Woolarina
Sunday, October 31, 2004
5 more days!
geez I can't wait til this craft fair is over.. it is fun, just.. it's stressful! there are 6 or 7 bags and countless hats that need ends woven in or handles sewn on. my least favorite tasks! so instead I start another hat (while hiking, in fact!), leading to more finishing. sigh. today I made zillions of little tags, and have much of my inventory under control. Some of the items are a little... um... expensive... but really, if I didn't part with them, I would not be sad.
no knitting pictures today, but a few fall images from a pumpkiny place:
happy halloween!!
no knitting pictures today, but a few fall images from a pumpkiny place:
happy halloween!!
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
the world is against me.
so after dodging tons of morons refusing to budge their vehicles in front of my car and idiots just casually strolling *in the center* of a 5 lane road, I get home to find: nothing. no wedding invitation, no ups delivery. Boo. rough day. see, the ups dude is a moron, and doesn't deliver stuff half the time. the rest of the time? just leaves it at the door. Is that so hard???! Grrr. Instead, I get a post-it. after 2 tomorrow.
I was very excited, as I was *finally* getting with the times, and buying a dvd. See, I'm pretty against me buying all sorts of films, as I hate to have them sitting on a shelf and don't wanna carry them around when I move. So I've just not gotten any. And didn't even own a dvd player til this summer! (though my family had one- it wasn't so bad!) I'm scared to death of holidays now, as I'm sure there will be dvds given to us. But anyhow, I've started... my very own yoga dvd. since I'm too lazy to get myself to an actual yoga class, and running in the cold just is *not* me, I figured I could start off slow. hopefully tomorrow will be a happier mail day.
and now, baseball watching and maybe a little knitting. I've got a fun bobble bag, and socks, and a baby hat, and scarves, and socks, and a hat, and... it's all so overwhelming! I think after this craft fair, I'm gonna try and finish projects before starting ten more.. I mean, I think there are 5 projects JUST by my bedside! This cannot be good. Eek.
I was very excited, as I was *finally* getting with the times, and buying a dvd. See, I'm pretty against me buying all sorts of films, as I hate to have them sitting on a shelf and don't wanna carry them around when I move. So I've just not gotten any. And didn't even own a dvd player til this summer! (though my family had one- it wasn't so bad!) I'm scared to death of holidays now, as I'm sure there will be dvds given to us. But anyhow, I've started... my very own yoga dvd. since I'm too lazy to get myself to an actual yoga class, and running in the cold just is *not* me, I figured I could start off slow. hopefully tomorrow will be a happier mail day.
and now, baseball watching and maybe a little knitting. I've got a fun bobble bag, and socks, and a baby hat, and scarves, and socks, and a hat, and... it's all so overwhelming! I think after this craft fair, I'm gonna try and finish projects before starting ten more.. I mean, I think there are 5 projects JUST by my bedside! This cannot be good. Eek.
Monday, October 25, 2004
hats and more
I'm on a hat roll... so much fun! They are so quick as well, and the wools are sooo much nicer than my felting wools! Yum! Starting at the top left, clockwise: hat from rio del la plata (info via k8), black hat doubling stranding alpaca and wool (so totally yum!), wristwarmers from salsa, handspun wool ~245 yard (really a darker red), purple kids hat from my first handspun, and 75% of a hat from the salsa again.
I am not, however, the hat knitting machine. Perhaps something to strive for? :0
I am not, however, the hat knitting machine. Perhaps something to strive for? :0
eleven days and a million things to do.
make list of everything we have and prices-
-hats
-bags
-wine totes
-scarves
-other - stitchmarkers, ??
