Home from seeing the Nutcracker.  It's been years since I have seen it and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. First, there is something charming about seeing ballet performed in a small space. I feel like I was better able to appreciate the intricacies of movement.  The choreography was lovely, the children playing the mice were just about the cutest things you ever saw, and couple playing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier were beautiful dancers.  Also, the guys had really nice butts.  Well, I mean, really...I know you all expect me to notice these sorts of things.  Also, I had forgotten how much I really like the music.  Not surprisingly perhaps, I find the Trepak/Russian dance particularly appealing and will likely be humming that to myself for a bit, which may make it difficult to go to sleep tonight.

I can take a hint

A few weeks ago, I got a text message from my niece which said something to the effect of, "I just bought this dress for the baby. It looks like it would be easy to make. Don't you think it would look cute in candy cane stripes for Christmas?"

HINT HINT HINT

I couldn't find a pattern that I liked, and after playing around for a little while, I eventually came up with this:



New skill learned: pleats.  I couldn't find any patterns for making pleats on a top down garment, so I figured it out myself.  I think I will make them more pronounced next time, but I am still proud of myself.  Overall, I like the way this came out and can't wait to see my great-niece in it.

talking to a brick wall

me: can i get [information x]?

 brick wall: you don't need that information 

me: here's an explanation of why i need this information. [explanation]

 brick wall: i can give you that information next week. 

me: here's an explanation of why i need this information now. [explanation]

 brick wall: there is no information. 

me: so you are saying there is no information?

 brick wall: i didn't say that. 

me: so can i get the information?

 brick wall: what information? 

 i am pretty sure talking to my cat was more effective.

A-ha!

Working on the semi-circular entrelac shawl still. Because in each round, the blocks are increased by one stitch, they were starting to get kind of big and funny looking. So I figured out how to switch from doing 6 repeats of a 10 stitch entrelac pattern to 12 repeats of a 5 stitch pattern. Without breaking the yarn. This may have been done before, but I figured it out all on my own, and therefore am very proud. Go me.

a conversation between me and my cat

Gwyd: Hi Mommy! I'm so glad you're home! No one has ever loved me ever. Can we snuggle? 

Me: No honey. It's hot. Here, have some gooshyfood. 

Gwyd: But I..Oooh! Gooshyfood. Nom nom nom. Hey. Where'd you go? 

Me: I'm in the living room, enjoying the air conditioning. 

Gwyd: It's nice and cool in here. You wanna snuggle? 

Me: Go away. 

Gwyd: How 'bout now? 

Me: No. 

Gwyd: Now? 

Me: Really? Can you just... Ow, that's my leg. 

Gwyd: I'm sorry. Were you using your lap for something? 'Cause it seemed lonely. 

Me: Ahhhhhh! Ow. Ow. Ow. 

Gwyd: Oh, you want me to headbutt your face? 

Me: Ahhhhh! 

Gwyd: I think I missed a spot. 

Me; Ahhhhhh! 

Gwyd: Got it. 

Me: Oh god, I have cat hair in my eye. 

Gwyd: It's too hot to snuggle. I think I'll go nap in front of the a/c.

Entrelac shawl

Started a shawl to match my entrelac hat. The beginning is a little wonky, but I am hoping it will block out ok.

Monongahela Shawl

I am thinking about making the Monongahela Shawl for my sheep to shawl challenge. The 46 pages of instructions are a bit intimidating.

Citron

Still unblocked, but I love the colors and it is soft and light as a cloud.

Slouchy Entrelac Tam

Finished this hat last night. It's a basic entrelac pattern, knit with some handspun yarn. I still have a lot of this yarn left over so I may make a matching scarf.

Sunday afternoon in Boston Harbor

Had a chance to go see Enter the Haggis again this past weekend when they performed on the opening cruise of the Rock and Blues Concert Cruise. I had already had plans to go with a friend, but then in discussing birthday celebrations for some family members, it was decided that they would join us, so we had a fun group to spend the say with. It was an absolutely perfect day to be out in Boston Harbor. Sunny, warm, breezy and comfortable. Plus, did I mention? Enter the Haggis? I always enjoy seeing them perform, and this was no exception. They were full of energy, humor, and good spirits. In addition to play a few of my favorites, including "The Litter and the Leaves" and "Another Round," they played a few of the newer songs from their forthcoming album. Can't wait for that to come out, as all the stuff I have heard so far is awesome. Had a little bit of a break after their set to socialize, refill our drinks and enjoy the harbor views. Then Carbon Leaf took the stage. I didn't really know too much about them prior to this show, having heard maybe 1 or 2 of their songs before. But they performed a couple of traditional songs like "Rocky Road to Dublin" and seemed generally to be having a good time. So I enjoyed that part of the concert as well. After the cruise, we went to dinner at the Whiskey Priest. Food was pretty good, especially the fries, which for some reason were particularly delicious. So all in all, it was an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Even though I am not familiar with the other bands that are playing the Rock and Blues Cruises this summer, I would definitely consider doing this again.

