the Akamai Knitter

So Mom left yesterday for Texas, but I jumped the gun and started the shawl on Wednesday. I didn’t have much time to work on it though.What with her being underfoot and with this being a big Sekrit Project. And no, she doesn’t read this blog. :)

See? Not much done.

So far though, I’m really enjoying the pattern. The arbitrary change from stockinette to garter is so much fun.

I’m not really sure I’m digging the variegation though.

There’s some strange pooling going on.

/sigh

I do like the texture though.

I don’t think Mom will mind the pooling. At least I hope she won’t.

Oof.

Sammy has no opinion on pooling or any other knitting related matter and wishes to be left alone.

I’m off to run errands now. Yay me.

Have a fantastic weekend!

One day at Wire Play Day I learned how to make Wire Flowers. I’ve been fooling around with different ways to use them. So far I have nothing to show for it, but I thought I’d share the flowers anyway.

I thought of making earrings, but it’s really hard to make two identical flowers. So I’m thinking bracelets and necklaces. In fact, I have a necklace design floating around in my noggin. I just need to find the time to work it out.

Unfortunately I have a weekend packed with activities, a shawl that needs to be knit, and a cross-stitch* project that keeps tugging on my attention tails. I also promised my mother a bracelet.

My head is dizzy just thinking about it all.

I think I need to zen out with the Scheyer.  As you can see he’s not only got the right idea, but he’s also forgiven me some.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

*I didn’t spend that much on the kit for that fairy. I got it years ago when it was half that price. I can’t believe how much it costs now!

The other week, Cookie suggested we knit a shawl together.  We dithered between two different patterns, until we brought Megan in who decided up on the Oyster Bay Shawl. For the yarn, Cookie decided that I should use the Malabrigo Laceweight (Whales Road) she got from me many eons ago.

I have much love for it.

The big dilemma is how the yarn is working out with the pattern.

To me, it’s obvious the yarn is drowning out the pattern, but I love the way the yarn is knitting up so much that I don’t think I care.

Another look.

I think as long as I love it that’s all that matters, but I’d still like to hear your thoughts.

In the interest of personal safety, I’ve kept the camera away from the boys for the past few days. Instead I give you my blooming Kalanchoe plant.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I’m okay. Just not feeling the blog love.

I do want to thank Micki. She helped rehabilitate the Lendrum. Now I have much love for it once again.  Only my knees aren’t doing so good as many of you probably surmised. That mad spinning rush during the Tour de Fleece wasn’t very good for them.  So there hasn’t been much spinning going on.

But my hands haven’t been idle!

More next week!

I hope!

Happy Thursday!

It’s been crazy here. I’ve been crazy. Things have been crazy. I’ve been driving the cats crazy.  There’s just been a lot of crazy.

While all the crazy has been happening, the Tour de Fleece actually finished. It seemed to come  and go within a blink of an eye. I credit that to the awesome team I was on. That would be Team Crankypants. I also want to credit the fabulous Cookie, our fearless leader. We couldn’t have done it without her.

As for the spinning? This is all the yarn I managed to either complete or spin from raw fiber to yarn.

Some of it you might recognize, some of it you might not. Here are some highlights of the last few days of the tour.

This is a low-twist single I spun for the “Challenge Day”.

Rainforest

219 yards

4.65 ounces

12 WPI

South African Fine from “Hungry For Handspun”

This was tricky for me because my feet like to treadletreadletreadle. I had to really make a conscious effort to slow down and just take it easy. I’m actually fairly pleased with the results.

Next up is an artsy fartsy yarn.

186 yards
approximately 6 ounces.
12 WPI

100% Superwash Merino from “Crown Mountain Farms”

I was originally going to coil the singles and add pretty flowers and what not, only I couldn’t find the right flowers.  So then I was just going to coil it, but Megan and Cookie convinced me to simply thread ply it. I’m glad they did and I’m fairly pleased with the way this one came out as well.

Finally, this one was kind of a cheat. I already had the singles spun up. I just needed to ply.

Evergreen

208 yards
14 WPI
4.35 oz

100% 80ct Merino from “Hungry For Handspun”

I haven’t done a 3-ply in awhile and I’m glad I did do this one up that way.  Even though I’d love to keep it, it’s up for sale in the shop right now.  I just can’t keep everything I spin otherwise I’d be drowning in yarn. Besides, mama needs a new flyer.  ;-)

Actually, I can’t decide between a wild flyer or a plying set. Indecision strikes again.

Although I can ply on the Lendrum, it’s become something of a chore.  Treadling on it has become really sticky and although I’ve emailed the manufacturer, I hear he’s not too efficient when it comes to replying.  I’m going to go to the Ravelry group and beg for help next.  I’m also hoping someone reading this might have some suggestions.

When I say treadling has become sticky, I mean it’s hurting my knees. The treadles have way too much resistance to it. This problem has been building for awhile, but it’s gotten to the point where I’m starting to hate that wheel.

It’s just really frustrating.

Time to pet a kitty!

Happy Thursday!