And then there was yarn!

This week I bring you finished yarns! Yes, YARNSSSSSSS!

First, I set the twist on the Love Bones colorway yarn from Poppy Flower Fibers.

Content: domestic wool - 4 oz.
Yards: 103
Ply: 2 ply
WPI: 10

I am pretty proud of this yarn. it was spun during the Tour de Fleece and is mostly even and plyed very evenly as well! It is going to be a hat for me I think!

Now, from SAFF, we have Water Boy (so named because it reminds me of blue/green water and it was spun to make something for Tattoo Boyfriend.

Roving: Windy Acres Fiber Farm, bought at SAFF. Border Liester, 3.7 oz (they claimed 4 for the record). The dye is not terribly set on this - I rinsed it 4 or 5 times last night and it was still running. I think I will have to probably use vinegar. GAH!
Yards: 281 (HOLY CRAP!!! WEEEE!)
Ply: 2 ply
WPI: 20

This is the most consistent yarn I have ever spun and it is the thinnest yarn I have ever spun. Really that 15 mins a day for a month REALLY improved my spinning. So if you want to know what will help your spinning...well, more spinning is the only thing that will do it.

Stop playing with yarn and start petting me!!!

I totally called that

I knew it. I need just a LEEEEEEEETLE bit more of this yarn to finish the duster. If I had done the collar first, I would be fine as my skirt is a little longer than called for even though I did the number of required repeats. I could have done 2 fewer and been happy with it.

Luckily I have a line on more yarn. I guess this means it will be on WIP Wednesday AND I will have to work on something else in the meantime (oh the HORROR!!!) although I have been VERY good with working on just one thing at a time.

*surveys WIPs for what to work on now*

Space bags, space bags, itty bitty space ba

Have you ever thought that you needed more room to store yarn? Well, with the upcoming move, I new that hauling all my yarn out to KC was going to be a challenge, but I am of course up to it. I had my roving in on rubbermaid. Sock yarn in another. Yarn remainders in another. Novelty-ish yarn in yet another and worsted weight wools in the final one. Yeah. That is a lot of bins. That doesn't count the GIANT one upstairs that hasn't been gone through. Just downstairs in those bins I have over 42000 yards of yarn and a couple pounds of roving. I am understating the amounts out of embarrassment.

A few weeks ago I hit up Bed Bath and Beyond and picked up a box of assorted space bag sizes. I did not realize how big the damn extra-large space bag was.

That bag comes up to my waist. Seriously. And in that bag I got all of my roving, handspun and sock yarn. It is heavy.

Those would be my stairs. It is stuffed full.

Want to know what it looks like AFTER the sucking out of the air???? Well...

Holy cow!

Yeah. I think all of my yarn will be moved in space bags. *heads off to buy more*

Last up...its the yarn that Kathy won! I finally got around to posting a pic of it. YAY ME!

Enable Enable Enable

I wasn't planning to blog today, but since Cristi outed me as her enabler, well, I have decided to share that power!

First, you must take a look at the Mystery Stole 3 inspired Swan Shawl Pin by Romi. It is BEAUTIFUL and if the bank every gives me my money back I will be snapping one up! ETA: The bank gave me my money today!!!! I now have one of these beautiful swan shawl pins preordered. You know you want one!!!!

Next - The Loopy Ewe (my favorite enabling site) had a Sneak Up last night. Now in the shop ... Lime N Violet Sasquatch Sock. This is the first LnV offering at TLE and it is almost gone. Here, we have some LnV Sasquatch from my personal stash (so these colors weren't offered) in The Cloak Maker (top), Atropine (bottom front) and Prozac! They are all pretty!

Also at TLE is Fiesta Boomerang. Holy shit. This yarn in seriously SMOOSHY!!! I can't wait to knit this up.

Eva had a little snuggle time with some Fiesta Boomerang in Stargazer. If you look to the left, you can see that there is some blue and yellow in this skein as well. Its 100% Extrafine Superwash Merino in a DK weight (so your socks will knit up fast!!!) and has a whopping 320 yards, so more than enough for a nice pair of squishy socks. Soon, TLE will be carrying the Fiesta Boomerang Baby (I think is what it is called) which is the fingering weight of this seriously AMAZING yarn! This yarn may be my favorite thing right now.

Well, other than Rozz, who was nice enough to show off this skein of the new Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome (available at an introductory price at TLE). This is The Gypsy Rose colorway and I love it. The content of the new yarn is 80% superwash merino, 20% nylon. I can't wait to have this on my feet!!! Last, but certainly not least is the Dream in Color Smooshy! (out of stock currently, but there will be more soon!!!) This is the Cool Fire colorway, which oddly enough, Wendy Knits recently knit up - I already had mine when she was working on hers. I tell you it was meant to be! 450 yards of handpainted superfine Australian Merino. Holy Moly!
Even Rozz is impressed with the yarn...he was sniffing it...that's my boy!!!
The Loopy Ewe offers free shipping over $75. So if you need a little something to put you over the top and you don't want more yarn *gasp* pick up a Honey House Bee Bar. These bars are a wonderful gift to yourself...or someone else if you are nice. The Scented bar smells of honey and beeswax. Its yummy!!! I haven't tried the Lavender bar *eyes longingly*

I guess that is enough for the day. Despite my splitting headache and desire to just go back to bed, here I am bringing you the things I love best right now.

