Handspun yarn on handspindled handwoven scarf

DSC01987
Originally uploaded by khora

It's taken me much longer than I anticipated to spindle and weave this scarf from the Bluemtnhandcrafts batt that my secret pal 14 Kathy sent me, and almost as long to spin up the Crystalcreekfiber batts, ok, that didn't take long to spin, but the spun singles squatted on the bobbins for a long time as I waited for my new Lazy Kate. There is another full bobbin of 2 ply waiting to be skeined. But I want to show Kathy what I had made with her thoughtful choices, and thank her for being such a great pal. Yes, I too regret that this round is over. Now I have to decide what to knit with this yarn. Thanks Kathy.

see the bag'o'fiber beneath?

see the bag'o'yarns beneath?
Originally uploaded by khora

The reveal parcel from my secret pal 14 who is Kathy from Houston, Tx (kathyr65), thank you very much Kathy you have been a great pal.

You are right I am going to spin up the Lorna's Laces superwash merino roving, and knit one of the projects from the book. You didn't know, but my favorite feature of Spin-Off magazine is the projects, I like the challenge of trying to spin the yarn and knit the item, fact is, I have just finished two of their projects, a pair of purple lined mittens, and a pair of orange socks. I am going to upload them so you can see.

Current WIP

Current WIP
Originally uploaded by khora

Early start on Christmas presents ...

Secret pal 14 parcel 2

Secret pal 14 parcel 2
Originally uploaded by khora

The second parcel from my secret pal arrived today, I love it. I can't wait to spindle up the 2+oz of sparkly wool roving "productively" lol. Tigs had her ears up when we were taking the photo, something was making very interesting sounds. And the lacy patterns are so beautiful, perfect b/c I just finished Leda's Dream, I should take a photo but there is just no way to block it here, I need to get some foam blocks and blocking wires. Coincidentally yesterday night I started Hanging Gardens by Sivia Harding. Thank you so much, she is one of my favorite lace designers and so is Anne Hansen (I have finished patterns by both of them).

February lady cardigan

February lady cardigan
Originally uploaded by khora

Well, the most recent FO. I need to sew 3 nice big buttons. Right now still have a shawl and a cardigan on the needles, but the shawl is messy and the cardigan on hold ...

Recent spindling

Various spindling
Originally uploaded by khora

The big one on the bottom is 2 plyed fingering weight wool. Right now I am 3 plying the dark emerald green merino singles, which is from my Spindle Addict polymer clay spindle swap pal, the spindle from her is right at the top.

Last 2 month's spinning

Majacraft bobbins
Originally uploaded by khora

On my Majacraft Rose. They need to be 2 plyed but I am waiting for a proper Lazy Kate. The Kiwi fiber swap cream merino/silk will probably be plyed with the 100% angora fur gifted by my Sock it to me Thrice pal (it is ridiculously soft but slow going, my cat keeps attacking the rabbit fiber). The 2 bobbins of Enchantedknoll "Diamonds in the rough" batts will be plyed with each other (which reminds me I need to rejoin the club when finances permit). I haven't decided whether to ply the top 2 bobbins with each other, with another fiber, or just use as singles. Oh, I have also finished the Grafton lilacs batt, the singles is being tensioned on the niddy noddy.

Secret pal 14

Secret pal 14
Originally uploaded by khora

Secret pal 14

Piecework & Knitscene magazine, Crystalcreek fibers wool/silk batt, lipgloss, orifice hook, black cat tape measure, plus edible treats for me and Tigs (all gone lah). Thank you secret pal!

I am spinning this fiber right now, it's beautifully soft, right now it looks like denim on the bobbin.

SP14 Questionaire

Here's looking forward to a new round of secret pals, and may it be the best one yet.

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I love knitting with my own handspun yarns spun from colorful, always next to the skin soft and sometimes sparkly fibers, especially those from my favourite fiber pushers Enchantedknoll and CrystalCreekfibers.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Hand sewn folding fabric cases.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
Wow, I can't believe it's been almost 10 years. Between intermediate and advanced, I can follow complicated patterns but my hands get painfully cramped after knitting with fine yarn on skinny needles, I guess that's one thing that is not going to get better with time!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No.

5. What's your favorite scent? Geranium.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? No (ok, wishing that I DON'T).

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
Does a bear poo in the woods? You betcha I spin more than I knit nowadays (it's easier on the hands)! I sometimes make jewllery and used to make bears (probably will do it again one day, I found the hand sewing finger cramping).

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD). I am taking a rain check on this as I have a hearing deficiency ...

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? Tend to prefer the cooler end of the spectrum: greens, blues, purples; don't usually wear browns, yellows, oranges or red.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? One cat

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, lace shawls scrunched up as scarves.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Lace shawls.

13. What are you knitting right now? A lace shawl. A February lady cardigan. A sock.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Addi lace for lace, knitpicks for sweaters, various others as and when.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Can't remember.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe? Christmas, because we try to go to the UK to be with DH's family.

19. Is there anything that you collect? Spindles, vintage silk laces, mother of pearl buttons and bears.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on?
I did love one of the new heart cut out cup spindles from the Spanish Peacock on Ravelry, and if you mention that you are my secret pal Tom knows me and my preferences very well :) If anyone is interested in learning I totally recommend his spindles.
What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I subscribe to IK and Spin-off.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Um, just to get better at what I know. And to have time! I have been meaning to try dyeing and felting, I have the supplies, but I have been sick for the last 3 weeks or so and just haven't had the time or energy!

22. Are you a sock knitter? Yes. What are your foot measurements? 8.75 to 9 inches.

23. When is your birthday? February.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yes, Ghostknitter.

my daemon

Your result for The Golden Compass Daemon Test...

Curmudgeonly Soul

You are an independent, confident person. You march to the beat of your own drum, and if other people don't like it, they can go f*** themselves. You don't really care what they think, or at least you THINK that you don't care. You believe that people should live and let live.

You are an introverted soul, disliking the crowds of morons and idiots that you find at big parties or clubs. You prefer to be on your own, or with a couple close friends. When you are forced to be social, you get tired quickly. You need to curl up with a good book or spend a night on the computer to recharge.

You have a strong sense of self, and it doesn't bother you much when people criticize you, especially strangers. You care more about what your family thinks, but probably not enough to change yourself for them. In any case, your loved ones know that under that gruff, aggressive exterior there is a caring friend. Your daemon's form would represent your confident, occasionally aggressive and solitary nature, but might betray your softer underbelly. He or she would probably help you make fun of the idiots around you, but would also provide the comfort and affection that you sometimes deny yourself in everyday life.

Form suggestions: Badger, Jackal, Black Bear.

Take The Golden Compass Daemon Test at HelloQuizzy