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The local walk for Light the Night is tomorrow night, so if you were wanting to make a donation, my page is here.
I want to thank everyone who so far has donated. It means a lot to me. I may be working up a little give away for a randomly picked person. Thank you!
I want to thank everyone who so far has donated. It means a lot to me. I may be working up a little give away for a randomly picked person. Thank you!
one day the blue one went away
6 Oct 2008 09:49 pmThis weekend ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
metachaos and I took a trip to Fae Ridge Farm, located near Iowa City. We had seen it featured in the recent Spin-off and had to go since there just aren't that many sheep or spinning places in Iowa.
Not only did we get to see all manner of animals and wander around Janette's organic gardens, we were invited to sit and knit with the regular knitting group in the shop. These are a wonderful bunch of ladies and I want more excuses to come out and visit. We each bought some lovely fiber that comes from her own sheep and goats, and some yarns and other notions. She also carries Ashford wheels, which I'd love to try some time. I highly recommend visiting there if you are in the neighborhood.
metachaos and I took a trip to Fae Ridge Farm, located near Iowa City. We had seen it featured in the recent Spin-off and had to go since there just aren't that many sheep or spinning places in Iowa. |
Bantam Rooster Beautiful feathers on this guy! He was crowing while we were walking around. |
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Silkie Chicken For the silkie lovers out there. She made the cutest sounds. |
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Sheep Janette keeps a variety of sheep in her flock. I like the one with the curly locks in back. |
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Shetland Ram and other sheep In order to "downsize" her flock, she got a little Shetland ram for breeding. |
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Rabbit I was feeding this one nasturtium leaves. |
Not only did we get to see all manner of animals and wander around Janette's organic gardens, we were invited to sit and knit with the regular knitting group in the shop. These are a wonderful bunch of ladies and I want more excuses to come out and visit. We each bought some lovely fiber that comes from her own sheep and goats, and some yarns and other notions. She also carries Ashford wheels, which I'd love to try some time. I highly recommend visiting there if you are in the neighborhood.
light the night
1 Oct 2008 09:35 pmI just got around to this and it is coming up in a little over a week, but I've been meaning to do this for years.
I'm going to walk in Light the Night 2008. It is a fund raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, who fund research for blood cancers and patient support. Since leukemia and lymphoma have been way too present in my life, this is one cause I can support.
If you're able or inclined to donate, I've got a donation page where you can give directly. Every little bit counts. Thank you!
I'm going to walk in Light the Night 2008. It is a fund raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, who fund research for blood cancers and patient support. Since leukemia and lymphoma have been way too present in my life, this is one cause I can support.
If you're able or inclined to donate, I've got a donation page where you can give directly. Every little bit counts. Thank you!
who am i to blow against the wind
9 Sep 2008 08:58 amEven though it isn't autumn by the calendar, it certainly feels like it in the weather. The leaves aren't really turning yet, but I'm appreciating long sleeves and tea.
What this means is it is time for hats!
( details )
What this means is it is time for hats!
 For the neogeen |  For the wayback_kidd |
( details )
These arrived in the mail yesterday from Jonathan and Sheila Bosworth.
On the left, birds eye maple Midi (1 oz) and on the right a tulipwood Maxi (1.7 oz). I'm intending on using the Midi for spinning singles and the Maxi for plying. One day, I hope to make sock yarn on these!
Sheila was extremely nice to work with in choosing my spindles. I hope to make it to MD S&W again some day and maybe actually get to see them in person (and fondle spindles in person...)
The Bossies with my learning spindle, the Schacht Hi-lo. I'm beginning to see the spindle collection appeal.
On the left, birds eye maple Midi (1 oz) and on the right a tulipwood Maxi (1.7 oz). I'm intending on using the Midi for spinning singles and the Maxi for plying. One day, I hope to make sock yarn on these!
Sheila was extremely nice to work with in choosing my spindles. I hope to make it to MD S&W again some day and maybe actually get to see them in person (and fondle spindles in person...)
The Bossies with my learning spindle, the Schacht Hi-lo. I'm beginning to see the spindle collection appeal.
Recent Theme: Boxes
15 Aug 2008 10:49 pmMost recent box, payment for services from lunassa.
(All kind of goodies, from odds and ends of fibers to try and two lovely skeins of sock yarn she dyed.)
Most amusing box, yarn from a co-worker's trip to Germany.
Especially, the note.
(Full of interesting stuff, featuring some yarns I've never seen or heard of before. The best is the yarn estimates for sweaters for men, women and children on the labels of some of the fine sockweight yarns.)
lunassa.(All kind of goodies, from odds and ends of fibers to try and two lovely skeins of sock yarn she dyed.)
