Tour de Fleece 2013

This year I managed to accomplish all that I had set aside for the Tour! It's all Edgewood Garden Studio Fiber, which is absolutely wonderful to work with!

Wow, eight braids of fiber in 23 days! Oh, wait, I also spun some silk hankies:

I only had 18 yards, but I did manage to make a little bracelet, "Odd Ends" by Carina Spencer:

Overall I managed to spin over 1,580 yards and 914 grams of fiber, knit a finished object, and work! Phew, no wonder I'm sick this week!

Photoshop!

So I got a new computer (along with Windows 8...) and found a free version of Photoshop. I love it! It can't do too much, but it's all I need to make things look a little more like they do in real life:

Before:

 After:

Zebisis Designs 19 mic Merino, Kid and Yearling Mohair, Mulberry Silk, Cormo/Merino X and Targhee/Merino X fleece, Milk, Soy, Angelina

Taiyo

Noro, you either hate it or love it. I happen to be part of the group that is addicted. Even when other brands have softer and more consistent (I've never had a problem with any of my skeins, but I have heard of others who have) yarn bases with long color transitions, there is something that draws me in with the rustic look and feel of the Noro bases. I had only worked with the Silk Garden before, so when the opportunity rose to work with the Taiyo, I knew I wanted to try it. I'm generally not a huge fan of cotton/cotton blends, but the additional silk, wool, and nylon content makes the Taiyo great to work with. I can't wait to finish up this cowl!

Noro Taiyo in 01

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Most hand dyed yarn does not indicate dye lots. Sometimes we really wish they did.

Madelinetosh Chunky in Pop Rocks

ARRRRRROYO

Today I spent an hour and a half untangling a skein of yarn. I think this is one of the worst skeins I've ever had to fix. Even though I decided to cut it to speed up the process, I still felt like I had a small triumph once I finished!

 Malabrigo Arroyo in Piedras

Pretty Cables Headband

This pattern should be released within the next week! It's really great for using up some leftover yarn (~70 yards). I can't wait to wear it for the first time tomorrow!

"Pretty Cables Headband", Madelinetosh DK in Candlewick

Test Knit

Occasionally I check out the groups for designers that need their patterns to be tested. Yesterday I found this fairly simple headband that I actually had leftover stash yarn that I could use. I should be done soon!

"Pretty Cables Headband", Madelinetosh DK in Candlewick