SockLadySpins

Finished Monstersocks

2012-02-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

Finished these on the 15th while watching the late news, then yesterday dealt with all the ends. Have another pair already on my needles, can't let them cool off. Great way to use up all the odds & sods.

Monstersocks

2012-02-13T09:38:00.001-08:00

After finishing the handspun socks I looked over the bits of leftover sock yarns and got started on another pair of Monstersocks, seems like I could do a pair or so a week for the rest of my life and never run out of odds & sods.

After this pair is finished (second sock down to the heel) have another pair of the FastKoffe's to do for a friend, as popular as they have been sure now wish I had bought a whole lot more of the yarn when it was on sale in Vancouver.

Due for another couple of days of almost arctic air, predicted lows well below 0° F until Thursday, then sorta warming up to normal lows & highs. Must be time for another pot of soup, something with lots of cabbage, carrots, celery, have lots of those veggies on hand. Even have a bit of frozen kale to add to the mix, chopped fine it blends nicely with other veggies.

'The Socks' are finished

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Super bowl Sunday I pulled out heel and last color pattern before heel, just wasn't what I thought I wanted. Now new colors all knit, heel done and past decreases on foot, should now be smooth sailing. Altho with my history on these socks won't be holding my breath. 30 or so rows before I do the colored toe.

Had decided to just work on these until they are finished, meanwhile have 2 other pair to do, one handspun and one of the leftover FastKoffe colored socks. Handspun will be a bunch of blues & greens, still have some of the camo green left as well as a bunch of various blues. They are DONE, DONE, DONE. Washed in Eucalan and on sock blockers to dry.

Have sure enjoyed the salad fixings I brought from town, last nights supper was another large salad and a small squash.

Will have to go into town mid to late March, time to renew drivers license, will try and figure out some way that I can just carry on from that trip to coast and then Whidbey Islands Spin In the end of the month.

Big Town

2012-02-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

Left for town on Wednesday a bit before lunch, almost cancelled trip because of a 4-5 inch dump of snow Tuesday night, glad now I went, roads weren't 'too bad'. Had eyes checked (overdue) and saw DR about same eyes, prescription drops and they are already 100% better. Don't need new glasses hardly any change so will keep what I've got thus saving almost $500 (and that didn't include new frames). Had lots to do when I got to town on Wednesday and then most of Thursday, oil change in the car, much needed haircut, banking, went to the library (20 times bigger than little Tatla Lake), b/p meds refilled etc., etc.......

Got home just after 1 pm, unloaded most of the car, a few non perishables still out there, Kleenex, paper towels etc. Can get that in tomorrow.

Early to bed tonight.

Some days are stones

2012-01-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

Some days nothing happens that is worth writing about, today was one of those days. Did dishes, a load of laundry, knit on the sock going down to Seattle. Read email and messed around with getting my scanner to talk to laptop, nope not a chance. So fired up big Mac and it worked long enuff to get done what I wanted then used a zip drive to transfer it to laptop.

Did get out yesterday to knitting bee, was amazed that car went up my driveway over new snow, ice, more new snow and then another layer of ice. Was very cautious but had to keep car going or I would have still been sitting there. Was much easier later in the day coming down the hill. Got to library and picked up books I had ordered, 6 loaves of multigrain homemade bread, no milk or eggs tho, can live without them, the books were the most important.

Hallelujah

2012-01-23T10:52:00.001-08:00

Things getting done this morning, kitchen cleaned up with several things washed that I have been avoiding (crock pot and parts), George Foreman grill plates, all now done. And put away, certainly makes kitchen look a bit neater.

Finished the toe on the handspun sock this morning, actually finished sock last night but way to late to even think about kitchenering the toe....... Shall cast on for #2 yet this morning. And if I ever do another pair similar will make a few changes, first off would go up at least 1.5 sizes in needles, this time I used a 1.5 and now realize that I should have used at least a 2 or 2.5. They should last almost forever unless gal wears them on cement or nylon carpets or in gum boots.

From -36°C to 0°C in less than 4 days, only in the Chilcotin part of BC. And as of 10 am snow squalls blowing in from the south. Must be time to make another pot of soup.

Have been out of bread for the last week or so, have 6 loaves in Tatla waiting for pickup, but got the notion to scramble a couple of eggs and put into a white corn tortilla, I do not recommend this, ended up eating the eggs w. roasted red peppers and then threw the tortilla stuff out for the birds. Will remember to not try this again.

Have another new follower, welcome.

Propane truck

2012-01-19T19:50:00.001-08:00

Pitch black and kinda cold and down the driveway (7:15 pm) comes the propane truck, had been worried since they hadn't been here since mid October last year. So have been a bit on the stingy side using the propane heaters, dressing in multiple layers instead. What a relief. Can now stay warmer during this cold spell. Yesterday was the coldest its been at -36°C. It is supposed to be warming up by the weekend and early next week maybe even up to normal temps. Hopefully I'll be able to get my car started and get to Tatla for a library visit and to pick up homemade bread from Tatla Manor.

Ate the last of the chicken w/ rice soup for supper tonite and it sure was easy to handle. Will put mixed dried beans in crock pot first thing in the morning with a couple strips of bacon, celery & carrots, should be ready by supper time.

Got several inches done on the light gray handspun sock, well down the foot on sock #1.

Arctic outflow

2012-01-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

Pix taken just after 8:30 am, tad bit cold. And even colder for tomorrow and Thursday. Knitting bee has been cancelled again, twice now for weather related issues. And its even colder at Punzi Mtn. and further north.

Finished spinning the first bobbin of the variegated blues, as soon as I empty a couple more bobbins will get started on #2. Plied a really pretty color (mauve-y lavender this morning) color is great but fiber carding stinks, will be selling the rest of the bag for someone wanting to spend more time with it than I do. What I did ply will make really warm socks even if spinning isn't the best.

Hockey, basketball, football and snow.

2012-01-14T13:37:00.001-08:00

Really good day to be indoors with my knitting, first watched MI get beat by Iowa in basketball, then caught the last of the RedWings game, they beat Chicago in OT, next will be football, am I a sports junkie, yeah I guess I am. Working on the handspun socks for Seattle Sue, so far so good. Mistakes at the beginning just about had me swearing off on this project but after ripping first try at the ribbing out, got on track and its been good. The BFL-Silk mix is some of the nicest and best feeling yarn I've ever spun.

Woke up to a bit of snow this morning, anything to cover the ice. Tonight's low is 'predicted' to be down near 0° F and then it is maybe going to get even colder with Wednesdays 'predicted' low of 27° below zero F, if that happens won't be going to KB in Tatla, to cold to be outdoor with wind chills in the almost -40° range. Will make myself a pot of chicken w/ rice soup and spin or knit. Weather in this part of BC has been crazy (as usual) from way above freezing to now way below. Long sleeves and woolie sweaters, maybe even silk long handles.

Not much else exciting going on in my wild mountain valley, just the way I like it.

FastKoffe socks

2012-01-12T09:33:00.001-08:00

All 3 pair are finished, washed and added to my sock box ready for the ultimate test of wearing on the feet. The only new ball of yarn I got into was the green wool & silk mix that I used thru out all 3 pair and for the heels & toes of 2 pair. Down to start of the heel on 1st sock of pair going to Seattle when finished.

Going to Tatla on Monday to see DR Mike at clinic, have a small white bump close to my right eye, has gotten quite sore over last couple of weeks so hopefully he will be able to remove it, thought about doing it myself but its so close to the eye that one slip and I'd really be in trouble. Lorelee will ride out with me just in case I decide to bleed more than usual which for me can really be lots. Altho he would be able to put in stitch to make it quit and I couldn't do that here at home. Then we will go out to Graham Inn for lunch afterwards.

More arctic air (supposed to be) on the way, -25 C is in forecast but Environment Canada has guessed wrong so many times so far (maybe 2 days in a week they are close to being right). But just in case will shut bedroom window and get out the bed socks to wear. The down in my big comforter shifts so from time to time I turn it (and shake every day), did so last night and slept much warmer.

Almost finished with 3rd pair

2012-01-10T09:54:00.001-08:00

Everything finished except dealing with the ends, that won't take much more than 15 or so minutes. Quite sure I have enuff leftovers to do at least one more pair but have promised to work on handspun pair, so that's whats on the books. Knit on these last night while watching Bama destroy LSU, never thought that they deserved #1 ranking. And no worries they blew it big time. Absolutely lovely to be knitting in warm dry house while watching the last college football game of the season. Do hope that the gal getting these likes my arrangement of colors. The light gray BFL-Silk mix is a dream to work with, so much so that I have ordered more for pick up at Whidbey Island.

Then this pix is for the doubting Thomas that was sure that my FK socks were all knit from just one ball or maybe 2 of the FK sock yarns. NOT SO.

Both socks inside out, to show one sock with all ends finished, 2nd sock will be done as soon as I clean up kitchen and make lemon squares to take with me to a sorta open house tonight. That being said will go if I can get to and then up my driveway, glare ice right now. 1st gear just creeping up the hill, once I get to the cattle guard then am hoping there are bare spots to allow me to get up the hill.

Last pair of FastKoffe socks

2012-01-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

2nd sock of the last pair (for now) are almost to the heel, will give me 3 new pair to add to my sock box. Will keep a dedicated bag for FK leftovers and somewhere down the pike will likely do more, with all the colors I get into them they go with almost anything I wear. Meanwhile back in the salt mines the pink-y gloves moving right along, little finger and ring fingers are done and will pick up for middle when its bright enuff to see, then shall change to the handspun pair, time to add some of the sunset on fire stuff, middle pattern on leg will be the famous diamond shape that I usually add somewhere on my patterned socks.

Someone sorta said that the FK socks I have been making are all just knit from one ball, so will later today get a pix of the last sock inside out showing all the ends needing to be dealt with. Really satisfying taking care of the ends because that means another sock done and ready to be washed. Good old cuticle remover is used to shag all the ends that have been knit in and out, I usually carry old yarns behind for about 14-16 stitches. Have had a few pop up on the wrong side from time to time, usually because the ends weren't shagged enuff, I now separate each of the 3 or 4 ply yarns and shag each one.

Lotsa football & hockey on the telly today so hope to finish the 2nd FK socks and then move on, am not much of a fan of regular TV but do like my sports tho and watch the news (usually The National) at least once a day, then if I can stay awake will catch the BC news at 11. Don't think I have ever had TV on for noise, much prefer a CD changer full of music. In the car I had a device that plugged into cigarette lighter to hold my ITouch for hands free listening while I drive to either Williams Lake or the coast, but it had now died, so will look for a new one next time I get close to a Best Buy.

