Woolarina
Thursday, April 27, 2006
pop-u-lar
Wow.. I feel so popular.. I've had this blog for a couple years now, and am just now getting spam! whee! the annoying word verification has been added. sorry!
I will attempt to dye a bunch this weekend. I'm digging the sock knitting at the moment, though I so do. not. have. time. to think about knitting, let alone knit! hmph.
I'm also trying to figure out what I can make with 1000 yards of brooks farms harmony. It's great stuff. I want to make a sweater or something. I could ahve bought 3 skeins (1500 yards) but noooo.. my last pullover from their mohair? I have a BUNCH left over. at $30+ a skein? Eh.
What's a good pattern that doesn't use too much yarn, and isn't cropped? I'd consider 3/4 length sleeves but I am not keen on them. I'm thinking maybe the eyelet one from an old knitty, but even that doesn't call to me.
I will attempt to dye a bunch this weekend. I'm digging the sock knitting at the moment, though I so do. not. have. time. to think about knitting, let alone knit! hmph.
I'm also trying to figure out what I can make with 1000 yards of brooks farms harmony. It's great stuff. I want to make a sweater or something. I could ahve bought 3 skeins (1500 yards) but noooo.. my last pullover from their mohair? I have a BUNCH left over. at $30+ a skein? Eh.
What's a good pattern that doesn't use too much yarn, and isn't cropped? I'd consider 3/4 length sleeves but I am not keen on them. I'm thinking maybe the eyelet one from an old knitty, but even that doesn't call to me.
Monday, April 24, 2006
when I thought I couldn't get any tired-er
what a weekend! two entire days spent at my dad's house, digging and painting and buying and vacuuming and tearing up. In between that, running a flipping 10K race, after not running much at all for weeks. My whole body is tired. A good tired, and I don't actually hurt at all (except when walking downstairs!) so that is good. I am stronger than I used to be. I also beat my previous 10K race time by 3 minutes. (not hard since the course was flat to downhill with just a medium hill in it). If only I could stop with the damn candy bars and junk food since we have zero time to cook these days... I would be so buff. sigh...
people keep telling me that I am totally on par for being exhausted due to wedding planning. the truth is, what keeps me busy isn't wedding related. Aside from fixing me dad's house (we're having a pre-party there!). I don't know what I do with my time.. work is also in a busy state at the moment, and I'm sure the wedding adds to mental exhaustion. A few more months and I will surely have time. Right!?
Anyhow, yeah.. I dyed these a week ago and didn't have the energy to wind em up. These are now for sale, along with some new handspun, if k8 gets her yarns together!
people keep telling me that I am totally on par for being exhausted due to wedding planning. the truth is, what keeps me busy isn't wedding related. Aside from fixing me dad's house (we're having a pre-party there!). I don't know what I do with my time.. work is also in a busy state at the moment, and I'm sure the wedding adds to mental exhaustion. A few more months and I will surely have time. Right!?
Anyhow, yeah.. I dyed these a week ago and didn't have the energy to wind em up. These are now for sale, along with some new handspun, if k8 gets her yarns together!
Monday, April 17, 2006
such a nice break!
whew! I am so loving that my work has been sending me to these beautiful places lately. Boston (well, in winter- pretty!), Boulder, and Santa Barbara. I might get to go to Boulder again even! Not that I need any more trips in the next month or two. Planning and trips do not mix well!
Still. Santa Barbara? awesome. I wish I could afford one of the million-dollar homes. The non-existant traffic? lovely! (the announcer in the AM skipped over traffic since there WAS NONE!) the beach and mountains so close together? so nice.
Here are some (click for big!) panoramics from on a pier.
I managed to finish the jaywalkers, after only a month and a half of random knitting! And when I say "finish" I mean I didn't have a needle with me so couldn't kitchener the things together, but then I wanted the needles to try out the new yarn I just bought, and... well? lost interest. I am sort of confounded as to how one gets these socks on and off... they seem tight going on. I bet the ankle top part will wear sorta fast! hmmm. I like though. The stitch pattern is addictive!
and new socks, using trekking xl. started a little last week, knit on plane and yesterday night. Whew! that's nearly 8 inches there!
