Adventures in Spinning

Between Sandi's new yarn spinning obsession and Brooklyntweed's beautiful pictorial tour of the spinning process, I just had to see what it was all about. So I ordered a cute kit from Maine Woods Yarn off Etsy that came with a top-whorl drop spindle and some wool.

My first yarn is not a thing of beauty, let me assure you. It is thick, lumpy, and twists up on itself in some spots...but it is yarn that I made with my own two hands, and that's exciting! Now I just need to go practice, practice, practice.

Knitted Kitty Swap

I found this wonderful swap group on Ravelry - that swaps a knitted kitty each month! How perfect for me (I definitely need more kitties, especially the kind that don't require litterbox maintenance.)

Today I received my April kitty, Biscuit. She is so cute! She was made for me by Dragonpearl. She immediately hit it off with Kitty, who always was a bit of a ladies man.

This is the kitty I made for my partner, Wierdlings. I took this picture of her with my phone just before sending her off on her way. I don't know if she's made it yet, but she should be close because she was only going to Florida. I made a quick little crochet blanket to send with her.

Lotus Blossom

I finished my Lotus Blossom tank from Interweave Knits Summer 2006 (ravel it here). I'm quite happy with it! It is the second top I have ever finished for myself. It is knit in the round from the bottom up, so the minimal seaming really suits me!

Knit from : February 26 - April 10 2008

Yarn : Classic Elite Yarns Cotton Bam Boo

I wasn't comfortable knitting the smallest size (33 3/4") for my waist/hips, but the next larger size (39") would have been a little ridiculous, so I did some minor modifications. I cast on 210 stitches, which made one more lace repeat than the small size. I used size US5 and 6 needles as stated in the pattern until the 5th vertical pattern repeat (pattern only calls for 4, I added one for length). That last one I did on a size US4 needle, and on the decrease round I went all the way down to the number of stitches called for in the smallest size. Then I switched back to size US5 and finished the top following the pattern.

I loved this yarn. I had to be careful not to split it though. The lace section looks lovely...

But I think it makes a gorgeous stockinette.

Sock it to me

I am addicted to knitting socks. I love knitting socks. But I can't seem to ever finish a pair...It's not Second Sock Syndrome. It's worse.

It's Start A New Pair Of Socks Before Finishing One Sock Of The Last Pair Syndrome.

I have one completed sock, Crazy Over You:

I have most of another completed sock, Tea Time:

And I have yet another partially completed sock, Flutterby:

No pairs for any of them. Lots of sock yarn in my stash calling my name. And then I find out about this 3 month Sock Club from Bare Sheep Yarns. $43 for 3 skeins of hand-dyed yarn and motivation to actually finish a pair of socks, or 3.

I haven't decided if I'm joining yet...but I'm leaning heavily that direction!

Let's try again

So I had a blog here that I sort of ignored. And I thought maybe a brand shiny new one would motivate me to actually update it every once in a while.

Everybody likes cute cat pictures, so let's start with them. Maybe tomorrow I'll post about knitting...

Adelaide and Kitty are friends.

Pumpernyckle and Kitty are not.

China Cat Sunflower has too much hair and a really flat face.

Terrapin thought her head might fit through this hole.