TUESDAY'S TEMPTATION

OMG! I want this so much. The minute I saw the first picture of these curly locks, I was reaching for my debit card. Thank goodness I remembered my car payment before I got the numbers entered. If someone else buys this before I get a chance to, please let me know what I missed out on!

These super long luscious lincoln locks in the Fiery Sunset colorway are dyed by Primdollie of Altered Visions. There you will find a rainbow of curly locks and much more. I couldn't stop drooling the entire time I was viewing her shop. Rush on over and take a peek for yourself. I know that I will be going back there time and again.

I Frolicked!

On June 5th and 6th, at the Windsor Fair Grounds in Windsor, Maine, I attended the Maine Fiber Frolic! This is the first time I have ever gone to a fiber event of any kind. Previously, my limited mobility has kept me daring to even try to enjoy such things, but with my weight loss has come some new freedom. (still waiting on the new hips)

Windsor is a small, rural town in south-central Maine with approximately 2200 population. This was my first time to Windsor. Other than for the fair grounds, the only other place in Windsor appears to be Hussey's General Store. My mother and I stopped there on Saturday to buy umbrella's, BECAUSE IT RAINED ALL WEEKEND! Which means that my arthritis complained the whole time.

On Saturday I was blessed to be accompanied by my mother. She isn't a crafter, but she is an avid supporter. She wandered the fair grounds while I took a class and even purchased a kit for herself. Perhaps she is just a late bloomer to crafting?

I attended a Tapestry Weaving Class taught by Eileen of Mill Point Emporium. It was wonderful and my fellow classmates were fun. I learned a lot and laughed even more. I forgot to take a picture of the sampler that I worked on. Since I didn't complete it and needed the loom for Sunday's class, I just took the sampler off the loom as it was.

Sunday, my sister joined me, and we both went to Weaving for Relaxation, also taught by Eileen. She told us it is weaving without rules. It was very free-form and I love the artistic freedom that it permits. I can tell that this will be my preferred way of weaving. I actually wove a rock into my project and another person wove in a pine cone! I would show you my project, but when I took it off the loom, the rock fell out. I am trying to figure out how to fix that.

Heather, of Highland Handmades, had a booth at the Fiber Frolic. I visited her booth both days, but showed restraint the first day by keeping my money in my tote. Her fibers were glorious, as usual, and despite the rain, she had a steady stream of customers. On the 2nd day, I couldn't resist asking about the bunny fiber she had so, of course, Heather gave me a little pouf to touch and I was a goner. I got some bunny fur to spin. I have never worked with this, but I think my spindolyn will be my tool of choice for working with it.

TUESDAY'S TEMPTATION

I am coming out of hibernation! I think I was in crafting overload after Christmas. I tried to keep connected to the crafting community, but eventually I just stopped doing any crafts for a few months. Slowly, I am getting back into it and my spirit is renewing.

Today, I would like to introduce you to Highland Handmades. (I feel I should disclose that the proprietor/fiberista, Heather, is a very beautiful friend of mine.) Highland Handmades features yarns and fibers that are creatively dyed by Heather's hands. Also, you can find handmade drop spindles, that are crafted by Heather's talented and supportive husband.

My favorite color is green and I have a lovely skein of Heather's "The Greener Side" colorway in fingering weight sock yarn. It is 100 grams, a generous 462 yards, 75% SW Merino & 25% Nylon of squooshy goodness. This skein is waiting for Heather to finish her latest sock pattern so that my needles can enjoy the fibery goodness too.

Next, I have some incredible 50/50 SW Merino/Tencel blend in Heather's "Neptune" colorway. It drafts like a dream and has incredible shine that a picture just doesn't do justice.

Do your stash a favor and head over to Highland Handmades and check back there often. I don't think she really sleeps, because amazing new colorways keep materializing from the recesses of her incredible mind. Also, she is one of the busiest ladies I know with "regular" jobs, PLUS her fibery business AND a podcast. Yes, she even does a podcast. You can get to know Heather better, learn how she is growing her business, and be tempted by her latest creations if you go check out "The Fiberista Files".

Tuesday's Temptation

I love to find new places to get my yarn and fiber fix, and occasionally I share them with you here on the blog. So, I thought I would see if I could muster the dedication to post a new place every Tuesday, for you to check out. Let's see how long I can stay committed to this.

