musindigo

Feels like a lifetime ago since I last posted.

Summer has flown.  I’ve probably said that other years, too, but I haven’t checked.  Other years I was dyeing so much I hardly had time for anything else, much less a vacation.

This year that sort of schedule was out of the question.  So, knowing as much, in the spring, I decided to plan a vacation.  Planned vacation.  Foreign concept.

It was wonderful.

It wasn’t far from home, but it was on the lake.  We rented a cottage within a nice grove of trees and near enough to the lake to enjoy the breezes and, despite having WiFi access, basically forgot a lot of cares for a week.  I learned some new guitar pieces and worked on the fretboard, because, unlike at home, I had fewer interruptions.  And I did not feel guilty about playing guitar for hours on a lazy afternoon.  I can even play a few riffs of Pink Floyd now (this is quite a thing with the teenager).  Folks napped, in the evenings we puddled in the lake, and spent some of our time out for dinner with friends and in Coffee Culture enjoying the AC and, of course, the coffee.

It was a really good idea.

And since then (that was early July) it’s been sort of the usual whirlwind of activity around here, trying to stay on top of the schedule.  I’m well enough now I can think about getting back into dyeing more regularly (when it cools off - today we are blessed with a humidex somewhere near 40C which makes everything, including us, feel sort of like limp lettuce) and I’ve started a new venture with a friend.

Crazy, maybe.  But Anne and I have spent a lot of time over the last few years discussing various knitting projects, and also contemplated what to use for spinning yarns when we had a specific project in mind.  We came to the realization there really isn’t a lot around the ‘net about such things related to hand-spinning, and in respect, decided to launch a new online magazine, the Ennea Collective (we have a Ravelry group here.  We are very excited!  Very.  Our plan is to launch in October.

And (I can hear all the folks chuckling and rolling their eyes at me, because, well, y’all know how fickle I can be about fibre projects) I am learning to weave.

Yes.  I quite like it so far.  We inherited a LeClerc Fanny, older model, from a resource centre in Victoria.  It’s sat in a closet for nearly 6 years.  I decided it was time to shed some light on it and see if it needed parts (it didn’t, aside from a few new cords for the main roller at the top).  It didn’t have any shuttles so I had to order some of those, and some bobbins and hooks, but really, all told, it was ready to weave right out of the closet.

Above is my first project (now off the loom but not quite finished yet).  It’s a guitar strap.  I thought it was a good way to get a feel for things, and I am.  I decided, since I was warping  anyways, I could make two straps.  So I made one for myself and a second for the teenager and he actually likes it.  The yarn is typcial sock merino, bits of mis-dyed or leftover Oceanwind Knits Merino I found in the stash bins.  I also decided, you know, since I tend to be like that and not just satisfied to go the simplest route, I would like some stripes in the warp.  So it’s striped in indigo and gaia.

Next up:  yeah.  Because I don’t always like to go the simplest route, Noro Sekku.  Most folks who weave are probably slapping their knees right now because they are laughing so hard they might fall off their chairs, since they will know how Noro Sekku will make quite a fussy warp.  And I did, too.  But, I thought, oh heck.  It will be so nice.  And it is.  And it will be.  The warp and I have had a few conversations (not terribly friendly conversations) but we’re getting along better, now.  If I ever use it again as a warp I am going to warp from back to front, and wind it immediately on the the beam before it has time to lie around marrying itself while waiting for the reed and heddles to be threaded.  I swear it waited until I was out of the room and said ‘ok, she’s gone, tangle time!’  Live and learn.  It’s how I get through the day.  ;)  Luckily I had a second set of hands (thanks hubby!) who could wind the beam while I stretched the warp as long and as straight as possible.  Otherwise it just coiled in front of the reed.  Oy.

Pretty, tho, eh?

It’s all plain weave.  I contemplated doing a herringbone sort of thing but with a warp which had a mind of it’s own like that, I decided to just use the KISS principle (you know, since the loom was now threaded and beamed, not KISS principle for the actual choice of warp yarn ;)).

Here’s a shot of the loom itself:

One more thing from this summer:

New shawl pattern!  Isle.  Available on Oceanwind Knits or as a Ravelry Download, knit with one skein of Asherah Laceweight (merino/alpaca).  The pattern includes instructions for a beaded version as well as a traditional version.

And there you are.  Summer synopsis.  And, as usual, I hope to be back more regularly.  This year, the little dude will be in Grade 1 and in school every day.  *thud*

Whatever will I do with myself?  Hm.

Tags: boys, finished, knit design, life, loom, oceanwind knits, projects, ravelry, weaving, work in progress, yarn

I invested in a new camera.

The one I was using did the job but it’s five years old and a little shaky and flaky at times.

So, as luck would have it (but these days, it’s not terribly hard to find some suitable deal, I find), a company I like to deal with had a deal on the camera brand I like (Fujifilm) when I started looking for a new one.  I’ve had it for a little while and really appreciate some of the features like the anti-shake and fairly decent video capabilities, as well as its ability to to function in lower light situations than my old camera which did its best work in natural light.

