My first yarn...

is kinda lumpy, bumpy, and pilly - but I made it and it was fun!

I checked out a few videos on Utube to get started and I know I will still have lots of questions for my spinning class next Saturday. So far I am really enjoying practicing with my spindle. I was really reluctant to start spinning because I did not want "another hobby" that would detract from my knitting obsession but I find it has has only re-focused my obsession. Now I can hardly wait to spin up my own yarn to knit.

My hubby has hinted that I may get a spinning wheel for my birthday at the end of the month (he really is spoiling me). And I have been looking to get some books or magazines on spinning - I already have the Spring issue of Spin Off and I have heard that this book is another good reference: A Fine Fleece. I will be adding it to my wish list for sure.

I will be posting a knitting update later this week :)

Well I finally caved and did it!!!

I signed up for my first spinning class - it will be next weekend. I am hoping to learn how to spin in time for our trip to the Olds Fiber Festival at the end of June.

I am also hoping I resist the temptation to buy a wheel....

Oooooh so excited and nervous. In anticipation I am ordering a whole whack of fiber from Crown Mountain Farms from an upcoming coop - the prices are just too good to resist. I will also be getting some sock yarn for myself and my Summer of Yarn Love swap pal - whoopee!

kinda fun and pretty accurate...

You Are An INFJ

The Protector You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity. Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is. You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience. You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them. In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow. You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation. At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support. You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher. How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

What's Your Personality Type?

Summer of Yarn Love Questionaire

Here's the list of questions for the swap! Have fun! Please post this to your blog and make sure your pal and I can easily find it!

1. Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft? Knitting for 3 years
   
2. Do you spin? What type of spinning? YES - new spinning wheel - NEED fiber!!
   
3. What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers? Favorites: merino, wool, alpaca, tencel, bamboo - I love handpainted sock yarns or other yarns with variegated repeats. Currently in love with Noro and collecting more Kureyon for my Lizard ridge. Other favorites include STR, koigu, Misti Alpaca, malabrigo, schaeffer yarns, Claudia Handpainted, Shibui, Fleece artist/Handmaiden, Zen Yarn Garden, DIC Smooshy. Things I avoid include acrylic and mohair (unless it is blended with a natural fiber) - dislike viscose /rayon/ and other synthetic fibers.
   
4. What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors? My favorite colors are autumn hues or jewel tones - I like rich colors - dislike pastels
   
5. Are there any yarns/brands that you are dying to work with but never have? Have never tried any handspun, Sundara, Colinette Jitterbug, new Noro Silk garden sock yarn, STR Ravens series colors, DIC Classy, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (for a Rusted Root), Sheep Shop
   
6. What is/are your favorite types of projects to knit/crochet? I always have socks on the needles, and alternate with another larger project (sweater, shawl, etc), and then another small travel project like a scarf or mittens or hat. I usually knit garments but do have a few toys/accessories on my list that i just haven't gotten to yet. I do not knit bags.
7. What are you currently working on? Anything you plan to work on this summer? See blog for current WIPs. For summer knitting I plan to work on my Lizard Ridge, continue with my pair of socks a month challenge, and maybe start a lace shawl of some sort.
   
8. What is your favorite FO? (Post a pic if you would like.) Sorry too hard to choose one - I love my chevron scarf, my peekaboo mittens, and my current Noro striped scarf (which is still a WIP)
   
9. What is your oldest UFO? Baby Bolero from Debbie Bliss knitted in Phil Eponge - heading to the frog pond
   
10. Are there any techniques that you want to learn? more advanced lace knitting, steeking (yikes!!)
    
11. Are you on Ravlery? What's your ID? Birdee
    
12. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? yes, size 7.5 shoe (but I like a short cuff)
    
13. Do you collect anything? yarn and knitting bags
    
14. Do you have a yarn winder and/or swift? yes
    
15. Do you love sweets? What are your favorites? chocolate - 'nuff said
    
16. What are your favorite scents? none
    
17. Where do you keep your needles/hooks? various cases
    
18. Do you have a wishlist (Amazon, Etsy, etc?) yes etsy favorites; amazon wish list;
    
19. Having a birthday this summer? June 28
    
20. Are you allergic to anything??? Please let your pal know! Cats
    

Yes, I Fell Into the Pit...

known as Ravelry. Yes, I was sucked in by all the bells and whistles and, alas, let my poor blog fall to the wayside.

Well, I have decided to re-commit to my blog. With the end of the school year drawing to a close I see myself having plenty of time over the summer to post regular updates on my knitting and yarn acquiring adventures.

Like sparking up with an old flame, it is best not to try to make up for all that lost time and rather just pick up right where we left off.

My current WIPs:

Mr. Greenjeans from Knitty- Cascade 220 Autumn heather. My first adult sweater - this is for myself and so far so good. Just one and a half sleeves left to go.
Basic socks in Online - some cotton blend - got this for Christmas from my MIL - so cute - perfect for summer socks!
Noro silk garden striped scarf - inspired by Brooklyn tweed. this scarf has sparked my love affair with Noro and triggered me to start a Lizard Ridge Afghan - more on that another time.
An FO: These are the Berry Season socks from Two-Socks-at-a-Time. They were both knit at the same time on one long circ. It was fun to do and I am glad I tried it because now I know that I am an old-fashioned gal and prefer my trusty DPNs. Yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Lakeview.

Final Swap package - and other self-indulgent goodies

What a magnificent and thoughtful package. The Manos is in the most luscious colorway - I have never knit with this so I am itching to try it out. And my long sought after lockable stitch counter that can be hung from around my neck - so perfect I started using it right away!! And then some lovely addi lace needles for me to try - I already have a project in mind.
Oh and some chocolate that barely made it to this blog post...it will not survive the weekend I am sure LOL.
For myself I also picked up some lovely sock project bags from a seller on ebay. These are hand sewn from lovely brocade and the inside is lined with pockets that are perfect for holding little sock knitting accessories like my stitch counter, chibi, scissors, etc. I even picked one up to send to my secret pal!
Then from etsy I got this cute little sock needle wallet on sale!! It holds all my sock needles in one handle little package!
I am on the brink of finishing my second Vestee. This one is for my niece for Christmas and will have a hood. This time I used Phildar Pure Laine that I had sitting around in my stash.

I can hardly wait for the next secret pal this spring!! Must start accumulating stuff now!!

Random knit bits

This is my display of many straight needles that I hardly ever use. But there are some beautiful wooden ones my mother brought back with her from Viet Nam so I love to have them on display.
A cute little shawl pin I got recently from RubyVegas on etsy. It definitely makes my shawls more user- friendly.
And finally - good progress on my so-called scarf!