tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87511698546013718142024-03-08T14:49:42.084-05:00Tomorrow Farm Fiber ArtsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-49126584207535712812012-04-20T09:14:00.000-04:002012-04-20T09:14:18.947-04:00Friday Fiber Arts ~ Dyeing Wool for FeltingThe last week has been pretty nice here, weather-wise. Lots of warm days means I can get some wool dyeing done.<br />
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I like to dye an entire rainbow although I didn't get the whole thing done this week. I'm missing some of the blues and brown. Here's several of them hanging on the clothesline to dry.<br />
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After they're dry I split them up into small pieces and make small packs of wool tidbits for felting. Do you felt? I've felted soap before and made some needle felted Christmas ornaments, but that's it. Believe me when I say, my customers are far better at felting than I am.<br />
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Here's the warm colors divided up. I'll be making a cool colors pack as well, but I still need to get those last few colors done.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-34262238253268438282012-04-13T08:56:00.000-04:002012-04-13T08:57:54.089-04:00Friday Fiber Arts ~ Toe-Up Cast OnHappy Friday! Hooray for the weekend!<br />
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I learned something new this week. Actually, it was something I had been putting off for quite awhile. <br />
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I bought a magazine awhile ago that had the cutest little slipper pattern in it. Seriously, aren't they adorable? I like the fact that they are lightweight for warmer weather instead of big and bulky like my winter slippers. They looked fairly easy to knit except for one thing......they cast on at the toe. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>shudder</i></span><br />
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I've knit socks before, but all the patterns I used started at the cuff. Starting at the toe seemed absolutely foreign and terrifyingly difficult. How does one go about casting on so you can knit on both sides??? The instructions in the pattern itself weren't helping at all and in fact were doing their bests to justify my fear.<br />
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Thank goodness for YouTube! How did we survive before the web and the amazing videos on it? I found a video that clearly explained what I needed to do and turned what was a scary knitting technique into piece of cake. Really! It was so easy! Not much different than my normal long-tail cast-on. Yay!<br />
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My slippers are now well on their way to being ready for my feet. I'm nearly to the heal on the first and can't wait to cast-on the second to try out my newly learned technique again. <br />
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Here is the video I found most helpful. There were others, but this was my favorite.<br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-29670879618731432022012-04-06T08:52:00.000-04:002012-04-10T19:30:46.354-04:00Friday Fiber Arts ~ Camera Strap CoverHappy Friday! I thought I'd share a recent project with you and the "pattern" I made up as I went along.<br />
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My Merry Christmas, Happy Tax Refund, and Really Early Birthday present to myself this year was a brand new camera. I am totally in love with my new camera although at times it seems a whole lot smarter than me. What do all those buttons do again? :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5hhFNoCJyF8TjF0ZfecHaDdbze4GRdZLoWaa7vxne11cGCRKWU6smMU-im25B3MeOj5dfUL9_Tsc02k3NkPhby6UaQBmfYjmrAj9kiK2sZ9dDBzFXHfWeKhkGP76hm6f0-5QA7O_Dy4/s1600/25294_AN-D70-Camera-Strap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5hhFNoCJyF8TjF0ZfecHaDdbze4GRdZLoWaa7vxne11cGCRKWU6smMU-im25B3MeOj5dfUL9_Tsc02k3NkPhby6UaQBmfYjmrAj9kiK2sZ9dDBzFXHfWeKhkGP76hm6f0-5QA7O_Dy4/s200/25294_AN-D70-Camera-Strap.png" width="200" /></a>I wasn't in love with the basic camera strap that came with it though. It made the back of my neck itch, but I'd already spent enough on the camera. I didn't want to spend more on a fancier strap. That's when I came up with this cover knit from a skein of sock yarn I had in my stash.<br />
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The stripes were a happy accident that appeared when I started knitting. I imagine all sorts of different patterns might emerge based on how the yarn used was dyed.<br />
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I ended up using about 120 yards of fingering weight sock yarn to knit the strap cover. It's made from superwash merino wool which means that I can wash it easily when it gets gross. I'm guessing that'll be often if I use it in the summer. All that heat, sweat and sunscreen. Yuck!<br />
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Here's the basic pattern:<br />
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I used US size 2 needles. These are my normal sock needles so I knew what my gauge was before I started. I knit fingering weight yarn on size 2 needles at about 9 stitches per inch. That's a little tighter than normal so you may need to adjust your needle size accordingly.<br />
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My strap measured at 1 1/2" across. I wanted the cover to fit snuggly so I cast on 28 stitches and joined to work in the round. Use your favorite method for knitting in the round. To figure out how many stitches you'll need, use the following formula.<br />
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Measurement of strap width in inches x Gauge (stitches per inch) = stitches needed per side, multiply this by 2 to get the number of cast on stitches.</div>
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1.5 x 9 = 13.5 I rounded up to 14</div>
