Well, I feel sheepish!

I'm a bad bad blogger. I know. I go YEARS without a peep. Mostly it's just that I forget. Sometimes it's because I don't have much to update about.

Today, I put a new band drive on my poor Mach 1 that's been gathering dust in the corner. It's not that I don't like this wheel. I love it. I do! However, it's big, bulky and hard to get to through my clutter. I've had some mystery fiber languishing on it for years. I bought this fiber when I was just getting into spinning because it was purple and soft. Not even the woman selling it knew what it was. I only knew it wasn't mohair.

Well, it's like a whole different person had spun it. It was thick (very thick!) spun. Almost a worsted weight single. I never spin that thick! D=

So I'm spinning on a wheel I'm no longer familiar with, trying to match the spinning of my past self who spun extremely chunky. I'm so in over my head. XD

My spinning mojo is high.
My knitting mojo is almost non-existent.
My sewing mojo is high as well.

On the sewing front, I've been making male and female Oneida No Face dolls. I've been trying to make a male/female pair for every season. So far, I've done Fall and Winter. The fabric for Spring just arrived (strawberry fabric is nearly impossible to find here, regardless of season). I have NO clue what design to do for summer. I'm hoping some fabric will just jump out an grab me.

Must be the end of the world or something!

Because I'm actually updating my blog! YOIKS! It's been a long time. Many things have happened (probably too much to actually write). Anyhoo... I've been thinking about joining The Knitgirllls Stash Dash. It runs from May 27-August 15 and you have to knit 5 km (5460 yards) of yarn. I've been pretty lazy about my knitting, so maybe this will give me the kick in the pants I need. XD

Oh! One of the things I've been doing is a yarn diet. It's going fairly well. I've only added 3 skeins of yarn to my stash since going on this diet in January. I really need to knit some of it down.

I'm currently knitting a shawl called The Weekend Shawl by Anne Kuo Lukito. I've had to knit it TWICE! I didn't like the size it came out on the needles it called for, so I did it on size 7s. But I'm almost done with that sucker! Oh man, I can't wait to be done with this. Took WAY more than a weekend.

I'll likely take a small break and knit up a couple of wash clothes in my favorite pattern. I need some instant gratification after this shawl. I'll also try to squeeze in finishing a couple of UFOs in the form of socks that are mostly done.

So much to do, so little time to knit it all in.

Lots of Stuff!

Well, I am officially done with my Firmaments Lace Shawl! YAAAAYY!! I did mess up in section C of the lace, but seeing how long it took to bind off (and I was about 80% done with the binding off when I noticed it), I wasn't about to rip back. I'll live with it. I must say I enjoyed lace knitting.

Speaking of lace... I've cast on for the Hemlock Ring blanket. In June??!! Yes, in June. XD I'm one crazy mofo! It's been really easy and enjoyable so far. I'll probably take it to knit night at Nina's house.

I've also decided to rip back that bag. I just don't like it. It looks nice in the picture, but it's a little too weird for me. I'll rip and start knitting it in a different pattern.

I'm also going to NYC for my bday. I'm planning to go to the Lion Brand Studios, but I would also like to hit a few more yarn stores. I've been reading on Ravelry that quite a few stores in the NYC area are closed. Maybe I'll just hit Kinokuniya and look at their magazines for J-knits... I also want to go to Alice's Tea Cup. =D

To Frog or Not to Frog...

I got a free pattern from Michaels and it was for a crochet market bag. I thought it was quite pretty in the picture, but it seems no one on Ravelry has made it yet (or has bothered to post it). But the further along I get on this bag, the more I'm not sure I like it. I don't like sewing stuff up (I mean, something like a bag can easily be done in the round. Especially in crochet!), so why is this pattern done flat? Even the bottom doesn't really make sense.

I'm wondering if I should just frog it and start either on a different bag pattern or even remaking this so I can just crochet it in the round.

On the other hand, I am about halfway done (and put in a lot of time on it). I'm not really looking forward to putting this cotton back onto the mega huge ball it once was.

Guess I'll work on my shawl for a bit while I mull this over. =(

New Wheel Adventures

Well... as much as I love my Mach 1, it is a HEAVY HEAVY wheel. Yes, I know, it has wheels, but really! You have to lift it in and out of the car, and heaven forbid it should be raining/snowing/sleeting/going upstairs to Nina's place, you're gonna have to carry into wherever it is you're going.

