Stitch Whimsy

It’s amazing how this:

can turn into this:

in a matter of hours.

Yes it is. It measures about 58 inches from the tip to the edge.

So I took a road trip to Mount Holly’s famous Woolbearers shop. It took me a good hour. A lovely drive, since I was all alone yesterday. I spent a good 2 hours in the shop just fondling all the gorgeous fibers, yarns, and whatnot. I decided to buy myself some bamboo size 8 Fiddlesticks double pointed needles. I also got this:

THIS gorgeous fluffball is Romney with bits of Mohair. It had just been carded into a batt. I like to have died when I saw it and I just HAD to have it. It was cheap, too.

This is one of the 2 -ounce sized bags of Rayon I got. It’s so soft I nearly fell out of my chair when I touched it. This should be fun ot figure out. It has a short staple length, which is new for me.

So that is what I did yesterday. FUN FUN FUN!!!

Tags: fiber, spinning, romney, mohair, rayon

My mother in law was admiring my blanket so I thought I would make her one of her own. Its colors are brighter and more jewel toned than the ones in my blanket, but I think that is better to keep her mood cheery as she battles Rheumatic fever and the unknown illness that ails her. This is made of 3 different colors of Red Heart. I have a few ideas on how this will grow out from the center, I can hardly wait to put them all into play. This is done with an I sized hook. The center is a motif I got from The Crochet Stitch Bible. It shouldn’t take me too long to make. I plan to give it to her as soon as it’s done. I don’t believe in waiting to give presents, especially if a person is ill. My grandmother said “Don’t give me flowers when I am dead. Give them to me now so I can enjoy them.” I live by that.

Tags: afghan, blanket, crochet

Today I went to the Mart and got myself some yarns. One set is for my mother in law’s requested blanket in her chosen colors. 4 skeins (3 -6oz and 1 -5oz) should be enough for the blanket *I hope*. She wanted deep purple and turquoise. The 5oz is the one with all the colors in a multi. That, of course, will be the accent.

I also broke down and treated myself to 2 balls of Peaches & Creme Cotton yarn in a pretty ombre:

I don’t have any clue what to do with it. I just wanted it. I don’t want dishcloths. I don’t use them. I might have gotten more, too, if they had more than 2 in the same dye lot. SO perdy. I might just site here and fondle it for a while. Any suggestions what to do with a little under 200 yards of cotton?

Tags: yarn

I had some minor problems, like the back rolled down so I had to add the cinch string around the top. I had to redo the cast off, because it was so tight I couldn’t put it on. All in all, my first attempt at designing off the cuff in knitting came out rather nicely.

Tags: shrug, knitted

Here is the first nearly completed sleeve of my “that 70s shrug” named for the color of the bright yarn on the end. This sleeve looks crazy flat, BUT when it is worn it looks awesome. I am writing out the pattern b/c I am contemplating sharing it with all of you. I have also begun the 2nd sleeve already and am thinking about how I am going to join the sleeves in without seaming or kitchener stitch. I have a few ideas rolling around in my head…so we shall see.

Tags: shrug, knitted

Last night I took out some aggression and smacked around my spun dark BFL. It came out really nice. I was a bit scared that it felted in the hot tub water, but it didn’t. It just washes funny and comes out fluffy and pretty. It tends to unspin a bit in the water, too… so I have to overspin it a bit before I wash and whack it. So here is what I have:

Tags: drop+spindle, spinning, yarn, handspun

My friend Cass is having another book giveaway! She is giving away this awesome knitting book called Twinkle, Twinkle, Knit a Star. I hope I win! It looks like an awesome book and since I have been knitting like a maniac, I could definitely enjoy it. Anyone can enter with a comment on her blog and/or an entry in your blog.

Tags: book+giveaway

The Rain Cloud Shrug is done

I started a new project with 2 different textured yarns and crochet. It’s done with a large crochet hook on both textures. It will end up being a shawl or capelet type thing when I am done: