I was so amused by
Jodi's comment about my spring break plans ("
Don't get too "girls gone wild" on us!" she said) that I've had the title for this post rolling around the ol' noggin for a week now. I'm such a dork, it still makes me giggle (
"Wools gone wild... harhar snort!")
It's sort of true though; I got so much done, the wool was really flying. As promised, I took my week off and spent it recuperating; there was loads of guilt-free napping, vegging out in front of the television (though it's usually PBS, so not altogether brain-melting,) far too much time browsing Ravelry, and some recreational crafting, baking, and experimental yogurt making. (I know, I really
am a wild one, aren't I?) I did manage to kick the bronchitis (and the stomach thing I got soon after... triple ick.)
without the aid of antibiotics, which I'm fairly proud of since I'm so prone to those lovely respiratory illnesses that just keep on giving.
But I know you came here for the fiber-related side of my week, and really that's my favorite part too, so let's get started. Grab a cuppa, it's a long one...
First off, since this was
my week, I decided to knit something for myself. I found a pattern on Ravelry, grabbed two skeins of the new Malabrigo Merino Worsted my local yarn shop had just gotten in, and let fly with what may well become the most-worn handknit in my wardrobe to date. I started Saturday and it was finished by Monday evening.
5.0mm/US8 needles
1.5 skeins Malabrigo Merino Worsted, "Verdo adriana" (color 117)
Since I still felt (and looked) a bit rough, the sweater is being modeled by Zoe, my long-suffering dressform (
who really doesn't really share my proportions even when I set the measurements. She's much more cylindrical than I am, and her bust is abnormally high and firm. Ah well.) I made a few modifications to the pattern (nixed the puffy sleeves, left off the trim, made it a smidge longer in the body and sleeves) and it's perfect for throwing on during the cool-but-warmer spring days we have now. I really love it, and it was a really fast knit (could just be I'm used to tee-tiny needles, too.)
Then I moved on to knitting for others. There is fellow Coast Guard Wife in my botany class, and though our husbands don't work together we've met at the "mandatory fun" events (Christmas dinner at the station, 4th of July BBQ...) She's expecting her second son in July, so of course, I had to knit her something. I settled on an old standby, EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket. It looked sort of lonely by itself and I had plenty of yarn left over, so I made some baby-longies (from the pattern in The Opinionated Knitter) to match.
They turned out so adorable that Andy said (and I quote): "Get those things away from me! They're so cute they're making
my biological alarm-clock go off!"
Baby Surprise Outfit, size 3-6 months (???)
3.5mm/US 4 needles
Dale of Norway "Falk" (brown & cream) and Jaeger "Matchmaker Merino DK" (green & blue)
I've come to the conclusion that no BSJ of mine will be truly complete without some pants to match. Really, aren't the too cute for words?
With that successful venture in mind, I began spinning the 4.5 oz. of merino fiber I plan to use to knit a similar outfit for another friend of mine who is expecting. (Really, is it just me and my age, or is
everyone having babies lately!??!
The fiber is from Hello Yarn's fiber club, which I was lucky enough to be a member of last summer (a wonderful way to spend my birthday money! Thanks, Mom!) She called the colorway "Maldives," and it turned into just over 400 yards of wonderfully squishy, bright dk-ish weight yarn.
From the same friend, I had a request for a sweater made from Green Mountain Spinnery's "Mountain Mohair" yarn, which is much softer than I would have imagined, given the 30% mohair content. It's "yearling mohair," so I suppose that makes the difference.
We chose a natural shade of grey ("Grey Birch" from the yarn label) and I'm using the
Organic Guernsey pattern by f.pea. It's a simple neck-down sweater, and I really like how it's working up in this yarn.
I just have the sleeves to go now... I expect I'll get them done well before the little one arrives (before the end of this month.) I want to find some of those Beatrix Potter buttons for the henley neckline. Baby knits are too much fun.
I was then thoroughly distracted by the arrival of the first installment from
Enchanted Knoll's "Happy Hooves" sock batts club. If you've never tried spinning from batts, you really, really should, and
Josette is just the woman to provide you with the
addictive fiber you'll want to roll in good stuff.
