spinning wheel

Well, here it is, my latest acquisition. It is an Ashford traditional wheel, bought used. A late birthday/early Christmas present to myself--but hopefully one that will yield some gifts for other people one of these days! Of course, I don't really know much about what I'm doing--right now I'm working with some merino/bamboo combed top that I purchased at my LYS, the Yarn Barn, and it's certainly trickier to spin than the wool that I prepared myself last spring. Still, I'm so happy to have a wheel of my own and am looking forward to seeing what I can do with it!

In progress

...the half-pi shawl, which I am considering ripping out, as I'm not sure it suits the yarn:and the serendipitous sweater from Hollywood Knits:
Doesn't this color bring out the green of Clementine's eyes?

I really haven't been knitting very much this fall, despite the fact that I've got plenty of free time. I did make a purchase at the yarn store near me with a birthday present gift certificate. Other than the 3 skeins that I got at Rhinebeck, this makes the only yarn that I've bought since last April, I think--and that was just one skein to make the baby bolero for Eloise. Along with 3 skeins of yarn, I got some merino/bamboo roving for the spinning wheel of my future (possibly near future!)

FO: very slouchy hat

yarn: a gift from my friend Jenny from the Estes Park wool festival
needles: 8
pattern: loosely based on slouchy hat from presents knits (http://presentsknits.blogspot.com/2007/11/slouchy.html)
modifications: I didn't get gauge so I had to change all sorts of things, but I also did 4 or 5 extra rows of increases to make this puffier than the original.
Began & finished: September, 2009

Rhinebeck sheep and wool festival

Yesterday I dragged my sister to the festival in Rhinebeck, about a 2 hour drive from here. I thought I might buy a spinning wheel there, or a fleece or at least some roving, but I didn't. We spent about 3 hours looking at yarn, petting sheep and alpacas, and eating junk food. I came home with only one small yarn purchase--3 skeins of a lovely, undyed handspun yarn of silvery-brown merino. Hopefully it's enough to make a shawl!

fo: lemony snicket socks

Pattern: Lemony Snicket Socks by Sabine on Magknits
Yarn: Koigu KPM Premium Merino Wool, 175 yds, 2 skeins (with a little left over)
Needles: 3
Gauge: 28 stitches/4 inches
Began: March 18, 2009
Finished: September 4, 2009
Modifications: Because I didn't get gauge, I made a size medium even though I definitely have large feet. I didn't modify the pattern until the toe decreases. I got tired of working the decrease every 4th row and switched to every row after I had done 4 decrease rounds instead of after 7 (it also was looking like the socks were going to be too long.) I stopped when I had 10 stitches remaining and grafted them together, too.
It's pathetic how long it took me to finish these! The first one was done in April but the second sock dragged on. The pattern was kind of annoying to knit; I detested the rows where I had to cross the purl and knit stitches, but I'm pleased with the final result. This is the first pair of socks I've made for myself (after the cable footies, which I've never worn since I lost the first before I finished the 2nd).

still not finished

I need to crochet edging around the neck, sleeves and bottom, as well as crochet buttonholes on the placket and sew buttons on. Still, I couldn't resist taking a photo when I tried it on...I think I'm going to like the finished product! Here I am sewing up the side seams with mattress stitch.

coin purses

I whipped four of these up yesterday, even though it is really much too hot and muggy for sewing here. I don't have my fabric stash with me, so I had to use leftovers from the monkey. Next time I'm going to line them with some interfacing so they are a little bit sturdier.