The eagles are back

2012-01-05T12:06:00.001-08:00

Rained so much yesterday wouldn't have been able to see the eagles if they had landed on my car. But today is clear and the sun is still up there and the eagles are showing up all over the place, 1 in the tree from before and 4 more in trees further south, because they are so big can tell its an eagle from some distance away, binoculars help. Will carry small camera in my pocket just in case more than 1 shows in in tree just across the river.

Worked on the handspun pair of socks most of yesterday morning, then switched to the pink-y gloves for awhile and finally finished up with current FastKoffe socks, 1 st sock is done and 2nd has ribbing just started.

Yesterdays knitting bee was cancelled because of bad roads, driving in the valley was sorta OK but once on the top (Parks Hill) things got really bad, some even chained up to get to Tatla and then the roads got even worse, so glad I stayed home. Might even be able to get my mail tomorrow, have missed 3 mail days so far.

A gaggle of eagles

2012-01-02T09:06:00.001-08:00

A gathering of the clan, 3 eagles in the one tree and another 4 or 5 in trees just south of my place, weather was not exactly good for taking long distant pix so was happy that I got the 3 closest. Neighbor feeds his cattle just across the river from my house and if someone is in trouble or trying to calf the eagles gather in case of any problems. They have been known to kill calves that are having troubles getting out.

Pouring rain right this minute and temps of 45°, should make icy driveway even worse. Glad to stay home with my football bowl games and knitting. Also glad I didn't go out on the icy snow to clean off car, Mother Nature did it for me, big winds and warm temps over night, right now its completely clean.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T10:01:00.000-08:00

Finished the second pair of KF leftover sock yarn socks last night while waiting for the news and the new year to start. Sure I have enuff of the leftovers to do a 3rd pair of the FastKoffe (Kaffe Fasett). So while in the mood will work on the pink gloves for awhile then the handspun socks and another pair of the FastKoffe socks. Had no complaints for the year 2011, everything as it should be. Enuff groceries, plenty of yarn and enuff fiber to spin. And coyotes singing me to sleep, from the looks of my east yard they must have been dancing out there to bring in the new year, tracks everywhere. Made it to the new year but was in bed within a few minutes of seeing the left coast celebrations. Partying just ain't in my life plans, never have and prolly never will.

This was the 1st pair.

And this is the second pair of the FK leftovers

About the only sorta resolution that I will try and keep for 2012 is not buying any more sock yarn. Have been giving away leftover small balls of handspun yarns, anything I haven't even thought about using in last year or so is now gone, and will be taking a few more bits with me next time I get out to see knitting bee gals.

New feetsies

2011-12-30T16:19:00.001-08:00

New feet added to tops of Opal silk mix socks, have been wearing my woolie socks now for prolly the last 25 years, some wore out of course but took a bunch of years to do so, the Opal silk mix were toast in less than 2 years. With at least 15 pair in rotation and am not usually hard on socks, I feel they were just crap material. The Fabel that I used on the new feet won't win any beauty contests either but should get a bunch more time wearing the new fugglies. Now still have 3 more projects on the needles, the pink gloves, another pair of FastKoffe leftovers and a pair of handspun socks going down to Seattle when finished, now spending time with each of the 3, worked on heel of the FK pair this morning, will get back to the handspun pair for tonight's work.

Lorelee walked down this morning to put gas in my car and to carry another full can up to her vehicle at the top of the drive, she needed it to drive to Punzi to fill her tank and then the 2 gas jugs. Got maybe 3-4 inches new snow last night, so I probably could have driven up drive to get mail but usually Fridays mail is really light so just didn't bother. Still get really chilled easily, so am pretty sure I had more than just a stomach upset over Christmas and mail just wasn't that important.

Punk day

2011-12-26T15:42:00.001-08:00

What was once in is now out, violently sick yesterday and haven't a clue what did me in. But much better last night and today feels almost normal. What I seemed to crave today was salty stuff, so far so good.

After I started feeling better looked a pair of well worn out socks over and decided tops were OK and so cut off heel and foot of both, picked up stitches and am in process of knitting a new foot on 1st sock. Opal silk mix and they were completely worn out in less than 2 years, believe I'd heard others had same complaint, much older socks still going strong, just the Opal silk blend. Have one more ball of the same mix and will use it for baby stuff. Original socks were called the fugglies, really ugly (IMO) colors from Opal. And notice how faded they are from new. Using an odd ball of Fabel sock yarn for new feet.

Worshiping at porcelain throne

2011-12-25T13:05:00.000-08:00

Buggy, something I ate at last nights supper decided it wasn't happy inside, I hate getting sick to my stomach, and as of right now doesn't feel like I am over it. Have been sipping on ice chips (in between), not going to try eating anything, period. But having said all that the supper last night really was good, ladies at the church do an outstanding job. Pretty sure nothing was wrong with food cause lots of people that were there are OK today, just me and my queasy insides.

So have been knitting with my shawl around, dozing off and waking up to knit a bit more. Hopefully will feel better later so I can watch the 5 pm football game.

Got a small bag of popcorn jelly beans and the latest Narnia movie from my Brother & SIL from VA. Love the jellies and its one of a very few candies I will eat. Perfect prezzies. Thanks Mike & Shelia.

Off to curl up with shawl and try and sleep bugs away.

Sunset on Fire

2011-12-20T14:02:00.001-08:00

Finally got the yarn into skeins, washed and ready to knit. Ended up with 4 skeins just over 900 yards 2 ply sock weight yarn, very happy with the way yarn came out. Roving was bought from Reflection Farms at NwRSA conference (ahem) a few years ago. Since I took the yarn pix have got 1 skein into a center pull ball ready to knit, some will be patterns in current socks, color arrangements still percolating.

Once what was a nice white front yarn is no more, temps way above freezing and a strong south wind have made yard look more like the end of April, not much chance of a white Christmas unless Environment Canada has guessed wrong again. Certainly wouldn't be the first time that happened. Keeping fingers and toes crossed that my driveway isn't to muddy for trip to Tatla tomorrow.

Pink Gloves & Merry Christmas

2011-12-19T09:54:00.000-08:00

Have just separated stitches for the little finger on pink-y gloves. Waiting until I hear from Carol about either full fingers of halftimes. Using 2 mm needles instead of usual 2.25 mm and it really makes a difference.

And now for the chili soup stuff, was an experiment I won't be trying again, while it was edible I didn't enjoy it, did finish all but about last cup, birds made short work on that. Absolutely will remember not to do it again.

Not looking like we will be having a white Christmas, snow from the 20 inches that came in November is disappearing fast, rain, more rain and now temps well above freezing with a strong south wind. If it stays mild like this shouldn't have any problems getting to Tatla Lake on Christmas eve for the church's big community supper.

Two pair of socks on needles as well as the gloves, most unusual for me, try and finish one project before moving on to something new. A pair of handspun and another pair of the rest of the Kaffe Fassett leftovers. A couple of years ago I was lucky enuff to get a bunch of the Regia KF and silk mix blends for $2 a ball so even if I have to add a new ball to the socks won't be breaking my heart. Some of my 10 year old socks are starting to get really thin on the bottom, will eventually replace the foot but meanwhile this winter needs woolie socks.

Chili Soup (maybe)

2011-12-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 can Bush's chili beans and 1 can chili dog meat (with a bit of a bite to it), all run thru my Star Frit chopper, added enuff water to make soup like then added chopped celery and some cilantro, if it works will write down in more detail what I did. On to simmer for most of the rest of today. And it is already smelling like a success.

Next pair of gloves, Knit Picks Pallette wool, making them for Carol T's granddaughter with smallish hands. Using 2mm needles instead of usual 2.25mm. So far so good. Carol told me she likes pinks so got all I could find from KP's.

Also have a pair of handspun socks percolating, using the light gray BFL w/ silk as main color and am really impressed with the feel of the yarn, ever so glad I bought another pound at OFFF in September.

Sock Stuff (again)

2011-12-15T11:03:00.001-08:00

Finished the leftover Kaffe Fassett sock yarn socks last night, used 2 leftover balls of the KF yarn along with some leftover Regia silk mix, used it on heels and toes. Very happy with the way these came out and I will do it again as soon as I end up with more leftovers. Fraternal for sure.

Salad stuff

2011-12-11T19:15:00.001-08:00

Am down to enuff lettuce greens for one more big salad, have enjoyed every bite so far, mixed organic salad greens, romaine, spinach, cilantro (lots), cucumber, grated diakon, tomato and small bits of cheese, wonder how long I could comfortably eat salads before I got tired of them. Since I always run out before that happens guess I'll never know. Will tomorrow bake a small ham, and a couple of yams, mostly so I will have the bone to make thick pea soup. It is supposed to be well below zero (F) by mid week so a pot of soup will be perfect.

Have almost all the handspun into balls ready to start on next pair of handspun socks, should finish current socks maybe tomorrow nite, Monday nite football game. 2 leftover balls of Kaffe Fassett sock yarn, Regia silk mix, pix as soon as they are done.

Mailed gloves from PO in Tatlako, think I would have been able to hitch hike there and back quicker than Can Post is delivering them, hope they haven't gone astray. Heard from new glove owner this morning, they have arrived in Osoyoos and they fit and she likes them. How do you spell relief.

This & That

2011-12-09T09:59:00.001-08:00

Finally got to town last Monday, left Tatlako just after 6 am, everything on the list got done, including a big grocery order (mostly produce). Bought 3 kinds of lettuce and a big box of mixed salad greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro, peppers, carrots, celery and so on. Had planned on a big salad once I got home but a slide off the road on the home stretch put that right out of my mind. Was an impressive do-ey in the deep snow, good thing Lorelee was with me, she got a big piece of dead wood and moved snow away from tires so that after about 45 minutes I was able to drive back up onto the road. Was very fortunate that it happened on a pretty flat part, another 20 feet either way and it would have been way to steep to ever drive back out. So once home stomach was kinda queasy and I passed on the salad, ate a mandarin orange and called it good. First time in over 35 years of driving the Tatlako roads that I ever drove into the snow. And I not planning on doing it again any time soon.

Finished the white handspun socks, ended up making them to long for my leg, would come almost to my knee, so either will sell or put in gift basket.

Am getting more handspun ready for next pair of ordered socks. The light gray BFL w/ silk will be the main color, then the patterns will be some sort of mix of the skeins below, going to be great fun figuring out the order I want them to be in. May lay them out on sofa and move around until the right order grabs me.