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Knit 2, Purl 2 rib in the round until piece measures 1". This will hold the strap snuggly at the end. </div>
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Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until strap cover is 1" away from other end. Your measurements don't need to be exact just close. </div>
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Knit 2, Purl 2 for 1". Bind off and weave in ends. Slip it on and enjoy!</div>
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Super easy! I love the sock yarn because it covers well without any added bulk.</div>
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Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, an experience or anything else you feel fits Friday Fiber Arts. If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to<b>:</b><br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-46404098586756489662012-04-05T09:16:00.000-04:002012-04-05T09:16:00.397-04:00Our Newest AdditionsWe brought home 18 new little additions to our farm yesterday. They peep, peck and are utterly adorable!<br />
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I wasn't sure if we'd ever get more chickens after the great chicken massacre of '11. The raccoons had gotten in the chicken coop and none of the poor little chickens survived. I spent the winter missing the fresh eggs though so we put our heads together and came up with plans for what will hopefully be a raccoon proof new coop.<br />
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The new coop will be going up in the backyard soon, but in the meantime, the chicks are hanging out in my laundry room in a what was a giant plastic horse trough. They seem quite content to just hang out under the heat lamp.<br />
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I did see this one that tried to climb into the feeder. Just her little butt was hanging out!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-36972512937606661832012-04-04T09:24:00.000-04:002012-04-04T09:26:57.489-04:00Wordless Wednesday ~ Soft Kitty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-624296953567743572012-04-03T12:10:00.000-04:002012-04-03T12:12:10.898-04:00Tie-Dyed RovingI've been experimenting with different ways to dye rovings. I recently got a couple stainless trays and I used them in the oven to dye some Merino wool rovings. It was an idea that had been floating around in my head for awhile. I love it when an idea works just like I think it should!<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-69181902882250086972012-03-30T08:46:00.000-04:002012-03-30T20:53:29.786-04:00Friday Fiber Arts ~ A New Plying TechniqueHappy Friday! I hope you've all had a great week.<br />
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Today I want to introduce you to our new blog hop. What better way to share your fiber projects with others! Feel free to link your fiber arts blog posts below so others can stop by and enjoy them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBGV7EBWLQv4_k9Hb_3pJcyxbE7Njy4jxnBsaOsyxsw290oFP3rXowe8cgwktpGKl-Rlm3xA7mjFcIg4mzRqsMRCbSaYdXFoB8ducHwO4iTn9I65J6AIZqF5rr-2b56-O_yXhf_qrXVg/s1600/$%28KGrHqR,%21jQE8JWr8NzSBPS+Miy1HQ%7E%7E60_58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBGV7EBWLQv4_k9Hb_3pJcyxbE7Njy4jxnBsaOsyxsw290oFP3rXowe8cgwktpGKl-Rlm3xA7mjFcIg4mzRqsMRCbSaYdXFoB8ducHwO4iTn9I65J6AIZqF5rr-2b56-O_yXhf_qrXVg/s200/$%28KGrHqR,%21jQE8JWr8NzSBPS+Miy1HQ%7E%7E60_58.JPG" width="200" /></a>This week I thought I'd share something new I tried. I've seen this plying technique done by others and I've been thinking about it for awhile, but last week I finally decided to jump in and try it. Of course that may be because I just received this awesome lot of inspiration from the UK. Aren't those colors gorgeous!<br />
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If you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, I'm spinning some alpaca fiber into a single ply yarn and then plying it with this machine embroidery thread to make the finished 2-ply yarn. It really was a lot of fun.<br />
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The one thing I did find though was that I had to keep tension on the thread at all times or it would fly all over the place and wrap around anything in it's reach. These thread bobbins don't have end covers to keep the thread from coming off. I may have to improvise something. It would save a lot of headaches.<br />
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The whole process was easier than I thought it'd be and was a real pleasure to spin. In fact, I completed 2 yarns in less than 48 hours. This is a record for me! I now have a third yarn using this technique waiting to be plyed. This has become my new favorite way to make yarn!<br />
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Here is the first yarn I spun: It's brown alpaca blended with some bamboo and soysilk. I plyed it with gold thread.<br />
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And here is the second: I used white alpaca blended with some hot pink merino, bamboo and sparkly angelina. This one I plyed with bright pink thread. I love all this pink!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0alOwbpfw7q3eYOkQnEqMYZPADHadcRiMcLX0H7imZT1YjpE1zw3Mr2sVswz72MMFd_EH6r1v95djhztmevp0U5aWDXq-7zyClLlIgjU9vdhRhQY1sN1Zs-_5ZxS-w1S4zkIUmriCWbw/s1600/pinkyarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0alOwbpfw7q3eYOkQnEqMYZPADHadcRiMcLX0H7imZT1YjpE1zw3Mr2sVswz72MMFd_EH6r1v95djhztmevp0U5aWDXq-7zyClLlIgjU9vdhRhQY1sN1Zs-_5ZxS-w1S4zkIUmriCWbw/s400/pinkyarn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What do you think? Have you ever spun yarn or used yarn plyed with a thread like this?<br />
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Do you have something to share? Let us know what you’re working on this week! It can be photos of a project, instructions, an experience or anything else you feel fits Friday Fiber Arts. If you have something to share with us on your blog, add your link to the current week's party. Just please be sure to<b>:</b><br />
