Big Geek

It is just going to be easier for me to blog from home and more frequently! So don't worry, I am here. Just not HERE.

So come on over!

Sugar Spun Yarns

I have opened an Etsy shop! YAY!!!! Wahoo!!!! (crap, my banner got cut off - well you get the idea...)

Please check out my stuff. Oh and if you can... buy it too! I will be posting updates here. It is handspun yarn for now, but I will be offering fiber as well. Mostly drum carded batts.

That's it. That's the big news. Go back to your regularly scheduled program....

Have a great weekend!

There have been a lot of happenings around our house this summer. I try not to get too personal on this blog because you don't need to hear my tales of woe. Anyway, the husband lost his job at the beginning of summer. Things are crazy but we will manage. Why did we buy a laptop then? So he could find a job.

Moving right along.... ;-)

I think I told you a while back that I am teaching a class this fall! I am going to teach a beginning lace class for intermediate knitters. I have been busy working on my own pattern that I will offer the class. I can give you a sneak peak though

I am really excited how this came out! I am going to offer the pattern for free after the class. The pattern is free for those in the class so I think that it is only fair that after they take the class it will be free.

I don't know what to call it though....

So how was everyone's summer? Considering our minor set back, we have had a great one. We did a lot of little day trips around the area. I feel rested and happy.

I am going to have another big wonderful announcement in the next few days. Stay tuned!

Well, me I guess.... And what do I knit?

Stuff for winter of course.....

I have something finished! Wahoo!

It's the ever popular Baktus Scarf! Yes I am a sheep. I follow and do what everyone else does. But come on! Us knitters have great taste and we have to stick together right?

Here is a "what it looks like from the back" shot

Yup! It's a small trianglular scarf thingy. Here is another way I would wear it

Yes, just flung over one shoulder. Very good look, very good.
Then here is the ever popular sexy on the floor look

If a scarf could look like it just rolled out of bed it would look like the above picture.

Lastly here is the "I took so many damn pictures of my self I can't stand any one of them but the above four" shot:

Did anyone notice? I got my hair cut! Yep and it's SHORT. Well short for me. It's I can't put it in a ponytail any more short.

I need to stop. :-)

Isn't this a beauty? This is just 1 skein so far of 100% Falkland Wool. I had spun up some Falkland Wool before and I don't like it nearly as much as I like this. I was spinning rather thin, but this ended up being a more bulky yarn. After I washed it it totally softened up and poofed out. I have more to spin. A total of 6 oz. So I am hoping for another skein of 170 yards like this one is.

You know you want to see more...

I have been asked to teach a class at a new local yarn shop in September and I am really excited about it. I was orginally going to teach a lace shawl class but decided to teach a basic lace class first. I am designing a stole/scarf for the class and will share that soon. I have never taught a class before and I am a little nervous about it. Should I tell a few jokes? ;-)

So while I should be finishing up this project for this class... what do I do last night? I cast on for a Baktus. For you non-ravelers it's a triangular scarf thingy. I wanted a brainless project and this was calling to me. I don't have any pictures because I really just started it at 9:30 last night. I have been drooling over so many of these on Ravelry and I just couldn't resist.

This Saturday is not so little Geeks 12th birthday! He is almost as tall as me. I can't believe he is growing up so fast. Well I can. They do that. Kids.....

Have a great weekend!

Well this years project is cool because if you chose fiber you got 5 - 1 oz bags of different fibers to work with. It gets you to try different stuff. The hardest part was to decide what to spin first, and how was I going to spin it? Wheel or spindle? I chose the spindle because I felt I could get more out of my 1 oz bag. To help me decide what to pick first I closed my eyes and reached.

This is what I picked

Now I have spun Blue Face Leicester before so I am glad this was first. It was a little scratchier than what I am used to. It did spin like a dream though.

I spun and plied it all on my golding spindle and I am very happy with what I got

So there is your pretty yarn Friday!
Specs:
Approx. 103 yards of fingering/dk/sport weight/sock weight yarn, spun 2 ply.
Fiber is from Susan's Spinning Bunny. I supply that link next time.

