I'm behind, but thought I'd participate in answering questions for the contests.
#1: Weekly Topic: Dishrag. Dishcloth. Face cloth. I've seen folks get all fired up in forums when someone refers to their knit or crochet creation as a dishrag, as that's somehow offensive to them! When you're working on yours, what do you call them? Also, is there a difference between a dishrag and a dishcloth? How bout a facecloth? Are they all really the same thing?
It depends on the function of the cloth and the material I use to make it. If I use linen or Hempathy I tend to call it a face cloth. I'm not using expensive yarn on my dishes. I also think the pattern I use influences whether I call it a dish cloth or face cloth. I tend to call lacier patterns face cloths.
I'll answer #2 in the morning.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Spinning group
It's been a great week. The sun has been shining every day since Monday and that extra light has really helped my mood and energy level. The sunlight disappears tomorrow, but hopefully there's an accumulative effect.
I went to spinning group on Tuesday evening, the first group I've been to since October. I had such a nice time. It was hard to leave and go back to work. We learned how to spin silk. J gave a talk about silk as a fiber and then demonstrated cocoons and all the different forms of silk (Tussah, wild, etc), and how to spin caps, bells, and combed silk roving. We then got to practice. I spun a cap and some of the colored roving. I definitely preferred the roving, but was mesmerized by how long I could stretch the cap to make a thin roving. It certainly spins thin, but I didn't like all the lumps and bumps and tugging and pulling. The combed roving was effortless to spin in comparison and I loved seeing the color. J gave me some roving to practice at home and there is talk of starting a silk study group. Oh how I wish I worked days! Next month we are learning about llama and alpaca (I certainly won't be bringing more of that home).
One of the women in the group now sells fiber from Ashland Bay and she brought fiber to class. I bought 16 ounces of pink merino. I can't wait to start spinning it! Here's a picture of the silk and merino:
I plan to spin more this year and Loopy Ewe has started selling roving. I bought 3 packages of Sakina fiber from there last week. They're each 4 ounces and I think I need to buy 4 more of each in order to have enough for socks or scarves.
I finished the ISE angel scarf for someone who didn't receive a scarf from her partner. It's Eugen K. Beugler's Streaming Leaves Lace Scarf pattern. He's a good friend of my knitting teacher, Betsy McCarthy and Betsy thinks I should send him a picture. I knit the scarf with Rowan Felted Tweed and liked knitting lace with it.
.
In the package I'm including the Edgar scarf I knit this Christmas with Noro Silk Garden Lite. That was a fun scarf. The pattern is from Knitty, I think Fall 2005, but I'll have to double check that.
The ISE5 package goes out Saturday morning. I hope she enjoys the contents.
I went to spinning group on Tuesday evening, the first group I've been to since October. I had such a nice time. It was hard to leave and go back to work. We learned how to spin silk. J gave a talk about silk as a fiber and then demonstrated cocoons and all the different forms of silk (Tussah, wild, etc), and how to spin caps, bells, and combed silk roving. We then got to practice. I spun a cap and some of the colored roving. I definitely preferred the roving, but was mesmerized by how long I could stretch the cap to make a thin roving. It certainly spins thin, but I didn't like all the lumps and bumps and tugging and pulling. The combed roving was effortless to spin in comparison and I loved seeing the color. J gave me some roving to practice at home and there is talk of starting a silk study group. Oh how I wish I worked days! Next month we are learning about llama and alpaca (I certainly won't be bringing more of that home).
One of the women in the group now sells fiber from Ashland Bay and she brought fiber to class. I bought 16 ounces of pink merino. I can't wait to start spinning it! Here's a picture of the silk and merino:
I plan to spin more this year and Loopy Ewe has started selling roving. I bought 3 packages of Sakina fiber from there last week. They're each 4 ounces and I think I need to buy 4 more of each in order to have enough for socks or scarves.
