natural fibres

Officially, my new spinning wheel is in the mail!

I have recently discovered that there are many knitting techniques I have yet to try and would like to learn. When I realised Dad's birthday was fast approaching, I decided to find a way of learning some new things without the addition of a ton of knitting. I stumbled on brooklyntweed's Alberta. The only problem was it was published in Wild Fibers Magazine's 5th Anniversary Issue. How in the tarnation was I to get my hands on that?  Enter ingenuity on the part of a close friend: Call the LYS! Thankfully, with one last copy to spare, I was able to procure the magazine. Not only will I be getting a subscription to the magazine for my birthday from my loving husband, M. - but I have finally found a wonderful read to satisfy my constant need to a.) read about other parts of the world, and b.) consistently be surrounded by what I love most in this world: fibre. 

Right. So...

On the bus this morning, reading my magazine (which Dad had already returned along with the yarn saying, "I guess I give this back to you."), that I am falling one-word-at-a-time in love with, I stumble on an article about 'mustering' and 'sheep' and 'New Zealand.' Here is the newscast from a Kiwi-perspective (If you don't get a big kick out of this, then there's something wrong with you. It completely tickled me pink.):

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/back-pen-sheep-escapees-2438888/video

I thought goats in a tree was odd, but flying sheep? Wonderful!

Onto Alpaca. My friend L. bought a few hanks of the most beautiful alpaca in the world at Fibres West. I had the honour - it really was an honour - to wind the yarn for her:

When we had first walked into the festival, I had beelined it straight for this yarn but I made a promise to M. that I would not buy any more yarn until I worked through my stash (especially since I was planning on purchasing a wheel, which means roving). I am very jealous L. bought this yarn but I know she is going to do absolutely beautiful things with it - I've seen the pattern. It'll be amazing. I wanted to share the fibre though as it is so wonderful - the brown and blue just compliments like nothing else!

addition

I was able to take the day off on Friday to travel out to Fibres West. I had emailed Amber (the new owner) at Wild Rose Fibres to get some information about Kromski. She was wonderful and brought a bunch of wheels to the festival - thank you! 

Some know that I have been looking at wheels for a while, humming and hawing about what would be best: spend more, buy second hand, spend less (maybe replace later) ... what to do, what to do. I think talking to a fair number of people - following their advice - and finally just taking the plunge was the thing to do. I set a budget. Tried as many as I could. And compromised on little. So, coming from Alberta, will be my new Kromski Minstrel. 

I have already named him - yes, I know but if you know me, you understand (my car was named before I bought him too and I set out on a journey to find a car to fit the name not the other way around ... I know I know). I have a few reasons for choosing the Kromski in the end - and a few reasons for the Minstrel (now to be known as Domhnall - Gaelic, English translation would be Donald, meaning "ruler of the world" - I don't know, because I like it!). 

I want to keep this short because I have no photos to share this post but I loved that I could purchase quality and precision with the Kromski. I enjoyed them everytime I sat down at one. They are affordable. The Minstrel fit me. The Sonata was a close second as it is a travel wheel and you can also change out the flyer for a jumbo or fast flyer but the cost difference and comfort of the Minstrel sold me in the end. It is due to arrive in the mail in less than a month - hopefully much, much sooner!

bird in hand

Although they aren't finished yet, I thought I would show off the right-hand mitten while it's drying. I have never done colour-work before so these were quite a challenge. I have tried to knit them before with Cascade but I found the yarn too bulky for a first-attempt project. At a LYS in January, I picked up some Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash. It's a DK weight yarn but I use that loosely because in my very humble opinion, I think it's somewhere between DK and worsted. The colours I used were basil 532 &  oyster 003. 

Oyster didn't show up against the basil in the way that I was hoping but I like the results:

I used 2.25mm DPNs as my hands are only 7 1/2" around and since the smallest size for this pattern is 8", I thought the smaller needles would fix the problem & I was right. They are snug and perfect.

I finished o w l s by Kate Davies - but more on that later. I have picked up the Whisper Cardigan again and am flying up the first sleeve. Now that there is some weight behind the stitches, it's easier to knit. Anyhow, back to work ...

invasion

Our house has been invaded over the past two weeks. We have been lovin' it. They are two amazing Yorkshire Terriers named Chester (top photo) and Cammie (second photo). 

I have been knitting on o w l s [via ravelry] by Kate Davies. It's a great pattern and I hope I will have photos this weekend to show off. I haven't made any mods to the pattern - but I did decide to knit the 38" (M) rather than the 36" (S) which is my size b/c I like sweaters a little looser than the pattern indicated it was. I will keep you posted on the results.