Spinning batts are made on a drum carder, and they are a lot less compressed than commercial roving, so the drafting is a dream. The spinner has a lot more control over color placement as well. Josette did the first club fiber in one of her most popular colorways (and one of my favorites), "Wood Elves."
The fiber is superwash merino with a sprinkling of sari silk and a generous dose of sparkley-stuff (angelina? I'm not sure what it's called.) I spun like I'd never spun before, and in less than 48 hours had two bobbins full...
...which very quickly turned into two skeins of my mostest favoritest sock yarn ever.
Just under 6 ounces, just over 400 yards, of pure, soft loveliness. There is a little bit of silk fiber dyed to match that I will be spinning up to carry along in the heels and toes.
I had to spin this stuff so quickly because it was my "blankie yarn" for the beginning of this week. Andy has been suffering from sleep apnea for some years now, and he was scheduled for the first corrective surgery Monday morning. My mother in law came to help out with the girls, and I (nervously) accompanied my (nervous) husband to the hospital in Belfast, Maine.
Everything went well, he's back home healing up now, but I spent a few nerve-wracking hours in a waiting room while he was in surgery. I managed to put the time to good use. (What is it Elizabeth says? "
Knit on, through all crises." It works.)
I'm turning my Happy Hooves yarn into a pair of
Loksins! socks, for me this time. I knit the last pair as part of Sockapalooza, and I've been waiting for the right yarn to make myself a pair. I do believe I've found a good match. The pattern was just complex enough to keep my mind occupied, but easy enough I didn't have to spend the whole day bent over charts. I like how the pattern somehow looks suitably Elvish for the yarn.
Once Andy was released to a room upstairs (where we planned to stay overnight) and was safely, if not entirely comfortably, resting, I went out to explore Belfast. Oh, who am I kidding, I already knew there was a yarn shop in town (something it seems you can count on in most decent-sized Maine towns). I made a beeline to
Heavenly Socks Yarns, where I found a sale on all the sock yarn in stock. Throw me in the briar patch, why doncha? Though they had plenty of other beautiful yarns in the shop, I brought home some skeins of sock yarn. What else would you expect of me?
There was Trekking XXL (on sale
on top of the old $13.95 price!!!) (Zitron's had to raise their prices due to the change in rate between the Euro and US dollar, so Trekking is up to $16.95 or more in most shops.) that had to come home with me.
Color 170
Color 78
I bought some soft superwash for a stranded pair of socks I'm making as a gift (
ahem-Alien-Invaders):
Invicta Extra by Scheepjes
There was also this stuff that I just couldn't pass by. It's a blend of superwash merino (63%), silk (20%), nylon (15%), and
sterling silver (2%).
Kraemer Sterling Silk & Silver
Really cool stuff; the silver translates in the yarn as a hint of sparkle. I'm not sure if I want to leave the yarn white or dye it. I may have to see if there is any left when we return to Belfast in a few weeks... it might make a nice shawl.
All in all, it was a very eventful week, and I had a lot of fun. Much better than a hangover on a hot beach in Mexico. Now that school's started back up, I won't be nearly as active a knitter, but I'll try for more regular posting.
All for now!
Organic Guernsey by f.pea
1.5 skeins "Mountain Mohair" by Green Mountain Spinnery
color 6442, "Birch"
4 mm/US 6 needles
Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Just over 3 oz. handspun merino, dyed "Maldives" by Hello Yarn
3.5 mm/US 4 needles
(Sarah, don't be mad I posted the photo; you look adorable!)
As previously mentioned, I'm doing the Loksins! pattern, and I'm pleased beyond all reason with them so far.
Finally, the best for last:
I met my mother-in-law just before I started knitting in earnest, about four years ago. During her most recent visit, she finally gave in and picked up the needles. Like a fish to water.
This is her first knitted garment, a hat made of Malabrigo Merino Worsted (color "Pollen," though she prefers to call it "Duckling.")
Did I mention it took her only five days??! Way to go, Beulah!
If the mini-stash of handspun she took back home with her is any sign, I do believe we may have a new knitter on our hands... :)
In non-knitting related news, I got a case of spring fever and took my hair to be whacked off (It seems cutting my hair has become a habitual response to warming weather...) Combined with the fact that I've run short of contacts and have been wearing my glasses, I've thoroughly enjoyed not being recognized at school and around town.
Bit of a change, huh?
All for now!
