Shawl

Small balls of yarn

I've been wanting to knit a shawl using a pattern that I was introduced to a while back.  The fun part about this pattern is that I knit it using yarns that I wind into balls, using fun, kitchy sorts of yarn.  This one started with my hand painted alpaca.  I wind them into small balls so that I can switch from one to another in a short span of knitting.  It makes such a fun piece of knitting.   The unifying bit about it is my yarn running through the whole shawl. 

Sample of the three runs

First day of spring brought snow and freezing rain.  Jeff boiled again last night.  He is up to five quarts.  Yum.  It sounds like it may be good sugar weather the rest of the week.  At least he can quit any time he wants now, as we will have enough to eat and give away.  Mostly give away, as the grand girls love it.
Still spinning the Cotswold.  I've been distracted, so must get back on task.   Then I still have the dyed batts to do!  I'd better get cracking.  At least some of the seeds have sprouted. I now have tomatoes, broccoli and some onions up, plus zinnia.  I am anxious for the celery, as the celery we were given last year was wonderful. So, I am hopeful.

Nemesis Socks

Nemesis sock

Finished my Nemesis socks.  They were started some time ago when I found a skein of commercial alpaca I had picked up somewhere (you know--stash!) and thought I would love to have socks from it.  Then I read the pattern from Knitty.com that was called Nemesis and the two clicked in my brain.  The idea of carrying the pattern down the heel was intriguing.  The funny thing is, I love making socks  (two at a time on one circular--the Magic Loop method), but when it comes to something like the sweater I made for my sister, the excitement of commercial yarn and following a pattern pales after I grasp the concept.    Socks are the only patterns with commercial yarns that I find any pleasure in knitting.  The problem was, I would do one and then the excitement of the pattern was over and I never wanted to do the second.  Plus, they never came out the same.  First I taught myself how to do two at a time on two circulars, then mastered the Magic Loop method. The time it takes to make them is probably the same for me if I were still doing it on double points, but the relief of having them both done at the same time is immeasurable. 

I put Kid-Setta in the heels & toes

 The next pair will be toe up from Melissa Morgan-Oakes book Toe-Up 2-at-a-Time Socks. The pattern "Simplicity" seems like a good bet to use with the yarn I have in mind.  The yarn is some self striping I got on sale from Stitchy Women a while back.  Unless I decide to knit them with the varigated pastels that look sort of like baby colors.  I thought the pastels would be summer like.
Today is Maplefest day in Poultney.  It should be a good day for the sugar makers as the weather is perfect for production.  Jeff is on his second boiling now.  So far he has made 1 1/2 quarts.  This lot is very dark.  I don't think we are going to have any light syrup this year.   Which is o.k. with us.  I think I will head down to the pancake breakfast and do a little shopping at the places that are having bag sales.  Oh, did I mention that the Yarn shop is among those places??

And rainy Wednesday

Nasty day today--wet with rain and snowy slush.  The sap is running well, Jeff started some to boil last night, and still is at it today.  Although he is at work, so I am tending the fire and keeping an eye on things.
This afternoon's plan is to finish getting the seeds planted in flats.  Then on to carding the Cotswold.  Good day to be indoors.

Sunshine Tuesday

Sap buckets--sugaring has begun!

The sun is shining, the snow is melting, Jeff has set out 10 taps and the sap is flowing!  I am one happy person.  Nature can send whatever she likes now; it won't matter as I am starting seeds, having seen winter's grip broken.
The warp is hanging on the loom.  I won't finish threading and tie up until I get the weft spun.  There is too much temptation for one of the household cats to lay on a warp for me to leave it idle for too long.  Plus, I don't want to stretch it more than I have to.

A waiting warp

I've decided on a marled weft, as well.  Cotswold, plyed with the colors.  Since Cotswold is a fine wool, it should pair well with the alpaca.  At this point in time the idea floating around my brain is that it will be the same color pattern--purple, blue and on to the pink, in roughly the same widths, for a loose plaid effect.  Always subject to change.  Plain weave, so that the colors and pattern are the focus.  Loosely woven, also, to make a nice flowing material.