never gonna get better at posting...

I'm terrible at blogging. I don't know why I try.
It doesn't matter because I'm writing now anyway.
The sewing for the 56 blocks of my quilt are done.
BUT! Some still need ironing, and they all need their dimensions checked and/or fixed.
Then, put those together, check dimensions, add borders, check dimensions, make the back, check dimensions.
Then off to be quilted I guess. :)
I still need to decide on a backing fabric, possibly solid gray, and binding fabric, no ideas there...decisions, decisions.
Pictures forth coming. I hope.

Work Continues...

I don't have a lot to show for the last few weeks.
I've been sewing away on the quilt, a little each night. And I have part of the center of each block sewn and ironed. But nothing really worth taking a picture of.
The groups of fabrics are all sorted and in rows on my bedroom floor. Teagan likes to play with her fish toy on them. She knows she shouldn't be on the fabric, but it gets my attention. And like any good toddler, any attention is good attention.
Teagan is a dog, for anyone who doesn't know. She's almost 4, but she acts like she's a puppy still.
As for spinning, I've finished the singles from a batt of merino/silk. For the record, it spun like butter, so smooth and perfect. I also spun AND plied a skein of yarn for a trade I'm making with someone locally that makes box bags. I learned the hard way why singles need to rest. Plying was not fun.
And in the knitting part of my world I've finished the sweater I was working on, and it just needs buttons. I can knit an entire sweater in 3 weeks but putting buttons on it is proving to be the challenge. I also knit a shop sample for Knit & Knot in Iowa, just a simple Turn a Square hat. Now I'm just trying to finish up some socks before starting something new.
I really will try to get pictures soon. Promise.

Lots of Pieces

I have made several hundred pieces for my quilt. They look like this:They satisfy that little bit of OCD that creeps up from time to time.
The next step? Layout the entire quilt, or well, the blocks. I created an Excel spreadsheet matching the fabric patterns to create all unique blocks. But because some of the patterns have an "up" and a "down" I want to make sure each block is made with all of the fabrics "up".
I'll grab a picture of that before I try to label it, stack it, and start sewing.
Closeup:So many perfect little pieces! Nearly perfect, at least.

First Quilt: Fabric and Cutting Pieces Day #1

After a lovely weekend in Iowa with knitters and quilters, the crafting bug really bit me.
Hard.
Before I even started my trip back to PA, I had purchased a pattern. A nice, simply modern pattern. Completely my style.
I had also decided on a color scheme: light purple, butter yellow and soft gray.
So, this last weekend I went to Loom and came home with this:
Left: accent color and a skinny border
Moving right: blues as one of my main colors
Next column: grays as my other main color
Right: the white is a medium width border, the yellow is the outside, and widest, border.
Most of the fabrics are not traditional, and have decently large repeating patterns, but I really love all of them.
Lastly, this afternoon I started the cutting. All of the blue and gray fabrics were cut into strips, which will later be cut into smaller pieces.
This is 80 strips, and only 2/3 of the strips I will need before continuing the cutting process:
That top piece has a picture of a ship in the hair of a silhouette. Adorable.
Next up: the remainder of the cutting. By my rough calculations I'll have at least 540 individual pieces!
P.S. This weekend I've also spun 8oz of fiber and knit a sleeve for a sweater. The crafting is not slowing down. Not in the least.

Five Things

1. I've been drinking 64oz of fluids per day as part of a contest with a friend. The rules: up to half can be something other than water, but only 25% can contain calories and only 25% can contain caffiene. Which means a 16oz latte leaves me with 48oz of water to drink for the day. But a 16oz Diet Coke and a 16oz glass of juice (which would be a lot) would leave me with only 32oz of water for the day. Drinking that much fluid is actually pretty easy, my hunger is more even throughout the day, and I've lost a pound or two in two weeks. It is a little bit of thought and effort, but so worth it.
2. I have too many hobbies. Between knitting and spinning, I could keep myself busy for hours a day, and I kind of do. But read #3...
3. I maybe, kind of, really want to start sewing a quilt. Go big or go home.
4. I love my dog. She's the best.
5. Hi Zoe!

