And now for the sampling and spinning

So here is where we start.  I tried to spin it without carding but it seemed a little dense.. and the wool is dense anyway.   So I ended up carding Rolags and spinning up a sample.  Originally I had intended to do singles.  That really didnt give

me the fluffiness I wanted - so two ply it is.

Got the Goods

I ordered and got my beautiful Shetland wool really fast.  I havent totally decided what accent colors I will be using - but the body will be this lovely Gray with a hint of brown.

#SOHapalong

 I was minding my own business, making great progress on my Dryer lint hoodie and then "it " appeared in my FB Feed.  Honest I am trying like heck to get this sweater done.  It isnt really dryer lint but man o man it looks like it.  It is actually Noro Kiso and it is amazing... So I have a sleeve, a hood and a third of the front to do.  It has great knitted in front kangaroo pocket.  I promised myself I would finish this before I started another project.  I have several in the wings...

Then this came along.  It is a Spinalong Knit Along.  ANd I have never done one.  Entails spinning about 800 yards of  wool and then knitting this HAP in 4 months.  I am intrigued... well really I am hooked.

There is a lot of information on what a Hap is - but in a nutshell it is a blanket shawl of vintage Scottish or Irish origin.  The center is knit every row and then "olde Shell" pattern is added to the edges for a bit of color and fancy.  They were originally knitted for daily use, and spun from local wool you raised yourself.  So - I am doing it.  I decided on using undyed natural shetland wool ( traditionally used for this pattern) in a gray/brown for the body- with Black, cream and brown for the color work.  I did get some green roving as well - I might change my mind about the black and use green for some Panache.

So I am taking you with me friends, on my Journey.  Here is the link to the Ravelry Connection: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/spin-off-knitters--spinners/3863088/1-25

#SOHapalong

Step One Pick my Pattern and Purchase Wool.

First the fluff

A VERY long time ago..like 10 years I bought some fleece.  2 boxes. Not sure what they are..maybe merino..but the time has come to use them up.  Mostly because someone in my house may have reminded me that I didn't need to by anything new..since I had tons of the stuff.

So I went on a treasure hunt..and look what I found...

now to wash the years away.

Devil Beads

I have been wanting to work with lace for a very long time.  Have tried it here and there but never been really happy with the results. I found a great designer on Ravelry that does amazing beautiful shawls etc.  Here is a link to one of her beauties:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wintersweet-2 .

This is the shawl I am working on.  The Fiber is a Tussah silk from Germany.  It was so cool to order in and have it appear with the strange and wonderful stamps from another country.

To make the difficulty a level 15 plus. It has beads... tiny glass devils.

New Projects - on the way!

New project just completed.  It is pretty but needs to  be knitted a little less tight... that could be because I feel tight.. but never you mind that!!

I have purchased a TON of new yarn.  I am planning, making to go packets of projects.  Pretty dang cool eh?  I print the instructions and put them in a big ol ziplock baggie with the yarn.  And then everything will be all together and I wont forget - Hey what did I guy that yarn for????  Now I can at least remember what I thought I was doing with it.

The last six months has been a bit of a stretch for me.  I have had breast cancer and had loads of Chemo.  The chemo makes my vision blurry and my hands and feet numb.. especially my fingers and toes...but - knitting still goes on.

I have been frustrated - well down right pissed off, but determined not to let it define this part of me.  SOOOO I picked up some great patterns and am ready to get started.  Well actually finishe a couple of lingering projects --- THEN get started.

Traveling Woman...

For those that don't know - I travel weekly for my job.  It is great on the pocketbook and difficult on the soul.  My knitting is my daily meditation.  Here is the view from my office in Springdale Arkansas.   I want to talk a little about the type of projects I have going on at the same time. 3 Categories..

I try to have something super easy on my needles at ALL times.  Something that requires no thought - or very little.  It has to feel good-- no cheap yarn..yes I am a bit of yarn snob - but I believe if I am going to spend the time to hand make something - it needs to be high quality fiber and feel really good.  Even the easy stuff. Think Socks Hats Mittens. A quick fix

Enter Fingerless Mitts...hellooo beautiful!A wonderful and cushie DK from a company in Uruguay- similar to Malabrigo.  This is a simple Mitten pattern with no top.. yup topless.  Simple ---easy.  Fits Category 1.  Bought this beautiful fluff on our trip to Wyoming.

Category 2
Usually a bigger piece.. sweater or something... again not too difficult, but longer in duration to complete.  Afghans and blankets fit this bill.  But for now... I have this great sweater on my circulars.  In a silk and cotton from Knitpiks..

That leave us with Category 3- this does not travel with me, it is too complex and too fussy to bear travel well.  I only work on it when I am happy and content, have eaten and exercised and feel totally undestructable.  It is the project that lays in wait sending tendrils of black smoke from my closet.  This is the project that challenges me and I learn something new.. even if that "new" is that I hate this project.

  These socks fit the bill.  They wait for my return.. yeah buddy you and the mold in my refrigerator.