Could it Be a Tropical Weekend?
The beautiful, tropical Spring Things Shawl is finished and in hiding as a big mess of mesh. Tonight it will go to the ball bath and bloom like Cinderella, as her lace softens, opens and comes to life. The magical moment of lace blocking is just around the corner and a photo shoot is on the schedule for Sunday (which promises to be in the 40s and sans snow!!). It's an exciting time. (Yeah, you could say I don't get out much.)
Hot Flash Monkeys have grown nicely during lunch break and social knitting, and they may heat up a little more this weekend. I'm looking forward to the day they warm my feet (and sear other peoples retinas). Knitting entertains me and watching how each stitch changes color, each row creates a pattern and each section shows off the yarn is so much fun. This is why I enjoy knitting so much...each stitch is pure joy of process.
It may get fairly balmy around here with the addition of the funky, fabulous, red hot roving that's waiting with Emmylou...waiting for me to sit and spin! This is so much fun because it doesn't need to be 'perfect'. The lumpy bumps of silk, and other fiber, create a very textured single and a yarn that's full of character. This, again, is pure joy of process, a hoot to watch and create.
In a comment to my post on NaSpiMoMo Redux, Rosa had a great suggestion. Let's knit in March what we spin in February. Are you game? I can see the Lady Slipper batt becoming a fun scarf or shawl and expect it to tell me exactly what it wants to be when the spinning is done. So, if you spin up several yarns in February for Redux, pick one (at least) and let's continue the process. SpinKnit!
I'm in! NaSpiMoMo was just the kick in the pants I needed to get me spinning again. I've been spinning for a bit each evening. By the end of Feb. I should have plenty to knit up in March!
I can't wait to see the finished and block Spring Things Shawl!
Posted by: Kirsten | February 08, 2008 at 04:41 AM
Sounds like a great idea!
Posted by: Manise | February 08, 2008 at 04:45 AM
Oh geez. Now you want me to knit AND spin?
Posted by: Carole | February 08, 2008 at 04:51 AM
Well, it's looks warmer there than here! I look forward to Spring Things! Happy weekend!
Posted by: Carol | February 08, 2008 at 04:56 AM
I'm loving that yarn you're spinning - very cool (or should I say "very hot")!
Posted by: Julie | February 08, 2008 at 05:00 AM
Your monkey socks are gorgeous. I can't wait to see the shawl and your fiber is so pretty and unusual (which I like). Have a great (WARM!!!!!!!!)weekend. It doesn't even have to sunny if it will just be warm.
Posted by: CindyCindy | February 08, 2008 at 05:28 AM
I see why my spinning mojo left me: I've been spinning plain single-color yarn.
Posted by: Lucia | February 08, 2008 at 05:51 AM
Yay for a weekend without snow! Yay doubled for slightly warmer temps!!
Can't wait to see the glam shots of your shawl.
Posted by: Anne | February 08, 2008 at 05:59 AM
I'm in...sounds like a great motivation to get my stash down (yeah, right)!
The shawl is beautiful and so are your "Monkeys"!!
Posted by: Robin in VA | February 08, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Yay for Spring Flings! ;)
Posted by: Chris | February 08, 2008 at 06:09 AM
You're already done that shawl???? Wow. Can't wait to see it.
Posted by: Norma | February 08, 2008 at 06:14 AM
That is spinning up so neat -- any thoughts about how to ply it yet? And I love the idea to knit in March what we spin in February.
Posted by: Kathy | February 08, 2008 at 06:58 AM
I have to knit the stuff I spin - can't I just LOOK at it?? Hell, I barely got this far and I'm so proud, now I have to DO something with it. You people never give up !!
Posted by: deb | February 08, 2008 at 07:04 AM
Hot flash monkeys...I LOVE it..haha!
Count me in on the spin and knit :-)
Posted by: Kim | February 08, 2008 at 07:07 AM
It's about time you were treated to some nice weather. Enjoy it!
Posted by: Wool Winder | February 08, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Okay, I am totally up for that! I have some great stuff going that I never finished with the first round, but I would love to have it all done and knit up :)
Can't wait to see your Spring Things!
Posted by: Lauren | February 08, 2008 at 07:30 AM
I am loving all your "fire"-y knits! I can't wait to see that shawl, it will be beautiful! And perfect for early spring.
