Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom's birthday was last Wednesday, and she looks awesome for being...well, those who need to know how old she is already know! Those who don't know will just have to guess. (BTW - my mom and dad are the same age!) ( You look good, too, Dad!) :-)

Anyway, Saturday was great. Got to hang out w/ my bro and dad for a couple of hours - talked Star Trek, movies, fiber (of course there was show and tell), among other topics. Then we all met for dinner at Roxy's at the El Dorado. For anyone who lives in the area - that is a great restaurant. And if your visiting ever - definitely try to go there. Very nice place, has a great atmosphere, good food, excellent service. It is inside, with a "patio" and somewhat open to the rest of the casino, but there is a large fountain the masks the noise of passersby.

I gave my mom this for her birthday:




I actually finished it over a week ago, and blocked it last weekend. However, didn't want to give a way the surprise, so now I am posting pics. This is the Cherry Leaf Shawl pattern from "Victorian Lace Today" using Malabrigo Laceweight in the colorway "Citrus." Perfect colors for my mom, not too much orange, not too much yellow, and just a touch of pink. She really liked it. :-)

I have been a little slow about posting the last couple of weeks, and here's the reason why:





I got new toys!! :-) I've been playing with them - handcarders at the top, and a fast flyer for my Lendrum DT. I need to work on my carding skills, but you can see the progress so far to the right of the carders. I had some miscellaneous colored bits of wool that I didn't know what to do with as well as some smallish amounts of angora and tussah silk.

All three of the rolags are the colored wool blended with a little bit of angora and silk. I haven't tried spinning them up yet, but I think I will make a nice soft, airy yarn. And if I use my other new toy, I can do semi-lace weight. :-)

As far as the new flyer goes, I've been using it more that the carders, but I'm still getting used to the faster speeds. Up til now I've had to treadle really fast to get enough twist in the finer singles I've been producing lately. Now I really have to watch my treadling speed, otherwise...wire-like singles. Oops! I've also had to adjust the tension a LOT, because the thread kept breaking. I spun for a while with it yesterday afternoon, moving the ratio down after about an hour or so. I think I've got it now. Before I stopped for the day, it hadn't broken for a while. Yeah! :-) The thread on there in the picture is the cream BFL that I will ply with the red, green, and orange single shown in the previous post.

I also worked on this over the weekend:


I actually started it last Sunday and am almost done with it. This picture was taken this morning after working on it for about an hour. It is the "Wool Peddlar Shawl" from Folk Shawls, with a few modifications. I am using "Ultra Alpaca" on US9's, and the top part is in stockinette instead of garter stitch. I moved the yarn-over increase in 4 stitches , so the top is a 4-stitch garter border. I am also increasing the tails in the pattern'd part just like in the "Feather and Fan Triangle" shawl. I think it will come out looking pretty nice - it is a Christmas present. And you that blocking lace always is magical anyway, so I'm not too worried! :-) Hopefully I should have it done by the weekend, so I can block it then.

My knitting class at Jimmy Beans Wool is going well. Saturday was the 2nd class. It is always interesting seeing how the different women (and sometimes men, too) interact and form bonds, even in the first class. Everyone seems to be picking it up fairly quickly, and this time around I have changed my methods. The classes I taught last year I just had a pattern packet that they could choose from for something to make along with the packet with directions and pictures of how to knit. This time, I still have the pattern packet (revised, edited,and pared a little) and the "how to" part, but instead of simply taking the stitches and learning them in one large piece, I put together a sheet with different pattern swatches to make. This was my students learned 3 things in the first class - cast-on, knit, and bind-off. They took that home with them, and came back Saturday with a garter stitch swatch all complete! This week we refreshed last last weeks lesson and learned to purl. Then we moved it from stockenette stitch to ribbing and seed stitch.

I think that this new class set-up works much better and more efficiently than the way I was doing it before. The next couple of classes we will discuss gauge, pattern reading, touch on cabling and lace, and get them set up with a project. I am optimistic. ;-)

Have a great week, and happy knitting!

