I HEAR YOU CALLING . . . . .


I was given a ball of Opal by my knitting pal Gail - I decided to 'save' it for Summer Socks because it was too good to hide under pants all winter. Now, my budget seldom extends to Opal or Lorna's Laces or any of the High End yarns although, I will admit to being MADLY, PASSIONATELY IN LOVE WITH THE RAINFOREST COLLECTION!!!!! Anyone who wants to send me two balls of Ladybug or Parrot will be written into my will!! I intend to get all of the Rainforest Collection for myself even if I have to sell the BoyToy into bondage. Ya know, a little bondage might even do that boy some good . . . . mmmmm
As I was saying - I was saving that yarn for 'someday'. Well, someday came. I wound that ball into two smaller balls & cast on the ribbing last nite. By the time my friend Kelly & the Dirty Little Dawg - my wrestling partner - went home, I had both socks to the heel increases . . . Ain't it amazing how fast interesting yarn knits up??? Now, I could never get this far if the yarn was black or grey or dark brown.

I must get my butt in gear sometime this week & cast on the yarn for my latest project - DIVING SOCKS. One of my client/friends has taken up diving. Our coastal waters are pretty cold & he complains of freezing feet in his dry suit. So, I've offered to knit some experimental socks for him. I spun up some alpaca & some wool for the first pair. I'm going to knit them up in a fairly firm fabric to start with so he can test them out & let me know how warm they are. I'm also going to card some doghair, llama & wool together, spin it up & knit another pair for comparison. Who knows, I may start a new business in handspun, handknits . . . . they also want thin gloves but I'm not sure I want to go there!!

WHAT A DORK I AM . . .


Just about finished my latest socks - in Regia 5380! Looked right at that ballband when I reported it to be Confetti . . . . guess I have Confetti on the brain!!! But, as I said before, this yarn called out to me & I wanted to knit it up right away. I was finally able to cast on last weekend & what a great pair of patterned socks they turned out to be!!! I ended up picking out a slatey blue from the dark stripe & using it for the toe - the dark rose was just wrong for these socks. I think this is one of my favorite color combinations ever. I made them in a short length to wear for summer - I'm stuck in my orthopedic sneakers again this summer so I might as well have snazzy socks to wear, right???!!! The colors aren't quite true but this is closer than the pic of the ball I posted - one of these days I have to get my digital camera a new cable so I can use it instead of my cell phone camera!!

Meanwhile - I've been spinning on my Arvik fleece and now have 3 big fluffy skeins of yarn in varregated greys. I'm still undecided as to whether I should knit up the Shrug with cuffs from Lion Brand or the Lightening Lace jacket from Just One More Row. I want something light & lacey to keep the drafts off for the summer . . . . my spinning friend Cheri made a shawlette that fits her shoulders to her elbows & ties in front, out of dog hair & wool. It looks like a puff of wind would blow it off but Cheri reports its warm & cozy & just what she needs to spin outdoors after the sun goes down in summer. I keep eyeing that thing & wishing I had one . . . . . . maybe Arvik will become one of those.

I love the drapey fabric that fine yarn & small needles produce but I'd be knitting for a year if I chose that method to make myself a sweater or jacket!! I have to think about how much yarn I need as well as the weight of the yarn in a large garment. As an example, I've been knitting up 10"squares in a dark grey handspun with a fine red mohair in the diagonal dishcloth pattern. My plan is to make a square, Chanel type jacket for winter. I chose to use the squares because I thought it would keep its shape, be easy to do in smaller pieces & I could adjust it somewhat without frogging a lot of knitting. I also thought the squares on the diagonal would make an interesting pattern when put together. Work in progress . . . .

DON'T GO OUT IN THE WOODS TODAY . . .


Got an Email this morning from my spinning pal Gail. She's been spending all her time out in the garden after work & on the weekends during these warmer sunny days . . . . She's been spinning up her 'Hazelnut' blend & plying it with the complimentary blue from Aurelia Wools. Gail is still searching for the perfect vest pattern - I have one I hope she'll like - and she's sent me this picture of her progress . . . . not too shabby for a person who's only been spinning for a year or so!!

