Spinning Content

ETA: I am looking for the title of a book that someone mentioned on their blog about spinning and the different types of fibers and how they spin up. They said that it was a really good book. I can't seem to find the post and for the life of me I can't remember who it was. I have been looking back at old blog posts, but I can't find it, or I am missing it some where. If you are the one that posted it or know what I am talking about, could you please let me know. I think it would make a wonderful reference book for me. Thanks!!

First I would like to introduce to you my Kromski Sonata in walnut finish. I have yet to give her a proper name. I want to work with her for a while and get a feel for what she should be called. If a name happens to strike you I am open for suggestions. Sorry that the picture isn't the greatest. It was 2 am when I took it and I was packing it all up before I headed off to bed.


As I suspected, James LOVES it. He wants to play with it and make it go "round and round". So she has to stay in her protective bag during the day and is only allowed out at night after he has gone to bed.

Below is my first mini skein that I spun and plyed on Sunday. It is wee. But I was pretty well pleased with it. Especially for my first try.


I was given this roving with my wheel just for practice so I can get the hang of the treadles and just the technique in general. I was warned that it wasn't the best to spin with, but for practice it was better to screw it up than a really nice roving. I have to say that I really don't like spinning it. It is rough, sticky and there is quite a bit of VM and lumps in it. I am getting better at spinning it, but I still don't care for it. I plan on spinning it all up for the practice and then moving on to something nicer.


This is what I have done so far. I am over half way through the ball of roving and I have a bobbin pretty darn full. As you can see it isn't the best spinning job in the world, but I am learning. I really want to get something with color the next time. Something bright and spring or summery.


Thank you to all of you that listed recommendations of roving. I plan to keep a running list so that I will have a reference to look at when ordering some to spin and to stock in my stash. Would any one have any books that they could recommend as well? I would appreciate any info that you may have.

Sorry it took so long to show you what I have been doing. With the computer only working in Safe Mode I was a little concerned if it would even recognize the camera. Not only have there been computer problems, but Kevin started his night job this week. We see him for a max of 3 hours a day. He comes home form his day job for a few hours then heads back out to the night job, then from the night job he goes directly to his day job where he gets a few hours of sleep in the truck. So it has been exhausting for him and I have been very busy picking up any and all slack around the house. Next week shouldn't be as bad, he will be only working 3 or 4 nights. James has not been taking his normal afternoon naps either. So I have had no breaks to even sit down and type. So it has been a bit of a whirl wind around here. At night I have been sitting down with the spinning wheel and spinning just to calm down from all the days chaos. Hopefully things will start to calm down and we will get into a groove again.

I really wanted to go to a fiber show in Troy on Saturday, but I have a bridal shower to go to and I made a commitment to that first. It would figure that they are both at the same time too. If you go think of me and if you see any blue and yellow roving look at it and say "ahhh Tonia would love that". =)

So Excited!!!!

First I would like to thank you all for your kind words about the events that happened with my Mom's dog. I knew deep in my heart that we did the right thing, but it is always nice to hear others that can reassure you, especially when the doubt starts to creep up again. Thanks!! You are all so wonderful.

I am so Excited!! Tomorrow I am going with Susan to Fiberworks in Beavercreek. I have been there once before about a month ago and I have also met Arlene (the owner) many years ago when I got my drop spindles, carders, combs, etc. She is such a sweet lady. If you are ever in the area, stop by her shop. She has an amazing selection of books, yarn for hand knitters and loads of things for spinners.

Speaking of spinners. My main reason for going tomorrow is this.......



That is the Kromski Sonata! I will be getting mine tomorrow!! The one that I am getting is of the darker walnut finish, but I couldn't find a picture of it. This will be my first spinning wheel. I am so excited. I feel like a child at Christmas. I will finally be a spinner and be able to spin my own yarn (of course with lots of practice). I already know how to use a drop spindle, but I am not sure how that translates into a wheel. I hope that it will be an easy transition for me.

Now I have a question for all you spinners out there (and non-spinners if you have any ideas). Where do you like to get your fibers from. I know that there are a ton of people out there that dye roving and all that fun stuff, so what are your favorite places to get your roving, fleece or what not?

Happy Birthday

I want to wish a friend of mine, fellow blogger, knitter and spinner, Susan, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Hop on over to Susan's blog and send her a Happy Wish.

Craptastic

Did I quit blogging? No

Sorry folks, I have been having a bit of a craptastic time lately. Not only in my knitting, but also in my personal and not so personal life. If it could go wrong it has. Heck it it couldn't go wrong it went wrong.

Computer is on the freaking fritz again! I am only able to run in safe mode so it has to go back to the shop again. UGH!!!

I haven't been to a Monday night knit night in over a month and it doesn't look promising for any in the near future. Kevin has picked up a second job. You would think that I would be happy that we will have more money, but I am quite upset by the hole thing. I feel terrible that he wants to work another job so that we will have mad money and we can do the things that we want to, to the house. I just wish I could pull in money, but staying at home with the kid doesn't seem to pay with cash flow. He will be working evenings at the second job, so I won't see him at night or have him next to me sleeping until the weekend. I will get to see him in-between jobs, but that still isn't the same as having him here at night with me. I know it will all work out and he is only part time, but it is going to be a hard transition that is for sure. Looks like a Sunday here and there a month might be my new Monday nights (hint Susan).

