Saving My Sanity

For the 5th night in a row, I'm sitting here listening to the incessant barking of my neighbor's dog.  She usually tunes up around 9:00 and keeps going until long after I go to bed.  It wouldn't bother me so much if she did it in her own yard, but she's in my front yard, just beyond the reach of the front porch light.  She's a sweet dog, in the daylight, but after dark, she turns into a hellhound who will NOT SHUT UP!

What to do?  What to do?  Maybe a little therapeutic sock-knitting is in order.  I've been working on my second pair of Fruit Stripes Gum (pattern by Leah Oakley at Haus of Yarn in Nashville) socks in the Gumballs colorway by The Color Wheel yarn company.  I came across this yarn at last year's Fiber in the Boro, a fall fiber festival in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  The Color Wheel had dyed colorway especially for Haus of Yarn to be used to make this pattern.  I think the bright stripes are perfect for the diamond effect of the pattern.  I'm really enjoying each color transition.

 

The first pair of these socks I made on smaller needles (maybe US 1.5's?) and they turned out pretty tight.  These I'm making on US 3's and they're a little bigger than I'd like.  The yarn is superwash but I think I'll try a hot water wash when I'm done to see if they shrink to a better it.

If all else fails, maybe they'll make a pretty muzzle for the dastardly dog that is STILL BARKING IN MY FRONT YARD!

Blogfading, podfading, but never knitfading

Hey!  Anyone still out there?  I know I have podfaded since last fall, and blogfaded since last February, but things were just spinning out of control and I had to let something go. I hope to pick up the podcast again, but it will be awhile, so I thought I'd put up a blogpost. 

While I've been away, I've been knitting and knitting and knitting!  Here are a few things, as most never get around to being photographed and posted to Ravelry (although I am always on Facebook -- an addiction about as bad as my fiber addiction).  Here are a few projects:

This is the Frisson made from Frolicking Feet sock yarn by Done Roving. The colorway is Apple Pickin. Not my typical color choices -- greens and golds - but I'm very happy with the result.

Been working up some socks (again, totally out of character for me) -- here are a few (but, yes, I made more):

I decided to do a KAL, which I've only tried once before.  This is the Maggie Fangmann's 2015 Afghan KAL.  I really enjoyed January.  I'm finding February quite a challenge.  My cabling is so tight, I'm not sure it will block out.  Might be reworking February, but I'm going to plow ahead for now.

January

February

Finally, having been iced-in for most of the last week, I did some deep stash-diving and surfaced with this Dragonfly Fibers Pixie in the Firecracker colorway that I had purchased at Stitches South three years ago.  I cast on the  Starshower cowl and am on the last section as of today.  I'm hoping to finish this weekend and get it blocked.  

So, no worries.  I haven't lost my passion for all things fiber.  I did lose my mojo during November and December, but don't we all lose it a bit with all the holiday prep?  Anyway...hope to talk to you soon.

Classes at Ewe & Company

Hey!  I am teaching knitting classes at Ewe & Company for the next few months. Check out the details below, and for more information, send me a private message, ask Glenna at Ewe & Company or e-mail me at tnunraveler@gmail.com.

Learn to knit! (Beginner 1)
Beginner knitting classes are being offered at Ewe & Company. If you or someone you know has always wanted to learn, these classes are the perfect way to begin.
Cost: $25 for a 2-hour session (materials not included)
(materials must be purchased from Ewe & Company)
Class dates available: 2/1, 3/1, 4/5 – all class times are 2:00pm-4:00pm

Learn to knit! (Beginner 2)
Have the knit stitch down? Ready to move on? In this Beginner 2 class, you will learn the purl stitch and how to combine it with the knit stitch to create the classic stockinette stitch. We’ll make a miniature version of a cute slouch hat, so you will come away with all the techniques to make the full-sized hat.
Cost: $25 for a 2-hour session (materials not included)
(materials must be purchased from Ewe & Company)
Class dates available: 2/22, 3/22, 4/26 – all class times are 2:00pm-4:00pm

No Seams!
(Knitting in the Round)
Learn to knit a seamless project by knitting in the round.
We’ll be making this fun and quick hat.
Cost: $35 for 2 2-hour sessions (materials not included)
(materials must be purchased from Ewe & Company)
Class dates: February 6 & 20, 6:00pm-8pm

Toe Up Socks
Never knit a sock? Want to learn?
We’ll be making these socks in worsted weight yarn – so you can work up a sock quickly while learning basic sock construction.
Cost: $35 for 2 2-hour sessions (materials not included)
(materials must be purchased from Ewe & Company)
Class dates:
March 6 & 20, 6:00pm-8pm

Lace Knitting
As the weather warms up, come in and learn a light and airy project – perfect for spring and summer knitting. We’ll be making lace facecloths in 3 simple but beautiful lace patterns. In these sessions, you’ll learn the basics of lace knitting and chart reading.
Cost: $35 for 2 2-hour sessions (materials not included)
(materials must be purchased from Ewe & Company)
Class dates:  April 3 & 17, 6:00pm-8pm
 
Sock Help Sessions
Stuck on your sock project? These 1 hour sessions are available to help you get past your “sock block”. Bring your work in progress and let our instructor help.
Cost: $10 for a 1-hour session
Help sessions available: 3/27 - 6:00pm-8:00pm