Knit Kniece!

My nieces Brittany and Caleigh are in town from Kalamazoo for Spring Break, and tonight, Caleigh went with me to Knit Nite.

She actually ended up doing more spinning than knitting, and, I am not joking here, this kid's a natural.

I need to take lessons from her!

All while the boys of eatsts and Sue looked on.

The amazing and talented Ann provided the wheel and the fiber (thanks, Ann. I promise I'll pay you back), and Caleigh will be heading back to Kalamazoo with her very own skein of handspun.

In other news, this came in the mail today:

God, I feel old!

A Well Dressed Bear

My nephew Ethan requested a sweater for his teddy bear, so I spent yesterday afternoon and evening watching Season 1 of Dexter (a very good show--although I must admit I woke up this morning feeling slightly...murderous) and whipping up this little sweater.

Made from leftover Malabrigo scraps, I think it suits the little guy quite well.

A very well dressed bear indeed!

Monkey Sock Swap

The Measurements
Shoe size: 9.5
Foot length in inches: 9.5
Circumference: 9.5

Yarn Preferences
What are your favorite colors? Pinks, reds, blues, greens. Paler colors, for sure. I am not really into earth tones, although browns blended with the above colors is always nice. I think my color preferences are pretty apparent from a scan of my blog, and if you need clarification, feel free to ask!

What color clashes with your wardrobe? Colors I tend to dislike are earth tones, jewel tones.

Do you prefer solids or variegated yarns? I love variegated yarns, especially for Monkeys! For lacy patterns or anything else, I like solids. I have been trying the last month or so to focus on amassing more solid colored sock yarns because I have a tendency to buy the lovely variegateds, and then have nothing to use on all those lovely patterns from Favorite Socks!

What are your favorite brand sock yarns? Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, Fleece Artist, Koigu, Lisa Souza, Socks That Rock, Lorna's Laces, various independant Etsy sellers

Is there a new sock yarn you really would like to try? I'm always up for new and interesting sock yarn. Basically, as long as it's pretty, I love it!

Cookie A. Patterns
List the patterns you do not have but would like to receive: I love the German Stocking--it looks like a real challenge. I also like Red Thread, but have never done a toe-up sock before.

Allergies
Do you have any allergies that your pal needs to know about? (animals, fiber, sensitivity to smoke etc.) None
Will you knitting be exposed to animals? Cats
Will you knitting be exposed to cigarette smoke? No

Shipping
What country do you live in? U.S.
Are you willing to ship outside your country? I prefer a U.S. pal.

Is This Normal?

Introducing...

...my newest purchase.


Here's how it happened. I have been thinking about a wheel for a while, but was hesitant to get one because I wasn't sure how much I would like it, whether it would be something I would keep up with, whether I wanted to devote the time and money to yet another hobby, etc.


Yesterday my mom, Eric, and I went to visit Ann, who just got a wheel in January. We tried it out, played around with it a bit, then went home.


When I got home, I checked craigslist and found a local woman who was selling her three-year old Ashford Kiwi for $200.00. I emailed her, then called her and Eric and I went this morning to check it out. Two hours later, I was back home with my new spinning wheel!


Dody, the seller, sent me home with lots of different kinds of fibers to try too: some silk, some mohair, some angora, and several varieties of wool. And a book and a niddy-noddy, and a bottle of homemade wine, which Eric and I promptly polished off.



So all in all, a productive Sunday!

Etsy Monday!

I'm sick of sweater angst, so let's turn our focus elsewhere for the day, eh?

Etsy goodies!

First up, and the only thing I have actually received so far, a bag for my mother-in-law, who is a big tea-drinker:

It's really cute, and a great size for toting knitting and, er, other stuff, probably. From etsy seller communitea (cute!)

Speaking of tea, I also ordered some Dream Journey Herbal Blend from etsy seller Lilithsapothecary.

Check out the product description:

A dreamy tea for drifting off into a land of lucid dreams..Mugwort is traditionally held as the visionary dream tea, and should also help you recall your dream journeys after awakening. The other herbs will help settle your nerves, your stomach, and ease you into a dreamy state of relaxation.

Ok - you don't *have* to go to sleep. It is a perfect tea for taking the edge off a frustrating day or for just chilling out in the evening.

Sounds fun, no?

And now for something completely gorgeous, from etsy seller DreamsandJewelry:

Ahhhhh! I love it. It shipped out today, and I can't wait for it to get here. Thanks to fabulous fabulous! for pointing me in the direction of this awesome find.

Yay for etsy. God, I love that place. Be sure and share some of your favorite finds with me in the comments.

Stupid Sweater

Ok, so it's too big. Like, waaay too big. Not sure what went wrong. It has several of the same design features as the sweater I made for Paul--extra-long arms, wide, gaping neckline, etc.

So I am considering my options. As I see it, I have basically two. Well three, really, but one involves re-knitting the cables, and that ain't gonna happen.

Option one is to re-knit everything except the cables. This option might be a little difficult, but I think it could be done.

Option two is to rip the entire thing out and use the yarn for something else.

I'm not too crazy about either of these options, to be honest. So for the time being, it's sitting.

Mom's pug, Sadie.