tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157629902024-03-13T11:42:42.991-06:00Land of RobincatJust like herding cats....Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-49601019976118346062010-11-03T13:57:00.003-06:002010-11-03T14:20:50.048-06:00SOAR 2010Sooooo... yeah. It's been a while since I blogged. But SOAR was important. Spin-Off Autumn Retreat for the uninitiated. In Delavan, Wisconsin. <br /><br />I went not knowing what to expect. No one I knew in Real Life was going to attend. I had only heard good things, save for the Swine Flu Epidemic of 2009, but I got my 3-in-1 shot in September so I wasn't worried about that. I was leaving a two-week-post-tonsillectomy husband and 2 small children at home in Texas, and I was slightly worried on that count, but not too much. We had emergency babysitters lined up and a healthy frozen dinner service on speed dial.<br /><br />I'm going to skip all the fluff and get right down to it, especially since I didn't take the camera (I know, I know -- for shame!). On Thursday night, I met people I had only talked to online, placed faces with avatars, and non-public-me actually volunteered to walk in the fashion show in probably the least impressive garment possible (my "beat around the house" sweater -- EZ's NZ Pullover in 3-ply CVM long-draw worsted weight).<br /><br />Friday started with Margaret Stove's Spinning Fine Lace retreat. Definitely re-wrote my preconceptions on lace spinning. I wouldn't have guessed that a medium whorl would be the secret to beautifully knit-able gossamer yarn. Looking through a microscope to see the twist angle on the result was a true revelation for me.<br /><br />Friday afternoon changed my perspective, too, but in a different way. Now, this time we were spinning <span style="font-weight:bold;">fast<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> in Sara Lamb's Silk Spinning class. I had always avoided spinning silk top because of shoulder tension from spinning from the end, semi-worsted-style. All of a sudden I was spinning with my hands in my lap, fiber coming from 'wherever' in the fiber-mass and it was the easiest, fastest, most relaxing thing ever.<br /><br />Friday night was more camaraderie and sharing stories -- and drinks (I never drink at home so I let loose -- perhaps a little too enthusiastically -- abroad). Saturday morning, though, I was right as rain, particularly after a brisk, and by that I mean CHILLY, walk by the lake, which was wonderful. <br /><br />Open Studio was Saturday morning - perhaps something that needs to be tweaked in future, but still gave me a chance to spend more time discussing obscure topics while getting some serious brainless spinning time in -- always my relaxation method of choice.<br /><br />Saturday afternoon culminated in Deb Menz's class on blending fiber on hackles. Also fascinating and I learned that I have a fairly difficult time distinguishing equal value between different hue families. :-/ However, the blending was great fun and I was finally able to put in play all the theory I had gleaned out of my beloved copies of Color in Spinning and Color Works. I also gave value to that tetanus booster I got 2 years ago by thwapping my right thumb solidly onto the hackle. Note to self: thumb /= fiber. <br /><br />Sunday morning I managed to pry all my new acquisitions into my suitcase and backpack and head home .... less one motorcycle jacket, which I forgot in my airport-ride's vehicle. She has kindly offered to mail it to me, though. <br /><br />Market purchases: Only 1 pound of Rovings polwarth and 1 pack of undyed silk hankies. I left with way too much of my budget unspent -- mostly due to the crowded nature of the market. I felt if I would have bought something it would have to be on impulse and I am very much not an impulse purchaser.<br /><br />That's pretty much it -- I don't remember much of the Spin-In (except for watching Phreadde card cotton for Sara Lamb and Deb Menz while we all indulged in scotch) due to sleep deprivation. Someone (ahem... me) forgot to pack her melatonin and my internal clock is not used to the sun (or lack thereof) in the mid-west. I think I went to sleep at midnight and woke at 3am every night of my stay -- not so good for working with sharp and pointy wool implements!!!!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-21778933311067948732009-03-26T10:40:00.002-06:002009-03-26T10:43:54.819-06:00HeightsThere are some things that I, Little-Miss-Rules-Follower, am willing to jump a barrier, walk past a "Do Not Go Past This Sign" sign, and risk the ire of the Gardai for.<br /><br />Heights.....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/3387815536/" title="Cliffs of Moher by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3437/3387815536_023965f888.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Cliffs of Moher" /></a><br /><br />Yep.