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Sweet Fiber!
This is Melissa’s newest venture– her own hand dyed yarn! She has a sock weight and an aran weight, which you see here. Of course the colours are gorgeous, and of course my photography skills do nothing to showcase her mad talent. If you want to see some killer pics, check out her blog.
She asked me to test knit for her, so I’ve been swatching and flipping through my Barbara Walker’s trying to find just the right showcase for her yarn. Beautiful work, as always, Melissa. Something tells me you are going to have a very busy summer!
And I think it is safe to say that summer is finally here. My tomatoes are flowering, the strawberries are green, and the irises, azaleas and rhododendrons are in full bloom. I was never much fond of my azalea. It’s this peachy colour that reminds me of a lot of paint jobs in a lot of living rooms sometime around 1989 (usually paired with Hunter Green.) Behold! a corner of my garden: Gorgeous! I’ve missed summer, which is unusual for me. Last winter seemed interminably long.
and what of Matt?
well, I found some inspiration in the photos posted by the Rigid Heddle group on Ravelry and warped this one up:
It’s meant to be very loose, and I used lace weight Merino for the weft and Misti Alpaca lace for the warp. My dent spacing is too wide, but that’s all I have to work with right now, so I’ll see what I can come up with. I intend to gently full the scarf afterwards. I’m hoping for really nice drape. I’m learning that with weaving, the thinner the yarn, the more fluid the project. I guess that applies to knitting too, but you know me, always figuring things out the long way.
All right– you were all spared the story of the Demon Spider because my image was mis sized and this post has already self-combusted enough times to keep me from tempting fate yet again. Suffice it to say it was Very Big Spider and I was Very Scared. I was going to follow it with a happy picture. Now I’m just going to give said happy picture. It will produce happiness in my readers, but with not the same effect that terror followed by happiness produces. I have failed.
Oh well. Oh, wait. yes, the picture:
 There he is, asleep with Melissa Monkey. Melissa Monkey is just the right size for cuddles and limb chewing, which are valuable traits when deciding upon which stuffed creature should accompany you to dream world when you are five months old.
He and I have the most interesting conversations nowadays. He looks at me, purses his lips and goes, “Bwrrp!” and grins. I repeat to him “Bwrrrp!” and he grins happily, then ducks his head in embarassment. Silly baby!
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Okay, first off, check out our new ride:
 My dad asked me if it drove itself as well. I think that was his way of saying that these modern strollers are far to fancy pants for his liking. Well, never mind him, I’ll say I think this is one sweet ride. Big, but not too big, good shock absorption for our root cracked sidewalks, and noiseless tube tires that give an overall smooth trip. And, there’s the proof. Baby C is fast asleep. He actually stays awake for the bulk of his walks nowadays, but usually can’t make it the whole way. On this specific walk it was good, as he fell asleep when he was facing the sun. I could have put a blanket up to block the sun for him, but there’s something about a covered up stroller that gives me the willies. It just might be a certain local lady we have who has been spotted for years pushing a covered up stroller around. Rumours abound as to what exactly is in that stroller, but I think the one thing we all know is that it’s not a baby. But I digress.
And, true to form, I walked a little too aggressively and ended up with blisters and a reinjured hamstring (yes, thank you wii jogging, for doing me in the first time). My ankle, the one missing all the tendons, is also finally becoming a permanent issue for me. I’m going to blame the baby. Seven years went by with minimal discomfort, he shows up and now I’m a semi cripple. Good thing he’s so darn cute, sweet, adorable and funny. Awww, I love him. I think I’m going to have a million more babies.
Speaking of babies, today I celebrated my first Mother’s Day. Well, technically this isn’t my first, as a few years ago when I was in England I celebrated Mothering Sunday rather inadvertently in a small church in London, where all the boys gave all the women of child bearing years, whether they had babies or not, a flower. It was odd. But more about that some other time It started like any other day, 5:30 making food for wee baby while hard-to-awaken husband lumbered on in deep sleep. Sometime around seven I got my gift. Hee hee hee, heavy handed hints prevailed! Let me tell you the whole story.