Posted by: Zarah | February 08, 2008 at 07:32 AM
You're not the only one who hasn't been getting out. I'm very tired of this weather! Give us some sun!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | February 08, 2008 at 07:39 AM
You deserve a balmy weekend....enjoy that Crosspatch!
Posted by: Marcia Cooke | February 08, 2008 at 07:53 AM
Okay, I'm taking a chance here putting it out into the world, but here goes.
I am spinning some yarn for a mitered square sweater this month. I have almost three of the six yarns done, so I will be spinning the other three in the next three weeks. And then off to the knitting! So this should work out great for me and help keep me motivated to stick with basically one project. I have trouble spinning a lot of the same yarn in a row but these are all in 4 ounce lots so I should be able to keep it together. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Wendy | February 08, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I think it's a great idea to knit what we spin. Count me in! Love your fiber on the wheel.
Posted by: Laura | February 08, 2008 at 08:11 AM
I'm really looking forward to seeing your Spring Things!
Posted by: Heather Joins The Round | February 08, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Your spirits seem as red-hot as your knitting! This warm-up trick of yours certainly is working out well... glad to hear it! I am spinning towards a very big project, but maybe I can plan it to 'start' in March:)
Posted by: Birdsong | February 08, 2008 at 09:14 AM
I stalled out on the spinning, but since I'm working on some merino with the goal of knitting it into a Clapotis, this is just the jumpstart I need!
Posted by: Danielle | February 08, 2008 at 09:26 AM
You have no idea how hard it is, to wait to knit what I"ve spun. I literally have to hide my recently spun yarn from myself. I love love knitting with handspun. So while I'll continue to join you in spin every day in Feb, I may have to just jump the gun, and immediately start knitting with it too!
Posted by: Necia | February 08, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Lovely idea - I'll enjoy watching you gals as I don't spin...
Can't wait for the unveiling of Spring Things!
(((hugs)))
Posted by: Knitnana | February 08, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Oooo... that yarn is coming out fun! I have a batt that I think I'll use to practice a new style of spinning than what I normally use, and not worry if it happens to be bumpy. :)
Knitting some handspun in March sounds great. :) I'll have some yarn I'm spinning up for socks, so that'll be what I plan!
Posted by: Andrea (noricum) | February 08, 2008 at 10:53 AM
More spinning??? Then knitting ? What a grand Idea!
Posted by: Donna B | February 08, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I really love those socks! I think I need to find some pink in my stash!
Posted by: elizabeth | February 08, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I love that idea. I'm inspired to stash dive the fiber this weekend.
Posted by: Hillary | February 08, 2008 at 01:12 PM
Knitting with what I spin would be a big challenge for me, but I'll give it a try. That's what life is all about isn't it? Challenge!
Posted by: Opal | February 08, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Last night was the first night in ages I have hopped into bed without two heated corn therapy bags to warm it up first.
Posted by: Tan | February 08, 2008 at 04:49 PM
I love the blocking process (when it comes to shawls, sweaters, not so much). I think I would like to play and knit my spun February-spun yarn in March. That's a fantastic idea!
Posted by: nova | February 08, 2008 at 06:58 PM
can't wait to see spring things blossom.
Posted by: marie in florida | February 08, 2008 at 07:04 PM
That sounds like a great idea. I am not sure if I will choose fiber with the project in mind or if I will see what the fiber becomes and inspires.
Posted by: Sarah | February 08, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Great idea! I'm in. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | February 09, 2008 at 08:38 PM
spring things is done? wow. applause applause.
I look forward to seeing it bloomed.
Spin and knit? sounds great to me.... that is if I can ever finish up plying what I spun in January (hah!) for me it seems that Jan was spin, Feb has been ply (675 yards so far) and maybe knit in March (grin)
Posted by: Teyani | February 09, 2008 at 11:52 PM
If the Monkeys sear some one's eyes, they should have known to have their sunglasses on. I really need to keep practicing my spinning. I love what you have on the bobbin so far.
Posted by: Mia | February 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Love the hot Monkeys! I'm in for SpinKnit - I hate spinning with no purpose beyond producing yarn.
Posted by: Ina | February 20, 2008 at 09:01 AM