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</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-14585676831974050192012-03-28T10:23:00.000-04:002012-03-28T10:23:50.976-04:00Wordless Wednesday ~ Pink!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwGN9zMsng7qesdTKBWVrR9ngSj18etm-yv6KwRzGWb_li0zQ-7yaljOH7ltG7kNydcn3Q2DEoV_HAvAntsrcVghwHkA7_vkRCV_KdXv8F1BAT1cAhaAyEeZf3U2JP0FtBN2UrEKgiDo/s1600/pinkyarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwGN9zMsng7qesdTKBWVrR9ngSj18etm-yv6KwRzGWb_li0zQ-7yaljOH7ltG7kNydcn3Q2DEoV_HAvAntsrcVghwHkA7_vkRCV_KdXv8F1BAT1cAhaAyEeZf3U2JP0FtBN2UrEKgiDo/s400/pinkyarn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-18250820437336486062012-03-26T19:19:00.000-04:002012-03-26T19:19:01.980-04:00Spring Has Sprung Early!Were you part of the March heat wave? 9 straight days of recording breaking heat here in Michigan. Who would ever have imagined that?! We actually had several days in the 80s and the night time lows were only around 60. Perfect, perfect weather!!<br />
<br />
Beyond the beautiful days, we were given tons of green stuff sprouting all around. This is far earlier than normal. Most of these flowers and plants aren't seen in my yard for another 4 weeks or so. Even the grass has turned a bright spring green.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Today it's only 45* and I am missing those warm temperatures even though I know they'll be back eventually. Also there is a freeze watch for tonight so all the farmers in the area will be worrying about those early buds and flowers. The crops may be in trouble if they freeze.<br />
<br />
Lets keep our thoughts warm tonight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCQEJnMASsF_Q7DFiTtFRXSbdq0AaHtKtY0o7FyesLXgiJ6wcM4hMf8NmU5gQiPpUOOEzeX_QfQ4FT8rT09dm-f_bri14pwJ22HE68WbA2jojrZ8P_6jmzI081OXFLp2yz7I6cEpgWMM/s1600/SignaturePin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCQEJnMASsF_Q7DFiTtFRXSbdq0AaHtKtY0o7FyesLXgiJ6wcM4hMf8NmU5gQiPpUOOEzeX_QfQ4FT8rT09dm-f_bri14pwJ22HE68WbA2jojrZ8P_6jmzI081OXFLp2yz7I6cEpgWMM/s1600/SignaturePin.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-20134447313131500462011-12-31T13:59:00.000-05:002011-12-31T13:59:33.971-05:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGZxa5EN0NAyOEN_4y8bCS81DQnGnpC6K91OvCwTDpOY2DpH7pdGKFWduQlhWpXPCkC1RxyA-uDn5Sr_0Nd2ED7fjlesRjpulTrAEDnFmF4SrX4YBj55M4Zl-FzBSNNhgyG5l-p9P4z8/s1600/406187_349336368413298_268038566543079_1555592_623967051_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGZxa5EN0NAyOEN_4y8bCS81DQnGnpC6K91OvCwTDpOY2DpH7pdGKFWduQlhWpXPCkC1RxyA-uDn5Sr_0Nd2ED7fjlesRjpulTrAEDnFmF4SrX4YBj55M4Zl-FzBSNNhgyG5l-p9P4z8/s400/406187_349336368413298_268038566543079_1555592_623967051_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-29491208548405232342011-12-23T20:39:00.000-05:002011-12-23T20:39:42.032-05:00A Fiber Artist Christmas<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePDO1zdUbWY6BgNDRQlAfdTywQL0Q_yn6Fe6gnYi0_LDOpwZOnNYgCmFCVfidQ_weFBFMFIPCvQx0tuaHuEq2x0EHcFH74T4N99VEHWqgvyTKoZzs-9Qq3UGK_TKwvrLdmZmDvpmVHuE/s1600/confused-knitter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePDO1zdUbWY6BgNDRQlAfdTywQL0Q_yn6Fe6gnYi0_LDOpwZOnNYgCmFCVfidQ_weFBFMFIPCvQx0tuaHuEq2x0EHcFH74T4N99VEHWqgvyTKoZzs-9Qq3UGK_TKwvrLdmZmDvpmVHuE/s200/confused-knitter.gif" width="194" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">`Twas the night before Christmas and all around me<br />
Was unfinished knitting not under the tree.<br />
The stockings weren't hung by the chimney with care<br />
'cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.<br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> The children were nestled all snug in their beds<br />
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.<br />
Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,<br />
And the sweater for him was six inches too small.<br />
<br />
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,<br />
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.<br />
Away to the window, I flew like a flash,<br />
Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.<br />
<br />
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow<br />
Reminded me how much I still had to go.<br />
Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,<br />
I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.<br />
<br />
And though I was tired, my brain was a bit thick,<br />
I knew in a moment, it must be Saint Nick.<br />
But what I heard then left me perplexed-ed,<br />
For not a name I heard was what I had expected<br />
"move, Ashford; move, Lopi; move, Addie and Clover<br />
Move, Reynolds; move, Starmore; move, Fraylic–move<br />
over"</span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> "Paton, don't circle round; stand in line.<br />
Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!<br />
I know this is hard semi, it's just your first year,<br />
I'd hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer."<br />
I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,<br />
Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a'grazing.<br />
<br />
And then,in a twinkle, I heard at the door<br />
Santa's feet coming across the porch floor.<br />
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,<br />
And as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.<br />
<br />
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe<br />
And his clothes were handknit from above to below.<br />
A bright Fairisle sweater he wore on his back,<br />
and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.<br />
His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,<br />
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.<br />
<br />
The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,<br />
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.<br />
The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable,<br />