I finished the ISE angel scarf for someone who didn't receive a scarf from her partner. It's Eugen K. Beugler's Streaming Leaves Lace Scarf pattern. He's a good friend of my knitting teacher, Betsy McCarthy and Betsy thinks I should send him a picture. I knit the scarf with Rowan Felted Tweed and liked knitting lace with it.
.In the package I'm including the Edgar scarf I knit this Christmas with Noro Silk Garden Lite. That was a fun scarf. The pattern is from Knitty, I think Fall 2005, but I'll have to double check that.
The ISE5 package goes out Saturday morning. I hope she enjoys the contents.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Oh Happy Day!
Well, it was bittersweet, actually. I got a coveted spot in the Loopy Ewe Sock Club lottery, 100 spots available with over 500 people submitting names for those spots. I never win things, but I don't usually try to. I felt bad for the people who didn't get in. I really thought I'd be the one congratulating others and not the one shouting out my excitement. I feel very fortunate and hope everyone else trying for a spot will get a chance one day. I get one more year after this one and then I go back into the lottery, which is fair. I didn't put my name in for the Loopy retreat because I wanted to do the sock club instead. Again, I'm fortunate and plan to really enjoy the club this year. It's mostly solid sock yarns with some fun designers.
I also joined WoolGirl's sock club. She's local and the club members have been very enthusiastic about their sock club kits. The purpose of joining the clubs is to limit my sock yarn consumption. That's it for clubs though. Two is all I can handle.
Lyn has put together the IKEA Markor book shelf we got with the Christmas money my parents sent us this year. I'm going to be cleaning the craft room and putting books on the shelves this morning. This will now make the "craft" room the library/craft room, which it was originally supposed to be. When the room is organized and clean, I'll post a picture and say Thank You for our Christmas present.
I also joined WoolGirl's sock club. She's local and the club members have been very enthusiastic about their sock club kits. The purpose of joining the clubs is to limit my sock yarn consumption. That's it for clubs though. Two is all I can handle.
Lyn has put together the IKEA Markor book shelf we got with the Christmas money my parents sent us this year. I'm going to be cleaning the craft room and putting books on the shelves this morning. This will now make the "craft" room the library/craft room, which it was originally supposed to be. When the room is organized and clean, I'll post a picture and say Thank You for our Christmas present.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Scavenger Hunt Swap Questionnaire
I signed up for the Scavenger Hunt Swap and think this sounds like fun. Swaps are an excellent way to defeat the foggy-brained, lethargic state I've been in this rainy winter. The answers are a work in progress and I have until the end of January to answer the questions.
1) Do you knit, crochet or both? How long have you been doing it? Knit and spin. I learned to knit as a child, but started knitting more seriously about 14 years ago, at the same time I started spinning. I took a 10-year hiatus from both and started knitting and spinning again about 2 years ago.
2) What is on your needles/hook right now? Socks, 2 scarves, hemp shopping bag, hat.
3) What is the most frequently used tool in your knitting bag?
Probably the tool I use most frequently is a Jill Bliss notebook I found at Barnes & Noble. It has both graph paper and blank pages so I can chart or mark off rows as I knit lace. I use the blank pages to make comments on projects. Also, color pencils so I can alternate colors as I mark off rows and repeats.
4) What are your 3 favorite yarns (fiber type or brand)? What are your 3 least favorite?
Favorites: Blue Sky alpaca/silk, Dream in Color Smooshy and Classy, Elsbeth Levold (especially Hempathy and Silky Wool)
Least favorites: Acrylic, novelty yarns.
5) What is your favorite color?
I like many colors and don't have a favorite. I think most color ranges of blue and purple are my best colors; I also like fall colors. Lately I've really loved pink. Jewel tones and yellow are colors I avoid because I don't wear them well.
6) If you had a 5 minute shopping spree in your LYS, how would you plan your attack? I would head for the Cashmere, sea silk, and sock yarns.
7) What is your favorite FO and why? (post a pic if you have it!)
