Charlotte-Metro Fiber Day

Today should have been called the Charlotte-Metro Fiber Day. I swear there was more going on today in the area then there has been going on in the last year COMBINED. And you know I attend everything I can. Cristi and I were only able to make 2 of the 4 events here in the area. What I didn't make was what sounded like a KICK ASS time at the Barnful of Quilts exhibit in Waxhaw. Or the etsy steet team event. But you don't want to hear about what I couldn't make, since well, I have nothing to say about it, I am just sad that I couldn't do it all.

What we did make it to was the Charlotte Folk Society 25th anniversay event at the Levine Museum of the New South where Tvini joined us for a few hours.

There was sqaure dancing.

and spinning.

Tvini spinning. Cristi ummmm...cussing I think.

and knitting.

We LOVE to knit and show our knitwear!

and a lot more that we didn't take pics of like live music and vendors and all sorts of neat stuff. Shut up, we didn't take pics cause we were in a hurry to get to the next event.

Then we hit Taco Bell for an exciting lunch of a crunchy taco (and some nachos) for me and a soft taco (and crunchwrap supreme) for Cristi. I had been craving crunchy for a couple days (no, I am in no way possibly preggers, so don't go getting all in a twitter over me craving crunchy - turns out I am just fat and crave food. get over it) and what better way to get crunchy then with Taco Bell? (And I swear there were people out to keep my from my crunchy taco!!! "honey, did she just yell 'crunchy taco' at us?" - "I think she did. I wonder what that means!")

After lunch, we rushed over to The Hut in Pineville where The Yarn Shop at Rainy Day Creations was having a Charity Convergence Event.

There were charities.

Project Linus and the Levine Childrens Hospital were there among many others.

There were prizes.

I didn't win the REALLY GORGEOUS Latern Moon bag. *grumps*

I bought a Kumihimo Disk. And then got attacked by a spider. I should have taken a pic of that damn spider, but I was afeared of it. I think it was the size of my ass (which is about the size of Texas - I have seen pics - why did you people let me get so fat???) and it was living in the yarn. And it ran at me. And I screamed like a little girl. Sue me, it was HUGE! Others came over and didn't see it at first as it had retreated into the yarn. Then they saw. Cristi said it was huge too. Though she didn't compare it to the size of my ass. Cristi bought another Lantern Moon Bag - and she was glad it wasn't in pink or I would have had to have it. The inside colors just aren't me. But I love it. Too bad it only comes in that shade combo...

So now I am at home. Procrastinting about 3 million things. Like a podcast. And laundry. And packing for my trip next week.

Yes, I realize there is no title. Blogger won't let me put one in. it should read:

Another Handspun Monday!! (to the tune of Pleasant Valley Sunday)



I joined the Tour de Fleece. This is what I have after Day 3 - This is the Gothic Princess colorway from the Distillery kids. This is a hot pink, black and gray wool and I love it. I will be taking pictures as I go with the Tour. I have big plans for the next couple weeks!!!



My thinking is that by spinning every day for 15 minutes (and that is actual spinning time, not including prep time) then I will get really good by the end of the month. OK - WAY BETTER than I am now.

Episode 8 - No clever title here!

FO:
Dream Swatch from Knit n Tonic - there are pics and talk about the pattern a couple posts back.
Lotus Blossom Socks for the Hill Country Yarns Sock Contest

Yarn: Hill Country Yarns Instant Gratification in Hot Fuscia
Yardage: Well, I haven't weighed my yarn to figure out how much I have left, but I have a lot.
I would tell you more, but then I think they have to kill me. And you. We shall see if I even place.

WIPs:
Pinwheel Sweater
Mystery Stole 3 (which has a crazy number of people!!!)
Tomato from No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights
There are some more, but I didn't work on them so shhhhh!

Spinning:

Finished the Gothic Queen Colorway and started Gothic Princess from the Distillery Kids - working on it for the Tour de Fleece!

Books Mentioned:

The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches

Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave - the plan is to review this next time. However, I reserve the right to buy something between now and the next show that I just HAVE to talk about.

Glamour Knits: 15 Sensuous Designs to Knit and Keep Forever (Erika Knight Collectibles)

Ahhh...Fun!

Cristi and I went on a yarn tour of Ashville, NC! I put up a full post about this trip last week if you want to back up there and read all about it.

Earthguild

Purl's Yarn Emporium

Yarn Paradise (it should be called Koigu HEAVEN!)

Book Review:

I got wordy on this one. Sorry. I LOVE this book!!

Charity Crafting:

Annie Modesitt's Red Carpet Convertible Pattern. You can download the pattern and/or make a donation.

Crafting for a Cause:

1287 items donated as of yesterday!

517 in July!

Square contest is going on through the 15th.

Upcoming Events:

Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival!

If I said "I must say" one more time I think I will have to die!

The best laid plans of mice and men...

I had such lofty goals for today.

1) Knit Chart B of Clue 1 of the Mystery Stole
2) Work on Candleflame.
3) Bloack Lacey Lamb
4) Finishing sleeve one of the pinwheel with the loop edge.
5) spin the last bit of the roving I am working with
6) work on the dream swatch
7) house cleaning
8) spend some time with the kitties.
9) Announce the winner of the midway point for the sqaures contest at Crafting for a Cause.


