SourCherries

Socktoberfest- starting it right!

Last year I started a pair of socks during Socktoberfest. This year, I'm hoping to start and finish several (socks are perfect knitting for me when I'm busy- I can always squeeze in a few rows on the walk to work or lunch break). And, I am well on my way.

Plain stockinette socks with a french heel and grafted toe, knit from my own handspun yarn. I love knitting socks with handspun, it just feels so spectacularly good, and this one even more so as it's superfine merino. Soft, squishy and unbelievable bouncy... mmmm. This yarn is interesting because I absolutely loved it in the skein, but knit up I'm not enjoying the colours as much. I still like it, but not as much as I expected to like it.

I'm also joining in on the Mama Blue Yarn Love KAL over on the Ravelry boards. Now that Mama Blue has gotten so popular that it's almost impossible to buy, I'm really glad that I went on a Mama Blue splurge last winter.  I started Achillea (from Through the Loops) in Sterling Sea Merino. So far I love it! This pattern is very striking and I really like the texture of the lacy ridged leaves and the seed stitch together.

A note on the sizing of this- The pattern seems stretchy enough to me, but I started knitting on size 1 (2.25mm) needles because I know from past experience that I usually get a larger gauge out of sea merino. However, I think I would have been happier with how the pattern looks on the foot if I would have used size 1 1/2 (2.5mm) needles. I think the lace pattern gets a little stretched out for my tastes, but 1) I am too lazy to rip and reknit and 2)it's my own fault for not swatching so I'll just live with it.

And, speaking of Through the Loops,  have you seen her Octoberfest Mystery Sock KAL? I might have cast on for one of these too.

Churning Some String

As J says...

And have I ever been. I know I haven't been around much lately (working 60 hr weeks will do that to you), but I have been busy and promise I will try to catch up on pictures and posting in the next month or so. Until then, I'll keep 'churning' away (this cracks me up so much every time he says it).

Still Spinning...

This is merino/silk 80/20 blend hand dyed by Funky C. I'm done with this now (see the yarn here- Rav Link), but enjoyed spinning it all week while listening to lots of different music. I can listen to quite a few CD's in the 8-10 hours that it takes me to spin a skein of fingering weight yarn and since we got new speakers  and a subwoofer (Bose) I've really been cranking the music. I'm so lucky my neighbors don't complain, they have every right to.
Last week (actually it might already have been the week before) J and I took a short camping trip up the Little St. Joe River. It was completely gorgeous and of course I wish I had taken more pictures. However I really struggle with taking photos in the full, bright sunlight and scenery photos instead of macros. I need to get out of my comfort zone a little bit more often photo wise.

Marble Creek

Most of the scenery was like this- steep mountains and deep ravines with rushing rivers at the bases. We did a lot of driving around and exploring different areas before settling on a campsite.

We finally settled into a place at along the Little St. Joe River- it was really just a pull out off of the road, but people have definitely camped here before as evidenced by the rock fire rings and the amount of trash we found around the site. It really bugs me that people aren't more respectful when they're in the wild. Oh well.

I found a great huckleberry picking spot- unfortunately they weren't quite in season so I couldn't go all out, but I did find plenty for snacking on while there. Huckleberries are amazingly delicious and also apparently the state fruit of Idaho.

The Scenery.
You can see the whole set here (flickr). We had a really good time and are planning another camping trip for the next long weekend we both have off.

The Best Laid Plans...

I have hardly spun a lick since the last time I posted (I should never say anything about overly ambitious goals in public). I've been felled by the worst of beasts- a summer cold- and have pretty much felt like complete crap for the past week. I don't know why, but a cold in the summer just seems so much more intrusive than having the sniffles in the winter. Anyway,the good news is I'm on the mend now and I was able to finish a small knitting project right before I got sick. My trippy handspun socks.

I am so, so happy with how these turned out and they are also super comfortable although I still haven't really worn them. I worked them toe up on size US 1 addi's (technically 1 1/2's), over 60 stitches  and used a short row heel. I used what I think is called an eastern (maybe a turkish?) cast on for the toes because even though I've tried toe-up toes other ways I really like how this one looks and feels the best. I have been told though it's not the least fiddly way of doing it which might be why I kind of hate knitting toe up socks.  And yes, I do have more pictures for you :)

And a picture of my pretty sock heel.

