Test Crochet

 I think one of the best things to ask a knitter or crocheter is to test a pattern.  My lovely friend, Denise, asked me to test one of her patterns from her accessory collection that she just recently released.

 The pattern is called, Slouching Towards Tassels Cap.  I used worsted weight yarn that my fibery friend, Gretchen, dyed for me last Christmas. 

 This pattern is very engaging for an advanced beginner crocheter.  I like the ribbing of the front and back post double crochets and the look of the stitch pattern once the crown starts.

 

So, why not head on over to Denise's blog and take a look at the rest of the patterns in her accessories collection?  I think there is definitely something for everyone and I just love her style!

That time of year...

Christmas crafting is upon us, people and I have decided to take an easy way out this year.  Instead of laboring over long, time consuming projects, I have decided to whip up these cute, little star ornaments for the friends, family and co-workers in my life.   With the arrival of baby number two, it's hard to find the time this year.  The pattern is here and I am using Luna from the S. Charles collection that I bought from the Yarn Cupboard.  The yarn is mostly kid mohair and silk with just enough sparkle to make it festive. 

In other crafting news, I'm plying my September and October fibers, finished a test crochet for a dear friend, and just need to seam up my first knitted monster!  You know posts and pictures will be on their way!

Little York Fiber Booty

once...

twice...

three times

No, I didn't become a barber

This didn't come out of my drain..

I didn't pin Michael down and buzz his head...

Our kitteh didn't puke this up!

 Yeah.  Half of my budget went to Burt's Peaceful Valley Enterprises.  I couldn't resist the sparkly mini batts or the locks for a buck an ounce!  The owner is based in Preble, New York so she's not too far away from me and she's near where my husband works if I need to have a sparkle fix.

 One of my goals at the fest was to steer myself towards different fibers.  I tend to have the same stuff in my fiber stash (bfl, wool blends, merino) so I opted to get 4 ounces of this beautiful green Rambouillet fiber.  I fail to remember the vendor and I'm kicking myself right now that I didn't take note but she was a wonderful lady who was also selling felted hats and garments.

 So, no BFL, right?  WROONG!  The pretty color combinations and little voices coming off the tables at Spun Right Round's booth kept saying, "Buy me, buy me!"  Because I have been oogling her etsy shop forever and really wanted to get something from her store in Cortland but didn't, I told myself, "Self, get thee to Spun Right Round's booth immediately!"  I love Renée's fibers and her funky style!

That was all of my budget and these goodies above came from Maggie's Farm (not at Little York but always at other CNY fests) care of my friend, Gretchen, who has the fiber hook up.  This was a mix of all sorts of fiber including some angora from goats and bunnies!

In all, the Little York Fiber Fest's first showing was pretty decent.  Yeah, I would've liked a little more to eat than snacky foods but hey, it's their first gig!  I thought the location was awesome and the vendors were great.  I really enjoyed my time there and will definitely go back next year!

August Fibers

Yes, you read that right fiberS.  I originally was going to ply them together but really loved them on their own.  May I present my finished August fibers of 2012:

"Across the Universe"

 This was a mystery fiber that was a delight to work with.  I spun this while demonstrating at the New York State Fair Wool Center.  The lovely ladies that I spun with came to the conclusion that it was some sort of silk and bamboo mix.  If they are right, then I could spin that combination all day long!  Drafting was very easy and smooth.  The color changes kept my attention as well.  I was able to get about 96 yards of sport weight yarn.  Eat your heart out, Noro!  I left the yarn as singles so forgive the crinkly look in the photo.  Which leads me to confession time: I don't soak my yarn when I am done spinning it.  Is that bad?  My awesome friend, Angela, gave me some packets to help guide me in that direction.  Will report back when I have a sink that is clean enough to soak pretty fiber.

Octopus' Garden

This next fiber was also a mystery to me, and I'm guessing it's probably merino.  I got 56 yards in a bulky weight from about 3 ounces.  I apologize for all the vague weights and classifications but it's the best I can do for the moment.  I did a two ply on this using my favorite method of a center pull ball and spinning the ends together so that I use all the yarn and get as much yardage as possible.  

Currently I am working on finishing this fiber which will probably be September and October fibers of the year.  Stay tuned!

Little York Fiber Festival

 What a lovely day for a fiber fest!  It was nice and chilly- not too bad that it hindered my shopping experience but just right to be sporting some crochet and knit wear!  Here I am wearing my Cardiff Cowl in Lion Brand Baby Alpaca.  Perfect touch of warmth around my neck and of course my hands were kept toasty in my Camp Out Fingerless Mitts.

 Out in the parking lot, we saw this awesome bumper sticker and I had to take a shot of it!  I wish I took some more pictures but I was thoroughly involved with the fiber festivities. 

 These guys were hanging out by Trinity Farms booth.  She had a ton of Shetland and Icelandic wool for sale.  I almost purchased some but was definitely distracted by sparkly, shiny, bright colors today.

 These were pretty awesome batts that my friends Gretchen and Angela bought but I resisted the urge plus, I only had just so much cash on me!

I was really attracted to all the locks in Burt's Peaceful Valley Enterprises booth.  I spent most of my budget with her!  Pictures of what I bought are coming soon but I have to say that Little York did an awesome job with their first fiber festival. 

Crafting...what's that?

 Life has been crazy busy since I went back to teaching in September that I've hardly had a chance to do any yarn crafting.  Plus, my two little redheads are keeping me super busy.  That's okay, they're lucky they are cute as heck...

 It's also getting pretty chilly here.  I'm so excited for cold weather.  This summer was way too hot and sticky.  I wish I could live in constant autumn.  Is there a place on earth where that happens?  I'm enjoying my camp out mitts too.  Can't you tell?

 I've been spinning this up but it's taking me forever (prolly cuz of teaching, babies, and house work)!  This is fiber I got from Pear Tree Farms at the Finger Lakes Fiber Festival a couple of years ago.  It's a mixed wool blend that was over dyed.  There were four bumps in blue, yellow, and orange.  It's not the smoothest spinning but I do like the colors and since it didn't come with a name I immediately thought of Yellow Submarine!

Tomorrow, I will be going to my first fiber festival of the year.  I am way overdue and with all the spinning I've been doing this year I have hardly a fiber stash right now.  It's Little York's first time hosting a fiber fest and I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself.  There is around twenty-two vendors and I'm fine with that.  I've been to Rhinebeck once and that was enough.  Too many people and so overwhelming!  Give me small and cozy and I'm there!  I am especially excited to see what Spun Right Round brings to the fest...