Carding Alpaca...

Remind me not to do that again!! First off, I didn't clean it before hand because it's pretty much just sandy...ugh! My allergies are now killing me from all the dust that carding up dirty Alpaca caused...also just want to say this now. I, Gnat, am not a fan of processing Alpaca..if I say that I plan to do this again...please send me an email or message and direct me back here. I will not say that I don't like alpaca but I will say...not a fan of the processing or at least the carding of it!

I chose to blend it with some of my raw Corriedale/Merinolocks that I had dyed brown and I will admit that I LOVE the batts that came out of this process and can't wait to spin them up but I did not enjoy the process nor will I enjoy cleaning up the carder after this process...ugh!

Ok...so since I've complained enough...here is your reward. A picture of my LOVELY alpaca batts. They are fantastic but I will not repeat the process. Hopefully these 5 oz will get me some nice fingerless gloves because I plan to swap the rest of this beautiful fleece the next chance I get. I still have about 6 oz...so if you want to buy it off me or swap me some wooly goodness let me know!
I just checked...I have about 7 oz left of the 100% Suri Raw fleece from an alpaca named Sarletoni. :) It's a beautiful mahogany brown fleece.

Ok...well..it's already 11 and past my bedtime! I'm off to bed. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully after work I will get a chance to clean the carder and more of my raw Corriedale/Merino fleece so I can get started on that project.

Casting on, a swatch, a WIP and some blocking.

Tonight, I dropped of Special K at the airport so he can fly up to Ohio and help his mother move. I'm going to miss him dearly but he'll be back on Sunday so he won't be gone too long. After I dropped him off, I stopped by the book store and actually bought a knitting book. I try not to use up too much stash money on books but sometimes I just can't resist. I bought the Knitalong: Celebrating the Tradition of Knitting Together by Larissa Brown and Martin John Brown. I picked it up because I was looking for one pattern but then started reading some of it and had to buy it! It looks like it's going to be a great read. I'll give it a proper review once I finish reading it.


I picked it up because I've been looking for something to do with all my left over bits of sock yarn. I have small feet so most the time I end up with a ton of left over after knitting my socks up. So, I figured the perfect way to use it would be to make a sock yarn blanket. I've seen others making the Barn Raising Quilt and love how it looks. I was also inspired by Mary Catharine's squares. I cast on tonight at knit group and honestly was NOT happy with the dpns at first but once I got a couple rows in...I was having fun!!
This is my first blanket of any major commitment...so I may need some encouragement in finish it.

For the sweater yarn I'm working on, I knit up a swatch of my hand processed, handspun yarn and let me tell you I LOVE the finished swatch! I really can't wait to finish cleaning the fiber so I can start carding it up and then spinning it...then I get to knit it up!! And after all that I get to WEAR IT! Such a wonderful process. Please remind me I'm so excited about this when I'm spinning 1500 yards of yarn and then knitting it. Ok? Anyway...look at my pretty swatch. :)
I had people pet it and some smelt this at the knit night. Everyone thinks it's very soft and most thought it smelled great...that is thanks to Soak in the Celebration scent. :)

I also have been really trying to finish this Table Runner which is supposed to be a gift so I need it done and blocked soon! So far it's coming out lovely!
Manda came to the knit group and she brought me some blocking boards so as soon as I got home I soaked the shawl and scarf and pinned it up. I've never blocked this way so I'm curious to see how it all comes out.Well...I hope you enjoyed my round up of projects in different stages of the knitting process. :) I definitely have become a non-monogamous knitter. I'm all over the place and never have been more inspired in my life! I'm really enjoying my crafting lately. My spinning mojo is back and I have finishitis and castonitis. :)

Good night everyone and I hope you all have a great Dogs on Thursday tomorrow. I'm off to get some rows in before sleepy time.

Spinning, Knitting, Dogs, and Recovering from the Crud.

So, I've been out sick from work for the last day and a half. It started with a headache that wouldn't go away and then my throat got really sore. I'm feeling pretty good tonight after a day and a half of rest. I'm heading back to work tomorrow. I am a little disappointed that I didn't get a podcast out last week but life happens. I did get a lot of knitting done and got some stash enhancements.

