Horse Hound Knit Spin

my new little man.

2011-03-28T17:07:00.000-05:00

Benjamin

Born: February 23, 2011

He's a big boy, 9 lbs 4 oz at birth, but now not at all like a newborn. That picture was taken at 7 days old, he was born with all that hair! I miss being pregnant a lot, I was very lucky because I had zero complaints. But I'm over the moon excited to finally meet my wee one, we'll have him on a pony in no time!

snow.

2011-03-27T10:43:00.007-05:00

This is what greeted me this morning when I walked to the barn to feed my wee horse in my PJ's and Wellies (classy, I know). Snow.

Dear Spring, hurry up and arrive already!

It's in March that I start thinking about Paris. I think about how green the grass is getting and how warm the days are now and more importantly all those pastries and espresso that aren't being consumed by me. What a waste!

I know, I just left and it was covered in snow even then. I actually considered staying and having my baby there, nothing wrong with dual citizenship, right?? But I grudgingly packed up my lovely apartment and left before I was too far along to fly.

I took this shot walking around in December.

But walking around in the blizzard was even Parisian sublime, people were smiling and chatting excitedly to strangers about all the snow. It felt like it brought everyone together, even my grouchy neighbor knocked on my door to ask me if I needed him to pick something up while he was out. Ah, the city of love and lights putting an end to grouchiness.........for a moment.

I want to be there.

peacock love

2010-10-28T18:04:00.006-05:00

I've fallen in love with the new Liberty of London peacock fabric I bought in England and just had to make a tote from it, I listed it and the first one already sold right away. I hope she loves it!

I've neglected my blog because of this little distraction.

21 weeks already! It's going much too fast and I want the time to slow down. This pregnancy has been totally blissful (I'm probably cursing myself by stating that!), I've loved every moment of it and now that the baby is kicking I love it even more. I'm knitting up a storm for him!

Meet my other new baby......

Her name is Cassiopeia and she's a Percheron Cross mare, she's only two years old (unbroken and still a bit gawky and has to grow into her body, she'll be about 16.3) so by the time I have the baby in March she and I will both be ready to go. Until then I'll be lunging her all fall and winter and handling her enough so she's ready by April. I can't wait to train her over some jumps!

So I've been a bit a very busy bee! I have 5 new clutches curing as we speak that I'll be posting here in the next week or so just in time for the holidays.

I'll post some of my knitting here soon! I've bought some GORGEOUS Sundara Aran Silky Merino in a dark ruby port red that screams Shetland Triangle (yes, that will be #5 for me!). I've also bought some Woolen Rabbit yarn for a couple of Pea Vine triangles, one in a ruby red and another in an oakmoss . Her yarns are divine!

I'm also knitting up a handspun baby blanket and a Baby Surprise Jacket for my little bug to be.

my tiny secret.....revealed. tada!

2010-08-04T18:02:00.004-05:00

It's been really hard keeping being pregnant a secret for so long, but I thought I should wait the normal three months before I announced the news. Yesterday I saw it, watched the heart flutter and heard the heart beat!

I'M SO EXCITED! The little one looks like a gummy bear so far! ;)

I think I'm due for an "I'm so crafty I make people" shirt.

turquoise waters

2010-07-29T18:41:00.000-05:00

Driving to CDG last week was sad for me, I had to keep telling myself that I will be back in September, just a short number of weeks. But I when I flew into St. Martin and that warm, salty air hit me I couldn't help but smile. I jumped on a questionable looking boat and took the long ride to the other islands to begin my ten days alone on a beach and then an other week with my dear friends. I'm already a bit burnt. I'll buy a new camera while I'm here and post a few pictures, until then I only have my Droid. Now I'm off to drink some Ting!

Sweet, blissful solitude.

good things come is small packages

2010-07-01T07:38:00.005-05:00

Behold........my 6 inch clutches!

This fabric was begging for a little 6 inch silk lined clutch!

The weather has been divine! I've been visiting the Philips Collection Museum, my favorite spot in DC for some solitude, even when I drag a friend or two there. I can't get enough of it, so I've become a member. And we've been eating outside while we can, DC is having a bit of a restaurant renaissance!

No knitting or spinning lately, I'm just too busy. My poor Shetland Triangle and Lady Eleanor that have been left on their needles for a very long time! I began knitting and spinning to relieve stress years ago and I was so stressed I became addicted to it. But life is so easy going now, but still busy, that I don't feel the need to knit! Maybe when the airs starts to get crisp again in the fall.....apple picking season!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend!

it's been too long.....

2010-06-28T11:51:00.007-05:00

Life's been busy and my wee blog has been left out in the cold, I've had so much to blog about though.....go figure! I'll catch up with all the good news soon!

Spring and summer has brought with it some lovely new Liberty of London fabrics that work perfectly with the eight inch clutches!

We also passed the first week in June with the annual Upperville Horse Show and my most favorite day is the The Jumper Classic, some highlights:

I'm off to Anguilla in a week for a much and long needed vacation, this will my first truly laid back vacation in 10 years!! And then I'm off to Seattle to visit a friend in August....it's time to enjoy life a bit, it's much too short!

wordless wednesday.

2010-03-24T20:18:00.001-05:00

Paris.

Cozy.

2010-03-09T17:10:00.003-05:00

Knitting and winding in bed, pure indulgence.

please pardon our dust.....

2010-02-11T16:25:00.001-05:00

....while I move the rest of my things to my new studio space, well new to my sewing machine, I have a weekday reprieve from the country I've rented since July. The cutest carriage house near Kalorama that I've made mine! Pictures coming as soon as I set up the wireless.

I'm also taking a break from all this snow next week (and the snow fights in the streets of DC!) and it will be sourdough in Sausalito with a friend until I can take no more. So postings may be few, but I will be updating my shop remotely with my new clutches. Cheers!

ginkgo.

2010-01-26T10:26:00.003-05:00

I love this sateen fabric and I think it looks better in the 8 inch clutch size. (I'm no longer selling 12 in clutches in my Etsy shop, unless there is a special request.) The oranges, reds and army greens go perfect together. I have a new batch of Spring fabric, I'll be posting new clutches in a few days.

I'm off to shop for fabric, I have a fundraiser coming up in February and need a very special horse country fabric for the special event!

Other than that I'm LOVING our new Dim Sum place here in DC, Ping Pong, I wish it was open 24/7 (it almost is)!

Vacances.

2010-01-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

Much needed and well deserved. Au revoir pour maintenant!

Tote.