Dealing with an old fashioned ear ache today, will warm up some ear oil and see if that helps.

Maggie's LL's socks

2011-11-30T20:49:00.001-08:00

Someone wondered how many colors I can get into a pair of socks, sent them to my blog to see. The best of the lot were some of the LL's socks I made for Maggie in NY.

Got up my icy driveway this morning to go to downtown Tatla Lake for knitting bee and to stop and pick up 6 loaves of 100% w/w bread, should now be good for bread until well into the new year. But struck out getting any OJ.

Someone asked me in an email how I was able to stay so upbeat when I have to do without so many things during the winter months, easy just open the door and look out at my wild mountain valley, I choose to live here and sometimes weather doesn't co operate for me to get to town for fresh stuff, but have enuff to eat, wool to spin and yarn to knit and sometimes even the internet works, now if I could just get the telephone telemarketers to quit calling it would be perfect.

And I have another new follower on the blog site. Welcome

This and That

2011-11-29T09:05:00.001-08:00

Handspun white socks are moving right along, heel is finished and gusset decreases well underway. Hope to finish them towards the weekend. Have to make a trip to town yet this week, weather window looks good for Thursday or Friday, since I haven't been in since mid October am out of a bunch of things, especially produce.

Plying the 'sunset on fire' bobbins, should finish them yet today, sure not looking like what I thought it would, the orange & magenta colors have over shadowed the gold and yellows. Looking for something else found a vintage bag of roving from the old Miocene carding mill, they sold the mill must be over 10 years ago now. Roving is a lavender-mauve-y color and while its not really what I would call roving its spinning up not to bad. More of a flat piece of almost roving about 16 inches wide, so I separate each piece into strips about 4-5 inches then sort of shape them into roving. Some of this yarn will go into the next pair of socks, will use the light gray BFL-Silk mix as main color then have at least 4 more bobbins to ply before I can start knitting.

Tatla Lake Christmas sale was smaller than usual, but about the same vendors there as always show up. Bought 3 loaves homemade bread and then stopped at cafe in Tatla to get some milk, wanted to make mac & cheese, good thing that sale was Saturday since it started raining on the way home then really rained all Sat night and well into Sunday morning.

Stuff

2011-11-26T09:15:00.001-08:00

The car is all cleaned off, snow all around car shoveled out of the way, have ice cleats on my boots so will head for downtown Tatla Lake for small Christmas sale, picking up Lorelee to ride out with me. With a bit of luck may be able to get some milk and bread somewhere.

Finally got the Ocean Waves yarn plied and into skeins, ended up with 986 yards of 2 ply fingering weight. Nice enuff stuff that next time I see SmithandEwe vending somewhere will get more.

Currently spinning a vintage wool & mohair mix, got the blending done when Miocene Mill was still running, can't remember when they sold but its been some time. Roving is still fine, spins just like it was done yesterday. And when I get back from Tatla will start plying the Sunset on Fire stuff.

Handspun Socks

2011-11-24T11:07:00.001-08:00

Current handspun socks, second of pair just past first pattern. With 3 football games on today should get almost down to the heel. Not sure if they will be for me or in the sale basket, will try them on after washed and blocked to see.

Neighbor Troy H came along yesterday with the big John Deere tractor and opened up my driveway, so can now get out if I had to. Not planning on going anywhere but nice to know that its opened again. Ran out of bread (as well milk, produce, fruit and lots of other stuff) so this morning I put a tortilla in a frying pan sprinkled cheese on top then added a scrambled egg, best breakfast in a long time. If and when I get to Tatla Lake can pick up bread at the Tatla Lake Manor. Pix on the top of the blog was taken at the top of my driveway a couple of years ago, unhappily its looks just like that right now.

Not much else going on in my wild mountain valley, quiet just the way I like it.

Current Projects

2011-11-21T09:15:00.001-08:00

I finished the roving I'm calling Sunset on Fire, reminds me of the sky during the scary fire season of 2010, so many sunsets were exactly the color of the roving. And once the evacuation notice came with all the roads in and out of the Chilcotin closed, made for a very worrisome summer.

Promised a friend a pair of fulled slippers and once I got started making them kind of got carried away, the largest pair hopefully will end up about a size 10, but fulling - felting handspun is not an exact science so will keep fingers crossed. And if not will continue making them until I get it right. Will post an after pix once I get them thru a couple of cycles in the washing machine.

Then finally current spinning project, variegated roving from Reflection Farms down in WA., bought a couple of years ago at NwRSA conference. Sunset on Fire was from the same place. Fingers think its probably a Corriedale mix, nice stuff fer sure.

A snowfall warning in on Environment Canada's weather page, since they guess wrong so often will likely get a couple of inches. Right now sun is shining, altho down south towards the south mountains looks a bit black and stormy.

Let there be Light on 11-11-11

2011-11-11T13:20:00.001-08:00

Had local electrician in this morning to replace dead or dying florescent tubes, Sam replaced 8 tubes, several just because they have been in place for 6+ years, new tubes in back room (mud room) where light has been flickering for a while and especially happy to see the one in wool room where I sit to spin replaced. I had no idea that new tubes are only $2, disposing of old ones out here is a bit of a hassle, but Sam will take them to a place in Kelowna next time he goes down to visit family.

Snow squalls from the north today, aka sideways snow. Nothing sticking right now. Cold enuff tho that if it continues very much longer it will be white.

Current handspun sock almost to the heel on sock #1, like the looks of first sock, pretty plain just 1 pattern at the top. Have several paces that this pair could call home, not sure yet where they will end up.

My IMac (house puter) is I think ready to croak, last night it got verra loud then shut off, came back on and when it happened the second time, shut it down. Must be 5-6 years old and may have to start saving my $$ to get a new model. Would stay with the IMac just because I like it.

Not much else new and excitingly different in my wild mountain valley, quiet and peaceful just the way it should be. Even the mighty road hunters are behaving themselves this year.

Electric plying wheel

2011-11-08T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have a homemade electric wheel I use exclusively for plying, prolly 30 + years old and starting to think about falling apart. Its got a wonderful big bobbin that will hold nearly 2 pounds of plied fiber, an aircraft rheostat for speed control and a sewing machine motor for power (am on 4th motor now). Imagine my surprise when I saw the same jumbo head on eBay last night, needless to say I put a bid in on it straight away. Would be a real relief if I was to get it.

About half way thru the 2nd bobbin of the Sunset on Fire fiber, once done will add it to the plying queue. And am going to make a promise to myself to ply instead of spinning anything else. Next to be plied is a color called Ocean Waves from SmithandEwe in Kamloops, BC. I think its a merino-nylon mix.

-12° C this morning at just after 7 am, felt cold enuff in wool room to run propane heater until the sun comes over the east mountain.

Latest Gloves

2011-11-07T06:34:00.001-08:00

The last pair of wild & crazy gloves for a while. Have several other sock projects to get into and need to get my butt in gear and get more plying done. Current socks are old reliable light gray, will likely do another pair with just natural colors. Current ribbing is 2 x 2, seems to work best with my handspun, tried 2 x 1 and ripped it out, then did two plain st stitch rows at top, made kind of a ruffled bit and didn't like so out it came. So back to knitting 1 row then right into the ribbing. Must also get more plying done, have 2 bobbins of a nice blue and more of the sunflower gold that I will be wanting to use in the next pair of socks. The light gray merino-silk mix came out really nice and I'll be using that for the next pair.

The snow that came down last Wednesday and Thursday is still hanging around, imagine by now my driveway will be bare (south facing slope). And that is always a bonus when Mother Nature cleans it off.

My last batch of w/w bread had fennel in it, for just plain toast its great but am not so keen on it in a tuna salad sandwich, so may ask if I can get next batch without. Have my choice of multi grain or w/w, really like the solid w/w the best, but will really take what ever I can get. And sometimes she has sunflower seeds to add, now that is almost perfect.

What can go wrong........did.

2011-10-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

Over confident and cocky, yeah right got my comeuppance last night and this morning. Second glove done, not. First thing taking care of the ends on the inside I see that ring finger on glove #2 (on the right side of pix) was a big bigger than the rest, yeah way bigger, seems as tho I had a small ball of 3 ply in the bag, and didn't realize that until it was to late, so...... Then while snugging down ends on inside I pulled a bit to tight and one broke to close to work to do anything with, actually a stitch came undone, OK I can fix this, nope not a chance. So #2 will sit and remind me to take my time and do it right. Have started another #2 glove fortunately have all the colours to redo it (except for the 3 ply ring finger), will do it right this time. Believe me makes me feel really stupid.

Current spinning am calling colour Sunset Fire, lots of magenta and orange. Fiber came from Reflection Farms in WA.

Technical issues

2011-10-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Had xplornet (internet) techie here for two days and he couldn't find anything wrong with my system, except maybe age. Signal strength is running in low to mid 30's and should be well into the 50's. So until and if new satellite service comes all the way out here will just have to run with the hand dealt. But he did move all equip (router and modem) from back bedroom (aka pantry) out into wool room when the computer is located, getting rid of way to much exposed to elements cable. Today electrician Sam (local) is coming by to look over dying and dead fluorescent over heads, then he is going to town tomorrow and will pick up whatever is needed. Let there be light.

With so much going on yesterday (knitting bee and xplornet techie) I didn't get any plying done, have already got in about 30 minutes this morning and would very much like to get it done today.

16° F here at just after 7 am, ground all white with frost. Was supposed to be snow flurries yesterday but instead a really nice fall day, not warm enuff to be outside without a jacket but sun was shining and in my book that is really nice.

This & That

2011-10-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Neighbor Les came over yesterday with tractor and bush hog, proceeded to cut all the nasty high grass and weeds, some prolly close to 5 feet. That's what happens when my valley gets more rain in May & June than what is usual for the whole summer. Now hoping most it it will decompose over the winter.

Started plying the BFL-Silk mix this morning, it is going to be the nicest sock yarn I've ever been close to. Two Louet S 90 bobbins full, approx. 8 oz each, hopefully 5 skeins of around 200 yd. And have another pound to spin. And from what vendor told me this is the end of the verra light gray, importer is going to switch to and Ecru-Silk mix, and am sure it will be as nice but gray for socks seems to work. The gold sunflower merino-nylon mix that is currently on my wheel should have 2nd bobbin finished in a couple of days, will go so nice with the gray and some blue waiting in plying queue.

Wild & crazy gloves for gal in Osoyoos are moving right along, first glove is finished and once I had heard from her that colors suited started right away on #2, back to more orange in this pair, will soon be at the end of my Koigu orange, same with the lime green.

