.wikipedia.org and type in your birthday (only the month and day). Then you write down 3 events, 2 births, and 1 holiday. I decided to tag myself after reading this one at octopus knits.

Events:
*49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war.
*1927 - The film Metropolis by Fritz Lang premieres.
*1990 - Time Warner is formed from the merger of Time Inc. and Warner Communications Inc.
and a bonus one that is scary considering the Time Warner one above
*2000 - America Online announces an agreement to buy Time Warner for $162 billion, the largest corporate merger in history.

Births:
*1883 - Aleksei Nikolaevich Tolstoi, Russian writer (d. 1945)
*1949 - George Foreman, American boxer

Holiday
*Margaret Thatcher day in the Falkland Islands

two failed attempts

2007-07-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

I wanted to knit a scarf from my handspun

so I started an Irish Hiking Scarf:

but decided it was too striped for cables.

So I ripped it out and started an entrelac scarf:

but it was too wide (super wide scarf or really narrow stole). So I ripped that one out too and started a more narrow entrelac scarf. I finally have a winner (but no photo... I'll get one up soon)

IK Fall 07 preview

2007-07-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

preview here
these all look like things I'd like to make (from looking at the small photos at least):

the first one looks good without the belt (I hate belted sweaters!) There were also a bunch of socks that looked interesting.

Raverly waiting list

2007-07-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not one of the poeple who has been sending the folks at Raverly annoying emails demanding that they work 97 hours a day so that I be let on now... but I really do wish it were ready for everyone now. I'm antsy and so not close to being let in...

* You signed up on June 15, 2007
* You are #9334 on the list.
* 2866 people are ahead of you in line.
* 10414 people are behind you in line.
* 32% of the list has been invited so far

instant gratification

2007-07-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

Everyting is just going too slowly... so I started a narrow single rib scarf in size 11 needles. It's Cashmerino superchunky in a forrest green and dusty pink. It's practically done already. I feel this need to use up a bunch of yarn since the moth discovery. I just want to knit thorugh it all and give it away as gifts or wash it up really well and put it in my closet. Hopefully the eucalan really does help moth proof my knitting. Here is the scarf:

cause I don't have any new photos :)

2007-07-19T09:30:00.001-07:00

I am 67% Addicted to Coffee

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

Baby Kimono knitted

2007-07-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

I'm just trying to shame myself into seeming it up now:

MOTHS!

2007-07-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

I had noticed a moth or two in our second bedroom where I keep my roving and yarn (all of it). So I thought it good to go through my jumbo stash moth hunting and stash prtecting. Bought some plastic bins and some big ziploc bags and went to work.

I'm not quite done yet but so far 2 bundles of roving are in the garbage as well at 3 balls of cascade 220. There was some obvious breeding going on. The rest of my yarn and roving have been put into bags and bins so if any of it is infested (although I didn't see anymore evidence) it will at least be contained. What a hassle. This is going to make my yarn diet a lot easier. I want to use up what I have and not add more yarn to the stash that might possibly get infested. Sheesh what a way to spend your weekend.

Roadtrip Merino

2007-07-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

I swear I still knit. But lately the spinning has been taking over. I'm guessing that eventually I'll have to sell some of the hand spun yarn as there is no way I can knit it all up (plus my substantial machine spun yarn stash). But here is some more spinning goodness.

Roadtrip colorway Spunky Eclectic Merino roving. (can you tell I'm a fan of her roving?):

Single ply:

2ply on the flyer:

and all twisted into a hank:

I did up 8oz of this yarn so it's destined to be a scarf of sorts... have to find a good pattern for this stuff. I really like this one!

castaway

2007-07-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Superwash merino fiber from Spunky Eclectic in "Castaway":

Single ply yarn:

2ply yarn:

perhaps it's a good thing my yarn purchasing has slowed.... so much handspun to use now.

handspun flip top mittens

2007-07-11T11:26:00.000-07:00

Yarn: my handspun (merino spunky ecclectic fiber)
Color: autumn
Pattern: Handknit Holiday Flip-top Mittens
Needles: Knitpicks Options #7
Yarn Quantity: about 2 oz (I need to weigh the remaining yarn)

It's really cool knitting with your own handspun! These are earmarked for my mom. She saw them and really liked them (yesterday was her birthday so I figure one more little gift is in order).

Dunder Mifflin Personality Quiz

2007-07-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

You scored as Pam Beesly, You're Pam! Oh, I mean Fancy New Beesly. We're all so proud of you.

