A Cry for Help

I finished my purse! It is a noni pattern and it turned out gorgeous, but now comes what is to many knitters the worst aspect of an otherwise fantastic hobby - sewing. I sewed the bag into the frame, but to have a purse that is remotely useful I am going to need to sew in a lining.

I have a sewing machine. I actually really tried to learn sewing before I learned knitting. I hated it. It is very detail-oriented with lining things up and cutting in a straight line (which seems to be an impossible feat for me). It was a bit depressing, I had these great fashion ideas, but that outlet for them was not going to work out.

Now, sewing is back. The occasional odds and ends sewing that knitter requires is something that I have continued to procrastinate.

I don't know how to line my stupid purse! I am sad!

Learning from the Master

This Friday and Sunday I went somewhere and learned so much, I think other stuff fell out of my brain while I sat there. I think during those 2 classes, I became a better knitter. I took sock design and travelling stitches with Cookie A. at Hill Country Weavers. And I learned, for one thing, that I was doing this whole design thing all wrong. I have been working ( in those rare moments where I can actually concentrate on something) on several designs using graphing as my primary focus. Cookie A. allowed me to see what an important tool graphing is in knitting design.

Additionally, I had been working on a couple of her socks from her book "Sock Innovation". I am working on Rick in Shibui Sock and Wanida in StitchnPretty's own Gone Swimming. I love the Gone Swimming and knitting with it is teaching my what I am looking for in a hand-painted sock yarn. For complex knitwork, I want delicate color differences and not to many colors. I do not want anything busy that steals the show from my knitting, and Gone Swimming has the perfect effect.

I have realized in recent months that I want to make my dreams a reality. I want to go after knitting, in both design and dyeing. I always wanted to be an artist, and this is my medium, of that I am sure. Meeting Cookie A. this weekend lit even more of this fire. I want to teach as many people knitting as I can. This craft saved my during my bedrest in my pregnancies, and has generally made me a happier person. I want to help other people find what knitting as given me. I want to use the medium of knitting to show my own artistic vision. I am willing to work every day toward these goals.

So, yeah, meeting Cookie A. was great. Her class was amazing. And I can't wait to take what I have learned and really create something.. me.

My Daughter's Birthday

Little Miss turned 3 today. She loves princesses and today she had them everywhere. She had a wonderful day and was all smiles until she was too tired to smile anymore.

I made her a Barbie cake at home (without the fancy Barbie pan). And it was a blast. I love making the kids special things instead of buying them.

My First Knitting Class

I taught my first knitting class/group today. It was rad! There was one woman named Hilda who had been knitting since she was a child and taught me things and I am sure knows worlds more than I do. I taught a knitter how to crochet. That was really fun! She kinda of already knew but I helped show her some finer points. Her name was JoAnne and she was super nice. In our class 2 weeks from today I am going to go over some options for an openwork couch slipcover. I think she will like Tunisian crochet , and I am going to spend some time looking up options for that.

I was really nervous today and I almost didn't go. But I did go. And I didn't chicken out. So, all in all, it was a really amazing day!

P.S. The kids are ALL better!!!

P.P.S. I have included pics of my most recent (and very nice) dyelot!

Sick Kids

So, I called into today. Mainly because last night all 3 kids got sick. Which is always pit in your stomach painful. Now tonight, my youngest has a fever. And I thought it was really high, but I looked some things up and it is within normal range at 101, sometimes 102. I think our thermometer sucks. It is still scary and heartwrenching. I love my babies and I have to go work tomorrow and I don't really want to now.

Well, I was going to post about my recent experiences in the land of yarn, but it will have to wait til the kids are better. I must get back to worrying.

My Newest Spin

This week, and probably next week as well, I have decided to give ComPlyments a try. The idea with this one was to dye 2 different roving braids similarly, but not quite the same. I want the colors to play off eachother once the handspun is plied. I guess we will see how my theory pans out.. I will keep you posted.

Tomorrow or tonight I will reveal some of my new yarns!

My Day Off

Ahh.. Another long awaited day off. Blissfully resting - wait, my oldest has swimming- .. peacefully buzzing..-now they want me to set up their pool at home- happily spinning- Damn, nevermind.

Okay, well, I did manage to call the YMCA. They are calling me back later this week. I would love for that to work out.