October 21st

2011-10-21T16:14:00.000-07:00

Finished latest pair of wild & crazy gloves last night, immediately started another pair, this time going I hope to Osoyoos, will take pix and send once #1 is done. Still using up the Koigu from my stash.

When I bought my first walnut Louet S 90 in VA about 10-12 years ago it came with a Woolee Winder, since I had never used one at that point wasn't sure how it should sound or work, knew for certain tho that I didn't like it. Then several friends got one and just raved about how quiet and smooth they were, so this year took mine with me to OFFF and had Nathan Lee go over it, don't know for sure what he did, was pleased that he replaced a cracked whorl on bobbin (n/c). Got it home and started out only to have something wrong, would come completely out of shaft in back, not usable. Took it with me to Desert Mesa figuring I'd have to send it back to OR, instead Bill H came along and looked at it and in 2 seconds had problem figured out, the collar wasn't sitting in the right place, a small allan wrench and another 2 seconds and it was fixed. Now I know why everyone raves about them, smooth, quiet and I love it. Glad mine came with 4 bobbins, will be filling second up starting this afternoon. Sunflower gold merino and nylon from Smith and Ewe in Kamloops, BC.

Temps falling a bit more every day, by next week in the mid teens. Lots of new snow on surrounding mountains, in fact think its snowing up there now. Looking forward to lots of football over the weekend, made a pot of cabbage, leek and potato soup, gets better the next day.

The Last Hurrah

2011-10-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Left for Williams Lake after last Wednesdays knitting bee, stayed with friends up near the airport. Then Thursday took snow tires down to Kal Tire just after 8 am, no body ahead of me so car got right in, done 30+ minutes later with note that rear brakes were getting very low, so made appointment to have that taken care of for Monday morning. After Kal went up to Wally World to buy a light weight TV table for use with my new Hansen mini spinner, then back downtown for the rest of the errands. Met Fay and Elis for Chinese Friday noonish then south to Cache Creek for Desert Mesa spinning weekend. Whew all done and buttoned up. Then the most excellent weekend with my BC family. Had been having problems with my Woolee Winder for my S 90, Bill took a look at it and in 2 seconds saw what the problem was, the collar was in the wrong place and needed to be moved, got a tiny Allan wrench and another 2 seconds it was fixed, smoother than its ever been since I got it with the S 90 (quite a number of years ago). A delight to use. Resisted temptations and didn't buy anything remembering what I had at home kept me on the straight and narrow.

Left CC after lunch & loading on Sunday back up to friends for overnight, then Len took my car into Downtown Service Monday morning and did the rear brakes, got car about lunch time, picked a few groceries up and headed for the high country. Home just after 4 and mountains looked about as good as they could, lots of new snow and the new F word for tomorrow (flurries).

Finally got proper pix of the two pair of socks I'd given Denise, turquoise pair for saving my life last fall, the others just because. I keep pix in a sorta sock journal and was lacking pix of these two pair.

Now home for the rest of fall and start of winter, no more fiber events until next spring, except for local knitting bee's in glorious downtown Tatla Lake. But have enuff on my plate to keep me busy for most of the winter, several more pair of wild & crazy gloves to do and am low on the Monstersocks, also a couple of pair of handspun socks and a EZ Tomten sweater. And am sure I'll think of other things to try.

Up early

2011-10-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

Woke up just before 5am, couldn't go back to sleep even after listening to radio for 15 minutes, so up for the day. No doubt will be looking for a nap before this day is done

Went to knitting bee on Wed, pretty tired so left early, no more than got home and friend L called asking me to drive her to the clinic back in Tatla, ended up driving her to town to emerg where she was admitted to hosp, I stayed over night and picked up a few groceries before coming back Thurs morning, seriously thought about sleeping in the car about time I got to Redstone reserve (60 miles from home), instead turned music up and opened window then made it home OK.

Desert Mesa coming up next weekend, will go into 'the Willie' a bit early (after knitting bee on Wed) to get snow tire switchover done Thursday morning, then need to go to my bank, get a haircut and several other errands taken care of before heading down to Cache Creek Friday. Meeting Fay & Elis for Chinese buffet in 100 Mile House for lunch then down to CC. Remember getting a grilled cheese sandwich last year at our lunch, just a week after getting out of hospital, Chinese didn't sound good, realize now that I shouldn't have even gone, to weak from hosp visit (5 days). Any way I did and made it (with several daytime naps).

Finally getting new Hansen mini spinner figured out, guess I thought I could spin on almost anything but learning curve was a challenge, first time I'd spun on a wheel with Scotch tension. But things are much smoother now and instead of wondering why I had bought it will end up glad I did.

Schedule for today is getting laundry started, watching a couple of football games and knitting on current gloves. Made split pea soup yesterday so will be having it for supper again today, pretty simple, just the ham, onion, celery, peas, and a handful of unhulled barley, didn't have any carrot to add to it, even still it was pretty darned good.

Trials & Tribulations

2011-10-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

Got home last Thursday from trip down to OFFF, unloaded perishables from car, left the rest for the next day. First thing in the house was another 20 lb box of tomatoes which I've been enjoying with every meal since getting here. Problems started in the high wind Thurs nite, power went out 10:30 pm, no power, no water pump. Enuff water in toilet tank for one flush, then had to bucket water . Once power came on Friday noon ish toilet tank didn't fill, so now am dumping water from tub spigot into the tank. PITA. And even worse will be trying to find someone to look at it.

Newly repaired, cleaned and looked over Woolee Winder doesn't work on my S90, not enuff of shaft going into socket for it to remain in place once I started spinning, gave it 3 tries and then put it away and went back to regular flyer and bobbins. Will email Nathan and see what he thinks might be the problem. Meanwhile found one of the folding tables I have is perfect height for using the Hansen mini spinner on, not the lightest thing to carry but until I stumble on something better 'it'll do'.

Latest pair of socks, complete with afterthought heels. Did almost no knitting while gone on OFFF trip so on Saturday while watching college football went at 2nd sock, finished it around supper time on Saturday then waiting until Sunday in the sunshine to pick up AT heel stitches. Next in line to work on is another pair of wild & crazy gloves. The pair lady in Colorado decided were to wild for her went to Sally W in Langley, didn't think I'd have to end up eating them. Before she got them took them down to OFFF to show and could have easily sold them there a couple of times, but had already promised them to Sally.

On the road again

2011-09-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

Everything in the car except purse and puter, planning on rolling out of Gails in next hour or so, about 7-8 hours up to Williams Lake. Will gather up a few small bags of groceries tomorrow morning and then head for home.

Pix of the Hansen mini spinner, looking forward to getting it all set up and playing with it. Depending on how cold it is when I get home will be deciding factor on getting it in the house, groceries and perishables have to come in first thing, then puter, knitting and so on down the line.

Hoping to get another box of tomatoes when I come thru Spences Bridge, won't have to worry about meal planning for quite a while that way. Places just west of where I live have already had snow, didn't last long but still, seems early to me.

Isabel C with her wild & Crazy gloves. Last pair I made that turned out to be to wild for the lady that ordered them went to Sally here in Langley. Gal said next pair I make for her maybe tamer, I don't think so, she had her shot. And she had asked for as wild as I could do.

Headed home from OFFF

2011-09-27T07:44:00.001-07:00

Crossed border yesterday evening just before 6 pm, minimal wait (most unusual). Drove up from Canby in rain most of the way, sometimes really hard, made for stressful time at the wheel. Stopped in Seattle for a late lunch at Stamford's near Northgate Mall, had a delightful lunch with the salad I'd been craving.

Saturday at OFFF was practically perfect, only minor complaint was the really hot weather, but Sunday was really a washout, the sky opened and let loose, everyone was scrambling for shelter. We managed to get underneath someones shelter top, rain so hard tho that it was bouncing into everything. Lots of people really got soaked.

I bought my Hansen electric spinner with a Woolee winder, since it was made in the USA (NAFTA) I didn't have to pay any duty just the taxes. Looking forward to getting home to play with it. Got the cherry version and will get a pix once home. Didn't buy much else at OFFF, another pound of the BFL - silk mix, some older magazines (Wild Fibers). and a new lazy kate for faster plying (I hope). Had ordered some dyed fiber from Cindie before heading south and picked it up at the motel, we stayed at same place in
Wilsonville, got a green - chartreuse - black mix and some Falkland Island roving in shades of red. Once we got to Bellingham I stopped to pick up the power supply for my laptop, forgot it last trip thru. And of course the needed stop at Fred Meyers grocery store for my S & W pickled beets, Tillamook sharp cheddar, some butter and Bush's Beans for Lorelee. Will lay low today and head north tomorrow (better weather).

Plying again

2011-09-15T15:13:00.001-07:00

Spent a good part of this cool rainy morning plying the superwash merino, probably have well over 3 hours in and don't think I've even done 1/3, spinning fine does have its draw backs. Had to finally cave and turn electric heat on just after lunch, thought I could tough it out, with my wool sweater on I was OK but the plying and the sweater don't like each other. The rain tho was much needed, my yard hadn't been cut this year at all and grass was showing dead and brown, fire hazard for this part of BC had been close to extreme, so this rain should help.

Shelia's socks, finally got them done, had been nearly a weeks delay when I left the 2nd ball of light gray at the coast. So now back to the denim blue afterthought heel socks, 2nd sock well down the top part and with several college football games on Saturday and at least 3 pro games on Sunday should get it finished. Will have fond (NOT) memories of the denim blues while sock was still in the double points stage twice (2 times) I slid the needle out of 32 stitches and stupidly let several drop down more than 3 rows, so spent lots of time gathering up stitches then making sure colors were in right order before I could continue. All now on my 2 16 inch circs so much better for me.

Had a largish cougar run thru my yard yesterday, headed south and into what we used to call the spruce swamp, no chance to grab camera before it was out of sight, probably wouldn't have shown up even if I had the chance, cat is same color as all the dead grasses in my yard.

Have started a list of stuff I want to take with me when I head south on OFFF trip, little stuff that I have been known to forget, like camera battery charger, small niddy noddy, thermos for water etc.

Superwash Merino

2011-09-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

Finished spinning the last bits of CMF's superwash merino, it will jump the plying queue since I want to have this ready to take with me when I leave for OFFF. Told several friends at the coast about it and I am quite sure they will like to see finished product. Fiber in bundle weighted 8 oz each, should end up with about 6 200 yard skeins (or at least that is what I am hoping for).