Desires

I’ve never been one for resolutions based on the New Year. No one in my family has ever been really into it, so I’ve never really been encouraged to have my own. This year is no exception; I’m not dedicating myself to anything that I can fail at. I find that to be particularly discouraging. So instead, in 2012 I want to remember this:

There is almost always more of something that is desirable.

I feel like this applies to many parts of my life. For instance, I don’t need to eat something as if I’ll never have it ever again. Because the chances are really good that I’ll have an opportunity to have it again. I’ve heard we need food to survive, and that there are whole stores where you can get pretty much whatever you want. As for the non-edible parts of my life, I have a large yarn and fiber stash. As much fun as it is to build said stash, there is always more to be had. And I have found that waiting is worth it when I find something I love even more than what I passed up before.

So this year I want to exercise a little restraint. Indulge the cravings when they are unbearable, but remember that there is absolutely no need to over indulge either.

I’m hoping to work through the yarn and fiber stashes in the first half of the year and then maintain a lower inventory the remainder of the year. I’ve successfully sold a couple dozen skeins of yarn on Ravelry, and I’m hoping to continue in that direction. And maybe I’ll sell some of my own yarn later in the year as well.

As for food, I am making a conscious decision to eat healthier, but I’m definitely not counting anything.

Lastly, instead of a resolution, a good friend and I are having a friendly contest to drink more water, my daily goal is 64oz. We’ll post daily how we’ve done; rules will be available somewhere on there too. My first impression: that’s a lot of water.

In crafting news, I knit baby booties, two pairs of socks, an infinity scarf, and a big stranded hat for Christmas gifts. I am now knitting and spinning for myself for a while. First up: a 2-ply mash-up of a 4oz braid and 4+oz batt of purples and yellows and a pair of Gothic Spire socks by Cookie A. Pictures soon.

One of THOSE days...

Ever have one of those days where you did something you know you shouldn't have? Hello, Tuesday, June 7th, 2011.

Reminder to self: Keep it to yourself. When in doubt, keep your mouth closed. Even when NOT in doubt, also keep your mouth closed.

Not productive to the conversation? Don't say it.
Going to hurt someone's feelings if they hear it? Also: shhh.

Payment: A lot of feeling pretty, no, very dumb.
Oh, and the karma payment? Several hundred dollars in fixes to my car.

Knitting-wise, I'm working on the edging to my Bridgewater shawl. It will be impressive when I finish.

I have FOs to show as well, but have not added the pictures yet. Soon, though.

Reading 2011

My goal for 2011 was to read one book per month. For many people this seems like nothing. In fact, I know people who are planning to read one book per week this year. I'm hoping that this small goal will jump start my love for reading again, and I'll get a few more books in. Especially with the vacation time I have planned to be at The Cottage.
The List:
January: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green
This was a fast read for me. I like the author's writing style, while the subject matter is intended for young adult readers, the writing is mature and a pleasure to read.
February/March: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
I really liked this book. Read it before seeing the movie.
April: The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman
This author has made it on to my favorite authors list in a sneaky way. I really liked The Ghost Orchid and followed that up with The Night Villa. Her stories have a little bit of a CSI twist to them, and the plot usually unfolds with a few unexpected twists. I read this book in the paper version while Matt was traveling in France and Italy. It was nice to read the "real" thing again.
May: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
I pounced on this ebook when I read that it was free, or a dollar...? I can't remember, it was a deal. It was a fast and lighthearted read, a good start to summer reading.

So as you can see by the list above, I'm a little behind. I do have half of Scarlett Fever read, but the story is a little slow and young for my typical taste. I will finish it though. The other books on the list for the near future are both good summer reading and something a little heavier:
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (I've read his other two books in the trilogy)
The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giodano
Knit Two by Kate Jacobs (I read her first book, this is good, easy summer reading)

I also wrote down a few more titles while at Barnes and Noble this past week, but I am always up for suggestions. In addition to all of that my personal library of paper books has about a dozen unread titles in it as well.