2010-01-15T08:24:00.000-05:00

My tote frame kisslock clutches have been finished and no sooner had I listed the first tote in my Etsy shop than someone had bought one! I hope they love it! I'm making a damask one for myself.

I'm looking forward to the Spring, that's the wonderful thing about the seasons and fashion/retail, you always get to look forward to the next season. Winter doldrums get brightened by Spring colors. I have a high stack of new fabrics I'm about to dive into for the Spring, things seem to be falling into place and we're getting ready planning for The Middleburg Hunt Spring Races in April and our very Valentiney Hunt Ball in February. A lot to be happy about for 2010, I'm happily saying goodbye to 2009!

good things come in small packages.

2009-12-07T11:55:00.000-05:00

I've made an eight inch version of the other Damask clutch and I love it, I'm making one for myself. I just listed it in ye olde shoppe.

I spent part of the weekend braving the wet snow during The Middleburg Christmas parade, it was treacherous!

That's me in the last two shots, I think the smile was frozen on my face.

I'm off making a new bag design and hope to get some up very soon, I think they'll be perfect for the spring!

thanksgiving birds.

2009-11-24T06:18:00.000-05:00

I've made another frame clutch purse with the lovely fabric from the Etsy painter Karin Grow, the blue chickadees are so very lovely.

This pretty clutch features sweet birds sitting on a branch on a blue background, this fabric is available in limited quantities and the first time to be offered as a clutch on Etsy, give it a look see: Briana E. Etsy Shop . Lined in complimentary cream white Silk Dupioni. This is my favorite fabric from Karin yet!

We're getting ready for Thanksgiving here, this year we've made it easier on ourselves so I won't be my usual.......what would you call it.......completely exhausted self. It leaves the morning for a chilly horse ride through the country. Although it will be a flurry of pie making on Wednesday, which is my favorite part of Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

fall.

2009-11-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

I finished this colorful damask clutch last week and have already sold the first. I love the details of my new fall fabric, I wish the photos could capture the crispness of the pattern and the colors.
And it just so happened that the silk dupioni lining matches the sage green perfectly. Lucky day.

on holiday.

2009-10-20T11:44:00.000-05:00

I may not return. Ever.

Plumage.

2009-10-18T14:11:00.000-05:00

The first one of my Green Peacock clutches already sold. I love this fabric, It was hard letting it go, I'm running off now to make one for myself. The second is up in my Etsy shop.

naughty.

2009-10-16T06:48:00.002-05:00

That's me. I don't even want to admit the last time I was able to blog. But, it's been a flurry of purse frames and fabric and I've got the new fall clutches ready in my Etsy shop, with more to come.

This is the green and white embroidered clutch with a pink silk lining, I love the way the embroidery looks like Wedgewood Jasperware.

I've been enjoying the fall weather and foliage and riding horses on chilly mornings. We mixed the cool weather with a little bit of oppressive humid at Jekyll Island, GA mixed in for a lovely wedding last week. I'm VERY excited that the holidays are around the corner and the clutches are all lined up and ready.

love.

2009-08-14T10:22:00.001-05:00

I received a very large order of fabric a few weeks ago from the talented artist Karin Grow. I'm in love, true love. I'll be posting my clutches made with the pink, orange, and blue fabric very soon to add to the clutches in yellow and melon pink I've already made with her fabric. Thank you Karin!

black. white. repeat.

2009-08-04T07:11:00.001-05:00

I've recently found out that my favorite fabric has been discontinued. Of course. So I've been scouring the earth for the last thread of it. In the meantime I found some of the black and white that's left and I've paired it with a deep dark red silk dupioni lining. I think it's quite pretty.

I had a lovely day of riding on a carriage and riding two sets of horses yesterday, it was hot, really hot. But the moment we got trotting the breeze was sublime.

black. white.

2009-07-23T19:09:00.001-05:00

These kisslock clutches are a summer favorite so far, especially for the brides and bridesmaids. It seems to be the clean crisp lines of the black and white and then the little pop of color when they open up the bag that's winning them over. Thank you for your orders, I put a lot of care into every piece of jewelry and clutch!

It's been a whirlwind of fabric lately, so I will have more than 20 new clutches to add to the Etsy shop very soon and they will all be lined in dupioni silk or (cotton if you prefer). I tried to stay away from the silk because it's not very practical for everyday, that's what I've been told, but I love the look of it and finally gave in. I'm thinking a cotton sateen lining will be replacing the standard cotton very soon!

I've been eating every single piece of fruit in the DC area lately, the summer is the best time for berry picking in the woods of VA and the farmer's markets. And with the Eastern Market re-opening recently it's been all that much more sweet!

brilliant.

2009-07-17T10:26:00.002-05:00

This is from the "Anarmophic Cups" series from Ross McBride.

Had to share.

I found it at my new obsession: ShareSomeCandy.

lovely write up.

2009-07-15T00:19:00.004-05:00

I received an email today telling me that they had found my clutch on a blog. That there had been a wonderful write up from Jaye from Melbourne, Australia and she is the writer of Trampoline Days (<-----click here!).

She wrote about my favorite clutch:

Thanks Jaye, I'm honored!

studio 54.

2009-07-14T10:14:00.001-05:00

These clutches have been a summer favorite, especially for the wedding parties. I've been loving all the requests for the different color linings to make them their own! I'm really busy sewing and designing and so pleased things are going so well. They can be ordered through Etsy and many have been ordered through Flickr because that's where all my pictures are.

I'm subletting an artist friend's studio close to the "city" now, it's very decadent, even though it's teeny tiny. I'm very "Town and Country" now, I call them my country cottage and city flat! I have to laugh at myself really, otherwise I'd be lost.

I'm a lucky girl.

2009-07-11T16:01:00.003-05:00

Lucky Magazine and Jennifer Romolini honored me with a very sweet write up on my clutches:

Thank you Lucky Magazine and Jennifer!

~Happy 4th~

2009-07-05T18:11:00.000-05:00

We watched the fireworks on The Mall from the Kennedy Center balcony, it was the perfect spot, sorry about the crummy camera phone picture. The fireworks were amazing!

Happy 4th everyone!

Offbeat Bride and Groom

2009-07-02T21:04:00.001-05:00

My favorite necklace, the red coral Scarlet Necklace, has been all over the blogosphere and worn by one of my favorite brides, she's so sweet! Teneisha and Chris' wedding was amazing, just perfect in every way, so dreamy!

She was gorgeous (that dress!) and he had the BEST blue pants on earth (and so handsome)! And I do believe that everyone was sporting a stick on 'stache!