Pam Beesly

60%

Ryan Howard

45%

Jim Halpert

45%

Karen Fillipelli

43%

Toby Flenderson

40%

Creed Bratton

35%

Dwight Schrute

35%

Kelly Kapoor

30%

Kevin Malone

25%

Jan Levinson

23%

Michael Scott

23%

Andy Bernard

18%

Meredith Palmer

15%

Angela Martin

10%

Dunder Mifflin Personality Quiz
created with QuizFarm.com

got a new knited toy book... kinda excited

2007-07-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

Knitted Toys
by Zoe Mellor

there are so many cute patterns in here. I'm going to make up some of these just to have around for the birthdays of our friends kids. Click on the "view more images" under the image from knit picks site. There is a dinosaur that I just HAVE to make :)

And I finished up a couple projects (need to get some decent light and take some photos). The handspun flip top mittens are all done and washed. And the Baby Kimono (pink thing from a couple posts back) is all knitted... just need to sew it up. I feel good about finishing a couple projects. There are still quite a few on needles but I'm getting through them.

cheeky monkey

2007-07-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

that's the name of the color of this fiber. Amy over at spunky eclectic has fun with her naming.

Here's the yarn as single ply & 2 ply:

And with all this handspun yarn I've been posting... I have actually been knitting with it as well. Making some fliptop mittens with the Autumn 2-ply merino:

friend having a baby!

2007-06-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

There is a baby girl due in August. So I'm making the Baby Kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting (using Rowan All Seasons Cotton):

there is something about garter stitch that I just love. I need to use it more. Perhaps one of my bundles of handspun would work into a nice scarf that way. Anyhow... this pattern is super easy to follow and the Rowan ASC is great to work with (I am not normally fond of working with cotton yarn). So 2 thumbs up on this project so far. I just need to actually finish this one up (rather then move along to the next shiny project I see).

most sucessful single ply so far

2007-06-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

it's actually mostly even! (color Pine Shoreline - Falkland wool)

here's the fiber (got from fat cat knits on etsy):

Very pleased with the fiber... spun like a dream and is sof t enough for a scarf.

Monkey Saga

2007-06-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

So I really like the monkey sock... I've started it 4 times in different yarns now.

First time:

monarch sock yarn in Nasturtium. Love the yarn, love the colors... but it's a thicker sock yarn so the sock was too big.

Second time:
some green hand dyed yarn that was too fine and therefore too small.

Third time:

I should have stopped here (the cuff was pretty tight getting the sock over my heel. But I kept going thinking "no it's fine.. I can get it over my heel if I work at it".

I actually got the heel flap all done before I ripped it out.
Claudia's fingering weight in chocolate cherries (love the yarn and color).

Ok Fourth time seems to be the charm:

Sundara sock yarn in sweet brier rose. I cast on more loosely and changed the rib to 2x2 rather than single and twisted (got the idea from Mrs. Octopus Knits). It seems to be ok... we'll see if this is it. Luckily the pattern seems to knit up pretty fast. Going quicker than my jaywalkers (although both are awesome patterns)

whew... with all this monkey knitting I should already have a finished pair... sheesh :)

Really Really 100% finished Jaywalkers

2007-06-25T13:16:00.000-07:00

this one has more accurate color:

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock
Color: Martha's Vineyard
Pattern: Jaywalker from Mag Knits
Needles: Addi Turbo #1
Yarn Quantity: about 350 yards

These are my first knitted socks. I've knit scarves, sweaters, mittens, hats, purses, toys.... just never socks till now. Which is odd. I love socks and I really enjoy knitting them! Now I just can't stop making them :)

I love these even though I knit them just a tad big.... I'm even working on a second pair :) The Lorna's Laces Flamingo Stripe just begged to be jaywalkers:

Autumn Colorway 2ply

2007-06-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

The single ply (autumn merino fiber from spunky ecclectic)

2ply:

yummy soft!

More Spinning

2007-06-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

Went to Deep Color (Fiber/spinning shop in Kensington) and bought some merino in 4 colors to try and make a 4 ply yarn :) Some BFL in a heathery brown. And some fiber that makes noro like self striping yarn (in back of photo) also picked up a much better spinning book then the Ashford Book I had. Teach Yourself Visually: Handspinning. Great big help!

Here is the self striping yarn I spun up:

Jebus! more socks I just HAVE to make

2007-06-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Spindle Socks

Bayerische Socks

BFF Socks

there are just sooooooooooo many socks out there.

And I picked up a copy of Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush and there are a ton of cool socks in there too. Perhaps I need to stop looking for patterns (or reading peoples blogs... that is where the 3 socks above came from).

