What is This?

Can you guess what this is? Well, other than a stripy knitted tubey thing.... though, that would be an accurate assessment of the project...

How about a hint?


Surely you've guessed... :)

If not, here's a total give-away:


That's right :D it's an iPod sock - but much better than the ones you can buy - first off, it's hand knit of course, and out of Alpaca, no less :D And it's double thick!

Want more info? Click here!

Oh, and I'm sure you've noticed the nano is Pink. Yeah. About that. It's not my fault. Apparently the giver of the gift was trying to find me a silver one at Costco (yes, they have Nanos) but they were sold out - I had mentioned it would be ironic and funny if I wound up with a pink one, seeing as my virgin race will be run in pink.

Anyhow, here I am with my Pink nano -I've named it Artemis, after the goddess of the hunt. May she bring me swiftness and speed :D

I love me my books :)

While there might not be a whole lot of knittin goin on while I am busy getting sucked into training, I do have some wonderful books that were recently gifted to me - I love the wrapping paper :D (oh, I also got some super delicious fig preserves, I'm so lucky!)

I received Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan - it's a lovely book with all kinds of inspirational ideas inside. I hate to admit it, but I am especially fond of the chapter on fractals. I loved fractals when I was in school, and I still love fractals. I think I need a Fractal yoke sweater. Okay, so maybe need is a bit strong, but still, I find fractals absolutely fascinating.

I also received a book to help motivate me in my fitness endeavors (though there are still no plans for this woman for multi-sport events) - It's a great book called Slow Fat Triathlete, though it appears Amazon is out of stock right now for some reason.

And because my friends know that I also have a fascination for bags, I got a cool Japanese craft book - ISBN 4-8347-2454-9 - it's all about sewing eco friendly totes! I may become good friends with my sewing machine yet! LOL

In other reading, I've been absorbed with running books of late - I just finished No Need for Speed by John Bingham, and have now picked up Galloway's Book on Running 2 Ed for some further training pointers and notes. In order to get some further inspiration, I'm also reading 26 Miles to Boston: The Boston Marathon Experience from Hopkinton to Copley Square (no, I'm not even dreaming of running the Boston Marathon - not right now anyway ;) )

Speaking of running, training is continuing for my race - I did a hill run today, and actually beat my pace for my first 25min continuous run! They tell me there's nothing quite like runner's high, and I have to say I'm starting to believe it :D

SocktoberFest is here!

Socktoberfest is here!

Of course, I somehow have managed to not even knit on my "leftover" socks of late - I've gotten distracted by some lovely lacework and some crazy race-work :P

Thanks to the Luscious Gracious family, I did have the pleasure of welcoming in Socktoberfest with a pair of handknit socks...


And a one of a kind felted bag :) Aren't they fantastic? And the socks fit perfectly! Hooray!

Speaking of crazy race-work, I've officially run my first nonstop 25 minute run - granted, my pace is still a waddling 4.2 mph, but hey, it's faster than I can walk :D

Something New!

The shop has been updated again, I've some new colorways, some recently spun handspun, some extra delicious and decadent fibers and a new line of products :)

I've added Spritely Soaps to the mix, to add some wooly goodness to those whose lives may not already be enriched with wool. I've got soaps for both people and fibers - they all smell fantastic - and make for great gifts! Go check em out :D

Want to see what a small herd of handfelted soaps looks like? Check the Finished Objects Blog!

Cleanroom Enginerding

Well, if you may recall, I had put my carding on temporary hold while I attempted to find a solution for "dust" or rather "fiber" collection...the ideal solution would be to move it outside, but until I can make the break from the corporate world or find a job with flexibility in a more temperate location where land and housing is cheaper, that Grand Plan will have to wait. I would so love to have an outdoor "shed" where I could card and dye! (psst - anyone know someone looking for a project manager or a quality engineer?)

I priced out any number of options from professional fume hoods (way too expensive, not to mention not feasible in my house) to high end dust collectors and finally decided to see if I could engineer myself a solution.

I'm pleased to present my personal engineering design:


I took a page from my cleanroom engineering days and designed and built a small negative pressure environment for my carder...I even tested the airflow with pieces of paper :P


It's got a smallish opening for me to be able to feed wool in...


And the fan is there to provide the negative pressure to the environment...to trap the miniscule dust bits, I'm using a high end furnace filter...