Offbeat Bride write up, details, and pictures: Teniesha and Chris' Las Vegas Wedding

I wish you both the best!

The pictures are curtesy of Holly Jones Photography

Posted on Briana E. Blog

Dog show!

2009-06-29T10:30:00.006-05:00

This is a little late to the party, I've been mostly gone for two weeks now, but I thought I would post some photos from the Virginia Hound Show in Morvan Park. It was a very long but absolutely gorgeous day. Every year the best part is the child handler class, I never miss it, the hounds are often bigger and always stronger than the kids. There are always tears. Part of me thinks it's cruel to the children and part of me giggles quietly.

Our huntsman and whip:

My sister and I shredded after a long hot day at the hound show.

Smelling like a wee pony in this here our nation's capitol

2009-06-26T03:20:00.000-05:00

Eastern Market opened back up today!! I missed it so. It burnt down a while ago and it's gorgeous now, I walked away with all sorts of goodies!

I spent the day riding a horse through Rock Creek Park (a bottle of Pelegrino strapped to my saddle) with my lovely ladies and one gentlman, this is my second time, this WILL become a regular thing for me. Almost came off once, but made sure I held on to my bottle of bubbly. I love knowing I'm riding in DC. My next adventure should be riding in Central Park! It was lovely, serene, the weather was right and I hate to have to finally go home tonight to finish packing up my house. Moving is never fun. But I'll add champagne and some brick oven pizza to the mix and we will soldier on (or take a long nap)! :)

Folklife Festival

2009-06-24T23:54:00.003-05:00

I'm been in DC for a while for the Folklife Fest! If you can make it, it's here until Sunday July 5th! It's hot and humid but The Mall is amazing! I can't believe I've never made it here for this.

I'm on my handheld, so no pictures yet! But I did buy new yarn at Stitch DC, mwah hahaaa!

simple.

2009-06-23T12:56:00.001-05:00

I tried to knit lastnight but it was too hot and humid so I made this bracelet with what I thought were beads I may never use. But I think I need one of these for myself. This bracelet is big and bold. Made up of large Labradorite rondelles and faceted nuggets of crystal clear Quartz with just the right amount of inclusions to make them almost organic. I love how stark and cold it is, so simple. I just listed it today: Briana E

I'm distracted by shiny things......

2009-06-06T20:09:00.005-05:00

I've been distracted by my new blog for my business, Briana E. blog, while my knitting takes a warm weather hiatus:

I'm in the middle of quite a few knitting projects which will have to wait until the fall at the latest........

Chicago and a wee flower on her head

2009-04-12T10:08:00.007-05:00

Yarn :: RYC Silk Wool DK in SH303- Scallop

Rialto in White

Cashmerino Aran in 300502

Pattern :: Upside-Down Daisy by Susan B. Anderson

Needles :: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Size :: Small child

I followed this pattern with a few modifications, I made it larger and I got rid of the part of the flower before the stem. I really love the RYC Silk Wool DK yarn, it’s wonderful and so soft to knit with. I recommend using a different yarn though for this project. Maybe something that can be washed for a child.

On an other note, no pun (I swear!), I went to see Chicago last week and LOVED IT!

(((((JAZZ HANDS)))))

Terra C. MacLeod as Velma was really good, she's tall and gorgeous and quite limber. : ) It's more than obvious she's been doing this for years. And John O'Hurley was very good as Billy Flynn, quite debonair and hilarious! The court scene was brilliant with the jury being played by one person who changes throughout the scene. I've been singing all the songs around the house since I saw it. Today is the last day at the National Theatre, but go see it somewhere else, STAT!

Spicy Red Baby Bonnet

2009-03-29T21:07:00.003-05:00

Yarn :: Blue Sky Alpacas 100% Alpaca Sport Weight in Ruby (23), 2 skeins

Pattern :: Lacy Bonnet by Erika Knight

Needles :: US size 6 Bamboo Straight

Size :: Wee baby

I followed this pattern without any modifications, which is a minor miracle for me, I always have to put a little personal twist on everything. At first it doesn't look like much while you're knitting it but then when you stitch it up and bring it together it looks so cute. The pattern is a very quick knit and so satisfying for this poor soul with a kazillion unfinished projects on needles. And the yarn- so soft and sexy red. Too much spiciness for a little one?

Must see this..... non yarn posting warning

2009-03-29T08:00:00.006-05:00

Hope you didn't miss this! My friend took me to: Jil Aigrot Voice Of La Vie En Rose after she took me for a walk around cherry blossom peeping (yes, it was chilly and drizzly). Not near the same as sitting at a Parisian cafe and whistling it to yourself, but pretty close.

Make sure you make it down to the tidal basin to look at the cherry blossoms NOW! Actually, wait till about 7pm, the light is amazing and very romantic.

Silky, Alpaca-y Shetland Triangle. Again.

2009-03-20T20:35:00.011-05:00

Yarn :: Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca & Silk in Garnet, 5 skeins

Pattern :: Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style by Evelyn A. Clark.

Needles :: US size 5 Knit Picks

Size :: 13 repeats

The only modifications were the extra repeats and leaving out the pointy bits at the ends. This yarn is unbelievably soft and shiny, I'd love to sleep in it. I'm also so happy with the size of the shawl, all 13 repeats, I can really wrap it around my wee neck to keep out the nasty cold.

I'm working on the same Shetland Triangle, again again, in the same yarn but in a lovely baby blue color. I have Shetland Triangle issues. I know. I can quit at anytime. I swear!

The reason I dislike DPN's.....

2009-03-19T20:20:00.000-05:00

The hand-cramping-yarn-tangling-ladder-creating-stitch-dropping-eye-straining chaos it creates. But making my mittens wouldn't be possible without it. One mitten down one to go. I think I'll be able to make an adult pair and a child's pair from two skeins of Spunky Eclectic's Super Sport yarn.

I'm counting down the days till Maryland Sheep and Wool Fest in May! I'm dragging two friends who don't knit, but I'm sure they'll appreciate the menagerie. I hope. If not I'll satiate them with funnel cakes, never fails!

Yarn, Doughnuts and Music....the perfect storm

2009-03-16T16:56:00.006-05:00

We really didn't mean for it to work out this way but it was a whirlwind of late night doughnuts and yarn shops with a little live music mixed in. My BGF dragged me around city wide and I wasn't complaining.

Too many to list so here's just a few that need to be mentioned:

Voodoo Doughnuts - Naughty doughnuts all night long......