<br /><br />But don't you think it's so worth it???Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-23583326815316014602009-01-14T10:01:00.003-06:002009-01-14T10:04:00.310-06:00Back from HolidaySo, I'm back from a long holiday break and the store is re-stocked. I've got a few more odds and ends to finish up, then I'm going to attack the biggest bag of Targhee ever.<br /><br />I will be doing a combination of dyeing pre- and post- spinning, so if you want to request something without obligation, feel free. I'm not taking custom orders, but I would like to see what I can do with weight/color requests.<br /><br />Hope to show you more yarn soon!!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-70581123321794916922008-11-13T15:38:00.003-06:002008-11-13T16:04:42.897-06:00My New ToyI got a Rigid Heddle Loom. A 24" Ashford. At Kid N Ewe. For half-price.<br /><br />I've already woven a piano scarf (and I suck at trimming fringe).<br /><br />Unfortunately, hubs took the [work] camera to China to take [tourist] pictures. I'm angry. Bear with me. Pictures will be forthcoming... once I get that fringe trimmed.<br /><br />Ana said I had to add pictures since she lent me her Digital SLR for the week.....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjrUVMhqI/AAAAAAAAAVo/-3p8d4kJxcM/s1600-h/Imported+Photos+00023.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjrUVMhqI/AAAAAAAAAVo/-3p8d4kJxcM/s320/Imported+Photos+00023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268265628703950498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjq7nNGKI/AAAAAAAAAVg/ETewUSYqFp8/s1600-h/Imported+Photos+00022.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjq7nNGKI/AAAAAAAAAVg/ETewUSYqFp8/s320/Imported+Photos+00022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268265622068598946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjq_GM1fI/AAAAAAAAAVY/THK_D5_ulQo/s1600-h/Imported+Photos+00021.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjq_GM1fI/AAAAAAAAAVY/THK_D5_ulQo/s320/Imported+Photos+00021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268265623003911666" /></a><br /><br />Oh Noes!!!!!! It's a Sunburned Zebra!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjrj05J-I/AAAAAAAAAVw/m_frTs4GsHQ/s1600-h/Imported+Photos+00004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/SRyjrj05J-I/AAAAAAAAAVw/m_frTs4GsHQ/s320/Imported+Photos+00004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268265632863430626" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-85770351153241132212008-09-08T07:49:00.004-06:002008-09-14T08:34:45.340-06:00I'm Not Going to Tell You How To VoteHeck, I'm not even going to tell you which party I belong to. It's not relevant to this discussion.<br /><br />But here's the thing: VOTE. It's important. It DOES matter. Most importantly, though, please vote with an informed knowledge of the candidates. If you'd like an unbiased source for the candidates' policies and views, you can find one here...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.votesmart.org/">http://www.votesmart.org/</a><br /><br />Yes, I know it's extra work and you're already super busy. I know it's easier to just vote your customary party line. However, it is very important to know WHO you're voting for. Don't just vote for the party that typically agrees with you on certain key issues.<br /><br />Please, please, please RESEARCH the candidates -- all of them, including the VP nominees. Dig down deep and look for the least biased sources. Don't just rely on your friends and religious groups for information. Dig deeper, look harder, care more.<br /><br />This is important during every single election, from the municipal level to the national level, but for me, this November is going to have earth-shattering consequences no matter who wins. <br /><br />So VOTE, but more importantly, use these next two months to RESEARCH THE CANDIDATES. Please.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-64561050963508307872008-07-23T14:03:00.002-06:002008-07-23T14:04:04.206-06:00Let's See If This Works....Longdraw spinning a Red Stone Yarns batt.... Tiger Eye to be specific.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fdq0Ytn8-V0"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fdq0Ytn8-V0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-47868729028125529162008-06-15T20:32:00.000-06:002008-06-15T20:33:52.502-06:00Knitting at 12,000 feet....Because we could.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2582032243/" title="Knitting at 12,000 ft. by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2582032243_39b43a4f7e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Knitting at 12,000 ft." /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2582024633/" title="Ana's barf scarf (aka ski run) by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2582024633_fab038a7ca.