Productive Weekend

Yes, this weekend, I "labored." :-) But it was a good, I want to do this, sort of labor. On Saturday I had a dye day here at chez Hannah. I haven't had one in a while and I picked up some big bottles of food coloring and vinegar for Smart n Final. Yeah, I'm still using food coloring simply because I have neither the space nor funds for dedicated dye pots. I really like the colors I got this time - bold and bright. One of the reasons for this is I used the dye straight on the fiber - no diluting with water or vinegar. As you see:



When spun - the one on the left will be varying depths of blue and green, and the one on the right, I am calling "Roses" for the deep red and green. There was supposed to be a brown in the middle of the orange part, but I need to work on the brown.


I did start spinning this:

and I plan on plying it with a cream merino. I think it will be an awesome lacewieght yarn - perfect for a top down shawl! :-)



There was a pound of silk dyed also, split in half for 2 sessions in the crockpot:

The pic on the left is when it was spread out to dry. There are streaks of orange in there and varying shades of yellow. I kove how this came out - such a bright and cheerful color! Can't wait to spin it up! :-)



I also dabbled in some more koolaid dying:

From outside in - pink lemonade, lemon-lime, and grape.



Knitting
Yes, there was knitting accomplished this weekend also! I was on a roll. Instead of working on one project for a long period of time, I split my time between several unfinshed items. One of them was ths one:

Phase 2 of my Shetland project. Almost done with the body - started the dark chocolate brown last night. Then it's onto the sleeves and then...fin! The cable going down the front is called "Fudge Swirl." Appropriate, no? ;-)



Happy knittng, spinning and dyeing!!

Birthday Presents

Yep - I got me some loot!! ;-> Actually, I will say that it pays to have a wish list in various places and to let your family and friends know about it. 3 of the following books were on my Amazon wish list! :-)

This book was not on the list, but I am very glad to get it:

There are some yummy looking treats in here that I am anxious to try as soon as I have some time (and it cools down outside - 95 still the high today! Ick!)

The 3 on the right are pattern books I have wanted for a while now! The two in the middle just came out last month though, so I would have had to wait for them anyway! "Romantic Handknits" and "Lacy Little Knits" have both been well reviewed. The book on the left I picked up at Jimmy Beans Wool along with some yarn using my gift certificates. :-)

The patterns in "Romantic Handknits" are, for the most part, very cute, lacey, and form fitted. The pattern writing appears to be concise and very explanatory, Annie Modesitt has a way with yarn and pattern writing that is almost mystical. In the book there are 3 parts - tops, bottoms, and accessories. Included in the accessories section are 2 very cute hats, a pair of silk stockings, and a pair of opera gloves.

There are quite a few patterns I want to do including the following:

"Dark Victory" is knit out of "Malabrigo, " a soft luscious merino yarn. I have some already in a vibrant pink, I just need to pick up a couple of skeins of a contrasting color. The shaping in this sweater looks like it will flatter my figure, and I can always make the body and sleeves longer.

"Lacy Little Knits" is put together by the owner of Artyarns. Her yarns are fantastic, luxurious, and totally worth the price tag. I have knit with "Regal Silk" and want to get more. Have to save up though! :-) The patterns in the book are definitely one of a kind - challenging, inventive, and stuff I would like to try. She pushes the boundaries of yarns used together in a single article. If you take a look at the cover picture - that cardigan was knit with a worsted weight merino (orange) and a lace weight mohair (light stripes.) The effect is very cool, and creates vertical stripes (totally necessary for my figure.)

Another pattern I really want to knit is this:

"Diagonals in Flight" is a lacey, yet warm and soft cardigan. I don't think I will make out of the yarn called for (too much saving required) but I thought I would make it out of this soft gray Cashsoft DK:

Another gift card purchase, thank you to all who contributed! :-) Also on sale currently at "Jimmy Beans Wool!"

I also was able to get this:

Lane Borgesia "Cashwool" - a soft lace weight in a deep red. I already know what I am going to do with it. In fact I have another in gray that is slated for a "Victorian Lace Today" stole.

30 years old!!