And suddenly on one I spied a small label.<br />
SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff,<br />
and I asked "Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?"<br />
<br />
He proudly replied "Ho-ho-ho, yes I did,<br />
I learned how to knit when I was a kid."<br />
He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,<br />
And I laughed to myself for I'd thought up a plan.<br />
<br />
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,<br />
And the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.<br />
He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap<br />
Where I'd laid my needles and yarn for a cap.<br />
<br />
He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;<br />
For the first time I thought I'd really get through.<br />
He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks<br />
While I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!<br />
<br />
So quickly like magic, his needles they flew,<br />
That he was all finished by quarter to two.<br />
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,<br />
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.<br />
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon<br />
"Next year start your knitting sometime around June."<br />
<br />
-Author Unknown</span></span></span></h6>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-24633811184629635382011-12-23T11:28:00.000-05:002011-12-23T11:28:16.586-05:00FAF: Silk HankiesI've just recently added silk hankies to the shop and thought I'd share them with you. These are not your Grandmother's silk hankies. In fact these are not really hankies like you think of them at all.<br />
<br />
The silk hankies I'm talking about are raw silk cocoons that have been stretched over a square frame. They are stacked one on top of another until a small pile is made. There are dozens of these thin layers of cocoon hankies in an ounce. An ounce of these silk hankies will easily fill a small sandwich bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFcUAI7u6s2VKiobEX1bZ6X4-QrrtnGbD5eLT3qrVdy0bPRhMBcrL66Ar297X-ylILIaV1ezk2AMOHoorlUW-L5OEG4OIGuc3_0fZOP1er_xSwNWe3TO9GK-hmXYlv_LQ4cifjgA6pf8/s1600/il_fullxfull.42921393__34899_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFcUAI7u6s2VKiobEX1bZ6X4-QrrtnGbD5eLT3qrVdy0bPRhMBcrL66Ar297X-ylILIaV1ezk2AMOHoorlUW-L5OEG4OIGuc3_0fZOP1er_xSwNWe3TO9GK-hmXYlv_LQ4cifjgA6pf8/s320/il_fullxfull.42921393__34899_zoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These silk hankies can be spun into yarn or have become very popular in felting projects. There has also recently been a small "craze" of knitting straight from the hankies. I tried it and it worked wonderfully. Silk is warmer than wool, lighter and is good at staying dry.<br />
<br />
They are a lot of fun in their undyed state, but dyeing them is such a treat. They're shiny and bright! I've spent the last couple weeks dyeing several into a rainbow of colors. I still have a hard time believing how much an ounce really is!<br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIfHM0P7OhtnvwUNOo6nz0e2xVdmPTWkmE30yOP_zOej1cdJKA344TvJ8Zq2vWBXzRUz5_LWlYq095CB__P6jDYp2knds0-rWF42S6lJkYEUWHf3U2WAAsi6yCIFcShMqbfye4Ty99Gc/s1600/P1140326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIfHM0P7OhtnvwUNOo6nz0e2xVdmPTWkmE30yOP_zOej1cdJKA344TvJ8Zq2vWBXzRUz5_LWlYq095CB__P6jDYp2knds0-rWF42S6lJkYEUWHf3U2WAAsi6yCIFcShMqbfye4Ty99Gc/s200/P1140326.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
My goal next week is to start spinning these into a yarn that should be amazing! I know I did things a bit backwards by knitting with them first instead of spinning, but I just love these hankies and had to play with them right away. <br />
<br />
Happy Friday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-92228343982479803302011-12-19T17:20:00.000-05:002011-12-19T17:20:19.839-05:00Bella's Mittens are MineI decided it was time to knit something for me. Everything I knit either ends up as a gift or in the shop. I don't knit for me very often. These caught my attention.<br />
<br />
The pattern is called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bellas-mittens">Bella's Mittens</a>. I think they were inspired by one of those Twilight movies. That could explain why they are so popular. There are more than 7500 projects listed in Ravelry using this pattern!<br />
<br />
I just loved the way these mittens looked and they seemed like a good way to start cables. I've never done any cables while knitting. It's not that they looked difficult, I'm just not a real fan of how most of them look. They tend to be too busy looking. I liked these though.<br />
<br />
Luckily I had some bulky yarn mixed in my sock yarn stash and it was even a color I could live with. That doesn't always happen.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0PwJthVvvJqn9HQPI9xG-V2H99A_K9UZ0AgdzXlMYXmzPUKv1TUe_tnp5ib7Hz-XzrzHr01Eh3Tk7RTKi4Fo9cPqWWs4mI3TSX_xFM0kkj9Gd9M0zLtdhNqGJ78F5c3Od6XnhZEVWRA/s1600/P1140354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0PwJthVvvJqn9HQPI9xG-V2H99A_K9UZ0AgdzXlMYXmzPUKv1TUe_tnp5ib7Hz-XzrzHr01Eh3Tk7RTKi4Fo9cPqWWs4mI3TSX_xFM0kkj9Gd9M0zLtdhNqGJ78F5c3Od6XnhZEVWRA/s320/P1140354.JPG" width="240" /></a>I cast them on and finished the first mitten in 4 days. Now I know some of you could have knit one of these in a fraction of the time, but for me that's really, really good. I normally only knit at night for an hour or two.<br />
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The second one is about 3 inches long and I can't wait to finish because I love these mittens. Now if only the weather would cooperate.<br />
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Has anyone told the weather man that it's supposed to be December? It was 50* here in Michigan again. It supposed to be 30* and snowy by now, but we've had barely any snow. In fact it's only gotten below freezing a couple times.<br />
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Is the weather weird were you are?<br />