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Ana's barf scarf (aka ski run)" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-21247023547353904902008-06-15T09:14:00.003-06:002008-06-15T09:21:44.123-06:00Look What I Bought....Just the Spinner's Choice Award-winning fleece from the Estes Park Wool Market. And I picked it out the evening before the judging. Good eye, huh? (Also a little steering towards the back of the grower's truck from my new fleece-buying plenipotentiary.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2579802309/" title="New Fleece by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2579802309_e98a9e74c6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="New Fleece" /></a><br /><br />From left to right is me (the happy owner), Chendra (fleece plenipotentiary), and Robin Phillips (the prize winning wool grower).<br /><br />It's not coming home with me on the plane, though. Chendra, aka <a href="http://www.redstoneyarns.com">The Redhead</a>, has it in Boulder right now and is going to scour it for me in return for a percentage of the cleaned fiber. <br /><br />I'll post about more of my purchases later. Just had to share this one.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-5192378813836193942008-05-24T07:51:00.004-06:002008-06-15T20:34:34.122-06:00Pretending Today is Still Friday...And trying to make Mary proud.....<br /><br />Like a little Shetland in your singles??? Fiber from the Spunky Eclectic Galaxy series.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2517820087/" title="Winter Storm by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2517820087_444172a253_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Winter Storm" /></a><br /><br />Or maybe a little Peach In Blue.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2518638592/" title="Peach in Blue Laceweight by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2518638592_3eae07d668_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Peach in Blue Laceweight" /></a><br /><br />Perhaps you'd like a little Zen String in your diet? These three go up on etsy today..<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2517808379/" title="Cyndi Light by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2517808379_18eb6eecde_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Cyndi Light" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2518626076/" title="Royal by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2518626076_ecf8aeaee7_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Royal" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2517804879/" title="Menina by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/2517804879_6a29dfdd50_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Menina" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-81383704391651502152008-04-04T12:49:00.001-06:002008-04-04T12:52:15.644-06:00Spinning for AnaThis is only the start of some spinning I'm doing for my friend Ana. It's the first plied bobbin of several from .5lb of Merino/Silk custom-dyed for her by Dragonfibers. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2385800839/" title="gems 003 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2385800839_af4e4849ab.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gems 003" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-41478729117054627392008-04-02T13:12:00.005-06:002008-12-09T12:35:22.163-06:00Knitting, Knitting, Spinning, and Knitting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc2tBYc8I/AAAAAAAAAUo/Hbg8m3J5nrM/s1600-h/040208+001.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc2tBYc8I/AAAAAAAAAUo/Hbg8m3J5nrM/s320/040208+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184730428390011842" /></a><br /><br />And here we have another FO, Sarah's Diagonal Scarf. I knit it with just over a skein of Noro Silk Garden in color 258, which looks amazingly like a 8-count box of crayons. I found the pattern on Angel Yarns, through Ravelry, though I've seen scarves like this a whole lot of everywhere. Needless to say, she absolutely adores it. The plan is to knit up some of my self-striping worsted-weight hand-spun into a few of these for samples so customers can see just how nicely the colors transition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc2tBYc9I/AAAAAAAAAUw/FI4HfvCggrM/s1600-h/040208+004.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc2tBYc9I/AAAAAAAAAUw/FI4HfvCggrM/s320/040208+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184730428390011858" /></a><br /><br />Next up is another symptom of my Silk Garden addiction, the Flutter-Sleeve Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2008, with a slight modification. I decided to knit it in the round so that the stripes would stay "friendly" the whole way round. Again, this was basically test-driving a sample pattern for my own line of yarns (I'm soooo sneaky.. *sarcasm*).