Who would think I would use my engineering degree more for my fiber business vs my "real" job?! I certainly didn't! Oh, and it seems to work great too - I spent a portion of last weekend replenishing some batts :)

Twisted.

I've been spinning more than knitting of late - the leftover socks have lain forsaken in favor of my wheel. One of my favorites off the bobbin just recently is this art-yarn - it's called Harvest Berries.

Click over to the Finished Objects blog for more yarn photos.

In other twisted happenings, I've discovered that my body has begun to crave running. I, however, am still not enjoying the actual running portion - I'm always happy when I'm done, but the doing is not always so wonderful - I hear this is normal.

Fancy Photos

mmm..fiber...(some of which can be purchased at the shop! yes, I've restocked a couple handpainted rovings!)

As you can likely tell, this photo has been highly manipulated - but since I haven't posted much in the way of fibercraft, I thought I might post this photo while also telling you about a cool bit of software!

If you struggle as I do with high contrast photos sometimes, this software is a godsend - and it can make for some hyper-realistic photos. I'm not affiliated, I'm just a happy individual who has lost a fair bit of time looking at tone mapped photos and playing with different exposures - my cats aren't amused.

Training update? Sure! I ran my first 20 minute non-stop run over the weekend, and didn't keel over :) that's certainly progress! Granted, I still need to graduate to outdoors running and continue to improve my conditioning, but things are coming along nicely I think. As for the fundraising, only $90 separates me from having to wear a tiara while running in addition to all the pinkness. Care to donate?

Who Would Think...

...that it would be so difficult to locate coordinated pink runningwear? Of course, the fact that fall is here may have something to do with it...

Indeed, I've reached the $500 mark thanks to some serious donations and find myself on the hunt for pink clothing...so as not to spoil the fun for the rest of you who may still like to donate, I've set a new target of $750 - if the new goal is reached, I'll add a Princess Tiara to the wardrobe. I'll either knit the "Tiara" or I'll take advantage of the fact that it's Halloween season and will go find one.

In knitting news, I'm done a fair bit of knitting on my Verbena yarn - and it's looking wonderful...unfortunately, since there is a small chance that the intended recipient reads this blog, I'm going to have to hold the photos hostage.

Not getting your daily dose of Fiber?

Well, fall must be in the air because I'm spending more and more time with the Wool, even though it's still breaking 90's F out down here...

Most recently, I've been spending lots more time with my spinning - and just handblending fibers as I go.

This is a pair of skeins in mixed wools - in a colorway I call Pine Forest.

A closer-up photo is available here

In other news, the training is officially re-started, and it appears people are at least somewhat interested in seeing me run my Virgin Race 1) in pink and 2) in a skirt.

I'm at 20% of the fundraising target - care to contribute? Go here. Proceeds benefit the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.

Ahoy!

No chips here ;)

Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

My pirate name is:

Captain Ethel Kidd

Even though there's no legal rank on a pirate ship, everyone recognizes you're the one in charge. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Support My Madness!

If you all remember, a while back I started running again...then life happened and I promptly stopped training and have been having false starts on and off again ever since. During one of my "on again" fits, I stumbled across the IronGirl site and joined up, thinking, oh good - motivational material...and then I fumbled and the training jerked to a halt again. Thinking about what motivates me, I realized that I'm a goal oriented person. I fixate on goals and I force myself to perform.

So, in a fit of madness and some minor urgings from Raquel I registered for the Tempe Irongirl race in December. It's just a 5k, but seeing as I'm pretty much starting over from scratch and I've never run outdoors (well, other than under duress), I think it's a fair goal.

I figure if I'm going to register for the race, I may as well go all out and see if I can't raise some money for IronGirl's partner organization, the Ulman Cancer Fund. Just for kicks and giggles, I've set the target at $500 as that level of donations will trick me out in Iron Girl Apparel - which, I suspect, is Pink. Why is this significant? Well. I generally don't *do* pink - however, if by some miracle, I raise $500, I will run (or walk if I have to) the race in pink. And if the apparel isn't pink, I'll find some pink. As a matter of fact, I'll go get myself a pink skirt to wear - and I'll publish photos of the miraculous event.

So do me proud people, click on over to turn me girly donate. I've got til the end of November to raise that money!

Do you ever wonder...

...what some of my yarns look like knitted up?

Well, Good to Be Girl Amy has been knittin up a sock in the Spring is Here colorway...

It's lookin mightly lovely. Go check it out!