I haven't been doing much in the way of my knitting either. I have been working on a pair of socks for my cousin that seem to be never ending. I do a few rows then put them down to do something else. I just can't seem to knit on them for any length of time and I don't feel like starting another project. So I am slowly chugging along on the socks.

This past Tuesday my Mom called me in tears. Her 10 year old Golden Retriever has cancer. She wanted to know if I could take them to an Oncologist on Wednesday to have her checked out. With where the Oncologist was and my Mom's state of mind I knew she wouldn't be able to drive it. I called my MIL to see if she could watch James and she so graciously came to help. Wednesday came and it was a nasty rainy gloomy day. I was hoping and praying for good news, but all the news that she could give us was bad. It wasn't just bad it was horribly bad. We were told that if they did surgery and the dog lived through the surgery that it would only give her 3 months at the most to live. My Mom was a complete wreck and I was trying to be strong for her. We were told that the cancer had attached to blood vessels and that she was bleeding internally, it isn't painful to her, but one day Mom would find her dead and it wouldn't be long. With my Mom living alone since my Dad passed she said that she couldn't handle coming home from work or waking up one morning finding her dog dead. So she made the terribly hard decision to have her put to sleep. I had to call and make all the arrangements with our normal vet. Sadly we made an appointment that evening at 3:30. So I called my MIL and told her what was going on and she said that she could stay as long as I needed her to. So I stayed with my Mom since I was going to have to be the one that drove them to the vet. From 11 am to 3 pm the poor dog had gotten much worse. Her bark was really weak and she didn't move much at all. I would have been very surprised if she would have made it through the night. At 3:15 we reluctantly got into the car to head to the vet. I felt extremely sick to my stomach, all my muscles were tight and I just really didn't want to have to do this, but I knew that it was the right thing to do for my Mom and the dog. My Mom said her tearful goodbyes and I led the dog back. My Mom didn't want to go back because she didn't think that she could handle it, but she didn't want her to die alone. So I told her that I would do it. Not that I really wanted to, but I wanted the dog to be as relaxed as possible and I wanted my Mom to feel better knowing that someone was there with her. It was actually very peaceful. Not saying that I was happy about it or enjoyed it, but I am glad that she went peaceful and didn't have to suffer. I had tears streaming down my face the entire time, but I am glad that I was there for the dog. I stroked her head and talked to her the entire time until the vet said that she was gone. It has been so hard these past few days knowing that I was the one that drove them to the vet and took the dog back. I am an animal lover and to have to do something like that just kills me. My heart is still breaking and I am sure that it will for some time to come.

James has been sick for the past week now. He has the lovely running like a faucet nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and all those fun things. So I have been trying to get him better too.

I need some sort of calming day or something. Man do I need that spinning wheel.

I promise you all that I am trying to catch up on reading all your posts. I have over 100 to go through and I am not sure how long the computer will decide to keep running for me. So I want you all to know that I am thinking of you and I wish that this would have been a happier post. Hopefully I can get down to the computer repair shop and get this thing fixed then I will have some pictures to share with you.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter and a good Friday the 13th.

We Have a Swatch, Some Knitting & Need Some of Your Wisdom

Ok folks if you don't want to see or hear anything about the February STR kit this year it is time to move on. I'll wait.
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Since you are this far now I am guessing you want to see the pictures that I have for you.

First is my swatch. It seemed like it took forever to get gauge. From the bottom to the top is 0, 1, 2 and 3. It was rather odd that I seemed to get the same gauge with my 0 and 1. I did end up getting gauge finally with the 2, but I just wanted to make sure that was ok so I went ahead and tried the 3 just to make sure. It amazes me how much a needle size can change the patterning of the yarn.

I took all of the pictures outside on a nice bright and sunny day. =)


So I knit the toe with a size 2 and decided to use a 0 for the foot. The pattern calls for a nice tight fit for the foot so I figured that the 0's would be my best bet. I am really liking the way that they are knitting up. The yarn is so yummy and I just love the colors. As so many people have said, it isn't a color that I would have picked for myself, but I love it.


It isn't as obvious here, but the sock looks like a ummm......... uhhhhhh......... mushroom, yeah that's it, a mushroom. I have actually gotten a few odd looks from people. LOL I think it is pretty funny. Kevin was wondering what the heck I was knitting. ;)


Here I am almost to the heel. It felt like it took forever to get this far. I am guessing that it is the size 0 needles. My hands and fingers are hurting as well from it. I am excited though to get them done even though it might be too warm to wear them.

It was 81 F here today!! I about fell over. Needless to say all the windows were opened and James spent most of the day outside.


I did turn the heel with my size 2's and started on the leg. The sock fit before starting the leg. I decided to use the size 2's for the leg as well. I was all the way up the leg and had cast off, but hadn't tried it on in fear of snapping my DP needles and I was being too lazy to put them on circs. to try them on.

