As if I needed another hobby...

... I've taken up spinning. I'm still very much a beginner, but I'm having fun trying! My town's historical society is having a "pioneer Christmas" on Friday and I've volunteered to help demonstrate knitting and spinning (by drop spindle, someone else is bringing a spinning wheel). :-) I'm excited to try out my new skill in public, even though I won't be the greatest example of spinning, at least someone might learn that sweaters don't just come from Wal-Mart.

Project update: I've completed the body and sleeves of my colorwork sweater. It looks awesome! Now I just have to get up the guts to do the steeking and finishing work. That may take a while.

In the mean time I've started the February Lady Sweater (Ravelry link). A friend of mine at Blue Canoe Alpaca Farms (Facebook Link) raised the alpaca, "Skittles," from whom the yarn came. She has it professionally (er... machine?) spun. It is lovely and soft! I can hook you up with details if you'd like to buy some. She doesn't use dyes or anything so it's all natural alpaca colors. Mine is Rosegrey. She has other colors (though I believe she's about sold out of everything for this season) too.

Color Magic

So colorwork has officially fascinated me.

I'm falling in love with the way the different colors go together,

and how the shapes begin to form,

and all the patterns the stitches make.

Even the inside is pretty.

I love it!

Time Flies

Time flies very quickly these days. I've graduated, been ordained (become a pastor), moved to Michigan, and acquired a second cat (twice. It's a sad story.)

Knitting projects have gone more by the wayside than I've liked, but much progress has been made on MIL's dresser scarf. I also recently started my first colorwork sweater. It is a Knitpicks kit and I think will be lovely when it is done. I love how the warm colors are working together and am very pleased to discover that the Telemark wool isn't bothering my hands as much as I was afraid it might. :-) Both projects are traveling with me this week, so I may have more progress updates when I return. Of course, I've been very remiss in my blogging this year so perhaps I shouldn't make too many promises. Anyway, here's a picture of my new sweatery love:

One Colorwork Mitten!

Again, ignore the date, my camera is screwy.

This is the first of the colorwork mittens! Its a little small for my hands, but I'm hoping it will block a bit larger or that it will fit one of my friends. :-)

I got a delivery from Knitpicks today with the Harmony circular needle tips so I can finally start my Fir Cone Square Shawl! I'm about 8 rows into it now! Hooray!