Zeneedle...needleart as life

It All Adds Up

Long, long ago, (about 3 years ago) in a land far, far away (CT), a spinner fair talked an unsuspecting friend (that would be me) into picking up a spindle.  After a month of constant practice (oft in complete frustration) the friend became addicted to the process of spinning.  It was then the spinner fair (that would be Marcia) made an offer to the friend (that would be me) she could not pass up.  Emmylou, a spinning wheel so fine, came to the land of Zeneedle, brought frustration (at first), joy (after a time), and a new sense of accomplishment (finally).

Nearly every morning I take a few minutes (while my hair dries) to sit with Emmylou and spin for a bit.  After work I'll find a few minutes to unwind with her again, and then, just before bed, I slip into the chair once again and relax enough to bring on a good nights sleep.  In three weeks time (it felt like forever!), three bobbins are (finally) ready to ply. Spinning isn't a quick hobby as I don't sit for long periods of time, but hopefully this week the bobbins will come together into a vibrant 3 ply sock yarn. How nice the shades of yellow make it perfect for Project Spectrum East.

When Marcia showed off her new lazy kate I immediately had covetous feelings (as I do over her new spindle). Smith said he could attach wedges to the underside of the kate and it would sit at the same angle.  When I told Marcia about our plan she suggested he use doorstops.  The kate not only sits at the right angle it doesn't move (slip, slide away) when in use and plying skills have improved much to my delight. After 2 1/2 years I'm finally getting that hang of this spinning thing.

I Get By With a Little Help....

Since my body has responded immediately and positively to the new diet, it's been very easy to change my mindset. Many, many, many people (including many of you) have offered advice and an overwhelming number of resources, both locally and on-line. It's a good time to eat GF, as it's has become a bit of a fad, which only makes it all the easier to find product, and well labeled product at that.

The advice Claudia gave to Teresa last year has helped my mindset, too, that and feeling SO much better than I have in ages! Claudia's admonition to Teresa was "to see this [a limited diet] as an opportunity and to focus on the list of truly delicious foods you CAN eat". There are a few things I'll miss, but that feel good feeling trumps all.

Almost every week at SnB I treat myself to a root beer float. However, root beer, like regular beer, is made from wheat.  Cheryl's Pontiff recommended I try a Verner's Ginger Float, so I did and it was fabulous! 

Even my "tea party for one", the little break I take every afternoon, hasn't suffered as I found a delicious lemon shortbread cookie that fills the bill. Thank you to everyone who has sent links, offered suggestions, advice and support. It's very nice to have many willing to help friends.

Speaking of friends…

Claudia has started fund raising for her annual MS Ride. You can see the fabulous prizes, which have only started to pour in, HERE and donate at the same link, too. Knit Blogland needs to insure that Team Claudia remain in the Number One position for future races.  Yes, we can!

Teresa and I started a Ravelry group for Susan's designs. It's about time she had her due and a group of her own. If you're one of the first 100 to join the group you'll be in the running to win Susan's exquisite new shawl pattern.

Tomorrow my mindset should be back to knitting (or maybe spinning).

Mellow Monday

My new life began Thursday after the doctor called to confirm what I had suspected for some time.  I'm in good company and have already had support from wonderful  friends and family. (My brother was also recently diagnosed.)  The weekend was my first completely gluten-free and it was amazing. It's feels so good to have a happy gut!

I'll Be Back

Computer access is limited due to Smith's reorganization (and re-carpeting) of his office (where the computer lives). Hopefully everything will be in good working order sometime this weekend. 

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!!

Garter Stitch With a Twist

Maybe I should say garter stitch with a slip, as in Kirsten's Ulmus Shawl. The two by two rows of color keep the knitting from becoming mundane and the slip stitch pattern is easy to read- a good project when one is distracted (in a good way) by grrlfriends. One must always have "chat friendly" knitting at hand. This beauty has been a welcome distraction from the ropey quality of Summer Tweed, too.  Ruth's beautiful yarns, Bluefaced Bliss (pink) and Essential Merino (blackberry) are a balm for sore fingers and tired arms.

 

The color changes in the Bluefaced Bliss play back and forth across the surface in interesting and entertaining ways and add depth to the halo that washes over the blackberry.  The hand of this shawl is deliciously drapey, and yet, it has substance because of the dense fabric (and I went up 3 needle sizes!).  It's pure bliss to knit and will be pure bliss to wear.   

In the stash is more BB in Sunwashed Silver.  The minute I saw this colorway I knew it would make a fabulous Andromeda Shawl, which is anticipated to be next on my needles.  HOWEVER,  Miriam has just published a fabulous new stole, the Nefertiti Wrap and now I'm torn.  Must do a stash dive for something suitable.  So much lace, so little time!

Less is More

Basic, uncomplicated, quite utilitarian, and stretchy, the lowly garter stitch is oft derided. It's seen as inelegant, rustic, simple and primitive-not fancy, not flattering or exciting. But, as many of today's new patterns have proven, that way of thinking is far from the truth. Garter has a glamor all its own and many of us find its simplicity elegant and attractive.