Well as my S-I-L always says, "Whad' ya learn?" I learned that I should have tried the dang thing on. I could get my foot in the leg with no problem, but where the turn begins to go down to the foot is where I got stuck. I am guessing high arch?

I have went up to a 4 and don't think I like the way it is knitting up. This is my first pair of toe up and I have no clue what to do to solve this problem. Any of you knit toe up sock have any info. or suggestions that you could pass my way? I am stuck staring at my sock really wanting to finish it. I don't want to go any farther for fear that I will have to rip it out again.

Thanks for any help or suggestions that you might have on the sock. Have a great day.

Since I am on the Topic of Socks.....

I have decided to tackle socks for Kevin. Wish me luck in this adventure.

I am in no way brave enough to use a fingering weight or sport weight for him yet. He has a size 17 foot for cripes sake! So the poor guy has to settle with a pair of Malabrigo socks.

I am knitting them in a generic stockinette with a K1, P1 rib at the top. It is knitting up faster than I expected it to, but I guess that is what happens when you use a worsted weight yarn opposed to a fingering weight. Plus I am using a size 5 needle instead of the normal size 1 that I am used to using.

I hope that when they are done he will like them. They are so soft and squishy. I think I might just have to make a pair for myself. I have plenty of it to go around. Wouldn't it be cute to have a pair for James too? They could be our family socks. =)

IT"S HERE!!!!!!!!!!

I would have never guessed that it was here. I looked out the front door and nothing, the back door and nothing. I know that we have a large mail box, but knew that it wouldn't fit in there. So I figured that I would have to wait another day. I went out to collect my bills and what was waiting for me????!!!! Yep my first STR Sock Club Package!!!!

I am soooooooooo freaking excited! I can't wait to get started.

From here on out are going to be spoilers of the package contents and pictures so if you don't want to know or see anything about it now is your time to move on.

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Ok so if you are this far either you want to see the pictures or to read what I have to say about it. :)


First I have a picture of the package. See in the upper left hand corner? Yep that says Blue Moon!! (as always click on any picture to make it bigger). I was skipping back to the house with my package. Our dog was looking through the door at me like I had lost my mind.


Next we have the folder, and contents. The yarn is called Monsoon and is soooooo lovely! Do they know how to pick them or what! There is a flyer for Camp, discount card, emergency yarn key chain, button, bumper sticker, beautiful yarn, Dyer's Notes, Foot Notes, hints and tips on making socks to fit friends and family and the pattern called "Inside Out"

What a wonderful first package. This is my first time being in any sock club and I am already having a blast.


I have glanced over the pattern and it a toe up pattern with ribs and cables. I have never done a toe up or cabled pattern on a sock before. So there are going to be many new things that I will get to learn. Not only does the sock look so cool and pretty it can also be worn inside out! How freaking ingenious is that?!


I will leave you with one last picture. A closer picture of the yarn. It is actually a little lighter in color than this picture, but it is very close considering I took it inside with a flash and no natural sun light. I have it all packed and ready to go with me to knitting tonight. I hope that the other ladies at my FNSLYS got theirs today too.

Waiting, Waiting and Still Waiting

STR

I am one of the ones that are still waiting for their Rockin Sock Club Package. I want it so bad I can taste it. They have a blog set up for all the members and yesterday just about put me over the edge. There were people posting right and left that they got their package. My mail man had come and gone yesterday and today leaving me with nothing but bills. So I am stuck here waiting for Monday in hopes that it will come, but I am not holding my breath. I feel like a child at on Christmas Eve. This is so crazy. :) This was all that I asked Kevin to get me for my Birthday. It is a great gift that keeps on giving through the year.


ADS

Some of you might have noticed on left hand side that I now have ads and a search section. There are so many things that need to be done and taken care of that I was hoping to make a little money that way. If you don't know already, I am a stay at home mom and sadly I don't make any money at doing that. I feel that my contribution to the family is less than what it should be. I have an Etsy store set up that I was told I should do from friends and family, but it isn't going well either. I sold 1 knitted hat around Christmas and that is it. I don't know where I am going wrong. I was hoping that with the adds and the search section I might be able to make a little to help out. We are currently having to get our kitten spayed, looking at a $400 + propane bill whenever they decide to come out and fill the tank again, we have to get the breaks fixed on my vehicle, Kevin needs to have work done on his beater truck that he drives to work, he needs to get to a hearing specialist too and quite a few other things. Sadly you have to have money to do all those things and they always seem to happen all at the same time. Ugh.

If you could just click on one or more of the adds when you visit I would greatly appreciate it. It is quick and painless. If you have them on your site I will do the same for you. Thanks!


KNITTING

I have no pictures to show you of my knitting progress this time. Sorry. I am working on a pair of socks for my cousin though. I am using Trekking XXL Color 102. This is the first socks that I have made with it and I am loving how the colors are coming together. I am not going to want to give them away when they are done I know it. At least I am enjoying knitting them and it is something that is keeping me somewhat sane while I am waiting for my STR package.


PICTURE

I will leave you today with a picture of James playing in the tent that I made him with his table and chairs. He had a great time.