Horbert here...
The Creator has been inspired by the generosity of fellow yarn shop owners and knitters. You see, him and Frank are coordinating the Men's Rocky Mountain Knitting Retreat. The weekend, I tagged along with him and Frank to Estes Park and Boulder to put up some flyers and talk to a few LYS. The Creator didn't expect to encounter a great group of local yarn shops there in Estes. Again, I wasn't very smart and didn't take photos of these encounters. I was way too into the fiber to remember to do such things.
In an interesting turn of events, one local yarn shop has donated a scholarship for one lucky fellow to attend. On top of this, she will be opening the shop for a small event with the guys (I didn't hear all the details because I found some Collinette yarn in a super fun color.) This is another scholarship on top of the already generous one we received from Skacel. Karin is a great supporter of the Men's Knitting Retreats. While we chatting and I was ogling the fantastic fiber (Did you know there are rooms on rooms on rooms at this place. All of it full of fiber!) While there, The Creator and Frank were introduced to a lovely woman from Interweave Press. I think she is an editor of some type and I didn't catch her name. Just just moved here. I tried looking up her name, but then, I couldn't find it on the Web site. I know. I should have been more attentive in my note taking. I am sure either Frank or The Creator will know who this lady is.
After meeting her, Susan, from the Stitchin' Den, marched us down to Neota Designs. It is another lovely shop of hand dyed yarn in some fascinating colors. The Creator bought a skein. If he would have asked me, I would have told him to buy two. He should know better. He is going to have to call and get another skein of it for 'NSYNC Gurl to love.
Frank and The Creator went back to the Stitchin' Den and they purchased yarn and patterns. The Creator has some stuff in mind. Susan gave him the last Knitting Traditions she had in her bag.
I think The Creator is still amazed by the generosity.
They stopped by Gypsy Wool and Shuttles Spindles and Skeins. Purchases and flyers were hung and I was pooped.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Blackmail and Dying
Horbert here.
Let me clear things up about this getting drunk while dying. Yes, I had little glass of wine. Just one wee-little glass. I have a photo of this and I will share it with you. Don't let Manny tell you I was sloshed. I never slurred. I just had one little glass. I was never over the legal yarn dying limit. It was still one little glass and I wouldn't have been stopped for overdying because I wasn't dying. So there. I was having fun. See here I am with my glass of wine and the dye:
Anyway, let me get on to the dying portion of the program. I'll deal with that Manny Quinn fellow later. He may find himself in a crazy tank top that I may borrow from his previous owner. Hmm... I have blackmail of my own!
So, dying is like the manicure for yarn. First, we put the fiber roving in water. It needs to soak and hydrate.This is some Wensleydale fiber The Creator picked up at the Fancy Tiger. I don't have a photo of the finished product yet. I will have it in a few. I have spun one piece of fiber. It is pretty. The Creator is a bit bummed that it turned darker than he wanted it but he still loves it.
Now, The Creator had three balls of this Shetland yarn that he purchased from World of Wool in the UK. The balls are just ripe for dying.
I got to play on this big yarn Ferris wheel:
I had to be tied down or I was going to fall off. The Creator skeined the yarn into a 3 foot skein. Ms. Skeindalous had all this cool stuff for everyone to play with and I got to go for a ride. Yes, it was before wine. I wouldn't want to puke all over the yarn. That isn't done as I take my skeining very very seriously. Two balls of the Shetland were skeined up for dying.
So, we had to let the fiber soak. So, I had some wine. I was a bit fun-woozy and forgot to take some photos of the next steps. I'd like to think I was high on fiber and chocolate as we had this scrumptious salted nut chocolate stuff to go with our wine. See, I ate something while drinking and all is good.
I remember The Creator mixing dyes like a mad scientist. He made some wicked purple and some true blue and some funky green. He seems to like those colors. He used all the dye with the three colors and then put it in the microwave, wrapped it all up and nuked it in the microwave. It smelled like vinegar. It may have been the wine I was smelling tho.
The other ball of Shetland yarn, he left in the ball as seen above.The Creator took straight food coloring and filled a syringe with food-coloring dye and just injected that in to the ball. He put it in a pot and put it on the stove to steep and mix and see what happens.
It turned all green with bits and bobs of color throughout. I wouldn't have throught green would have been the main color. Here's the skeined results of that.