-yarn
tags for everything
sand/plane down one stand
make signs for everything
get tables- two card tables??
knitting markers- maybe using skewers with beads on ends as "needles" and setting them in bits of fluff inside the tins? sets of 10?
sew last handle on black bag
sew handles on rainbow bag
sew handles on brown/red bag
sew handles on kureyon bag
sew handles on charcoal/confetti bag
finish blues/purples hat from dancing leaf yarn
black and white alpaca scarf
humongo needle red alpaca scarf
red seed stitch alpaca scarf
finish snake- felt?
make felted applique for orange bag
make felted applique for small turquoise bag
finish felted bowl
more felted bowls?
more felted bags?
more hats?
-hats
-bags
-wine totes
-scarves
-other - stitchmarkers, ??
-yarn
tags for everything
sand/plane down one stand
make signs for everything
get tables- two card tables??
knitting markers- maybe using skewers with beads on ends as "needles" and setting them in bits of fluff inside the tins? sets of 10?
sew last handle on black bag
sew handles on rainbow bag
sew handles on brown/red bag
sew handles on kureyon bag
sew handles on charcoal/confetti bag
finish blues/purples hat from dancing leaf yarn
black and white alpaca scarf
humongo needle red alpaca scarf
red seed stitch alpaca scarf
finish snake- felt?
make felted applique for orange bag
make felted applique for small turquoise bag
finish felted bowl
more felted bowls?
more felted bags?
more hats?
Thursday, October 21, 2004
two more weeks
Knitting meetup last night was fun.. many crazy entertaining stories, as always! And a crazy project or two. I got a few inches done on a bumblebee yellow and black bag, as well as finished wrist warmer #1.
And now the hardcore knitting starts. that, and some serious finishing. I've got several large bags that MUST be finished for the craft fair, as they can be sold for a lot, as well as hats, scarves, etc from some very yummy yarn. I'd wager someone would pay at least $40 for a deliciously soft alpaca scarf. If I finish them. And they are so boring, the only incentive I have is that money, really.. and the promise that I won't have to do any more of this (aside from christmas knitting) after November 5. That I will *finally* knit for myself, with the incredibly nice yarn that I'll be able to justify buying.
two more weeks.
And now the hardcore knitting starts. that, and some serious finishing. I've got several large bags that MUST be finished for the craft fair, as they can be sold for a lot, as well as hats, scarves, etc from some very yummy yarn. I'd wager someone would pay at least $40 for a deliciously soft alpaca scarf. If I finish them. And they are so boring, the only incentive I have is that money, really.. and the promise that I won't have to do any more of this (aside from christmas knitting) after November 5. That I will *finally* knit for myself, with the incredibly nice yarn that I'll be able to justify buying.
two more weeks.
Monday, October 18, 2004
the blues
I've *already* spun much of the blues. Hm. Make that *all* the blue! ~217 yards, light worsted weight.
weekend wool shopping
The weekend was semi-busy, semi-sittingarounddoingnothing lazy. Finished two bags and a lotta spinning. I am plumb out of ideas as to what I ought to make next. mostly, I'm bored with the yarn/color choices. but cannot justify buying more feltable yarn when I *still* have all this lamb's pride. In the meantime, I making a kiddie hat out of my first handspun ever. yum. maybe there will also be time for some mittens? and the bags/totes/scarves I must make!
Is it awful to sell a sweater-hat set made from a book pattern? I made it for this baby of a friend, but didn't finish it in time... baby grew... etc. I have no use for it, and would love to get rid of it.. Hmmm. Not like I am mass-producing them or anything, but I wonder if I could charge for my time, and the yarn? I'm not sure.
anyhow, we went to see dancing leaf farm this weekend, as part of the countryside artisans tour out by sugarloaf mountain. very lovely yarns! and awesome colors! I had to ask about spinning fiber, but she did have some, and for a reasonable price- I came out with a pound of multi-colored roving, a half pound of blues and purples, and two skeins of salsa- a merino/mohair blend I think.
