One Year Blogiversary

Actually - its tomorrow but I'm writing this today! One whole year since I started this blog. When I first started doing this - I never really expected that I would continue with it. I've never been good at the journaling/diary thing, so this was just something to pass time with one day. Well, it hasn't been very regular but it has been consistant.

I know this started as a knitting/fiberish based blog with some personal ramblings included for spice, but in honor of this auspicious occasion, I am going to some where totally opposite, somewhere so outside the normal realm of me that you will wonder - WTH!!! Did someone else take over this blog? (Now anyone reading this who knows me keep in mind that I grew up with 2 brothers and a father who walked in the forest everyday, and saw stuff like this a lot.) Not to worry - normal fiber content to return at the end of this episode. ;-) (Note - If I offend any environmentalists with this - well, it my blog and I can do what I want with it. I think that this was pretty cool!)

Last Friday my brother and I were driving to Susanville in his new car. It was dark and pretty windy. Just before the 2nd Red Rock turn off something off-white appeared to blow off the side of the road under the tires. There was a pretty loud "thump" but we didn't think too much of it. I thought it was a box and there was no apparent damage. However, when we got out and looked later, this is what we saw:

Yeah, nice, huh? At first I thought it was a hawk, but when my dad looked at the feathers closer he thought it was some sort of owl. Either way, cool! Hoping there wasn't too much damage - either to the car or the bird, we pulled it out. BTW - in the pic above - that's all wing. The body was stuck horizontally into the opening in the grill there. The owl must have been startled from the side of the road, flew up, been blinded by the lights, and upon impact, simply broke it's neck. There was no other damage except for a couple of bent feathers and a mangled eye. My dad has a friend who does taxidermy, and hopefully he can use it.

Anyway, that was late at night so we put in a bag in the garage, washed our hands really, really well, and took more picutres in the morning. I have never seen and owl up close, and chances are neither have you. They are pretty cool birds of prey. You've heard how silent owls are - there's a reason for that. Almost all of their feathers are outlined in down. Even the main wing feathers were so soft and light to the touch. If you click on the pics they will go bigger for better detail.


As you can see this is a pretty big bird. Due to the 2 tufts of feathers on either side of the head (sort of like ears) my dad's pretty certain this is a Great Horned Owl. Get this! The wingspan - 44" wide. The body - approx 20" long. The only reason it didn't do any damage to the car, is because it was so light.


Above pics are the outside and inside of the claw. Check out those talons! There are at least a couple inches long, and super sharp. Neither mice nor rabbits really stand a chance. The padding on the inside is very nubbly. I wonder how tactile it is. A far cry from the feathering on the outside. If I hadn't know better I would have thought the leg was furred.


This is the inside of the wing. Fasinating, no? The whole construction boggles the mind, that something so light and fragile will keep a bird of this size in the air.

This is the underside of the body - the patterning is almost striped.

That beak is almost as deadly at the talons. Interesting how even around the beak there are the fine, fine feathers. From certain angles this definitely dead bird looked almost cuddly. But when you see the talons and beak, even the eyes, created for seeing in the dark - you know this bird would be far from cuddly.

I am sorry if this grossed some of you out. Personally, I thought it was really cool. God created owls for a purpose, as He did everything. But even a predator such as this has great beauty and structure. For example the structure of the wing. I imagine the angels in heaven have such wings. If I had wings, I would want them to look like that.

Now for some promised knitting:



I finished this up about 2 weeks ago, but have been so busy that I haven't had time to post pics of it. I don't know what's up with the color, but my camera didn't capture the changing colors at the bottom. It shades from pink into white.

Anyway, if I don't post next week - Happy Thanksgining! I love this time of year. We should be giving thanks every day of every week, but this time of year we remember it best. Thank you, Lord, for everything you have blessed me with.

2 in a Week

Posts, that is! Normally I only post once a week, becasue I use the weekend to finish up projects. Hahaha! ;-) I finished something in the middle of the week!