Saturday, Manda, Monica, Angela, Shannon and I headed down to Sarasota, FL for the Florida Fiber In. It's a fun fiber event that has demos and vendors. We had a great time and I came home with some yummy fiber!

I bought this lovely Superwash Merino/Nylon roving from Rocket Yarn. She has LOVELY fibers and yarn. I saw her demo and got a chance to interview her. The interview should be up next week.
I already started spinning this up and let me tell you...it spins itself! I LOVE it!!
I also picked up this fiber from Long Dog Handspun. It's a Merino, Bamboo, and silk blend. I can't wait to try it as I have not spun any bamboo or silk yet.
Knitting:
I finished the Shawl for the September Shawl KAL. The pattern is the Traveling Woman Shawl and the yarn is Hazelknits. I still need to block it.
Been putting some work into Kenny's vest as well. I'm working on the ribbing in the body and it's a mindless easy knit which is a great stress releaver. :)
The pups are great and have been enjoying my company while I'm sick. Abby has been cuddly and Jackjack silly. :)

I'm off to get a good night sleep before going back to work tomorrow. Special K is flying up to help his mom move tomorrow night so I'll be sans husband for a couple days. I already miss him.

Have a great night! Happy Knitting, Spinning, and Dog loving!

New Logo!!

Barknknit has a new logo! You will eventually see this blog get redesigned with it but so far I just haven't had time! If you want to go check out the new logo and design go to http://www.barknknit.com! Let me know what you think! I've also created a Zazzle store you can purchase apparel with this new logo on it!



make custom gifts at Zazzle


Life has been good. We've been keeping busy with work and my dad's visit. He's leaving on Saturday and I'm going to miss him. He's been running around a bunch and keep himself and my step mom really busy! We've also been eating a lot of great food!

I've also been knitting a LOT! I'm almost done with my Traveling Woman Shawl...will have pictures soon! And I've been working on my hubby's vest. I also have been planning out my knitting. :) That means I've been placing sweaters into my queue to hopefully purchase yarn for and knit soon! Keep you posted on those!

Hope you are all doing well! Happy Knitting!!

Gnat

Crazy, busy life...here's some catch up.

So, we'll start with the pups. They are doing really well. As you can see here that Abigail will make herself comfortable where ever she wants. :)
and Jackjack...well this picture says it all. :)
If you haven't please go check out the Video Episode of the Barknknit podcast posted last week. You can find it here.

I'm doing really good but so busy!! I've stayed late a lot at work lately and my dad is in town with my step mom so we've been keeping really busy!! I have been getting a lot of knitting done but not much spinning.

I cast on a Shawl for the Barknknit listener group on Ravely's Sept Shawl KAL. The pattern I chose is the Traveling Woman by Liz Abinante and using HazelKnits Artisan Yarn in Purple.
I also made a pattern for a car faub holder for Kenny's Step-mom. Hers broke so it wouldn't stay on her keys so I knit her something to help her out.
and here is another pic. :)
Today I also recorded another episode of the podcast and include a review of Namaste's Snap Bags.
and their new clutch!
Let's just say I'm a huge fan of both. The Snapbags are great for projects and you can see everything in them so it's easy to find what you are looking for when I grab something from inside my purse! The clutch is very stylish and I got compliments of it when I took it out with me to a wedding last weekend.

Well...I hope you enjoyed this drive by post. :) I'm off to get ready for some friends to come over for some games. It was impromptu. It all depended on whether Michigan won or not. JK! :)

Have a great weekend!!

Dish Rag Tag package sent...and start of the Shawl KAL

So, the dish cloth was completed late last night, the ends were weaved in today with an earring...don't ask...and the package was mailed during lunch! What do you think?

I really enjoyed the simple pattern and liked the yarn color. Hope my team mate likes her package!

After finishing up that...I cast on the Traveling Woman shawl during a call today. It was an especially stressful call so it was nice to have my knitting to calm me down! This is my progress so far...I do have one more call tonight at 7:30, which I'm about to get on so better get back to finishing up some work stuff before my call. I hope to at least get a couple more rows done too.

My dad's flight was delayed so they are getting in a bit later tonight. I hope to see him tonight but have a feeling I won't see him until maybe Thursday. He's going to the Rays game tomorrow night. Oh well...glad he's here!!

Have a Happy Tuesday! Happy knitting!