If any of you readers have been doing work with Spritely Goods Stuff, be it yarn or making up softies or pillows from my patterns, I'd love to see them!

I Felt Floppy.

Alright, alright, I realize that is probably really really terrible grammatically, but oh well.

My excuse is I'm an engineer ;)

Anyhow, I was going to show you what the cat beds look like now that they've been felted, but it's just plain depressing.

They don't look much changed from this:


And why is this wrong you ask? Well, it's wrong because that is a photo of the catbeds *before* felting. They've been thru a hot wash/cold rinse twice already - and they have shrunk some, and definitely felted some, but they are still floppy as can be, and there is still a fair bit of stitch definition. Thankfully, the cats do seem to like them still - floppy as they are. I've actually stuffed the larger cat bed with a fabric one I made for them a while back - so it actually looks like a big plushy bowl, and I caught Troy sleeping in there once - but he ran off before I could capture the evidence. So I guess I can call these "done" though I suspect I'll keep trying to felt them when I have appropriate laundry to throw them in with for further hot water action.

I'm on Fire!

Remember that?

Well, it's done. It took all of 2 days and a bit - not 48+ hours, but whatever time I spent working on it over the course of 2 days and a morning of travel. Way faster than anticipated, but that's big needle lacework for you :)

Care to see what it actually looks like and find out more?

Head over here for the details!

Stitch n Pitched

Well, all in all it was quite a good event. I have to say thanks to the folks from Southwest Trading Co for helping to make it possible and also to Fred and Terry at Tempe Yarn and Fiber (and the Diamondbacks too, of course) for a great event. I hear over 1000 Stitch n Pitch tickets were sold, and there were people learning to knit before the game courtesy of Purl in Tucson - Fiber Factory was there in force, and I got to meet and chat with Lisa T who does lovely handspinning work and can be seen at the Phoenix Market on the weekends. I had a good time showing off my wares and pointing people to Tempe Yarn and Fiber.

Ever wonder what my inventory looks like packed up for a "show"?


Well, wonder no longer. The CD spindle is for scale - but in the monstrous black bag was something like 16 batts and my entire inventory of handpainted yarn. It felt like I was lugging around an entire sheep :P The basket is full of skeins of handspun yarn. It was definitely an experience, and I've learned a thing or two about packing for a "show". Clearly I'm going to need to solicit assistance if I ever intend to participate at a fiber show...

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Due to a stroke of pure luck and the super generosity of Fred and Terry at Tempe Yarn & Fiber, I'm doing some crazy mad re-arranging of my weekend plans to make it out to the Stitch and Pitch event this weekend for the Diamondbacks. I'll be packing up my knitting and spinning and a goodly chunk of my inventory for cash sales at the event - if you're going to be there, stop by, say hello and squeeze my yarn in person ;)

Printer Woes

Well, I thought I'd save myself some cash and bought non OEM printer cartridges.
Never again.
All I can say is it seems to have gooked up my printer head and required (ink wasting) deep clean after deep clean. I've gone out and hunted around for suggestions on cleaning the print head hoping I hadn't done irreversable damage.

I love DP reviews - I found a very useful thread there.

I've now got a freshly cleaned print head loaded with OEM cartridges and it appears to be happy once again. Rejoice! :D

Tink Tink Tink!

Well, I've taken a slight diversion from the socks - I was lured away by lace. This is my first time knitting lace using Mohair - this isn't KSH, it's actually a fair bit fatter, so I've sized up the needles accordingly. I forgot I had this yarn in my stash, and I don't even remember when I picked it up (or where I picked it up from!) but when I was helping to stuff bags for the Phoenix Stitch N Pitch (it's this Saturday, folks!) I saw the yarn (Fuego from Skacel) and thought to myself - boy, that looks awfully familiar....turns out I had several balls in the stash.


Anyhow, it's rare that I have yarn yelling at me to knit it - but this stuff was screaming to be turned into lace. I have no idea what I'm going to do with the shawl once it's done, I derive such pleasure from knitting lace, but I don't usually wear it - though I did have a fine time hiding out under one of Kiki's shawls when she was kind enough to loan it to me when I got a bit cold knitting away one evening. Anyhow, this thing is positively flying off the needles!

In other news, while I have had to tink back as much as a row (not fun, that tinking of mohair business), I haven't had to clear space in the freezer for full on ripping!

Leftovers

Does something look a little odd to you in this picture?