I had my wheel out several times this past weekend as well but I'm spinning up my Arvik fleece - the skeins are an interesting blend of light & dark grey which I loved in the sample swatch I knit up when I first got it. I could've separated the colors but I decided to spin it randomly & enjoy the interesting effect. I'm spinning it up as a fine singles yarn for now but may knit it as a two-ply in the end. I guess another swatch will make up my mind before I knit it up. I've found a stitch pattern I love but I'm not sure how it will look in handspun - something else to check out in a swatch!

In the meantime - I'm doing the heel increases on my new socks in the yarn that's been calling to me for weeks. I love the way the colors blend together. It ends up with light heathery bands of rose, purple, turquoise & white alternating with dark bands of navy, dark green & black. I'm not sure the rose Sisu will become the toes - they may end up being grey or black. I should be wearing them in a day or two!! One thing about socks, you don't have to wait too long to wear them after deciding what color to knit.

SO ITS ANOTHER LONG WEEKEND . . .

I was watching a biography of Princess Margaret on tv last nite - in honor of the Victoria Day holiday, they were featuring a Royal weekend. I do wish they would run biographies of the older members & even some of the previous generations more often. I think we were Di'd & Fergie'd to death for years but I do enjoy the ones about Victoria, the Queen & Queen Mum, King George, Margaret & the previous generations! I admit to watching Henry VIII & Elizabeth I several times!! I like educational tv but most of the channels are doing the same old Makeover shows & 'Reality' shows now - too bad!! I enjoyed Nova, the Operation, the Pioneers & their ilk. I remember not long ago when the Learning Channel taught you something . . . . .

I sound like an old fart, don't I??? I do admit to liking CSI but I love educational tv. I want to learn something if I'm in front of it or why turn it on??

And to socks - finished my first short 'summer' socks of the year for ME. I used my usual 64-68 st start at the ribbed top & 2mm needles but used the heel designed by Jan. I've been complaining about not being able to see the stitches on the old heel flap to pick up for the gusset - Jan designed a pattern using plain increases, decreases & short rows to avoid that problem. I used her heel on these socks. Unfortunately, emailing the pic from my phone doesn't show the detail or colors really accurately, thats for sure, but its nice to have a pic or two to decorate the site! These socks are actually a lot lighter in color - there's lavender, aqua, yellow, orange, rust, pale blue, robin's egg blue & two shades of green in these socks! They'll go with everything!!!

These two balls of yarn are going to be my next pair of socks. The patterned ball is Confetti 5380 & is much bluer than the picture - that dark stripe is actually black in the middle with a slately blue & a brighter blue verging on Royal blue as well as a bit of Kelly green for good luck. I am dying to knit these up to see the pattern. The red ball is actually a deep purpley rose from Sisu which almost matches the tiny bits of rose in the Confetti - I thought it would make great contrasting toes!! I'll have to decide after I knit the pattern. Sometimes socks don't want a plain toe.

I have a pair of blue speckled Confetti socks on the Bamboo skewers for the BoyToy. I knit them to the heel using Jan's heel again but decided I didn't like them. So I tore them out & reknit Jan's heel with S1, K1 between the increases. I'll get a pick up when I finish them - hopefully it will show the details. The BT likes the cushy feel of the S1K1 on his heels & I like the shaping you get with it.

The weather has been nice here so I've been able to spin more & more lately - Arvik is sooooo nice to spin from the fleece - I do love greasy fleece!! I love the smell & the feel . . . and greasy fleece is easy to spin! I once got a couple of pounds of greasy Romney roving which I also loved a whole lot but that kind of roving is hard to find. I'm hoping to knit Arvik into a soft light sweater for work & if I'm lucky, a soft shawlette on big needles to snuggle in when I read on the couch. I saved the Lion Brand pattern that's essentially a shawl with cuffs - I'm hoping it will do the trick.

I hope the Virtual U has its new courses up for the new semester today!! I finished Healing Herbs & Intro to Forensic Science last week . . . . . enjoyed both of them! Can't wait to see the new selection . . . .

AND THE BEAT GOES ON . . .