The most recent favorite is the nursing shawl I knit for my niece. It was a challenge for me in that the yarn (organic cotton chenelle) was hard to work with, but I finished it and liked the end result.
8) What are your favorite things to knit/crochet? Socks and scarves
9) Do you collect anything? Sock yarn, coffee mugs, books, notebooks, coasters.
10) What are your five favorite things (not necessarily knitting related)?
I'm not going to list family and pets because they aren't "things."
1. Knitting socks and scarves
2. My spinning and knitting groups.
3. Reading.
4. My Ashiyu.
5. My back yard.
11) Are you on Ravelry? What is your ID? Yes. MarthaG
12) Do you drink tea/coffee/cocoa? All three, but coffee and tea most frequently.
13) Favorite Sweets? Haribo Gummy Bears, chocolate with hazelnuts or almonds.
14) Any allergies? Scented things, unless scent is an essential oil, mohair and shellfish (Tofutsie sock yarn), cigarette smoke.
15) Do you have pets? kids? Yes, 3 cats, 2 dogs. Kids: Yes, but grown.
1) Do you knit, crochet or both? How long have you been doing it? Knit and spin. I learned to knit as a child, but started knitting more seriously about 14 years ago, at the same time I started spinning. I took a 10-year hiatus from both and started knitting and spinning again about 2 years ago.
2) What is on your needles/hook right now? Socks, 2 scarves, hemp shopping bag, hat.
3) What is the most frequently used tool in your knitting bag?
Probably the tool I use most frequently is a Jill Bliss notebook I found at Barnes & Noble. It has both graph paper and blank pages so I can chart or mark off rows as I knit lace. I use the blank pages to make comments on projects. Also, color pencils so I can alternate colors as I mark off rows and repeats.
4) What are your 3 favorite yarns (fiber type or brand)? What are your 3 least favorite?
Favorites: Blue Sky alpaca/silk, Dream in Color Smooshy and Classy, Elsbeth Levold (especially Hempathy and Silky Wool)
Least favorites: Acrylic, novelty yarns.
5) What is your favorite color?
I like many colors and don't have a favorite. I think most color ranges of blue and purple are my best colors; I also like fall colors. Lately I've really loved pink. Jewel tones and yellow are colors I avoid because I don't wear them well.
6) If you had a 5 minute shopping spree in your LYS, how would you plan your attack? I would head for the Cashmere, sea silk, and sock yarns.
7) What is your favorite FO and why? (post a pic if you have it!)
The most recent favorite is the nursing shawl I knit for my niece. It was a challenge for me in that the yarn (organic cotton chenelle) was hard to work with, but I finished it and liked the end result.
8) What are your favorite things to knit/crochet? Socks and scarves
9) Do you collect anything? Sock yarn, coffee mugs, books, notebooks, coasters.
10) What are your five favorite things (not necessarily knitting related)?
I'm not going to list family and pets because they aren't "things."
1. Knitting socks and scarves
2. My spinning and knitting groups.
3. Reading.
4. My Ashiyu.
5. My back yard.
11) Are you on Ravelry? What is your ID? Yes. MarthaG
12) Do you drink tea/coffee/cocoa? All three, but coffee and tea most frequently.
13) Favorite Sweets? Haribo Gummy Bears, chocolate with hazelnuts or almonds.
14) Any allergies? Scented things, unless scent is an essential oil, mohair and shellfish (Tofutsie sock yarn), cigarette smoke.
15) Do you have pets? kids? Yes, 3 cats, 2 dogs. Kids: Yes, but grown.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Defeat Winter Doldrums Dish Cloth Swap Questionnaire
Oh yay! Another swap. I definitely need to fight the winter doldrums and this one sounds like fun. It's also an international swap, my favorite kind!
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
Knit.
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
Straight Inox or Crystal Palace bamboo needles. I like sharper pointed needles.
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try?
Sugar & Cream, but not necessarily my favorite. I have mostly used hemp or linen to make dishcloths. I've also used and liked Hempathy. I'd like to try Blue Sky Alpaca organic cotton and Knit Picks Cotlin.
