Fiber Friday

I started spinning in earnest this past January. I'd gotten a learn-to-spin kit off of Ebay three or four years ago, but the fiber they sent with it wasn't very good, the spindle was off balance, and I never quite got the hang of it.

Last Thanksgiving we went to the in-laws for the holidays, and I discovered something fantastic. My mother-in-law and her partner live in a tiny town in Vermont. Within easy driving distance is 1) Grafton Fibers (oh boy!) and 2) Tom Golding's studio (swoon). We visited both, as well as the semi-local alpaca farm. I managed not to buy anything, but come Christmas time, under the tree was a wee package for me from Golding Fiber Tools.

So come January, I decided to get some nice fiber and start spinning. I started off with some Blue Face Leicester from

Woodland Woolworks

, and went off. Immediate frustration ensued, but I battled through and finally realized that if I just relaxed my hands, that whole drafting thing went much more smoothly! My first two skeins of junk, I mean yarn, were inconsistent to say the least, but by the end of the second I was having moments where everything was moving along smoothly. And it was completely mesmerizing. I'd start spinning after Devil went to bed (this was pre-Boo) and suddenly realize it was 10:30. Which is only late if you have a child who insists on getting up at O-dark thirty every day. I felt like I was finally starting to get it!

Skein 1: a wormy mess

Skein 2: a slightly less wormy mess

Then came Boo, bringing spinning, knitting and everything else that wasn't lactation to a crashing halt. Eventually she and I came to an agreement: she could nurse as much as she wanted as long as I could knit while she was doing it. Spinning took a little longer to get back in the mix, but eventually I started on the 8 oz of Corriedale (also from Woodland Woolworks), and this time it was a joy. Easy, flowing, semi-even (unfocused) singles.

And now I'm hooked. The only thing holding me back from running out a buying a wheel immediately is 1) well, I'm from New England and that would be frivolous (although semi-justifiable since I would be making something, but only if I make enough yarn to cloth my entire extended family in sweaters, hats, socks, mittens etc), 2) where would I put it? (this is a minor issue really) and 3) do I really need more justification to build up another type of stash?

Impending wee ones

I have two friends who are having babies in the next couple of months, both boys. Found out a couple days ago that one of them may be arriving very very soon (and if so, quite a bit early - Mom is at 31 weeks tomorrow. Stay put baby!). So I need to get cracking on the baby knitting.

Arrival #1 is getting a Peapod cardigan (if I really like the pattern, Arrival #2 might get the same thing). I'm hoping to swatch for it tonight with some Silky Wool in a discontinued olive color. I really like this yarn, especially after I throw it in the washing machine...plus I've got a whole bagful, and don't want a sweater that color for myself. Thankfully, babies in Houston don't need 100% wool sweaters. If that yarn doesn't work so well, it'll be back to the drawing board, since I can't buy anything due to the Great Yarn Diet of 2007 (hereafter to be referred to as GYD-07).

But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this little boy stays put a while longer, not only so I can get a good start on his present. Unfortunately, all other projects may get put on hold for a while so I can crank this baby out. We'll see how long it takes.

Lactation makes you stupid

I have photographic evidence:

This is my bosom buddy (ha ha!), my trusty Medela Pump In Style (yeah, right) which accompanies me to work everyday so that Boo can get hooter juice while she's whoopin' it up with her buds at daycare.

When properly used, you hook up the bottles to the...what are those things called anyway? But I digress...you hook up the bottles, place the thingamajigs in their proper alignment (use your imagination), and turn the pump on. It does its thing, and lo and behold you collect milk for your little darling.

Unless you're me. In which case, you use this set up:

which results in this:

and the conviction that you are, quite possibly, the most clueless human being alive.

FO: Baby Bell Bottoms

Ta da!

Pattern: Baby bell bottoms, on required cute baby.

Yarn: Knitpicks Shine Sport in Violet, 2 skeins

Needles: US size 6

Start/Finish: 6/13 - 6/24.

Mods: added a little extra length at the top of the legs since Boo is four months old and this was sized for a newborn. They're a little short on her, but I've got a bit of yarn left. If I get really inspired, I'll splice in a bit more length on each leg so she can wear them a bit longer, but it's more likely I'll just make another pair in a bigger size now that the pattern's been expanded. Quick, easy and very cute.

Of course, since I finished one project, it was time to cast on another one, right?

Note on the Care and Feeding of Devils

In the car last night, on the way home from a friend's house after dinner. Mama and Daddy are discussing friend's son's swimming accomplishments:

Mama: He swims a 50 in 31 seconds? Damn!

Devil, ensconced in her Eddie Bauer throne in the back seat: Dan!

Mama: That's quick.

Devil: Dat's quick.

Mama: Mynah bird.

Devil: Mynah...I not mynah bird Mama.