Guess what I'm doing!

At the end of August, my friend Rachel and I spent a weekend in west Michigan and attended the Michigan Fiber Festival.

I bought a spindle!



Madder-dyed Coopworth



My first ball of singles



I had a terrible sore throat and was weak with a fever, and had no resistance against the wily spinner/vendor from Handspun by Stefania. He asked me if I was interested in a demonstration and before I knew it, I was carrying this beautiful spindle and a ball of red/pink wool out of the booth.

I also somehow ended up with this gorgeously smooshy skein of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Peru.

Alpaca, merino, and silk. Purrrrrr...

Colorway is "In The Navy" and I intend it to become a Gretel, and there's enough yarn in this skein for me to make a second hat or even a matching neckwarmer or mittens.

In the meantime, I'm loving the change of seasons. Fall and the start of a new school year always make me feel like a fresh start, and maybe that feeling will even inspire me to blog more!

Fiber Cafe

So, why "Fiber Cafe?"

After Rachel had taught me to knit, and I started to really get into it, I started wishing there was a yarn shop closer to me than downtown Detroit. Now, I love City Knits, and I love Ewe-Nique Knits, up by where Rachel lives, but either way I was going to be in the car for at least an hour getting there and back, not to mention the time spent petting and ogling the yarn. So I spent a lot of time daydreaming about opening a yarn shop in my town. I knew it would never happen, with my non-existent business sense, but it was so fun to imagine "the perfect yarn shop."

First of all, it would be in downtown Wyandotte, because I love our little downtown. Not to mention it would be nearby.

It would be cozy, but not too small. I would carry all my favorite yarns, and have a running "wish list" on the counter so customers could request their favorites, too.

There would be comfy seating, warm lighting, and coffee and tea available around the clock.

I wanted a clever name, and thought "Fiber Cafe" was a cute pun on "Cyber Cafe." Of course, those who knit and those who don't probably have different connotations of fiber. For me, "fiber" = wool or cotton or alpaca, etc. For most of my friends, "fiber" = bran muffins. Come to the Fiber Cafe, have a bran muffin with your coffee! Hee hee.

Anyhow, when Rachel and I started this blog together a couple years ago, we went through a whole list of names, all of which had been taken by other people in Blogger land. The only one which hadn't was the name of my imaginary yarn shop, so we went with that. It was only after we started that I thought to Google "Fiber Cafe," wondering if we had stepped on anyone's toes. I found an alpaca farm, a couple of clubs, and something about fiber optics, but no shops and no other blogs by this name.

The happy ending is that there really is finally a yarn shop here in Wyandotte, yay! It is indeed cozy, there's comfy seating, it's downtown, and while there's not coffee, every Friday night there's a knit night with food for only $5. The name is also a clever one -- "Miles and Miles of Yarn," after the owner, Diana Miles. I'm so glad she's here.

Finishing the hat

Some of you out there will get that title. I really did finish the blue hat last night, then forgot to get a pic of Rose in it before her nap. Tomorrow.

Also, (sings) guess what came today! I balled it up right away and am about to cast on. Sorry, can't tell you what it is yet.

Some actual knitting content

...since this is, after all, a knitblog. Mostly.

I'm working on the Brioche Helmet Hat from Interweave Knits Fall 2005 for Rose. It's such a sweet little hat, and once I finally got going on it, it seemed to fly along. Until last night, but more on that later.

It's knit with two strands of sport or DK weight yarn held together, and you change one of the strands to a different color after an inch or so to get the speckled effect. I wish my speckles were more random, but I think that lighter stripe happened because I was not sure I wanted to change from solid blue. So I threaded a lifeline in case I didn't like the color change and tried a few rows without cutting either strand of dark blue. Brioche stitch is not difficult, but, for me, it was nearly impossible (no, it was impossible) to get the doubled strands back on the needle after frogging a row or two on my first attempts at this hat. I didn't even want to face that fiasco again, so a lifeline was necessary. When I decided I liked the color change, I snipped the unused strand of dark blue and took out the lifeline. Apparently, something about having that other strand attached affected how I held the doubled strands and made the light blue stand out more. You can totally see where I made that change. I've decided I'm fine with it. It's a design element, yeah, that's the ticket.

