What's On My End Table (In The Knitting Basket)

Thought I'd show what I'm currently working on. I haven't been spinning this week, but I have been knitting like crazy. I'm almost done with my little ones other sock. And I started on a pair of socks for a Christmas gift. I'm using Berocco Alpaca and I'm loving it. The color is so pretty and it's knitting up so wonderfully. I'm hoping to finish the first sock tonight and get the next cast on. As you can see, I don't have an official knitting basket. I just use the drawer in our end table next to the sofa. The top also conveniently doubles as a work surface for my work. Oh!! And, I'm recycling my first sweater. It's in the back of the end table. I've got it about 1/4 the way unraveled. It's taking a long time, but it'll be worth it in the end. I think I might use some it to ply some of my hand spun singles that I have.

Socks, Socks, And More Socks!!

I absolutely love to knit socks. I've made 4 pairs so far and I have another on the needles. These were knit up with Cascade Fixation Yarn. It's a dream to knit because of all the stretch it has and I love the colors that it's available in.

Yarns Created By My Spinner

So.. Since my spinner has been completed I've been spinning on it almost non-stop during my "free" time. I'm planning to plie (if that's the right word?) all but the multi color sparkly one on the pink pencil. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with the chunky pink/purple one or the brown one. There might be enough of the brown one for a hat. The one with all the primary colors is going to be plied together with another one just like it. For a "scrap" yarn look. I'm really hoping there is enough for some fingerless gloves. The cream colored one is going to be dyed after I finish doing 2 more just like it. I'm planning to plie two of them together to make some socks. Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

My First Spindle Spinner!!!

First Post: My Spinner!!

So... I've been knitting for a long time. (on and off) And I recently fell in love with knitting socks. While searching for sock patterns and information I stumbled upon this whole world of spinners!! After doing more research I decided that I had to spin my own yarns too. I made a makeshift drop spindle and gave it a whirl. Needless to say... it wasn't going fast enough. (I need instant gratification) Not to mention the fact that I couldn't seem to get myself coordinated enough to make it really work right. My hubby watched me struggle and decided that he could make me a spindle spinning wheel using a dremel as power. It took him almost 2 weeks and lots of "thinking" to come up with a plan that would work right. It still needs a bit of tweeking here and there, but all together it spins perfectly!! I've spun 5 skeins on it so far and I plan to do a lot more. Here's a pic of my finished spinner with my first attempt at using it.

Who Am I?

In a nutshell... I'm a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and major fiber addict.  Yes, I do confess.  I have more fabric, yarn, embroidery thread, trims, patterns, and spinning fibers than any one women should.  But, I can't help it.  I love it all.  Sometimes I want to sit and spin.  And, others I want to cut out quilt squares or sew a new outfit for one of the kids or dolls.  Feeling those yarns pull through my fingers as I knit, crochet, or spin just gives me such a sense of peace.  It's such a tangible thing that I'm doing.  Whatever I'm doing.  Even if it's just the simple pleasure of cuddling with one of the kids under a blanket that I've made.
And my blog?  Well, here is my place to document some of it.  The good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly.  Yep, I said ugly. Hopefully you'll find something here that will make you laugh, oooohhh and awwww, or maybe just be inspired to try something new.  I share tutorials, recipes, reviews, and give the occasional advise.  So, grab a cup of something yummy and browse around.  

That's me.  Sitting and working.  This is an older photo...maybe from 2009.  I really need to find a new one of me at working.

 Fabrics, and buttons, and fibers, and cubbies... oh my!

 My Mrs. Weasley wrap.  I spun the yarn myself.  It's my favorite wrap.

My end table on any given day.  Right now it's got a toy car, a water bottle, an empty Annie's crackers packet and my knitting bag.