Flickr & Sock Blockers

Yes! I finally broke down and signed up for a Flickr account. I only have a few pictures up, but hope to transfer nearly all of my images there. I signed up for Ravelry too, but have yet to hear about getting started there. Really, the reason I signed up for the Flickr account was because I heard that it interfaced with Ravelry so well.

Anyway! Yesterday in the mail was a nice surprise...beautiful hand crafted sock blockers from Chappy. Hubby likes them too and knew what they were the moment he saw them. Tomorrow I will post some pictures with them with socks on them.

For spinning news: I am almost finished with the third bobbin of the Lapis Sheep 2 Shoe kit. Hopefully my extra bobbins and lazy kate arrive soon so that I can get on with the plying! This will be my first three ply, so I am extra anxious to see how it turns out.

I had bought the kit from The Fold at Maryland Sheep and Wool, and I wanted more! So, I contacted Toni and she was just great. We chatted a bit about what I was looking for, and she mailed me an order! So, I got another Sheep 2 Shoe kit in Little Bunny Foo Foo, 10 ounces of Extra Fine Merino in the Carbon colorway, and 8.5 ounces of the same in the Highway 30 colorway. The Extra Fine Merino is WONDERFUL. I have to check but I am pretty sure the micron count was something like 19 -- almost as soft as cashmere! I am so very excited to spin this!

Resolution

OK, I am making a resolution. Who cares if it is the middle of May! I am determined not to buy anymore yarn until Stitches East.

Beautiful Colors

I have come to the conclusion that all obsessions with yarn and spinning fibers originate in the lust for color. I LOVE color.

Spinning

Well, I did not post over the weekend...mainly because I was busy -- Spinning!

Friday I took the beginning spinning class at The Mannings. Tom, the instructor was awesome. All the ladies in the class were great, we had a good time, we learned A LOT.



After the class was over...I went ahead and purchased a wheel. Tom had assigned me the Ashford Joy for class. He said because I am small it would be a good fit. Plus its very simple and easy for a beginner. I fell in love during the first few seconds of using it. So, that is the wheel that I purchased. The fact that it folds and is light to carry is a big selling point - especially now with my limit on space in the apartment.

I am glad that I had spent money at Maryland Sheep and Wool on some rovings. Immediately I began spinning the red colonial. This was my "practice" roving. And it went quite well. A little lumpy and bumpy, but not too bad. Overall, I think I have picked up spinning pretty easily. Something that I tend to be able to do: read about something for months, lust after it even, and then, because I have read so much about it...be able to just pick it up and do it.



Spinning is this way with me. I not only finished the 8oz. colonial red, but then did the 4oz. Merino/Tencel, and started the Sheep to Shoe kit!













For the first two I divided the fiber by weight into two equal parts. Then spun two bobbins and plied. Both times I had more on one bobbin, and so after skiening the two ply, I would try to split the left overs by spinning half onto a new bobbin, and then plying those two for a mini skien.

The Sheep to Shoe kit is a different story. Here I split the roving lengthwise into three sections. Sadly, I couldn't get the weight to work out evenly without messing up the color progression, so I just left it a bit uneven. I figure that I will work from heaviest to lightest, knowing that in the beginning I am going to have trouble keeping the ply light enough anyway. Hopefully by the end I will be very good at keeping a very thin single.



One problem with the Ashford Joy: its built in lazy kate. It is very nice and convenient to have it built in, however, it only holds two bobbins. Therefore, in order to do a three ply yarn, one needs to buy a separate lazy kate. I decided on the Ashford precision. It takes three bobbins. Technically I guess I could do up to a five ply now, three on the precision and two on the wheel itself.

I also had to purchase a few more bobbins as I only have three, which leaves no bobbin empty for plying. Another drawback of the Joy, only one flyer available. Now, as a beginner, I would expect that this standard flyer would be plenty for me for many years. However, after plying my first two spinning projects, I realized that having a bigger bobbin for plying, and therefore a bigger flyer to go around, would be very advantageous. Looking at the catalog, maybe I should have opted for the Traveler instead. That way I would not only have a built in three-bobbin lazy kate, but also the opportunity to have other flyer attachments, including the jumbo (perfect for plying).

