Out For Delivery
"Out For Delivery" - isn't that a nice phrase? It is when it describes my spinning wheel! I haven't spun for several days since I returned the rental wheel and I've missed spinning. While I'm patiently waiting for the man in brown to show up, I'll show some progress pictures.
First, some knitting:
This is a modified Uptown Scarf (from Weekend Knitting) made from Handspun #3 (isn't that an original name?). I couldn't find a pattern I liked and I really wanted to get the yarn knit up. I made the scarf long as the pattern suggests (almost to my ankles), but there is no fringe. It is also knit on size 19 needles instead of 35, so I cast on 9 stitches instead of 5. I hope it will improve with a good blocking. It felt strange to use the large needles since I haven't done that in a while!
And I've been a bad knitter and started my Clapotis instead of finishing up my hat or the top. Caitlyn is knitting another one and this seemed like a good time to jump in. I'm having to alternate between two skeins of yarn because there is no dye lot for this yarn and the colors look different. The only problem with this is that the project isn't as portable as I'd like. And the right edge doesn't look exactly like the left edge, but it isn't different enough to bother me. I do love the colors in this yarn!
And speaking of color:
This is the last yarn I spun. Instead of calling it Handspun #4, I think I'll call it Celebration. (Is it silly to name my yarn?!) To me, it looks like Christmas tree lights, or fireworks, or streamers and balloons at a birthday party. Its real name is Pastels and it's Northern Lights 100% Wool Top roving from Louet. This colorway made me happy when I was spinning it! If I remember correctly, I think I have about 220 yards of this. Any ideas of what it should become? I may need to move to a cooler climate so I can keep knitting hats, scarfs, mittens, etc. :) Although, it was 29 degrees with a few snowflakes here today. And on Saturday, it was in the 70s. Weird!
Thank you for all your concern and good wishes for E. It turns out that she has mononucleosis. She's been resting a lot and hasn't been out of the house since last Tuesday. I'm very thankful that it's not something more serious. It looks like we'll be switching back to straight homeschooling (with materials from her teachers) for a week or two so she can stay home and rest up. She wants to be able to go to the World Festival in mid-April!
I think it's great that you're naming your yarn -- I love Celebration, it's beautiful! Glad E is on the mend. I'm sure she'll be fine so long as she rests.
When do you expect the new wheel to arrive?
Posted by: Carole | March 24, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Ooooooooooooh, the Clapotis looks awesome already! My right edge doesn't look exactly like my left either.
I think you have a gift with spinning! Pretty soon you'll be selling your own handspun!
Posted by: caitlyn | March 24, 2008 at 07:00 PM
I know lots of people who name their yarns. I name everything else in my world so the poor yarn gets short shrift. Maybe if I did name my yarn, I'd spend less time naming all the other inanimate objects around me...
But that is very, very pretty yarn and deserves a name like Celebration!
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | March 24, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Oh, I think it's a crime to *not* name your yarn, and Celebration looks so fabulous. But you might need to get yourself some of those "one skein" books so you can knit up some other things besides scarves and hats. I can't relate to those objects because this week it's been in the near 90's! I hope E feels 100% soon. She's going to get mighty sick of that couch, poor thing.
Posted by: Michelle | March 24, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Your Clapotis looks great. I need to get back to working on mine. I was distracted by my Cloud Bolero.
Celebration is a perfect name. It looks so cheery.
I'll be praying for E to have full strength by April. She should be feeling better in a week. Isn't it great that you can just ease into Homeschooling.
Posted by: KM | March 24, 2008 at 09:31 PM
OMG! Did I arrive?
Have you stopped playing with it long enough to see me message?
I'm so excited for you!
Posted by: KateyJ | March 24, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Your yarn is beautiful! Celebration is the perfect name for your cheery and colorful yarn!
Posted by: Pooch | March 24, 2008 at 11:15 PM
You picked the perfect name for your yarn. I'd feel like celebrating big time if I could make something that fun!
And the purple and green from number three make a nice color combo for the scarf. Nice work. Let's hope the weather is chilly enough for lots of wear before the summer.
Posted by: Good Yarns | March 24, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Your yarn is looking great! So now that you've taken a step back and started spinning your own yarn, and thinking about moving it's just a matter of time before you buy a sheep farm (is that what it's called?) and start making your own roving from your own sheep. :o)
Posted by: Linda | March 24, 2008 at 11:49 PM
That last handspun is the prettiest yarn! I love the colors. I'm so glad E is OK.
Posted by: katie | March 24, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Perfect name for a perfect yarn. It looks like lots of fun. It could be a trim on something.
Glad to know that you have a diagnosis for E and that you have a plan for recovery.
Posted by: Ruth | March 25, 2008 at 03:53 AM
it's all about the colors :)
Posted by: Mia | March 25, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Celebration seems a fit name for that lively yarn. It's beautiful!
I'm sorry E has mono, but am thankful it's not something more serious.
I LOVE the scarf out of "Handspun #3". It's gorgeous! I hope Mr.Brown shows up at your door soon! :-)
Posted by: Renna | March 25, 2008 at 10:51 AM
It's nice to see that you're diving right in and knitting up your handspun! The first scarf is great, though I can't imagine knitting on needles that large. It must feel like you're knitting with tree trunks!
The color of the Clapotis is gorgeous. I'm very interested to see how that turns out.
And holy moley, your spinning is awesome! It looks like you're really getting the hang of it. I think Celebration is a perfect name for the yarn. Much more appropriate than Pastels.
Get well soon, E!
Posted by: Rachel | March 25, 2008 at 03:31 PM
The celebration yarn is gorgeous! So sorry to hear about the mono! I have heard that is miserable.
Posted by: marti | March 25, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Certainly glad to read that your dear daughter is on the mend.
Your knitting projects look lovely. A spinning wheel on the way, how cool is that!!!
Huggs, G
Posted by: Geraldine | March 25, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Hi Beth, I read a comment your left at Veggies, Crafts and Tails talking about Easter memories, particularly eggs that were painted inside. I have a new blog, Slice of Life Sunday, inwhich I am trying to get stories from bloggers all over the world to write about a slice of their life. I would love to hear a story about your painted eggs. Please check out, http://sliceoflifesunday.wordpress.com for more details.
Posted by: Cricket's Hearth | March 27, 2008 at 12:09 AM
De-lurker here! I love that northern lights yarn...
I used to spin but then set it aside for years and sold my wheel (ack!). I'm now getting back into it and I have a wheel coming to me in a couple weeks---can't wait!
Posted by: Amber | March 30, 2008 at 07:10 PM
It DOES look like a party, Beth! It's very pretty yarn. Conratulations!
Posted by: Lynne | March 31, 2008 at 04:38 PM