Muntu Stitches

I’ve been so busy doing non-knitting stuff, I’ve really let my knitting fall by the wayside–is that expression?!. I am chugging along on a small cowl but haven’t made much progress. :/ But since the Tour de France is coming up and the Tour de Fleece is quite a big event for spinners, I will be participating…nothing official but just another goal to keep me in the spinning loop. My goal is to spin at least 30 minutes a day for the 22 days of it…although I will be out of town starting July 22, so I’ll be a couple days short. Another goal during this time is to also spin at least one skein of handspun sock yarn. This will be a bit of a challenge for me since I normally spin worsted or bulky but I look forward to it.

What’s kept me busy these last few weeks? Doing my Flickr Project 365.

Here is a recent fave:

Spread the word and pass it on: Operation Beautiful

Is it a month since I last posted? I always have posts drafted in my head but I never seem to be able to get them actually written and posted. I admit, mostly because I’ve been in a knitting-photo slump til the last week. I have tons of handspun photos. Tons, but I fear that gets rather old after while.

When I last wrote, I had two unfinished FOs which have been done for quite some time. I really need to be better at typing up loose ends. The first is a favorite. It is rather slouchy but has tons of squish and squoosh and will probably lovely in much much colder weather.

Pattern: Beech Wood
Needles: #7
Yarn: Handspun Pigeon Roof Studios Merino in Harlequin
Notes: Cast on 96sts. See my Ravelry for more details.

Then I seem to make at least two of these a year. I believe this is my fourth or fifth one I’ve knit…the pattern is just so well written. Requested and knit for a friend…finally gifted this Thursday for his birthday.

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Heather Grey
Needles: #5 and #7
Rav link for more details.

I’ve really been on a knitting tear. I have four more hats to blog about…but if you have access to my flickr, you’ve seen them already. I also just came back from lovely but quite chilly for me Boston, so I have tons more photos to post/edit/go through. Thank goodness for Spring Break! (that’s almost over though.)

Whee!

Sheesh, I’m not sure what happened to last week but it seems like time just flies by. I haven’t been spinning which is quite surprising for me but in my attempt to work on more of my knits, my mind draws a blank to items actually finished. Oh yeah, I started on the Malabrigo March Madness KAL where I am knitting a lace shawl!!! I’m excited because I’ve rarely touch lace or shawl patterns. I think I just wanted something delicate and pretty and this pattern is quite easy, so hopefully I can get over the fear of lace.

But yeah, no spinning really going on…even though I did get my newest and loveliest spinning item. A new Majacraft wheel, specifically a Suzie Pro. Sigh. She is gorgeous and I love spinning with/on her. I got the wheel with a custom black wheel just cos I could. I think either color would have suited me fine. Here she is:

Isn’t she a beaut!

Anyways, since I don’t have any FO’s here are some in progress shots. I have to give a huge thank you to my 50mm lens who makes me love taking bokeh shots of my handspun/knits. Seriously, I think the lens makes my knitting look extra sexy. (LOL)

This cushy handspun is being made into an equally cushy cowl, the beechwood cowl.

Another Koolhaas hat in Cascade 220 for a friend. I seriously love knitting with Cascade, I’m not sure why I don’t knit with it more often. It is quite underrated but so cheap and knits up beautifully.

I’m out. My spinning wheel is looking lonely in the corner and I’m thinking of spinning up some falkland from A Verb for Keeping Warm. Yum.

Again, a long absence from blogging but I have had a valid reason which was not exactly fun. I got pretty sick about two weeks ago…some cold or flu and it’s taken me a while to get back to 100%. It didn’t really stop me from pursuing my favorite fibery pursuits though. Okay, I really wasn’t able to spin because it took a lot of energy just sitting up, however, I discovered it was quite easy to recline and knit. I really really have a whole bunch of FOs to show, a few still not photographed BUT still FOs!!! Hooray. (I finished the Mario beret, Clapotis, Beech Wood cowl and the February Baby Sweater!)

So here’s a couple of finished items for 2009:

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Chunky in Aquamarine (I think)
Needles: #10.5
Pattern: Quicke Cowl by Fawn Pea
Rav link

I really love this yarn because it’s so soft and light. I especially love this pattern too but unfortunately for me, this cowl isn’t mine and will be headed to a friend in Switzerland soon.

The next FO is a birthday present and I was really pleased with this simply because I am easily impressed by cables. I sorta hate this yarn but it’s superwash and they have nice colors but this Knit Picks Swish worsted was icky splitty. Ugh for cable work.

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Lemongrass Heather
Needles: #5 & #7
Pattern: Habitat Hat by Brooklyn Tweed
Rav Link

I have a huge backlog in my spinning so will show it off in this pretty mosaic. Spinning has been great especially since my Majacraft Suzie Pro arrived. Unfortunately this means I’ll probably be selling my little Pioneer soon. I still use her for plying but it’s one too many wheels for me. Spinning been amazing and I’m anxiously waiting an order where I’ll be spinning for a sweater. Yup, a sweater. I’ve gone a bit crazy with the fiber that for lent, although I’m not religious-minded at all, I’ve decided to cut down some of my fiber stash enhancement. Really really hard for me but I need to do it..and my checking account thanks me too.

