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:

Finally

My big secret project is no longer a secret!!

Wedding Sweater for Christopher (Rav Link)
Men's Cable V-Neck Pullover by Kim Barnette
Rowan RYC Cashsoft Aran in 016 Mist

This was a five month labor of love for my new husband. He loves it. It fits him beautifully. (I'll have to get an action shot sometime soon!) I'm thrilled to pieces! Now, he's just got to learn how to take care of it...

Shortly after I gave it to him, I discovered it in the trunk of his car soaked in Windex that had leaked all over the place. When we got home, he carefully washed it and has promised to take much better care of it in the future.

Finally working on the Fir!

I had every intention of starting this in January. Here it is almost October. Ah well. Here's the Ravelry link. My Fir Shawl.

I've also posted pictures of some of my other back projects. Please peruse there, if you can.

Here's my favorite finished sweater for those of you who aren't on Ravelry.

Pattern: Samus, from Knitty.com
Yarn: Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Tweed in grey and maroon

Boxes, ho!

My apartment is filled with cardboard at the moment. I've got lots of boxes to pack for my move north on Wednesday. Today is filled with laundry doing, dish washing, and other chores that lead to more packing. I've sadly begun packing away the stash. My poor cat doesn't know what to do with himself. He hates all of the commotion. (And I think he misses the stash too.)

I'm surprised by how fast the summer has flown by. I finished that cable braid sweater months ago and still haven't gotten pictures. Most recently I've been working on dishtowels and washcloths for my new place. The movie-going scarf is complete, as is a matching hat. I also made Knitty's "Shedir" from the leftover Silky Tweed from the cable braid sweater. I also finished one experimental sock from the self striping sock yarn my friend gave me.

The next time I post I'll be in VA! I'm looking forward to finding a new LYS and new knitters to play with. :-)

Settling In

I've settled into the sweater with the cable braid that I mentioned last post. I wish I could post a picture right now so you can see the adorable little stripes and the beautiful cable, but alas, I am still camera-less. I love the silky tweed yarn and the way the red and grey compliment each other so well. I'll be visiting my SO next weekend and I'll take it with me to get some pictures. I'll try to remember to take the Aran Pocket(less) Shawl too so you can see that. It'll be a knitting fashion show! :-)

My movie-going scarf continues to grow. I need to carry a bigger purse now so it doesn't spill all over the place when I go to the movies. Ah well. I'm also experimenting with some self-striping sock yarn that was a gift from a friend. So far I haven't fallen in love with anything yet, but its fun to try.

Seems like everyone I (or my SO) knows is getting pregnant recently. I've been searching for baby things to knit like crazy! Do any of you who are parents have suggestions for what would be most useful? The babies are due in Jan/Feb.