(and no, that's not weird dirt on my feet, those tiger stripes are legitimate tan lines...)

The oddness you may notice is that there appear to be two strands of yarn coming off of each sock - this is indeed the case...

The 2nd bit of strangeness you may notice is that neither of the strands appears to be the same as the bulk of the sock. This is indeed the case - I ran out of yarn...so I've decided to do the remainder of the socks using other leftover yarn - I've switched now from Lornas Laces Shepherd Sock yarn to Dale of Norway Baby Ull yarn (at least I think that's what it is)....since I wasn't sure if I had enough yarn in one color to finish off the socks, I decided to attach both colors and stripe away...I'm sure the socks will look "unique" - but in the right shoes, no one will know the difference :P

On the needles and a neat trick...

As you might have noticed, there was a small bit of finishing going on recently - not only did I get my first holiday gift done (no photo just in case the recipient is a reader ;) ), but I finished and published the Wooly Morning Glory Pillow and a Clapotis inspired scarf...

Well, with all that going on, I had to go and cast on for some new socks - I originally planned on some plain stockinette toe-up anklets using what's left of my black purl yarn, but after seeing this cute pattern from Kirsten at Through the Loops, I decided to rip back the toes and cast on, flirting with fate, for these cuff down anklets. Think I'll have enough yarn?

I've also decided to test my lace knitting prowess by casting on for Kiri in a mohair yarn - all the lace I've knitted to date has involved yarn that isn't halo'd. It's going to be an interesting adventure - lets hope I don't have to clear space in the freezer for the project.

As for neat tricks, I've had to resort to using an unbent paperclip as a stitch holder since I didn't read the sock pattern properly and I didn't feel like waiting to work on it more until I got back to my collection of needles - turns out I had to move a stitch from one needle to another after doing the first few pattern repeats, and since I knit my socks a pair at a time on one long circular, it set me up for quite the challenge. I'm about to put the stitches all back on the needle - the interim stitch holder worked great and I didn't lose a single stitch (I bent the ends back up after all the stitches were on the paperclip to prevent them from falling off :D )

Other neat tricks:
apparently Google has an SMS service now - apparently you can use it to find restaurants, get driving directions, movie times, local weather, get language translations and a whole host of other things. Since I don't have a cell phone, I had to settle for "pretending" while playing on the Google SMS site.

Everyone else did it...

So I had to do one too.

Besides, I had that ball of handspun yarn that was just sitting - I wasn't about to unply it, and it wasn't going to be any happier if I tried to add more twist to it...

If I hadn't have done this with it, it would have turned into "wrapping accessory" for packages - and who knows if it would have liked that very much.

Look here for a larger photo and some more info :)

*grumble*

apparently I'm terribly stubborn as I've just frittered away about an hour trying to figure out what kept crashing my blogs. It seems that adding photos in firefox adds wierdness to the code that in turn seems to crash the blog. I've since gone and manually edited out the links to larger image sizes as well as manually coded the placement of the photos in the post - this *appears* to have solved the problems.

I'm curious, anyone else out there edit in Firefox and use the blogger tools for uploading and formatting?

I'm Pushing up Flowers!

Not only is my blog choosing to randomly put up Internal Server Errors, I finally finished the knitted version of the Red Poppy Pillow!

Head over to the Finished Objects Blog to see what it's called :) and info on where to find the pattern!

Blogger is being a pain

I seem to be getting random Internal Server errors (Error 500, no less ;) ) on Blogger these days. I can't tell if it has to do with my attempting to upload photos. I'm also editing in Firefox, which I normally don't do.

Anyone have any ideas?

Sock Wars?

Apparently a little game of Assassin is getting ready to be kicked off. The trick with this version is it's Knitting related...it's the Sock Wars by the Yarn Monkey. The Fierce Competitor in me wants to join, and the Knitter in me finds it rather amusing to be knocked off by a pair of socks - though the sensible portion in my brain tells me this would be a foolish foolish thing to do knowing that I have small obsessive compulsive issues with certain things...and all that holiday knitting to complete and designs I'm supposed to be working on, not to mention the dye experiments...Incidentally there are currently about 540 crazed sock knitters that will be entering the fray...I'm still undecided. Deadline to sign up is August 28.

Not to be an enabler or anything...but not only do I have lovely hand painted yarns available, Little Knits is currently running a sale on commercial sock yarns...