Is it awful to sell a sweater-hat set made from a book pattern? I made it for this baby of a friend, but didn't finish it in time... baby grew... etc. I have no use for it, and would love to get rid of it.. Hmmm. Not like I am mass-producing them or anything, but I wonder if I could charge for my time, and the yarn? I'm not sure.
anyhow, we went to see dancing leaf farm this weekend, as part of the countryside artisans tour out by sugarloaf mountain. very lovely yarns! and awesome colors! I had to ask about spinning fiber, but she did have some, and for a reasonable price- I came out with a pound of multi-colored roving, a half pound of blues and purples, and two skeins of salsa- a merino/mohair blend I think.
does this make me snobby?
and via just about everyone out there:
You appear to be a Knitting Purist.
You are an accomplished knitter producing beautiful
pieces with a classic feel. You sometimes
lament losing half of your local yarn shop to
garish novelty yarns. Perhaps you consider fun
fur scarves the bane of knitting society and
prefer to steer new knitters towards the wool
and cotton blends. Some might call you a bit of
an elitist but you know that you've been doing
this craft long enough to respect the history
behind it and honor it with beautiful piece
that can last a lifetime.
http://marniemaclean.com
What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You appear to be a Knitting Purist.
You are an accomplished knitter producing beautiful
pieces with a classic feel. You sometimes
lament losing half of your local yarn shop to
garish novelty yarns. Perhaps you consider fun
fur scarves the bane of knitting society and
prefer to steer new knitters towards the wool
and cotton blends. Some might call you a bit of
an elitist but you know that you've been doing
this craft long enough to respect the history
behind it and honor it with beautiful piece
that can last a lifetime.
http://marniemaclean.com
What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
spinny weekend
over the long weekend I got a lot of spinning done- mostly insanely slow skinny singles. I plied about 275 yards of superwash merino, and it's pretty lovely. I also plied another 50 yards of the same stuff. Only... the wheel... is a pain. EVERY time I spin, and the bobbin starts heading towards full, I inevitable lose track of where the yarn is going, and it loops around the rod spinning and holding the bobbin. the rod that is all black and greasy, despite my attempt at cleaning and oiling it. every time. I did this more than once withing the last 50 yards.. the first time it got so far along that I just cut the string and tied it again after straightening it out. the second time, a big smudge of grease stained my yarn, but I kept going. Ugh. Maybe it'll wash out? And what to do with just 50 yards of superwash?? Maybe I can save some from the next batch and make a stripey baby hat?
Anyhow, in my search for a wheel, I am thinking that it would be in my best interest to a wheel that doesn't have open areas that will allow me to touch grease. (also- finding greasy spots are a specialty- my hands and arms always come away from spinning with black splotches..) I think there are wheels with closed parts, right? I hope?! I just hope I can find some that aren't too costly.
Anyhow, in my search for a wheel, I am thinking that it would be in my best interest to a wheel that doesn't have open areas that will allow me to touch grease. (also- finding greasy spots are a specialty- my hands and arms always come away from spinning with black splotches..) I think there are wheels with closed parts, right? I hope?! I just hope I can find some that aren't too costly.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
bulkywool
my latest couple of skeins have been bulky- trying to empty the stash of wool faster so I could buy stuff at the next trip to a fiber sort of place. These are 60 yards each, probably bulky or fatter? One of these days I'll get around to measuring wraps per inch, but not today!
I've got a lot of skinnier stuff as well- some superwash merino. I'm trying to figure out what to do with them.. the one is 333 yards, and the other over 200! Nice stuff.
In the meantime, I went to Springwater in Alexandria and bought a lot. of. stuff. almost a pound of merino, and half a pound of corriedale. And a lot of yarn, including some heavenly soft alpace. Mmmm. I would marry it!
I've got a lot of skinnier stuff as well- some superwash merino. I'm trying to figure out what to do with them.. the one is 333 yards, and the other over 200! Nice stuff.
In the meantime, I went to Springwater in Alexandria and bought a lot. of. stuff. almost a pound of merino, and half a pound of corriedale. And a lot of yarn, including some heavenly soft alpace. Mmmm. I would marry it!
