tag:,2008:/2 2008-05-16T19:28:26Z Movable Type 3.33 tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.120 2008-05-16T19:12:12Z 2008-05-16T19:28:26Z

So, I turned 32 on Wednesday and I bought myself a present! Actually, my dad and Mr Starfish's parents (in-laws just has a negative connotation it seems) contributed to the birthday fund that allowed me to buy the present. An...

Actually, my dad and Mr Starfish's parents (in-laws just has a negative connotation it seems) contributed to the birthday fund that allowed me to buy the present. An Ashford Kiwi! Yeehaw! And just because it seems that everyone who posts a Kiwi picture also posts one of "the bird": Who am I to stop the tradition? The Scooter loves the bird and when I asked him what the bird's name was he said, "Sophia". Where does he gets this stuff? I ordered Sophia from The Woolery which was a great experience. Three days later I was stalking the poor UPS man! Assembly was going along great until I hit step #13 which is the fishing line brake band. With the help of Mandi and trusty Beth, I finally figured it out. Step #19 where you actually put the wheel on was tricky in that I didn't have the muscle required to get it all the way on so Mr. Starfish took over on that one! Yay! I haven't spun anything on her yet but tonight for sure..... I'm also thinking about taking a drive down near Ithaca (1.5 hours away) to pick out some roving. Is that crazy? I want to see it in person! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.118 2008-05-09T17:31:06Z 2008-05-09T17:39:12Z

I'm well into my first Baby Surprise Jacket by the famous Elizabeth Zimmerman. The "pattern" really isn't a patttern at all. More like a conversation in a book discussing how to make a BSJ. Fortunately, once again it's Ravelry...

I'm well into my first Baby Surprise Jacket by the famous Elizabeth Zimmerman. The "pattern" really isn't a patttern at all. More like a conversation in a book discussing how to make a BSJ. Fortunately, once again it's Ravelry to the rescue because there's a whole group (a very active group) about this very pattern. Don't know who will get it yet. I'm adding some stripes but I have no idea where they'll end up once it's folded. Oh well, it will be a surprise! Wheel shopping continues. I went to look at an Ashford Traditional today but a part was missing and although it would be easy to order, I'm not going to buy a wheel before I play on it! I keep coming back to the Kiwi and I could probably afford one new. We'll see! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.117 2008-05-05T19:35:34Z 2008-05-05T19:39:30Z

My first plied yarn. There are definite problem spots but there are also some parts that look like "real" yarn! Yay! Went to my first spinning guild meeting yesterday and got lots of help and encouragement. Thanks to Carla...

My first plied yarn. There are definite problem spots but there are also some parts that look like "real" yarn! Yay! Went to my first spinning guild meeting yesterday and got lots of help and encouragement. Thanks to Carla and blogless (I think) Christina for letting me try out their wheels. I learned that I am better than the HitchHiker is showing because I was much more consistent on their wheels and didn't have the problem of the wheel changing directions when I tried to stop. Here is the skein shot: Off to try and wash it! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.115 2008-05-01T20:36:43Z 2008-05-01T20:39:56Z

is Lizard Ridge! But it is now 25% done! It will be four strips wide and this is the first finished strip. It will also have some sort of border but that is so far away, I haven't even decided...

But it is now 25% done! It will be four strips wide and this is the first finished strip. It will also have some sort of border but that is so far away, I haven't even decided what kind! I am in love with this project and it's fun to pick out the Kureyon a few skeins at a time! Whew, does that deck need to be stained or what? ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.114 2008-04-30T19:18:25Z 2008-04-30T19:21:55Z

Here is my second attempt at spinning. Eeek! It doesn't look much better than the first but I feel like I have a much better understanding of what I should be doing. It's either not twisted enough or it's...

Here is my second attempt at spinning. Eeek! It doesn't look much better than the first but I feel like I have a much better understanding of what I should be doing. It's either not twisted enough or it's waaaay too twisted. One thing is for sure....I'm going to need more fiber! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.113 2008-04-26T14:44:58Z 2008-04-26T15:01:09Z

Is this the most beautiful handspun yarn you've ever seen or what? Okay, so it's not beautiful. It's thick and thin (not on purpose) and way too twisty but it's mine! I spun it on Beth's Ashford Kiwi. It was...

Okay, so it's not beautiful. It's thick and thin (not on purpose) and way too twisty but it's mine! I spun it on Beth's Ashford Kiwi. It was my first ever spinning experience and with Beth and Carla's help I produced something! So, I'm now obsessed with spinning and am going to give it another go this weekend with a different wheel so I can compare. I had to buy some roving for my next practice session so I bought this from Colorful Life on Etsy. She knew I was a beginning spinner and sent all of this as freebies for me to try: Aren't fibery/knitty people great? I am still knitting away. Here's a finished Little Pansy sock for proof: ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.111 2008-04-22T01:03:36Z 2008-04-22T01:09:58Z

...because I'm knitting socks again! These are the Little Pansy Socks from Ravelry. The pattern calls for Cascade Fixation and I didn't substitute because it contains a decent amount of elastic and has a lot of "give". I was afraid...

These are the Little Pansy Socks from Ravelry. The pattern calls for Cascade Fixation and I didn't substitute because it contains a decent amount of elastic and has a lot of "give". I was afraid to try and substitute with a non-elastic-y sock yarn. I decided to go for it since they are low socks (which I love) and at a more sport/DK weight, they are quick. The picture is of the cuff and heel flap. It's an Eye of the Partridge heel. ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.110 2008-04-13T14:52:29Z 2008-04-13T14:56:08Z

The second Lola Bunny is finished and will be mailed out to baby Charlie tomorrow. She's due to arrive in late May so there's plenty of time. Lola is fun to knit and pretty easy. This yarn is gorgeous and...

