Yarn Along

I made myself a shawl using some of my handspun yarn. This project started inspired by Nymphalidea but I kept modifying it to make the color changes work with the self striping handspun. I used a bump of roving I got from Loop Fiber Studio that is the self striping. The white is from Reflections of Roclans. It is from their cormo sheep. It was such a joy to spin! 

I love how it turned out! It is really fun to wear.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

Yarn Along

I am so excited to be back sharing on the Yarn Along!  It has been too long. I have been spinning yarn and knitting so much over the past few months. I had Tiny at the farm with me today and he was a champ at modeling some of Blue's yarn that I have recently spun. I can't wait to knit it up. I have so much more of his fleece to spin, but I thought I would make a small batch and start knitting with that to see how I want to spin the rest of his two fleeces.

I have been very busy working on a new pattern "Treasure Vest". I am so excited to say it is very close to being released!!!  I have made many different samples of it in different sizes. I have knitted, unknitted, knitted and unknitted and then knitted it again and again to get it just how I want it. The pattern is being tested and the pattern is with my graphic designer so I should be releasing the pattern soon!

In the mean time Treasure is being pampered at the farm and kept cool on these HOT days.  She is the inspiration for this pattern. 

For reading I have been listening to the audio book "Written in My Own Heart's Blood". It is the final book in the Outlander series. I am SOOOOO sad that this is the last book, but I am so happy that I have the Starz versions to watch in the future. I have enjoyed these books immensely!

After I release "Treasure Vest" I will be doing a lot of spinning and knitting from my handspun yarn. I am hoping to be back sharing on the Yarn Along regularly now that I won't be working on too many of my own secretive patterns. 

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along

ps- Check out my Fit Along that is starting August 3rd ~ Fit Along

Walk Around the Moon

Huston we have lift off!!! I just had the wiring redone in my house and my internet is lightning fast!!!! I have a feeling you will be seeing and hearing more from me now! My computer as been so sluggish, but now it has a lot of zip to it. Woo Hoo.

So I have been keeping busy with farm chores, work and the kids. I have also been squeaking in some knitting. I just finished up knitting a Walk on the Moon Shawl. I modified the pattern and knitted it in a round. I love love love love love love love how it turned out. I can wear it as an infinity scarf, poncho, wrapped this way and that. It is just so fun to wear.

I had spun all the yarn for this. I purchased all the fiber at Rhinebeck this year except for the black fiber which came from my parents alpaca Ox. He was so helpful to stand behind it and pose for the camera. Love that guy!  I'll break down the fiber by the color.

White- Polworth / Silk blend (I think I got it from Gale's Art- I have to track down the label)
Light Gray- Alpaca / Silk blend from Gale's Art
Medium Gray- Merino / Tuscan Silk blend from Gale's Art
Black- Arrow Acres Farm "Ox" 100% Huacaya Alpaca

Also I spun all the yarn on my Ashford Traditional wheel. All the yarn is two plied.
I knitted it with US 3 circular needles.

I love this pattern so much!

For reading I am listening to "Drums of Autumn" it is part of the Outlander Series. I am loving these books so much!!!

I'm joining Ginny's Yarn Along

To the Alpacas

I am pretty sure this will be my last yarn along for 2013! I wish I had more fun things to share, but some of my projects are gifts and I have to keep them quiet for now.

 

Also I haven't had much time to knit because December is for the alpacas.  My parents open their farm and farm store during the weekends in the month of December. They sell lots of wonderful alpaca items in their showroom like hand knits, yarn, socks, coats, sweaters, toys and everything alpaca related. The sales for the items help support the herd.  I help them out as much as I can.  The only down side of all the time in the store is less time for my knitting. But this is the last weekend the farm is open and I can get back on track with some fun large projects I have planned for 2014.

 

I made a few Ganomy hats. They are an Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern and so easy to knit.

The one below still needs a pom-pom, but I am afraid I might gift it before I get any finished pictures of it so here it is pre-pompom. I used Cascade Eco Duo yarn.

 

 

I also made one out of some prime alpaca I had in my stash. I really love how it turned out.

Tiny modeled it for me, but it is better for a two year old. On a two year old it slouches in the

back and in my opinion much cuter.

 

I love how the shape covers ears so well.

 

In 2014 I am planning on doing a lot more spinning.