My knitting has all progressed evenly and slowly this past week, and several neck wear items are blocking and drying slowly in this newly humid weather. Pictures of finished objects coming soon, as ALWAYS promised. I did finish Wayfarer (long scarf) and Veyla (mitts) this last week. But now summer of socks and lace has started, so my focus will shift for a little while. I have a couple secret projects in the works as well. I need to get busy!

Lazy Sunday

Sunday has been and always will be a relatively lazy day for me. It was the day that we would have a big breakfast as a family and my mom would head to the store for the week’s groceries. Kids specifically not welcome. The rest of the family would split apart and do their own thing. In high school it was the one day of the week I wasn’t at the high school, and so I got my homework done, or would hang with friends for coffee. But Sunday nights were for being at home and chilling, usually watching TV after an early dinner. I still like to have an early dinner on Sundays, watch some TV and generally relax before another week begins.

So I’m at Panera grabbing a quick lunch before running my Sunday errands (cleaning supplies and food, so exciting) and overheard this:

Dad (to son, who is styled identically, unfortunately): Did you order a Mexican sandwich?

Son (eating sandwich): No, Cuban.

Other son (who is not styled even similarly, thankfully): Same thing.

I love people watching.

Ive been meaning to write about something, but it needed to get to Iowa first. Of course the package arrived over a week ago, but between Maryland Sheep and Wool and work, I’m just getting around to it. Laura and I decided, in our absence of knitting time in person, that we would send each knitting and fiber related packages this year. The first package was something NOT made of fiber, so no yarn or spinning fiber. A little smidge of history: Laura and I would get sushi every Tuesday night and watch Glee while knitting. When I saw the fabric I knew it had a home:

How perfect is that? A small box bag for little knitting projects with sashimi to go! The inside is lined with a plain red fabric and the handle is guilded (and nightmare to sew) like any good American-Asian restaurant would be. I could explain how I made it, but a Google search for ‘box bag tutorial’ will yield better results. And no point in reinventing the wheel, right?

This weekend I’ve been itching to cast on something new, but after a review of what is currently a WIP, I decided I needed some finishing first. As fast as I can a rundown of all the things:

Bridgewater: Started more than a year ago with 2000 yards of lace weight alpaca on hand, all that remains now is the epic knit-on-bind-off.

Austin Hoodie: I was in love with this pattern and the yarn (Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light) and of course cast on an worked manically for a few months. Now that I’m working on the first sleeve, I’m not as enchanted and seriously doubting if this will ever get finished. The superwash yarn grew so much during blocking and the sleeves are looking baggy in the underarm region. Plus I don’t think I have enough yarn. More to come on this.

Wayfarer: Another Jared Flood pattern knit with some local (in MI) alpaca in the perfect natural camel color. I’ve rounded the corner into the last little stretch of “continue to work in pattern.” Blocking, pictures and then a careful packing up for winter.

Wray: Just started with my massive skein of Madelinetosh Lace in Fragrant. Slow and steady for this project, that’s for sure.

Handspun Mittens: I spindle spun 8 oz of fiber from Iowa into a dk-worsted-aran weight (my spindling isn’t terribly even) yarn for some over-sized mittens. These are a simple project, but a good way to show off this yarn.

Veyla: I scratched with itch for casting on with the second of these two little mitts. I made the first of the two in the fall and then they got packed away for the winter. Knitting with cashmere is always a pleasure and the second one (the left hand) flew off the needles. These just need the ends woven in and some shirt buttons added on the cuffs. I have a big tin full of vintage and newer buttons, many of which are from men’s shirts; up-cycling at its best!

Socks: I have some Patons Kroy in a self-patterning green/red/blue/white colorway that became my plane knitting when I flew to Iowa a few weeks ago. This yarn will wear like iron and it was nice to practice my plain sock pattern making skills on this yarn. I have one sock done, second sock syndrome here I come.

Kingdom Gloves: for my Grams 75^th birthday. And in true knitter fashion, they will be late. She at least got to see the first one. I just need ot have them done in time for winter. Right?