Here is the blue/green/purple Shetland being rinsed:
And then here it is on Manny:
And then here is it skeined:
He also had some Alpaca Silk that he started with:
It turned out a minty green color that didn't even flatter the camera very well. Frankly, it looked like pistachio explosion. Something we don't like. See, Ugly:
Oh...here is a uglier minty green picture with Manny:
The Creator didn't like it. So he added some blue and teal to the mix and over-dyed it. He likes it much better and has started a scarf with that.
He has two more KnitPicks bare dyed for a hat. I don't have a pick of that. The Creator also overdyed Jean's Hot Mess color into something a bit more like Jean's Classy Mix. She liked it anyway.
And I like my wine. That is what I have to say and I'm sticking to that.
Let me clear things up about this getting drunk while dying. Yes, I had little glass of wine. Just one wee-little glass. I have a photo of this and I will share it with you. Don't let Manny tell you I was sloshed. I never slurred. I just had one little glass. I was never over the legal yarn dying limit. It was still one little glass and I wouldn't have been stopped for overdying because I wasn't dying. So there. I was having fun. See here I am with my glass of wine and the dye:
Anyway, let me get on to the dying portion of the program. I'll deal with that Manny Quinn fellow later. He may find himself in a crazy tank top that I may borrow from his previous owner. Hmm... I have blackmail of my own!
So, dying is like the manicure for yarn. First, we put the fiber roving in water. It needs to soak and hydrate.This is some Wensleydale fiber The Creator picked up at the Fancy Tiger. I don't have a photo of the finished product yet. I will have it in a few. I have spun one piece of fiber. It is pretty. The Creator is a bit bummed that it turned darker than he wanted it but he still loves it.
Now, The Creator had three balls of this Shetland yarn that he purchased from World of Wool in the UK. The balls are just ripe for dying.
I got to play on this big yarn Ferris wheel:
I had to be tied down or I was going to fall off. The Creator skeined the yarn into a 3 foot skein. Ms. Skeindalous had all this cool stuff for everyone to play with and I got to go for a ride. Yes, it was before wine. I wouldn't want to puke all over the yarn. That isn't done as I take my skeining very very seriously. Two balls of the Shetland were skeined up for dying.
So, we had to let the fiber soak. So, I had some wine. I was a bit fun-woozy and forgot to take some photos of the next steps. I'd like to think I was high on fiber and chocolate as we had this scrumptious salted nut chocolate stuff to go with our wine. See, I ate something while drinking and all is good.
I remember The Creator mixing dyes like a mad scientist. He made some wicked purple and some true blue and some funky green. He seems to like those colors. He used all the dye with the three colors and then put it in the microwave, wrapped it all up and nuked it in the microwave. It smelled like vinegar. It may have been the wine I was smelling tho.
The other ball of Shetland yarn, he left in the ball as seen above.The Creator took straight food coloring and filled a syringe with food-coloring dye and just injected that in to the ball. He put it in a pot and put it on the stove to steep and mix and see what happens.
It turned all green with bits and bobs of color throughout. I wouldn't have throught green would have been the main color. Here's the skeined results of that.
Here is the blue/green/purple Shetland being rinsed:
And then here it is on Manny:
And then here is it skeined:
He also had some Alpaca Silk that he started with:
It turned out a minty green color that didn't even flatter the camera very well. Frankly, it looked like pistachio explosion. Something we don't like. See, Ugly:
Oh...here is a uglier minty green picture with Manny:
The Creator didn't like it. So he added some blue and teal to the mix and over-dyed it. He likes it much better and has started a scarf with that.
He has two more KnitPicks bare dyed for a hat. I don't have a pick of that. The Creator also overdyed Jean's Hot Mess color into something a bit more like Jean's Classy Mix. She liked it anyway.
And I like my wine. That is what I have to say and I'm sticking to that.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Assignments and Blackmail
I must get Horbert in gear so that he may post about dying. He had such a great time with the girls. Of course, they did get him a bit tipsy. There is a photo of him a bit tipsy somewhere. Hmmm, I must find that for blackmail purposes.