Lola is fun to knit and pretty easy. This yarn is gorgeous and worked up well. The way the colors worked out on the face make it look like she has an angry mouth but really there is no embroidered mouth at all. It's much less noticeable when you see the bunny in person. Now off to more Lizard Ridge! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.109 2008-04-09T22:35:37Z 2008-04-09T22:43:13Z

I really want to learn to spin! I have a lead on a practice lesson or two from Beth who lives not too far away. I was cruising around Hyena Cart and Julie of 45 North Fluff offered to send...

I have a lead on a practice lesson or two from Beth who lives not too far away. I was cruising around Hyena Cart and Julie of 45 North Fluff offered to send me some roving to try out. It's Targhee top (although I'll admit that I don't know the difference between top, batts and roving!). How does it look, Beth? Lizard Ridge is cruising along some: It's obviously not blocked yet! The second Lola is more than halfway finished as well. ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.105 2008-03-29T14:25:07Z 2008-03-29T14:27:34Z

This one is for Baby M due in May: The yarn is from Mosaic Moon at Hyena Cart. If you love indie dyed yarns like I do, you have to check her out. Pictures don't do the purples and teals...

The yarn is from Mosaic Moon at Hyena Cart. If you love indie dyed yarns like I do, you have to check her out. Pictures don't do the purples and teals in this yarn justice! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.104 2008-03-26T19:04:07Z 2008-03-26T19:11:37Z

So even though I have another Lola Bunny and Scooter's hoodie on the needles, I've started in on Lizard Ridge. It's not a new pattern, but I've been eyeing it off and on since it came out! After Lady Eleanor,...

Lizard Ridge. It's not a new pattern, but I've been eyeing it off and on since it came out! After Lady Eleanor, I swore I'd never do another large project in Noro Kureyon again but here I am! The color changes can't be beat and once it softens up a bit with washing it's so beautiful that it's worth putting up with the knots and picking out the bits of hay and whatever else. The equivalent of the first block is done but I haven't done the bind off because I think I'll be working it in four long strips. Here's a closer picture: I'm planning to work the next "block" in lighter colors to get that patchwork effect. ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.101 2008-03-06T21:25:41Z 2008-03-06T21:29:24Z

The hoodie is slow going. I just need to get 1.5 sleeves finished and then it's done but jeesh, I'm just not getting to it throughout the day at all! Instead of dwelling on that, check out this yummy-ness: Yes,...

Yes, I am on a yarn diet but I traded away Lola Bunny for this gorgeous Mosaic Moon wool! I need to have some girly yarn on hand with the preggo-with-girls mommies around me! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.98 2008-02-22T13:24:59Z 2008-02-22T13:30:10Z

The Scooter picked this yarn out all by himself: It's Araucania Nature Wool which I enjoy working with. It's durable, not too heavy, comes in lots of colors and has enough variation to keep things interesting. It's going to be...

It's Araucania Nature Wool which I enjoy working with. It's durable, not too heavy, comes in lots of colors and has enough variation to keep things interesting. It's going to be the Child's Hooded Tunic from Knitting Pure and Simple. I'm making it in the 2-4 size at a slightly smaller gauge. The Scooter is very thin and I want him to wear it this spring. He should get plenty of wear out of it considering he and his friends wore jackets and hats at his birthday last JUNE! ]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.95 2008-02-09T23:50:14Z 2008-02-09T23:58:14Z

So, I was all set to knit something adorable for Baby M. That's what I do. People expect a handknit from me when a new baby is on the way. While cruising Etsy, one day I came across quilt...

So, I was all set to knit something adorable for Baby M. That's what I do. People expect a handknit from me when a new baby is on the way. While cruising Etsy, one day I came across quilt kits and thought, I can do that! I found a cute one at The Hayloft and after perusing Tasha's directions, I was on my way. I ordered her kit and oh my, the fabrics. She has great taste! Polka dots, stripes, japanese imports! So cute! I had a wee bit of trouble with a few things (chenille is not my friend) but I really think for my first try it looks good! I may still knit something but for now, this will go out in the mail on Monday and be on its way to Boston! What do you think?]]> tag:paperstarfish.prettyposies.com,2008://2.93 2008-02-06T17:19:30Z 2008-02-06T17:35:46Z

The Mosaic Mitts are finished. The pair: One mitt being modeled: For my first colorwork experience, this what a great pattern. Clear instructions, easy to read/memorize chart, etc. I rarely work with acrylic blends but not knowing how these would...

One mitt being modeled: For my first colorwork experience, this what a great pattern. Clear instructions, easy to read/memorize chart, etc. I rarely work with acrylic blends but not knowing how these would turn out, I figured the cheaper, the better! With that being said, this Wool-Ease isn't horrible. It feels okay and I'm guessing it's going to hold up very well. The yarn was a perfect substitute gauge-wise so I went up a needle size to 5s. If I were to make these again, I'd probably go up to 6s or 7s. Are we noticing a pattern? I'm a very tight knitter! I also got a hint from Beth that these are long on the hands and thumb so I stopped and checked at various times while I was knitting. I made mine shorter than the pattern suggests. They're not really my "style" but I really wanted to try this stranded thing and I'm glad I did! As for the epiphany... I am not a sock knitter. I can hear the gasps from knitters everywhere. I tried. I can knit socks. My Thujas came out great and are comfortable. My first Jaywalker was fine. It's just not fun to me to knit with those tiny toothpick-sized needles (and remember I knit tight so I could use 2s with no problems whereas I know people knitting on 00s.)! So, I am giving up on socks for a while. Maybe I'll come back to it but I doubt it... ]]>