Great minds and such...

I had been planning to blog about the Charlotte Yarn Swap and Sell from this Saturday all week and decided that today was the day. Imagine my surprise when reading bloglines and Cristi beat me to it!! Well, I am doing it anyway because while I have a FO to share, I don't have the pics loaded yet because this was the planned post for the day.
Because she beat me to it, right there is Cristi selling her yarn! What she didn't sell, she donated to charity!
And here is Autumn buying some of Cristi's yarn. I met her tonight for a little knitting fun and tea talk and she is already knitting up what she bought this weekend into a cute wrap to wear to her brothers wedding in 2 weeks. Or maybe she is buying Heather's yarn here. Not sure. But she was buying yarn!

But where is my table? Well, I have to be honest - I didn't take any yarn to swap or sell. Instead I took a large trash bag and 2 grocery bags full of yarn to donate to charity and let them go to better use. I took 3 passes through my stash and a real look at what I would really have time to knit before I die. I have a lot of yarn.

Oh - I mentioned a FO. Guess you will have to wait until tomorrow to see that.

another one on the needles...

I have had the project itch. So last night I CO the Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket in Wendy Velvet Touch. It is a fun pink, yellow, green and white mix. I am now a 1/4 of the way through it. I like it, though it is a bit mindless. Which is probably what I like about it right now.

Christi and I bought the pattern at the same time with the intention of knitting them at the same time, but she is done now I think and I am just starting. I am behind. It happens.

Oh - and I joined the Mystery Stole 3 KAL on yahoo. yep. I need a mental evaluation. I ordered the Lane Borgesia Cashwool in black from The Loopy Ewe for this. I am really looking forward to this. Yes, I know I claimed I was going on a yarn diet, but I am a liar when it comes to yarn, so you should all get used to that. I would rather be honest than sneak yarn in. Plus, the boy doesn't care if I buy more yarn. Hell, he encourages my yarn habit.

Episode 6: I have a concussion from falling off the yarn diet wagon

Yeah. I bought a lot of stuff. Not much of it was yarn, but that isn't the point. It makes for a fun time of talking about all the stuff I am working on.

Yarn bought:
LimenViolet - The Cloak Maker (more this week, but I will talk about it next time
OnLine Yarns - Tondo in Mulberry ( I didn't buy it here, but it was the only place I found it with the colorway listed - woohoo)
Brown Sheep Wildefoote - Soft Jazz, Forget Me Not, Columbine
Opal Rainforest - Doktorfisch

Etsy Finds:
Poppy Flower Fibers - 20% off for all fairieknits listeners now through June 15. I got Superfreak 3 and Royal Flush
Cherry Blossom Fibers - Purple, Violet lilac, pink
macekdesigns - You have angered cthulhu, Cthulhu's Wrath
Purple Flower Designs - I have a Pink Diamond Tote

Books:
Knitting Rules!: The Yarn Harlot's Bag of Knitting Tricks
Cables Untangled: An Exploration of Cable Knitting (Review to come in future episode)
Sensational Knitted Socks (a short review of this in this episode)
No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights (Review to come in future episode)
The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches
Domiknitrix: Whip Your Knitting into Shape (Reviewed in this episode - YAY!!!)
Simply Knitting Magazine
Ashford Learn to Spin booklet

Interesting other stuff:
Lantern Moon Basket - mine is in the pink and green fabric - I LOVE IT!!!
Addi Turbos in 32" size 3

Spinning Update -
I bought a Lendrum!!! (the folding wheel)
Spinning class at The Yarn Shop by Rainy Day Creations was GREAT. They have a couple more this summer.

WIP
Candleflame Shawl - Elsebeth Levold Silky Wool
Lacey Lamb Shawl - Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb
Pinwheel Sweater in elann.com highland peruvian wool
Jaywalkers in LnV sock yarn

FOs
Carie Cardigan in OnLine Tondo from Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter
Women's Lace Edge Hat from headhuggers.org
Preemie Jester Hat in Debbie Bliss merino DK from Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time (it looks like this is $3.99 at amazon.com right now!!!)
3 more eyelash scarves for the Mary Read Memorial KAL


DIYs Knitting Gritty - I learn something new even when I don't like the projects. Its worth watching.

Yarn Shop Review
TheNeedleTree - Greenville, SC

Crafting for a Cause Update
End of May - shooting for 500 - we are at 520!!!!!! I am continually impressed by the crafting community and its kindness! Thank you all for your generous donations to so many charities!
Hit the LJ Spotlight!!!
Mention on missmalaprop.com
Steve from Webs suggests The Leader for your charity projects! Its $2.29 for 220 yards - 100% SOFT acrylic (he promises)

I might do a mini-epi on Monday with Olivia, but otherwise, no new episode for 2 weeks - the boy will be here next weekend!!!

more stuff...

