Sigh

I just love this colorway so much. I really want to learn how to Navajo ply so that I can keep the colorway's stripes consistent. If I do a 2-ply or a 3-ply, that will mix the colors up. I still might save it for when I've learned how to Navajo ply. Does anyone have a good recommendation for how to learn? Any good books or other resources?

I'm Doomed!

I may be a little bit overly dramatic, but I do think that I'm doomed. I have fallen into a huge smooshy pit of fiber and I don't really want to get out. Is that wrong?!

Here's my latest fall...

But this was the one that started it all...

And this was the one that kept me wanting more.

So you see, there is a slight progression. Sort of. Well, I can't seem to help myself and I don't know that I really want to. If anyone you know wants to start spinning, tell them not to... unless they really really love fiber. A lot. Otherwise, they may not be prepared for just how much they will end up loving it once they start spinning. Seriously.

One More Pair For Team Cabin Fever

Pattern: Olympian Socks by Sheryl Giles

Yarn: Claudia Hand Painted Fingering in "Cabin Fever" colorway, two skeins

Needles: One 40" Addi Turbo Lace US 2 1/2 circular

Mods: None

These socks were knit for the Socktopia Olympic Sock Contest (not related to Ravelympics, but in celebration of the Olympics). I am part of Team Cabin Fever and just could not pass up using the team's namesake colorway. I don't think that the colorway shows the pattern well, but it is a lovely colorway nonetheless. I love how squishy this newere base-yarn is that Claudia is using. This could end up costing me a lot of money if I decide to replace all of my existing stuff with the newer base-yarn. Of course, I need to start stashing more fiber for my new wheel that I'll be getting soon, but I just might have to get one or two more Claudia colorways, too. Hmmm...

How is everyone's summer turning out? My husband went for a crazy bicycle ride for the end of our summer. He rode a billion miles to the Yosemite area. We knew that going the whole way would be a little crazy because of the 6,000 foot ascent during a very short distance (at least short when it comes to going up using your own energy). Though he did not end at the park itself, he made a ginormous distance and burned more than 6,000 calories during the process. It was so much fun following along and supporting him with love and energy (in the forms of beverages and snacks). We kept him well hydrated and well calorated (if I want to make it a word, I can dang it!). He had a great time and surprisingly wasn't sore the next day or the day after. I'm so thrilled that he did so much and that he was so driven. I personally would have collapsed after trying to make it up the hill near our house. ;) What else are you doing to wrap up your summer freedom?

Golden Olympians and Wheels

Pattern: Olympian Socks by Sheryl Giles
Yarn: Sophie's Toes by Emily Parson in "Latte" colorway (mmmm!)
Needles: US 2 1/2 Addi Turbo Lace 40" circulars
Mods: Almost none, except the short-row toe, which didn't really work well for this pattern. :)

This pattern was a lot of fun (and a fun competition for the Socktopia Olympic Contest), but it's all about the colorway for me. The colors are so rich but subtle. I really like this colorway and now I'm hoping that Emily does it again.

Almost off-topic, I have a new interest:

I have been taking a fabulous spinning class for the past few weeks. The class meets once a week for five weeks and we get exposure to many different wheels. The wheel in the above picture was an Ashford something-or-other. I didn't find the name on the wheel itself, but I do believe that it was the Elizabeth2. I was also able to try out the Ashford Traveler and the Kromski Prelude. All three of these wheels were single-treadle. I most definitely like double-treadle better, but these wheels were a lot of fun to get to know. I know that my singles aren't completely perfect, but it sure is fun getting some practice in! I am looking forward to purchasing my own wheel soon (very soon)! I am trying to ignore the fact that this is going to turn into a whole new obsession. Didn't I pass up several offers of sewing lessons just to avoid the urge to make beautiful quilts?! Well, I'm glad that I completely kept myself out of harm's way. I'm sure that a fiber obsession will cost waaaaay less than a fabric obsession! ;)

You'll Never Believe it! Socks!!!

Pattern: Anastasia by Mintyfresh at Pepperknits
Yarn: Zen String Serendipity Fingering in "Georgia" colorway, 1/2 skein
Needles: Addi Turbo 40" US 1 1/2 circulars
Mods: Ankle-length with 2x2 ribbing for 10 rows

This pattern is a lot of fun, but for some reason I've forgotten how I did it as a full-length last time. Once you go around the entire leg, the pattern needs to change at a couple of points in order to continue without skips. I couldn't do it this time. Oh well - I needed something shorter anyway. ;) This colorway is a lot of fun and the yarn base is great. This was my first time using Zen String's yarns. I am looking forward to finding a good use for the "Dahlia" colorway. I've seen that one done with a Monkey pattern. It looks fabulous, but I'd hate to copy someone. Does someone have a suggestion for a good pattern for the colorway? If you click on the colorway name above, it will bring you to a photo of my stashed skein. I would love to see what suggestions y'all have! Thanks. :)

NOT Socks?!