I *so* wanted to use woolarina yarn for my next socks too. grrr. maybe I will finish some lingering koigu socks first and then be allowed?!
Still. Santa Barbara? awesome. I wish I could afford one of the million-dollar homes. The non-existant traffic? lovely! (the announcer in the AM skipped over traffic since there WAS NONE!) the beach and mountains so close together? so nice.
Here are some (click for big!) panoramics from on a pier.
I managed to finish the jaywalkers, after only a month and a half of random knitting! And when I say "finish" I mean I didn't have a needle with me so couldn't kitchener the things together, but then I wanted the needles to try out the new yarn I just bought, and... well? lost interest. I am sort of confounded as to how one gets these socks on and off... they seem tight going on. I bet the ankle top part will wear sorta fast! hmmm. I like though. The stitch pattern is addictive!
and new socks, using trekking xl. started a little last week, knit on plane and yesterday night. Whew! that's nearly 8 inches there!
I *so* wanted to use woolarina yarn for my next socks too. grrr. maybe I will finish some lingering koigu socks first and then be allowed?!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
solvang in the rain
So last weekend I was going to go and knit on the mall, but then wedding crap and life took over, and by the time it was time to go, I was still in pajamas and exhausted. no running. no fun. Just laundry and choosing a very fancy outift for the mr. (Please note: it took a HALF HOUR for me to pick out my wedding dress. The mr.? Just saying. Anyhow, sorry Lolly and others! I promise after the wedding I won't be flaky!
I am lucky enough to "have" to go to Santa Barbara on business this week. They're paying me for this! Okay, I have to sit in incredibly dull meetings tuesday through thursday, but I at least had monday free. I ended up driving up the coast a bit and into the hills/mountains somewhat. In the rain. With a rental car that had issues driving up hills fast and had the wipers from hell!
On the plane I nearly finished the jaywalkers. seriously, I knit like the entire foot and toes on one and finished the toe on the other. Well, as finished as I can get without doing the grafting bit. So very exciting. Only, I'm not sure I super like them. we'll see. Anyhow, I felt like I needed a reward, so went to a fiber shop in Solvang, a cute little "danish" village.
This is the village spin and weave shop. Seeing as how I have a billionty pounds of fiber to spin (before MDSW?!) I didn't buy any of the fluff. I did get a fun japanese book on hand felting though. I am a sucker for neat looking bags. I also got some trekking xxl sock yarn. Eh. This stuff is great? I'm at the crappy ribbed part of the top of the sock, and that's never fun for me. Maybe it will get better! right?!
I didn't really see a lot that was really danish about it, aside from some "euro" looking buildings, but it was cute. Super touristy, too. I just wanted a good cup of coffee and a pastry- the place I ended up going to cost $8 for a cup of watery coffee and a giant creampuff sort of thing. Tasty (the cream puff) but WTH?
I suppose with all the rain and all, there is actual plant growth.. they had super pretty flowers everywhere.
Such great colors! I want to take them home and have them in my bouquet!
I am lucky enough to "have" to go to Santa Barbara on business this week. They're paying me for this! Okay, I have to sit in incredibly dull meetings tuesday through thursday, but I at least had monday free. I ended up driving up the coast a bit and into the hills/mountains somewhat. In the rain. With a rental car that had issues driving up hills fast and had the wipers from hell!
On the plane I nearly finished the jaywalkers. seriously, I knit like the entire foot and toes on one and finished the toe on the other. Well, as finished as I can get without doing the grafting bit. So very exciting. Only, I'm not sure I super like them. we'll see. Anyhow, I felt like I needed a reward, so went to a fiber shop in Solvang, a cute little "danish" village.