I have an idea of what the final project will be, but I really need to wait and see how much I end up with. I started the next bag of fiber which is this:

So far so good!

I had my doubts about the color combination, but I really like this! Here is the famous shot on the clothes line shot(with clothes on it...)

Then there is always the ubiquitous shot on the bush shot

Then we have the new "shot on the husband" shot. Which may not be new or original at all...

I had asked him to take some pictures of me with it on, but clearly he was engaged in other matters. I don't even think he knew I did this

because after he asked if I wanted him to take the pictures now. I said, Nope! All set honey! Good thing he's a good sport.

Specs:
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock - Color S40
Needles: US 4 Circular - 24 inch
Pattern: Simple But Effective Shawl by Laura Chau
Notes: I used up pretty much all of this yarn. I had too little gumball sized balls left.

I am taking the next 3 days off from work and doing a mini vacation! YAY FOR ME! We are going to do a day trip to Howe Caverns and really just lounge around. I won't be checking up on any of you online pals. But you can be sure I will be knitting or spinning something.

Ciao!

I know, it's been a while and I teased you so with such pretty yarn before. This is only a small bit of what I have left to spin.

How about a close up?

This is coming out so pretty! I can't stand it! Well I can...I needed to get this off my spindle because I have to get moving on my Holiday Project for my guild (which will be another post altogether...)

So I still have all this to spin yet

Got my work cut out for me.

I am thisclose to finishing up my latest shawl

You will totally see me coming when I wear this won't ya? Pretty darn colorful. It almost hurts the eyes!

How about looking at your millionth Ishbel?

Yes, I too fell under the spell of the Ishbel. It's the Jaywalker's of shawls I do believe.

I am such a follower. Like a cow, or a goose. But then when you see how beautiful this pattern comes out and you don't even need that much yarn it's easy to see why everyone makes one.

I really thought I could make this with only 2 skeins, but alas, I had to buy a 3rd. Which of course I didn't use up. So it will go to my scrap sock yarn granny square blanket.

Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Weekend.

This my friends is hand dyed by yours truly. It is 100% Merino Top, around 8 oz. I kettle dyed this with Cushings Dye. The color on the package said "Copenhagen Blue" I am calling it "Cloudy with a chance of Blue" Hokey I know.... I think it came out beautiful!

Sorry I have been away, but I really haven't been away. Sometimes you just need a little break. I really didn't have much to offer. I mean I am knitting little by little on my sock

I am also conquering Ishbel. Even though I am running out of yarn...

I have like one and a half charts left and I know I won't make it. How did all you others make this with less than 400 yards? What's the secret? So off to the yarn store tomorrow.

I have been doing a little spinning too

AND

So I have been busy. Busy reading too. Ahem.

Oh I almost forgot! I am going to see Missa's BAND play Saturday night in a town near by. I CAN'T WAIT!

Fits and starts. That is the title of this blog post. Why is that? Well let's see, I guess because I keep starting projects and it brings me to fits of ripping them out again

Case in point:

I have ripped this out twice. I have even started it with a new yarn and have ripped it out. What is this? It's Ishbel. The lovely shawl that everyone seems to be making and NOT having any problems with. My problem is my counts are always off. It's really frustrating to see that you didn't yarn over when you were supposed to like 5 rows down. What is wrong with me? Do I need to take a breather from lace? Perhaps.

Oh but it doesn't stop there....

Case in point #2:

I started this Jaywalker back in April. I have ripped it out, started a completely different pattern, ripped that out and started a completely different pattern (which I like much better)

Do I have any pictures to show for this? Nope. I had a long weekend too but no pictures. I didn't even take any pictures of pretty yarn!
Am I loosing my mojo?

Oh wait! I almost forgot! I can show you a FO at least!