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc3NBYc-I/AAAAAAAAAU4/Q4nouFHuKHM/s1600-h/040208+005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc3NBYc-I/AAAAAAAAAU4/Q4nouFHuKHM/s320/040208+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184730436979946466" /></a><br /><br />Above is a little teaser of some Alpaca/Merino/Silk lace-weight that I'll be taking over to Gauge shortly. The roving was from Spinning Bunny, and ohmygoodness, am I in LOVE with her stuff. :) <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc3NBYc_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/RHtyGlzLqTI/s1600-h/040208+008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R_Pc3NBYc_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/RHtyGlzLqTI/s320/040208+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184730436979946482" /></a><br /><br />And here is a lone sock from some Claudia Handpaint from <a href="http://www.gaugeknit.com">Gauge Knit</a>. The pattern is the Biker Chic sock pattern, available from <a href="http://www.zenstring.com">Zen String</a>.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-27053077865992453012008-03-23T14:48:00.005-06:002008-03-25T06:06:30.536-06:00My New SaharaAKA, I'm-not-photogenic.<br /><br />The following is a public service announcement in pictorial form. Don't ever let your spouse photograph you while making fun of your bad modeling form -- especially if you have a sense of humor about such things.<br /><br />First he says, "Smile and open your eyes." This is me saying, "huh?"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2354960637/" title="sahara 001 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2354960637_353cfe8085.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sahara 001" /></a><br /><br />"No, OPEN your eyes..."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2354961069/" title="sahara 002 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2354961069_6ff5ac32db.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sahara 002" /></a><br /><br />"You look like you've got a lazy eye now."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2355794742/" title="sahara 003 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2355794742_26f532c1b3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sahara 003" /></a><br /><br />"Okay, now you have no eyes..."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2354961769/" title="sahara 004 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/2354961769_1e5949a5d5_o.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sahara 004" /></a><br /><br />"And now you just look insane..."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2355795542/" title="sahara 005 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2355795542_e0205703d3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="sahara 005" /></a><br /><br />And because Mary requested the details... the pattern is Sahara by Stitch Diva (short-sleeved version), worked up in Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple in the medium size. It only took 2.5 skeins. I didn't use Rock Star or Disco Lights for the trim because, uhm, I have little children. :) I did the diamond rib pattern on the neckline and I have to say that P3togtbl is a complete pain in the rear.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-51924130544650441292008-03-05T20:46:00.002-06:002008-03-05T20:52:26.916-06:00Mark Your Calendars...I've been invited to do a spinning demo at the Ravelry Meet-Up on March 16 at <a href="http://www.theknittingnestaustin.com/">The Knitting Nest.</a> I'll also be bringing some hand-spun yarns for sale, which means that for the next week and a half, I'm going to be spinning like a mad woman (which shouldn't be a far reach for me).<br /><br />Want to see some of the stuff on my etsy? Click the link to the left!<br /><br />I'm also working on a pair of <a href="http://www.zenstring.com/catalog.php?item=382&catid=7&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D7">Biker Chic socks</a> of my very own, although I'm cheating on Angelina with some Claudia Hand Paint Fingering Weight sock yarn in Just Plum. Sorry, Zen!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-35392483804490538292008-02-17T21:31:00.004-06:002008-12-09T12:35:22.684-06:00It's Been A Busy Month For MeLet's see.... first there was the Lace Shawl from Best of Knitter's Shawls and Scarves. That was done in technicolor cashmere/merino for my wonderful friend Ana. Only for her would I graft 100+ stitches in violet/fuschia/tangerine tweed.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R7j-wd3KFqI/AAAAAAAAATw/OblyF64Q8pQ/s1600-h/569.