No, not socks.

Pattern: An Unoriginal Hat by Stephanie Pearl McPhee

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts' Leticia in "Space Dust" colorway, just under one full skein (enough to add a cute little flower or something)

Needles: 5 Crystal Palace US 11 bamboo dpns (10 3/4 size recommended and I might use that the next time since this was a tiny bit too big)

Mods: None :)

I love this colorway. I really like the pattern, too. However, the hat itself doesn't fit perfectly. It sort of wants to just lay there. So next time, I'm making it with the slightly smaller needles, which I did purchase. Has anyone else made this hat? What yarn and needles did you use?

Another Week, Another Pair...

Sigh. Yes, more socks. Sorry, y'all!




Pattern: Lombard Street Socks by Susan Pierce Lawrence
Yarn: Sophie's Toes by Emily Parson in "Forsythia" colorway, just barely more than half a skein
Needles: 40" Addi Turbo circulars, size 1 1/2 US
Mods: Toe-up, provisional crochet cast-on with short-row toes, short row heel, anklet-length (only did two of the leg repeats once heel was done), 2x2 ribbed cuff for 2". I think that's all. Otherwise, they're the exact same! ;)

I think that this yarn is beautiful and I really like this pattern. However, even though I don't think that these are ugly, these don't totally excite me. Oh well, perhaps I'll try something different with the remainder of this colorway...

Quick and Striped

Yarn: Sunnyside Ellen's fingering weight in "River Country" (such cute stripes!)
Needles: Addi Turbo US 1 1/2 40" circulars
Pattern: my basic, basic, basic toe-up recipe, provisional crochet cast-on, short-row toes and heels, 2x2 rib at cuffs (and four rows of 2x2 rib at toe just to add something different).

I know that these are super-basic, but I really loved the stripes so didn't want to muddle them up or lose a pattern in the fabric. Great yarn!

Big Dork

Okay, so I messed up. I hate to have to post this but I did not pass my final exam. I can't believe this. I really am a good student, I swear! I get A's all the time. Seriously. Don't laugh - I really do. ;) So to fail a final exam (that was 80% of the grade!!!) is a total shame. I am re-taking the class right now, but that's alright. I plan on rocking this class and getting an excellent grade, dang it. And I plan on resting easy once these six weeks are over. That way I'll have a little bit of down-time before the Fall starts at my new school. Phew - I can't wait to have a break.

Thanks for being my shoulder to cry on, everyone. :) I'll keep you apprised... I'm sure that you'll be waiting with bated breath.

Socks and School

This month's Sox:

Pattern: "Gentleman's Fancy Socks," from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Emily Parson's "Sophie's Toes" in "Man in Uniform" colorway, one skein
Needles: One 40" Addi Turbo circular, size US 2 1/2
Mods: Toe-up, provisional cast-on short-row toe, short-row heel, no increases done for calf-shaping.

(ETA: Since my pics never seem to be able to enlarge, click here to see close-ups)

I made these lovely socks for my husband. Lucky guy. ;) Well, I'm sure that he'll love them now that it's a million degrees outside. Sheesh!

So I'm closing in on my final quarter at my current school. My final exam is this upcoming Friday and I'm freaking out right now. I have only one class that is remaining to fulfill the requirements to transfer to my next school (I have been accepted with a contingency that I meet this requirement). I am taking that class this quarter and I'm not so sure that I'll be passing it. Seriously. I happen to be a pretty good student, but this class just wants me to work harder than my brain seemed up for this quarter. Hmmm... sound like setup for failure? Nah - I would never do that to myself! Yeah. Uh-huh.

Well, if for some reason I don't pass, I will need to figure out a way to get through the class in the summer, even though the summer session starts three days after my final. Because of the close dates, I can not technically register for the same class in the summer since I am still officially registered in it now - that would be repeating the same class. I would have to petition to re-take it for a better grade and then quickly hope that the instructor will agree to add me to the class. And that is just way too much to think about right now. So, after all that ramble, I just want to ask y'all to send some good thoughts my way. Thank you! I'll give an update on the results - as soon as I can get the guts to face up to it if I fail, or on Monday/Tuesday if I pass. ;)