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I love to see what you've been working on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-11545804467747239412011-12-16T13:04:00.000-05:002011-12-16T13:04:44.288-05:00FAF: Yarn Cone TreesI stumbled upon this awesome project a couple days ago and have finally figured out what I am going to do with all of those cones I end up with from the yarn I get. All those pounds of yarn from the mills comes on these cardboard cones and the kids snitch them to make monsters out of. If the kids don't take them I just throw them away because I never knew what to do with them.<br />
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Now I do. How cute are these?<br />
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They don't have to be Christmasy either. I'm thinking they'd be a great way to show off our different yarns at festivals. Besides they are just too cute!! I need to get some more yarn in now because I am out of cones.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xnr-Pp8H4Bsq0yrMh28gB_MRuwp3FZCipShxmITxo_NzBN7dhPKVF4wDXrFv9wjGhajzQwVU3j_6KodPSJcVpXOLFShjePa3X6Nho0VaJBgVZwGJU0qpTOB1_MbdXYObCrIcXCl2e9o/s1600/5200317004_e3b7e6ee4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xnr-Pp8H4Bsq0yrMh28gB_MRuwp3FZCipShxmITxo_NzBN7dhPKVF4wDXrFv9wjGhajzQwVU3j_6KodPSJcVpXOLFShjePa3X6Nho0VaJBgVZwGJU0qpTOB1_MbdXYObCrIcXCl2e9o/s320/5200317004_e3b7e6ee4a.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />
You can find the <a href="http://gingerbreadsnowflakes.com/node/267">complete instructions here</a>. I'd love to see some of yours if you make them too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-72952108025244985982011-12-13T16:50:00.000-05:002011-12-13T16:50:06.051-05:00Blocking GeorgianaBlocking knits when they are finished is not my favorite thing. It's not that it's hard, it's just a lot of wet work.<br />
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When I finished my Georgiana shawl I realized I had a problem. I did not have enough mats to go under my shawl to block it. Oh, but that gave me a chance to make an order for more and a couple other things I've been wanting. :)<br />
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For once my order made a speedy appearance and in no time I was soaking and blocking my shawl.<br />
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This shawl has an interesting shape. Every other shawl I've blocked has been a triangle shaped shawl, but this was round. I spent almost an hour moving, tugging and wiggling it into shape. It still wasn't perfectly symmetrical, but I'm not sure any one can tell but me.<br />
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Here she is!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QulF-xR69U3yYnXjb3qmt4Y18q_sL-3VLWlvaauFI8dmVOQE8Z0mJ_cGsXkhk83kc5OwpwVl_n6E5rj4PVXRloxE-kA3PnYwSTHNqIy0F0eJAKLyvp2GxPQw0bweAMgM5PhEQ7Kbiao/s1600/P1140136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QulF-xR69U3yYnXjb3qmt4Y18q_sL-3VLWlvaauFI8dmVOQE8Z0mJ_cGsXkhk83kc5OwpwVl_n6E5rj4PVXRloxE-kA3PnYwSTHNqIy0F0eJAKLyvp2GxPQw0bweAMgM5PhEQ7Kbiao/s400/P1140136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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If you look really close you can see there is a color difference between the old mats and the new ones.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-49457169397595517562011-12-10T15:17:00.000-05:002011-12-10T15:17:13.938-05:00Why You Should Always Wear Gloves While Rinsing....While rinsing some aqua fiber today I ended up dyeing my hands. One of these days I'll learn to wear gloves while rinsing. For now I guess I am an honorary Smurf.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-29_N1xNikKPnoHvk9mvHDg053WjiRGvmI2HOHRYyYkVfigu_ojFeH9pV5FjiVh9fM1DS8unM5wZqffBLvXcxTlYkafNZeGiqFyyvYTa1YhCxNVqTDUJ0dl6wINQ_vb0eoqUgl2LZ2-A/s1600/P1140174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-29_N1xNikKPnoHvk9mvHDg053WjiRGvmI2HOHRYyYkVfigu_ojFeH9pV5FjiVh9fM1DS8unM5wZqffBLvXcxTlYkafNZeGiqFyyvYTa1YhCxNVqTDUJ0dl6wINQ_vb0eoqUgl2LZ2-A/s400/P1140174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-45201914692590341062011-12-09T10:04:00.000-05:002011-12-09T10:04:27.363-05:00FAF: New Pattern - Snowfall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFTMinj5rYR9mImJC9-Fw_9K2Yv14NnS0cVdF75gJaO8wPxyHSweFf2tDGdCVjEOrIotEl4IQ5g7C4LF-ix17X2_Gtg0i_2HLMpLA_PJBdOAuSWr8C56dblGDp6yOEiqHtfKGKiNeJFM/s1600/P1140151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFTMinj5rYR9mImJC9-Fw_9K2Yv14NnS0cVdF75gJaO8wPxyHSweFf2tDGdCVjEOrIotEl4IQ5g7C4LF-ix17X2_Gtg0i_2HLMpLA_PJBdOAuSWr8C56dblGDp6yOEiqHtfKGKiNeJFM/s320/P1140151.JPG" width="320" /></a>Remember that pattern I talked about writing last Friday? I finally released it into the world yesterday.<br />
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Sending a pattern off into cyberspace is terrifying. Really, really terrifying. Will people like it? Could I have done any more to make it better? These questions kept me up most of the night. No matter how many patterns I create, these same fears assault me every time.<br />
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I get over it thought because seeing the pictures of my pattern pop on Ravelry is such a thrill! And then seeing people favorite the pattern and queue it and then make it.......awesome!<br />
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I know I did my best creating this and the test knitters loved it and gave great feedback so I know there shouldn't be much to worry about, but still, I'll probably stew about it for a while.<br />
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I am excited to share it with you and the weather almost cooperated so I could take pictures. I would have preferred some snow on the ground, but mother nature wouldn't listen to my pleas.<br />
