Gaia

Worked up a little something I’m proud of (and love to wear), so say hello to Gaia…

Pattern available through Ravelry at above link.

RunHoopKnitWashRinseRepeat

So this has been my absence:

Knitting for the Ravelry WWM 2009 (I finished five projects, WOOT!).

MrYarnBearer’s two jaw surgeries.

New tattoo (full sleeve).

Hoop dancing…  Because, you know, it’s not like I don’t run everyday or anything like that…

New friends and old friends, too!

And United States Coast Guard’s birthday celebration.

Reading Christopher Moore novels, as well as Gene Wilder’s My French Whore, and am nearly through Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

It has been busy and honestly, I probably should have knitted more.  This summer offered so many distractions and I’m being summoned by a pizza right now, so here’s a picture show…

Published, Moi?

Last August, Susan Ripely (one of the collaborators of the Knitting Pattern-A-Day Calendar) contacted me about submitting a pattern for the calendar (for 2010).  Submissions were not guaranteed and the results are now in…

My Spritely Hat was accepted and will be found on July 19th.  The pattern is also a free download on Ravelry, but if you would like a copy of the calendar, they are available for pre-order.  Check it out!

Pattern Recommendations

I’ve been slogging through the Ravelry pattern library to find patterns suited for the yarns I carry in my Etsy shop.  When you have a colorful, one-of-a-kind skein, it’s best to work it up in a pattern that A) uses up a healthy portion of the yardage and B) has stitch work that doesn’t get lost in the color changes (or pools).  I’m going to share some of my finds (and feel free to suggests some of your own).

Uber Sock

Uber Sock now has even more yardage, going from 460 yards to 500 yards per skein now.  You’ve got even more options than before, but here’s just a few of my favorites:

Jaywalker Socks

Simple Yet Effective Shawl

Razor Cami 

Celestine Sox

Organic Merino and Extra Fine Merino (fingering weight yarns)

This yarn is relatively new at an amazing price.  With 400 yards per skein, you still have plenty of patterns to choose from.

Ribbon-tied Wool Vest

Nutkin socks

Francie socks

Bellatrix socks

Organic Merino and Extra Fine Merino (DK weight yarns)

Again, these are new and each has 400 yards per skein for quick socks, shawls, etc etc etc.

Forest Canopy Shawl

Child’s Placket-Neck Pullover

Oolong Socks

Bulky Alpaca

This yarn comes in 110 yards per skein.  I try to dye at least two identical skeins, but sometimes there are singles.  You can knit them alone or combine them together to make a vibrant, super smooshy project.

Meathead Hat

Trinity Stitch Hat

Aran Gauntlets

Plain or Flowery Slippers

Dolores Park Cowl

Rachael Neckwarmer

Anthropologie-Inspired Capelet

There’s plenty more where those came from and I’m tossing around a few design ideas for the bulky alpaca yarn.  I’ll  dedicate my next post to crochet projects.  You can find me at the Savannah Market Bazaar (at the Robinson parking garage on Montgomery and York Streets), again, this Saturday, May 9th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Come say hello!

March 14th Market

I’ll be at the Savannah Market Bazaar, again, this Saturday (March 14th) at the Robinson Parking Garage (9am to 2pm).  Feel free to stop by and say hello!

Nightmares

So the To Dye For! yarn club has finally come to an end.  I sent out the last shipment on Tuesday and the subscribers should start getting their yarns by the end of the week.  Dyeing yarn with a few set perimeters and a little “cheat sheet” turned out to be interesting and fun.  I was also more apt to blend colors I probably never would have considered otherwise.

I’ve decided, after poking and prodding from the veteran club members as well as those who missed out on the club, to set up another club.  In April, the Nightmare Yarn Club begins! 

I’m trying my hand at a six monthclub with twenty-five spaces (some available in my Etsy shop, more may open up after the 15th).  Unlike the last club, subscribers will be receiving similar skeins based on common nightmares.  The idea came to me one morning after yet another vivid dream caused me to wake up covered in sweat (man, I hope that was sweat) and a bit shaky.

I have a few reoccurring dreams, but have also never experience other common nightmares.  Mine usually consist of being chased or wild animals (often me riding an uncontrollable, black horse).  I’ve never experienced dreams of falling or drowning, though many others, I’ve been told, have.

