Peaceful Coexistence

Bill and I went to Chicago this weekend. It was a really packed, but very fun, visit. We had a lovely dinner with some good friends, scoped out a few hotels for the wedding reception and I got my Portillo’s fix.

And of course, Stitches Midwest. We reach the Rosemont Convention Center, I look out the window and I see a young lady with a stabby Wolverine (a la X-men) claw thing on her hand. I think to myself, that’s a little scary but fine. As we start circling around looking for the parking, I see lots of black, some capes, swords and wands. Finally “Welcome to Wizard World” scrolls across the marquis. I start to panic. How could I have botched this one? As it turns out, we were in the right place, just a shared right place. Bill enjoyed some seriously fun people watching. (He studied in the Hyatt lobby while I shopped.)

There were so many knitters and vendors, it was easy to get overwhelmed! I bought sock yarn and one very dear ball of Quiviut (okay, a blend with merino and silk – we have a wedding to save for people). I also picked up a few patterns but overall I was pretty well behaved. I had a near miss with a Tess’ Designer Yarn sweater but opted for the pattern only.


My first swatch for the Wispy Jacket was too big. I finished swatch two this afternoon and decided to wind some more of the yarn into balls. Its chock full of knots! How irritating! This is not cheap yarn, Rowan Summer Tweed. Of the 11 skeins I started with…

2 untouched, status unknown
4 knot free
5 with knots

Naturally the skein I grabbed for my swatches was knot-free. Had I know what I was in for, I’d have used up some of these lovely short lengths. (Not kidding here, all partial balls photographed below.)

Seriously Rowan, for $10, I think you could afford to give me 118 continuous yards. One ball with knots, okay fine, but we’re talking over 50% here. Here's hoping those last two are all in one piece.

Night Off

I know Tuesdays are supposed to be for spinning but I'm giving myself a reprieve to read Harry Potter. Just because I'm so proud, here's another picture of the pink yarn.

Before and After

I bought braid and lining for the Dolly bag this weekend. I have one handle yet to seam and then I am ready to bust out the sewing machine for the lining.

The pink yarn is finally finished! She’s perfect, a little finer than fingering weight. (Can you believe it?!) There is enough for a pair of socks but the yarn is too precious. I want the finished product to be seen and not to wear out quickly. I’m thinking fingerless gloves. For comparison, she’s photographed with some on the yarn I was spinning before this class. I was just hoping that someday I could generate a consistent worsted! See how far I’ve come?

Navajo-plyCable-ply tweed battMore navajo-ply

Opus

Tuesdays are for spinning, yes. Apparently so are Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. I have been plying this yarn for literally days. This is the first time I haven't plied in all one shot. I'm plying two full bobbins, spun very finely. It's taking a long time but the end product is very satisfying.

Project Roundup

We had a pretty laid back weekend here. My bookgroup did not share my affection for Water for Elephants. To each their own. I did meet some new knitters Saturday afternoon courtesy of meetup. All very pleasant and welcoming. Bill and I relived college days, leaving a party just before the cops showed up. A friend hosted a fundraiser for breast cancer research and invited a band to play in the garage. Apparently the neighbors did not appreciate the music. (Understandably so, it was quite loud.)

July is coming to a close, so I bring you, Project Roundup.

Finite…

1. Spinning Designer Yarns – Class has finished. I’m still plying and blocking the last of it. Pictures soon.
2. Wood Sprite Socks – also finished!

Ongoing…

3. Charade Socks – There is usually a long period of denial for me between the moment I realize that something needs to be ripped back and the day that I finally accept that it must be done. I picked the charade sock up on Sunday intending to rip it out and wash the yarn. I couldn’t do it. It’s coming along so nicely I’ve decided to give it another go, perhaps with a different needle.
4. Dolly Bag – I knit the handles and now I need to pop into the fabric store for supplies. We’re getting there.
5. Wispy Jacket – The swatch has been blocked and is drying. I’m itching to get started on this one.

New…

6. Monkey Socks – See earlier comments regarding denial. I don’t want to give up because the pattern is really cute but they are clearly too big for me.

Book Recommendation

I just finished listening to Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I love audible. It is my saving grace. Since I cannot read and spin or knit at the same time, my reading had dropped off for a while. In steps audible. Love it. It frees up my hands plus I like to listen in the car. I really enjoyed this book. It was well researched, emotionally engaging and entertaining.

My last spinning class was earlier this week. I'm glad to have some of my time back. (Harry Potter here I come!) I did learn quite a bit and my spinning has improved just from all the practice. I am going to try to observe Tuesdays are for Spinning a la Stephanie to keep up. I have a lot to learn yet.

Random Wednesday

I did make it to the fiber fest in Crystal Lake last weekend. There was a lot of beautiful yarn but no animals and limited spinning supplies. I restrained myself to one skein of much coveted sea silk since I was shopping for roving. I also saw some very cool baskets with lazy kates built in. Wishlist.

Oooooh! Handmaiden Sea Silk in peridot...

Some slightly ugly yet enticing cormo/silk...Blue faced leicester and merino/silk... (This stuff is much prettier in person.)
Also, I started some monkey socks. They are too big for me as written so I am going to have to decide if I am ripping out and getting creative or gifting them to someone with different proportions.

Lastly, take a look at my wood sprite leftovers. You can’t tell me the yarn isn’t so much prettier than the finished socks. Grrrr. I promise I am hereby letting it go.