Husband and I found ourselves in need of a few things, but being the cheap-os we are, we didn’t really want to spend money to get them. Specifically we needed a new vacuum cleaner, a stroller and a car seat. We hmmed and hawed over this, and finally husband had a brilliant mind flash (it hurt my eyes). He took all his and my airmiles and areoplan points and converted them in to HBC giftcards. We had been hoarding points for more than 8 years, so ha! we ended up with a ridiculous amount of money. First trip was to get the stroller, which we found on sale. Of course, when we went to buy it they were gone, so we got a raincheque, and a few days later, after the gift cards had arrived, we wnet back and it was there, so we bought our stroller. Then he found a vacuum, but the one we wanted was not available, so we were put on a waiting list. Apparently if you are a waiting list, you get 10% off, which is amazing as the type we wanted never, ever goes on sale. Sure enough, it came in, and we went off to buy it with our gift cards.
However, when we got there, (after the stroller nearly cracked my hand in half in the parking lot, but alas, that is a tale for another day) we were told that we had too many cards and would have to amalgamate them, which would take a bit of time. So there we were, with a bit of time to kill. So I steered him off to the jewelry department, to show him a beautiful bracelet I had seen months before and had been secretly coveting. “Isn’t it gorgeous?” I asked him. Hint delivered, but was hint received?
it was! it was!
Had to go full-size on this photo, just so everyone could bask in its glory. I told the baby I was glad he was a boy so I’d never have to worry about him borrowing it and breaking it. I love it! I am not really a jewelry person. I tend to have a few pieces and wear them constantly, but when I find something I really like, it becomes a most cherished and used piece. Anyway. So, yes, I had to make my own coffee, and my own lunch, and clean up the kitchen and change stinky bums, and all those other dreary things I usually do, but ha! I did it all with a gorgeous piece of jewelry on.
And of course, I couldn’t not mention the Anniversary Sale. This weekend was the 88 Stitches Anniversary Sale. It was , of course, a blast. There are few things better than being in a room full of excited, happy knitters. I played bag lady so I could inspect, pet and wish the yarn a good journey to their new homes. It was also an opportunity to vicariously enjoy everyone’s shopping experience. One yarn that sold amazingly well was the Mountain Meadow Wool. We just got it in this week and our pile had dwindled down to almost nothing by the end of Saturday. It’s squishy and authentic and firm and soft. (yes, that is possible.)
What did I pick up? Well, I was too busy to get anything, but I did strike up a deal with Melissa and bought some stitch markers from her. I know, I don’t need any more stitch markers, but these are so cute!
I will cast on some socks as soon as I’m done making Droolius a few more bibs, then I’ll take some actions shots. Ha, socks, like I’d make more than one!
I was wondering why I get the feeling that I never get anything done. Maybe it’s the harried feeling one has when you have a four month old baby, but, as I was trying to organize my stash, I happened upon some evidence that confirms that I don’t get anything done, not fully anyway.
exhibit a: 
The first sock was made with the intention of giving it away. I used Lamb’s Pride Bulky, and had to cross the border to get it. It fits, and it’s very warm, but for some reason I never got around to doing the second one. I think it was because I knit it in summer, and figured I had plenty of time to make the second before it was needed. Then I got distracted by some other project. You know how it goes.
The middle sock I’m not too embarrassed about (yet). I started it last September, and only properly finished it about a month ago. It was from the first Debbie Bliss magazine, and I used some nice wool/alpaca/silk from the shop to knit them up. Cables got a little dull and repetitive, so I shortened the sock by a few inches, but it is still plenty long. Of course, someone with legs like mine does not need an extra inch of cabling to bulk up, but I still kind of like them. I actually think I might finish these. Maybe by next September. Yeah, that will give me plenty of time…
The last sock I actually have no memory of knitting. I think I have a purple one like that lying around too. Somewhere in the jungle madness of my knitting history I used self striping sock yarn and knit a sock. Looks odd and lumpy, but it actually fits really well. I have the second ball, but I’m quite sure I won’t be knitting its partner. Turns out I really don’t like self striping sock yarn. I mostly don’t like the texture of the yarn itself. It seems thinnish and insignificant. I guess I’ll never be a sock knitter.
exhibit b:
My first Lopi project. Well, technically my second. I made a neurotically small gauntlet mitt as a shop sample a few months ago. (Notice I said mitt and not mitts) Anyway, this sweater is not supposed to look like this, it’s supposed to look much cuter. But alas, I didn’t read the tiny tiny in brackets directions close enough and added a few extra rows of colour work into the yoke. Now, it doesn’t look bad, it just doesn’t look as cute as its supposed to. Its also supposed to have a zipper, but hey, steeks, zippers and yokes all in one sweater is a pretty big learning curve. I’m picking up the button band right now, using my cro-needle, but as I have realized that it won’t fit its recipient until he is quite a bit older, I’ve given myself a break, and moved on to something else. Why? Why do I do this to myself? Just finish it already, finish something! You’ll feel so much better! aaaarg.
