Some Fiber

Sunday at Lambtown, I picked up a few different fibers to keep my beginning spinning going.  I'm pretty new at the spindle, but am really enjoying it, as well as all of the lovely fiber out there.  Here is one of the dyed roving wools I picked up.  This distracted me in the booth from buying the tempting $20 fleece that I would have been in way over my head with.  It is 100% Merino & hand dyed.  As with all of the small skeins I've spun by hand, I don't have any patterns in mind.  For now it is just amazing that I made yarn.  If you have any ideas for small bits (like 100 yards) of hand spun, please let me know!!

I did it! Lambtown

Horray, horray!  I finished in time!

Friday, I was knitting furiously while watching This, and this. Both Fantastic films.  Around 11 o'clock with less than 20 rounds, I realize that I don't own the 16" size 6 circular needles needed to decrease up to the neck!  Oh NO!  I went to bed, woke up and drank coffee while weaving in ends and watching The Andy Griffith Show until the yarn shop opened at 10.  Sadly they did not have my side.  WHAT!?  They really didn't have any sizes.  Pressing my luck, I headed over to the chain craft store with little hope that they would have what I needed.  They did!  I rushed home, finished knitting & blocked that baby, then let it rest on the craft room floor under the fan on high all night so it would be dry enough to wear.  Sunday morning was like waking up on Christmas!  I ran in to see if it was dry and it was.  I had actually pulled it off!  The sweater fit perfectly too and felt sooo soft!

Lambtown was really cool.  There weren't very many sheep though, in fact, these were the only two I saw.  I think Saturday was the big event day, Sheep dog trials, Beatles tribute band, etc.  But Sunday had fun stuff too.  World record knitting attempt (failed and very hot), lawnmower races, and best spinner competition!  There were also quite a few vendors who brought fleeces and fiber to sell from a variety of animals.  Very cool and I cannot wait for next year!

World Record attempt.  We were about 1040 knitters short, but I do think it was the most sweaty knitters knitting in the same place at the same time!

And at last, there was this guy.  There was a raffle to win that fantastic rainbow fleece. 

Best Shop Ever & Seam Allowance

A few weeks ago, Greg and I took a day trip up to Berkeley.  We had plans to meet up with friends for dinner and the Wilco show later in the day, but we decided to head up early and hit a few other spots. My destination of choice? A Verb for Keeping Warm. I had no idea about this shop until recently and had to check it out.   Man, that place is glorious! Yarn, fiber, and fabric.  Holy crap!  That's a dreamland!!

I got some yarn to knit a birthday bandana,

And some fiber for spinning,

And then when the VW didn't start, I went next door, had a Molly Ringwald cupcake, bought more yarn, and waited for the tow truck.  Well, when the driver arrived, Eureka!  The car starts.  I guess I was supposed to linger at the shop a littler longer.  Boo whoo!

The next day, inspired by the shop and show, I lurked around on the Verb website and stumbled across their Seam Allowance group.  A club that members pledge to make (at least) 25% of their wardrobe.  Spin, weave, sew, or knit!  Cool, right?  Then it hit me, I should join!  DUH.  I'm not in the bay area, so i'll be a member at heart, but it made perfect sense to me.  I LOVE making things.  I HATE shopping for clothes. 

So, along with starting the Imogen tee, I gathered a few patterns and fabric and decided to make some clothes.  I'll show you tomorrow!