Just Keep Spinning

I decided to spend a day or two spinning to get my mind off of all the problems I was having with some designs. Plus, I had to start using all the knowledge I'd gained at Lambtown.

This fiber is BFL from Twisted Sunshine. The color way doesn't have an official name, but I think I'll call it Merlot. It reminds me of the deep hue merlot grapes have.

I also finished up all the practice yarn from Lambtown. The white yarn I left as singles. They were made using a long draw (aka the beer draw). The other two skeins were made using various different drafting techniques, but I went ahead and chain plied them. They are practice skeins, and I still need to practice my chain plying.

Scooter's Cologne

My knitting output has been frustratingly low and my creative zen has gone, so here are some pictures of Scooter rolling on a dead worm to entertain you.

First he determines if the smell is worth rolling in. The answer is always yes.

Then he works a back and forth wiggling motion to maximize the smell to fur ratio.

Followed by a good head grinding action to solidify the worm smell in his fur until the next bath. (Those baths have been occurring more frequently as of late)

And one last roll for the sheer joy of it.

He has also taken to trying to roll in bird poop when we are on our walks... as we are walking. It doesn't matter that we aren't stopping. He hurls himself into the concrete for the chance to add Eau De Poo on his shoulders.

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere

I thought that I would be able to show off my finished sweater today. This is not going to happen. Possibly for a really long time...
I finished blocking my sweater yesterday and was happy to pick up a zipper today. I felt pretty smug over choosing the made in USA rather than the made in China one. The lady at the counter asked if I needed black thread. "Not me. I have plenty."

By plenty, I actually meant none. After digging through all the sewing boxes in the house (We have four. I didn't know that before today.)

I found that I only have navy blue. I'm within walking distance of Hancock Fabrics, but I was pretty mad at myself, so I drove. Quickly. (but within the speed limit, of course) Got my thread, waited in an enormous line, drove straight home.

Only to find that my sewing machine has given up the ghost. That piece in my hand. That isn't even suppose to wiggle in the sewing machine. I've had the machine serviced regularly, but I think that plunking down $100 every time I need that machine has gotten to be a bit much.

I got a bit teary when relating the story to my Dad. I'm trying to finish a sweater, that as it turns out, doesn't stay on my shoulders very well. I hoped the zipper would help out. Usually my Dad's advice is something like, "wait on it" or "don't worry about it". This time his advice was, "Maybe you should have a beer."

It's five o' clock somewhere...

In Order To Finish, You Have To Begin

I noticed that it's been two weeks since I've talked about any knitting. Two weeks! I have been knitting quite a bit, but it's all been secret knitting. (Or that wretched sweater. I've sworn to myself not to post anymore about it until it's done.) I've been debating whether or not to talk about what all the secret knitting is for, mostly because once I start to talk about it, then I'm admitting to myself that I'm really going through with the idea. So here it goes...

I'm working on a knitting pattern book. And while it is too soon for me to talk about the theme, (unless you know me personally, in which case I talk about it all the time) I will start talking about all the frustrating and rewarding things that go along with creating a knitting book.

Madelinetosh Sock in Graphite, soon to be a pair of socks

The first thing that I find frustrating about writing a book is that everyone seems to be writing a book. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter how many people are writing books. All that matters is that I finish mine.

Malabrigo Worsted in Bobby Blue, Ravelry Red, and Natural, soon to be a pair of hats

Socktober

I love October. The smell, the pumpkin themed coffees, the weather. But best of all, I get to pull out all of my Halloween socks.

I've got quite a collection built up.So much so that I've even had to dedicate a drawer to holiday socks. The Halloween socks take up a good fifth of the drawer.

I'm even contemplating designing a pair of Halloween socks. I don't even know what they would have on them, but I sure want to make a pair. Anyone have any opinion on what must be on a pair of Halloween themed socks?

Winemaking: Year Four

This is the fourth year I've made wine and the third year I've gone to Dennis' place to get grapes. (the first year I lived at a place with an established grape vine) Dennis is a pretty good sport. He wasn't feeling 100%, but still helped me harvest the grapes and pull them all off of the stems.

I much prefer making a zinfandel by hand rather than a merlot. The grapes are much larger, so the number of grapes we had to pull off the stems is much lower. The year I made the merlot by myself it took me from 10am to 1am with a 30 minute dinner break to harvest the grapes and pull them off of the stems. (I'll do the math for you. It took 14.5 hours.) It took the two of us three hours to harvest the grapes and pull them all off of the stems.

It was divine providence that I managed to get a hold of Dennis and harvest the grapes when I did. The next day it rained. I heard on the news that all the wineries in the area were scrambling to harvest. Partially because the grapes would rot from the dampness, but mostly because the rain would drop the sugar content in the grapes. The higher the sugar content is, the more food the yeast can use to make alcohol. Low sugar content makes for watery wine.

I mashed up the grapes on my own when I got home. I used my hands, not my feet. Everyone wonders. My brother commented that I ought to have a cleaner hobby.

Lambtown

I made it to my first Lambtown this year. I had been signed up for a class by Rebecca Burgess, but it ended up being cancelled due to a lack of students. So I got into my second choice class, Intermediate Spinning taught by Keena Gold. There were 11 students. It was funny that four of us who were sitting together all had a Lendrum DT. It really is a great wheel.

I went into the class understanding a lot about spinning, but I sure learned much, much more, like long draw drafting. It was refered to as the beer draft. Why, you ask? Well, if you are good enough, you can draft the fiber with only one hand leaving the other hand free to hold a beer. Keena is an excellent instructor. If you ever have a chance, take a class from her. She is very clear and patient.

My apologies for not taking a more flattering picture. I was trying to take pictures and learn at the same time...

I perused around the different booths at Lambtown, but stopped at Debbi's booth, Twisted Sunshine. I love all her fiber. I always get a little something from her. Actually, to tell the truth, I visited the booth before and after my class. I had to stop myself from buying something on both visits. I ended up taking away some indigo dyed roving. (I think it's a silk/ wool blend, but I'm not entirely sure. It is yummy, though)

After my class, I met up with my buddy Bryn and circled around the fair. I had such a lovely time chatting with Bryn that I didn't take any more pictures at Lambtown. Whoops. I did get a picture of Bryn with her purchases, though. Two plants that, in her own words, "I can't possibly kill."

After Lambtown, I met up with Jim and Jackie and all of us had dinner together. Then there was the beer run. My favorite beer is by a microbrewery in Davis called Sudwerk. I've managed to find the Pilsner and Marzen nearby my house, but not the Hefe Weizen... of course! It gives me an excuse to go up to Davis to get it. I also got my favorite seasonal beer, Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale. I've tried a lot of pumpkin beers, but honestly, I think they all taste gross. Buffalo Bill's has the perfect balance of pumpkin and spice. I got the Shock Top Belgian White to share. I called it my couch rent.

Looks like I've got plenty of supplies to practice my beer draw.