Oh, and I realized half way through making it that I subconsciously picked the same colours as those used on the Hartford Whalers. This one’s for you, Zarley Zalapski.
exhibit c:
Rigid Heddle weaving. I’m still trying to figure out what works well, what to use, how to get drape and fullness, and in order to learn, I have to make many mistakes. I actually made this for Sue, but alas, its too craptastic to give away. It is fated to lurk as evidence in my linen closet. I did finish it, but if had taken a bit more care, it would have looked a lot better.
Oh, but here is something I did finish:
Mr. Baby outgrew the flannel blankets my mom made him, so I braved the fabric store and picked out some new flannel for a few larger blankets. I’ve only completed one, mind you, but I really like it (don’t look too closely at the seams..) One one side I have this warplane thing going on, and the other is covered with scary tigers. Baby likes inspecting it and talking randomly to it when he thinks I’m not looking. (I talk to it too when I think nobody is looking.)
Finally, progress from my favourite work in progress:
He’s holding his own bottle! Didn’t last long, but hey, it’s one step in the right direction.
Okay designers, carry on. 
okay, first with the cheerful pictures. I keep desperately waiting for some glimpse of spring. I’m tired of winter, and I think we could all use a bit of warmth around here. So, here are some more crocuses.
 I hate to say this, but they’re dead now. Back to looking for tiny buds of something in the underbrush by the side of the road. Maybe I should plant some daffodil bulbs for next year. Maybe that can tide me over until the plum trees blossom and freak me out. Why freak me out? Because I keep thinking my plum trees are actually cherry trees, and when they blossom two months before the cherry trees, I panic, thinking its a sign of the end times. And then I remember that its a plum tree. It’s that Japanese cherry tree festival– totally messes me up everytime it’s on the news. What? but my cherry tree bloomed weeks ago!
Okay, I just spent way more time than I thought I would on that one.
Moving on.
Here’s the exciting piece of news. Introducing…
Matt!
Yes, I’m probably the only one who finds it funny that I named my loom Matt. This is a brand spanking new 16 inch Ashford Rigid Heddle loom. The exact one I priced out a half a year ago (though I was after the 20 inch) that made its way into my life at a handsomely reduced price. Yay! Warping was quite the adventure, but now that I’ve figured it out, it makes a lot more sense and is going a lot quicker. I warped up and wove a 14 inch by 50 inch thingy (using Kauni I bought last year at Fibrefest) in about three days, between sobbing baby and all the other biznitch I have going on.
But now my problem is that my brain has become obsessed with trying to figure out how to make different weaves. I’m not even sure what the capabilites of this loom are, so maybe my brain is trying to figure out how to do things that are impossible. (Which would make me feel better, as I’m really struggling with this. I do not have a geometrically/visually minded brain, and can be befuddled as to wear to put a button hole, even with an knit up cell phone cosy in front of me. This makes my dad laugh in disbelief.) Anyway, I keep staring at our dish towels and the wool blanket on my bed and the Harrod’s scarf I was given, staring and trying to figure out if I could do that, and how do I make the yarn less compressed, and how to I get drape and and and…) Anyway, this ought to keep me busy for a while.
Speaking of keeping busy. Guess who’s teething?  Yes, barely three months old, and little Count Droolius is going strong. Of course, everyone in my family who has had a baby tells me he’s not teething, and this is because their kids teethed much later. My friend Donna told me of course he could be teething (this makes me think that her kids teethed early). I figure if he’s drooling constantly, runs a fever off and on, and has a vampire bat chomp on anything that fits in his mouth (including, as you can see, my hand), he’s probably teething. Man, can that kid bite! even without teeth. If he had teeth, I could probaly lift my arm and suspend him by his grip.
Oh, and of couse, all my hair is falling out. I blame him for that. Ugh. It’s disgusting. But I digress.