So I bought a new wheel. It is a Fidelis from Heavenly Handspinning. It's a single treadle made from the wheel of a bicycle! Now, I've heard both bad and good things about the Heavenly Handspinning wheel, but the weight and price sold me. After all, it couldn't be any worse than the Hitchhiker. ^_^;;

The Good: It is light, fast, and cheap. The bobbins are DIRT CHEAP. I got 3 of them for $25 and it also comes with 3. It's very easy to assemble and the packaging it was shipped in kept it very safe. It's also cute and it's better looking than the PVC wheels out there. You can also customize it by staining it however you prefer.

The Bad: It's not like any other wheel I've ever spun on before and it takes a bit of getting used to. The bobbin spins and the flier stays still. Now you're probably thinking "Well... how different can that be?". Very. It takes a bit of experimentation to figure out how to spin on it. I found that I do long draw very well on it.

The bobbins are kinda.... cheap. Both to the touch and sight. They look like a fine plywood and are a bit rough.

The noise... Well, generally, it's fairly quiet. However, if the bobbin gets too close to the orifice, it does make a click, click, click noise slightly louder than keyboard strokes (at least my keyboard!). It's still a much quieter wheel than the Hitchhiker's direct drive.

Is it worth it? I think it is. Some people find that you need to push hard on the treadle to get it to spin. I don't find that to be true. I use very little tension and it sucks up the fiber fairly quickly with not much effort on the treadling. And it takes less concentration and effort in the treadling than the Hitchhiker. I'm not sure if I'd recommend it as a first wheel, but if you're on a tight budget, it's a fairly decent wheel. I'd love to try out a double treadle one. XD

My friends are talking about getting me those little doodads that you used to stick on your bicycle spokes when you were 7. You know... they make a cute clink clink clink as your bicycle wheel turns. Does anyone remember those? I think they should get me a reflector. Hmm.. maybe a bike chain. I could chain up my wheel when I go to the ladies room. Oh the humor possibilities! XD

YAAAYY!! SOCKS!

I finally got to the last lace repeat (and bind off edge) of the Lace Firmaments Shawl. However, I know I'm gonna need a lot of quiet time to concentrate on this. I really really really don't want to rip back on this part, so it's gonna stay at home where I can tink, swear, and concentrate on the shawl without any distractions.

In the meantime, I need something to take to knitting with me! Sooooooo.... SOCKS!!!! I'm casting on the Chevy Socks from Knitting with Handpainted Yarn book. This is some yummy yummy green yarn by Knitpicks. Now, I've got PLENTY of prettier yarn to knit with, but I've been wanting to knit with this yarn since I got it.

SOCKS!!!!!! =D

SOCKS!!!

When I started my lace shawl, I was 100% burned out on socks. I didn't want to look at another pair of socks. So I decided to either knit a shawl or the tilted duster (sweater) to just get out of the monotony of socks. It's a good thing I did. I needed it.

However, I just bought Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn by Carol J. Sulcoski and I am dying to knit up a pair of socks. There are so many seriously good patterns in it! Bad bad bad news. I know if I start a pair, my shawl will just sit on the needles for the next 3 years. ARGH! I even got some yummy yummy sock yarn in the mail, too! D=

I'm doomed. ;_;

Lace and Twilight

I'm still working on my Lace Firmaments Shawl and fortunately, I'm not tired of it yet. There was one HUUUUGGEE set back when I started the 3rd lace chart, but I put double the effort in and made it back to where I frogged back after a day and a half. I have to do the current chart 9 times over and I'm only 3 repeats in (6 more to go). I haven't bothered to put in any more lifelines (maybe I should, I just don't seem to be that far... at least in my eyes).

My friends Vanessa and Nina have gotten me into the Twilight series. I'm enjoying it so far, but because this lace is rather complicated (too complicated to read and knit at the same time), so I've been listening to it on audiobook. I'm about halfway thru the 2nd book and it's slow going. Mostly because I've been neglecting my podcast subscriptions and listening to those also. I had about 42 un-listened to podcast and now I'm down to 28!

Well, back to knitting. This shawl ain't gonna knit itself! XD

(I honestly can't tell how far along I am since this is a round shawl. I don't think I'm halfway yet, tho.)

Almost a year??!! D=

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've updated my blog! To be honest, I kinda forgot about it! So... what's happened?

I got a new spinning wheel. It's a Mach 1 by Spinnolution and it spins like a DREAM. It can even do fat art yarns.

I also sold my Hitchhiker. I just couldn't get used to it. It's a very nice portable spinning wheel, but I just couldn't get the knack of it.

I can't tell you how many pairs of socks I've knit. SOOOO many! I've kept less than half the pairs I've knit up, tho. My friend Vanessa got a pair for xmas. =D

What's on my needles now? I'm starting the Firmaments Lace Shawl... and it's the FIRST lace project I've ever done. I know I'm supposed to put in lifelines, but I just don't like doing it! However, as soon as I complained about them, I really did have to use it. XD So I've learned not to complain too much because it just saved me from losing EVERYTHING. I've almost reknit everything I lost, so it's not too bad.

