Handspun Footies

I am just tickled with the outcome of my first knitting efforts from my very own hand spun yarn. In case you all forgot, I dyed the pink and turquoise fiber in these socks myself.

If interested you can look back to past posts to see the progression of these socks.

I was a bit worried about how nicely it would knit because it was most definitely a thick and thin yarn. But it knitted nicely, and it all evened out, just as my guild friends told me it would.

Yarn Barf Surprise

Recently I have mentioned a purchase of Lang Jawoll Sport weight yarn I ordered a few weeks back, well yesterday I chose it from my stash and I began a new pair of socks with it.

Anyway, shortly after I purchased the yarn I was fiddling with the ball and attempting to find the end of the center pull ball. Whenever I have tried to pull the center out of the middle of sock yarn I get a big wad of YARN BARF ; ) But along with the yarn barf, this time I got a surprise! A nice little spool of reinforcing fiber. I was so tickled to find it, just like finding the little prize in a box of Cracker Jack. I had heard about these little surprise spools, but had never experienced it before, and I didn't even know this was one of the brands that contained the extra spool. So when I felt something hard in the middle of the ball and pulled it out, a little smile immediately emerged onto my face. I am still excited about it, but wonder how difficult it will be to hold along with the regular yarn, It seems quite fine.

I am a bit ahead of schedule, but here is my contribution for Yarn PrOn Friday.

DD Sock remake

Well I am just a sock making machine! I finished a second pair of socks for DD. I had made her a pair for Christmas and experimented with a different kind of heel (Band Heel) and it was not a nice heel at all. So because they were uncomfortable for her to wear, I have made another. Each of the kids had chosen their own yarn for their socks, so I opted to use up the little bit of leftover from the original socks, along with a complimenting solid color. I really like how they came out. I hope she likes them too, Or maybe I don't, because if she doesn't, I will have to wear them ; ) I am wearing the original pair, even though the heel is a bit uncomfy. I certainly can't let a good pair of socks go to waste.

I have already cast on a new pair for myself, with a fun sport weight yarn.

Pictures of that at a later date.

Big News

Well first off, let me announce that I have recently quit my daycare job of 17 years. WOW what a change in my life. My kids are mostly grown and getting their own jobs so it is time for me to spread my wings and do something I will really enjoy. I have taken a job at Hobby Lobby!

I am so very excited, I can't tell you. My wonderful guild lady friends are already suggesting that I will need to get the yarn department stocked up with better fun yarns. This may not be beyond possibility, as I have been assigned to the yarn and fabric department to start out ; ) How fun to be able to play with yarn all day! I know, I know, straightening shelves is not quite the same as knitting, but hey, I will gladly make the sacrifice ; ) I will get purchase discounts and the benefits are wonderful too boot.

OK now for prOn Friday. I have been so stressed this week with anticipation and having to give notice to my parents, that I just have some finished socks to share. See more stitch definition by clicking to enlarge the image.

Fibery Friday

Well it was a hard choice today. I am struggling with a few knitting projects and will likely be ripping back a sock project that I started with my own handspun. BOO HOO I think the yarn is telling me it wants to be fingerless gloves ; )

Anyway, I thought I would just grab a few balls of Debbie Bliss from my stash, I will be using it soon, for a couple upcoming hat projects. Our guild has a yearly challenge and this year we are making chemo hats. Not just ordinary beanies, but something special. I have a few nice patterns picked out and these 2 wonderful cotton blends that will be ultra soft and special to a bald head ; )

The pink is a Cotton/Cashmere blend and the lavender is a Cotton/Angora blend.

Blizzard's and the Burning Bush

It was a blizzardy weekend last week and I was able to spin this whole bobbin on my retreat. This weekend it is another very snowy one here in MN, so to warm things up a bit, I present a bobbin full of "Burning Bush". I received this fiber from my cousin for Christmas. It was a Wool Top pencil roving with a very long staple, took me a bit to get used to it but it spun up quite nicely. I hope to make a scarf and hat set with it. Still not sure how I will ply it. I am now thinking perhaps of adding the black silk blend fiber from a few posts back. The second picture was taken outside, hence the little white flecks of snow. I think picture one is a more accurate color.


Burning Bush