I’m happy to report that Melissamarie’s gift is completed. As usual, it started out with much excitement, but shortly thereafter was frogged due to my apparent insanity. I restarted the next day with a clearer mind and now have this to show for it:
 Yarn is Fleece Artist Kid Aran, which is an aran weight 50/50 blend of kid mohair and wool. I’ll post more in Ravelry once I’ve given it to her, which should be by next Friday. I’m quite happy with the results and I hope she likes it. Aren’t all the kids wearing slouchy berets nowadays?
And here is what I have for Spinnyknitter:  S
It’s a cowl! I’ll admit to being slow when it comes to the cowl game. This the Candleflame Cowl, which is a free pattern on Ravelry. I think it looks pretty good in Noro Silk Garden. I hope she likes it.
So I’m left with 88Stitches’ gift. I have knit and frogged and planned about three items quite disasterously. I think I may finally be on the right track, but this has been a bit of a painful process. I want the gift to be just right, and nothing is quite hitting the right chord. Let’s just hope she’s polite…
 I thought everyone could use a few baby toes to lighten the mood. How odd is it that all of his toes are the same size? And they hardly seem to fit on his foot.
Baby feet are so cute!
Anyway, we went for a walk today, searching for the inexorable signs of spring. Fortunately, I found one:
 Crocuses! Such happy and brave flowers. I admire their verve.
Anyway. Melissamarie’s mystery project has been frogged. Gah! It was an eyeletty disaster! I kept knitting on, thinking that maybe she wouldn’t notice, or maybe it was only in one panel, but no, apparently last night I was knitting while sleeping, because it was a whole lot of mess. But like the phoenix, it shall rise again. This time, I’ll stay more focused. It shall not destroy me…
Oh, and to end off, here’s Daisy. Always in a good mood…
Friday was a glorious day, and one that was definitely worth waiting for. I scored some lovely Handmaiden and Fleece Artist:
 On the left is some Ottawa in a rather bluey blue. I suspect it will become a sweater or a cardigan. That being said, larger projects aren’t quite getting finished like they used to, so it might take a while.
On the right is some very lovely Kid Aran in a rust colour. This was picked out for me, and oddly enough, I had one full skein already in my stash. so now I have enough for something really nice. Smushed up in its skein it’s not that impressive, but I wound some the other day for another project (more on that later) and wow, this stuff is incredible. Lofty and mushy and squishy and wonderous. I approve.
And, there, in the middle, is the Sea Angel kit. My camera does not do it justice. Deep blues, and a hint of sea green, in Sea Silk and Angel Hair. (squee!) I had a choice of colours, and one other was really calling to me, but it was decidedly too girlie for my taste, and realistically would get less use.
Of course, the fun didn’t end there. I came home and, whilst unloading my goodies and sighing with delight, I discovered that I’d been tagged! 
It serves me right for mocking 88Stitches on our Ravelry group. She had been previously tagged, and I goaded her on by telling her that she had to rise up to the challenge of her rivals. She of course, had the option of opting out, and tagging someone else. That someone else happened to be me.
Every time I look at this hat I get “Eye of the Tiger” in my head.
Here’s a detail of the chicken leg: 
Yep, it’s a chicken hat. Knit by Kareyknits of Ravelry fame. Well, no worries, I shall rise up to the challenge of my rivals. I already have a plan, and I’ve already picked my victim…
Now for something (almost) completely different. It’s Secret Project time! I’m going to ride the excuse of having a two month old baby here, and admit that I didn’t finish any of the three projects I was hoping to have done by Friday, to deliver to the wonderful Spinnyknitter, Melissamarie and of course, 88stitches, who have all recently had birthdays. I had finished Spinnyknitter’s (well, it’s not blocked or properly finished, but mostly finished), but the other two sadly languished in a dusty part of my brain.
Time for a tease:
This was really fun to knit, and took about six hours. What is it? Well, whatever it is, it’ sure is purdy!
I forgot to take pictures of 88Stitches project, but did get a few of Melissamarie’s. Here she is, in all her aubergine glory:
Ah, Fleece Artist Kid Aran. How I love you! I know, it looks like I haven’t knit very much, but the most time consuming part is not the knitting, it’s the designing, figuring and deciding. That was finally finished this morning, and I’m very excited about this particular project. I’d take a picture of my notes, but that would give it away…!
Finally, watching me this morning from he favourite spot on the corner of the bed, the lovely T’Pol.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
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