The Creator has started yet another project. After a failed attempt at making a cabled scarf pattern, he started the Hilingar scarf. Here is the Ravelry Link. There are several things he is learning with this scarf. A provincial cast on and lace. The Creator has ripped this thing out twice before finally having a go at it. I tell you, if I had arms, it would be perfect and I wouldn't have had to rip it out. I couldn't take a photo of it as he left it in the living room. But one day, it will be in my room! (I must also see about him cleaning this place up. He left it like a 13 year old leaves a bedroom.)
His other projects are just languishing. Those socks he started, sit in the bag. The sweater vest he is so close to finishing, remains on the coffee table. He could have had that completed by now if he would have not started this silly lace scarf project. What is he thinking? I will say, I do like the yarn The Creator started this scarf with.
Oh, and The Creator and the Yarn Girls went to a fiber place over the weekend. I sent Horbert, but I think he had issues with the Mexican food. The Creator didn't. I need to talk to Horbert about his reporting styles and get him posting things. This is why The Creator rescued him from that lonely little sugar bowl. This may be a good use of blackmail. I should also have a talk with The Creator about this as well. I can't do it all. And now that 'NSync girl has found the internet, all she can do is watch YouTube videos. I don't know how many times I can listen to that silly song. Let it go sweetie, that was the early 1990s.
The Creator has started yet another project. After a failed attempt at making a cabled scarf pattern, he started the Hilingar scarf. Here is the Ravelry Link. There are several things he is learning with this scarf. A provincial cast on and lace. The Creator has ripped this thing out twice before finally having a go at it. I tell you, if I had arms, it would be perfect and I wouldn't have had to rip it out. I couldn't take a photo of it as he left it in the living room. But one day, it will be in my room! (I must also see about him cleaning this place up. He left it like a 13 year old leaves a bedroom.)
His other projects are just languishing. Those socks he started, sit in the bag. The sweater vest he is so close to finishing, remains on the coffee table. He could have had that completed by now if he would have not started this silly lace scarf project. What is he thinking? I will say, I do like the yarn The Creator started this scarf with.
Oh, and The Creator and the Yarn Girls went to a fiber place over the weekend. I sent Horbert, but I think he had issues with the Mexican food. The Creator didn't. I need to talk to Horbert about his reporting styles and get him posting things. This is why The Creator rescued him from that lonely little sugar bowl. This may be a good use of blackmail. I should also have a talk with The Creator about this as well. I can't do it all. And now that 'NSync girl has found the internet, all she can do is watch YouTube videos. I don't know how many times I can listen to that silly song. Let it go sweetie, that was the early 1990s.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Works from around the room
I have been spying on what the creator is working on.
There is this blanket. It looks like it is half done. The Creator works on this every Saturday morning.
He is also working on this vest. He has another 2 inches before he splits the back from the front and adds a stripe.
He is also working on a cardi for his Grams. This is pink. He started it a few weeks ago. He zipping right along with it. I should find pattern details. They are in a book somewhere in my messy room. I should have 'Nsync girl clean this up.
Last, there are a pair of socks. They are coming along. I don't think he is happy with them. They may be a wee too small. But then, it will be good. He can always gift them to someone. Here is a photo. Check out that texture. He knits these with the girls. I don't think I like them. I can't model them. I may have to find a leg model to stand in and model these for me.
And that is what is on The Creator's needles.
There is this blanket. It looks like it is half done. The Creator works on this every Saturday morning.
He is also working on this vest. He has another 2 inches before he splits the back from the front and adds a stripe.
He is also working on a cardi for his Grams. This is pink. He started it a few weeks ago. He zipping right along with it. I should find pattern details. They are in a book somewhere in my messy room. I should have 'Nsync girl clean this up.
Last, there are a pair of socks. They are coming along. I don't think he is happy with them. They may be a wee too small. But then, it will be good. He can always gift them to someone. Here is a photo. Check out that texture. He knits these with the girls. I don't think I like them. I can't model them. I may have to find a leg model to stand in and model these for me.
And that is what is on The Creator's needles.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
BFL Handspun Scarf
The Creator has finished the Blue Faced Leicester Handspun Scarf. He initially made the scarf for himself, however, the boss lady decided that she would purchase it for an undisclosed amount. He bought more fiber with the cash.
The fiber is from Dicentra Designs. The color ways is Sailor's Jade. It's a lovely shade of blue, green, teal, and black. The colorway mash of lovely jewel tones. The fiber started out like this:
It was spun into two lovely hanks of this beautiful single-ply yarn.The jewel tones after spinning came out in very distinct colors that blended very nicely together.