Friday, October 08, 2004
tidying up.
slowly getting around to playing with my website.. it'd be loads funner if I didn't sit at a computer at work all day! Grrr. today's task is buttons.. these suck, as I have zero software. Anyhow, it'll remind me to make prettier ones!
not sure why they come out humongo.. strange.
not sure why they come out humongo.. strange.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
I must be insane.
But it was SO FUN! stressful, yeah, but worthwhile. Except that, oh, um.. I have a "real job" that earns "real money" to pay "real bills". Why do I feel the need to torture myself and go through another craft fair?
Anyhow, this upcoming craft fair seems neat. It's a gala sort of arts and crafts fair, with part of the proceeds going to centronia, an organization that seems to do a lot of good things for families and youth in DC.
And so I will spend the next month madly knitting away, hopefully not putting off the sewing-together of bags until the end. The bright side? I have a lot of felted bags left (including some really nice ones I never finished) but managed to sell the few I didn't like so much. (strange how people like completely different things! at least someone liked them!) I get to start with a clean slate.
coming soon- photos of my kool aid lace scarf/tablerunner.
Anyhow, this upcoming craft fair seems neat. It's a gala sort of arts and crafts fair, with part of the proceeds going to centronia, an organization that seems to do a lot of good things for families and youth in DC.
And so I will spend the next month madly knitting away, hopefully not putting off the sewing-together of bags until the end. The bright side? I have a lot of felted bags left (including some really nice ones I never finished) but managed to sell the few I didn't like so much. (strange how people like completely different things! at least someone liked them!) I get to start with a clean slate.
coming soon- photos of my kool aid lace scarf/tablerunner.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
knitting and spinning for MEEEEE!
It's definitely nice to take a breather and be able to knit something *not* for a craft fair. And spinning! I'm loving the borrowed wheel, rickety as it is, and ogling all sorts of new and used wheels. Wondering if it might possibly be okay to spend $1000 on a REALLY nice wheel? (who needs a nice wedding? I'd have a nice wheel, at least! not that there's a wedding soon, but one can dream..) No, really, there are loans to be paid off and houses to be bought before I even think of such a big purchase.. and really.. $1000?!? but looking and testing out don't hurt!
I finally finished my bedtime knitting project- a lace scarf using some of my first handspun.. kool-aid dyed, many many colors. The only problem: it's about three feet or so. Maybe less. It should make a nice table runner, anyhow! Now it's time to finish socks. Or at least stop starting them.
I finally finished my bedtime knitting project- a lace scarf using some of my first handspun.. kool-aid dyed, many many colors. The only problem: it's about three feet or so. Maybe less. It should make a nice table runner, anyhow! Now it's time to finish socks. Or at least stop starting them.
Sunday, October 03, 2004
woo-hoo!
I went into the craft fair hoping I'd get $100 back. enough to cover the yarn (probably only a bit more than half gone). nevermind the magnets, tins, glue, fabric, etc. that we also bought. The main goal of it was to come back with less stuff. And we did! Much less, in fact. We sold enough that I can probably afford a spinning wheel, if I pretend that I didn't shell out a lot of money towards all this stuff. Maybe even a better one. We'll see. For now I'm happy that I got rid of a bunch of bags! Even the cherry bag I hated because of the gimpy handle. which everyone loved. ??? I hope it found a good home!
Thanks to everyone who came out! Despite the somewhat unorganizedness of the city paper folk, and the late arrival of tables, it turned out great! Lots of great vendors, fun products, TONS of people checking out goods. Good enough weather, and the rain held off! A great first real fair!
Thanks to everyone who came out! Despite the somewhat unorganizedness of the city paper folk, and the late arrival of tables, it turned out great! Lots of great vendors, fun products, TONS of people checking out goods. Good enough weather, and the rain held off! A great first real fair!
