Finally, MONKEYS!

I know, I've been promising and promising!  But here they are.  They still need the toes grafted, I'll do that tonight, and put up more pics after.... modeled even?  but now, without further ado...

The Pair


A leg


The Toe to be Grafted



The only note I'll make for this pattern is that it is most definitely NOT written for 2-at-a-time.  Cookie A. writes grewat patterns, but she is very obviously a DPN sock knitter, and the pattern did not translate easily to magic looping 2 at once.  That having been said, I love the pattern. 

Oh, and I should also note that the leg is very snug for me.  as in, I can barely get it on over my heel... but I can, just, and I love the look, so it will survive.  With wear, I hope it will go on a little easier, but really, I'd rather a snug sock than a loose one.






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Yarn Everyday Challenge

On one of my message boards, I am participating in a "yarn everyday for 30 days" challenge. Every day, I am spinning, dyeing, or prepping fiber to spin, for a minimum of 20 minutes. Then posting pictures in the forum. Its a fun challenge, and has several hidden benefits, which can be reaped by both me and by my customers.

Benefit 1, more yarn and fiber available to be bought. That is always a good thing.

Benefit 2, My skill level increases with steady and regular practice. This is true of any fiber artists, at any level. The more you do, the better you do it.

Benefit 3, its super fun, and means I am taking more photos of my work.

With that in mind, some pics of the previous days' works?

April 1st- Merino Fiber, spun at about a 36 wpi

April 2nd- Lots of dyeing happened... about 22 ounces. Plus spun more of the merino

April 3rd- More merino

April 4th- Plying



April 5th- spun silk at 40wpi and plied to some 40 wpi alpaca -




I probably won't post a pic everyday here on the blog, but I'll update every few days anyway. Hope you enjoyed the pics!

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Lace! and a matching set.

I'm making it, yes I am... wanna see?

Isn't it pretty?

And here is the matched set, my new purse with the matching Wallet:

Please ignore the scrappy mess on my floor. It gets that way when I am crafting... I just throw things over the side of the desk as I work... I really need a new trash can for that space...

What I'm working on...

Kind of. Alright, so its one thing I AM working on, and one thing I just finished.

So, what I am working on, aside from my socks, and a million other projects, this is my newest project:

Yes, Its just yarn atm. I cast on, but with a 3 stitch cast on, it doesn't look like much. this is the yarn for my Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl. it is very fine, and I think maybe I am crazy, xause even for lace, this is LACE. it is as fine as my very finest handspun, only I can't seem tom make handspun in this qualntity in this fineness... I get bored way too fast. hence buying the yarn this time. Plus it was on sale.

And the project I finished, My Jenny Bag. I love this pattern. and best yet, the designer is a friend from one of my message boards. Can't beat supporting your friends and getting something cool too.



Ok, so the fabric is very bright. But it matches my Mei Tei, and I really love it right now. I know, I'll probably get tired of the print eventually, but that's the great thing about making things... you can always make another! I also made a matching wallet, from another of the same designer's patterns, and am debating making the sunglass case that comes with this pattern. I have the leftover fabric, and I might. I also added ties to the purse so that I can close it. it is reversable, by the way, so if I want somethign a little less loud, I can also have a plain black purse at the spur of the moment. cool, huh?

Too many Crafties!

So really, I should be finishing things up here, right? I should definitely NOT be starting new projects.

But What do I do... I go ahead and start new projects.

Today, I cast on for the Blue Jeans Lace Leaf Shawl. I have not finished my basket, and I have lots of yarn to spin. I need to dye more fiber in the next few weeks, I'd like to have a whole bunch of nice variety done up to stock in my next stocking on the Indie Dyers Coop.

And, I just got my Batts that I bought from Berritt of The Good Sheep, who is another member of the Coop. (I really have to say, they look just Yum! She called them Pink Chocolate and they look good enough to eat!)

Oh, and did I mention, that my new LADYBUG spinning wheel is en route? well, it is en route to my dealer, and from there it will come to me, but really... yay!!!

Plus then there is a little matter of a spinning swap I am participating in. My partner (the sender) will send fiber to me (the spinner) to spin up. half the fiber goes back to her as yarn, the rest is for me to keep. My impression is that most people will be doing 4-8 ounce batches. My partner and I agreed to do 12-16 ounces for each of us (because really, what spinner can turn down more Fiber??) its more craftiness for me to do, but fun fun...

Oh, and My monkey socks... they have progress, but they are still not done. that will take time. And sadly for them, they are not the highest priority right now. Then again, neither is my lace shawl, and I was silly enough to cast that on...

Oh well... the nice part about the shawl (aside from how pretty it is) is that the cast on is 3 stitches. I only have about 7 rows in, with 11 or so stitches at this point. yeah, I know, not much of a cast on. but, I only got a few minutes to spend on it. And, it took almost an hour just to wind the yarn into a ball!

Ok, I have my crafty projects lined up... now lets see how I do.

Monkey Socks!

I have to say I am very proud of how these socks are turning out. It is Monkey by Cookie A., and I love them. See for yourself.




These are the first socks I have knit since my lonely sock fiasco 2 years ago. (the poor sock still sits alone) This time, I am doing 2 at a time. Loving it!