WIP Wednesday #2 - Socks and Shirts

Hey all. I really appreciated hearing all the feedback on my prints, I am so glad you guys liked them.

Today's WIP Wednesday is dedicated once again to my Springy Orange Socks, as well as a new project I am about to embark on.

Last time you saw these socks I was ready to start the heel and they were both on the same needle. Well I attempted to work both heels at once last week and it ended in epic fail. That pattern is just not written for 2aat because of the decreases and such that it requires to make the foot and toe pretty. So I ripped out what I had and separated them. As much as they didn't want to be, it was for the best.  After separating them, I was able to focus on the construction and the pattern and last night I finished the first sock! Now I just have to put sock 2 back on the needles and do it all over again. *Sigh* I guess it gives me something to do at knit night tonight.

One down, one to go!

So I know I said I wouldn't start anything else until these socks were done BUT the lack of homework is getting to me and I am going insane! Oddly enough, having 5 hours a day of knitting time is becomes a bit mundane. I really need to get off my butt and do something more but.... ok I am considering a second job....but.....

Anyways, I don't think I ever shared what I have decided to do with the 1200+ yards of amazing Bamboo Lace I got a few weeks back. After hunting and searching and thinking and hunting and thinking more I finally decided on the Train Sweater.  This pattern only takes half of my yarn and is specifically written for lace weight.  The best part I think is that I can probably mess up the lace pattern a bit (Me and lace have a love-hate relationship) and still make it look ok. And it's IN THE ROUND! WOOT!

Ok so here is the swatch, which is being blocked right now. I still haven't fully mastered even blocking, but it is just a swatch. Also, this photo does no justice to the amazingness that is the color of this yarn.

I'm really excited for this project!

In other, spinning news, I decided against plying the 2 2-ply merinos together. I attempted to last night and I just could not get it even and not loose at the same time. They just would not work together. So (for now) they are staying as is. I may give a skein to Ivy (since it was her yarn) and keep one for me and knit a cowl or something. Who knows.

Attempt at plying and drawing = Fail :(

Well, summer school is pretty fun. No homework and I am learning a lot in a short amount of time. I hope everyone else out there in blog land is enjoying the season while you can!

~Lisa

For more WIP Wednesdays, check out Tami's Amis Blog!

Little Purple Fuzzies

I never thought something as smooth and shiny as bamboo would leave little purple fuzzies all over my floor, but I guess I was wrong!

I haven't picked up my spindle in quite a while, mostly because I didn't have much fiber in my stash and money in my wallet.  However, last week I found myself picking up my spindle again.  My fiber of choice? A ball of purple bamboo I purchased at Wicked Stitch back in July.

Bamboo is one of those fibers that seemed really scary, for I am used to animal fibers and the one time I tried this fiber before it ended in miserable failure. But after reading a few posts by Sara (A Year at the Wheel), I knew I wanted to give it a second try.  Making sure I had minimal distractions I set to work.

As I spun I noticed a few things that are probably unique to bamboo fiber.  One, you have to have much more control over our spindle, because if you don't the fibers will pull apart much easier, or they will become overspun and kinky.  Two, the fibers pull apart easily anyways.  This is the kinda of fiber that comes off in strands instead of chunks, which means that if you draft too much you will end up with very thin strands that may even pull apart later.  Finally, when spinning bamboo, you have to spin your spindle a lot faster or once again, the fibers will come apart.

So far I have spun about half of my ball. I plan on going back to Wicked Stitch in the next couple of weeks and buying more, maybe in a second color, so that I may ply the 2 together to maximize my yardage. I am a little nervous (as usual) about how to ply and set the twist, but I know I will overcome it and by summer time I will have a beautiful handspun bamboo scarf!

~Lisa