Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Episode 102 is Live!

STOP THE PRESSES!! It's Mother Bear Project time again! Check this out!



The stripping process begins on Helen, the newest Saxony to join my collection of vintage spinning ladies. Check out the difference between the actual wheel (lying on the ground to the rear) and the still--unstripped bench! WOW!

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

What's On My Hook/Needles/Spindle:
The list:

I began on a braided cowl out of some very experimental handspun in silk/merino/tencel. It's very interesting so far.

Ishbel Shawl --On to the D chart at last!!

The Argante Shawl--Not this month.

I am now finishing (slowly) a clone of my twin's throw for my office.

I frogged the Lacy Scarf, as the yarn was really too large for what I wanted from this project, and I decided to use my other Abstract braid of yak/merino to make a single (see below).

I also frogged my Multnomah Shawl, since I was really careless with it and allowed the count to get wacky.

But I am still enjoying the latest incarnation of the Lion Yarns Country Cotton Shawl pattern.

Dizzy Blondes:

More spins:

I finished the last 4 ounces of SWM/Silk in Jasper from Sunshine Yarns and the final four ounces of Blue Moon's Atomic 6:

Sunshine silk jasper

atomic6 handspun

Laceweight Yak/Merino in Big Girl Pink from Abstract Fibers:

Abstractlace

Wheel News:

Bessie (a Great or Walking Wheel): her flier unit has been sent to Davie Paul of The Merlin Tree in VT to get a Minor's head placed on it. With that, a drive band, and 2 pegs and 2 leather washers, she'll be ready to spin!

Brid (A very damaged old Saxony): She is waiting for some parts I ordered from eastern Europe to replace her damaged mother of all unit. It's time to start the stripping and refinishing on her!

Whippoorwill--My new HitchHiker wheel has arrived! Not a beginner's wheel, as she has some temper, but lots of fun to fiddle with. Trying to eradicate her annoyingly loud squeak on the right treadle. Drinks oil--She did not like the shift from humid VT to dry desert air.

Family

Helen: Yes, I picked up another antique Saxony yesterday. Some woodcraft issues, but close to spinning even now. That's her being refinished in the top photo. She has all but 1 minor piece and a drive band.

Helen

Anne: A Castle wheel, very tiny, that is beyond repair for a reasonable cost. I think she may be repurposed and refinished to be a lamp in my office. She was a gift with the purchase of Helen.

Anne

Strategy: About Passive-Aggressive People--definitions cntinued.

Something I Really Like: The new Outlier podcast and tracking down classic spinning wheels

Blather: It's Mother Bear time again! Preemie hats for the Knitmores. Quiet times at home, working on wheels, being around my family again. And some pix from the Ravelry party at Unwind Yarns:

BrendaGigi

Knitmores

Shannonokey

Gina

Michellefickle

Kelly

Stacymeilan

Stephanie

Sonyaesther

Monday, January 17, 2011

Episode 101 is Live!

STOP THE PRESSES!! It's Mother Bear Project time again! Check this out!

< Mandatory Fangirl Pic
I ended up going rather last-minute to the Unwind party and there I met...

Add yourself to our CogKNITive Listeners Map.

What's On My Hook/Needles/Spindle: The list:

Here is the actual Secret Yuletide Gift, now that the recipient has received it (and has the good sense to cherish it).

She also received some rather tasty Orchard Mitts and a pile of washclothes/trivets for her coffee shop that she now runs at her local weekly open-air market.

Ishbel Shawl --One more row left on Chart C! It actually now looks Ishbel-ish!

The Argante Shawl--Not this month.

I am now finishing (slowly) a clone of my twin's throw for my office.

I started a lacey scarf from my handspun Mt. Hood Rose colorway from Abstract Fibers, but it's on hold until I spin up some more to finish it. And I do not HAVE any of that fiber right now. GRRRR!

I gave away one of my Country Cotton Shawls to a stray bellydancer on Christmas Eve (no, really!), so I am crocheting its replacement.

And my knitting group is having a Multnomah/Klamath CAL/KAL, so here is my version, worked in my own lovely handspun.

Dizzy Blondes:

December spins:

Shopaholic SWM from from BeeMiceElf:

Shopaholic


SWM/Silk in Jasper from Sunshine Yarns:

Sunshine silk jasper

Tussah/Merino in Serendipity from FreckleFaceFibers:

Tussahmerino

Laceweight Merino in Rosebush from FreckleFaceFibers:


Laceweight

Dragonsnort--Redfish 50/50 Silk Superfine Merino (burning oranges and dull browns) crossed with merino/tencel from Sheepish Creations ( peach, brown, gold) and from Zarzuela Fibers (Study in Blues colorway).

Silktencel

The new girls in town:

Bessie (a Great or Walking Wheel)

Bessie

AND

Brid (A very damaged old Saxony):

Brid

Strategy: About Passive-Aggressive People

Something I Really Like: Cock-a-Leekie Soup

Blather: Some heart-stopping fun on the job, a Ravelry party at last, and general holiday craziness.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Episode 100--In Which Nathan and I Have Tremendouse Fun Answering Questions

Here's some Newfie Dog mellow-ocity to encourage you all to settle back and listen to this long, rambling interview and chat between 2 fiber buddies--me and the Now-Infamous Straphanging (Nathan).

Back to the normal format next episode, as I have a LOT to catch you all up on.

Warm hugs as always--you are the best!

Gemma

Teddy naps