Kernel: I bought a couple of cones of cashmere sweater mill ends almost two years ago. The first of two cones is becoming this scarf for my boyfriend’s sister. I’m plugging along on it, her birthday is in July. The yarn is nice, but after a bath to remove the mill oil, I expect it to be extra soft.

Elijah: This was my first favorited pattern on Ravelry and I have his head done. No deadline, but it will be good for a baby one day.

I think that’s the roundup, or at least for now. I have a couple of other projects that are so far from being anything they aren’t worth talking about. One needs to be frogged, and one needs some chart work before I can knit and enjoy it.

Sorry for the wordy post, Word tells me I’m almost to 1000 words. More pictures and links in the next post. I’ll show some of the works-in-progress, and hopefully a few finished ones!

The Haul

This last weekend I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I had been to the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival, but that doesn't even come close. I had a great time with great people. This is most of what I brought back. I did not bring one of these home, because just look at where the yarn comes out of. Seriously.This is the yarn haul. From left to right: Spirit Trail Fiberworks Sunna (the green and red skeins). One of the two is for my mom for Mother's Day, she gets to pick her color. Both are so soft (cashmere) and the colors are saturated and semi-solid, I love it. The middle skein is one of two, it is Miss Babs Yowza. It is a nice semi-solid gray color in a mega skein. The last two are Socks That Rock in mediumweight, Mad Hatter and Christmas Balls.Two silk caps, Mad Hatter and Pond Scum. I've wanted more silk hankies/caps, and these colors are perfect.Bartlett Yarns roving for Laura in Mountain Berry and Blue Loch. The Blue Loch is a very pretty royal blue with red fibers blended in. I think this is destined to be a marled DK, or at least I hope.

These are "bumps" from Loop. They spin from the center and are meant for striping. I'm waiting to improve my spinning skills to make these, but I am so excited. The red is some fluff that I'd like to use for some art yarn spinning or my own hand carding one day.

More fiber! Corridale on the left, BFL and some silk next, and then two octopus like things of merino and tencel. I also bought a Bosworth spindle, laceweight and some bone handi tools.
And last but not least, I think one of my favorite buys: a set of double point 2.5mm Signature needles.
If you made it through all of that, wow. I have a feeling I'll try to limit myself more next year, but I have no regrets, even on the cash spent. Of course there are other things to write about, but that will wait for the next post!

Neighbors, I have them

I have strange neighbors. Next door, I believe, is a single man. I've seen him twice. The second time was this weekend, when he was using a hedge-trimmer-extra-long-chainsaw to clean up the half-dead bushes that separate my building from his house. The trimmings are mulching themselves on the apartment side of the bush/fence.
And across the street is a very large house, with an equally large yard, for the area at least, as well as a very long and tall chain link fence. This particular neighbor has a "collection" in his yard, and frequently has a barrel with things burning in it. He mowed his yard today with an industrial sized mower.
I have interesting neighbors.

Now! Time for pictures. As promised, a whirlwind of hand spun fiber.
Clockwise from the brown. The two skeins of brown are my first spindle spun, using fiber from Abi. At the bottom of the picture is the mitten I'm making from my first two spindle projects. These mittens are going to be large, but I'm planning to line them. At the top is my spindle with the second half of the Day's End roving, also from Abi. I'm nearly done with that. I feel like my spindle skills are so much better after just two 4 oz rovings! And in the middle is the crowning jewel: my first wheel hand spun yarn, about 30 yards there, and I have another 10-15 yards that isn't plied. The skein there is a bulky/super bulky two ply. I made it during that first class. I'm in love. It will become a head band. That is what it was made for. It has a destiny. Mitten close-up.

I have made some progress on the Jeweled Cowl, but because it is unblocked lace, there isn't much to show. I hope to have finished objects to show next time. Since I made it to the post office today, I should have non-knitting things to show too!