Handspun Slouchy Entrelac Tam

Left my other knitting at work. So what's a girl supposed to do? Start a new project of course.

This is an especially special project, because this yarn is spun from the very first fiber I ever got: superwash merino in the colorway "Heat Wave" from Crown Mountain Farms (I think). I think the color has long been discontinued. This fiber was a gift from Amber when I bought my spinning wheel from her, and it was so nice, I was terrified to spin it. I think it sat in my stash for about a year and a half before I finally took the plunge. The finished yarn has now been in my stash for about 3 years, waiting for the right project to come along. And I finally decided to do an entrelac project, since the yarn has somewhat self striping properties. It's much more red and deep purple than it looks in this picture - for reference, this is a better pic of the yarn:




I am excited to see how this will turn out. Back to knitting!

Citron in progress

Halfway through section 3 and I realize my gauge is off.  May need to do an extra repeat of the pattern to make it a wearable size. Hopefully I won't run out of yarn.

a visit to Webs

I went to visit a friend in western MA last weekend, and she kidnapped me and forced me to go to Webs. I fondled all the yarn and spent a lot of time mooning over the alpaca and cashmere fibers, but I resisted the urge to make any purchases....

Until I came across their display of Knitty's Citron and made the mistake of petting it. And then I was compelled to buy a hank of Malabrigo Lace Baby Merino. Seriously, it jumped off the shelf and into my hand and insisted on coming home with me.



How was I supposed to say no to that?

Mist

Hand dyed and handspun

Dawn - bfl, merino, cashmere, firestar fiber batt

Blended this morning from some hand dyed blue faced leicester, merino, firestar and cashmere in sky blue, pink, gunmetal, lavender, apricot, and burnt orange.

More carding and spinning

Mixed up this batt of fiber a few weeks ago. Mostly BFL with bits of other stuff. I'm calling it Haunted Pirate Ship:



At the last open studios I spun up My First Batt^tm and plied with some metallic thread:


And also spun up the Haunted Pirate Ship batt that day:


I have made up a few more batts this week, and feel like I am finally getting the hang of the drum carder. Or at least, I have stopped ripping my hands to shreds while using it. Progress. Yay!

Fire and Ice

Mixed up this fiber batt this morning. Mostly merino with a little bfl, cashmere and firestar.



Yes, I do like my new toy. Why do you ask?

Guess what I did

Mix of blue faced leicester, merino, cashmere, silk, firestar, angelina, and faux cashmere in shades of blue, grey, purple and black. Am looking forward to spinning this baby up!

After a very long delay, the drive band for my drum carder arrived in the mail yesterday. Woo-hoo! Off to the studio after work tonight to play.

Flair

Here's another use for all those little bits of yarn I always seem to have floating around. A while ago, I participated in a swap where I made a bunch of crocheted flowers from my handspun and hand dyed yarns, and then added some pin backs so they can be added as decorations to hats, scarves or headbands.

I started by making up a few new flowers:



And then I got it into my head to make some crocheted gears:


And then I made up this prototype for a key:


Fun to make and super cute!

Having a great weekend so far. Kicked off with Mario Kart and tequila shots on Friday night. Then headed to Open Studios on Sat. Was reasonably busy at the studio and I had a few sales which was nice. I also destashed some yarn to a friend, in return for which she is going to make me a hat and some socks! How awesome. I am very excited about this, since I almost never knit for myself, and although I love handknit socks, I HATE knitting them. Had to leave the studio early to meet up with people for dinner and a concert. Had so much fun. The opening band, Forro in the Dark, was really upbeat and fun. I always like watching bands that look like they are having a blast performing. This is probably my favorite of their songs: Nonsensical Gogol Bordello was amazing live. I've only been listening to them for a few months now, so I don't know all of the songs, but they had incredible energy and it was completely infectious. The whole audience was just bouncing around, having a great time. And how can you not dance around like a fool to this? Start Wearing Purple And now I am back at the studio for a little bit, finishing up some spinning and dyeing, and will be having some family time later today. Busy busy busy.

Fingerless mittens

Was running low on fingerless mittens, so I knitted up this pair from some Malabrigo I had around. So yummy.

ooh! shiny!

I have a few new yarns to share today. I was feeling like I haven't done anything sparkly recently, and clearly that needed to be remedied. Sadly, the pictures don't show the sparkle that well so you will have to take my word for it. Or, you know, come visit me and pet the yarn.

First is a fairly chunky wool yarn that has been plied with black metallic thread. I am calling it Stormy.