YAY!!! I finished this way back in April. I just couldn't show you because it was for Missa. She has been so good to me and I really needed to make her a little somethin' somethin'. This came out kinda big, but when you actually wear it, it has a bit of a slouch to it. She said she loves it, now if only she would send me a picture.....

You can find the specs on my Ravelry page. You know who I am.

over and out.

I squeaked out a quick little project inbetween my socks and my Ishbel.

I just had to. I ripped out my socks 3 times and Ishbel once. I wanted instant gratification and I got it with this

Specs:
Pattern: Storm Cloude Shawlette - Hanna Breetz
Yarn: Berraco Ultra Alpaca - 1 skein of purple
Needles: US 10
Mods: I started running out of yarn so I ended the shawl after 70 or 71 rows. I would have liked to have a ruffle, but no yarn left. Well... that isn't entirely true. I think I may have enough to make a little tie for this.

I can't believe how quick this was! I started it Saturday and finished it up Sunday. I would have had it done Saturday, but I had things to do.

Special thanks to the husband for the photo's. He actually made me look thinner!

Love this pattern!

Indeed! Here we have a beautiful skein of Tilli Tomas Voile de la Mer. It is approx. 290 yards of 70% Silk and 30% Seaweed! YUP! Who knew it could be so pretty.

I am telling you "Faboo" must be a good luck charm! This is a birthday present. Now what to make with it....

I am really struggling with my sock project. I had to rip out the Jaywalkers. They were just too big. So I started another sock. Didn't like the way it was headed. Frogged that and started a 3rd. I am still on the fence...

But it will make good blog material for next week right? Seeing as how I don't have nothin. Well execpt pretty yarn. Need to get busy spinning too don't I?

Have a great weekend!

Okay, again, so it's not my handspun. But isn't this a beauty?

What is it?

Why it's Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet! I purchased 2 skeins at the new Yarn Store in Town called Yarn Cupboard. The owner is fantastic! I am looking forward to returning when I have more $$$$$

Did I mention I have a pretty Finished Project too? Why yes! I did!

Specs:
Pattern: Shetland Triangle - Evelyn Clark (Pattern in the book Wrap Style)
Yarn: Classic Elite Silky Alpaca Lace (Didn't even use the whole ball)
Needles: US 5 Circular
Mods: None, I followed the pattern to a T.

I am giving this shawl to one of my dear good friends Linda (she comments on here as Lemon) I started knitting Linda a sweater like 15 years ago and never finished it. Well now I just don't like the sweater so she said it was ok that I make her a shawl. This was a quick knit! I loved working on it too. AND I am totally in love with my blocking wires. What a time saver!

Lemon, your shawl is on it's way. I mailed it yesterday! I hope you enjoy it. I want a picture!

What with my birthday and all..... ;-) Yes, this past Monday I celebrated my 44th year. I certainly don't FEEL 44 and I know I don't act it. I had a most excellent day. I even went to work! Well I had to. I didn't ask for the day off.

I thought I would share a couple of gifts I got for my birthday that were quite special. My Aunt in Phoenix knows my love of all things fibery and she gave me this lovely spindle:

Isn't it pretty? She got it from Dragon Craft. They also tossed in the blue fiber! This spindle is a dream to spin on too! I love it! Thank you Aunt Dana!

Now this year my husband did VERY well. He is such a thoughtful, handsome man. He gave me this:

It is the "Knitter's Gnome"!!! He also came with a $50.00 bill tucked into the yarn. But I thought this was the cutest thing. The Knitters Gnome had a story card too:

It's a little hard to read so.....

FABOO!!!! Hubby got this from a guy, yes a guy he works with makes these nifty little monster dolls. You can find out about them from here. Don't ya just love etsy? I do.

So my Gnome loves yarn (smart gnome). Just look at him:

I really think he is smiling in this picture don't you? He did bring me good luck this weekend. I got some great deals at a yarn store closing sale and a new yarn store opened up and they are WONDERFUL!

So I now have a new word. FABOO!!!!! It's kinda like Squee.