Knitting, Knitting, and Knitting!

I am loving the cooler weather and I am just so wanting to be wrapped up in cozy hand knits all winter long! I am surprised that we haven't had snow in town yet. In fact it scares me a little. I feel like the weather is lulling me into complacency and then *BAM* it's going to come out of nowhere with a blizzard that will leave several feet on the ground! I just keep hoping that it's going to ease in gently.....

I started and finished a hat! It is one of those "slouchy" hats (Jane by Jane Richmond - ) as I thought my Sis's bangs and hair in general would work great with it! I gifted it to her last night at her birthday party we threw for her. She loved it and commented that it will be nice to have a hat that will keep her warm and not mess up her bangs! This pattern was awesome. It felt so good on the head with the doubled brim and slouchiness. I will be casting on one for myself as soon as I finish my minimalist cardi and TTL socks. Here's some pics of me in the hat.Also I have been on the look out for podcasts. I keep reading about much people love them but I had really poor luck in finding any that I liked. Especially now that we don't have a tv, I am always on the lookout for other ways to entertain myself while knitting. Thankfully I did happen across Never Not Knitting. I don't know how I had missed it before now but I LOVE it! I have now downloaded all of her podcasts and am catching up. Plus her blog itself is great. So leave a comment if you have any other podcasts. They don't have to be fiber related (though I would love any more of those), though I don't find myself enjoying political stuff. A little to heavy for knitting right now.

Another little update in the shop, my sale is still on - just mention my blog for a 15% refund!

Picking up where I left off and a SALE!

Well due to moving and getting organized I have had UFO staring me in the face! So when I was thinking how nice it would be to reduce their number, I realized that I was pretty close to finishing several of them! So with about 2.5 evenings of minimal knitting I finished my November Ruffle Wrap. I had cast this on in February so it felt pretty good to get off the needles. It is smaller than intended (which I knew it would be) but is still a pretty good "wrap" size at 16" X 52".

Now I have picked back up my Minimalist Cardigan. I already have the back and one sleeve done, and am now 2/3 through the second sleeve after casting it on yesterday afternoon. I think I am going to overdye this when it's all knitted as there are just a few "bright" spots.

I did finally finish the Jeanne shawl I was working on! This was using Funky Carolina's 2 ply Superwash Fingering Yarn in a beautiful deep wine color. I packaged it up and mailed it today. The first picture is too bright color wise, the second is more accurate.

Lastly I did a larger update in the shop! Here is a pic of the latest stuff that went up. I have more yarns and roving steaming, and a shipment due tomorrow or so. So keep watch! My latest additions included a wonderful new base that is amazing! It is a 70/20/10 Alpaca/Silk/Cashmere blend and needs to be felt to be believed!! In honor of the "knitting or crocheting season" I am offering 15% rebate! Just mention my blog and I will send your 15% off back to ya!

Carding, gardening, and Phat Fiber! Oh MY!

As mentioned yesterday I went to a pretty amazing garage sale with lots of fiber & yarns. I got several pounds worth of dyed fiber and yarns for under $50! I immediately got to hand carding the luscious dyed raw wool and I can't wait to start spinning it (though I still have a lot of carding to go!). These aren't the best pics (it is overcast and kind of gloomy today) The first is before, the second the after - the white is some angora that I have been carding in.

I am a bit late but here are some progress pictures from the garden. I have columbine, forget-me-nots, and poppy's blooming with many more getting close! I still have lots of weeding to do - but am hoping to get to that maybe sometime tomorrow! The lawn was mowed by the hubbs including the newly planted grass and I think it is to the point of being ready to play on so I am sure I will be out there lots with the boys this week.


Last but not least Phat Fiber June's boxes go on sale today!!! I am doing my Phat Fiber Day sale again as well, offering 20% off everything in the shop for today only!!