Contest!!

Because I have so many readers who are just for a set of my stitch markers... but more importantly because I got my Twisted order today and I have no idea what to do with my Shiny and I don't want to do another pair of socks. Look how pretty! So here is the contest: Find me the perfect non-sock pattern for 400 yards of Shiny in Lagoon and if I pick your pattern, I will throw your fave set of stitch markers from the Etsy shop your way! Leave a link to the pattern in a comment and on Saturday (1/24) assuming I have more than three comments (haha). I will pick my favorite and let you guys know the winner.

Here's the fine print:
Please leave me a way to find you, i.e. ravelry name, email, etc. (Comments will be set so that the public can't see them). I be sure to put a post up with all the links on Saturday I get too so that if you happen upon a skein of Shiny in Lagoon and you are wondering what to make you will have some ideas.

Okay here's what else is up. The BFL from Crazy Monkey is slowly going but here is my progress...

The shop has been updated with a new handspun and some markers, I also plan on adding a couple of hand dyed sock yarns in the next couple of days, stop by and check it out!

Back in the saddle, or whatever...

Yep after almost three long months of nothing, I promise I am back for good. Well at least every couple weeks until I am so busy trying to write my thesis that I give up again.

What have I been up to...Well I had a baby!!

Isn't she cute? I'm so crafty I make people.

I dyed this

And I spun this.

I added some of my mom's handspun on etsy, an when I get a moment, I have one more to put up...

I'm going to build a light box one of these days so I can get some true to life colors...this is a little more red than the pic shows, but soft squishy and yummy.

Well it is ridiculously early and I think that monkey #2 is finally ready to call it a night, good thing tomorrow is Saturday and I can sleep in a little!

Esty shop

Just wanted to let everyone know that the etsy shop is up and running! Right now I have one handspun and several stitch markers. I need to take some pics and I should have a few more handspuns up in the next couple of days.

I am really excited about my new patterns and the positive response on them. I had one knitter contact me about the basket weave handbag. She mentioned that she really doesn't crochet and me (like a moron) forgets that not all knitter's crochet also. So here is a simple solution for those who don't crochet:

Instead of binding off, switch to the cotton yarn. Decrease every stitch, 38 st remain. Work in garter st for 4 rows (2 purl ridges on the front side).
next row: k12, bo 14, k12
next row: k12, co 14, k12 (leaving an opening for the handle but joining to the last 12 stitches) Knit 6 more rows (3 purl ridges on the front side) Bind off.
Pick up 76 stitches from the cast on edge and repeat the above directions.
Sew up side seams, weave in ends.

I used garter stitch as an example but in the spirit of making it your own, you can use any stitch that doesn't curl such as seed stitch. I will be sure to add this to the end of the pattern post also.

I did start on the Malabrigo bag, but I'm not particularly happy with it right now, it just didn't come out like I had pictured in my head. I'm working on a baby surprise jacket for a preggo friend of my mine and that is almost done, so I might try and pick it back up and have another pattern by the end of this week. Then it is off to Colorado for me!!

New handspun

In addition to the new pattern, I was busy this weekend spinning up some pretty new yarn that I felt I need to share.

I also decided that I really need a plying head for the Lendrum and Christmas is still months away... Maybe I could buy it for the hubby's birthday in September. After all he does buy me presents for himself. Okay maybe not, I guess I just need to sell my soul... or yarn... who would like to buy 320 yards (4 oz) of sport weight 100% hand spun wool? $30. Maybe I need to get on etsy.

I really have the spinning bug right now, I started some pretty blended merino last night and I'm thinking about plying it with some mill spun cashmere singles that I have and have no idea what to do with. The merino is very pretty yellow blended with some orange, light blue and pink, and the cashmere is a lighter yellow, I post pics when I can take some.

I am also finding that I don't do forced knitting very well either. I can't even stand the sight of Heather's wedding shawl, so it might turn into Heather's wedding purse or something (not the actual shawl, but I might make a purse instead, which gives me an idea but I would have to spin the yarn and that probably won't happen). I should make something fun for the bridesmaids, each different so I don't get bored...Angelina!! sorry, that was the turret syndrome speaking, angelina the fiber not the brood mare, I mean actress. I am very easily distracted today and rambling so on that note I am off to a cookie cake party in my honor (not really, they just invited me).