Suggestions Anyone?

clicky clicky for a closeup!

Well, if you're at all like me, you like to look at yarn when making recommendations - you're looking at a ball of handspun Verbena. Approximately sport weight, 300 yards or so...it was taken with indoor lighting, so you can't really see the faint sparkle on the yarn that is from the firestar that is blended in. I need to convert this yarn into a shawl or scarf and I'm open to suggestions :) If 300 yards isn't enough, it isn't the end of the world as I can spin more...but I figured I'd start there and see what might be possible.

Suggestions Please

I appear to be ahead of the game this year and am actually working on my holiday projects thanks to Tempe Yarn and Fiber's Stress Busters club. I've actually finished one official holiday project, 1 UFO and 1 baby gift since the stress busters kickoff.

Next targeted item is a handknit scarf/shawl/wrap made from handspun yarn. I did the spinning this weekend after I finished a minor marathon of stranded knitting...

I have ~300 yards of sport/dk weight single ply handspun in Verbena that I'd like to convert into a scarf/shawl/wrap thing. Yes, I realize 300 yards isn't that much. The good news is if I run out, I can spin more. The final destination for this gift will be an urban location that actually sees winter climates. I have thought of doing a skinny Clapotis...but I have resisted jumping on the Clapotis bandwagon for so long - and it would be a *skinny* Clapotis unless I want to get right back on the wheel right now and spin up more yarn. I thought of turning it into a dayflower lace scarf...but for all I love to knit lace, I have a serious love hate relationship with blocking. Then I thought some sort of broken rib pattern....or just cast on and see what comes off the needles, but I figured that might just be asking for trouble.

So...any of you have suggestions? I'd be happy to hear them! I'm planning on winding the yarn into a ball tonight assuming the skein is dry...then hopefully I can show you all how beautiful the yarn is :) (yes, here we are with yet *another* pictureless post*)

What to do...

...when your brain keeps blocking and you wind up with a gallon of half and half in the fridge? (*sigh* a sure sign I'm getting old - I kept thinking I was out of half and half and the next thing I knew it, I had a gallon of the stuff on hand!)

Well, I wasn't in the mood for Alfredo, so I turned a bunch of it into Ice Cream.

Read here for the recipe :)

Sorry no photos - it kept melting (or got eaten) before I could get a good shot ;)

Peeves

I try to behave myself on my blog. But since this is supposed to be miscellaneous musings on "life the universe and everything" please indulge me this rare rant. Scroll to the end if you just want a really brief (and photoless) update on what's on the needles...

I have decided I really really dislike those quoted "service" windows when someone is supposed to appear at your house between oh...8 and noon or 1 and 5 to fix something. It seems, of late anyhow, I seem to be doomed to select vendors that are completely incapable of hitting their four hour window. Not only do they not provide any estimate as to whether it is likely that they will appear earlier in the four hour window or later in the four hour window...if they are going to *miss* the window completely, they don't call to see if it will still work out - and they seem surprised when asked about their timeliness policy. It's not as if I haven't got better things to do than just sit around waiting for my service call. Sheesh.

The other thing that has me peeved and slightly distressed - I find it both ironic and sad that the news yesterday was flooded with information about the already ridiculously overpublicized JonBenet Ramsey case - this on a day when the NSA eavesdropping program has been ruled unconstitutional. I find it simply sick and wrong that places like CNN.com have a ginormous photo of the of the suspect in the JonBenet case along with a summary and numerous links - one single link is found on the home page, and it's certainly not prominent. Honestly. I can't even watch the national news anymore because it's so worthless in terms of current events.

Anyhow. Back to more regular non-controversial content :)

I have a new hat on the needles (it's a holiday gift) and I'm still knitting away on my anklet socks (almost done with the toe increases I think), and of course, I'm still working the knitted version of the Red Poppy Pillow....

the Unexpected.

One does not go to an Outdoor Industry Tradeshow and expect to discuss wool. Or socks. At great length.

At least I certainly didn't. But there it is. The knitter and spinner in me has truly broken out :) In addition to ogling climbing gear (hello, DMM V-Twin!), packs (hooray for the new Gregory suspension design!), sleeping bags (that's a mighty sexy Valandre...), footwear (Kamik has some gorgeous brightly colored galoshes) and stoves with enough BTUs to keep any pyro pleased (of particular note is the Reactor by MSR), I got to talk wool and socks with lots of companies.

