Laughing In The Face Of Large Skeins

My poor ball winder has decided that it no longer cares to wind yarn. Halfway through a ball, it decides that it's too dizzy, resulting in yarn barf. So after some research (I asked everyone at knit night what winder they have) and seeing that Bethany had the same one that I was interested in, I committed. Look at this beast! It's a Stanwood 10oz ball winder and it laughs in the face of large skeins. Laughs.

After winding this yarn, I promptly worked on a project that didn't involve this yarn.

The day the winder came was a great mail day. My two box bags arrived. I've had this fabric sitting since Stitches West 2013 with the intention of sewing up bags myself. But after purchasing one of the box bags that Maria of A Needle Runs Through It made, I knew that she would do a far better job than I ever could. She said yes to the custom fabric (which I so handily had already washed, ironed, and brought with me) and a week later I got them.  

Check out the interior fabric. For the record, I specified which way I wanted the direction of the print to go, which I know is quite... ah... precise of me. Maria was happy to oblige. For those of you who don't sew (or, like me, do, but don't ever get around to it) I can't recommend these bags more highly.

So that was my happy mail day. I'm so excited to play with my new toys. Has anyone else had a great mail day recently?

A Tool To Covet - 4KCBWDAY6

We've reached day 6 of knit crochet blog week. Today's prompt is to "Write about your favourite knitting or crochet (or spinning, etc) tool. It can either be a tool directly involved in your craft (knitting needles or crochet hook) or something that makes your craft more pleasurable – be it a special lamp, or stitch markers."
Well, today I managed to bruise the finger I use to tension yarn with when I knit. So I was reminded that my most favorite knitting tools are my hands. (There are no pictures of my hands because the finger is a little unsightly at the moment.) I'd talk about what happened, but it's one of the more embarrassing experiences of my life. Maybe one day when my ego has mended itself, I'll be able to share. I'm treating the finger with ice. If anyone has any suggestions on how to mend a bruised ego, I'm all ears.

So my second most favorite knitting tool combo is my ball winder and swift. I blogged about them the day I got them and we've been inseparable ever since. I'd say that I use them at least once a week, if not more.

The reason I invested in a ball winder and swift was because I realized I was spending more time winding yarn than knitting. And this realization came when it took me a whole James Bond film to wind a skein of worsted weight yarn. Perhaps I should name the pair "James" and "Bond".

I Thought Graduation Would Be A Bit More Exciting

It is official. As of today, I have graduated. I thought it would feel a bit more exciting than "I guess I don't go to school anymore." But in honor finishing school, I am posting an assignment I am particularly proud of. It was done in 30 hours over five days last summer. The music is by a local artist called Nat Lefkoff. You should check out his other music. It is quite excellent.

In other news, I bought myself a ball winder and swift. I can't believe I didn't buy it sooner. I can wind piles of yarn so quickly. It use to take me nearly a whole James Bond movie to wind one ball. But now.... Zoom!

Scooter investigates. Seems harmless, but it takes the attention away from him.

I got rather addicted and wound all the loose yarn in my collection.

While I was taking the yarn pictures, I noticed some bees pollinating the flowers. Naturally I had to follow them around. A sort of bee paparazzi if you will.

Macro shots are some of my favorite to take.

New work in progress. I started on my first lace project. And by first, I mean the first one I intend to finish. There was the disastrous lace scarf incident that scarred me so badly that I haven't tried lace in four years. I knit faster now. I'm sure this will go better. The pattern is the Shipwreck Shawl.