fiber

Occasionally I like, oh lets not kid ourselves I LOVE having knitting visitors.  Lucky for me Mr. Tempted and DD are good with it too.  This past weekend THE Knit Girllls (Laura and Leslie), Sara and Jessica all came to stay.  We had such a great time together.  An incredible amount of fiber was spun and yarn knitted but most of all there was a whole lot of laughter and fun.

The first evening everyone was here we had the most amazing summer rain that cooled everything down enough that we could really enjoy the deck.  I am so amazed at how much knitting got done this weekend.

Now doesn't this look like a good time?  I have been acquanted with all of these girls for 3 years but this weekend we really got to know eachother. First thing we learned is that Jessica loves guacamole.  I think I might have overplanned the food because day 2 the only cooking that was done was breakfast quiche and yarn/fiber dyeing.

Day 2 included a whole lot of spinning!  We all had our wheels and it was a very relaxing and fun day.  There was just a whole lot of laughing and talking. 

Knitting and spinning have brought me hours and hours of enjoyment, along with warm feet, hands and shoulders.  I have to say that the greatest benefit I have recieved from my years of knitting and spinning is the amazing friendships that I have developed. 

Thanks girls for making the drive and I can't wait to do it again.

I have finally recieved the yarn for theLoopy Ewe and will be dyeing like a mad woman for the next week to catch up.  I will also be preparing for the upcoming Stringtown trunk show on August 14th.  I would love to meet anyone that can make it there. 

Today when I woke up, turned on the computer and logged into all the different sites I always log on to.  I finally opened my Plurk window and what did I see??  Wendy had posted that her list of knitters gifts were featured on Lime n' Violets Daily chum and Tempted yarns made the list.  Seriously, how cool is that!!!!   In fact what made it even better was that my buddy and partner in crime occasionally, Keri from 3am Enchantments also made Wendy's list.   Some of you may remember that early this spring I had Weeones make stitch-markers for several of my buddies, she also made the list.  In fact I have something from everyone on the list (bought the only copy of Casting Spells in Bartlesville) except Celtic Swan Forge and Splityarn.  Guess I will have to do something about that. LOL

It was amazing to be listed by such an accomplished and well loved knitter and then to be in such wonderful company and with one of my favorite indie dyers The Sanguine Gryphon.  Yes, I buy from other dyers, I love indie yarns, I love seeing what others do and love getting to meet them, I can be such a fangirl.

This is some of the fiber that my "partner in crime" Keri and I dyed the first time she came to visit.  Well she has now spun it all up and sent me a picture this morning. 

Amazing how different it looks huh?  I am always amazed at how different a roving and a finished yarn can look.

Next time I will share some of my spinning I did with the fiber I am currently dying for The Loopy Ewe.  I will say that I love love love the finished yarn so much that after looking for over a year for the perfect yarn to knit my very first clapotis with, I think my search is over.  I know I am way behind the times but I have been looking for just the right yarn for it. 

I finally finished the Merino/Cashmere roving this is my version of Persuasion, 388 yds, 17 wpi (sport wt.) from 6 oz, 3 plyed.  This is my first attempt at a 3 ply yarn, don't think I did too bad. 

Now I am searching for the best pattern for it.  One of these days I will have the pattern first and make the yarn to match.

My friend Keri and I have had a brainstorm AGAIN and have another great project we are starting, shocked aren't ya.  Yesterday we took 4oz of Superwash Merino roving each and dyed them beginning with one color at one end and then changing throughout.  We are planning on spinning and Navajo Plying them, the theory is that it will give us very long color repeats with subtle transitions for a thick striping effect when knit.  Keri's is on the right and mine is on the left.  Pretty huh?

There will be updates on our progress.

I am also happy to announce the Loopy Ewe had another sneak up last night and Glam Grrl made an appearance again and was well received.  Also you have to check out the new bag from 3am Enchantments, it is a very cute sheep fabric with the cutest little zipper pulls made by WeeOnes! 

Oh and the Super Secret Project is Super Secret and I can't tell you!!  Muhahahahahahaha