Birdbath Blues

Sorry for the late post this week, work got the best of me. I have been tinkering about trying to teach myself how to knit, left handed, or Continental . I can now say I am feeling pretty darn comfortable with it. When I first started, I was ready to give up. It is tough to learn a beloved hobby in a different way than what you are comfortable with. I love knitting and when I first attempted knitting with my left hand, I was hating it and thought "PHOOEY!". Our guild is offering a mini class on colorwork, done with a different color in both hands of coarse, so I was determined to keep trying. I started a bag (that I will felt) today with these 2 special yarns. I will knit the whole thing using the Continental method. The lighter yarn is my very first skein of handspun yarn. Yippee, I have been wanting to make something with it. By felting the bag, I will hide the imperfections of my first handspun, and also the uneven tension of my left handed knitting ; ) Anyway the second grey blue skein is one I hand-dyed using a natural indigo plant dyebath. It was done last fall and was my first dying experience, led by my wonderful local guild members. I am holding the two colors together as I knit. I think it will make a nice bag. I plan to add some stripes along the way. Not sure what they will be as of yet.

Took a little Spin

Well last Saturday I felt the urge to spin, so I set up on the deck at about 11 a.m. and I spent 3 hours out there spinning away the day. It was so nice, I also set up my Ipod music system and caught up on some knitting podcasts to boot. I finished a full bobbin of some pretty creepy fiber. Well it had been even creepier yet, but a guild friend helped me add to it with her drum carder so it is at least a bit fun to spin. The fiber was a gift from my mother for Christmas last year so I must spin it. Not sure what I will make with it, as I think there will be quite a bit. Perhaps a felted bag, as it definitely is not next to skin quality.

The color is nothing special either. I may ply it with a dark purple? Who knows.
Here is a peek of the singles on the bobbin.

Long Time no See!

Well I am back, and have missed posting my Friday Fiber PrOn. I am saddened to report that we had a funeral in our family. We were traveling back and forth for the few weekends before the end and I just couldn't take the time to post about fiber during that time. My father in law, whom I knitted the birthday socks for, passed away. As heartbreaking and difficult as it has been for the family, we realize what a blessing it is, that God has called him home. Cancer is a nasty beast and the fight is not an easy one. I am honored to report that even though he didn't get to wear his birthday socks here on earth, that he was buried in them and so will have them on permanently ; )

So on to some fibery goodness, or perhaps not so GOOD. This week I will share the progress I have made on my summer tank. I am knitting it from Bamboozle by Crystal Palace using their own pattern. http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/bamboozle-cable_shell.html
I am sorry to report that this yarn has not been a friendly one to work with. It is so easily snagged and I am afraid that the very first time I wear it, I will have loose threads pulled out everywhere. The yarn has 7 ply's and they are hardly even twisted together. Fiber content is 55% Bamboo, 24% Cotton and 21% Elastic. The yarn has a bit of a sheen and it was difficult to get some good quality pictures. I took about 10 shots and these are the best of the bunch. I tried flash and no flash, no flash seemed to work the best. I am not too happy with the way the fabric has a roll at the hemline, trying to figure out what I will do about that???? Any suggestions?

The tank in the pattern appears to have a slight roll, but nothing like mine. Perhaps it will block or wash out? Fingers crossed. I do not want to be disappointed in my first real wearable, but I have a feeling it is headed in that direction.