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R7j-wd3KFqI/AAAAAAAAATw/OblyF64Q8pQ/s320/569.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168160681010796194" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R7j-wt3KFrI/AAAAAAAAAT4/lxg4JHNXV_E/s1600-h/570.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R7j-wt3KFrI/AAAAAAAAAT4/lxg4JHNXV_E/s320/570.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168160685305763506" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R7j-w93KFsI/AAAAAAAAAUA/DU91vFcenRQ/s1600-h/572.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/R7j-w93KFsI/AAAAAAAAAUA/DU91vFcenRQ/s320/572.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168160689600730818" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh, and I dropped off a great big load of handspun at Gauge Knits today. Support your local LYS!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2273543330/" title="YarntoGauge by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2273543330_6e175f5178_o.jpg" width="448" height="271" alt="YarntoGauge" /></a><br /><br />I dropped off some free-with-purchase scarf patterns for the laceweight handspun at Gauge as well. The sample is knit with the Victoria colorway -- last I checked, there is a skein still for sale left(hint, hint).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2273543324/" title="FallingLeavespic by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2273543324_b80a0eedc8.jpg" width="254" height="500" alt="FallingLeavespic" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-3719194922789228302008-01-22T16:58:00.000-06:002008-01-22T17:07:17.603-06:00Mittens for RichardWhee! Handspun mittens for my little boy. Made from the "play yarn" that had been sitting on the kids' bookshelf for the last month.<br /><br />Pattern from <a href="http://psso.blogspot.com/2007/11/pattern-basic-toddlersmall-child.html">PSSO</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2213233362/" title="mittens 001 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2213233362_bf9856da6d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="mittens 001" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-89472394491388334982008-01-22T11:24:00.000-06:002008-01-22T11:39:11.984-06:00Land of the LivingI really do still exist. First there was a family-wide sinus infection. Then there was Christmas. Next, a trip to North Carolina, during which I got a lot of knitting done. Then, alas, another family-wide sinus infection, this time with ear aches. I'm back. I hope. :)<br /><br />So, first up is the <a href="http://www.siviaharding.com/Moonshadow.html">Moonshadow Stole</a> that I'm still working on. I have to find my beading needle so I can string the second half of the beads onto the second ball of zephyr.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2212581648/" title="Moonshadow Stole by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2212581648_06a5a25bf0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Moonshadow Stole" /></a><br /><br />Next, the Lace Shawl by Deborah Newton (creative name, yes?). It's about 75% done. I'm doing this out of cashmere/merino for my friend Ana. This is a pretty wild color, even for me. A lot of fun, though, and plenty of practice for the Princess Shawl. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2211784493/" title="Lace Shawl by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/2211784493_52ed5d0712.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lace Shawl" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh, you haven't heard about the <a href="http://www.heirloom-knitting.co.uk/projects11.html">Princess Shawl</a>??? My lovely buddy Ana got me both the pattern and <a href="http://www.heirloom-knitting.co.uk/shet_supreme_sub.html">the yarn</a> for my thirty-first birthday. Pretty damn cool, isn't she?<br /><br />And now for the Klaralund. The yarn was a present from my husband's grandmother. (She sent me the money, I knitted it, then finished it in time for her to see it at our Christmas trip.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/2211800595/" title="Klaralund by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2211800595_4ffb632751.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Klaralund" /></a>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-88236929712074294242007-12-06T13:21:00.000-06:002007-12-06T15:25:59.494-06:00Piece of Advice (non-knitting)Unless you are adept at coercing feral cats into performing military drills on a regular basis, do not ever, EVER attempt to mount a 46" flat panel tv on your living wall while you and your spouse are suffering from head colds.<br /><br />These are the things which cause marital strife.<br /><br />Fortunately, we live in a town big enough to order <a href="http://www.thai-food.com/recipes/tom_kah.html">Tom Kah</a> soup for lunch. I think it saved our marriage.