Spinning up a storm

2007-06-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

This is the first yarn I made (it's super thick thin but still totally usable... I'll figure out something to make out of it:

Here's the fiber I "tried to spin" while getting a grip on the bobbin and whorl tensions:

And here's just some of my spinning.... I've been just a touch obsessed:

handpainted yarn .com merino roving in "buterflies"

spunky eclectic superwash merino in "sour grapes" (bad color on the photo)

Corriedale Wool from an etsy seller who is no longer selling.

Same Corriedale wool as above but spun thinner to use for 2 ply yarn.

and that's my first successfull 2 ply (no photos of the bad merino 2 ply I made the day before... it's just ugly)

new appreciation for sock photos

2007-06-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

yeah taking photos of your own feet is kinda tough... once I finish the second sock (I just finished turning the heel) I think I'll have my husband help with the photos.

here's the first one (minus the kirchnered toe... still not positive I have enough yarn to finish the secone one).

I'm using Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Martha's Vineyard that I bought about 3 years ago :)

another scarf finished

2007-06-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Angora
Color: Misty Blue on ends and Driftwood in middle
Pattern: not quite straight scarf
Needles: Lantern Moon straights #9
Yarn Quantity: 3.5 balls (325 yards)

Finished Endpaper Mits

2007-06-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

I made 2 pair and will certainly make more later. This is a great pattern and a nice easy way to play with fair isle. The first pair I knit pretty much exactly as the pattern is written:

Yarn: baby cashmere from elann (the lighter blue) and some hand dyed Superfine Superwash Sport Merino from Lisa Souza
Color: denim & blue visage
Pattern: Endpaper Mitts by Eunny
Needles: Addi Turbo #1 for ribbing and #2 for main
Yarn Quantity: less than 100 yards of lighter color and probably 150-200 yards of the darker blue

For the second pair I didn't do the seam stitch as a purl. I just did a knit stitch (my seam is kinda sloppy looking on the first pair, but much cleaner on this pair). I also cut out 2 of the three repeats on the arm to make these much shorter on the arm.

Yarn: debbie bliss baby cashmerino for light pink & claudia handpaints fingering weight for the darker color
Color:
Pattern: Endpaper Mitts by Eunny
Needles: Addi Turbo #1 for ribbing and #2 for main
Yarn Quantity: less than 100 yards of darker color and probably 150-200 yards of the light pink

IK posts

2007-06-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

I've been browsing some of my past issues and realize I need to keep better track of the patterns I really liked.... so I'm puting them here. Many more to come!

IK 2003 Winter

2007-06-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

Project Details here.

IK 2003 Fall

2007-06-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

Project Details here.

more interesting sock patterns

2007-05-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

well I took photos

2007-05-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

just didn't get them uploaded before I went to work today :)

So in exciting news for me... my spinning wheel finally came (I knew it was back ordered). It took some practice and frustration but I'm making yarn. It's quite different then spinning on a drop spindle. You really have to get the different tension knobs set right. But I really like it! I spent quite a bit of time playing with it over the long weekend. Hopefully I'll get my photos uploaded tonight. My yarn is a bit more lumpy then the stuff I spun on the drop spindle.

I also finished up one jaywalker sock. It's so comfy. I think I'm going to like wearing handmade socks. I'm just a little concerned that I won't have enough yarn to finish the second sock (I have big feet and the remaining yarn ball doesn't look that big).... we'll see I suppose. I can always order some more... the toe may have to be a different dye lot.

I also picked up my swallowtail shawl and got a few rows done. Those purl 5 togethers are really a pain. This project has languished... but I do plan to finish it.

really really will have photos soon :)

joined the sock knitting club

2007-05-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

I love socks. I've always loved buying fun socks. But I've been knitting for almost 5 years and have never knit socks. I've even bought sock yarns.... just didn't get around to knitting them. But after knitting 2 pairs of endpaper mits (I'll get photos posted this weekend) I discovered that I love knitting small projects on tiny needles. So I cast on for Grumperina's Jaywalker socks a couple days ago. I'm to the heel flap on the first sock. LOVING it! This is a pretty easy pattern so far. 2 row repeat that goes pretty quickly. We'll see how I do with turning the heel and doing the instep stuff. But I think if I just follow the directions I should be ok. But I do see how the sock knitting could be addictive.... if I didn't have yarn for so many other projects I might have been in trouble :) And I'm using some Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn I bought about 3 years ago for this pair. I don't have the yarn label in front of me but the color is like a tropical oil puddle. Charcoal, dark brown, bright blue, teal, and mossy green.

oops bought some yarn

2007-05-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

but it's not just any old yarn. It's Sundara Yarn. I resisted the Little Knits Noro sale (it was close... I filled a shopping cart and then closed the window).