Teko and Fox River are both introducing Ingeo fiber socks - they are both very silky and surprisingly breathable and wicking. Everyone these days seem to be talking up superfine merino as if it was the finest performance fiber out there ;) One company (x-socks) has some rather engineered looking socks - and another (Injinji) has some lovely socks that has socks for each of your individual toes :D

I hate to admit it, gear head that I am, I was the most pleased with a gift I received from Ibex - a small bundle of 17.5 micron merino wool roving. :) It's sitting on my desk, waiting patiently for me to spin it, then dye it, and knit it up into something luscious.

A zig here, a zag there...

At long last, these socks are done!

My third pair of hand knit socks - these took much longer than expected, mostly because I kept getting distracted. Good thing I have a habit of knitting both pair of socks at the same time, or I fear I'd be stuck with just one!

These socks have seen me launch Spritely Goods - first as a blog shop, then growing it to have product at Tempe Yarn & Fiber and Pure Knits...and then to my own ecommerce site.

These socks have also seen Stephanie - the Yarn Harlot. They have traveled all over Arizona, they've been up to Oregon, they have passed by the four corners monument - and they've been on the Continental Divide! Not too shabby for a pair of socks ;)

Read here for more info on the yarn and pattern used.

Pouches are good.

Mmm. Mmm. I do love me small pouches. I don't know why - I simply seem to adore small bags and pouches. Back when I got SpritelyGoods launched, I wanted to get myself a little non-food related reward. What better way to celebrate than with a small project pouch from Piddleloop?


I couldn't possibly resist this one, with fabric that complements my handpainted yarn so nicely :) I'm going to have to be careful or I'm going to wind up with a whole mess of small project pouches to color coordinate with my yarn LOL.


Jen and Wendy at Piddleloop are the best - and their sewing rocks! Check out the adorably matching tissue pouch - and while you're browsing, have a look at their stationary - the knitting sheepie is just adorable!

Oy! The Pressure of Knitting on a Deadline!

And the cat is tuckered out too. Finished just in time for packing up for its intended recipient, this is a Log Cabin baby blanket.


Of course, as soon as it was done, and tried to take a photo, my little helper had to climb on and provide herself as a measure of size - though it might help if I let you know that my cat, when fully stretched out, is about a yard long ;)

Read on here for more details on construction - and photos sans kitty.

Back in Action!

Sorry for the hiatus, folks - I was off gawking at alpine wildflowers and enjoying the great outdoors while trying not to get too frustrated with the early days due to afternoon thundershowers (I'm not opposed to hiking in the rain - I am, however, opposed to getting zapped by lightening while ridge walking!)

I did get some knitting done while I was away - someone asked me what some of my handpainted yarn looks like when knitted up - well, on US size 1 needles and about 60 stitches (about 10-15 too few for a sock) it knits up nicely to form a cozy for my iced tea glass (I was tired of sweaty glass syndrome). Incidentally, the cozy fits over a soda can just as well, though it is a mite too long. This is Sylph fine fingering yarn, for those who are wondering.

As noted in the photo, the top portion is an example of how the chaparral colorway looks and the bottom bit is an example of how the spring is here colorway looks. Of course, it will stripe/pool a bit differently depending on your gauge, whether you are knitting flat or in the round, and how many stitches are in each of your rounds/rows - not to mention the natural slight variation found on individually handpainted skeins.

Anyhow, plenty of other knitting was done - and I've a few finished objects to show soon :) Hooray!

Look! A pair of Stephanies!

My husband simply didn't understand when I told him I was spending the evening going to listen to a famous blogger. I can tell you that Stephanie is as funny in person as she is in writing, and wonderfully charming as well. It was a real treat to listen to her speak and get my books autographed. *sigh* I'm a knitting groupie. Tell me, how odd is that?

For those of you visiting from chez Harlot, and are wondering what on earth Bursage is, it's a fairly common sonoran desert plant with sagey gray-green leaves. As Stephanie rightly points out, we certainly do lack the typical jewel green hues here, but there are actually quite a few earthy & muted shades of green. It's these colors, along with others in the desert that tend to inspire my work.

Witness the Bursage batt inspired by the forenamed plant:

And this is what it looks like spun up...

mmmm...mm. lovely green squashy merino in desert hues :D

If you'd like to bring some inspired-by-the desert wool (in wool or yarn form!) into your home, please do visit my shop :)

Dusty!