I am making a simple bennie hat out of some handspun merino yarn I made. I Navajo plied it and I'm finding the Navajo plying a little tricky on my traditional wheel since I have to spin it to get it started, but I'm sure with some practice I'll have it all worked out. I've been doing a lot of spinning lately so I'll have lots to practice with soon.

 

 

And since so much of my time these days has been dedicated to the alpacas I thought I'd share some pictures I took of them today while I was doing chores at the farm.

 

Bo with a milk mustache.

 

 

Ono has decided it is okay if I take his picture with my cell phone. He isn't too sure

about my big camera yet. Usually he runs behind his momma.

We had to give some of the alpacas shots today. I get to hold them as my mom gives them there

meds. I always enjoy getting my hands on them. They are so incredibly soft. My mom's hand was in Mr. Bates' fleece and I had to snap a quick picture of his awesome gray fleece.  That is going to be some pretty yarn.

 

Speaking of Mr. Bates only 2-1/2 weeks until Downton Abbey!!!!

Yeah it's cold here at the Jersey Shore.

 

For reading I just finished the audiobook "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. I really liked it.

 I hear there is going to be a movie made and I can't wait to see it.

 

I hope everyone on the Yarn Along has a wonderful Christmas! I hope Santa brings you lots of yarn I'll see you next year!

 

~Andee

 

Joining with Ginny's Yarn Along

 

Links-

Ganomy Hat- white, gray, black

Ganomy Hat- brown and tan

Handspun Merino Hat

Arrow Acres Farm

Navajo Plying on YouTube

Yarn Along Gift Knitting

 

After seeing Melissa's version of my Penny Infinity Scarf in Tosh Merino Light I knew I had to make a version in the Tosh Light. Also I have had a flood of people asking me if they can modify the pattern to work with a skein that is 420 yards.

This version I modified the pattern by removing one of the repeats in the center panel. When I was done with the scarf I had 31 extra yards of yarn.  

This scarf is going to be gifted. I'm not saying to who because that would just spoil the Christmas surprise.

 

 

Also on my needles is a Wurm Hat. I am using Fable Fibers Novel Yarn in the colorways Amelie & Fairy Garden. I am loving this yarn. I really love the colors Fable Fibers offers and I love the feel of the yarn and also how it knits up. It is a merino, cashmere, nylon blend and it is a joy to work with.  This will also be a gift. I had casted it on my needles when we went up to NY for Thanksgiving, but because of all the traffic mixed with car sickness I didn't get to work on it. I sat down last night and this is how far I got! I haven't done many small projects in a while and it is so fun to see something coming along so fast!

I haven't been doing as much spinning lately as I would like to, but I have gotten some merino spun up. I love the color of it and I'm sure I'll be knitting it up into a gift soon.

Happy knitting!

 

~Andee

 

ps- if you need some motivation to get you going on gift knitting you might want to check out my favorite Ravelry Group "My Sister's Knitter". Andi is hosting a Holiday Gift Knitting / Crocheting KAL. You can swing by and read the rules. I really enjoy this group.

 

Joining with Ginny's Yarn Along



Yarn Along

I won some Sweet yarn! It is Silk Cashmere Aran hand dyed in Beautiful British Columbia from Sweet Fiber.  It is so soft I wish you could touch it.

You know it is some very impressive yarn when Harley Weimeraner has to come over to check it out.  Even a dog knows it is some awesome yarn.

I set a side my Plivver top to finish up another project. I can't wait to have this top done, but it is going to take a long time to make. No plain knitting on this project. Hopefully it will be ready in the Fall.

I am working as fast as I can to finish up my Shetland Triangle Shawl. I am doing it was a KAL and just about everyone has finished. I started late and I am finding it really hard to dedicate too much time to knitting these days. We've been out enjoying the warm weather and longer days. Not to mention those adorable baby alpacas Swag & Mr. Bates.  But this is such a nice knit to come home to and knit one repeat of the chart and go to bed.

I have also been processing some fiber. I want to have it done before Blue (my alpaca) gets sheared. so I can work on his as soon as it comes off him.

So that is what I have been working on.  Hopefully I'll have some FOs next week.

 

Joining with Ginny's Yarn Along

Broken

My laptop is broken. My pc is broken. My car is broken.

Thank goodness my drop spindle and roving don't need to go to a repair shop.

I am very grateful to my father for letting me borrow his laptop.

-Andee