Took loaf of w/w bread, the leftover 3rd batch of homemade salsa and 3 large tomatoes for knitting bee lunch yesterday, was a big hit. I am now preferring the salsa with my tomatoes instead of mayo.

Lorelee returned the full jerry containers of gas and its stored in garage where its relatively cool and much safer than closer to the house. Then picked up the things I had bought at the coast for her, and a bunch of the tomatoes, she likes them about as much as I do. With summer finally arriving I just might be able to get another box of tomatoes on my return from OFFF later this month.

Really looking forward to OFFF but this year everyone will have to be careful leaving spinning wheels without someone keeping an eye on stuff, someone lost a wheel (Lendrum) at BSG, seems as tho someone just walked it and carried it out. So with both Gail & I with S90's (impossible to replace no longer made) will just have to be extra careful. We never leave anything at the fairgrounds over night, carry it all back to the car.

Sock Stuff

2011-09-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

While waiting for the forgotten ball of light gray to arrive I started an in between pair using denim blue and a few other odds & sods, these will have the afterthought heel added when I am done with the 2nd sock. If all goes according to plans the light gray should arrive with the mail today. If its not here will continue on the blue sock.

This little bit of superwash merino is all that is left from the 8 oz bundle, should finish it later today, after I get home from knitting bee. Will be taking tomatoes, a loaf of bread and the 2nd batch of salsa for lunch. I like the salsa on the tomatoes even better than mayo.

Bought this pattern to make 2 girlie handspun sweaters, should have bought the 'Tulip' sweater while I was there as well, maybe next time I go to the site will order it as well.

The price I pay for the mountain view

2011-09-05T07:14:00.001-07:00

One of the perks of living where I do is having to run the trap line this time of year, little furry critters (mousies) are looking for a warmer place to spend the winter months and the ongoing battle has begun. 3 of the little shits so far in the last 2 days, will empty traps and reset with cheese and will prolly get one or two a week for the next month or so. Before George died I never had to do the dirty work but now its either empty traps or live with them, would rather not see them ever so I handle the job.

Went from yesterdays 1/3 to well over half on current bobbin of the fine superwash merino. With the wool room warming up later in the afternoons want to get in as much time spinning while still cool in the mornings. Have already got in a bit over 30 minutes, and will finish this blog report and get back to wheel.

Made some basic salsa yesterday, tomato, a small sweet walla walla onion and some cilantro, would have added a jalapeno pepper if I would have had one, next time will add some roasted red peppers. Not to bad for my first try.

Time Out

2011-09-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

The first sock of pair for SK, second well down the foot but is now in time out while I wait for the 2nd ball of light gray coming from the coast, sorta forgot it, on its way via Canada post. Got everything out to show and somehow didn't grab the light gray when I packed up. Old timers. Meanwhile back at the ranch am working on something else, (denim blue sock) just so I don't forget how. As if.

Have had tomatoes with every meal since I got home, last nights was a huge salad with cilantro, cucumbers, mixed organic greens, and a largish tomato along with salmon patties. Enuff salmon left to do the same again tonight.

Have bobbin about 1/3 full of the superwash merino, got in my usual 45 minutes this morning after my coffee. Will do more yet today before wool room gets to warm, never thought that I'd be able to say that with the lousy summer we had, now that kids will soon be going back to school its gotten warm (low to mid 80's forecast) for the rest of this week. Frost by morning so warm sunny days and cold crisp nights.

Coast tomato run

2011-09-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Left Tatlayoko on the 24th for the coast, stayed 1st night in Williams Lake and then headed south down thru the Fraser Canyon towards Vancouver. Perfect driving weather but it sure got hot once I got to Sally's in Langley, stayed that way until it was time to drive back north. Went down to Bellingham on the 29th for a quick visit with Carl & Tom, picked up 2 balls of much needed Kaffe Fassett sock yarn to finish the toe of current socks. Bought yarn from eBay but shipper didn't want to send to Canada, turns out it was even the same dye lot as the original bought from Vancouver a year or so ago. Finished the socks needing only about 2 yards from new ball, then gave them to Denise without getting a pix. Took my camera with me but never even got it out of my knitting bag. Left Langley on the 30th stopping in Spences Bridge to pick up my much anticipated box of real tomatoes (have had one every meal since), stayed the night in Williams Lake then headed west for the high country on Wednesday. Made it down my driveway and had most perishables out of the car by 2 pm.Back to spinning wheels and wool, missed my morning spinning while gone. The 2nd 8 oz of superwash merino from CMF is on the wheel, colorway called 'She's Like a Rainbow', hope to have it done to take with me when I head down to OFFF later this month, want to show Carol and Sally what its like.

Before leaving Bell-ham stopped at Fred Meyers for a big of grocery shopping, mostly stuff I can't find here like Tillamook cheese, S&W pickled beets, large sized cans of Bush's beans (3 fer $5), plus a few things more, no trouble crossing the border, always nice to say no when they ask if I have any alcohol or tobacco. 28° now and even colder predicted for tonight, then back up into low 80°'s for the end of next week.

Not much new

2011-08-18T08:35:00.002-07:00

Several years ago at NwRSA conference in Idaho I bought a smallish lb of roving from a vendor, almost 3 colored, creamy white, very light gray and another sorta brownish, anyway it spun up super and have long wondered why I hadn't bought more. Perfect yarn for socks, hoping I remembered that it was BFL so plenty strong enuff. Well wonder of wonders another vendor at Whidbey Island spin in had huge bags of the same fiber so bought another pound and to go along with she had same colored mix with silk added, so got a lb of that as well. And if she is there again next year will spend what I didn't at Sock Summit in her booth. Have one full bobbin and well along on second, then will do up the batch with the silk and ply the two tog. And should I decide to dye it should take dye just perfectly.

SK sock, got heel done last night and will pick up stitches for the gusset later today, she wants sock patterned all the way down foot, will be pink over kill. But the more I work on it the more it is growing on me. With several football games on TV this weekend should get a lot done on it.

Cold enuff this morning to have electric heat on in wool room. One more warm day predicted for Saturday then the downhill slide.

Gloves again

2011-08-15T10:24:00.005-07:00

Another pair of wild & crazy gloves, thought when I first got going on this pair that the orange would prove to be to much, thinking now that the more I use orange the better I like it. Now on the needles a pair of socks for SK in Merritt, she wanted gray with lotsa pinks. Don't have as many colours or shades of pink to make them wild so may resort to adding surprises here & there. Then if she doesn't like will make her another pair.

Had a visit from Elizabeth Charleyboy and new baby Maela Amelia Lyndee Kendall, lots of goodies to pass on for new baby (booties, socks, etc.), including a very special qiviut earflap hat. A couple plus years ago a friend brought me several large handfuls of qiviut from the arctic that she had gathered from bushes, and other places the muskox had rubbed up against. It took a lot of time cleaning the fiber to spin but the resulting yarn was worth the work. Then I made the earflap hat, not sure at the time who would get it. Well Eliz turns out to be the one, she still has the sweater I made for her son 7 years ago as well as some of the stuff that was made for her when she was a new baby. The hat will fit Maela this winter and probably next as well and will be treasured for the super soft and warm fiber. By and by I will be making EZ's Tomten sweater out of some yarn I spun out of child's play roving (Lorna's Laces) from Robin in Minnesota, also called clown barf by my then 4 year old nephew, but will be perfect for this little girl.

Frost again this morning, just a bit below 32° when I checked at 7 am, woo hoo the mozzies are on the way out.

Stuff

2011-08-10T09:04:00.002-07:00

Finished spinning the first 8 oz of superwash merino from Crown Mountain Farms, really doubt I could have got another foot of fiber on the bobbin. Another 8oz likely will be started later today. Off to knitting bee today, will get to the dump on the way out, then stop at library after to pick up some books I had ordered. Taking the second glove of pair #2 of the wild & crazy gloves. And the KF sock I was sure I would run out of the yarn for. But yesterday 2 balls on eBay in same color, will be able to gather them up mid September on the way to OFFF. This vendor only ships to US, so rather than miss out had them shipped to a friend in Bellingham. Would bet I will be able to find something else to knit until I get them in my hands.

Weather has finally gotten summer like, so now looks like maybe 10 days or so of summer before sliding back into cooler wetter weather. Looking forward to more nights of frost to kill off mozzie crop.

Life in the wool room

2011-08-04T08:38:00.004-07:00

Got the merino from Cindie into skeins, white ish with bits of blue and pink, ended up with 5 skeins and 1142 yards, not to bad. Then Crown Mountain Farms s/w merino 3 skeins and 652 yards. On a roll. Have 2 bobbins of more merino w/ nylon on lazy kate ready to start plying, should be another 1000 + yards. All this yarn skeined before 9 am. Plus got in almost 45 minutes spinning more CMF s/w merino. Must be time for breakfast.

Knitting bee yesterday in Tatla, was way to tired to stop at library and turned out I have 2 books waiting there for me, lib won't be open now again until next Monday, may make a special trip out to get the books. Will combine trip with a visit to local dump and can fill up with gas same trip.

Doesn't look like I am going to find the Regia Kaffe Fassett yarn I need to finish current socks so will hang a different colored toe on them thus making sure I will end up with enuff leftover that I could have finished with the main color. Ah well next winter when its -20° my feet won't care.

Frosty

2011-08-01T07:20:00.003-07:00

In the wool room just after 6am on this frosty morning, 28°F or -2°C, the only thing I am happy about seeing the frost this early is the skeeters are probably slowed down, maybe if really lucky the black flies froze to death. Wouldn't bet the farm on that happening just yet. Have the electric heater set to 65° and as soon as I turned power on it kicked in gear, loverly heat. Checked out a few temps where friends or family lives, well over a 100° in places in Texas and even the mid 90's in VA. Forecast for in here is maybe, just maybe to get into the 80° - 81° range by Thursday and Friday, if that happens will be the first time this summer.

I took a few days off from spinning after the T de F marathon, emptied 4 bobbins and now the urge is back. This is Crown Mountain Farms s/w merino in one of my favorite colorways, 'She's Like a Rainbow' is what CMF calls it, and I have 2 bundles each 8 oz so lots of fine spinning.

Started another pair of Monster gloves, will use lots of oranges and what ever is left from Isabel's pair. I do like all these colors. Will be my default knitting, in between socks.

