Potential

Early last week I decided to "free" my yarn stash from the plastic tubs I store it in and display it on a shelf.  While sorting it all I realized (guiltily admitted) I had a lot of single skeins, as I suspect some of you have.  I began to play in my stash and look to match up skeins for multi-colored projects.

These are Hazel Knits and Leading Men Fiber Arts. This pair is destined to be a Mormorio.  I've wanted to knit this shawl for awhile and I had tried previously with other yarn and didn't like my choice.  I think the gauge of these yarns is perfect for that pattern.

These yarns I bought for 2 separate projects but then decided almost immediately that I didn't want to knit either.  These yarns are both light fingering weight and shiny and beautiful! The brown is Anzula Milky Way and the blue is Miss Babs Tarte. I love blue and brown together so I hope to eventually make a sweater with them but no idea which one yet.

The multicolored yarn from NeverEnoughThyme was a complete impulse buy on Etsy at a time when I was NOT buying variegated yarn.  I just had to have it and I still love it.  A friend recently showed me the Therapy Shawl and also gave me this solid purple yarn,  so I think I may make the shawl with these two but I don't know.  What do you think?

This set is Leading Men Fiber Arts that I received in my goody bag from Zombie Knitpocalypse this year and some Knit Picks I bought to dye.  I think they look great together as well and not sure what to make with it all.

Lots of potential in my stash.  Lots of future knitting to dream about.

Sewing Diversion

In the middle of 1x1 ribbing hell on a shawl collared sweater...I decided I needed a break...and then these happened.

I would like to say I completely enjoyed making these however, it became painstakenly clear that I can no longer thread the needle on the sewing machine without readers or (thank heaven) the needle threader on my machine.  So after 4 hours of sewing, I felt old and blind and went back to my size 7 needles and worsted weight yarn which was not as painful afterall.

2012...Thank goodness

Yes, it's that time of year again when you revisit last year (which kinda sucked) and set intentions for the new year. Note that I said intention not goal.  That is my way of not setting myself up for failure...not putting on pressure.  Who needs it?

2011 (the good and bad):

• Spent half of the year sick...much better now.
• After 7 months of yoga, 12 months of chiropractic care, and a cortisone injection, my back is feeling much better.
• Knit 7 miles of yarn.
• Bought a spinning wheel and still trying to decide if spinning is for me or not.  I have definitely improved but still learning.
• Adopted a new dog, Juno who we love dearly (photo below). Henry loves her too but not so sure about sharing a chair.
• Attended my first fiber fairs.  Loved SAFF!

So onto the knitting intentions: 

• Less random yarn buying...trying to use more of stash
• No deadline knitting...the only exception is for SSK knit retreat KAL
• Release sock pattern I have finished (not sure why I haven't done this yet)
• Less time on Ravelry....this is a hard one but I find that too much time results in joining too many KAL's and knitting too many things I don't need.
• Knit more sweaters

Non knitting intentions:

• Less frivolous spending. This is usually done when the teenagers are whining at me.  I will be stronger! 
• Exercise outside my comfort zone.  I love my yoga classes but I need to try some other types...will start out with Toning and before end of year hope to try Zumba.
• Read more.  Hubby bought me a Kindle for my birthday last week and I love it. It's loaded with books and knitting patterns already. Will read before knitting.
• Work on healthier family eating....especially during volleyball season when we normally eat out too often.
• Have more fun with my camera.  Take classes.  I got a Nikon D3000 last Christmas and while it's been used, I really haven't played with it like I intended to. 
• Blog more.

Tour de Fleece

It's my first Tour de Fleece and while I'm still a fledgling spinner I do have the goal of spinning up these.

- FLUFF Organic Merino Top

- Pigeonroof Studios Falkand

- Greenwood Fiberworks BFL

- Bee Mice Elf Merino/Tencel

The FLUFF is the only one I am spinning with a purpose.  I am hoping to spin it as a fingering weight single in order to make the Mezquita Shawl.

Too Funny

Today I was looking around on the internet for instructions on how to make your own lazy kate (a plying device for spinning).  When reviewing the results I came across a good number of them referring to Kate Gosselin.  I love Google!

Belle

I did it!  I found a lovely little wheel...an Ashford Traveller.  Her name is Belle and I hope we have a great time together.

BTW - our little bird friend is still visiting us every day and has also discovered (and covered) the car rear view mirrors. We have named him Tom...peeping Tom.  Every morning he's peeking in the window at us.

Who's Knocking?

I was finally cleaning up the home office today and kept hearing something banging on the window.  I looked outside and saw this little bird flapping up against the window.  As I got closer he flew off.  A few minutes later he was back.  Then he'd fly off.  And a few minutes more....he was back.  A few hours later....he was still at it! 

I looked around the bushes out front to see if he/she had a nest going out there but I didn't find anything.  I'm not sure what was up with the poor guy.  He didn't mind me snapping pictures of him at all. And I didn't mind the break from cleaning.