At long last, the monsoon storms appear to have arrived! Sadly when they decide to just blow, it stirs up lots and lots and lots of dust. Which brings me to a question for those of you who have woodworking shops - or know someone who has a woodworking shop. I'm now in the market for a dust collection device - I appear to be becoming more and more sensitive to small particulates. Not just from the random haboob (yes, haboob is a real word, and it's fun to say too!), but also from the carding. Moving the carding activities outdoors is not really possible.

Right now I'm ogling a beast of a dust collector hoping it will do the trick - either that, or I'll have to limit the batt making to the cooler months. No good getting into the fiber business only to have to leave again if it causes me to have health problems! I'm thinking since most of the particles being generated are very small and aren't abrasive, I don't need a multi-stage system. Though because the thing has to live with my carder, it can't be huge, and it can't be really noisy. Suggestions?

Name that Bug

Well, thanks to everyone who played along with me on this post - I truly appreciate all the suggestions for Deet and Permetherin alternatives for bug repellent - I've made a list and will set to field testing soon ;)

As for the bugs in the photo, they are indeed Cochineal bugs. I first became fascinated with them when I realized my own prickly pear had an infestation. Those particular bugs in the photo are not from my prickly pear as they currently are infestation free (I suspect, due to the long drought in the area). I have big plans for these bugs - along with several other natural dyes. I just need it to cool down a bit so I can stand to make the dye liquors and put the dye pots on for simmering!

16 pounds.

I'd *like* to say that I have managed to loose sixteen pounds courtesy of C25k and better eating, but sadly, it's not the case (though I have lost some weight). The heat and humidity are dooming me right now. Energy is low, and all I want to eat these days are cold things...like sorbet. And smoothies. And ice cream. And running? On the dreadmill? Even with the little fans that are on the machines, I'm positively drenched in sweat within the first 5 minutes - and it seems to take my body somewhere between a half hour and 45 minutes before it calms back down and cools off.

Anyhow. Sixteen pounds. Ever wonder what sixteen pounds of yarn and fiber looks like?

Well...wonder no longer :) Sixteen pounds is all the yarn plus the fiber that isn't locked up inside rubbermaid containers.


Glorious close up shot? Why certainly :D the above are some new colorways and a shot of new yarn I've added to the collection. It's called Fey, another two ply fine-fingering weight to complement Sylph (fine fingering) and Sprite (Sport/DK). Incidentally, I have a list of yarns I'd like to add...and I've been going through different faerie and elven names to try to name them all. Big plans for the future I have ;)

By the way, yes, the shop is updated.

Log Cabin Madness

Here is the next Project to be cast on...

Well, the yarn for it anyhow :) It will be a log cabin blankie when it's done. It's going to be a random one...the idea is courtesy of Cara. I realized a friend is expecting and I'll be visiting her in a few weeks. Granted, it's early in the pregnancy, but I thought it would be nice to arrive with gift in hand.

The problem is I only have 5 colors - and I really ought to have 6 so I can do the border in a different color so that no colors "touch" at least that's the ideal. I'm using random numbers from 1-18 because...well, 18 is a magic number, says Cara, and 18 is also the age at which the child will become an adult.

I've dug into my stash of Cotton Ease for this project, because I want easy care, but not too hot (the family lives someplace warm).

Suggestions on resolving my dilemma?

Bug Juice

Bugs love me. I don't know wy. I like to think it's because I'm sweet (ha ha).

Anyhow, does anyone have any non-Deet non Permetherin recommendations for bug repellent? Yes, I'm familiar with Citronella, and Lemon Grass, but neither seem to deter the little biters for long....


Speaking of bugs...These guys are my newest venture. They don't look much like bugs, do they? They look more like little rocks. Well, I consider that a good thing, seeing as what they are destined for. I am plenty well in touch with where my food comes from, and I've eaten my fair share of food that closely resembles the animal from which it came. Anyway, anyone care to hazard a guess as to what the little creatures are and what they've got in store for them?

Holiday Knitting?!

I'm all for an early start...and since I've been so terribly neglectful with my knitting and at least one planned project requires spinning *and* knitting, I've started up a list. Tempe Yarn and Fiber is providing extra incentive to us by offering up prizes if we go knit on Saturday evenings as we finish off items on our lists! (and they don't even need to be gift knits - they can be UFOs that you just need extra motivation to finally complete! They can be knits for yourself!)