So last night I made it to the decrease rounds. The pattern tells you to knit 3 together. The 3 stitches it's referring to are a stitch with a yarnover straddling it, a regular stitch, and another stitch with a yarnover straddling it. That's how brioche stitch works. There's a lot of slipped stitches with yarnovers over them, and it makes for a very cushy, thick fabric. Very nice for a warm hat. But the problem is, with these straddling stitches and the fact that the yarn is held doubled, for the k3tog, you have to actually get your needle through and knit 10 strands of yarn. Can you imaging knitting 10 together? It's terrible. It was killing my hands. I ended up having to use a crochet hook to pull the yarn through and replace it on the other needle.

Otherwise, I love this pattern and now that I've figured out the crochet hook trick, I'll be likely to make it again.

Here's another story. I ordered some mediumweight Socks That Rock to make something that I can't share quite yet. I wanted the Narikama colorway, but they sent me the Nyame colorway. It's absolutely gorgeous, but it's not what I wanted. I e-mailed them, and got a very quick response apologizing, letting me know that the Narikama was already in the mail, and telling me I could keep the Nyame! I am so amazed, and excited! Blue Moon Fiber Arts rocks!

Fall Startitis

It got cool for a couple of days and I got a pretty bad case (for me) of Startitis.

To wit:

One pair of Christine's Baby Booties for Jamie's baptism (nearly finished).

Mom made my nephew Noah's baptism outfit, and now Jamie is going to wear it. She told me she couldn't find the bonnet or booties, though. Luckily, we were gifted with a hanky bonnet, and, well, booties are never a problem for a crazy knitter! I love the pair Jo sent me so much I used the same pattern with some white yarn I had left over from Jamie's sweater.

I also started a pair of Garter Mitts. No photo since I've started over about four times to make various adjustments for gauge. Also since it's been raining and the light is lousy for picture taking anyway. I think I've finally figured out what needles and stitch count are going to work for the yarn I'm using, so there should be a photo or two in the next post.

I also bought enough yarn (and then some) for the Tangled Yoke Cardigan from IK Fall 2007.

Rachel and I attended Ewe-Nique Knits annual Fall sale and I promised myself I'd only buy yarn if I had an actual project in mind for it. I've known that I needed to knit this sweater since I first saw it a year ago, but I was waiting to start until I was wearing pre-pregnancy clothes again. Then to find all this Silky Wool on sale! The only thing keeping me from casting on is I have four projects on the needles, which is one more than I normally like to have. I can't wait (but I'm going to)!

Trying to get a head start

I'm patiently awaiting my invitation to join the fun at Ravelry, and it occured to me that perhaps I could get a head start on what I hear is one of my first tasks as a member; namely, posting pics of all my FOs and current projects and stash. Luckily, because of this blog, I've got a handle on the first two categories. But I'm not in the habit of taking pictures of all my yarn before it's knit up into something.

So that's a semi-big something to do; then to upload them and get them onto Flickr is another. But if I do little here and a little there, by the time Ravelry invites me (or is ready to move out of beta), I'll be ready to hit the ground running.

I'm off to take pictures of yarn (my poor neighbors!).

What kind of yarn?

This was kinda silly, and I'm not sure how the questions related to the end result, but it's eerily accurate. "Dishcloth cotton" also would have described me.

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Shetland Wool. You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a little on the harsh side. Though you look delicate you are tough as nails and prone to intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are widely respected and even revered.
Take this quiz!








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So much to share

but so little energy.The pair of toe-up socks are finished, and I am pleased. I like the short-row heel, and I like the striping pattern. These are supposed to be for my sister, but I am very tempted to keep them for myself. Yarn: Steinbach Wolle Strapaz Cotton Effek. Started: April ?, 2007. Finished: July 7, 2007. Pattern: Wendy's Generic Toe-Up Sock.I cast on for a pair of Monkeys right away. I've been daydreaming about these all through knitting the second toe-up. I don't usually hop on the "popular knits" bandwagon, but Cara has been an effective evangelist for these, and I really do think they're cute socks. I'm using Regia Bamboo, which feels beautifully soft and springy in the skein.

Tagged along with my parents to Ikea yesterday. Holy cow. I haven't the words (or, again, the energy) to describe that crazy store. I wasn't going to buy anything. How all that stuff got home with me I'll never know.

Then Andy and Rose and I attended CityFest this morning, and, well, City Knits is right there. Honestly, how could I help myself?

That's Cascade Ecological Wool up above, and at 478 yards per skein, I'm expecting to get two sweaters out of those four skeins. Below is a selection of sock yarn; two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in pewter and some Brown Sheep Wildfoote. I've never tried either, but I've heard lots of good things about Lorna's Laces, and I've never been unhappy with any Brown Sheep yarn I've ever tried.