On Friday, anyway! :-) It was awesome - the best birthday I've had so far! I threw myself a party at my brothers house - invited lots and lots of people. Of course only about half of who I invited showed up! *shrug* Oh well - it was a blast anyway, and all my friends know me so well. I got a few gift certs to my LYS! :-) I think the best present of all was my very own tennis racket from my freind, Leah. She and I and a couple other ladies have been playing tennis on a regular basis for a couple months now, but I always borrowed her extra racket. Now I don't have to!!

This was the food table - lots and lots of excellent food. I was planning on more people being there so there was a lot leftover. But eveyone had nothing but good things to say. The cake (above) was provided by my friends Kelly and Dan. Dan works at the El Dorado casino and they have an awesonme bakery there. This cake is the most decadent, richest cake I have ever had. Almost 100% chocolate!! Mmmm! :-P

The backs of everyone! :-( I need to learn to take better pics!

My friend Jake and my dad. (Sorry it's so dark, on my comp at home it wasn't.)

My brother's roommate has a pool table so that was the highlight game of the evening. There was also a game of horsehsoes out back before it got too dark to see. All in all a great evening! Thank you to everyone who came! :-)

The Rest of The Weekend

The rest of the weekend I was very productive, believe it or not! I finished up one of my Christmas presents. It it for someone who I think reads this occasionally - so here is just a teaser:

If you are on Ravelry - stop by my page - full pics are there! :-)

Not only did I finish that, I also finished up a skein I have been spinning on for a small while.

This is Lorn's Laces "Wool Top" that I've spun up, colorway "Purple Iris." This isn't even a quarter of the whole ball - there is still a lot left. I wanted something approximating lace weight, and I think I've got pretty close. I also wanted a lot of twist in case I wanted to use it for socks. It is a little too uneven for socks, but might work up nicely in a simple lace.

The colors I kept together - instead of stripping down through several colors, I tore off each color and spun that up - so the colors are very long. What ever I do with it - it will stripe! Not only did I put a lot of twist int he single - I also put a lot of twist in the plying. It is chain plyed which is the easiest way to get a lot of twist in the final yarn. For finishing I dunked it in hot wash, rinsed in cold, the thwacked it a few times on the tub. This is the first time I've tried it - and I like the effect alot. Really evened up the twist - a lot more than my regular finish would've.

Next post: Pictures of the books I recieved for my birthday and more stash from my shopping trip on Saturday! ;-)

Ravelry and Some Stash Pics

Well, if you're wondering where I'm at for the next few days -

I got my invite to Ravelry!!! Yeah!!! (Jump up and down) ;-) Actually I got it a couple days ago, and since then have been downloading my stash and some of my projects. It's a lot of fun, and once I'm done - all I'll have to do is keep it up to date - i.e. adding new stash, changing status on completed projects, and ading new ones.

Edited to add later: For those already on Ravelry, my screen name is "KnitterHannah." Look forward to seeing y'all there!! :-)

Speaking of projects:

I started this back in July and have been working on it desultorily in between other projects. Specs are as follows:
Yarn - Malabrigo Laceweigh Merino
Needles - Us 7
Pattern - "Shoulder Shawl in Cherry Leaf Pattern"
From "Victorian Lace Today"

About 8 others on Ravelry are working on or have finished this shawl. It is amazing that not one of them used the same yarn as another. And they were all different colors also. That's what's so great about this site - you can see the wonderful and amazing variety of creativity in the world of fiber.

There are about a hundred groups also - I've joined the Lace group as well as one of the Spinner groups. You can chat and get answers - compliment some one on their choice of yarn or pattern. I think it's really cool, and believe it or not - there are still about 15,000 (!!) people waiting to get their invite. The couple who put this site together expect to be able to go live next month (it's still in beta stage.)

About a month ago, I started getting ready for my invite by pulling out my stash little by little and photographing it. I did some more this morning. Want to see some of the better pieces?

Tada!!

Karabella Lace Weight in a beautiful deep red! I forgot I had this - this will be used in my next project.

Malabrigo Worsted Merino - I can't wait to use this - I have plans for a cabled sweater. But I think it won't get started until next year. Have so many others to do - starting in Sept. (read - now) I need to start Christmas knitting.