But no worries! I am still VERY pleased with my purchase. I love my wheel, and I love spinning.

As Promised!!!

Here are some yummy pictures of my Maryland Sheep and Wool loot!

My knitting plan

OK, so last night I went home, and took all the pictures for my MS&W post. But then I got busy trying not to sneeze and cough, so needless to say...no pictures are posted yet. It is allergy season here in Lancaster, and yesterday was the first day that I have had trouble with them.

As I was taking pictures I realized just how much yarn I have...a lot -- too much! Much of it is for specific projects, or socks. I also have many many projects started, on the needles, ready to be worked on. (See the list on the right) So here is my plan:

1. mitered square blanket for Mom -- Due Date: June 10th
2. Second Pomatomus Sock
3. Rusted Root
4. Second Waving Lace Sock
5. Farmhouse Socks - this is a continuous project, a traveling sock
6. Whiskey Sweater
7. Second Tofutsies Sock
8. Hubby Blanket - this is a continuous project too
9. Sapporo
10. Scarves - I might rip out the spiral one
11. Something New!

It is a good mix of socks and other big projects. Hopefully I can keep on track and really decrease my ufo's before I am tempted to cast on for something new. We will see!

Overcommitted

Yeah, so...I didn't put pictures up. Really I wanted to, but I got busy and so again I will promise to tonight. It is a shame really because I was only playing a video game...Guitar Hero II on the 360. Totally love that game!

Maryland Sheep & Wool

This year was my first visit to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. It truly was an unforgettable experience. There was so much going on, and so many people, I quickly became separated from my party. It was a beautiful day, we did not arrive until 10:30-11ish. As we approached the fairgrounds it became very clear that all the traffic was headed for the festival. I wished I had brought my camera so that I could have taken a picture of the sea of cars both parked and trying to park.

We started to wander around, and after the first couple of venders I couldnt find my friends anymore. I continued to walk around, making sure to get into every barn and every building. At The Fold's booth, I bought some lovely Socks that Rock Seduction in some almost solid colors. They were so pretty. I am glad I got to see them in person, on the web page it is hard to imagine how beautiful it is. I also picked up a Sheep 2 Shoe kit in Lapis.

After that, I continued to wander and ended up buying some good priced top and a top whorl spindle to practice spinning. At the same time, I found that Visually learn Handspinning book that many bloggers are talking about.

I was very good and self restrained -- I passed up awesome deals at the Tilli Thomas booth and the only Handmaiden Sea Silk that I had spotted that day. Also passed on where many many lovely, beautiful, deliciously dyed rovings and fleeces.

Toward the end, I met back up with my party to relax. They got in line to get some tee-shirts, and I decided to go back to The Fold...This was my downfall. I saw that they had put out some Sock Candy! So I grabbed up two each of two colorways (you need two for a pair, I bought 4 skiens). I also grabbed a skien of Twisted in the Fire on the Mountain color. This is destined to become a scarf, I will probably get another skien online of something almost solid to pair with it.

I will post up pictures of everything when I get home!

Opportunity Knocks

Good news! I have two phone interviews scheduled for next week!! (happy dance)
Having one interview is exciting enough, but two?!? This is turning out to be a great day.

The problem with phone interviews is that I will be at work when they occur. For the most part this is OK. But it still makes me feel a bit uneasy. Unfortunately my interviewers are not willing to call me early enough to catch me at home - therefore I need to take the calls during business hours.

Also exciting is: Maryland Sheep and Wool is this weekend!!!! I am VERY VERY excited about going this year. On the 11th I am scheduled to take my first spinning class, so I am hoping to spend the weekend learning about and trying out different spinning techniques and equipment. (more happy dancing)

Morose

Sorry for the lack of posting over the weekend. I have been trying to find some time when I don't feel down about work. I don't want this blog to be a place where I come and complain about all the things that bother me in life. I want it to be a happy place, with good thoughts, funny stories, and lots of fiber related discussion.

