the Akamai Knitter

I decided my shops didn’t have enough necklaces, so I made a couple. They’re pretty much the same design, but because the components are all freeform and organic, they do look a bit different. Or at least they do to me.

I call this one Cumulus in the Grass.

And this one is Cumulus and the Ocean.

I had a lot of fun hammering the links. I love my nifty texturizing hammers.

I got so carried away with the hammering, I made a couple pairs of earrings just so I could keep on banging.This is my favorite of the pair. I used a thicker wire so you can really see the texture.

I’m still knitting the Clapotis, but I’m only working on it before I go to sleep. So I maybe manage a row or two before my eyes slam shut.

I’m still spinning. I’m almost finished with a braid from Hungry For Handspun. (She just updated today. Isn’t she evil?) It should be ready to ply sometime today. That way I’ll be all ready for the Tour de Fleece!

I’m gearing up for a July 4th sale in all my shops. I haven’t quite figured out the logistics, but I do know the yarn won’t be on sale.

Other then that? Nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada!

So enjoy a picture of some kind of exotic flower that’s outside of my house on the common grounds. The landscapers take care of it. Otherwise it would be dead. I have no idea what it is. It just is. Aren’t I Zen? :D

Happy Hump Day! Aren’t you glad this is a short week? (For US Citizens that is.)

Saturday was another fun day at The Bead Gallery with their Wire Play Day studio.  This time around I made yet another bracelet.

I’m calling it the Tri-Fold Sampler Bracelet. The reason it’s called a sampler is because each section is coiled with a different gauge of wire over a 14g (gauge) core.

This is a detail shot of the 18g portion. I used moonstones and aquamarines as dangles.

For the next section I used 20g wire. I used more moonstones and rose quartz.

For the final section, I used 22g wire and cherry quart with even more moonstones.

The finished bracelet looks like this.

Lemme tell you, all that wrapping really made my hands work and hurt.

I also worked on another project, but the unveiling of said project will have to wait for its completion. It might take awhile as it’s rather fiddly and I’m going to need a lot of help with it.

And as much as it breaks my heart,  I’m probably not going to make next month’s studio. So the mystery project will most likely remain in hibernation for a long while.

Instead of a studio next month, I’m planning on taking a custom class with the extraordinarily talented KnottyNaomi when she’ll be visiting next month. That is definitely something to look forward to!

In the meantime, I have plenty to keep me busy as well as some excellent furry company.  Who could resist this pretty boy?

I hope Monday is treating you well!

Aloha!

Last night was sushi and knit night and I had so much fun. I brought along two socks projects to work on.  I mainly brought out the Dallas Cowboy sock for advice.

I’m on the gussets of the sock and the striping effect has changed dramatically. I don’t think it’s ugly, but I don’t think I like it.  So I wanted to hear what the peanut gallery thought. Mostly they didn’t think it was ugly but they  said that if it’s going to bother me I should rip back.

What do you think?

I’m probably going to rip it back and do an afterthought heel, but I do want to hear what y’all have to say.

Unfortunately it was too dark to work on the Undulating Rib Socks. So I left early.

I didn’t leave completely unscathed though. Barb aka Acornbud hoisted a huge lot of yarn upon me insisting I take it home and at least try it.

At this point, my knitting mojo felt like dried up old prune. That is until, at one in the morning, I came up with the brilliant idea of knitting up the new yarn into another Clapotis!

Now did I do the practical thing and go to sleep and work on it in the morning? Oh no. I rushed downstairs and printed out the pattern. I searched high and low for some size 8US needles. (I finally found them amidst some beads.)  I busted out my iPod and got some Breaking Benjamin cranking. Then I proceeded to knit.

I think I was more excited about being able to use my new Hello Kitty stitch markers that have been languishing in a container then about the project itself.

Then again I had forgotten what an addicting knit the Clapotis is, because I couldn’t stop knitting. I kept going until  I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

It was another late night and this time I have no one to blame but myself. All I can say is thank god it’s FRIDAY!!

Even Sammy is looking forward to it. (Or is he just looking for it?)

Also! I have donated some prizes for Claudia’s MS Ride 2009! Her prize basket is filled to the brim with good stuff. Check it out! It’s for a seriously good cause.

Have a great weekend, peoples! Thanks for reading. :)

I want this week to be over. My email was down for over 12 hours .  I’ve been having annoying health issues.  AND I’m still not sleeping well.

So lemme just say that I got my crankypants on.

It’s a good thing too, since I happened to have joined Team Crankypants on Ravelry for the Tour de Fleece. Apparently I’m also to blame for this as well, but that’s another story.

My goal for the tour is to experiment with some art yarn.  I want to try spinning some coils and corespun. I’m mighty afeared of these techniques, but I think with the help of my teammates, I’ll be able to conquer that fear and Just Do It.

In an effort to free the spinning queue in preparation for the tour, I have some yarn to show you.

Stormy Skies

400 yards – 2ply

14 WPI – 4.4 oz

I spun this up from some lovely batts gifted to me for Christmas by the lovely Jen of Hungry For Handspun. It was so much fun to spin. This one has alpaca, merino, sari silk, and sparkly angelina.

I’m already plotting to acquire more of her lovely batts.

Midnight Desire by CJ Kopec

386 yards – single ply

18 WPI – 4.4 oz

100% Corriedale

Let me start by saying that I hate Corriedale. I hate it hate it hate it. I just do. BUT, I could not resist this color! Look how rich it is! It’s to die for.  Yes?

So although I wasn’t thrilled with spinning it, (it was just too harsh for my delicate hands. What?!) I love the yarn that came off the wheel. I’m keeping this one for myself and I plan on making a shawl with it.

Here’s one little guy who obviously has no problems sleeping and doesn’t own a single pair of crankypants.

Happy Wednesday, folks! Do you own a pair of crankypants?

I’m still recovering from the weekend. Forgive my scattered thoughts.  But do you remember that tangle of yarn vomit? Look at it now!

It arrived yesterday in a box and it wasn’t alone. Look what else the Yarn Angel sent me!

I have all sorts of ideas in my noggin for these beauties.

Meanwhile, I started a bracelet for me over the weekend while I was at a jewelry workshop. The colors I chose are rather surprising for those who know me.

Shocking isn’t it? All that pink!I even bought a pink shirt. I even wore it out.

Yes. I’ve decided to just embrace my inner girly girl.

Also, I’ve listed new earrings in the Etsy  Shop!

and the Artfire Shop!

So far I’ve had zero sales in the Artfire shop.  I’ve decided to give it six months. If nothing comes of it, then I’m moving everything to Etsy.  I figure that I’ll have at least tried something new.

I’ve changed up the blog a bit. I got tired of seeing all the gray. I’m not sure how much I like the red, but I’m going to keep this up for at least a week to see how I like it.

Finally, Quincy has found a new place to nap.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!