The Naked Sheep Knit Shop

Stitches- Fabric and yarn! Like Purl Soho ala Seattle

Dynamo Donut and Coffee -A must. You. Must. Go.

Altelier Yarns- Such nice people

I read about area walks and ended up doing Walk #1, the loop of Willamette Heights to Balch Creek Canyon. So beautiful, quite romantic on an overcast day.

I'll post pictures once I sort them all out and censor the rest! ; )

I'm just going to pick up the conversation like I haven't been gone for 9 months...

2009-03-15T21:31:00.001-05:00

Since I've been receiving emails asking me where I am and I haven't lost any of my subscribers during my hiatus I thought I'd give a update of the last 9 months one day at a time and one picture at a time...

Instead updating my blog I've been spending most of my time (when I have the time) on Facebook schmoozing with friends, finding old school mates and having ex's find me. Eek!

Soon to come- Hunt Ball, travel and knitting picture updates.........

Shetland Triangle #3 and my hiatus

2008-06-03T14:48:00.014-05:00

Yarn :: Blue Sky Alpacas, Melange in Pesto, 4 skeins

Pattern :: Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style by Evelyn A. Clark.

Needles :: US size 7 Knit

Size :: 11 repeats

The only modifications were the extra repeats and leaving out the pointy ends. This yarn is unbelievably soft and the tweediness is beautiful. I'm so happy with the size of the shawl, I can really wrap it around my shoulders.

As for my long hiatus, life got in the way of.......life, I guess. I've picked myself up again and got knitting. I have a handful of projects done, a bunch of fiber to spin and we had a great spring steeplechase season (I was very busy with the races for months). More to come while I get blogging again. Thanks to you all that emailed me and asked where I was and how I was.

The Ultimate Spinning Wheel

2007-12-04T09:34:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that this is functional, it's Andy Paiko's Glass Spinning Wheel. Additional pictures can be found here: Andy Paiko's Glass Spinning Wheel

More Rhinebeck

2007-10-28T08:18:00.000-05:00

This is Wild Apple Hill Farm 100% Wool yarn in nice tweedy colors, unfortunately no website that I can find for them. I bought two skeins of each color at the NY sheep and Wool Festival.

The ubiquitous Merino/Silk roving from Ashland bay from Cloverleaf Farms. I've spun this up before in a nice thick yarn but I'd like to try to a DK weight this time.

Dark, soft and fluffy BFL roving (also from Cloverleaf Farms), like buttah.

And a few days after Rhinebeck this "Autumn" roving arrived in the mail in both Merino and Blue Faced Leicester from Spunky Eclectic. The colors are amazing, especially in the BFL.

And Spunky's yarn in "Joshua Tree"

It's time to get cracking, I have a lot of fiber to spin and yarn to delegate to projects now. I think I've gone months at this point and haven't spun a thing. I've been craving it for a while now, I've just been too busy with a billion projects on needles. I guess it's the cool crisp weather.

Fantom Farms

2007-10-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

A few large Wool-Alpaca-Mohair bumps, the small one has a bit of green in it

Wool and Mohair roving in the bags

I tried to stay level headed at the Fantom Farm booth at Rhinebeck, since I had been dreaming about buying their goodies for months. I think I chose some reds and greens that would make a good yarn for a large project that will work well together. The Grey-Blue was just a nice bonus.

They were very nice and helpful, too bad they don't have a website. They also had some of the wool-alpaca-mohair bumps with a bit of glitz mixed in. I wouldn't have thought it would have worked but I really liked it. Looking at the photos, I'm noticing I didn't do as much damage as I thought I did. Oh well, maybe next year I'll promise myself to go crazy. I'm already looking forward to next year.

Rhinebeck rewards

2007-10-24T17:42:00.000-05:00

I went specifically to buy fiber at the Fantom Farm booth, but I found this roving along the way. It's from Three Bags Full, in the Tiger Eye colorway. It's about 4 ounces (I bought two) of Romeldale cross wool and silk and silk noil. It's really beautiful and I can't wait to spin it up.

I don't think they have a website, but I bought it at the Carolina Homespun booth and she said that they will be listing it on the website after the NY Sheep and Wool Fest if there is any left. I just checked and there is some HERE. I just checked and they've listed some. I'm going to buy Sagebrush and Marrakesh colorways next. Next post is Fantom Farm.

Say 'ello to my Rhinebeck friends

2007-10-20T19:29:00.001-05:00

He looks so frightened, but he looked like this the whole time. I swear!

This one looked kind of......evil

It was a perfect weekend in Rhinebeck, the leaves were gorgeous and the weather was oddly warm. If I ever questioned wanting sheep before, there is now NO DOUBT that I'd love to be "Briana Bo Peep".

I'm a weiner! ; )

2007-10-11T18:35:00.000-05:00

I won some SPUNKY yarn! Oh Amy, you complete me........

Still trying to recover from my Ireland trauma, I'm told it may still be an option to move there next year. Fingers and toes crossed! Thanks so much for the comments and the really nice emails. I need to get back to folks, but I've neglected my blog because my mom was thrown from her horse and broke her back. It was completely terrifying. They flew her from the site in a helicopter to the hospital, so scary. But the body is so amazing! She's doing really well. Makes one rethink jumping on the back of a half ton animal and jumping over fences. I'll still do it though.

I did a bit of dying. This is a kind of raw, but still very shiny skein of 100% silk yarn I ordered from India. I have about 1,000 yards of DK weight yarn in this great blue. I'm very please with the color considering it's EXACTLY the color I was going for and because I looked like the mad scientist mixing my black and blue dyes together.

I'm gettin' ready for Rhinebeck! This will be my first time, I can't think about it or I'll get too excited. I'm really looking forward to the drive.

So.......

2007-09-20T20:53:00.000-05:00

I was supposed to move to Ireland. I didn't. I'm still here. I'm so disappointed. Heartbroken.

I had already pretty much moved there mentally, I was so ready for Dublin. Think of all the tweed! Oh well. I just felt like I had to send my disappointment out into blogland hoping it will make me feel a bit better.

I don't so far.

Much better.

2007-09-20T11:20:00.000-05:00

Thank you to the froggers who wrote me!

I did it. It was painful. Since I was halfway through the Lady Eleanor (see here) in the first place, it was hard. After the pep talk to go ahead and rip it out I'm much happier with the color-censored stole so far, much subtler transitions with the Noro Silk Garden. I'm now a fearless frogger!

At what point is it too late to frog a project?

