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December 17, 2007
What I did on my computer's vacation
I finished spinning up the silk I got at Rhinebeck. Silk was a lot easier to spin than I had expected. I just made a big fat mess out of it while plying. It's still a little painful to discuss, so let's just say I should have known better and next time I will be sure to divide my yarn in half and spin it onto 2 bobbins. Or I could have chain plied but I didn't really want that result... though now I wonder if I shouldn't have. Anyhow, the result is fine. Just not my colors so much since my favorite colors in there ended up lost and dominated by the colors I liked less. I'm sure a more experienced or talented spinner could have done better with such a beautiful roving.
a bit blown out in the fall sun.
freezing its yarny butt off on a snowy windowsill
I finished knitting a few gifts which I'm not going to show until they've been given.
I went to bed at 8:30 one night which, for anyone who doesn't know me so well, is obscenely early for me.
I received about 10 billion emails. Before the computer breakdown, I had 17 emails flagged for response. I currently have 144 93 (between writing this and posting it, I managed to respond to 51 of them). Gah. I hate email sometimes. And I just rescued a bunch from my spam folder so there are more needing reading and flagging.
I'm having a bad case of project envy right now. Everything I'm working on seems difficult and tiring and boring and like it's going badly. Everyone else's stuff looks good and tempting. I just want new stuff. New ideas. Things that are going well. Things that are simple. Maybe even something knit from someone else's pattern. There's an Imogen kit at the store right now and I'm trying my damnedest not to buy it even though the colors are pretty good and I loved Cheryl's when I saw it. Blah. Back to answering emails.
Posted by kate at December 17, 2007 09:38 AM
Comments
I know what you mean about the project envy. It's peppered (salted?) with some diffusion around too much in the stash, and not enough decision making about what REALLY is the fun thing to do right now.
The silk, to this eye, doesn't look as bad as you say. But of course, I did not see what it looked like in your mind's eye. Sounds like a center pull ball caper? Silk is tougher to Navajo because the smoothness of the yarn doesn't hide the little loops of the Navajoing. It's a series of compromises. Perhaps the best thing is what I'm finding works...divide it into threes on three different bobbins and threeply it...but that doesn't keep colors together. (I wonder if there is a word "threep-ly".
Posted by: Laurie at December 19, 2007 09:08 PM
Feeling sleepy...
It's that time of the year in Quebec.. Found out that the best way to feel energetic is to embrace that weather... : go out, ski, play everything so the very short days do not seem that short. !!!
Love the new mitts you just designed :)
Posted by: SamLaTricoteuse at December 18, 2007 09:12 PM
I love those colours. It shines.
Posted by: Dr. Steph at December 18, 2007 02:05 PM
Even if the colors don't suit you it is still lovely yarn and you could make a great gift with it. Merry Christmas
Posted by: Judy at December 18, 2007 12:50 PM
The yarn is gorgeous! And there's the Imogen kit at the store? Thanks for mentioning it, I may just have to go tomorrow... I so want this sweater!
Posted by: Josiane at December 18, 2007 01:16 AM
I think you're finished yarn looks beautiful. Silk is a lot easier to spin than people usually think. Great job!
Posted by: Misty the Kneedler at December 17, 2007 07:12 PM
Hi Kate! I've been hovering over an Imogen jacket too. The colors are just so beautiful.
I have to say you inspired me with your last handspun sock post to break my wheel back out. I had gotten discouraged and busy with other things instead of spinning and decided to finish up a roving I bought at Rhinebeck last year. I even got crazy and figured out how to navajo ply it, and it looks great for the first time. Of course there's nothing to knit with it as it's so little yardage, but oh well.
I like the look of the silk.
Posted by: amyh at December 17, 2007 04:01 PM
The silk is lovely- plying disaster or no- colours in spinning always surprise me.
Posted by: ami at December 17, 2007 01:30 PM
The yarn looks lovely. Glad that you have your computer back.
Posted by: Tonia at December 17, 2007 11:47 AM
The yarn is beautiful!!! I know what you mean about projects.... I have tried casting on a pair of socks 4 different ways before I cast on one that looked right.... then the next pair was starting to look the same... and I haven't descided if it is or not yet!!! Good luck with your emails!!!
Posted by: Cindy at December 17, 2007 11:23 AM
Hi...I know, I know...I haven't responded to your e-mail yet but I'm just really bad like that. I'm so so happy you are updating more over here though. I'll be in touch soon (during the vacation) and maybe we can skype?
I love imogen too and had considered knitting it...let me know if you decide to do it!
(P.S. Felix says a Happy Belated Birthday to Tadpole. Today's his birthday... :)
Posted by: Sarah at December 17, 2007 11:23 AM
The yarn is beautiful!!! I know what you mean about projects.... I have tried casting on a pair of socks 4 different ways before I cast on one that looked right.... then the next pair was starting to look the same... and I haven't descided if it is or not yet!!! Good luck with your emails!!!
Posted by: Cindy at December 17, 2007 11:23 AM
8:30? PM????
wow
Posted by: scoutj at December 17, 2007 10:25 AM
It's great to see you back...hope the emails go smoothly. You deserve Imogen...deserve to enjoy knitting and wearing her. You've been doing good work and you deserve her...did you hear me? ;-)
Posted by: margene at December 17, 2007 10:17 AM