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-44236171635107039792007-11-19T10:55:00.000-06:002007-11-19T10:57:41.417-06:00Max's Staircase Tam<div id="ravs" style="padding: 1em 0pt; text-align: left;"><img style="width: 448px; height: 336px;" src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dhfx26v5_2mdx34pfj"></div> <br><b><br>Size: </b>Child/ Adult Small<br><br><b>Materials: </b>Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (Shocking Pink) 1 skein<br> 1 set US #8 dpns or 16" US #8 circular needle.<br> Tapestry Needle<br> 6 stitch markers<br><br><b>Gauge:</b> 20 stitches over 4"/10cm<br><br><b>Pattern:</b><br><br>Cast on 84 stitches with a stretchy cast-on.<br>Join, place marker, and work 4 rounds in stockinette stitch.<br>Work 10 rounds (or 1.5") in 2x2 ribbing.<br><br>Increase round: *K2, M1* Repeat to end of round. (126 stitches)<br><br>Work 2" to 3.5" even in stockinette stitch, depending on desired depth of brim.<br><br>Begin crown:<br><br>*K17, K2tog, YO, K2tog, place marker* Repeat 5 more times (to end of round).<br><br>Continue in pattern as follows, until 4 stitches remain between each marker: <br><br>*K to 4 stitches before marker, K2tog, YO, K2tog, slip marker* Repeat to end of round.<br><br>When only 4 stitches remain between each marker, *K2, K2tog* 6 times.<br><br>Next round: *K1, K2tog* 6 times.<br><br>Final round: K2tog 6 times.<br><br>Run yarn through 6 loops, pull tight, and weave ends on inside of tam.<br>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-40877108498139766632007-11-19T10:25:00.000-06:002007-11-19T10:39:39.006-06:00Sterling's Cable Hat<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1990291030/" title="IMG_0032 by Robincat1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/1990291030_7aef1edd36_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG_0032" /></a><br /><br /><b>Size: </b>Child/Adult Small<br /><br /><b>Materials:</b> Malabrigo Yarn Chunky (Blue Surf) 1 skein<br /> 1 set US #10 dpns or 16" circular #10 needle<br /> Tapestry needle<br /> 5 stitch markers<br /><br /><b>Gauge:</b> 12sts over 4"/10cm after blocking in stockinette stitch<br /><br /><b>Pattern:<br /><br /></b>Cast on 52 stitches in 1x1 rib . Join work, mark beginning of round. Work in 1x1 rib for 8 rounds.<br /><br />Increase round. *K6, M1, K7* repeat until end of round.<br /><br />Begin cable pattern.<br /><br />Round 1. *K3, place marker, P2, C2F, p2, K3* Repeat until end of round.<br /><br />Rounds 2-4. *K3, slip marker, P2, K4, P2, K3* Repeat until end of round.<br /><br />Repeat rounds 1-4 three more times.<br /><br />Beginning on round 19, begin decreasing on odd rows while maintaining cable pattern.<br /><br />To work decreases, *Knit to 2 stitches before marker, K2tog, P2, K4, P2* Repeat until end of round.<br /><br />Continue decreasing in this manner until all 6 knit stitches between cables are gone, then cease cabling and begin decreasing every round as follows:<br />*Work in pattern to 2 sts before marker, K2tog.* Repeat to end of round.<br /><br />Continue decreasing until only 8 stitches remain. Run yarn through 8 loops and close top. Weave in ends.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-71956035450175168702007-11-16T20:56:00.000-06:002007-11-16T20:59:11.661-06:00AARGH!!!!!That's the kind of day it's been. <br /><br />Hell, that's the kind of WEEK it's been.<br /><br />*headdesk*<br /><br />I desperately need some sleep.<br /><br />(and, as you might've guessed, the tam & hat patterns are delayed some more)Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-23394033800073669152007-11-12T16:06:00.000-06:002008-12-09T12:35:22.904-06:00Tam, Tam, Hat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/RzjOoIk08mI/AAAAAAAAATo/SK-CnHz8uPY/s1600-h/IMG_0030.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I1Xzq3CG2ws/RzjOoIk08mI/AAAAAAAAATo/SK-CnHz8uPY/s320/IMG_0030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132078964280717922" /></a><br /><br /><br />New patterns. Woohoo! And they'll be free. Probably won't be up til the end of the week, though, cause I'm wrangling monkeys all by myself.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-61343658060797254222007-11-04T17:25:00.000-06:002007-11-04T17:37:41.716-06:00FOs -- Recent and Not-so-recentWell, I just finished pattern number 3 from Elegance Knit 11. Japanese is fun! (Actually, those charts beat the pants off of anything I'd knit lace from previously.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1862938681/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/1862938681_412a7c7d5e.jpg" width="336" height="448" alt="leafshawl3" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1862938079/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/1862938079_63a2eae62a.