 

Kim Hargreaves' Harmony has a certain flair in its simplicity of design, unique lace edging, and basic construction. The lace edge knit up quickly, and was easier than I first thought.  The body, which could have become a long slog, has grown steadily and easily.  Already the first front is past the armscye and the neckline is near. When I realize how short a time has past, I'm a little surprised and very relieved.

Rowan's Summer Tweed is one of my favorite yarns to wear and it's worth the struggle of knitting with a rope like yarn just to have the end product.  Regular breaks are a good idea as hands and arms become tired and over worked quite quickly.  Without a purl side row for a change, the struggle is constant and putting Harmany down, knitting something different is a must.  Startitis is often niggling at me and, at times, it's all I can do to stay sweater monogamous.

I also find myself heading to the wheel more often as a break from knitting.  There are too many projects calling out from my fiber stash-projects that would be so much fun to start.  Staying Zen is taking all my strength at the moment. I must remain strong and constant. 

Am I Hooked?

Never explain: your friends don't require it, and your enemies won't believe you anyway. ...

What a great quote. The only thing I've ever seen an excuse do is make eyes roll. So rather than make your eyes roll with excuses about yesterdays post, I'm declaring that heretofore Monday will be Mellow Monday Post Day. Blog posts will be easy (perhaps even non-existent), at least, during the wonderful, warm, welcome days of spring and summer.  Through May and June (PS East), they may be Mellow Yellow (thanks for that Cindy!).

In large part, the weather wasn't warm or wonderful this weekend, but the rain, often a deluge of rain, can be a knitters friend. There was much knitting, even more spinning, and enough hooking to finish the Hot Pad Project. 

Over the last few weeks I've hooked a little here, hooked a little there. Overall, it's been fun, even if I do feel a little like am jilting the knitting. I'd rather be knitting, but this little bit of looping yarn with a hook has been fun. It certainly hasn't taken much time. One circle (half a hot pad) takes only 15-20 minutes, plus it's slightly addicting, which makes it easy to do the second half. In an hours time, there it is, one darling, rustic, durable, (slightly primitive), and very useful, hot pad!

This is a hot pad you can USE, albeit, not as beautiful as some I've seen from the swap group, but it will keep your hand safe.  The question remains as to whether this experience has hooked me on (once again) on hooking?  It has been easy, fun and quick and I may just keep the hooks at hand.

This rubber band ball has taken about 10 years to build.  It's rubber bands all the way through, weights 2.5 lbs and is about 5" high.  It bounces fairly well, too.  What do you think I should do with it?  I'm so over collecting bands and I'm tired of it hanging around the house.  Rubber bands just don't hold up the way they used to and some of the newer bands are already starting to rot.  I'd just give it a toss in the trash, but I know someone has an better idea.

 

Leave your most creative answer and you could win a prize. 

Project Spectrum Monday

Found around my house and yard were suitable subjects for Project Spectrum Cardinal Directions.  The fiber in the top middle picture is from Spirit Trail 2008 Fiber Club.  Jennifer doesn't name her club fibers so I'm calling it Oquirrh Mountain (which means Wooded Mountain in Goshute. (Learn something new everyday, eh?) The fiber in the last photo is Funky Carolina fiber club selection for March, Twisted Humming Bird.  (Good for yellow and "AIR", no?) 

EAST (May/June)
Color: Yellow
Material: Wood
Season: Spring
Element: Air

The weekend was very quiet (grrl, I needed that!).  How was your weekend?

And There Was Knitting

One can only make excuses for so long and at some point it is impossible to keep from facing the music. While I am (still) playing catch up and working to keep my head above water, I (finally) took a little time for a few pictures to show off some knitting.

Surprisingly we did do a bit of knitting while Norma was here. She was motivated to finish her GVC, which she did, except for the second sleeve. Because of her dedication, she was able to start the seaming before leaving town. Her desire to knit gave me time to work on Harmony and I now have the lace panel about 3/4 finished. This time around Summer Tweed doesn’t seem as hard on the hands the first time. By this weekend I expect to be well into the body, which is knit in one piece from the long edge of the lace panel. The pink yarn and the lace design work so well together and I can't help but love it.

Inside my new bag you might have noticed the picot edge of a sock. It was Cauchy from CookieA's new book in a yarn that was specially picked from the stash to compliment PS East.  Judy calls it Sunrise and it's perfectly named because of the pinks, yellows and oranges that make up the colorway. (It also reminds me of the wonderful grapefruit martinis made by Cheryl's Pontiff.)  However, the sock did not survive as it was just too small to fit my instep. The whole thing upset Sock Mojo so much he took a powder. I'm not sure when he'll be returning as he left in such a huff...hasta la vista, baby.

To assuage my sorrows (not really) of being jilted by SM once again, I started Kirsten's new shawl. Kirsten said suitable yarns were very likely in my stash and she was so right.  There is always a good reason to stash beautiful yarn and if I could I'd stash every colorway Ruth dyes. For just this reason I've been hanging onto a skein of Rhododendron, a very lovely pink, and (fortunately for me) 2 skeins of Blackberry. They work beautifully together for Ulmus.  Lace has a way of making everything better.

Cheryl has a birthday this weekend so run over and tell her to have a Happy one!!