Someone Pinch Me Please

This just in... a co-worker of mine (an avid knitter in a past life) and I were talking today. I think my compulsion joy of knitting is rubbing off on her. She seems to have converted herself into a 'casual knitter' again. I mentioned my purchasing drop spindle and wanting to spin my own yarn.

Here's the part where I need pinching....She said she has her own spinning wheel, etc. I said I would rent it from her (or knit something of her choice) if she wasn't using it (thought I'd practice before deciding to purchase a wheel in the distant future). She said all she would want is some YARN. Well, let me think, do I have enough???? YES! (I'll flash my stash in the near future. It's like walking in front of a mirror in a swimsuit...tad embarassing)

I will totally keep you posted, I sooooo excited about this. How will I sleep tonight?

A Bit of Quilting

Last Thanksgiving, we decided to take part in a 'quilt swap' so to speak. Everyone was assigned to make 13 quilt squares using three required fabrics. The only requirements are that we need to use the three pre-determined fabrics and the blocks need to be 12" finished squares. (If you look closely, the required fabrics are the red poinsettia [6 diagonal blocks], the light greenish/white-ish [2 diagonal blocks at the bottom], and yellow 'thistle' [2 diagonal blocks at the top]). When we get together next Thanksgiving, we will swap blocks so everyone has one from each female in family.

Below are my finished blocks.

Pony Express Star

Depression Block

As Promised

Here is my first official batch of home spun yarn. The color looks more blue than I think it looks in real life. To me, there is a tad more purple in it. What is on the spindle is just a fraction of what came from the bag. I will admit that I'm surprised how far it actually goes. I'm loving it.

Gratuitous close up

I'm no pro, but I TOTALLY know the super thin piece in the middle shouldn't be there. Not to worry, it will never wind up the in end product. I already have a project in mind for this. I can't say what, but you'll see :) I'm VERY excited about it.

(note to anyone who knows me, don't say ANYTHING about the number of projects I actually have on the needles, seriously)

My New Toy

I just purchased my first drop spindle. It's an Ashford. I also purchased some Cherryrove Hand Painted Roving.

I am fiddling with it tonight. I don't have pictures as I am too busy messing up my 'hand spun yarn'. I'm a bit embarassed bout how it looks. I want some sock yarn and am winding up with chunky. I promise I'll have pictures later. I just want to practice a bit more before showing you. After all, would you step out of the dressing room wearing the first thing off the rack?

Please feel free to give me any suggestions. The LYS doesn't offer classes or anything like that. I asked if anyone teaches it and one person knows how, but doesn't spin. I want to learn from someone who has something in mind and makes it look that way (outside of their mind).

Should my yarn be twisting on itself when it's relaxed? I'm thinking no. I could be wrong. I think I'll be going to the library tomorrow and laugh at their limited selection of 'how to' books on this particular subject.

I have it in my mind that I need to fashion an niddy-noddy (sp?) at the hardware store so I can rinse and set the twist. Again...suggestion?

ALSO, my fingers are the color of the dye. Argh! I'm going natural colors next time...

Budding Scientist

Do you recall the Play-Doh incident? Well, my son's school had a science fair and students had the opportunity to participate. His experiment was titled, "Dry Play-Doh Dry". How cute!

He wanted to find the fastest way for Play-Doh to dry. We chose five methods:

1. in a container (control)
2. on the counter
3. outside (mind you, this is March in Nebraska)
4. in the freezer
5. in the toaster

His hypothesis was: I think the Play-Doh will dry the fastest in the toaster because it's hot.

The Result: The toaster dried the Play-Doh the fastest, but, be careful because it can burn if it's too hot.

some pre-science fair dinner

anxiously awaiting the judging

explaining his project
(I knew we were in for a great evening when he started with,
"It's quite simple really...")

Apparently, discussing the various ways to dry Play-Doh requires lots of body language.
Who knew?

New Sweater

My DH showed interest in this sweater. Naturally, I stopped all projects, ordered yarn, and quickly began to whip it up. My hope is to have it finished so he can wear it during soccer season. I know the photo does absolutely NO justice for the colors, but I wanted to show my sister the progress. All of the stockinette is putting me to sleep. I think I need to work on the monkey sock during this project too....for sanity's sake.

Please don't judge on the colors (they are really light gray, charcoal, and a hunter green) I promise better pictures to come!