I bought 1 ball of :

Curry over Breeze sport merino
Sweet Brier Rose sock
Sangria over Garnet sock

But other than those 3 balls of yarn I've been really good since stitches in February. I've even been diving deep into the stash for projects. Yarn that I bought quite awhile ago is finally getting used. It feels good to finally get to some of the older yarn in my stash. I have a bunch of great yarns... just wish there were more time for knitting.

Interweave Summer 07

2007-05-10T16:59:00.000-07:00

to make in the future:

boatneck bluebell - fitted knits

2007-05-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm trying so hard to not abandon another mostly finished sweater :) Just need to finish off the sleeves. Knitting from the top down is awesome. I tried on the sweater and it fits so well! My problem is that it got so hot here in the last week that I just can't knit this sweater (big pile of wool in my lap). Hopefully it'll cool off for a week or so... then I can finish the sleeves.

I'm using Elann Uros Aran (wool/llama blend).
color : palm for most and peridot for some detail at the horizontal rib.

here are the more accurate color swatches from elann:
palm peridot

and a detail shot:

I'm going to knit so many patterns from Fitted Knits. So well written and flattering :)

scarves in progress

2007-05-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

not quite straight scarf
I'm using Elsebeth lavold Angora (soft blue on the ends and creamy beige in the middle) I love this yarn:

Also working on the Simple Cabled Scarf from Cables Untangled. I'm using Elann 100% alpaca. It's working out really nice.

endpaper revisited

2007-05-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

I finished the first mitt and am further along on the second one than the photo reflects. I really have loved this pattern. The size 1 needles are really nice to work with. I've yet to knit socks... perhaps I'll have to try some.

finished a couple scarves

2007-05-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

farrow rib scarf in handpaintedyarn.com bulky merino (LOVE this yarn):

and a "my so called scarf" in worsted merino from these guys:

The first scarf I knit up in a couple weeks between working on other projects. The second one has been on the needles for I think about 2 years... not sure why exactly.

more hats!

2007-05-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

handpainted yarn.com handspun bulky and colinette one-zero. It's the hat pattern in Last Minute Knitted Gifts just like the post a couple down :)

bit the bullet... ordered a spinning wheel

2007-04-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel

Made in the U.S. of hard maple and walnut and finished with a Danish oil, the Schacht Matchless spinning wheel comes to you assembled. It includes a Lazy Kate (the "Industrious Kate"), 2 whorls, 4 bobbins and an adjustable carrying strap which makes it handy to transport. It features self-aligning bronze bearings and double drive with alternate scotch tension option. Wheel diameter: 191/2"; Orifice: 3/8"; Ratios: 9:1, 11:1, 13:1 and 15.5:1.

It's backordered... but I should see it in about a month!

Got the double treadle!

So I've knitted a few hats

2007-03-29T15:39:00.000-07:00

Using handpainted yarn.com handspun bulky and colinette one-zero. I just used the hat pattern in Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Super easy knit... I wanted to use up some of my beautiful yarn. And I've had knitting ADD lately so these were perfect little projects.

sorry the color is kinda crappy... haven't been home in the day light is quite awhile :(

Farrow Rib Scarf

2007-03-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

I needed a nice easy quick project. So I started a farrow rib (k2, p1 over a multiple of 3 stitches) scarf in Handpaintedyarn.com bulky merino on size 11 needles. It's moving along at a quite satisfying rate:

endpaper mits (one almost done)

2007-03-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

need to re-do the ribbing at the fingers with a smaller needle... it flairs now. oops.

fitted knits

2007-03-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

so I had a gift certificate to spend at amazon. I was trying to decide between Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel or Lace Style by Pam Allen and Ann Budd. Other than a few photos online I hadn't gotten a great look at the projects in either. But a few months ago I picked up Victorian Lace Today so I figured another lace book might be a little overkill. Fitted Knits on the other hand was very appealing as I love stephanie's designs. Well this book is a huge WINNER. There are several sweaters that I am having a really hard time not starting.

But I'm trying to clear out some WIPS.... not something I'm good at... you know completing projects once the honeymoon is over. But I figure I should either finish these long abandoned projects or rip them out. There are a few that will just be ripped out.

Back to the new book. It's great! Nice unique items. Not all are to my taste, but many are. And they just look very wearable and fashionable. Wish I had more time to knit so I could make them all right now :)

alpaca!