For the curious among you, the fiber was four ounces, spun up into approximately 350 yards of 2 ply at about 16-18 wpi and I used around 300 yards of it to make socks to fit my size 8 feet. I could have made them both probably at least an inch taller but decided to stop where I was because well, they were long enough.

Also, I had a couple of requests to make my Stacked Eyelet Cowl queue-able on Ravelry- so I have and now everyone can queue to their hearts content. 

If I Spin Fast Enough-

Will my stash get smaller? I'm hoping so, because I've been working on it. In the last two weeks this is what I've been up to. This is also why you don't see any knitting around these part anymore.

This is merino from Selah Shop called Ribbon Dance. There was 4.7 ounces and I got over 500 yards of 2 ply. This was an extremely enjoyable spin- fine merino, super soft, squishy and bouncy. I highly recommend Selah Shop fibers.

Next on the wheel was some merino silk blend from Funky Carolina in the colorway In The Dark. This was purchased and stashed before I even bought my wheel. I am so happy with how it turned out.

For this one I got 460 yards of 2 ply at 18-20 wpi. I love the pictures I took of this almost as much as the yarn, which is good because the yarn is going away to a very good home.

Another Funky C braid was next. This one in corriedale and spun slightly thicker than my last spins resulting in 250 yards of yarn at about 12-14 wpi. I've spun corriedale before and was a little underwhelmed, but this turned out very light and fluffy and I'm actually quite happy with it.

And still there is more...

I'm finally breaking into my Pigeon Roof Studios stash and starting to spin some up. Yummy. This is Lazy Daisy in Merino. The finished yarn ended up being about 440 yards of 2 ply at 20 wpi and 3.9 ounces. Are you noticing a trend here?

Aren't you glad I don't post like this every weekend? My plan though, this summer is to spin a lot. I have to to get the stash whittled down to a reasonable amount for one thing. I've set a goal for July of getting 3 pounds of fiber spun up and I've actually gotten about 12 ounces into that goal so far. Unfortunately, the knitting will suffer if I spin this much, but I will have a lovely handspun stash :)

Cowl-a-licious!

Some of the few knit projects I've managed to finish so far this summer have been super easy and simple cowls because we all know that this year the cowl is the new scarf.

Super simple handspun cowls have been the favorite way I've carried out this trend. I didn't really follow a pattern, but the Gloria Cowl would be a good place to start. These two are nearly identical.

I used nearly every yard of 150 yards of this handspun and the finished cowl weighs two ounces. I got 4 spi  using size US 7 needles and it's perfect because it's super drapey and fluffy.

The second handspun cowl was made from about 150 yards of yarn as well on size 7 needles too.  They really are nearly identical.

I've really found that these small, simple cowls are very practical even in the short time that I've had them. I've been wearing them outside on the cooler nights and can't wait to test them out for reals come winter.

The next cowl is another one that I made up as I went along- this time not using handspun but sKnitches Big Tryst which is a sportweight merino/cashmere/nylon blend.

This was another super simple knit so I'll leave the 'recipe' here in my notes in case anyone wants to make one too. I used under one skein so if you wanted a wider or taller cowl it could definitely be done. I used size US 5 needles, but I'm kind of a tight knitter so plan accordingly. The stitch pattern is a multiple of 10  if you want to plan for a wider cowl.

Cast on 120 stitches. Join for knitting in the round. Place marker for beginning of round. Purl one round.* YO, Knit 2 tog* around. Purl one round. Knit ten rounds. Repeat until desired length is achieved.

Yeah, aren't you glad I don't write patterns :)

*Edited to correct the numbers- because I'm a dork.

Next weekend: More spinning.

Filler and Fluff

I have been so busy this past week and have not had much time to accomplish much. So in the object of not getting out of the habit of posting (I'm really enjoying it) I'm throwing up a meme that's been floating around.