2007-09-12T08:22:00.001-05:00

That's my question of the day (although I've seen people rip out entire sweaters, UGH). I've gotten halfway through my Lady Eleanore and decided a third of the way through so far to be very picky about the colors, even though there will be a lot of weaving in threads to finish. I love the way it looks after editing out all the gaudy turquoise, black and purple colors. But now I have a good portion I don't love, about a third of it. It would be a major pain in the tuchas if I frogged and had to knit all over again.

An other thought may be that I am being a bit ridiculous. I'm OK with that too. : )

Lady E, how I love thee

2007-08-22T11:35:00.000-05:00

Of course my little romp of freedom on Saturday consisted of driving into DC to Stitch DC to buy some yarn! I came home with some Noro Silk Garden:

Lady Eleanor Stole from Scarf Style in Noro Silk Garden #221

I was really worried about the bright colors, but when it knits up it's no so bad. I'm hoping when it's done the turquoise and purple will be less obvious. I hope. I hope.

I also went to a store, that shall not be named, and bought some Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (Gawd, it was tough just typing and admitting that I bought it- I HATE acrylic!), to knit this up:

I would love to find an other yarn to use, I only bought two balls of it. I think in the back of my mind I knew I couldn't commit to this blend. But I love the new Vogue Knitting Fall 2007! So many lovely projects to knit up. It's a keeper. A must!

I'm free!!!

2007-08-18T09:01:00.000-05:00

It's crisp and cool here in VA today, like New England in the fall! It's been a heat index of 100 degrees and steamy humidity all summer, so I'm off! Off for a romp around for the first time in ages! Where am I off to.........I don't know yet.

I'll leave you with my first ever bonnet I knit up one afternoon this week. It was such a quick knit, and only used one ball of yarn. It's the Lacy Bonnet in Rowan Classic Silk/Merino DK, for a friend's new baby. It's still waiting for a ribbon for the wee little chin.

The cute star in the back
Have a great weekend!

Butterflies in the Field

2007-08-08T13:15:00.000-05:00

Just a little plug for a dyer I love oh so much. This is Silk and Merino (front) and Corriedale (back) rovings in Butterflies in the Field from Flawful Fiber and Yarns.

I have BIG love for her dying and fibers, the colors are incredible. I wish my photograph could do them justice.

Finishing is not my favorite

2007-08-03T08:37:00.001-05:00

I've finished and blocked a Backyard Leaves, a large Shetland Triangle and a mini Shetland Triangle. Unfortunately I've been putting off weaving in the ends since it's not my favorite part. These will be gifted for a couple of August Birthdays. I think I need to take a break from Scarf Style projects, that is until after I'm finished with my second Lady Eleanor:

I made a big mi$take, I bought some Noro Iro to make a Lady Eleanor, since it doesn't have the mohair (like Silk Garden) I thought that it wouldn't get me all itchy. It's so heavy and ropey, much too big for this stole. But the color is so pretty, #44, I'm going to knit it up into a rustic garter stich scarf. So I'm off to order some Silk Garden, choosing the color is the hardest part, I could have worse problems....

Oh Spunky, how you spoil us.........

Bamboo and Merino:

I love this colorway:

And we're just days away from a Spunky update. *Tehe*

I cast on a Seraphim Shawl in Jaggerspun 2/18 in Pewter. I'm a little worried about this one since I'm not a fan of delicate lacey knits, so I'm knitting the solid body up tight. The color is hard to photograph, it's a little grey, shiney and so soft. This is my first lace project in a yarn weight lighter than DK. I'm learning patience is key.....

OOOOO! And you can say I'm late to the party on this one, but I just discovered Woolgirl.com! Dangerous.

Warming up to merino

2007-07-14T13:55:00.001-05:00

I spun up four ounces of Spunky Eclectic's Merino roving in Autumn. I must admit, in my last post I said that I didn't like merino very much. In fact I've said it a few time, that I hadn't learned to befriend it yet. Well, I'm happy to say I'm taking it back. I paid closer attention this time, and then at the end finished with some fulling. The fulling made me a bit nervous I have to say, I was ready for a felting disaster. But it really softened it up and gave it a bit of a halo (and was fun, I got to plunge it and slap it around). I love Amy's colors also. I think my spinning is still inconsistent, I really need practice. But I'm happy to be a merino fan once again!

I have four rovings of Amy's on the way, they're both Merino and Bamboo. I'm so excited to try out the blend.

Spinning Pink

2007-07-06T08:12:00.000-05:00

I spun up four ounces of Spunky Eclectic's South African Fine Wool hand painted roving in 'Mandy" colorway (if you click on the picture you can see how soft it is). The color is really pretty. The softness is so nice to spin, it's second to Bluefaced Leicester for me. I'll spin up the other 4 ounces and it may turn into a cute baby sweater. I also have 8 ounces of the Silk-Merino in the 'Mandy' colorway that could make a cute soft hat.

I'm still not in love with merino, but maybe that's because I have only like a few of my merino spinnings so far. I drafted up some of Spunky's merino in 'Autumn' to spin up next.

True Eye Candy

2007-06-27T07:19:00.001-05:00

I miss California for so many reasons, one of the main reasons is See's candy. I received a box of See's Candy Bordeaux (my absolute favorite) for my birthday last week, I've had one piece left sitting in the box waiting to be eaten for days now. Talk about self control. It may look like a mere trifle to you, but what's hiding inside is like heaven to me.

On to yummy yarn! I also received three skeins of Sundara's Silky Merino in 'Sangria over Garnet' to knit up an other Shetland Triangle (this will be my third) for a friend's birthday in August. Choosing just the right color is so hard for a gift, especially when it's not really a color I would wear. I really love what Sundara does with Andromeda yarn(no website), the layering of colors is so pretty. This is also such a fast pattern to knit up.

As of today I'm on the second repeat. The leaves are starting to form, I can't say enough about this pattern, the Andromeda yarn and my KnitPicks Options needles.

I've come unraveled.......

2007-06-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

I knew that Ravelry.com was going to be a time black-hole, but I had no idea. Not only are you posting stuff about all of the things you are knitting up and about your stash. And posting pictures from it all. You're also checking out other's! They've thought up some great ways to manage the site. I have to pace myself or I'll lose days to it, I wouldn't put it past me!

They have had so many requests, I think at last count it said 7,300 people on the waiting list and they are sending out tons everyday. I say congrats to them, just the two of them with their little helpers!