Koigu Gloves

2011-07-31T08:54:00.002-07:00

Isabel asked for a pair of gloves last fall at Desert Mesa, yeah I can do that. Then talking about it she decided on a wild pair "Oh yeah I really can do that". Now keeping my fingers crossed that I didn't get to carried away. Thoroughly enjoyed making these so much so that I think I'll do another pair or two. Now wishing I had bought more when I had the chance at a good deal from LK. Will keep my eyes open for more.

On a roll

2011-07-28T12:03:00.002-07:00

Two empty bobbins and two more on the lazy kate ready to start plying. Cold (58°F), gray and spitting rain, seriously considering turning electric heat on, a good day to get into plying. Two full bobbins are from my well aged plying queue, superwash merino again from Cindie at eweniquely ewe in Oregon. Just caved a did turn heat on and does it ever feel good, even with a wool sweater on just wasn't warm enuff. The price I pay for the mountain view.

Plying

2011-07-28T08:48:00.002-07:00

The first 2 half full bobbins are underway, will end up with 8 oz Crown Mountain Farms 2 ply superwash Merino (and empty 2 bobbins). Color is 'I Feel Free'. But have promised myself not to start spinning anything new until at least 2 more really full bobbins are done.

The current STUPID. Took glove with me to knitting bee yesterday cruising right along did 5 rows at least past where I should have started the increases for the thumb, nothing to do but pull needles out and go back to where increases should be started. Got all the stitches picked up before leaving for home. Then last evening while watching the news made sure all stitches where on needles the way they should be and got back to knitting. Now up to 19 stitches between the thumb gusset and should finish that later this afternoon.

More critters and Woolies

2011-07-27T07:24:00.003-07:00

Have been watching a black bear again almost every other day, on 23rd one with two of this years cubs (to far away for pix) and then yesterday while L was here we watched a big black strip a soap berry bush of all its berries in just a few minutes. It didn't leave until she started her van to drive away but was back to finish the bush about 10 minutes later.Pix of bear busy in the berry bush isn't the best but didn't want to get out on back porch to try for a better pix.

The white bobbin full (superwash merino) is the last bobbin I had, no more empties, none, zero so have to get into plying in a serious mode. Last plying gave me just over 1000 yards fingering weight, will yet this morning start on some CMF superwash merino, only way to get empty bobbins is to ply.

2.5°C in here this morning pretty sure it will again be the coldest spot in BC, won the award yesterday as well (places where there is a weather station).

I am finished

2011-07-23T09:43:00.003-07:00

Finished the last of the blue merino-nylon mix just after 6 this morning. 6 full bobbins each a bit over 8 oz the 7th is about 6.5-7 oz (ran out of the gray mix). Officially everything I had planned on doing for The Tour de Fleece is done, and still a day and a half to go. Never thought when I started spinning on July 2nd that I would even finish the 33 roved lumps let alone get the 2 bobbins of the blue mix done. Am I happy, you betcha.

Middle pix is the start of Isabel's Koigu gloves, using up lots of small balls of leftover Koigu. Really like how everything is working together.

1.8° C this morning just before 6 am, was sure glad I had big down comforter still on the bed, window wide open helps me sleep, love listening to birds at first light, all except for the flickers pounding on steel roof of wood shed. Geez guess my world is turning as it should, life is good.

More TdeF

2011-07-19T16:25:00.003-07:00

Wrote in an email to a friend recently wondering how I can stay busy with where I live, so far from civilization etc. No problem, none at all. Knitting bee last Wednesday, followed by a quick visit to the library, Thursday was the quick & dirty trip to town, left home 7am and back just before 6, while in town had a list of stuff to do (hadn't been in in almost a month), banking (bill paying), up to government building to pay property taxes, got a much needed haircut, groceries and the main reason for going in a refill on prescriptions. Friday had friends from Kelowna stop in, they brought lunch, we checked road reports and there was a rock slide on the Bella Coola hill, so after lunch they turned around and headed home. Twice now in last little while they have been thwarted on a try to get to BC. Then went back to spinning & plying on Saturday for the Tour de Fleece, finished all the gray 4 3/4 bobbins, then got into the blue merino-nylon mix. Now have one full bobbin of this mix and prolly 1/2 on the 2nd bobbin. Yesterday Glenda stopped in and while sitting in studio visiting she saw a big black bear on the side hill above my driveway, no way to get a pix, must remember to tell them that posing for pix is much appreciated. And so it goes. Am happy and life is good.

Have officially canceled reservations for SS11, never could find anyone to go with me down to Portland and just didn't feel like swinging the whole bill for motel & such on my own. Was lucky enuff to get to the inaugural event and memories of that trip will be enuff. Looking forward to seeing pix and reading about it from friends that will be there.

The last lump

2011-07-12T09:39:00.004-07:00

The last of the 33 lumps I started out with on July 2nd for the start of the Tour de Fleece challenge, filled 4 bobbins and had 5 lumps leftover. First 4 of the 5 on the bobbin, waiting a bit before going at #5. Since I don't have anymore of the light gray fleece to do more, will spin white merino-nylon and end up with ragg yarn

Ta Da 4 full bobbins. Nearly 2 pounds of fingering weight yarn.

Next will be to ply the 4, promise no more pix of the gray stuff until yarn is plied. Waiting in the wings is the blue I got from Smith & Ewe Ocean Waves is the color and its 80% Merino & 20% nylon.

This & That

2011-07-09T13:39:00.003-07:00

Same ole, same ole. Still spinning on the light gray mix and after all how many pix of light gray can I put on the blog before I drive my readers off screaming enuff, enuff. Well one more for today just to show that I am making progress, 3 really full bobbins. Then a pix of a visiting buck, rather imagine by the time the rut gets under way sometime in October his rack will be most impressive. And finally yarn on lazy kate in the process of being plied. Have hopes that this will be the stuff to go into the baby surprise sweater.

When I went to get my mail on Friday 3 piles of bear scat on my driveway, either more than one bear or this one was really full of crap. Neighbor reports 2 grizzlies in his field just a bit north of my fence line, probably not much more than 200 yards from the house.

Even did some much needed laundry today, should attend to it more often but the relatively new Sears washing machine is a royal PITA, they just keep saying bring it in, yeah sure just throw it in the back of my Subie and away I go, if'n I did that it would go straight to the dump. I have to stand by the machine when its filling to regulate water flow. POS. Will never ever buy anything from Sears again.

2011-07-05T09:15:00.003-07:00

Finished bobbin #2 at the end of day 3, better progress than I thought I would have. Started bobbin #3 just before 7am, already have one of the lumps on board. You all are going to be tired hearing about the TdeF before this whole thing is over. Up this morning just after 5:30am now feel like I've already put in a full day.

Yarn pix shows some of the stuff I plied together to free up bobbin, will I think over dye the white & rose skein.

This & That

2011-07-04T13:24:00.004-07:00

This is the first full bobbin, managed to squeeze on 7 of the lumps.

Stood outside on my front porch talking to neighbor Les and in just a few minutes the skeeters chewed me royally. Finally came inside and talked thru the window. First time this year that I've had this many bites. And about 5 minutes after Les leaving the wind came up, strong enuff that skeeters can't fly very well.

The 33 lumps I made for the Tour de Fleece sure won't last for the whole race, I thought maybe would spin 2 a day, well that theory is all shot, just finished #10 and this is just half way thru the 3rd day, have back up fiber waiting in the wings, some merino-nylon from Smith & Ewe from Kamloops.

Last trip to town I bought a lb. of bacon, first time this year, so tonight will have toast , tomato and bacon sandwich for supper, no mayo or lettuce.

TdeF Day 1

2011-07-03T08:37:00.003-07:00

Got 5 of the Super Carded roved lumps spun yesterday on day #1, would have liked to do even more but leg (knee) was starting to complain, so figured I'd better quit while ahead. Have started on lump 6 already this morning. Thought it would take 8 lumps to fill each bobbin (and it may yet) but now thinking 7 should do the job. This is good means more yarn overall.

Heat on in wool room +5° C this morning, much to cold for early July and 0° C is predicted for tonight, when that happens we are often the coldest spot in BC (where there are weather stations).

Tour de Fleece underway

2011-07-02T07:49:00.002-07:00

What a joy to spin the roved lumps I made on the super carder, one small piece of VM to pick out of the first lump. Took just under 40 minutes to spin the first. Certainly not the flashy colors that lots are doing but it sure will be nice to restock my handspun gray sock yarn stash again. Turned my chair and wheel so I can see out 3 sides of wool room, watching of course for critters. Had the music going, Rod, Ray, Roy and Runrig.

After I finish the 2nd lump will take a break and do some much needed laundry, finish cleaning up kitchen (would rather spin).

Am going to town one day soon, prescription refills. Will stock up again on produce, maybe enuff blueberries to have to snack on.

Welcome to October

2011-06-30T10:15:00.004-07:00

Went to my car to get my camera just after 9am and it feels much more like fall than almost the first of July. Its all the way up to +10 C or 49° F, cold in what ever language you want. Went to clinic in Tatla first thing Monday morning to get the stitches removed, boy was that nice getting them out. No more catching on everything (and then hurting), can turn over in bed now without waking up cause they caught in blanket.

2nd pair of booties done and small improvements made, 3rd on the needles now but will try this pair top down. Just playing around while ideas are still fresh. Top down idea didn't work so back to the other way.

1445 yards of a fingering weight 2 ply, 70% superwash Merino and 30% Alpaca, can't remember where I bought it but will sure watch for more, maybe when I go down to OFFF in September. Not sure what it wants to be yet, maybe more fingerless gloves or.......

Booties & Stuff

2011-06-24T07:23:00.005-07:00

Last April 'the Yarn Harlot' had some pix of booties (on her blog) she had made, verra cute but no ideas or patterns forthcoming. OK now 2+ months later I need several pair so had a go at circular garter stitch booties, came close. Haven't figured out yet how to attach pompoms to the Icord ties, however am working on it. Blue pair are the Yarn Harlots, my next pair are more pastel colors and have changed what I am doing a bit, trying to make them just a bit bigger. Keeping notes so I can make more by and by.

First pix is the 33 lumps from my supercarder, that I will start spinning on July 2nd for the tour de fleece, if yarn is what I have been thinking will make several pair of the booties in handspun (for babies coming along living in the far north). TdeF teams I am on, Team Canada, Team Louet and Team Howdy Doody (for us over 60).

Frost again this morning, 5 days now in June, several mornings have been the coldest spot in BC. Electric heater going in wool room, once sun comes over east mountains will shut her down.

Socks & Plying

2011-06-23T08:13:00.003-07:00

Finally finished S's socks, and about time. Her birthday was in March. This is the 3rd pair I made so hope I got it right this time. First pair would have been to small, 2nd pair was the ones that the red kept jumping into (soon on the way to NZ), 3rd pair all natural colors and I do hope they fit.

