Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Tragedy Strikes!



One of my Denise needle tips snapped mid-row! I can't believe it, I have never broken a needle before (well, I have broken size 1 bamboo needles when I stepped on them, but that doesn't count). I guess trying to pinch stitches with this firm cotton yarn was a bit too much for the plastic. I have already picked up a metal needle and started to insert it in place. Luckily the project hasn't unraveled too far.




So, I really seem to be slacking with blog posts these days, and the truth is the amount of things I have to talk about really has declined. I am a college student once again, and that's cutting into the knitting time a bit. Also, A severe bout of knitting ADD has kept me from making too much progress on any one piece.

These socks are the socks that were completed on my road trip in August. They hadn't been photographed before because I had misplaced 1 as soon as I got home. It finally resurfaced this weekend.



These are the Woven Ridgeline socks from Cat Bordhi's New Pathways book. I altered the pattern by using her garter toe from the same book. It doesn't show up well in the photo, but the front of the sock has a panel of linen stitch.

The socks are made with Trekking ProNatura, and when I starting them I really didn't like the yarn, but by the 2nd sock I was growing accustomed to it, and I am so glad I persevered. I love the feel of these socks!

As for the sock I showed in the works in the last post, it's gone for a swim in the frog pond! The pattern made a sock much too long for my foot. Although I could have ripped back to the toe and adjusted it I just wasn't liking it enough.

Just to show you I am knitting something these days, this is my current mindless project, for times when I really want to focus on something else. It's a hemp market bag. I bought a kit for this bad forever ago, and it has sat in my stash. I recently gave away the crocheted market bag I had been using. So, I needed something new. When I pulled out the kit I decided I really didn't like the pattern it came with, so I am just winging this one.



Another thing I have been managing to find time for is spinning. It felt like I hadn't done it in forever. Honestly, it was partially a time issue, but I was also pretty bored with spinning that grey gotland lace weight (which I still need to spin more of).

Well, a couple of weeks ago I went up to Vermont to see Joansie, and attend the VT Sheep & Wool festival with her.

There is nothing like a S&W festival to get the desire to spin back! There were so many fun fibers there. One vendor (and I am sorry to say I forgot to take note of who) had blended rovings they had made from the left over bits they had after carding their first quality rovings. These scrap blends were merino, silk, alpaca, and mohair, and were $0.99 an ounce. They had 2 big bags, and although the colours weren't ones I would normally choose, I had to buy a little.


I got a red/yellow/purple striped roving which I used to spin up a very fun, very textural thick & thin bulky yarn. The 6 ounces made about 400 yards. It somehow made me think of my niece Ella as I was working with it, so the yarn will be worked into a gift for her.

The other yarn in the photo was made from roving that was a gift from my friend Deb. I think the colour was called "Prairie grass" It was another striped roving with 3 different greens and tan. Again I made a very textural yarn with this. This one is approximately aran weight, and I want to use it for a project for myself. I have about 300 yards here, and another 2 ounces of fiber to spin.

Oh, and because I love Halloween, I have a new free crochet pattern on the Pisgah website.



The Halloween Ghost cloth is a quick and easy project. I had fun making this one.

I also want to thank Norma for testing the pattern for me. If you are a cloth knitter or crocheter check out her website Dish and Wash Cloth Mania for a great free pattern directory.


For those of you who live in the Northeast, come and see me:

I will be teaching a free beginner crochet classes at the Billerica Public Library on Saturday September 27, from 1 to 4. There is a cap on the class. So, if you are in the area, and want to attend let me know!

I will also be a demonstrator in the Fiber House at the Fryeburg Fair in Maine, on Thursday October 2 from 2 to 5. This is the Men's day at the fiber house.

8 comments:

Joansie said...

I can't believe a Denise needle broke. Send it back and they will replace it.

I like what you spun up with the roving you purchased at the S&W festival. Who knew the colors would look so nice in the end? You would, of course...lol.

The Fryeburg Fair will be so nice. It's the one I used to go to all the time as a child.

Lil Knitter said...

Yes, you have been blog slacking. :P
I miss your posts.
Love those socks...they look warm and toasty. Sucks about the broken needle. I'm glad it didn't come unraveled.
That bag looks great so far...PLEASE write down what you're doing...you know you wanna share the pattern. Right? *hint, hint*
That Prairie Grass roving is so pretty...can't wait to see what that's going to be.
More classes? You're killing me here!! I'm too far away! :P
See, when you wait too long to post...I have to write you a novel.
Hugs!

LizzieK8 said...

I've had a Denise break, too. And as Joansie said, they will replace them.

I take heart in knowing that Denise do break but rarely while it seems daily I hear about a KP Options issues....

Great Socks! Need to go to the bookstore and browse that book!

LDSVenus said...

"knocks on wood", I've never had a needle break on me while knitting. But I can only imagine how awful it feels to see your work springing off the needles. You mentioned it did unravel a little, I hope you were able to pick it up and get it back to where it was before the break fairly easily.

I'm trying to like knitting socks, I'm just not a huge fan of double pointed needles :P. So far I'm still on tube socks :P.

Glad you are getting to spin some, it is my favorite thing to do, it is my "instant peace". And then I get to knit it up into something for someone :). It's like giving a piece of yourself to someone else :).

Unknown said...

Wow, you have been busy. I like the socks. And the bag, and the yarn, LOL.

I hope school is going well. So what do you want to be when you grow up?

Have a great day!

Jodi @ Happy House Quilts said...

Yikes i would contact the company on that one...breaking needles....that's just not right!
the teaching gigs all sound wonderful! especially the fair...wish i didn't work weekends or i'd come visit...
did kim tell you i got an embellisher???? present to myself for finishing up chemo...you will have to come play!!! with wine??? I owe you a nice bottle you let me know what to get!!!
Jodi

Maureen said...

That is crazy about the needle! I gasped when I saw the pic! Crazy! Hope yo have fun back at school and your classes on Sat went well!

DEEDALOOS said...

i REALLY love the green yarn!! it's going be great in your gray sweater. can't wait to see the end result! kim