I first bought my previous digital to capture still life shots, mostly of florals, and because we were expecting the little guy.  I used to do watercolours back then, and coloured pencil work, but I haven’t really done any at all since the birth of Sam.  However, he is going to be in school full time this fall so I’m hoping I can put my typical knitting startitis aside every once in a while and maybe sit still long enough to produce a few watercolours or other paintings now and again.  Having the new camera  has also woken up a little spark in me sort of aiming in such a direction as well.

So while I haven’t taken gardening shots, really, for years (it’s hard to think about photography when you have your eyeballs thinking about different colourways of hand-dyed yarn every waking minute), today and recently I’ve captured a few shots from the garden which some day might become some sort of floral still-life paintings.

But even if they don’t, I’m sure I will quite enjoy the photos on their own.  I haven’t really done photography seriously since university when my old Pentax ME was still working.  I like how the shots come out nicely clear and detailed and I really like the brilliant colour.

And, I’m pretty impressed with my garden this year, and what I’ve managed, considering I’m not always feeling like gardening but it really has come together nicely enough.   Sometimes I think gardening is more about have time to really think about it than anything.  And with this year being a little on the tough side at times, the little crisp spots of colour go a long way.

I’m happy to report some knitting has made it off the needles.

A little lacey shoulder shawl I’m pleased to have knitted out of one skein of the Asherah alpaca-merino lace.  I’m working on a beaded version and a pattern will be available soon.

Back to gardening…

The roses are nearly finished.  They took a beating the other day when we had downpours, but a few are still showing off nice punchy colour:

I didn’t count the blossoms but I’m betting on around a hundred or so.

And, the Silver Lace is going absolutely nuts this year:

I know vines are not everyone’s cup of tea but I really appreciate the extra shade this one allows.

And, my prized white hydrangea.  A few weeks back, it looked like this:

Today it looks like this, slightly mangled.  Yesterday it was sprawled all over the steps to the right due to heavy rain.  :(  It’s now held in place by a little netting at the bottom and I hope it’s enough to help it stay upright.

Unfortunately, there were a few broken stems.  Several blossoms have come into the house with me where I can enjoy them.

This one resides in a anniversary glass gifted in honour of my parents’ silver anniversary.  I thought it was a pretty combination.

And, no, it’s not my anniversary (that was last month).  But, it’s June.  It’s bound to be someone’s anniversary.  Happy Anniversary.

Tags: finished, gallery, knitting, lace, life, patterns

Finally completed the shop update (a little later than sooner).  As usual (typically, with boys in the house) there have been a few unpredicted events around here;  the most notable being the teenager developing an inclusion cyst on the side of his face which had to be attended to.  Thankfully, he is on the mend and it probably will not require surgery at this point in time.

I’ve also been trying to pretty up the gardens outside while the weather co-operates but we are still under frost warning for tonight.  Hopefully the trend will soon give way to more springy temps which stick around.  It’s been a roller-coaster ride lately.

A few new introductions:

A fingerless glove pattern - “Whither Mitts” and its companion yarn, “BFL Sport“:

As well, a few new things in spinning:   Learn-to-spin-kits, Exotic Drop-Spindles and Fancy Batts.

Last but not least - sign ups for the Oceanwind Knits Fibre Club ‘09 are open!  See all the details here.  6 options available.  Shipments begin in July.

All of the newbies can be browsed in the ‘new’ section of the shop.

I’ve only got one skein remaining of the new ‘Seabreez‘ - the lace vultures lovers gobbled it up at the Frolic.  There will be more as soon as I can get my hands on some new base yarn stock.

I’ve also managed some non-work knitting which I am keen to share - hopefully next time around.  And, spinning, too.

Happy Spring!

Tags: boys, dyeing, finished, life, oceanwind knits, patterns, spinning, yarn

Feels like I’ve been on another planet for the last week or so (the Frolic seems to have that effect on me, never mind acquiring a bit of a cold afterwards). However, here we have two new ladies, now available:

Ms. Lutea

and,

Ms. Tilia

(click title links to be taken to more info about either pattern).

Watch for more new goodies as the week progresses.

Happy Spring!

Tags: finished, knit design, knitting, lace, oceanwind knits, patterns, projects

Are these not just the cutest?

They are like little pets.  Colorful bits of hand-dyed, hand-carded mulberry silk, in several colourful flavours.  :)  I would like to keep them all for my personal little pet collection but I will be carding them with some hand-dyed alpaca and merino and bringing them to the Frolic next weekend.  Time is flying.  It will be here fast!

Now that the weather is finally getting nice - yesterday was the first day since last fall I felt was balmy enough to hang freshly dyed out to dry.   And the warmer weather is adding a bit of energy that’s been lacking around here - all the long snowy days kind of get to you after a while.  Now it’s spring!  I’m hoping officially here since I have mosquitoes instead of snowflakes dancing around the front porch (yes, this is Ontario - from snowflakes to black flies in less than a week).

