A perfect day for KNITTING! And I have the perfect tools:
I finally broke down and ordered the "KnitPick Options" needle sets. BOTH of them! I love the points and speed of the silver ones and Aren't the wooden ones PRETTY???;-)
I figure they'll be nice to use when knitting with light colored yarn. Want to see what I've been up to?
I've been working on this queen sized, Shetland wool blanket for quite some time now. I love it! It's "mindless" knitting. Perfect for when I don't have time to concentrate on counting or patterns. 
I'm using the wool from my wether, Zenith. Unfortunately, I sold Zenith a couple of years ago and had to BUY last year's fleece from his new owner so that I'd have enough to finish the blanket. I'm waiting for the second fleec to come back from processing so I can spin it up and finish. I figure it's about 1/2 done now...
In the meantime, I'm working on a knitted/felted bag. I'm using a black Shetland fleece and a fawn fleece (I think it was Paco's). I spun the fleeces up VERY bulky and the knitting goes quite quickly. I'm using the FiberTrends pattern, with a few variations. I only put one pocket on the outside and am putting two on the inside. I haven't decided if I'll needle felt a sheep on the outside pocket or not. 
I'm almost done! I'm doing a smaller black I-cord to add to the handle for extra strength. The bag measures 29 X 29 inches (withOUT the handle). It will be interesting to see how much it shrinks when I felt it... I seem to have lost the pattern insert that gives the instructions on how to attach the handle and the felting instructions. If anyone has this pattern, I could sure use some help. I know how to do the basic felting but wanted to know if I'm suppose to felt the handle before I attach it or afterwards. Same with any needle felting. This has been a fun project and I may just do another one, when this one is finished. Then again, I am spinning up "Alice", in fingering weight, for a very special project, to be announced at a later date. ;-)
..."Mom started writing this post YESTERDAY. We're supposed to get 4 to 6 inches of snow Today..."
I love my set of harmony needles from knit picks. I got them for myself for Christmas. LOL. I asked for the options set last year, but no one got it for me. It actually turned out great because I really prefer knitting with the wooden ones.
ReplyDeleteYour bag is going to be nice! I can't wait to see it finished. I remember you made a really nice needle felted sheep on a shirt a couple years ago, maybe you do that on the bag if you don't find the directions.
I am quite impressed with your in-the-works queen sized blanket. Mindless knitting is a welcome change of pace, esp. when the brain just doesn't want to follow a chart/directions. I look forward to seeing your felted bag finished.
ReplyDeleteDiane/Bloomington,In. where we still don't have any snow to speak of....
I love your knitting projects. Can't wait to see what you do with Alice.
ReplyDeleteJane