The Creator had his eye on this pattern for quite sometime. It is the One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka the Yarn Harlot. I can see why she developed the pattern for hand spun yarn. It works beautiful with the yarn and allows interest of the yarn and the pattern to marry.
He casted on in January and finished it last week.
I really wanted this to hang around my for more than 2 seconds it took this picture.
Here is a bit more of the stitch definition:
The fiber is from Dicentra Designs. The color ways is Sailor's Jade. It's a lovely shade of blue, green, teal, and black. The colorway mash of lovely jewel tones. The fiber started out like this:
It was spun into two lovely hanks of this beautiful single-ply yarn.The jewel tones after spinning came out in very distinct colors that blended very nicely together.
The Creator had his eye on this pattern for quite sometime. It is the One Row Handspun Scarf by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee aka the Yarn Harlot. I can see why she developed the pattern for hand spun yarn. It works beautiful with the yarn and allows interest of the yarn and the pattern to marry.
He casted on in January and finished it last week.
I really wanted this to hang around my for more than 2 seconds it took this picture.
Here is a bit more of the stitch definition:
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Shuffle
It seems that 'NSync girl can't be the roving correspondent I want her to be. She went to knit night the other night and left all the details out in the post she wrote. Seriously, I'm pretty sure there was good stuff that was said but she only caught a few things and I don't think the conversation about a shaggy man dying with mink was properly convey to me. So, I have found someone new. Don't worry, I haven't turfed 'NSync gurl out, instead she will be my Vanna of Yarn. I am quite sure she can pull herself together and stop thinking about her boys for more than three minutes to help model yarn.
So, meet Horbert.
The Creator found him in a lonely little sugar bowl. He needed work. So, here is Horbert. He is standing by the socks The Creator is in the middle of knitting. He was at boy's knitting with DM, Frank, and Gene. From what Horbart said the boys talked about registration on the Men's Rocky Mountain Knitting retreat in July. They are thinking about opening it up around the first of the month. I hope I get to go and be in on all the action up there. I have read The Creator's e-mails. BTW... he needs a SPAM filter. I don't think he needs an Orchard Bank credit card, a Jazzed Dating Profile, or something to melt fat away...
Anyway, that is the news, I do have to tell you about the scarf he has finished. I had it wrapped around my neck for a few moments... I want one made for me!
So, meet Horbert.
The Creator found him in a lonely little sugar bowl. He needed work. So, here is Horbert. He is standing by the socks The Creator is in the middle of knitting. He was at boy's knitting with DM, Frank, and Gene. From what Horbart said the boys talked about registration on the Men's Rocky Mountain Knitting retreat in July. They are thinking about opening it up around the first of the month. I hope I get to go and be in on all the action up there. I have read The Creator's e-mails. BTW... he needs a SPAM filter. I don't think he needs an Orchard Bank credit card, a Jazzed Dating Profile, or something to melt fat away...
Anyway, that is the news, I do have to tell you about the scarf he has finished. I had it wrapped around my neck for a few moments... I want one made for me!
Friday, February 4, 2011
New Things in Da'House!
Hallloooo!!!
N'Sync Gurl is here!!! Manny has been a bit under the weather. Well, I should say he is under an extra-fine Merino sweater The Creator has placed over the top of him to dry. I know! Very mean of The Creator to cover our poor Manny up with a drying sweater. He has enough problems lording over this room. Oh, and shhh... I'm going out for cocktails with the girls, so I must get this field report out of the way. Squeeeee! I can't wait! It's going to be soooo fun. We are going to party like it is 1990. I so loved those days. Oh, let me get on with this report.
Now, let me show you what came in the mail today! I have to tell you a about wet my pant when I saw all these great books laying there. I just had to spread myself across them and revel in the nerdy goodness that The Creator just may be. I know, I know; but, I like NERDY Guys. Just look:
Now don't I look fabalous on top of these books. I think I look quite smart.
He purchased five books from an on-line bookstore. He had a gift card from Christmas. So, really two of these books are Christmas presents. YAY, I love Christmas presents.
Oh... shiny! The Creator ordered some yarn from fabric.com. He had a 30% off coupon and the yarn was also 30% off. It was on clearance.