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So here it is......<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowfall-mitts">Snowfall</a>. Fingerless mitts inspired by the first snow of the season. The pattern can be found in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowfall-mitts">Ravelry</a> and in our <a href="http://reallifeknits.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iGqyp2mrv1uJiJ_m35rt8WgFSnEnbusmtjym2rp8kybbTxqX2CoAePBOTagE4520mecqWmsCtB_vUGmwcW8A4wYeYN_-8toB-I9dFpcs-XQMeKVjV9vyffO33fHQgnqwYp9HwWEb-vA/s1600/P1140139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iGqyp2mrv1uJiJ_m35rt8WgFSnEnbusmtjym2rp8kybbTxqX2CoAePBOTagE4520mecqWmsCtB_vUGmwcW8A4wYeYN_-8toB-I9dFpcs-XQMeKVjV9vyffO33fHQgnqwYp9HwWEb-vA/s320/P1140139.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS06o6jIqWppuamcJFzhctXs0Iv2Kw-kqx0S7-XlUUegWwZrN2HZOhD7wK1_1u_DGztrkbdM_f3iGS6BrYs5z78faVDPmksYiutBh-2bsp8JA-cW42c18qlkFedOVaF-IiHSOFIIkrko/s1600/P1140142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS06o6jIqWppuamcJFzhctXs0Iv2Kw-kqx0S7-XlUUegWwZrN2HZOhD7wK1_1u_DGztrkbdM_f3iGS6BrYs5z78faVDPmksYiutBh-2bsp8JA-cW42c18qlkFedOVaF-IiHSOFIIkrko/s320/P1140142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-6747372001791141682011-12-02T12:06:00.000-05:002011-12-02T12:06:05.565-05:00FAF: Creating a PatternHave you ever wondered how all those creative pattern writing people create those patterns? Every person's creative process is different, but I thought I'd give you a glimpse of mine.<br />
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The inspiration for a pattern can come from anywhere. This particular pattern idea came from a wine bottle cozy I made. It was so cute that I thought it needed to be worn. That was the start of the fingerless mitt pattern that will debut next week.<br />
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After getting an idea of what I want it to look like, I then decide which yarn I want to use. I like to write the patterns to feature the yarns we sell so I go diving through the inventory and play with yarn until I feel I have the right one for a project. In this instance I choose a 100% superwash merino in fingering weight (our Klondike base). <br />
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I tend to doodle and write all over papers so the start of the pattern kind of looks like this. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRm6er5HJTwZ1gA_1u57WrYGeanjha9en_W36iwosYVuY-U4c4iRCD9hsguFa85RQW6zw4Hu21aKPY4Rmg062zLntBs3ElWnYNENxCTpnzAPMiEwZ9kabdRHff0aHr61odkD40yiY-k4/s1600/P1140111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRm6er5HJTwZ1gA_1u57WrYGeanjha9en_W36iwosYVuY-U4c4iRCD9hsguFa85RQW6zw4Hu21aKPY4Rmg062zLntBs3ElWnYNENxCTpnzAPMiEwZ9kabdRHff0aHr61odkD40yiY-k4/s320/P1140111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
There is a small sketch of what I wanted it to look like when complete and lots of crossed out math on the top as I tried to figure out the number of cast on stitches.<br />
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Did you know there's math in knitting? I mean, seriously scary math? I pictured a cute lacy edge to my mitt and finally came up with the perfect one. The problem....the number of stitches for the repeat of the lace pattern was completely different than the repeat for the mitt pattern. There was a lot of math, cursing and scribbling as I finally found a combo I could live with and that worked together.<br />
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For the most part, the rest of the mitt was a piece of cake. Why is the beginning always the hardest?<br />
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I spent about 2 weeks of evenings writing the pattern and knitting as I went. Occasionally I had to adjust something and once I ended up with a whole section that looked like this. I wasn't happy with it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7P5frbngyUEw-qd2GXEW1uVF0qflCfDctAwZCqvWFJ8ikosiUDf_r-8Bljb74bhyFrTHlLF4gLzxnSAsOzI6NAI-TfECzLNWxsXlYMXmppWLeTtptP7sjiWb8c1Nr-mvRKrLVHVqsE8/s1600/P1140112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7P5frbngyUEw-qd2GXEW1uVF0qflCfDctAwZCqvWFJ8ikosiUDf_r-8Bljb74bhyFrTHlLF4gLzxnSAsOzI6NAI-TfECzLNWxsXlYMXmppWLeTtptP7sjiWb8c1Nr-mvRKrLVHVqsE8/s320/P1140112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After my first pair was finished and the pattern typed up, it went out to the test knitters so they could give it a whorl.<br />
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For the most part, the pattern was a complete success. We had a couple of days of discussion on how to improve some instructions and there were a few typos, but overall it was good.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp9rN7iI0XFbXnSwb3-punjyoPSpFVS94xxIPpNretDF_XsuumY8i3-7ixUNKyy4GYkoCJjNHABClbOxEaGo7laSF8d18RElCBBGu8x0ACaPvuL6arWTVnLFkzZQ4U76_JvKbyK2GYao/s1600/P1140095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp9rN7iI0XFbXnSwb3-punjyoPSpFVS94xxIPpNretDF_XsuumY8i3-7ixUNKyy4GYkoCJjNHABClbOxEaGo7laSF8d18RElCBBGu8x0ACaPvuL6arWTVnLFkzZQ4U76_JvKbyK2GYao/s200/P1140095.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
The test knitters gave it their approval and now 2 weeks later it's almost ready to debut. I can't wait! Here's a blog exclusive sneak peak.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-71717072081355765142011-12-01T13:54:00.000-05:002011-12-01T13:54:24.689-05:00December Phat Fiber Sneak PeakThe theme for the December Phat Fiber box is..........Childhood Favorites!<br />
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It was a very generic theme to work with and honestly I could have gone in a million different directions. I even toyed with the idea of a Disney movie theme or my favorite 80s cartoons. The problem was I had some colors stuck in my head and I needed a way to use them.<br />
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I finally decided on ice cream flavors. Who doesn't love ice cream? I went with my absolute favorite from childhood, Mint Chocolate Chip and the kids favorite, Cherry Chip. I think they translated really well to yarn.<br />
