Aside from all the acquisitions at the mega fiber festival last weekend, there has been actual crafting going in these here parts.
There’s finished objects that need to be shown off!
Pattern: childHood
Yarn: Cascade 220 & Quatro
Size: 3-4 YO
Started: 10/7/2006
Finished: 10/20/2006
This was a cute little knit. If I did it again, I would definitely modify that whole knit the button band and sew it on to the side. Homey don’t like that sewing on business. I would probably just pick up the stitches along the side and knit it up, OR knit it at the same time as the front pieces. They could have also been knit BEFORE doing the shoulder seams, not after as the pattern called for. I guess that is why there is that suggestion to read the whole pattern before starting 
There’s been more knitting here too. As I mentioned before, the Shetland Tea Shawl has made another appearance in the active pile. Sunday I finished the Diamond Madiera section and began the edging. I’m forgoing the use of a DPN and needle cap for this and just using the circular needle as is. After 10 (of the total 115 repeats), I finally memorized the edging lace pattern. Should fly now According to the spreadsheet, I’m 72% complete on this thing.
There has also been spinning… Monday (last week), I took the day off to recover from the whirlwind that was Rhinebeck. I finally skeined up those super fine singles of the Polwarth/Angora I had spun and measured/weighed the end result. I have 264 yards / 30grams. Good yardage in my book. No pictures as the grey refuses to be photographed well. I also spun the batt I bought from Grafton Fibers at the festival. Saturday night I Navajo plied to maintain the color progression. As I never wound it on the niddy noddy but went straight to the ball winder, I haven’t a clue of the yardage, but there’s definitely enough for a scarf. Pretty one too…
And even more spinning, including this skein. This is 4oz of Blue Faced Leicester that I picked up from Hello Yarn this spring, back when I wasn’t blogging much. It was an absolute dream to spin and I so loved the colors. It came out to be 442 yards and would make some yummy socks. I spun this up on my Suzie Pro which has moved into the kids’ playroom/den. Evenings and mostly weekends, I would sit with them while they played or watched movies (mostly the Pixar ones) and spin. The monkeys would periodically assist me in treadling. Budding fiber artists indeed! The colors in this picture are reading a bit darker, especially the green, but it is close.
Last Wednesday was picture day at school. I got the kids coordinating outfits at Children’s Place, well, because I still can and get away with it. Right before we sat for a family shot, I tried to get them to pose for a nice picture. This is what I got instead..
I have to admit, there were far more shots of Alex tackling his sister than of the standing and smiling variety. At least Kat was giggling under there and well, they were cute if I do say so myself.
This weekend, during the deluge on Saturday, I was busy test driving cars. I need to thank everyone for their feedback on minivans. After much research, followed by taking one out in seriously crappy weather that included high winds and heavy heavy rains, I made a decision. I signed a contract, put a deposit on one and headed home waiting for a very important phone call today. I got it around 4 that the financing had been approved. I go tomorrow night to pick it up. I’ll post the details of what I wound up with tomorrow. Suffice it to say, I’m totally excited!
Craft on!
11 responses so far ↓
1 Nancy J // Oct 30, 2006 at 9:30 pm
And I’m totally excited about your FO’s!!! Your shawl is gorgeous so far! The kids’ pics should be fun! And I’ll just have to wait till tomorrow for the vehicle picture! (And how about some kitty glam???)
2 Sue // Oct 30, 2006 at 11:35 pm
I usually get the “funny face” whenever I say “Smile” too. It’s gotten so I hardly even try for posed shots anymore, I just operate on stealth mode. Shetland Tea Shawl is looking great!
3 hillary // Oct 31, 2006 at 9:33 am
Your kids are so cute. My girls just love those crazy faces. My parents used to bribe us – one serious picture for one crazy picture. I’m not sure we’ve outgrown it yet.
Your spinning looks great. That’s a skill I hope to acquire soon.
4 Lizzy B // Oct 31, 2006 at 10:06 am
Congrats on the new vehicle! And those are some seriously cute monkeys you have there!
When do we get to see a picture of Kat in her hoodie? 
Lovely spinning too Risa! You have been a seriously busy woman!
5 Nancy // Oct 31, 2006 at 12:38 pm
That sweater is darned cute! Yes, dress them while you can. And take photos too, because I’ve found that between 3ish – 4ish both of mine when through a “you will never catch a ‘good’ photo of me” stage. Always ducking, running or pulling a face, then of course flashing perfect smiles 10 minutes later. Sorry, but I see years ahead of Alex poking Kat just as the photographer hits the button – he’s only going to get better timing!
The shawl is coming along beautifully – great color. Your percentage reminded me … do you know roughly the percentage completed on a Pi shawl after finishing the 48 row repeat? I’ve only got 1000 yds of the Brooks farm Primero, so I don’t think I’ll get a full Pi out of it. Still on the first skein and half way through the 48, but I know that 72 row section uses a huge percentage. Trying to figure where to put the final round before starting the edging. Any info would be much appreciated. (ps, Time Warner seems to be off line this morning. I’m putting this comment through my yahoo mail)
6 Nancy // Oct 31, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Oh yes, congratulations on the van! Whichever make and model, you will love having a van. I fought it for years, but the ease of use will win you over quickly.
7 Lisa // Oct 31, 2006 at 1:57 pm
Great projects! I thought of you the other day as I have finally cast on for my Clapotis. I picked up some Brooks Farm Harmony at Rhinebeck and it is so soft. I really like this pattern. Can’t wait to hear about the van!
8 Laurie // Oct 31, 2006 at 4:54 pm
I like the sweater, even if the button band was a PITA. And congratulations on the vanage. It will be convenient. After renting an SUV for Rhinebeck, I finally understood the logic of megavehicles.
9 --Deb // Oct 31, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Well, the pictures ARE cute, if not, um, exactly suitable for framing (grin). The sweater is beautiful, too.
And I was wondering about the car thing . . . I know your SUV’s lease is up this month! I’m all a-twitter with anticipation….
10 Jessica // Nov 1, 2006 at 6:22 am
The sweater is really cute! That shawl is just going to be amazing when it’s finished. Great spinning too. Good to see a navajo ply by someone that knows what they’re doing since I just recently gave it a try myself! 4 oz of BFL to make socks hmmm? I’ll have to keep that in mind. Cute kids too!
11 JessaLu // Nov 1, 2006 at 12:11 pm
That sweater looks great – and the shawl is amazing
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