Don't most of us leave for a trip with more knitting than we can ever accomplish? However, a good knitter never wants to run short of opportunities or projects. My first finished item on the trip was the pair of socks for my Toasty Toes pal. The socks were finished in a record 4 days (5 hour plane and car trips do help enormously!).
As soon as the TT socks were finished (on our drive to VT) I started another pair (it's that 'be prepared' bit), as not having a sock in the works is just bad luck. This crappy picture shows the sock, knit with Sockotta Colori, in Mim's Simple Trekking Sock pattern.
Ariann is growing nicely and is just past the first buttonhole at the waist. I am more in love with the Beaverslide yarn, and the Wood Rose Heather color, than ever! Already I can tell this will be a great jacket for the office (or anywhere, for that matter) during the cold months of winter. It's an 'easy to wear style' without too much warmth or bulk.
The spindle spun scarf (Estonian Scarf by Nancy Bush- Piecework July/Aug 2005) has been growing slowly, too. Knitting with this luscious fiber is a joy, and it still amazes me that I was able to make this yarn. Of the few fibers, rovings and tops that I've spun, this Ashland Bay is surely the finest, and has to be the very easiest to spin. It was purchased from Lazy PJ Ranch at the GBFF in September, (scroll mid-way down the page - the color is Amethyst). The fiber flowed through my fingers and it was very easy to make a consistent twist and grist. The skein was well balanced when washed and, in knitting, it makes a very soft fabric.
Cutaway is patiently awaiting her 'fancy work'. Since returning home several small flowers have been crocheted and are now ready to be embellish with beads and sewn in place. The plan this weekend is to spend some time placing beads and flowers just so and then Cutaway can make her debut. It's not going to be a quick job that may take several days to complete.
The Twisted Knitters seem to be having a good time dyeing, spinning and knitting up a storm. A few months ago I bought superwash rovings from Teyani and Amy so that dyeing could be skipped right over if I so desired. Last night while Smith was grilling dinner I started spinning Teyani's Satisfaction on a Monique spindle (not pictured on web site as it's too new). Anne and Teyani both suggested this fiber be spun slowly and with extra twist and it seems to be working. The spindle is enjoyable to use and I can walk around and converse without being tied to the wheel. There is plenty of time to sign up for TK if you want to dye and/or spin and knit your own yarn. Socks are not manditory knitting and if dyeing isn't your thing, that's fine too, but you do need to spin your own yarn. Let's play!
Your knits are looking good! I love that satisfaction colorway.
Posted by: Kelly | November 02, 2006 at 05:15 AM
Look at you with the close-up photos. ;)
You must have figured out the new camera.
Posted by: susan | November 02, 2006 at 05:56 AM
The handspun scarf is my favorite by a neck (as it were). I love those colors. Is it a single or did you ply it? I bought a spindle at Rhinebeck and have a lot to learn about spindling.
Posted by: Lucia | November 02, 2006 at 05:57 AM
The Twisted Knitters thing was truly inspired and it's making me a much better spindle spinner!
All of your projects look wonderful.
Posted by: jessie | November 02, 2006 at 05:58 AM
Wow, it amazes me how the fiber changes so dramatically when spun. It is a little act of faith.
Posted by: Kathleen | November 02, 2006 at 06:16 AM
I love the vision of you walking around conversing while able to spindle so finely. And I may take the fact I've come back three times just to look at the Monique spindle as a sign I must have one for my own. It's gorgeous.
Posted by: Rachel H | November 02, 2006 at 07:00 AM
That spindle is so pretty! I got inspiration for my spinning/dyeing/knitting last night. I've got a dye batch in the oven right now. It's great to work from home (sometimes).
Posted by: Norma | November 02, 2006 at 07:06 AM
Your spinning is amazing. How beautiful!
Posted by: Stacey | November 02, 2006 at 07:54 AM
That Estonian Scarf is so beautiful from your handspun. Isn't it truly an amazing, wonderful thing to knit from your own handspun? especially something lace- loud applause coming from this coast towards Utah!
And the Satisfaction looks purdy too!!
Posted by: Teyani | November 02, 2006 at 08:09 AM
You accomplished quite a bit on your trip. I have some sock knitting planned for air travel later today. I think socks are the best for travel knitting. And, of course, you have to cast on a new pair as soon as one pair is finished. I think it's a rule or something.
Posted by: wool winder | November 02, 2006 at 08:19 AM
I am in love with all of the colors you are using, even though I thought I was in a neutrals phase:) The scarf from your handspun will be a treasure and I can see both jackets getting a lot of wear. I am still mulling over my Twisted project, but have begun spinning for it at least, and hopefully will find dyestuffs at the SOAR marketplace tomorrow.
Posted by: Birdsong | November 02, 2006 at 08:20 AM
Oh, that last picture looks positively delicious!
Posted by: Vicki | November 02, 2006 at 08:32 AM
Everything looks wonderful, Margene - you are truly a gifted spinner if you can spin a fine enough yarn to knit a shawl this early in your spinning 'career'! :o)
Posted by: JessaLu | November 02, 2006 at 08:37 AM
You sure did get alot done! Trips are great for that & yes, better to have projects you may not work on, than to need one and not have it.
Posted by: Carol | November 02, 2006 at 09:17 AM
Bloglines is being naughty again Margene!
I want to make that Estonian lace project. Must. Find. Magazine.
I thought I had struck gold with the perfect color, etc, with Beaverslide yarn yesterday (and it was on sale!) but then my daughter said she doesn't think she wants the Ribby Cardi because it has a zipper!? UGH! Teenagers. I said - Fine - I'll make one for your sister. hehe
Posted by: Laura | November 02, 2006 at 09:43 AM
Hi Margene. I wouldn't want you to think I didn't visit just because Bloglines is out to lunch.
Your spinning looks awesome. I guess if I don't pick up that new Golding I bought at Rhinebeck and use it I'll never get good at it. Or even mediocre at it. Still, I think it would be a little premature to join the Twisted Knitters DSKAL. It is tempting though.
Posted by: Paula | November 02, 2006 at 10:41 AM
Very very tempting. Both the spinning and the knitting.
I think I have that colorway of Superwash at home!
Posted by: Leah | November 02, 2006 at 01:06 PM
I am trying to resist signing up for this, although it sounds very fun. I've got so many other things I"m trying to get off the fiber plate before the end of the year, I'm worried I won't get anything finished!
Posted by: Anne | November 02, 2006 at 04:27 PM
I love the little pink flowers....horrible car trip story. Have way through a terribly long car trip we stopped for a break. Foolishly I placed my knitting on my husbands seat when I got out of the car. When we came back he sat right on the knitting bag...broke one of my DP's and we did not see a yarn store for the entire rest of the trip. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Posted by: Old Knitter | November 02, 2006 at 04:59 PM
I think the flowers and beads are going to be fabulous on Cutaway. And everything else is great, too.
Posted by: Carole | November 02, 2006 at 05:29 PM
ohhhh weeee you are pumping out the knitting. Your sweater is looking great! I could stare at that spindle all day, makes me want to buy one just to look at, I love the wood.
Posted by: Kelly | November 02, 2006 at 07:27 PM
Such beautiful knitting and spinning! All the colors are so lovely!
Posted by: Debi | November 02, 2006 at 09:59 PM
Ooh, Ariann is looking so lovely. Just gorgeous. I'm going to have to check out this Beaverslide yarn. And I love that scarf you're working on. I do like Nancy Bush's work so much.
Posted by: Wanda | November 03, 2006 at 03:38 PM