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I used our Klondike base - 100% Superwash Merino. Very springy and squishy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBw8Kbe6Wme4Szn0wfOrxRbBrpZGpUf23MG-hlI7rYo5CMmHBhK_Hb3uT0L6jgi9IpOvToaZo92IBlfsI5OuhRcymjRYfW-JlsuUtV2qRDwHryBx6uhNvWnC2-ZWVrEbBV5sw9pecUPM/s1600/cherrychip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBw8Kbe6Wme4Szn0wfOrxRbBrpZGpUf23MG-hlI7rYo5CMmHBhK_Hb3uT0L6jgi9IpOvToaZo92IBlfsI5OuhRcymjRYfW-JlsuUtV2qRDwHryBx6uhNvWnC2-ZWVrEbBV5sw9pecUPM/s400/cherrychip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoXD2JJBHK7Cdsi2OHcsFBX0BEvfT3WblovMfVP3k8LNbus60jwVAl0YVGuVkDJUQHB_S_pFPZzTv444uxPsKXld-iFOnKXxOhqSyjAHZKqmN6UHSAIUUspUkuXKKrIhKzEQgUTPFzw8/s1600/mintchoco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoXD2JJBHK7Cdsi2OHcsFBX0BEvfT3WblovMfVP3k8LNbus60jwVAl0YVGuVkDJUQHB_S_pFPZzTv444uxPsKXld-iFOnKXxOhqSyjAHZKqmN6UHSAIUUspUkuXKKrIhKzEQgUTPFzw8/s400/mintchoco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Full size skeins will be up in the shop on Monday and to get the December Phat box visit the <a href="http://www.phatfiber.com/">Phat Fiber website</a> for all the information.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-48842977131717839822011-11-30T13:59:00.001-05:002011-11-30T13:59:33.963-05:00WIP Wednesday: Georgiana Shawl and MalukaMy Georgiana shawl is coming along great!! This is the first project in a long time that makes me want to knit all the time. Lately it seems that knitting has been a chore, but I've found my love of knitting again in this shawl.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tHmbv3nb3KE3iwz3lE28hYyl5JewmKcojeTIA67XOT83L9lQL1fBRVvfc36IgTAjVhSJBGkjmuzMJTUoYcVx9pjhKlQOAWafFazPJD4NgujuNEn6l5r5V2CrSTk63C2_57w2CG49LGE/s1600/P1140061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tHmbv3nb3KE3iwz3lE28hYyl5JewmKcojeTIA67XOT83L9lQL1fBRVvfc36IgTAjVhSJBGkjmuzMJTUoYcVx9pjhKlQOAWafFazPJD4NgujuNEn6l5r5V2CrSTk63C2_57w2CG49LGE/s320/P1140061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Currently I am working back and forth on what seems like a million short rows to shape the shawl, but they are easy. I think I could be sleeping and not screw these up which is a nice change from the lace charts. Only 20 some-odd rows to go before I get to the next lace chart. I might even make it there by tonight.<br />
<br />
I'm trying to behave and not cast on another project before this shawl is done, but it's very hard not to. I recently received an awesome skein of alpaca blend yarn in a swap and it finally told me what it wanted to be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7Xwo-U0_ARRSn8COL9mHW1j-VFWPlPgEiDCYyCDLfIGNDRF-duCm6vv9THaNfS0zIIrQj63OogC57zbU3G6HIHY9NAoc3Z4CIETjVO1zsVG0Vx4w5okPjhdQGeqlXd_Rlj9NYEzUIRw/s1600/P1140049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7Xwo-U0_ARRSn8COL9mHW1j-VFWPlPgEiDCYyCDLfIGNDRF-duCm6vv9THaNfS0zIIrQj63OogC57zbU3G6HIHY9NAoc3Z4CIETjVO1zsVG0Vx4w5okPjhdQGeqlXd_Rlj9NYEzUIRw/s320/P1140049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Isn't it pretty?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I will be making this shawl/scarf/wrap thing (not entirely sure what to call it) that I found on Ravelry. It's called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maluka">Maluka</a> and looks like this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pcnSc6V2WwbqCIj2lsFIxMo2LLFLvMWJwnSLGR0PaoXF5eSidVzLNcx4MnJgHnlVIlcTyXdh3UClDCTl9c5urR-7Z9EDyNtyzODPjuvbN22jqCRV4x_npsI-NPQhE39r3rWA3wsHTNw/s1600/Maluka_002_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pcnSc6V2WwbqCIj2lsFIxMo2LLFLvMWJwnSLGR0PaoXF5eSidVzLNcx4MnJgHnlVIlcTyXdh3UClDCTl9c5urR-7Z9EDyNtyzODPjuvbN22jqCRV4x_npsI-NPQhE39r3rWA3wsHTNw/s320/Maluka_002_medium2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This will be my very first project with cables! I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. It's only little cables though so I think it'll be ok.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-82426452684344471612011-11-28T16:06:00.000-05:002014-10-25T10:22:40.874-04:00Spin in Your PJs Day Follow-UpSpin in Your PJs Day was a rousing success!!<br />
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<br />
Several of us from around the world came together and spent at least part<br />
of the day spinning in our jammies. Some of us were even brave enough to post pictures in our pjs.<br />
<br />
For many of us, this was a day to enjoy spinning again. In our busy lives <br />
it can be difficult to find the time for our fiber hobbies and we occasionally need a push in the direction of relaxation. Coming together in a group where we can encourage and nudge each other helped me get back to my spinning wheel and I know a lot of others felt the same way.<br />
<br />
The day was so successful that we've all agreed that we want to do it again next year! I'm already super excited and planning some fun. I'll be sure to let you know in plenty of time in case you want to join in. In the meantime, you can read through this year's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/tomorrow-farm/1914213/1-25">thread</a> and see some of the great pictures posted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-20272589867423859422011-11-25T11:29:00.000-05:002011-11-25T11:29:01.603-05:00FAF: Spin in Your PJs DayHappy Friday! I hope your Thanksgiving was a happy one!<br />
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How are you spending your day after Thanksgiving? Did you brave the dark and stand in line for great deals? Did you sleep in and do your shopping online? Or did you skip the post holiday shopping altogether?<br />
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I did a little shopping online yesterday after the big meal and was able to score the couple of "doorbuster" deals I wanted. I really liked the fact that most retailers were offering their sales online yesterday instead of waiting for today.<br />
