Again, this is a sort-of finished object. I took most of the fibers from my Phat Fiber box, spun them, and plied them with with some alpaca. It's hard to tell, but I am doing better. It's DK weight. I'm going to make socks out of it.
May is Finish It -or- Forget It Month here. I've been sleeping a little better so hopefully I can focus on getting a lot of things done. Not all of them are fiber things, but there should be more interesting Fridays to come.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mmmmmm, Chocklit!
You know what I just said about no more yarn for a while? The same goes for fiber. Today I got Sunshine & Fire handpainted milk protein fiber from Froggy Fibers. The chocolate-themed sample box from Spindies also arrived today.
There are nine chocolate (and one caramel) themed batts and roving. Each of the ten is from a different supplier and has a different fiber blend. Brown's not usually one of my favorites but I like this collection a lot.
As self indulgence week comes to a close...
I found this in my mailbox. At least one letter carrier can't understand how the mailbox for 163 is between the mailboxes for 160 and 162. One of my neighbors appears to have put it in the correct place. Thanks, Neighbor! The yarn's from Knit Fit Knitting. I especially like the colors on the skein in the back.
The only other yarn on the way is whatever comes in my Chinese Zodiac swap, the free skein I won in Iron Knitter, and something I ordered that won't be here until June.
If I want to indulge myself in yarn, I will work with some I already have.
The only other yarn on the way is whatever comes in my Chinese Zodiac swap, the free skein I won in Iron Knitter, and something I ordered that won't be here until June.
If I want to indulge myself in yarn, I will work with some I already have.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Stitches South
This plus a couple of skeins of Cascade 200 heathers was all I bought. There were tons of great things. I just ran out of steam pretty fast. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in several weeks and it affects just about everything.
You'd think that the last thing I need is yet another sock pattern book. I bought this one, Think Outside the Sox, on a whim. After seeing the sample socks and looking through the book, it was a good purchase. The more than 60 (yeah, sixty!) designs were winners in a contest held by Knitter's Magazine. If you're a sock knitter who wants a challenge, get a copy of this book. The folks who created these patterns really did think outside the box. I couldn't imagine how this really cool pair of leopard spotted socks were done. I won't give it away, but it was definitely not something I would've thought to do.
The yarns are all sock, big surprise there. Two are from Lisa Souza, since I enjoyed the yarns I bought from her last year. Two are from The Sanguine Gryphon, because I'd heard good things about the company. The messy one in the center is Crazy Zauberball and I bought it mostly on a whim. The little thing in front of it is a pin I got at a Ravelry gathering. Bob, the Ravelry mascot, has a peach in his mouth and is sitting among some dogwood blossoms. It's cute.
If you're in the Atlanta area this weekend, head out to the Galleria and check out Stitches South.
You'd think that the last thing I need is yet another sock pattern book. I bought this one, Think Outside the Sox, on a whim. After seeing the sample socks and looking through the book, it was a good purchase. The more than 60 (yeah, sixty!) designs were winners in a contest held by Knitter's Magazine. If you're a sock knitter who wants a challenge, get a copy of this book. The folks who created these patterns really did think outside the box. I couldn't imagine how this really cool pair of leopard spotted socks were done. I won't give it away, but it was definitely not something I would've thought to do.
The yarns are all sock, big surprise there. Two are from Lisa Souza, since I enjoyed the yarns I bought from her last year. Two are from The Sanguine Gryphon, because I'd heard good things about the company. The messy one in the center is Crazy Zauberball and I bought it mostly on a whim. The little thing in front of it is a pin I got at a Ravelry gathering. Bob, the Ravelry mascot, has a peach in his mouth and is sitting among some dogwood blossoms. It's cute.
If you're in the Atlanta area this weekend, head out to the Galleria and check out Stitches South.
FO Friday
I finished the Susie Hoodie this week. There is no picture because a) it wants to be washed and b) I don't like it very much. The lesson in this is that I will not make another garment from worsted weight cotton again. It came out heavy and limp. How heavy? The hoodie is supposed to be a longish jacket. This thing comes down to my knees and I'm not what I'd call short.
I'm off to Stitches South. I'm stocked up pretty well with yarn and fiber at the moment, so it'll be interesting to see what tempts me. Expect a picture post when I return.
I'm off to Stitches South. I'm stocked up pretty well with yarn and fiber at the moment, so it'll be interesting to see what tempts me. Expect a picture post when I return.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Phat and Happy
The Phat Fiber box arrived today. I nearly gave up trying to get one of these and am really glad that I stuck with it. I've got a picture of what was in the box but it doesn't do it justice. Here's a list so I can keep track of all the lovely fluff. If you wonder about the fiber names, the theme for this box was All Creatures Great and Small.
