Big Post! Lots of Pictures!

ETA: This is my real inspiration for spinning. If I could ever learn how to make something so gorgeous, I would be very happy indeed!

Oh my God, Eric and I went to a fiber festival today just down the road from Tulsa. It. Was. Awesome! I don't know how those of you who go to the giant ones all the time do it--I brought home so much good stuff. Here's a peek inside the bag I brought home with me. I'll get to all that in a minute.


So, without further ado, let me lead you on a tour of the festival.

This was mostly a gathering of local spinners, dyers, and Alpaca/llama/sheep raisers. I've never seen so much fiber in one place--and I had no idea what one does with most of it

But that didn't stop us from making the round several times, visiting each booth, some more than once, and handling all the fiber, even the oily stuff.



There was just so much to see--and touch!

The above is the East Winds Farm booth (etsy seller NakedSheepStudios). I see she doesn't have any sock yarn up at the moment, but keep checking back because this stuff was beautiful.

She had two varieties--a Corridale/nylon blend (465 yards for $10!), and a Merino/tencel blend (410 yards for $12). Eric and I nearly cleaned her out, buying three skeins each.

One of these will be going to my Sockapalooza pal. I just have to decide which I can stand to part with.

Handspun yarn:

Handspun bamboo yarn (very shiny!):

And this booth had some of the most amazing stuff I have ever seen--silk caps! If you don't know what it is, and I had never heard of before now, I've already googled it for you. Check out the link, because they are just impossible to describe.

These things are so strangely strong to the touch, but filmy and delicate looking. Eric and I each bought two.

Apparently we can either spin them on our new spindles, or just peel off the layers, stretch them out and roll the fiber back and forth to create instant yarn.

I got pink with green, and blue with green, so I'll be able to combine all the colors together when I decide what to do with them.

Endlessly entertaining!

Before we left, we sat down with Janine and Tara to rest a minute. They were also quite the happy little shoppers, so our table was loaded down with our purchases--and my new green spindle!

Janine gave an impromptu spinning lesson, and she made it look so easy. Which I prompty found out it is not once I tried my hand at it. I'll need tons of practice, but seeing the amazing handspun yarns today gives me an incentive to get going immediately!

Excuses, Excuses

I know I haven't posted lately.

And I haven't been knitting any exciting projects, just churning out miters, and working on the Sockapalooza socks.

Baby blanket still not done, but it's a priority for this weekend.

The truth is that my new job is exhausting me, There's so very much to learn, and every day I come home completely drained. It will definitely get better, but after 3.5 years of working at home, this new out-in-the-world schedule is tough to adjust to.

On the definitely up-side, I got paid, and to reward myself, I bought a teach-yourself-to-spin kit from Hello Yarn. Could this be the start of a new obsession?

Stay tuned...

And, just because hate posting without photos

Eddie says hey.

Ah, crap...

...roommate's baby came three weeks early!!!


Finishing the blanket will be a priority this week. I'd better be done by Friday because--Harry Potter!




Welcome to the world, Ally. We're glad you're here, and, I promise, you'll have your blanket soon!

Sugary Sweet FO

Pattern: Mrs. Beeton
Yarns: Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Rowan Silk Wool DK


Wow, I loved this pattern. I have been wanting to make these for a while, and I am so glad I finally did. It's a quick, fun pattern, and the results are beautiful.

Although, I have to admit that, as much as I like frilly, sparkly, pink, girl-y things, these definitely border on "too much". I like them though, and I will totally wear them this fall and winter. I would make them again, just maybe not in such a cotoon candy color scheme. I also think they would be lovely without beads. But ya'll know how much I love knitting with beads!

If you've been considering this pattern, go ahead and do it. It's very entertaining. Oh, and did I mention that it took me less than 24 hours to complete the pair?

FO

I now present a finished object--the Flame Wave Socks:

From Favorite Socks

Yarn: Cascade Fixation
Needles: size 4 and 5 dpns

These socks are nice and cozy, and oh-so-stretchy. It's definitely strange knitting up socks on such large needles, but they worked up quickly.

I need to finish up my second Sockapalooza pal sock. The deadline is only three weeks away!

It's been a bit of a whirlwind around here lately. My husband is off on vacation, and I am starting a new job this week! Wish me luck.