Ps. Does anyone know a good way to knit a circle from the inside out (or perhaps the outside in) so that I can get the middle completely closed tightly?

Supersize Me!

Serious skeins are in need of serious winders...I don't like cutting yarn if I don't have to - especially since it means more ends to weave in at the end of a project. I have enough of a hard time with finishing without making more work for myself :)

The newest addition to my equipment is this whirling dervish of fun. Small winder shown for scale. The big guy supposedly holds a full pound of yarn :) It'll be especially useful for winding double length skeins of handdyed yarn.

Speaking of yarn, I finally picked up the needles again, it seems like it's been ages. I've missed it. I've only got a couple of WIPs, and no idea of what to cast on next for...but I'm thinking felting projects. Fast and quick gratification! Then again, there are a couple o folks with babies on the way...so gift knitting/crafting is also in order.

In running news, I have gotten to the point where I can actually run the equivalent of 2+ laps. I can't remember the last time I could do that (if ever). Sadly, I'm stuck running on a dreadmill...and I get bored...and the time seems to drag on by. Anyone have any tips to distract me?

My Biggest FO to Date!

Seriously. Bigger than Mariposa Lace Shawl, the Double Wide Branching Out, and even the last minute re-designed Olympic Leaf Lace Sweater. All without touching a set of needles.

But fiber - and lots of it was involved!


Curious? Read on here...

An Inconvenient Truth

I had been wondering about this film, and no matter what your political leanings are, I think the movie is well worth a look. Once past the Apple Computer product placement, the data presented is startling and powerful.

Are you a person of faith? This site is offering up free tickets to go see the movie.

Excitement!

Imagine, here I was, minding my own business, reading the new Knitty only to discover that Cara was so kind to include nice words about me and Spritely Goods in her article about Spinout 2006! Complete with that delicious photo of my mini batts! I nearly fell out of my chair.

That was yesterday...today, the new issue of For the Love of Yarn is up! And guess who has a pattern inside? :) go check it out!

Pam also has a pattern in there - so the Arizona contingent is well represented :D

Ride the Wave!

Oy! the difference a pair of shoes make.... I am still plugging away at my C25k "training" plan. It's been going slowly and steadily, though I keep getting waylaid or stuck on certain weeks (for good reasons - like I got to go on vacation and instead of running, spent the time hiking instead). Anyhow, I had thought that I was doomed to early failure but it seems that my feet and myself have come to an agreement. After various evaluations of my foot strike and various trials, I am happy to report that the shoes I finally settled on, seem to be working out - course, I'm still in the interval training portion of C25k, and haven't run that much in them, but never-the-less, they seem to be doing the trick....what are they? Mizuno Wave Rider 9s :) I'm not so crazy for their looks, but they are light, and my feet luuuurve them. Or they seem to be semi-infatuated at least.

Speaking of running, I am pleased to say I am actually able to run the equivalent of a lap + now. I don't remember the last time I was actually able to successfully run a full lap on a track! It was probably ages and ages ago back when I used to run track in High School! Eek! There is something to be said for coming to the realization that a milestone has been hit :) In theory, the next thing I'll notice is I'll actually be able to run a full *4* laps (or a mile!)...

The early reward for hitting this milestone? (I'm a big fan of rewards ;) ) A fancy schmancy new watch...in periwinkle blue...conveniently, it's good for training too. And no, I'm not looking to train for a tri - I don't care what make or model the watch is there will be no tri training here :P . The reward came early because my other watch met an untimely death. I think it got ran over by a car :(

Have a fantastic 4th of July Holiday for those who are celebrating :D

Virga

vir·ga

Wisps of precipitation streaming from a cloud but evaporating before reaching the ground.

It seems that that's all we're getting down here, while the poor eastern seaboard seems to be covered in a deluge.

Nevertheless inspired, Virga is the name of the first of my Ethereally Elemental colorways (very subtley variegated, perfect for lace & texturework!)

Want a peek?

Color me Crazy

Busy weekend full of color here :)
Of course, there was only just the tiniest bit of blue and not a bit of violet/purple to herald in the next month...

What you see on the bobbin there (yes, there is a bobbin under there...) are the various colors of batts I was working on...

Incidentally I also discovered that if pressed, I can likely squash nine pounds of fiber or yarn or a combination thereof into my ginormous dyepot. So yes, there is a shop update coming soon :)