Missy B

Another BSJ

I keep thinking that I don't have anything new to share with the blog when in fact I haven't shared this sweater I made recently.  The pattern is the Baby Surprise Jacket (as if you didn't know!) and the yarn I used is the Opal Hundertwasser 6-ply in color #625.  This yarn is a heavyweight sock yarn that I knit on size 6 needles and the colors are inspired by paintings by the artist Friedenricht Hundertwasse which I think is a very cool concept for designing colorways.  I even have enough yarn left over to make a pair of booties.  I started the sweater with a provisional cast on because I am going to lengthen the sleeves with the remaining yarn after I finish the booties.  I have two friends that are having babies in December that live on the east coast and I gotta figure out what I'm going to do for the other baby and soon!

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

La, La, La Don't Mind Me

Don't mind me mom!  I didn't just pull myself up to standing in my crib.

Actually he's been doing this for a while but this was the first time I had my camera handy. 

Every time I see him standing I think, "Soon my life will be over."

Wrinkly Ishbel

I recently finished this shawl although I haven't blocked it or woven in the ends.  Those of you who are knitters are very familiar with this pattern.  It is 'Ishbel' by Ysolda Teague and has been a very popular pattern.  I found it to be a very easy, enjoyable pattern that creates a really nice sized shawl (this is the large size).   The yarn is a linen/silk blend from Tactile.  Maybe I'll get it blocked today and then get some shots of it on so you can get an idea of the size.

Pet Parade

Yesterday was the annual Harvest Festival and Pet Parade in St. Helena. In the pet parade families dress up themselves and their pets and do a one block parade.  I think they keep it short to keep meltdowns to a minimum.  In the parade we saw dogs, goats, fish, birds, chickens, and a miniature horse.  Not surprising were the lack of cats attending the parade. I thought I would share a couple of images of dressed up dogs.

Hat Eater

Joaquin is teething.  He's got his bottom middle two teeth already but others must be on the way because anything and everything is fair game to be chewed on.  This time it was grandpa's hat!

p.s.  My dad does a painting a day and posts them here.  You can sign up to receive them in your inbox each day.  It's a great way to get your daily dose of art!

A Clutch of Cowls?

When I saw this article in Spindlicity I knew I wanted to spin some camel and make one of these cowls but tryig to limit myself to just two ounces.  I quickly spun long draw 2ozs of baby camel during one of Joaquin's naps and plied it into a two yarn during another nap.   The knitting wasn't accomplished quite so quickly but not because the pattern is hard but because that's how things are with a baby. 

I only did three repeats of the main patten since I knew I would have yarn to make it longer.  Even still I ended up spinning up a little more when it became apparent that I was going to run out of yarn while I was working on the edging.  I weighed the cowl after I finished and it only weighed 68 grams so i was only 12 grams off.

The fit on this cowl is very loose and floppy on me.  The fact that it is 100% camel gives it beautiful drape but not much body.  I think if I were to make this again I would either take out two repeats of vine lace to make it a closer fitting cowl or make it longer like it in the pattern.  Regardless, I think this pattern is very pretty and was a fun spin & knit project.

  The cowl was knit as a sample for the Tactile booth using one 2 ounce skein of 50/50 Yak/Cormo wool.  The pattern is Crofter's Cowl (Rav Link) but I lengthened it by adding a repeat on either side.  This cowl is a lot closer fit than the camel cowl above and stands up a lot more.  The pattern is quick and easy but if you don't like to Kitchner then I wouldn't pick this pattern since you knit the two halves separately then Kitchner then together.

Okay, maybe two cowls does not a clutch make but I liked the alteration! 
 

Gotta Lay off the Hard Stuff

This red collapsible funnel is one of Joaquin's favorite play things at my mom's house.  My mom and I had the bright idea of putting it on his head and trying to take pictures.  He wasn't having any of that and kept pulling it off his head.  We did manage to get this photo in which he looks drunk!

A Spot of Spinning

 

For the past few months I've been trying to spin every day even if it is the three minutes it takes Enrique to change Joaquin's diaper in the morning.  It does add up to finished yarns eventually!

These yarns are from Tactile's first two month's of the fiber club shipments.  From left to right: 70/30 Alpaca/Tussah 2-ply, 80/20 Merino/Tussah chain plied, 80/20 Merino/Tussah 3-ply, 50/50 Merino/angora chain plied, 50/50 merino/angora chain plied, Finn wool 3-ply.  My tactic has been to spin the fibers from the comfort club into sock yarn (worsted, multi-ply) and be a bit freer with the luxury club.  The 70/30 alpaca/tussah was spun over the fold layering the solid and the painted top to get more of a blended look to the yarn.  The 50/50 Merino/angora was spun long draw.

It's been a fun challenge to think about all the different ways to spin the two tops (one is semi-solid and the other is painted) to get different effects.  I also try to think a little bit about what I want to make with the yarn before I start spinning.  From the 70/30 Alpaca/Tussah think I am going to make a shawl (perhaps an Aestlight Shawl (Rav link)).  From the 50/50 Merino/Angora I'm going to make a cowl but I'm not sure which on yet.  I was thinking of something where the body would be in the solid and then use the painted as an edging that I would knit on length-wise to show off the color changes.  If you have any ideas or suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

As of today I am no longer with Tactile. Tactile will now be owned solely by Maia. I am going to revive Sincere Sheep and build that business back up again.  I am also planning on continuing to teach.  A big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years. 

Also changing is Mr. J!  This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago to mark his turning 9 months.  He can now get himself from laying down to sitting and has almost figured out crawling.  Just because he can't crawl very well doesn't mean he can't get himself around though!  He is very proficient at rolling, scooting, pulling, and pushing as means to get where he wants to go.  His new found mobility means that we are going to have to majorly reorganize the house.  It's good motivation to do something that was past due anyway!

Even with all his changes Joaquin continues to be a happy, funny baby who we are enjoying getting to know better each day.

Since I haven't posted in forever I actually have knitting and spinning to share with you but I will save it and post it over the next few days.

As hard as change can be, I am excited for what the future holds.  I will put more information up on where to find Sincere Sheep as soon as I have it all set up!