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)?
Kitchen - We're remodeling, so a coffee color to match the floor so far.
Bath: Forest green and plum accents.
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite?
Favorites: Earthy greens, blue, plum, rust, brown, pink, burgundy.
Least favorites: Neon colors.
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends?
I like the temperature and the clothes, but hate, hate, hate the dark, rainy days of the Pacific Northwest!
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps?
Knit! A good book, nice walk, and music help too. If I'm stressed out, a warm bath is my favorite way to relax.
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when you're down in the dumps?
Crispy cookies.
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa?
All the above, especially coffee. I love a fresh dark roasted coffee!
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I really want to go to my nephew's wedding reception in Northern Cyprus this summer (unfortunately cannot). I'd use extra time to visit Turkey and Greece.
11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of?
Sea food, no fiber with crab or shrimp. Mohair makes my throat itch, so I'm avoiding it. Regarding scents, I don't like floral scents very much, but I do like spicy scents like vanilla, cinnamon, & clove, and also like citrus scents.
1. Do you knit, crochet, or do both?
Knit.
2. What types of needles do you enjoy using for making dishcloths?
Straight Inox or Crystal Palace bamboo needles. I like sharper pointed needles.
3. What types of cotton do you enjoy using for making dishcloths? Is there any that you've been wanting to try?
Sugar & Cream, but not necessarily my favorite. I have mostly used hemp or linen to make dishcloths. I've also used and liked Hempathy. I'd like to try Blue Sky Alpaca organic cotton and Knit Picks Cotlin.
4. What color(s) are your kitchen and bath decorated in (if any)?
Kitchen - We're remodeling, so a coffee color to match the floor so far.
Bath: Forest green and plum accents.
5. What are your favorite colors for yarns? Least favorite?
Favorites: Earthy greens, blue, plum, rust, brown, pink, burgundy.
Least favorites: Neon colors.
6. Do you like Winter, or do you count the days until it ends?
I like the temperature and the clothes, but hate, hate, hate the dark, rainy days of the Pacific Northwest!
7. What's your favorite way to brighten your day when you're down in the dumps?
Knit! A good book, nice walk, and music help too. If I'm stressed out, a warm bath is my favorite way to relax.
8. What is your favorite treat to indulge in and when you're down in the dumps?
Crispy cookies.
9. Do you drink coffee? Tea? Cocoa?
All the above, especially coffee. I love a fresh dark roasted coffee!
10. If you could take a vacation starting tomorrow and go anywhere for one week and money were no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I really want to go to my nephew's wedding reception in Northern Cyprus this summer (unfortunately cannot). I'd use extra time to visit Turkey and Greece.
11. Do you have any allergies or aversions your pal should be aware of?
Sea food, no fiber with crab or shrimp. Mohair makes my throat itch, so I'm avoiding it. Regarding scents, I don't like floral scents very much, but I do like spicy scents like vanilla, cinnamon, & clove, and also like citrus scents.
Tornados and Texas
We had a tornado yesterday. It was quite interesting. I had no idea we were having tornado watches. For one thing, who expects tornadoes in Washington state in January?! I heard lots of thunder, my internet connection was cut off, and this dog, Shane, kept trying to get into my lap (see below).
My son Kevin lives in the area where the tornado originated, and my other son Tim was driving in the area right after the tornado hit, oblivious to the fact that one was in the area. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the debris, fallen trees and unroofed sheds along the 5-mile path the tornado traveled is proof we had one.
What does this have to do with Texas? Well, my daughter and her boyfriend may be moving there. All I can say is, if the tornado impressed them, and they move to Texas, they haven't seen anything yet! Other impressive things to keep in mind: Scorpions and snakes! Obviously, I don't want them to go. If there are other "announcements" about this move, I haven't heard them yet, but I'll keep family informed.
