I finished a 1920s cloche

Me modeling it… not the best picture in the world but you get the point that it is supposed to be long.

First the this is the Cocoon scarf, knit with Kidsilk Haze which is not one of my favorite yarns.

However, the finished project is very lovely as Madison agrees.  This is going to Mom.

She’s also getting this extra-warm EZ hat.  I have to admit I was tempted to try it out for warmth today while I snow-blowed the driveway.  I refrained, but it’s really nice and warm.  It’s double-sided, utilitarian, and lovely.  A 3-day knit.

Finally to get some Dogs on Thursday going around here.  Coco and Charlie seem to be cuddling.

First up I changed the colors to purple, white and black for the Wintergreen Gloves (free Rav Pattern).

These are coming along, but a little neglected at this point.

Another neglected project are my slugs.  I want to do two more and his one still needs lips and eyes… whoops.

I blocked it out and I’m glad now I didn’t make the slouchy.  This is just the regular.  I’ve thought about re-wetting it and getting down to a smaller size.  Alpaca does block out well.  Please excuse the crazy picture.  I took with with my computer camera.

Secondly I had nearly a whole ball left, so a pair of Fetching happened.  Lovely.  There is still about a 1/3 ball of this yarn left.  I think it will fester in the stash for a while.  The yarn is City Tweed by KnitPicks – the aran weight.

I always have various socks in progress.  Eventually I get them to the point I need to work on them during a block of uninterrupted time.  Here we have some of my own hand-dyed, 2-at-a-time on one long circular.

I’m decreasing the gusset now and will be going up the leg soon.

I used KnitPicks City Tweed HW in Dungarees.  I was a little worried that this yarn would be fuzzy, but it really is so soft and nice.  I think maybe with heavy wear, say with a favorite sweater, it might fuzz up a bit, but oh it would be so comfy and cozy, I probably wouldn’t mind having to de-fuzz it on occasion.  This yarn was a smidge heavier than that pattern called for so I knit the regular.  My original plan was to knit the slouchy.  I think one blocked it will be slouchy enough.  I used one ball and just a little of the second, but if you plan to do one of these with this yarn, make sure to get two balls.

I knit it using the magic loop technique with my KnitPicks Options.  I put a 40″ cable on it it worked perfect.  I have to tell you that I am going on 11 months since I’ve touched my Addi Turbo needles.  I just love the soft cable and the pointier tip.  When I put them side-by-side they don’t look much different, but my hands know the difference.

So yesterday I went to my first writer’s guild meeting.  I have a writing bug that is busy competing with my knitting bug. Anyway, it’s a local group that meets and I had a great time.  I joined up on the spot and am looking forward to meeting more people and going to the meetings.  I have to miss the next one since I’m going to Rhinebeck – I know poor thing – no need to feel bad for me.  However, I’ll be going to the November meeting and I can’t wait.  I’ll keep you posted if I ever write anything that get’s published.

It’s been cool and threatening rain all day around here.

Yesterday the knitting gals and I went to the Midwest Fiber Festival.  I had a new experience.  I came home with nothing.  I mean nada.  I don’t know what it was, but I just didn’t see anything new.  Since I didn’t need anything or see anything that really needed to come home with me, I just passed.  There were a lot of vendors there, but many of them were not fiber related.  Also, I’ve been thinking about it and I think maybe I’m not the intended market.  This has more of an art show feel to it.  I think I like the wool festivals better for the fleece shows.  I can’t wait for Rhinebeck.  I can smell the fleece already.

Also had a visit with Martini Knitter’s mom today and we headed out to see the new Harry Potter movie.  We had a great time and I really enjoyed the movie.

So last night I turned my head for one minute and the bunny must’ve popped out.  Coco spotted it and picked it up, which in turn caused it to do little bunny screaming.  Yes, bunnies can scream and I’ve heard it before when someone I know gently moved one out of her garden once.  Don’t worry – no bunny was harmed.

I went running out there cussing like a fool – the neighbors were out… and I’m sure well entertained.  Coco obviously was stunned and was just standing where she dropped her and was wagging her tail.  Both the little poodles wanted her to play.  Well I shooed them out and the bunny hopped away.  I checked on here – she’s very distinctive with the one white streak of fur down her forehead – and she is just fine.  No problems.  I saw her again today and she is still fine – no worries.

Anyway this picture was taken right after this bunny had an Oh Sh*t! moment.   Poor thing.

My friend Julie asked in the last post and they are about teacup size – as they could fit in a teacup.

I’d probably be done a little faster, but I’ve been browsing the web looking at an old-timey past-time.  Letter writing.  I miss getting actual mail.  Anyway I found this cool site – The Letter’s Writer’s Alliance.  I joined.  So now add letter writing to some of my favorite hobbies as well.

Oh and if your interested I also got my hair re-styled.  I kinda like this back for the summer.

Last Friday I took the day off from work and decided to organize both of my craft rooms.  With the addition of the loom and a new book shelf, I decided that I needed to make different areas for different crafts to attempt to organize all of this stuff.

So here we go – you’ve all seen the spinning area before – however I now can walk in there.  I find that I just put things in there and think – “oh, I’ll deal with that later.”  Only to never to get to it.

Next is craft room B.  Here is the weaving area and I put all my embroidery stuff in the white nightstand thing.

This is the sewing area – complete with cutting table.  I’m liking that… no back breaking work on the floor.

Finally the book and drawing area.  I have an actual drawing table, but I had to relagate that to the basement.  From several moves it’s getting a little beat up and may have to find a new home.  It’s super heavy and I have a board to draw with, so it’s not really necessary anymore.

I think I may just need one gigantic studio space eventually, but this is good for now.  I have actually been crafting as well.  I finished up my lace spinning and I’m half-way done with a sleeve to the FLS.