I hope I can update my blog before NEXT year. Uguuu~ I'm a bad blogger. ;_;

Mystical Creation Yarns

*sigh* Such a huge hubbub over on Ravelry concerning this dyer. To be honest, I also purchased some MCY yarn a while ago, but my experience wasn't nearly as bad as everyone else's it seems. My yarn, while thinner than I expected, was exactly what it looked like on Etsy. There were no felted spots, no undyed spots, no breaks, no bleeding and it arrived quickly. The yarn is... I hate to say... perfect. I was lucky.

I've heard such horror stories of what I could have gotten. I consider myself extremely fortunate. But like I said, it was thinner than I expected... and this is my own fault. ^_^;; I should've read the stitches per inch. But what to do with this thin yarn with not much yardage? I sure as heck am not ordering more from her. No sir, I can learn from others mistakes. So no lace stoles for me. =( I did consider knitting up a pair of Mrs. Beatons (lacy cuffs), but I dress up so very rarely, it would seem a waste. But the Ice Queen pattern in the Winter 07 Knitty was perfect! It would use up a large amount of this yarn, I wouldn't be short, it's elegant, and I'm allergic to the recommended Kid Silk Haze. I'm about 30% thru the Ice Queen pattern and it already so pretty and soft. It's truly a shame that MCY had to go downhill in such a terrible manner. I totally would've ordered from her again... if she wasn't such a person of questionable morals.

Better

I'm really glad to see improvement in my dad's condition. I remember when he first went in and could barely speak coherently. Now, I can understand what he says and he's completed therapy with his hand. His leg is still weak, but that he can get up, walk a few steps with minimal assistance... it makes me happy. I hope he comes home soon. =)

On the knitting front, I'm completely burnt out by the completion of the 1 snowflake sock. I've put that on hold and am knitting my brother a pair of mindless Thuja with Ewe-Phoria Sock Yarn. OMG... that sock yarn is SOOO soft and yummy. I'm glad I'll have enough left over after his are done for a pair of anklets for myself. SO SOFT! Working with this yarn has been a joy. He better like these! D< If he doesn't, I'll kidnap them back, rip back the toes and reknit 'em to fit me! ~_^

Snowflake Socks

I'm.... unhappy. I get to a VERY nice spot in my knitting... almost being done... and I have to rip them back. It's happened 3 times so far. These socks are taking FOR-EV-ER. I just want them to be done.

Rip 1: Gauge is too tight. I have to rip back to before the heel turn. I can't get them on.
Rip 2: I made a big very noticeable boo boo after the heel turn and have to rip 10 rows back. RIP!
Rip 3: It doesn't fit over my calf. Time to rip back 20 rows and move up to a larger needle. I'm gonna have to go up ANOTHER needle size soon. I just know it.

*whine* Are we there yet? D=

Procrastination

I'm a horrible procrastinator. Sort of. ^_^;; Anyways, I told many of my friends, I'd knit them something for xmas... which I did and fairly on time as well.

Well... their gifts are still sitting in my house. I haven't found the time nor energy to mail them out. I should do that soon. ;_;

In other news, I'm working on a pair of Snowflake Socks from Magknits. I'm using the new Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. It's a little.... fiddly, but I like the colors. I have NEVER knit socks that long. O_o But at least I have something to knit while visiting my dad. (Dad had a stroke the day before New Years. He's ok! He just needs some rehab for his leg.) Sometimes I wonder if he gets annoyed that I turn his room into a knitting meeting (since my mom knits too). ^_^ Well... he hasn't complained yet, so I guess it's ok.

Sock Swap Swag

I got my package from my Hogwarts Sock Swap partner in the mail. I was quite impressed with the stuff she sent me! The socks (which were beautiful) fit perfectly, while the books she got were fun to look through. She got me a nice set of size 3 bamboo needles (which the timing for couldn't be more perfect) and yummy yummy candies. Even the packaging was cute (a little halloween themed chinese take-out box). XD

I had so much fun doing this swap. I would happily (and eagerly) do another. Thanks so much to my Swap pal Daisy Boomslang (as I know her by) for being a wonderful partner. =D

Vintage patterns

One of the local libraries had a book sale and I decided to sift through the craft section. I came upon quite a few vintage knitting magazines, but only a couple actually caught my eye. One is a 1963 copy of Spinnerin. It's really quite amazing. A LOT of the patterns in it could be knit and be very trendy today. I'll probably have to look up some of the weights/sizes of the yarn, but I think I might knit some of these up. They're quite pretty. There's even a pattern for a coat/skirt set that looks very Jackie O.