First, I want to let you know that I do not get compensation from anyone. Period. I do not want to be contacted to review or try out someones products, nor will I accept any freebies for this. I just have a little blog for my own pleasure and to share with my friends. I do not want it to become commercialized, that is why you don't see ads on my blog. Now that we have that clear, lets proceed.

Today I would like to direct your attention to Jeds Joy Artisan Studio . I particularly like the design of her snag free stitch markers. She has many sizes to choose from so there is something there for everyone, no matter what needle size you prefer. I have a set in my cart, waiting for payday. Check back next Tuesday to see what I have found in my internet travels.

2 WIPs and a Scrappy FO.

I have been having a wonderful time working on the Amiga. The pattern is very clear, including the instructions on how to join the motifs in the 6th round (no sewing together, yay!). I frequently get confused when trying to join motifs in some patterns, so I was glad that the instructions were so clear and easy. Now I need to pick up stitches to knit the ribbed neck.
I have done a little work on the Sasquatch Socks. They are huge and I am a little worried that they may actually be a little too big. I think I will have the apartment manager take home the first one for her husband to try on before I start the second sock. I like to make dishcloths to have on hand for last minute gifts, plus they make a great way to practice a new technique, but what to do with the little leftovers? I just make dishcloths for me. I don't care what they look like as long as they will get the job done, so I use multiple colors even if they don't "go" together. The one below is just garter stitch and uses 3 leftover balls of different colors. It was a mindless project while watching a television show that I was engrossed in, so I didn't have to look at what I was knitting.So, what do you do with your leftover kitchen cotton?

As The Heel Turns

In the continuing saga of as the heel turns... Okay, I am not a clever writer, so I will fail miserably if I don't just get down to what this post is about. I have finally turned a heel on the Sasquatch size 13 boot socks. (Could my arm look any more white?) I have large hands for a woman, so that gives you some perspective on just how large this sock is.When I started this project, I searched for a good, simple pattern for a sock this large, without any success. So, I have been improvising as I go along, using gauge to determine how many stitches to cast on and simply doing the heel flap, turn and gusset that I like best. I didn't realize that I knew how to knit a sock without a pattern until I just started doing it.

I am taking meticulous notes in hopes that the 2nd sock will be identical. (That would be a first for me!) If I am completely satisfied with how they turn out then I may post my notes so that others who are unfortunate enough to be acquainted with Sasquatch will be able to make him some socks too. Tune back in to the same channel for the next episode!

2 WIPs

My last post told you that I am working on a giant pair of socks for my apartment managers husband. I have only been doing a couple rows per day of the endless leg ribbing. I am just winging a basic sock pattern to make this, so I don't have a link for you. My pictures for this post are bad, because I was lazy and just snapped them on my laptop in my lap.
To alleviate the boredom of ribbing, I have started working on a cowl for myself. It is comprised of 7 crochet motifs attached in a circle which then have stitches picked up and knitted in ribbing. Yes, more ribbing. The yarn is Aegean from my friend Loribird's etsy shop, The Wool Room. The pattern is Amiga. Here is the first completed motif.I will keep you posted on my progress. What are you working on?

Happy New Year and New Crafting!

Hello! I am still here. I am sorry that I have been MIA for so long. I have been very preoccupied by my recovery from my surgery, and the new eating habits that I have had to learn. Everything is fine and going pretty well. If you are interested in reading about it in more detail, my weight loss blog is Beverly's Journey. Now, on to the yarny stuff!

Since my last post I did complete several projects, but I didn't take any pictures. (Sorry, I just haven't been very good about pictures and blogging lately, but I will try to be better for the new year.) They were gifted to my nieces and nephews for Christmas. I made 3 pairs of socks and 4 pairs of mittens to go with the project that I had already posted. I did not complete all of the gifts that I had planned this year. So, I had to purchase 2 hat and mitten sets! Oh, the shame of it all.

I am currently working on a project for my apartment manager. After seeing some of the socks that I have made, she asked if I could make a pair of men's size 13 boot socks for her husband. She brought over some worsted weight wool that she said she purchased in Canada. It is unlabeled, but feels like 100% wool in a 2 ply woolen preparation. It is a kind of "crunchy" texture to the yarn, and I can feel the lanolin in it. I think that these will be extremely warm socks.

I will make a resolution to post at least once per week on this blog. Please check back and keep me on the straight and narrow.