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="leafshawl" /></a><br /><br />Yes, I know the pictures are bad, but DH had already packed the usual camera in his luggage by this point in the day. Unfortunately, his just-finished Vinnland socks were still damp and I didn't get a picture of those before he took them to Poland.<br /><br />Speaking of... FINALLY some pictures of the redux of his felted jumper...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1863763878/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/1863763878_4722caddc8.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="jamieback" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1863763544/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/1863763544_f140547f65.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="jamie2" /></a><br /><br />And not to be left out, the long-awaited picture of our herd of coffeepots.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1863763226/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/1863763226_044584dd77.jpg" width="448" height="244" alt="coffeepots" /></a><br /><br />And now for the list of knitted objects my husband is currently carrying in his luggage... 1 wool sweater (the cabled jumper in Patons above), 3 pairs of wool socks (Cherry Tree Hill, Die Wollemeise, and Wildfoote), 1 cashmere blend scarf (Truffles), and 2 hard hat liners (Austermann Step and KP Essential Stripe).Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-17790991862433328162007-10-18T18:15:00.000-06:002007-10-18T18:18:26.061-06:00I Love Sivia Harding.I mean, I really do. Love, love, love her lace designs.<br /><br />So much that <a href="http://siviaharding.blogspot.com/2007/10/its-out.html">the newest one</a> made me totally forget about all the angst regarding the white zephyr and the Mediterranean Lace Shawl. <br /><br />And really, it suits so well, considering the fact that I was knitting her Faroese Peaks Shawl (for myself) while I was in labor with Toddler Boy.<br /><br />(Ok, she's soooo going to think I'm stalking her now... but I'm really a nice little stalker... really... I am.) (Just kidding.)Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-84913177599057585962007-10-17T09:02:00.001-06:002007-10-17T09:13:25.813-06:00My Deck Has a Hole in it.But at least it's not my roof.<br /><br />Look what I woke up to this morning.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1600233675/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/1600233675_5c2c81085e_o.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="Hole in our deck" /></a><br /><br />I would much rather have a hole in the deck than a hole in the roof.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1601122226/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/1601122226_a36079a25c_o.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="Undamaged pedal car." /></a><br /><br />Fortunately, it missed the new (to us) pedal car.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1600233125/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/1600233125_d2b1d3fa26.jpg" width="286" height="448" alt="Undamaged barbecue" /></a><br /><br />And it missed the grill, which is under the roof line, just to give you an idea of how close it was to the house.<br /><br />The really strange part is that, apparently, it didn't wake any of us when it fell.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15762990.post-47696641689428499982007-10-16T09:27:00.000-06:002007-10-16T09:33:10.140-06:00Sarah's Pinwheel and My New Shawl<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1588891432/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/1588891432_8f09890755.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Flower Shawl" /></a><br /><br />When everything goes pear-shaped, what should you do??? Cast on a new shawl for yourself, of course!! I started this one week ago today and I'm almost halfway through the repeats. It's the Flower Shawl from Elegance Knit 11 (Japanese knitting mag) and I'm working it up in Jaggerspun Maine Line 2/8, color Emerald, from the biggest yarn cake ever. Ana is a glutton for punishment so she wound my pound cones into gigantic yarn cakes. They're scary.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1589059600/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/1589059600_0d2707c48f.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="Sarah's new cardigan" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/robincat/1589059830/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/1589059830_f967101bed.jpg" width="448" height="336" alt="Sarah's new cardigan" /></a><br /><br />Also up are finished pictures of Sarah's new Pinwheel Sweater. These are FUN to do, especially in my own handspun. Gotta love that stuff. :)Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970318602322982550noreply@blogger.com0