Red!

I am in love with my new sock! You'll just have to trust me on the fact it is a really pretty lace sock. I tried stretching it out on my hand so you could see the lace but that didn't work too well. I've started turning the heel since I took this photo. Once that is finished need to decide how much of a leg I want. I am so happy with this design I think I am going to shoot for 5"-6".

I did break down and cast on another sock yesterday. I need something a little more mindless at times. It's just half of a toe so far. I am going to use black for the toe and turned heel and purple for foot and leg, I think. Both are leftover yarns from previous socks.

All the yarn I am working with currently is Cascade Heritage sock yarn (wool and nylon). I do like this yarn. I've used it twice before. This time I reduced the needle size to 2.25mm and am much happier with the fabric I am getting. Sadly for this red sock it is getting heavily compared to the Malabrigo 100% merino yarn I used in the sock finished earlier this week. The Mal is just so over the top soft and so smooth it glides off the needles effortlessly. For longevity though I really think Heritage will be best.

Sleepy day...

The cold has finally hit here. My body is rebelling and telling me all it wants to do is cuddle up with something warm and sleep. I think I was already yawning my day away before I even woke this morning.

I finished up a pair of socks yesterday. They are washed and drying now. It's official....I love Malabrigo sock yarn (super soft merino wool). I swear it knits itself. It flows so smoothly off the needles that I just flew through that pair of socks.

I'm already 3" into my next sock. Red lace this time. I have a feeling I will need to start yet another pair too. I like this pattern. Technically it isn't difficult but I have to pay attention. History has shown that spells disaster for me and knitting. I've already had 3 near misses that I have thankfully managed to fix (I hope so anyway). So it is most likely best to have a pair of mindless socks on the needles too.

Back to work for me. I have a list a month long to complete today.

Ahhhhh.....Spinning

Such a lovely way to start a morning. I'm working on this small bump.



I finished the first bobbin off this morning and got a good start on the second. It is, a very lovely and soft, merino wool I dyed. I definitely need to spend more time at the wheel. My consistency is, sadly, impacted by the long breaks. No matter though, I thoroughly enjoy my time spinning.

Kumihimo Again

My second braid made from some spare ribbon.
I started with 4 pieces of 1/4" double face satin ribbon, cut 6' long. Fold in half and knot. Standard 8 strand braid. Resulting cord was 13" from knot to knot. About 6mm in diameter. I did use weights on this one. Just some spare coins but it definitely helps with tension.

What I'm spinning:

Sweetly soft Merino wool, that I dyed in a pretty blue.

Plying is done. I can't wait to get it off the bobbin to see what it's like. The last part plied was of course part of the first spun. So isn't a true picture of the yarn, as the drafting gave me fits on the first bobbin.

Saturday mornings

Now there are two of the periwinkle and purple merino wool bobbins.

There wasn't enough time to ply so I started on the next bump.

Fiber content: 56s falklands wool.
Colors: burgundy and teals
Hand-dyed by me.
Weight: 7.2oz

Knitting failure happened. I was trying to get just a couple rows in. I was muttering under my breath 'did you forget how to knit?' as I fought the stitches. When I turned to put it away, it hit me, I was continuing the pattern to the sole of the sock so the stitches were extra tight. I've frogged back to the toe to start over. That is just so frustrating. I keep telling myself at least I can frog back and reload the stitches successfully! There was a time, I couldn't.

Purple and mornings...

I am still working on the periwinkle and purple wool. I am almost done with the singles. There is about 1/3 ounce remaining.
This is the first bobbin.

I seem to be sleeping a wee bit later. Of course, forgetting to go to bed might be a factor in that! I worked late trying to get caught up. That never quite happens though, a never ending cycle. That's ok. I like my work, most days anyways. Sleeping just means not as much free time to play. I did spin, which I still think is a grand way of starting the day. I find it peaceful.

Me being me...

I adore trying new things. I don't always enjoy the process or results but the learning? Love it! This means things catch my interest and I can't let it go (in a good way) until I give it a try. Some things stick, some things don't.

Kumihimo has caught my interest once again. I've looked at it and studied it in the past but haven't given it a real try. I blame the sudden re-interest on the weaving forums I have been reading lately. I realized I had everything I need except for a disk or marudai. A few minutes later an inexpensive disk was on order.

It should be fun to learn. I expect I can fit into my "5 minute" vacations, at least for simple braids. I'll decide on ordering books once I've made a few simple braids.

On the spinning front, I am still spinning every morning. I have 1.5 bobbins of the periwinkle merino spun. This wool has been such an unexpected slow spin. Merino usually flies for me, even when shooting for fingering weight. I should be able to finish the second bobbin in the morning, if I wake early enough. Then ply on Saturday morning.

Knitting has been on hold for a bit. My preferred lamp broke. My substitute just was not working well for me, in the early mornings, when my eyes aren't ready for a new day. A new one has arrived so I hope to start working on my socks again, ASAP.

Again with the obsession...

I managed to spin again this morning. Sleep? Who needs sleep! Hours later, I still want to spin. I am being good though and doing everything else that needs doing.

I dragged the niddy-noddy out yesterday. This is off the bobbin now.

I'm not crazy about it. It is a low-contrast thick and thin for the simple fact some of the colors just would not draft well. It was a loaded batt so I guess I should have expected that. I didn't have enough to keep experimenting so settled on a backwards draw(modified long draw).

Like usual I have no idea what I will make with it. It's still not washed so it is off to bin camp for a while. I never have enough time so I wash when my bin fills since I prefer to spin or knit.

Yarn details:
Purchased batts of Superfine Merino, Merino 64, Corridale, BFL, Tencel, Silk, Bamboo, Firestar
Before wash: 212 yards, 4.5oz.

On the bobbin currently:
A periwinkle and purple batt I made a year or so ago. It is a slow spin. I am trying for as thin as possible and it is resistant.

Sleep or Spin?

That seems to be the question these days. I woke early yet again. As I sat there trying to decide whether to get up or not, since I had only slept 3.5 hours, I realized I was actually debating which I preferred, sleeping or spinning? Needless to say, spinning won, at least for today.

 

I have decided spinning is my new 'exercise' routine. ha! Yes, I will come up with near about any excuse to play at the wheel. I've been spinning every morning...my legs ache. Not bad, just enough to notice something is different. I was spinning as fast as I could go this morning trying to finish plying some yarn. I swear it was just liking biking up a southern hill. It was worth it. The yarn came out just lovely.

 The photos are before setting the twist so it is still a extra bit bouncy.

Lovely Merino

Up early, yet again, this morning. I started spinning that 'missing' wool. A lovely hand-dyed superwash super fine merino. Oh my, it is lovely to spin. I am getting a very fine, very even, single. It just slips along like butter, a true joy to spin. I am shooting for something in the fingering range. I don't expect any problem getting that as it practically spins itself.

I must remember to take some photos along the way. I never seem to remember to do so then regret it later when I want to replicate something.