Keeping warm

I love capelets! Love them! So I whipped one out from Wrap Style:

It is a simple wrap, and it has its flaws, such as the bottom edge rolling up in an unflattering way. It was a great introduction, and the yarn was yummy to knit with.

Pattern: Eyelet Capelet from Wrap Style

Yarn: Online Linie 157 Tessa, 50g, 5 skeins (or 6? I don't remember)

Needles: Boye #9 aluminum circulars

Notes: Lucky me, the gauge was spot-on, since I really wanted to make this pattern using this yarn. I followed the pattern to the letter, and really had fun with it! Once I gave the edges a light steam, they stayed put much nicer.

Odessa

Finally, to match my Clapotis, an Odessa!

Pattern: Odessa from MagKnits

Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Twister in Blues and Greens, about 100 grams

Needles: Boye #3 and #4 aluminum circular

Notes: I did not use beads, since this yarn is very speckly already, and I am too lazy to stop and figure out beading. I also squooshed the yarn down to gauge with teensier and teensier needles, until the numbers came out correctly. Had I stopped to think about the pattern, I would have used the proper needle size of #8 or so, and reduced the repeats. Now the hat is the correct size, but lacks spring and so doesn't cling to my noggin like it should.

Ah well, live and learn! And I still love the hat!

Past is Present

DH's friend made me this hand-carved spindle top, it is his first attempt. I am going to finish the wood somehow, I thought that a wax finish would make it smooth and good for spinning. Any suggestions are welcome!






Here is an excerpt about the craft:



Salish women were considered virtually unrivalled in their ability to produce beautiful textiles that had social and spiritual significance. The ancient art of weaving Salish-style blankets was revived in the 1960s and it continues as a vibrant expression of cultural identity.


Many Salish spindle whorls have sophisticated and powerful carved designs -- human, animal and geometric. The whorl was placed on a wooden spindle to add the weight needed to maintain the spinning motion, and to prevent the wool from falling off the rod as it was being spun. As the whorl turned, the designs would blur together, mesmerizing the spinner. This trance state was considered vital: it gave the spinner the ability to create textiles imbued with special powers.

Coast Salish Spindle Whorl
Spindle Whorl Samples

Sharing the Love

There must be a lot of love in the world for this much to land in my mailbox. Thanks to the thoughtful Ali for putting together the Knitty "Spread the Love" VD campaign!

From Knitmonkey, I just got a pile of rocks. Just kidding, they are the edible kind, lovely and yummy! Oh, how did you know how much I love these?

And my special Secret VD infector was CelticCoyote! Yarn, yummies, and some wonderful muscle creams. Love-in-a Box!!!

Look closely and you can see the specially engraved WonkyRock (tm):

What? I got more! A surprise gift from Ali herself! In a beautiful bag:

Were these lovelies! And a lot of delectables as well, unfortunately they did not survive long enough to make the photo shoot:

And I can't leave out the lovin' from my dear man!

* sigh *