Today I saw a butterfly which I also feel bodes well.

I can see my dad putting his snow-blower away for the winter across the road… I think that’s a good sign, too.

I am really looking forward to the Frolic.  Many new vendors this year, too, although I don’t really get to shop (which is probably not a bad thing for my pocketbook since the takings are usually phenomenal).

The last several months have been spent putting things together.  I’ve got several new designs and lots of spinning goodies this year.

I thought I would share a few tastes of the new lotus shawl (still not officially named… it will come to me sometime soon in the middle of the nigh, I’m sure).

I will have kits for this at the Frolic in hand-dyed laceweight merino in lots of spring colourways.

So, I’d better get back to knitting, dyeing and carding… still lots to do!

I may, a little later, park on the front porch with the laptop for a change of scene… always a sure sign of spring around here.  :)

Tags: dyeing, finished, knit design, knitting, lace, oceanwind knits, patterns, projects, roving, spinning, yarn

So it’s nearly the end of March.

Yup, occurs to me today.

I guess time flies when you’re busy. I should know that by now!

OK. So, since last time, I’ve (obviously) been rebuilding websites but, what else? When I try to analyze, it’s all a blur so it’s hard to say, specifically.

We’ve had our share of bugs (again - I think working from home has lowered our resistance to some bugs now that Sam is in JK - poor Sammy had pneumonia + ear infection a little while back).

Boys finished hockey last weekend. It wasn’t a stellar year for Ben’s Bantam team but I guess every year is different.

But I do know there was a usual flurry of dyeing and designing and knitting and spinning.

This is the first skein off the Ladybug, hand-dyed merino, 2-ply, about fingering weight.

It’s fairly even but there are a few spots where it’s a little oddly plied since I am still getting used to the wheel.  But, getting used to it is fun.  :)

This is the first (still unfinished) skein of 50/30/20 alpaca/mohair/wool from Wellington Fibres, spun on the Victoria.  It comes pin-drafted so it practically spins itself!  It’s awesome.  I love it.  188 yds/70g, light fingering.  I have a lot of it.  I am pretty sure I will have enough for a large lace project once it’s all spun up.

Then there is this stuff (which is as amazing as it looks, believe me)- Australian Merino, intense deep colours, soft and smooth.  Just perfect (really).  It’s from Spiraldyed by Jacinta Leishman.

It doesn’t really show up well in this photo, but spun up, it’s just gorgeous.  I have one skein plied, 320 yds/96gs.  I’m hoping to knit a rectangular wrap of some sort from it.

So, how are all those sweaters coming, you ask?  Believe it or not, I have buttons in hand for the Tangled.  I do not know what the hold-up is, other than I like to be in a certain mood (calm is always good!) to place and sew on buttons and I haven’t felt that lately.  But, one of these days, there will be buttons.

I’ve finished the body of Wisteria and am working on the sleeves.

And, I’ve managed to sneak in a Noro sweater (in soothing stockinette) which is nearly off the needles.  With any luck it won’t take me too long to finish off the bands and sew on buttons.  ;)

I am working on a few new designs, too:

This one, above, is nearly off the needles already.  I may actually get it published before my deadline (which is the DKC Frolic in Toronto, the last week of April).  In any event, I hope to have them both debuting at the Frolic with kits available, along with a few other goodies.

Hopefully I will have at least one shop update before then, too.

Hope everyone is well.  Happy spring!

Tags: dyeing, finished, knit design, knitting, lace, oceanwind knits, patterns, projects, roving, spinning, sweater, wool, work in progress, yarn

A new design.  :)

This one was my baby for what seems like forever.  I kind of fitzed around with it in my head and otherwise (noodling around through stitch pattern books, thinking about what I wanted to represent, wanting to grab some of that Van Goghesque feel of the yarn colour-way, doing up arm-lengths of swatches… finally deciding on three lace patterns out of a zillion, making them all work together and adjusting repeat widths/lengths, charting, determining how many and how often and calculating yardage… I felt like I was sleeping with this shawl design for a good chunk of a year).  At the same time, I was really in love with it.

When it was all said and done, I needed a drink lol.  I was left wondering for a while if it was really off the needles and blocked and folded neatly in a special spot on my work-shelf.

It was a lot of fun to photograph (even some curious onlookers from the neighbourhood came driving slowly along peering at me out there in the park).  I got some early long wished-for snow (which is still around, under many further layers of later snow… did I wish too hard?) and found a fab crabapple tree to complement the blues of the yarn.  It was semi-overcast and a little breezy but not too much of either and if I was careful I was able to avoid photo-ing my footprints.  (Some photos taken indoors, too).

Anyhow, without further long-windedness -

Here is the Longest Night Shawl, AKA the ‘Solstice Shawl’ between Anne, and I.  (I’m sure she must have gotten tired of hearing about it.  ;))

Further photos available here (my Rav project page) and on the pattern page at Ravelry.  Download from my Rav shop or in the Oceanwind Knits Shop.

Tags: knit design, knitting, patterns, snow, winter