My son Kevin lives in the area where the tornado originated, and my other son Tim was driving in the area right after the tornado hit, oblivious to the fact that one was in the area. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the debris, fallen trees and unroofed sheds along the 5-mile path the tornado traveled is proof we had one.
What does this have to do with Texas? Well, my daughter and her boyfriend may be moving there. All I can say is, if the tornado impressed them, and they move to Texas, they haven't seen anything yet! Other impressive things to keep in mind: Scorpions and snakes! Obviously, I don't want them to go. If there are other "announcements" about this move, I haven't heard them yet, but I'll keep family informed.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Finished socks
A nice weekend day. I went to Twisted in Portland to see what they had for sale. I bought some Araucania worsted and one of the new Dream in Color lace weight yarn colors called Into the Mystic. Then we went to IKEA to try and spend our Christmas money on new shelves. We wanted to get the Markor shelves to match the ones in the craft room, but they were out. We were disappointed but it will be restocked. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) we discovered the food section and brought home some desserts like Blueberry Cake (Blaberskaka), Lingonberry mousse, and Lingonberry jam. We had the Lingonberry jam on corn muffins tonight (accompanied by turkey chili and salad), and had a slice of Blueberry Cake for dessert.
Tonight I finished my daughter's socks. These were knit with Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn in a color called Deep Seaflower Blue. I love this yarn. The toes were knit with Black Sheep sock yarn, which I didn't love (too splitty). I used the new Knit Picks Harmony needles, size 1.5. I used the Basket Weave pattern from Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks, but pretty much used the standard heel and toe that I learned from Betsy McCarthy's Knit Socks. Anyway, the socks feel comfortable. These are socks that were supposed to go in a theme gift for Keri for Christmas. She's on her feet all day at work. We have a shoe store in Vancouver called When the Shoe Fits that encourages people to buy shoes according to European standards (more room in the toe) and to wear shoe inserts and thicker socks. This has made a big difference for me and is one of the reasons I started knitting socks to begin with. I gave Keri a gift certificate to this store for some shoes, and made these socks to wear with them.
Here's another picture with them on my feet. I haven't washed them yet as they just came off the needles. I'll wash them and block them tonight and I think Lyn (husband) will take them to Keri when he goes to play basketball later this week.
Finally, I've been reading Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. It's a weird experience because I've always thought of this book as one of my favorites. I had to read it in high school eons ago and absolutely loved it. What is weird is that I have no memory of the first half of the book. I remember the fact that Phillip is orphaned and then I remember boarding school, followed by medical school, followed by Phillip's infatuation with a prostitute. I think we must have read an abridged version. At any rate, this is a different book than what I remember and I wasn't liking it as much. He's about to go to Paris now and I'm just now becoming interested in the story again and suspect I'll finish it. I read The Painted Veil in December of 2006, and it is a much better book than Of Human Bondage. An online book group I follow called The Book Group List is reading OHB right now and I'm planning on reading along with the group this year. Next up is The Brothers Karamazov.
Tonight I finished my daughter's socks. These were knit with Dream in Color Smooshy sock yarn in a color called Deep Seaflower Blue. I love this yarn. The toes were knit with Black Sheep sock yarn, which I didn't love (too splitty). I used the new Knit Picks Harmony needles, size 1.5. I used the Basket Weave pattern from Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks, but pretty much used the standard heel and toe that I learned from Betsy McCarthy's Knit Socks. Anyway, the socks feel comfortable. These are socks that were supposed to go in a theme gift for Keri for Christmas. She's on her feet all day at work. We have a shoe store in Vancouver called When the Shoe Fits that encourages people to buy shoes according to European standards (more room in the toe) and to wear shoe inserts and thicker socks. This has made a big difference for me and is one of the reasons I started knitting socks to begin with. I gave Keri a gift certificate to this store for some shoes, and made these socks to wear with them.
Here's another picture with them on my feet. I haven't washed them yet as they just came off the needles. I'll wash them and block them tonight and I think Lyn (husband) will take them to Keri when he goes to play basketball later this week.
