I finished a project!

Now, don't get too excited....it's just a cowl. But it's made out of handspun yarn, and I happen to love it.

Pattern: Simple Seed Stitch Cowl

Yarn: Handspun yarn spun by me from Juliespins roving

Modifications: Surprisingly, none.

close-up glamor shot

I've also made some progress on my Blair Sweater.

I did the collar before the sleeves so I could know ahead of time if I'd have enough yarn to do long sleeves.

The collar took FOREVER. The fold-over part is all short rows, and once I got past those it went a bit faster. I just ordered these buttons to go on it.

I always seem to stall out a bit once I get to the sleeves, but I'm hoping when the buttons arrive it will motivate me to finish it sooner rather than later. That way I can at least wear it a few times before it gets too warm for handknits! 

I've also been spinning up a storm (what else is new, right?). I'm doing a shop update this week, so I've been trying to get 5-6 skeins of yarn ready. 

This lovely was slated for the update, but someone on ravelry saw it in my stash and wanted it. It was spun from Two if by Hand Rambouillet in colorway "New Tattoo."

Oh, this skein makes me smile. It's such a a great combination of cheery colors. Spun from Two if by Hand's Organic Merino in colorway "Surfer."

I think this would make an adorable baby boy knit of some sort.

Since I've been spinning so much, I've depleted my fiber stash quite a bit. So much that most everything I had left was purple. Probably because I've been hanging onto some of those to spin for myself. And while I love purple, I suppose customers probably want to see something other than all purple, all the time in the shop! 

So...I've been doing a little a lot of fiber shopping (some from etsy, some from people on ravelry looking to destash). 

This is what arrived in my mailbox on Thursday:

Starting at the top and going clockwise: Funky Carolina Polwarth in Egads with Aqua Trim (two 4 ounce braids and 2 ounces of trim), GLBLF Polwarth in Ferris Night, FLUFF Silky Cashmerino in Agate (two 3 ounce braids), and Pigeonroof SW Merino in Swamp.

Thursday was a good mail day, what can I say? Today was also a good mail day....but I'll save you endless amount of pictures of fiber...for now. 

Well...I think that's it for now!

Love,

liz :)

Oregon Gardens in Winter

I had a lovely visit with Mama Limmer this weekend! She arrived on Thursday and after a wee bit of yarn shopping we headed back to Corvallis to rest up for all the weekend festivities. On Friday night we attended a city function called Winter's Eve. The money raised goes to the Corvallis Assistance League  which provides services to kids in need (dental services, teddy bears for kids in crisis situations, clothes for kids in need, etc). The city blocks off one of the roads and has a huge heated tent with food, wine, and silent auction items. Tickets also included a coupon book for downtown businesses, most of which stayed open during the event. I ended up with a new pair of Dansko's that I've been contemplating for a while now. 20% off helped that decision! I've also come to realize how stretched out my black Danskos are...I think I'll have to replace those after this winter. 

Anyways...on Saturday the weather was gorgeous (chilly, but sunny!) and my Mom, Seth, and I headed to The Oregon Garden. Even though there weren't many things in bloom, it was nice to just be outside enjoying the nice weather and beautiful views. 

The clouds were absolutely gorgeous the whole time we were there. 

Who says that it rains every day in Oregon during the winter? Not true.  

We'll have to make sure we visit in the spring and fall next year. These planters on the water are just gorgeous with the cloud and tree reflections. 

Fun, gnarly tree. 

The Pac NW is really dog friendly. Dogs are welcome at The Oregon Garden and there is even a "Pet Garden". Sailor posing in the Pet Garden.  

Sailor checking himself out.  

Sailor striking a pose. 

The boys.

Friday night my mom and I whipped up a double batch of chocolate mint cookies (the kind with andes candies on top) to freeze for a cookie swap at Seth's office and for Christmas cookie platters. We made 2 more kinds of cookies on Sunday (raspberry jelly thumbprint cookies and shortbread chocolate chips) and my Mom did some Christmas wrapping. 

On Monday we headed up to Portland and met a couple of ladies from one of the groups my Mom is in on Ravelry (Pug Lovers) for lunch. We went to Twisted again and hit up Dublin Bay, REI, Powell's, and Knit Purl. I bought some lovely yarn at Dublin Bay as well as a skein at Knit Purl along with some adorable Christmas ornament kits! After our yarn shopping extravaganza we checked into the Crowne Plaza (gotta love free nights from Priority Club!) and hopped a shuttle to the Lloyd Center to make some returns at the Loft. 

Yesterday I dropped my Mom at the airport and stopped at the outlets in Woodburn to do a little Christmas shopping. I, of course, found a fabulous rain coat at the Merrell Outlet. Since we moved last year I've been searching for a cute, long raincoat with a hood. All the cute longer coats I've seen haven't had a hood, and well, it rains here and I don't like to carry an umbrella. Then I found this yesterday:

But in forest green with orange rivets. Completely waterproof and cute. 

And, because no post would be complete without some shots of yarn or fiber....here's a few pictures of some roving I've recently acquired from my new favorite fiber source, Two if By Hand.

Enchanted on Merino/Cashmere/Nylon 

Miss Granger on Shetland 

Nymphadora on Finn

I love that they do Harry Potter themed colors. I'm such a dork. :) 

Okay....I must go work on finishing up my Christmas knitting!

Love,

liz :)

Think Spring!

Today was another GORGEOUS day in the Pacific NorthWest! It was about 65 degrees and there was not a single cloud in the sky. Seth and Sailor went for a run in the woods and then we spent most of the afternoon in the backyard. I pruned our raspberry bushes and our grape vines, repotted an aloe plant, attempted to walk on the slackline, and played frisbee with Sailor! It was so nice to be out in the sunshine.

In crafty news, I'm a little over halfway done with the baby blanket and I just started a pair of these with some handspun yarn. I want to start spinning up some new fiber that I bought from Briar Rose:

It is ridiculously soft and smooshy. I can't wait to start spinning it up! I also can't wait to needle felt my French Press Slippers...but they are STILL wet! And Sailor thinks they are pretty tasty. Silly dog and his wool obsession.

Back to men's figure skating....