Friday, December 26, 2008

Knitting with Polar Fleece

I had pictures, but cannot figure out where they have gone, so I'll have to describe what I've done.
With number 15mm wooden needles I casted on 100 or so stitches using the polar fleece yarn I made.  I bought two metres of fabric and cut it into 1cm strips, sewing the strips together to make yarn for knitting.  A little labour intensive, but I think worth the effort.  

My plan is to go through my linen closet this winter and reuse all my old linens and towels to create new blankets and throw rugs.  I imagine flannel will look nice after its washed and the ends fray.  

Anyone else up to something fibre related right now?

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Knit one.... Purl two

Wow Lee you have been busy! You have one cotton candy mitt almost ready to wear!! You can do this and after all is done, you'll pass along your skills to your daughters.

I love all the pictures you've posted Katies Blanket is awesome, sounds like the title of a children's book? Something Stef should consider :)

Tea and Knitting was a great way to round out my week, it never feels like long enough. I can't wait to get together again.

I need to get a knitting circle going in my neck of the woods. Once a month would be nice. Ahhh life is so much fun, the potential for more never end.

Annie at knitting group...


Annie and I went to a little knitting group at the Stirling Library..We got together with a few others to think about the mittens for children program and share some apple cider and some yummy treats the children's librarian (Jaye) made. This is the first time Jaye has knit.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

excuses, excuses...

Lee here....I really feel Zee is my security blanket/cheer leader/teacher....and without her around me, I have a difficult time getting started with something. I want to be an independant knitter..just for the logistics of it...I need to be able to figure things out and help Annie keep going too. Altho I have been knitting for a long time, Ive never really progressed beyond beginner and I would like to! I can't just do it and talk to people, answer children's questions, watch tv etc...knitting takes all my attention and I dont always have a couple of hours to just sit and knit...I know it's a very productive activity but it takes all my mental energy when I have those needles in my hands. I'm not making excuses here...I'm really trying to just think about this and help motivate myself and work through these perceived "barriers". I think I need a sleep over with Zee..

Monday, November 3, 2008

Dibs on the hat!!

This isn't in the knitting department but Kate made this in 4H...pretty cozy!!!

Annie modeling my new hat:)




Lee here...ok I didnt make this.....I called dibs on this hat Zee was knitting while we were visiting Kathee...She just whipped it up in no time..I really liked it and asked for it and she gave it to me!!!! Thanks Zeeeee!!







Sunday, October 26, 2008

Ok, Im not even knitting at the moment....


Should I be kicked out??

I can barely claim to have knit anything without Zee's help!! Hangs head in shame.

I think I made this one on my own..it was a while ago..Annie looks so little!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Handmade!

I Took The Handmade Pledge! BuyHandmade.org

Well mosey on over to this website and get yourself a Pledge Badge

BuyHandmade.org

What a great way to celebrate the season. With Bodhi Day and Christmas just around the corner, handmade items would certainly be a real gift.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Getting ready for winter

I've been knitting up a storm. DD and I have been watching season one of Pushing Daisies, trying to catch up with season two. As we watch.. oh yeah and Angel too! we knit. Dd is working on her second scarf. I've make a few hats and mitts, on to make more enough to fill the winter basket. I love how excited the kids get when I've made them something, and when they place their orders. Nhat asked me for a red hat with his name in black wool. I finished it tonight, he'll be so glad to have it in the morning. I'm going to make him matching mitts without the monogram though. I hope to make the kids at least two sets each, then on to DH and myself.

After lunch has been nice these days, the kids settle in at the kitchen table with their school work while DD and I sit at the Island with tea, knitting and working on her math. These are the days I'll always cherish.

I'll post pics tomorrow beacuse they didn't turn out that well.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Hey Kathee... Debbie's spinning wheel

Looks similar to ours... On a first name basis with out UCV spinning guide ;)

Tea with you, Kit, yer mum Lee would be awesome. Spinning Wheels whirring in sync.. or willy nilly would be a great sound and sight, and I'm sure a leap in our education as far as spinning goes.

I'm missing my Spin Off magazine. I think I'll add it to my reading list once again this fall. I like to information, tutorials, and of course the inspiration to carry on. I'm gearing up to make myself a king size blanket. Not sure exactly how I'm going to go about it, but I have an idea for colours. I would like to incorporate some knitting and quilting into the project, with art being the focus. I was thinking the quilted squares could be random with no repetition and the knitted squares could be more about textures and colour combinations. I would like to use a wool batt, pre-felted if that makes sense with a cotton backing. I think I'll draw what I imagine it will look like to use as a blueprint, guessing this is a two year project at least :)

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Spinner at UCV


I guess I am a Rogue Knitter...although I haven't actually started knitting yet...I am posting a photo of the UCV lady who was spinning...it is actually last year's photo (same woman as this year!) I guess we were so busy chatting with her that I didn't take her picture this year. It does give you a peek at her wheel tho'. I love the idea of a tea and spinning party...we could invite my cousin Kit and get some tips and insights from her as well!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Spinning Tips

It was so nice to sit and watch Kathee's mum spin. Amazing what you can learn in such a short time. I now have a few answers to some of my problems while at the wheel. Kathee yer mum is a hoot to hang out with :) I think we should all bring our wheels over and have tea and learn from the master spinner. I can't wait until you post a few pics from UCV, I'm hoping to see how she had her wheel set up andsee if their are similarities between our wheels.

I'm going to get back to sock knitting this week. have to inventory my stash and see what I have to work with. I'm going to make sure I make time for spinning at least twice a week. Once I'm feeling more confident i'll haul out the big bag of sheeps wool I have and get to washing and carding it. Might be another good time to sit with yer mum and see the in and outs of hand carding.

Life is Good!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

You found it Lee!

Ok... spinning went well today, with the exception of the twisted roving not moving onto the spool when it's half full, not sure what that means, need a guru to discuss this phenom. I did up two wee balls of one ply and attempted to ply them. Well... lets just say I need some more practice. My thinga ma bob keeps disconnecting from the northern shaft. Have to find out more about that too!

Life is so darn amazing with a wheel in it!
Zee

Oh yeah Lee and Kathee... Feel free to edit yer photos, I just scrounged around my puter for fill ins.

Please say I'm the hot mermaid!!

Lee in the house! Ive always wanted to be a mermaid!! Underwater spinning at the lost city of Atlantis..friend of the manatees! Making tail warmers for my friends......

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Thai's Version of Rogue Knitters

My wonderful DS put his pencil to paper and came up with a picture of Lee, Kathee and Zee knitting on board a pirate ship, pretty darn rogue if you ask me. I got the honours of colouring it in :) Lee put Anni to work, I bet she could woop something awesome up.

My Wheel


My Kittchy Wheel!
Now to put it to better use.. say ummm spinning?
What a beautiful lawn ornament it could be...NOT!

Arrrrrrr.... Zellers

This is what happens when you hang out after 10pm at a 24 hour Zellers store, after injesting mega amounts of msg, INSPIRATION for the ultimate Blog!

Rogue Knitters Unite! Kathee do you think yer Ma would to join? Time to pimp yer wheels girls, lets roll into winter decked out in our new leg warmers made sans a pattern (as a true Rogue Knitter would do).