And wonder of wonder I got 2 bobbins plied, will get into skeins yet today and hope to start on another 2 full bobbins. Plying is not my favorite part of the job and have been known to wait until I didn't have any empty bobbins before I got started. Think right now I have at least 12 more full

Tuesday just before 11 am had a doe with twins come thru the yard, she stashed one over by the old big dish and headed across the yard with the 2nd one, fawn still there at 2 when L came down for a visit (she got pix). Then while we were visiting the doe must have come back for baby #1, we of course didn't hear a thing.

Stuff

2011-06-19T08:47:00.004-07:00

Home yesterday 4 pm from trip to town, left here Thursday and did quite a bit of bill paying, (no posties working), then went up to Denise's to stay over night. A bit of day surgery first thing Friday morning, then we all (Denise, Vonnie and I) headed down to 100 Mile House for local guilds demo day. Denise and I brought our spinning wheels V her knitting, was a good day but towards the end leg was getting sore (had a mole removed from back of leg a bit above the knee) to much sitting on it. Picked up a few groceries Sat morning and headed for the high country. Lots of produce, but of course. Unloaded most of the groceries after getting home, leaving wheel, wool and overnight case in car. Went out this morning to bring in the wool checking for critters before opening the door, grabbed wheel, wool and got back inside quick, skeeters are fierce. Blue wool is some merino-nylon (80 wool-20 nylon) I got in 100 Mile House from Smith & Ewe,
www.smithandewe.com

Wednesday morning saw another bear, cinnamon colored black bear, walked right by the house on the weed infested driveway, think if window had been open could have almost touched the bear.

Will I think take it kind of easy today. Work on weaving ends in on the finally finished socks for S in Wyoming.

Washing sticky wool

2011-06-13T09:41:00.005-07:00

Had a white British Suffolk fleece I wanted to card but discovered it to feel way to sticky (tacky) to do anything with, so it hit the hot water this morning with lots of Dawn, on rack in partial sunlight now to dry. Then the gray with what I thought were dirty tips also got into the hot water, turns out tips weren't nearly as dirty as I thought, tips are darker color. Anyways have now washed probably 10 lbs wool all before breakfast. Guess I know whats important. Now if fleece is better will plan on carding the gray with some of the white and kid mohair (of course). Guess I had gotten complacent about washing these two fleeces, after all I (thought) I knew what I was doing, especially since I figure I have washed around 500 pounds of raw wool in my spinning years, these two were the first to be sticky. Will be turning the wet wool about every hour so it dries soonest. If it was a nicer day could set it out on the porch and let breeze and filtered sunlight do the job, but looks like rain.

3 pm
Update: Romney X fleece after a good hot wash is about 100% better, am happy. The Suffolk is better, not nearly as nice as the Romney came out but at least now its usable.

Done

2011-06-12T16:58:00.002-07:00

Had enuff of the Romney wool to finish the 32 roved lumps that I wanted for the start of the Tour de Fleece, now the problem will be to leave them alone until the Tour starts on July 2nd. Had no idea that I would be able to finish making them as quick as I did, the hip starts screaming at me about the time I finished each one. Even have enuff wool left to make 1 extra just in case one bobbin looks like it will be short. Not yet sure of what I will card next but while on the roll might as well keep going. Have another gray fleece (darker) that needs to be washed again, tips are sticky and full of dirt, maybe once that's done can card it with some white and kid mohair. Can always use more gray handspun yarn.

Found more Romney fleece

2011-06-11T10:08:00.003-07:00

Not much but might just be enuff to get me to the 32 roved lumps I want for Tour de Fleece. Spent a good hour + flick carding the best parts of what was in the bag, now when it comes time to run it into supercarder just have to open it up a bit by hand. Very labor intensive doing it this way but the flicker gets out any second cuts as well as aligning the fiber really nicely and some of the ends had not come as clean as I would have liked so flicker gets rid of all the dirty tips. Up to 21 of the roved lumps now and will work on doing more today.

Spitting rain and it wasn't in the forecast, don't need any more this month. River still running verra high and lots of hay fields are still under water. Someone said in one of the new channels that they saw a big rainbow, maybe 30 inches, pretty chewed up so prolly a male that had been fighting for territory. As much as I like to fish no way am I going even close to the river or where river dumps into the lake, finally after all these years am getting smart around high water.

Roved wool

2011-06-10T09:17:00.003-07:00

Pix shows 17 of the supercarder roved lumps, #18 still on the carder. Now hoping I don't run out of the Romney wool before I get to at least 32 of the lumps. Its been a real challenge to keep from spinning just one, no its for the Tour de Fleece starting July 2nd, am in 2 groups Team Canada and Team Louet. While waiting have been spinning an unknown wool, not at all sure what its going to be like one plied with something and washed, more light gray.

Slept in this morning, just after 7 am and no geese flying overhead and making the big racket. Maybe my Griz was in the area and they were afraid to land, so much water everywhere that they often land in Harris' hayfield. River continues running as high as I have ever seen it in my 36 years in the valley, think now its higher than the big flood of 76. One place where its running across Harris' hay fields, wouldn't be at all surprised that it doesn't cut a new channel. And its looking like we will be getting more rain today, sky is dark and just feels wet.

More high water

2011-06-08T16:16:00.004-07:00

Went to knitting bee today in Tatla having heard the river was crossing the road but that it had been fixed (sorta). Highways raised the road, added 2 new culverts but water was coming faster than they and the 2 large old culverts could handle. So its now crossing the road, and me thinks it will get worse before it gets better. Thinking on this while gone had me leaving early just in case, could actually see where water was starting to deteriorate the side of the road. And more rain in the forecast for next couple of days. Am ever so glad to now be on home side of this mess. Thinking before this whole deal is done the skeeters are going to be the size of hummingbirds.

One nice day

2011-06-07T13:05:00.003-07:00

Was commenting that yesterday was the first day of 2011 that I didn't have heat on somewhere in the house, that was yesterday. Today is cold (mid 40's) and raining again. Read somewhere that more rain fell in May and so far in June than we usually get in a year. River continues running about a high as it can and is somewhat worrying.

The first of S's socks done, this was the 3rd go round, first pair while nice had way to much red, 2nd time used a slightly heavier yarn and would have fit her leg and mine at the same time, way to big. This time think I got it down. Have ribbing started for 2nd sock and planning on not starting anything else until its done.

Just saw a deer running up from the south, something spooked it fer sure and sure enuff in the trees & bushes came the blond Griz, don't think it was chasing the deer just strolling along, but not where I could get a pix. Guess deer was vacating the area just in case.

Town trip delayed

2011-06-06T09:05:00.005-07:00

All set to drive away and something felt funny, sure enuff a flat tire (brand new 2 weeks ago), now have to wait 2+ hours until BCAA can get out here to change tire. And as I was talking to lady at BCAA a big grizzly came strolling thru the yard, by the time I got to camera (in my purse for trip) it was almost right under studio window. In fact can see part of the window frame in the pix. Hard to know for sure but think this is the cub from the pair that hung around almost all last summer. Probably a 3 year old now.

So guess I'll head to spinning wheel until tire changer makes it out here. Truck didn't arrive until well after 1:30, and reported that lots of water across the road at the Chilanko River, so called and canceled appointment with DR, will re schedule when water goes down. So can watch hockey game tonight and have leftovers for supper.

No pix today

2011-06-05T10:09:00.002-07:00

Just finished roved lump 9, only another 23 to go. They are taking longer to do because of hip complaining after I finish each one, then have to sit for a few before going back to carder. After this mix is finished want to do a bit of bright colors of kid mohair, not yet sure if I will add any wool to the mix, might be interesting to just have a bunch of carded mohair.

S's birthday socks nearly to the toe on #1, will take with me when I go to town and prolly will finish while waiting in DR office. Having a couple of big changing moles removed and with my history of bleeding might get in lots of knitting time.

Current spinning is an unknown wool, haven't a clue what it is or where I got it, so far its spinning up OK, not sure if I will do another bobbin and then ply it with same. To far down to road to even try and guess.

Carding

2011-06-03T07:53:00.006-07:00

Started running the super carder yesterday, blending a fine light gray Romney fleece with kid mohair and angora. So far so good, altho am thinking that I will call Paula today and order a new main belt, its skipping with even a small amount of fiber going thru. Plans now are to make at least 32 of the roved lumps, more if the hip allows.

First pix is the kid mohair sitting on what I call my picker board (made by Bob Rainsford prolly 20+ years ago) then I use a flick carder to reverse card and it opens up the mohair in 2nd pix, top pix is the first 2 of the roved lumps. Hoping I can wait until Tour de Fleece starts on 2nd July before I start spinning, then to have them all done when Tour ends. Will be spinning fine enuff that when everything is plied I end up with fingering weight yarn.Between the Romney and kid mohair should make more of the sock yarns that I love so much.

Several hard rains yesterday kept river right full. Haven't been back up the road to see if more water is crossing the road. Have to go to town on Monday and will see whats up then.

Black bear and high water

2011-06-01T21:26:00.004-07:00

Saw another black bear just ambling up the driveway, looked to be a pretty good sized critter.

Knitting bee in Tatla today, river crossing at the north end of J Schuk's place showed the culverts completely under water with a good bit of water showing along side of the road. Then when I came home just after 2pm the highways had been along and placed safety cones and water had started to cross the road. May prove to be interesting especially if we get any more rain.

Last day of May

2011-05-31T18:58:00.002-07:00

And its still cool enuff to have electric heat on, even the propane furnaces in the morning. Am sure I will look back on this in a couple of weeks and wonder if it was complaining or just stating the facts. While the east suffers from heat and humidity I'm still sleeping under big down comforter at night.

Knitting bee tomorrow in glorious downtown Tatla Lake (provided river isn't running across the road). Then have everything ready to start running the super carder on Thursday, light gray soft Romney wool all picked, will blend it with kid mohair and just a touch of angora (even as much as 5% makes an incredible difference). Hope to have enuff of the carded lumps to last thru the Team Louet Tour de Fleece challenge. Starts July 2nd and runs the length of the big race. So have a month to get ready.

S's birthday socks (last March) are moving down the leg, maybe a bit over halfway, just natural colors, not even keeping any reds in the same room. Once they are finished will get started on Isabel's wild & crazy gloves using red Koigu for main color then odds & sods.