I know it's dark and hard to see - but this is a light pink 8/2 cotton that I will make another lace shawl from. I really love this color - a nice, delicte pink. Definitely my color.

8500 Feet

That's how high up I was on Saturday. My friend Danielle and I hiked up to Donner Peak. Here are some wonderful shots - some as we were going up and some from the very top. (It was very windy!)

From the top here we could see 3 if not 4 separate ski areas - Mt Rose (at least 40 miles away as the crow flies - that'll tell you how clear it was), Northstar, the Sugar Bowl (which was actually behind us), and I think Boreal as well. Donnor Lake was directly below us - a beautiful shade of aquamarine

This is a shot of my friend and I - an older man was really nice to take our picture. Like I mentioned it was extremely windy - a girl coming back down warned me to keep a hand on my visor. That's it strapped to my tank strap. That's her dog - Mango, a real mutt! :-) She's a great dog, though - so energentic, and smiling everytime she came back around the corner, wondering why we were going (to her) so slow!! Dogs are great!

There were a lot of people up there! Danielle couldn't believe how many. A lot of families, too - that was great to see.

I can't believe any one seeing that view could belive that such beauty just happened. Our Creator is so wonderful - and He had this whole world as a canvas!! :-)

Wedding Gift

This past Saturday, I went to a wedding. I think that this was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. Everything about it was simple yet elegant. The decorations were minimal - roses and babies breath. The altar area up front had only the communion table covered with a navy blue cloth and a cream crocheted runner. Two vases on either end held roses with candles and communion effects in the center.

On the left was the piano with a larger flower arrangment near it and on the right was a harp (that was played beautifully I might add as guests were coming in.) The bride's dress was as simply elegant as the rest. Almost no decorations except on the top of the bodice - just a slender satin sheath.

I know both the bride and groom fairly well. Cassidy is the Youth Pastor at SBC and Erin plays the violin on the worship team. Both are excellent, awesome people - so on fire for Christ. They definitely centered the wedding around the ceremony. Both wrote their own vows, and even what Pastor Greg had to say was really neat. One thing that I really liked was that Cassidy, in his vows, said "...I will put you above all others, even Ministry." That is so important to remember. Many Christ-centered marriages have become rocky, as one or the other partner over dedicate themselves to serving and to ministry, neglecting family at home.

The reception was just h'or d'ourves, mainly to keep the guests busy while photos were being taken. I left before the bridal party came in - there were just too many people crammed into too small a place. But I heard that instead of throwing the bouquet - Erin passed out single roses to all the single ladies. They also had a little book titled "Our Love Story - aunthor: God." It was very cute, but also a great testimony to those (like me) who have been praying for a solid Christian mate/partner.

Below is a couple pictures of the present I made them:


The doily is 22" across, made with 8/2 cotton on US3's. The pattern is the center portion of the Shetland Tea Shawl from "A Gathering of Lace." The border is a the modified print o' the wave from the Shetland Square I made in green wool not too long ago. It knitted up fairly quickly, and I really like it. This might become a staple wedding gift! :-) Erin told me a month ago what her home's colors will be - navy, rust, and cream. Very glad I had the navy cotton on hand. ;-)

I have been finishing up other shawls still on the needles - this is one of them I finished up last week:



Regal Silk, 100% silk from Artyarns, the Shoulder Shawl in Syrian Pattern from "Victorian Lace Today," on US9's. Just look at the sheen of that. I got these 4 skeins almost as soon as I learned how to knit over 3 years ago. You know what they say - Third time's the charm? Yeah, this is the 3rd project I've started with this yarn. Sometimes it takes a while for you to realize what the yarn would like to be. :-)

It was going to go into the present bag for Christmas, however...um, yeah, I'm keeping it. ;-) I wore it on Sunday, and it was a perfect sheild against the cold AC. I also got lots of compliments. :-P Thanks, everybody.

On another note - I got the invitations to my birthday party out. Yeah! Now all I need is to get the food and order the cake, and all that will take place in the week before the 24th. Ooh, I'm getting excited! Yeah!