Most amusing box, yarn from a co-worker's trip to Germany.
Especially, the note.
(Full of interesting stuff, featuring some yarns I've never seen or heard of before. The best is the yarn estimates for sweaters for men, women and children on the labels of some of the fine sockweight yarns.)
The romney roving is now all spun up and bundled into cute little skeins.
Fiber: romney roving
Spindle: Schacht Hi-lo (1.2oz)
Ply: two-ply
Even though I was aggravated with this fiber in the early stages, I eventually learned to love it. I look forward to more spindle projects in the future with fibers I want to spend quality time with. (Although, I may eventually want to get a heavier spindle for plying.)
Fiber: romney roving
Spindle: Schacht Hi-lo (1.2oz)
Ply: two-ply
Even though I was aggravated with this fiber in the early stages, I eventually learned to love it. I look forward to more spindle projects in the future with fibers I want to spend quality time with. (Although, I may eventually want to get a heavier spindle for plying.)
all things grow, all things grow
2 Aug 2008 02:22 pmAnother "endless" project finished!
And because it still amuses me so much, I'm going to post before and after blocking shots.
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket, modification by Jared Flood (I recommend picking up the PDF put together by the Rainey Sisters which has a correction to the original doily pattern.)
Materials: Araucania Nature Wool in #20
Needles: US 9/5.5mm circulars
Amount: 3 skeins
Knit for: my grandmother
Ah the wonders of wool. Now, what large project will I tackle next...
And because it still amuses me so much, I'm going to post before and after blocking shots.
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket, modification by Jared Flood (I recommend picking up the PDF put together by the Rainey Sisters which has a correction to the original doily pattern.)
Materials: Araucania Nature Wool in #20
Needles: US 9/5.5mm circulars
Amount: 3 skeins
Knit for: my grandmother
Ah the wonders of wool. Now, what large project will I tackle next...
glittering bright
29 Jul 2008 05:40 pmSo, remember all that wangsting about modding sock patterns?
Turned out to be pretty much unnecessary. (In this case. I'm sure the wangsting will return at a future date for another sock project.)
After ripping out my first try, the modded try and then the simple stockinette swatch, all I needed to do was go from a US 1 (2.25mm) needle to a US 1.5 (2.5mm) for the cuff and then back down for the rest of the sock.
So, while in Kentucky, I finished off the first sock. And I was so incredibly smart that I forgot to bring the larger needles for the cuff with me.
Oh well, guess I have to start another sock then.
Woe is me.
Turned out to be pretty much unnecessary. (In this case. I'm sure the wangsting will return at a future date for another sock project.)
After ripping out my first try, the modded try and then the simple stockinette swatch, all I needed to do was go from a US 1 (2.25mm) needle to a US 1.5 (2.5mm) for the cuff and then back down for the rest of the sock.
So, while in Kentucky, I finished off the first sock. And I was so incredibly smart that I forgot to bring the larger needles for the cuff with me.
Oh well, guess I have to start another sock then.
Woe is me.
we'll never feel bad any more
15 Jul 2008 08:01 pm
Another WIP knocked down. BOOM! BAM!
Pattern: We Call them Pirates by Adrian Bizilia
Source: helloyarn.com
Materials: Knit Picks Swish in Coal/Knit Picks Bare in Superwash DK/Knit Picks Shine DK in Willow
Needles: US 5/3.75mm DPNs; US 3/3.25mm circulars
Amount: 1 skein/.5 skein/.25 skein
Knit for:
erlandrAnd I have a mystery flower in my front garden! I think it migrated from a neighbor's house, but I have no idea what it is. It has fleshy leaves like a sedum.
welcome to my secret lair
13 Jul 2008 11:03 amI haven't posted much about spinning since I got Philomena, but I have been spinning. I got copies of Hands on Spinning by Lee Raven and Start Spinning by Maggie Casey, plus a number of issues of Spin-off, so I've been immersing myself in learning.
( 'ware, spin geeking ahead, run screaming now )
( 'ware, spin geeking ahead, run screaming now )
my kind's your kind
24 Jun 2008 11:46 am |
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(
erlandr included, even though he's not going and he's not really comfortable with the furry thing, it wouldn't be proper to not include all the members of BHACAtU.)
the way you spin me 'round
18 Jun 2008 03:37 pmI can tell I'm starting to get excited about Anthrocon because I'm starting to plan which knitting to bring along.