Tweedy wool spinnings

2007-06-14T13:18:00.000-05:00

It's about 400 yards of 100% hand dyed handspun wool. It looks like it worsted (like I can eyeball it!), but I haven't measured it yet. I really love this yarn, I think it's a bit too warm to knit up at the moment, which may be good because I can't decide what to do with it yet. I don't want a terribly simple pattern, but it may be too fuzzy for details.

I wish I could say I've been away on a warm sandy beach.......

2007-06-11T14:18:00.000-05:00

but, alas, I've just been blog negligent. BUT, I have been busy.

First, the absolute COOLEST part, Rana played right in front of the Capital Building on Sunday! An amazing backdrop. She was awesome!

Wanna listen? Rana and her Myspace page.

I've been carding batts.......

Spinning some singles.........

Swimming in my BRAND NEW BABY POOL.......

That's right boys and girls, I'm livin' in the LAP of luxury. Now all I need is a tiny pool-cabana boy.

And I've been Knitting the Chevron scarf in Lorna's Laces yarn......

There's a lot of pink and green fiber in my life these days, I think it's the summer days.

Your personal DNA.......

2007-05-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

This was so interesting, you choose the images that coincide with the question and it comes up with your personal DNA. Mine was spot on!

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Try it!

All tweed, all the time.....

2007-05-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

I carded these up today, it's amazing to me how the colors either blend in and disappear or actually appear during the carding process.

They are made up of BFL, Merino, Tussah Silk, Bombyx Silk and Angelina, they went through the carder five times in all. I'll try to use some more daring colors next time. I really like them though, it was good fun.

My Tweedy Triangle

2007-05-07T11:53:00.001-05:00

I just finished blocking this last night. I'm sure most of you know this item, here are the stats:

The Shetland Triangle by Evelyn A. Clark from Wrap Style

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed in Dragon #147 (a little over two balls of yarn)

Needles: Knit Picks Options circular US 7- 36"

Modifications: I followed the pattern exactly, only adding a repeat and leaving out the last few rows that would result in the pointy ends (not a fan of the dramatic points).

I love how this turned out, I can say that this will be a favorite for years to come. I love the tweed, it's a nice grey/green with some flecks of white and blue in it. I'm hooked on tweed, makes me want to wrap it around my neck and hop a flight to Dublin. It turned out much more delicate than I thought it would, very light weight. I gave it a really tight blocking, something I didn't do with the Shetland Triangle I made out of the aran weight silk/merino yarn I used previously. I may reblock it again.

About the Knit Picks Options needles, they have changed knitting for me, hands down. I want to buy the whole set and the DPN's. (Hint hint, June birthday coming up, you know who you are) The finish IS like glass and the cord is so soft, it wasn't at all twisted or looped. You can use the needles as either circular or straight with the attachments that come with the cables. Now what to do with all my bamboo needles.

Oh my GAWD, I ended up not going to the MD S&W!

2007-05-06T20:02:00.000-05:00

I'm a big dummy for not going (I'm only an hour away from the festival).............It's upsetting, I can't talk about it! ;-)

I'll leave you with a picture of an unexpected guest I had this weekend:

Actually he was unwelcome. He ended up spilling the cat's water, trying to attack me (scared the bejeezus out of me), attempting to break into my house and then crawling under my house to live beneath my living room.

Oh my GAWD! It's the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival!

2007-05-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

I was thinking for a while that I wouldn't go, but I decided that would be a HUGE mistake! I really think I would regret it, I mean, I'm only an hour's drive away from it. Ok, it may sound silly, but I don't really plan on buying anything, maybe some Angelina, so I can see the colors for myself.

Am I kidding myself? Is it possible to go and not buy? Peruse? People watch? Treat it like a fiber and sheep museum?

I'm so excited.

2007-05-03T08:31:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I was FORCED, with threats by my honey, to post a picture from our Point-to-Point races (see below) of myself. I DO NOT like pictures of myself one bit, so I'll post it in a smaller size. I do look happy though..........

It looks like my champagne needs to be refilled.

2007-05-02T10:09:00.000-05:00

Is it normal to have 172 blogs in your blog roll? Please someone make me feel better about the insane number of blogs in my list............

I'll leave you with some fun, and by the end of the night, unruley pictures I took from the Ball on Friday:

A last minute carriage ride on Saturday:

Too bad there isn't a single picture with no champagne glasses in it.....no? Nah......

Some pictures from our Point-to-Point races on Sunday:

It was a perfect big sky day:

There's nothing like ending a weekend like that smelling like horses!

2007-04-26T18:58:00.000-05:00

No one told me................

That I could love something as much as knitting, DRUM CARDING! So therapeutic, so soothing. These batts are a mix of BFL or Merino, tussah silk, waste silk and some glitz.

My favorite is the natural Bluefaced Leicester, sparkly glitz and natural tussah silk. The BFL is so soft and fluffy, the silk is so....silky. It's hard to see the details of the photo really.

Sorry about the bad night pictures, it was dark in my office. I'm a bit limited with colors so I'm going to pick up some more at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Fest in a couple of weeks. I got most of my fiber from Copper Moose, their pictures are very good (color wise). But there's nothing like picking up the fiber in person before buying it.

I'm getting ready for a fun weekend. We're going to a Ball on Friday night (we may be the youngest people there, but it's still fun), I JUST got my gown yesterday (naughty me, I waited till the last minute again). And then on Sunday I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor, it's a day at the Point-to-Point Spring Races. We've been working for months to put it together and it's supposed to be a beautiful day! It's strange to work on something for so long and then have it over after just one day. I'll be back later with some pictures of the races (and maybe of the Ball if I remember to take them).

2007-04-23T10:55:00.000-05:00

I'm punking out, this will be a picture heavy posting of my most recent Spunky Eclectic acquirings (is that a word?). I've had a wretched case of insomnia, last night it was waking up at 11pm (That's PM, not AM) after falling asleep at 9:30 PM. I'm completely worthless today and can't finish a sentence.

Some Merino/Silk....

More Merino/Silk....
Some BFL.....
and two skiens each of superwash....
So soft......

I also just got a Petite drum carder, I've been carding up some batts. I'll post more about that later. I love it, it was worth the wait for the drum carder. Sorry again for the light weight posting, it took a lot of concentration and typos to just get those picture up.......more after a good night's sleep........

