Fiber Destash Score

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Jude of Stranded Dyeworks recently destashed some of his personal stash in order to feel more incontrol of his stash and make sure these items are being used instead of stored. I stayed away for the first few days of the sale but I was weak when I noticed there was still fiber in the shop.

These are all new to me dyers and from top right around to the bottom they are:

  • Spotted Circus – 4 ounces and a blend of Alpaca and Nylon
  • Fondant Fibres – 4 ounces and a 80/20 blend of SW Merino and Nylon – this one is called Deep & Meaningful
  • Hipstrings – 4 ounces and a blend of Merino, Rambouillet and Nylon – this one is called The Unicorn in the Library

I have zero plans for this fiber. None of the fiber content really line up so I don’t see combining them. They will likely end up being spun with themselves and making cute one of skeins.

Happy Spinning!!

New Spinning Toys

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With all my spinning mojo, I treated myself to some some toys. I hear on podcasts and see on blogs the hand spinner love Akerworks bobbins. They are 3D printed and pack flat for storage. So I did my research on the Akerworks site.

I picked up two bobbins that fit my Ashford Kiwi 3. I let them pick the designs for the end caps but I picked purple for Jellybean and teal/green for PB. I put the purple one on my wheel and tried a bit of fiber. It’s an understatement to say they spin VERY differently than my wooden bobbins. Definitely going to need some practice with these new toys!

Happy Spinning!!

Spring Cleaning

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I got SICK of tripping over junk in the garage so I got mad and I got to cleaning. This is my side of the garage where I park. The top is the before and the bottom is the after.

I filled half our trash tote, organized everything to fit on shelving, and swept out about 1,000 bugs and fall leaves. It will likely last 2.5 seconds but it felt good to purge some items and be able to get in and out of my van easier.

Now, what you don’t see is the dumpster fire that is my husband’s side of the garage. That’s a mountain for another day! It’s time to start the weekend and soak up some sunshine…

Happy Cleaning!!

My Go Bag

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I have been on the go quite a bit more lately now that spring is here and it’s busy season. I have a “go bag” ready for kids appointments, meetings, gymnastics or whatever else comes up. I decided to give you all a peek!

Of course the main filler is a HUGE knitting project with all the yarn for a whole blanket. Because, why not? Next up is a leadership book I’m reading for my Diversity, Equity and Inclusion classes. This is followed by not one but TWO types of lotion. Of course I have a beverage, my knitting tools and stitch markers. Pretty sure my flexi flip sock needles are also in here and I don’t why, lol.

But that’s my go bag in a nutshell. The only thing its missing is a snack! Happy Knitting!!

The Second Bobbin For Socks

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The first bobbin is complete for the sock spin I’m working on. Just last night I started putting fiber on the second bobbing.

The dominant colors in these chunks of fiber are pinks, purples and a some muddy browns. I still have to concentrate pretty hard on spinning fine so that my plies don’t get to fat. Once in awhile my mind drifts and the thickness starts to come back. It’s just my default I guess?

Now I just need more hours in the day so I have more time for crafting during accounting busy season!

Happy Knitting!!

How to Survive Work Conferences

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How To Survive Accounting Conference Lectures: KNITTING!!

I did really well through the morning sessions but I was dragging after lunch. The economists started talking about statistics and I had to break out the knitting to stay awake since I don’t consume caffeine after lunch. I finished exactly one stripe on my Punch Bug Vanilla Socks and decided life was to short for boring classes so I left the conference early to get a jump start on my 2.5 hour drive home.

The winds here in Kansas have been brutal this spring. It was a long hard drive home and I literally collapsed in bed after my kids went to bed last night. Time for coffee and head off to work!

Happy Knitting!!

Bonus Hotel Knitting

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I’m off to an accounting conference today and got some bonus hotel knitting in last night. The conference was JUST far enough away that I didn’t want to leave my house at 4:45 am so I drove down early.

A fluffy bed, no kids, no responsibilities meant a whole evening of uninterrupted knitting. I am still working on stripe number two in my Chromatic Yarns Chevron blanket. It really does take 35-45 minutes to do a full row and return row. But I’m finding my groove and getting really excited about this project. I’ll have to pull out my purse sock for the conference today as this blanket is definitely too unwieldly!

Happy Knitting!!

Half Of Another Rainbow

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Look at me following through on plans! I pulled my first finished tube of my Punch Bug Vanilla Socks and cut in my afterthought heel.

I used the leftovers from the first 50 grams to knit this heel. I tried to put the colors where a color wouldn’t touch itself. I also took note of how many grams I need to do the second sock with the color management I have had to do.

I really like how the heel turned out. I have my own “recipe” for an afterthought heel that adds the depth I need by adding some plain rows in to the basic toe shape. I was a little miffed that I JUST missed ending in yellow and a few pops of orange. Oh well!

Happy Knitting!!

Spinning For Socks

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In some of my belated Christmas present, I had 4 ounces of fiber that was meant for socks. It was a nice blend of merino and tencel and I think I can make a 3-ply for some sock yarn. Really focusing on spinning as thin as I can so that my finished yarn is close to sock weight and I have enough for my big feet.

I have very carefully weighed out three matching lots of fiber. I kind of grouped the colors into similar families so each ply will be cohesive (ish) and I’ll get a nice marl in the finished yarn. My back has been acting up so spinning hasn’t been as comfortable as knitting. But slow and steady will win the race!

Happy Spinning!!

Knot In The Rainbow

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I forgot to tell you all that when I was at the doctor this week, I found a knot in my Felici yarn! I know, I know….knots are normal and acceptable in commercially produced yarn. But this knot totally interrupted my rainbow. This color change totally skipped light blue and yellow and went straight to orange.

So I took a deep breath and pulled out from the skein until I got back to a dark blue spot. I kinda had to fudge it since I already had some dark blue stitches knit on but not a full stripes worth. I ended up with a nice hunk of yarn pulled out.

I’m going to continue my sock to preserve the rainbow. I may have to get creative for the heel on this one. I might kick over to the first tube and get the heel installed so I know how much yarn that afterthought heel requires.

I still hate knots. Happy Knitting!!