So much more to share, but I'm so wiped out from all the shopping and the constant battle with the construction dust. We have a bathtub and walls now, though!

Three yarn shops and a pedicure

My lovely husband, Andrew, gave me a day off this week. I, of course, took that opportunity to visit yarn shops!

But first, this diversion:

The ballband dishrag made popular again lately by the gals at Mason-Dixon Knitting.

I had picked up two balls of Sugar n'Cream Cotton on our last trip to the local dime store.

They made for great "mindless" knitting for the evenings for a couple of nights.
Don't the colors look great in our kitchen?

Okay, back to my day trip. I wanted to check out two stores in Ann Arbor that I've never been to. First I hit Flying Sheep, where I placed an order for enough Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Robin's Egg Blue for a Green Gable for myself.

Then I drove through campus (luckily I wasn't in a hurry) on my way to Knit A Round, where I bought some sock yarn and three books by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Last, I drove into Detroit to hit City Knits, the LYS that is closest to me and the one I usually shop at. I bought three lovely tribbles of Kid Seta for Kiri, as well as a new knitting tote, which I am totally loving because not only is it cute, but it has pockets and dividers so that I can put some of my personal items in (lipgloss, wallet, etc.) as well as an emergency diaper and a packet of wipes for Rose, and still have an entire large section just for a project or two. I didn't get a picture of that, yet.

Then, as a lovely cherry on a lovely ice cream sundae, I stopped and got a pedicure on the way home. I loved every second of the day, and love Andrew so much for giving it to me.

Next time: a cute sweater for Rose!

Love,

Kim

Hands and Feet

Koigu!

Having finished a pair of fingerless mitts in as many days, I have now moved down to the lower extremities.

These are for my Nana. I know she'll be very surprised to receive these since I measured her foot last January (that would be 2006) with intentions to present her with a pair on Mothers' Day. Then my left wrist started acting up, and I thought if I wanted to keep my job (I need my hands to play the organ as much as I need them to knit), I'd better give up the knitting for a while. That was nearly as painful as the tendinitis.

So I'm sure she's either forgotten all about them, or assumed I've forgotten. I can't wait to see her reaction!

The Fetching mitts are still on my list, so I have to figure out if I want to buy more Cashmerino or if I want to try them in a different yarn. I'm worried about the stitch definition with such a soft, soft yarn. I have to admit, I was always one who pooh-poohed wrist-warmers and such. Now that I've tried them, though, I may be a convert.

Love,

Kim

Yarn from Peg (or, Thank you, Peg -- part II)

Dear Rachel,

Here's to hoping that Blogger feels like letting me upload some pictures... Okay, ready? Here we go:

Hooray! I'd better write fast before it decides it doesn't want me to show any more pictures. This is Lang Jawoll Superwash and a ball of softer-than-butter Grignasco Merino Gold, neither of which I've ever seen or felt in person. Yes, Peg, I'm definitely going to make Rose a pair of socks from the Jawoll. I've heard a lot about it and I'm really looking forward to knitting with it.


Here are four balls of Sari cotton yarn. This will become a spring and summer top for Rose. It is so soft and light, and the blue will really set off the blue of Rose's eyes. Beautiful!

And, finally, this gem:
This is handspun, handdyed laceweight yarn. It's a blend of mohair, wool, and nylon, locally produced near where Peg lives. This photo comes close, but doesn't quite capture the blend of rust and gold and midnight blue and rich violet that blend throughout the skein. It's very striking. I'm thinking a lace scarf or a shoulder shawl. I have to find a fitting pattern.

This exchange has been such a treat! I keep peeking at my sendee's blog, but I'm sure my parcel won't arrive there until the end of next week at the earliest. I'm having an awful lot of fun with this. Thanks, Ms. Knitingale, for starting it, and thank you, Peg, for such a lovely and thoughtful care package!

Love,

Kim

Socktoberfest

Dear Rachel,

I've noticed over the last couple weeks that a lot of knitbloggers are celebrating Socktoberfest. It's been a little busy around here, and I wasn't ready to start another project, but I thought in honor of the occasion, and before the month is over, I'd post this:

Yes, it's my humble sock yarn stash. I'm actually not much of a stasher. I like to have a project in mind before I buy the yarn. Very rarely do I work in the other direction. But with sock yarn, well, you know what you're going to end up knitting with it.

And, lastly, here's a picture of me and my Dad from his 60th birthday dinner the other night. Happy Birthday, Dad! You're the best.
Love,

Kim