Potluck Yarn -Singles

I've been spinning the fiber a friend brought me from The Woolery in Kentucky called "Potluck". After spinning this up I have come to think it is perfectly named. The colors are all jumbled together and I can't wait to see what it looks like knit up. I have two different weights because I plied the first two singles together and then the second pair of singles together. I'm thinking I will use them together for something. Pretty.

Knitted Giraffe Butt

I never expected to call some one on the phone and start the conversation with, "I knit your Giraffe butt last night" but today was my day! I am knitting the Giraffe pattern from Susan B. Anderson's book, "itty bitty toys" for one of my favorite designers at work. I gave her the book and told her to pick a pattern and the Pom-poms in this one won her over. Last night I decided to read over the pattern as preparation for starting and before I even realized what was happening I pulled out the needles and yarn and cast on. I got the Cascade 200 Superwash for a great price from Web's Anniversary Sale and Mom got a ton of colors to pick from.

I love Susan's patterns and I have knit several of them over the past few years. She writes a very clear and concise pattern and the end products are just plain adorable. The other picture her is her Doll pattern from the book with my niece who served as my inspiration. Love her patterns!

Holy Snakes Batman!

So for part of my time with Mom on Mother's Day we decided to check out a new-to-me park along the Meramec River called Emmenegger Nature Park. Well, we were sitting on a picnic table chatting when Mom noticed we were interrupting the intimate behavior of two of the largest snakes I've ever seen, let alone out in nature. Now I'm a relatively nature-y kinda girl and I have seen snakes in the wild, but this just blew me away. The snakes were at least 4' long and fully entwined. Amazing! Creating new snake babies on Mother's Day. There is some sort weird symbolism there that i dont want to think on for too long. Anyway, check out the cool pic.

Top of the Whorl

I'm making some good progress with my hand spinning. I'm starting to get the hang of drafting and spinning without parking the spindle so the singles are turning out nice and thin. I can't wait to see what this looks like plied. I really like the look of this now that I'm spinning it thinner. The colors are crisper and it just makes me happier.

p.s. Check out the size of this shroom we saw on our walk this morning!

CampKIP 2012 Goodies

I had a great time at CampKIP again this year and I hope it becomes a long standing tradition. I got to meet Podcaster Elite like Meghan, Jackie, Rachel and Shiloh and they continue to be just as friendly in person as they seem on their podcasts. I could tell everyone worked really hard this year because as great as the retreat was last year, this year blew it away! Thanks guys, you made my month!

The stash enhancement was also wonderful. We got some amazing yarn in our gift bags dyed in the Camp colorway and I am looking forward to using it up. I also bought some lovely fiber. I think the spinning is really starting to stick. I also got a pretty project bag and a nice shawl pin. Nice.

Pumpk'd Plied

I got my lovely Handspun using Dyeabolical Steampumpk colored roving and I am very happy with the results. I've ended up with about 70 yards of a bulky weight yarn that is pretty even and the colors are simply fabulous. Now, what to knit with it?