Handspun Goodness

Finished my scarf! 8 ounces of handspun Blue Faced Leicester put to good use.

Daily Chum Advent Calendar

Hey! My sushi pattern is featured today in the Lime and Violet Daily Chum Advent Calendar.

Socks a la Carte!

It must be "books I tech edited arrive at my house" week, because another just came today-- Socks a la Carte. It's funny that it should come out now, because last December I was busy talking to Jonelle and Kat at SWTC about the stitch patterns and working out the format, style, and checking them all for accuracy. The cool thing about this book is it allows you to mix and match sock cuff, leg, and foot designs (with numerous types of heels and toes) with fun split pages. Also, it's a spiral bound hardcover with a nice elastic strap to hold it closed (like the Handy Book of Patterns) which I LOVE. I could give myself a headache thinking about the possible combinations of sock patterns! It's a bigger book than I imagined, really a nice one. (Plus, as a bonus, the acknowledgments state that I rock. But we already knew that, right?)

10 lbs

Did a little swapping on Ravelry (unloaded some Lion Brand stuff I didn't want) and made that last purchase to achieve Loopy Groupie status, both of which resulted in more spinning fiber for me! A quick check on my stash page reveals I am up to 10 lbs of unspun fiber-- finally, worthy of the word "stash". I just started a new spinning project. I'm determined to turn one of the blobs of Lorna's Laces superwash merino top into a pair of socks.

In work news, I have many, many sweaters to knit! I was a good girl today though and finished a front (and did a pile of edits) so I'm off to spin until bedtime!

Jelly Yarns Book

I received this book in the mail today. This past summer I did the tech editing for the knitting patterns in it. I have to say, it's a really cute book! When I had the box of samples at home, my 8 year-old daughter went nuts for them, so I think the designers really have the market pegged-- the book is meant for girls to use to make the projects themselves and learn to knit and crochet. Since working with Jelly Yarn isn't quite the same as working with "regular" yarn, lots of helpful tips are included. The instructions are clear and the projects are fun-- my favorites are the dog collar and leash set and the jump rope. The best part? Jelly Yarn comes in glow in the dark and metallic colors which I think is too cool! Check it out here.

Touch the spindle, touch it I say!

I got one of those quill spindle attachments for my Lendrum. It's got 3 ratios, and 2 of them are really high so I could spin some serious cotton on them, I think! I tested it out with some Corriedale, and I only poked myself once. I think it's a good thing I have the single treadle, because I could sit sideways and not have this huge stabby metal thing pointing right at me!

Spinny goodness, and yes, I can still use my spindle

Finished plying a nice blob of Lorna's Laces merino top in Black Purl. It turned out soft and smooshy, and I love the colors!

After another nice trip to the Spinning Loft with Sonya (and this time Miranda and Nicole as well) I picked up some more fiber, plus a free sample of organic merino which I tried on my Golding spindle. (Much discussion had ensued regarding the wiseness of keeping up on spindling after news of Miranda's wheel breakage, so I was inspired to take heed).

(The other spindle has some purplish red bamboo/merino blend on it that's been lying around).