Finally, I've been reading Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. It's a weird experience because I've always thought of this book as one of my favorites. I had to read it in high school eons ago and absolutely loved it. What is weird is that I have no memory of the first half of the book. I remember the fact that Phillip is orphaned and then I remember boarding school, followed by medical school, followed by Phillip's infatuation with a prostitute. I think we must have read an abridged version. At any rate, this is a different book than what I remember and I wasn't liking it as much. He's about to go to Paris now and I'm just now becoming interested in the story again and suspect I'll finish it. I read The Painted Veil in December of 2006, and it is a much better book than Of Human Bondage. An online book group I follow called The Book Group List is reading OHB right now and I'm planning on reading along with the group this year. Next up is The Brothers Karamazov.
Holiday catchup
A belated happy new year to everyone. I'm personally glad the holidays are now behind us. I did not particularly like working both Christmas and New Year's day. I will never do that again. I did enjoy the brief time I spent with the entire family gathered on Christmas Eve. I think the best news I received during the holidays was from my daughter who has signed up for prerequisite classes in nursing. Not only is she moving on with her education, she got her insane work scheduled changed to accommodate classes.
This is my Christmas sock yarn stash. My daughter gave me 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces that she bought from The Loopy Ewe, and my husband gave me a Knit Picks sock yarn sampler in the cool colors. I think that's a year's worth of sock yarn right there, but I also received 3 skeins of Wollmeise a few days after Christmas. I've taken many pictures, but I can't get the yarn colors to stand out because it's been so rainy and dark that I don't have enough light to get a good picture. Therefore, the next sunny day we have, I'll take some pictures outside.
I was able to finish the hat for Christmas, but not the socks. They'll be done this evening and I'll take pictures of both hat and socks and post pictures tomorrow.
I didn't really make many New Year resolutions this year. Knitting-wise, I'm hoping to branch out from socks, but I'm not tired of socks by any means. I'm going to concentrate on stash busting too, so my purchases will be fewer. I did join a sock club (Woolgirl!) and am very excited about that. I'm hoping to continue participating in swaps. I've had a lot of luck with the 3 I've participated/am participating in and would love to do some more. Book-wise, I'm thinking of participating in some book challenges. I read 30 books last year, which is the low end of normal for me, and it was a pretty disappointing year. I'm hoping the book challenge will help me regain some enthusiasm for reading.
I'm also looking at either a certificate program or degree program in coding or cancer registry. I can do most of this on line and either is a logical path after medical transcription.
I'm off to finish socks so I'll have a finished product to post tomorrow!
This is my Christmas sock yarn stash. My daughter gave me 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces that she bought from The Loopy Ewe, and my husband gave me a Knit Picks sock yarn sampler in the cool colors. I think that's a year's worth of sock yarn right there, but I also received 3 skeins of Wollmeise a few days after Christmas. I've taken many pictures, but I can't get the yarn colors to stand out because it's been so rainy and dark that I don't have enough light to get a good picture. Therefore, the next sunny day we have, I'll take some pictures outside.
I was able to finish the hat for Christmas, but not the socks. They'll be done this evening and I'll take pictures of both hat and socks and post pictures tomorrow.
I didn't really make many New Year resolutions this year. Knitting-wise, I'm hoping to branch out from socks, but I'm not tired of socks by any means. I'm going to concentrate on stash busting too, so my purchases will be fewer. I did join a sock club (Woolgirl!) and am very excited about that. I'm hoping to continue participating in swaps. I've had a lot of luck with the 3 I've participated/am participating in and would love to do some more. Book-wise, I'm thinking of participating in some book challenges. I read 30 books last year, which is the low end of normal for me, and it was a pretty disappointing year. I'm hoping the book challenge will help me regain some enthusiasm for reading.
I'm also looking at either a certificate program or degree program in coding or cancer registry. I can do most of this on line and either is a logical path after medical transcription.
I'm off to finish socks so I'll have a finished product to post tomorrow!
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