Friday, July 27, 2007

Acquiring aqua

and it was an aqua moment...always fun to see how the different fibres absorb the dye differently..this is 50/50 silk/merino and two dye baths both with aqua as a main color..and the background in a mohair. I love these colors. I think I may be turning the peach corner.

After sorting out my knitting and project chair, I discovered I have eight clear plastic knitting bags, with eight different projects...and although I tend to feel a little guilty for not finishing one at a time, I realize that I like switching from one needle and fibre to another throughout the evening depending on my mood and my finger agility...so I am working on a second jaywalker, socks on two circs, a cashmere/silk shawl, a baby sweater, another pair of socks and a scarf, and a dishcloth from mason dixon which I hope to donate a few to rabbitch's charity, but handling the cotton is a bit shocking and not too pleasurable for me so I have to actually take a silk break from it every once in a while.

So what's with my knitting bag with all the bits and pieces, needles, darners, measuring tape, all jammed in one container, I definitely need some needle holders or something as it is driving me nuts having it all in one bag, even though clear it still is a mess.. need to make some cases, and containers to hold and separate things....any ideas on this would be appreciated.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

decadence and alpaca

And went toVancouver Island yesterday and had one fibre filled day there. What fun ...my fibre friend and I happened to see some alpacas in a field and that was merely the beginning...stopping to look and then of course, wondering, and then talking to the son of the alpaca owners, and then being shown the fleece and you know what happened next, so now researching alpaca...I have never had a fleece and it is sooooo soft...and now to see how to process the fleece, I will take a picture later today and show and tell...that wasn't the end of the fibrous day, as we also managed a lys in Parksville, which is tiny and sort of out of the fifties, but did have some lovely soy and wool dyed beautiful colors, like I need more dyed wool, but it was irresistable apparently because it is now sitting in my knitting basket, and is wonderful to knit with...just couldn't wait to get started. Am making a new baby sweater with the new colors in soy...and have spun some alpaca and plyed it...spun straight out of the locks but am now considering washing then carding perhaps...so all in all a very exciting day and I definitely had my fibre today!!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

finished goodies


Here's the latest in the scribble lace shawls, done in honey colored silk/merino and kid silk...this is an adapted pattern from that wonderful knitter, Debbie News and her book, Unexpected Knitting. I love doing the scribble lace and it has so much potential..now just for the time to realize the potential...also finished a silk/merino dream in color baby sweater , very dreamy in soft peachy pinks. Its been raining here for five days, all the garden is waterlogged, so nothing to do but work in the fibres...not a bad alternative lol

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Went to the market today, and thanks to the grey skies, wool was in everyone's mind...lots of knitters and especially loving to see the young boys knitting. It seems Waldorf schools teach knitting in the primary grades to help with the coordinating of fingers, and later on four needles as a tool for teaching math. So sane and what a great school for kids to go to, I wish I had had one available for my child and grandchild. It is also fascinating to see the colors that the kids are interested in, usually bright, they love the neon greens and bright florescent pinks..Myself I am still obsessed with the pale corals to peach tones...a good day for spinning at the market and lots of attraction for the wheel workings...I love to spin at the market as I don't have to really pay attention to the crowds until I see someone who is obviously a fiber freak, and then we can have at it...so much interest and connection with fellow fiber freaks...

Tuesday, July 17, 2007


More color, and a that is the scribble lace in the background, in a pale honey color, and a pure silk boucle in the left corner next to the kid mohair...I am presently in love with these colors..it is always amazing how my love of a certain color happens, and then eventually moves to another..what is happening there? It seems to fill my soul and is needed therapeutically, then another color feeds us....

Sunday, July 15, 2007


Ah, love those new tangerine peachy colors...this is the silk boucle with the 50/50 silk merino and so yummy . This was today's dye project and I called it a huge success being as I love orange and pink tones and especially on silk...so for some eye candy it really work.

Friday, July 13, 2007

New fibre just arrived and its been incredible fun...just received a kilo of black fine kid mohair, and am plying it with silk thread and beads...so stunning, tomorrow I will take it to market and hope to take some photos of the beaded black and post...so soothing..I love the beaded yarns, everything about them is just yummy, texture, color, sheen...fibre heaven

Thursday, July 12, 2007

I have to say how much I love fibre people and the instant rapport felt when connecting with them..I have been doing the local market here twice a week, and even though it has been incredibly hot, wool is selling. If there is a fibre person in the crowd it is the fibre is like a magnet, it allows me to continue to spin and when the magnet grabs a fibre person, they are sucked into the swirl of color and it is so natural and easy to relate. This week I looked up from my spinning and there was a woman, just standing there feeling the fibres and smiling like mad, so sweet to see such pleasure and even though not everyone is into buying they all have a project or a fibre story to tell or a memory to dredge up about fibre, grandmothers , spinning wheels, and all bring good feelings to everyone. How generous is that..so amazing and refreshing to see and feel, I feel honored to be in the loop with all these people.

Beaded yarns

Here's my new hot off the wheel beaded yarns..silk, mohair boucle, and so fun to do..a wonderful accent to what you are knitting and gives a little sparkle to your work...I love the beaded yarns...
New sock yarn and just discovered how to post a picture...tried the other day, to no avail, but think I have it now....this the the three ply, superwash merino, so soft, and loving these colors...great for socks, baby clothes and anything you want to wash. will post more pics later

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Saturday July 7th

This week, I swear, I am taking photos to post of the dyed fibres....so until then..