This is the village spin and weave shop. Seeing as how I have a billionty pounds of fiber to spin (before MDSW?!) I didn't buy any of the fluff. I did get a fun japanese book on hand felting though. I am a sucker for neat looking bags. I also got some trekking xxl sock yarn. Eh. This stuff is great? I'm at the crappy ribbed part of the top of the sock, and that's never fun for me. Maybe it will get better! right?!
I didn't really see a lot that was really danish about it, aside from some "euro" looking buildings, but it was cute. Super touristy, too. I just wanted a good cup of coffee and a pastry- the place I ended up going to cost $8 for a cup of watery coffee and a giant creampuff sort of thing. Tasty (the cream puff) but WTH?
I suppose with all the rain and all, there is actual plant growth.. they had super pretty flowers everywhere.
Such great colors! I want to take them home and have them in my bouquet!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
santa barbara. knitting? spinning?
Not that I need any more fiber, of any sort, but- I'll be out in California for business next week, and I have most of Monday afternoon free. Has anyone been?
This place looks super cute, though Solvang is an hours drive. But- Solvang? Danish village? I *heart* the danish!
In Stitches looks okay as well, and is right in downtown Santa Barbara. hmmm. I really don't need yarn though... not that I need stuff to spin either! We'll see. Another skein of sock yarn won't kill me!
Spent a few hours dyeing last weekend... the skeins all turned out the same! well, aside from the color moving faster in one of them. I love the orange though! I feel like I could use some orange socks! :)
This place looks super cute, though Solvang is an hours drive. But- Solvang? Danish village? I *heart* the danish!
In Stitches looks okay as well, and is right in downtown Santa Barbara. hmmm. I really don't need yarn though... not that I need stuff to spin either! We'll see. Another skein of sock yarn won't kill me!
Spent a few hours dyeing last weekend... the skeins all turned out the same! well, aside from the color moving faster in one of them. I love the orange though! I feel like I could use some orange socks! :)
Saturday, April 01, 2006
free evening!
So tonight the mister is off eating carbs and drinking water in preparation for a little race tomorrow... meaning I have the apartment to myself for an entire evening of ME time! :) I've already taken a bath and read my book and dyed two new sock yarns (maybe up monday or tomorrow if they dry fast!) and reskeined another sock yarn. Yes- I am swimming in sock yarn!
Now I have free time, and nothing to do! My sock isn't calling my name, even though I am still loving it. (even more after seeing lara finish her pair ALREADY!) that pink and red baby sweater? maybe. stitch up the pits of rosedale? hmmm. sewing together quilt blocks? eh.
(oh- yeah. quilting. i finally went through my box o' quilt and picked up where I left off on my queen sized (!!!) quilt i started in my beginner quilting class. Over three years ago! you know, since the wedding isn't stressful enough, I had to go add more hobbies. um. yeah.)
speaking of quilting, I went to a quilters estate sale and got a load of fabrics for cheap, and some cute little bits for cheaper! pictures tomorrow if it is sunny.
Also, note to camera: WTF?! I took about 14 pictures of this yarn, including some IN THE DARK and all turned out PERFECT in color. Why does green/turquoise brown love me so much and pink and orange hate?! sigh... anyhow, it is up here!
Now I have free time, and nothing to do! My sock isn't calling my name, even though I am still loving it. (even more after seeing lara finish her pair ALREADY!) that pink and red baby sweater? maybe. stitch up the pits of rosedale? hmmm. sewing together quilt blocks? eh.
(oh- yeah. quilting. i finally went through my box o' quilt and picked up where I left off on my queen sized (!!!) quilt i started in my beginner quilting class. Over three years ago! you know, since the wedding isn't stressful enough, I had to go add more hobbies. um. yeah.)
speaking of quilting, I went to a quilters estate sale and got a load of fabrics for cheap, and some cute little bits for cheaper! pictures tomorrow if it is sunny.
Also, note to camera: WTF?! I took about 14 pictures of this yarn, including some IN THE DARK and all turned out PERFECT in color. Why does green/turquoise brown love me so much and pink and orange hate?! sigh... anyhow, it is up here!