I bought yarn. I am weak. But it is PRETTY and I can't wait until it gets here. Today I also picked up the newest Simply Knitting magazine. Yeah, I hope to have a lot to say in the next podcast because I also bought a couple new books this time around.

The yarn diet is only because of the move. The Boy, however, told me to buy whatever I want. He doesn't care if we have to move it. YAY!!!

Episode 4: I'm a Yarnophile is up!!

Yes, I am a yarnophile. This week I talk about all the yarn the yarn fairie was nice enough to bring me this week. And it was a lot. No really, it was a lot.

Webs Anniversary Sale is still going on. From them I got some Cascade Cloud 9 and Cascade 220.

I got some beautiful sock yarn from Its a Colorful Life on Etsy. I am in love.
My Hill Country Sock Pattern contest yarn came! Instant gratification in Hot Fuscia. Details on the contest and a link to order the yarn are on the blog.
I bought some EL Silky Wool.
And Olivia sent me some Knitch Handpainted sock yarn and a cool t-shirt!!!

FOs
Two Toned Ribbed Shrug from Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel
Some Warm Up America Squares
A Scarf for the Mary Read Memorial KAL.
Fetching in Artyarns Cashmere 5.
Clementine Shawlette from Spring 2007 Interweave Knits in Blue Sky Alpaca Silk Plum.

WIPs
Eyelash scarf for the Mary Read Memorial KAL.
Pinwheel sweater for Danielle.
Lacey Lamb Scarf in Jade Sapphire's Lacy Lamb in a seafoam green. I just hunted the website and there is no info on this yarn or pattern. *sigh* its a lace weight - I don't have the ball band here sorry.
Candle Flame Shawl in EL Silky Wool.

Charity Knitting opportunities
The Mary Read Memorial KAL. See the links above.
Prayer Shawls for VT families - contact me if you want to send one and I will get you the info.
Warm Up America Square Drive continues at Crafting for a Cause.

I joined the Bellocq Stockings KAL. holy crap there are some great and inspiring pics over there!!!
Rainy Day Creations is having a spinning class in May.
Lime n Violet updated their etsy shop Friday, but sad for you, it is all gone now. Listen to their podcast!!!

Episode 3: OMG I need HELP!!!

So here are the show notes I promised. We shall see if I remember everything. Luckily I have notes however they are not in the order that I really talked in. Sorry about that. And I just heard there are some sound issues. See what happens when I change mics to one that is supposed to be better and to a room that I think has less ambient noise???? *sigh* I could hear just fine when I replayed. Sorry. I suck. I will do better. Next time we will move back to the office and the other mic.

I went out to LA this week and was lucky enough to visit Unwind. Great shop and you can shop online. I bought yarn. I took Capnbob to the yarn shop with me along with some other friends. He loved the yarn. No really, he did.

Books:
I said I would review Knitting Heaven and Earth: Healing the Heart with Craft this show - but I haven't finished it. SORRY!
Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby makes me VERY happy and it has Victorian Ruby (my illfated 3rd project EVER) in it - maybe I will finish it now. I really love this book. The photography is BEAUTIFUL. And there is a great section in the back about reading charts and stuff if you aren't the chart reading type but want to learn.

I taught my friend Danielle to knit while I was in LA. Turning the world tot he dark side of yarn one addict at a time.

Other Stuff:
Hill Country Yarns is having a sock design contest. If you love knitting socks - well - head on over there and throw your hat in the ring ... er...sock. $15 enters you and gets you a skein of yarn in your choice of color (they choose the weight).

The Knitoff is over for me - but still going! Congrats to the ladies who made it to the semi-finals.

WIPs:
Monkey socks in TOFUtsies
Fitted Knits: 25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter Two-toned Ribbed Shrug in Cascade 220 (9477) and Cascade Quattro (9436)

Community Stuff:
Crafting for a Cause is up and running. We are really moving over there and we are getting a couple yarn shops to help us collect Warm Up America squares for our drive. Lots of information coming over there about it.

YARN!!!!
Oh yeah - I bought some yarn. If someone can please direct me to a 12 step program for yarn addicts, my budget would be very happy.
Midnight Sky Fibers - Caravan Monthly Yarn Club and Magic dragon box which I refered to as the Mystery surprise magic box or some such silliness.
Blue Sky Alpaca Silk in plum to knit the IK Spring 07 Clemintine Shawlette (the pics in the mag do it NO justice). It is sqooshy and makes me smile.
Artyarns Cashmere 5 ply in 130 Petal Pink Chocolate - It feels like heaven and looks like neopolitan ice cream. Enough said.
Louet Gems in black for Stitch Diva's Bellocq Stocking Collection - holy crap I was expecting good - I wasn't expecting that freaking good. And the mega plus is that The Loopy Ewe shipped it the next day!!! I love The Loopy Ewe!!

A quick shoutout to BOBBAY!!!!

I think that is just about all of it from this epi. Seriously, I need a prorgram for yarn addicts.

There and back again!

I have returned from LA where I took a trip to Unwind in burbank. I really enjoyed my trip in and I bought way too much yarn (but all for projects I already decided on). I will talk about the shop and the yarn in the next podcast!