2007-04-14T08:37:00.000-05:00

I finished the Shetland Triangle a couple of weeks ago. I'm not a shawl girl, but I really loved knitting it up, in fact I've already started another. The yarn is Sundara's Silky Merino Aran (I don't know what it is about this yarn that I can't get a good picture of it, it must be the silk in it), I like the yarn a lot, except for the fact that I have yet to wear the shawl and it is already getting fuzzy. I did one extra repeat and had to order one more skein after I ran out, which makes the shawl a two and a quarter skein project. I only had about seven rows left to knit up when I ran out. Bummer.

At the moment I'm knitting the second Shetland Triangle in Rowan Felted Tweed, it's looking like a great yarn, I'm really happy with how tweedy it is. My only concern is that there may be a lack of stitch definition, I'll knit a few repeats and check it out.

On to fiber, I'm a Spunky Junky, I can't help it, it's a disease. Amy's an excellent fiber pusher, it's so soft and her colors spin up so beautifully. I'm waiting for a bit of her fiber and some yarn after her last update. Part of me wants to take my name off her update list and go cold turkey, the other part (like 99% of me) wants to just give into it and enjoy. I'll update the fiber eye candy when my Spunky Eclectic and Copper Moose fiber arrive next week. I'm going to be running to the window looking for the mail lady all next week.

2007-04-08T12:40:00.000-05:00

Cows out in my field taken yesterday morning, you can click for a larger version. I love the face on the calf, he looks like trouble.

HAPPY EASTER & PASSOVER!

2007-04-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

I found this pattern here, it's free. I LOVE THIS PATTERN. So simple, so perfect. I used a bulky gray 100% Alpaca yarn and size 9 needles to tighten it up a bit. They were very quick to knit up. The pattern is so great, you can use so many different yarns, it's really flexible. You can change it up however you like. I added the ribbon.

They were my first booties, I'm so excited about them. I knit them up for my friend who is having a little boy next month. I think I'll make it my all around bootie pattern. Obviously, I highly recommend it. Sorry about the bad coloring, it's almost right. The Ribbon is much greener.

2007-04-03T07:34:00.000-05:00

I've received a number of requests for horse pictures, you can click on them for a larger photo. Here are a few........

This was actually taken on the back of my horse with my camera phone, I love the pink leaves, this was in the fall.

Spring Point-to-Point

Foggy morning (I can't take credit for this photo, it's a photo of one of my favorite people).

Out in the field.

Me as a wee one riding my mother's horse out of the barn to turn him out (naughty non-helmet wearing girl).

Candid barn shot, that's my Mistress Mullins, she's a broodmare now, living the good life.

Ok, so I had to add this donkey shot I took a while back, these donkeys came up to my hip they were so small. The cuteness factor is too much.

2007-03-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

I LOVE MY MAILWOMAN! Look at what she brought me..........

4.2 oz of BFL and angelina batts from from Cherry Blossom Fibers at Etsy, it's so pretty. I'm thinking about a drumcarder and wanted to try out some fluffy batts with angelina.

3.7 oz Pretty grey wool roving in Stormy Skies from Laura at Smoosh on Etsy, I'm on a grey streak.

The ever famous roving from Amy at Spunky Eclectic in:

(top) Leaf Peeps in a wool blend (4oz)

(middle) Rocky Mountain High in BFL to finish my Big Bad Baby Blanket (8oz)

(bottom) Dogwood in BFL (12 oz)

I already spun up the bit of the BFL for the blanket and can't wait to see how the Dogwood BFL spins up, maybe I'll spin it up and ply it navajo style to keep the coloring. But I really love how the Rocky Mountain High BFL came out for the blanket, so I'll try out both plying methods to see how it turns out.

2007-03-21T10:52:00.000-05:00

A peek at my Shetland Triangle WIP:

I'm using Sundara Silky Merino Aran yarn and it's a very pretty color (Thank you Brooklyntweed!). I do have a big problem with the consistency of the yarn though, it's flecked with white spots of fiber missing dye. I guess I can say it's on purpose. The yarn is so silky though, like buttah!

I did an extra repeat, nine in all, and I only have eight rows left to finish it and I RAN OUT OF YARN! Shoulda' known. Jeez. So I'm waiting for Sundara to dye me up another hank so I can finish it. It's torture, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this pattern and the yarn is perfect for it. It only took me five days to get so close to finishing it after figuring out the crochet cast-on and the over all structure of the shawl. I brought it to my wonderful LYS to ask how I was progressing, and he said that I was doing so well and that I didn't need to ask him for help anymore if I was knitting this up (I had no idea).

I'm going to start up an other one, I have plans for two more. One in Rowan Felted Tweed color #147, a really pretty green, I'm going to try a swatch of it, who knows, I may not like it. And then another one in the Silky Merino Aran, I may buy the yarn undyed this time and dye it myself.

So until the yarn gets here I'll jut enjoy the raspberry bumps of my unfinished Shetland Triangle.

2007-03-15T03:43:00.000-05:00

I have four projects on needles right now, I'm completely ADD:

Big Bad Baby Blanket
Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style in a soft pink Karabella (see above)
Cascades Superwash Merino forest green simple scarf
Shetland Triangle in red

I've forced myself to focus on The Shetland Triangle for now. I'm already on the third body repeat, I just started it a bit ago. It's so simple, I never new it was so simple.

But I'm also loving the Backyard Leaves in the soft pink. Too bad (or not?) the weather is 75 degrees here in VA, I won't be able to wear all my scarves, if I ever decide on one to finish.

2007-03-11T03:24:00.000-05:00

I've gone back to simpler things.....
I'm knitting up a very large scarf/wrap in Cascade Yarns Superwash in a nice forest green #865 (the picture doesn't really show the deep green color) in stockinette with those wonderful curling edges, I'm still wondering if I should crochet the side edges or cast on the finished end to create a decorative edge. But I really like the curly edges. I've knit three skeins up so far and I'll probably buy two more to finish it. After Lady E and Backyard leaves it's been nice to knit completely mindlessly.

On that note, I'm off to tackle the Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style in Henry's Attic Andromeda beautifully dyed by Sundara (taking the cue from Brooklyn Tweed). First I have to give my new yarn a good washing, the dog I'm watching for a friend took it for a slobbery trek around the house last night. I almost died.

2007-03-08T03:19:00.000-05:00

This is the (not so) Big Bad Baby Blanket so far, it is knit up from the BFL I spun up and posted about before. I loved it so much I thought long and hard about what to do with it, and thought what better than a blanket for a baby to love. It's the first thing I've knit from my own spinnings other than swatches. I love the color and texture, it's a bit airy too, good for many seasons. It's so soft. I hope whatever bambino gets it loves it, the seed stitch nubbly edging is nice for little fingers to play with. I'm 2/3 through and have knit through three 200 yd skeins.