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was seventeen, already done with what passed for high school and helping my parents build a house in a teeny, tiny town of 700 called Potlatch, Idaho. It was actually 20 miles outside of that teeny tiny town, so very rural and isolated. I remember I  helped my dad completely rewire an old trailer that was on their 40 acres and also install sheet rock and tape it. Things that still come in handy! There were many, many days of getting up at dawn and working all day until sundown but I also remember it as being a really fun summer and a year that I spent a lot of time with my dad.

2) What are five things on my to-do list for today?
1. Wash scrubs- I just finished a long stretch at work and have quite a pile.
2. Spin as much as I possibly can :)
3. Go to the post office and mail a package to my friend Ineke
4. Figure out what's for dinner
5. Plant my plants that I got at the farmer's market on Saturday

3) Snacks I enjoy:
This is hard because I kind of rotate snacks around... but right now I'd have to say
1. Edamame
2. rice cakes, bonus if they're with honey
3. this time of year I'm loving watermelon

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Freak out!

5) Places I have lived:
1. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
2. Potlatch, Idaho
3. Indianapolis, Indiana
4. Chicago, Illinois
5. Everett, Washington
Although I never made it in any of the last three for more than six months so I don't know if I can really count them. I really am an Idaho girl at heart (at least I've tried to move away).

6) Jobs I have had:
1. Babysitter
2. Checker at Floyd's Excell Foods- I knew everyone by name in town and what brand of cigarettes they smoked.  One man even proposed marriage to me at the counter and he wasn't joking. Small towns...
3. Nanny- I had fun summers doing this, sitting at the pool and the beach all the time.
4. Certified Nursing Assistant
5. Nurse Tech at Sunshine Gardens- I did this for almost two years while I was going to nursing school.
6. LPN at an outpatient GI clinic- yay butts!
7. RN at a nursing home, LTAC, travel nursing, Cardiac Care and just this week I took another job working on call at our local hospital. Considering 6 and 7 have all been in the last 4 years my resume is a mess. It's a good thing nurses are in high demand.

Play along if you like, I enjoy reading these kinds of things.

A Post With Pictures = Yay

I finished the bamboo blend from the other day last weekend. It went on the wheel almost immediately because it was just too perfectly summery. I don't have specific plans for this skein- I like it a lot, but at 225 yards and around worsted weight, projects are limited. I think it will make something great for a baby when the need arises sometime in the future. Maybe a hat and booty set? Or it could be mixed with another something for a wee sweater.

I love to spin small amounts of different colours because it holds my interest and keeps me entertained, but it doesn't always result in yarn that's great for projects. I'm trying to be better about spinning for specific projects. As a matter of fact, I'm planning for my first true laceweight yarn which I hope to start on my next stretch of days off next week. I can't wait.

One thing though, I know I can always use handspun sock yarn and I've finally cast on for my first handspun socks. Can I stop for just a moment to Squee!

These are from yarn that I don't think I've featured here on the blog, but you can see pictures of it and the roving I spun it from on my Ravelry page over here- it's called Trippy.  I've started the second sock since this photo was taken but still haven't bound off the first as I'm hoping I'll be able to make it a bit taller still. I want to eke out as much handspun sock goodness as I can. So far this sock feels amazing on my foot- more amazing even than regular handknit socks. I am so excited to be working on these.