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So today I am celebrating a day that I have officially declared "Spin in Your PJs Day". It's a simple concept. Just spend the day relaxing in your jammies and do something you love. In this case, spinning.<br />
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I started a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/tomorrow-farm/1914213/1-25">thread on Ravelry</a> so people can gather together and it's taking off. At least I'm not celebrating it alone! I've even offered a prize drawing for anyone that posts pictures of themselves spinning in their jammies.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatl0_6Ny4jQoAnu2gyr7MAafinIO5zCUaiRaEYBgPODmRGQmi2xdhnUO2a4D4N8hvSxxvdbhpALf0dMWuNFJUnXAPkWdwoZXmXIryOCTFvJlwPBngN67ZcGYUdvBtsCkTc1uEyZS78w8/s1600/P1140043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatl0_6Ny4jQoAnu2gyr7MAafinIO5zCUaiRaEYBgPODmRGQmi2xdhnUO2a4D4N8hvSxxvdbhpALf0dMWuNFJUnXAPkWdwoZXmXIryOCTFvJlwPBngN67ZcGYUdvBtsCkTc1uEyZS78w8/s320/P1140043.JPG" width="241" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I was a good girl and posted this picture taken of me this morning spinning in my Christmas pjs.</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today will be a day of relaxing. I needed one and I suppose it's a little sad that I had to declare my own holiday to get it. I'll enjoy every second of it though and hope to get some yummy silk yarn spun. Maybe I'll even get a few more rows of my Georgiana shawl done.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a great one!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-87884910116986697772011-11-23T11:33:00.001-05:002011-11-23T16:07:06.837-05:00WIP Wednesday: Georgiana Shawl ContinuedI am really loving this shawl pattern! It's easy to follow, looks more complicated than it is and works up fairly quickly. Once I finally had the correct number of stitches, its been flowing pretty fast.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8SfeflfDuPRICH_EOoGFwdL_COZtSIOdX-9IGNyNUxlsraIDNMfi4lL2N5ZYv2LpQsr4nN1XBTGKJo2s3_tMwmE4xMT9tRB9hr_t5ZUu4tgXRKnV9F5RnWWUWp5JpGQHN4qfsnhcDz0/s1600/P1140025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8SfeflfDuPRICH_EOoGFwdL_COZtSIOdX-9IGNyNUxlsraIDNMfi4lL2N5ZYv2LpQsr4nN1XBTGKJo2s3_tMwmE4xMT9tRB9hr_t5ZUu4tgXRKnV9F5RnWWUWp5JpGQHN4qfsnhcDz0/s320/P1140025.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I wanted to be through the first chart by now, but I didn't realize how much that really was. I thought 22 rows...that can't be too bad, but turns out that there are more than 10,000 stitches from the beginning of the shawl to halfway through the first chart.<br />
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Yeah, you read that right. More than 10,000.<br />
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At roughly 10 stitches per minute, that's around 16 hours so far and I still have half the chart to go. I was a little too optimistic I think.<br />
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My yarn is shrinking rapidly too. I've used up the first 250 yards of the 750 yards I have. Please let me have enough! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxs5zL0qvVdLEDy-Pmml_cPCE-qzse0b5Pu032AQdOtcHg8TzBU8xohVCDkVRJABtDjvVYkPTseoI9N4HER9ma7hqC4FtRj9WXKE4youOt7yL33sgTFgtkvBwUrA-z6H9KBBqOKuA0Kg/s1600/P1140026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxs5zL0qvVdLEDy-Pmml_cPCE-qzse0b5Pu032AQdOtcHg8TzBU8xohVCDkVRJABtDjvVYkPTseoI9N4HER9ma7hqC4FtRj9WXKE4youOt7yL33sgTFgtkvBwUrA-z6H9KBBqOKuA0Kg/s320/P1140026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm not sure how much more I'll be able to work on it today because I've got pies to bake, but I'll try.<br />
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Happy Wednesday!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751169854601371814.post-5013073018895790532011-11-21T16:48:00.000-05:002011-11-21T16:48:05.521-05:00*~* New Product Update *~* Mini Skeins and YukonI spent the day trying to list some of the new products in the shop.<br />
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First up is a brand new yarn base called Yukon. It is a cousin to our Klondike fingering weight sock yarn, but comes in worsted weight. It's 100% superwash merino and totally soft and squishy. I LOVE this yarn!!<br />
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Currently it is only listed in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86722590/superwash-merino-yarn-yukon-peppermint">Peppermint</a>, but I have another color that I'll be listing tomorrow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFATtFbYbYMWpJUVBfj-BCAEbuxwxdHpQ96nt2KT04Jh5CljkUEjhl1sRg-r_zig52zn_jWgbKQeqC6_yGEuosMn0wA0Ntsn-og5gyVk0leoQksdOBusYmjD7Znb88YLMR5o-j93LtQo/s1600/P1130915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFATtFbYbYMWpJUVBfj-BCAEbuxwxdHpQ96nt2KT04Jh5CljkUEjhl1sRg-r_zig52zn_jWgbKQeqC6_yGEuosMn0wA0Ntsn-og5gyVk0leoQksdOBusYmjD7Znb88YLMR5o-j93LtQo/s320/P1130915.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I've also listed several packs of<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86721831/mini-sock-yarn-skeins-set-of-6-lot-19"> mini sock yarn skeins</a>. These have been a huge hit and sell out rapidly. No two are alike and there so many colors to choose from.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jPJL3KNcMFGdeb_mIfErcl6PansBq_g3eWYBzasO3tLUll8Ec3WrpD9EZMxeMPCPTUvbZLjx5p5gGtMJ6RETMoc61XHalDJHlKg4zo2H5v46xe0TOogmLQQWLzG0kuhRVa9IqzC3mSo/s1600/P1130952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jPJL3KNcMFGdeb_mIfErcl6PansBq_g3eWYBzasO3tLUll8Ec3WrpD9EZMxeMPCPTUvbZLjx5p5gGtMJ6RETMoc61XHalDJHlKg4zo2H5v46xe0TOogmLQQWLzG0kuhRVa9IqzC3mSo/s320/P1130952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Enjoy the yarn tease!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF7SiOhTPTqcKMnwOD2f0MLfRiu0zPm-nMHC-ztoogP988mYqtGl8QatUnfVz0GONu3DnJ5t_iow4wVC6WY0BKPf6u7brKKjfcEDwaM4VZOcya9u2HbTtpEk1mpou1TWfDgQWKo4PLHM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0