I have been working on this for a couple of weeks now:

Which when plyed with natural BFL became this yarn:

Yummy, no?? :-) I haven't checked the WPI yet, but it is aprox 600 yrds lace wieght, with very long color runs. Can you say stripes? I am pretty please with this yarn. I could have plied it a little tighter, but it turned out good. I still have over half a bobbin left of the green and red, too. We'll see how much yardage I get before deciding what to do with it. Of course if you know me but at all, you're probably thinking "(sigh) Another shawl!" :-P

Look what I got in the mail yesterday!

I got these from Schoolhouse Press, which is my source for all things lacey. On Ravelry, there is a group I belong to called "Doilie Heads" and seeing some of the finished tablecloths and doilies inspired me to get the 2 Modern Lace Knitting books. They are awesome!

This shawl inspired me to get the "Gossamer Web Collection." It is a lace book that details the unique way Oranburg (Russion) shawls are constructed. Instead of working from the middle out, or from one end to the other, then adding a border later - both the body of the shawl and the border are knit at the same time. In case you're wondering - yes, I am intrigued! :-)

It is the "Medallion Shawl" from this book. Amazing, isn't it? I can't wait to try this method.

Non-Fiber Related (sorta)

Now, I have been on Ravelry for a while now, slowly adding in my stash and projects. There are also groups and forums you can participate in. I've been kind of lurking around some of the forums, "listening" if you will to the conversations. Some are interesting, some are not, and some are so heatedly interesting that I am of intrigued to keep reading, but not sure of what to say, since inevitably some one will have already said (in other words) what my opinion is. As well as the exact opposite of my opinion. Hey that's quite all right - every one is entitled to their own feelings, thoughts and opinions.

It is amazing to me that a place like Ravelry (which was founded to be a public community and database for and about yarn, fiber, patterns, and projects) can attract so many (can you say 20,000+) people from such varying and different backgrounds, believes, and ethics. I am surprised that there haven't been more catfights. I think most are mature enough to realize when to back off. It is also very interesting the way a discussion topic morphs and evolves into something completely different from what it started out to be.

Anyway, there is a rather heated discussion going on right now regarding the use the word "pron" (purposely mis-spelled) in regard to domesticity and specifically in the phrase "yarn pron." Many people spoke up about it, some against but mostly for. Their reasoning (which does make sense) is that it is a light term to signify that there is drool-worthy pics of fiber coming up. I myself don't use it simply because of the implications associated with the word.

This discussion evolved into a debate regarding the roles of men and women. One Raveler ( a fellow Christian) spoke up about the fact that the traits of true men (strength and widsom - ie leadership) are now being downplayed in favor of more sensitivity (which does have it's place - but not too much) and feministic men. Wow, did she hear it from several others! I sent her a private message thanking her for speaking up about that. She really appreciated the support. She's married to a great Christian man, and spoke up about that, too, but added the codicile that she's is simply stating her views, not that everyone should do it or belive the same way, too. She really challenged and encouraged me to stand up more for what I belive.

Men these days, especially boys growing up are subjected to so many different ideas about what a real man is/should be like. For me, the Bible and my own father provided an excellent example of what to look for in a man. For myself - I am now content to wait upon the Lord to bring an awesome Christian man into my life. I will say it is exciting watching my brothers turn into the example my father and the Lord has set.

May the Lord bless your knitting! (or whatever you do!) :-)

Blue and Gold

Blue for the UNR Wolfpack and gold for the changing seasons. Well, sort of. I honestly don't know if they won Saturday night or not! :-P But I do know that it was Homecoming! Reno's such a college town. :-)

But the gold is entirely approppriate. This was taken on my balcony yesterday afternoon:


As you can see autumn is in full swing. Driving down Arlington or California is a feast for the eys - scarlet maples, orange oaks, gold cottonwoods, etc. Looking up on the hills to the west you can make out stands of aspen by the bright yellow shining forth.