2007-03-14T13:11:00.000-07:00

While visiting family in Placerville, Ca over the weekend... we stumbled upon an alpaca farm. We were driving by and I shrieked with joy and my husband pulled over so we could pet them :) The farm also has a gift shop... so I bought some hand spun alpaca too (still need photos of that).

fab list

2007-03-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

I need to put something like this together. I have so many wips... might help me to track them better. perhaps I'd finish them :)

In fact over the next couple night's I'm going to try and photo all my wips and figure out what's happeing with them. Need to be knitted, finished, frogged... some really just need to be frogged. after 2 years on needles with no knitting. this will be interesting.

various felted bags - after felting

2007-03-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

here they were before I actually washed them. And here's after:

needs bamboo handles sewn in:

currently knitting

2007-03-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

I started My So Called Scarf in merino from 100% wool over a year ago. The yarn is identical to Malabrigo... just cheaper and in different colors. Figured it was time to get this one finished up. Not done yet but making good progress:

And still ticking away at my endpaper mits:

Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Mohair

2007-03-10T09:49:00.000-08:00

For Sale Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Mohair

colors from top to bottom and left to right:
1 - Velvet 603 (mid purple), 2 - Romany 602 (chocolate with a touch of purple in the light)
1 - Cello 605 (pale green), 1 - Wisteria 607 (icy purple)
1 - Swamp 606 (army green)

all sold except colors in orange above

from a smoke free home with cats (but the cats aren't allowed to snuggle with the yarn or anything)

Rare Comfort Kid Mohair is a unique blend of kid mohair and wool. It is an especially fine, soft yarn, which is a delight to wear and a joy to knit with

content: 80% Kid Mohair, 5% Wool, 15% Polyamide
yardage: 95 yds
weight: Aran
gauge: 4 sts/1in
needle: US 8

original price: $7.50 each
my price: $5.50 each or all six for $30 + actual price of shipping
terms: PayPal, check, accepted
Posted by: amber
If you're interested, email me at virtual_yarnjunkie@yahoo.com

Classic Elite La Gran Mohair - SOLD

2007-03-10T09:31:00.000-08:00

For Sale Classic Elite La Gran Mohair

from a somke free home with cats (but the cats aren't allowed to snuggle with the yarn or anything)

La Gran is a classic brushed mohair. Perfect for cozy mohair sweaters, or add a strand in with your felting project.

Stitches: 4
Needle: 9
Content: 76% mohair 18% wool 6% nylon
Yardage: 90
Colors: from left - 6552 eggplant - 6539 eucalyptus green - 6562 blue spruce
Category: Heavy Worsted Weight Yarn

Price: $5.00 each or all 3 for $12.00 (retail $7.50 each) + shipping (I'll only charge actual cost of shipping)
Terms: PayPal, check or check please
Posted by: amber
If you're interested, email me at virtual_yarnjunkie@yahoo.com

endpaper mittens

2007-03-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

I'm using some baby cashmere from elann (the lighter blue) and some hand dyed Superfine Superwash Sport Merino from Lisa Souza (stitches purchase) for the main color (denim). Really enjoying making these. I knda love knitting with little needles. The final knit is so delicate :) I started this mitten in two colors of lisa souza sport merino... but the colors were just too similar in value. The pattern got lost. I I ripped it out and subbed in the elan yarn. Looking much better!

various felted bags

2007-03-07T13:45:00.000-08:00

Knit these up in the last couple weeks. And they are now felted and drying. I'll get some photos once they dry.

been a busy little knitter

2007-03-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

I knit a scarf in this pattern with this yarn....

and then forgot to take a photo of it before gifting it to my Aunt over the weekend. Oops.

Yarn: Berroco Pleasure
Color: deep red
Pattern: cable and lace pattern from Vogue Knitting Stictionary #2
Needles: Lantern Moon wooden straights #10
Yarn Quantity: 3 balls (350ish yards)

new knitty

2007-03-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

and for my future projects:

bmp - space invaders socks 9 st inch
ribena - short sleeve fitted pullover 5.5 st inch
torque - assymetrical cable pannel pullover 5 st inch
palette - lacy scarf made from homespun yarn
dashing - fingerless mittens with cable wrist shaping - 4.5 st inch

2007-02-28T17:49:00.000-08:00

another felted bag (and another zipper needed)
before:

after:

Yarn: Handpaintedyarn.com bulky handspun
Color: Musa
Pattern: I made it up based on mag knits sophie handle
Needles: Addi Turbo #11
Yarn Quantity: 1.5 balls (about 200 yards)