Weekend Wrap-Up

As the weekend comes to a close, it feels like I have accomplished nothing! I've been hard at work on the Jeweled Cowl, and this evening I finished the second tube of seed beads I'm using. They are Miyuki Matte Red in size 8. I'm not good with beads, but these are pretty and look great against the dark charcoal of the alpaca lace. I should have this cowl blocking this week.
I also worked on the mittens I'm making from my spindle spun yarn. They are coming out a little on the large side, but I decided I'd like to knit a lining for them from a softer lace weight yarn, the over-twist on the yarn I made is a little much for the hands in places, like steel wool, instead of nice lofty wool.
But the big accomplishment for the weekend? I spun a two ply thick-n-thin yarn. Two summers ago I bought a green roving from the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival, and it's been waiting to be spun. Well, it is now about 30 yards of a super bulky yarn. I love how it turned out, and my instructor, Nora, complimented me. Calling me her "most proficient first time spinner"! I'm hooked just like I expected I would be.
My friend Laura and I are doing a fiber pen pal swap over the course of the year. Our first packages are going out this month, and we agreed we would stick to a NON-fiber package for this first time. I spent some time this weekend working on her package and it is leaving PA tomorrow. I'll post again when she gets the package, and explain a little about what I did. I highly recommend her blog, here.
Pictures of knitting and the wheel spun yarn next time!
Now, bring it on Monday! Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend!

Back At It and Project Introduction

This is not my first time blogging. I had a Diary-X back in high school, when many of my friends did as well. Unfortunately, Diary-X had a massive server crash and all blog entries were lost, for all users. For me, at least, this was not a tragedy, the writing that was lost was not worth saving. My high school years are best left as memories. It was not my defining moment, that’s for sure.

So that means, technically, I’m back!

First things first, about me, short form:
-I live near Pittsburgh and work for Alcoa, at their R&D center.
-I am a materials engineer by education, but a metallurgical engineer by profession.
-I have a dachshund, Teagan. She’s three and loves me unconditionally. She’s my buddy.
-I knit. A lot. And I’m quickly becoming a fiber snob. Spinning is next on the list, starting this weekend!
-I am a runner, sometimes. Right now, I am not, but starting soon!

Above is Teagan The Dog, AKA Noodle, Bug, Bugger, Buddy, Girly, Pretty Girl, and mostly just 'T'

What I’m knitting right now, PROJECT INTODUCTION!:
-Kingdom gloves, for my Grams birthday, out of Cascade Heritage Sock Paints. I have one glove knit, with just ends to weave in, and blocking to do.
-Austin Hoodie, using Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, in Luster. I’m working on the first sleeve, but I have the body knit. It will also need a hood, but I’m not sure I have enough yarn. This has been on needles since last August. I’m not sure what will become of it.
-Jeweled Cowl with alpaca lace and matte red seed beads. I think I’m about halfway through this, but my plan is to knit until the skein of yarn I’m using is gone. I really like how this is coming.
-Bridgewater, pattern by Jared Flood, also in alpaca lace. This has been a long term project that I started over a year ago. I still like what I’m making, and I’m ok with the slow progress, it is 2000 yards of lace knitting, after all.
-A simple pair of mittens. The yarn is my own handspun, which I made with a spindle. The yarn is a little tightly spun and somewhat rough right now, but I hope that means I’ll have hard wearing mittens. The fiber was from High Prairie Farms, run by Abi in Iowa. My favorite is the Day’s End roving, which is all the little pieces from other roving carded together, so pretty with punches of color surrounded by neutrals. I still have about a third of the roving to spin and soak/wet block straight.

And this weekend I’m taking a spinning class to learn how to use a wheel. I’m pretty much ready to jump in with both feet (no treadle puns intended) and purchase a wheel. I also have a small orject of a different craft to work on for my knitting/fiber pen pal, our first packages need to be shipped by the end of May! Next weekend I’m headed to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. Where fiber geeks will unite for a full weekend of spinning and felting and knitting!

Lastly, if I make it to Sunday, I will have gone a full month without buying any yarn. And I fully plan on restocking on fiber next weekend. So very excited. I promised myself a pair of Signature Needles if I made it the full month, but I might just by fiber instead.

Pictures for the next post, this was a little wordy, I know…