This afghan is my father's Christmas present...from last year! :-/ I didn't get it finished until now. Well, just in time for the cooler weather, eh? (Dad, I'll get it to you when I see you in a couple of weeks!)

It is crocheted in a chevron pattern using Jeager Shetland Aran. I am sad that they discontinued this yarn. It is really lovely to work with - with a subtle halo of alpaca after washing. Fortunately I still have a large chunk of it in my stash (both navy and an awesome red) - there is at least one sweater forthcoming.

Well, I did finish one thing this week, and you know the rule!

Yes, I cast on for yet another shawl. (At new years I'm going to lay out all the shawls I've done this year just to see how many I've done!) This was sort of an accident, though. I didn't mean for it to go this far (Yeah right, Hannah!) No, seriously - I was swatching for a couple of reasons:
1. To see what the drape was on a US 4 (for another project using similar yarn.)
2. To see what the colors would look like in a lace pattern.
Of course, once I started seeing what the pattern would look like in the variegated yarn, I just kept going as I liked it so much. The patterned part is a fir cone pattern. I am looking for a border to match, haven't settled on a specific one yet. This is strictly "seat of my pants" designing! :-) The yarn is KnitPicks Bare 100% Merino Laceweight. I dip-dyed it earlier this year using food coloring (easter egg colors.) I'm calling the color "Grape-alicious!" :-) Actually, in certain light it is more wine colored than true purple. Definitely more red than blue in there.

Enjoy the autumn while it lasts. I'm sure it will be winter before we know it. I mean come on - my church choir is already rehearsing for Christmas! (Cue ominous music!) ;-)

Gorgeous Weekend

Well, it was an absolutely wonderful weekend. Bright sun, cool breeze, the deep blue sky that only comes in autumn, colorful foliage... you know, perfect fall day(s). I played tennis with my friends for over 2 hrs (even got some color) and finally had a chance to play with the pink Hope (breast cancer awareness) balls I picked up a couple weeks ago. Every one thought they were cute. Awww. Well, I have to have some co-ordinating paraphenelia to go with my new racket! :-)

So Saturday I didn't get much done fiber-wise. But on Sunday I finished and blocked this:





It is a top down triangle shawl-ette in feather and fan lace pattern stitch using my handspun on US9's. You can see pictures of the yarn in previous posts. It didn't take very long as it's not large - more a scarf than a shawl. I love the colors - the colorway is Lorna's Laces "Purple Iris." I also have more than 3/4 of the total ball of wool I originally got. Bring on the purple.

So after finishing something, I gave myself permission to cast-on a new project. Presenting - Stripes and Torchon Lace from "Victorian Lace Today:"


Sorry about the flash washing the pciture above out. The yarn is Karabella Lace Mohair, and it is a lot redder than the picture. Doesn't look like much, which is why I included the pattern photo. I am planning on wearing this to my work Christmas party. We'll see, it might take longer than I am anticipating. ;-)

Have a wonderful fall - don't let the beuatiful colors pass you by!

Welcome Autumn!

You have finally come, bringing showers and cooler weather! Thank you! :-) This weekend was great - nice rain both Saturday and Sunday, much cooler temps, including frost this morning! That will get the trees changing faster.

I finished up the Wool Peddler Shawl Friday evening and blocked it Saturday. Talk about fall colors!


Sorry about this picture - my batteries went out yesterday after the first pic, so this was taken early this morning (very little light.)

Remember this?

It became this cake:

Then this was casted-on (sp?):

Just my own little design, a top down triangle with elongated tails in feather and fan lace. I really like the way the colors are - very distinct changes from purple to green. I had planned to have this happen when I spun it up - very long color repeats for excellent striping. It pays to plan ahead, no? ;-)

Enjoy the changing (read: cooler) weather! :-)

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!!