Another one of my reoccurring dreams is odd.  Everything is dark and shadowy with flashes of bright green, but there’s no sound.  I’m more of an observer in this dream and sometimes there are people, sometimes not.  However, there’s really nothing more to it than me observing a fantastically depressing environment void of sound.  Weird.  My brains, they are a dark place, I tell you.

Calming

I feel a great need to relax before the market on Saturday.  The weather looks to be a toss up, however, if it does turn foul, you will still find us there, on the fourth floor of the Robinson Parking Garage on York and Montgomery Streets.

Here is my first, wild fling with forcing bulbs.  My blue grape hyacinths have already begun to flower and the black tulips, I suspect, should be budding very soon.

Have a lovely Valentine’s Day.

Zombie-Vampire-A-Go-Go

I kind of feel like both right now.  I can’t sleep at night and I’ve been moaning like the undead for the past few days.  Hello, Strep Throat, I can’t say it’s nice to see you again, but here you are!

It’s not getting me down though!  My sock club started getting their February installments on Monday and seem pretty darn happy with this month’s theme (ahem, which is Zombies vs. Vampires, so ironic in many ways).  The Savannah Market Bazaar (see previous post) is less than two weeks away and the excitement is killing me.  My mantra lately has been “Please don’t be cold, please don’t be cold, please don’t be cold, please don’t be cold…” 

I’ve got so much roving for this market, if it does turn out to be cold, I may just make a cocoon out it all or maybe a furry igloo.

Plan on stopping by?  Please do!  Here’s a list of the inventory I’ll have with me (I’ll update if there are any changes):

• Streetwalker Sock yarns (superwash merino, cashmere, nylon)
• Uber Sock yarns (superwash wool, nylon)
• Smooshy yarns (alpaca)
• Assorted wool rovings (in many natural, undyed colors)
• Merino rovings
• Mohair rovings (solid whites and blacks)
• Yak down (undyed, dark brown)
• Bamboo roving
• Soybean (aka Soysilk) roving
• Hemp roving (this sells out fast, so if you want it, you had better come early)
• Superwash wool
• Alpaca roving

See you there!

Market

Still so very busy around here.  A friend told me about a local, monthly market so I’ll be vendor there on February 14th.  So if you’re local or just visiting, please stop by and say hello!  I’ve got tons of fiber, roving, and yarn for your petting pleasure (but if you drool on it, you have to pay for it). 

I got the sewing bug, again.  It bit me fierce this time and ended up designing thisone restless night.  Last night, I went to sleep with the views sitting at 100ish.  When I sat down with my cup of coffee this morning, the views were at 700+.  After a little research and with the help of some really friendly, awesome Etsy sellers, we discovered that my Wait Until Dark dress had made Etsy’s front page! 

I ran upstairs and started jumping on the bed (while Mr. Yarn Bearer was still trying to sleep in it) squealing at about 1000 mph about it.  I think he’s still recovering from it.

ETA:  Check it!  Etsy Admin snagged a screen shot of the treasury!  SQUEE!

Streetwalkers and Buttsocks equal a very busy New Year

It’s late, but Happy New Year!  I’m almost sad, the holidays came and went so fast, but they can’t last forever (especially that stomach virus I picked up, thanks goodness).

Dyeing has picked up considerably and Wee One’s fifth birthday is just a few days away.  We’re heading down to Disney World and Sea World to celebrate with friends.  Another reason I’ve been dyeing like there’s no tomorrow, as well as my very first craft show/market/bazaar is coming up in February.  I’m excited and nervous.  It’s a local market bazaar which should make good for getting my feet wet. 

The To Dye For! Sock Club members have been receiving their first batch of yarn and so far, so good!  It is such a relief to see that everyone has enjoyed the colorway they have received.  I think I read far too many sock club drama threads on Ravelry and was emotionally preparing myself for failure.  SCORE!  I’m not full of fail!

I have finished some knitting projects, but have been putting off photographing due to the crappy weather we’ve been experiencing. 

I’m off to wind more yarn, but have some eye candy!

(Here is the new yarn in my Etsy Shop:  Streetwalker Sock; 60% Superwash Merino/20% Cashmere/20% Nylon; 390 yards/90 grams)