The next is an alpaca yarn with a little bit of sparkle. This is from some fiber I bought last year at the CT sheep & wool festival and it was delightful to spin, really soft and silky. This is called Into the Deep.



I have another yarn that is almost completed, and I'm thinking I may need to do a beaded yarn, since I haven't done one of those in a long time.

In other news, this coming weekend is Open Studios. I will be hanging out, doing my thing from noon until 4 or so. I'm going to see Gogol Bordello on Sat night. Should be an interesting show.

New Aprons

Here are a few new aprons that I've made this week. I guess insomnia is good for something after all.

Took a few days off work last week. I really needed the "me" time and it was nice to get up to the studio and play. Since we are heading out of "scarf and hat" season, I thought it might be good to make up some other items. Made up some cute dishcloths and bath scrubbies.

Trying to be patient

Got paid today, so the new drive band for my new-to-me drum carder is ordered and on its way to me. I can't wait to play with my new toys.

In other news, I made up a short length of corespun yarn with a 32 gauge wire core. I haven't figured out what I am going to do with it yet, but I was thinking it might make some kind of fun thing for my hair. We shall see.

Belated Christmas gifts

I traded Christmas presents with a co-worker, finally. I made her a pair of fingerless mittens from some hand-dyed, handspun yarn. And I got an awesome pen and ink drawing in return. I feel lucky to have friends who appreciate handmade gifts and who create such beautiful things for me.

Yay!

Drum carder is on its way to me! I'm super excited.

Tentatively Squeeing

I may or may not have just put a bid in on a drum carder.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Enclosure - new handspun yarn

I have had this fiber sitting around for a long time. Spun it up into another single ply, thick and thin yarn.

The fiber is mostly black with pops of yellow, red and turquoise and is really soft. I'm working on some new yarn, my first attempt at corespinning, so I should have pictures of that soon. Assuming I can get to the studio sometime in the near future.

From the ministry of silly hats

I got a book of hat patterns for Christmas, and immediately had to try this one out. It is incredibly silly: 

 I used a combination of handspun, hand dyed and commercial yarns and I love the way it came out, except that it is a little too small for me. Also weaving in all the ends was a total bitch. Still, I will probably make this one again sometime.

Harvest

This is another new yarn spun up from some oddly colored fiber. Mostly Gold Ochre, with bits of Chestnut, Lilac, Chartreuse and Burnt Orange.

  

 Can you tell I've been into chunky, squishy yarns lately?

One of the things I want to do this year is set up a website...but I don't know what to call it. Since my Etsy shop and this blog are already associated with the name "inlerah" I want to incorporate that into the domain, but inlerah.com is already taken. I could do something like inlerah fibers or studios or crafts or designs...but nothing is really jumping out at me. I feel like this is my opportunity to define myself in some way, and I can't quite figure out what I want to say. Perhaps if I was getting more than 20 or 30 min of sleep a night, I might be able to think straight. But anyway....

...if you are reading this, you probably know something about me, and what I do.... what do you think I should call myself?

Figment & Cumulus

Had a productive day at the studio on Saturday. Spun up some tencel/merino fiber dyed in a really pretty combination of grey and magenta which produced a subtle colorway I find very appealing. It's so soft and shiny. It was lovely to spin. I was a little sad when it was gone...but at least I have a few more hanks of the same fiber in different colors, which I can spin up soon.

   

 And then I pulled out a bag of angora/alpaca fiber which is very possible the softest thing I have ever touched. I think this is going to make a new pair of fingerless mittens for me!  It's so dreamy.

A conundrum

I taught myself how to do a linen stitch this weekend, and started a hat, using some handspun I've had around for a while.



I think it looks pretty cool so far. The problem is that the linen stitch is not stretchy, and so the hat is coming out much smaller than intended. So...do I keep going, and just make a small sized hat? Or undo it and make a bigger hat? Any suggestions?

Illusive

Recently spun up a few single ply yarns, something I haven't done in a while, and I found I quite enjoyed it. Although I still can't quite manage a really funky thick/thin yarn (and who ever thinks when they first start spinning and that's all they can make, and they can't wait until they can make smoothly, perfectly even yarns, that one day they will want to do that?), I found that a combination of not pre-drafting the fiber, and not really paying attention to what I was doing almost did the trick:

Incredibly Bright Yarn

I still don't really know what I was thinking when I dyed this fiber. It is not at all like me, but this yarn came out really soft and squishy and it makes me laugh, so there you go:

At the studio today trying to do inventory and wondering how I let it get so far behind. Yuck.

To cheer myself up, here's some new yarn:

Bulky, slightly thick and thin, very squooshy merino. natural white plied with a variegated green dyed by Amber ages ago. I could sit here and squish it all day, but instead I should try and get some work done.