For now, here’s my January and February collage of handspuns just for some eye candy.

1. Confetti Handspun, 2. Funky Carolina Little Redux Handspun, 3. Litte Redux handspun details, 4. AVFKW BFL Jade/Supernova Handspun, 5. Pigeonroof Studios Harlequin Handspun, 6. PRS Harlequin Handspun details, 7. My handspun overfloweth!, 8. FatCat Knits Falkland in Concord, 9. FC December Club Colorway Handspun, 10. Twilight Handspun, 11. Berry Blush Handspun, 12. Concord Handspun cake, 13. Thero Handspun - Funky Carolina Merino, 14. Golden Nuggets birdnests of fluffy goodness, 15. Hobbledehoy batts in Golden Nuggets!!! Love!, 16. Pigeonroof Studios’ Harvest in Falkland

This year has been really good so far. Yes there have been a few set backs (getting sick, a break up) but overall I can feel optimistic about how things have gone for me so far. I did a cleanse, a yoga cleanse, at the beginning of the year which really helped me get back to what was important and focus. Aside from continuing my yoga practice, I also hope to get out of the country this year if I can skrimp and save for it. The economy has been really bad but I’ve been fortunate that I still have a job and even informed that I can work summer school too! I know a lot of teachers are being laid off next year and I count my lucky stars that I am still able to work. Let’s hope that the end of the year will be better for everyone!

bjay

Originally uploaded by Joits.

I went snowboarding (wearing my handspun/knit hat) for the first time but at least my head looked stylish whilst snowboarding kicked my ass. It was fun to actually wear my knit gear that day when temperatures where in the 20s. And I really loved looking at snowboarders/skiers knit accessories.

I’m quite sore today, especially my forearms, since I fell over more than half the time. I think I’ll be investing in wrist guards soon.

Yes, I’ll be back snowboarding, even though my sore body doth protests.

Lots of them, that I haven’t been really in the mood to blog. There have been some bad and some good this first month, but I’m always of the mind that whatever happens in life, it’s for a reason and for the best. It’s great to be under a new administration and I’ve been working to get some positive things started this year for me. In terms of craftiness, it’s been more knitting and a little bit less spinning since I knit slowly and there are a few projects I’ve been determined to finish (hello clapotis and habitat hat…sheessh). Plus I also cast on for the little feb baby sweater…so I’m all over the place with my knits. I also got a little Cricket loom as I’ve been interested in dabbling in weaving. Nothing serious, so I figured a little loom would work for me. Ironically, I’ve been pretty busy–which is great–to even get started on anything weaving related. It’s much easier to turn to spinning and knitting for the meantime.

Unfortunately, no finished photographed knits for me. So I’ll leave you all with some lovely handspun while I get my blogging act together.

L to r: Beemiceelf in Falkland, Traveling Rhinos in Alpaca/Silk, Pigeonroof Studios in Romney and ArtClub Merino.

Being that I’m on holiday break, there’s been some serious laziness going on. It’s fantastic, this waking up so late. Although the responsible part of me is giving me a nasty case of guilt tripping, Ive shoved it back in the far recess for now until I return back to work next week. My boyfriend has been kind enough to mention that I haven’t been that lazy which is sort of true, as I’ve knitted two hats and have several UFOs I’m working on; spun/plied/washed and hanging currently 3 skeins of handspun and have four bobbins full waiting to be plied. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do with all this handspun…for now, I just spin.

Oh, and I’ve been reading too. Got sucked into the whole vampire reading craze that’s been going around. Picked up the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood novels and currently on book4. It’s nothing heavy…more fluff but fun fluff. I mean, I read two books in one day…that’s how light. I’m a bit obsessed about it right now though it sucks that I can’t read and spin at the same time, I guess one of these days I’ll have to look into audio books. Anyway, when I’m not reading, I’m watching True Blood since they’ve wrapped Season 1, and have watched a flurry of movies I don’t even remember now…it’s sick I tell ya and totally indulgent but hey, it’s my holiday and I really need this ‘me’ time.

Speaking of holidays, my latest handspun was quite inspired by the holidays, which I am totally over now. I spun up some gorgeously, squishy merino courtesy of Funky Carolina in the colorway Festivus. Seriously, Carrie has a talent for color.

This is a bulky weight 2ply (stuck in this groove of two plying everything) and it came up to 120 yards. I knit it up right away and as soon as Through the Loops’ Lisa and Katie’s beret pattern was published recently.

Raveled here.