Did I mention the weather?? Summer in May!! My arthritic hands have appreciated the lovely hot, dry weather we've been having - hurrah, I can spin again without pain!! I'm knitting as fast as I can . . finished my new socks with Jan's simple heel. I like the fact that I don't have to SEE to pick up stitches cause I don't have to pick up any!! But, I'm experimenting with the BT's new socks because I like the look of the Slip1, Knit1 heel ribbing. I tore out the half done heels in his socks-to-be & am S1,K1-ing between the increases for Jan's heel. I like this version a whole lot better!!

Has anyone read the Girl From Aunty's comments on the Lion Brand Knitting Instructor Program??? I checked it out when Lion Brand sent me the announcement & thought it was silly but I never delved into it with the thoroughness that she does. It makes worthwhile reading!! Before you sign up, read this! And the comments . . . .

I am so proud of myself - I just finished the Healing Herbs course at the Virtual University. It looked like a "Fluffy" course but contained a lot of good information. And I passed the final exam with flying colors . . . I now know the difference between a decoction & an tincture! Apparently I've been making tinctures with berries & vodka for years . . . .

Did I say I'd actually been spinning?? Yessiree Momma - had the old Mud Valley Clone outside in the sunshine spinning shetland fleece from a sheep named Arvik. Arvik is a nice mix of greys from light to almost black with a little sunbleaching on the tips. Its so soft & not too greasy so I'm spinning it right from the fleece into a soft singles yarn a little thicker than sock yarn. It does bloom when washed in the skein & knits into a lovely, soft, drapey fabric . . . . . I have a pattern from Just One More Row called the Lightening Lace Jacket which I think will look lovely in the all-shades-of-grey Arvik yarn. Must do up a swatch & take a picture for the record!! Ahhhhh . . . . the joys of summer . . . just give me hanging baskets, a big mug of tea & a spinning wheel with Arvik to enjoy.

TO REGISTER A DOMAIN NAME
OR LET THE PROS TO DO IT, THAT IS THE QUESTION!


One of my Guys wants to sell a product that he thinks is fantastic . . . He loved it so much he imported a great pile of it last year & it gathers dust in a warehouse! Sounds like some of that unspun wool in my livingroom . . . So . . I went on-line, searched the name he says someone registered - NOT - registered the name, got me a website & I am now in the website creation business!! Just have to learn a little HTML, upload some pictures, get a credit card gizmo & BANG. We now have a little web based business complete with email. Gawd how I love technology!!! All of this & doing late tax returns too!!!!


My hands have been really sore lately - bought a book " ARTHRITIS, What works & what doesn't" - everything is discussed, food, meds, bracelets, rubs, heat, cold, exercise & clothing. I found out my diet could be increasing the inflammation & pain.
I wanted to go to the Tulahead Spin-In even though money is tight, but was afraid I wouldn't be able to spin - seems legumes, dairy, cheese is a biggie, meat, corn, wheat & all the nightshade family which include tomatoes, potatoes & peppers are very bad . . . . guess what comprises most of my diet???? I don't have to worry much about caffeine, nicoctine or alcohol. Most arthritis sufferers get a lot of relief from fasting or juice diets only. Its recommended that we cut back everything to fruits, veggies, fish & fowl for a couple of weeks then gradually add one food at a time to find the culprits. It would be nice to cut back the Tylenol too . . . . One good thing about the diet recommendations - Salmon is the preferred protein!!! Fish oil is GOOD for you.


On the needles - still plugging away at my new summer socks. Can't believe I haven't been able to knit much - this is really unlike me. I keep looking at all the yummy sock yarns I've bought at Knitopia & wish for several more of them on the needles. I have two balls of Confetti with my usual menopause purple, turquoise & white with just a little black!! I am dying to see what this will look like . . . & I have the dark rose Sisu for toes which matches the rose in the yarn . . . . . I think that Confetti will be next . . . instead of the mostly pink Fortissima.
Decisions, decisions . . . . . and then there's all three sweaters I started last year. I have to finish one of them SOON.

If the weather continues to be nice, we'll be spinning outside soon too. I have a yummy shetland fleece that I started to spin last year - got one big fluffy skein to tease me, hanging on the rack!! I want to finish spinning Arvik & hope to get another of her lovely fleeces this year!!! So many projects, so little time . . . .