HHHH Questionnaire

1.  How long have you been spinning?  What skill level do you consider yourself?
I've been spinning almost exactly a year- since July 18th 2007. I consider myself around intermediate- past all the early bumps, but with lots still to learn.
2.  What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)? 
Lots and lots of 2 ply because they're my favorite, but also singles and 3 plies and the occasional odd ball.
3.  What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?
I almost always wheel spin. I will pick up and enjoy spinning on a spindle but have yet to produce a skein of yarn. It takes a long time!
4.  What are your favorite fibers to spin with?  Anything you don't like?
I love soft, soft, soft. Merino, and merino type fibers are hands down my favorites. I also love shiny blended with merino so merino+silk, bamboo, tencel etc. are all winners too. I also love targhee, south african fine and rambouillet.
I'm not really in love with scratchy fibers for spinning (I don't mind knitting with them, but can't love spinning them).
5.  Who are your favorite crack dealers fiber sources (etsy or otherwise)?
They are legend. All the usuals- PRS, Funky C, Hello Yarn, AllSpunUp, The Yarn Wench, Black Ethel Cash's Stash, Flawful Fibers, Crown Mountain Farms, Fat Cat Knits... Okay, I'm going to stop :)
6.  What kind of fiber do you want to try?
CVM, Angora (although I do have some of this) some more exotic blends.
7.  Is there any techniques you would like to learn?
I'm very intrigued by artyarns, but then I realize that I would then really never knit with my handspun. I just really want to learn all about spinning.
8.  Do you dye fiber? If not, would you like to learn?
Yes!
9.  Do you have fiber prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fiber?
Ready to spin for me.
10.  What do you do with your handspun?  What projects have you completed?
I gaze at it admiringly and give lots of it away. I've made a couple of cowls and a hat that I wear obsessively. I'm trying to get better about using it.
11.  Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?
I think I'm good.
12.  What colors "fall into your shopping basket"? Any colors you just can't stand?
Blues/browns/greys/greens. Nothing that I hate but I will give away handspun that I don't think I will knit with.
13.  What is on your wheel/spindle right now?
Gah! Nothing.
14.  What other crafts/hobbies do you have?
Knitting, Crochet (a wee bit), Music, Reading, Cooking, Gardening.
15.  Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?
See above :)
16.  Do you have an online wishlist?
Nope :(
17.  Is there anything that you collect?
Besides yarn?  That was totally a joke.... Anyway, I like little whimsical things. Small pictures- ACEO's I think they're called, buttons, rocks, shiny pieces of wood (seriously). Basically choking hazards. My house is so not child friendly.
18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What magazine subscriptions do you have?
Just Interweave Knits.
19.  When is your birthday?
April
20.  What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality?
I can never answer these kinds of questions.
21.  What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?
It's generally warm and dry, but can be cool and rainy or could possible snow apparently (okay it did snow a couple of weeks ago for like five minutes...).
22.  Tell us one weird fact about yourself!
I hate, hate it when my food gets mixed up on the plate. I also use tons of dishes because of this.
Favorites
favorite painting/picture(link):
Hmmm... I love  Annie Leibovitz
Candy:
Necco Wafers or sesame candies
Food:
Watermelon
Drink:
Vodka Gimlet
Movie(s):
I love foreign films... but honestly I have the hardest time remember film names which could go under  a weird thing about me. I'm not being lazy really. Foreign films/indies and romantic comedies.
TV Show(s):
I watch a ton of tv shows while spinning/knitting. It's almost embarrassing. I'll watch anything- almost. Six Feet Under was a favorite, Entourage, The Gilmore Girls, The Extras, The Office on and on and on. Right now I'm slowly watching the many, many seasons of McLeod's Daughters. It's very corny, but there are 7 or maybe 8 seasons and they have Australian accents.
Book(s):
I used to read a lot more before I started knitting- now I read barely at all. I love Haruki Murakami, Chuck Klosterman is a hoot, I've enjoyed Isabel Allende. That's a really random list from what I can see on the bookshelf from here.
Guilty Pleasure(s):
See: watching millions of hours of tv while knitting/spinning. Also, eating chocolate while doing said activity. Sleeping in past eight- which I do more often than I should.

Summer is in the air...

Things are blooming and blossoming in my yard and the temperatures are heating up. I don't really have a garden, but I do have a lovely little border and a tiny little wilderness area in the back where these irises were blooming today

and up close-

J, very kindly reminded me to take pictures or these probably would have gone unnoticed as they are way out in the back by the trash cans beautifying the alley way.
I also got some new multicolored roving from FatCatKnits Etsy shop yesterday (this is no big surprise- I buy roving like it's going out of production next week). However, I really like this one, and it's aptly named, Summer Garden. So, I will share it with you.

Mmmm, Merino and Bamboo- one of my favorites. Someday, hopefully soon it will be spun. I only have a week and half left of my crazy working schedule and then it will be back to my usual all spinning all the time. Plus, I would really, really like to finish up a couple of my projects that I started way back last summer. Although, realistically I have startitis like crazy so we'll see about that.