This is some Rowan Summer Tweed in a green color. I don't care for the color myself, but then The Creator has some chic ideas for him to make something nice. It has silk in it you know. I'm trying to nestle myself down in this yarn because I think it may be a nice and warm. And we have and some cold days here. OMG, Betty, just the other day, I was thinking I could freeze and break. My plastic doesn't like the cold. And then I couldn't do all the partying I do. I would become old and bitter.
Hold, please, I need a glass of wine. My wheels will be here any moment and I need to prime before we have our little cocktail party! BooYA! All those girls drink way more than me. I need to catch up.
Ok... I have a nice glass of blush. Now, we move on to the this FINE yarn that came in with that Summer Tweed stuff. It is ITALIAN! Now, it is just as soft and luscious.
Here is me in my best Price is Right showing off rendition. I really need a set for me to make this happen just like those lovely ladies do on the Prices is Right. I guess I will have to build one.
I don't know why he bought this green color. It is so boyish. It is like the other green yarn he bought. He must be on a green kick.
Now, I really think this stuff is the bomb. I really wanted to rip off all my clothing and roll around in this yarn. Here is me sitting on it instead. I really love the light blue. I could see a nice sweater for me. But, it will make me look old. And I have a reputation to uphold.I still want to party like it is 1990!
Oh my there is a horn honking. Oh, yeah, my wheels are here to take me out with the rest of the girls. I need to spritz a bit of that sparkly glitter stuff on and get my cutie patootie out the door. BooYA!
I'm sure Manny will have more to say once he reads this...
Keep it real, peeps!
N'Sync Gurl is here!!! Manny has been a bit under the weather. Well, I should say he is under an extra-fine Merino sweater The Creator has placed over the top of him to dry. I know! Very mean of The Creator to cover our poor Manny up with a drying sweater. He has enough problems lording over this room. Oh, and shhh... I'm going out for cocktails with the girls, so I must get this field report out of the way. Squeeeee! I can't wait! It's going to be soooo fun. We are going to party like it is 1990. I so loved those days. Oh, let me get on with this report.
Now, let me show you what came in the mail today! I have to tell you a about wet my pant when I saw all these great books laying there. I just had to spread myself across them and revel in the nerdy goodness that The Creator just may be. I know, I know; but, I like NERDY Guys. Just look:
Now don't I look fabalous on top of these books. I think I look quite smart.
He purchased five books from an on-line bookstore. He had a gift card from Christmas. So, really two of these books are Christmas presents. YAY, I love Christmas presents.
Oh... shiny! The Creator ordered some yarn from fabric.com. He had a 30% off coupon and the yarn was also 30% off. It was on clearance.
This is some Rowan Summer Tweed in a green color. I don't care for the color myself, but then The Creator has some chic ideas for him to make something nice. It has silk in it you know. I'm trying to nestle myself down in this yarn because I think it may be a nice and warm. And we have and some cold days here. OMG, Betty, just the other day, I was thinking I could freeze and break. My plastic doesn't like the cold. And then I couldn't do all the partying I do. I would become old and bitter.
Hold, please, I need a glass of wine. My wheels will be here any moment and I need to prime before we have our little cocktail party! BooYA! All those girls drink way more than me. I need to catch up.
Ok... I have a nice glass of blush. Now, we move on to the this FINE yarn that came in with that Summer Tweed stuff. It is ITALIAN! Now, it is just as soft and luscious.
Here is me in my best Price is Right showing off rendition. I really need a set for me to make this happen just like those lovely ladies do on the Prices is Right. I guess I will have to build one.
I don't know why he bought this green color. It is so boyish. It is like the other green yarn he bought. He must be on a green kick.
Now, I really think this stuff is the bomb. I really wanted to rip off all my clothing and roll around in this yarn. Here is me sitting on it instead. I really love the light blue. I could see a nice sweater for me. But, it will make me look old. And I have a reputation to uphold.I still want to party like it is 1990!
Oh my there is a horn honking. Oh, yeah, my wheels are here to take me out with the rest of the girls. I need to spritz a bit of that sparkly glitter stuff on and get my cutie patootie out the door. BooYA!
I'm sure Manny will have more to say once he reads this...
Keep it real, peeps!
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