Oh for a weekend at a Spa . . . .

I need a manicure, a pedicure & a salt scrub . . . . .

Planted my first pansies out in one of my Patio pots today - seems the planted stuff in the big containers is relatively safe from the two legged scavengers but the squirrels will still dig up anything to make space for the peanuts some well-meaning neighbor gives them. My squirrels never eat the nuts, they just bury them in my pots & forget about them . . .
I found a clay strawberry pot at a garage sale some years back & have used it as a plant stand ever since - it dries out too much for strawberries, they like moist feet & dry tops!! So . . . this year, I'm planting it full of sedums & hen & chicks. I've noticed at least 5 varieties of hen & chicks around town & they multiply magnificently!!! I have three baskets of them at the moment so I've decided to fill the pot with them. Plant thieves - take that if you can carry it!!!!

I am about to inherit a couple of varieties of clematis from the BoyToy's mom. She doesn't like them!! HUH??? They provided a lovely HUGE display of flowers for the last two summers on the lattice of her back porch but she wants roses!! Roses??!! The woman is mad & I luck out! I intend to do what she did & put up a piece of plastic lattice on the post, plant them in a tub & let them grow everywhere - I may yet get some summer shade!!! I intend to buy one of those big plastic tubs with the rope handles - it'll weigh a ton & be immovable as long as its watered!!

On the needles - another pair of socks for me. I'm knitting short summer socks. This pair using the rest of the ball that I used for the last baby socks & then on to the mainly pink ball for more summer socks. Have been too busy to do much else but will be soon spinning outside in the evenings . . . . summer is on the way at last!!!

ITS OFFICIAL!!! ITS ALL OVER AT MIDNITE

To steal a famous quote . . . . Free at last, free at last, free at last!! Tax hell is officially over at midnite! I have to admit that I LIKE tax but not the constant work with no days off. I've had very little free time & no time for spinning or knitting much other than three pairs of baby socks & one pair of toes in the last month or so.

News Flash - Kathy, our latest sock convert, has finished her FIRST pair of socks!! We're so proud of her that she's getting published!!! Grrrrrrrrrreat way to go Kathy! Kathy had so much fun knitting these, she's halfway thru the second pair. These socks are for her teeny-tiny feet & Hubby - who got her into this - gets the next ones.

I managed to cast-on for a new pair of summer socks just for ME!! I have to admit to sneaking the first little bit of yarn into another pair of baby socks first though. I just couldn't wait to see how this Fortissima would look knitted up so . . . . well, we know a teeny tiny person who needs foot coverings . . right??? I couldn't help it. Here's a pic of the new sock yarn - its actually much pinker than it looks in this picture but its taken with my camera phone which does the best it can . . . .

Meanwhile, back at the farm, I've been digging thru all the bags of wool I've got stashed around the place - amazing how you just can't pass on another good deal!!!! I've accumulated a good pile of raw fleece which must be washed & even a nice, clean Shetland fleece which is a joy to spin right off the sheep. I'm thinking of sitting outside this summer & converting that wonderful fleece into yarn for something light & airy to wear in the winter.

On that note, I've found a couple of really nice cowl patterns for the fall - I know, I know, we haven't even had the first sunburn of the season & I'm talking about FALL??? Am I nutz??? Nope. I'm the old broad with bags of wool, remember??? First I have to wash it, then spin it, then dye it or maybe I'll dye it & then spin it . . . and then & only then, I can knit with it. I'm trying a new dye - I have 5 copper pot scrubbers sitting in a jar of ammonia cooking up a nice dark blue dye that I hope to use on some Coopworth wool I've only just started to spin!! Its a luscious, creamy color with a nice shine to it but I'm a tropical color person - those muted colors, pale colors & fall colors look dreadful on me . . . . might be good for walls & furniture but I look like a dead person when I wear them!! I want tourquoise, raspberry, fuschia, cyan, watermelon & purple!! I admit BLUE isn't tropical but its a good background color . . . Ain't no way I'm gonna disguise my ginormous self so I might as well be comfy & flaunt it! Just means I have to spin more yarn, use more dye & knit larger sizes . . . .