The box also included stitch markers from Yarndemon Designs, My Fair Bag Lady, and Marcie Phillips. There were notecards from Winemakersssister. There was a scarf pattern that managed to disappear, or I'd give the designer credit. There were a bunch of discount coupons from many of the box participants. If I manage to control myself at Stitches South on Friday, maybe I'll have some cash to spare to use some of the coupons. The fibers are all really cool.
- Ambrosia and Bliss: Luna Moth batt (merino wool, tussah silk, carbonized bamboo, angelina and firestar).
- Atomic Blue: Yeti Wears a Party Hat batt (merino, faux angora, banana fiber, angelina, mohair, BL X, cashmere, nylon, sari silk, firestar).
- Beesybee Fibers: Macaw Roving (Blue Face Leicester).
- Birds Nest Yarns: All Creatures Great and Small mini braid (50/50 merino wool/alpaca top with mulberry silk sliver).
- Comfed Out Kaiser: Honeybee Batt (soy silk, alpaca, tussah silk, angora, sparkle).
- The Critter Ranch: All Creatures Great to Small that live Here on the Critter Ranch (cashgora goat, angora bunny and alpaca cria, llama cria).
- Desert Garden: Tiger Tumbleweeds carded batt (romney, merino, sparkle).
- Feistywoman Designs: Little Blue Heron roving (merino and angelina).
- Fiber Fancy: Toad's Eye hand pulled mini batt (superwash merino).
- Hampton Artistic Yarns: The Silk Sampler (silk in five different forms).
- Sandy's Palette: Sheep's Night Out batt (Coopworth with a touch of Angelina).
- Sarah Kate Fibers: Phlamingo batt: hand dyed wool, mohair, and firestar).
- Spindies: Chocolate-colored samples (fine alpaca top, alpaca with a tiny swirl of mulberry silk, wool and superwash merino blend).
- Susan's Kitchen Fiber Arts: Dales in Springtime Sparkle Fluff (mohair,longswool, angelina).
The box also included stitch markers from Yarndemon Designs, My Fair Bag Lady, and Marcie Phillips. There were notecards from Winemakersssister. There was a scarf pattern that managed to disappear, or I'd give the designer credit. There were a bunch of discount coupons from many of the box participants. If I manage to control myself at Stitches South on Friday, maybe I'll have some cash to spare to use some of the coupons. The fibers are all really cool.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Happy Phat Saturday
It's a good day. For about as long as I've heard about it, I've wanted one of the sample boxes from Phat Fiber. They have samples of fiber, yarn, and accessories that go to those with the fastest Internet connections and the quickest fingers. The go on sale one day a month at two specific times. You have to be logged onto Etsy and keep refreshing the screen as the clock ticks to that special time because the boxes go fast. I've had zero luck until today. I'll be getting one of the Fluff boxes (fiber and other goodies). Phat Fiber also offers a Stitches box (yarn and goodies) and a Regular Mix (yarn, fiber, and other things).
The Phat Fiber team does a video of some of the stuff that will be in the boxes. Not every box will have samples from every supplier. The video gives you a chance to see some things you might not otherwise see. I really like the sample from Atomic Blue. If I had the cash to spare right now, I'd sign up for her monthly Batt Club in a minute.
I'll probably post more about this when I get my hands on all that fiber. If you happen upon this post before the end of today and this sounds interesting, go check it out. At the time I'm posting this, there will be another batch of boxes available for sale in a few hours.
The Phat Fiber team does a video of some of the stuff that will be in the boxes. Not every box will have samples from every supplier. The video gives you a chance to see some things you might not otherwise see. I really like the sample from Atomic Blue. If I had the cash to spare right now, I'd sign up for her monthly Batt Club in a minute.
I'll probably post more about this when I get my hands on all that fiber. If you happen upon this post before the end of today and this sounds interesting, go check it out. At the time I'm posting this, there will be another batch of boxes available for sale in a few hours.
Friday, April 16, 2010
This is not a FO because...
I didn't finish anything again this week. The Paintbox Quilt is about to be quilted. I did finish the back and I did make the top-batting-back sandwich out of the whole thing. The Susie Hoodie is about 2/3 done. The yarn is a cotton/acrylic blend and is beginning to pill already. I will finish the garment, but I will go out of my way to avoid using cotton yarn in garments again.