*cough*
So, last weekend we were thwarted in our fiber desires by the Iowa Sheep and Wool being canceled by floods. (Everybody here is fine.) Sometachaos and I visited the Rose Tree in Ames to check it out. I got some fibers to try out (and dye) and some books and magazines, and had a lot of fun talking with Rosemary, the owner. It makes me want to pack up my wheel and go hang out at her shop and soak up the knowledge. She's been spinning a long time (she mentioned going to SOAR over 20 years ago). I definitely want to visit again and get some finer tooth hand cards so I can play with the alpaca and merino in my stash. After my birthday though.
Here's the last of my multi-colored romney from the 2007 Maryland Sheep and Wool. I initially bought 8 oz. and I have had a love and hate relationship with it, but I really love it. I've got a little bit left to spin and I'm going to do it all on my drop spindle. (I also have the desire to get another drop spindle or two.) I might bring this along to AC too, depending on luggage space. *plans*
*cough*
So, last weekend we were thwarted in our fiber desires by the Iowa Sheep and Wool being canceled by floods. (Everybody here is fine.) So
metachaos and I visited the Rose Tree in Ames to check it out. I got some fibers to try out (and dye) and some books and magazines, and had a lot of fun talking with Rosemary, the owner. It makes me want to pack up my wheel and go hang out at her shop and soak up the knowledge. She's been spinning a long time (she mentioned going to SOAR over 20 years ago). I definitely want to visit again and get some finer tooth hand cards so I can play with the alpaca and merino in my stash. After my birthday though.Here's the last of my multi-colored romney from the 2007 Maryland Sheep and Wool. I initially bought 8 oz. and I have had a love and hate relationship with it, but I really love it. I've got a little bit left to spin and I'm going to do it all on my drop spindle. (I also have the desire to get another drop spindle or two.) I might bring this along to AC too, depending on luggage space. *plans*
on an evening such as this
17 Jun 2008 09:34 pm
I heard a yelling outside the window, from the back porch, and I quickly took a look. This fellow was on the neighbors' railing, standing there squeezing a sparrow-sized bird and yelling all the while. I think it is a Cooper's Hawk, based on coloration and behavior.
I do wonder if the neighbor has figured her finch feeder feeds more than finches.
In other news, I am eagerly awaiting a delivery of frozen rodents.
leaves of green
12 Jun 2008 08:47 pmWhen I first set my eyes on Interweave's Favorite Socks, I knew I must knit Embossed Leaves. So simple, yet beautifully shaped. I hunted for the right solid or semi-solid yarn... but never quite happy with what I saw. That was until I found a brilliantly, vibrantly green skein of Smooshy.
I've been longing to start these, although I had some trepidations about the pattern, which was written for 8" circumference feet (as most women's sock patterns are). I hoped and hoped I could maybe get a bit of stretch out of them.
A few nights ago, I cast on for them to get a feel for it and see... and it was just not going to happen. I didn't like the fabric from the size 2 needles called for. I tried with some 1.5s and finally size 1s and got gauge AND a density I liked, but it was none-the-less, too small for my foot.
I like knitting my own socks because they don't make regular women's socks for me, and sometimes I get tired of guy socks. But even in this, women's socks are set against me. So now, I'll mod the pattern. I'll have to mod most regular sock patterns I feel (which explains why I like formula sock patterns, really). And I swear that if I ever publish sock patterns, I'm going to make them for multiple sizes.
I've been longing to start these, although I had some trepidations about the pattern, which was written for 8" circumference feet (as most women's sock patterns are). I hoped and hoped I could maybe get a bit of stretch out of them.
A few nights ago, I cast on for them to get a feel for it and see... and it was just not going to happen. I didn't like the fabric from the size 2 needles called for. I tried with some 1.5s and finally size 1s and got gauge AND a density I liked, but it was none-the-less, too small for my foot.
I like knitting my own socks because they don't make regular women's socks for me, and sometimes I get tired of guy socks. But even in this, women's socks are set against me. So now, I'll mod the pattern. I'll have to mod most regular sock patterns I feel (which explains why I like formula sock patterns, really). And I swear that if I ever publish sock patterns, I'm going to make them for multiple sizes.
articles of impeachment
10 Jun 2008 02:06 pmLast night, Rep. Dennis Kucinich read 35 Articles of Impeachment against George W. Bush. It has been only minimally commented on by the media and there isn't much support for it within the Democratic party. My friend, solarbird, covered it here. If you agree with this, I recommend signing the petition, in order to raise awareness with your senators and representatives.
solarbird, covered it here. If you agree with this, I recommend signing the petition, in order to raise awareness with your senators and representatives.