I hope everyone has had a good holiday season so far. I always feel this madness going on especially with shopping and rushing that tends to happen in this season. And so I tend to shrink away from it and lean towards hermit like tendencies towards the peak of it and afterwards. I’ve totally embraced the holiday spirit the weeks leading up to it…you should see my classroom, it’s winter wonderland in there and I guess the break from that has been relaxing, hence my hermit-like tendencies now. So here we are, the last days of 2008. I always try to do a few resolutions. Nothing crazy but not always reachable. I guess I like to do them because they are reminders and I love to plan. I’ve always felt like setting goals are really important. Whether or not you reach them…that depends on the importance you place.

So for 2009, some of the things I want to get accomplished (of the top of my head).

That’s it for now that I can think of. I’ve been overly wordy in this post but blogging hasn’t been a forte this last year. Can’t promise I’ll write more either this coming year but I am on Ravelry and do post projects up there.

For now, all the best for 2009. Happy New Year!

Never thought I’d be quite this content as we head deep into wintertime. We barely have any sunlight but all the fibery goodies are keeping me quite happy. I don’t think I’ve been this cosy and happy in a long time, esp the last week of work which was frankly hellish. It was hellish because I barely did any spinning, although I did knit, knitting was mostly for xmas pressies. I find knitting under the pressure not too much fun but I’ve knit two hats and working on the third, and also have three UFOs, my clapotis (still!), ribbed hat and the Habitat hat for my boyfriend.

Here’s one of the funniest knit I’ve made in a long time: the Jayne Cobb hat…and if any of you are fans of Firefly, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m a huge fan of Adam Baldwin, who played the character of Jayne but I’ve only really known him from the current show, Chuck. So to remedy that, I’ve rented the Firefly series from Netflix to watch over my winter break. Whee!

Here’s my bro wearing it…I kinda like it. What I learned from knitting it…well, it was a super easy knit..so not too much except that when I make hats for my brothers, it has gotta be the x-large. Dood, talk about big heads. I knit a large…and I’m thinking I should have made the xlarge.

Anyway, pattern details:
Pattern: kit from Heather Hill at Wear it With Style.
Yarn: Lamb’s Pride Bulky of various colors.
Needles: #10.5
Size knit: Large
Verdict: Most cunning.

Now in spinning…I just plyed two skeins yesterday but this one has to be my most recent fave. It’s 6oz of fluffy yummy Polwarth. I swear, I don’t think I’ve played with anything so fluffy and soft. I was able to ply this massive skein because I just got the Wild Flyer which I use for plying but it also works for art yarns. You know, I’m not really sure if I like plying for such large skeins…once the bobbin gets full, it’s so hard to treadle and the last yardages are a huge pain. And it’s NOISY!!! Hmmm…so having my reservations about the plying/wild flyer attachment. I think I will keep it because I got it for such a good price from Copper Moose and maybe in the future, I’ll want to do some art yarns.

The yardage came out to about 200 yards and I think it’s about worsted weight. I’ve already wound up this yarn and have knit a bit of it…I’m planning on making the Sunray by Ulli. Hopefully once the holiday knits are finished, I can make more of a dent in this project.

I hope to post more in the last days of 2008 but if not…I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2009. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait. Stay warm and happy knitting and spinning.

I’ve been doing a lot of spinning, so lately that’s all I have for blog fodder. Getting pretty predictable ’round here, yeah? I don’t know why, but work/school/life has been pretty overwhelming lately and so I’ve resorted to mostly ignoring emails and follow up comments, so I apologize.

Maybe it’s the winter time blues? We’re so spoiled with beautiful weather here that when it gets dark at 4pm, it’s a bit of a downer. So I’ll leave you with this lovely handspun I made a couple weeks ago. It’s fiber source is from Fat Cat Knits and it was spun up to a patchwork type yarn. It’s 150 yards of superwash merino goodness.

I’ve finally knit my hand spun yarn! I started with this:

And knit up this hat. Plain ol’ 64 stitches hat with ribbing for the brim and stockinette for the body.

My handspun wasn’t very soft. I haven’t really figured out how to spin yarn that is soft enough yet strong, and so it’s been my tendency to overspin the yarn when plying. I do like the squishy look of the final yarn but in the end, the yarn isn’t very balanced either. I have been practicing though, and my latest 2 ply handspuns are much much softer, and from the last hat I’ve knit, has produced a cushier final product. (Hooray!)

I think I’ve reached my maximum on the fiber purchasing. I have plenty to keep me busy over Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and then some! When I start on a new venture, it’s really easy for me to go overboard but right now, I need to keep myself in check especially with the coming holidays. I need to be mindful of the items in my stash, and work on knitting/spinning them rather than the mindless buying…which is pretty fun but it can get out of control. (It’s so easy to do especially with all the lovely stuff out there! I’m weak like that.) Anyway, despite all this…hehe, I’m pretty happy to say I got into AVFKW’s Fiber Club. This will be my xmas present to myself.