Oh, the picture? That's a swap where we pulled stuff out of our stashes that we thought our partner would like. Katie sent all of these goodies from London. It's a fun bunch of fibery goodness and amazingly generous. I haven't finished with it, either. There's actually some uneaten chocolate (it's good, I'm just making a feeble attempt at self-control).
Oh, the picture? That's a swap where we pulled stuff out of our stashes that we thought our partner would like. Katie sent all of these goodies from London. It's a fun bunch of fibery goodness and amazingly generous. I haven't finished with it, either. There's actually some uneaten chocolate (it's good, I'm just making a feeble attempt at self-control).
Friday, April 9, 2010
Semi-FO
I didn't actually completely finish anything in the past week. This quilt top was as close as I came. The quilt back involves piecing a bunch of little squares and having them line up precisely. They don't line up so I'm going to have to take my work apart and fix it. I'd rather clean the house than start in on the fix, so the quilt is stalled for the moment.
I've decided to declare May to be UFO Month on Paula's Planet. I will finish, frog, or toss things.
I've decided to declare May to be UFO Month on Paula's Planet. I will finish, frog, or toss things.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Chipping away at projects
I've been kind-of working on projects. Everything I'm working on or considering working on seems to have something about it that keeps my enthusiasm down. I won't whine TOO much.
Paintbox Quilt: I don't have a precise enough attitude to do quilting sucessfully. Still, I love putting the fabrics together. The quilt top is done. It's not perfect, but good enough. The back has a bunch of little rectangles that are pieced together that should all line up neatly. They don't. Since probably no one but me will ever see the quilt back, this shouldn't bother me but it does.
Susie Hoodie: I'm knitting this from frogged yarn from a previous fail. It's going okay, except I don't like the yarn. It is a cotton/acrylic blend. I do not like cotton yarn. It is so limp.
Know it all bag: I'm not sure I like the felted bag I made. If I'm going to invest the money in the electronics (it is a row counter/pattern display), I think I should like the bag. This one's going on the back burner for now.
The Great American Aran Afghan: I got a copy of this pattern last week. It is really something. It has 20 aran squares, each designed by a different person. This could be a fun long-term project. I'm going to watch for some deals on worsted. It takes something like 4000 yards and I'm not in the position to buy that much at the moment.
Computer decoration: Knit Picks has something in their new catalog called a Fiji Getaway Kit. You knit and felt a bunch of fun things to turn your computer area into a tropical hideaway. There are fishes on the wrist rest, a palm tree coffee sleeve, and felted flowers to drape on your monitor. The best piece is a great white shark stapler cozy. Fiji doesn't inspire me much, but it would be fun to come up with a theme that does. This goes into the thinking about it category.
Hmm, finish the quilt back or clean the house? Suddenly the quilt doesn't seem quite so bad.
Paintbox Quilt: I don't have a precise enough attitude to do quilting sucessfully. Still, I love putting the fabrics together. The quilt top is done. It's not perfect, but good enough. The back has a bunch of little rectangles that are pieced together that should all line up neatly. They don't. Since probably no one but me will ever see the quilt back, this shouldn't bother me but it does.
Susie Hoodie: I'm knitting this from frogged yarn from a previous fail. It's going okay, except I don't like the yarn. It is a cotton/acrylic blend. I do not like cotton yarn. It is so limp.
Know it all bag: I'm not sure I like the felted bag I made. If I'm going to invest the money in the electronics (it is a row counter/pattern display), I think I should like the bag. This one's going on the back burner for now.
The Great American Aran Afghan: I got a copy of this pattern last week. It is really something. It has 20 aran squares, each designed by a different person. This could be a fun long-term project. I'm going to watch for some deals on worsted. It takes something like 4000 yards and I'm not in the position to buy that much at the moment.
Computer decoration: Knit Picks has something in their new catalog called a Fiji Getaway Kit. You knit and felt a bunch of fun things to turn your computer area into a tropical hideaway. There are fishes on the wrist rest, a palm tree coffee sleeve, and felted flowers to drape on your monitor. The best piece is a great white shark stapler cozy. Fiji doesn't inspire me much, but it would be fun to come up with a theme that does. This goes into the thinking about it category.
Hmm, finish the quilt back or clean the house? Suddenly the quilt doesn't seem quite so bad.
Friday, April 2, 2010
(Another) FO Friday
Social Butterfly Socks, from the Knitters Brewing Company knitalong
Secret Squares, contributions for a gift for someone
Stackable Cats, from Mochimochi LandIn the sort-of finished object category we have handspun merino.
It is finished in that all of the fiber is spun and knitable. The pinky-purply stuff was used in a project where it needed to felt pretty firmly. That does not appear to be happening, so I'll be trying again with different yarn.
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