Favorite Cast-on?

I was reading one of the EZ books, and found out that the cast-on method I use most often, is the least desirable method (at least to EZ)... Humph!... I rather liked it..... So it got me wondering, What are your favorites and why?

Twisted Knitters 1st meeting

Tonight was the first meeting of the Twisted Knitters at a little coffee shop about 20 minutes north of here. Three of us were there, and we had a wonderful time! I really enjoyed meeting the ladies, and look forward to our next gathering. A funny thing happened while we were at the coffee shop - Some neighbors from a few streets over (which hubby and I had just met yesterday) walked in the door! Imagine our surprise when we saw each other. To make a long story short, I plan on inviting them over for a BBQ to get to know them better. (I guess you had to be there for it to be funny.)

I finished the lace top! Yippee! It turned out to be too big though, especially around the neck, so I improvised and added another I-cord around the neck edge. It worked! and it looks adorable. Here's a picture. I was worried that I wasn't going to be able to wear it. WHEW!

Other news is that the Kromski Spinning wheels which I ordered arrived yesterday! I had all three assembled and tested out before going to bed last night. I Love these wheels! I'm trying hard not to slobber all over them, and can't seem to pick a favorite as of yet. All I know is that they are all beautiful and spin wonderfully.

When I get my box of UFOs a little more under control, I will be ordering the rigid heddle loom from Kromski. It seems its time to learn to weave.

Spinner's T-Shirts

Yippeee!

I designed some spinners shirts, and just got them back from the silk screener. They are SO CUTE! I just love these - I hope you do to. And they are so comfy! I put one on right away, and it feels so comfy cozy in today's heat!

The hemp lace top is almost done too! I should be finished by tonight or tomorrow. I'll post when its blocked and finished.

Wow...

Wow - I can't believe how time flies. Its been over a month since I last posted. Sheesh!

So whats new? Lots of things! I am now in love with Catalina yarns. I keep petting the sample skeins they sent me, and today I finally ordered some! All thier yarns are so heavenly soft, and wonderful quality. I can't wait to knit some up. I'm planning something for my daughter out of the alpaca/silk blend, but I'll have to wait and see what it tells me it wants to be. This will most definitely be a xmas gift...

In the mean time, I'm about 2/3 of the way finished with a cute little lacy top out of sport weight hemp. I'm always amazed at how some yarns turn out when knit. This hemp is one of them, and the other was some of my handspun bamboo. Both start out real stiff, but as soon as you knit them, they totally change. I know after washing it will be totally different again.

This is one of the things I love most about working with fibers. It's always a mystery as to how it will turn out in the end. I love to watch the transformation from fiber to art unfold as a fiber goes through the many stages of creation, and then seeing the final culmination of one's efforts. I am constantly amazed at each step of the process, first the washing and fiber preparation - seeing the fiber unviel its true self from beneath a layer of grease and dirt (yes lanolin too). It almost seems like the fiber is being liberated by its nakedness and relishing its newfound freedom. Next is the dying and color blending. This to me is like putting on make-up. When done properly with care and attention, the most desirable attributes are accentuated. Perhaps the sheen of a fiber will predominate, or the tactile softness of a fiber will be further enhanced visually with a soft color. Does this make sense? Next of course is the manner in which the fiber will be used. Is it yarn? felt? or just simply roving? As it moves from being a ball of fluff to its new form, watch how it's attitude changes. It's as if it has a new sense of self, filled with confidence and ambition. What does this fiber want to be when it grows up? Then the final step of the metamorphosis - The actual construction of the new masterpiece. Almost like watching a butterfly emerge from the cocoon. Is it knit? woven? or something else? Does the fiber relax into its new shape? or does it resist and try to do something you didn't anticipate? Sometimes a new spark of life comes out of the new form, or perhaps an essence of peace and tranquility. The natural energy of the fiber has combined with the thoughtfulness and creativity of the artist to become a new entity...


...Okay...... quite a tangent I went off on... Now back to the latest stuff.

I'm now a Kromski dealer! I couldn't resist the beauty of these wheels. I took a Minstrel for a test drive, and was really impressed by it. It turned out to spin completely different than I anticipated. I was very pleasantly surprised. The quality of construction is excellent, especially when you consider how ornate these wheels are. Plus the great thing is, these wheels are quite affordable. I think they are a great value for the money. I would highly recommend them. So, to make a long story short, I am now a dealer for thier wheels. I have three(!) wheels on the way. The Minstrel, Prelude and Polinaise. If you're ever in the neighborhood, be sure to stop by and try one out!

I'm also getting ready to add some Jacquard dyes to the store. As if I didn't already have enough stuff! I can already envision the color adventures I'll be having once it arrives!

All in all, I'm having a really great month on both a personal as well as professional level. Thanks to all of my wonderful family, friends and customers who make this all possible.

I better hurry and finish some of these UFOs... More next time.

Busy as a Bee

Its been hectic around here, but I've been managing to chip away at my UFOs. The vest is finished, other than sewing on the buttons, and I've been needle felting up a storm this week. I plan on taking the latest sculptures to a May Faire this weekend for show and tell at my booth. I finished a woman holding her baby, and a beehive. Now I just need the bees... I started working on a clown face too, and its looking soooo coooool! I can hardly believe I made it! I think I have finally found my creative niche... Pictures will soon arrive - If I can just figure this out! (If anyone can tell me a simple way to get pictures into this I would appreciate it.)

I actually started some Spring Cleaning! Horray! If you can believe this, I really and truely SOLD some of my belly dance costumes! It was hard to part with them, but now that they are gone, I feel really good. I have the urge to replace them with a new spinning wheel. I'm seriously thinking about an Ashford Country Spinner, a Jensen Tina II or a Kromski Minstral. Decisions, decisions... I'm heavily leaning towards the Country Spinner. If only I knew where I could go test drive one... AH HA! I'll post to the Woolpack and see if anyone has one I could try!

OMG I almost forgot! In exchange for knitting the Zephyr Top, SWTC has send me some of thier newest yarns! I can't decide which is my favorite. First is thier Bamboo Feather yarn. Its like a double sided eyelash yarn, nice and soft, and it has such a pretty sheen. It almost looks like some silk eyelash I've seen. Next is thier Karaoke yarn, a 50/50 Soy Silk/Merino blend. You should see the colors they sent! Just Gorgeous! I just started knitting a little purse with it, and I love it! The funny thing is that it's a single ply - I can't stand knitting with single ply - but I think my mind has been changed. I can't wait to see how it felts/fulls.  Next project with the Karaoke yarn - Slippers!

Also I just recieved some sample skeins of Catalina Alpaca yarns. Ohhhhhhh are these soft! Like floating on a cloud. I predict another addition to the shop... :)

This brings up a question... What is most important to you when you select a yarn? Is it price, texture, fiber content, grist? Let me know what motivates you to actually purchase a particular yarn, especially when you shop on the net where yarn fondling is not an option.