Knitty Gritty Thoughts

Labels - Step 1

For the longest time I've been looking for labels and a fun way to tag some of my new creations.  I thought about printed tape labels but it wasn't quite what I was looking for.  Then I saw Shim+Sons smart idea - A rubber stamp + fabric stamping ink + fabric = label! I ordered my stamp from a place I found on the internet, they have a interactive ordering system which allows you to create any design you want - with or without images.

Hubby has already picked me up some fabric ink - you paint it on the stamp like a brush.  Final step is to find some linen, I'm looking for a good source, can you help a girl out???

I can't wait to get all the pieces together and make me some labels, so exciting!
 

Cheap fiber

I couldn't resist, have you seen this page?  Big 'ol bales of fiber for cheap (I bought two pounds and I don't even spin!) and for the knitters here are some mill seconds as well- Cotton Fleece, Brown Sheep all the good stuff.  Very cool!

Comfy is My Name-O

The "mitts of doom" as Julie so aptly calls them underwent a conditioner bath this week, which was a really neat idea by Nancy.  Basically I just did a full wet soak and added conditioner to the water and mixed it together with my hands and let the mitts soak for 30 minutes.  It did work, they are softer and the fibers appear to be smoother.  Unfortunately my hands are still not happy in the darn things so I think I'm going to put them in the gift pile and send them to someone who can wear them. 

It has just started to turn cold here in the south, finally!  It was 84 highs all last week and I was feeling overheated.  Working from home you can find me in jeans and a tee most days with either flip flops or running shoes depending on my mood.  I definitely choose comfort over style always, and I mean who's going to see me anyway? =)  Last night I ran across some crocs shoes and tried them on.  I have always thought they weren't the most stylish things but my oh my goodness, they are COMFY!  I've found the perfect combo wearing them with handknit socks, it's so cushy and my feet are happy, so I'm happy.  Oh you wanna see the socks I'm wearing today?  They're knit from Alison's anklet pattern in koigu, I managed to get the pair out of 1 skein, even for my ski boat feet.

(Please ignore my pasty, so white they're blinding, legs =) )

No new knitting progress to show this week, I did rip out my cabled sock from handknit holidays because it was too small to fit over my instep.  I started over with a US 6 needle and it appears to be going good.  I've tried it on a few times and I think we have a winner.  I've been keeping busy tearing up the kitchen.  We tore out the floors/wallpaper this week so it's been a little crazy, we're living off takeout and frozen dinners.  I can't wait until it's put back together so I can have a decent meal.  The sodium levels have me drinking water like a camel- I'm thirsty all the time.

I know you came here for the knitting though, I  have a few things I'm loving this week, have you seen Tracey's Print O' the Wave Stole?  It's gorgeous.  Also, Cara had a great link to braiding roving which I think is neat.   I love the way roving looks in little braids. 

Have a great weekend!

I love Diamonds

I told you this week was all about the knitalongs.  Like Nancy I love it when I'm already planning on doing something and then a knitalong comes along.  *Bam* I'm there! =)

Do you recognize the pattern?  It's the diamond fanstasy scarf by Sivia Harding.  The yarn is very special, it's from Mama Llama Knits, the creation of Catherine.  You should go check out her shop, she has lots of neat lace and sock clubs starting up right now!

I feel very lucky to have gotten a chance to try out her yarn and knit something so luscious with it.  The colors are so gorgeous in person, you wouldn't believe the depth of greens.  A normal DF scarf is 6 repeats, but the yardage is so generous I think I'm going to go atleast 7, or perhaps more.  I'm almost finished with 4reps in this picture.  It's knit on a US 6 knitpicks circular.

And in other news, Kim Hargreaves has discounts on all her accessory kits here, go check it out.

Measure Me

I found a neat little toy when I was out last night.  I've been wanting a scale for--ever, but couldn't bring myself to spend the 50-70 dollars I'd seen them for.  This little guy is digital, measures ounces and grams and only cost 20 which I think is a good deal.  Now I can measure yarn to my hearts content!

1) Cool Scale
2) Scale with Socks that Rock in Scottish Highlands colorway = 4.6 ounces (I got an extra .1 ounce!)
3) Scale with Kidsilk Haze = 25gms (right on target)
4) Scale with Koigu = 50gms (right on target again!)

A scale has a lot of cool other uses as well for knitting, I can use it to measure large sock yarn skeins and divide it into two even balls.  I could measure the yarn as I knit so I can calculate how much I have left, like for lace and an edging.

Hmmm, what else?  You tell me, I'd love to hear =)

edited to add later: Everyone is asking where they can get one of their own! =) I bought mine at WalMart, the only place to shop in my town.  You'll find it in the mailing section, mine was near the bubblewrap, on the bottom shelf rather hidden by everything.  It was selling for 19.96 to be exact, hope this helps you find one for you too! =)