Positive thoughts... Hubby and I are building a house! We have all our agreements signed, now we are waiting to approve the blue prints from the builder. It is very very exciting, and once they start building I will have lots of pictures to post.

Well, I know its not much, but I think that's all I have to say today without getting into the thick of work related ranting.

Secret Happy Dance

It was a rainy day. Work was drab, morale was down, I was tired from being there since 6:30 am. Trying to make up some time, I was attempting to stay as long as I could.

Frequently through out the day, I check my web mail. Any morsel of non-work news is savored. Much of what comes in is just spam, but occasionally I catch a glimmer of the outside world.

3:30-ish: 'You have 1 new message.'
I check. This is the best sort of mail - someone has left a comment on my blog. Ahhh, yes the boob story. The commentee? Stephanie.

Ok, I know a Steph, she frequents the knit night at B&N. I go and check it out - like I said, ANY distraction is welcome at this time.

Waiting for the page to load...You know, I don't think the Steph I know has a blog, and she has never commented on mine...Maybe someone found me through one of the knitalongs I have joined.

I hover...the poster, the wonderful savior of a boring work day...http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/

My heart beat quickens, my eyes grow wide. Inside my brain it is all I can do to control my joy. No one at my work is as "into" knitting as me. Who could I share my excitement with? Sadly no one. So for the rest of the day, I was forced to celebrate in secret.

All afternoon I did a silent, secret happy dance. (Which is good, because once Hubby came home, I did the real full-out happy dance, and now he just thinks I'm a little more weird than I already was.)

Embarassment

It's a beautiful day. The sun is shining, its lovely weather, a nice breeze is blowing. This morning Heather is driving into town. She doesn't mind because it is so nice out. The little bit of traffic doesn't even bother her. It is so nice today that she has decided to wear a spring-like white shirt and white sandals.

Heather pulls into the medical center parking lot. She is there to drop off her Holter monitor from the previous day. Just a quick run in, deposit the hardware, and then on her way to work. It is a beautiful day!

Because this medical center is for a heart doctors, many of the patients are of the older generation. Heather sees several of said patients on her way into the center. She smiles and waves, and even says hi to a few. They all look at her...oddly. That is OK, Heather expects that perhaps these people are not in the good mood that she is in, and maybe they don't understand that she is a patient here too. In any case, she remains happy. Quick into the building and drop the monitor into the bin for monitors. Lots of people in the lobby, she smiles at them all. After all it is such a nice day outside!

Walking outside, Heather pauses to look both ways in the parking lot. She looks down to make sure her nice white sandals don't get caught on the curb. And sees...



A GIANT FUZZY ON HER BOOB -- RIGHT OVER HER NIPPLE.



Nice.

Vesper

My order from Knitterly Things arrived. I am in love with the intensity of the colors. I had a little mishap when ordering, which resulted in me not getting the first four colors I had picked out. However, I am not disappointed with the colors I did receive. These are stunning -- Just beautiful! I cannot wait to turn them into socks. If I didn't already have many socks in the pipeline, waiting to get their mates, I would instantly cast on with one of these beauties. However, self control is winning out...for now...

More miters!
#5 -- reminds me of my high school colors


#6 -- Hubby picked colors

Let the madness begin!

I intended to post this last night, but just was too tired.

My mom is going away to Mayo Clinic in June after years of local doctors trying to figure out what is making her ill. Even though her visit is during the summer months, she has lost so much weight that she is perpetually cold all the time. I wanted to make her something that she could take with her...something that would provide comfort and remind her that I am thinking about her. What better project than a blanket/throw.

I wanted something fun, something bright and cheerful. And something fun and quick for me to make. Inspired by Cara I decided on a miter square blanket ala Mason Dixon.

This project requires many many colors...I am using Cascade 220 and have taken advantage of the Webs 33 anniversary sale to get lots of colors.

Last night I sat down...excited after having decided on a project...and cast on for my first square.


And then for my second...
And a third...
And a fourth!To start, I had just picked colors that I liked together. Then as the night got later, I started picking out colors that reminded me of something. #3 --Lime and Violet! #4 Gryffendor -- Of course this means I must make the other Harry Potter house squares.

