Cambridge

So, I made it here quite safely and uneventful. The weather thankfully cleared up before my flight took off. I had several hours at the airport yesterday and actually cast on my Danish Tie Shawl, but more on that later.

Today Julie and I haded off to Cambridge and went to a new favorite tea shop of hers - teazonline. I can see why it’s a favorite as I picked up a delightful selection of teas there to try.

After that we headed over to Mind’s Eye Yarns, which is just a few blocks away. I refrained from any purchases, since the sheep and wool is really just around the corner now. It’s been hard to resist.

Finally we stopped for a later lunch at Summer Shack and I had a delicious lobster roll, because you know if you’re in New England, you have to have lobsta. (lol)

Tomorrow we’re off to do some touristy things in Salem.

Packing

So I’m packing up my knitting bag for tomorrow trying to decide what projects I should be taking. DH has to go to work early tomorrow, so I have to catch the early bus, which is just fine as the weather looks like it may be ugly. I just hope the storms hold off until I get on my way. I already sent my wheel and clothes last week, so I don’t have to worry about that… did I mention I’m the world’s worse traveler?

I did finish the slippers.

I had a question about what I was using on the backs to make them non-slippery. It’s Saf-T-Bak, rug backing that is available at craft stores. I found it at Michaels in the rug hooking section. It’s extremely easy to apply with a little sponge brush. I used a newspaper to lay them out on and also put on an a pair of gloves, as I always manage to get some on myself. Anyway, two coats and you should be good. Let them dry 24 hours between. You also can wash them after they cure in 2 weeks.

I also finished the tea towels.

And finally along with those the dishcloths went into her package with these lovely goodies. My Mom is a total coffee fanatic, so she will love these.

Well wish me luck that I have a safe an uneventful trip tomorrow. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Busy Days

This weekend started off with a busy and stayed that way the whole time. First off Sears was having a sale and we really needed a new grill. Ours was just on it’s last legs after several moves and seasons. When I can push the button and it doesn’t light the first time, makes me nervous, so it was time.

Then I got down to embroidering the slippers and then putting backing on. I have to do a second coat today.

Finally, I got onto embroidering some tea towels for Mom’s gift. I got one done and have two butterflies left to go. I feel like I’m stitching at the speed of light.

Maybe things just feel like they’re moving fast, because I’m leaving on Wednesday to head up to see Julie and the gang and go to the NH sheep and wool. Yeah! A little vacation is always nice.

New Bags

My mother the prolific bag sewer made these for me and I had forgotten to put them on the blog. Shame on me I know.

This one was her favorite as it has pockets all the way around and inside too. I can see it quickly becoming my favorite as well.

This one is just too cute for words.

This one is for when I need a massive project bag.

Just for my friend Beverly today, a little Saturday Sky. She said she missed my Saturday Sky pics.

H is for House Slippers

I decided two days ago that I wanted to make some slippers for my Mom out of stash yarn for Mother’s day. The gray and green is handspun from a sweater I did for her last year. The yellow is from my PWool sweater. These knit up so quick that I didn’t have enough time to take a progress shot. They were just done.

After two trips through the washer, they are now busily drying.

I didn’t realize they were Green Bay packer colors until DH pointed that out. I thought they reminded me of a garden and I think they need smidgen of embroidery once they dry.

The pattern is from Knit 2 Together, which I got with a coupon after I loved several of their patterns while browsing it at JoAnn Fabrics.  Normally celebrity knitting books never even make my list, but trust me, there were some cute patterns in this one.  I think I need to knit a pair of these slippers for myself.

Meet the Browns

So we met the blues and now it’s the browns.

I like this one and think it would be totally acceptable. It’s just a basic Romney.

I also did this Corriedale, but it’s so bumpy and lumpy.

I carded it up, but it seems just to come off in blobs when I’m spinning. Although, I could see that it could possibly give some interesting texture next to the very smooth in the shawl. I know the dark color would give some needed depth and a spot to rest the eye.

I have found it’s hard to judge a yarn in skein form. Sometimes you only know by knitting a sample. Onto the sampling…

Dishcloths

So these are the first dishcloths I’ve ever done.  No really.  Ever.  I don’t know why I haven’t done them before, as they are a super quick knit.  I did one in each sitting.  Size 7 needle, with Knitpicks Shine Worsted, the Ballband Dishcloth pattern, which is free and can be found here.

I’m creating a little package for Mom and these are going in as one of the items.

We’re having a bit of Internet connectivity problem right now, so I’m up and down.  Hopefully to be fixed soon.

Meet the Blues

So I finished spinning all the blues and then got sidetracked - Mother’s Day Knitting.  I have to sort through my stash today and look for some browns to go with these for the Danish Tie Shawl.

Here’s a close-up of the latests.

Adding To The Mountain

So if you buy stuff to mix in with other stuff, does that really count as stash enhancement? Probably. I would assume if the total content goes up then yes, you have had a stash enhancement exercise or the letters, which I won’t list out. Really, don’t need spam.

So while I have been drooling over a fine fleece, I decided I really need some nylon to mix in with my rovings. Did you see those cormo/nylon blended socks? <singingly> Sign me up, sign me up. Anyway… I realized that there was a hole in my mountainous stash and it was nylon. I have mohair sure, nature’s nylon, but nylon… hmmm… this synthetic thing is a whole new ball of wax. Well, well… a hole must be plugged. Going to give a pound a go and see what happens. At a 20% ratio that should blend up to 5 pounds. Check. Did I mention you get a discount on quantity?

Also, went by the lovely new wool mill today…which, brace yourself, is on my way to work. Yes… on my way there and on my way home. Twice a day one mile over up the road there it is and it is wonderful. A lovely building, a little shop for wears, and lovely, lovely equipment. We looked at samples and I dropped off that Coopworth fleece I bought on Saturday. I’m currently working on the Shetland.

She had some little sampler bags of alpaca roving… I dove in. Now be kind… it’s only 4 ounces. What’s 4 ounces, really? Not that much and it was a very good price. It’s the bits at the end and begs to be spun very fine when I did my test… but I’ve been itching to do some kitchen sink batts and may add a bit of this stuff in. I thought I might use it for the Danish Tie Shawl. I have all the blues spun - about a pound worth, but I’m going to opt out of the alpaca top - will pill badly according to my last item made with it, if I remember correctly, and will sub in something roving wise. I’m thinking one light and one dark brown. It needs a bit of balance to tone the blues I think… and I like to use odd numbers. My mother, the florist, always says use odd numbers in arrangements, it’s more pleasing to the eye.

Technically Not A Mishap

Technically this is not a mishap in my book, but we’re going to categorize it as one for today. Poor DH, he’s been after me for eons to knit this basic raglan top down sweater. Well, I spun the yarn… lots of yarn. A beautiful light gray Corriedale. It’s gorgeous and soft. At least to me it’s super soft. This is from a fine sheep from a super fine establishment that always sells out of fleeces. I was actually thinking of getting another one as it’s been fun to spin.

Well wouldn’t you know it too itchy for him - poor thing. He can’t help his sensitive skin. At least I found out in the collar. We tested cormo on him - too itchy. Say it ain’t so… he’s so, so sensitive on especially in the neck area,  he’s telling me it has to be cashmerino, which is fine, but there is a boat load of wool in the basement destined to be sweaters. Oh well. Right? Cheer me up folks.