Purlewe Knits

Not long now … I’m almost at the end …

Plying the first batch of my wool/hemp is going well. Here’s a little peak at it. I’m hoping to have it done and the next batch started by the end of the weekend. Ambitious? Probably.
And the reason I’m not done with it or the numerous pairs of socks lying around. I’m ready THE book of the summer (okay maybe just THE book for Potter fans). Think I’m slow? Well I started from the beginning … with book one. (Possible spoiler ahead! But not a big one cause I’m not done and I wouldn’t do that anyway!) I’m at the end of book seven, the big battle is going on, and I stopped to take yarn pictures and scan some info for a friend, anti-climatic, I know.

Now back to the book!

I’ve done a decent bit of spinning in the last week. I’m working on the wool/hemp blend still. I’ve decided to make a pair of socks out of it for my Dad for his Winter Solstice gift. Dad’s feet are some bigger ones and he usually wears pretty thick socks. I’ve divided out 6 – one oz balls of fiber from the stash. My plan is to spin the six balls separately and do a 3 ply, making two balls to knit from. I started my second 1 oz ball last night and should finish it today. I’ve never really planned a project like this, I’m not sure if I’m not track with this or not. Time will tell.

We are back! Where did we go?

The NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway! It was a blast! Except for all the rain and the fact that the race was delayed 2 DAYS for because of the rain. Oh, and all the mud in the parking lot and the smokers in the stands (seriously!) and did I mention that it rained. Geez did it rain!

I got some nice quality knitting time in too. The Wool in the Woods socks are coming along nicely. I’m ready for the heels (hence the straights making an appearance). I’m still super happy with the way these are progressing.
I didn’t work on the cotton socks for my mom, but I started another pair of socks – with yarn I’m absolutely in love with. Mountain Colors, 4/8’s Wool in Red Tail Hawk. The flash make the colors a little brighter, but the picture isn’t a bad representation of the yarn.

I also started the sweater I’ve been craving since I first became aware of sweaters and the fact that some are smooth and some have those twisty things … I first saw the pattern when it came out in Spring of ‘06, but as you may have noticed I get side tracked easily … I’ve gone back and forth on the yarn I purchased to use for it and I think what I have here will work just fine. The yarn in Brown Sheep, Top of the Lamb in worsted (natural) and the pattern is Breezy Cables from Interweave Knits. This is about a quarter of the way through the first pattern repeat on the back. Like a lot of Brown Sheep this is a single ply yarn, which is why I was concerned about using it for a cabled pattern. I didn’t find out until after I’d purchased the yarn that multi-ply is better for cable patterns, but since I have about a bazillion skeins of this I decided – what the heck – might as well give it a go. So far I think the cables are standing out just fine, but I’ll keep you updated.

And now some race pictures …. I wasn’t much of a NASCAR fan before the race, but after going I’m more of a fan. It is really quite exciting. If you can get past the abnoxious smoking fans and dizzy spells that over come you as you walk up and down the steps in the stands it is quite enjoyable. And on second thought I’m going to put the race photos on my flickr account only. It is too much effort to put them here. I think this link will get you there.

A stupid tax, according to my teaching mentor, is when a student stops coming to class, but never bothers to drop the class so they get an F. I just handed out two stupid tax grades.

Pictures!

The August installment of the Franquemont Fiber batt club. The picture doesn’t do it any justice! It is 40% merino and blue faced leicester, 40% tussah silk, and 20% camel and yak. Incredible! I can not wait to start spinning this!!

The cotton socks I’m making for my mom. I was overly concerned about them not fitting (which is pretty much my track record for the year) so I did some increasing after I finished the toe cap. My increases weren’t as well though out as they should have been and consequently the sides are a bit sloppy. Mom was here a week or so ago and of course I made her try them on. They were slightly on the large size, but I’m not frogging them. Instead I’ve decided to start some ribbing that will take in the extra room and provide for more of a formed fit. I wish I’d thought of the ribbing sooner, but like I said, I’m NOT frogging them. This is one of my first attempts at a free form sock and I’m determined to love them and learn from them (without frogging them).

Next up, my second pair of free form socks. These are for me. They are Wool of the Woods, Twin Twist, in Grappa. I was really excited when I ordered this yarn, but not so excited when I received it. I think I’ve had it in stash for almost a year. The balls are slightly different in their colors and they weren’t kidding when they said twist, but I absolutely love the way they are knitting up. I had planned to do a straight stockinette foot with these, but I just got an idea for a ribbing addition that I might give a try. We’ll see … I’m not crazy about the idea of frogging any portion of these either.
What am I spinning? Still the wool hemp. I haven’t found much time for spinning, but as you can see I’ve been getting some more knitting in. I did a needle inventory tonight in preparation for my ravelry update. I’m tired of having twisty knitting needles! Tonight I took a piece of packing foam from one of Hubby’s new toys and stuck all my Clover needles along two edges. I’m hoping that their weight will naturally cause them to relax and in a couple of days I’ll have well behaved needles. I’m looking for a new way to store them, suggestions? I found this great case and got materials to make it last weekend, but I didn’t quite get around to it.

Paula came over and we had a crafty afternoon, but we wore ourselves out with cards and didn’t make it to the needle book. I didn’t get any pictures of her cards; these are the ones I made. Mostly birthday with a few multi-purpose.

And now it is bed time, I’m exhausted!

Today is Hubby’s birthday! The big 33! He is a little less excited than I am, but he got some neat stuff, so I think he’ll probably survive.

Today is ALSO my last class for the semester.  Yipee! It has been a whirlwind and lasted forever at the same time. I’m fairly disappointed in the students. I’ve come to realization that their grades are not a reflection on me, but a reflection of their effort – which is really how it is supposed to work. I learned a lot about myself and about how I approach things, so all in all it has been a successful semester. BUT boy am I’m happy its over so I can do some fiber stuff!

I’m on raverly, but don’t have a lot up. My id is PurleweKnits, want to be my friend?

I got my second installment of Abby’s batt club last night. It is sweet. Pictures (that will never do it justice) tomorrow!