At this rate, the blanket will be ready in no time! Miters really are very addicting -- fast, simple, fun. After 4 squares I have the pattern memorized and can put the book aside for pure miter joy.

From now on...

I have thought about it...and I have decided to make a commitment to update my blog at least three times a week. I will try for daily...but we will see. Think of it as a very late new years resolution. More later...

Indecision

Lots more colors up at Blue Moon Fiber Arts! Too many nice ones to choose from. I have that 10% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket...But then theres the anniversary sale going on over at Webs too! Gah! Too much yarn -- too little money :(

April Apathy

April is usually the month of apathy...not quite spring, still cold and wet, far from any holiday... But yesterday's main headline made it even more so. I first learned about it at work through my rss news feed. I can't explain my reaction -- something like what I felt during 9/11. Disgusted, worried, saddened. I don't have family there, I don't have friends there, but I still felt an undeniable tremor of horror. Maybe it is because my husband is a professor, maybe because I am pretty recently out of college myself -- in any case, I was, and still am very sad.

only != lead

It has taken me so long to get back into blogging. I think mainly because I just wasn't feeling up to it. Today though, things at the office have me wanting to rant.

We get this e-mail today about business cards. The rule at our company says that lead programmers can have business cards printed. I am not a lead programmer, therefore I do not get business cards. Which is fine with me, but determining that I am not a lead programmer is quite a problem!

I am the only programmer working on my project. One would think, if there are no other programmers, then, I would have to be the lead. However, this is not the case. My lead programmer does no programming at all. Projects that have more than one programmer assigned have a lead programmer that actually does programming. So one cannot assume that the lead programmer is never writing code. Then, to make matters even more confusing, there are projects where the only programmer is considered to be the lead.

At my company, everyone is given the title: Application Developer. Which could mean that you are the lead or not. There is no formal distinction. The only way you can determine your place is if you ask. And asking makes you look like an ass...so no one asks...except me of course because I don't care.

Meh!

Cardiology

Not a real post, just a quick update today. My family doctor doesn't know what to do, so he is sending me to a cardiologist -- for my neurological problem -- we will see how that goes. I can just imagine:

Dr. Heart Man: Why are you here?
Me: Mr. Dr. Man sent me for NMH.
Dr. Heart Man: Well, I have heard of what you have, but it really is a neurological problem, not a problem with your heart.
Me: I know.
Dr. Heart Man: OK, well, I'm going to send you to a neurologist, but to make it worth your time, let's do a bunch of unnecessary tests first.
Me: Yeah, whatever.

Despite the negative sounding post, I do not blame Mr. Dr. Man. He is a good guy, and a nice Dr. Man. I just hope whatever he is thinking about is correct, and hopefully my time is not wasted. There is nothing like prolonging a condition unnecessarily. Let's also hope that Dr. Heart Man is just as nice.

Happy Birthday

...to me.

I am not a big fan of birthday celebrations. And this year is no exception. I don't want a party, I don't want a special outting. I just want it to be any day like any other day. If people want to give me money or presents, that is their choice but definitely not a requirement. --Except for Hubby, and he already gave me my present...Wii!!!

Why haven't I been attending knitting night?

In high school I was diagnosed with Neurally Mediated Hypotension. It is something that I have learned to live with over the years. Through college I was able to precisely predict episodes and prevent them. Recently however, I have been having trouble again. I am doing all the same things that have helped me during the last 10 years, but for some reason, it isn't helping as much as it should. This week I went to the doctor, had blood drawn, wore a heart monitor for 24 hours, and struggled at work. Next Monday, I go back to the doctor and find out (hopefully) what has been making me worse lately. Until then, I just have to deal with feeling bad.

Sitting for a long period at knit night just isn't a possibility right now. I would either have to keep getting up, or lay down. And there is a chance that I still won't feel well enough to be a happy, cheerful knitter. So, until this gets cleared up, or until I have a better Thursday, I will have to keep my knitting to myself -- at home, where I can lay down when I need to, and complain to my very understanding Hubby.