3rd Annual Artisans Fair

2011-05-29T07:23:00.002-07:00

Went as a vendor for the first time yesterday, shared a table with Deborah from West Branch. Had socks, gloves, handspun yarn, handspun earflappers. Was surprised at what I did sell, area is not known for spending anything for handspun stuff. But weather was not exactly nice, low 40's F for most of the day with a bit of rain, made for a day of freezing my bunnies off. Had it been warm and sunny think a bigger crowd would have been there. Left a bit early so I could get in car and crank heater up on high, even had bun warmers on almost all the way home. Once home got lentil soup from freezer on to get hot, by the time I had several loads of stuff in the house soup was hot, never felt anything better going inside.

First pix is Deb with her birthday socks, handspun. Once she got them on left them on her cold feet.

Cold (was 32° F at 5:30 am) and foggy, feels more like October than almost the first of June. According to the peoples in the know its supposed to warm up later this coming week. Will believe it when I see it.

Sask Socks

2011-05-27T05:43:00.002-07:00

The socks I blindly knit for L in Sask. fit like they were made for her. Had no idea of exact size to make so just sort of guesstimated. Same colors but more patterns now for socks for S in Wyoming.

0° C (32° F) at just after 5 am, both furnaces, in the main part of house and one in wool room running more like its the end of October instead of the end of May.

Went into town Wednesday after knitting bee and stayed with friends over night. Got new summer tires on car, haircut, banking, groceries, oil change and several other errands done before seeing DR at 2:50 pm Thursday. Prescription refills and moles to be removed from back couldn't be done until Monday so changed appt. date to June 7 and came home instead of waiting in town.

Bought some lean ground chicken (first time) and will be interested in how that works out, might just start with patties for something simple. Also bought large container of mixed salad greens, spinach, 2 more kinds of lettuce, peppers, tomatoes and 6 long English cucumbers, salad and chicken patties for supper.

Rained all the way home, Tatlako road is a muddy mess, slick and speeds of 30 mph the best I wanted to do. The river is verra high, high enuff that culverts are showing no space left. This mornings cold temps may slow it down a bit.

Finished

2011-05-25T08:12:00.002-07:00

Finished the DHF roving from yesterdays pix, hoping there is enuff to make the Tomten sweater (from EZ's pattern). Next spinning project will be some BFL from Smith & Ewe in what I call a really ripe mango color.

Current spinning

2011-05-24T07:56:00.003-07:00

Falkland Island's fine wool. Bought from Colleen a few (cough, cough) years ago from DHF and after being in small plastic bags all this time it was pretty compacted. But because it is so fine just a tug seems to straighten it right out. Then I strip off small 2 foot pieces further predrafting and it spins jest fine. One bobbin in the front has a few darker colors but once they are plied will be perfect for the Tomten sweater I have in mind.

Got some really nice rain last night most welcome except for bringing the river up even more. Not going to try and even go look at it. Its not legal to fish until July 1 and if bear's aren't hanging around all the time will be able to have fresh fish once a week or more. Last year with all the grizzly activity didn't get to fish near as much as I would have liked.

Natural colors going into S's socks, hopefully will get started during hockey game tonight. Finally.

Light gray handspun

2011-05-23T09:12:00.003-07:00

Got the light gray into skeins yesterday and this morning, ended up with 3 skeins and 654 yards, will get it into a hot water wash using Eucalan yet this morning. Am very happy with the yarn. Once its dry will start on birthday socks for S in Wyoming, just a tad bit late.

12:30 pm Just finished the washing of 9 skeins of handspun, 3 green (boreal forest), 3 light gray and 3 brown, what a difference a soak in hot water and Eucalan makes, especially the light gray. Hanging on hooks over furnace in the house (and yes its still on), yarn should be dry this time tomorrow. Meanwhile will get the other skeins into balls ready to start knitting, white, black, dark gray.

Stuff

2011-05-21T15:19:00.002-07:00

Empty bobbins. Plied the brown and got it into skeins, one 240 yds the other 256 yds, enuff for a good long time. Then plied 2 full bobbins of light gray, just finished so will let it rest on plying wheel until tomorrow, then will skein and wash it along with the brown and boreal forest from a couple of days ago.

Another lost bag showed up finally, had fingerless gloves ordered early last fall, got started and then the hospital bit in early October kind of got in the way, then they got sidetracked. Another soft knitting bag had first glove almost done and well hidden behind a sweater shirt jacket I seldom wear, must remember not to hang things on clothes pegs in back room. Glad to find the bag, several other things inside that I've wondered what had happened to. Anyways to make a long story short they are now done, all ends dealt with and ready to go. Just emailed Shannon to see if she still wants them.

More yarn

2011-05-20T09:37:00.005-07:00

Finally got the boreal forest BFL into skeins and off the electric plying wheel, started spinning it last fall and then waited a really long time to ply it, another month or two to get it into skeins. Have 'the brown' ready to ply and will get started on it yet this morning, freeing up two bobbins. Will be the only two empty ones, but am committed to plying something every couple of days or I will have to quit spinning. Power was out for 90 minutes this morning so worked on some unknown fiber at spinning wheel(using last empty bobbin in the house). Once brown is plied, washed etc can start on promised birthday socks for S in Wyo, more of the light gray with the brown, white, black, dark gray patterns.

Saw first black bear of 2011 season just after 6 this morning, between my driveway and main road, to far away to get a good pix, did try tho and just a black spot is all that shows up. But betting the farm that I will see more as season progresses.

10:30 am and the brown is plied. Hallelujah. Two empty bobbins, but won't put anything on them until more is plied. I promise.

Another pair of socks percolating

2011-05-19T16:58:00.004-07:00

Waiting to hear from S about the main color, blue (dark or denim) or white, was surprised at how much pink yarns I found in the stash, will likely find another one or two in the odd ball box. Still have the notes from the last pair I made for her so sizes will be easy.

Warm enuff today that I have a couple of windows open in wool room. Froze hard again last night but today turned out to be perfect. Even the dandelions agree they've all opened in last couple of days (darn it). Am really glad to see the colder temps over night it slows the melt down in the high country (where there is still a whole lot of snow), slow is good.

NwRSA conference in Salem, OR this weekend, first conf I've missed since one in Boise, ID a number of years ago. Salem just to unfriendly for handicapped parking and access to places, plus would have had to go alone, Gail other wise occupied, 2 day drive and high gas prices made me sit this one out. Next year is in Tacoma and will plan on being there.

Finishing stuff

2011-05-16T08:55:00.004-07:00

Finished 2 pair of socks yesterday and frogged another pair that were toe up and just about to heel area, didn't like so out it came.

Black Monstersocks were very difficult to finish, they had been done except for the heels for well over a month (just needing afterthought heels), and as I expected a real chore to see the tiny black stitches to pick up. Must remember to not use black for the afterthought heel again. After getting these two done went ahead and dug out a couple of small (well aged) things that needed finishing. Pix of inside out black sock show a few of the ends that needed dealing with. I usually knit each color (stranding) behind, and shag the ends so hopefully they don't show up on the right side.

Light gentle rain this morning and can see a faint tinge of green on the poplar trees, always happy to see the first leaves of the season pop open.

3 new followers in the last week or so, and countries that have stopped and visited my blog stayed still at 66 for well over a month, then jumped to 70 in last few days.

Corriedale from Whidbey Island

2011-05-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

This is the fiber from the Whidbey Island weekend of spinning, what Judith Mackenzie brought for us to spin outside our comfort zone. Well I didn't like it at all in a heavier weight yarn so brought it home and am spinning it fine enuff so that when its plied it will be about a DK weight. Eventually I would like to knit it into an EZ Tomten baby jacket.

Saw first bear of 2011 season on the way into town last Friday, a brownish black bear, am sure once grass gets to edible height they will be back in my yard again. Hoping sow grizzly and new this years cubs show up again.

Snow just starting to come down. Unbelievable for almost mid May.

Williams Lake spinning day

2011-05-10T06:51:00.003-07:00

During show & tell I had 2 pair handspun socks for same and the pair for Denise, gave them to her thanking her again for saving my life last fall, she sat on floor and put them on straight away. Fit like they were made for her. Blogger screwed up order of pix again. One of the next pix is Denise's sister Wendy with the tumbling block shawl she made out of her handspun, verra nice. Pix of the chairs set up just minutes before they filled, was a big turnout think I had heard 53 were registered. Gals in 'The Willie' do an outstanding job, all volunteers, lunch this year was salad based with thin slices of ham and roast beef. I even found the gal that made the tomato based salad and told her how much I liked it.

Wasn't able to get tires changed over, the ones I want wouldn't be in until today and I didn't want to hang around that long, will make an appointment to get my eyes checked and do tires on that trip, maybe Friday this week.

Sock Summit Stuff

2011-05-03T08:12:00.002-07:00

Am seriously considering cancelling my motel in Portland, no luck finding anyone to make the drive down with me or to share the motel. With gas prices the way they are just can't swing it by myself. Registration opens tomorrow and imagine the internet lines to Portland will again be jammed. If something changes before I cancel the motel would go again even if I didn't get any classes.

Last patch of the winters snow is nearly gone in my yard and am ever so happy to see the end of it. Nice to be able to use the circle around the house instead of trying to jockey car this way and that to get turned around.

Drove the nearly 20 miles to Tatla yesterday to vote combined the trip with a visit to the library (in the same building), then to clinic for b/p check (OK), mailed several things and updated my ITouch at CAP sire, faster than my internet down here.

Denise's second sock nearly down to the heel, these guys will be fraternal, same colors just in different places. Would very much like to have them done before I go into Williams Lake on Friday morning and present them to her at spinning day. Thanking her for saving my life last fall.

Another single sock

2011-04-29T07:43:00.004-07:00

Finished Denise's first sock last night while watching the hockey game, cast on straight away for second. So now have the second socks of 'the reds', and second sock of pictured sock on my needles. With hockey on the tube most every night will get in lots of knitting time.

When friend Diane was here last summer she left me a bag of 3 colored roving from one of the mills in MI, pix is first bobbin finished, easily have enuff of the roving to prolly do 2 more bobbins, thinking now that 3 ply will be to bulky for mittens I need to make before next winter.

Had an early supper last night, chicken & rice (homemade) with lots of cilantro on the side and have enuff for supper again tonight, since hockey is on early that's good.

Instead of driving into town for prescription refills, called Dr and he called script into pharmacy, they will ship it out today on Bee Line, $15 freight as opposed to prolly $50 + gas and wear & tear on car on ruff roads. Will pick script up when I go to Tatla tomorrow for 'the ladies tea'