The other is a 1974 knitting mag called "For the Family" by Annis Holmes and has a few hat, mitten, sock, and scarf patterns. I'm a sucker for socks and mittens, so I had to grab it.

All in all, it cost me $1. XD

Edit: I stopped by A.C. Moore's knitting demo today and got a free pair of size 17 needles. SWEET! Going to go back on Monday and try to get some 40% off Paton's Classic Wool for a pair of felted clogs.

Size... what? D=

My brother asked me a while ago if I would knit socks for him. So... upon completing the socks for my Hogwarts Sock Swap Pal, I thought it was time. I got 2 skeins of Moda Dea's Bamboo Wool (since I wanted Panda Wool, but alas, I couldn't find any in "manly" colors at my LYS). Well... I really should've thought twice about it. My brother wears size 15 shoes. ^^;;

Well, I decided the fastest and easiest way would be to just knit a very basic sock. No patterns. Just straight stockinette feet with a 4x2 ribbing at the ankle. It took me 3 days, but I'm halfway done. Yep... 1 sock down and 1 to go.

I'm really kinda happy. He likes how thick it is, how short it is (he wanted socks that went shortly past his ankle and 1 skein did exactly that), and the shape and color. Hopefully, these socks will be good for NY winters and will last him a while.

I'll just pray that if they don't last a week... he won't tell me. I swear I'll cry.

New Aquisitions

I'm sorry I didn't post this before now. To be honest, I was a tad lazy. ^^; Anyhoos... I went to the Fingerlakes Fiber Arts Festival this weekend. I managed to talk my mom into going with me (after Maryland S&W, I no longer like going far places by myself). She grumbled for a bit, but quickly enough slipped into the "ooh! soft! must buy!" mode. XD She bought a wooden DPN holder and one of those Rakestraw Spinners, then complained that she spent more than me. Well... not to be outdone, I bought a spinning wheel. My first spinning wheel. It's a Hitchhiker from The Merlin Tree. It's really cute and I like the design.

The only problem is... I have NO idea how to spin on a spinning wheel! XD

It's ok, tho. I know of a place not too far from where I live where they give spinning lessons on a wheel. I'll probably pack up my teeny wheel and head out there sometime for a lesson. I think I've gotten the hang of working the treadle on my own. Well... it's something! XD

Yarn Dieting

Well... I went to upload my new yarn (TOFUtsies) to Ravelry and it said "Hello Nabschan! You are uploading your 20th stash item".

D=!!!!!!

I do believe it's time to go on a stash diet. Most of the yarn in my stash is sock yarn, so I'm going to be trying to knit up some socks before I buy more. I also got my first pair of Addie Turbos. They're teeny tiny for socks. I wonder how they'll work. This might be one rather expensive experiment. I love the cable that holds the needles together already. I have Boye Interchangables and the cables aren't nearly so nice. I hear that Knit Picks interchangables cables are similar. If so, I might bug people to buy me that for xmas. <_<;;

Since there's a sale at Mission Rose Quiltery on Thursday (30% off), I'll probably hit them up and get those 2 skeins of Claudia I need. I got 2 skeins from my mom for my b-day, but they were only enough for 1 sock each. XD

HSS2 Q&A

Since I've been poked to do this....

1. What type of pet do you choose as your companion at Hogwarts? An angora rabbit. Come on... really, what do you expect a spinner to say? XD
2. While shopping in Hogsmeade you stop by Honeydukes for some sweets. What treats do you purchase for yourself? A sugar quill. I used to carry Red Hots in my pocket during high school for class snacking.
3. A potion you are preparing needs an ingredient available only at muggle shops. You don't want to stand out in your wizards robes, so you resort to traditional muggle clothing. Describe your outfit in detail. A sundress, a large floppy hat with flowers on it, and mismatched flip flops.
4. What is your favorite subject to study at Hogwarts and why? Probably Charms. It seems like the most useful for day to day life.
5. Likewise, what subject is your least favorite and why? History of Magic. I hate HATE boring teachers.
6. Back to the potion you were shopping for ingredients for, what type of potion are you making, what color is it, what are the ingredients, and precisely what does the potion do? Nightowl eyes Potion. It's glow stick green (as in it glows). It requires whole lightbulbs from the backsides of lightning bugs. And it increases your ability to see in the dark.. however, the side effects are that you'll end up wearing sunglasses for the next 2 days. ^^;

Ravelry! Finally....

Just a quick note that I am now on Ravelry! You can find me there under "Nabschan". Friend me!! =D