I'm off to spin about 200 more yards to finish it.

2007-03-05T20:36:00.000-05:00

I spun this merino up for someone who is a beginner knitter, I thought I'd spin it up a bit tight so they can knit it up easier. I'm still not a merino lover, I feel funny about that, people seem to love merino. I have a bit more merino in my stash that I will spin up, maybe when I get better with merino I'll like it more. So far it's BFL and silk/merino blends for me.

Future Spinnings

I love the color of this roving, I'm spinning it up next, Mandy by Spunky Eclectic:

I've already pre-drafted this roving, it's sitting by the wheel waiting patiently, it's Bed of Roses:

And then this is third in line, it's Peepers from Pippikneesocks:

2007-02-27T16:10:00.000-05:00

I just recieved 8 oz more of this BFL:

To make more of this:

To make the Big Bad Baby Blanket! It's going to be so soft and sweet and I may just end up stealing it for myself. Thank you Amy!

I spun this merino up too, I just have this wee skein, about 200 yds, I'm not quite sure what to do with it.

I'm not a fan of fruity colors, but I really like them. Maybe I'll send it to my fruity sister.

As far as projects are going, other then the Big Bad Baby Blanket, I've gone back to basics. I'm knitting up a big wide stockinette scarf/wrap with curly edges. It's made from a pretty forest green wool yarn from Cascades Yarns. So simple but satisfying. I'm also working on my second Backyard Leaves in Karabella, in a pale pink. I wasn't sure about how the light colored yarn would look, but I really like it. I may also make it a repeat or two shorter. My favorite part of knitting this scarf are the points at the ends. Pictures coming soon, I can't quite get my photo colors right lately.

2007-02-25T16:18:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling a bit better, so I thought we'd make a snow pony....primitive, I know.

L'hommage a Seabiscuit.......Voila!

So much lovely snow.

2007-02-22T07:11:00.000-05:00

I've been neglecting my new blog. I had to make a wee visit to the hospital last week for a few days and have been recovering, it was my first visit. I'm actually very healthy otherwise. Note-I don't recommend it as a luxury destination, it WAS all inclusive though.

I'll leave you with some soft and fluffy, mixed wool, blue and olive green yarn I spun up. I just spun it for some practice and was very happy with how this kind of plain wool spun up so light and airy. I have about 450 yds of it at the moment.

2007-02-13T12:28:00.000-05:00

I loved my Lady......but she left me!

Sorry about the stinky picture. I finished up the lady Eleanor fringe I posted a few days ago last night. I kept the fringe a bit shorter than called for, I like it better. I wound her around my neck and immediately started itching, had a headache and my eyes turned red (it was very unpleasant).

So I sent her off this morning to my stepmother for her birthday which is, coincidentally, this saturday. I guess it was meant to be, it's going to be so painful to part with, it was going to be my first finished project I kept for myself. Oh well. I think I'll make another Lady E but with the Noro Kureyon #47, no mohair, just wool.

Terri Lynn suggested I give it a good wash to get rid of the allergins, but I had already sent it off. I will the next time, I'll pick up some more yarn at Stitch DC this week to start again.

2007-02-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

I spun up and plied this silk and merino, it's so silky, so easy to spin. I left it a little loose and nubbley because it was spun to make a manly 1x1 simple scarf.

It turned out so pretty (:-P I mean manly), I wish I had a picture of the scarf. It was nice and shiney but also at the same time a bit rustic with the nubs. He ended up wearing it all day and taking a long nap in it that day. That was better than a "thank you".

2007-02-08T10:14:00.000-05:00

To block or not to block. That is the question.

I love this pattern. It's Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style (can you tell I have an addiction to this book, three WIP's on needles from it at the moment), the yarn is Karabella Aurora 8 in green #51. The yarn is perfect for this pattern and so wonderful to work with. It knits up really nicely and feels so nice between my fingers. I am now working on the second half of the scarf.

I'll be knitting this scarf up again in a light pink #1380 for my BFF next.

My first real charted project, the next will be the Shetland Triangle from Wrap style, I have the perfect red wool/silk yarn for it. Thank you Brooklyntweed!

It's calling for me now. Must.....pace.....myself.......

2007-02-07T08:23:00.000-05:00

Aah winter. She is here.

2007-02-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

I'm in love......................with BFL. I plied up the BFL from the other day and j'adore it!

I have three skeins that came out to be about 625 yards.

I'm thinking about knitting it into the Big Bad Baby Blanket from Stitch and Bitch, but I have to figure out if I have enough. I want to knit it into something I can use everyday and have for a long time.

I'm off to stoke up the wood stove, make a cappuccino and try to finish up Lady E and Backyard Leaves.

2007-02-05T10:04:00.000-05:00

Careful what you wish for. I asked for winter to settle in a few days ago and now the windchill is 5 BELOW!

Lady E........Lady Eleanor. I'm done with the body of the wrap, I have to do a bit of crocheting and the fringe. Only then will I unveil it. The pattern is from Scarf Style and I'm using Noro Silk Garden in colorway #88. I love entrelac, I'll use it for some other projects, some much smaller ones. This scarf will be 80 inches long when I'm done with it. It's my first project I'm keeping for myself. There is a lot of time put into this one.

The pattern is almost a no brainer after a while, I highly recommend it. I ended up knitting this through many DVDs and a round trip road trip between GA and VA. Starting if off was definitely a lesson in faith based knitting, I learned to just follow the directions exactly even if they didn't make sense and it all ended up locking into place.

OH YEAH! And I learned how to knit backwards 1/3 of the way through and it knit up so much faster.

2007-02-04T19:51:00.000-05:00

I spun up some wool/mohair roving that I think is so sweet in Pink and Green.

I predrafted it into fluffy pink and green batts. It turned out to be so soft and shiny after I plied it up, I love that something so simple and scratchy can be twisted up into so many colors and textures.

Now what to do with it? I have three skeins..........

2007-02-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

Dear winter, when will you settle in........I long for sledding and making snowponies. It was warm and toasty and this is what was falling from the sky in 45 degree weather, IN FEBRUARY.

2007-02-02T17:03:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd start off with some BFL I've been spinning, I love the color and the feel of this roving.

I'm going to ply it up when I'm done.

I've been trying to decide between merino and BFL and I think that the sproingyness of the BFL wins out hands down. The way it feels when it's running through my fingers, I just can't describe it without being censored. I could roll around in this stuff. I haven't found merino to be as nice, it's all about the experience, right?