Here is what I have done.
1) knit 6 rows of chart B of Clue 1 of the mystery Stole. Yeah. When I got to row 6 and I decided to knit all the way back instead of purl all but the 2 end stitches I decided my head wasn't in the right place for lace knitting today.
2) Sleep. A lot. I went to bed at 11:30, slept in this morning and then took a nice afternoon nap after #1.
3) Spent time with the kitties. WOOHOO I got something on my list done.
4) Watched 5 episodes of Knitty Gritty. Want to know how many I have to go? Well, when I counted them on my DVR I stopped at 30. I am not rewatching ones I have already seen, but I will watch unseen ones even if I have no interest in the projects because I tend to learn something new every show.
5) Well, I had gone several days without a chocolate milkshake and I had to remedy that.
6) Got caught up on blogs.
7) Got the Crafting for a Cause midway winner for the Squares Contest announced. (Hey - that is something else from my list!!!!)
8) Got a couple repeats into the dreamswatch headwrap.

Now, the good thing is that it isn't quite 8pm and I have 3 hours to accomplish more. I am currently spending a few minutes with Eva curled up with me while I type this, thus accomplishing more kittie time. And maybe I will spin during The Next Food Network Star tonight. I really want to finish this last bit of roving so I can post it tomorrow. I will post it anyway, but I am really close to being done, although Wednesday is spinning night, so I can finish it then. hmmmm...I really want to go see Live Free or Die Hard. I hear there is a lot of blowing up of stuff. I like movies where there is a lot of blowing up of stuff. Not to mention I think Bruce Willis is HAWT!!! hmmmm...if I have to guess though I am going to say that I will be lazy the rest of the day as tomorrow looks to be crazy and zany at the office.

I think Wendy had a similar title recently. But I have to say that I say that any time I have a list of things to do and then accomplish not a damn one of them.

Handspun Monday

I did some serious spinning this weekend. I shall not show it all, because then if I have nothing next week...well, I will have something to show off then!! Here is approx. 170 yards of mostly worsted weight 2 ply wool dyed by the Distillery Kids in the Gelaro and Cream colorway.


It isn't perfect, but it is MINE!!!! I made it! On the pretty pretty Lendrum!

Went to Christi's to spin tonight. Had a great time. I hope to spin more. I am thinking about taking the wheel to the shop this weekend.

*looks around* No WIP Wednesday!!! Yeah - well, since I am recording this weekend I got lazy. There will be some pics on the podcast notes. Maybe. If I don't get lazy.

Off to play with the kittehs.

I WIN!!!

I had an AMAZING weekend with the boy and am now ready to move RIGHT NOW just so I can be with him more. I forget just how perfect he is for me when we are apart. For instance, at like 11:30 Friday night he said - get out your spinning wheel and show me how it works. Wha'??? OK!!! So I spun up some stuff. He asked questions like - does it not matter how thick the yarn is - I replied that eventually it will, but I am learning and it is getting better...and sure enough it was. Then in the middle of spinning he said, "so when are you taking a dyeing class?" Ummm...are you encouraging my madness??? Why yes, yes you are! I also worked on the pinwheel while watching the worst movie I have seen in a long time (shame, Eragon was a decent book) and he said it looked cool and that I am a good friend since it is a gift.

I showed him yarn and roving. He was appropriately impressed. He said things were cool, nice, soft, etc. He is learning. And he is perfect for me. He has also agreed to do all yarny photography for me as he is into photography and has a really super nice SONY SLR digital camera. When I asked him to do it, he said "Sure, that would be really cool." *squee*

So really, I win. I hear a lot of knitters say their SOs just don't get it/care. Mine thinks knitting is cool and loves when I knit for him. SCORE!

*drools*

My wheel arrived. There will be pictures, I promise. But first, I need to name her.

Also - because I didn't record this weekend, I haven't mentioned that the amazing Lisa at Poppy Flower Fibers is giving 20% off to all fairieknits listeners/readers through June 15. Just put "Lunatic" in the comments when you check out and wait to pay until after you receive an updated invoice from her. She has some totally bee-u-T-ful! stuff!! Merino, base yarn that is lamb's pride from brown sheep, BFL - and in vibrant colors that just pop! I can't wait to get my order from her!!!! Seriously, head over there and take a look at her stuff. She just updated today and I am sure there will be lots more coming!

They processed my order today. I think that means they are shipping my wheel today! *squee* that AND a possible visit from the boy AND roving delivered today and more on the way??? What more could a girl ask for?!?!?!?!?

*SQUEEEEE*

I just bought a Lendrum Spinning Wheel online.

*crosses fingers for fast delivery*

Will probably be at Charlotte Yarn tomorrow, even though I was there today - just so I can squee over spinning with turtlegirl76 and beg her to spin with me when my wheel comes.

Bad habits are hard to break

I am a self taught from books knitter. I have only taken one class and that was just last month. So in the 4.5 years I have been knitting, I have picked up things that others might consider bad habits. Those don't bother me. What does, however, get to me are the things that I learned plain wrong. The first time I ever knit anything with a slipped stitch, the pattern called for it to be slipped knitwise. So for all these year I have always slipped knitwise. Recently I learned that you should always slip purlwise unless you are instructed otherwise. But since I learned it the other way, I keep doing it WRONG WRONG WRONG! grrrrr. I keep fixing it and then I will do it right for a bit, then go back to doing it wrong.

Additionally, tonight I decided that I didn't really need to read that pattern. *sigh* I am knitting my first pair of jaywalkers and when I got to the heel flap I did a knit/purl instead of a S1K1/purl row. so it will be weird. I didn't realize that it was wrong until I was literally turning the heel, and I decided it would make mine different. Besides I am sure I will knit more than one pair of these since I am in love with the pattern. I finally understand what all the fuss is about. I guess I could take a picture of them in progress, but really, I am lazy.

Tomorrow I am taking a spinning class. woohoo.